Monthly Archives: February 2021

A Russian space vessel carrying an algae experiment, long-duration medical examinations and thousands of pounds of other cargo and supplies docked safely at the International Space Station Wednesday (Feb. 17) after a cosmonaut took manual control of the craft during its approach.

The uncrewed cargo ship Russian Progress MS-16 cargo ship (also known as Progress 77) met up with the orbiting complex at 1:27 a.m. EST (0627 GMT), when it latched onto the station's Pirs docking component, according to an update from NASA. It launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sunday (Feb. 14).

While designed to dock itself at the space station, the Progress spacecraft was controlled manually during the docking by Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov, the station's commander, due to an issue with the cargo ship's Kurs automated rendezvous system, NASA officials said.

"Control switched over to the TORU system for manual flying of the ISS Progress 77 resupply ship due to signal strength from Kurs automated system," NASA wrote in an update on Twitter. "Station commander Sergey Ryzhikov is in control of the Progress 77 from a control panel inside Zvezda."

Video: Watch Russia's Progress 77 cargo ship blast off Related: How Russia's Progress cargo ships work (infographic)

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NASA was unable to carry a live video of the docking on NASA Television which it typically tries to do because of ongoing power outages in Texas affecting agency personnel and associated broadcast capabilities, NASA said in an update prior to the event. A severe winter storm Sunday (Feb. 14) knocked out electricity to millions of Texans, with 3.6 million homes and businesses still in the dark in subfreezing temperatures as of Tuesday (Feb. 16), CNN said.

Progress 77 brought 5,424 lbs. (2,460 kg) of supplies and cargo to the Expedition 64 crew. The delivery included new research experiments, crew supplies (such as clothing and food), fresh water, nitrogen gas and propellant for the station's Zvezda service module propulsion system.

The spacecraft will also play a historic role when leaving the space station later this year. NASA said that when it is time, Progress will not undock as previous missions have; instead, it will remain connected to Pirs and pull the entire docking compartment away from the ISS for a planned destruction in Earth's atmosphere. Pirs has been in service for almost 20 years and a replacement is coming soon, NASA said.

"Pirs' departure from the space station is scheduled to take place just days after the launch of the 'Nauka' multipurpose laboratory module on a Proton rocket from Baikonur," NASA said in a statement. "The multifunctional docking port and research facility will dock automatically to the port vacated by Pirs."

A few experiments were bundled into the Progress delivery, including the following ones listed on the Energia website (Energia is the prime developer and contractor of the Russian crewed spaceflight program):

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include details of the manual docking of the Progress 77 cargo ship.

Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.

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Russia's Progress 77 cargo ship docks with the International Space Station - Space.com

President BidenJoe BidenREAD: House Democrats' mammoth COVID-19 relief bill House panel unveils .9T relief package Nunes lawsuit against CNN thrown out MORE on Friday warned that democratic progress is under assault in the United States and Europe as he pledged support for the transatlantic alliance and called on countries to work together to address shared challenges.

Were at an inflection point between those who argue that, given all of the challenges we face, from the fourth industrial revolution to a global pandemic, that autocracy is the best way forward, they argue, and those who understand that democracy is essential, essential to meeting those challenges, Biden said in remarks from the East Room of the White House that were televised at a virtual session of the Munich Security Conference.

Historians are going to examine and write about this moment as an inflection point, as I said. And I believe with every ounce of my being that democracy will and must prevail, Biden continued.

Biden, a regular fixture at the Munich Security Conference over the years, affirmed his commitment to European partners and alliances, drawing contrast with his predecessor, former President TrumpDonald TrumpUN report says Erik Prince violated arms embargo against Libya: report Lee after Romney's impeachment vote: There's enough room in GOP 'for both of us' Nunes lawsuit against CNN thrown out MORE, who often spurned multilateral organizations and criticized alliances and whose America first approach to foreign policy at times caused friction with Europe.

I am sending a clear message to the world, America is back. The transatlantic alliance is back and we are not looking backward. We are looking forward together, Biden said.

