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Brazzaville The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the continental drive to strengthen the architecture of pandemic preparedness and response in Africa. This is critical for protecting and saving African lives as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO fully supports the ongoing process led by the Africa Union to strengthen the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and applauds its elevation to an autonomousbody.

WHO welcomes the ongoing discussion led by the Africa CDC on a potential continental pandemic declarationmechanism.It is important to assess the benefits and the risks for African Member States. Such a mechanism could reduce Africas dependence on others but could also trigger more travel and trade restrictions and isolate the continent as occurred with the emergence of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.

Fifty-four African Member States are also currently contributing to the new global architecture for health emergency preparedness, response and resilience led by WHO. Given increasing global interconnectivity, which we have seen with COVID-19, this negotiation will determine how Africa will be protected from outbreaks arising elsewhere and how to manage health emergencies originating in Africa.

Concerns over how the global and continental processes will work together, as well as questionsover authorizing Africa CDC to declare public health emergencies of continental securityled several African Member States to approach WHO for advice. Due to these requests, WHO understood there was a need to share advice more broadly and our African country representatives briefed their government counterparts.

One WHO official in a country office developed a brief to help inform his health authorities. Contrary to media reports, this was not an official document and was not widely circulated.

WHO believes a careful reflection on the interfacing between the declaration of a public health emergency of continental security and the global process would be ofbenefit.

As a long-standing partner and proponent of the Africa CDC,WHO fully applauds its elevation into a more robust and responsive institution as defined by Member States.

WHO commends the Africa CDCs work to date and supports further strengthening this essential institution, which as it becomes more fully resourced and empowered will take on a critical role in ensuring better health for all people across the Africancontinent.

WHO has been pleased to support the Africa CDC since the beginning, helping with its establishment by seconding a senior official who servedas the most senior advisor to the Director during the organizations first two years and by providing funding and technical collaboration.

A Memorandum of Understanding governs ourpartnershipand our staff work in tight collaboration on key health issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening public health capacities of countries. This collaboration is critical to ensuring our Member States get consistent advice and complementary support from both organizations.

We look forward to a continued fruitful collaboration which will lead to the Africa we all want, where everyone is protected from diseases and has access to quality and affordable healthcare.

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WHO supports the leadership role of a strong Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention - WHO | Regional Office for Africa

It was a hellish week for the Sydney Morning Herald. Last weekend, gossip columnist Andrew Hornery wrote a bizarre article in which he complained that actor Rebel Wilson had not cooperated with his attempt to out her romantic relationship with a woman. The fallout was swift, with readers pointing out his conduct was tone-deaf and unethical.

The Sydney Morning Heralds editor Bevan Shields joined the fray early in the week, backing Hornery in a tone that came across as both dismissive and passive-aggressive. The response was predictable: Shields was pilloried by fellow journalists and readers alike and the issue became a global story.

Hornery issued an apology (of sorts). This was not enough though, so Shields wrote a note to subscribers, offering his own heavily caveated apology. By this time Twitter was electric with that combination of glee and outrage that make it the absolutely addictive gutter that it is. The schadenfreude was palpable.

From the start, it was hard to understand why Shields was fighting so hard to defend a gossip column. It seemed like an odd hill to die on. The SMHs decision to pursue and publish a gossip column in an era when the internet exists is baffling.

To understand just how odd it is that the Herald is still holding on to a gossip column, it is worth examining the history of the genre. Gossip columns first appeared in the 17th century, when print publications emerged. As Joseph Epstein has written, early gossip columns focused on the wretched behaviour of the rich and wellborn. As the lower classes learned to read, gossip columns allowed readers to see that ones betters werent, at bottom, really any better at all. The point, in other words, was to mock the rich.

Prominent people who had something to hide were especially vulnerable to gossipmongers who saw the best stories as those politicians and senior figures did not want revealed. There was something thrilling about laying low those who believed they were mighty. Then as now, gossip columnists often assumed a position of moral superiority over their subjects.

As the printing press expanded, gossip grew in popularity. By the 1940s, the focus shifted from politicians and landed gentry to celebrities, especially in America, where Hollywood was emerging as an important social force. By the 1960s, people in the UK were similarly hooked to celebrity news, mainly because of the explosion of interest in shows such as Coronation Street. By the 1980s, tabloids were unavoidable and their tactics increasingly overbearing. Gossip was easy money celebrity lives sold papers and were relatively cheap to document.

