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Energy operator wants to remotely switch off rooftop solar systems amid 'uncontrolled growth'

Australia's electricity grid operator wants the authority to remotely switch off new rooftop solar systems in SA in order to manage their "invisible and uncontrolled" growth.




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Fine-dining restaurants turn to takeaway to keep staff employed during virus lockdown

With dine-in service off the table many restaurants struggle to retain staff who are ineligible for JobKeeper payments.




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Take a seat: This tiny Australian territory is allowing diners back in cafes and restaurants

Norfolk Island is the only place in Australia you can dine in a cafe and gather outdoors with 50 people.




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Corporate giants warn coronavirus exodus means Sydney's CBD will never be the same again

As the Government begins easing social-distancing restrictions, there are doubts once-bustling workplaces in Sydney's CBD will ever return to the way they were.




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Hunt rules out trans inquiry, wants nationally consistent care

The federal health minister has shot down calls for an inquiry into gender dysphoria, in recognition of the "further harm" it could cause.




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Viral story of 'drunk elephants' in China is adorable ... and false. Here's what really happened.

Photos of allegedly "drunken elephants" quickly went viral on Twitter. But the elephants weren't drunk, they were just resting, officials said.




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Frustrated EI applicants find an end-run around overwhelmed call centres

Canadians forced to spend days trying to get through on Service Canada's designated phone line to sort out problems with their employment insurance applications are sharing tips through social media and web forums — including a link to an online form that can get an agent to call back within 48 hours.




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Start planting cold-tolerant plants and cool-season vegetables as May gets underway

Chicago's final frost date usually arrives in mid-May, meaning gardeners can start planting some of their hardier vegetables and seedlings.




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Justin Amash Wants to Destroy the System that Created Trump

But critics fear his third-party White House bid will only serve to reelect the president.




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Cameron Smith wants NRL season suspended because of coronavirus pandemic

The NRL is facing pressure from one of the greats of rugby league, as Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith calls for the 2020 season to be halted as a result of coronavirus.




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Giants crush Cats as Power overwhelm Suns in AFL's opening round

As the AFL's ban on spectators continues because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Giants and Power impress in their season openers, while the Bombers and Swans also enjoy victories.




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The NRL wants to return next month, but it faces several challenges before that can happen

The NRL has a number of crucial questions it must answer if it wants to restart its premiership season on May 28 as planned following the coronavirus-forced suspension of the competition, writes David Mark.




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Queensland open to NRL restart talks but Premier wants to hear from league

Annastacia Palaszczuk softens her stance on the NRL's attempt to restart the competition during the coronavirus pandemic, but says the league is yet to submit any plan.




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Rugby Australia wants to meet ex-Wallabies skippers after receiving no-confidence letter

Rugby Australia is prepared to hold crisis talks with a group of disgruntled retired Wallabies captains, who have penned a letter to the governing body claiming the game has "lost its way", while demanding a change in leadership.




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Bridget McKenzie breaks her silence, defends handling of sports grants

Former Cabinet minister Bridget McKenzie defends her actions in the sports grants scandal, saying it was her "responsibility" to exercise discretion and allocate grants to projects that had not been merit-listed.




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Podcasts from Steve Austin and Shaquille O'Neal are big draws. Why this L.A. company wants in

L.A.-based live music video streaming service LiveXLive said it plans to acquire PodcastOne, a Beverly Hills-based podcast production company. The all-stock transaction is the latest sign of growth in the podcast industry.




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States reopen theaters, restaurants amid coronavirus outbreak as experts warn of second wave

Texas reopens restaurants, Utah reopens salons. As several states lift coronavirus restrictions, many warn of a second wave if social distancing ends too soon.




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Migrants deported by U.S. make up more than 15% of Guatemala's coronavirus cases

U.S. deportation flights to Guatemala resume -- with promises of testing for coronavirus




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The Voice contestants team up for NHS song after coronavirus stopped live shows

The show was postponed last month because of the COVID-19 pandemic




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DCGI grants approval to PGIMS, Rohtak to start clinical trials on BCG vaccine for treatment of COVID─19




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Gujarat pharma industry upbeat as around 900 out of 1,100 plants start operations despite lockdown




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Japan grants ‘exceptional’ approval for remdesivir in COVID-19

As had been widely expected, Gilead Sciences on Thursday announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health,…



  • Anti-virals/Asia Pacific/Coronavirus/Focus On/Gilead Sciences/Japan/Pharmaceutical/Regulation/Remdesivir/USA/Veklury

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FDA grants emergency use authorization to Quidel for first antigen test for COVID-19

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Saturday approved emergency use authorization (EUA) to Quidel Corp for the first COVID-19 antigen test.




