Don't miss this delightful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in desirable Walnut Point! This home exudes curb appeal with its mature landscaping, detailed stone-work and maintenance-free vinyl siding. Situated on one of the largest lots in the community, this neutral, newly painted, open floor plan home is perfect for staying home with family or hosting large gatherings of friends. The grand, two-story foyer welcomes you into this classically elegant home with custom millwork. Whether you are a gourmet cook, or a GrubHub queen, you'll adore your generous, eat-in kitchen which boasts on-trend hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, lighter colored custom cabinets, built-in microwave, new dishwasher, counter-depth refrigerator and a large, walk-in pantry! Your oversized breakfast bar makes meal prep and serving a breeze! Just off the kitchen, sits your comfy, casual family room with great views of your outdoor entertaining space. On cold winter nights, warm up by the fire and get cozy in front of your gas fireplace. Your spacious family room also showcases custom built-ins. Perhaps you~d prefer lounging in your 4-seasons room, with ample windows that bathe you in natural light. If you love to entertain, take the party outdoors onto your expansive, Trex deck with retractable awning or head down to your custom paver patio and cook s'mores at your built-in fire pit. The level, nearly half acre lot offers you plenty of space to throw a football or even add a pool! Head upstairs to your massive master retreat featuring a deep tray ceiling, double closets and even an additional shoe closet. Need to relax and unwind at the end of the day? Your spa-like bath features dual sinks, a jetted tub and a separate shower. Three additional generous bedrooms all boast walk-in closets. Washer and dryer in your upstairs laundry room included in the sale. Massive unfinished basement with plenty of storage awaits your designer touches! 3+car garage has a durable, low maintenance epoxy floor. Just minutes from the Carlisle Pike and in Cumberland Valley School District, this home offers something for everyone! Schedule your private tour today!

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Homes Recently Listed in the Carlisle Area | Home & Garden - Carlisle Sentinel

THE Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (CNGOs) in Zambia has appealed to the government to accept the draft NGO Bill without alterations as citizens stand to benefit greatly from a robust NGO regime.

Chairperson McDonald Chipenzi said, in a statement, that CNGOs whose mandate include to develop, adopt and administer the Code of Conduct for NGOs and facilitate and coordinate the work of NGOs operating in Zambia, expressed its gratitude at the favourable gesture by the Cabinet of approving in principle the Repeal and Replacement of the NGO Act No. 16 of 2009.

Chipenzi said as a statutory body created by an Act of Parliament the NGO Act No. 16 of 2009, the Council of NGOs in Zambia appreciated the levels of engagement and cooperation between itself with individual NGOs on one hand and the government through the department of NGOs Registration at the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services on the other hand in the process of repeal and replacement of the NGO Act No.16 of 2009.

Since the launch of the National Policy on the NGOs in Zambia and the election of the new CNGOs in October 2018 with the subsequent appointment of the 20 member diversely selected and Civil Society led Technical Working Group (TWG), a lot of ground (though not at a pace the Council would have loved) towards reaching the goal of having a repealed and replaced NGO Law, he said. The CNGOs understands too well the healthy but also critical collaboration amongst the members of the TWG and commends the strides made this far that include Drafting of the Laymans NGO Bill through one of its members the Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) and the national wide consultations for comments and input from stakeholders.

Chipenzi noted that the CNGOs also conducted in 2019, a comprehensive NGO Policy sensitisation through its NGO provincial forums across the country, an activity that was inevitable to precede the consultations on the Draft Bill.

Whereas the CNGOs in Zambia applauds the approval to go ahead with the repeal and replacement of the NGO Act No. 16 of 2009 by government, it would further like to make a passionate appeal to government through Cabinet should accept the Draft NGO Bill as would be from the NGOs and stakeholders themselves without alterations as the document would not only be a reflection of the aspirations of the sector but that the Government generally and the citizens particularly stand to benefit greatly from a robust NGO regime, he said. The CNGOs is grateful to the cooperating partners that include the Germany Technical Corporation (GIZ), the European Union (EU), SIDA and Action Aid Zambia among many for coming on board in these endeavours. Furthermore, the CNGOs would like to make an earnest appeal and a clarion call on all NGOs (local and international) to take this process as golden and factor some activities, in their programming, to make submissions/input to the Draft NGO Bill, 2019. The CNGOs would endeavour to ensure and see that NGO(s) singularly or collectively is left behind and/or out.

Chipenzi said it was the CNGOs considered view that the final product would be owned by all stakeholders and will be a beacon of admiration and best practice in the region, the continent and the world as a whole.

