Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto is seen heading to a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 12, 2021. (Mainichi/Kan Takeuchi)

TOKYO -- Olympics minister Seiko Hashimoto has surfaced as a candidate to succeed Yoshiro Mori as president of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games following Mori's announcement of his resignation on Feb. 12 over sexist remarks, multiple sources have disclosed.

From the perspective of gender equality, officials had suggested a woman should be chosen as the new president of the committee. During her career as an athlete, Hashimoto, 56, took part in both the summer and winter Olympics a total of seven times in speed skating and cycling, and also previously served as vice president of the Japanese Olympic Committee.

Sources said that since it would be viewed as problematic in terms of governance for a person to serve both as a Cabinet minister and as head of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, if Hashimoto became the organizing committee president, it is highly likely she would leave her ministerial post.

Tamayo Marukawa, who previously served as Olympics minister from 2016 to 2017, has been eyed as a possible candidate to replace Hashimoto in the Cabinet.

(Japanese original by Yuta Kobayashi and Akira Matsumoto, Sports News Department)

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Olympics minister Hashimoto eyed as replacement for outgoing Tokyo 2020 president Mori - The Mainichi - The Mainichi

Its official - Minister for the Environment David Parker confirmed yesterday that the Resource Management Act (RMA) will be repealed and replaced with three new laws during the current parliamentary term. The three new Acts will be:

Minister Parker has stated that The new laws will improve the natural environment, enable more development within environmental limits, provide an effective role for Mori, and improve housing supply and affordability. There is a clear focus on housing problems. The Cabinet Paper states that New Zealands housing is now amongst the least affordable in the OECD.

Minister Parker proposes to base the reform on the Resource Management Review Panels (also known as the Randerson Report) recommendations which were released in June 2020, with refinement in some places. Importantly, it is proposed that the Review Panels purpose and supporting provisions of the NBA are adopted.

It is proposed to advance the NBA first through a special process due to the significance of the reform. An exposure draft, which will contain the main structure and proposed headings of the full NBA, would be the subject of a select committee inquiry before legislation is formally introduced to the house. The exposure draft is expected to be released in mid-2021 for consultation, before it is introduced to the House at the end of this year. Minister Parker intends the NBA to be passed by late 2022. The SPA and CAA will be developed alongside the NBA but will not go through the same special process as the NBA.

Due to the scale and pace of the policy decision making required, Minister Parker is recommending that Cabinet establish a Ministerial Oversight Group with delegated decision-making powers to advance the exposure draft NBA, including policy details and consultation material.

The Government is working with a collective of pan-Mori entities on key elements of the NBA, and further engagement with the newly formed Mori collective is proposed after development of the exposure draft NBA. The Mori Collective was formed in late 2020 with the purpose of engaging with the Crown on Mori rights and interests in freshwater and resource management reform.

Minister Parker seeks agreement to three initial in-principle policy decisions needed to proceed quickly (noting these can be revisited later as result of engagement and the select committee inquiry):

It comes as no surprise that reform of the RMA is being progressed this parliamentary term. The Government seems to be up for the challenge and is planning to put a lot of effort and resources into it. The exposure draft approach is not widely used, but is entirely appropriate here, where draft legislation will benefit from testing at an early stage, and where the impacts of new legislation will be wide-reaching and enduring. This is legislation which many aspects of the community will have a view on.

There is widespread agreement amongst resource management practitioners, and much of the public, that a simpler resource management regime is needed. However, there will not be widespread agreement when it comes to balancing the interests of different stakeholders. Reform of New Zealands environment and planning law is a once-in-a generation opportunity to set ourselves up for future success. Now is the time for critics of the RMA to suggest solutions which will benefit us all, and the generations who will come after us.

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RIP RMA - The Resource Management Act (RMA) will be repealed and replaced with three new laws during the current parliamentary term. - JD Supra

Delays expected by Ironton bridge

RUSSELL, Ky. Traffic impacts at the Russell viaduct will vary over the next two weeks as steel work continues on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinets KY 244 bridge replacement project in Russell, Kentucky.