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Five Defendants Convicted of International Sex Trafficking for Forcing Central American Girls and Women into Prostitution

Five defendants, all members or associates of an extended family, face potential life sentences after being found guilty of sex trafficking for participating in a scheme that lured young Central American women and girls into the Los Angeles area and forced them into prostitution. The defendants, four Guatemalan nationals and one Mexican citizen, were convicted on Feb. 11, 2009, of conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and importation of aliens for purposes of prostitution.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Five Defendants Sentenced for Participation in International Child Exploitation Enterprise

Five U.S. defendants convicted for their activity in a global child pornography trafficking enterprise were sentenced today in the Northern District of Florida. The defendants had pled to multiple charges, including engaging in a child exploitation enterprise; conspiracy to advertise, transport, ship, receive and possess child pornography; advertising child pornography; transporting child pornography; and receiving child pornography.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Jury Convicts Two Doctors and Two Medical Assistants in $5.3 Million Medicare Fraud Scam

A federal jury in Miami today convicted two physicians and two medical assistants in connection with a $5.3 million Medicare fraud scheme. After a two-week trial in federal court in Miami, a jury found David Rothman, M.D., 66; Keith Russell, M.D., 65; Eda Marietta Milanes, 43; and Jorge Luis Pacheco, 50; guilty on all charged counts, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud and multiple counts of health care fraud for submitting claims to Medicare for unnecessary medications.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Doctors and Two Medical Assistants Plead Guilty in $10 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Four Miami-area residents pleaded guilty today in connection with a $10 million Medicare fraud scheme involving HIV infusion clinics. Dr. Roberto Rodriguez, 54; Dr. Carlos Garrido, 69; Gonzalo Nodarse, 38; and Alexis Carrazana, 41; all pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Announces Public Education Campaign Grants to Fight Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination

The Department is making grant funding available for public education programs concerning immigration-related employment discrimination. The Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC), a section of the Department’s Civil Rights Division, announced the availability of funds for public education programs regarding employees’ rights and employers’ obligations under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).



  • OPA Press Releases

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Three Defendants Sentenced in "Advance-Fee" Fraud Scheme That Cost Victims More Than $1.2 Million

Three defendants were sentenced to prison today after pleading guilty in January 2008 to federal charges of running an “advance-fee” scheme that targeted U.S. victims with promises of millions of dollars.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Six Defendants Sentenced for Participation in International Child Exploitation Enterprise

WASHINGTON and PENSACOLA, Fla. – Six U.S. defendants convicted for their activity in a global child pornography trafficking enterprise were sentenced today in the Northern District of Florida, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Rita M. Glavin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Thomas F. Kirwin and FBI Executive Assistant Director J. Stephen Tidwell announced.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Holder Announces Recovery Act Grants to Save or Create Justice Related Jobs

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder today announced that more than $424 million in Recovery Act funds will go to 20 states, territories and the District of Columbia to maintain or increase public safety, while creating or retaining jobs within the law enforcement community.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Additional Defendants Sentenced for Conspiring to Kill U.S. Soldiers

The remaining two men convicted of plotting to kill members of the U.S. military during an armed attack on a military base were sentenced today to federal prison terms of life for one defendant and 33 years for the other for conspiring to kill members of the U.S. military. U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler sentenced Mohamad Ibrahim Shnewer to a term of life in prison plus an additional, consecutive 30 years. Judge Kugler sentenced Serdar Tatar to 33 years in prison.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Five Defendants Sentenced in Puerto Rico Corruption Case

Five defendants were sentenced this week for their participation in a corruption scheme involving the 2000 resident commissioner and 2004 gubernatorial campaigns of a former governor of Puerto Rico.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Jenkens & Gilchrist Attorneys, BDO Seidman Accountants, and Bankers Charged in Criminal Tax Fraud Related to Tax Shelters Generating Over Seven Billion Dollars of Fraudulent Tax Losses

An indictment was filed today charging seven individuals -- three former shareholders of the Jenkens & Gilchrist law firm (J&G), the former Chief Executive Officer and a former tax partner from the BDO Seidman accounting firm (BDO), and two former bankers from a foreign bank with headquarters in New York (Bank A) -- with tax fraud conspiracy and related crimes arising out of tax shelters promoted by J&G, BDO, and the bank.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Attorney General Holder Announces $8.7 Million in Recovery Act Grants to Support Law Enforcement Efforts on the Southwest Border

Attorney General Eric Holder today announced more than $8.7 million in Recovery Act funds for three communities in California to use in fighting crime and drug trafficking as part of the Justice Department’s Southwest Border Strategy.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Federal Judge Sentences Defendants Who Perpetrated $10.9 Million Medicare Fraud HIV Infusion Scheme