Originally posted here:
NGOs urges govt to accept draft bill The Mast Online - themastonline.com

Asthe country braces for a one-in-100-year recession, Cabinet has agreed to a law change that will block thepublicfrom the resource consent processin order to fast track projects that create jobsand stimulatethe economy.

Environment Minister David Parker saidnew legislation was expected to be passed in June to allow for fasterResource Management Act(RMA) consenting ofdevelopment and infrastructureprojects, in response to the damage the coronaviruspandemic was having on the economy.

Created in 1991, the RMAallows communities to make decisions on how their own environment is managed through regional and district resource management plans.

Parker said theRMA providedfor local decision-making generally by local councils with the publichaving a right of participation and appeal.

READ MORE:* Getting Waikato going: Connecting Hamilton Gardens to CBD* Nelson-Tasman region asks for $155.4m from Government for 14 priority projects* Coronavirus: Business groups launch new job search platform during Covid-19

However, under the new powers resource consent decisionsfor large projects would not go tocouncil and public input would not happen. Instead,a panel of experts chaired by an Environment Court judge would determine whether a project could be given the green light, he said.

"Most people realise that the world is entering into the worst recession in 100 years as a result of Covid-19," Parker told Stuff.

Tom Lee/Stuff

Attorney-General David Parker says National Leader Simon Bridges, as chair of the Epidemic Response Select Committee, has made an "unprincipled" move in trying to summons high-ranking Government officials to hand over Crown Law advice.

"We think it's justified to put aside those normal rights of participation and have a narrower group of people make these decisions centrally."

As Minister for the Environment Parker would be the "gatekeeper" determiningwhich projects would be fast-trackedand go before the expert panel.

Traditional consentingprocessesused in normal circumstances did notprovide the speed needed in response to the economic fallout from Covid-19, he said.

"The new processes will get projects started sooner and people into jobs faster."

Both private and public projects would be eligiblefor the fast-tracked process such asroading, walking and cycling, rail, housing, sediment removal from silted rivers and estuaries, new wetland construction, flood management works, and projects to prevent landfill erosion.

Ross Giblin/Stuff

Roading projects will benefit from a proposed fast-tracked consenting process.

Projects that helped alleviate housing challenges, encouraged active transport and enhanced the environment would be prioritised, Parker said.

The projects had to be "significant" in size and create a large number of jobs, he said.

"We're not going to be taking over every little resource consent that people have to apply for because that would just choke up this panel and defeat its purpose."

Chris Skelton/Stuff

In 2019 a flood ripped open the Fox Glacier landfill causing large amounts of rubbish to spill into the ocean. Projects to prevent landfill erosion could be fast-tracked under the new law.

Once a project was referred to the panel there was a high level of certainty the resource consent would be granted, he said.

He expected the new legislation to free up resources at a local council level, which should speed up the processing ofotherconsent applications.

Parker said the fast-track process was designed as a short-term intervention to help with economic recovery from Covid-19 and the legislation would be repealed in two years.

Part 2 of the RMA, which contained the core principles of environment protection, would still be applied, he said.

Alden Williams/Stuff

National MP Judith Collins says the changes approved by Cabinet shows the RMA makes it difficult to get anything to get done quickly.

The Opposition's RMA spokeswoman Judith Collins said the changes sounded similar to changesproposed by the National Party.

"They should therefore support the repeal and replacement of the RMA, which is what we are proposing," Collins said.

"Even this government has worked out that the RMA is almostimpossible for anything to get done quickly under it."

Parker said while projects were being fast-tracked environmental safeguards remained.

New Zealand's health response to Covid-19 had given the country a head-start on the world to get the economy moving again, he said.

"This fast-tracking process will allow our economic recovery to accelerate."

Ideas from district and regional councils as well as non-government organisations and the private sector would be considered.

Excerpt from:
Coronavirus: Cabinet approves new legislation to fast-track resource consents and boost economy as it emerges from lockdown - Stuff.co.nz

Medway Council plans to spend 12million on the replacement of thousands of street lamps to make them carbon neutral.

Around 23,100 could be changed to LED energy saving light bulbs while more than4,000 concrete columns are likely to be replaced. These are deemed cheaper to manage and run in line with the council's environment strategy.

But, a final decision will need to be made by full council on April 23 before work can start. The move was unanimously backed by Medway Council's cabinet during a public meeting at Chatham's Gun Wharf.

Medway councillor Phil Filmer (Con), the portfolio holder for front line services, said: "This programme will be carbon neutral and help to keep our climate change programme up to date. I hope full council agree to it."

However, some concerns have been raised over vandals disrupting works carried out to replace the lights, if approved by councillors later this month.