The tabloid model reigned supreme for a few decades, until 1997, when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash as she attempted to flee a pack of paparazzi. In the weeks following Dianas death, sales figures for both the Sun and the Mirror plummeted to their lowest figures since 1962, and the Daily Mail even promised not to feature photos taken by paparazzi in its pages. This is a promise it has not been able to keep.

Still, the period following Dianas death signalled a shift in public sentiment away from the tabloids, at least temporarily. Gossip columns were still being consumed but it seemed that the rich and wellborn were no longer such an easy target.

In the 2000s, the internet democratised the dissemination of information and made it impossible for anyone to claim a monopoly on gossip as a whole host of new websites popped up, covering exclusively the ins and outs of celebrity life.

Broadsheets, on the other hand, continued to cover the arts and entertainment, but usually drew the line at having dedicated gossip columns, focusing instead on news and opinion. If readers wanted to know what the Kardashians were up to they could find them online or pick up a tabloid, and if they were really invested, could follow their social media accounts.

There were many problems with the Rebel Wilson piece. Perhaps the most glaring was the columnists assumption that he had been wronged by Wilson because she had decided not to play by the rules of a game that did not work for her. At a time when many celebrities have personal platforms that are bigger than those of media organisations, Wilsons decision to take control of her own narrative was entirely predictable. In addition, as powerful women increasingly push back against how they are treated in the media, the Herald should have seen this uproar coming.

The Rebel Wilson affair indicates the Herald has not adapted to the times. Australia is a vastly different country now. Hornerys initial piece reflected the judgmental tone that has been the mainstay of gossip columns since they were first published in Victorian-era England.

When gossip columns began, they served a titillating and important social function: to challenge the rich. Now, in a reversal of roles, the media is increasingly seen as out of touch and elitist while the rich and famous portray themselves as accessible and relatable.

Times have changed. The culture has moved on, and the Herald would be well advised to do the same.

Sisonke Msimang is a Guardian Australia columnist. She is the author of Always Another Country: A Memoir of Exile and Home (2017) and The Resurrection of Winnie Mandela (2018)

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The Rebel Wilson uproar shows that gossip columns belong in a bygone era - The Guardian

John Cornyn, the lead Republican working on a bipartisan gun agreement in the U.S. Senate, was heavily booed by the audience at Fridays Texas GOP convention in downtown Houston.

A number of convention-goers have labeled Cornyn a RINO short for Republican in name only for his role in brokering a gun deal in the wake of the Uvalde massacre and other recent shootings.

Delegates in the crowd chanted "no red flags" and "say no to Cornyn" multiple times during his speech Friday afternoon.

Cornyn, who is from Houston, has called tougher restrictions on guns a non-starter. The most recent details about the proposed deal do not include a ban on assault weapons or raising the minimum age for purchasing assault rifles.

Instead, the senior senator from Texas has pushed for things like financial incentives for states to enact and enforce red flag laws allowing law enforcement to petition for gun removal under certain circumstances in which a person is deemed dangerous to themselves or others. The law would also expand background checks to include the juvenile records of people under 21.

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John Cornyn booed at Texas GOP convention in Houston - Houston Public Media

Anderson CountyPalestine Maintenance crews will be on FM 860 widening the pavement. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers and a pilot car.

Anderson County construction projects updates:

US 79 Super 2 Project

The contractor is scheduled to continue work on roadway elements. The speed limit has been reduced to 60 mph throughout the project limits. Motorists should use caution when traveling through the project and expect lane closures and delays. Project consists of widening for a Super 2, including sub-grade work, surface treatment, base and surface hot mix asphalt, widening structures, bridge rail, MBGF, signage and permanent striping.

SH 155 Overlay Project

The contractor is scheduled to work on driveways and drainage structures on SH 155 in Anderson County. The speed limit has been reduced to 60 mph throughout the project limits. Motorists should use caution when traveling through the project and expect lane closures and delays. It consists of OCST, PFC surface, shoulder texturing, edge treatment and pavement markings.

