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[expatimes]

Backlash grows over RFK Jr's lawyer asking FDA to revoke approval of polio vaccine

Trump's Health Secretary Nominee RFK Jr Spreads Vaccine Fears: New York Times Reveals Polio Vaccine Critique President-elect Trump's choice to lead the nation's Health Department, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, is facing intense scrutiny following a New York Times report revealing his lawyer's requests to revoke approval of the polio vaccine. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic who has pushed debunked claims linking childhood vaccines to autism, has raised concerns over the safety of vaccines. This latest development has sparked swift backlash, with multiple officials and lawmakers speaking out against his nomination. Kennedy's lawyer, Aaron Siri, requested the FDA to revoke the approval of the polio vaccine just two years ago, calling it "highly speculative and potentially catastrophic." However, the vaccine has been instrumental in nearly eradicating wild polio virus and is widely considered to be one of the safest vaccines. In response, Senator Elizabeth Warren blasted Kennedy, saying "Goodbye to your smile and say hello to polio, because this is a man who wants to stop kids from getting their polio and measles shots." Fellow Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, also weighed in, calling efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures "uninformed and dangerous." McConnell urged lawmakers to scrutinize Kennedy's stance on vaccines, cautioning that any association with efforts to undermine vaccine efficacy would be damaging. Meanwhile, Trump and Kennedy issued identical statements claiming that the polio vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly studied. However, in an earlier interview, Trump expressed uncertainty about eliminating the vaccine, saying he would need to be "convinced" it's necessary. Trump himself has echoed concerns about vaccination safety, claiming that vaccination rates are rising at levels never seen before. Policymakers and healthcare professionals are quick to underscore the importance of vaccination programs, particularly for diseases like polio, which had ravaged children worldwide prior to the development of an effective vaccine. "While in the United States, we're free of paralytic polio, there is still a risk if we stop vaccinating that we may see cases occur again," said health expert Dr. . Kennedy's nominee still requires Congressional approval, but this new revelation threatens to derail his chances at becoming the Secretary of the Health and Human Services (HHS). As Robert F. Kennedy Jr confronts these accusations, policymakers and the public alike must assess his stance on vaccination programs and ensure that individuals holding such significant influence hold no biases or misconceptions that could imperil the well-being of millions of Americans. Will Congress Reject RFK Jr for Vaccine Skepticism? Only Time Will Tell. The road ahead appears treacherous for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While he can still argue for the benefits of certain vaccines, his vocalization of concerns surrounding vaccination has put him at odds with experts and politicians alike. Only time will tell how Kennedy's confirmation hearings pan out, and whether public trust in vaccine programs, including the vital polio vaccine, remains intact under his potential leadership. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. #World #autism #Congressional_approval #Dr. #Elizabeth_Warren #FDA #health_expert #Health_Secretary #measles_shots #Mitch_McConnell #NBC_News_NOW #New_York_Times #polio #polio_vaccine #Public_Health #Robert_F._Kennedy_Jr. #Secretary_of_Health_and_Human_Services #Trump #Vaccination #vaccination_safety #vaccine

[expatimes]

Salah disappointed with Liverpool contract situation | De Bruyne to leave City? | Back Pages Tonight

Back Pages Tonight: Mo Salah's Future at Liverpool in Doubt Salah Reveals He's More Out Than In Amid Contract Tangle The sports world is abuzz with the latest news on Mo Salah's future at Liverpool. The Egyptian superstar has sparked a debate about his commitment to the club after revealing he's "more out than in" amid contract talks. According to sources, Salah is yet to receive a new deal from Liverpool, leaving his future at Anfield uncertain. Guardian and Times Weigh In on Salah's Comments The Guardian and Times have both reported on Salah's comments, with the Guardian stating that the forward is "leaning towards an exit" from Liverpool. The Times, meanwhile, has reported that Salah has admitted his disappointment at the lack of a new contract offer from the club. Mirror and Sun Feature Salah's Comments The Mirror and Sun have also picked up on Salah's comments, with the Mirror featuring a defiant Pep Guardiola saying that Liverpool will have to fight for the title. The Sun, meanwhile, has reported on the "troubling situation" surrounding the RFU, with CEO Bill Sweeney earning a 1.1 million pound salary despite the union's 40 million pound loss. Rugby Union in Crisis The RFU is facing a major crisis, with the union's CEO earning a massive salary despite the organization's financial struggles. The Telegraph has reported on the controversy, highlighting the stark contrast between Sweeney's pay and the redundancies faced by other RFU staff. Tottenham's Goalkeeper Crisis Tottenham is facing a goalkeeping crisis after Hugo Lloris was ruled out for several months. The club is now exploring options to sign a new goalkeeper in January, with Jack Rosser suggesting that a loan deal could be the most viable option. Mark Ogden and Jack Rosser Weigh In ESPN's Mark Ogden and the Sun's Jack Rosser joined Sky Sports News to discuss the latest sports stories. Ogden praised Salah's cleverness in speaking out about his contract situation, while Rosser expressed sympathy for Tottenham fans facing a goalkeeping crisis. #Sport #BackPagesTonight #BillSweeney #guardian #HugheLloris #JackRosser #Liverpool #MarkOgden #Mirror #MoSalah #PuppyUnion #RFU #Salah #SkySportsNews #Sports #sun #Telegraph #times #Tottenham

[expatimes]

"We are going to suffer for a long period" | Ruben Amorim's first Manchester United game assessed

