“I’m thinking about it now, it’s starting to feel a little more real that this is, you know, this weekend’s senior night, our last home game and only for that to make the most of it.” Jardine told reporters. “Regardless of the situation, you know, I hope my family can be here, because I know they would all be here if they could, I hope we can have fans, but just trying to control what I can control and like that. You say, make the most of it. “
ROME – Prime Minister Mario Draghi urged ItalyPoliticians were polarized on Wednesday to unite behind his new government to help the country deal with the coronavirus pandemic and the economic devastation it has caused, said Italy have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a more sustainable, just, and healthier nation for future generations.
Draghi vowed to lead an environmentally conscious, pro-European and digitally reformed government during a speech in the Senate marking the debut of his program. His cabinet is expected to win the obligatory vote of confidence in the Senate and Lower House after Draghi won broad support for the technical-political government that the Italian president asked to form as an emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Today, unity is not an option, it’s an obligation,” said Draghi to applause. “Obligation guided by what unites us all: Italian love.”
Draghi, the former head of the European Central Bank who is widely credited with saving the euro, pledged a similar all-out effort to get the country out of the pandemic. Since the virus first erupted in Italy last year, the country has reported more than 94,000 COVID-19-related deaths, more than any other European country except the UK.
He said his administration’s main goal is to confront the pandemic and save Italian lives “at all costs,” including strengthening the public health care system, bringing civilian protection and armed forces into the country’s vaccination campaign and ensuring that families can cope with the economic impact of the lockdown.
“The virus is the enemy of all of us,” said Draghi, 73, as he urged politicians to put their personal and political interests aside and take up the same spirit of sacrifice that their parents and grandparents did after World War II.
The prime minister said Italy had an opportunity not seen since then to rebuild the country from the ground up using more than 200 billion euros ($ 241.2 billion) in European Union recovery funds. Draghi said his government would be “convincingly” pro-EU and pro-US, and that he envisions strengthening bilateral relations with France and Germany in particular.
Draghi’s government was inaugurated at the weekend, wrapping up several extraordinary weeks that saw Giuseppe Conte, Italy’s popular prime minister since June 2018, resign after key allies withdrew support for Conte’s pandemic response. After attempts to form a third Conte government failed, President Sergio Mattarella asked Draghi to form a high-profile non-political government.
Draghi’s 23-member cabinet includes politicians in most ministries but puts technical experts in a key role, particularly those responsible for ensuring that the funds Italy expects to receive are used according to EU criteria. About 37% of the allocated recovery funds should be used for environmental purposes, while 20% should be allocated for digital transformation.
Italy has one of the EU’s worst records in the use of designated EU funds, a trend Draghi seems to want to stop.
“Everything that is wasted is a crime we commit against future generations,” he said.
Draghi explained that Italians who have lost their livelihoods due to virus-related closures will be a top priority, citing women, young people and other casual workers who have borne the brunt of the lockdown measures. But he said some activities would be more protected than others, a sign that the government would prioritize industry and jobs according to a focus driven by the environment and technology.
He said a focus on training workers for sustainable high-tech jobs, especially in the backward south of Italy, would combat the dual problem of unemployment and the need to transform Italy’s economy, which contracted 8.8% last year.
Draghi quoted Pope Francis calling for a new approach to preserving the environment and Italy’s cultural and natural wealth. He said Italy’s tourism sector, which accounts for around 13% of GDP, should be helped to recover, but in a sustainable manner.
He’s drafted a number of planned reforms, including a major overhaul of the income tax system, greater investment in education and research, and making public administration more digital-friendly for ordinary citizens.
His speech to senators won praise from both left and right politicians. Democratic leader Nicola Zingaretti assured Italians that their country was “in good hands”. Right-wing League leader Matteo Salvini pledged his support, lauding Draghi’s calls for greater health care spending, tax cuts and public works projects.
“Great starting point,” Salvini tweeted. The league is on the board.
