Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Enhances Winter Preparedness with Comprehensive Snow and Ice Response Plan 12-05-2024 11:24 PM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: ABNewswire PBOT unveils its Snow and Ice Response Plan to ensure safe winter travel in Portland. The plan includes resources like the Winter Weather Center and support from local businesses like Harlan Law Firm for weather-related incidents. Portland, OR - As winter approaches, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) [ https://www.portland.gov/transportation/weather/snow-ice ] is proactively implementing its Snow and Ice Response Plan to ensure the safety and mobility of all Portland residents during severe weather conditions. This initiative underscores PBOT's commitment to maintaining accessible transportation routes and providing essential services throughout the winter season. Key Components of PBOT's Winter Preparedness Plan: * 24/7 Operations: PBOT crews are prepared to work around the clock to clear hazards from city streets and keep emergency routes open during winter storms. * Designated Snow and Ice Routes: The bureau focuses on maintaining critical roads that serve police and fire stations, hospitals, schools, frequent bus routes, the downtown core, and central business districts-comprising about one-third of the city's street grid. * Public Transit Encouragement: To reduce accidents and bottlenecks, PBOT discourages private vehicle use during severe weather and encourages reliance on mass transit options. * Public Resources and Alerts: PBOT offers resources like the Winter Weather Center, which provides real-time information on plow activity, road closures, and traffic cameras. Residents are encouraged to sign up for PBOT alerts via text or email and follow @PBOTInfo on social media for the latest updates. Safety Recommendations for Residents: * Plan Ahead: Create an emergency plan with family and co-workers, stock up on necessary supplies, and prepare to work from home or use public transit during severe weather. * Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and PBOT communications to stay updated on road conditions and travel advisories. * Travel with Caution: If necessary, use public transit when possible. Drivers should equip their vehicles with snow chains and carry an emergency weather kit. Pedestrians and cyclists should wear appropriate gear and be vigilant of road conditions. * Property Maintenance: Property owners, tenants, and businesses are responsible for clearing sidewalks and driveways of snow and ice and warning the public about potential overhead hazards such as falling snow or ice. In case of accidents caused by icy roads or other winter hazards, residents can contact Harlan Law Firm [ https://maps.app.goo.gl/wG9rH8nAuDXFeDcL7 ], a trusted legal resource in the Portland area specializing in personal injury cases. Their experienced team can guide and support those affected by winter-related incidents. PBOT remains dedicated to collaborating with the community to navigate the challenges of winter weather effectively. By adhering to the Snow and Ice Response Plan and following recommended safety practices, Portlanders can contribute to a safer and more resilient city during winter. Please visit the PBOT Winter Weather Center for more detailed information on PBOT's winter weather resources and to access the Winter Weather Center. About PBOT: The Portland Bureau of Transportation manages the city's transportation system and is a community partner in shaping a livable city. PBOT plans, builds, operates, and maintains an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. About Harlan Law Firm: Serving Vancouver, WA [ https://harlanlaw.net/practice-areas/personal-injury/ ], and Portland, OR [ https://harlanlaw.net/practice-areas/personal-injury-portland-or/ ], Harlan Law Firm specializes in personal injury cases, including those arising from winter weather conditions [ https://harlanlaw.net/how-winter-weather-impacts-personal-injury-cases-in-vancouver-wa-and-portland-or/ ]. Our team has the experience and dedication to secure fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Let us handle the legal challenges while you focus on recovery. Media Contact Company Name: Harlan Law Firm Contact Person: Beau Harlan Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=portland-bureau-of-transportation-pbot-enhances-winter-preparedness-with-comprehensive-snow-and-ice-response-plan ] Phone: (360) 735-8200 Address:612 E. McLoughlin Blvd City: Vancouver State: WA Country: United States Website: https://harlanlaw.net This release was published on openPR.
Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker, who is overseeing Luigi Mangione’s pre-trial hearings, is facing criticism for her financial ties to the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Reports indicate that Parker is wed to Bret Parker, a past executive at Pfizer, who departed from the company in 2010. Parker, who has managed the proceedings in Mangione’s case, possesses substantial investments in various healthcare and technology companies. Records show she possesses Pfizer stock worth between $50,000 and $100,000. Her portfolio comprises stocks in Abbott Laboratories, Viatris, and CRISPR Therapeutics. Further disclosures emphasized Parker's investments in leading technology firms, such as Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Microsoft, Tesla, and Apple. Her spouse still obtains a pension from his time at Pfizer. Journalist Ken Klippenstein, who covered Parker's financial assets, mentioned that she possesses assets valued in the hundreds of thousands. These holdings have raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest in cases linked to the pharmaceutical or healthcare industries. Mangione is alleged to have murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a crime that has garnered national attention. His purported manifesto, sections of which are still vague, reportedly referred to UnitedHealthcare’s substantial market presence. Luigi Mangione, charged with the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, showed up in court on Monday dressed in an outfit that coordinated with his lawyer’s. Mangione pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges, which comprise first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism. Speaking into the courtroom microphone, he assertively declared, "Not guilty." The claims stem from the shooting of Thompson on December 4 near a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The occurrence happened during an investor conference held by UnitedHealth Group. Prosecutors allege that the murder was premeditated and associated with terrorism. If convicted, Mangione might receive a life sentence in prison with no possibility of parole. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier David Eby says his fellow premiers and the federal government have hatched a game plan to fight U.S. tariffs, with conservative premiers lobbying Republican counterparts, left-leaning provincial leaders courting the Democrats, and Ottawa focusing on president-elect Donald Trump. The premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about using their political diversity and connections to thwart the prospect of Trump's proposed 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, Eby said Thursday in a year-end interview. He said it was discussed that conservative premiers Danielle Smith in Alberta, Doug Ford in Ontario and Nova Scotia's Tim Houston are well-placed to lobby Republican governors and business leaders. Eby said as a New Democrat he will likely have more in common with Democrat governors and business leaders from the West Coast states. "I can easily have conversations with governors and businesses down the West Coast of the U.S., where we have close relationships and our politics are very similar," he said. "Premier Smith can have conversations with Republican governors. That would be more challenging for me, and (she) would have more connections potentially with the Trump administration than an NDP administration in B.C. would." He said a meeting last week between the premiers and Trudeau discussed Canada's diversity of representation, and how it could bring leverage and advantages in tariff talks. "It's interesting, there was a lot of talk about what unity means in terms of Canada's response to the tariffs," he said. "There's obviously a diversity of views around the Council of the Federation table of all the premiers. Certainly, mine is not the same as Premier Smith's or Premier Ford's or Premier Houston's, and that diversity of views is actually potentially a significant strength for us as we enter into these discussions." Eby also said he was prepared to appear on American's right-leaning Fox News TV network, as did premiers Ford and Smith. "Anything that I can do to support the national effort to protect the families in Canada from the impact of tariffs and also families in the U.S. from those unjustified tariffs," he said. "Absolutely, if I thought it was helpful." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press
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El Salvador's Congress on Monday approved a bill promoted by President Nayib Bukele to roll back a ban on the mining of gold and other metals, dismaying environmentalists. The small Central American nation became the world's first country to outlaw metal mining in 2017, warning of the harmful effects of the chemicals used, like cyanide and mercury. The move by Bukele's predecessor, former left-wing rebel Salvador Sanchez Ceren, reflected a growing rejection of mining by rural communities in the region. But last month, Bukele, who is popular at home for his crackdown on street gangs, signaled that he wanted to change course. The bill to bring back metal mining was approved by 57 deputies out of a total of 60, said Ernesto Castro, head of the legislature -- which is dominated by the ruling party -- as environmental campaigners protested nearby. Critics fear that mining will pollute the Lempa River, which runs through a potential mining zone proposed by Bukele and supplies water to 70 percent of the inhabitants of the capital and