This comes after 5G network masts were subjected to attacks in parts of the UK, with some claiming that they have contributed to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. Some were set alight in Liverpool and Birmingham.

Medway Council's opposition leader, Cllr Vince Maple (Lab), described the arson as "absolutely ludicrous" and called on all residents to act responsibly.

He added: "The link between the 5G network and the cause of this pandemic is nonsense. If anyone thinks about acting against these street lamps, they need to think long and hard about doing so before doing anything so stupid."

There are 25,667 street lights in Medway, with around 90% of these expected to be upgraded. This is because LED lights are deemed more energy efficient and it is hoped that any repairs needed can be completed quicker in the future.

The proposal also comes amid fears that running costs will grow beyond the council's means, with a 431,000 overspend over the past 18 months.If no action is taken, council bosses say further year on year increases are likely.

A Medway Council paper published ahead of the cabinet meeting stated: "The current situation, where column replacements are prioritised within an inadequate funding envelope, is unsustainable.

"Most columns are already beyond their original design life and even focusingon columns that are deemed structurally unsafe, there is insufficient funding, in annual budgets to meet the needs of this service."

Medway's 55 councillors will decide whether to back the move at the next full council meeting, which remains planned for April 23 at Chatham's Gun Wharf.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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Let there be carbon neutral light - Kent Online

As we enter the second month of stay-at-home orders around the U.S., the strain on the home kitchen is already clear; stores and vendors are adjusting to changing food demands and the supply chain has been impacted.

Certain ingredient shortages we encounter while managing with limited grocery shopping runs make cooking dinner and breakfast, and lunch, and snacktime, and dessert, and midnight snack all the more difficult.

For those battling food insecurity, school meal services and food banks are working overtime to help provide necessary meals and supplies. But for those looking at empty pantry shelves while delaying a grocery trip to stock up further on in-demand items like beans and oat milk, a few innovative swaps can mean that a missing ingredient here or there wont throw off your meal planning. For advice, TIME turned to Alissa Wagner, chef and co-founder of the popular downtown New York City restaurant Dimes and co-author of the recently published cookbook Emotional Eating, as well as baker and Great American Baking Show winner Vallery Lomas, whos popular on social media as the Foodie in New York, and pastry chef and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi, who has been teaching fans with daily live Instagram tutorials.

Wagner called from her restaurants associated market, which is still serving prepared foods and remains busy and well-stocked. Start simply and play around with things, Wagner says. You really can look at cookbooks and recipes and try not to be intimidated and enjoy it. Lomas, meanwhile, has been testing out simplified recipes from her studio apartment in Harlem that are fuss free and work for smaller crowds or even portioned just for one. Dont let fear of failure stop you, she said. Tosi keeps things interesting by playing music themed to match her culinary pursuits (like a queens of pop playlist while making popovers) and sharing what she makes, as much as she safely can. Kitchen time never feels like a chore when you approach it with a generosity of spirit mentality, she says. Now is the time to spread the love more than ever.

Here, Wagner, Lomas and Tosi share their suggestions for what to do when you run out of some of the basics. And while this guide doesnt cover everything you might need to make your preferred dish of the evening to the recipes exact specifications, it might help you come up with some creative solutions. I like to look at my pantry with a sense of imagination, Tosi says. Approach every ingredient with a What does this typically bring to the dish or snack I use it in? Write it down and come back to it when you put your apron on.

Eggs are a refrigerator staple, but once youve worked through your regular dozen, you may find yourself uncertain of what to use as a replacement. If its a breakfast protein youre in the mood for, Wagner recommends turning to tofu, which can be prepared as a scramble and lasts a long time in the fridge.

Although eggs are hard to match in taste as a standalone food and Tosi cautions against trying to replace them in a recipe if it calls for more than a few there are a number of workable stand-ins. If youre baking, do as the vegans do: consider swapping in apple sauce or another fruit you can cook or puree, which provides the same binding properties in baked goods as eggs. (Mashed bananas are a common option, too, and very cost-effective if you buy bunches in bulk. They can also be frozen for later use.) Tosi says a neutral-flavored oil could also help provide structure and moisture.

Lomas and Tosi also recommend the flax egg letting a tablespoon of flaxseed meal soak in a few tablespoons of water for a few minutes. The resulting jelly-like concoction will work in lieu of real eggs, and is every vegans favorite trick, Tosi says.

If youre looking for egg whites, the water in a can of chickpeas, called aquafaba, will suffice. Meringues, mayonnaise and cocktails like a pisco sour can use aquafaba instead of real egg whites. Vegans have been using the replacement source for years.