On Thursday and Friday, steelworkers will offload and place girders on newly-built bridge piers adjacent to the existing KY 244 viaduct. The work will require lane closures with flagged traffic or temporary traffic stops on KY 244 several times a day between 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Next week, steel work and traffic impacts will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 16, with the same periods of flagged and stopped traffic.

Contractors will coordinate daily traffic changes, and when necessary flaggers will be positioned on KY 244 in Russell and at the U.S. 23/KY 244/Ironton-Russell bridge intersection to direct traffic.

Because significant delays are possible on the heavily-traveled highways as many as 20,000 vehicles a day use them motorists are advised to seek alternate routes when possible into and out of downtown Russell during construction times. Work dates and traffic impacts could change depending upon weather.

Motorists should note that the current construction work zone also includes U.S. 23 between the Ironton-Russell bridge and the downtown Russell underpass. A right lane is closed on southbound U.S. 23; and Kenwood Drive (KY 750) is closed at the U.S. 23 intersection.

The $20.6 million Russell viaduct replacement project includes building a new KY 244 looping westward from US 23 to a new flyover bridge across U.S. 23 and the railroad tracks on the river side to touch down where the old viaduct bridge connects to Bellefonte Street in downtown Russell, Kentucky.

Construction will continue through this summer. To learn more, view flyover diagrams and get project updates, link to District 9s Russell Viaduct Project at https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictNine or bookmark the web page at https://transportation.ky.gov/DistrictNine/Pages/RussellViaduct.aspx.

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Steel work continues on Russell Viaduct - The Tribune - Ironton Tribune

Apple has identified an issue that renders 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models unable to charge above 1%, saying it will replace compromised batteries for free.

Outlined in a support document on Tuesday, the problem also triggers a battery health status warning that indicates "Service Recommended." Apple says a "small number" of 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro computers are impacted by the issue.

According to the support document, the following 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro units are affected:

Owners experiencing the charging issue are urged to contact Apple for a free battery replacement. The company will examine incoming Macs prior to service to determine eligibility. Users can access Battery Health in System Preferences or, in macOS Catalina or earlier, by holding the Option key and clicking the battery icon in the menu bar.

Apple earlier on Tuesday issued a macOS update, macOS 11.2.1, to address the problem and prevent it from manifesting in machines that are operating normally. The company instructs owners of the above Mac models to update to macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 or later or install the macOS Catalina 10.15.7 supplemental update.

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Apple to replace batteries on 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros unable to charge past 1% - AppleInsider

Yoshiro Mori announced on Friday his resignation as president of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, finally succumbing to an onslaught of criticism triggered by sexist comments he made earlier this month.

There has been much turmoil in recent weeks due to my inappropriate behavior, and for that I apologize, Mori said Friday during the opening remarks of an emergency meeting between Tokyo 2020 executive board members.

Whats most important is successfully holding the Tokyo Games in July, he said. There can be no interruptions to those efforts.

The 83-year-old former prime minister stepped down having served in the post for seven years, after being appointed president of the organizing body by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Seiko Hashimoto, the minister in charge of the Tokyo Games and a former Olympian, has been floated as a possible replacement after Moris pick fell through.

Seiko Hashimoto, the Cabinet minister in charge of the Tokyo Games and a former Olympian, has been floated as a possible replacement to Yoshiro Mori as President of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. | KYODO

Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto said during a news conference Friday evening that a gender project team as well as a selection committee to pick Moris successor will be formed, though its unclear when a selection will be made. We need to select a replacement as quickly as possible, Muto said.

The selection committee will consist of less than 10 members of the Tokyo 2020 executive board, Muto said, half of whom will be women.

Mori had tapped Saburo Kawabuchi, the 84-year-old former president of the Japan Football Association, as his replacement, but central government officials reportedly opposed the decision, arguing that Mori shouldnt be able to choose his own replacement. Just before Mori spoke publicly on Friday, Kawabuchi said he would not be assuming the position.

Mori provoked a wave of outrage at home and abroad by making a number of sexist remarks about women during a meeting on Feb. 3 with members of the Japanese Olympic Committee.