Miami physician Keith Russell, 65, and physician’s assistant Jorge Luis Pacheco, 50, were each sentenced to 97 months in prison, and physician’s assistant Eda Marietta Milanes, 43, was sentenced to 63 months in prison, for their roles in fraud schemes that involved billing Medicare for $10,903,509 worth of unnecessary HIV infusion treatments.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Defendants Plead Guilty in Counterfeit Pipe Coupling Scheme

Hayden B. Greene, 31, of Tulsa, Okla., and James Robert Roy, 42, of Tomball, Texas, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to manufacture and sell counterfeit pipe couplings.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Business Opportunity Scams

On Aug.11, 2009, two individuals were sentenced in connection with South Florida business opportunity scams. Stewart Pope was sentenced in connection with his participation in fraudulent business opportunity sales at a Miami firm called Global Resources (“Global”).



  • OPA Press Releases

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Two Manufacturers Agree to Settle Clean Air Act Claims Resulting from Explosions at Plants in Kentucky and Mississippi

Two manufacturing companies, in separate settlements, have agreed to pay civil penalties and take corrective measures to settle Clean Air Act violations resulting from explosions at two plants in 2002 and 2003 in Louisville, Ky., and Pascagoula, Miss.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Superseding Indictment in Boyd Matter Charges Defendants with Conspiring to Murder U.S. Military Personnel, Weapons Violations

Today, a federal grand jury returned a superseding criminal indictment in the Daniel Patrick Boyd matter. While the superseding indictment returned today includes all of the charges alleged in the original indictment of July 22, 2009, it also includes new charges against three defendants, Daniel Patrick Boyd, aka "Saifullah," Hysen Sherifi, and Zakariya Boyd, aka "Zak."



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Announced Public Education Campaign Grants to Fight Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination

The Department today awarded $723,000 in grants to twelve groups serving communities throughout the country.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Sues Massachusetts and Its Department of Corrections for Discriminating Against Female Job Applicants

The Department’s complaint alleges that Massachusetts and the MDOC are using an unlawful physical abilities test (PAT) that disproportionately screens out female applicants for entry-level correctional officer jobs.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Formosa Plastics Corp., Texas, and Formosa Plastics Corp., Louisiana, will spend more than $10 million on pollution controls to address air, water, and hazardous waste violations at two petrochemical plants in Point Comfort, Texas, and Baton Rouge, La.

Formosa Plastics Corp., Texas, and Formosa Plastics Corp., Louisiana, will spend more than $10 million on pollution controls to address air, water, and hazardous waste violations at two petrochemical plants in Point Comfort, Texas, and Baton Rouge, La.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Role in Counterfeit Pipe Coupling Scheme

Hayden B. Greene, 32, of Tulsa, Okla., and James Robert Roy, 42, of Tomball, Texas, were sentenced today to 30 months and 15 months in prison, respectively, for conspiring to manufacture and sell counterfeit pipe couplings.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Terrorism Defendants Sentenced in Atlanta

Ehsanul Islam Sadequee, 23, of Roswell, Ga., and Syed Haris Ahmed, 25, of Atlanta, were sentenced today in federal court following their convictions earlier this year in separate but related criminal trials.



  • OPA Press Releases

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United States Announces Two Major Clean Air Act New Source Review Settlements at 28 Industrial Plants Nationwide

The United States filed two major Clean Air Act settlements to reduce air emissions from container glass and Portland cement plants throughout the country.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Three Houston Defendants Plead Guilty in Connection With “Arthritis Kit” Fraud Scheme

Bassey Monday Idiong, Linda Eteimo Ere Kendabie and Modupe Babanumi each pleaded guilty today in connection with their roles in an "arthritis kit" Medicare fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Houston Defendants Plead Guilty to “Arthritis Kit” Medicare Fraud Scheme

Rolondae Mitchell-Straughter and Ana Quinteros each pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with their roles in an "arthritis kit" Medicare fraud scheme.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Justice Department Announces Grants to Fight Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination

The Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices today announced grant funding available for public education programs that provide workers or employers with information about immigration-related employment discrimination under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act.



  • OPA Press Releases

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Four Defendants Sentenced in Human Trafficking Ring

Juan Cortes-Meza, 33, of  Mexico; Raul Cortes-Meza, 22, of Mexico; Edison Wagner Rosa Tort, 71, of Cartersville, Ga.; and Otto Jaime Larios Perez, 27, of Guatemala were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story for participating in sex trafficking in an organization targeting young Mexican women.



  • OPA Press Releases