A New Era for Manchester United: Observations from the First Game Under Erim As Manchester United's new manager, Erim, took charge, there was a sense of uncertainty among fans, players, and critics alike. With a plethora of new tactics and changes, the Red Devils aimed to revamp their game and improve their performance. After three days, it was evident that Erim was shaking things up, introducing new formations, and seeking to freshen up the squad's dynamics. This article will explore the significant changes and what they mean for the future of Manchester United. Formation and Team Structure In the recent game against, Manchester United fielded an unfamiliar 3-4-3 formation, with Diego Doo and Amad Dio operating as wing-backs. This move provided a solid defensive foundation, allowing the team to dominate possession and create opportunities going forward. The introduction of Marcus Rashford as a number nine and Bruno Fernandes playing in a deeper role behind him added an extra layer of creativity and flexibility. These changes marked a significant shift from Manchester United's previous 4-2-3-1 formation, which had been criticized for its lack of mobility and adaptability. Erim's 3-4-3 setup, with wing-backs cutting inside, offered more width, providing an additional outlet for attacks and creating opportunities for counter-attacks. Positional Changes: A New Era for Key Players The likes of Amad Dio and Bruno Fernandes, who have traditionally operated in specific roles, were tasked with adapting to new positions. Amad Dio, normally a winger, was deployed as a left-back, while Bruno Fernandes, a prolific attack-minded midfielder, was asked to play behind Marcus Rashford, operating as a more defensive-minded presence. The 4-3-4-1 formation saw Rashford and Fernandes swapping roles, with the latter dropping back to play a more withdrawn, influencing role. These positional changes allowed Erim to create a more cohesive, dynamic unit, with players adapting to new responsibilities. Heat Maps and Patterns of Play In the previous game against Ipswich, Amad Dio's heat map showed him operating primarily on the left flank, a role he has become accustomed to. However, against, he was asked to cut inside, using his agility and skill to create opportunities for Manchester United. This willingness to adapt was evident, as Amad Dio was involved in key areas of the pitch, showing his ability to flex and adjust. Bruno Fernandes, too, saw a notable change in his heat map, which revealed a more defensive-minded approach. The Portuguese midfielder, known for his attacking flair, was tasked with soaking up possession in deeper areas, using his vision and range to pick out passes that would unlock the opposition. This shift marked a significant departure from his usual advanced attacking role, but it was a sign of Erim's desire to improve Manchester United's resilience and stubbornness. A Work in Progress: What's to Come Erim's tenure at Manchester United has just begun, and it's clear that significant changes are afoot. As fans, players, and staff alike adjust to this new era, it's expected that the process of adaptation will be gradual. Erim's comments post-game hinted that tolerating short-term struggles might be necessary for long-term growth and success. In the coming weeks and months, it will be fascinating to see how Erim continues to evolve and adapt his approach, guided by his 3-4-3 formation. Manchester United fans will be eager to witness the team's progress, as the squad learns to mesh together under its new leader. As the Red Devils navigate this new chapter, one thing is certain: the wait will be worth it, as the excitement and anticipation build for a brighter, more resilient, and more effective Manchester United. #Sport #adaptation #AmadDio #BrunoFernandes #DiegoDoo #Erim #football #footballtactics #formation #heatmaps #Ipswich #ManchesterUnited #ManchesterUnitedfans #MarcusRashford #patternsofplay #positionalchanges #Resilience #Tactics

[expatimes]

Trump Transition Coverage Highlights - Nov. 19 | NBC News

President-Elect Trump's Transition Takes Center Stage In a tumultuous transition process, President-elect Donald Trump is facing a crucial moment as he fights to save the nomination of Matt Gates to become Attorney General. A computer hack has uncovered potentially damaging information about the former Congressman, including allegations of sex trafficking. Senate Republicans are wavering, and the House Ethics Committee is considering releasing its investigation. Gates Confirmation in Jeopardy Sources familiar with the case have confirmed that the hack unearthed sworn testimony from two women, including one who claims to have had sex with Gates when she was 17. Gates denies the allegations. This new development has prompted Senator Mitch McConnell to caution Trump against rushing the nomination, saying that the Senate must exercise its "advice and consent" power. Trump's Allies Back Gates Despite the growing controversy, President-elect Trump is actively lobbying for Gates's confirmation. He is also moving ahead with other key picks, including naming TV personality Dr. Oz to lead Medicare and Medicaid services. Dr. Oz, a renowned thoracic surgeon, has faced criticism for offering questionable medical advice on his TV show. Elon Musk and SpaceX In a surprising move, President-elect Trump traveled to Texas to witness the launch of a SpaceX rocket, a company founded by his key ally, billionaire Elon Musk. The two have a close relationship, with Musk supporting Trump's campaign and being offered a spot in Trump's transition team. Republican Congresswoman Introduces Resolution on Transgender Rights In a highly contentious battle over trans rights, Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced a resolution that could ban transgender women from using female bathrooms in the halls of Congress. Mace defended her bill, saying it is a protection of women's rights, while critics argue it is discriminatory. Laura and Ryan's Report from Capitol Hill NBC News correspondents Laura and Ryan brought us live updates from Capitol Hill, where tensions are running high over the fate of Gates's nomination and the introduction of Mace's resolution. Ryan shared his thoughts on the relationship between Trump and Elon Musk, saying that Musk has taken a big gamble by backing Trump and is now reaping the rewards. #World #CapitolHill #DonaldTrump #Dr.Oz #ElonMusk #Gates #HouseEthicsCommittee #Laura #MattGates #Medicaid #medicare #MitchMcConnell #NancyMace #NBCNews #PresidentElectTrumpsTransition #Republicans #Ryan #Senate #SenateRepublicans #sextrafficking #SpaceX #TransgenderRights #transition #Trump

[expatimes]

Shaunagh Brown on whether Steve Borthwick can turn England's form around

Rugby Union's Weekend of Woes: Pressure Mounts on Gatland and Borthwick England's Struggles Continue England's rugby team suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, losing to South Africa, while Warren Gatland's Wales team extended their losing streak to 11 matches with a thrashing by Australia. Former England and Harlequin's forward Shauna Brown joins Mike to discuss the issues plaguing these two teams. Why are England Losing? Shauna Brown, a former England player, attributes England's struggles to simple mistakes and a lack of cohesion. "There's plenty to be fixed and there's time to do it," she says. "Steve Borthwick is the man to fix it, and while the team may not have won in a while, they still have time to turn things around." Must-Win Match for Borthwick Borthwick's team faces a must-win match against Japan next week, which would be a significant boost for the team's morale. Shauna Brown believes that a win against Japan is crucial, but it's not a cause for grave concern yet. Gatland's Time Running Out? Warren Gatland's Wales team, on the other hand, may be running out of time. With 11 consecutive losses, some may wonder if it's time for a change. Shauna Brown thinks that Gatland should be asking himself if it's time to step aside and bring in fresh ideas. Women's World Cup England is set to host the Women's World Cup next year, and Shauna Brown believes that they are favorites to win. With a strong team and a home crowd, England has everything in their favor. Wheelchair Rugby Shauna Brown is also an ambassador for Great Britain's wheelchair rugby team, and she believes that this sport is a must-watch for anyone who loves rugby. With its full-contact element and mixed gender teams, wheelchair rugby is an exciting and empowering sport. Women's Cup The Women's Cup, which takes place in December, aims to promote women's participation in wheelchair rugby and encourage more women to play the sport. Shauna Brown believes that the cup will be a great platform for women to showcase their skills and inspire others to take up the sport. Conclusion As the pressure mounts on Gatland and Borthwick, it's clear that changes need to be made. With the Women's World Cup on the horizon, England is looking to make a strong impression and claim the title. Wheelchair rugby, meanwhile, offers a unique and exciting brand of rugby that's worth watching.

