Sovernet Fiber Corp and the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) announced today that the Vermont FiberConnect (VFC) project continues to improve broadband in Vermont’ s rural areas with its most recent completion of fiber service to Green Mountain College in Poultney.  The new infrastructure will double the previous capacity that the college was able to obtain through the incumbent carriers in the area, allowing the small but prestigious school the opportunity to compete at the same level with much larger colleges and universities in New England’ s metro areas. ‘ With increased participation in our online education programs and the continual need for more bandwidth for the educational needs of students, faculty and staff on campus, this upgrade is of vital importance to the success of Green Mountain College,’ said GMC President Paul Fonteyn. ‘ In conjunction with our IT department and other partners, Sovernet’ s Vermont FiberConnect Program is helping us keep our competitive edge in information technology.’Sovernet, in collaboration with the VTA and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under its Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) has spent the last two years designing and building a new fiber infrastructure to meet critical bandwidth needs of many of the schools, libraries, businesses and organizations in Vermont.  Sovernet’ s President, Rich Kendall added, ‘ We are excited to partner with Green Mountain College and assist in the improvement of their communications infrastructure.  With over two years worth of planning, permitting and engineering, it is rewarding to see the cable being installed on the poles so quickly now. We look forward to completing many more connections to anchor customers, like Green Mountain College, over the next several months’ . Christopher Campbell, Executive Director of the VTA commented, ‘ Schools and businesses in rural Vermont need access to technology just as much as urban areas do. Vermont is building the infrastructure it needs and this project is an example of how it’ s coming to fruition. Sovernet’ s fiber connection to Green Mountain College is the first of many yet to come.’   About Vermont FiberConnect:  Vermont FiberConnect is an 812 mile fiber optic network under development by Sovernet Fiber Corp, an affiliate of Vermont-based Sovernet Communications. The network will connect over 340 community anchor institutions such as K-12 schools, colleges, public libraries, healthcare providers, government offices and public safety communications in southern, central, and northeastern Vermont, encompassing seven of Vermont’ s fourteen counties.  Vermont FiberConnect is also designed to provide wholesale data transport services to broadband and telecommunications service providers such as Internet service providers, telecom companies and cellular companies.  The network will interconnect with several new adjoining regional ‘ middle-mile’ fiber networks, including Network New Hampshire Now, MassBroadband 123 and the ION network in upstate New York. The project has been funded by a combination of public and private capital, including a $33.4 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’ s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), a $ 2 million grant from the State of Vermont via Vermont Telecommunication Authority, a $400,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and over $12 million of private capital committed by Sovernet.  The VTA is the recipient of and conduit for the federal, state and foundation grants.  Sovernet Fiber Corp. will build, own, operate and provide services over the Vermont FiberConnect network. NTIA funding of the project, through its BTOP ‘ Comprehensive Community Infrastructure’ program, is intended to help ensure sustainable community growth, and to provide the foundation for enhanced household and business broadband Internet services by deploying new or improved broadband Internet facilities and connecting ‘ community anchor institutions.’   For further information, please visit; www.vermontfiberconnect.com(link is external). About Green Mountain College:  Green Mountain College was founded in 1834 by the Troy Conference of the United Methodist Church. Throughout its history, strong teacher-student relationships have been the hallmark of a GMC education, a tradition that continues today.  At the heart of the College’ s environmental mission is the 37-credit Environmental Liberal Arts General Education Program, which all GMC students complete. ELA combines the skills and content of a strong liberal arts course of study with a focus on the environment. About Vermont Telecommunications Authority:  The Vermont Telecommunications Authority was established by the Vermont General Assembly in Act 79, and passed into law in June 2007. Act 79 established the organization to facilitate the expansion of broadband internet access and mobile cell service for residents and businesses. The authority is focused on a continuing goal of finding solutions for unserved and underserved areas throughout the state. About Sovernet Communications:  Sovernet Communications provides reliable Internet and telecommunications services to residential and business customers throughout Northern New England.  The Vermont company is headquartered in Bellows Falls, with facilities in Burlington, Winooski and Keene, NH.  Sovernet is committed to delivering advanced communications services along with superior customer care and total customer satisfaction, while actively supporting its local communities.  For more information, please visit www.sovernet.com(link is external). BELLOWS FALLS, VT ‘ February 11, 2013   Sovernet read more