When dairy supplies run low, fortunately there are plenty of milk substitutes that are more shelf-stable than perishable dairy. Wagner particularly likes coconut milk, which you can keep in your pantry and will work as a replacement for regular milk when thinned with some water. (Its a lot fattier than regular milk, Wagner explained.)

Match your milk sub with the flavor profile of what you are baking, Tosi says. So for bundt and loaf cakes, for instance, she sometimes turns to sour cream and Greek yogurt.

If you have nuts lying around, making your own nut milk is also a possibility: Wagner recommends a three-part water to one-part nut ratio, soaked overnight and blended. A clean t-shirt will do as a strainer, she says. Wagner likes cashew milk, which has a really nice sweetness and its a little cheaper than almonds, making it a more cost-effective option. Almonds and oats also work, and Tosi says nut milks are a good option for pancakes, crepes and bar cookies. Im not above melting down vanilla ice cream to sub in for milk, either, she adds. Embrace all the milky things, she said. Yes, even whipped cream.

If you dont have milk, Lomas suggests simply using water instead of milk for a substitute in baking. And when all else fails, Tosi notes, dont underestimate the power of milk powder, which you can mix with water, too.

There is an almost infinite variety of cheeses on the market. But when it comes to the cheese that we use most often, its generally as an additive on other dishes for that umami kick. Nutritional yeast will work as a substitute in many pasta dishes, Wagner says. Or for saltiness, you can try out capers and olives, which last in the pantry and fridge and bring in the salty brininess you might be missing when you run out of parmesan, notes Wagner.

For Tosi, the pantry or snack cabinet could also hold answers. Ill take the flavor packet from my mac and cheese to make my own Cheez-Its, or use a box of cake mix and some cream cheese for a gooey butter cake, she says.

For cooking, oil olive, canola or even grapeseed or avocado can generally be used as a butter substitute, provided you select an oil with a flavor that complements the rest of your ingredients. It depends on the recipe as to how well this swap will work, Lomas says. Coconut oil, for instance, has a flavor all its own. Used in a cookie recipe, canola and vegetable oil will result in a sandier textured cookie, Tosi says. The conversion is also not a direct one-to-one swap between butter and oil, since butter also has milk fats that an oil may lack; you might need a few tablespoons fewer of oil than butter for a cake, for instance.

Then theres old school shortening, which Tosi says is a best bet for matching butters flavor and structure; margarine is another option, although not as flavorful. If the butter is being used as an especially creamy component, like in a risotto, you could try a heavy cream.

If youre craving homemade carbs perhaps inspired by the proliferation of amateur baking projects youre seeing on social media theres plenty to choose from. Amid flour and yeast shortages, there are still breads you can make that dont require yeast.

Cornbread, Wagner says, should fit the bill provided you can find cornmeal. Simpler bread recipes like focaccia are another option, as it is made without yeast. Tosi turns to her fool-proof beer bread, since beer already has yeast in it. (Her recipe: 1 beer, 3 cups flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, cup butter melted.) She also recommends adapting bread recipes by cutting all but one tablespoon sugar out and throwing spices and seed in, like zaatar or curry powder, for a more aromatic loaf.

Lomas has been baking basics like wheat bread from scratch using whole wheat flour. Other alternative flours, like rice or chickpea, are common in gluten-free recipes and can be used widely. Wagner likes chickpea flour which is less gummy than rice flour and makes really good savory pancakes. Tosi suggests cake flour, which has a lower protein content. Nut flours nuts ground up in a food processor until they are sandy, with a few tablespoons of cornstarch to encourage the binding are her recommendation for cookies. Oat flour (ground up oats) also can work: 1 cups oat flour for 1 cup all purpose flour, says Tosi. Lomas is also a proponent of oat flour, which works well in her cookies and is a decently affordable option.

Even beyond the expected flour alternatives, Tosi suggests turning to other dry ingredients that can grind down into a flour-like consistency, like popcorn and pretzels. (Popcorn flour is fire! she says, but keep an eye on the overall salt content if you use pretzel flour.)

When running low on sugar, look to other sweeteners you have at hand: maple syrup and honey, both of which are actually lower on the glycemic index than regular processed sugar, Wagner says. Plus, both maple syrup and honey last a long time without going bad. Lomas even uses honey in her homemade whole wheat bread recipe. Agave is another natural sweetener option.

Tosi suggests thinking even further beyond the basics when it comes to bringing sweetness to a recipe. Most things you crave late at night can work, too: marshmallows, chocolate, white chocolate chips, peanut butter, sorbet melted down, and candy.

Brown sugars can also be whipped up at home if need be: light brown sugar can be concocted by adding a splash of maple syrup to granulated sugar, while to mix your own dark brown sugar you can add molasses. And powdered sugar, to top things off? Blend granulated sugar with a pinch of cornstarch. In the baking world its called 10x, in reference to it being ground down 10 times, Tosi says of powdered sugars origins.