If one (female) member raises her hand to speak, all the others feel the need to speak too. Everyone ends up saying something, Mori said during the meeting. If we increase the number of female board members, we have to make sure their speaking time is restricted somewhat; they have difficulty finishing, which is annoying.

His attempted apology the following day fell short of expectations and seemed to only make things worse. Since then, more than 500 volunteers have reportedly withdrawn their participation in the games presumably due to Moris remarks and a number of corporate sponsors have voiced concern over supporting the event after so much controversy.

More than 80,000 volunteers had been selected from over 200,000 applicants to help with all manner of tasks traffic safety, crowd control, athlete support and community outreach, among others in an effort to streamline competitions and raise spirits during the games.

The resignation comes on the heels of dwindling support for Mori. According to a Kyodo News poll published Sunday, nearly 60% of respondents thought he was no longer qualified to serve as head of the organizing committee, while less than 7% said he was qualified.

Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, announces his resignation Friday at the committee headquarters in Tokyo. | POOL / VIA REUTERS

At least three runners in the Olympic torch relay have also withdrawn.

As the furor unfolded, several top government officials condemned Mori, but most stopped short of calling for his resignation.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has been largely absent from the conversation, repeatedly deflecting related questions by stating that the organizing committee is an independent body responsible for its own personnel decisions.

However, not only did Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato and Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto reportedly hold a secret meeting Wednesday to discuss the matter, Mori himself called a number of lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to inform them of his plans to step down.

Mori reportedly told Kawabuchi during a home visit Thursday that Suga thought it would be best to replace him with a woman or someone much younger, while Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, floated the idea of appointing a woman to serve alongside Mori as co-president.

Bach said Friday that he fully respects Moris decision to step down and thanked him for his outstanding contribution to the organization of the postponed Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 over the course of the past years.

The IOC will continue working hand-in-hand with his successor to deliver safe and secure Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in 2021, the IOC president said in a statement.

Corporate sponsors of the Tokyo Games began to voice concerns earlier this week that supporting the global sporting event during an ongoing global pandemic had been made even riskier due to Moris sexist remarks.

Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, holds a news conference in Tokyo in March 2020. | REUTERS

According to the organizing committee, several sponsors raised concerns during a meeting that, with Moris comments continuing to draw criticism, advertising at the games could end up doing more harm than good to their brands. Though its unclear which companies raised the concerns, domestic sponsors include major firms such as Asahi Breweries Ltd., Canon Inc. and Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, a major domestic sponsor of the games, released a statement Wednesday in which the executive described it as very regrettable that the comments made by the leader of the organizing committee differ from the values that Toyota holds.

Corporate sponsorship accounts for more than half of the Tokyo Games expected revenue, according to the organizing committee. The cost of the games rose last year when they were postponed until this July due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. The withdrawal of corporate sponsors would compound the financial situation.

Organizers hope to put the scandal behind them by replacing Mori, but its unclear that doing so will fix the damage dealt to morale over the Tokyo Games. The global sporting event, now scheduled to kick off in July during what will likely be an ongoing pandemic, is facing ballooning costs due to countermeasures needed to protect athletes, staff and spectators from COVID-19 during the games.

The Kyodo News poll found that more than 80% of respondents believed the games should be postponed again or canceled altogether, while just 14.5% said the event should go forward as planned.

Media reports say Mori will remain on the organizing committee in an advisory role after stepping down from the post of president.

Former Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi | KYODO

Kawabuchi, who had been serving on the Tokyo Organizing Committee as mayor of the Olympic Village, has been criticized in the past for his controversial beliefs on historical revision, racist remarks toward South Koreans and connections to Japans far right.

A native of Osaka Prefecture, Kawabuchi is a staple of the Japanese footballing world. He debuted for the Japanese national team in 1958 and represented his country during the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Reports that Kawabuchi would replace Mori drew a swift backlash on social media, where critics voiced concern over his contentious beliefs on politics, history and race.

They also pointed out the irony of replacing an older man known for his tone-deaf remarks on gender representation with an even older man. Some also questioned Moris involvement in selecting his own predecessor, or his continued role on the organizing committee as an advisor.