Biden delivered the speech after meeting privately with the leaders of the Group of Seven nations in a virtual conference hosted byUnited Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson. His remarks were aimed at reassuring European allies after four years of tumult under Trump, whose name he did not mention during the address.

Biden's remarks came almost two months after the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters.

Biden issued a firm rebuke of Russia for its aggressive behavior in Europe and cyberspace. He pledged support for Ukraine sovereignty and the NATO alliance, accusing Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinBiden calls for creating 'rules' on cyber, tech to combat China and Russia threats Biden warns European allies that 'democratic progress is under assault' Jan. 6 and America's support for democracy abroad MORE of trying to divide and weaken the partnership between the U.S. and Europe.

Putin seeks to weaken the European project and our NATO alliance. He wants to undermine the transatlantic unity and its resolve because its so much easier for the Kremlin to bully and threaten individual states than it is to negotiate with a strong and closely-aligned transatlantic community, Biden said.

The president called on the U.S. and its European allies to work together to confront Russias aggressive behavior and economic abuses and anti-democratic practicesby China.

Bidens rhetoric on Russia diverged notably from Trump, who often spoke warmly of Putin and shied from publicly calling Moscow out for its malign behavior.

While Biden acknowledged the challenges posed by China and Russia, he also implored the global community to work together on shared challenges like the coronavirus pandemic and climate change. Biden announced plans to send $2 billion immediately to support Covax, the global initiative to vaccinate populations of lower-income countries.

We cannot and must not return to the reflective opposition and rigid blocks of the Cold War.Competition must not lock out cooperation on issues that affect us all, Biden said.

Biden delivered the remarks immediately following his meeting with the leaders of the other G7 countries the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan.

Following their meeting, the G7 leaders issued a joint statement pledging to work together to fight the coronavirus and help countries across the globe recover. The statement noted that G7 financial support to Covax totals $7.5 billion.

Drawing on our strengths and values as democratic, open economies and societies, we will work together and with others to make 2021 a turning point for multilateralism and to shape a recovery that promotes the health and prosperity of our people and planet, the statement read.

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Biden warns European allies that 'democratic progress is under assault' | TheHill - The Hill

Responding to the G7s limited progress on ensuring poor countries have access to Covid-19 vaccines, Max Lawson, Oxfam Head of Inequality Policy, said:

While some of those attending the G7 have made welcome steps to increase the supply of vaccines to poor countries, these remain insufficient when compared to the scale of the Covid-19 threat.

Making huge parts of Africa and Asia wait for unwanted, leftover vaccines from rich countries stocks is not just immoral, it is irresponsible. And the lack of coordinated action from the G7 is inexcusable. The longer huge swathes of the worlds population are denied protection, the greater the threat that virus mutations will threaten us all.

Poor countries should not be forced to wait for vaccines to trickle down to them. Between them, G7 nations have secured enough vaccines for every one of their citizens to be vaccinated three times over, while many poor countries are yet to receive a single dose.

Instead of patting themselves on the back for limited progress, the best thing the G7 could do would be to stop supporting their pharmaceutical corporations monopolies on Covid-19 vaccines. Breaking up the monopolies of the big pharmaceutical companies is the quickest, fairest and most effective way of boosting vaccine production so that countries are not forced to compete to secure doses. The G7 and other rich nations should stop blocking the temporary suspension of intellectual property rights for all COVID-19 vaccines being proposed at the World Trade Organisation by South Africa, India and over 100 developing nations.

The G7 urgently needs to get its priorities straight during this unprecedented pandemic and stop putting the profits of big pharma ahead of a peoples vaccine.

Notes:

The figure that G7 countries have secured enough doses to vaccinate their citizens 3 times over is based on Airfinity data from 10 February on the number of doses they have secured of vaccines which have currently been approved for use and those in later stage trials (AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Curevac, Moderna, Novavax and Johnson & Johnson). For EU countries this figure is calculated by dividing the total EU supply based on country population, plus bilateral deals Germany has done with Pfizer and Curevac). Figures are based on people being fully vaccinated, for the vaccines where 2 doses are required.

