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Showing posts from September, 2020

Switzerland referendum: Voters reject end to free movement with EU

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image caption Opponents of the proposal argued it would damage relations with the EU and hurt trade Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to end an accord with the EU allowing the free movement of people. With all referendum votes counted, nearly 62% said they wanted to keep free movement, while 38% were against. Switzerland is not a member of the EU but has a series of interdependent treaties with Brussels which allow it to access to Europe's free trade area. The move to rein in immigration was proposed by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), but opposed by the government. A similar initiative to introduce quotas on immigrants from the EU to Switzerland narrowly passed in a 2014 referendum, damaging Swiss-EU relations. Swiss people are given a direct say in their own affairs under the country's system of direct democracy. They are regularly invited to vote on various issues in national or regional referendums. The Swiss free movement vote explained How the migrant crisis change

A strange world of the Royal Family

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Two new novels lift the lid on the odd, privileged world of the British Royal Family. Hephzibah Anderson talks to their authors. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT W We first encounter royalty through fiction. Shimmering princesses and blessed princes, monarchs both wise and wicked – they all inhabit the formative fairy tales that teach us so much about life, weaving their narrative magic as densely as the briar thicket that envelops Sleeping Beauty. The institution’s motifs, its crowns and its thrones, the heavy sense of predestination spelled out in curses and golden promises, are stitched into our collective imaginations before we’re old enough to know it. In adulthood, we mostly come to realise that the charmed, ‘fairy tale’ element of life as a royal is decidedly double-edged: yes, the red carpets are rolled out for them but their celebrity is inescapable from birth, and the dazzle of gemstones is accompanied by the blinding glare of flashbulbs. So often, palaces double as gild

Brain-eating microbe found: US city warned over water supply

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Image caption Residents of Lake Jackson have been told to boil water before drinking it Residents of Lake Jackson, Texas, have been warned about using tap water after a deadly brain-eating microbe was found in the city's public water supply. Tests confirmed the presence of Naegleria fowleri in the system. The amoeba can cause an infection of the brain, which is usually fatal. Infections are rare in the US, with 34 reported between 2009 and 2018. Officials in Lake Jackson said they were disinfecting the water supply but did not know how long this would take. Eight Texas communities were originally told on Friday night not to use their water supply for any reason except to flush toilets. The warning was lifted on Saturday for everywhere but Lake Jackson, a city of more than 27,000 residents. Authorities in Lake Jackson later said that people could begin using the water, but must boil it before drinking it. Residents were also told to take other measures, including not allowing water

Twenty-one states are reporting increase of Covid-19 cases as experts warn of a fall surge

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Troye: I've seen Covid-19 task force members struggle every day Contrast Trump's and Biden's strategies on Covid-19 United to offer coronavirus tests to some passengers FDA pledges Covid-19 vaccine will be guided by science Dr. Sanjay Gupta debunks Covid-19 misconceptions Average daily Covid-19 cases tripled since mid-summer in this state Dr. Fauci to Sen. Paul: You are not listening to what the CDC director said US coronavirus death toll passes 200,000 As cases rise, experts concerned about coming flu season After delays, New York City schools set to reopen King: Coronavirus numbers take a turn for the worse Miami mayor questions if Florida is ready for Phase 3 Woman tased after refusing to wear a mask at football game US still in first wave of pandemic Burnett presses NY governor about doubting FDA vaccine process Troye: I've seen Covid-19 task force members struggle every day Contrast Trump's and Biden's strategies on Covid-19 United to offer coro