[expatimes]

This Morning’s Top Headlines – Nov. 18 | Morning News NOW

Major Developments in Russia-Ukraine War: US Approves Use of Long-Range Missiles The Biden Administration has given the green light for Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike inside Russia, according to US officials. This policy reversal comes as Russia carried out its largest missile and drone attack on Ukraine since August, targeting the country's power grid. G20 Summit: Ukraine and Russia to Dominate Discussions The situation in Ukraine is expected to be among the top issues at today's G20 meeting in Brazil, which is the final international summit of President Biden's presidency. NBC News senior White House correspondent Kelly O'Donnell is reporting from Rio de Janeiro, where she spoke with US officials about the policy change. President-Elect Trump's Cabinet Picks Meanwhile, President-elect Trump has announced two more big picks for his cabinet: Chris Wright, CEO of an oil and gas company, to lead the Department of Energy, and Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The pushback against two of his choices is growing, even among some Republicans, which could tee up some battles during the confirmation process. Justice Department Officials Fear Political Retaliation Justice Department officials are feeling vulnerable and are reaching out to lawyers after President-elect Trump's victory. They are concerned about being targeted by people who are loyal to Trump, particularly members of Congress. NBC News justice and intelligence correspondent Ken Dilanian has been reporting on this story and joins us to discuss the concerns of these officials. Weather Alert: Heavy Rain and Flooding Expected Finally, a cold front is moving through the country, bringing heavy rain and flooding to parts of the Southern Plains, Upper Midwest, and Gulf Coast. Michelle Gman has the latest forecast and warns of potential flooding, tornadoes, and heavy rain throughout the week.

[expatimes]

Myanmar: Five protesters explain why they will not give up

Myanmar: Five protesters explain why they will not give up

Hundreds of people have been killed in Myanmar amid an increasingly violent response to continuing protests calling on the military to step down and restore democracy.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an advocacy group tracking deaths and detentions, says 510 people have been killed in the violence with Saturday marking the bloodiest day since the military seized power in a coup on February 1.

Analysts doubt the brutality of the crackdown by the military, also known as the Tatmadaw, will deter the protesters.

“Incredibly, although the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) comprises unarmed protesters with their flimsy homemade tin shields and hats, they have been able to deny the ‘mighty’ Tatmadaw the things they most crave: control over the country and economic stability,” said Gwen Robinson, a senior fellow at Chulalongkorn University’s Institute of Security and International Studies in Bangkok, and editor-at-large at the Nikkei Asian Review.

“By sheer force of their spirit and bravery they have foiled the generals, and to me that is a significant victory.”

Myanmar has a population of 54 million with about a third from ethnic minorities.

The military has begun bombing in eastern Karen state, which has sent thousands fleeing into neighbouring Thailand. On Tuesday, three ethnic armed groups including Rakhine State’s Arakan Army  released a statement demanding the military stop the killings of civilians.

Robinson believes the coup has helped unite the country against the military.

“You have got big business, civil society, ethnic groups, different religious people all against the coup – that is an extraordinary thing,” she said.

With Robinson warning that Myanmar could end up a failed state with a brutal dictatorship holding onto power through sheer force, Al Jazeera spoke to five protesters about why they have taken to the streets and what might happen next.

The front-line protester

20-year-old ‘Fox’ has been on the front line of the protests and is currently in hiding

“Fox” said he and his group demonstrated peacefully until the military started killing their friends: “That’s when we decided we would fight back”. The 20-year-old is part of a group of front-line protesters, with the youngest only at 15.

“I’m making all the decisions, it’s a lot of responsibility, especially when I have these kids, but they’re good kids, we’re a good team and doing good so far.”

The group has experienced a lot in the last few weeks of protest and was forced to run for their lives from military bullets, after soldiers shot directly at them.

One of Fox’s roles was to help build sandbag barricades but the security forces used brutal tactics to get rid of them.

“They took hostages,” he said. “They pointed guns at people who are walking around these defence lines and took them hostage. And because they have these hostages, people in the neighbourhood don’t attack the military any more because they don’t want to harm innocent people.”

Now the group is in hiding – after a fellow protester was arrested and his phone seized. Fox and his group’s names were in it, along with many others.

“They got his phone, and they tracked other front liners with the information they have from that, and that guy that got arrested died in custody. They killed him in custody, they tortured him.”

This is how Myanmar protestors bravely defend themselves with firework sticks, slingshots from inhumane terrorists with live ammunitions.

Location – Ahlone township – Myanmar labour news#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar#Mar18Coup pic.twitter.com/3ohfmB4iBY

— pyaezone (@pyaezone) March 18, 2021

Al Jazeera was not able to independently verify the death, but Fox sees the protester’s murder as a warning from the military that, “this is what is going to happen to you if you keep doing this”.

Last week, as the military hunted the group, they escaped Yangon by bus. The vehicle was stopped by the police eight times during the trip to a safe house but none of the group was identified.

“Everyone is scared of being hurt or being killed, but at the same time it’s scarier to think about what the military would do if they win this, and that’s what the older generation don’t get at the moment,” he said.

“They keep saying:  ‘No don’t go out now it’s dangerous’, but if we don’t go out now and fight for this, it’s going to be dangerous for the rest of our lives.”