As of Friday, more than 147,000 people had signed a petition calling for Moris resignation and for greater gender representation in the organizing committee.

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka said earlier this week that Moris comments were really inappropriate. A number of Olympic and Paralympic athletes as well as foreign embassies also expressed their condemnation.

On Feb. 17, a meeting will be attended by IOC President Bach, Tokyo Games Minister Hashimoto and a representative of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, who was supposed to attend, said Wednesday she would not because nothing positive will come of it.

All eyes are on the transparency of the selection process, Koike said Friday during a news conference. The result will largely impact the image Tokyo broadcasts to the rest of the world.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

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Mori resigns as Tokyo 2020 hopes to move on from sexism outrage - The Japan Times

This story was originally published 2021/01/30 6:00am PSTon Jan 30, 2021 and last updated 2021/02/13 9:35am PSTon Feb 13, 2021.

Managing email can be a pretty personal thing whether you're an obsessive user of tags, the mark unread feature, snoozing, or filters, it can be hard to figure out just which email client makes the most sense for managing your messages. While many of us default straight to Gmail out of simple convenience, there are meaningfully good and powerful email clients available for Android not made by Google. Here are five that we think stand out for their features, unique capabilities, or appeal to the privacy-minded.

Spark is one of the most popular Mac clients, thanks to its ease of use and advanced features. It made its way to Android back in April 2019 and has received significant updates since then. The app works with any provider and supports several accounts. It can automatically categorize emails so you can focus on the ones that matter.

Unlike standard email services, it comes with the ability to snooze message or send them later. Since Spark is a cross-platform app, these are also synced to your other devices, making it easier to continue working on email from your computer. Its most relevant functionality is the ability to collaborate on messages with your co-workers, or discuss emails privately within your team, which is particularly useful if you're managing professional communications through Spark. For added privacy, you can even protect your messages with a passkey or your fingerprint, which can be helpful if you tend to receive confidential emails. Finally, as any modern app should, the client comes with a built-in dark mode to make reading emails easy on your eyes.

Whether you're looking at reading private emails or syncing your corporate account with your phone, Outlook is a great option. It offers a similar interface to the desktop client, and is well-integrated with other Office apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, making it easy to get work done on the go. Like most clients, it does offer a priority mailbox, called Focused, as well as a dark mode. Unlike most of its competitors, though, it comes with calendar integration, which is a great way to easily manage meeting RSVPs or send out new invitations.

The app is also optimized for productivity, thanks to an easy connection with Teams, Zoom and other video calling providers without hassle. It can also automatically suggest replies, helping you save time when responding to messages. Similarly, it can automatically identify itineraries from your emails and add them to your calendar so you don't have to worry about these during your next business trip. Lastly, if you're on the go, you can ask Outlook to play your emails or next appointments out loud, helping you be up to date with work while keeping your hands free.

Edison Mail aims at making email management simple and intuitive. The app comes with an Inbox-like assistant, lets you use templates, and comes with a dark mode. It's also very customizable and works with an unlimited number of accounts, allowing you to manage all your communications in a single app. A couple of neat features include Price Alerts in case the price of a product you bought drops, unsending messages, smart reply suggestions, and a built-in search engine.

Spike is built with an interface similar to instant messaging apps. The idea is not to switch from one app to the other, with everything combined into a single one, including to-do lists and notes. It also lets you collaborate on documents from within your inbox, with the ability to live chat with colleagues at the same time. Some other neat features include unsending messages, dark mode, and scheduled emails.

Spike might not be the perfect email client for everyone, but it's a great one to consider if you're part of a team that needs to work on the same projects and topics. However, it would mostly make sense to use it if you pair it up with the desktop app, which offers the same features and syncs up your conversations.

Boxer's main focus is to help you take actions on messages directly from your Inbox using swiping gestures, without having to open the message itself. For instance, you can quickly add an item to your to-do list, or mark a message as spam, without having to waste time performing too many clicks. Thanks to its calendar integration, it also easily lets you share your availability with others and join conference calls in a breeze. I would mostly advise using Boxer if you deal with a great amount of work email. For personal communications, I'd recommend you look at alternatives like Spark or Edison Mail.

