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PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. — The first human cases of avian flu have been reported in Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. In a news release, AZDHS said both people who contracted avian flu were exposed to infected poultry while working at a commercial facility in Pinal County. The two people have already been treated and recovered. The news release states they both reported mild symptoms. "Most human infections with H5 virus have occurred after unprotected exposure to sick or dead infected animals or their environment," the AZDHS news release said. "Human infections with H5 can happen when the virus gets in a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or is inhaled from close or prolonged exposure to sick animals or their environments." The Arizona Department of Agriculture said earlier in November that a poultry farm in Pinal County was put under quarantine after the poultry began displaying signs of avian flu. The farm was subjected to biosecurity measures and steps were being taken to eliminate the virus. There was also avian flu detected in a backyard flock in Maricopa County, according to the news release. According to the news release, there can be anywhere from mild to extreme symptoms people with avian flu can experience, including but not limited to: upper respiratory symptoms conjunctivitis pneumonia multi-organ failure death The state is "working with local, state, and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and dairy cows," the news release said. The state is also giving protective gear to farm workers who have contact with infected animals, as well as making sure people exposed or who contract bird flu have access to testing and treatment. Avian influenza H5 is a novel influenza A virus that primarily affects birds, the news release said. Human infection is considered rare. To reduce the risk of infection, AZDHS said people should avoid unprotected contact with sick or dead animals and their feces or bedding, and should not consume raw dairy products. Avian flu detections have been reported in California, Oregon and Utah over the last couple of weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Watch 12News+ for free You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app! The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV . 12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account , or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app. Up to Speed Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.The A.M.E. Zion Church Adopts New Common Measurement for the Health of its Churches and Congregations
Thousands of defiant pro-EU protesters in Georgia staged a fresh rally Friday after the prime minister claimed victory in a "battle" against the opposition, amid a deepening post-electoral crisis. Tbilisi has been engulfed in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party declared that it had won a disputed October 26 election. The party's critics have accused it of creeping authoritarianism and of steering the country back towards Russia. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets since the election to protest against alleged electoral fraud. Fresh rallies took place across the country after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced last week that Georgia would not hold talks on European Union membership until 2028. Police have fired tear gas and water cannon against pro-EU protests in Tbilisi and hundreds of arrests have been made, triggering outrage at home and mounting international condemnation. France, Germany and Poland condemned what they called the government's "disproportionate" use of force against protesters and opposition leaders in a joint statement by their foreign ministers Friday. - 'Fighting for our freedom' - Several thousand people blocked the street outside parliament for a ninth consecutive night Friday, some blowing whistles and others setting off firecrackers. The crowd was smaller than on previous nights and the mood quieter, but protesters rejected claims the movement was dying out. "We are fighting for our freedom," said Nana, 18, a medical student, wrapped in an EU flag, accompanied by a friend in a matching Georgian flag. "We are not going to give up." Another protester, 35-year-old academic Alexander Kavtaradze, said: "It's a battle of nerves right now. The illegitimate government is hoping we'll get tired, that fewer people will come out each day. "We will continue our fight until the end." Separate protests were held outside Georgia's Public Broadcaster -- accused of serving as a government propaganda tool -- the education ministry, and the country's tourism administration offices. Shalva Alaverdashvili, founder of the Georgian hotels' federation, told AFP that the "unexpected and unacceptable" suspension of EU accession talks has severely hit the country's tourism industry, which accounts for seven percent of the country's GDP. Thousands have also staged anti-government rallies in the second city of Batumi on the Black Sea coast. On Friday evening, a court in Tbilisi put a 19-year-old youth activist in pre-trial detention. Zviad Tsetskhladze had been arrested during the protests on charges of "organising, leading, and participating in group violence". Tsetskhladze told the judge: "Democracy in Georgia is no more. The rule of law has been crushed. "Our actions are a form of resistance, aimed at preserving the rule of law, defending democracy, and protecting the rights of every individual." - Expected escalation - Earlier Friday Prime Minister Kobakhidze praised his security forces for "successfully neutralising the protesters' capacity for violence". "We have won an important battle against liberal fascism in our country," he told a news conference, using language reminiscent of how the Kremlin in Russia targets its political opponents. "But the fight is not over. Liberal fascism in Georgia must be defeated entirely, and work towards this goal will continue," Kobakhidze said. He repeated an earlier threat to "complete the process of neutralising the radical opposition". With both sides ruling out a compromise, there appeared to be no clear route out of the crisis. The leader of the opposition Lelo party, Mamuka Khazaradze, said the ruling party "no longer has the strength or resources to stand against the people." The government "has resorted to arresting young activists and political opponents out of fear of relentless public protests and growing civil disobedience by public servants," he