The organiser

Thet is an online activist who has built up a network of safe houses to protect protesters who are being sought by the military

Thet says she supports the CDM with online activism, her popular Instagram account and spying on the military.

“I collect, condense and share information. I have a bike and I go scouting early in the morning to identify what the military’s movement patterns are and what townships will be hit hardest.”

Thet also assigned herself the task of keeping count of those killed by the military, known in Myanmar as Tatmadaw, and their personal details, but the rising toll has come at a cost.

“For me, the deaths blur together because the circumstances are the same. I feel quite empty, very hollow. I feel like there are bees in my head buzzing all the time. I don’t know what life was like before the buzzing started. Maybe it started when they killed those people way back in February in Mandalay.”

She says she has also been searching for protesters who have disappeared.

“Staff in local jails – at risk to their lives – sometimes pass on information about arrested protesters,” she told Al Jazeera.

The activist, who is in her 20s, says she has built a network of connections to find safe houses for protest leaders forced into hiding.

“The ones I have worked with have not been caught, and I hope it stays that way.”

Thet says she admires protesters’ creativity and the humour of the civil disobedience movement: “I have an immense love and respect for our citizens, there are some ways in which I think our country is full of loveable comedians who are trying to bring life into everything they are doing.

“We have a popular banner which is very Burmese: ‘We will win, maybe not immediately, but definitely we will win’.”

Thet goes out on her bike each morning to get a sense of what the security forces are doing. More than 500 people have been killed since the February 1 coup

Amid the escalating violence, protesters have been writing “death letters” to their family and the public to encourage people to continue resisting the generals, according to Thet.

Traditionally, mourners offer food to the Buddha and monks when someone dies so their spirit can be at peace but the anti-coup protesters want things done differently if they are killed.

“They write: ‘Don’t do that, even in death I will still be by your side until you win. Please do not donate food, I still want to stay and fight. I will not move on until we’ve won’.”

Thet also has written her own letter and told those she trusts where they can find it.

“A lot of my letter is a request to protect my body,” she said. “I want to donate my organs to someone who needs them, not for them to fall into the hands of the military who will just sell them for their selfish reasons.”

The pastor

U Man took part in the 1988 Uprising, which was brutally suppressed by the military. He says their tactics remain the same

U Man, a pastor leading a congregation in Yangon, says that as well as providing spiritual support to protesters he has driven them to demonstrations, given money to their families and raised funds to buy protective equipment such as gas masks and helmets.

As a teenager, U Man took part in the 1988 uprising, before the military crushed all dissent, leaving thousands of people dead.

The pastor, who is in his 50s, does not believe the military’s strategy has changed since then.

Both then and now, he says the military inserts a “dalan”, an infiltrator, into the crowd to provoke the Tatmadaw and set up a conflict.

He has advised his son, who has also joined the protests, and others, not to engage with the security forces and to identify the infiltrator through a simple three part instruction that he hopes will save lives: “Don’t engage with the military. Find out who the dalan is. Don’t let the dalan control the narrative.”

“Being a minister of the Christian faith, I don’t want to recommend anyone using violence,” he said. “I know people who have been beaten. It’s very difficult for me because I have all these feelings of anger and anguish, and if I had a weapon, I would use it against them. That makes me feel shame because I am a pastor,” he said.

U Man says he prays with his children and protesters before they go out into the streets.

“I teach protesters and my congregation about the Bible and those people in it who experienced challenges, the mindset they had to overcome them, and how God is able to save them,” he said.

The teacher

Teacher Aung Myo Zaw says he feels both scared and hopeful

“I have been tear-gassed. A lot of my friends were shot by rubber bullets,” Aung Myo Zaw told Al Jazeera.

The 32-year-old teacher says he is afraid of getting shot while protesting, but people were coming up with different tactics to keep the spirit of resistance alive, creating “protest posters and strategies where we protest for one hour and then disappear quickly”.

“I was inspired by the bravery of the people and the spirit of defiance, that gave me courage. It is a strange feeling to be scared and hopeful at the same time.”

“With 80 percent of staff out doing CDM and only 20 percent still working, the military cannot run the country any more. The system is not functioning,” Aung Myo Zaw said.

The doctor

Doctors have joined the civil disobedience movement and those providing emergency medical assistance to protesters have also come under fire

On February 2, the day after the coup, medical workers and civil servants founded the CDM.

Thiha Tun, who is in his 30s, joined the same day.

“I became part of a medical cover team providing first aid to protesters,” Thiha Tun told Al Jazeera. “There were many kinds of injuries, from bruises, cuts and lacerations through to penetrating wounds. These injuries were caused by batons, rubber bullets and live ammunition.”

“They shot and beat the medics and ambulances, shot at the private hospitals, occupied the public hospitals, raided the charity clinics and detained the medics in the field.”

Now it has become too dangerous.

“Most of us are on the run these days,” he said. “They were searching for the leaders and activists. The junta’s forces traced the addresses using photos of the doctors. So, we can’t stay at our permanent addresses.”

Thiha Tun, who did not share a photograph of himself for fear of reprisals, says the situation will only get worse.

“A civil war is coming soon,” he predicted. “A federal army will be formed with the ethnic armed forces first and will be joined by the citizens later.

“The doctors and nurses will take care of the wounded as we’re now learning trauma care techniques online.

“I really don’t want my beautiful country destroyed by war, but I don’t think we can avoid it as the junta didn’t give us a choice. They won’t back off to release the power and we won’t give up till the legitimate government returns to form a federal, democratic country.”

Follow Laura Bootham on Twitter at @LauraBootham

Protesters in South Dagon township in Yangon shown hiding behind a barricade and then running away as it explodes during a demonstration on Monday

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Airport reopening linked to case rate

PROSPECTS FOR GRADUAL RETURN TO NORMAL IN JULY

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Director of the Air Transportation Department at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Abdullah Al-Rajhi revealed details of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on passenger traffic at Kuwait International Airport during the past year, reports Al-Rai daily. He said, “The reopening of the airport will depend on the decrease in the rate of COVID-19 infections and their stability at a low rate. Even if the Ministry of Health increases the number of passengers permitted to enter, it will not do so directly, but gradually, especially since the number of passengers allowed to be transported is related to the bed capacity of the institutional quarantine centers.”