However, one of Salvini’s right-wing allies doubled down on his opposition. Georgia Melloni, leader of the Brothers of Italy party, said her lawmakers would vote “no” in a vote of confidence, citing Draghi’s stern comments in particular about giving up national sovereignty for European cohesion.
“We will evaluate individual measures that generate votes, without giving up sovereignty, which we don’t recognize,” said Melloni.
Draghi’s government also has the backing of most of the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement, the largest party in the Italian Parliament. The vote of confidence drama is expected to focus on how many 5-star lawmakers abstained or voted against Draghi, given his appointment as prime minister split the movement.
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Follow all AP pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
KARACHI: A local private pharmaceutical company, allowed to import Russian Sputnik V in Pakistan on Monday said it had been in contact with leading private health facilities in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to supply the Sputnik V vaccine but so far, no agreement has been reached. with any of the health facilities or institutions in the country.
“Currently, we are in contact with several leading health facilities, including the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Doctors Hospital, Lahore, and several other leading institutions for the supply of Sputnik V. , “an AGP Limited official told The News adding that so far they have not signed any agreements with any health facilities or institutions in the country.
Clarifying that they have not signed a supply agreement with a hospital or diagnostic center for the supply of the Sputnik V vaccine either directly or indirectly in Pakistan, the AGP official said in accordance with the emergency use authorization and other permits they have, they can only administer the vaccine to hospitals. and large institutions but cannot sell them on the market.
He stated that the emergency use authorization and subsequent permits restrict them from giving Sputnik V vaccines only to reputable health facilities and institutions and not selling them on the market and added that they will fully follow the directions and guidelines of the state drug regulatory authorities. “We expect the first delivery of the Russian vaccine in the country within a week. More deliveries to follow in the coming weeks and months, “the AGP official.
Two sharks, believed to be Great Whites, have been spotted in Auckland’s Hauraki Bay this morning. Photo / Getty Images
Further shark reports on a second beach east of Auckland came after swimmers were warned to stay out of the water after two large sharks – one the size of a small boat – were spotted near shore this morning.
And, for the second day running, sharks were spotted off Muriwai Beach on Auckland’s west coast, triggering a warning for beachgoers.
This morning the Auckland Council warned swimmers and recreational boats on the East Coast to exercise caution after confirmation of the location.
Now another sighting further south on Maraetai Beach has emerged from a couple who saw a large fin cut through the water around 8 a.m.
At least two sharks, believed to be great white sharks, have been seen just 600m from shore.
Someone who was out in the water and saw the couple said they were at least 5m long, measuring slightly less than his specialty.
“We were in a boat that was 26 feet (8 m) long and next to one of them,” said Boatie, who asked not to be identified.
“They were huge. We went back in. We didn’t want to be out there, to be honest.”
He said he informed the Coastguard about the harm they caused.
“We are more worried about the kids on the beach and the people on the jet skis,” he said.
The last suspected sighting of a shark occurred this morning when a couple on the coastal trail of the Maraetai Beachlands saw a large fin zooming through the water.
“While returning between 8-8.30am we saw a large bluefin moving very fast in the waters of the Maraetai towards the Omana Esplanade,” said Deepali Kohli.
He said there was a possibility that the threat was much wider than the East Coast.
For a second day, swimmers and surfers at Muriwai Beach have been warned of a new threat after Auckland’s popular west coast was cleared due to yesterday’s shark sightings.
A warning was posted on the Auckland Council’s Safeswim website this morning, advising against swimming at Muriwai Beach.
It said sharks had been spotted and had to be careful.
Published in 29 January 2021 11:14
Fawad Chaudhry said the current cabinet is considered the cleanest in Pakistani history.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Friday called the two and a half years of rule without fraud a huge success and awarded Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and said the current cabinet is considered the cleanest in Pakistani history. He urged the judiciary and administration to follow the cabinet and make Pakistan free of corruption.
“Two and a half years without fraud. The government will definitely be a great success. The government, the cabinet is now considered the cleanest cabinet in history, sir. The judicial and administrative institutions must follow the Cabinet and free Pak from corruption,” wrote the minister.
