Babak Belurs

Sabtu, 18 September 2021

Protestors gather as Glasgow Orange Walk passes Catholic Church amid huge police presence - Daily Record

Protestors have gathered at the site of a Glasgow Orange Walk passing one of the city's Catholic churches.

Pictures today show dozens of demonstrators with a banner from the group Call it Out outside St Benedict's church in Easterhouse.

Orange Order members and bandsmen passing the church provoked anger from the anti-sectarian group.

A heavy police presence has been seen in Easrterhouse this morning.

The marchers passed the church silently.

A silent Orange Order band walks passes by a Call It Out protest outside St Benedict's church in Easterhouse (Image: PA)

It's estimated some 13,225 participants will be involved in at least 30 walks with various organisers and lodges listed on the Glasgow City Council website taking part today.

Last year the annual tradition was unable to take place due to coronavirus restrictions but limits to outdoor gatherings were lifted on August 9 allowing the marches to restart.

Many of the walks will start in the morning and last all day.

Today's events are to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first Battle of the Boyne parade in Glasgow.

Yesterday police warned they would not tolerate any disruptive behaviour.

Protests are planned through the city (Image: PA)

Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander of Police Scotland's Greater Glasgow Police Division said:

“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation that puts our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights at the heart of everything we do.

“This means we are committed to supporting the human rights of individuals and groups who wish to assemble, balanced against the rights of the wider community and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

"We are asking all those attending the County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow processions, either as a participant or supporter, to do so safely, responsibly and respectfully. We would urge the large majority who behave in the right way and know there is no place for poor behaviours or hate, to influence those around you to ensure the day is remembered for the right reasons, and passes peacefully.

"Our large policing operation will be focused on public safety and doing all we can with partners to reduce disruption to the wider community. We will however not tolerate offensive behaviour, including hate crimes, drunkenness and disorder and such behaviours, will be dealt with swiftly and proportionately. Where this is not possible during the event, we will launch follow-up investigations as necessary.

"We are aware that there may be those who wish to protest on the day against particular locations the processions will pass. We continue to work with these groups to ensure their rights are protected and would again urge everyone to show tolerance, and respect the rights of others."

Call it Out tweeted: "Thanks to everyone who turned up this morning to stand in silent witness outside St Benedict's in Easterhouse including the local community, the trade unionists and socialists and the wider Catholic community."

The Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) has written to the city council asking for some of the marches to be re-routed so they don't pass the places of worship.

A statement from the STUC read: "We have written today to Glasgow Council expressing our deep concern at the decision to route three parades past Catholic churches in Glasgow tomorrow.

"We do not think it is too much to ask that minor route changes are agreed to reduce fear and distress in our communities."

Jumat, 17 September 2021

COVID-19: Delighted travel firms see surge in bookings as traffic light system scrapped - as government faces calls to remove testing altogether - Sky News

Travel companies have seen a sharp surge in bookings as the government announced the current traffic light system of red, amber and green countries will be scrapped for England from 4 October.

Thomas Cook's chief executive said customers are "already booking in their droves" following the latest travel changes, with the holiday company experiencing its second best day of bookings alone this year on Friday and expecting its "best weekend yet".

Airlines including British Airways and easyJet also welcomed the major relaxing of travel rules for people coming in and out of England - but increased the pressure on the government to remove testing requirements altogether.

On Friday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that from early October, anywhere not on the red list will be considered green and clear for travel - with the amber list set to be removed.

Also from that date, travellers who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to take pre-departure tests for travelling into England from non-red list countries.

Then, from the end of October, they will be able to replace their day-two PCR test with a cheaper lateral flow test.

Those unvaccinated will still have to pay for PCR tests.

The travel changes will kick into effect for the end of the school half term holidays, offering families more freedom to travel internationally during the break and in the lead up to Christmas.

Those returning from red countries will still have to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days.

Responding to the changes, which Mr Shapps said will create a "simpler system", Thomas Cook boss Alan French said it is "a shot in the arm for both the travel industry and families up and down the country who are crying out for some much-needed late summer sun".