by Speaker of the House Shap Smith The first major hurdle of the 2016 legislative session was resolved Saturday when lawmakers approved a tweak to the cost containment threshold in Act 46, last year’s education governance reform bill. The debate echoed many familiar conversations about our school system. There were speeches about declining enrollment, property taxes, and the relationship between state and local government. But what made the 2016 debate remarkable was that many lawmakers discussed the state’s educational system without ever mentioning how our decisions impact Vermont kids.The irony was not lost on me – earlier in the day, my fourteen-year-old son, Eli, visited the State House on a class fieldtrip from People’s Academy. When they met with me, the students led a discussion about the legalization of marijuana. As we talked, I looked around the room and realized we could learn a lot if we listened to our kids.RELATED: Shumlin to sign bill to address Act 46 spending capsThe State of Vermont’s obligation to quality student outcomes has been the law of the land for almost two decades. In 1997, educational equity received a boost when the Supreme Court ruled that all kids deserved an equal shot at success. Lawmakers affirmed the court’s ruling by passing Acts 60 and 68 to ensure financial equity across the state’s school districts. We saw improvements for several years. But then something happened. As student population declined in parts of the state, a gulf formed, separating schools and students into the haves and have nots.The division of students was fundamentally unfair. Something had to change. Act 46 is meant to correct the imbalance. The law provides a framework for communities to choose to expand districts so schools and teachers have the resources to provide a rich learning environment to the children they educate. We’ve seen incredible progress since passage. Communities all over the state are now working with their neighbors to find ways to improve our education system for kids.In many parts of Vermont, implementation has been an overwhelming success. But for some, it was clear that the cost containment threshold provisions weren’t working as intended. A bipartisan group of lawmakers worked together to craft a solution. Saturday’s agreement settles the issue by reducing penalties for certain districts without removing the cost containment many Vermonters have asked for.It is time for us to continue the challenge at hand – focusing on kids’ educations and supporting the teachers, administrators and community volunteers who make sure our schools lead the nation. For me, the visit from my son’s People’s Academy class was a reminder of why we’ve made a commitment to public education. All of those students, no matter where they live, should have the same opportunities. That’s why we acted. That is why we must not lose sight of the importance of public investment in education. It’s about the kids. read more

Email Share LinkedIn Share on Facebook For each study, participants were grouped into teams of three. Each team member was given multiple opportunities to either contribute to the team’s value using tokens or keep the tokens for personal use.When happy, upbeat music was played – researchers chose the “Happy Days” theme song, “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles and “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves – team members were more likely to contribute to the group’s value. When music deemed unpleasant was played – in this case, heavy metal songs by less than well-known bands – participants were more likely to keep tokens for themselves. The researchers found contribution levels to the public good when happy, upbeat songs were played were approximately one-third higher compared to the less pleasant music.When researchers conducted a second experiment testing how people react when no music is played, the results were the same. The researchers conclude that happy music provokes people to more often make decisions that contribute to the good of the team.“Music is a pervasive part of much of our daily lives, whether we consciously notice it or not,” said Kniffin, a behavioral scientist at Cornell and lead author on the paper. “Music might melt into the background in places like supermarkets or gyms and other times it’s very prominent like places of worship or presidential nominating conventions. Our results show that people seem more likely to get into sync with each other if they’re listening to music that has a steady beat to it.”Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab, added: “What’s great about these findings, other than having a scientific reason to blast tunes at work, is that happy music has the power to make the workplace more cooperative and supportive overall.”The researchers suggest managers consider not only the customer experience but also workers’ when picking the day’s music. Starting the day with this simple consideration in mind could result in happier employees and more teamwork.“Lots of employers spend significant sums of time and money on off-site teambuilding exercises to build cooperation among employees. Our research points to the office sound system as a channel that has been underappreciated as a way to inspire cooperation among co-workers,” said Kniffin. Share on Twitter From casual acoustic melodies at the coffee shop to throbbing electronic beats at teen clothing outlets, music is used to mold customer experience and behavior. But what impact does it have on employees?Cornell University researchers explored this question in a pair of lab experiments and found that music can have important effects on the cooperative spirits of those exposed to music.In the paper newly published by the Journal of Organizational Behavior, Cornell researchers Kevin Kniffin, Jubo Yan, Brian Wansink and William Schulze describe two studies they conducted to test the effect of different types of music on the cooperative behavior of individuals working as a team. Pinterest read more