During an interview, he indicated that a total of 3.875 million passengers used the airport in 2020, which is less by 11.57 million compared to the total of 15.448 million passengers in 2019, adding that the number of flights also decreased by more than 74,000. Al-Rajhi said, “We were informed by 18 travel and tourism companies to stop activity due to the disruption of air traffic and travel as a result of the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuation for a long period of time. The number of companies operating at Kuwait International Airport has decreased from 52 to 47 during the summer of 2020, with the suspension of five companies operating at the airport on an occasional basis.”

He stressed that the airport cannot be accused of causing an increase in the COVID- 19 infections, as it is subject to strict precautionary health measures, adding that the infection indicators among the cases coming to the country are very low. Al-Rajhi explained that statistics revealed that the discovered cases were only about five out of 3,000 domestic workers who came to the country. They were quarantined until it was confirmed that they were cured and did not carry the virus. The authorities at the airport do not lax in implementing the health requirements.

Despite the recent spike in the number of deaths and infections with coronavirus in the country, a government official said things will start to return to normal in July, reports Al-Qabas daily. The official revealed that the country has been assured it will receive large quantities of approved vaccines, which means the companies producing anticorona vaccines will further increase supplies of their vaccines to accelerate the pace of vaccination and achieve community immunity soon. He said that vaccine supplies will be better at the end of the second quarter of this year; while the implementation of health regulations including social distancing and wearing masks will continue until the end of 2022.

Transmission Regarding the opening of Kuwait International Airport, the official confirmed that the airport will open once the vaccination of citizens is completed as this will protect them from transmission of the virus. This coincides with the recent announcement of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that a digital travel permit showing results of Covid- 19 tests and vaccination certificates will be launched on the Apple platform in mid-April. This digital travel permit, which is currently in the testing phase, was expected to be launched at the end of March. Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali affirmed that the partial ban will continue during the next stage until the numbers of cases decrease, especially with the entry of the blessed month of Ramadan, reports Al Qabas.

Al-Ali responded to Al-Qabas’s question, saying: “One of the reasons for the increase in Coronavirus infections are gatherings, and in Ramadan gatherings will increase, and our recommendations to the Council of Ministers are to maintain the partial ban, while modifying and reducing the hours of the ban. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has meanwhile approved the list of laboratories accredited within the MUNA program – a mechanism linking external laboratories – for the verification of PCR test certificates issued to arriving passengers from five countries as follows: Spain, France, America, the United Kingdom and Jordan, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting a reliable source from Kuwait International Airport. According to the source, the accreditation of laboratories is aimed at preventing fraud or tampering results of PCR tests for travelers from the above mentioned countries; affirming that Kuwait Mosafer platform gives travelers information on the accredited laboratories and location according to cities.

Decrease Ministry of Health (MoH) Spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad on Wednesday announced a noticeable decrease of coronavirus infections among kuwaitis compared with previous months. Speaking at a news conference, Al- Sanad said the ratio of COVID-19 infection among kuwaitis is less than 55 percent compared with 68 percent at some times over the last few months, warning against an increase in infections among residents. Field medical swabs still indicate to a rise in the infection rate, he showed, calling for taking utmost measures of caution. Getting out of this crisis requires a common responsibility, receiving vaccination and continue abiding by preventive measures, he stressed.

Despite all challenges facing those who deal with the pandemic, there are still hopes for a better future to get out of this crisis, he affirmed. On occasion of National Doctors’ Day; on March 30, Al-Sanad expressed gratitude to all doctors and medical staff as well as all frontline workers for their efforts in facing the pandemic. He noted that the global indicators are still growing as figures have increased from 127.8 million cases to 128.8 million in two days. Earlier, Al-Sanad announced five deaths and 1,282 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, taking death toll to 1,313 and total infections to 232,103 in kuwait.

The post Airport reopening linked to case rate appeared first on ARAB TIMES - KUWAIT NEWS.

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Bolsonaro, under pressure over COVID crisis, reshuffles cabinet

Bolsonaro, under pressure over COVID crisis, reshuffles cabinet

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has replaced six ministers in a sweeping cabinet reshuffle that comes as the far-right leader faces mounting pressure to account for his government’s handling of a surging COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the changes, Carlos Alberto Franco França was named as new foreign minister and Walter Souza Braga Netto was confirmed as new defence minister, Bolsonaro’s press office said in a statement on Monday evening.

They replace Ernesto Araújo and Fernando Azevedo e Silva, respectively.

The announcement was made after earlier reports that Araújo, a loyal ally of Bolsonaro, and Azevedo e Silva had stepped down.

Bolsonaro, a COVID-19 sceptic who has rejected the need for public health measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, has been widely criticised amid a second wave of COVID-19 infections that has pushed hospitals to the brink.

More than 312,000 people have died in Brazil from COVID-19, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally, while the country has reported more than 12.5 million infections – second only to the United States.

Brazil’s health ministry said on Monday 1,660 coronavirus-related deaths and 38,927 new cases had been reported in the past 24 hours, as experts warned this week that younger Brazilians were being particularly hard-hit.

Al Jazeera’s Monica Yanakiew, reporting from Rio de Janeiro, said Bolsonaro has not publicly spoken about the cabinet changes yet.

“There’s increasing pressure on the president because of the mishandling of the pandemic,” she said.

The departure of Azevedo e Silva was a surprise, given there were no rumours of his exit or rumblings of discontent.

The president has placed current and former military officials throughout all levels of his government.

“During this time, I preserved the Armed Forces as institutions of state,” Azevedo e Silva wrote in a ministry statement. “I leave in the certainty of a mission accomplished.”

More than 312,000 people have died due to the coronavirus in Brazil

Bolsonaro on Monday also named army General Luiz Eduardo Ramos as his new chief of staff and police commander Anderson Torres as justice minister, and appointed a new attorney general and government secretary.

Earlier this month, the president replaced Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello, an active-duty general who had overseen most of the coronavirus response. He was widely blamed for a slow and patchy vaccine programme.