Mr French said bookings for October half-term "are up more than 200% compared to August", adding: "Based on our bookings already today, I would expect this weekend to be the biggest of the year so far as people take advantage of the great deals on offer, the new easier rules on testing and the simplified system for international travel."

Managing director of TUI UK Andrew Flintham agreed that the latest travel changes are "a positive step forward" and will "provide much-needed reassurance for customers looking to book ahead".

Mr Flintham added: "We've already seen an uptick in bookings for Turkey in October and a big increase in bookings for those looking to enjoy some winter sun."

The chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, Shai Weiss, said "the overdue simplification" of the government's rules for international travel "will deliver a significant boost to consumer confidence and UK economic recovery".

But others have suggested the changes do not go far enough.

Some, including Karen Dee, Airport Operators Association chief executive, noted that England has "a more onerous approach to travel than our European competitors".

Ms Dee said the change is "a good step forward", but added: "Ultimately, we need to return to a situation similar to prior to the pandemic, in which people can travel without further tests or forms to fill out. The UK and devolved governments should aim for this as soon as is safely possible."

Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye added: "This simplification of the travel rules is very welcome for businesses and families across the country but the decision to require fully vaccinated passengers to take more costly private lateral flow tests is an unnecessary barrier to travel, which keeps the UK out of step with the rest of the EU."

Similarly, easyJet chief Johan Lundgren said the announcement was "welcome", but added: "However, vaccinated travellers and those from low-risk countries will still have to do an unnecessary test after arriving in the UK, making travel less affordable for all."

British Airways chief executive and chairman Sean Doyle also urged the government to go further and sweep away all testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

Meanwhile, Stewart Wingate, Gatwick Airport chief executive, said passenger locator forms should also be discarded.

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2021-09-17 18:16:57Z
52781881625999

Ruling limiting under-16s puberty blockers overturned - BBC News

Keira Bell at the original case hearing in 2020

Doctors can judge if under-16s can give informed consent to puberty blocker use, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

The appeal was brought by the Tavistock Trust, which runs the UK's only youth gender identity clinic.

The decision reverses a 2020 ruling that under-16s lacked capacity to give informed consent to the treatment, which delays the onset of puberty.

The original case was brought by Keira Bell, who says the clinic should have challenged her more over transitioning.

She said she was disappointed by the decision, and will seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Court of Appeal judges said they recognised "the difficulties and complexities" of the issue, but that "it is for the clinicians to exercise their judgement knowing how important it is that consent is properly obtained according to the particular individual circumstances".

Puberty blockers are drugs used to "pause" puberty by suppressing the release of hormones.

They are prescribed to some children who are experiencing gender dysphoria, which the NHS describes as "a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity".

The Tavistock clinic said it welcomed the decision.

"The judgement upholds established legal principles which respect the ability of our clinicians to engage actively and thoughtfully with our patients in decisions about their care and futures," a spokesperson said.

"It affirms that it is for doctors, not judges, to decide on the capacity of under-16s to consent to medical treatment."

The Tavistock's Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) said that hormone treatment "allows a young person time to consider their options and to continue to explore their developing gender identity before making decisions about irreversible forms of treatment".

In December 2020, the High Court ruled under-13s were "highly unlikely" to be able to give informed consent to what it described as "experimental" treatment and it was "very doubtful" those aged 14 and 15 would have the sufficient understanding of the implications.

Keira Bell, one of the claimants in the case, started taking puberty blockers at the age of 16 after being referred to Gids.

She was later prescribed the male hormone testosterone and had surgery to remove her breasts.

Now in her mid-20s, she regrets the decision to transition to a male, and feels there wasn't enough investigation or therapy before she reached that stage.

She said she had "no regrets" about bringing the case, which she said "shone a light into the dark corners of a medical scandal that is harming children and harmed me.

"I am obviously disappointed with the ruling of the court today, and especially that it did not grapple with the significant risk of harm that children are exposed to by being given powerful experimental drugs."

