People from the transgender community on Sunday took out a march here to express solidarity with the women protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the city's iconic Clock Tower in Hussainabad. Raising slogans against the government and the new law, protestors voiced their dissent against the law. They were also holding flags and placards that read, "Spread love not hatred". Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police NN Choudhary said police have increased the security around the protest site as large number of people gather near Clock Tower. He asserted that Section 144 is in force and any sit-in demonstration should be done with police permission. "People performing peacefully will not be disturbed. However, strict action will be taken against those who disturb the peace," he added. The newly enacted law is facing stiff opposition across the country with some states including Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Punjab refusing to implement the law in their respective states.Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab have passed resolutions against the recently amended law in their legilsative Assemblies.The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Education published a statement confirming public schools will not expect pupils to come to school on Monday due to the Red Alert on weather. ISL and St. George's confirm they will close. Fake news circulating on the internet has suggested that Luxembourg schools will again be closed on Tuesday 11 February. MeteoLux issued an orange alert from 1pm on Sunday, raising it to a red alert from 1am until 9am on Monday morning. In light of the red alert, the Ministry of Education announced classes would be cancelled for pupils across the country in primary and public secondary schools, as well as specialised psycho-educational skills centres, on Monday 10 February. The schools remained open to accommodate any students who attended on Monday. "There will be no lessons, but a welcome will be provided for students who will go to schools," the ministry confirmed to RTL by telephone. The ISL confirm they will be closed on Monday. Ministry of Education has closed all public schools for tomorrow, due to a red alert issued by Meteolux. ISL will follow this advice & will be closed tomorrow. We will maintain a small staff presence for any students who have to come to school. School will resume on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/q97HlWsmo5 ISL Luxembourg (@ISLuxembourg) February 9, 2020 St. George's International School also confirm they are to remain closed. IMPORTANT: School closed tomorrow (10-02-2020) Dear Students, Parents and Staff, Due to severe weather conditions St George's International School is closed to staff and students on Monday 10th February 2020. Please do not send students to School on this day. pic.twitter.com/dneGc3kXut St George's International School (@STGeorges_LUX) February 9, 2020 The European schools have confirmed that the schools are closed on Monday but that child care is offered if required. Anne-Marie Thiebert, principal of The Lycee Francais de Luxembourg and Vauban Ecole has informed parents and the press that they suggest their students remain at home but that the schools' doors will remain open for those wishing to attend. The Waldschoul and the Maison Relais Waldschoul in Dudelange have confirmed they will be shut on Monday. Emile Metz high school in Luxembourg, Sainte-Anne in Ettelbruck and Marie-Consolatrice in Esch have also decided not to give lessons, to provide students with a welcome. Ecole privee Fieldgen confirmed that students who enrolled for voluntary activities organised by the education department (SEF) are expected to attend. Those unable to attend the activities due to the weather conditions need to justify their absence with a written excuse. All other pupils will be excused. The Vauban and Lycee Francais du Luxembourg announced students will be excused from school as a precautionary measure. The school will remain open to provide students with a welcome as staff will be on site. School shuttles for primary schools will not be operating. The Forest school and Maison Relais in Dudelange will remain closed. Students will be able to attend Brill school instead. A welcome at a Maison Relais will take place at Maison Relais Schwemm instead. TICE school transport services will not be operating on Monday. Students planning on attending school are urged to use regular public transport as an alternative. Voyage Emile Weber Group confirmed their buses will be operating their usual service on Monday, including school shuttles - no cancellations are currently planned. UGDA Music school confirmed staff and students are excused on Monday and the school has cancelled all classes and exams. The same goes for the Conservatoire du Nord in Diekirch and Ettelbruck. The following boarding schools will provide a welcome during their usual opening hours: Convict Episcopal in Luxembourg City, St. Willibrord in Echternach, Jos Schmit in Diekirch, Sainte-Anne in Ettelbruck, Ste. Marie in Mertzig, and Internat du Nord ( and Villa) in Wiltz. Esch/Alzette has confirmed all Maison Relais will remain closed closed on Monday, but that welcomes will be provided. Parents are urged to stay at home with their children where possible. The Pedibus in Esch is also cancelled. The music conservatory in Esch confirmed classes due to take place on Monday are cancelled and staff will be off. The municipality of Bourscheid confirmed students will be excused from school, a welcome will be provided during the school's usual opening hours. For safety reasons, all primary school shuttles have been cancelled. The Maison Relais and creche will remain open. Parents are strongly urged to get in touch in case their children will not attend. The municipality of Mondercange confirmed school transport to primary schools is cancelled, and classes at the music school will not take place. The Spruddelmailchen creche will be open as usual. The municipality of Luxembourg City released an official statement confirming that school shuttles will be operating as usual to ensure pupils who wish to use the welcome services put in place are able to do so. As for waste collections, residents are urged to only put out bins that do not risk to be moved by the strong winds. The Waldorf association (Verain fir Waldorfpadagogik Letzebuerg asbl.) confirmed pupils will be excused rom school on Monday. An welcome group will be offered for those unable to stay at home, however teachers and the school office should be informed immediately via e-mail. The music school in Echternach confirmed all classes and competitions due to take place on Monday have been cancelled, and staff do not have to come into work. The municipality of Helperknapp urges residents to stay safe during the severe winds and confirms that pupils are excused from school. A welcome is provided at schools in Boevange, Brouch, Buschdorf, Brouch, Tuntange and Hollenfels. Buses are expected to operate as normal. The Maison Relais in Buschdorf and Tuntange operate their usual opening hours as well. Parents are, however, urged to provide a packed lunch in case the children will not be able to be taken to maison relais. The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps has also issued a warning on Twitter. [Vigilance rouge] avis de tempete tres violente pour la nuit du 9 au 10 fevrier entre 1h00 et 9h00 avec des vents annonces superieurs a 110km/h. Merci de respecter les conseils de securite des autorites et de limiter vos appels aux 112 pour des urgences. pic.twitter.com/RitfcmMUBD CGDIS (@CGDISlux) February 9, 2020 The CGDIS was due to present its new ambulances to press on Monday, however this event has been cancelled due to the anticipated interventions overnight. Refuse collection Ville d'Esch confirm that refuse collection is suspended on Monday. Dudelange have announced similar measures. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 12:12:03|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Libya's rival parties are keen to maintain the truce in and around the capital city and expressed this attitude during the first round talks of the Libyan 5+5 Joint Military Commission in Geneva, said the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday. "UNSMIL takes note of the existing consensus around the importance of maintaining the truce that had been announced on 12 January this year, of the necessity to respect it and refrain from violating it," UNSMIL said in a statement. The UNSMIL expressed appreciation to both parties for "coming to Geneva, for upholding in earnest the responsibilities they had been entrusted with as well as for the professional and positive spirit that characterized their discussions." "UNSMIL also notes the widespread consensus between both sides with regard to the urgency for Libyans to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country; protect its borders; protect national decision-making process and resources from any foreign interference; stop the flow of non-Libyan fighters and send them out of the country; and to continue the fight against the UN-identified terrorist groups (al-Qaeda, ISIS, Ansar al-Sharia)," the statement said. The east-based army had been leading a military campaign since April 2019 in and around Tripoli, attempting to take over the capital city from the UN-backed government. The fighting killed and injured thousands of people and forced more than 150,000 civilians to flee their homes. The rivals agreed to a cease-fire on Jan. 12, but both parties exchanged accusations of breaching the truce. There is rising hostility towards refugees, who are often blamed for making Lebanons economic crisis worse. Snow has arrived in Lebanons mountains, making life harder for the hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees living in the Bekaa Valley. Just under half of the refugees rely on cash assistance from aid agencies, but Lebanons economic crisis has made it difficult for them to access those funds. And some local people are blaming the refugees for making the crisis worse. Al Jazeeras Sara Khairat reports. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 23:16:09|Editor: yan Video Player Close KAMPALA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Robinah Nabbanja, Uganda's minister of state for health, on Sunday commended the prevention and control measures taken by China to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. "They have already identified some treatments and it's working, and there are those (patients) who have been treated and discharged after recovery," Nabbanja told Xinhua, adding that she believes China has the capability to contain the outbreak from spreading. She noted that China's isolation of suspected cases and curative care treatment methods are working well to contain the spread of the virus. "They have banned public transport and public gathering. Those who are sick have been isolated and treated. That is a very positive move and is working well," she said. The minister said it is "unbelievable" that China can build a 1,000-bed hospital in a record 10 days to treat patients infected with the virus in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, in central China's Hubei Province. "It's highly commendable," she said. "If they can isolate the infected from those who are free from the virus, then that is a very positive move." She said that her government has no plan to evacuate Ugandans currently in China, as Chinese authorities have put in place very robust preventative and control measures to combat the transmission and spread of the virus. Cruise company Royal Caribbean on Saturday extended its delay and changed the destination of a ship that has been docked in North Jersey since Friday, after passengers were screened for coronavirus. Anthem of the Seas docked in Bayonne and 24 passengers were screened for coronavirus when they disembarked. Four of those 24 were sent to area hospitals for further evaluation. Three of those 4 actually had the flu, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement Saturday night, and said the CDC permitted them to be discharged. The three people with the flu were staying in the same cabin. The fourth person stayed in a separate cabin and did not have any symptoms, Murphy said. "All four passengers tested negative for novel coronavirus. New Jersey currently has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and the risk to residents remains low. After 5 p.m. Saturday, Royal Caribbean said in a statement that the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention needs a day or two to finish testing the cruise passengers who disembarked Friday. We are going to push the departure date to Monday in order to have conclusive results before sailing, the company statement said. Emails to company spokespeople and a call to the CDC were not immediately returned Saturday. (1/3) You may have seen news about Anthem today and may be wondering about our guests and upcoming cruise. None of the four guests being tested by CDC showed any clinical signs and symptoms of coronavirus. One tested positive onboard for Influenza A. Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) February 7, 2020 The ship will set sail from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port at 3 p.m. Monday before arriving in Kings Wharf, Bermuda, on Wednesday. It will return to New Jersey on Feb. 15. The original itinerary for the trip would have seen it stop in Orlando and then CocoCay (a Bahamian island used exclusively for tourism by Royal Caribbean) before docking in Nassau, the island-nations capital city. You may be wondering why our itinerary changed from a Bahamas cruise to a Bermuda cruise, Royal Caribbean wrote in the statement. With a Monday afternoon departure, we wouldnt arrive into Nassau until around 3 p.m. and would need to depart later that evening to make our way back to Cape Liberty not a great experience. Anyone who chooses to go on the cruise will receive a 50 percent refund and a 50 percent credit for a future cruise - because we know that this is not how any of us wanted this to go," the company said. Anyone who does not show up will automatically receive a refund within 5 days after the trip ends. The coronavirus outbreak began in Chinas Hebei province and has killed 722 in mainland China. More than 34,000 cases of the virus have been reported, but that includes people who have recovered. Royal Caribbean has taken additional measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak, including prohibiting all guests holding a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport from boarding its ships regardless of when they were there last, according to a statement. The cruise line said it is sanitizing the cruise ship terminal before and after trips and conducting "special sanitizing of high traffic areas onboard multiple times a day. It is also adding more medical personnel on board. Gov. Murphy launched a task force Monday to ensure New Jersey is ready and equipped for the coronavirus. The state recently created a website and a hotline 1-800-222-1222 to answer any questions residents may have about the virus. -This article contains information from The Associated Press. It was updated later Saturday with a statement from Gov. Murphys office. Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Link Group, the Australian-listed financial firm which recently acquired Pepper European Servicing for up to 200m, has identified 10m worth of synergies between the businesses. Last week, during a call covering the deal, John McMurtrie, managing director of Link Administration, said the business had identified synergies during due diligence "in the order of 10m". Pepper has over 500 people working across Shannon and Dublin, while Link employs around 532 people in Dublin and Maynooth. "We do have, together with Pepper, large operations in the UK and also in Ireland," he said. "So I think there are some opportunities for some rationalisation, our premises and central functions, which will fade into the 10m identified." A presentation published by Link confirmed the business had identified "annual efficiency benefits" estimated to be in the region of 10m, but that these would require "one-off integration and investment spend of 15m". The efficiencies are to be realised over the medium term. The transaction between Link and Pepper would create a company with around 130bn of assets under management, employing 1,800 people across Europe. It is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of the year. Pepper and Link have substantial operations in Ireland. It is understood employees were informed that the new owners would look to see "how best to deploy the group's resources with a view to finding some synergies". A spokesperson for Pepper said: "Last week's announcement has no impact on customers or employees and it's business as normal. "When the deal closes, there will be a growth-focused integration plan, which will include looking at how to best deploy the combined resources of the business across Europe." Link failed to respond to a request for comment. Many people agree that it doesnt make sense to force all state Supreme Court justices to retire at age 70. It is, after all, very different to be 70 years old today than it was in 1947, when this rule was created. Think of U.S. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg, now 86, or Stephen Breyer, 81. Most states have age limits written into their constitutions but couldnt we at least raise ours to, say, 75? Its a reasonable idea, worth considering, if the latest call for reform didnt look so duplicitous. It is a shameless power grab by the Legislature, pure and simple. Yes, talented justices could continue to serve. But the newest effort to kill the age limit for judges, not just on our Supreme Court, but also on other state courts, is not about being woke for septuagenarians. It just so happens that Justice Walter Timpone turns 70 this year, meaning that Gov. Phil Murphy would have a chance to pick a new justice to replace him. This proposal by Judiciary Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) and Sen. Kip Bateman (R-Somerset) could theoretically block him from doing that, by making sure no vacancy exists. Their bill and constitutional amendment would allow the Senate, and only the Senate, to extend a justices term past age 70. It could deny Murphy his pick by extending Timpone, or whoever else hits that mark. Bateman argues this couldnt be enacted in time to affect Timpone. But regardless, there will be a number of other vacancies in the coming years, which Murphy could be denied a chance to fill if he were re-elected. Thats bad enough with the Democratic rivalry between this governor and Senate President Steve Sweeney. Imagine when two different parties control the Senate and the governors mansion. The Senate could deny the other party its legitimate right to make appointments. And its just as bad for judicial independence. This bill would extend judges careers by two-year increments, with no limit on how long they serve, but require them to be re-upped each time by the Senate. So state court judges who rely on the freedom to make an unpopular ruling may instead wonder how its going to play out for their careers, if the Senate can force their retirement every two years. What if they refuse a motion to dismiss a case against a powerful lawmakers ally? Or, in a high-profile criminal trial, dont agree with politicians clamoring for the maximum possible sentence? Supreme Court justices also make decisions on all kinds of laws and constitutional issues that legislators care about, like fairness in school funding and affordable housing, or reproductive rights. Do we really want a process in which they know that every two years, they could be punished for it? This is not at all like the program that exists today to extend some judicial careers and fill vacancies. Judges can be recalled to the bench up to age 84, at 25 percent of their salary but dont sit in high-profile matters, or on the Supreme Court. And its the Judiciary that decides this. Putting the Senate in charge makes it a nakedly political process. You could raise the retirement age for judges without doing that. So lets drop the pretense. This is a cynical power grab, like when Republicans refused to consider President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland. One that Democrats should be above. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. EUGENE, Ore. -- A small group of homeless advocates invaded a restaurant on Saturday night, shouting at diners through a megaphone and claiming that the owner is anti-homeless. But Steve Sheehan, owner of Elk Horn Brewery, says he only wants an end to property crime and lawlessness. Sheehan started a group called 'Eugene Wake Up, made up of small business owners who are fed up with what they call lawlessness and crime that impacts their customers and businesses. RELATED: DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES: 'EUGENE WAKE UP' TO HOMELESS CRIME Sheehan told KEZI 9 News that the protesters are uninformed about what 'Eugene Wake Up' stands for. He said he just wants the vandalism and chaos to end. "We are not anti homeless we are anti break into our business. We are anti lawlessness and I don't know why every single person in this community wouldn't be anti lawlessness," Sheehan said. The protesters released a statement which said in part, "Eugene Wake Up is spreading the rhetoric that the homeless in Eugene are lawless criminals who need to be watched." This is a developing story. Check back with KEZI 9 News for updates. Marco Rubio denounces Wells Fargo for ending school voucher funding over Christian schools views Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has denounced Wells Fargo for withdrawing donations from a state voucher program because some of the schools students are choosing to attend oppose homosexuality and transgender ideology. Last month, Wells Fargo, along with Fifth Third Bank, withdrew donations to the Step Up for Students program after The Orlando Sentinel reported that some of the schools involved in the program have conservative policies on LGBT issues. We have reviewed this matter carefully and have decided to no longer support Step Up for Students, said Wells Fargo in a statement, The Hill reported. All of us at Wells Fargo highly value diversity and inclusion, and we oppose discrimination of any kind. In an interview with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins earlier this week, Rubio said Wells Fargo and others withdrawing support from the scholarship fund were only hurting the less fortunate with their decisions. Rubio explained that the scholarship program allows parents to choose which school to send their children to and many of the options are schools without official biblical stances on LGBT issues. Doing what they did is not going to hurt those schools. Those schools are not going to abandon the Bible over a government program. They existed before this program, said Rubio. Who they are hurting are low-income kids, because they are not going to be able to go to school and probably not go to a school that doesnt have those policies, by the way. Rubio said he believed that this was an example of corporate America trying to buy themselves into the good graces of broader society or to cover for major internal problems, such as Well Fargos recent series of scandals. Wells Fargo and Fifth Third decided to cut ties with the program following an article by Leslie Postal and Annie Martin of The Orlando Sentinel titled Anti-LGBT Florida schools getting school vouchers. According to The Orlando Sentinel, over 20,800 students received state tuition scholarships that went to 156 private schools where homosexuality was condemned or, at a minimum, unwelcome. These included holding official stances against homosexuality and transgenderism, having policies that prohibited students from engaging in homosexual conduct among other sexual activities, and refusal to admit openly LGBT students, according to The Orlando Sentinel. Floridas scholarship programs, often referred to as school vouchers, sent more than $129 million to these religious institutions, they reported. That means at least 14 percent of Floridas nearly 147,000 scholarship students last year attended private schools where homosexuality was condemned or, at a minimum, unwelcome. Last month, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which centers on whether religious schools can qualify for a state tax credit on scholarships. A photographic and video exhibition to highlight socio-economic successes of the country under the Nana Akufo-Addo-led Administration will be held at the Great Hall, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. It is intended to promote accountable and transparent governance, thereby, whipping up public support for government development programmes and policies. We want to demonstrate to the public how the implementation of our human-centred programmes are impacting positively on the lives of the people, Mr. Pius Enam Hadzide, a Deputy Minister of Information, told a media briefing in Kumasi. This ranges from: Planting for Food and Jobs, Rearing for Food and Export, One District, One Factory, One District, One Warehouse, Free Senior High School, One Constituency, One Ambulance, and other initiatives implemented over the last three years. The programme is expected to climax the Seventh Ashanti Regional Town Hall Meeting and Results Fair, and on hand to deliver the keynote address will be the Vice-President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, will be the Guest of Honour. The programme, which would be organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation and Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), is under the theme Demonstrating Fulfillment of our Promises. Mr. Enam Hadzide described the achievements of the government as a good sign of better things to come, citing the number of jobs created, infrastructural development initiated and socio-economic and political stability the nation was enjoying. Nana Akrasi Sarpong, the Regional Director, Information Services Department (ISD), hinted that all 43 districts in the Region would have their stands created to showcase to the public the programmes and successes chalked in their respective areas. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video WASHINGTON President Trump is expected to propose Monday a $4.8 trillion budget that will include billions of additional dollars for his wall along the southern border and steep cuts to safety net programs like Medicaid, disability insurance and housing assistance, according to senior administration officials and documents reviewed by the New York Times. The final budget proposal of Trumps first term is expected to reinforce the anti-immigration platform that helped propel him into office and will be a big part of his re-election campaign. Trump intends to ask Congress for an additional $2 billion to fund his border wall, according to people familiar with the plan, pressing ahead with one of his signature campaign pledges and setting up another clash with Democrats. The White House budget is generally viewed as a political messaging document. Congress, which is responsible for approving government spending, is under no requirement to adhere to White House requests. Lawmakers have previously rejected many of Trumps attempts to gut domestic programs. But this years budget will serve as a blueprint for Trumps priorities if he wins a second term. And some of the proposals can be achieved without the approval of Congress. The presidents plan includes what officials described as $4.4 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade, with about $2 trillion coming from changes to safety net programs and student loan initiatives. Those reductions encompass new work requirements for Medicaid, federal housing assistance and food stamp recipients, which are estimated to cut nearly $300 billion in spending from the programs. The budget will also cut spending on federal disability insurance benefits by $70 billion and on student loan forgiveness by $170 billion. The budget will propose cutting foreign aid spending by 21% and, as in previous budgets, eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It would cut the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention budget by 10% but increase funding levels for the centers infectious disease activities. The budget also assumes Trumps 2017 tax cuts are extended for 10 years: It includes $1.4 trillion to extend the individual tax cuts to 2035. And it includes $1 trillion in new infrastructure spending, including $200 billion for high-priority projects. The budget would slightly increase military spending and reduce nonmilitary domestic spending by 5%, defying a budget agreement struck last year by congressional Democrats and Republicans. Given that budget agreement which both parties agreed to over the summer as part of a two-year spending deal it is unlikely that Congress will accept such draconian cuts, particularly for housing, environmental programs and the arts. In the Democratic-controlled House, it is all but certain to be declared a nonstarter. Jim Tankersley, Alan Rappeport, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Margo Sanger-Katz are New York Times writers. In case you haven't noticed, we've entered the heart of election season. Within a few months, we'll know which major party candidates will be squaring off to become president of the United States, as well as get an in-depth look at how those candidates would tackle a number of issues held as important by the American public. Among the major talking points in the 2020 presidential race is marijuana. As you may already know, cannabis has been legalized for medicinal use in 33 states, with 11 of these states also allowing for the adult consumption and/or sale of the product. Furthermore, Gallup's October 2019 poll found that a record-tying 66% of Americans favors legalization. A separate poll from the independent Quinnipiac University in April 2018 found that greater than 90% of Americans are in favor of physicians being able to prescribe medical pot. In short, momentum is entirely on the side of those who want to see cannabis legalized, yet marijuana firmly remains a Schedule I drug at the federal level. This means it's illicit, prone to abuse, and not recognized as having any medical benefits. Based on these surveys, Americans would like to see this classification for weed at the federal level changed. But would the next president consider making this move? Let's take a closer look at where nine of the most popular remaining presidential candidates stand on legalizing marijuana. The legalize-it camp Among the nine remaining candidates -- Donald Trump from the Republican Party and eight Democrats -- six have come out in favor of a policy that would lead to marijuana legalization at the federal level. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.): Bernie Sanders has made very clear that legalizing cannabis is among his top priorities. Within the first 100 days, he plans to legalize marijuana with executive action, while also vacating and expunging all past marijuana-related convictions. Furthermore, he wants to keep Big Tobacco out of the cannabis industry and has a plan to ensure those that marijuana tax revenue collected goes to people and communities hit hardest by the War on Drugs. (I-Vt.): Bernie Sanders has made very clear that legalizing cannabis is among his top priorities. Within the first 100 days, he plans to legalize marijuana with executive action, while also vacating and expunging all past marijuana-related convictions. Furthermore, he wants to keep Big Tobacco out of the cannabis industry and has a plan to ensure those that marijuana tax revenue collected goes to people and communities hit hardest by the War on Drugs. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.): Like Sanders, Warren also confirmed that, if elected president, she would use executive action to remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances. This is no surprise, given that Warren has co-sponsored a number of cannabis reform bills, including the STATES Act and CARERS Act. (D-Mass.): Like Sanders, Warren also confirmed that, if elected president, she would use executive action to remove marijuana from the list of controlled substances. This is no surprise, given that Warren has co-sponsored a number of cannabis reform bills, including the STATES Act and CARERS Act. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.): Senator Klobuchar was quick to offer her stance on cannabis last February. Said Klobuchar, "I support the legalization of marijuana and believe that states should have the right to determine the best approach to marijuana within their borders." (D-Minn.): Senator Klobuchar was quick to offer her stance on cannabis last February. Said Klobuchar, "I support the legalization of marijuana and believe that states should have the right to determine the best approach to marijuana within their borders." Pete Buttigieg (D): Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has also made clear that he favors working with lawmakers in Congress to legalize pot at the federal level. Similar to Sanders, Buttigieg has spoken of the social injustice caused by the War on Drugs and wants to combat those problems firsthand while in office. (D): Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has also made clear that he favors working with lawmakers in Congress to legalize pot at the federal level. Similar to Sanders, Buttigieg has spoken of the social injustice caused by the War on Drugs and wants to combat those problems firsthand while in office. Tom Steyer (D): Hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, though lesser-known than some of his competition, is also in favor of legalizing weed. Earlier this month, Steyer released a plan calling for the legalization of cannabis and the decriminalization of opioids. Steyer has also called for a national referendum that would allow Americans to decide whether certain drugs, including weed, should be legalized. (D): Hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, though lesser-known than some of his competition, is also in favor of legalizing weed. Earlier this month, Steyer released a plan calling for the legalization of cannabis and the decriminalization of opioids. Steyer has also called for a national referendum that would allow Americans to decide whether certain drugs, including weed, should be legalized. Andrew Yang (D): Entrepreneur Andrew Yang is also very much in the legalize-it camp. Yang, who's most famous for his call to provide $1,000 in universal basic income to all Americans, favors the idea of legalizing pot and decriminalizing opioids for personal use. Signs point to the status quo for these candidates On the other hand, there are three candidates who appear more likely to support the status quo of allowing states the right to legalize and regulate their own cannabis industries, but keeping federal law unchanged from its current Schedule I classification. Donald Trump (R): Although President Trump claimed to be "100 percent" behind the idea of legalizing medical marijuana while on the campaign trail before his 2016 election, he's been generally quiet on the issue since being elected. What stands out, though, is Trump's appointment of now-former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, considering that Sessions was perhaps Capitol Hill's most ardent opponent of the marijuana legalization movement. While the door hasn't be closed to reforms while under Trump's watch, he seems to be more than happy to allow the status quo to continue. (R): Although President Trump claimed to be "100 percent" behind the idea of legalizing medical marijuana while on the campaign trail before his 2016 election, he's been generally quiet on the issue since being elected. What stands out, though, is Trump's appointment of now-former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, considering that Sessions was perhaps Capitol Hill's most ardent opponent of the marijuana legalization movement. While the door hasn't be closed to reforms while under Trump's watch, he seems to be more than happy to allow the status quo to continue. Joe Biden (D): There's no question that former Vice President Joe Biden's stance on marijuana has softened considerably over many decades. Biden was a driving force behind the War on Drugs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates told CNN in 2019 that Biden favors the idea of allowing states to make their own decisions, he's never proclaimed that changing federal policy is a move he'd make. Considering Biden's views on the issue dating back 30-plus years, the status quo seems a likely outcome, were he to be elected president. (D): There's no question that former Vice President Joe Biden's stance on marijuana has softened considerably over many decades. Biden was a driving force behind the War on Drugs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates told CNN in 2019 that Biden favors the idea of allowing states to make their own decisions, he's never proclaimed that changing federal policy is a move he'd make. Considering Biden's views on the issue dating back 30-plus years, the status quo seems a likely outcome, were he to be elected president. Michael Bloomberg (D): Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, is another candidate who previously cracked down on cannabis violations. While mayor between 2002 and 2013, cannabis-related arrests spiked higher in New York City, with the now-former mayor frequently voting against proposals that would have led to court summonses and fines rather than arrests for persons possessing small amount of cannabis. Though Bloomberg has attempted to atone for his previous harsh stance on pot, he's unlikely to stand behind a full legalization of the drug at the federal level. Investing in cannabis? Here's what this means for you Not only does the upcoming election have implications for the tens of millions of Americans who use or purchase marijuana-related products, but it can also affect investors in one of the fastest-growing industries on the planet. Even if one of the six candidates who've vowed to legalize recreational marijuana is elected as the next president, Congress is no shoo-in to follow suit. Support for the rescheduling or descheudling of cannabis is likely going to depend on the political make-up of Congress. Historically, Republicans have a more adverse view on marijuana. This means that as long as Republicans control the Senate, marijuana reform measures can be blocked from reaching the floor for vote. For investors focusing on the U.S., the most lucrative marijuana market in the world, the safest bet would be to focus on vertically integrated operators that are keyed in on a select few high-dollar markets. It also doesn't hurt to target pot stocks that are already generating an operating profit, or are darn close to it. For example, Trulieve Cannabis (OTC:TCNNF) has a presence in four states, but is almost entirely devoting its efforts to the medical marijuana-legal state of Florida. Since legalizing medical pot in the Sunshine State, Trulieve has managed to open 40 dispensaries. By keeping its expenses close to the vest and focusing on building up its brand within its home state, Trulieve has gobbled up the lion's share of what could easily become the third-largest market in the U.S. by 2024, in terms of annual sales. Plus, no marijuana company in North America is generating as much no-nonsense operating profit right now than Trulieve Cannabis. There's still a lot of card-shuffling left to be done when it comes to election season, but investors would be wise to keep a close eye on the candidates and their views of the green rush. After nearly two years behind bars, three Sufi women were released from Irans notorious Evin prison on Saturday, February 8. The three women belong to the Gonabadi dervishs sect, whose leader was persecuted, and his followers protested his house arrest in 2018. The Islamic Republic intelligence agents and security forces detained more than seventy female dervishes on February 20, 2018, when they had gathered outside the house of dervishes' spiritual leader to prevent his house arrest. Eleven of the detainees were jailed in the notorious Qarchak prison, near the capital city, Tehran. Later, in 2019, three female dervishes, Sima Entesari, Sepideh Moradi, and Shokufeh Yadollahi, were transferred to Evin prison. Security forces heavy-handedly suppressed dervishes' protests and tightened their presence around the residence of Sufis' spiritual leader, ninety-year-old, Nour Ali Tabandeh. The Gonabadi Sufi order is the most significant dervish order in Iran. They consider themselves Muslims but the Shiite clerical regime in Iran looks at the sect with suspicion. The spiritual leader or "Qotb" (Pivot) of the order, Tabandeh, surrounded by intelligence agents, died on December 24, 2019, in Tehran. Hundreds of his followers are still behind bars, serving long jail terms. Meanwhile, two sons of Ms. Shokoufeh Yadollahi, both followers of the same order, Kasra and Amir Nouri, are still in prison. Detained dervishes are all charged with "action against national security", "disrupting order," and "challenging police orders." Several human and civil rights activists have repeatedly raised their concern over the health and wellness of the detained Sufis. In a tweet on December 20, 2019, Mahmoud Sadeqi a lawmaker representing Tehran insisted that the detained "dervishes' lives were in danger" and urged the Islamic Republic's head of the judiciary Ebrahim Raeesi (Raisi), to "seriously and immediately" look into the case. Meanwhile, the wife of one of the detained dervishes told Radio Farda previously that at least four dervishes are in critical condition. 100 years ago 2-12-1920 C.M. Tinkham received a telegram Friday morning telling of the death of his nephew, Carl Roy Kibler, who passed away at the American Red Cross hospital in Denver, Colorado. He was in France nearly a year, doing his bit, and came home suffering from the effects of gas, which developed bronchial asthma. He was sent to Denver where everything possible was done to help him until the end came. Carl will be remembered by many here as the genial young man that helped in his uncles store in Beulah four years ago, and made many friends, particularly among the young people, during his stay here. Burial took place from his home in Dowagiac February 7. Thus another one of Americas brightest and best has been sacrificed on Germanys altar. The election of A.J. Rogers to the executive committee of the Michigan State Farm Bureau at its annual meeting last week in Lansing is a great tribute to the president of our Benzie County Farm Bureau. Mr. Rogers is developing into one of the leaders of agriculture in the State of Michigan, and his services on this committee during the past year were recognized by his reelection. The Michigan State Farm Bureau now has over 23,000 paid up members at $10 per year and is growing at a remarkable pace daily. Most of these members are from the southern counties of the state and the fact that it was these member delegates who elected Mr. Rogers shows that they appreciate his worth as a state wide figure. PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR-The week beginning February 16th next has been set apart as Father and Son week, and will be so observed throughout the United States. I am advised that last year Michigan led all the other states in the observance of Father and Son week, more than forty thousand men and boys participating in banquets and other functions of the week. It seems to me a wise thing to encourage any movement that will induce fathers and their boys to get better acquainted with each other. With better acquaintance will come a certain growth of mutual confidence and esteem, and nothing I can think of will be better calculated to deepen and enrich the home life of our state. Therefore I do proclaim and designate the week of February 16th Father and Son Week, and I request all fathers to interest themselves in the events and activities that will be arranged for this period. ALBERT E. SLEEPER, GOV. Business men would not think of buying property in a town that is without churches. If churches and Sunday schools are good for a town why not, out of all fairness, give them our support by attending the services each Sunday. The sermons are short and to the point, and the music from our choirs is of the best. BRIDGEPORT City officials said the incoming class of Bridgeport firefighter recruits are all city residents. Bridgeport Fire Department Recruit Class #65 met with Mayor Joe Ganim on Thursday before the head off to the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks on Monday for weeks of training. Officials said the class of 15 recruits are made up of 13 men and two women, with eight of them being white, three being African-American and four Hispanic. The recruits range in age from 20 to 45. City officials did not respond to Hearst Connecticut Medias request for comment about where in the city the 15 recruits live. The class are all CPAT candidate physical ability test certified. All through the ranks, youll find that the leadership in our fire department understands the challenges of the job, but also how to engage with and serve the community, Ganim said in a statement. When they head to Windsor Locks on Monday, theyll begin a 14-week resident course that focuses on developing the skills, knowledge and abilities needed to effectively be a firefighter. In June 2020, the recruit class will return to Bridgeport and be officially sworn in. Turbanator Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 4,672 Thanked: 17,101 Times Re: BS6-compliant Mercedes E-Class launched in India MB has done some changes in last year but it appears our forum more being driver-focussed has a lot less ownership or other information for Mercedes than say BMW Most of the updates are done considering actual user which for E Class is the guy sitting in the rear seat, though the car is not missing any features in the front as well. So, it's a very good balance for both rear passenger as well drive. One of our known friends at Kolkata was looking to buy a car, very low usage and 100 % chauffeured. Since he already has a 7 series and was looking something smaller for daily runs, E-class was never in my mind as it's almost as long as 7 (1 Foot shorter perhaps). Checked Camry, ES and XF. Discounts were highest on XF but didn't get good feedback on the Diesel. For some reasons, Lexus - ES / Toyota Camry was not acceptable to the buyer purely from the image perspective. So Mercedes was the unanimous choice. Initially started with C Class but the rear seat of C is absolutely no-no for any Adult in my opinion. Perhaps, MB should do an extended C Class as well given requirements of customers who want to sit in the rear but won't buy a larger car due to our traffic/ parking space. MB Dealers in North were offering very competitive discounts on 2019 Manufactured 2020 Models. Kolkata Dealer was not even offering a pity 1 Lac discount so we have to order here. Now coming to the Car, Euro 6 Diesel, it carries most of the things from the Euro 4 variant with added features. Some of these have been pointed as shortcomings in our review so full marks to MB India for addressing these. From the review thread https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-...s-e-class.html (Driven: 2017 Mercedes E-Class) Quote: The vestigial middle seat is best forgotten and buried under the substantial armrest Quote: Boot space is generous, until......you realise there's no spare wheel well. In a car as well-engineered, we're disappointed that such a critical requirement was missed out.. Quote: No AdBlue additives required...for now: Quote: Mood lighting with 64 colour choice Quote: The instruments are conventional and not the virtual ones offered in some versions abroad. We did not feel short-changed in that respect Quote: Open the door and you literally walk into the car MB has also introduced SOS function, the car comes equipped with SIM and the newer Mercedes ME interface/ app but no MBUX yet. MB has retained 17inch Tyres prioritising comfort over looks, this is immediately visible even on a short drive. The suspension is definitely better over BMW. Mileage from this 4 cylinder appears to be around 20kmpl. We bought the car from T&T motors from a senior SA with whom I have been chatting for many years. Every time, I will BMW after considering Mercedes in past so when I got an opportunity to buy for someone, I happily ordered. There was a small goof-up, we were offered a 2019 Manufactured 2020MY car in blue but by the time we paid the advance, that particular car was sold out. They had a new 2020 manufactured car ( 13rd Jan. Production) which was under transit but it had much lower discounts and no free insurance. Full marks to T&T for honouring rebates that we negotiated for 2019 manufactured car, we just paid for extra insurance. I am sure, many of other dealers would have backed out. Such gestures go a long way to retain customers. Some other random pictures. The car looks very premium in the Blue shade. The engine compartment is neat. To open the same, had to go through a youtube tutorial. Red lever is tucked deep under the steering column. Unlike BMW, you don't get wireless Carplay. However both, Android Auto & Carplay wired support is available. MB has provided cables for both. A special place for the key fob. It gets charged as well. The boot remains manual. Mileage from this engine will be very good. Expect around 17-20 And finally loaded for its onward journey to Kolkata. Got a chance to negotiate, buy and get it loaded on a truck. Being a new car and me being not familiar with Mercedes, I preferred to stay safe and got it from Showroom to Gurgaon home and parked for the night before getting it loaded today.MB has done some changes in last year but it appears our forum more being driver-focussed has a lot less ownership or other information for Mercedes than say BMWMost of the updates are done considering actual user which for E Class is the guy sitting in the rear seat, though the car is not missing any features in the front as well. So, it's a very good balance for both rear passenger as well drive.One of our known friends at Kolkata was looking to buy a car, very low usage and 100 % chauffeured. Since he already has a 7 series and was looking something smaller for daily runs, E-class was never in my mind as it's almost as long as 7 (1 Foot shorter perhaps). Checked Camry, ES and XF. Discounts were highest on XF but didn't get good feedback on the Diesel. For some reasons, Lexus - ES / Toyota Camry was not acceptable to the buyer purely from the image perspective. So Mercedes was the unanimous choice. Initially started with C Class but the rear seat of C is absolutely no-no for any Adult in my opinion. Perhaps, MB should do an extended C Class as well given requirements of customers who want to sit in the rear but won't buy a larger car due to our traffic/ parking space. MB Dealers in North were offering very competitive discounts on 2019 Manufactured 2020 Models. Kolkata Dealer was not even offering a pity 1 Lac discount so we have to order here.Now coming to the Car, Euro 6 Diesel, it carries most of the things from the Euro 4 variant with added features. Some of these have been pointed as shortcomings in our review so full marks to MB India for addressing these.From the review threadThere is a new design of the armrest. It now has a tray for wireless charging and a small tablet to control many functions, like what's available on 7 (maybe S also) The front armrest has an extended space like on Innova that has cup holders.It's a clean surface now with a space-saver tyre neatly tucked underneath.It's standard now.Same like before but having experienced BMW's always, found these to be much nicer. More bright, you can choose colours and even select Multi-colour animation.It's fully digital and looks very premium.The same comfort but now the doors have the soft-close function as well.MB has also introduced SOS function, the car comes equipped with SIM and the newer Mercedes ME interface/ app but no MBUX yet.MB has retained 17inch Tyres prioritising comfort over looks, this is immediately visible even on a short drive. The suspension is definitely better over BMW. Mileage from this 4 cylinder appears to be around 20kmpl.We bought the car from T&T motors from a senior SA with whom I have been chatting for many years. Every time, I will BMW after considering Mercedes in past so when I got an opportunity to buy for someone, I happily ordered. There was a small goof-up, we were offered a 2019 Manufactured 2020MY car in blue but by the time we paid the advance, that particular car was sold out. They had a new 2020 manufactured car ( 13rd Jan. Production) which was under transit but it had much lower discounts and no free insurance. Full marks to T&T for honouring rebates that we negotiated for 2019 manufactured car, we just paid for extra insurance. I am sure, many of other dealers would have backed out. Such gestures go a long way to retain customers.Some other random pictures.The car looks very premium in the Blue shade.The engine compartment is neat. To open the same, had to go through a youtube tutorial. Red lever is tucked deep under the steering column.Unlike BMW, you don't get wireless Carplay. However both, Android Auto & Carplay wired support is available. MB has provided cables for both.A special place for the key fob. It gets charged as well.The boot remains manual.Mileage from this engine will be very good. Expect around 17-20And finally loaded for its onward journey to Kolkata. Last edited by ajmat : 3rd February 2020 at 23:06 . Reason: Typo President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday as Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California listen. Read more Imagine that its January 1941, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt is delivering his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. The planet is literally on fire from the Big One, World War II. Nazi Germany has overrun France, and Adolf Hitlers regime has been raining bombs on London for months. Japan has overrun much of Asia. But FDR begins his speech with a long riff on how great the American economy has done under his presidency including some gratuitous swipes at his predecessor Herbert Hoover, even though its been eight years since Hoover left the Oval Office. Theres a brief, bloodless mention that our relationship with our European allies has never been stronger," and then he moves on urging a standing ovation for the oldest living veteran of the Civil War. And when the speech is done, the radio pundits gloss over Roosevelts snub of the global conflagration. Thats too crazy to contemplate, so then how insane was it that President Trump rambled on for one hour and 18 minutes (and four seconds) last Tuesday in his reality-show-influenced 2020 State of the Union address and ignored the cataclysmic fires that have engulfed Australia and echoed the flames that are ravaging California year after year, let alone the increasing scientific evidence that weve entered a time of rapid sea rise, drought and killer storms? READ MORE: Oilman David Koch set the world on fire, then died and left us to face the rising flames | Will Bunch How could the leader of a global superpower give a serious talk on the current state of his nation in 2020 and never once utter the words climate change? And how did so few people even notice? Delivered just hours before his impeachment trial ended in acquittal, Trumps third State of the Union summoned up a whirlwind of distracting pop-culture headlines awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to cancer-stricken hatemonger Rush Limbaugh to own the libs! and a now-predictable blizzard of lies, including a false narrative about a black Philadelphia schoolgirl that was exposed by my Inquirer colleagues. Amid that 130-decibel assault of political noise, the planets actual crisis of climate change became the equivalent of Sherlock Holmes most famous clue, the dog that didnt bark. Centuries from now, when Rush Limbaughs hate words have drifted off to space and his name is long forgotten, scholars if there still are scholars will find that Trumps stunning denial of science and a raging crisis was this speechs only historical significance. The president occasionally tries to deny being a climate denier, but Tuesdays silence was deafening. Especially when Trump did take time to brag that America under his so-called leadership is pouring fossil fuels on the worlds fires. Thanks to our bold regulatory reduction campaign, the United States has become the No. 1 producer of oil and natural gas anywhere in the world, by far, he declared to thunderous applause. That truth hardly comforting in a time when oil and natural gas are the major sources of greenhouse-gas pollution was typically followed by Trumpian distortions. If the U.S. is energy independent, then why do we continue to import about 10 million barrels of oil every day, much of it from murderous dictatorships? If our interest in fuel production is job creation, why does Team Trump ignore the employment power of clean energy? But those deceptions pale in comparison to the biggest problem that the American president is bragging about its oil-and-gas growth when scientists are predicting planetary catastrophe without major cutbacks by 2030 in fossil fuels, and near elimination in the generation after that. Trumps ode to climate denial came just before the news that Antarctica with its massive glaciers that could swamp the low-lying areas where 40 percent of Americans (and billions elsewhere) live posted its warmest day in history, 65 degrees. This followed a report that one of Antarcticas largest glaciers, the size of the state of Florida, is melting much faster than earlier predicted, with a potential to sharply increase projections of sea level rise. But you dont have to travel to the South Pole to see climate change. I can just look in my back yard here in suburban Philadelphia, where snowdrops and other spring plants are blooming after January was nearly six degrees warmer than normal. Ditto for Europe, which just experienced its hottest January on record. And yet, of course, President Trump dared not mention any of this, because viewers might question why his administration keeps making it easier to burn coal or drill for oil both as a sop to his full embrace of oil-and-gas lobbyists and their money, and because undoing all things Obama is catnip to his base. (Although worth noting is that Obama also hailed rising oil-and-gas production, and history will also not remember that kindly, either.) Team Trump is betting that 2020 voters will only care about low gas prices at the pump. But thats only true if you talk only to the typical Fox News viewer, a white person over 50. Ask most Americans currently under 35 a voting bloc that gets bigger by the day and theyll say climate change is their No. 1 issue. (And among all Democrats, it ranks No. 2 behind only health care.) Trust me, these voters heard the dog that didnt bark on Tuesday. This weekend, Salons Amanda Marcotte, reporting from the final frantic days of the New Hampshire primary, found a thirsting among voters especially, but not exclusively, younger ones to hear even more from the Democrats about what they will do to roll back four years of devastating climate denial from Trump. Marcotte noted that at an Elizabeth Warren event, her biggest applause moment came from a seemingly arcane question about the Granite States endangered moose population, because it teed up a stirring defense of the Green New Deal. She also hung out with a group of mostly under-25 protesters outside Fridays ABC News debate who are mad theres been such little discussion of climate. Said 19-year-old Kyle Burzycki: Its embarrassing how little theyre talking about it, seeing as its the most important issue facing our country. READ MORE: These Philly schoolkids are striking Friday because grown-ups have failed them on climate | Will Bunch The so-called grown-ups dont seem to be receiving the message. The one ABC debate question on climate came late, and it came with the how-are-you-going-to-pay-for-it baby boomer skepticism that continues to alienate under-35 voters. The Democratic National Committee which nixed a plan for a climate-only debate and reversed itself on taking fossil-fuel donations hasnt helped, either. The party seems to have learned little from 2016, when young-voter defections to the Green Partys Jill Stein helped elect Trump. Many Democratic voters are demoralized right now by Trumps acquittal, the triumphalism of his base, and the inept chaos of their own partys Iowa caucus. And while there are significant differences between the Democrats only Warren and Sanders have fully embraced the urgency of the scientific warnings everyone still in the race would represent an 180-degree reversal from the cynical denialism of Trump. If the party wants to win in November, its time to wave that banner higher, shout a little louder, and make sure that Tuesday night was Americas last State of the Union address to pretend that climate change is not real. A 50-year-old Chermside woman who was rescued from a house fire in Brisbane's north four days ago has died in hospital. A man charged with her attempted murder is set to have his charges upgraded to murder at a court hearing on Monday. Paramedics resuscitated the female resident at the scene after flames engulfed the house. Credit:Nine News Queensland Emergency services were called to a house burning on Bunda Street at Chermside about 4am on Wednesday. The woman was resuscitated by paramedics on the scene before she was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. In order to counter the anti-CAA protests, BJP leader Vikram Saini has offered at least 25 Pakistani Hindu refugee families to re-settle in Kawal village of Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh. This comes as a shocker because Kawal village was the focal point of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. The BJP MLA reiterated that he has already expedited the settlement process for the refugees and he has also extended financial aid to five of them. BJP MLA extends help to refugees As per media reports, the BJP MLA from Khatauli constituency, Vikram Saini met five refugees on Saturday after they had come to India. These refugees allegedly faced religious persecution in Pakistan. Saini, while speaking to the media stated that he gave five of them Rs 5,000 each as aid and also promised them that he will facilitate their resettlement in Kawal village. Read: Refugees and migrants protest in Lesbos The BJP MLA, who also faces attempt-to-murder charges for the 2013 riots, said, "I want to do this in the national interest. The 25 families include seven who are already living in Muzaffarnagar. I want five bighas where these families can be settled. If such land cannot be found, I will donate my own land. We are planning to build two-bedroom houses with a toilet for them." Read: Data on foreign nationals claiming to be refugees in India not maintained centrally: MHA The Kawal riots Thousands of people were displaced in the riots that took place at Kawal. Post this, Muslims have been concentrated in the ghettos of the village. They mostly work as farm labourers or run small shops. These riots broke out as three youths were killed in Kawal village after an eve-teasing incident. This affected the Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas. The Kawal riots also claimed 60 lives and displaced over 50,000 people, mainly Muslims. Read: Haryana to give govt benefits to children of Tibetan refugees Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 As per CAA, the persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Christain, Zoroastrian and Buddhists communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh living in India before December 31, 2014, will be given Indian citizenship. The opposition is against the act citing that it violates Article 14 of the Consitution. There has been unrest in the northeastern states over the implementation of CAA owing to their cultural identity. Many non-BJP ruled states have also passed a resolution against the act. Read: All refugees to be given citizenship under CAA: WB BJP chief More than 70 exhibitors including US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin have pulled out of the Singapore Airshow over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak, but organisers insisted Sunday that Asia's biggest aviation event would still go ahead. Precautionary measures -- including a major reduction in public attendance and temperature screenings -- have been imposed ahead of the opening of the event which opens Tuesday in the city-state, which has reported 40 coronavirus infections. Organisers were also encouraging attendees to greet each other by bowing or waving instead of shaking hands. Leck Chet Lam, the managing director of organiser Experia Events, confirmed that more than 70 exhibitors have decided not to participate, but said there was "still strong presence" at the show. The biggest names in aerospace participate in the Singapore Airshow, and often massive deals -- such as aircraft orders from major carriers -- are announced at the event. The outbreak, which has killed more than 800 people and infected tens of thousands across China, has spread to nearly more than two dozen other countries and sparked global concern. Many nations, including Singapore, have barred the entry of travellers who had been to China recently from entering or transiting through its territory to counter the spread of the virus. Despite that ban, the Chinese air force will take part in the air show for the first time. The acrobatic team will participate in the flight displays -- the highlight of the biennial event -- but more than 10 Chinese companies have withdrawn. On Friday, Singapore upgraded its disease alert to the second-highest level on its four-point system. Lockheed Martin, and plane maker De Havilland, pulled out after the alert level was raised. Canada's Bombardier had already withdrawn. The South Korean air force's aerobatics team had pulled out of the Singapore Airshow earlier this week because of the virus outbreak. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 Trend: The Azerbaijani parliamentary elections are being observed by 358 OSCE representatives from 41 countries, Special Coordinator of the OSCE short-term observer mission, Ukrainian MP Arthur Gerasimov said, Trend reports on Feb. 9. "We continue our monitoring, Gerasimov said. We arrived at the invitation of Azerbaijan, and this once again confirms its commitment to the OSCE principles. We previously conducted monitoring in Western and Eastern countries, in particular, in Belarus and Uzbekistan." Twenty observers conduct monitoring in Baku, Ganja and other cities, the Ukrainian MP added. "We have observers in all polling stations in Baku, and we will announce the results in the final report, Gerasimov added. We cant say anything about the elections yet. The final result will be announced at a press-conference on Feb. 10. Ill just say that our delegation was not subjected to any pressure. We are being provided with all the necessary conditions for proper observation. During the day, observers will analyze all the results, the special coordinator said. "We visited the polling station for internally displaced people and have observed both the preparation for the elections and the process itself," Arthur Gerasimov said. I visited several polling stations and I have been provided with all opportunities for observation, Gerasimov added. Head of the delegation, Albanian MP Elona Hoxha-Gjebrea stressed that the mission arrived not only to evaluate the elections, but also to support the Azerbaijani people. "Today is an important day for Azerbaijan and I want to wish you good luck, said. We are one team and represent not only the OSCE, but also the Council of Europe. We arrived not only to evaluate the elections, but also to support the Azerbaijani people." The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. The Secretariat Information Center of the Central Election Commission (CEC) will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. TORONTO - Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: Corporate earnings Finance Minister Bill Morneau holds a news conference in Ottawa to provide an update on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, Friday, February 7, 2020 in Ottawa. Morneau heads to the heart of the oilpatch and gives a speech in Calgary to the Economic Club of Canada on Monday. The event follows news last week that the cost of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion will be $12.6 billion, up from an earlier estimate of $7.4 billion.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand Some of the biggest names in corporate Canada report their financial results this week. Restaurant Brands International reports its earnings on Monday. Wednesday is expected to see gold miners Barrick Gold and Kinross Gold report their results as well as insurers Sun Life Financial, Manulife Financial and Great-West Lifeco. Agnico Eagle Mines reports on Thursday along with pipeline operator TC Energy and Telus. Canadian Tire and Enbridge report Friday. Housing starts Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. will release preliminary housing starts data for January on Monday. The annual pace of housing starts slowed in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 197,329, mostly due to a decline in multi-unit projects. Morneau in Calgary Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau heads to the heart of the oilpatch and gives a speech in Calgary to the Economic Club of Canada on Monday. The event follows news last week that the cost of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion will be $12.6 billion, up from an earlier estimate of $7.4 billion. Cineplex shareholder vote Shareholders of Cineplex Inc. vote Tuesday on a takeover of the company by Cineworld Group in a deal valued at $2.8 billion including assumed debt. The friendly deal cleared a key hurdle last week when a "go-shop" period ended without a superior offer being made for the Canadian movie theatre company. Cannabis earnings Canopy Growth Corp. reports its results on Friday. The cannabis industry is under scrutiny after cuts last week at Tilray Inc. and Aurora Cannabis Inc. Tilray announced a plan to lay off about 10 per cent of its workforce in an effort to cut costs, while Aurora said it would eliminate about 500 staff positions as part of a restructuring. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. British stars were hoping for a divine night of Oscars glory including a pair of actors who dubbed themselves The Two Welsh Popes. Jonathan Pryce who portrays Pope Francis in Netflixs drama about the resignation of Benedict XVI, alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins was partying over the weekend ahead of last nights ceremony. Pryce, who was born in Flintshire, North Wales, blessed his fellow Oscar nominees as Hollywoods most glamorous day and night got under way. He made the sign of the cross at a soiree hosted by Netflix at the hotspot restaurant Craigs in Beverly Hills, and said: I want to bless all my fellow nominees. Jonathan Pryce (right in The Two Popes) who portrays Pope Francis in Netflixs drama about the resignation of Benedict XVI, alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins (left in The Two Popes) was partying over the weekend ahead of last nights ceremony Pryce, 72, who was in town with his wife, actress Kate Fahy, was nominated in the best actor category for his portrayal of the Argentinian pontiff in The Two Popes. He joked that during filming he and Sir Anthony, who was born in Port Talbot, called themselves The Two Welsh Popes. He added that he had the time of his life working with his 82-year-old co-star, who also picked up a nod in the best supporting actor category. Renee Zellweger (pictured as Judy Garland) said that she had to get home to choose an outfit for the ceremony, where she was nominated for her portrayal of Judy Garland in the British film Judy Later, Pryce joined top names such as Renee Zellweger and Tom Hanks, along with George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman the two stars of Sir Sam Mendess Oscar front-runner 1917 at the annual Night Before fundraising bash. Further into Saturday night Pryce joined revellers such as Penelope Cruz, Margot Robbie and Demi Moore at the Beverly Hills Hotel for a cocktail reception. Pryce then said that as it was approaching midnight he would have a relatively early night because Sunday is going to be a long day and an even longer night. George MacKay (pictured left) one of the stars of Sir Sam Mendess Oscar front-runner 1917 That seemed to be the mantra of a lot of stars who all spoke of preserving their energy for the main event. Miss Zellweger said that she had to get home to choose an outfit for the ceremony, where she was nominated for her portrayal of Judy Garland in the British film Judy. I have all these gowns to be fitted and I cant go to bed until Ive decided on one, she said. My rule is going to be that the one that fits best will be the one that I wear. She won the best supporting actress award 16 years ago for her performance in Cold Mountain. Cynthia Erivo was a contender in two categories last night best actress and best original song for Harriet. She portrays American abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the film Harriet Florence Pugh (pictured), was up for best supporting actress for her turn in Little Women, meaning there was a British nominee in all six major categories this year Her rivals last night included British Nigerian Cynthia Erivo, from south London. Miss Erivo was a contender in two categories last night best actress and best original song for Harriet. She portrays American abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the film. The Oscar ceremony was expected to yield big wins for 1917 and lauded South Korean black comedy Parasite two films locked in a titanic battle for the main prizes. Sir Sams film was up for best picture and best director. Another Briton, Florence Pugh, was up for best supporting actress for her turn in Little Women, meaning there was a British nominee in all six major categories this year. Joker led the nominations with 11, followed by The Irishman, 1917 and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood tied in joint-second, with ten. Parasite bagged six nominations. A fire that ripped through a Mississippi home early on Saturday killed a mother and her six children despite the fathers efforts to get them out safely, officials said. Firefighters found the home on Old Vicksburg Road in Clinton, Miss., engulfed in flames after responding to a call around 12:30 a.m., Fire Chief Jeff Blackledge said. Clinton is about 10 miles northwest of Jackson, Miss. At the time, they didnt know how many people were inside the house, if anybody, Chief Blackledge said. The children ranged in ages from 1 to 15. Five of the children were found huddled in one bedroom and the mother and another child were found in a different bedroom, Chief Blackledge said. All of the children, except for the 1-year-old, were boys, he said. MOSCOW -- Police in the Russian capital have detained a group of activists protesting against expanded government surveillance on February 9 after the demonstrators gathered outside the presidential administration with their faces demonstratively painted to evade facial-recognition tools. The group, which refers to itself with a Russian-language social-media hashtag that roughly translates as Follow (#), launched a campaign last week against the governments growing use of street-mounted technology to surveil citizens. Inspired by a similar project in London, the Russian protesters are seeking to educate citizens on how they can defy the cameras that are proliferating across Russias capital. Alongside China and several Western states, Russia is rapidly becoming one of the worlds foremost developers of surveillance technology. Several activists from the movement gathered at noon beside the presidential-administration building to paint their faces before embarking on a march through central Moscow to raise public attention. It took less than 20 minutes for police to detain them. We were applying face paint against facial recognition outside the presidential administration. Everyone was detained, protest organizer Yekaterina Nenasheva wrote on Facebook from inside a police car. Not long afterward, she informed subscribers to the groups Telegram channel that a 2 p.m. lecture at a Moscow venue aimed at teaching others how to apply evasive face paint had been canceled to ensure the safety of all participants." Win McNamee/Getty MANCHESTER, New HampshirePete Buttigieg, the former mayor of a Midwestern city with just over 100,000 residents, wants voters gathered here in Manchester, a city with a population of approximately the same size, to know that he has something in common with them. He also wants them to know that Joe Biden does not. The former South Bend mayor started his speech at the McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner, the state Democratic Partys biggest annual fundraiser, on Saturday night with a thinly veiled shot at former Vice President Joe Biden, who all but conceded the prior night that hes unlikely to win the primary on Feb. 11. I know some are asking, what business does the South Bend mayor have seeking the highest office in the land, Buttigieg started, addressing Biden without mentioning him by name. You dont have an office in Washington, you dont have decades of experience in the establishment, the city you are the mayor of isnt even the biggest city in the country. It is more like Manchester, New Hampshire, he said, to applause. Buttigiegs comments come as Biden escalated attacks on the 38-year old former mayor just one day after they sparred during the eighth Democratic debate. The former VPs campaign, in desperate need of a primary boost after coming in fourth place in the Iowa caucuses, released a new digital ad appearing to minimize his opponents experience as a local official in Indiana. The spot, titled, Pete's Record, contrasts Biden and Buttigiegs recordswith a spotlight on Bidens time negotiating significant pieces of legislation under former President Barack Obama compared to the relatively smaller accomplishments of a small city in Indiana. Buttigieg, who has enjoyed a significant post-Iowa polling boost, successfully twisted the ad spot to his advantage, winning roaring applause. To which I say, that is very much the point, because Americans in small, rural towns and industrial communities and yes, in our biggest cities, are tired of being reduced to a punchline by Washington politicians, and ready for someone to take the voice to the American capital. And that is how we are going to defeat Donald Trump, Buttigieg said. Story continues Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau is to visit Canadian troops in Kuwait on Monday about a month after they were relocated there from Iraq. Canada has two ongoing operations in Iraq with about 500 soldiers but suspended both Jan. 7, days after top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed in a targeted drone strike by the United States. The relocation began just hours before Iranian missiles were fired at two Iraqi airbases housing American and some coalition soldiers, including Canadians, none of whom were hurt. Trudeau also plans to meet with Prime Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah during his time in Kuwait. The trip to Kuwait was planned as part of Trudeaus week long visit to Africa and Germany but was not made public until now because of security concerns. Trudeau is scheduled to travel to Senegal and Munich following the stop in Kuwait. Micheal Martin has said that significant incompatibilities still exist between Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein but stopped short of ruling out working with the party in the next government. Mr Martin, speaking at the Cork South Central count center there is "an onus and an obligation" on parties to build a "functioning government". I dont want to pre-empt anything," the Fianna Fail leader said. Mr Martin said: "One's policies and one's principles don't change overnight - there are serious policy issues. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has arrived at the #Cork South Central count centre. Asked if hes open to doing a deal with Sinn Fein, he says significant incompatibilities still exist #iestaff #GE2020 - more on https://t.co/Xxa5k5VEv1 pic.twitter.com/FU6vZ6VFXG Eoin English (@EoinBearla) February 9, 2020 "For any government to sustain into the future, there has to be a sustainable coherent programme for government that can be implemented and delivered. "There is significant incompatibility in terms of the policy platforms between ourselves and Sinn Fein. I would just have to put that marker down now." But he said "the country comes first" and he pointed to the fact the Fianna Fail facilitated the formation of a functioning government after the last general election. "There is an onus and an obligation on all to ensure that such a functioning government is formed after this," he said. Mr Martin came in second in the first count in Cork South Central but fell around 400 votes short of the quota where Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O Laoghaire topped the poll with over 14,000 first preference votes. - Additional reporting Eoin English GUELPH, Ont.Merlin seems remarkably unfazed by the masked, gloved, protective-suited humans assertively handling him. Then again, the Labrador retriever has already survived pretend-Ebola. So contracting pretend-novel-coronavirus for the purposes of this simulation is a walk in the park. Scott Weese, Merlins owner and director of the Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses at the University of Guelph, and Marlowe Schott, an infection control practitioner, carefully don layers of protective equipment and then even more carefully strip them all off. They are alert for ways a dog who actually did have novel coronavirus might expose them like by panting on their faces. Merlin, who stays calm and obedient in the cramped isolation room, gets a treat. Final diagnosis: very good boy. Public health officials worldwide are scrambling to contain the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 37,000 people, including seven in Canada, and killed more than 800. Weese wants to make sure all the relevant Canadian authorities are asking: what would we do if a pet became infected? This question is neither academic nor alarmist, though Weese stresses that nobody should worry. There is currently no evidence dogs or cats are spreading the coronavirus, though it was likely first transmitted to humans by an animal. We shouldnt panic but we should be prepared. In the aftermath of the SARS crisis, researchers showed that domestic cats could catch severe acute respiratory syndrome and transmit it to other cats, as could ferrets. Cats living in a Hong Kong apartment block with an unusual number of SARS patients were found to be infected with the virus. Dogs belonging to Ebola-infected health-care workers in Spain and the United States were destroyed or quarantined because officials were concerned about transmissibility. With the novel coronavirus, We have no idea if theres any risk, but we have to assume there is some until we prove otherwise, Weese told the Star last week after giving a talk on animals and infectious diseases at the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association conference in Toronto. If were saying your husband has to undergo quarantine, then we should do the same thing with your dog and your cat. Weese would rather see us keep a few animals inside now and find out later such measures were unnecessary than not bother and find out later they played a role in transmission. That said, its actually harder to quarantine a dog then a person, in some ways, he adds. Dogs need to pee, and cats cant order UberEats. If a coronavirus patient could no longer care for their pet, it would almost certainly come here, to the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre, the largest animal hospital in Canada and a facility equipped with high-level isolation units. Weeses wariness stems from an urgent truth many researchers believe deserves more attention: when it comes to infectious diseases, the barrier between humans and all other animals is highly permeable. SARS most likely originated in Chinese horseshoe bats and jumped to palm civets, a wild mammal being sold at a live animal market in Chinas Guangdong province, before spilling over into humans who worked at the market. Researchers current best guess for the source of the novel coronavirus is also bats, and then likely an intermediary mammal before making the jump to humans. On Friday, Chinese researchers published preliminary results disputed by some scientists as insufficient suggesting the coronaviruss host animal is the pangolin, a protected mammal that is nevertheless widely trafficked illegally. Over 70 per cent of new infectious diseases come from animals, according to estimates. Ebola, anthrax, swine influenza, avian influenza, and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome all have animal origins. But transmission can go both ways which is a problem for humans, too. If an infectious disease is eliminated in us but continues to circulate in animals, those animals act as a reservoir for disease and risk sparking a new outbreak. Pets can also be an infectious risk simply because we touch them a lot: its hard to disinfect fur. During the SARS crisis of 2003, which sickened more than 8,000 people worldwide and killed almost 800, including 44 in Canada, Weese tried to flag pets as a concern. He reached out to a prominent microbiologist during the crisis and raised the prospect of human-to-animal transmission. The response kind of was, Yeah, its interesting, gotta go. Youre in the middle of chaos mode, and this is a side issue dealing with all the human stuff is a priority, obviously. Public health officials rely on contact tracing when trying to limit the spread of infectious disease: identifying and following up with anyone who may have come in contact with a sick person. In Toronto in 2003, over 23,000 people were quarantined because of contact with a known or suspected SARS case. Traditionally that means human contacts, says Weese. To me, contacts means anything that has a pulse. Weese knew the spread of SARS could catastrophically accelerate if the virus found a foothold in, say, Torontos population of stray cats. SARS exposed dangerous gaps in Torontos health-care system, some of which were patched over: hospital infection prevention and control teams added staff, local public health agencies expanded, and rapid communication systems were developed. For human health, the response to this was a lot better than SARS because all the preparedness was there. The response to the animal side still isnt as nice as I want it to be, but its better, thanks partly to work carried out in the aftermath of a high-profile Ebola scare. Nothing sharpens the mind like an outbreak of highly contagious hemorrhagic fever: For a few months in late 2014, the public seemed suddenly and deeply invested in whether pets could catch infectious diseases. A devastating outbreak of Ebola was growing in West Africa, which would ultimately kill more than 11,000 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In October of that year, a Spanish nurse caught Ebola from a patient who had arrived from the region. Despite protests, Spanish health authorities destroyed the nurses dog, fearing transmission. Evidence to support those fears is limited: one study found that dogs living near an outbreak site carried Ebola antibodies, suggesting some level of infection. Later the same month, a Texas nurse was diagnosed with Ebola. Her dog, Bentley, was quarantined, eliciting an outpouring of support for the dog then president Barack Obama inquired about Bentley after the nurse was released from hospital. Afterwards, Weese and several co-authors developed a comprehensive guidance document for what would happen in Ontario if a dog were exposed to Ebola. With Merlin acting as the exposed animal, Weese and a colleague ran a thorough, hours-long simulation, including retrieving, transporting and isolating Merlin, to suss out all possible contingencies. (For a cat, they would wear scratch-resistant Kevlar gloves.) They covered themselves in ketchup and chocolate sauce before stripping off their protective equipment: any stain on their bodies or clothes after de-gowning was evidence of Ebola contamination. When we wrote the Ebola (guidelines), we realized we were probably never going to use it, but maybe we would use it for something else, says Weese. The current coronavirus outbreak is kind of the example. Weese stresses repeatedly there is no reason to be worried that cats and dogs are going to spread coronavirus in Ontario. As he recently wrote on his Worms and Germs blog, It can be a battle getting people to think about animal issues without going over the top, because the line between awareness and paranoia is pretty short. He wants us to reconsider our understanding of animals not just in the realm of disease, but more broadly. We arent a population of people living amidst dogs, cats, pigs and pangolins: were animals too, sharing a single planet with all the others. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The Government of Sudan on Sunday requested the United Nations to establish a peace support operation as soon as possible in the form of a special political mission with a strong peace-building component for the nation The Israeli army said its tanks attacked military posts in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, after militants in the Palestinian enclave fired a projectile at the Jewish state. The army said tanks "targeted two Hamas military posts in the northern Gaza Strip" in response to the projectile, in the latest round of violence in the wake of the United States unveiling its controversial peace plan. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the Israeli attack. The projectile from Gaza had activated an alert "for open areas only," according to the army, while a spokeswoman for the regional council in Shaar Hanegev, next to northeast Gaza, said it apparently hit an open field, causing no damage or casualties. Palestinian attacks have increased since January 28 when US President Donald Trump released his vision for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- a plan firmly rejected by the Palestinian leadership in both the West Bank and Gaza. It would grant Israel a number of its long-held goals, including full control of disputed Jerusalem and a green light to annex all settlements and other parts of the West Bank. In exchange the Palestinians would be offered a state in the remaining parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinians in Gaza, an enclave ruled by the Islamist movement Hamas, have launched rockets, mortar shells and balloons rigged with explosives at southern Israel on a near-daily basis since the plan's launch. In the West Bank, four Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli troops since Wednesday. An Israeli Arab who opened fire on police near Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City was shot dead on Thursday. Over a dozen Israeli soldiers were wounded in a car ramming attack in West Jerusalem on Thursday. Israel reinforced troops in Jerusalem, the West Bank and around Gaza ahead of the weekend. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) While sitting in the dentist's office, Hollings Cancer Center researcher Matthew Carpenter, Ph.D., of the Medical University of South Carolina, had a bright idea. As he received his goody bag with dental hygiene products, he wondered why not conduct a study and have primary care providers do the same thing for their patients who use tobacco. The bags would contain educational material, free lozenges and tobacco cessation medications to encourage people to stop smoking. Results from the study, recently published online in Addiction, weren't surprising to Carpenter. He and colleagues found providing smokers with a free, two-week starter kit of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) increased quit attempts, use of stop smoking medications, and smoking abstinence as compared with standard care in a primary care setting. Not a day went by in this study when I was not excited by it because I knew that we were having an impact on real patients in the real world with their doctors. This gets the patients to know that their doctor cares, and they have something they can use right now." Matthew Carpenter, Ph.D., researcher, Hollings Cancer Center Carpenter believes a smoker's annual visit to the doctor creates the perfect window of opportunity for a physician to provide a quick intervention, while providing tools to help smokers begin the process of quitting. Along with advice on why and how a patient should stop smoking, a person should be able to walk away with a product they can use immediately to try and stop their dependence on nicotine. "About 70 percent of smokers will see their primary care providers on a yearly basis," Carpenter said. "It's a clinical encounter to do something, but I think we can offer them tools other than words." In the U.S., 34 million adults currently smoke cigarettes and nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults who smoke say they want to quit, according to the 2020 Surgeon General's Report. The $2 million study, Tobacco Intervention in Primary Care: Treatment Opportunities for Providers, also known as Tip Top, included 22 clinics throughout South Carolina and was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). A total of 1,245 patients participated in the study. The study included 652 patients from 12 of the clinics who only received advice on the importance of quitting smoking. The remaining 593 patients at 10 clinics were provided with samples of medication to use including nicotine patches and lozenges. During the study, all smokers were advised to quit through a regular conversation with their physician. They also received information and resources to help them quit smoking and information about Quitline, a tobacco cessation service available through a toll-free telephone number. Carpenter said that the study was well-received by primary care providers, who welcomed the goody bag as a conversation starter. "The doctors are giving something that is concrete and immediately actionable," Carpenter said. "The patient can go home and use the products that day." During this study, 26 percent of patients who received the NRT samples achieved at least one week without smoking. "If you can achieve seven days in a row of not smoking, I'm going to call that success," Carpenter said. The study also found that 12 percent of patients were quit at final follow-up (six months). While this may seem a modest amount, it's more than 150 patients who potentially will save thousands in medical costs if they are able to quit smoking, all for just the cost of a $70 intervention. "That has to be cost-effective no matter you slice it," says Carpenter. On average, it takes a patient seven to 10 attempts of trying to quit smoking before becoming successful, so interventions such as this can be helpful in the process. Even for the smokers who didn't use the products, it planted a seed, he said. An interesting finding during this study showed that the smoking cessation bags with information and medication were more beneficial to patients who had a lower income, lower education or if they were in the more rural areas of the state. The finding on income, education, and rurality is an area Carpenter would like to study more in the future. "It's about access," Carpenter said. "We're helping people who are struggling out there to find and succeed in treatment." Given the toll of smoking-related health conditions, Carpenter said he hopes insurance companies will see the value and provide funding in the future so that primary care physicians could offer this to their patients. The concept also could be used for smokers who are leaving the hospital, or even those who have been incarcerated. "These samples can be given out almost universally - even to smokers who may not want to quit and who may not yet be ready to try medications," Carpenter said. "It's a pragmatic and brief intervention that takes minutes to deliver and is scalable as an intervention to be used a variety of settings." Smoking cessation reduces the risk of twelve cancers, including cancers of the lung; larynx; oral cavity and pharynx; esophagus; pancreas; bladder; stomach; colon and rectum; liver; cervix; kidney; and acute myeloid leukemia. Carpenter said the intervention provides patients a starting point to their journey of becoming smoke-free and it's simple to use for primary care providers, who don't feel pressured to have a long lecture. They can just offer their patients support. "This is about cancer prevention. Smoking cessation is cancer prevention," Carpenter said. A group of 36 local girls had an opportunity last weekend to learn more about themselves and how to succeed in the Junior League of Greenwichs Positively Me program. The program provides 8- and 9-year-old girls with the skills to become confident, make good decisions, show assertiveness, express themselves and learn how to cope with problems such as peer pressure and bullying. The programs message to the third-grade girls is You are strong in mind and body. Be Kind. Follow your passion. And always be positively me, according to the Junior League. That message is delivered though fun activities such as karate, where the girls broke boards to symbolize breaking through their fears, and yoga, where the girls learned about the strength of mind and body. Positively Me is one of our most popular programs, both for the third grade girls who participate as well as our members, who love to facilitate this very important self-esteem class for them, league president Hilary Watson said. The feedback we receive from the girls and their parents is overwhelmingly positive. The next sessions will be held on March 6 and March 7 as well as April 3 and April 4. For more information or to join the wait list, visit www.jlgreenwich.org. Cos Cob The members of the Cos Cob Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10112 gather on Tuesdays and they are hoping that more veterans will join them. The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, including this Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center at 90 Harding Road. At Tuesdays meeting, the latest business will be discussed and there will be a tribute to the iconic Lou Caravella, who had served as the posts chaplain and who passed away in January. The floor will also be opened up to questions about veterans benefits and veterans issues. The meetings are open to veterans from all parts of town. The post, which marked its 50th anniversary last year, has nearly 40 members, with most from the Vietnam War era along with two veterans from the Korean War as well as one from the Gulf War. The post is making an effort to bring in more veterans from recent years, including those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. All veterans are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. Post 10112 holds annual ceremonies for Veterans Day and Memorial Day at a pocket park on Strickland Road across the street from the Greenwich Historical Society. It also supports scholarships, takes part in events at Cos Cob School and works to make sure that veterans get any services they need and are educated about the benefits they are entitled to. Downtown The Bruce Museums renovation and expansion has reached a major milestone in its fundraising. The leaders of the Campaign for the New Bruce said there is continuing widespread community support for the $45 million project to transform the museum of arts and sciences. The Bruce just announced that back in July, two exceptional friends of the museum agreed to match all new gifts of $10,000 or more, turning a $1 million effort into a $2 million one. That goal was met last month, thanks to nearly 20 donors. The campaign is now at 85 percent of its fundraising goal. The $1 million challenge was launched by Rebecca Gillan, a member of the museums board of trustees, and by an anonymous donor. Its wonderful to see such a positive response to this challenge, especially as this support comes from members of the community who have not previously given to the campaign, Gillan said, who is also a docent at the museum. She said she loves to see the excited children who benefit from the Bruces educational programs. (That) made me want to help get the campaign that much closer to the finish line, she said. I cant think of a better way to show your support for our community than to help make this cultural and social hub of Greenwich even better. The parking lot work is complete, and a new gallery at the Bruce just opened up to the public. Construction to expand the museum could begin by this summer. This tremendous goodwill, and groundswell of community support will enable us to proceed on schedule with our plans to break ground on the new addition in July 2020, said James Lockhart III, chair of the Bruces board of trustees. That three-story addition will be the centerpiece of the New Bruce. The William L Richter Art Win will more than double the size of the museum and add state-of-the-art exhibition, education, and community spaces. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com A US envoy warned Israel on Sunday not to declare sovereignty over West Bank land without Washingtons consent, pushing back against calls for immediate action by ultra-nationalists within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition. U.S. President Donald Trumps Middle East peace plan, unveiled on Jan 28, envisages Israel keeping key swathes of the occupied territory where Palestinians seek statehood. But the question of timing has opened up a rare rift between the allies. Netanyahu initially pledged a speedy application of Israeli law - de facto annexation - to Jewish settlement blocs and the Jordan Valley, delighting his religious-rightist base ahead of Israels March 2 election, where he hopes to win a fifth term. But he was forced to backpedal after the White House made clear it wanted a U.S.-Israeli mapping process - likely to take weeks or more - completed first. The Palestinians, for their part, have rejected the Trump plan as a non-starter. With Defence Minister Naftali Bennett and other Israeli ultra-nationalists urging an immediate cabinet vote on sovereignty in the West Bank, the U.S. ambassador intervened. Israel is subject to the completion (of) a mapping process by a joint Israeli-American committee. Any unilateral action in advance of the completion of the committee process endangers the Plan & American recognition, envoy David Friedman tweeted. In a separate speech, Friedman elaborated that his message was a little bit of patience, to go through a process, to do it right, is not something which we think is too much to ask for. Potentially adverse With the news out that the (Israeli) cabinet was about to be pushed in a direction that was potentially adverse to our view of the process, we just let people know where we stand, he told the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA) think-tank. It was not a threat. In parallel, Netanyahu invoked the White House position. The (U.S.) recognition is the main thing and we dont want to endanger that, the premier told his cabinet on Sunday. At the JCPA, Friedman said the mapping process was unlikely to be completed before March 2. But he held out the possibility of implementation even if the election does not produce a clear winner, as was the case twice in the last year. Asked if Washington first wanted a permanent Israeli government - as opposed to a caretaker government of the kind Netanyahu has headed by default for months - in place, Friedman said: We have not made that demand. Most countries consider Israeli settlements on land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to be a violation of international law. Trump has changed U.S. policy to withdraw such objections and the prospect of Israeli annexations have drawn widespread condemnation. Palestinians say the settlements make a future state unviable. Israel cites security needs as well as biblical and historical ties to the land on which they are built. Any unilateral step is rejected whether it is taken before or after the election, said Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Facts cant be created on the ground and they will never become a reality. The only thing we can accept is the Palestinian map on the 1967 borders, Abu Rdainah added. On Saturday, Netanyahu told an election rally that the mapping process with the Americans was already under way. Weve been waiting since 1967 and some people are making a big deal out of a few weeks, he said, alluding to rightist rivals. By Trend The observation mission of representatives of the US public expressed extreme satisfaction with the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Trend reports. At a press conference dedicated to the early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, observers from the US public noted high political activity of the population, serious preparations for the elections observed by the mission at different polling stations in Baku, and in general, expressed satisfaction with the country. The observer of the mission of representatives of the US public from New York, Coordinator of the Congress of Bukharian Jews in the US and Canada Rafael Nektal said that it is his third time in Azerbaijan and he is very happy to participate as an international observer in the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. Among the positive aspects, Nektal first of all noted the high voter turnout. It was very cold in Azerbaijans Guba district, where I was, however, many people managed to come and vote, he said. In turn, an observer from San Diego Martin Kruming said that this is his fifth visit to Azerbaijan, and he is also pleased to be present at the elections. People came to vote and then stayed for a while at the polling stations, and this is very interesting, Kruming noted. People here consider this a common thing, but such activity in the US, for example, isnt observed - our people come, vote and immediately leave. Besides, I personally spoke with local observers, and there was a case where they even gave us tea in one of the polling stations. You wont see this in the US for sure. Another observer from Los Angeles, entrepreneur Mitch Silberman, in turn, noted that the dialogue with Azerbaijani residents also showed that the population is very patriotic, which brings the US and Azerbaijani people together. The observer said that it is his first time in Azerbaijan. The main factors noted by Silberman in the election process are the representation of young people in the lists of candidates and the observance of the rules at polling stations. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,461 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Ejaz Kaiser By Express News Service RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has decided to impose a permanent ban on hookah bars across the state and will soon declare the license issued for running hookah centres illegal. Taking a decision the Bhupesh Baghel cabinet stated that the order on issuing ban will soon be taken by the urban administration department. In recent years the Chhattisgarh state has witnessed a substantial increase in the hookah bars coming up in different towns. According to the officials, over a thousand hookah centres are run merely on the basis of Gumasta license in the state. The Chhattisgarh police had earlier written to promulgate Section 144 CrPc against hookah bars in the state as prevalent in some states to facilitate the execution of Sections 4 and 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA). There were complaints on school students, children and youths, ignorant about the deleterious side effects, found hooked to the hookah bars, most of them operating illegally. The state government took cognisance and decided to ban it, the official spokesperson told TNIE. The state governments move is seen as an attempt to check the rising trend of hookah bars as also to discourage the use of tobacco among youngsters. The state government is likely to enact a law against illegal hookah bars to check the rapid flourishing of hookah parlours in the state. There is no specific law in Chattisgarh to monitor or prevent the functioning of hookah bars. The state cabinet has also decided to close 49 liquor shops- a move the state government hints on gradual prohibition. LANSING, MI -- Michigans licensing of medical and recreational marijuana businesses has been a windfall for Lansings budget, but not the legal marijuana job market, according to the latest jobs report released by Leafly, a marijuana industry media and technology company. Two years ago there were hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries operating in an unlicensed environment," said Leafly Senior Editor Bruce Barcott. "At that time we estimated the number of legal cannabis jobs at roughly the 15,000 level. As the state has moved to create a more highly regulated system for both medical and adult-use sales, hundreds of those formerly legal dispensaries (provisioning centers) have either closed or moved into a non-legal existence. Since Leaflys annual jobs count only includes legal jobs, Barcott said Michigan took a big hit in 2019, losing an estimated 7,000 legal marijuana industry jobs. We now estimate the legal industry supports a little more than 8,200 full-time-equivalent jobs, Barcott said. "Thats a huge loss -- but consider that were still waiting to see legal, licensed cannabis stores open in Detroit, the states largest city. "We expect many of those legal jobs to return as more cities allow licensed stores to open. Leafly estimates it may take up to two years to recover the legal marijuana industry jobs lost in 2019. A court order barred Michigan from shutting down certain unlicensed medical marijuana dispensaries that began operating prior to creation of the licensed system. That order expired on Dec. 31, 2018 resulting in the loss of more than 70 previously legal dispensaries. Slowing the growth of the new recreational market is the decision of Michigans largest city, Detroit, and more than 1,400 other Michigan cities, townships and villages, that have banned recreational marijuana business in their communities, at least temporarily. While the number of municipalities that allow the commercial market is limited, the businesses are proliferating where theyre able to. Ann Arbor alone has issued 35 medical and recreational business licenses. Sorry, but your browser does not support frames. As of this week, there were 512 active marijuana licenses, including 436 medical and 76 recreational, compared to Jan. 1, at which time there were 377 medical and 50 recreational, according to Marijuana Regulatory Agency data. The number of retail locations increased from 26 to 43, by 40%, between Dec. 31 and Feb. 5 and those locations have made nearly $18 million in sales over nine weeks since recreational sales began on Dec. 1. Through excise and sales taxes from recreational sales alone, Michigan generated nearly $3 million in tax revenue over that period. At maturity, which could take several years, the state budget office and Leafly project Michigans recreational marijuana industry could reach between $1.5 billion and $2 billion in sales annually. Sorry, but your browser does not support frames. The Leafly report, using data tracked by states with medical or recreational marijuana, estimates there were 243,700 full-time jobs in the industry nationally as of January. Thats a 15% year-over-year increase, the report said. Over the past 12 months the expanding industry has created 33,700 new jobs nationwide, making legal marijuana the fastest-growing industry in America. The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency does not currently track the number of jobs provided by the industry, spokesman David Harns said. The below map, which MLive is updating as new licenses are issued, includes all known licensed retail marijuana stores in the state: -- Gus Burns is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact him with questions, tips or comments at fburns@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, @GusBurns. Read more from MLive about medical and recreational marijuana. More on MLive: Marijuana industry is hiring Recreational marijuana sales approach $18 million Michigan marijuana prices spike Recreational sales eclipsed $1.7 million last week Detroit-caused confusion over recreational marijuana sparks lawsuits Cork East constituency poll-topper Pat Buckley turns 51 today the birthday celebrations might be a bit lost in the election cheer though. Buckley, from Midleton, topped the poll with an impressive 12,587 first preferences, which got him elected on the first count as the quota was 10,909. A large number of Sinn Fein supporters gathered in the count centre at Mallow GAA Club shortly before 5pm and well ahead of the announcement that he was first past the post. Holding tricolours and waving party flags, they greeted him with huge cheers. First he hugged Melissa Mullane, a staunch supporter who lost her county council seat in Mallow for the party during their disastrous showing in the last local elections. Then followed many more hugs from Buckley for the party faithful. Well done to ye all, he said giving them a big thumbs-up. He said he isn't surprised by his huge vote: We were knocking on the doors every single weekend from the last general election. In more recent times we were getting really positive vibes on the doorstep. Buckley said he is physically and mentally exhausted after all the campaigning. I really got a shock when I arrived here (at the count centre) because there were so many of my supporters here, he said. Okay, I'm the captain but you can't do it without the team and they were brilliant, Buckley added. Left in his wake to bite their fingernails for the rest of the night were four possibles for the remaining three seats, They were outgoing TDs Sean Sherlock (Lab), David Stanton, a junior minister (FG) and Kevin O'Keeffe (FF). The fourth was one of the youngest candidates in the country, James O'Connor (FF), a 22-year-old studying at Trinity College, Dublin. All four were fairly even on votes. The general perception among the political pundits was that O'Connor and Stanton had geography on their side and could expect to get boosts from those likely to be eliminated as the night wore on. O'Connor was likely to benefit from the elimination of Mary Linehan-Foley. Although she was running as NP she is a former member of FF. Also, she lives only a few miles away from the young man. Stanton, in the meantime, was likely to receive a lift when his FG running mate, Pa O'Driscoll, was eliminated. If both their lifts came to pass then it left the last seat to be fought out between two political dynasties Sherlock and O'Keeffe. Kevin's father, Ned served in the Dail from 1982 to 2011. Sean's father, the late Joe Sherlock, served a number of terms in the 80s and 90s and into the early 2000s. We're in a dog fight, there's no doubt about that. I just can't call it at the moment. But we're still in the fight and will wait and see, he said. Sherlock's vote had been eaten into by Buckley as people now viewed SF as the only real 'left' alternative to the more right-wing FF and FG. Meanwhile, a number of relatives and friends of Kevin O'Keeffe admitted they were concerned that he was "in a spot", a place he was not used to. A number of traditional Fianna Fail voters in what would have been regarded as his fortresses in the towns of Fermoy and Mitchelstown had shifted their allegiance to Buckley, O'Keeffe was also being squeezed by O'Connor, who while living in the south of the constituency in Killeagh, has a number of relatives with North Cork connections and he certainly hoovered up votes in that region. A worker wearing protective gears sprays disinfectant inside a store as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Namdaemun Market in Seoul, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. AP South Korea's health authorities on Sunday confirmed one additional infection case of the new coronavirus, bringing the total here to 25. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said a 73-year-old South Korean woman, whose family members visited China's Guangdong province from November to Jan. 31, tested positive for the contagious virus. She showed symptoms of fever, cough and sore throat, and is hospitalized at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital in Seongnam, just south of Seoul. "The patient was hospitalized at about 8:40 a.m. and is now in stable condition without a fever," a hospital official said. On Sunday, 22 out of the country's 25 confirmed patients are receiving treatment at local hospitals as the fourth patient was discharged from a hospital in the morning, it said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, February 9, 2020 14:30 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206367ddb 1 World Jokowi,Indonesia-Australia,Australia,bilateral-relation,parliament,Susilo-Bambang-Yudhoyono,SBY,Canberra Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo will address the Australian Parliament on Monday, making him only the second Indonesian president to do so in the 70-year-history of Indonesian-Australian diplomatic relations. President Jokowi will convey his vision for Indonesia-Australia partnership for the next 30 years to the Australian Parliament to strengthen Australias support of our country, presidential secretariat head Heru Budi Hartono said according to a State Palace press release. Besides Heru, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko and presidential military secretary Maj. Gen. Suharyanto also accompanied the President on his visit to Australia. By giving the speech, Jokowi would be the second Indonesian president to address Australia's Parliament, following in the footsteps of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who delivered a speech in front of Australian lawmakers in 2010. In the speech, Yudhoyono announced the death of key Bali bombing suspect Dulmatin and highlighted the importance of Jakarta and Canberra becoming strategic partners. "Indonesia and Australia have a very promising future. We are not only friends. We are not only neighbors. We are strategic partners," Yudhoyono said at the time. Besides the speech, Jokowi will also discuss the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (IA-CEPA) ratification with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the visit, with both countries set to launch a plan of action for 2020-2024 to support the agreement. The President will also attend the Indonesia-Australia business roundtable. (mfp) With the Jurong Region Line project, commuters can look forward to seeing the trains in operation in 2026 Speaking at the signing of the Jurong Region Line contract for the supply of trains between Hyundai Rotem Company and Land Transport Authority (LTA), Minister for Transport said that the first Jurong Rail Line train should arrive in 2024. The Minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, said the signing ceremony marked two significant developments. First, we take another major step forward in the implementation of our 7th MRT Line, the Jurong Region Line. The JRL will support our plans to remake Jurong as a major business district. It will serve major activity nodes such as the Jurong Lake District, the Jurong Innovation District and Nanyang Technological University. Residents will benefit from improved connectivity in the northwest. More direct journeys from North to West will become possible. For instance, a PSA worker from Choa Chu Kang West can half his journey time to Tuas Link station to around 30 minutes. An NTU student from Boon Lay MRT station will similarly half his journey time to around 15 minutes. Second, we welcome a new international player Hyundai Rotem Company or HRC to the list of train suppliers for our MRT network. jurong region line project image credit: MOT HRC will be supplying 62 trains for the Jurong Region Line project. HRC is not new to Singapore. LTA has worked with them before when they carried out mid-life refurbishment of Singapores first-generation trains for the North-South and East-West Lines. HRC has also supplied trains to metros in Seoul, Hong Kong and Vancouver. Mr Khaw said that his Ministry looked forward to a productive relationship with HRC. The Minister said that HRC has committed to establish a base in Singapore, to facilitate knowledge transfer and technical support to the Jurong Region Line operator. This will also allow HRC to provide the operator with Long-Term Service Support for enhanced maintenance of these trains. Story continues Let me share with you some features of the new JRL trains. First, the trains will come with condition monitoring and diagnostic systems. This will allow the operator to track the performance of various systems on the trains and detect faults in real time. With this, the operator can do predictive maintenance and intervene before faults arise. Second, the JRL trains will have emergency batteries, which will kick in should there be a prolonged loss of power supply. This allows train staff to pilot the trains to the next nearest station. This will shorten service recovery time. Third, the JRL trains will have wider train doors to facilitate movement of commuters in and out of the trains. Noting that the first JRL train should arrive in 2024 for testing and that commuters can look forward to seeing the trains in operation when JRL opens in 2026, Mr Khaw said that it is therefore a happy day for commuters. The upcoming seventh MRT line, Jurong Region Line, is expected to lift the fortunes of not just the properties in Jurong Lake District, but also the real estate in Boon Lay and Choa Chu Kang. The new line will serve the Jurong area and the western part of Singapore. Jurong Region Line will connect residents in Choa Chu Kang, Boon Lay and the Tengah New Town, and will also connect the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the Jurong Industrial Estate and the new Jurong Innovation District. It will relieve pressure on the crowded Jurong East Interchange Station by directly connecting the north to the Jurong region via a new Jurong Region Line interchange station at Choa Chu Kang. The Jurong Region Line will be developed to support the Governments urban decentralisation strategy, and car-lite policy. The Minister previously said that the Jurong Region Line project marks a quantum leap in the Governments improvement of transport infrastructure for Jurong. The Jurong Region Line project will be 24km long with 24 stations, and will run above-ground. It will open in three phases, starting from 2026. The Jurong Region Line will give commuters route choices. For example, the two interchange stations at Choa Chu Kang and Boon Lay will connect the North-South Line (NSL) and East-West Line (EWL), giving commuters alternative travel routes. This will help to redistribute and relieve train loading between Choa Chu Kang and Jurong East stations, so that commuters can enjoy more comfortable rides The Jurong Region Line is expected to help develop the Jurong Lake District (JLD) into the largest commercial hub outside the CBD. Beyond the Jurong Lake District, the Jurong Region Line will also support the development of the Jurong Innovation District into a next generation industrial estate. The Jurong Region Line project is expected to boost the prices of properties not just in the Jurong Lake District area, but also in areas where the interchanges are expected to be built in Boon Lay and Choa Chu Kang. Besides ramping-up the prices of landed and non-landed private properties in the western region of Singapore, the announcement of the Jurong Region Line may also lift the resale prices of Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats in that area. Choa Chu Kang which is earmarked to be one of the interchanges for the new western line will especially benefit from this project. Mr Paul Ho, chief mortgage officer at iCompareLoan said, with the JRL, the Jurong Lake District project looks even more promising. Developments for the Jurong Lake District are centered around the Jurong East MRT station. With established businesses around the MRT station like the International business park, IMM (a major shopping mall), along with other new shopping malls, a hospital, educational hubs, high rise offices and residential units. The post Jurong Rail Line train should arrive in 2024 for testing, says Minister appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources. WFH for Private offices in Delhi, restaurants & bars to be shut as Omicron-led to sudden rise in Covid cases Lata Mangeshkar admitted to ICU in Mumbai Hospital after testing positive for Covid Coronavirus: Foreigners who have been to China after Jan 15 not allowed to enter India India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 09: In a bid to keep Indians safe from novel Coronavirus, the country on Sunday barred Foreigners who have been to China on or after Jan 15, 2020 from entering India. They are not llowed to enter India from any air, land or seaport including land borders. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in its circular said,''Foreigners who have been to China on or after Jan 15, 2020, are not allowed to enter India from any air, land or seaport including Indo-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Bangladesh or Indo-Myanmar land borders.'' However, the DGCA clarified,"These visa restrictions will not apply to aircrew, who may be Chinese nationals or other foreign nationalities coming from China." Among Indian airlines, IndiGo and Air India have suspended all of their flights between the two countries. SpiceJet continues to fly on Delhi-Hong Kong route. On February 1 and 2, Air India conducted two special flights to Chinese city of Wuhan, epicentre of the outbreak, evacuating 647 Indians and seven Maldivians. Till date, three Indians have tested positive for novel coronavirus. Meanwhile, the death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has sharply risen to 803 with 86 new mortalities in a single day, mostly in the worst-affected Hubei province, while the total number of confirmed cases jumped to 37,000, Chinese health officials said. Eighty-six deaths were reported in mainland China with 3,399 fresh cases from 31 provincial-level regions, the country's National Health Commission said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 10:17 [IST] Thai Police said the soldier was angry over a financial dispute. He first killed two people on a military base and then went on a far bloodier rampage, shooting as he drove to the mall where shoppers fled in terror. Security forces shot down the soldier, 17 hours after he went on a shooting spree inside a mall in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday, killing 26 people and wounding 57, the country's police officials told The Associated Press. Thai premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha said that the gunman carried out the mass shooting over a "personal problem". "It is unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happens," he said outside a hospital where victims were sent following evacuation from the shopping mall. Prayut added that the gunman's motive was linked to the sale of a house. Thai Police said the soldier was angry over a financial dispute. He first killed two people on a military base and then went on a far bloodier rampage, shooting as he drove to the mall where shoppers fled in terror. The gunman has been identified as Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma, who carried out the attack in Nakhon Ratchasima, a hub for Thailands relatively poorer and rural northeastern region. Much of the shooting took place at Terminal 21 Korat, an airport-themed mall filled with colorful Lego sculptures, a merry-go-round and huge replicas of landmarks from around the world. Video taken outside the mall showed people diving for cover as shots rang out mid-afternoon Saturday. Many were killed outside the mall, some in cars, others while walking. Nattaya Nganiem and her family had just finished eating and were driving away when she heard gunfire. "First I saw a woman run out from the mall hysterically," said Nattaya, who shot video of the scene on her phone. "Then a motorcycle rider in front of her just ran and left his motorcycle there." Hundreds of people were evacuated from the mall in small batches by police while they searched for the gunman. "We were scared and ran to hide in toilets," said Sumana Jeerawattanasuk, one of those rescued by police. She said seven or eight people hid in the same room as her. "I am so glad. I was so scared of getting hurt," she said. Shortly before midnight, police announced they had secured the above-ground portion of the mall, but were still searching for the shooter. About 16 hours later, officials held a news conference outside the mall to announce the gunman was fatally shot. The officials did not release any details. Defense Ministry spokesman Kongcheep told Thai media that the first person killed was the commanding officer of the 22nd Ammunition Battalion, in which the suspect also served. He said the gunman had fired at others at his base and took guns and ammunition before fleeing in an army Humvee. City and neighborhood police officers, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to release information, said the man fired shots as he drove to the mall. Thai Rath television aired mall security camera footage showing a man with what appeared to be an assault rifle. The man also posted updates to his Facebook page during the rampage. "No one can escape death," read one post. Another asked, "Should I give up?" In a later post, he wrote, "I have stopped already." A photo circulated on social media that appeared to be taken from the Facebook page shows a man wearing a green camouflaged military helmet while a fireball and black smoke rage behind him. Jakrapanths profile picture shows him in a mask and dressed in military-style fatigues and armed with a pistol. The background image is of a handgun and bullets. The Facebook page was made inaccessible after the shooting began. Terminal 21 Korat, a multi-level glass and steel mall is designed to resemble an airport terminal, complete with a mock control tower and departure gates. A large model passenger jet dangles from wires beside one of the main escalators. Each of its seven retail floors is decorated to represent a different country. A giant replica of Paris Eiffel Tower soars to the ceiling, while a model of Londons Big Ben dominates another area, and a massive model of Californias Golden Gate Bridge spans an open courtyard. A two-story golden Oscar statue towers over a food court. Many malls in Thailand, including Terminal 21s namesake in Bangkok, have metal detectors and security cameras at entrances manned by uniformed but unarmed security guards. Checks on those entering are often cursory at best. Gun violence is not unheard of in Thailand. Firearms can be obtained legally, and many Thais own guns. Mass shootings are rare, though there are occasional gun battles in the far south of the country, where authorities have for years battled a long-running separatist insurgency. The incident in Korat comes just a month after another high-profile mall shooting, in the central Thai city of Lopburi. In that case, a masked gunman carrying a handgun with a silencer killed three people, including a 2-year-old boy, and wounded four others as he robbed a jewelry store. A suspect, a school director, was arrested less than two weeks later and reportedly confessed, saying he did not mean to shoot anyone. With inputs from AP Shaughna Phillips will brand Callum Jones a liar whose acting skills deserve a Bafta in tonights Love Island. The fiery democratic services adviser was left single after the scaffolder returned to the main villa from Casa Amor with new girl Molly Smith. In scenes due to air on Sunday night, the former couple will clash as a shocked Molly looks on. FIRST LOOK Sean Paul's touched down in South Africa and he's headed straight for the villa! #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/GnpYtftRpg Love Island (@LoveIsland) February 9, 2020 Callum will say: I know youre hurt and its not nice to see. I dont want to see you upset. Someone said that you feel like my feelings over the last three weeks havent been genuine. The thing is with me, everything Ive said to you is not a lie. If Id wanted to play it safe I would have stayed with you, but I wouldnt have been true to myself. I just dont want you to feel like everything I said was a lie, because its not. However, Shaughna will reply: I think you are a liar. Callum has switched partners (Joel Anderson/ITV/PA) Callum will insist he was truthful about his feelings throughout their time together. But Shaughna will storm off, saying: Im really glad youve got clarity. You knew coming back you knew for a fact that I wouldnt be standing down there with anyone else. Earlier in the day the two girls were sent on a girl date to talk over the recoupling. Shaughna will tell Molly: I think he used me until something better came along. I dont think he was genuine with me once. He mentioned every day how easy it was with each other. He sold me a dream and I definitely bought it. It would be weird if I wasnt upset. Story continues Molly will admit to her: Its hard to listen to how he was with you and not have your doubts as well. The episode will also see Sean Paul visit the villa and Finley Tapp prepare to ask his partner Paige Turley a very important question. Love Island airs on ITV2 and in Ireland on Virgin Media Television. The Senate on Friday voted to block any witnesses from being called in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, a move that marked the beginning of the end of the third Senate trial for a president in US history. Senate leaders struck an agreement to hold the final vote to acquit Trump on the two articles of impeachment at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, following a debate throughout the day on Friday about how to bring the trial to a close. The impeachment trial will resume on Monday. LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of President Trump The timing means that the acquittal vote will occur after Trump comes up to Capitol Hill to deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday evening. The Senate approved a resolution Friday evening from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell laying out the final steps for the trial. The resolution includes closing arguments of two hours each for the House managers and the President's legal team starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday's final vote -- and the ability for senators to deliver their own speeches explaining their votes in between. Republicans defeated four Democratic amendments to McConnell's resolution on Friday evening before breaking for the weekend -- a schedule that would allow senators who are Democratic presidential candidates to travel to Iowa this weekend ahead of Monday's Iowa caucuses. Republican senators said the Kentucky Republican had no choice but to cut the deal for the Wednesday acquittal vote because Democrats could have used their power under the rules to drag out the process past Tuesday's State of the Union. And Democrats had no desire to let Trump be cleared by the time of his address as the White House wanted, according to senators from both parties. So they decided to cut the deal, spare themselves late nights and a weekend session, and agree to have the vote on Wednesday. "Democrats were willing to use any number of dilatory tactics, many of which would probably carry us into next week," said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Senate Republican. Witness fight ends The Senate vote Friday to allow subpoenas for witnesses and documents failed 49-51, with two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah, joining Democrats to back extending the trial. The Senate went into an extended break after the debate on the witness vote concluded but before the vote, while McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer huddled on the floor while their staffs hammer out the details on the trial endgame. Democrats had hoped to entice more other Senate Republicans to join them to hear from witnesses -- especially in the wake of revelations from the draft book manuscript of former national security adviser John Bolton -- but one by one the Senate Republicans said they were ready to end the trial. Their reasons differed. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, said in a statement: "I don't believe the continuation of this process will change anything. It is sad for me to admit that, as an institution, the Congress has failed." Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, meanwhile, said the House managers had proven their case that Trump withheld US aid while pushing for an investigation into his political rivals. "The question is whether you apply capital punishment to every offense. And I think in this case, I think the answer is no, let the people make that decision," Alexander said Friday. When the final vote does occur to acquit the President, it will mark the end of a remarkable, whirlwind four-month impeachment that began when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced an impeachment inquiry on September 24, leading to the President's impeachment on two articles -- abuse of power and obstruction of Congress -- less than three months later. After a month delay, the Senate trial began less than two weeks ago. The House managers, led by House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, presented a detailed case arguing they had overwhelming evidence that Trump withheld $400 million in US security aid and a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while he pressured Kiev to open investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. "If the Senate allows President Trump's obstruction to stand, it effectively nullifies the impeachment power," Schiff said Friday. "It will allow future presidents to decide whether they want their misconduct to be investigated or not, whether they would like to participate in an impeachment investigation or not." The President's team argued there was no wrongdoing -- but also that even if there was a quid pro quo, it was within the President's rights if it was in the national interest. "The problem with the case, the problem with their position, is even with all of those witnesses, it doesn't prove up an impeachable offense. The articles fail," the President's personal attorney Jay Sekulow said. "They got the wish of the impeachment by Christmas, and that is goal. But now they want you to do the work they failed to do." Key GOP senators split on vote Collins and the other Republican moderates included a provision in the Senate trial rules to allow for Friday's witness vote, but the odds looked long for Democrats to convert four Republicans to back the vote until Sunday when The New York Times reported Bolton's draft book manuscript alleged that Trump told him the US security aid was conditioned on investigations into Democrats, including Joe Biden. On Friday, new allegations came from The Times from Bolton's manuscript that Trump directed Bolton to help his attorney Rudy Giuliani get in touch with the Ukrainian president in May which Schiff cited during Friday's witness debate. McConnell, however, held his conference together enough to keep the witness vote at bay, with Alexander the linchpin of his bend-but-not break strategy. Until Thursday, Alexander did not tip his hand on which way he was leaning, declining to speak to reporters about it and staying quiet in GOP conference meetings. He finally asked two questions at the tail end of the two-day Senate question period in the trial, which hinted at his eventual position to oppose witnesses. Shortly before Alexander's statement, Collins became the first Republican to back witnesses. "I believe hearing from certain witnesses would give each side the opportunity to more fully and fairly make their case, resolve any ambiguities, and provide additional clarity," Collins said. Romney joined her in crossing the aisle for Friday's vote, but that left Democrats two short of what they needed to call witnesses. Murkowski's statement implicitly acknowledged that had she voted for witnesses, the vote could have ended 50-50, dragging Chief Justice John Roberts into the fray. "It has also become clear some of my colleagues intend to further politicize this process, and drag the Supreme Court into the fray, while attacking the Chief Justice," Murkowski said. "I will not stand for nor support that effort. We have already degraded this institution for partisan political benefit, and I will not enable those who wish to pull down another." On the Democratic side, there are still a couple of undecided senators on the vote for conviction, including Sens. Doug Jones of Alabama and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Jones said Friday he was "pretty close" to a decision, while Manchin said he hasn't yet made one. "It's a very hard decision," he said. "It's most serious decision that any senator will make in their career." This story has been updated with additional developments Friday. KAMPALA Uganda has intensified coronavirus screening at Entebbe International Airport to prevent the disease from spreading from international travelers especially from China and other parts of Asia. Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said all passengers arriving through Entebbe airport, about 40 km south of the capital, Kampala are screened of Coronavirus. President Yoweri Museveni is among other screened of the deadly coronavirus. Dr. Aceng said medical teams have been trained to handle the screening process to reduce the risk of transmission from persons jetting in who might be infected. We visited Entebbe International Airport on Friday and the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority team took us on a guided tour of the airport sections including where all travelers using the airport are subjected to intense screening. The ministry has since installed Automated Temperature Scanners at the airport to screen passengers mainly coming into the country. The health ministry has also advised the public to avoid direct contact with persons who exhibit signs of infection and regularly wash hands with soap and water and avoid contact. The highly contagious Coronavirus causes a range of symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized pain or malaise and in many cases internal and external bleeding, according to the World Health Organization. Uganda also issued a travel warning, recommending travellers to avoid all nonessential travel to China. The coronavirus outbreak in China has propelled an unparalleled clampdown on travel to and from the worlds second-largest economy, leaving thousands of people stranded across the globe and dealing a major blow to the international aviation industry. Most of the international airlines have suspended 40% of scheduled services in and out of the country from January 23 to February 8. Previously only Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, was at a Level 3. The rest of China was rated Level 2, which recommends practice enhanced precautions. Private companies are also giving warnings to employees. On Monday, Facebook restricted its employees travel to China. Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam were top destinations, but Chinese tourists are big spenders in cities like Africa and other parts of Europe. Related A short time later, police arrested three of the teens, including Carter, who was found to have a gunshot wound to his right side and was also taken to University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment. The 13-year-old was found with $269 cash in his underwear, while a search of the red SUV revealed paperwork with Trices name along with two garbage bags full of merchandise, Nevin said. The Congress party on Sunday asked the BJP to clear its stand on reservation for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes (STs and SCs) in government jobs and promotions. The Congress party also questioned the recent judgement of Supreme Court in which the top court said the state governments are not bound to provide quotas to SCs, STs or OBCs in government jobs. "Uttarakhand government has taken a stand that state governments are not bound to provide reservation in promotions. The Centre had earlier went to the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court's judgement which said that reservations should not apply on promotions. The Centre is still pursuing that case in the Supreme Court," said Congress spokesperson Dr Udit Raj at a press conference here. "The views of the Centre and the state government are, therefore, contradictory on this. The BJP should, therefore, clarify its stand on reservations to ST/SCs in jobs and promotions," he added. Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik said that his party disagreed to the Supreme Court's judgement. "A recent decision by the Supreme Court has led to a dent on the reservation system, which is given under the Constitution," said Wasnik. Referring to the top court's verdict in the case of Mukesh Kumar vs State of Uttarakhand where it stated that quota in jobs and promotions to ST/SC candidates is not a fundamental right, Wasnik said: "We respectfully put forth our dissent against this verdict. It is unfortunate that those who hold important posts in the government today are against reservation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments Co., Ltd. (HKG:1501). Our data shows Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments has a return on equity of 15% for the last year. Another way to think of that is that for every HK$1 worth of equity in the company, it was able to earn HK$0.15. View our latest analysis for Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments How Do I Calculate ROE? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity Or for Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments: 15% = CN58m CN381m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2018.) It's easy to understand the 'net profit' part of that equation, but 'shareholders' equity' requires further explanation. It is all earnings retained by the company, plus any capital paid in by shareholders. Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company. What Does Return On Equity Signify? Return on Equity measures a company's profitability against the profit it has kept for the business (plus any capital injections). The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. A higher profit will lead to a higher ROE. So, all else being equal, a high ROE is better than a low one. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses. Does Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments Have A Good ROE? One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As you can see in the graphic below, Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments has a higher ROE than the average (11%) in the Medical Equipment industry. Story continues SEHK:1501 Past Revenue and Net Income, February 9th 2020 That is a good sign. I usually take a closer look when a company has a better ROE than industry peers. One data point to check is if insiders have bought shares recently. How Does Debt Impact ROE? Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used. Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments's Debt And Its 15% ROE One positive for shareholders is that Shanghai Kindly Medical Instruments does not have any net debt! Its respectable ROE suggests it is a business worth watching, but it's even better the company achieved this without leverage. At the end of the day, when a company has zero debt, it is in a better position to take future growth opportunities. The Key Takeaway Return on equity is one way we can compare the business quality of different companies. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE. Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. You can see how the company has grow in the past by looking at this FREE detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. If you would prefer check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss thisfree list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Warangal: The happiness of the devotees at Medaram knew no bounds as the clouds opened up and it rained heavily for several minutes in and around the village. The devotees believe it was the deities Sammakka and Saralamma, who were responding to their prayers delighted at their devotion. Saturday also marked a spectacular finale to the biggest tribal celebration as both the deities returned to the forest. The priests performed traditional rituals and conducted Vana pravesham of the goddesses amid drum beats and colourful dances by devotees. Sammakka was taken back to the Chilukalagutta amid traditional chants by priest Kokkera Krishn-aiah. Saralamma returned to Kannepalli village by priest Kaka Sariah. Pagiddaraju was taken to Poonugondlu village in Kothaguda and Govinda-raju returned to Kondai village in Eturnagaram. More than one crore devotees visited Medaram for the jatara and had darshan of their revered deities. The rush of devotees was also very large on the fourth and final day. With all the devotees heading back to their homes after the jatara, the RTC bus station at Medaram was seen bustling with people looking for their ride back home. The Corporation officials made all the arrangements for the convenience of the devotees with routes segregated from one another. Buses were made available round-the-clock and the devotees had no problem with the continuous flow of the buses. The people who raised temporary settlements packed up their tents and moved out of the village. Those who had set businesses offered last minute discounts in order to avoid taking the load back. MANISTEE When it comes to volunteering to help those in need, Dan Bailey is a person who steps to the front of the line. Bailey is the owner of the Happy Owl Bookstore in Manistee and has been active for the past four years with the All Hands and Hearts nonprofit that focuses on disaster assistance and rebuilding those communities afterward. He became aware of this group through the Crossroads Church, which is located where he lived in Cincinnati,Ohio. All Hands and Hearts was co-founded by David Campbell and Petra Nemcova in 2004 after hearing about the devastation of the Great Indian Ocean Tsunami that killed more than 250,000 people. This disaster was a turning point in each of their lives, ultimately leading to the creation of All Hands and Hearts Smart Response. Bailey said his church really took up the cause in a big way. His involvement with All and Hands and Hearts started in 2016. "The church really believes in outreach and say 'go and be the church,'" said Bailey. "Every year members still go to New Orleans where they are still rebuilding houses in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity." He said those trips are just a week long, but it really leaves everyone feeling good about making a difference. Bailey said he did that twice and then read about terrible flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. "The water rose five feet high in every house and that is a situation where you have nothing left," said Bailey. "I wondered if I could help, so I googled what organizations were helping and learned about All Hands being there." He said after working on that project, he became interested in other ones out of the country. After he made those first trips, he learned of a fundraiser trek for the organization to Nepal to raise money for building schools. "I signed up in about five minutes," he said. "(I) got a lot of support from the community here in Manistee. We had to raise our own costs and pay for the trek; we had to raise $3,000 each and the local community helped a lot. "I have been to Puerto Rico and Dominica Island twice for a month, each time mostly working on roofing," said Bailey. "The Bahamas were hit so bad by Hurricane Dorian." He said there is plenty of work that still needs to be done. "That Bahamas is still devastated and All Hands opened up a response site on Great Abaco Island, as they try to select the worst hit places," said Bailey. This year, Bailey plans to leave on March 16 for the Bahamas, and he intends to be gone for a month working on the project. "Great Abaco was leveled and we are still doing response, so we will be cleaning out what is left of houses," said Bailey. "We will be taking things out of the homes that were destroyed to the street, so people can start to rebuild." Bailey said cleaning out those destroyed homes is the first step before they can start the rebuilding portion of the project. "If you had everything you owned in a home saturated with water or blown down you wouldn't know what to do next," said Bailey. "But once we get in there we will be taking those homes back down to floor and studs so they have a place to start. That will be a great project, and what we will be doing is called mucking and gutting." Those who volunteer for the All Hands and Hearts projects will be living out of a school, dorm-style with bunk beds. "We live, eat and work together," he said. "The only day we get off is Sunday." The group also does projects in the United States. Bailey said it is very rewarding work. "This response really appeals to my heart as I have been to the Florida Keys for storm damage and Baton Rouge for floods. You lift those people up so much with your help." Bailey said it is a unique mixture of people who volunteer for the All Hands and Hearts projects. "It is about 10 percent retired people and 90 percent who are about 22-years-old," he said. "The younger ones aren't committed to a career yet and want to do something to help others. It's fun and we mix very well." All the volunteers pay their own air fare or transportation costs to the site. He said this site is only one mile from the airport when they arrive, but sometimes other locations are more difficult to reach. "I always meet up with people that served with me on other projects," said Bailey. "Usually there are two or three people I know. There is no skill needed, just a willing heart." It all comes down to helping others in need he said, and that is where the reward comes from. "If your neighbor lost his house to a tornado you would go down the street and help as that is what people do," he said. On May 20 he will all be going on another All Hands and Hearts fundraising trek to Peru. He has to raise $5,000 to cover his cost of the trip and the trek. "We are trekking on what is called the Inca Trail," said Bailey. "It is only a four day trek and I will enjoy seeing that." Bailey said the fundraising for Peru will be primarily for building schools they lost three years ago to flooding. Anyone who would like to donate to the Bahama or Peru Trek can find details at give.allhandsandhearts.org/danbbahamasandperu. "All donations will go 100% to support the volunteers working in the field on the projects, plus building materials," said Bailey. "Volunteers pay all their own travel expenses to and from the projects and pay for their own food on days off. Everyone is encouraged to Google All Hands and Hearts to see the scope of their work, ongoing projects, and highest rated charity ratings." New Delhi: In a key judgement the Supreme Court on Friday has ruled that states are not bound to provide reservation in appointments and there is no fundamental right to claim quota in promotions. The top court asserted that states could not be forced to make such provisions without data showing imbalance in the representation of certain communities in public service. A bench of justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta said, "In view of the law laid down by this court, there is no doubt that the state government is not bound to make reservations. There is no fundamental right which inheres in an individual to claim reservation in promotions.'' The verdict further added, "No mandamus can be issued by the court directing the state government to provide reservations," the bench said in its verdict. The top court's verdict came while dealing with pleas regarding Uttarakhand government's September 5, 2012 decision to fill up all posts in public services in the state without providing reservations to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The SC's judgment overturned Uttarakhand High Court's order that directed the state to provide quotas to specified communities. Countering the high court verdict, the SC said, "It is settled law that the state government cannot be directed to provide reservations for appointment in public posts. Similarly, the state is not bound to make a reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in matters of promotions." The bench further ruled that if a state wishes to exercise their discretion and make such provision, the state has to collect quantifiable data showing the inadequacy of representation of that class in public services Referring to constitutional provision about the reservation, the bench said, "It is for the state government to decide whether reservations are required in the matter of appointment and promotions to public posts." Stressing on the language in clauses (4) and (4-A) of Article 16 of the constitution, the apex court said the inadequacy of representation is a matter within the subjective satisfaction of the state, adding, there must be some material on the basis of which the state can form the opinion of providing reservation. It noted that Article 16 (4) and 16 (4-A) of the Constitution empowers the state to make reservations in matters of appointment and promotion in favour of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes "if in the opinion of the state they are not adequately represented in the services of the state". Reacting to SC's verdict Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that this decision has worried the marginalized communities. Kharge said that his party will protest against it in and outside Parliament and blamed BJP and RSS saying they have been trying to get reservations scrapped for a long time. Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan also disagreed with the judgement and wrote, ''Recent judgment of supreme court says that states are not bound to provide quotas for SC/ST or OBC in government job and that there is no fundamental right to claim reservation in promotions. This is entirely against the concept of reservation. Lok Janshakti Party does not agree with such findings of the court.'' Giving his party's stand in the matter, he said, ''LJP demands Govt. Of India to restore reservation as provided under the constitution of India.'' The writer-director of a new film set in Kashmir has spoken of the huge challenges in the filmmaking process as its UK tour concluded this week. Ashvin Kumar said No Fathers in Kashmir' was born out of an urge to address some of his deep concerns over the conflict-torn region and to connect emotionally with its heart. I became deeply concerned with the crisis of passion in India and Pakistan and the rest of the world over the issue, as complexities were being squeezed into tweets, and I really wanted to connect emotionally with the heart of Kashmir, said Kumar, who also plays a key character of Arshid in the film. The film was mostly filmed in Kashmir, which came with some huge challenges as we shot amid curfews and lockdown, he said, following one of the final UK screenings in London on Thursday. The film centres around the character of teenager Noor, played by UK-based actress Zara Webb, as she visits her birthplace of Kashmir with her mother and finds herself getting drawn into the entanglements of the region. It was released in India with heavy edits last year before the uncut version finding its way to UK screens across heavily South Asian populated hubs such as Bradford, Manchester and Leeds as well as London, including as a collaboration with the UK Asian Film Festival. The film, described as a coming-of-age tale about innocence, is based on hundreds of true stories, according to Kumar an Oscar-nominated and National Award-winning filmmaker. The ability to imagine a way out of despair is what makes us human. No Fathers in Kashmir' works on the premise that forgiveness and hope are vital to our survival as a species, he notes in reference to his latest film, a five-year-long project. After its UK tour, which has generated some positive reviews, 'No Fathers in Kashmir' is expected to be released on an online platform in the coming months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four-time Grand Slam winner Kim Clijsters announced Sunday she will return after seven years in retirement at the WTA tournament in Dubai starting on February 17. The 36-year-old former number one, who hung up her racquet after the 2012 US Open, said: "I am so thrilled to be returning to the court. "I'm impatient to resume this sport which I love, in front of the fans." The Belgian described as "extraordinary" the support and encouragement she'd received since announcing her return in September. Clijsters had originally planned to make her return at last month's Australian Open. A knee issue scuppered that plan, with Mexico in March then proposed as an alternative, before she accepted an invitation from the Dubai organisers. The holder of 41 titles, including three US Opens (2005, 2009 and 2010) and one Australian Open (2011), turned professional in 1997, the year before the birth of recently crowned Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. She reached the world number one ranking for the first time in 2003, and for the last time in February 2011. Retiring for a first time in May 2007 she returned in August 2009 after giving birth to her first child. Her total prize money earnings of almost $24.5 million puts her 12th in the all time women's prize money charts. One fan who believes Clijsters can still achieve a significant amount despite the passing of time is Roger Federer. The Swiss great, speaking at the Australian Open, said: "I think age doesn't matter, to be honest. I think it's the fitness and the mind that matters. "So I think a lot is possible, even though there should be no expectations from her side and from anybody else." Clijsters, pictured in training this week, returns in Dubai RAMALLAH, West Bank, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Israel has escalated a trade war with the Palestinians by stopping their agricultural exports through Jordan, Palestinian Agriculture Minister Riyal al-Attari said on Saturday. Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) opened a new front in their decades-long conflict with a trade dispute that began in October and has escalated over the past week. "Yesterday, the director of Israeli crossings informed all exporters and all relevant parties that all Palestinian agriculture products would be banned from export to world markets through the Jordanian crossing starting Sunday," al-Attari told Voice of Palestine Radio. Israeli and Jordanian officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In October, the PA announced a boycott of Israeli calves. Last weekend Israeli Defence Minister Naftali Bennett said he would halt all PA agricultural imports, which in turn prompted the PA to say it would end imports of Israeli agricultural products, fruit juice and bottled water. Those moves have frayed trade links that have generally held strong since the two sides signed interim peace accords in the 1990s, even weathering the collapse in 2014 of peace talks. Bilateral tensions have been further fuelled by the announcement of U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan which has prompted a string of violent incidents in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The actions of the PA, whose power base is in the West Bank, in part reflect greater efforts to end what its leaders - including new Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh - see as an over-dependence on Israeli markets. "We are at a critical political moment and we completely understand the negative impact that will result from these measures, but I say with all confidence that that negative impact will also affect the Israeli economy," said al-Attari. "We have several options and measures with which we can respond to each Israeli decision that aims to harm our national economy," he added. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Alexander Smith) By Trend The observer of the mission of representatives of the US public from New York, Coordinator of the Congress of Bukharian Jews in the US and Canada Rafael Nektal told reporters about the impressions received in Azerbaijan at a press conference on the early parliamentary elections in the country, Trend reports. Rafael Nektal said that when he met with the Jewish community in Azerbaijan, he saw the respect shown by a government to ethnic minorities. "I was in Baku and Guba, and in both cities it was nice to see both a street and a monument to the national hero of Azerbaijan Albert Agarunov, who was of Jewish descent. I saw how the locals respect the community of mountain Jews in Krasnaya Sloboda, the community of Ashkenazi and Georgian Jews in Baku. I was shocked at how much the bridge of mutual assistance and mutual respect between Muslims and Jews was developed here," Rafael Nektal said. Rafael Nektal also noted that in addition to the biography of Albert Agarunov, he was also acquainted with the January 20 events and others that shocked the society of Azerbaijan on the path to independence, and understands how consolidated here the society is, drawing parallels with the trials of the Jewish people. Nektal added that the mission visited various cultural and religious sights of Azerbaijan and was pleased with their stay in the country. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,461 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Murals painted on the wall of Police Training Center ground in Sagar by a citizen's group 'Hum Hain Insaan' was replaced by Chief Minister Kamal Nath's painting by the city administration within 24 hours ahead of CM's visit to the city on the occasion of Ravi Das Jayanti. While speaking to ANI, the Municipal Commissioner of Sagar, RP Ahirwar said, "It is our duty and responsibility to advertise the government schemes. Police Training Center ground belongs to the government." However, as the team of youth opposed this move, CM's portrait was painted over with the names of government schemes. Hence, the wall was painted over thrice within 24 hours on Saturday. A team namely "Hum Hain Insaan" consisting of almost 50 youth took an initiative to clean the public places and repaint the dirty walls across the city with cultural paintings and artefacts after taking prior permission from the State corporation. "We had started painting the walls here before January 26. We used to work for almost 12 hours a day to transform these walls here and this was the best campaign till date in the PTC Ground. But now these walls have been painted with white colour by the corporation as Chief Minister will be visiting the PTC Ground," Shubham Srivastava, member of Hum Hain Insaan team told ANI. "The wall here has been repainted and CM Kamal Nath's portrait has been painted to impress him. We are not against CM's paintings but the corporation should have repainted the walls which needed a revamp," he added. However, the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, RP Ahirwar told ANI that it is the corporation's duty to promote government schemes. "It is our duty to promote government schemes wherever people emerge in large crowd. Repainting the walls is a painter's job. Over 50,000 people will be coming here so it's our duty to do so. It's a government wall and not a private wall," said RP Ahirwar. Meanwhile, Minister of Renewable Energy Harsh Yadav said that it is essential to promote the government schemes which are related to the general public. "Chief Minister is arriving here and it's necessary to promote the government schemes which are for the general public. People in large number are going to visit here so it's essential to inform them about the schemes. The State government has banned hoardings and flexes here," he added. On the other hand, Congress leader Manak Agarwal stated that the administration shouldn't have painted Chief Minister Kamal Nath's portraits on the wall and the achievements of the State government should have been painted elsewhere. "Whatever the administration has to do, it should be done with a lot of thinking. Chief Minister himself doesn't like if his paintings are installed or slogans are being chanted. However, the achievements of the government must be mentioned," Agarwal told ANI. "The murals which were painted earlier shouldn't have been painted over CM's portraits. Instead of this, the government's achievements should have been painted elsewhere. We'll take cognizance of this matter and action will be taken against those responsible behind this move," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Muzaffarnagar, Feb 9 : BJP MLA Vikram Saini has offered to re-settle 25 Pakistani Hindu refugee families in Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar district to counter the anti-CAA propaganda. The Kawal village was the focal point of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. The BJP MLA has said he would facilitate the settlement of 25 Pakistani Hindu refugees in Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar and has already given financial aid to five of them. Five of the refugees, who had come to India after allegedly facing religious persecution in Pakistan, met the Khatauli BJP MLA Vikram Saini here on Saturday. Saini told reporters that he gave five of them Rs 5,000 each as aid and also promised them that he will facilitate their resettlement in Kawal village. Saini, the BJP MLA from Khatauli, who also faces an attempt-to-murder charge in the 2013 riots case, said, "I want to do this in the national interest. The 25 families include seven who are already living in Muzaffarnagar. I want five bighas where these families can be settled. If such land cannot be found, I will donate my own land . We are planning to build two-bedroom houses with a toilet for them." With thousands displaced in the riots, including from Kawal, Muslims are concentrated in ghettos in the village. They mostly work as farm labourers or run small shops. Three youths were killed in Kawal village after an eve-teasing incident after which riots broke out in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas, claiming 60 lives and displacing over 50,000 people, mainly Muslims. With the Election Commission yet to come out with the final voting percentage of Delhi assembly elections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the delay was "absolutely shocking" and wondered why the poll panel was not releasing the figure several hours after polling got over. "Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?" Kejriwal tweeted. The last voting percentage given by the commission on Saturday night was 61.46 per cent. The voting in the national capital to elect a new government ended at 6 pm on Saturday. Talking to reporters, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that this is perhaps the first time in the country's history that the Election Commission is not ready to release voter turnout data. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which was first introduced to the National Assembly in 2008 with the aim to increase transparency at the NNPC and to increase Nigerias share of oil revenue, but many years after, the bill is yet to become law. The PIB amongst other things looked into the ownership and management of petroleum resources, functions and powers of the Minister of Petroleum, the establishment of the Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NPRC) which was to act as a regulator for the entire petroleum industry (upstream, midstream and downstream) and the restructuring of the NNPC. Drafts of the bill became very contentious due to objections from the international oil companies (IOCs) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Consequently, the bill was never passed into law. Recall that towards the end of 2015, the then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had intensified effort to ensure that the bill got a speedy passage at the National Assembly. Consequently, the PIB was broken into different bills, one of which was the PIGB, to address various aspects of the oil industry. Many oil companies believe new investments in the oil sector is dependent on the passage of the PIB which would take a more holistic approach in addressing issues around the fiscal terms especially following the passage of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts (amendment) Bill, 2019 (PSC Amendment Bill). The revised Act introduced a price-based royalty payment system, which adds between 0% and 10%, depending on the prevailing oil price in the market and makes oil firms executing deep offshore projects in Nigeria pay varying percentages based on the prevailing price of a barrel of oil at the time. Recently, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawal, noted that the legislative arm of government has begun consulting with the president to draft from scratch a bill overhauling the nations petroleum sector and will aim to pass it by the end of 2020. According to the Senate President, the ninth National Assembly will likely break the jinx this time around and pass the long-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which has not been assented to for more than a decade. The Senate President noted that the plan was to pass quickly the aspects of the old law that were not controversial while the controversial bits could wait. Currently, Nigeria is said to have one of the least competitive Deepwater fiscal terms in Africa and is increasingly losing significant amounts of potential investments to other African countries. According to news reports, Nigeria, with more significant reserves has attracted very little investments, whereas Egypt, Angola and Ghana with about half of Nigerias reserves combined, have attracted more investments for new projects because they offer more attractive Deepwater fiscal terms to encourage investments. The Harris County Flood Control District is expected to begin construction of a new wetland mitigation bank near Katy Hockley Road in Cypress by the summer of this year. The new wetland area will serve as a natural flood mitigation tool while meeting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements for nature preservation, according to Rick Howard, Project Manager and Ecologist for the HCFCD. At a Feb. 6 community engagement meeting, the HCFCD detailed the mitigation bank project, its compliance with federal nature standards and the benefit to the community as a method of stymying flood waters. The project is funded by a $4.8 billion flood bond approved in August of 2018, according to Marcus Stuckett, Director of Engineering for HCFCD. The project involves restoring and revegetating a 150 acre swath of land owned by HCFCD near Katy Hockley Road. The first stage of the project will be scraping the soil down, revegetating the land with natural herbaceous wetland species and adding mima mounds, or mounds of excavated soil that replicate natural prairie landscape and help trap flowing water. The environmental benefit to restoring the wetlands is significant. These wetlands... provide nutrient chemical uptake, habitat for wildlife and discharging water at an increased rate, Howard explained. The project is in compliance with a mitigation rule that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiated in 2008. To maintain environmental stewardship, mitigation banks must offset a no-net loss environmental impact in another area. Simply put, if a flood district wants to undertake a project that will impact the environment in a particular area, it must replace an area of the same size somewhere else. This mitigation bank will give the HCFCD credits for other projects that could have a negative impact on natural areas. Mitigation banks create, restore, and preserve those functions (of a wetland). Then we can trade, those credits for sites that may impact, Howard said So we can take an impact in one location and say, Well, we're offsetting it by building this wetland mitigation in advance of that location. HCFCD is working closely with entities like the Katy Prairie Conservancy to make sure all the vegetation added to the mitigation bank is natural and indigenous and that the flow of the land replicates the natural topography of a prairie. The wetlands project will also provide flood mitigation for the Cypress area and all the areas downstream of it. By excavating the soil, the clay underneath will be closer to the surface, and it will absorb water and prevent flowing water from rushing downstream, Howard explained. The clay helps retain rainwater and hold that water for a long period of time, he said. The mitigation bank is still awaiting approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but Howard anticipates that the approval will be granted by the end of February. He expects construction to begin in the spring or summer of this year. Once construction begins, the project should take between 12 and 14 months to complete for a final project completion date of summer of 2021. claire.goodman@chron.com John Bercow today raged at a 'conspiracy' to block him from the House of Lords - but insisted he had not given up on becoming a peer. The former Speaker said it was 'blindingly obvious' there was an 'organised effort' to stop him being elevated to the Upper House. The defiant stance came as Labour's Dawn Butler accused Boris Johnson of 'bullying' Mr Bercow - even though he is the one facing claims he abused Parliamentary staff. The frontbencher said she believed the ex-MP was being denied a place in the House of Lords because he had frustrated the PM's Brexit policy Mr Bercow stood down as Speaker at the end of October after a controversial decade in chair. Despite the Tories making clear he will not be elevated to the Lords, outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has nominated him for the honour. Ex-Speaker John Bercow (pictured on BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House today) has denied allegations of abusive behaviour levelled by former Parliamentary officials Dawn Butler demanded an explanation for the government not following convention over Mr Bercow's peerage, suggesting it was a 'form of bullying too' However, Mr Bercow has faced renewed allegations about his conduct, including from former Commons Clerk Lord Lisvane and former Black Rod David Leakey. Mr Bercow has always flatly denied any wrongdoing. But Lt Gen Leakey said giving him a peerage would be a 'scandal' due to his behaviour. Meanwhile, the House of Commons has rebuked the ex-Speaker for naming officials in his autobiography, published last week. Interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House, Mr Bercow admitted he was not automatically entitled to a peerage even though 'every Speaker for the last couple of hundred years' had received one. Asked whether he accepted his chances of becoming a Lord had gone, he replied: 'I didn't say that. You asked me whether there was a concerted campaign, whether there was a conspiracy, whether there was an organised effort and I said it is blindingly obvious that that is so.' Ms Butler, who is standing for the Labour deputy leadership, mounted a strong defence of Mr Bercow today. She told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: 'It is the norm that the Speaker of the House is always given a peerage so I think the first question for me is why hasn't he been given a peerage from the Conservatives?' She added: 'I would like to know the reason why he wasn't given a peerage. I suspect it's actually do to with Brexit rather than anything else. 