You can also look beyond sugar for flavor in your baking. If you like a salty-sweet combo, throw potato chips, pretzels, butterscotch chips you name it in your cookie dough or loaf or pancake batter, Tosi says.

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Alternatives to meat like plant-based brands Beyond Meat or the Impossible Burger are buzzy, but can get pricy. To fulfill the central protein portion of a meal, Wagner looks farther afield to vegetarian staples like tofu, which can be bought in bulk for a more cost-conscious solution, or chickpeas. Theyre very filling and versatile; they take to spice and herbs very well, she says, suggesting a simple preparation with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, chopped cilantro and red pepper flakes (or Aleppo pepper if you have it).

Or turn to canned goods. Canned fish like sardines, anchovies and tuna is shelf-stable and stores well, and works as a meal centerpiece. Wagner suggests a spin on the classic French Nioise salad, featuring a canned fish and any vegetable you have on hand, or you can serve the fish on toast.

By the end of two weeks without restocking at a grocery, vegetables may have wilted. But Wagner reminds us that any kind of soft herb or the green part of a vegetable can be used as a base for a salad or a green addition to a meal, including parsley, basil, cilantro, kale or chard. Carrot tops, beet greens, even fennel fronds anything like that you can use, instead of throwing it out, she says.

And dont overlook your onions. One thing people always have lying around that can upgrade anything are onions. You can pickle them easily and throw them into a salad; you can fry them and throw them in with beans, or saut them into your eggs. It adds a ton of flavor in a really easy way, she says.

Pickling is a helpful way of extending the lifespan of leftover vegetables, too. All you really need is vinegar, salt and sugar. Everything else is a bonus, Wagner says of the pickling process.

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Read the original:
A Guide to Expert-Tested Cooking and Baking Substitutes If You Can't Find Your Usual Ingredients Anywhere - TIME

The Uttarakhand government has initiated efforts to bring the chief priests of Kedarnath and Badrinath stuck outside the state due to the Covid-19 lockdown to preside over the opening of the temples. The state government has decided to open Kedarnath on April 29 and Badrinath on April 30 and the priests are supposed to be present at the opening ceremony.

However, it has also asked authorities concerned to nominate other priests as replacement of the chief priests in case they are not in a position to be present on the occasion. The chief priests (called rawal) of Kedarnath is in Maharashtra and that of Badrinath in Kerala.

In case of Kedarnath and Badrinath, the priests who conduct the rituals for the opening of portals are outside the state. We spoke to home ministry that these priests be allowed to come to the state. The home ministry has agreed they will be allowed to come to Uttarakhand by car. If they come, they will be quarantined for 14 days, said Madan Kaushik, cabinet minister and spokesperson of the state government.

But even after their return, the rawals will have to mandatorily remain in 14-day quarantine, due to which they will have to skip the opening ceremony.

Kaushik said in case of Badrinath shrine, the Tehri royal family (considered its custodians) will be empowered to change the date of the opening the portal or nominate somebody for opening the portal.

Similarly, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has also been asked to nominate another priest as a temporary replacement for the Kedarnath rawal if he is not in a position to make it to the temple on schedule.

Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh told news agency PTI that this has been done three or four times in the past also amid unusual circumstances.

Read this article:
Covid-19 casts shadow on opening of Badrinath, Kedarnath; Uttarakhand govt trying to bring priests ... - Hindustan Times

WILTSHIRE Council is replacing fewer homes than are sold through the governments Right to Buy scheme, figures suggest.

According to data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 26 council houses were privatised through Right to Buy in 2019 eight fewer than were sold in 2018.

Councils are expected to replace Right to Buy homes on a one-for-one basis, but can only use 30 per cent of the receipts from properties sold to cover the cost of replacements.

In 2019, Wiltshire Council acquired or began construction on three replacement homes for those sold previously.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: In the 2019/2020 financial year, our Right to Buy receipts part funded the completion of 12 affordable homes, including both newbuilds and acquisitions, making a total of 198 additional affordable homes built or acquired using 3.7m of retained Right to Buy receipts to date.

We are currently scheduled to build or acquire 13 affordable homes in 2020/2021, partly funded with Right to Buy receipts, with a further 18 currently planned to follow in the future, as part of our commitment to build or buy 1,000 homes over the next 10 years.

We have also implemented a range of other schemes, including our council house programme and community-led housing schemes, to increase the number of affordable homes in Wiltshire in the coming years.