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Cherokee CountyJacksonville crews will be performing base repairs on US 79 on Monday in the Jacksonville City Limits. The rest of the week, this crew will be cleaning ditches on US 79 near New Summerfield. Expect daytime lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic.

Rusk crews will be performing rehab operations on FM 1247. Expect daytime lane closures with traffic controlled by flaggers.

Cherokee County construction projects updates:

SH 204 Super-2 Widening Project

No work is scheduled this week. The project adds passing lanes and incorporates safety upgrades.

US 84 Widening

The contractor is scheduled to replace bridge rail and continue widening on the travel lanes. Lane closures will be in place. Expect delays on this corridor when construction is in progress. The project will widen and resurface the roadway, along with adding safety upgrades.

FM 22 Safety Widening and Bridge Replacement Project

The contractor is scheduled to continue corrective work and construction on the bridge at Turnpike Creek. Flaggers will be present during construction hours. Expect daily lane closures when work is being done. The bridge will be closed during construction. The project will widen the existing roadway, replace three bridges and incorporate safety upgrades.

SH 21 Resurfacing Project

The contractor is scheduled to continue road work construction on driveway upgrades and structure extensions. No lane closures are expected. The project will consist of pavement resurfacing.

US 69 Signals in Jacksonville

On US 69 from US 175 to Canada Dr, the contractor will continue changing intersections to flashing yellow arrows and striping crews will begin work at intersections. Traffic control will consist of occasional lane closures and work outside of the roadway when the work is in progress (Monday-Thursdays, weather permitting). This is a safety project to update existing signals and add pedestrian signals, crosswalks, and curb ramps.

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Gregg CountyLongview Maintenance will continue mill and inlay operations on FM 2012 with Tyler Special Crews from SH 31 to the Rusk County line in the north and southbound lanes. Crews will also be emulsion sealing the inlay patches and overlaying that entire section of roadway. Expect delays. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers and a pilot car.

Gregg County construction projects updates:

Spur 63/McCann Road Bridge Project

This project is part of the City of Longview Guthrie Creek Trail project. It will consist of building a bridge over Guthrie Creek to allow bicyclist and pedestrians to travel under Spur 63. The traffic will be reduced to two lanes, one northbound lane and one south bound lane to allow the contractor to build half of the bridge. Traffic will be switched later to allow completion of the bridge construction. Expect delays.

FM 2206/Harrison Road

This project consists of widening a two-lane road to four lanes with a center turn lane. This includes drainage structures, new bridge, flexible base, hot mix and pavement markings. Contractor will be extending culverts and constructing detours. There will be daytime lane closures. Expect delays.

FM 2206/Harrison Road

This project consists of widening a two-lane road to four lanes with a center turn lane. This includes drainage structures, flexible base, curb and gutter, sidewalks, hot mix and pavement markings. Contractor will be extending culverts and constructing detours. There will be daytime lane closures. Expect delays.

Pentecost Rd. Bridge Replacement

The project consists of replacing the bridge structure on Big Head Creek. Pentecost Road will be closed to through traffic. Only local traffic will be allowed. Through traffic needs to select an alternate route. Estimated completion is August of 2022.

FM 1249 - Kilgore

There is no work scheduled this week. The project consists of milling existing hot mix asphalt and placing new hot mix asphalt, new striping and minor drainage structure work. There will be daytime lane closures. Expect delays. Estimated completion is August 2022.

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Henderson CountyAthens maintenance is scheduled to perform base work on FM 2709 between FM 316 N and SH 19 N. A second crew is scheduled to blade-lay hot mix on SH 274 between SH 334 and the Kaufman County line. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic.

Henderson County construction projects updates:

SH 198 Bridge Project

The contractor is scheduled to work on the new northbound bridge and roadway elements. Motorists should be prepared for lane closures and delays. The speed limit has been reduced to 50 mph throughout the project. The project consists of the construction of replacing bridges, approaches, grading, structures, asphalt concrete pavement (ACP) base, ACP surface, retaining walls, curb & gutter, MBGF, and pavement markings.

BUS 175 Safety Improvement Project

The contractor is scheduled to work on traffic signal supports on BUS 175. Motorists should be prepared for lane closures and delays. The project includes traffic signals, curb ramps and pavement markings.