'The other thing is due process has to happen so if you accuse somebody of bullying there has to be due process.' Ms Butler said: 'If John Bercow's been accused of bullying then there needs to be due process and has he been found guilty or is it just an accusation? And I think those are the things that we have to go through. 'We really do need to ask the Conservatives why is it that you haven't like everybody else ensured that the Speaker of the House is given a peerage? Otherwise I think that is a form of bullying too.' DUBLIN Irelands three biggest political parties are likely to face a difficult process of forming a new government, with an exit poll suggesting they finished in a virtual tie in parliamentary elections Saturday. The survey conducted for national broadcaster RTE, the Irish Times, TG4 television and University College Dublin by pollster Ipsos MRBI said the Fine Gael party of Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein all received about 22% of first preference votes. The exit poll was based on 5,376 interviews conducted immediately after people voted at 250 polling stations. It has a margin of error of plus or minus one percentage point. Vote counting starts Sunday, and it could be Monday before the elections results are determined. With none of the three main parties likely to gain enough seats to govern alone, a coalition of some kind is almost inevitable. But Sinn Fein was in a slightly weaker position than its two main rivals, because it fielded only 42 candidates for the 159 seats available and might be unable to find enough like-minded left-leaning allies to form a workable government. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail the two parties that have dominated Irish politics since independence have shunned Sinn Fein because of its links to the Irish Republican Army. While Sinn Fein is a major force in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom region where it is part of the power-sharing government that helped end decades of sectarian violence, it has long been a minor player south of the border in the Irish Republic. But the party has attracted voters with left-wing proposals for tackling Irelands housing crisis and bolstering the nations creaking health-care system. Support for the traditionally dominant parties has fallen since the 2008 financial crisis, which hit Irelands debt-fueled Celtic Tiger economy particularly hard. Varadkar, the countrys first openly gay leader, became Taoiseach prime minister in 2017 after the resignation of his predecessor. His party has governed Ireland since 2011, first in coalition with the smaller Labor Party and since 2016 as the leader of a minority administration with the tacit support of Fianna Fail. The election campaign was dominated by domestic problems, especially a growing homelessness crisis, housing prices that have risen faster than incomes and a public health system that hasnt kept up with demand. Danica Kirka and Nicolae Dumitrache are Associated Press writers. Bangladesh has scrapped plans to bring back its 171 nationals stuck in coronavirus-hit China after it failed to arrange a flight following refusal from crew members to fly to the affected country, according to media reports on Sunday. State-run Biman Airlines' Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft on February 1 brought back 312 Bangladeshis, including 12 children and three infants in the wake of the deadly outbreak in China, that has claimed 811 lives and infected over 37,000 We can't send any flight. No crew member agrees to go there either. So, we've told them [stranded Bangladeshis] to wait, Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com. The government has said that the number of Bangladeshis who wanted to return but could not be brought back is 171. Momen also denied reports that some of the stuck Bangladeshi nationals have complained of shortage of food and drinking water due to the lockdown, saying that the Chinese authorities were providing food and water to the 23 places where the Bangladeshis stay. He said that the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing was maintaining regular contact with the stranded Bangladeshis. According to a report in the Dhaka Tribune, the minister said that the government has spent a lot of time for those intending to return. "However, it is still not possible (to bring them back). The Biman crew members who brought back some 312 Bangladeshis from China are now in effect barred from flying to other countries," he said. He said that only a Chinese chartered flight could bring the Bangladeshi nationals back, the report said. "Earlier, Chinese authorities agreed to do so, but later declined. We are not able to send any flights there," he said. According to the report, Momen made the comments days after Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said that around 171 Bangladeshis would be flown out of Wuhan upon clearance from Chinese authorities. The virus emerged in early December and has been traced to a market in Wuhan that sold wild animals. The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak a global emergency. In recent remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Attorney General William Barr proposed greater American investment in Ericsson and Nokia as a means of promoting greater security in next generation 5G wireless networks. Shares in those companies rose in response to the suggestion. Attorney General Barr is usually a font of extraordinarily good ideas. This one falls short of the standard for several reasons. First, free capital markets allocate capital investments not by government officials but by economic competition. Businesses with the best prospects will attract the most capital. Ericsson and Nokia have competitive prospects and attrract capital investment. Both companies have securities traded on public exchanges, including in the United States. These are not small startup companies desperate for capital infusions. Both companies were founded in the 19th century. Nokia has an enterprise value in excess of $21 billion and EBITDA in excess of $2.7 billion on revenue of $26 billion. Ericsson has an enterprise value in excess of $25 billion and EBITDA in excess of $1.1 billion on revenue of $24 billion. Neither company has reported that it suffers from a lack of access to capital. Investors that want to invest in these companies may do so. Favorable comments by a government official, even by one of Americas greatest statesmen, cannot lead to greater capital market access. Government officials in countries with open capital markets cannot create greater market access through speeches. Second, Mr. Barrs comments suggest that the national identity of investment matters. Yet most large, publicly traded, widely held, corporations do not have easily defined national identities. Financial capital flows freely among many countries, and the company with the most financial capital is the United States. Consequently, publicly traded companies tend to have investors from many countries, usually with a heavy concentration of ownership from Americans. Is a corporation with a headquarters in one country but with a plurality or even a majority of ownership by Americans an American company or not? Perhaps more importantly, does it or should it matter? Apparently, the extent of American ownership does matter in Attorney General Barrs comments. Yet in an economic sense, businesses succeed or fail based on the quality of and price of their products and services, not the national identity of the corporation. A world in which corporate national identity matters is not a good world for companies trying to sell products and services to other countries. Many companies based in the United States try to sell to other countries, efforts not helped by national corporate labels. Third, even if corporations have meaningful national identities, a company with almost any national identity can comply or not with national laws. Nations reasonably have a wide range of laws affecting corporations: securities laws to protect investors, intellectual property laws to protect authors of intellectual property, contract laws to protect parties to contracts, privacy laws to protect privacy, and so on. Practically all of these laws can and should apply with equal force to all corporations regardless of national identity. Fourth, American foreign policy is most effective when Americans are perceived abroad as being honest brokers, unbiased in their views. I had the honor last summer of speaking in India about 5G wireless technologies on a tour sponsored by the State Department. I noted in each speech that America has no major 5G equipment manufacturing company and thus no national champion to support. American foreign policy in 5G would be far less effective if there were a national champion, particularly a national champion acquired by government design. Some have misconstrued Attorney General Barrs to mean that he supports direct governmental purchases of Ericsson or Nokia securities. I dont believe that is the proper interpretation of his remarks. The history of governmental ownership of businesses is one of repeated failure. There is no reason to believe that it would work today any better than it has in the past. Lesser countries intervene in markets to promote one business and punish another, all to the detriment of consumers. America is at its best when we allow law-abiding companies to compete without trying to pick winners and losers. Competition, not government control, leads to better products and services at lower prices, all to the benefit of consumers. Politicians and specialists worldwide have voiced their confidence that China will win battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak and appreciated China's measures in curbing the epidemic. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns of the Philippines Brigido J. Dulay said his country believes that China will emerge from these trying times with reinforced vigor and strength. The Philippines has donated surgical face masks, protection suits, medical gloves, sanitation products and goggles to China's central province of Hubei, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Dulay said the "assistance is our affirmation of the abiding friendship and legacy of mutual aid that has been the hallmark of Philippine-Chinese ties over the years." "To the people of China, we say 'Jiayou' (Be strong)!" Dulay added. Namibia's ruling party, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), said it gives China untiring support in the fight against the epidemic. In a letter written by SWAPO Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa, SWAPO expressed its confidence that the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people will overcome the epidemic. "SWAPO party solidly stands with the CPC and the people of China," said Shaningwa, adding that China will "definitely" contain the spread of the virus. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) and a major Chinese language newspaper, the Sing Tao Daily (West USA), in the United States announced a donation of more than 15,000 U.S. dollars to help China fight the epidemic. Ding Bong Lee, presiding president of San Francisco-based CCBA, said he was deeply touched by the donation collected in less than 10 days, adding that "we all should get united, whether in the United States or back in China, to make concerted efforts to fight the virus." Lee said he hoped more resources would be pooled to help the anti-virus battle and believed China is strong enough to overcome the challenge. Michalis Voniatis, a Cypriot specialist in infectious diseases,told Xinhua that Chinese authorities are doing their best and most to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The former World Health Organization expert said China did not hesitate to take measures to contain the epidemic, noting that Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, built in a short time two makeshift hospitals to receive coronavirus-infected patients. Ian Jones, professor of virology at the British University of Reading, said China's response to the novel coronavirus has been rapid, practical and efficient. The latest molecular techniques were used and the data released quickly, allowing diagnostic tests to be developed, Jones added. (Photo/rednet.cn) Editor's Note: Amid China's fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak, Chinese people are celebrating the Lantern Festival today to mark the beginning of spring. On this occasion, Chen Xianchun, director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hunan province, sent a thank you letter to foreign friends, praising them for their support and help during this time and also for their role in Hunan's development of culture and tourism. Chen said that Hunan welcomes overseas friends to visit the beautiful province once the epidemic is over. Following is the full letter of Chen Xianchun: Dear friends Today China is celebrating the Lantern Festival, an important day in our tradition as it marks the final day of the traditional Chinese New year celebrations, therefore I want to express my best wishes to you and your family. Last year, the Hunan Cultural Tourism Promotion Conference that we held in various countries was very successful, and the communication about this event was very meaningful and encouraging. Establishing cooperation relationship and practical business contacts in cultural and tourism fields is significant and far-reaching for our Province. I hope we can do further, promoting cultural tourism exchanges and cooperation among our partners and friends in the future. There's a saying In China that friendship isn't measured by the number of time you meet your friends , but once they turn to you in difficult times to help. We are very thankful that a friend like you cares and understands us so much during our fighting against the novel coronavirus epidemic. The expression of friendship is very precious and meaningful for all of us in this particular time, and strengthen our confidence and courage. It shows the true bound of friendship keeping us together to overcome difficult times, letting us feel the human warmth of our genuine relation. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, it is now the beginning of spring. I believe that the severe winter has passed, and spring is right around the next corner. Once the epidemic has disappeared, we are looking forward to meeting you in our beautiful Hunan province. Have a nice day ! Best regards Chen Xianchun Director of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Hunan Province, China Chandigarh: Haryana government has been honoured with the `Gold Award` by the Centre for the state government`s timely implementation of citizen-centric services under the e-governance project of Antyodaya Saral, an official statement on Sunday said. The award was received by Dr Rakesh Gupta, Project Director, Good Governance Associate to the Chief Minister, at the 23rd National Awards ceremony organised by the Central Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances Department (DAR & PG), Government of India, in Mumbai. "The Antyodaya Saral project has been selected for the `Gold Award` in the category of `Excellence in providing citizen-centric delivery`," the statement reads. While congratulating the officers, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said, "it is a matter of great pride for Haryana that the e-governance initiatives are taken up by the State Government got recognized at the National level." By Trend Foreign journalists have the same rights as local ones in covering the early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, CEC Chairman Mazahir Panahov said at the press conference on Feb. 8, Trend reports. He said that foreign journalists can visit polling stations without any permission, as well as local ones. Panahov added that parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be covered by 132 representatives of international media. Early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be held Feb. 9. By PTI SAMBA: Barely a few kilometres from the International border, the residents of Paloura village here have organised a month-long prayer meet to pay tributes to over 40 CRPF personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama last year. The prayer meet in this border district started on February 2 with the lighting of 'Akhand Jyoti' on the initiative of the local youth to convey a message, especially to Pakistan, that "we stand with our forces and will not let the enemy succeed in its nefarious design", the organisers said. The meet will end on March 3. The CRPF personnel were killed in a suicide attack by a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist driving an explosive-laden car on their convoy passing through Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Pulwama district on February 14 last year. India responded within days with a pre-emptive airstrike on a JeM terror camp at Balakot inside Pakistan on February 26, leading to spurt in cross-border shelling, especially along the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistan since then. "This is an emotional response from our youth to the dastardly act of terrorists in Pulwama about a year ago...through this Akhand Jyoti, we are paying our tributes to the personnel of our forces who attained martyrdom over the past three decades fighting Pakistan-sponsored terrorism," a local resident Jaidev Singh said. Singh was sitting among dozens of local villagers including women and children at the site of the prayer meet which is drawing villagers from adjoining areas. Patriotic songs, sloganeering and chants in support of the forces reverberate in the air whenever a new group comes to join them. Several panchayat members including the local block development council chairman, Radhay Sham, also visited the site and hailed the initiative as a step to imbibe patriotism among the younger generation. Sitting under a tent at an open field in front of a huge poster carrying the pictures of the CRPF personnel killed in the suicide attack, some of the participants are fasting. "We have faced the brunt of Pakistani shelling over the years...the Pulwama incident was the worst ever terror attack claiming the lives of so many CRPF personnel," Singh said. Another participant Rashpaul Verma said 90 per cent of the village youth are serving in the Army, paramilitary forces and police and "we are nationalist by core." "This initiative will motivate our younger generation to be ready for any sacrifice for the country," he said, adding the village will observe the martyrdom anniversary of the jawans on February 14 in a befitting manner. Sham said the people of the border villages are standing behind the forces and if the need comes will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. Boorara Stage 1 Feasibility Study Supports Development Perth, Feb 10, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) ("Horizon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the Boorara Stage 1 Feasibility Study ("FS" or "Study").The proposed mining project comprises predominantly oxide and transitional material contained within the project's maiden Ore Reserve. The 100% owned project is located 10km east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, adjacent to the Super Pit in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields (Figure 1*).Commenting on the Boorara Stage 1 Study outcomes, Horizon Managing Director Mr Jon Price said:"The Boorara Stage 1 Feasibility Study has delivered robust economic results with strong projected cash margins and significantly reduced geological risk with grade control drilling completed ahead of a decision to mine. As with the successful Teal gold mine, the Company has taken a conservative approach to both resource estimation and mine development parameters, adopting conservative cut-off grades, dilution and ore recovery to reduce risk and underpin strong future cash generation.""The key drivers for developing Stage 1 of Boorara are to leverage off the current high gold prices to generate cash and to de-risk the larger scale development by confirming the tonnage and grade uplift demonstrated by the infill drilling and previous mining and milling reconciliations."Feasibility Study ParametersThe Study is based on the following key parameters:- Gold price of A$2,000/oz- Open pit mining operations and road haulage conducted by contractors- Ore processing through Golden Mile Milling's 1Mtpa conventional carbon in leach Lakewood plant in close proximity- Project implementation and oversight by Horizon's own team in conjunction with contractorsStudy TeamThe key consultants and companies engaged during the Study and their areas of responsibility were:- Geology and Resource Estimates BM Geological Services Pty Ltd- Geotechnical Green Geotechnical Pty Ltd- Mining and Ore Reserve Minecomp Pty Ltd- Metallurgical Test work ALS Metallurgy and Bureau Veritas Minerals- Processing facility In house review of third party processing plants- Hydrology and hydrogeology Rockwater Pty Ltd- Environmental Strategen-JBS&G Environmental ConsultantsKey Outcomes of the Feasibility StudyThe key Study outcomes for the project are included in Table 1 in link below: The estimated Ore Reserve, which constitutes 100% of the production target, has been prepared by competent persons in accordance with JORC Code 2012.The FS reflects the mining of three starter pits, one within the Crown Jewel deposit, and an east and west pit within the Regal deposits that currently make up the Boorara gold project. The removal of a very limited amount of waste over burden is required to reach the ore zone and grade control drilling has been completed for all pits enabling ore production within the first week of mining. Mining will precede processing by two months to build ore stockpiles with mining taking six months and the overall project undertaken in eight months. The FS assumes low powder factor "paddock" blasting will be conducted to ensure acceptable dig rates without unnecessary ore movement impacting ore loss and dilution. Final pit depths average 33m.*To view tables and figures, please visit:To view the Investor Presentation, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed. Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline. Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: The highest voter turnout in the parliamentary elections as of 12:00 is observed in the 1st Sharur-Sadarak constituency - 47.7 percent (GMT+4), Trend reports on Feb. 9. Some 18,440 out of 46,225 people have already voted in this constituency. The lowest voter turnout (1.2 percent) was observed in the 17th Yasamal constituency: 352 out of 30,534 people voted as of 12:00. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Secretariat Information Center of the Central Election Commission (CEC) will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. Some 5,329,460 voters will take part in the voting, and 340,689 internally displaced people will vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are observing the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Bavdhan, which serves as an entry point into the city for commuter coming from Mumbai and Hinjewadi, faces perpetual traffic chaos. Whether it is the issue of double parking, traffic violations or congestion during evening peak hour, the residents find it difficult to solve the traffic woes in the area. So, taking matters into their own hands, the Bavdhan citizens forum organised an awareness drive wherein 15 volunteers young and old stood outside the More Shopping store handing out stickers reading, Park Responsibly. Tired of the double parking and traffic violations on weekends and every evening on weekdays, the volunteers took to the streets to speak to everyone were responsible for creating a traffic chaos in the area on Sunday morning. This spot is perfect for us to spread awareness about proper parking as between 11 am and 1pm, almost everyone from the area visits the store. All we want is for them to understand that double parking is not an option and that people should follow traffic rules, said Dushyant Bhatia, a member of the Bavdhan citizens forum. The stretch from Chandani chowk to BHEL chowk is the worst affected with many of the residents double parking their vehicles during the day and sometimes also during the evening peak hour, alleged the members of the forum. We have eight bottleneck points between Chandani chowk and Ramnagar. In the evenings, situation is bad as citizens use Bavdhan as a shortcut, when the highway is blocked, said Ashish Mahale, a resident of Shindenagar. The major problem occurs between 6.30pm and 8.30pm and in the morning between 8.30am and 10am. We are asking citizens not to double park their vehicles, which is the main reason for the traffic chaos. Also, even following the basic traffic rules can make a lot of difference, added Dilip Puranik, a senior citizen, who added that crossing the road in Bavdhan requires help from a volunteer, during the peak hour. BEIJING, Feb.9 -- The Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to conduct combat-ready patrol on Sunday, said Air Force Senior Colonel Zhang Chunhi, Spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command, in a written statement. According to the spokesperson, multiple weapons and equipment including destroyers, frigates, bombers, fighter jets, and early warning aircraft had participated in the patrol in a bid to test the integrated combat capability of multiple services. Among them, the Air forces aircraft had flown through the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait and conducted targeted combat training. The spokesperson said that Taiwan and its affiliated islands are the sacred and inalienable part of China's territory. The Chinese militarys combat-ready patrol is completely legitimate and is the necessary action taken to address the current security situation across the Taiwan Strait and safeguard China's sovereignty. The spokesperson also stressed that troops of the PLA Eastern Theater Command have the determination and ability to thwart all separatist activities for "Taiwan independence", and will resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin James Oliphant and Joseph Ax (Reuters) Manchester, New Hampshire Sun, February 9, 2020 07:02 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20635a40e 2 World Democrat,Joe-Biden,Pete-Buttigieg,US Free Democrats scrambled to gain an edge with voters on Saturday on the last weekend before the party's next presidential nominating contest in New Hampshire, where Pete Buttigieg began drawing fire as the candidate on the rise. The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, ended up in a virtual tie with US Senator Bernie Sanders in results that trickled in from Monday's Iowa caucuses. Both men claimed victory, while US Senator Elizabeth Warren followed in third place and former Vice President Joe Biden trailed in fourth. The problems that plagued the caucuses overshadowed any victory bump before New Hampshire's contest on Tuesday and cast a pall as the Democratic Party began the process of picking a nominee to face Republican President Donald Trump in November. Here is what is happening in New Hampshire on the campaign trail. After what has been a mostly affable Democratic campaign, Biden's team pulled off the gloves and targeted the 38-year-old Buttigieg with a withering digital ad that pits Biden's decades of experience in public life against that of the former mayor. The ad makes liberal use of popular former President Barack Obama in a belittling rundown of the ex-mayor's small-town issues and also takes a swipe at his troubled record with African Americans. It shows Biden helping pass the Affordable Care Act while Buttigieg installed decorative lights under city bridges; Biden helping secure the Iran nuclear deal while Buttigieg negotiated lighter regulations for pet chip scanners; Biden helping save the US auto industry while Buttigieg "revitalized the sidewalks of downtown South Bend" with decorative brick. The ad, which will run on Facebook and YouTube in New Hampshire, extols Biden's work on the assault weapons ban, while noting that Buttigieg forced out the city's black police chief. "We're electing a president. What you've done matters," the ad says in closing. Buttigieg spokesman Chris Meagher derided the spot as Washington politics as usual that trivialized the concerns of ordinary communities. "The Vice Presidents decision to run this ad speaks more to where he currently stands in this race than it does about Petes perspective as a mayor and veteran," he said. Biden, 77, finished a distant fourth in Iowa and all but conceded he would lose New Hampshire in the first moments of a Democratic debate on Friday night. For months, people close to the Biden campaign had said going negative would be harmful to his political brand, which is built around empathy and optimism. But his poor finish in Iowa seems to have altered that calculus. In New Hampshire, he has been much more critical of his rivals by name. The Buttigieg ad marks a significant escalation that likely carries some risk of blowback. At a campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire, Biden began to re-frame himself as an underdog. "I've never paid attention to all this front-runner talk since I entered the race." He listed various political and personal setbacks on his life. "I know nothing comes easy." He repeated his warning that nominating Buttigieg or Sanders would be an unacceptable risk for Democrats. In line with the ad, he made light of Buttigieg's tenure as mayor of South Bend, saying there was a difference between managing the budget of a small city and his own work marshaling the $900 billion Recovery Act economic stimulus package through Congress after the 2008-2009 recession. Of Sanders, Biden said for all his time in Congress, Sanders had made no progress in getting his Medicare for All plan passed. "He hasn't been able to move the ball a single inch." The latest Suffolk University tracking poll of New Hampshire Democratic voters shows Buttigieg with 25% to Sanders' 24%, within the 4.4 point margin of error and showing a clear split between the moderate from Indiana and the party's progressive standard-bearer from neighboring Vermont. In the two-day tracking poll of 500 likely Democratic primary voters, Buttigieg has risen 14 points since the first poll was published Feb. 3. Warren, Sanders' fellow liberal from next-door Massachusetts, was third with 14% and Biden finished fourth with 11%, the poll showed. The other candidates were in single digits with 7% of voters undecided. A CNN poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center showed Sanders still holding a lead but with Buttigieg swiftly gaining on him. Campaigning far from New Hampshire, in Oklahoma City, billionaire Democratic candidate Michael Bloomberg racked up another endorsement on Saturday, this one from a Michigan Democrat elected in 2018 in a district that Trump carried two years earlier. US Representative Haley Stevens, one of 31 Democrats who represent congressional districts that Trump won in 2016. "Michigan needs an economic champion in the White House," she declared in a statement. Another of those Democrats, former Navy helicopter pilot Mikie Sherrill, endorsed Bloomberg on Thursday, as did the former Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, who on Friday became the first high-level former Trump administration official to back a Democratic hopeful in the 2020 election. The case was overseen by a police operation known as the Bendigo Steering Committee, which was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton and included assistant commissioners Neil Paterson and Stephen Fontana, and director of legal services Findlay McRae, among other senior personnel. Mr Patton and Mr Paterson are considered strong contenders to replace Graham Ashton as chief commissioner of police when his term ends in July. After the launch of the royal commission in December 2018, Victoria Police belatedly admitted Ms Gobbo had previously worked as a registered informer on two significantly earlier occasions, 1995 and 1999 revelations that forced the state government to dramatically expand its terms of reference. Ms Gobbo became a solicitor in 1996 and barrister in 1998, meaning the number of criminal cases she potentially contaminated was substantially larger. Ms Gobbo, herself, has claimed to have facilitated about 386 arrests and convictions. Evidence since produced to the royal commission shows Ms Gobbo also provided information informally as an unregistered