South African study shows high COVID protection from J&J shot
The J&J vaccine was administered to healthcare workers from mid-February in a research study, which was completed in May, with 477,234 health workers vaccinated, joint lead investigator Glenda Gray told a media briefing. South Africa’s health regulator approved the J&J shot in April, and it is being used in the national vaccine programme alongside Pfizer’s. Gray said the single-shot J&J vaccine offered 91% to 96.2% protection against death, while offering 67% protection against hospitalisation when the Beta coronavirus variant dominates and about 71% protection against hospitalisation when the Delta variant dominates. “This was our primary endpoint and we are able to say this vaccine protected health workers against death,” she added. (This story corrects paragraph 4 to show protection rates are against hospitalisation, not infection.)
Source:MetroXpress
August 06, 2021 06:40 UTC
Voting change sought by Brazil’s Bolsonaro defeated in Congress
The 34-member committee voted 23 to 11 to shelve the amendment that Bolsonaro had advocated for weeks, claiming the country’s electronic voting system is open to fraud. Critics say Bolsonaro, like former U.S. President Donald Trump, is sowing doubts in case he loses next year’s presidential election. The amendment called for adoption of printed receipts that can be counted if any election result is disputed, a paper trail that would change the current all-electronic voting system. Bolsonaro, who is expected to seek a second term, has spent hours on social media attacking the electronic voting system, without providing evidence of fraud. Bolsonaro’s comments came after Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes approved an investigation into the president’s unfounded accusations that Brazil’s electronic voting system is vulnerable to fraud.
Source:MetroXpress
August 06, 2021 00:33 UTC
Soccer-Disbelief in Argentina as Messi to leave Barcelona
(Reuters) – For the second time in a month football dominated both the front and back pages of newspapers in Argentina as a shocked nation dissected the news that Lionel Messi was leaving Barcelona. Following Diego Maradona’s death last year, Messi is the best-known face in Argentine sport and a category apart for the country’s media. Most news sites have sections dedicated to domestic leagues, the national team, rugby and other sports. Broadcaster TyC Sports had 14 Messi-related stories on their home page; the normally staid La Nacion and sports newspaper Ole had seven each. La Nacion asked: ‘What if Messi stays at Barcelona?’($1 = 0.8451 euros)(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Source:MetroXpress
August 05, 2021 22:41 UTC
Detroit cop suspended after punching man in viral video; other officers also under investigation
click to enlarge ScreenshotScreenshot of video showing a Detroit cop punching a man in the face in Greektown. Detroit police just provided me with this video that shows a little more of what happened prior to the cop punching the man. “It appears to be an unprovoked attack or unprovoked use of force — not an attack. "He added, “We've come to expect our officers to de-escalate situations. I did not see our training there.”A lawyer representing several men who allege police assaulted them that night is expected to file a lawsuit against the police department.
Source:MetroXpress
August 05, 2021 20:15 UTC
U.S. House members amp up push to close Guantanamo Bay prison
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Dozens of U.S. House of Representatives Democrats, including the leaders of the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, called on President Joe Biden on Thursday to immediately close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Opened under Republican President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11 attacks, the prison’s population peaked at about 800 inmates. Democratic President Barack Obama whittled down the number, but his effort to close the prison was stymied by opposition in Congress from some of his fellow Democrats as well as Republicans. Congress passed laws barring transfers of Guantanamo inmates to prisons on the U.S. mainland. Democrats now control Congress, but their majorities are so slim that changing the laws would be difficult.
Source:MetroXpress
August 05, 2021 18:56 UTC
National group calls seniors 'victims' of hard-to-open packaging. Are they right?
WASHINGTON — Claiming senior citizens are “victims” of the packaging industry, a national senior advocacy organization issued a press release last week aggressively targeting plastic clamshell packaging. Clamshell packaging is hard, tightly sealed plastic that encases a product while also protecting it and making it easy to see. The organization published the release, Grimaldi said, because it’s driven by its members, who complained about clamshell packaging. “So we decided to make it public.”There isn’t any specific call to action or legislation to support that would change packaging, Grimaldi said. He agreed with local officials who said it would be nice if the packaging industry would use something other than clamshells.