told AFP. The interior ministry said police had detained three more individuals Friday for "participating in group violence", punishable by up to nine years' jail. Masked officers have raided several opposition party offices and arrested opposition leaders earlier this week, while around 300 people have been detained at rallies. On Friday Nika Gvaramia, leader of the opposition Akhali party, was sentenced to 12 days in prison. Alexandre Elisashvili, leader of the Strong Georgia opposition group, was remanded in custody for two months of pretrial detention. More trouble is expected after December 14, when Georgian Dream lawmakers elect a loyalist to succeed pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili. She has vowed not to step down until the parliamentary polls are re-run. Local media has also reported protests across the country, including in the cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Rustavi and Telavi. - 'Torture' allegations - Critics of Georgian Dream are enraged by what they call its betrayal of Tbilisi's bid for EU membership, enshrined in the constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Several ambassadors, a deputy foreign minister, and other officials have resigned over the suspension of EU talks. Georgian Dream, in power for more than a decade, has advanced controversial legislation in recent years, targeting civil society and independent media and curbing LGBTQ rights. Brussels warned such policies were incompatible with EU membership, while domestic critics accuse the government of copying Russia's playbook. Georgia's own rights ombudsman Levan Ioseliani has accused the police of "torture" against those arrested. ub-im/jjNew York state will monitor its use of AI after signing new bill into law
Northport (Malaysia) Bhd (“Northport”), a member of MMC Group has signed an agreement to acquire four units of Super Post Panamax Container Handling Ship-To-Shore Gantry Crane (“Quay Cranes”) from Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (“ZPMC”). The agreement was signed by Northport’s Chief Executive Officer, Fakhrul Azhar Tajudin and ZPMC’s President, Zhu Xiaohuai, during a signing ceremony held at Northport on 16 December 2024. Senior management teams from both Northport and ZPMC were present to witness the signing event. The signing seals Northport’s commitment to enhancing its terminal handling capabilities to efficiently serve larger and more advanced container vessels. Two of these new Quay Cranes boast a 24-container outreach, twin-lift capability, and a lifting capacity of 65 tonnes, adding to Northport’s existing cranes capable of handling Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV). For the record, on 20 May 2024, Northport welcomed the MV OOCL Japan, a ULCV with a capacity of 21,413 TEUs, the largest ever container vessel to berth at its facilities. Meanwhile, the other two new Quay Cranes feature an 18-container outreach, twin-lift handling capability and a lifting capacity of 55 tonnes. Manufacturing by ZPMC is set to commence in December 2024, with delivery to Northport expected in the second quarter of 2026. “The acquisition of these new Quay Cranes complements the ongoing upgrading of Northport’s Wharf 9, which is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2026. This strategic investment will significantly enhance our handling capacity and operational efficiency, while reinforcing our commitment to technological innovation and safety,” said Fakhrul. He added, “Our partnership with ZPMC aligns with our strategic goals under the ‘Reinventing Northport’ programme to continuously upgrade our infrastructure and facilities, ensuring the Company remains relevant and capable of meeting our customers’ evolving needs”. The ‘Reinventing Northport’ programme, initiated in 2016 following the takeover of Northport by MMC Corporation Berhad, aims to enhance terminal facilities, upgrade equipment and strengthen Northport’s competencies to improve customer satisfaction and drive business growth. (from left to right) Azman Mohamed, General Manager, Corporate Services of Northport, Fakhrul Azhar Tajudin Chief Executive Officer of Northport, Zhu Xiaohuai President of ZPMC and Xu Sheng, General Manager, Sales and Marketing Management of ZPMC during a signing ceremony of the agreement to acquire four units of Super Post Panamax Container Handling Ship-To-Shore Gantry Crane on 16 December 2024. Among the completed projects under the programme are the acquisition of six new quay cranes from ZPMC, fully delivered in 2019, the acquisition of 34 units of new Rubber-Tyred Gantry (“RTG”) cranes, including 11 Electrified Rubber-Tyred Gantry (“E-RTGs”) in 2023, and an additional 12 units of new E-RTGs to be fully delivered by the first quarter of 2025. Other completed projects include the construction of Northport Distripark Sdn Bhd (NDSB) 2 warehouses, a modern facility spanning 349,771 square feet in 2021, and the development of a new container yard, Block J, in 2023. In September this year, Northport announced the completion of its latest container yard, Block K, to enhance its terminal capacity. This initiative is a crucial part of Northport’s strategy to increase terminal capacity to accommodate growing business demands and improve operational efficiency. ZPMC is a heavy equipment manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai, China. The company operates six production bases in Jiangsu Province, covering a total area of 6.7 million square meters with over 10 kilometres of coastline. ZPMC’s business encompasses multiple sectors, including port machinery, marine heavy industries, major steel structures and offshore wind power. ZPMC’s products have been deployed in 108 countries and regions, supported by 8 regional hubs and 28 overseas offices. “We greatly appreciate the unwavering support of the MMC Group and Northport, which has been instrumental in strengthening our partnership over the years. Northport is one of our valued and trusted partners, and we look forward to deepening this collaboration. Together, we aim to contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth and advance trade across Southeast Asia,” said Zhu Xiaohuai. “Our continued commitment on enhancing port infrastructure and facilities demonstrates our unwavering dedication to growth, efficiency and customer service. With these new Quay Cranes, we are not only addressing today’s shipping challenges but also preparing for future demands. This ensures that Northport remains competitive in the global maritime ecosystem,” said Fakhrul. Source: Northport