Brazil’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Reuters news agency about Araújo’s departure.

The former minister had irked senior lawmakers, who had become increasingly vocal in calling for him to be replaced and were angered by Araújo’s longstanding criticism of China.

His support for former US President Donald Trump was also seen as an obstacle in persuading the Biden administration to help Brazil secure much-needed coronavirus vaccines.

Also on Monday, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said he would meet US Ambassador Todd Chapman on Tuesday to try to secure the faster delivery of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines.

The country has a deal to receive 100 million doses this year, but the first delivery of two million jabs is only expected in May.

“We are very committed to getting an earlier delivery, an exchange, because the Americans are not going to release vaccines until they have vaccinated their entire population, but they are willing to make an exchange,” Queiroga said.

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‘Replace words like servant, maid’ – Ads harming dignity banned

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: The Ministry of Commerce has banned job advertisements containing any word or phrase which negatively affects the dignity of expatriate workers, domestic workers and others with similar status, reports Al-Jarida daily. The ministry stressed the need to avoid using such words in job advertisements, adding that the following phrases: ‘to sell’, ‘to buy’ and ‘to assign’, should be replaced with the phrase ‘transfer of services,’ while the words ‘servant’ and ‘maid’ should be replaced with the word ‘workers’.

Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Customer Service Affairs at the Ministry of Communications Muhammad Al-Hais has confirmed the completion of more than 90 percent of the optical fiber network project linking the Ministry of Education (MoE) schools with five divisions to cover all parts of the country.

Disclosed In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) recently, Al-Hais disclosed the project provides the MoE schools with highspeed Internet service and symmetric solutions for private networks with a high level of security; thereby, leading to digital transformation. In a related development, Al-Qabas daily quoted Al-Hais as saying that the concerned employees completed a week-long training course on optical fiber through the Internet to familiarize themselves on the types of fiber cables and methods of installing these cables. In addition, a special online visit was conducted to the main laboratories in China for the employees to learn about the latest devices and technologies in the field of communication and information technology.

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Curfew timings reduced during Ramadan from 7 pm to 5 am; Walking time from 7 pm to 10 pm

KUWAIT CITY, Apr 1: The Council of Minister discussed in today meeting to reduce curfew timings and approved timing from 7 pm to 5 am. Walking allowed from 7 pm to 10 pm. Restaurant delivery timing extended until 3 am. This timings will be implemented from April 8th to April 22nd

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US official warns of ‘impending doom’ amid rise in COVID cases

US official warns of ‘impending doom’ amid rise in COVID cases

A top health official in the United States has warned of “impending doom” amid rising cases of COVID-19, even as the country continues to outpace expectations on vaccine distribution.

During a news conference on Monday, Dr Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said she was “going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom”.

“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are, and so much reason for hope, but right now, I’m scared,” she told reporters.

The US is averaging 63,000 new cases a day as of March 29, according to data from Johns Hopkins University – a rise that comes after a recent plateau in new infections.

Meanwhile, an average of 2.7 million vaccine jabs have been administered across the country per day during the last week, CNBC reported.

The CDC says more than 145.8 million vaccine doses have been administered as of Monday since the country’s vaccination drive began late last year, while 73 percent of seniors have received their first dose, according to the White House.

People wearing face protective masks walk on Hollywood Boulevard during the COVID-19 outbreak in Los Angeles, California

President Joe Biden said on Monday that 90 percent of all US adults will be eligible for the vaccine by April 19.

“For the vast, vast majority of adults, you won’t have to wait until May 1. You’ll be eligible for your shot on April 19,” Biden said during a news conference on Monday.

Andy Slavitt, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the announcement was “good news”, but warned that Americans need to continue to follow public health guidelines.

“We’re headed in the right direction. But we can’t slow down. Millions remain unvaccinated and at risk,” Slavitt said.

Some officials have criticised scaled-back mitigation measures as contributing to the increase in new cases.

Some states, such as Texas and Mississippi, have lifted restrictions and mask mandates in spite of CDC recommendations. Businesses are still able to enforce the restrictions.

White House Chief Medical Adviser Dr Anthony Fauci told CBS on Sunday that the rise in cases could be attributed to “things like spring break and pulling back on the mitigation methods”.

Meanwhile, some have weighed the possibility of the US government issuing “vaccination passports” to allow those fully vaccinated to work and travel freely.

But White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday the Biden administration would not issue a federal mandate for vaccine passports. “We believe it will be driven by the private sector,” Psaki said.

The US has reported more than 30.2 million COVID-19 cases and more than 549,000 coronavirus-related deaths as of Monday, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

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Glitch disrupts e-payment system

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: Electronic services were disrupted due to a technical defect as a result of which government transactions could not be completed because payment via the KNET could not be done, reports Al-Qabas daily. Reliable sources told the daily, the disruption of the payment system led to the disruption of services, especially in the Hawalli and Ahmadi governorates, and the concerned authority with the technical department followed up the performance of the system, which did not find any technical defect in the government system other than the suspension of the service as a result of the disruption of payment service from the source.

The sources added, the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) is still working on updating its automated systems and adding services for renewing and updating work permits for residents, cancelling work permits, assessment needs, monitoring processes, automatic inspections and others. In addition, the authority is flooded with the electronic inquiries on the social media with inquiries about the services that have been disrupted since yesterday, while an announcement has been made that the services will be stopped due to a breakdown in the systems, and told the visitors to follow the announcements which PAM will make from time to time in this regard.

Among the most prominent disruption was the inquiry service and the ineffectiveness of the link between the authority and the ministries of Interior and Commerce, as the new or updated licenses do not appear in the new system, and as a result the work permits cannot be renewed.

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Could vaccinating an entire resort town revive Zimbabwe tourism?

Could vaccinating an entire resort town revive Zimbabwe tourism?

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – With every passing minute, 500 million cubic metres of roaring water rush over the edge, falling into a gorge more than 100 metres below. The sound is thundering, the sight spectacular.

Once again, the Victoria Falls – locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means “the smoke that thunders” – is at its peak, but only a few can witness this magnificent cascading waterfall straddling Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, more than 350,000 people each year trekked to the Zimbabwean side of the waterfall to see one of the world’s natural wonders. But since then, there have been hardly any visitors.

