WIC increases income guidelines starting Monday
Photo: Envato ElementsIdaho’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will implement new income guidelines effective July 1 that raise household income eligibility limits to help offset cost of living increases. In addition, the individual must live in Idaho, have a need that can be helped by WIC foods and nutrition counseling, and have a low-to-moderate income. Poverty Income Guidelines. Participation in WIC results in greater nutrition for Idaho families and additional profit for Idaho grocers that accept WIC transactions. There are currently approximately 31,000 people per month receiving Idaho WIC assistance.
Source:The Nation
June 28, 2024 23:32 UTC
Vidataltivu reserve’s degazetting suspended by SC
Vidataltivu reserve’s degazetting suspended by SCNewsThe Minister of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation’s gazette notice about the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve in Wilpattu has been suspended, by an interim order given by the Supreme Court today (27). This ruling is in response to a Supreme Court a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS). It emphasizes the area’s biological significance in their appeal, highlighting the seagrass and mangroves that are part of the reserve. Following its consideration of the arguments presented by WNPS, the Supreme Court granted temporary orders that stayed and suspended the implementation of the Minister’s order in question. On behalf of WNPS, Mr. Sanjeeva Jayawardena, President’s Counsel, came before the Supreme Court with Dilumi de Alwis, Revan Weerasinghe, and Rukshan Senadheera, Attorneys-at-law, under the direction of S W Amila Kumara.
Source:Sunday Times
June 28, 2024 11:34 UTC
Firefighters battling small wildfire on INL desert site
IDAHO FALLS — Firefighters are working to contain a small wildfire near the northern boundary of the Idaho National Laboratory’s desert site. The U.S. Department of Energy’s INL Emergency Operations Center was activated in response to the fire. INL and Bureau of Land Management firefighters are currently battling a 150 acre blaze in the Birch Creek area east of Idaho Highway 22, near mile marker 35. Thunderstorms and high winds are expected to continue in the area, according to an INL emergency notification. As a precaution, personnel in the area were evacuated, but there is no danger to the public.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2024 00:38 UTC
Annual Treaty Day fireworks show canceled
The following is a news release from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Photo: Envato ElementsFORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes regrets to announce that this year’s annual Treaty Day Fireworks Show, traditionally held on July 3rd to commemorate the signing of the Fort Bridger Treaty of 1868 establishing the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, will not take place in 2024. This decision was made after the Fort Hall Business Council (FHBC) carefully considered the community’s current needs and priorities. We invite everyone to celebrate our Treaty Days with us by attending the Indian Relay Horse Races at the Fort Hall Rodeo Grounds on Wednesday, July 3. The FHBC will be working on bringing back culturally relevant activities to the community to commemorate the Fort Bridger Treaty next year.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2024 17:00 UTC
Tea science: Gene discovery to boost mechanical harvesting
Source: phys.orgResearchers have made significant strides in understanding the genetic factors influencing tea plant leaf droopiness, a key determinant of mechanical harvest success. By identifying the CsEXL3 gene and its regulation by CsBES1.2, the study paves the way for improving tea cultivation and harvesting techniques, aiming to minimize leaf damage and boost efficiency in tea production processes.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2024 05:01 UTC
Russia confirms deaths of 13 Lankans : Foreign Ministry spokesman
Russia confirms deaths of 13 Lankans : Foreign Ministry spokesmanNewsThe Russian government has confirmed that 13 Sri Lankans who joined their armed forces have been killed during confrontations. A Foreign Ministry Spokesman in Colombo said that the family members have been informed about the deaths. Earlier this month Foreign Minister Ali Sabry during a visit to Russia to participate in the BRICS 2024 Foreign Ministerial Session with developing countries had a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Minister Sabry, during the meeting, brought to the attention of his Russian counterpart the issue of Sri Lankan citizens who have joined the Russian Armed Forces and sought his assistance in resolving the issues encountered by them. During the meeting agreed that no further recruitment from Sri Lanka will be done to Russia.
Source:Sunday Times
June 25, 2024 14:46 UTC
Bridging the Gap Between Symbolic and Subsymbolic AI
The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has seen a remarkable evolution over the past several decades, with two distinct paradigms emerging - symbolic AI and subsymbolic AI. Read More... Source: www.bbntimes.com
Source:The Nation
June 25, 2024 14:36 UTC
World Bank approves $150 mln to improve primary healthcare services in Sri Lanka
World Bank approves $150 mln to improve primary healthcare services in Sri LankaNewsWASHINGTON, June 24, 2024— The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $150 million in financing for Sri Lanka to improve the quality and utilization of its primary healthcare services. The newly approved Sri Lanka Primary Healthcare System Enhancing Project will help improve quality of care and increase the use of primary medical care institutions, which provide essential health services to local communities, the bank said in a statement. Capacity challenges and absence of a formal referral mechanism have led to the underutilization of primary healthcare facilities and overcrowding in tertiary care facilities in Sri Lanka. Additionally, Sri Lanka has the fastest aging population in South Asia, necessitating health system adaptations to meet the growing healthcare needs of the elderly. This will help Sri Lanka’s healthcare system to adapt and respond effectively to new and emerging challenges.