Saudi Arabia’s health ministry today reported seven more MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) cases in its latest hot spots, while Jordan reported a death from the disease.Also, an expert on the disease who just spent a week in Saudi Arabia said testing practices in the country may explain some of the recent gush of cases, and a global animal health group commented on the latest research findings in camels, saying the studies have provided significant breakthroughs in understanding but that more work is needed to definitively say they are the primary source of the virus in humans.Meanwhile, officials at the Indiana hospital that’s caring for the first MERS case-patient in the United States said today that he is continuing to recover and that they are working on discharge plans for him.Saudi count grows by 7The Saudi cases were reported in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Medina. The patients are adults aged 26 to 68 years, according to a statement today from the country’s health ministry. Five are women, and two are men.Two patients are asymptomatic, two are listed in stable condition, and two are hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs). Hospitalization dates range from Mar 28 through Apr 10. Three of the patients have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.Three of the patients had been in contact with confirmed cases, but the health ministry didn’t specify if any of them were healthcare workers. No exposure to camels or animal environments was listed for any of the patients.Today’s new cases—part of a dramatic spike that began in March—lift Saudi Arabia’s MERS total to 421, while the number of deaths remains at 115.Jordan reports fourth deathMeanwhile, Jordan announced a MERS death; it’s not clear if the case relates to one of two recent illnesses reported by the country. A news report about the death, citing Jordan’s health ministry, appeared in a Jordanian News Agency (PETRA) story in Arabic that was translated and posted by Avian Flu Diary (AFD), an infectious disease news blog.The report said the patient was a 56-year-old who had chronic health conditions and had been on a ventilator in a hospital since May 3. It said the death is Jordan’s fourth from MERS among the eight cases reported there so far.Uncertainties about the details of some MERS cases and deaths, along with apparent delays in countries reporting the details to the World Health Organization (WHO), have made it difficult to pinpoint the global total. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), in an epidemiologic update today, put the total at 495 cases, including 141 deaths. However, its total doesn’t include cases reported by Saudi Arabia yesterday and today or the most recent Jordanian cases and the new death, which would put the unofficial overall totals at 507 cases and 142 deaths.Virologist’s impressions from Saudi ArabiaIn other developments, German virologist Christian Drosten, MD, today shared new information on how Saudi Arabia health officials are testing cases and contacts in an interview posted on ScienceInsider.Global health groups have said the reasons for Saudi Arabia’s rapid rise in MERS cases are unknown, but possible scenarios might include more sensitive case detection, increased zoonotic transmission, a breakdown in infection control, a change in the virus, or false-positive lab results. However, Drosten, based at the University of Bonn, said earlier in a ProMED-mail post that a genetic analysis of recent isolates showed no changes that would make the virus more infectious and transmissible in humans.However, in the ScienceInsider interview, Drosten said case detection practices may be playing a role, but he added that his recent first-hand look at lab testing shows that methods are solid and results are reliable. He said Saudi Arabia is now doing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests not only on patients with pneumonia who are in ICUs but also on contacts of patients. Illustrating the increase in testing, he said 459 PCR tests were done in all of Saudi Arabia last year but that in March, 4,629 were done in the city of Jeddah alone.Drosten told ScienceInsider that the test results on asymptomatic healthcare workers often yield weak signals.”These people probably just have a very low concentration of virus in the throat. It’s hard to interpret. It’s possible that these are infections that are quickly controlled by the immune system.”He also aired concerns about Saudi Arabia’s apparent sidelining of the expertise of Western-trained epidemiologist Ziad Memish, MD, the country’s deputy health minister. Memish’s role appears to have been diminished, especially in light of the appointment of a new health minister, he said. He told ScienceInsider that Memish has built up an impressive network that is no longer being used now that the health minister has formed a new advisory committee that’s heavy on clinicians and clinical microbiologists.FAO: Studies on camel-human link neededMeanwhile, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today weighed in on the surge in human cases and recent research developments in dromedary camels, suspected as the primary source of infection for humans. It said the studies provide a better understanding of the disease and show evidence of infection in camels, including a study from Saudi Arabia showing that MERS-CoV samples matched those from humans and that the isolates could be grown in the lab and have the potential to infect humans.The FAO said the recent results suggest camels may act as an intermediate host of the virus, but