Privacy is becoming a growing concern, which is why you might want to consider encrypting your email communications. ProtonMail aims at doing just that, making it virtually impossible for anyone to read messages, except for the sender and recipient. Depending on what you need, though, ProtonMail might be bothersome, as you'd need to change email providers, and have to restrict yourself to this particular app. I personally wouldn't want to go through that trouble, as I'm not exchanging nuclear codes by email, but that choice is for you to make based on the amount of encryption you need versus ease of use and versatility.

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Five powerful email clients for Android (that aren't Gmail) - Android Police

Coca-Cola Company has announced that it is testing a more sustainable paper bottle in Hungary, with limited online sales of the product starting this summer. The companys Brussels-based research and development team is working with Danish startup The Paper Bottle Company on this project, with an ultimate goal for bottles that can be recycled as paper.

Its no secret that the planet is filled with plastic waste, including consumer products like plastic bottles ones quickly used, then discarded, often making their way into landfills, lakes, and the ocean. Consumers are increasingly turning to more eco-friendly products, reducing their meat consumption, and cutting down on personal waste.

Its no surprise, then, that Coca-Cola is looking into fully recyclable bottles that may one day replace ordinary plastic bottles. The company plans a run of 2,000 bottles of AdeZ, a beverage, which will be sold online through the website Kifli.hu. The Paper Bottle Company (Paboco) developed the technology to make this bottle.

The plastic alternative features a bio-based material as the external carton-like barrier, one made using sustainably-sourced wood. The bottle includes a recyclable plastic lining that holds the beverage, as well as a plastic cap. According to Coca-Cola, the paper exterior is designed to resist oxygen, CO2, and liquids, meaning it could be used with other consumer products like makeup.

The pilot launch of a beverage in these bottles will give Coca-Cola a chance to see how they hold up in a real-world environment and how consumers respond to the bottle change. Coca-Cola Europes Daniela Zahariea said:

The trial we are announcing today is a milestone for us in our quest to develop a paper bottle. People expect CocaCola to develop and bring to market new, innovative and sustainable types of packaging. Thats why we are partnering with experts like Paboco, experimenting openly and conducting this first in-market trial.

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Coca-Cola will start selling drinks in paper bottles this summer - SlashGear

Apple is slated to release a number of new products this year, and the first round of products could be just a few weeks away. YouTuber Jon Prosser, who has a mixed track record when it comes to reporting on Apple's plans, claims that AirTags and brand new iPad Pro models are set to be announced next month, presumably via a virtual event.

Prosser, who runs the tech-news show "Front Page Tech," tweeted earlier today that AirTags are "still on for March" and that he hasn't "heard of any further delays this time." This is not the first occasion the online personality has claimed to have information on AirTags, however. In October, Prosser stated that AirTags were "for sure" coming at the November event, but that did not materialize and the event was fully focused on Apple Silicon Macs. The YouTuber also claimed that AirTags would be released alongside iOS and iPadOS 14.3, which also did not happen.

Prosser has previously claimed March 2021 as a release month for AirTags, but it's worth noting that Apple typically doesn't hold events any earlier than March, so his claim seems to be an educated guess. Lastly, Prosser once stated that AirTags were "likely" to be released at Apple's 2020 September event, and that too did not come to fruition.

In a follow-up tweet today, Prosser reiterated his past claim that updated iPad Pro models will be announced in March of this year. New iPad Pros have been rumored to launch for some time and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said to expect a release in the first half of 2021, lining up with Prosser's March timeline. Once again, it's worth noting Prosser did previously claim new iPads would be released by the end of 2020, which did not occur.

Nonetheless, the YouTuber has been the source of accurate Apple information in the past, including accurately reporting the exact date and time for the launch of the second-generation iPhone SE in April and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro in May, and he correctly reported the release of an updated iMac in August minutes before it became official.

The most credible information thus far regarding the launch of AirTags comes from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated last month that AirTags are on track for a 2021 release, although the analyst stopped short of providing a more specific timeframe.