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Oxfam reaction to limited G7 vaccine progress - World - ReliefWeb

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Officer Reidy died in a crash yesterday along Corkscrew Rd. And, many have reached out to WINK News saying that area is dangerous because of the rapid growth. Luckily, there are plans in place to make it safer.

Tony Davis has lived in a neighborhood along Corkscrew Road for 25 years.

Twenty-five years ago there was almost nothing here, Davis said.

But now, there are more developments, more homes sprouting up at every turn and more traffic on Corkscrew.

Its getting quite busy. People start taking risks, Davis said.

Joey Quinter agrees that its busy. Traffic is very heavy, very heavy, Quinter said. Its a dangerous road.

A dangerous road where neighbors say theyve seen several crashes.

To be honest, Im not surprised that we get accidents but it is horrible when something like that happens, Davis said.

Since weve been here I think there have been four deaths on that road, Quinter said.

Reidy, a Naples police officer, is one of the people who has died on this road. He was driving on Corkscrew Road Thursday when the car in front of him slowed down because of construction. Reidy tried to swerve but hit that car, crossed the center line and crashed into a truck. Reidy was a husband, father, and friend.

Quinter says Reidy lived in his neighborhood so he wants to see more safety measures on Corkscrew to prevent crashes like this in the future.

Its a big issue and now weve lost a neighbor, Quinter said. The kids have lost their father. A mother has lost their husband and its just horrible.

Within the next few months, the county plans to start construction phase one to widen Corkscrew Road. Then, phase two, which will happen farther east, is still in the permitting and designing stage.

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Improvements in progress on Corkscrew Road where officer died in crash - Wink News

1. United States

The U.S. Senate confirmed the first openly gay Cabinet secretary. Former mayor and presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg is officially leading the Transportation Department following an 86-13 vote. He is tasked with managing the countrys aviation, highways, pipelines, and railroads. Mr. Buttigieg will play a key role in allocating government assistance to struggling transit systems and overseeing new technologies such as self-driving cars.

Pete Buttigieg is sworn in as transportation secretary by Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, Feb. 3, 2021.

As acting director of National Intelligence for three months last year, Richard Grenell was the first openly gay Cabinet member. Pete shattered a centuries-old political barrier with overwhelming bipartisan support and that paves the way for more LGBTQ Americans to pursue high-profile appointments, said Annise Parker, head of the LGBTQ Victory Institute and a former Houston mayor. (Reuters)

A local judge has ruled that Furukawa Plantaciones C.A. violated the rights of 123 ex-laborers who went before the court in January, marking the first time the government has recognized modern-day slavery in agriculture. In an oral ruling, the judge declared the workers had suffered racial discrimination and were victims of servitude a form of modern-day slavery at the Japanese-owned abac tree plantation. Ecuador is one of the worlds top exporters of abac fiber, a durable material used in rope, currency, and other products, but the workers who harvest it have little to show for their work in the $17 million industry. For years, inspections of the plantation have noted child labor, work accidents, low wages, and poor living conditions.Many are hailing the decision as a legal milestone for the hundreds of Afro-Ecuadorian families who have lived in slavelike conditions since Furukawa was established in 1963. The decision is not definitive, as the case will likely move up to higher courts, but the plaintiffs lawyers say the historic ruling opens the way to compensation.(Thomson Reuters Foundation)

The Muslim Council of Britain the largest umbrella body serving the United Kingdoms Muslim population has elected its first female leader. Zara Mohammed has taken the reins as the organizations secretary-general for a two-year term. More than 3.3 million Muslims live in the U.K., and the councils member organizations include more than 500 mosques, charities, schools, and professional networks. Ms. Mohammed, who holds a masters degree in human rights law and hails from Glasgow, Scotland, is also the youngest person to ever lead the organization.My vision is to continue to build a truly inclusive, diverse, and representative body; one which is driven by the needs of British Muslims for the common good, she said after the vote, adding that she hopes her victory helps inspire more women and young people to come forward to take on leadership roles.(Al Jazeera, Muslim Council of Britain)

South Africa saw a 33% drop in rhino poaching in 2020 compared with the previous year, marking the sixth year that poaching has declined. Last year, 394 rhinos were reportedly killed for their horn in South Africa, down from 594 in 2019. While the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the battle to beat the COVID-19 pandemic contributed in part to the decrease in rhino poaching in 2020, the role of rangers and security personnel who remained at their posts, and the additional steps taken by government to effectively deal with these and related offenses, also played a significant role, said Barbara Creecy, the countrys environment, forestry and fisheries minister.