Source:MetroXpress
August 05, 2021 17:37 UTC
Holliston's Pleasure Point swimming area closed after unsafe bacteria levels found
HOLLISTON - Pleasure Point Beach on Lake Winthrop will be closed through next week after testing revealed the beach has too much bacteria in it for safe swimming. Water samples collected on two consecutive days this week were found to have more than 235 colonies of bacteria, according to Health Director Scott Moles. Moles said it was a “general bacteria” that most likely got into the water from geese droppings, rain or both. If a sample is found to have bacteria exceeding the safety level, it is tested again the following day. If the second day’s results also exceed the safety level, the beach is closed until the following week when the water can be tested again.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 21:33 UTC
Daily News All-Stars for boys lacrosse
“Matt is the most complete lacrosse player to play at Franklin,” Franklin boys lax coach Lou Verrochi said. Donley will play lacrosse at Lehigh University next year. He’ll be doing a post grad year at the Salisbury School in Connecticut before heading off to Cornell University to play lacrosse. He plays club lacrosse for 3d New England and will play lacrosse at Bryant University. Woods is committed to play lacrosse at Keene State.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 19:18 UTC
Lucky Daye to perform free concert at Detroit’s Beacon Park
click image RCA RecordsR&B singer Lucky Daye will perform a free concert in Beacon Park. The soothing sound of soul will fill Beacon Park this Friday as Grammy-nominated R&B soul singer Lucky Daye will take the stage with a free show. Sponsored by DTE Beacon Park Foundation, the event will also offer food and beverages for purchase from Lumen Detroit and local food trucks. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the park. Show begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6 at Beacon Park; 1901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; The event is free.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 18:00 UTC
Son of former Michigan lawmaker sentenced to time served for participating in Jan. 6 insurrection
U.S. Attorney's OfficeKarl Dresch, of Calumet, was sentenced for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. It’s a fact.”“We cannot allow Harris Biden Corporate Communist regime to take control,” Dresch wrote. “Took a lil gas ...wtf I love masks now!”From his house, Dresch sold right-wing paraphernalia such as hats, stickers, and flags. One sticker depicted a car running over protesters below the words, “All lives splatter. He was arrested last month.• Trevor Brown, of Novi, bragged on social media about “storming” the Capitol.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 17:59 UTC
Hopkinton Select Board unanimously votes for Bill Miller to become fire chief
HOPKINTON — Veteran Deputy Fire Chief Bill Miller has been promoted to lead the department. The Select Board on Tuesday voted 5-0 to name Miller chief. Before coming to Hopkinton, Miller was a firefighter in Southbridge and a call firefighter in Oxford. Miller said his immediate goal is to continue the department to grow along with the growth of the community. “It’ a really good feeling and an even better feeling was working with Chief Slaman.”Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 17:03 UTC
Red Sox trade philosophy leaves many doubters
More:Will the Red Sox be buyers this trade deadline? More:BILL KOCH: Who will the Red Sox target as the trade deadline approachesMore:BILL KOCH: Risks part of any trade deadline moveThe Rays unceremoniously dumped the Red Sox out of first place in the American League East thanks to a weekend sweep. Nelson Cruz, Anthony Rizzo, Joey Gallo, Jose Berrios and Brad Hand, acquired by those contenders before the trade deadline, all now compete directly against the Red Sox in the race for a division crown. At one time or another, they were all identified as the top player in the Red Sox system. The Red Sox, if they can summon their form through the season’s first 103 games, could still be a factor deep into the fall.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 15:45 UTC
Just 11% of Detroiters voted in the primary election, rejecting an ambitious charter revision proposal
An independent analysis from Michigan State University estimated the charter would only cost an additional $7 million a year.The charter was the subject of a court battle after opponents argued that charter revisions needed Gov. He will face Anthony Adams, ex-deputy mayor to former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who placed second with nearly 10% of the vote.Eight Detroit City Council district seats and two at-large council seats also were on the ballot.For the at-large seats, the top vote-getters were incumbent Councilwoman Janee’ L. Ayers and Coleman A. Each of them received about 30% of the vote. The seat is currently held by Andre Spivey, who was recently indicted on bribery charges In District 7, Frederick Durhal received 29.9% of the vote, followed by Regina Ross with 24.2%. He will face Democrat Martin Robert Genter in the general election in November.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 15:33 UTC
Electronic music pioneer and 'First Lady of Detroit techno' Kelli Hand has died at 56
My sis, my friend since high school, the First Lady of Detroit Techno, the great Miss Kelli Hand is gone. pic.twitter.com/bP3xgLaWoh — Herr A.D. Alteschinken (@alan_oldham) August 4, 2021A devastating loss for techno, & music culture as a whole. Thanks for the music Kelli pic.twitter.com/R5UZiHLjAv — the slut of house (@musthaverecords) August 4, 2021Hailed as the "First Lady of Detroit techno" and, later, officially named by Detroit City council as the First Lady of Detroit , DJ and producer Kelli Hand, aka K-Hand, has died. — Alter Ego Management (@alteregomgt) August 4, 2021We are devastated to hear that Detroit house and techno legend Kelli Hand (aka K-HAND) has died. RIP Kelli Hand, one of the most important pioneers of Detroit techno.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 14:46 UTC
A lesson in renewing hope and creating joy at Heritage Chorale
Claudia AbramsonHeritage ChoraleFRAMINGHAM - At no time in its 85 years has the Heritage Chorale faced challenges like those created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of weekly singing helped, as did online warm-up exercises made available to chorale members. Monthly “Summer Sings” for vaccinated Heritage chorale members began in June in a backyard. For more information about Heritage Chorale, visit https://heritagechorale.org/wp2/ . Claudia Abramson is a soprano in the Heritage Chorale.
Source:MetroXpress
August 04, 2021 12:00 UTC