surrounding areas. "This wretched mining will punish the people, it will contaminate our waters and rivers and that's an attack on life," activist Vidalina Morales told reporters. Bukele said last month that El Salvador, a country of 6.6 million people, had "potentially" the largest gold deposits per square kilometer in the world. "God placed a gigantic treasure underneath our feet," he wrote on social media, arguing that the mining ban was "absurd." "If we make responsible use of our natural resources, we can change the economy of El Salvador overnight," he said. The new law stipulates that the state will be the only entity authorized to search for, extract and process mined metals. However, the government may do so through companies in which it is a shareholder. The bill prohibits the use of mercury in mining operations, which may not be carried out in protected natural areas or places with important water sources. A survey by Central American University published on Monday revealed that 59 percent of respondents do not consider El Salvador "an appropriate country for metal mining." Since El Salvador dollarized its remittances-reliant economy in 2001, it has registered average annual growth of 2.1 percent. Twenty-seven percent of Salvadorans live in poverty, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and 70 percent of the workforce operates in the informal sector. Elsewhere in the region, Costa Rica and Honduras have banned open-pit mining, and Panama declared a moratorium on new mining concessions last year after mass protests over plans for a huge copper mine. ob/fj/dr/jgcFormer President Bill Clinton was hospitalized today after developing a high fever, an aide announced. “President Clinton was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center this afternoon for testing and observation after developing a fever,” the aide, Angel Ureña, wrote on X. “He remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the excellent care he is receiving.” Clinton was hospitalized in 2021 at UCI Medical Center in Orange for an infection for about six days. Clinton, 78, has been on a book tour to promote his most recent book, C itizen: My Life After The White House. He also campaigned for Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election, and spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Clinton underwent a quadruple bypass operation in 2004. In 2010, he underwent surgery to place two stents in his coronary artery.TTEC Digital wins Cisco Reimagine Customer Experiences Partner of the Year - Americas
WSO2 Founder and CEO Sanjiva Weerawarana called for radical reforms to modernize Sri Lanka’s financial system, proposing a cap on cash transactions at Rs 2.5 lakhs and the demonetization of the Rs 5,000 note. Speaking at a Central Bank lecture on “Unleashing the Digital Economy in Sri Lanka,” Weerawarana emphasized the urgent need to accelerate digital adoption to foster economic growth and improve transparency. Weerawarana himself was solicited for a cash payment when purchasing a vehicle. Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s progress in banking, Weerawarana noted how technology has revolutionized the industry. “Traditional banking required physical presence during limited hours. Today, with the aid of technology, we can do almost all transactions online, anytime and anywhere,” he remarked. However, despite these advancements, cash remains king, hindering broader digitization. Sri Lanka’s digital identity system has faced delays, despite having a strong foundation. With 96% of the population holding National ID cards and birth certificate coverage at 99.7%, the country is well-placed for digital transformation. However, Weerawarana criticized the lack of progress, pointing out, “Sri Lanka has been working on a digital ID project for 20 years and has nothing to show for it.” He also addressed the need for practical solutions to authentication challenges, cautioning against unnecessary complexity. “Real-world identity is not a seriously strong identity. Over-engineering digital identity solutions often doesn’t solve the actual problem,” he explained, advocating for scalable, user-friendly systems. The payment ecosystem highlights the country’s reliance on cash, revealing startling figures. Of the Rs 1.26 trillion in circulation, 77% is held outside the banking system, primarily in Rs 5,000 notes. While 19 million debit cards are active, only 1.9 million credit cards are in use, with unique holders likely fewer due to multiple cards. Additionally, government payments total Rs 330 billion annually, but digital payment platforms like Just Pay and Lanka QR remain underutilized. “Payment is the most fundamental component of an economy—moving money around in some form is essential,” Weerawarana stressed. He highlighted LankaPay’s “human bridge” initiative, which enables government departments to integrate digital payments even without advanced system setups, as an example of bridging gaps in the current ecosystem. Weerawarana’s recommendations to limit cash transactions and phase out Rs 5,000 notes aim to drive digital adoption and formalize the economy. By embracing these measures, combined with scalable digital ID systems and wider adoption of payment platforms, Sri Lanka could unlock significant economic potential. Weerawarana’s analysis of the current system showed that even with outdated forms of National Identity Cards which were susceptible to forgery there was limited mass scale identity fraud in the country. (TP)Saginaw County commissioner under fire for Facebook post to face censure vote