Leaker L0vetodream, who boasts a trustworthy track record, has cryptically hinted that AirTags could come in small and large sizes. AirTags are rumored to include replaceable batteries and work directly within the Find My app on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

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Leaker Jon Prosser Claims AirTags and New iPad Pro to Be Announced Next Month - MacRumors

Ignoring President Erdoans call for a new civilian constitution, the Turkish opposition is pushing forward with plans of its own

Its happening again.

More than half a decade since the last process petered out, the Turkish government is chattering once more about introducing the countrys first new civilian constitution.

Its a careful choice of words: civilian, because the previous two efforts were brought in after military coups in 1961 and 1982; first new, because the republic was founded by civilians in the Ataturk era.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoans words this week announcing a revival of the process would have been music to European ears a decade ago.

By their nature, constitutions must obtain the support of an entire society if possible, but certainly a vast majority, he told his partys parliamentary group on Wednesday. This can only be possible if the new constitution is prepared through a formula that has a place for everyone in the country.

He went on: Our preference is for all our political parties to take part in this process. We will demonstrate a sincere effort for this to the end.

The trouble is that, unlike a similar all-party constitutional effort that made some progress before falling apart in 2013, Turkeys opposition parties now do not believe him.

They have been working, quite openly and for quite some time, on an alternative: a cross-party deal that would reverse the executive presidency system introduced four years ago.

In its place they plan what they call a strengthened parliamentary system but beyond abolishing Mr Erdoans executive presidency and restoring the post of prime minister, there is very little detail publicly available yet.

So far, there are two main documents in circulation:

There is another efforts in the works from Ali Babacan, another former AK Party politician who now leads the Democracy and Progress (DEVA) Party, but no policy document exists publicly for this.

There is a lot of overlap between the two documents currently in circulation. Here is what we do know:

Both opposition proposals involve restoring the post of prime minister and the concept of collective cabinet government. The presidency would be scaled back to a largely ceremonial role and be elected by parliament, not the public.

"Ceremonial" Turkish presidencies have always some hard powers, including: appointing and dismissing prime ministers, calling occasional cabinet meetings and a one-time veto on laws passed by parliament

Appointing ministers; passing laws by decree

with power to veto laws once, but fewer direct appointments

with power to veto laws once, but fewer direct appointments

Both proposals draw attention to the concept of constructive no-confidence meaning that a majority of MPs can vote to bring down a government only if they also vote to nominate a replacement. This, they say, will help prevent a return to the chaotic coalitions of the 1970s and 1990s.

No time limit for a reply.

No time limit for a reply.

Time limits for a reply.

Time limits for a reply.

"Gensoru" in Turkish

MPs can only unseat the president by calling early elections

A government falls if a majority of MPs vote against it

A government falls if a majority of MPs vote against it AND vote to support a replacement

A government falls if a majority of MPs vote against it AND vote to support a replacement

Under both proposals, the 10% electoral threshold would be reduced and presidency would last for longer than a five-year parliamentary term. They differ on the details.

The national share of the vote a party must receive before it can win seats in parliament

Originally posted here:
What would a 'strengthened' parliamentary system mean for Turkey? - James in Turkey

Google has announced that it intends to unify its Google Drive solutions for keeping files in sync on users' desktops.

Later this year, these two clients will become one: Google Drive for desktop. Google explains that for Drive File Stream users, this is just a name change, and all functionality will remain the same.

For Backup and Sync users, they will essentially be using Drive File Stream in all but name, except with the features they're used to incorporated into the one client.

The reason for the change is that some Google Workspace customers have deployed both sync solutions, which can be confusing for end users and challenging for IT departments to manage.

As of version 45, Drive File Stream is known as Google Drive for desktop, and the company will give three months' notice for Google Workspace admins and end users before the deadline to transition to Drive for desktop.

Google Workspace customers with end users who are currently using Backup and Sync can apply for a beta of the new unified Drive for desktop experience, which includes Backup and Sync features.

Google says it will announce when Drive for desktop is officially ready for all Backup and Sync users, and will also share more details later this year on how Backup and Sync users can get started with the new client.

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New Google Drive Desktop App to Replace Backup & Sync and Drive File Stream Clients Later This Year - MacRumors