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Roadworks continue, now with a facemask, as some essential jobs have kept segments of the population employed as the stay-at-home orders continue in Los Angeles, California on May 4, 2020, as Governor Gavin Newsom earlier announced the gradual reopening of California later this week. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
By Stephen Kleege
Los Angeles is suffering what may be the hardest Covid-related health and economic hit of any big city. But the city’s $2.6 billion in municipal bonds outstanding, while hardly thriving, appear in decent shape.
Unemployment in the Los Angeles region, at 9.6% in November, was the highest among the five biggest metropolitan areas and 3.2 percentage points worse than the national average. And that was before the surge of infections and deaths in Southern California accelerated into the new year, straining hospitals and morgues and dashing hopes for a rebound in the city’s revenue.
Open and honest debate
The CPGB’s first online winter school proved to be a real success. James Harvey reports
Last weekend saw the first Winter Communist University, conducted under the broad heading, ‘After the US presidential election: consequences and considerations’.
The CPGB’s Communist University has been a regular feature of the leftwing summer for more than 30 years, but this was our first winter event. Although something of an experiment and held online because of the lockdown, it was successful at a number of levels. Attendance at the sessions ranged from 50 to 135 comrades. The fact that it was online allowed comrades from all over Britain and further afield - in the United States, Ireland, Norway, Turkey and the Netherlands - to take part in our discussions and share their ideas and experiences.
Robin Jackman, Surrey and England bowler held back by links with South Africa – obituary
He played in four Tests but was served with a deportation order in Guyana during England’s 1980-81 tour of West Indies
Robin Jackman
Credit: ITN/Shutterstock
Robin Jackman, who has died aged 75, was an accurate and bustling fast-medium bowler who was unlucky not to play in more than four Test matches; he had a lengthy and consistent career with Surrey, helping them to win the County Championship in 1971.
When, a decade later, he finally joined an England tour party, he became embroiled in a row with the government of Guyana over his links with South Africa.
Rashes, bites and stings: Jellyfish or sea lice?
11 Jan, 2021 03:52 AM
4 minutes to read
The bluebottle is responsible for most stings in New Zealand waters, but some stinging jellyfish are microscopic. Photo / Roger Smith
The bluebottle is responsible for most stings in New Zealand waters, but some stinging jellyfish are microscopic. Photo / Roger Smith
Hitting the beach this summer? You may find painful company in the water as the weather warms up.
Treza Gallogly was having a year-end swim with a friend at Orewa Beach when she felt something eating at her. She got out of the water and didn t notice anything more, until angry red welts erupted on her torso the next day.
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As you advance in years it s good to have that one friend who will always remember and remind you when it s your birthday, which is especially useful if you might otherwise have had a senior moment and forgotten it entirely. In Granny s case, this friend is Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook, who could not let the occasion pass without acknowledging that 74 years ago today Granny made her debut in the far right (the 8th) column of issue number 34,026 of
The Sydney Morning Herald. Happy anniversary! Many thanks Allan. Any chance of a diamond next year?
There s no need to admit to being lost, or struggling with navigation issues (C8) according to some of the wise women among the 8th Columnists. Being occasionally geographically embarrassed is all that Joan Carter of East Hills and Jane Louis of Thornleigh will ever own up to.