Prince Charles calls for pickers
Prince Charles on Tuesday threw his voice behind a noble effort to assist harvesters who are hampered by the pandemic.
The Prince of Wales called on his countrymen to join the Pick for Britain campaign, which encourages furloughed workers to assist British farmers by picking produce.
“If we are to harvest British food and vegetables this year, we need an army of people to help,” Prince Charles said. “In the coming months, many thousands of people will be needed to bring in the crops.”
The U.K. government rolled out the drive Tuesday, urging students and the out-of-work to match with open slots for the seasonal farming.
Officials promised the campaign will provide an opportunity for Britons to snap up some cash while helping to feed the country during the pandemic.
Fruit growers typically rely on seasonal labor in the summer months, but the supply of hands has dried up due to travel restrictions imposed amid the virus.
— New York Daily News
Spain to extend emergency to June 7
Spain’s government will seek to extend the state of emergency to June 7. The request will be presented to parliament today and if it isn’t approved “people’s health would be put at severe risk.” a government spokeswoman said.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had said last week that he would seek a one-month extension, after having sought a series of two-week extensions since first declaring the state of emergency March 14. The state of emergency grants the government extraordinary powers.
Masks are mandatory in public spaces.
— Bloomberg News
Border agents seize firearms, drugs
DETROIT — Since closing the border between Michigan and Canada to all nonessential travel in March to limit the spread of coronavirus, U.S. Customs agents have interdicted firearms and nearly 3,000 pounds of narcotics, most of which was marijuana.
Christopher Perry, director of field operations in Detroit, praised the agents, saying they “continue to hold the line against those wishing to exploit the current circumstances.”
Officers seized 2,856 pounds of marijuana, 87 pounds of cocaine, 12 pounds of fentanyl, and 12 guns.
“The state of the global health environment and the influence on national security is dynamic in nature,” Perry said. “Yet the vigilance, service and integrity of our officers remains unchanged.”
— Detroit Free Press