Analysis box by Alison Holt, social affairs correspondent

This a complex, controversial area, yet the Court of Appeal's ruling is very clear.

It is for doctors working with families and the children themselves to decide whether that young person can truly understand the implications of taking drugs that could change the course of their life.

Effectively this ruling has removed the courts from the decision-making process in all but the most difficult cases.

This will be welcomed by many young people struggling with their gender identity, who believe the long wait for treatment that they already face is causing huge distress and harm.

But for those like Keira Bell, who believe they weren't challenged enough when they made decisions that shaped their futures, there will be real disappointment.

However, the court cases have led to more discussion of the issues - and many will hope that they will also lead to greater understanding.

In March, a separate judgement from the court's Family Division had ruled parents could give consent for under-16s to access puberty blockers, with other safeguarding measures considered.

The Tavistock temporarily paused new referrals to its endocrinology service following the rulings.

Eligible under-16s who had already been referred for treatment, and have parental consent, are having their cases reviewed by Gids, with decisions overseen by an independent NHS England review group.

The NHS said the findings of Dr Hilary Cass's independent review into NHS gender identity services for children and young people would shed further light on the issue.

The review was announced in September 2020, when it was said it would take "12 months or possibly longer".

"The NHS commissioned Dr Hilary Cass to review gender identity services prior to the original High Court ruling to ensure the best model of safe and effective care is delivered - this will set out wide-ranging recommendations including on the use of puberty blockers and the many contested clinical issues identified by the court," a spokesperson said.

"An independent multi-professional review group will continue to confirm whether clinical decision making has followed a robust consent process now that the endocrine pathway has been reopened by the Tavistock."

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2021-09-17 16:37:30Z
52781886411776

COVID-19: Travel traffic light system scrapped - and changes to coronavirus tests for fully jabbed holidaymakers announced - Sky News

A major relaxing of travel rules for people coming in and out of England has been announced by the transport secretary.

From 4 October, the current traffic light system of red, amber and green countries will be scrapped and replaced with one red list only.

Travel traffic light system scrapped - follow live updates

Anywhere not on the red list is considered green and clear for travel - there will no longer be an amber list.

Also from that date, passengers who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to take a pre-departure test for travelling into England from non-red list countries.

Then, from the end of October, they will be able to replace their day-two PCR test with a cheaper lateral flow test.

Those unvaccinated will still have to pay for PCR tests.

Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.

This means the new system, which is expected to stay in place at least until the New Year, should be in effect as people return from half-term breaks.

The government has also announced that from 4am on 22 September, eight destinations will be removed from the red list.

The destinations are:

• Turkey

• Pakistan

• The Maldives

• Egypt

• Sri Lanka

• Oman

• Bangladesh

• Kenya

Those returning from red list countries will still need to spend 10 days in a government-approved quarantine hotel.

This will be the final regular traffic light review before the switch to the new two-tiered system, the government said.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Today's changes mean a simpler, more straightforward system. One with less testing and lower costs, allowing more people to travel, see loved ones or conduct business around the world while providing a boost for the travel industry.

"Public health has always been at the heart of our international travel policy and with over 44 million people fully vaccinated in the UK, we are now able to introduce a proportionate updated structure that reflects the new landscape."

Later speaking to reporters, Mr Shapps continued: "We wanted to bring a new, simpler, easier to navigate and cheaper system as well and so we have bought this in until the New Year at the very least and the purpose is to make it easier for people to travel without the bureaucracy, without so many tests and with a greater level of certainty - now that we have got so many people vaccinated."

He said the change could not have been made sooner because the scientific advice did not favour it.

The regular three-weekly update of which destinations are designated green, amber and red had been due on Thursday but it was delayed by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson's cabinet reshuffle.

The changes will apply to England only.

In a written statement, Eluned Morgan, minister for health and social services, said the Welsh government would "carefully consider" the simplified travel measures announced for England.

Travel industry representatives are likely to welcome the move which allows greater freedom for individuals to travel in the lead up to Christmas.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Today we have simplified the travel rules to make them easier to understand and follow, opening up tourism and reducing the costs to go abroad.