Now, hopes are high that a vaccine rollout could bring back much-needed tourism in the resort town – but for some holiday businesses, it might take more than just a COVID-19 shot to recoup the losses in a country that has been in the throes of a severe economic crisis.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa receives the COVID-19 vaccine in Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe recorded its first coronavirus case a year ago, a resident of Victoria Falls. Although patient zero recovered, the country has registered more than 1,500 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 37,000 infections since last March.

With a strict national lockdown enforced, tourist activities in the resort town, as in many other places across the country, were shut down for months on end. However, the advent of the country’s vaccination drive using Chinese jabs means that restrictions have since eased.

Inoculation campaigns

Launched on February 18, the first phase of the campaign targeted some 60,000 healthcare and other front-line workers. Of them, however, only 44,000 have been inoculated so far.

Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa took his first shot of the Sinovac vaccine to launch the second phase of the vaccination programme that is intended for the elderly, teachers, religious leaders, people with critical illnesses – and all adult residents of Victoria Falls, a city of some 110,000 people.

In a symbolic move aimed at promoting tourism recovery, Mnangagwa travelled to Victoria Falls to get his shot on Wednesday.

Since then, residents of the tourism-dependent town have been forming snaking queues outside public hospitals and clinics, waiting for their turn to get their first dose of the vaccine.

Moreblessing Khumalo waits outside a hospital in Victoria Falls to get inoculated

Moreblessing Khumalo, a travel consultant for a company that offers cruises and rafting adventures on the Zambezi River, said although she was afraid of any unknown side effects, inoculation was necessary for life to go on.

“I’m scared, but there’s no other way we can do this,” the 31-year-old told Al Jazeera. “In this town, people need to go back to work; others need to reopen their businesses and even for me, as time goes on, it will become impossible to serve my clients if I don’t get vaccinated,” she said.

“Once I get back to work I’ll start to meet people from all over the world so I need to take the vaccine to protect myself and my family.”

Vaccination is voluntary, but for some people, it is a requirement to return to work.

With the programme seemingly moving forward at full speed and international flights slowly resuming, Victoria Falls is preparing to welcome foreign visitors again – even as the land borders to Botswana and Zambia remain closed to public transport.

Elated, Lazarus Jamu, 48, a caretaker at a local hotel, said he felt freer after receiving his first injection.

“I’m happy; I got vaccinated so that I can be free in everything I do,” he told Al Jazeera. “I will be free to move around and to do my work because I’ll be fit, I won’t have that fear of getting corona any more.”

More than just a shot is needed

However, some have said Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality industry needs more than a vaccination drive to get back on track.

Earlier this month, the government announced a $5.8m scheme that will see the government provide a 50 percent loan guarantee for businesses in the tourism sector. The move met criticism by opposition figures, who described it as risky and cautioned that struggling taxpayers could be forced to foot the bill if the companies defaulted.

Others, however, said the loan facility should be extended to cover all businesses in hospitality.

“More players need to be able to access such facilities after one year of varied operations ranging from full closure to curfew and occupancy constrained trading,” said Bongai Zamchiya, head of the Restaurant Operators Association of Zimbabwe, stressing that many operators are in critical need of financial backing.

“As an industry, the support we seek is the same that has been seen around the world: from stimulus that increases aggregate demand, furlough that protects jobs and concessionary funding or tax breaks that will ensure business sustainability.”

During government consultations last year, tourism operators called for a financial relief package to help them offset the impact of the pandemic, but little aid was given to private enterprises.

According to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), tourism contributed 7.2 percent and 6.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product in 2018 and 2019, respectively. But with business slowing down last year, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is estimated to have lost at least $1bn in potential revenue, the ZTA said.

Meanwhile, the pandemic has added another dimension to Zimbabwe’s economic crisis which has seen its local currency rapidly devaluing and the US dollar and South African rand operating as de facto currencies.

Intermittent shortages of cash and other basic commodities such as fuel have been constant indicators of a crippled economy whose dire state has been exacerbated by COVID-19, inflation and drought.

After the economy contracted by more than 7 percent in 2020, it is expected to rebound by 2.9 percent due to improved rainfall and falling inflation, according to the World Bank.

The government hopes to inoculate 60 percent of the country’s 14.8 million people in order to achieve herd immunity by the end of the year.

Back in Victoria Falls, Clive Chinwada, president of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe, said the resort town had been deeply scarred by the pandemic and the slump in global travel. He warned it would take time to see a significant change in foreign tourist arrivals and an increase in hotel occupancy rates.

“The situation is quite bad and will likely be so for quite some time as recovery is now likely to only start in 2022 for international travel,” he said.

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Granting Article 19 residency for expats

KUWAIT CITY, March 31: The Ministry of Interior is about to initiate procedures for renewing residency for expats holding Article 19 through the General Administration of Residency Affairs. Article 19 residency permits an expat to hold residence as an investor or foreign partner in a commercial or industrial activity provided the share of the expat partner in the company is not less than 100,000 dinars according to the conditions laid by the Ministry of Commerce.

This procedure comes in the time when services of expats who are above 60 yrs of age and who hold high school diploma and below their residence are not being renewed and have to leave for their homelands except those who will be shifting their residence to family residence or self sponsorship. 

The sources stated that transfer of residence Article 18 or 17 to Article 22 is subject to scrutiny by the residence department. On other hand Kuwaitis and expats praised the smooth and easy work flow at Mubarak Al Kabeer residence affairs, reports Al Anba. Only those who had prior appointments were allowed on the premises to process their transactions in a disciplined manner which takes only a few minutes to complete any transaction for companies or individuals. 

