Paralympics bans Russian athletes from Rio Games after doping scandal
Sunday, August 7, 2016
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed the ban on all Russian athletes from the games in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio today.
Paralympic logo
“The Russian Paralympic Committee will not be able to enter athletes into the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games”, IPC President Sir Philip Craven told a Rio de Janeiro press conference today. “It is our responsibility to ensure fair competition. That is vital to the integrity and credibility of Paralympic sport. I believe the Russian government has catastrophically failed its athletes. The medals over morals attitude disgusts me.” The international committee considered arguments from the Russian committee before confirming the ban.
This comes after the publication of the McLaren report, which described state-sponsored doping in the Russian team. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has also claimed the doping cover-up operation was sponsored by the state, with samples destroyed to eliminate evidence of doping. Drug test laboratory director turned whistleblower Dr Rodchenkov acknowledged the state security forces — in the words of the WADA report — “actively imposed an atmosphere of intimidation on laboratory process and staff”. He also claimed he was part of state-organised doping at the Sochi Winter Olympics, destroying urine samples and giving athletes banned drugs.
Russia has denied these allegations, Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko calling WADA’s doping report, when it first came out, “unverified sources, on unverified facts”. According to Russian news agency Tass, Mutko said Russia would appeal today’s IPC ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Russian gold medal winner Yuriy Borzakovskiy expressed scepticism of the allegations, saying “The report itself contains a lot of allegations but not many facts […] The pressure [to expel Russia from the Olympics] is very much political”.
Sources[]
- “Rio Paralympics 2016: Russian athletes banned after doping scandal” — BBC News Online, August 7, 2016
- Jack Stubbs. “Russia banned from Rio Paralympics over state-backed doping” — Reuters, August 7, 2016
- “Russia to be banned outright from Paralympics, IPC confirms” — Guardian, August 7, 2016
- Joe Shute. “Russia’s doping scandal: who’s telling the truth?” — The Daily Telegraph (UK), May 28, 2016
Russian athletes banned from Rio Paralympics after doping scandle
Russian athletes banned from Rio Paralympics after doping scandle
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Sunday, August 7, 2016
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed the ban on all Russian athletes from the games in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio today.
Paralympic logo
“The Russian Paralympic Committee will not be able to enter athletes into the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games”, IPC President Sir Philip Craven told a Rio de Janeiro press conference today. “It is our responsibility to ensure fair competition. That is vital to the integrity and credibility of Paralympic sport. I believe the Russian government has catastrophically failed its athletes. The medals over morals attitude disgusts me.” The international committee considered arguments from the Russian committee before confirming the ban.
This comes after the publication of the McLaren report, which described state-sponsored doping in the Russian team. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has also claimed the doping cover-up operation was sponsored by the state, with samples destroyed to eliminate evidence of doping. Drug test laboratory director turned whistleblower Dr Rodchenkov acknowledged the state security forces — in the words of the WADA report — “actively imposed an atmosphere of intimidation on laboratory process and staff”. He also claimed he was part of state-organised doping at the Sochi Winter Olympics, destroying urine samples and giving athletes banned drugs.
Russia has denied these allegations, Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko calling WADA’s doping report, when it first came out, “unverified sources, on unverified facts”. According to Russian news agency Tass, Mutko said Russia would appeal today’s IPC ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Russian gold medal winner Yuriy Borzakovskiy expressed scepticism of the allegations, saying “The report itself contains a lot of allegations but not many facts […] The pressure [to expel Russia from the Olympics] is very much political.”
Sources[]
- “Rio Paralympics 2016: Russian athletes banned after doping scandal” — BBC News Online, August 7, 2016
- Jack Stubbs. “Russia banned from Rio Paralympics over state-backed doping” — Reuters, August 7, 2016
- “Russia to be banned outright from Paralympics, IPC confirms” — Guardian, August 7, 2016
- Joe Shute. “Russia’s doping scandal: who’s telling the truth?” — The Daily Telegraph (UK), May 28, 2016
June 19, 2016
Microsoft to track legal marijuana with new partner Kind Financial
Microsoft to track legal marijuana with new partner Kind Financial
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Microsoft announced on Thursday they are partnering with KIND Financial to help governments track the production and distribution of legal marijuana. Kind Financial, a California-based start-up company, began selling its Agrisoft Seed to Sale software three years ago. Microsoft is admitting Kind’s software on the Government portion of its Azure cloud service.
Although Kind Financial CEO David Dinenberg stressed to The Guardian they “absolutely do not touch the plant”, his company does business with growers and distributors of marijuana, as well as the governments that regulate it. State law in twenty-five US states — but not US federal law — has legalized marijuana, whether medicinally or for recreational use. Kimberly Nelson, Microsoft executive director of state and local government solutions, said they expect significant demand for technology to help states make sure cannabis distribution within their state is done according to their laws.