Three rhinos line up at the Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa in 2017. Poaching continues to decline in national parks.

A total of 156 people were arrested for rhino poaching or horn trafficking across the country, and authorities engaged in more than 25 major investigations. The continued improvement comes after the government implemented new wildlife protection strategies, including public awareness campaigns and regional information sharing. Experts say remaining vigilant as lockdowns ease will be critical to maintaining the downward trend. (Political Analysis South Africa, South Africa News Agency)

New Zealand has made Matariki, the Mori new year celebration, the first public holiday that honors Mori culture. Matariki is the Mori name for the Pleiades star cluster, which rises in the Southern Hemisphere around midwinter. This historically marks the start of the new year for mainland New Zealands Indigenous people. Local councils have been organizing Matariki celebrations and raising awareness about the tradition since the early 2000s, but past efforts to recognize the constellations reappearance as an official holiday have failed.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the first official Matariki will be celebrated June 24, 2022, and future dates will be determined by the newly formed Matariki advisory group in compliance with the Mori lunar calendar.It will also advise on how to celebrate the event, considering regional differences in tribes traditions, and develop resources to educate the public about Matarikis meaning, said chair Ranginehu Matamua, a professor who specializes in Mori astronomy. (The Guardian, Stuff)

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is set to become the first African and the first woman to hold the top position at the World Trade Organization (WTO), and many see her appointment as a historic validation of African womens competency and leadership. The Nigerian economist has a reputation as a strong international negotiator with a commitment to reducing poverty and improving transparency. She became an American citizen in 2019.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stands outside a Nigerian diplomatic residence in Chambesy, Switzerland, Sept. 29, 2020.

Selecting a new director-general requires approval by all WTO members, and Dr. Okonjo-Iwealas path was cleared after President Joe Biden reversed the previous administrations objection to her candidacy. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is taking over the WTO during turbulent times marked by member infighting and the ongoing coronavirus crisis. (Deutsche Welle, CNN, Al Jazeera)

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Points of Progress: New Zealand recognizes Mori new year, and more - The Christian Science Monitor

As much as we all love the University of South Carolina, it's important to recognize that the 220-year history of our flagship institution contains difficult chapters and themes we're not proud to remember.

In the 19th century, South Carolina College, the precursor of todays modern university, benefited from the labor of enslaved individuals who constructed many of the buildings on our historic Horseshoe. And with the exception of a brief period during Reconstruction, the university did not admit Black students until 1963.

In recent years, the university has taken steps to better acknowledge this history, knowing that we must be honest about our past to build a better, more inclusive future. While we know that there is much more work to be done, here is a look back at some of the ways our physical campus has changed in recent years as we begin to acknowledge our full history and celebrate Carolinians who have contributed to our progress and who will shape our university's future for generations to come.

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Monuments and markers tell stories of pain and progress - @UofSC

The first 2021 edition of Pig Progress is now available online. Between the covers of this edition is an exploration of wild boar farming in Finland, a considered approach to breeding for robustness as a way forward, and a look towards the USA, where a new administration took office.

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The 2019 ASF outbreaks in China resulted in losses of at least 40% of the countrys sow herd, but it also meant record prices and profits. The country is now on the rebound and new swine facilities are being built. But, theres reason to believe that the epidemic is far from over Read the article on pages 6-8.

Healthy finisher pigs on a farm in Jiangsu province, China. The farm is unrelated to the recent health issues. - Photo: Vincent ter Beek

The EU PiG Innovation featured in this edition is the focus on meat quality and the union of the local Basque pork breed, land and men. Correspondent Natalie Berkhout reports on the innovation on page 9 where can be read about the work done by the ambassador, pig breeder and artisan producer, Pierre Oteiza, in France.