that more studies are needed to verify the role of camels and to sort out how the virus passes to humans. The agency said the strength of the link between humans and camels needs to be assessed to determine whether people in contact with camels are more likely to be infected than those with no contact.”This information is crucial in order to devise a strategy aimed at halting the source of infection and protecting humans,” the FAO said, adding that it and its partners are working with national officials to support animal MERS studies. It announced a consultation meeting on MERS, which will be held in Muscat, Oman, on May 20 and 21.The agency urged nations to commit to targeted investigations and information sharing, to coordinate investigations with public health officials, and to establish a systematic search for the source of infection in animals and the environment.US patient improvingAlso today, the first US MERS-CoV patient, in isolation at Community Hospital in Munster, Ind., continues to improve and is in good condition, hospital officials said in an e-mailed statement today.”The hospital has begun working on discharge plans for the patient, who is expected to be released to home isolation in the coming days,” the statement said. “He will remain in home isolation until he is cleared by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as no longer an infectious risk to the public.”The patient is a man in his 60s who is a US citizen but lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and works in healthcare there. He flew to the United States on Apr 24 to visit relatives, and was admitted to the Munster hospital on Apr 28. His case was announced on May 2.See also:May 6 Saudi MOH statement on 7 casesSaudi MOH MERS page with case countMay 6 AFD postMay 6 ECDC MERS epidemiological updateMay 6 ScienceInsider reportMay 6 FAO statement read more

Health plans fare poorly in lifting HPV vaccine levels in girlsHealth plans in general are doing a poor job at raising human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination levels in adolescent girls, according to researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their collaborators at Princeton University. The team published its findings in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).They looked at 2013 data from 367 commercial plans and 153 Medicaid plans to determine whether girls received the recommended three HPV vaccine doses by age 13.Median coverage levels in 2013 were 12% for commercial plans and 19% for Medicaid plans. However, the group found a wide range among the two plans: 0% to 34% for the commercial ones, and 5% to 52% for Medicaid plans.The study doesn’t hint at why HPV vaccine coverage by age 13 is low, but the investigators noted that other studies have found clinicians less likely to strongly recommend immunization for girls ages 11 and 12 compared with older adolescents.The authors noted that improved vaccine coverage rates and a better understanding of how the highest-performing health plans support HPV vaccination are needed and that more knowledge of barriers to vaccination may help in devising incentives that encourage plans to boost immunization levels.Oct 30 MMWR report EU council addresses gain-of-function issuesA European scientific council has published a report to help its member states navigate controversial gain-of-function research issues, highlighting what procedures and regulations are currently in place, outlining areas of consensus, and identifying areas that still need to be settled. The 36-page report is published by the European Academies Scientific Advisory Council (EASAC), which includes national science academies of member states.Topics covered in the report include risk-benefit assessment, scientific responsibility and self-governance, research review and management, advisory body roles, and the publication of sensitive information.One of the report’s main focuses is biosafety, and the group recommends a layered approach that integrates responsibilities and actions at researcher, institution, funder, and national levels.Two of the report’s main conclusions are the need for more public engagement that includes researchers explaining the objectives of their work and the fact that the issues have global relevance and require ongoing discussion.Some of the other themes of the report include the need to share best practices and the belief that self-regulation requires checks and balances in the scientific community and awareness-raising that includes education and training.Experts noted that biosafety issues should be addressed at every stage, including during grant applications, and that risk-benefit evaluations aren’t a one-time process but rather an evolving activity. The group found no need for a new advisory body at the EU level.Regarding publication of potentially sensitive scientific information, the EASAC report said that journals should continue to seek expert advice when needed and that export control laws are an inappropriate tool for blocking publication.Further consideration should be given to an international forum to keep the dialogue going between scientists and policymakers on gain-of-function issues, according to the report. Oct 29 EASAC gain-of-function reportOct 29 Nature correspondence Relapse seen in small number of fungal meningitis outbreak casesOngoing monitoring by the CDC of patients infected in a 2012-13 fungal meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated corticosteroid injections has identified 2 more illnesses, bringing the total to 753, and 8 patients have suffered relapses, representing 1% of the total. Researchers posted their update today in a note from the field in the latest issue of MMWR.According to initial findings, most patients received antifungal treatment for at least 6 months after diagnosis; by 1 year after diagnosis, 42% of 455 patients being followed were considered cured, 41% had finished treatment but were still not considered cured, 7% were still being treated, 8% had died, and follow-up was incomplete for 2%.One of the relapses occurred 21 months after therapy stopped, highlighting the need for ongoing health provider vigilance.Researchers said it’s unclear if resuming steroid injections poses a risk to patients, but they noted some of the patients have had surgery with no complications related to their earlier fungal infection.Oct 30 MMWR note from the field read more