Kind also provides kiosks similar to automated tellers (ATMs) to facilitate marijuana transactions in dispensaries. The distribution of marijuana is often done only with cash or through machines like the ones Kind offers since many banks in the United States shy away from the marijuana industry entirely. Microsoft is not interacting with this part of Kind’s operations, however.
Microsoft and Kind will apply for contracts with state governments for their software. Currently, they have applied to Puerto Rico, a US territory, where medical marijuana has recently been made legal. BioTrackTHC, a company similar to Kind Financial, already has contracts with Washington, New Mexico, and Illinois.
Dinenberg said his company’s partnership with Microsoft is a major step in advancing the legitimacy of cannabis-related businesses.
Sources[]
- “State Marijuana Laws Map” — Governing (magazine), June 18, 2016 (date of access)
- “Microsoft to help track legalised marijuana sales” — BBC News Online, June 17, 2016
- Danny Yadron. “Microsoft licenses cloud services to monitor legalized marijuana sales” — The Guardian, June 16, 2016
- Nathaniel Popper. “The First Big Company to Say It’s Serving the Legal Marijuana Trade? Microsoft.” — New York Times, June 16, 2016
June 17, 2016
Microsoft will track legal marijuana with new partner Kind Financial
Microsoft will track legal marijuana with new partner Kind Financial
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Friday, June 17, 2016
Delete this line, and start typing your article in its place
Sources[]
- “Microsoft to help track legalised marijuana sales” — BBC, June 16, 2016
- Danny Yadron. “Microsoft licenses cloud services to monitor legalized marijuana sales” — The Guardian, June 16, 2016
- Nathaniel Popper. “The First Big Company to Say It’s Serving the Legal Marijuana Trade? Microsoft.” — New York Times, June 16, 2016
June 10, 2016
International Tennis Federation bans Sharapova for two years after positive drug test
International Tennis Federation bans Sharapova for two years after positive drug test
Friday, June 10, 2016
On Wednesday, the International Tennis Federation banned 29-year-old Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova for two years after she tested positive on January 26 for the drug meldonium. The drug was banned on January 1 this year.
File photo of Maria Sharapova, 2014.
Image: Valentina Alemanno.
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The tribunal found that I did not seek treatment from my doctor for the purpose of obtaining a performance enhancing substance |  |
Sharapova said she was not aware of the ban and continued to take it after January 1 under a trade name, mildronate. Mildronate or meldonium is a heart disease drug, and Sharapova said she was consuming it for a decade, due to heart concerns and as some of her family members have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Five-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova lost to Serena Williams in this year’s Australian Open quarter-finals. The ban runs until January 26, 2018; she said she would appeal against it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
She posted on her Facebook account, “Today with their decision of a two year suspension, the ITF tribunal unanimously concluded that what I did was not intentional. The tribunal found that I did not seek treatment from my doctor for the purpose of obtaining a performance enhancing substance.”
Sources[]
- “Maria Sharapova banned for two years for failed drugs test but will appeal” — BBC Sport, June 8, 2016
- Kevin Mitchell. “Maria Sharapova receives two-year ban for failing drug test” — The Guardian, June 8, 2016
- Maria Sharapova. “Statement” — Facebook, June 8, 2016
January 17, 2016
World\’s First Pot Mini Mall
World’s First Pot Mini Mall
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Sunday, January 17, 2016
Trinidad Holdings Company, LLC, a Colorado Limited Liability Corporation, announced its award of a conditional use permit which allows for up to five distinct marijuana dispensary tenants. The property owners have named the building the “World’s First Pot Mini Mall”, the first building of its kind known to exist anywhere in the world.
The permitted approval, granted by the city of Trinidad Colorado, includes an elevation of a five panel sign across the top of the site where each panel is made of one of the words “World’s” “First” “Pot” “Mini” and “Mall”.
Trinidad is a city of 9300 people situated directly along the major highway Interstate 25 which runs from New Mexico to Wyoming. Trinidad started licensing recreational marijuana retailers in early 2015 and is now home to seven stores. With the addition of the pot mall and the current applications on file the city is estimating it may be home to eighteen recreational marijuana stores before the middle of 2016. The majority of the operators seem to expect an increasing amount of tourist traffic from the 35 million people who live within twelve hours’ drive of the site.
The site owner (potmalls.com) hopes the doors will be up open to the public by mid April but the tenant are required to get a state license first and their has been a slight backup at the state licensing office.