Under Right to Buy, councils are expected to replace houses on a one-for-one basis, however, they can only use 30 per cent of the funds from properties sold to cover the replacements.

The Local Government Association says councils should be given more power to build new homes in the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

David Renard, the Local Government Associations housing spokesman, says the government needs to take action to ensure work on affordable homes can continue as planned after the coronavirus pandemic, with less restriction on how councils can use proceeds from Right to Buy sales.

He added: We are calling for a temporary extension of the time given to commence planning permissions that would otherwise lapse over the coming weeks.

This would enable construction activity to deliver new homes to start again quickly, when it is safe to do so, without the need to potentially have to start the planning process again.

The Government should also urgently extend the time limit for spending Right to Buy receipts from three years to five years, to ensure that many planned council housing projects that are currently on hold can continue to go ahead at the appropriate time.

As part of the countrys recovery from coronavirus, to deliver the housing the country needs the government should give councils the powers to build homes again and reform Right to Buy so councils can keep receipts in full to invest in new housing, and set discounts locally.

An MHCLG spokesman said Right to Buy has helped more than 121,000 people get on the property ladder nationally since 2010.

They said: Weve given councils the freedom to be able to build more social homes through abolishing the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap.

Were working to get more people on the housing ladder, investing 12.2 billion next year alone to build many more affordable homes across England.

Continue reading here:
Local Government Association is asking the government to help council's build homes - The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald

The Hon. Sergio Marchi served as a Canadian member of parliament and cabinet minister. He also was also the Canadian ambassador to the World Trade Organization and UN Agencies in Geneva.

The U.S. has been an able leader of the free world for a long time, but its now looking tired and uncertain. Their politics is a mess, and their global leadership is in serious jeopardy. And that was before the coronavirus pandemic.If Trump is re-elected, theres little hope for renewal, which has been a longstanding hallmark of American society. Indeed, with another four years under his rule, their political system would likely reach unthinkable new lows.Conversely, with a Democrat in the White House, can the situation be salvaged?

Its therefore not an exaggeration, to ask if the U.S. empire is in jeopardy.It is entirely possible, if we look to history. The past is littered with empires that have come and gone. Reigns that seemed invincible were no more and futures were forever changed.

While predictions are for fools, I believe it would be prudent for the Canadian government to weigh the continued decline of the U.S. as a real option, and what this would mean for our national and global interests.Blaming Trump alone would be too simple. The gradual and unmistakable political, economic and social erosion started well before his administration.

MORE:Oh wise and wonderful Trump, help us stop the coronavirus

In 2008, CNNs Fareed Zakaria, wrote an enlightening book about how developing countries were on the rise and challenging America. His book was entitled, The Post-American World, and the Rise of the Rest, and his premise was that America was not necessarily on the decline. Rather, it was more about the rapid ascension of other nations.In the intervening 12 years, however, it is painfully clear that America has been slipping quickly.One need only to consider some of the prevailing ailments.

Washington politics has become bitterly divided, more extreme and paralyzed on many fronts. The two parties are barely talking to each other. There was a time, when the two, despite their differences, would band together when the national interest was at stake. That is no longer the case, which weakens their ability to lead at home and abroad.

Money has badly corroded their political arena and restricted who can enter it. Without any serious limits, democracy is being bought and paid for. While Bernie Sanders passionately laments this, both parties have become beholden to the American dollar. In the 2012 election, for example, Obama and Romney each spent over a billion dollars, just trying to get elected. Thats an obscene amount, which fuels the alienation that average Americans feel. The belief that theirgovernment is no longer theirs.

MORE:The unbearable lightness of Donald Trump in a coronavirus crisis

The rule of law, which has traditionally been a pillar of their democracy, is now being severely undermined. Trump is acting with impunity, running roughshod over the law, as he moves to forgive friends and target his political enemies. Meanwhile, the Attorney General acts as if he is Trumps personal lawyer. In addition, there is no line separating the presidents public interests from his private ones. The concept of conflict of interest is dead.

On the economic front, we note that tariffs, sanctions, subsidies and other forms of protectionism, are being used to protect and prop up U.S. businesses. Not only is this unsustainable, but China is already breathing down their neck and poised to claim the number-one spot as global economic leader.Significant policy disputes and tensionsabortion, capital punishment, guns, immigration, same-sex marriages, race relationscontinue to swirl without any satisfactory closure. They make appearances in every election.

Trump is also weakening international institutions. The U.S. has gone from being the locomotive in building and sustaining organizations for the global public good, into a caboose that drags and hinders progress.In the process, the president is undoing important relationships with allies, and weakening regional and global alliances. Many years in the making, these friends and groups share economic, political and military interests. Now, like Canada, they are victims to an America-first preoccupation.