Source:Sunday Times
June 25, 2024 04:39 UTC
MP Viyalendiran sworn in as State Minister
I still remember the day of August 1947 floods, as it was the last school day at Kingswood College Kandy and the height the water soured. Water rose to the height of the Cross of the Chrurch at Getambe and the water was so high that it engulfed the Getambe Rajaponawarma Temple leaving only a few leaves of the Bo-tree visible.
Source:Sunday Times
June 25, 2024 00:58 UTC
Non-academic staff of schools in selected areas report sick leave
Non-academic staff of schools in selected areas report sick leaveNewsNon-academic staff of government schools, in selected areas have reported sick leave today and tomorrow over a series of demands. The trade union action is taking place in the North Central, and North Western provinces and Kandy District. According to Education Non-Academic Employees’ Union General Secretary Ajith K. Thilakarathne they have failed to get a positive response from the government over their demands. The Ministry of Education in a statement issued on Sunday said schools in all areas will function as normal today. The Ministry has called for the support of parents and past pupil organisations to assist in maintaining school functions in areas where the strike is on.
Source:Sunday Times
June 25, 2024 00:58 UTC
UN launches global principles to combat online hate and demands big tech take action now
At a press conference Monday, June 24, 2024, Guterres laid out principles to combat online hate and demanded that big tech companies use their power to reduce harm to people and societies around the world. (AP Photo/Omar Havana, File)UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations chief on Monday launched global principles to combat online hate and lies and demanded that big tech companies use their power to reduce the harm they are doing to people and societies around the world. Secretary-General António Guterres also demanded that advertising and public relations companies “stop monetizing harmful content” and strengthen information integrity. The principles call on tech companies, advertisers, media and other key players to refrain from using, supporting or amplifying disinformation and hate speech. Guterres stressed that big tech companies have “an outsized responsibility.”“Take responsibility,” he demanded.
Source:The Nation
June 24, 2024 22:05 UTC
Merging AI and human efforts to tackle complex mathematical problems
Source: phys.orgBy rapidly analyzing large amounts of data and making accurate predictions, artificial intelligence (AI) tools could help to answer many long-standing research questions. For instance, they could help to identify new materials to fabricate electronics or the patterns in brain activity associated with specific human behaviors.
Source:The Nation
June 24, 2024 13:04 UTC
President Ranil to address the nation
President Ranil Wickremesinghe will address the nation at 8.00 p.m. on Wednesday (26 June), the Government Information Department announced. It is reported that the President, in his address, is expected to brief the public about the current economic situation in the country and provide an update on the progress made with regard to the restructuring of foreign debt. Speculation is rife that the President is likely to announce Sri Lanka’s emergence out of bankruptcy during his special statement. Meanwhile, the national secretary of the United National Party (UNP), Ravi Karunanayake, yesterday (23) indicated that the President’s announcement will provide significant relief to the people of country.
Source:The Nation
June 24, 2024 10:54 UTC
Tax the rich, say a majority of adults across 17 G20 countries surveyed
Source: phys.orgA new survey of adult citizens in 18 of the world's largest economies has revealed majority support for tax reforms and broader political and economic reform. (Not all questions were asked in China, as indicated when findings reference 17 G20 countries.)
Source:The Nation
June 24, 2024 05:31 UTC
Kristi Noem Grilled on Nonexistent Meeting With Kim Jong Un
NBC/screengrabKristi Noem still can’t explain why she included a random, unproven meeting with North Korea’s dictator in her book earlier this year, refusing to discuss on Sunday one of the anecdotes that may have killed her chances of becoming vice president. Meet the Press guest moderator Peter Alexander grilled the South Dakota governor about the scene in her book, in which she recounts how she wasn’t intimidated by Kim Jong Un during their alleged meeting. Noem eventually removed the chapter from later editions of her book, though she has only given vague explanations as to how it ended up there in the first place. It’s the second Sunday show appearance this month where Noem has opted for insistence over reflection in discussing her memoir No Going Back, which prompted a firestorm over both the Kim Jong Un allegation and an anecdote on killing multiple animals her family owned, including a puppy named Cricket. Source: www.thedailybeast.com
Source:The Nation
June 23, 2024 22:59 UTC