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Faye Toogood is the designer behind a new Birkenstock bed Written by Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNNWhile most childhood aspirations don't often play out in adult life, Faye Toogood realized her early dreams of becoming a sculptor and then some. Today her multidisciplinary practice, which she runs out of a studio in London, spans sculpture, interior design, product design and fashion. Toogood was first inspired by one of Britain's most treasured modernist sculptors, the late Barbara Hepworth, during a family trip to a museum dedicated to her in St. Ives in the southwest of England. But in a classic tale of near-misses, a teacher at school told her it wasn't a good idea to become a sculptor and that she should broaden her scope. So instead, Toogood earned her degree in art history and started her career as an editor for World of Interiors magazine, stepping stones that would eventually lead her back to that early desire to sculpt. Artist Barbara Hepworth posing through her own work "Pierced Form 1963,"' at the Tate Gallery, London. Credit: Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesWith a renewed desire to work in 3D, she launched Studio Toogood in 2008, designing interiors for homes and retail spaces first and then adding what she refers to simply as "objects," to her repertoire. The fashion came in 2013, when she launched a clothing collection with her sister Erica, a pattern cutter, who continues to work with her today. Their debut line was a series of eight canvas coats all named after different working trades including the doorman, the chemist, the oil rigger and the photographer -- a theme she continues to play with now. On her website today, you can purchase a pair of trousers seemingly fashioned for a baker or a dress designed with an astrologer in mind. There's also a hat named after a tinker, a label she sometimes uses to describe herself. A pair of canvas coats designed by the Toogood sisters for their debut collection in 2013. Credit: Marius Hansen/Courtesy of TOOGOOD"It's been an amazing story really," she said via video call, reflecting back on the 15 collections of clothing she's created since the start, "a journey of two sisters coming together -- one a sculptor and bit of a tinker, the other a tailor, to make something." Making things was a big part of the Toogood upbringing. "I think that when you're a child you accept your childhood as the norm. But now, in hindsight, I realized that it was more alternative," she said. "My mother made everything -- from all the clothes that we wore to the muesli that we ate, (to) the bread that she baked. She made the curtains, she painted everything herself."Her father was an ornithologist (an expert in birds) and as Toogood remembers it, they spent most of their time outdoors in nature. "I think that harbored a high imagination, a strong imagination, for both me and my sister."Today, a little bit of that youthful spirit is woven into the Toogood practice. Her team of some 20 employees -- including architects, fashion designers, graphic designers and sculptors, who she fondly refers to as a "band of outsiders," or a "series of misfits" -- approach design in a holistic way, often beginning with constructing shapes out of basic materials in lieu of sketching or creating digital designs. Before the pandemic hit Europe last year, Toogood was commissioned by Birkenstock to design what has since become a large capsule collection of shoes, clothing and even a bed. Toogood's Birkenstock bed, loosely modelled on the sandal's footbed. Credit: Tom Johnson/Courtesy of TOOGOODShe remembers visiting the Birkenstock headquarters in Germany early on in the collaboration to present some initial designs, with a box of paper, cardboard and fabric shoes (all handmade and hand-stitched) in tow. "We did a series of sculptures and paintings, all as background (for concepts)," she said. "We don't tend to draw in our studio, we go straight to making, and as innocent or as childlike as it is I find it works the best when talking to manufacturers. They get the idea, they get the narrative, they immediately get the concept ... so (Birkenstock) loved it!" The capsule, which is out now, comprises three different sandals recut, from some of the brand's signature styles, like the Arizona, as well as casual clothing in muted, elemental shades. The bed is a large sculptural design inspired by the classic Birkenstock footbed, the base of the sandal, with its puffed layers of canvas and leather upholstery sitting on a cork foundation. Recut sandal designs from the Toogood x Birkenstock capsule. Credit: Tom Johnson/Courtesy of TOOGOODFor those that don't know Toogood's work, the collection reflects her wider ethos and aesthetic. Her designs, be they furniture or fashion, are rooted in fairly rudimentary ideas -- materials and shapes are simple, fuss-free but always striking. It's the type of design you want to run your hand over for all its alluring rounds. Much like a Hepworth sculpture. Similarly soothing is the studio's new "Dough" ceramics range -- a mug, a pitcher, a wide bowl and a platter -- defined by curved edges that seem to mimic a gently rising ball of kneaded flour and water. They express simplicity, comfort and perhaps a kind of calm or wholesomeness that we've all been looking for in our homes during the pandemic. Dough-like designs from Toogood's new homeware collection Credit: Matthew Donaldson/Courtesy of TOOGOOD"Our relationship to our home couldn't be more poignant," she said. "It's no wonder that the home business and the home world is having a huge renaissance right now."Toogood appreciates that her products aren't affordable for everyone. It's "couture design" for the most part -- and her role, as she sees it, is to push boundaries and come up with concepts that will be emulated, eventually ending up on everyday tables at home, although she notes that collaborations with partners like Birkenstock do make some of her products more accessible and that she is working on other ways to lower the pricing on some of her designs. When asked to name the most affordable design trick to transform any home, she was quick to respond: paint. "It sounds really obvious but (buying) pots of paint is the most transformative thing you can do in your home right now...and be courageous with it!"But, regardless of budget, she believes in the fundamental power of design, as a way to improve a home's environment. "Having grown up in a make-do-and-mend household I'm a great believer that you can make things beautiful. "You have to have the imagination and you have to put in a bit more time... but you can create a unique space." Read full article: https://expatimes.com/?p=19735&feed_id=40376

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117 discarded vehicles lifted, 8 stores ‘shut’

KUWAIT CITY, April 1: The General Cleaning and Road Works Department of the Kuwait Municipality, Capital Governorate branch carried out 4 field trips, with security support, in the Al-Rai and Shuwaikh industrial areas to lift everything that obstructs the road and distorts the general view of the governorate including neglected cars and scrap materials from public squares and open areas, says Al-Seyassah.

The director of the department Misha’al Al-Azmi explained the aim of the intensive field tours is to keep in check violators and take all legal measures against them. In the Farwaniya governorate the team administratively closed eight stores for not complying with closure times during the curfew period. He pointed out the supervisory team at the department pays great attention to raising the level of cleanliness in areas under its responsibility as well as lifting everything that distorts the aesthetic view in all regions through the periodic field tours.

Al-Azmi added during the periodic tours the Municipality teams places the sign X on the abandoned vehicles and boats on government land and after the expiry period lifts these abandoned cars and all kinds of scrap and take it to the Municipality’s garage. The department said the Municipality lifted 117 abandoned cars and scrap and issued 15 citations and placed 525 stickers on discarded cars.

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