Sources[]
- “Developer Clusters Marijuana Retail Stores in ‘Mini-Mall’” — Marijuana Business Daily, January 15, 2016
- Janet Oravetz. “‘Pot Mall’ could be coming to Trinidad” — KUSA (TV), January 15, 2016
- Emily Allen. “Developers plan “World’s First Pot Mini Mall” in Trinidad, CO” — KRDO-TV, January 14, 2016
- January 17, 2016
October 22, 2015
President addresses drug epidemic, step in the right direction.
President addresses drug epidemic, step in the right direction.
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Thursday, October 22, 2015
Drug addiction has been an increasing problem for many decades, and the affect it is having on many small communities is further pushing it into the national spotlight in America. On Wednesday October 21st President Barack Obama addressed West Virginia in regards to the increasing prescription drug and heroin use. These issues discussed at a round table in September in Knoxville were brought to the US Health Department Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and in turn brought to the attention of the President. Heroin addiction is a significant epidemic particular in the US, Heroin overdose deaths having spiked incredibly, the number of overdose deaths in 1999 almost quadrupled in 2013, as the website linked shows. https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates Prescription drug addiction is also still a big issue, the number of overdose deaths in 2001 more than doubling in 2013. A clear issue that needs addressing in USA, Barack Obama acknowledged the impact these drugs are having on communities, and in his speech on Wednesday provided two steps to begin the remedying of this situation. The Presidential Memorandum requires Federal agencies and departments to provide training on prescribing these medications, and will require them to conduct reviews to “identify barriers to medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders and develop action plans to address these barriers.” While a step in the right direction towards decreasing prescription drug and heroin overdose deaths, it seems campaigns such as the Support Don’t Judge and Harm Reduction Works campaigns are having more effect on the international problem of drug addiction and drug overdose death numbers. By promoting the message that drug addiction is a chronic and difficult to address health issue, and that addicts are not all hardened criminals, it is hoped that this message will also reach those such as the President of the US and that more funds can go towards it and policies can be changed for the better.
Sources[]
- Kellie Meyer. “Obama visits WV to announce new steps to fight drug overdose deaths” — WBKO, 21/10/2015
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Overdose Death Rates” — National Institute on Drug Abuse, February 2015
- “[1]” —
- “[2]” —
- October 22, 2015
October 21, 2015
Recorder sets 2016 dates for London serial murder accused Stephen Port
Recorder sets 2016 dates for London serial murder accused Stephen Port
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Wednesday, October 21, 2015
The Recorder of London, His Honour Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC, today set a provisional timetable in the case against Stephen Port, an alleged serial killer. January 9 was set for a plea and case management hearing. The trial has been scheduled for April 2016.
File photo of the Old Bailey in London, scene of today’s hearing.
Image: Nevilley.
Port, 40, attended the hearing from HMP Pentonville via videolink. He spent the ten-minute hearing looking down, and spoke only to confirm his identity. He wore a bright yellow and green prison-issued uniform designed to make him highly visible should he escape.
Port faces four counts of murder and four counts of “administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm“. He is alleged to have given overdoses of recreational drug GHB. He allegedly murdered the men at his home before dumping the bodies, after finding victims online using gay dating services.
He was charged on Sunday. On Monday he appeared before a Magistrates’ Court which sent the case to today’s hearing at the famed Old Bailey courthouse. Port has not applied for bail and remains in custody.
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission concerning what police called “potential vulnerabilities in [our response] to the four deaths.” Police only linked the deaths a week ago on Wednesday, when they were passed to serious crime investigators.
Three of the deaths occurred last year. Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, was found dead on June 19, 2014 in Cooke Street. Port lives in Cooke Street. The other three alleged victims were found in the vicinity of St. Margaret’s Church on North Street. Gabriel Kovari, 22, was discovered dead on August 28. Daniel Whitworth, 21, was found dead the following month on September 20. Fourth alleged victim Jack Taylor, 25, was found a year later on September 14.
Whitworth and Kovari were known to each other, according to testimony at the inquest.
Port was arrested following a police appeal to trace a man seen with Taylor shortly before his death. Police at the time released security footage of Taylor’s movements, with an officer telling the press “the man captured on CCTV may well be the last person to talk to Jack.”
Related news[]
- “London serial murder accused Stephen Port makes first court appearance” — Wikinews, October 20, 2015
Sources[]
- “Serial killer suspect Stephen Port appears in court” — BBC News Online, October 21, 2015
- Martin Evans. “Alleged serial killer back in court” — The Daily Telegraph, October 21, 2015
- Jessica Elgot. “Stephen Port appears in court over murder and poisoning of four men” — The Guardian, October 21, 2015
- “Why do prisoners wear lurid jumpsuits?” — BBC, November 17, 2005
- October 21, 2015
Judge sets 2016 trial date for London serial murder accused Stephen Port
Judge sets 2016 trial date for London serial murder accused Stephen Port
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
The Recorder of London, His Honour Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC, today set a provisional timetable in the case against Stephen Port, an alleged serial killer. January 9 was set for a plea and case management hearing. The trial has been scheduled for April 2016, and is currently expected to last four weeks.