The Law Society Gazette reported a few days ago that the European Court of Justice decided to open up the continental notaries’ profession to all nationalities. That is a big change. But it does not represent the real revolution behind the decision. I wrote about some of the background when the Advocate General’s opinion came out last September, and before that just after the oral hearing. Although the notaries defended the nationality requirement, as did the governments against whom the case was brought (Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Austria, Germany, Greece and Portugal), this was never about that alone – or even mainly about that. I have privately heard from notaries over and over again that they expected to see the nationality requirement go sooner or later, and that it was not defensible. No, the real question was the position of notaries under article 45 of the Treaty, which says that the free movement provisions relating to persons, services and capital should not apply to ‘activities which in that state are connected, even occasionally, with the exercise of official authority’. The notaries have used this provision to escape from the free movement legislation, which has bound lawyers ever since the Reyners case settled it for our profession. Under this argument, notaries have until now claimed exemption from the relevant provisions of the Treaty because their activities are connected with the exercise of official authority. The Member States concerned in the cases supported this proposition. So did the Advocate General in his opinion (who advocated striking down the nationality requirement but still supported their exclusion from Article 45). The only Member State to support the Commission in its claim that this was not true was – don’t fall down with shock – the UK. Interestingly, this was one of those rare cases where the Court of Justice opposed the collective might of the Advocate General’s opinion and the ranks of the Member States to say that notaries do not exercise official authority. The Court analysed the decades-old arguments of the notaries, and demolished them one by one – which means a total change in the declared status of notaries. I notice that the press release of the official body representing notaries, CNUE, pretends to welcome the decision, but in fact they must be reeling with trauma and distress. For the first time, they are now to be treated like any other profession in the EU. The principal argument used has been that notaries authenticate documents, a procedure unknown to the common law, which verifies that all the conditions laid down by law for the drawing up of an instrument are satisfied and that the parties have legal personality and capacity to enter into it. However, the Court notes that these instruments are freely entered into by the parties. They decide themselves, within the limits laid down by law, the extent of their rights and obligations and choose freely the conditions which they wish to be subject to when they produce a document or agreement to the notary for authentication. Therefore, the notary’s intervention presupposes the prior existence of an agreement or consensus. Further, the notary cannot unilaterally alter the agreement without first obtaining the consent of the parties. This does not have the appearance or substance of official authority. The second argument has been that an authentic act has enhanced probative force and is enforceable. But the Court points out that that force derives from the rules of evidence of the Member States and so has no direct effect on the classification of the notarial activity of drawing up those acts. As regards the enforceability of notarial acts, the Court observes that it is based on the intention of the parties appearing before the notary to make it enforceable. Finally, the Court also observes that, within the geographical limits of their office, notaries practise in conditions of competition, which is not characteristic of the exercise of official authority. They are also directly and personally liable to their clients for loss arising from any default in the exercise of their activities, unlike public authorities, liability for whose default is assumed by the State. So, welcome to our world, brothers and sisters of the notarial profession. Expect soon to have all the internal market legislation applied to you. For instance, I wonder what will happen now to perceived obstacles to free movement like the fixed number (‘numerus clausus’) of notaries and the fixed geographical location, to take just two. There will be a rollercoaster ride ahead. read more