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Rusk CountyRusk County crews will be performing pavement repairs on FM 2867. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic.

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Smith CountyTyler Maintenance will have a base failure crew on FM 15. Flaggers will control traffic. A herbicide unit will also be in various locations throughout Smith County. Also, crews will be assisting with seal coat operations in Troup this week, including on SH 110 and FM 13 through the downtown area, SH 110 south to the county line and FM 13 to the county line. The crews will finish on SH 135 going out of town towards the golf course. Expect road closures on various city streets.

Smith County construction projects updates:

Sidewalks at Various Locations in Smith County

No work is scheduled this week. The project consists of sidewalk construction along SH 64 west in Tyler, SH 110 west in Troup and SH 135 north in Troup.

FM 344, etc., Safety Improvements

No work is scheduled this week. The project consists of improving drainage, culvert work, and guardrail upgrades.

SH 155 Resurfacing Project

The contractor is scheduled to continue the mill and inlay on the main lanes. Anticipate lane closures while work is in progress. When in progress, hours will be from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday nights. Expect delays. The project will resurface the roadway, upgrade drainage structures, and repair bridge joints.

SH 64 Bridge Maintenance

No work is scheduled this week. When work is in progress, hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lane closures will be in place when working on the metal beam guard fence and retrofit rail. The project consists of bridge maintenance and repair.

Tyler State Park Bridge and Resurfacing Project

The contractor is scheduled to continue ROW prep, place stormwater pollution prevention measures and begin construction on the bridge. The project will consist of bridge and pavement resurfacing.

SH 110 & FM 346 Landscape Project

No work is scheduled this week. The project consists of landscape development.

Whittle Street, CR 2110 and CR 289 Bridge Replacement Project

No work is scheduled on Whittle Street at West Mud Creek Tributary. The project replaces the existing bridge with a new structure.

The contractor is scheduled to continue construction on the CR 2110 bridge at Kickapoo Creek. The road is closed to through traffic. The project replaces the existing bridge with a new structure.

No work is scheduled this week on the CR 289 bridge at Prairie Creek. The road is closed to through traffic. The project replaces the existing bridge with a new structure. The contractor will complete one bridge at a time. Weather permitting, the bridge is scheduled to be completed at the end of May.

IH 20 Mill and Inlay

The contractor is scheduled to continue base repairs on the westbound inside lane and the eastbound inside lane. Nightly lane closures will be in place. Work will be done at night, Sundays from 9 PM to 5 AM and Monday-Thursday 8 PM to 5 AM. Expect delays on this corridor when construction is in progress. Project consists of an overlay with TBPFC surface, ACP surface, planning, shoulder texturing and pavement markings.

SH 135 Bridge Replacements

No work is scheduled this week. The project is currently under time suspension due to migrating birds nesting under the bridges. The project consists of the replacement of the bridge at Mud Creek and Mud Creek Relief.

US 271 Rehab, Turn Lanes, and Pavement Overlay

Crews will be performing paving rehab operations on the NB side. The NB outside lane will be permanently closed with signs and channelizing devices for the affected section. Traffic control will be managed by flaggers as needed. The project consists of paving, structures, MBGF, and pavement markings from I-20 north to the Gregg County line. The portion from I-20 to FM 16 also includes turn lanes and pavement rehabilitation.

IH 20 at Barber Road

This project consists of widening on ramps and exit ramps, culverts, drainage upgrades, new metal beam guard fence and bridge rails on the Barber Road overpass, and asphalt overlay. No work this week on this project.

Safety Improvement Project (Van Zandt, Anderson, Smith and Henderson County)

The contractor is scheduled to continue work on driveways and drainage structures on FM 850 in Smith County. Motorists should be prepared for lane closures and delays. The project includes grading, structure work, guard rail replacement and bridge rail upgrades.

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Van Zandt CountyMaintenance crews are scheduled to perform base work on FM 859 between IH 20 and US 80. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic.

Van Zandt County construction projects updates:

I-20 MBGF Improvements (Van Zandt, Smith, and Gregg counties)

Crews will be addressing punch list items in Gregg County (eastbound and westbound). Lane closures will be in effect nightly and will be managed by message boards, channelizing devices and law enforcement officers. Seeding will be performed daily using a mobile operation managed by LEOs and TMAs. This project is to construct safety improvements consisting of upgrading metal beam guard fence and mow strip.