File photo of the Old Bailey in London, scene of today’s hearing.
Image: Nevilley.
Port, 40, attended the hearing from HMP Pentonville via videolink. He spent the ten-minute hearing looking down, and spoke only to confirm his identity. He wore a bright yellow and green prison-issued uniform designed to make him highly visible should he escape.
Port faces four counts of murder and four counts of “administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm“. He is alleged to have given overdoses of recreational drug GHB. He allegedly murdered the men at his home before dumping the bodies, after finding victims online using gay dating services.
He was charged on Sunday. On Monday he appeared before a Magistrates’ Court which sent the case to today’s hearing at the famed Old Bailey courthouse. Port has not applied for bail and remains in custody.
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission concerning what police called “potential vulnerabilities in [our response] to the four deaths.” Police only linked the deaths a week ago on Wednesday, when they were passed to serious crime investigators.
Three of the deaths occurred last year. Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, was found dead on June 19, 2014 in Cooke Street. Port lives in Cooke Street. The other three alleged victims were found in the vicinity of St. Margaret’s Church on North Street. Gabriel Kovari, 22, was discovered dead on August 28. Daniel Whitworth, 21, was found dead the following month on September 20. Fourth alleged victim Jack Taylor, 25, was found a year later on September 14.
Whitworth and Kovari were known to each other, according to testimony at the inquest.
Port was arrested following a police appeal to trace a man seen with Taylor shortly before his death. Police at the time released security footage of Taylor’s movements, with an officer telling the press “the man captured on CCTV may well be the last person to talk to Jack.”
Related news[]
- “London serial murder accused Stephen Port makes first court appearance” — Wikinews, October 20, 2015
Sources[]
- “Serial killer suspect Stephen Port appears in court” — BBC News Online, October 21, 2015
- Martin Evans. “Alleged serial killer back in court” — The Daily Telegraph, October 21, 2015
- Jessica Elgot. “Stephen Port appears in court over murder and poisoning of four men” — The Guardian, October 21, 2015
- “Why do prisoners wear lurid jumpsuits?” — BBC News Online, November 17, 2005
- October 21, 2015
October 20, 2015
London serial murder accused Stephen Port makes first court appearance
London serial murder accused Stephen Port makes first court appearance
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Listen to this articleA London man charged on Sunday with drugging and murdering four men made his first court appearance yesterday. Stephen Port, 40, was remanded to appear before a higher court tomorrow.
The revolving sign outside Metropolitan Police HQ.
Image: “Man vyi”.
Port faces four counts of murder and four counts of “administering a poison with intent to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm“. He is alleged to have administered overdoses of recreational drug GHB. He allegedly murdered the men at his home before dumping the bodies, after finding victims online using gay dating services.
Three of the deaths were last year. Anthony Patrick Walgate, 23, was found dead on June 19, 2014 in Cooke Street. Port lives in Cooke Street. The other three alleged victims were found in the vicinity of St Margaret’s Church on North Street. Gabriel Kovari, 22, was discovered dead on August 28. Daniel Whitworth, 21, was found dead the following month on September 20. Fourth alleged victim Jack Taylor, 25, was found a year later on September 14.
Whitworth and Kovari were known to each other, according to testimony at inquest. The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission concerning what police called “potential vulnerabilities in [our response] to the four deaths.” Police did not initially link the deaths.
Special needs teacher Port, who was guarded by three officers in the dock, spoke in court to confirm his identity. He did not indicate if he will deny the offences. He was arrested following a police appeal to trace a man seen with Taylor shortly before his death.
Police at the time released security footage of Taylor’s movements, with an officer telling the press “the man captured on CCTV may well be the last person to talk to Jack.” The four deaths were finally linked and passed to the Metropolitan Police’s serious crime investigators on Wednesday last week.
The Magistrates’ Court ordered Taylor to appear at the Old Bailey, a famed London courthouse, tomorrow. He spent the hearing holding one arm, and repeatedly looking at the floor, whilst clad in a grey tracksuit given to him by the authorities holding him.
Sources[]
- Martin Evans. “Man appears in court charged with four poison murders” — The Daily Telegraph (United Kingdom), October 19, 2015
- Vikram Dodd. “Man charged with murder and poisoning of four men in east London” — The Guardian, October 19, 2015
- Nick Duffy. “Man charged with murder of four men he ‘met on gay dating sites’” — PinkNews, October 19, 2015
- “Serial killer suspect Stephen Port ‘drugged victims’” — BBC News Online, October 19, 2015
- October 20, 2015
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