"As global vaccination efforts continue to accelerate and more people gain protection from this dreadful disease, it is right that our rules and regulations keep pace."

Transport Committee chairman and Conservative MP Huw Merriman said the changes are "welcome".

"The committee has called out confusing watchlists and quarantines; criticised the delay in reaping the benefit of the vaccine dividend and puzzled over the high costs and lack of sequencing of PCR tests," he said in a statement on behalf of the Commons committee.

"We note that using lateral flow tests may now incur a cost; it's important that any alternative testing system is fairly priced and administered.

"The need for caution is clear but with 80% of our country now vaccinated, UK travel needs a shot in the arm and this could be it.

"It's a relief to see the government move on these issues and this announcement, timed ahead of October half-term, could have an immediate impact on the UK's travel industry."

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Henry Smith, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Future of Aviation, added: "These announcements are good news for our aviation, travel and tourism businesses who have been the hardest and longest hit by the pandemic."

Karen Dee, Airport Operators Association chief executive, said the easing of travel restrictions is "a good step forward" but that "this last formal checkpoint of the Global Travel Taskforce should have been the time to return to restriction-free travel at a time when nearly all of the population has been vaccinated".

Ms Dee said the UK has "a more onerous approach to travel than our European competitors", adding: "Ultimately, we need to return to a situation similar to prior to the pandemic, in which people can travel without further tests or forms to fill out. The UK and devolved governments should aim for this as soon as is safely possible."

Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, agreed the step is "welcome", but added: "However, vaccinated travellers and those from low-risk countries will still have to do an unnecessary test after arriving in the UK, making travel less affordable for all."

British Airways chief executive and chairman Sean Doyle also urged the government to go further and sweep away all testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

Adblock test (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMimwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9jb3ZpZC0xOS10cmF2ZWwtdHJhZmZpYy1saWdodC1zeXN0ZW0tc2NyYXBwZWQtYW5kLWNoYW5nZXMtdG8tY29yb25hdmlydXMtdGVzdHMtZm9yLWZ1bGx5LWphYmJlZC1ob2xpZGF5bWFrZXJzLWFubm91bmNlZC0xMjQxMDQwNdIBnwFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvY292aWQtMTktdHJhdmVsLXRyYWZmaWMtbGlnaHQtc3lzdGVtLXNjcmFwcGVkLWFuZC1jaGFuZ2VzLXRvLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXRlc3RzLWZvci1mdWxseS1qYWJiZWQtaG9saWRheW1ha2Vycy1hbm5vdW5jZWQtMTI0MTA0MDU?oc=5

2021-09-17 15:52:54Z
52781881625999

COVID-19: Travel traffic light system scrapped - and changes to coronavirus tests for fully jabbed holidaymakers announced - Sky News

A major relaxing of travel rules for people coming in and out of England have been announced by the transport secretary.

From 4 October, the current traffic light system of red, amber and green countries will be scrapped and replaced with one red list only.

Travel traffic light system scrapped - follow live updates

Anywhere not on the red list is considered green and clear for travel - there will no longer be an amber list.

Also from that date, travellers will no longer need to take pre-departure tests for travelling into England from abroad.

Then, from the end of October, fully vaccinated passengers from non-red list countries will be able to replace day-two PCR tests with cheaper lateral flow tests.

Those unvaccinated will still have to pay for PCR tests.

Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.

This means the new system, which is expected to stay in place at least until the New Year, should be in effect as people return from half-term breaks.

The government has also announced that from 4am on 22 September, eight destinations will be removed from the red list.

The destinations are:

• Turkey

• Pakistan

• The Maldives

• Egypt

• Sri Lanka

• Oman

• Bangladesh

• Kenya

Those returning from red list countries will still need to spend 10 days in a government-approved quarantine hotel.

This will be the final regular traffic light review before the switch to the new two-tiered system, the government said.

The transport secretary said the change could not have been made sooner because the scientific advice did not favour it.