SH 19 Super Two Widening & Overlay

Crews will be performing roadway widening operations northbound. Traffic control will consist of a northbound shoulder closure managed by channelizing devices. The project consists of Super 2 work including grading, base repair, treated subgrade, flex base, OCST, PFC surface, structures, signs and pavement markings.

CR 2918, etc. Bridge Replacements

Crews will be grading and paving at CR 2708 and addressing punch list items on CR 2918 and CR 2319. CR 2708 will be closed at the bridge for the remainder of construction. Minimal impact to the traveling public is anticipated. The project consists of removing and replacing four bridges.

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Wood CountyMaintenance crews are scheduled to overlay on SH 11 with lay down machine starting at the Camp County Line, heading west towards the Winnsboro city limits. Expect lane closures with flaggers and a pilot vehicle controlling traffic. Short delays expected.

Wood County construction projects updates:

SH 37 Road Widening and PFC Overlay

Crews will be performing roadway widening operations on the northbound side. Traffic control will consist of daily shoulder closures managed by flaggers and a pilot car. The project consists of base repair, level-up, spray paver, permeable friction course surface, structures, bridge rail, metal beam guard fence, and pavement markings.

FM 2088, etc. MBGF Improvements in Wood County

Crews will be replacing MBGF on FM 17 at three Lake Fork bridges and on FM 2088. Traffic control will consist of daily lane closures managed with flaggers. The project is for bridge maintenance consisting of MBGF and bridge retrofit rail.

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I-20 Total Maintenance Contract

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TxDOT Project Updates for the Week of June 20, 2022 - Texas Department of Transportation

Sir Frederick Barclay, whose fortune was estimated as 6bn as recently as May, faces the possibility of being sent to prison at the age of 87 after a high court judge ruled that he must stand trial for the non-payment of part of a 100m divorce settlement.

The court heard that the former owner of the Telegraph Media Group had considered applying for legal aid to fight a divorce battle with his wife of 34 years.

Barclay, who still owns half of the private island of Brecqhou and whose family sold the Ritz Hotel for an estimated 800m in 2020, is now terrified of being sent to prison for his failure to pay the 50m due to his wife last June.

He was also separately and additionally ordered to pay his wifes legal costs, which are said to be approaching 500,000. The court was told that Barclays nephews, the sons of his twin brother Sir David Barclay, are paying for his legal fees but not those of his wife.

In evidence, Stewart Leech QC, for Hiroko Barclay, said the legal playing field was not level. She owes her lawyers over half a million pounds and Sir Frederick Barclay owes his lawyers virtually nothing.

Earlier this year, the court was told that Barclay had also unilaterally halved the maintenance payment of 60,000 awarded to his wife each month.

The court heard that Barclay, who started life as a painter and decorator alongside his brother, cannot access his fortune, which is held in a complex series of trusts.

Neither Barclay nor his brother, David, who died last year, were beneficiaries of the family trusts, which is essentially divided between Barclays daughter, Amanda, and three of David Barclays sons.

In the high court hearing, it was stated that Barclay said that he had no control over the complex trust structure. I havent got anything, he said.

Both Lady Barclay, 78, and Barclay appeared in court via an online link on Thursday but the judge ordered that both parties would have to appear in person in the three-day hearing due in July as non-payment is a quasi-criminal offence.

Lawyers representing Barclay have indicated that he will mount a defence to Lady Barclays application.

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Scot Young, a property boss, was one of the few men to be committed to prison for contempt of court resulting from the non-payment of a divorce order when he was jailed for for six months in 2013.

In March, the court was told that Barclay had been evicted from his home. His lawyer, Charles Howard QC, told the court that hes got no money and his bank statements show that.

Sir Jonathan Cohen, who is hearing the case, criticised Barclay in his final order last May, saying he had behaved in a reprehensible fashion during the dispute after having sold his luxury yacht and applied the equity for his own use in breach of orders.

During Thursdays hearing, the Guardian applied for documents in the complex case to be released to the media before the committal hearing, which was largely successful.

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Frederick Barclay terrified of jail, court told, as judge rules he must stand trial - The Guardian