MORE:Would Donald Trump take responsibility; No way, not on Oval Office Opposite Day

Just look at his handling of the COVID-19 crisis. Most objective observers have concluded that America has badly underperformed. The president was slow off the mark, quick to call it a foreign and Chinese disease, he played the blame game with Europe, and is in constant quarrel with U.S. governors. Collaboration and empathy was supplanted by a go-it-alone mentality.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. infectious disease expert, now walks around with six security agents to protect him against threats he has received from Americans, who question his medical judgement and loyalty to the president. And Chinese Americans are now buying record amounts of guns for protection against a racial backlash, owing to the fact that the virus originated in China. These societal reactions are extreme and disturbing.

Finally, to make matters worse, Trump coddles political dictators that have no interest in a healthy Western society. In fact, they are working towards empire replacement.

In the face of these indisputable and concerning trends, where does this leave Canada moving forward?Many European countries are not waiting, they are already preparing their own contingency plans.Canada should do the same.Quietly but deliberately, our political leaders should evaluate this shift by asking tough questions, in an effort to develop strategically effective options should they be required.

They need to address at least four critical areas.

First is the need to carefully consider the potential economic consequences we would face, should America forfeit its leadership position and turn inward.

On trade, will we be able to sustain the worlds largest relationship, and a NAFTA deal that has just been updated? If not, then it will be critical to adjust our global trading strategy accordingly. We would also have to worry about the millions of jobs that are closely tied to a strong America, and the complementary multi-billion dollar stock of U.S. investments in our country.

In regards to our energy sector, which is already under severe strain, we must protect our energy exports by quickly diversifying and finding new markets. Selling oil and gas at greatly reduced prices exclusively to the U.S. was never a good idea. We will also need to expect and guard against a resurgence of Buy America campaigns, which are no more than thinly veiled, modern-day forms of protectionism.

Second, we must think hard about our unique bilateral security arrangements.

The U.S. defence arrangements with Canada are more extensive than with any other country. They are the big brother in this relationship, a huge concern for us. Trump has repeatedly complained that Canada does not pull its weight on defence. Should he act precipitously against us, he could make life difficult in the realm of Canadian security interests. He could also move on past threats to both NATO and NORAD, which would only further compound our difficulties.

Closer to home, it might also mean changes to the many customs and border enforcement agreements that we currently enjoy with the U.S., impeding the movement of some 400,000 citizens, from both countries, who cross the border each day.

Third, we would need to weigh the ramifications on our bilateral and global political agenda.

We have shared a strategic political friendship and agenda with the U.S. Yes, we are independently minded and see things very differently at times. But overall, we have been very tight with American policies. If a radically different American trajectory emerges, we will need to seek out new strategic relationships and alliances. As well, we will need to review our roles and support base when it comes to the many international organizations where Canada is a member, and where we have benefited from U.S. supportthe UN, WTO, G-7, G-20, OECD, OAS and APEC.

In terms of North America, we have successfully built a strong continental framework with both the U.S. and Mexico. We will therefore need to consider its future course with the potential intransigence of its biggest partner. And we will find out if our relationships with other world powers, such as China and Russia, are made vulnerable without the guarantee of American backing.

Finally, we would need to account for how a changed America could undermine global leadership and progress on the social agenda.

For so long, we have been on the same page as the U.S. Together with other key allies, we have fought for a just and kinder world. This includes actions on human, labour and gender rights; efforts in building democracy, free speech and a free media; sound migration and refugee programs; environmental agreements; and the building of institutions that helped the world navigate the many rocky shoals. It will be crucial to find ways to continue to build on this record, rather than turning towards a harsher global community.

Then, there are issues like climate change, that fit no single category. They belong to each of the foregoing four issues because they pose such an existential threat to our planet.

Americas continued decline would represent a giant tectonic shift in the current world order. It will create huge and dangerous voids, that will require our urgent attention, just as other geo-political earthquakes did, including the implosion of the Soviet Union, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the expansion of NATO, the extension of the European community, the rise of China, 9-11, the 2008 financial crisis, Brexit, and now a global pandemic. More than any other nation, our close friendship and geographical proximity makes Canada particularly vulnerable.

If the old American way is salvaged, fine. We would continue to benefit from our long-standing relationship, and so would they. If not, we must make our strategic calculations, without being caught by surprise and without being restricted by sentimentality.To do nothing, and simply assume no change, would be an irresponsible risk to our continued political and economic prosperity as a nation.

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau famously compared living next to the U.S. like living next to an elephant.No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt, he said.Well, what if the beast becomes unfriendly and unevenly temperedthen what?