An Iraqi lawyer, Samira Saleh al-Naimi, has been publicly executed in the northern city of Mosul by forces of the Islamic State (ISIS), a Middle East human rights group reported today.The Gulf Center for Human Rights said that al-Naimi had been taken from her home last week after describing as ‘barbaric’ the destruction of historic sites in Mosul and was shot by masked men in a public square on Monday. An Associated Press report quotes the United Nations as saying she had been ‘found guilty of apostasy in a self-styled Islamic court’.The Gulf centre described al-Naimi as ‘a prominent lawyer and human rights defender and famous for her activities that include defending detainees and supporting the disadvantaged families in the city’. It called for the UN to carry out ‘an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into the execution of Samira Saleh Al-Naimi and other crimes committed by ISIS with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in line with local laws and international standards’. read more

A criminal defence firm in Leeds is turning to technology to ensure its survival as firms await the outcome of the Ministry of Justice’s tender for a reduced number of legal aid contracts.O’Garra’s Solicitors has developed software that will enable fee-earners to take client instructions digitally, automatically generate bespoke client letters and email files to the office.Managing partner Michael O’Garra said the firm was trying to increase efficiencies ‘knowing we’re either going to get one of these contracts and will be fielding a larger [procurement] area, or we don’t get one of these contracts and need to work a lot smarter to compete for work’.The firm is currently on the duty provider scheme for Leeds. The ministry’s new contracts could see it cover the whole of West Yorkshire.O’Garra said solicitors in the region felt like they are in a ‘total period of limbo’ as they await the outcome of practitioner groups’ recent talks with the MoJ on fee cuts as well as the outcome of the tender process.Justice secretary Michael Gove last week thanked practitioner groups for ‘constructive dialogue’ during the course of a 52-day nationwide legal aid boycott prompted by the introduction of a second 8.75% fee cut for litigators on 1 July.‘Thanks to the constructive dialogue that we have had with them and with [MoJ] civil servants, we are now in talks to ensure that access to justice can be enhanced and, at the same time, that the quality of advocacy improves,’ Gove told MPs.Hours earlier, justice minister Lord Faulks defended the ministry’s reforms after Labour peer Lord Beecham, a former solicitor, tabled a motion of regret over the government’s Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration etc) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.Faulks said the level of interest in duty contracts, knowing the likely reduction in fees, suggested there remains an ‘appetite’ to undertake criminal legal aid work under the new regime. read more

The criminal court system will need to run at more than twice its normal capacity over the next three years to deal with the coronavirus backlog and workload created by a growing police force, the Criminal Bar Association has predicted.Citing figures from the Institute for Government, the CBA said if there are 20,000 more police officers by 2023 – as currently planned – the criminal justice system will have to deal with 66,000 more cases per year, a 16% increase.Combined with an expected build up of cases as a result of the pandemic, courts will have to run at 125% of 2019/20 levels for the next three years to keep on top of the workload, the CBA said.In her weekly message to members, chair of the CBA Caroline Goodwin QC writes that lawyers face a ‘toxic scenario’ where ‘the strain on the court system as we know it is going to literally cripple us and unless something is done it is only going to get worse’.Goodwin said remote hearings were not a solution and more buildings need to be allocated for trials. ‘This use of technology is welcomed but it needs to be approached with care. We have had long held principles of open justice and fair trials. Let us not compromise that for the sake of a ha’porth of tar,’ she said.Around 40,000 criminal cases are currently outstanding. Goodwin predicted this will rise to 51,000 by the end of June.‘If statistical modelling is to be considered, the backlog will rise and significantly not only for trials but also for cases. If there is a moderate impact, i.e. 15% of norm, in one quarter April to June, the backlog will rise to 51,000. If that figure of 15% lasts for six months the backlog will increase to 65,000, the highest since 2000,’ she said.The backlog of civil cases is currently unknown. The Bar Council said this week it had been ‘fobbed off’ by the government after repeatedly asking for listing data. read more

Flag of Saint Lucia By Celina DeCastroOn this day in 1979, February 22, the island of Saint Lucia became fully independent from British control. Allowing John Compton of the United Worker’s Party (UWP) to become the first Prime Minister.Saint Lucia, one of the Windward Islands, was originally home to the Arawak tribe until 800 A.D. when the Carib tribe dominated the island.England first attempted to colonize the island 1605 and 1638, but failed due to the aggressiveness from the Carib tribe. The first official settlement was achieved by the French in 1746.Control of the island has changed 14 times between the English and the French between the 17th century and 1800’s. England gained final control in 1814 as part of the Treaty of Paris after the Napoleonic Wars.English became the island’s official language in 1842.The island developed a plantation economy based on sugar cane and labor of enslaved Africans until slavery was abolished in 1834. In 1882, indentured Indians arrived to work the agricultural industry, where many remained.In 1951, all citizens over the age of 21 were granted the right to vote, in an attempt to move towards independence.In 1967, Saint Lucia received its constitution to be included in the Federated States of the Antilles, allowing the island to self-govern.Saint Lucia remains a parliamentary democracy within the British commonwealth after gaining its independence in 1979. read more