Joe biden with obama

Mikhail Gorbachev turned 90 on Tuesday, with several world leaders sending well-wishes to the former leader of the Soviet Union. The former leader of the Soviet Union and secretary-general of the Communist Party is considered by some as one of the greatest reformers of the 20th century — but remains a controversial figure at home. How did he celebrate his birthday? Still active, Gorbachev heads a political foundation and co-owns the Kremlin-critical newspaper, Novaya Gazeta . He celebrated his birthday while staying in a hospital as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gorbachev was scheduled to have video calls with his aides and associates who gathered at his foundation to congratulate him. He also spoke with world leaders and read messages from admirers worldwide. Gorbi and the Germans: Mikhail Gorbachev at 90 Remembering the 'Fathers of Unity' The first and only president of the former Soviet Union turns 90 on March 2. Since German … [Read more...] about Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev celebrates his 90th birthday

Executions in South Carolina can now be carried out by firing squad after senators moved to address a shortage of lethal injection drugs. South Carolina 's state senate approved the move 32-11 on Tuesday, with a number of Democrats joining their Republican colleagues in the vote. It means that executions in the state can now be restarted after an almost 10-year delay, with those on death row having been able to exploit a grim courtesy that allows them to choose how they would die. Inmates have been allowed to choose between the electric chair and lethal injection - and prisoners have opted for the latter knowing that it is unavailable, thus delaying their execution. The vote to approve the use of firing squads is effectively a workaround for the supply problems and the bureaucracy surrounding executions. Advertisement The bill passed still allows prison officials to use the lethal injection when it is available, but when it is not, … [Read more...] about South Carolina adds firing squad to execution methods to address lethal injection shortage

Insurer Hiscox has said it regrets the "uncertainty and anguish" caused by its court wrangle over pay-outs to businesses forced to shut during the pandemic. Chief executive Bronek Masojada admitted Hiscox suffered "brand damage" over the dispute which concluded with a Supreme Court ruling in January. The comments came as it reported an annual loss of $268.5m after setting aside $475m to cover COVID-19 payouts, relating mainly to event cancellation and the remainder covering business interruption. Hiscox was one of the firms involved in a case in which the Supreme Court forced insurers to pay out on disputed claims worth at least £1.2bn. Pubs, cafes, wedding planners and beauty parlours argued they faced ruin when they were turned down for payouts on business interruption policies prompted by the first national lockdown. Advertisement Commenting on the case in its annual results, Hiscox said its cover was designed to respond to "local events" rather … [Read more...] about COVID-19:Insurer Hiscox regrets ‘uncertainty and anguish’ caused by dispute over lockdown claims

THESE kiss-me-quick quips from traditional saucy seaside postcards would no doubt prove too much of a handful for today’s snowflakes. We told yesterday how comic Colin Mills fears he will be “cancelled” by sensitive youngsters for his bawdy postcard-style humour. He says his shows are inspired by the pun-filled tongue-in-cheek humour of the traditional British postcard. Colin said: “I do feel like a dinosaur when you compare it to the old days and I’m only 53, but it has changed so fast in the past five years and it’s getting tougher.” But it’s not the first time the cheeky cards have faced stony-faced censors. In the 1950s, postcards filled with buxom bosoms, hen-pecked husbands and double-entres by illustrators Bamforth and Co and Donald McGill were outlawed by local councils. Entrepreneur Ian Wallace bought the rights to the Bamforth collection in 2001 and re-released the images to mark their 100th anniversary in 2010. He said in 2013: “Some shops had their … [Read more...] about These traditional seaside postcards are just too saucy for the ‘woke’ generation

JOSH TAYLOR'S shot at undisputed immortality has been confirmed for May 22 - and will hopefully set up another date with his hero. Scotland's WBA and IBF super-lightweight champ has his chance to complete the set against WBC and WBO boss Jose Ramirez. And the 30-year-old southpaw wants to get the mission completed in time to perk up Edinburgh legend Ken Buchanan, the 75-year-old undisputed lightweight king, who is living in a care home. “He used to come to my old amateur gym, Lochend, when I was an 18-19 year-old kid, and train,” Taylor told SunSport. “I would be training and when I finished he would tell me great old stories about Muhammad Ali and winning his world titles. “Even back then he would tell me I would be a world champion but also give me tips and advice on how to fight in the ring but also live the life outside it. “When I beat Regis Prograis to add the WBA to my IBF in 2019 he came down to my mum and dad’s house and said ‘you proved me right, son, … [Read more...] about Josh Taylor vs Jose Ramirez unification fight CONFIRMED with Scot hoping to bring belts home to show hero Ken Buchanan