See the article here:
Is the U.S. empire in jeopardy? - Maclean's

COUNTY Durham residents are being offered a helping hand to stay active during the coronavirus lockdown.

Durham County Council has teamed up with TechnoGym, to provide free, daily home workouts and a range of challenges via their MyWellness app.

Each day, users will be able to access three levels of workouts easy, medium and pro. Alongside this there will be some fun weekly challenges and special workouts developed by the countys local instructors to keep residents motivated during this difficult time

The digital workouts and fun weekly challenges are free for anyone who has registered via the councils website and downloaded the app.

It is hoped that the MyWellness app will keep people healthy, motivated and able to make the most of the space they have at home, and outdoors, whilst following social distancing guidelines.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: Even though people are currently unable to attend their local leisure centre, community fitness class or walking or running group, we are committed to continuing to provide a service to our customers and residents.

"Thats why we have teamed up with TechnoGym in the hope that the MyWellness app will keep our residents and members active, motivated and healthy until were able to welcome them back to our facilities and community programmes in the future.

Our dedicated staff have put together a number of challenges and workouts to try at home so we hope this digital replacement will be enough to keep people engaged and raise their spirits during these unprecedented times. We hope everyone stays safe and well and we look forward to seeing them again when we reopen.

Information on how to register for and download the MyWellness app can be found by searching on the councils website: http://www.durham.gov.uk.

Read the original here:
Keeping fit from the comfort of your own home - The Northern Echo

Bury Town hope to get work started on putting up a modern east stand and installing new floodlights as soon as coronavirus restrictions allow after being awarded a grant of more than 56,000.

The Isthmian League North Division club have been granted 56,386 by the Football Foundation towards renovations costing a total of 80,551 at the Denny Brothers Ram Meadow Stadium.

The grant will enable the club to replace the wooden Jimmy The Rattle stand opposite the changing rooms and clubhouse and replace their floodlights, which are more than 50 years old.

The remaining money will come from a mixture of club funds and donations, some of which has already been spent by the club in architects fees and planning application fees.

Whereas the Free Press reported in January the club were set to expand the seated capacity of the ground by 40 per cent with the new stand, it will now be a like-for-like replacement due to restrictions for funding at their current Step 4 level.

The wooden stand, which seated 150 spectators on wooden benches, is in disrepair and a new stand with 150 plastic seats will be built in its place, meaning the total seating capacity of the ground will remain at 250.

It had originally been hoped to build a new stand seating 250 but Bury Town board member Chris Ward, who has led the project, said there will be scope to extend it if they were to get promoted.

Reacting to the new of their grant, he said: We are delighted that the club has been awarded this grant from the Football Foundation.

In recent years we have improved our facilities greatly with a new clubhouse in 2017 and new changing rooms completed last summer, but we felt that we needed to address some outside areas.

The current floodlights at Ram Meadow were moved from the clubs former Kings Road ground in 1978, so while the club have made good use of them, they are now over 50 years old and in need of replacing.

The new stand will offer much more comfort to our supporters, and also offer a covered accessible area for wheelchair users and seating for careers which is something we lack at the moment.

The stand will be designed to be extended or even moved to a new location in the future, if needed.

On behalf of the club we would like to thank Jill Korwin and the team at West Suffolk Council for supporting the application, Jodie Allard and the Suffolk FA for supporting the bid and also Billy Fox at the Football Foundation who helped us process the successful bid.

The club have already contacted the company building the stand and also the floodlight installers, but both companies are currently closed with their workers furloughed so we are waiting until the current restrictions are lifted but hope to start work as soon they return.

Cllr Jo Rayner, cabinet member for leisure, culture and community hubs at West Suffolk Council, said: Im absolutely delighted that funding for a new stand and floodlighting at Bury Town Football Clubs home at Ram Meadow has been confirmed.

The council was very pleased to be able to work with the club to submit this application and we confirm our commitment to continue to work with the club to ensure it has a home that meets its needs now and in the future.

Suffolk FA football development manager Jodie Allard said: The Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) is funded by the Premier League and delivered by the Football Foundation.

Its purpose is to support clubs within the National League System to ensure they meet the FA ground grading criteria of their league, comply with health and safety requirements and to promote club sustainability.

Bury Towns successful application to the FSIF funding scheme to support their floodlight and stand improvements is a fantastic achievement and testament to the hard work of their members to bring much-needed investment into the club.

We look forward to seeing the impact that this financial aid has towards supporting the facilities at Ram Meadow, a well-respected and valued venue within the Suffolk football scene.

Read more here:
Bury Town secure funding to replace floodlights and rebuild stand - Bury Free Press