Pierre Oteiza wanted to be a part of the rebirth of the Basque pig breed. - Photo: Pierre Oteiza

A new batch of pigs is typically managed based on historical data from previous batches. Could real-time data replace historic data, and might this approach be more valuable? On pages 10-11, Dr Katarina Nielsen Dominiak in Denmark discusses a trial that set out to answer these questions.

Danish finisher pigs on liquid feed in the trial. - Photo: Dr Katarina Nielsen Dominiak

Pig Progress editor Vincent ter Beek, describes long-standing contributor and columnist, John Gadd, as a remarkable character, whose contributions reflected his many passions. Sadly, John passed away in August 2020, and this article on pages 12-13 reflects on the journey that the magazine enjoyed with this well-known and highly respected pig expert.

British pig expert John Gadd loved to write - not only was he a regular columnist for Pig Progress, he also kept an illustrated diary for decades. - Photo: Adam Gray | SWNS.com

There have been many discussions and inquiries on vitamin deficiencies, says columnist and president of the Sunswine Group, Casey Bradley. On page 15, she talks about whyit is important to rethink what is truly optimal in our diets what mightve been optimal 2 years ago could be deficient tomorrow.

The 2021 edition of EuroTier was not held in November, nor was it held in Germany, nor were there halls to walk through and explore. The show did go on, however, it all took place on a virtual platform. On pages 16-17, Pig Progress editor, Vincent ter Beek, picks several highlights.

A concept developed to keep sows and piglets in groups from day 3 after birth was developed by Big Dutchman, together with customer Renke Specht, and unveiled at Eurotier 2021. Photo: Big Dutchman

Wild boar are farmed in Finland, where their meat is considered a delicacy. Although the country is free from ASF, the virus has been detected in nearby Russia. Correspondent Matti Turtiainen visits Korpikarju Game Farm to discover how wild boar are farmed and protected. Read more on pages 18-20.

The 2ha Korpikarju Game Farm is home to about 150 wild boar and is surrounded by a steel mesh fence, which is just over 2m tall, with an electric fence. Photo: Matti Turtiainen

Breeding for robustness is the method of selecting individual pigs with improved response to a specific pathogen, or to several diseases. Pig Progress editor, Vincent ter Beek, discussed this concept with Dr Jenelle Dunkelberger, geneticist at Topigs Norsvin, to learn more. Read these insights on pages 22-23.

Robust animals, by definition, are less affected by a disease challenge, and therefore, require fewer antibiotics. - Photo: Topigs Norsvin | Maartje van Berkel

Genetic selection in pigs typically focuses on economically important traits. Balanced breeding programmes, however, increasingly include and improve societally important traits and contribute to improved animal welfare and reduced environmental impact. Read more on pages 24-25.

Balanced pig breeding programmes will contribute to more sustainable pig production systems. Photo: Simon Meyer | Danish Genetics

A new administration was installed in Washington, DC, on 20 January 2021. Bidens selection for agriculture secretary is Tom Vilsack. The reaction from the US agriculture community and beyond has been both swift and negative. Read more on pages 26-27.

Tom Vilsack will head the USDA, which he headed during the Obama administration, and so he already has a reputation, which is considered dismal by many. Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP/ANP

Performance trace minerals can assist the immune system, thereby helping swine producers reduce losses associated with clinical and subclinical ileitis. Pages28-29.

Finisher pigs may be helped by the use of trace minerals. - Photo: Mark Pasveer

An enzyme can help optimise feed usage, and multiple enzymes can reinforce each other. Phytases and carbohydrases are the most regularly added enzymes to pig diets. Read about using combinations of carbohydrases, the antinutritional impact of dietary fibre and sustainable improvements on pages 30-31.

Grow-finish pigs could benefit from a multi-enzyme complex as a dietary addition. - Photo: Twan Wiermans

Columnist Irene Camerlink, an interdisciplinary researcher focusing on pig behaviour, welfare and production, discusses on page 34 how opportunities for specialisation have greatly expanded and how pig farmers can benefit.

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Boars, breeding and Biden in Pig Progress 1 - Pig Progress