informer for federal and Victorian law enforcement agencies at other points in her career. A spokeswoman for the royal commission said Victoria Polices handling of the disclosure of the 1995 and 1999 registrations to the courts was under investigation. During hearings the commission has, and still is, exploring why these registrations were not disclosed during the Victoria Police & Ms Gobbo v DPP matter, a commission spokeswoman told The Age. A Victoria Police spokesman has declined to comment on its conduct during the court cases. Whether or not the 1999 registration was relevant to the (court proceedings) is likely to be a matter considered at the royal commission, and as such it would be inappropriate for Victoria Police to comment, he said. But an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission report into the Gobbo scandal by Murray Kellam, QC, indicates senior ranks in the force were aware from at least February 2015. In her statement, Ms Judd provides multiple instances where Victoria Police allegedly failed to disclose Ms Gobbos 1999 registration to the court, provided allegedly misleading statements about her involvement with police, or made no attempt to correct the record of facts to the courts since the case began in 2016. Among them are a sworn affidavit by Mr Fontana that said Ms Gobbos work as a registered informer was limited to the period from September 2005 to January 2009. Mr Fontana made no reference to Ms Gobbo's earlier registration as a registered police informer, she wrote. Ms Judd has also challenged testimony delivered last year, before the royal commission, by the assistant commissioner Mr Paterson, in which he said Ms Gobbos 1999 registration was well known amongst all those involved in the court case because of a reference to it in an annexure to IBACs Kellam Report. Known as Annexure B, it contains a list of documents used in the IBAC inquiry, including a reference to an Informer registration application 13 May 1999. His Honour [Justice Timothy Ginnane] was possessed of the Kellam report as well. I just don't think it was the focus of the, of what the proceedings were about, Mr Paterson testified in March 2019. So the 1999 period, despite being available in the materials, wasn't part of what was being considered by the court is my view. Loading In her statement, Ms Judd labelled his account incorrect and inconsistent, saying that the Office of Public Prosecutions had no knowledge of her 1999 registration during the court case and was only notified of its existence by a letter from Victoria Police in 2019. It also remains unclear whether the section of the Kellam report containing the reference to Ms Gobbos 1999 registration was tendered to the court by Victoria Police. Justice Ginnane made no reference to it or the 1999 registration in his decision. The Age could not locate a copy of Annexure B in Supreme Court files, although some materials used in the case remain secret. Victoria Police declined to comment on whether the annexure was part of the materials submitted to Justice Ginnane. In her statement, Ms Judd claimed Victoria Polices conduct led Justice Ginnane to make a finding of fact that Ms Gobbo had been registered only in 2005, which stood unchallenged all the way to the High Court of Australia. Loading That finding was made on an implied, but obvious, premise that Ms Gobbos registration in 2005 was her first registration, she wrote. The Chief Commissioner made no attempt to correct the record of facts before the High Court so as to make clear to the Court that Ms Gobbo had, in fact, been formally registered prior to 2005. The royal commission is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Ms Gobbos 1995 registration as a police informer in June 2018, which was also not disclosed to the High Court or the Andrews government before it launched the royal commission in December 2018. The Office of Public Prosecutions was contacted on February 5 but declined to comment. On Monday, Ms Judd issued a media statement calling The Age story a "mischaracterisation" of her position. "At no time did I accuse senior police, including Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, of misleading the High Court and Supreme Court," she said. "Both myself and the Office of Public Prosecutions continue to enjoy a strong and close working relationship with Victoria Police." Victoria Police and the DPP spent more than $6.3 million fighting court battles from 2016 to 2018 over whether Ms Gobbo's work a secret police informer should be made public. SCHENECTADY The woman approached Patrolman Pat Irwin's parked police SUV and told him she now wanted to press charges against her boyfriend for allegedly beating her up after the car they were in was involved in a collision on Michigan Avenue around Route 890. She told the young cop that her boyfriend a Troy resident who had been a passenger in the vehicle she was driving was now accusing her of stealing his money. Realizing he was about to be arrested, the already irate boyfriend who not long ago had been cursing and arguing with Irwin and the other cops on the scene of the fender bender grew even angrier. A pat-down revealed a paycheck stub with the man's name, which was different from the name he had provided to Irwin. "He must of thought he had a warrant, but he doesn't," Irwin said later, after the man was placed in the back of another police vehicle and taken to the station for booking on charges stemming from the confrontation and lying about his identity. Irwin turns 33 next month, and has been with the Schenectady Police Department for seven years which means he joined the force in the middle of a two-decade period of often difficult transition. Roughly 95 percent of the city's police officers were hired since 1999, the year the FBI launched an investigation of the department that ended with four cops a lieutenant and three patrolmen serving prison time for bending the law to protect informants, or supplying them with drugs. The FBI probe that led to those arrests also found widespread civil rights violations by city cops. In the aftermath of the investigation, officers were arrested for a variety offenses: One admitted he sold a semi-automatic weapon to a drug dealer; another pleaded guilty to stealing cocaine from the vice squad safe to fuel his own drug habit. The department was dealt another crushing blow with the 2007 arrest of then-retired Police Chief Gregory T. Kaczmarek for participating in a drug distribution ring. Rumors about his own drug use stretched back years, and forced him to confront those allegations when he was appointed police chief by Mayor Albert P. Jurczyski in 1996. Kaczmarek and his wife, Lisa, were part of a group of some two dozen people including her son, Miles Smith who funneled large quantities of cocaine and heroin from Long Island and Manhattan onto the streets of Schenectady. Seven months after their indictment, Kaczmarek and his wife entered guilty pleas. People familiar with the department say a number of decisions helped tame the troubled force, including the promotion to chief of Mark Chaires, a longtime city police officer with a low tolerance for poor professional behavior. Chaires who recounted recently that even after the federal corruption convictions, All hell broke loose in his early days in the top job. As much stuff as went on before, when I became chief all these guys kept getting in trouble for off-duty stuff, said Chaires, whose tenure that began in the 2008, saw several officers fired, forced to resign or retire or quit the force for such bad behavior. A few years later, the city in a bid to save money offered police officers with more than 20 years on the job a chance to retire and receive a $20,000 payout. The golden parachute was also a chance to breathe life into the department with younger, better-educated cops with a stronger command staff and a stepped-up emphasis on training. Chaires said he focused on purging the department of the small band of miscreants while still providing training and support for the vast majority of cops who took their job of serving and protecting seriously. When somebody did something wrong, clearly that they knew they werent supposed to do like smack their girlfriend around or drive drunk they were going to get dealt with, he said of his zero-tolerance policy. Chaires retired in 2012, and now teaches criminal justice at Tennessee State University in Nashville. When he found out he was being considered for the chiefs job, he recruited lieutenants Brian Kilcullen and Patrick Leguire, both of whom he later promoted to assistant chiefs. He also praised two internal affairs investigators for not being afraid to look into allegations against fellow officers they knew and sometimes worked with. Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said Chaires tough, no-nonsense style along with the respect he commanded made him an effective leader. Carney and other police officials also said Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett, who was hired by then-Mayor Brian U. Stratton in 2007 after serving as State Police superintendent, played a prominent role in the departments resurgence. Bennett died in 2017. He reinvigorated the sense of professionalism and ignited the strong discipline model, said current Chief Eric Clifford. The city fought in court and eventually won the right of the Public Safety Commissioner to preside over disciplinary hearings. Michael Eidens, a former judge and county legislator, presently serves in that post. Clifford recalled a police commander telling him and the other new recruits in 2002 there were at least a dozen cops who should not be working as police officers. When I first got here, there were a lot of people who had the ability to retire and werent because they were in these jobs that supervisors werent making them do work, so they were comfortable and they had no reason to leave, Clifford said. Being a police officer and having power, it does something to a person, where sometimes you start to think that you can get away with certain things." That no longer seems to be the case. The new police contract contains a generous longevity pay increase, an incentive aimed at keeping the most seasoned police officers from leaving after 20 years when they can qualify for a state pension. The department also toughened its hiring standards, and over the years the police force one of the best paid in the region has attracted candidates that seem better suited for police work. To make it onto the force, prospective police recruits now must undergo a battery of tests, including psychological evaluation, background investigations and a polygraph test, and are interviewed by a panel of police officials. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Former county sheriff turned college professor Harry Buffardi said police investigators have quizzed him about students in his criminal justice classes at Schenectady Community College who had applied to get on the force. They wanted to know more than grades, said Buffardi, who no longer teaches. They were really looking at peoples background; they were looking at peoples character; they wanted to know if someone went to college; they wanted to know who their college professors were; and what they were like in class. Former students have told Buffardi how much tougher Schenectadys screening process is than those of other regional law enforcement agencies. Carney pointed to one of the most important changes: less cynicism about the public among police officers. Once the force's command staff started demanding more from the officers they were overseeing, Carney said power centers that once flourished due to poor leadership began to evaporate. There were also good police officers, there were always good detectives, (but) there was a much looser sense of control over what was going on down there, Carney said, adding that the powerful Schenectady Police Benevolent Association union was too often at war with management in the bad old days. Today, the police union and the department's leadership enjoy a more cordial business relationship. Clifford doesnt think the department is haunted by the past, but knows there are haters out there who bring up its past collective sins at every opportunity. Clifford said he is focused on strengthening the bond between police and residents, and maintaining professionalism and ethics. He's holding police accountable through what he terms a progressive model of discipline in which even a few minor infractions could result in a officer being fired. He and Carney, who has been district attorney for three decades, acknowledged the department needs to continue its efforts to diversify its membership. The department, which recently started using body-worn cameras, is also close to becoming accredited, and will soon be analyzing the data it collects when officers use force. The 160 police officers that are here today, 95 percent of them were not here in 1999, Clifford said. We are a different department. The motor vehicle crash that Pat Irwin responded to happened in front of Duane Etienne's Michigan Avenue residence. He saw what happened and called 9-1-1. Etienne, 64, marveled at how police calmly dealt with the man and his girlfriend and were able to defuse the situation. We all demand respect, but nobody wants to give it, he said. Even so, he wishes police would be more immersed in the community. They need to do more beat walking get out of the car and walk around, Etienne said. Be that cop that you would want, because theres a perception of police. Irwin, who graduated from Union College, said he was well aware of the departments notoriety but that it didn't scare him away from a job he loves. He has learned to deal with people being hostile toward him because of his vocation. When that happens," Irwin said, "I ask them, 'Have you ever dealt with me? Do you know me?' And tell them, Im sorry that happened, when they talk about a past experience with police that was negative." As the menswear shows bounced from London to Florence and Milan before concluding in Paris on Sunday, January 19, the headlines were as chaotic as ever from rumblings of World War III to US president Trumps impeachment amidst the global outcry following the devastating bushfires in Australia, the latest in Brexit and Prince Harry and Meghan Markles abdication of royalty. Closer to home, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called yesterdays election. While the 2020s commenced with a litany of problems, mens fashion week took place anyway. Designers have to sell clothes, ultimately. They also reflect the times but less chaotic were the collections than the clarity they exuded mens fashion is well and truly in flux. Sit back and pay attention to the top five trends. Wearing Irish A sustainable proposition: support local. At London Fashion Week Mens Dublin native, Robyn Lynch, delivered a standout collection of reworked Irish classics. Irish linen, woven in Donegal, is cut into tailored jackets and pants while Aran knits are fused with tracksuits. Her key innovation is hybridising the Aran knit with sportswear elements intricate knits are spliced with technical nylons. We are trying to celebrate the Irish Aran jumper while introducing it to a new customer that perhaps might not have related to this garment before. Its a great aspect of Irish culture so its just trying to put my twist on that, said Lynch. Meanwhile, twists are also intrinsic to Jonathan Andersons operations in Paris at his own label JW Anderson and the Spanish luxury giant LOEWE. Anderson, in contrast to Lynch, proposes something distinctly formal with brushstrokes of womenswear and couture. Take for example his JW Anderson collection there were tent-like jackets in smart check, sleeveless peplum tops with micro-pleats, robe coats and shirts morphed into tunics. In its experimentation, it looked oh so sophisticated. Meanwhile, at LOEWE, the Derryman turned his attention to contrasts. Considering notions of motion and tension, with a sense of optimism pushed to an obscure edge, he presented double-breasted tailoring with a prom dress worn over it as an apron, alongside capes that were actually coats. Nothing is as it seems and it comes from the mind of a genius Irishman. Toxic masculinity gets a makeover JW Anderson at fashion week One of the biggest changes in menswear was the rapid-fire attacks designers launched on fragile masculinity. The Gucci show notes condemned the mien of toxic male and the ensuing collection was full of foppish femmes a time-travelling exercise through the wardrobes of men in the 70s to the early 00s. Think 70s glam rock metallic trousers with respectable tailoring of the 90s, to baggy ripped jeans of early 00s celebrities heartthrobs and beyond. This is before you take into account the baby doll dresses. Mens fashion is changing let the art of dressing be your oyster, proclaims the Italian brand. Elsewhere at Milan Fashion Week, at No 21, the label favoured backless and frontless knits, short shorts for the office. Daring and sexy, daringly sexual perhaps a bit much for the workplace but thats only half of your week. The offering was more tempered at Dries van Noten where the Belgian combined louche, patterned velvets with fox furs and crystal embellishments but it still looked luxurious with dreamily irreverent styling. The takeaway: traditional notions of what is considered acceptable have been bulldozed; flattened even, making way for new interpretations of what mens wardrobes can look like. Pick and choose your tribes as you please. There are no limits anymore. Slick tailoring for today A model presents a creation for Dior Homme. Undoubtedly, one must rely on the inconclusive nature of manhood to truly tell the menswear story. For every abandoning of tradition, there were still arbiters of straightforward, uncomplicated fashion around. It was at Dior Men where artistic director Kim Jones tasked himself with a relatively strict palette of slate grey, sky blue and beige with the occasional smattering of pattern and embellishment. It was quintessentially modern and luxurious. You walked away wanting those sumptuous leather jackets and slick tailoring. (The opera gloves are optional.) The same could be said for Givenchy. The brand offered high-waisted tailoring in bold shades, buttoned-down shirts, and neatly tailored outerwear, styled with square-toed boots, which was effortlessly contemporary. Subtle twists paid off it was classic yet subversive. Classic yet subversive rang true at Louis Vuitton where tailoring was given an update with cascading ruffles and traditional outerwear was superimposed with images of the Parisian sky. Picked apart its success was in its safety. This one is ready for your wardrobe. Tom Ford is another no man could resist one of his 90s-inspired suits, coming in a bold range of colours from vermilion to dusty rose. Looking back, moving forward Guccis mens A/W 2020/21 collection. Other designers relied on the past to reinvent the wheel. The Italian label Etro reflected on its history to carry itself forward. The brands signature heritage paisley patterns enriched velvet coats and a jacquard sweater, while a punk spirit contrasted with the prim and proper equestrian flair that ran through the collection. Ralph Lauren and Alexander McQueen honoured an enduring emblem of mens fashion rigorous tailoring. While streetwear and sportswear have experienced peaks and troughs, there is a sort of formal resurgence on the runways. Suit up. At both of these presentations, it was reflected in its strictest and most beautiful form. The polished dinner jackets of Ralph Lauren, in the finest cashmere and velvets, bought into a high society fantasy that cements fashion as a powerful tool. At McQueen, the couture-like craftsmanship and sleight-of-hand build a feminine spirit into precisely-tailored suiting see for example richly decorative embellishment and a striking colour palette. Timelessness still has currency. But designers like Sarah Burton at McQueen show that age-old crafts like tailoring can be elevated in the next decade. Former Secretary of State John Kerry called Sen. Bernie Sanders a 'Socialist' and said he was 'surprised' former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg thought he was ready to be president at a campaign stop Saturday on behalf of Joe Biden. 'I'm not personalizing this with Bernie, but he's a Socialist. He's been a Socialist all his life,' Kerry warned the crowd of 20 or so Biden supporters who were about to go canvassing in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 'I'm not and a whole bunch of Americans or not.' Kerry, who was the Democrats 2004 presidential nominee, reminded the crowd that he had spent 17 years in the U.S. Senate before trying for the White House. 'I'm kind of surprised by somebody who's 38 years old, decides that being mayor of 100,000 people when you win 11,000 votes, makes you ready to be president.' 'I don't get that,' Kerry said. REPORTING FOR DUTY: Former Secretary of State John Kerry traveled around New Hampshire on behalf of former Vice President Joe Biden Saturday - and went after Biden's most threatening rivals: former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders Former Secretary of State John Kerru picked on the same targets as ex-Vice President Joe Biden: Kerry said he was 'surprised' Pete Buttigieg (left) thought he had enough experience to be president and called Sen. Bernie Sanders (right) a straight-up 'Socialist' John Kerry (right) appeared with former Vice President Joe Biden (left) in Iowa as well. There, Kerry reportedly was on the phone discussing jumping in the presidential race amid 'the possibility of Bernie Sanders taking down the Democratic Party,' a report he denied John Kerry (center) said he was surprised by Joe Biden (left) getting fourth place in Iowa, though he said he 'hated' the polls and didn't think pollsters should release surveys so close to voting. The latest polls have Biden in fourth place in New Hampshire Since Wednesday, Biden has also been name-checking Buttigieg and Sanders at his events, though has used 'democratic socialist' to refer to the Vermont senator, never calling Sanders an all-out Socialist. Beyond that, Biden and Kerry made similar arguments - that Sanders would hurt down-ballot candidates and that Buttigieg is too young and inexperienced. Kerry was back on the trail in New Hampshire after an incident in Iowa called into question how solidly he was backing Biden, who ended up coming in a disappointing fourth place in the Hawkeye State. NBC News reported that Kerry could be overheard on a phone call discussing jumping in the presidential race amid 'the possibility of Bernie Sanders taking down the Democratic Party - down whole.' At the time, Sanders looked poised to win the Iowa caucuses, thanks to polling. In reality, Sanders won the two popular vote metrics, while Buttigieg won the traditional metric of success, the top percentage of delegates won, over Sanders by a hair. Once the report came out, Kerry tweeted he had no interest in joining the Democrats' 2020 field and 'any report otherwise is f***ing (or categorically) false.' He later took down the expletive-laden tweet, though made the same point in a clean version. The incident suggested that there were worries that Biden could underperform in the first-in-the-nation caucuses, which he did. On Saturday, Kerry told DailyMail.com that he hadn't apologized to Biden over the kerfuffle because there had been no need. 'There was nothing to react to,' the former secretary of state said. He called what NBC News picked up on a 'one-sided conversation' and suggested the individual drew an inaccurate conclusion. 'I received a phone call from somebody who was concerned about Bernie Sanders and was pushing me to do stuff and I said I'm not,' Kerry told DailyMail.com. 'That's what I said to the reporter and it's very clear.' Pointing out that he remained on the campaign trail as a surrogate - 'I've been there and here for Joe Biden' - Kerry said there were 'no divisions' between the two men. He did say he was surprised by Biden's fourth place showing in Iowa. 'I think it was something that came as a little bit of a surprise given what the campaign was talking about and saying,' Kerry said. 'But I think it was a surprise to him and a surprise to people around him.' But Kerry also dismissed the polls. All the recent New Hampshire polls have Biden in fourth place. 'I've never believed in polls ... I'm not entrapped by them. I hate them,' Kerry said. 'They should not allowed to be printed in two weeks prior to an election, frankly. I'm serious. I think they have the capacity to distort.' 'Let the people do their thing,' he encouraged. As for Biden's chances of doing better than fourth, Kerry noted, 'People are germinating on it, they're thinking about it.' 'Obviously, there's an aspect to it that's uphill, I understand that,' the Biden surrogate said. 'But let's see what happens.' A driver was left trapped inside a taxi after their vehicle flipped on a busy road in a three-car pile-up. Emergency services were called to the scene on Anzac Parade in the Sydney suburb of Kingsford at about 10.45am on Sunday. Photos showed the shattered taxi lying on its roof in the middle of the major road with a smashed bonnet, mirror and windscreen. Photos showed the shattered taxi lying on its roof in the middle of the major road with a smashed bonnet, mirror and windscreen Police told Daily Mail Australia the taxi collided with another vehicle and hit a parked car. New South Wales Ambulance confirmed two crews arrived on the scene. 'There were reports that the driver was trapped inside the taxi,' a spokeswoman said. 'But on arrival, they had managed to self-extricate.' A passer-by tries to help the driver of the flipped taxi on Anzac Parade on Sunday February 9 Police told Daily Mail Australia the taxi collided with another vehicle and hit a parked car Both drivers were breathalised. The results were negative. No one was injured. North-bound lanes on Anzac Parade were blocked for a short time, before being re-opened around 11.20am. A car seen under floodwater at Marrickville in Sydney, Sunday, February 9 The accident comes as severe weather warnings hit the city. A severe weather warning is in place on Sunday for heavy rain, damaging winds, abnormally high tides and damaging surf for the entire New South Wales coast. NSW is also at risk of life-threatening flash flooding, with warnings in place for the Hunter region, as well as the greater Sydney, Illawarra and eastern parts of the Central Tablelands districts. The state is copping the heaviest rainfall event it has endured since the 1990s, according to BOM acting NSW manager Jane Golding. Rain-soaked storm chasers watch the waves crash at Fairy Bower on Sydney's northern beaches, on Sunday SES volunteers responded to 535 jobs across the state overnight, including 250 in greater Sydney. Volunteers have also responded to at least 26 flood rescues, mostly involving motorists who drove into floodwaters. The Bureau of Meteorology expects rains to intensify through Sunday, after some stations in northern New South Wales recorded more than 300mm within 48 hours. First Nation leaders in the Interlake say its impossible to consult with the provincial government about a $540-million flood outlet when no one from the government shows up. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. First Nation leaders in the Interlake say its impossible to consult with the provincial government about a $540-million flood outlet when no one from the government shows up. Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean, who is chairman of the Interlake Regional Tribal Council, said Saturday they want and have asked repeatedly to meet with the Manitoba government about the planned Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin flood channels. McLean said at this time they dont want to take any action like the blockade set up by the people in Wetsuweten Territory in British Columbia to stop a pipeline from going through their land or the supporting moves by protesters across the country like stopping trains on the busy Toronto to Montreal route or blocking traffic on Portage Avenue outside RCMP headquarters in Winnipeg. "Going forward there should be consultations," McLean said. "We want to work collaboratively with the government. Were not interested in a fight or holding anybody up. Our thing first as First Nations is people first whether they are First Nation or non-Aboriginal people." McLean placed the blame for the lack of consultations on Premier Brian Pallister. "We have the support of the (federal) Liberal government," he said. "The failure of consultation isnt there. "Pallister is enforcing his will. Its Im the premier and Ill do what I need to do. "We are not for sale." Thats why the Interlake Regional Tribal Council held a panel event on Saturday about the Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin channels outlet project. The afternoon session brought together chiefs, band councillors and community members from the eight First Nation communities it represents as well as others from the east side of Lake Winnipeg. There were also provincial politicians, while NDP MLA Amanda Lathlin and Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont were there, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Eileen Clarke was a no show. IRTC executive director Karl Zadnik later said Clarke sent word she was sick with the flu but "why wasnt there a plan to have somebody else here?" Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs Organization says First Nations are being looked at as an afterthought when they need to be partners in the project. The government says it has been consulting with affected First Nations. "Minister Clarke had planned to attend but was unable to do so because she is ill with the flu, and she personally reached out to Chief McLean, chair of the IRTC, to let him know," a government spokesperson said. "Manitoba has engaged with all 39 Indigenous communities and groups that could have potential impacts from the Lake Manitoba outlet channel project, and the formal consultation process will begin when the federal government advances it to the next stage." Zadnik said the IRTC signed an agreement with the provincial government in Aug. 2017, to look at having collaboration over the project but "we signed the agreement and after that we never heard from them again." Other speakers who spoke said they feared the channels could destroy the commercial fisheries on Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg and bring in foreign species. They also added their criticism towards the provincial government for not talking with them. Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, of the Southern Chiefs Organization, said the province has no choice whether or not to meet with them. "We want to make one thing very clear the province and federal government have to work with us as partners," Daniels said. "We need to continue to let Manitobans know we havent been treated as partners. Were looked at as an afterthought." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "We are basically spinning our wheels," said Sandy Bay First Nation Chief Lance Roulette. George Kemp, a former chief of Berens River First Nation, said "there has been no consultation on what it means for Lake Winnipeg. "Dont let the government ram this through unless they talk to Lake Winnipeg communities." Chief David Traverse of Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, said "this government today is not listening to us. "We need to put them on notice they cant keep doing this to us." kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca Two groups of Iranians rallied in Washington D.C. on Saturday, February 8 to protest against the Islamic Republic, as it marked the 41st anniversary of the 1979 revolution. One group of protesters gathered outside the Embassy of Pakistan, which is home to Irans interest section in Washington, shouting slogans as guests arrived for a ceremony marking the anniversary. They chanted terrorists and shame as those invited arrived at the venue. The protesters also highlighted the killing of up to 1,500 protesters in November during widespread anti-government unrest in Iran. Supporters of Islamic Republic opposition group, the Mujahedin Khalq organization known as MEK gathered outside the White House in Lafayette Park to show solidarity with dissidents persecuted in Iran and highlight the importance of the killing of Irans Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. drone in Baghdad on January 3. The few hundred participants at the gathering heard retired Col. Wesley Martin who served as the senior anti-terrorism officer in Iraq and former Republican Rep. Ted Poe of Texas say that Soleimanis killing served the security of the United States. The Washington Examiner quoted Martin as saying at the rally, Khamenei and his regime are going down, and were going to live to see it. After a string of tough challenges in the past two years, the Islamic Republic is trying to show it is still strong through various events to mark the revolution anniversary this month. Boris Johnson will pave the way for the biggest infrastructure revolution since the Victorians this week, by giving the green light to HS2 and backing a new generation of free ports. After months of wrangling ministers are expected to finally give the go ahead to the troubled HS2 rail line, despite estimated costs trebling to more than 100 billion. A decision could come as early as tomorrow. Last night, the Prime Minister announced he would also fast-track plans to create 10 new free ports across the country aimed at driving investment after Britain leaves the EU. Boris Johnson is to give the green light to HS2 and backing a new generation of free ports this week. Prime Minister announced that he would fast-track plans to create 10 new free ports across the country, last night The new designation would slash tariffs and encourage industry to locate to port areas. The PM is also said to be pressing ahead with a feasibility study into plans for a 20 billion road bridge linking Scotland to Northern Ireland, which critics have said is impossible. One government source said: The PM wants to see an infrastructure revolution. There will be more to come at the Budget, but taken together we are talking about the biggest upgrading of the countrys infrastructure since the Victorians. The idea of free ports has been championed by Tories in the North East, where Teesside and Port of Tyne are both hoping to be designated. Full support: Treasury chief secretary Rishi Sunak (pictured in December 2019) said the new free ports would unleash the potential in our proud historic ports, boosting and regenerating communities across the UK But the idea is likely to be taken up across the country, with ports including Belfast, Milford Haven and Thames Gateway all said to be interested in the concept. Treasury chief secretary Rishi Sunak said the new free ports would unleash the potential in our proud historic ports, boosting and regenerating communities across the UK. Trade secretary Liz Truss said the initiative was part of the Government taking back control of our trade policy and opening every corner of the UK to opportunities across the world. Ministers will now consult on exactly how the new free ports will operate. Under one proposal, goods arriving in a free port would not attract tariffs until they enter the domestic market, with no duty payable if the item is re-exported. Mr Johnson wants to see 'an infrastructure revolution', one government source said, before adding how they want to create the 'biggest upgrading of the countrys infrastructure since the Victorians'. He is also to contain the HS2 (pictured) rail's costs which looks set to top 100billion Raw materials may not face tariffs until they are processed into final goods. Customs and planning constraints would also be simplified, and ministers have pledged tax breaks to improve infrastructure. Ministers are also considering copying the US system of freedom zones where capital gains tax is deferred on new development in order to encourage investment by the private sector. Although HS2 now looks set to get the go ahead this week, Mr Johnson has ordered action to try to contain costs, which now look set to top 100billion. This will include a review of the northern section which is due to link Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds. The HS2 route would initially link London and Birmingham with the second phase of the project then heading north to Manchester and Leeds. Trains will hit their top speed of 225 miles-per-hour for barely half of the 134-mile route from the capital to Birmingham, a Department for Transport study has revealed In the meantime, the first phase, linking London to Birmingham, will go ahead despite fresh warnings about value for money. A Department for Transport study has revealed that trains will hit their top speed of 225 miles-per-hour for barely half of the 134-mile route from the capital to Birmingham. But the project has become a political imperative for Mr Johnson who won his landslide election victory on the back of pledges to improve creaking infrastructure in the Midlands and the North. Andy Street, Tory mayor of the West Midlands, yesterday denied reports he had threatened to resign if the project was axed. Manchesters Labour Mayor Andy Burnham yesterday proposed a compromise in which the so-called Northern Powerhouse Rail project linking Liverpool to Manchester and Leeds is started before the northern section of HS2. Mr Burnham told Sky News: There is room for a compromise here and maybe its about taking the team who are working on HS2 north of Birmingham off that project and putting them on Northern Powerhouse Rail. If they build the east-west line, the Northern Powerhouse Rail, early in time they could then build HS2 from the north down to meet up in Birmingham and that feels to me the right solution. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 19:39:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tech giant Tencent has ratcheted up its financial support for the novel coronavirus outbreak control amid the business community's efforts to fight the epidemic. The company added another 1 billion (about 142.9 million U.S. dollars) to a special fund for the epidemic control, totaling 1.5 billion yuan so far. The fund, one of the largest corporate donations, will be used in fields including goods supplies, technical support, personnel care and scientific research and medical services. It has set aside 300 million yuan for those who make special contributions in the frontlines against the epidemic. Firms across different sectors in China are pooling money, supplies and technological expertise to help control the epidemic. Nearly 10,000 people detained in Kazakhstan in connection with riots Tokayev: CSTO peacekeepers will pull out from Kazakhstan within 10 days Newspaper: Armenia businessmen pay customs duties to Azerbaijanis to go to Iran European Parliament speaker David Sassoli dies Newspaper: Health minister makes decision full of contradictions in terms of Covid-related restrictions in Armenia Newspaper: Armenia authorities once again showed their being unprincipled, worthless, opposition MP says Germany teacher who had cannibalism fantasies is sentenced to life in prison Israel's military and other security services undergo largest rearmament in years Spain PM calls for a debate to consider COVID-19 endemic disease Flyone Armenia and Pegasus receive permission for Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan flights Pope condemns "baseless" ideological misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines Arab foreign ministers to visit Beijing Azerbaijanis stoned an Armenian car on the Stepanakert-Goris road Armenian FM has a phone call with his Polish counterpart Macron travels to French Riviera to discuss internal security issues Artsakh Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijan's aggressive behavior aims to disrupt Russian peacekeepers' activities US COVID-19 cases reach 60 million European Parliament President hospitalized due to immune system dysfunction Washington and Ankara discuss normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey WHO excludes emergence of deltacron strain In Karabakh Azerbaijanis shelled tractor Indian Defense Minister tests positive for COVID-19 US-Russia talks on security guarantees lasting for seven hours already NEWS.am daily digest: 10.01.22 Pashinyan appoints Hayk Mkrtchyan as Deputy Governor of Kotayk province Blast in eastern Afghanistan kills nine children Pashinyan: One of key priorities of Armenia presidency at CSTO is strengthening of crisis response mechanisms Internet cut off in Kazakhstan Armenia, Kazakhstan ombudspersons confer on Armenian communitys rights Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Kazakhstan Turkey defense minister meets with their envoy in process of normalization of Armenia relations Iranian Foreign Ministry reports progress in Vienna negotiations Dollar continues going up in Armenia New attempt by migrants in Belarus to storm Poland border Skat Airlines resumes Yerevan-Aktau and Aktau-Yerevan flights New Covid-related restrictions to be introduced in Armenia Karabakh police: Firefighters also targeted by Azerbaijan shooting (PHOTOS) Artsakh Defense Army has not fired on Azerbaijan positions Azerbaijani military are protesting amid military awards deprivation Azerbaijanis open fire in Nagorno-Karabakh Karabakh MFA: Events in Kazakhstan are result of actions planned by Turkey Armenia army General Staff has new deputy chief Australia to buy US $ 2.5 billion of armored vehicles Artsakh emergency service: Search for soldiers remains continued during holidays Kazakh Colonel Nazanov dies after heart attack Australia begins to vaccinate children aged 5-11 with COVID-19 vaccine Putin: Peacekeeping contingent to stay in Kazakhstan for a limited period Armenia 2nd-President Kocharyan v. premier Pashinyan lawsuit court session is closed Azerbaijan commandos conduct military exercises Part of the Great Wall of China collapsed due to earthquake Armenia MP: Turkey, Azerbaijans regional calculations have mixed up Copper prices decline Armenia ex-President Kocharyan v. PM Pashinyan lawsuit trial resumes Gold is getting cheaper EU is ready to support in addressing Karabakh crisis 126 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Fire in residential building in New York leaves 19 people killed National Center for Infectious Diseases Yerevan branch employees protesting outside center Karabakh President: Radical Pan-Turkic circles are actively involved in process in Kazakhstan Oil is getting more expensive Mars helicopter Ingenuity preparing for difficult 19th flight Interior ministry: About 8,000 people detained in Kazakhstan Earthquake hits Armenia-Azerbaijan border zone Researchers create substitute for egg whites from fungus Kazakhstan official information channel removes message about 164 casualties EC says construction of new nuclear power plants in Europe will require 500 billion in investment Ghost ship that sank 343 years ago discovered in US Post-COVID-19 antibodies may attack healthy cells, scientists say Pope says he was praying for Kazakhstan Media: 164 people die in Kazakhstan during riots Peskov: CSTO session does not plan to sign documents yet Criminal cases launched after bomb threat in Armenian, Belarus embassies in Moscow Norwegian military surrender panties before demobilization Iranian MFA says Tehran is ready for talks on downed plane of UIA Ukraine Russian defense minister says information war is on all fronts Several strategic objects in Kazakhstan transferred to CSTO contingent under protection David Minasyan elected head of Armenia's Parakar community Bloomberg: US is considering issue of limiting supply of high-tech products to Russia Armenia reports 142 COVID-19 new cases Council of Elders meeting continues in Armenia's Parakar White House speaks on Blinken statement on Russian peacekeeping troops Armed people detained at border in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan talks stabilization of situation in all regions of country Azerbaijanis demand Armenian soldier change his faith by taking away his cross, Ombudsman says Armenian painter Mher Mansurian dies in France At least 17 killed in Egypt road accident NATO chief announces Russia forces continued buildup in Ukraine Armenian militarys transfer to Kazakhstan is completed Azerbaijan opens fire on military positions near Armenia village Unidentified persons report threat of explosion at Armenia, Belarus embassies in Moscow Putin confers with Pashinyan, Lukashenko on situation in Kazakhstan Zakharova: OSCE has not provided real assistance to reporters who were attacked in Kazakhstan Lukashenko, Putin discuss situation in CSTO member countries Russia's Putin has telephonic conversation with Kazakhstan's Tokayev Quake hits waters off Chile President Tokayev declares national mourning in Kazakhstan on January 10 US diplomats do not leave Kazakhstans Almaty yet 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Karabakh Artsakh resident, 91 found dead near village Russia MFA reacts to Blinken's words about Russian military in Kazakhstan South Korea's economy is expected to grow 2.1 percent this year, a survey of economists by the state-run Korea Development Institute (KDI) showed Sunday, but the prediction did not fully reflect the economic impact of the new coronavirus. Still, the KDI's new forecast is less optimistic than the Bank of Korea's prediction of 2.3 percent. South Korea's economy grew 2 percent last year, its slowest growth in a decade. The Ministry of Economy and Finance expected the economy to grow 2.4 percent this year. Hit by a trade war between the United States and China, South Korea's exports fell 10.3 percent on-year in 2019 to $542.4 billion. The KDI survey predicted that South Korea's exports would grow 2.1 percent this year and 3.5 percent next year. Concerns are growing over South Korea's export performance down the road amid the new coronavirus crisis. It is widely feared that the outbreak and spread of the novel coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, will dampen China's economic growth in the first quarter. China is South Korea's leading export market, with slightly over 25 percent of its overseas shipments going to the world's second-largest economy after the United States. (Yonhap) There is no record of how Gillian Anderson reacted when she faced her reflection for the first time after being transformed into Margaret Thatcher for her latest role in The Crown. I imagine it must have been something like mine: a squeal of terror and an impulse to hide under furniture. And this is a woman who faced down shape-shifting aliens in The X-Files. I mean, how did I get so severe? How did I get so old? The fourth series of The Crown, currently in production and due to air this year, starts around 1979, when Mrs Thatcher was elected Prime Minister aged 54 (pictured) The fourth series of The Crown, currently in production and due to air this year, starts around 1979, when Mrs Thatcher was elected Prime Minister aged 54 only two years older than me, and three years older than Gillian. But I resemble my Grandma. Turning into a top Tory ... with help from a wig! HAIR: Like Gillian Anderson, I created my Maggie helmet by way of a natural hair wig with a lace trim, glued in place by expert wig-fitter Amanda Clarke, whos worked on film sets and in theatre for 30 years. It arrived already washed and set and, after fitting, was backcombed into a halo and finished with a spritz of hairspray. I created my Maggie helmet by way of a natural hair wig FACE: A generous application of a Bobbi Brown ivory, liquid foundation (the dreaded panstick was finally being phased out by the Eighties), set with a creamy, powder compact (which would have been kept in the handbag, once described by its owner as the safest place in Westminster). A generous application of a Bobbi Brown ivory, liquid foundation CHEEKS: Amanda drew a c shape, from my temple to under my cheekbone, using a blusher brush. Amanda drew a c shape, from my temple to under my cheekbone EYES: Mrs Thatcher had very heavy, hooded lids on her eyes, which she tried (unsuccessfully) to disguise with very pale eyeshadow. Unfortunately, this only really served to highlight them. A fine line of black kohl was drawn on my upper lash line to give the impression of thicker lashes (falsies were not Mrs Ts style at all), followed by a discreet application of black mascara. Mrs Thatcher had very heavy, hooded lids on her eyes, which she tried (unsuccessfully) to disguise LIPS: Her lips were surprisingly full, and she was not afraid to wear a power shade. While scarlet was seen as a bit too racy for the Commons, the compromise was a raisin or brick red, which we recreated in a shade by Bobbi Brown. Her lips were surprisingly full, and she was not afraid to wear a power shade Advertisement Then, however, an irresistible thought overtakes me: Id love to start an argument dressed like this! That incalcitrant battleaxe in the shoe shop who refused to swap those boots that fell to bits after Id barely worn them? Shed melt like sloppy blancmange. The vile teenagers who hurled insults at me when I remonstrated with them for dumping their takeaway wrappers in the street? Theyd be crying like babies. This is power. This is what it feels like to be Mrs Thatcher. Every woman should have a day like this. Not that it was an easy transformation. For a lady who was revered for her brain, Mrs T took a great deal of interest in her appearance. It took Femails brilliant team of stylists and a top make-up artist and hairdresser the best part of a day to change me from a slightly-left-of-centre Essex bottle-blonde to the formidable, longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century. And, while we may not share much by way of our politics, Mrs T and I are equals when it comes to our unapologetic vanity and attention to detail. She watched her weight closely, as do I, a very proud size 10. I just try to eat little. For breakfast, often I have nothing but coffee with a dash of milk. Now and then I eat chocolates, but I find it hard to stop at one. Its often best, you know, to do without completely. You cant indulge. It will sit on your hips, she once said. And her beauty regimen, although no-nonsense, began early: From my teens, Ive looked after my skin. I never use soap and water on it, although I come from a very soap-and-water-minded family. However late and however tired, I use cleanser to get the make-up off and then a good moisturiser. But it was her hair that was her biggest trademark. A washed, set, backcombed, lacquered, butterscotch-coloured helmet you could bounce a brick off. That hairstyle, which remained as unshakeable as her beliefs, was once voted the fifth most influential style of the past 50 years above even Princess Dianas. Its easy to forget Mrs Thatcher was not a natural blonde. Her hair was mid-brown, but she began tinting it around 1959 when she became the MP for Finchley. As she rose in power, from Education Minister to Leader of the Opposition and eventually our first female Prime Minister, her colour became a less harsh, warmer shade of dark blonde. Amanda Clarke, our hair and make-up artist who trained in the Eighties, recognised her style immediately as The Breeze, a style that trainee hairdressers were forced to practise ad infinitum on elderly ladies. It involved a layered cut with tresses never more than 4 in long, which was permed, washed, placed in rollers, steeped in setting spray, and dried under a bonnet. When crispy dry, each rod-like curl would be teased out of its roller and backcombed to create a halo which was set, rock hard, with a generous spritz of super-strong hairspray. The Breeze, as suggested by its name, involved sweeping the hair away from the face to create the effect of a coiffed lady standing on Blackpool seafront in a gale. The process would have to be repeated every week. Mrs Thatchers appointments diary, released by the National Archives in 2014, showed she had her hair styled 120 times in 1984 an average of once every three days. She was also a big fan of Carmen heated rollers, that ubiquitous tool of Eighties big hair. Like Mrs Thatcher, I honed my make-up skills in the Eighties, and havent changed them much in more than 30 years. This was a very polished age, according to Amanda, which took ladies back to the nice and tidy Fifties. While cosmetic rules were abandoned in the Sixties and Seventies, the Eighties woman came firmly to heel. Liquid foundation (applied with a wedge-shaped sponge), a dab of powder, rouge, eyeshadow, mascara, kohl, lipstick all done in order, all done nicely. Her style was unvarnished nails, pale velvet skin and a slick of raisin-red lipstick. The late French president Francois Mitterrand famously described Mrs Thatcher as having the eyes of Caligula and the mouth of Marilyn Monroe. Former Conservative MP and minister Ann Widdecombe recalls: She always looked good, even at 5am. She looked posh and proper. Her wardrobe those power suits and pussy-bow blouses was entrusted to a dressmaker in the early days, with selections from the High Street and help from Cynthia Crawford, her personal assistant. It wasn't an easy transformation. For a lady who was revered for her brain, Mrs T took a great deal of interest in her appearance, writes JULIA LAWRENCE Like Mrs Thatcher, I honed my make-up skills in the Eighties, and havent changed them much in more than 30 years, writes JULIA LAWRENCE Cynthia once recalled how she could dress Mrs Thatcher in under four minutes. Her secret was to mass-buy and order ahead from her bosss beloved Marks & Spencer. Later, Mrs Ts wardrobe became more befitting of her status on the world stage, as she switched to bespoke outfits masterminded by Margaret King, a director of Aquascutum. In the early days, her shoes came from Rayne, but she latterly switched to lower-heeled, round-toed Ferragamo courts. Stepping out of my Mrs Thatcher garb was a bittersweet experience. While my husband was relieved that ghastly hag would not be joining him in bed later that evening, he did think the power suit rather suited me. Still, I miss the presence and clout of the Iron Lady. My day as Mrs Thatcher came to an end all too soon. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: No obstacles have been recorded so far in observing the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, representative of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Nat Parry told Trend on Feb. 9. It is premature to comment on the election itself, Parry added. As the election observation mission, we will collect the data and analyze it. Later we will have a final statement and present that at the press conference. This morning we visited seven polling stations all over Baku, representative of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly said. We were in the opening of the polling stations, we visited IDP camps. I cant say anything for sure, Parry said. Weve made some observations and we will share those observations with analysts at the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. We are making analysis to get the full picture around the country, representative of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly said. Personally, I didnt see any shortcomings, but this is just one observation. It is better to wait till all the data is collected. We didnt face any obstacles when observing the elections. We had cooperation and access to polling stations. In the very beginning, the voter turnout was low, then it rose at 11:00 or 12:00 (GMT +4). We will be observing the elections in 20-30 polling stations and then we will go to see the closing procedure, Parry said. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Secretariat Information Center of the Central Election Commission (CEC) will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Photo: Enlighten Tan and Med Spa/Yelp Spending time in Carriage Place? Get to know this Aurora neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a Japanese sushi bar to a medical spa. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Carriage Place, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Hana Sushi Photo: Jeff B./Yelp Topping the list is sushi bar and Japanese restaurant Hana Sushi. Located at 16911 E. Quincy Ave., it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting four stars out of 137 reviews on Yelp. On the menu, anticipate a vast selection of sushi rolls, sashimi options and other classic Japanese dishes, including chicken teriyaki, tempura udon noodles, pork gyoza dumplings, miso soup, seaweed salad and mochi ice cream. 2. European Wax Center Photo: European Wax Center/Yelp Next up is an outpost of the waxing and skin care chain European Wax Center, situated at 3571 S. Tower Road, Suite H. With 4.5 stars out of 63 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. European Wax Center, which has hundreds of locations across the country, specializes in a variety of body waxing and grooming services for both women and men. 3. Enlighten Tan and Med Spa Photo: Enlighten Tan and Med Spa/Yelp Finally, medical spa and tanning parlor Enlighten Tan and Med Spa is another prime choice. Yelpers give the business, settled at 16961 E. Quincy Ave., Unit C-4, four stars out of 13 reviews. Enlighten Tan and Med Spa provides an array of cosmetic spa treatments to help clients look and feel their best, with services ranging from spray tans, laser hair removal, facials and massages to infrared body wraps, face lifts and other anti-aging procedures. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. BJP leaders unanimously dismissed Saturday's exit polls that predicted a resounding victory for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi elections as the Kejriwal-led outfit remained optimistic and the Congress chose sounded a note of caution. BJP leaders unanimously dismissed Saturday's exit polls that predicted a resounding victory for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi elections as the Kejriwal-led outfit remained optimistic and the Congress chose sounded a note of caution. Exit polls for the Delhi Assembly election on Saturday predicted a comfortable victory for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) despite a likely rise in tally for the BJP in the 70-member House. The Times Now-Ipsos exit polls predicted that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will retain his chair with the AAP winning 44 seats against 26 for the BJP. The Republic-Jan ki Baat survey gave the AAP 48-61 seats and the BJP 9-21 seats. The TV9 Bharatvarsh-Cicero predicted 54 seats for the AAP, 15 for the BJP and one for the Congress. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari predicted that all the polls would be proven wrong on 11 February. fail.. .. .. EVM .. Manoj Tiwari (@ManojTiwariMP) February 8, 2020 All these exit polls will fail. Please save this tweet. The BJP will form the Delhi government with 48 seats. Please dont blame Electronic Voting Machines then, Tiwari said. BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi, speaking to NDTV after a meeting called by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, said that the exit polls were "not exact". "Exit polls don't have their math right. Also, the data is collected only till 4 or 5 pm... exit polls have got it wrong before as well" Lekhi said, admitting that exit poll results were discussed at the meeting. "Our voters came late in the day and voted till evening," she added as per the NDTV report. Shyam Jaju, BJP in-charge for Delhi polls, echoed Lekhi's sentiment. Exit polls have proved to be wrong in the past. This time, too, the result will surprise everyone, he told Hindustan Times. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said his party will wait for the exact polls and stressed that the BJP will come to power. There will be a huge difference in exit polls and the final results. We will wait for the exact polls. Exit polls had failed in May elections (17th Lok Sabha polls) as well, Javadekar was quoted as saying by ANI. We have seen the ground reality and we have got a good response. We will come into power on 11 February, he added. BJP national general secretary BL Santosh said something didn't quite add up: 3 factors about #DelhiPolls2020 that doesnt add up ... 17% vote in last 2 hours @AamAadmiParty narrative about EVM disturbance exit poll results . Are we missing something here ..? Are some forces anticipating something other than exit polls ...? B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) February 9, 2020 BJP national secretary Sunil Deodhar slammed the BJP's rivals and accused them of having 'Modi phobia' Soon after #DelhiExitPolls Pakistan Minister expresses joy. LoP @adhirrcinc whose party fought against AAP is praising Kejriwals agenda.#ModiPhobia is their common problem. .... pic.twitter.com/sY9FIQWwgc Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) February 9, 2020 AAP optimistic, Congress cautious Senior AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday said the party is winning the Delhi Assembly elections by a huge margin. Taking to Twitter after the voting ended, Sisodia congratulated all the AAP workers for their hard work, saying the election is a "proof" of "our strong and selfless relationship". "Voting ended! Hearty congratulations to all the activists. All worked from early morning to late night and some worked for 24 hours in the last days. "This election is a proof of how selfless and strong our relationship is. We are winning by a huge margin," Sisodia tweeted in Hindi, saluting the hard work of all his colleagues. Congress' national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that exit polls are only indicators, and there are several instances where these have horribly gone wrong. In Haryana, one exit poll was giving us two seats but we ended up winning 31 seats there. You can never truly know what the voter is thinking, he said at a press conference, PTI reported. Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra told ANI: All exit polls are going to fail. BJP will not get even 20 seats and Kejriwal is not going to form a govt in Delhi. Im hoping Congress is going to do much better than what exit polls are showing. Let us wait till the results are out. With inputs from agencies STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After an NYPD officer was shot in a marked police van an act Commissioner Dermot Shea called an assassination attempt" the injured cop received a warm send-off as he left the hospital on Sunday. Despite being shot in the chin & neck last night, Police Officer Stroffolino goes home today, giving his fellow officers & everyone we serve an inspirational thumbs-up, Shea wrote on Twitter. We thank him for his heroic service to our city, and wish him a speedy recovery, Shea added. Despite being shot in the chin & neck last night, Police Officer Stroffolino goes home today, giving his fellow officers & everyone we serve an inspirational thumbs-up. We thank him for his heroic service to our city, and wish him a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/NW7FerMEqm Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) February 9, 2020 The shooting occurred on the 900 block of Simpson Street in the Bronx on 8:27 p.m., according to police, when a man engaged the officers in conversation before pulling out a firearm and shooting at the cops striking an officer in the neck and chin before they were able to drive off. The suspect initially fled to parts unknown, according to a statement from the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Earlier tonight, two uniformed police officers in the Bronx were fired upon one was shot in the chin and neck, very close to the carotid region. This was absolutely an attempted assassination of two uniformed New York City police officers. pic.twitter.com/wBtwX3Ptyv Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) February 9, 2020 Less than 12 hours later, an armed man believed to be the same perpetrator of the aforementioned shooting entered the 41st Precinct station house and opened fire, injuring a lieutenant hit by gunfire in the arm during the ambush. For the second time in less than 12 hours, members of the New York City Police Department have been targeted specifically and shot in attempts to murder the very people who work so hard day and night to keep the people of this city safe, Shea said at a press conference after the incident. The second shooting was captured on video inside of the station house, according to Shea, and showed the suspect entering the precinct before firing multiple rounds toward the desk area and a second location inside the building, discharging a 9mm pistol directly at uniformed members of service. The injured lieutenant returned fire but did not strike the suspect, Shea said, but the perpetrator was quickly taken into custody lying down only after he ran out of bullets." Shea said the suspect had a violent criminal history, and was paroled in 2017 after a shooting incident in the Bronx, a subsequent carjacking and a car crash where he engaged in a gunfight with members of the NYPD in 2002. A senior police official identified the alleged gunman as Robert Williams, according to an NBC report. The official reportedly said Williams was paroled in 2017 after an attempted murder conviction. Police said that there were no charges as of 4:10 p.m. It is only by the grace of god and the heroic actions of those inside the building that took him into custody that we are not talking about police officers murdered inside of a New York City police precinct, Shea said on Sunday. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who attended both police press conferences directly following each shooting, condemned the attacks. We have to understand this, as a city, as a nation, our entire society has to understand an attack on a police officer is an attack on all of us," calling the shootings a premeditated effort to kill. The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) released a statement Sunday following news of the second shooting. It is a double miracle that we are not preparing for two funerals right now, said Patrick Lynch, PBA president. These targeted attacks are exactly what we have warned against... our elected officials need to start listening to us and working with us not against us to fix the deteriorating environment on our streets. All injured officers are expected to fully recover. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden Merkley and Wyden are Oregons U.S. Senators No one runs for the U.S. Senate with the hope of becoming an impeachment juror. We both have dedicated our time in Congress to working to deliver for Oregoniansand we would both much rather have spent all of our time the past two weeks doing just that than sitting as jurors in the impeachment trial of President Trump. But we took an oath to protect, defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States. And any time an American is called to serve on a jury, it is a solemn responsibility to consider evidence and render our best judgment of justice to our peers. Our system of fair and impartial trials is a bedrock principle that has set America apart as a beacon of hope, equality and fairness in the world, as is engraved in stone above our Supreme Court: Equal justice under law. While many Oregonians and Americans held out hope that our Republican colleagues would join us in the effort to produce a free and fair trial, in the end, those efforts were in vain. Instead, the trial played out as many feared it would. The House impeachment managers outlined the presidents wrongdoings and conclusive evidence of his extortion of a foreign government and subsequent cover-up, but it was irrelevant. Openly plotting with the White House, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked all witnesses and documentsthe first time that has ever happened in an impeachment trial in all of American history. Oregonians, whether in counties that Trump won or that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, told us that any legitimate trial honoring the spirit of fairness embodied by the Oregon Way must have witnesses. But the goal of this sham trial was to deliver an acquittal. It was not about getting to the truth, exercising our constitutional responsibility to act as a check and balance or protecting American taxpayers and citizens from being taken advantage of by a corrupt executive whose core response was I am above the law. The presidents defense was fiction because he was not fighting corruption in Ukraine, he was causing it. Nevertheless, since the House of Representatives passed and sent the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, we have considered the evidence laid out by the House managers and the presidents defense team. Share your opinion Submit your essay of 500-700 words on a highly topical issue or a theme of particular relevance to the Pacific Northwest, Oregon and the Portland area to commentary@oregonian.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification. With all of the information made available to us, the choice ultimately was clear. Even with the White House and Senate Republicans blocking access to witnesses and documents, there was overwhelming evidence that the president did not just withhold military funding from Ukraine as a means of coercing the Ukrainian government to launch an investigation solely for the purpose of harming a political rival; the president led a corrupt, international criminal conspiracy that spanned a year, and then attempted to cover it up by obstructing Congress from its constitutionally mandated oversight duties. Nothing presented by the presidents defense team contradicted the evidence brought by the House managers. In fact, even some of our Republican Senate colleagues who voted for acquittal admitted that the president abused his office. Any choice other than to vote to hold the president accountable for his actions would not only be a dereliction of our duties, but also an invitation to future corruption and to undermine our constitutional system of checks and balances. The founders of our government put impeachment in the Constitution to address precisely these concerns. In a letter to George Washington, Alexander Hamilton expressed the dangers of a system with no check on the executive: When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, possessed of considerable talents, having the ability of military habitsdespotic in his ordinary demeanorknown to have scoffed in private at the principles of libertywhen such a man is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularityto join in the cry of danger to libertyto take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicionto flatter and fall in with all the non sense of the zealots of the dayIt may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may ride the storm and direct the whirlwind. The impeachment of a president is a rare occurrence in our nationweve only seen two other such trials in the Senateand thats a good thing. We deliberated carefully; listened to both sides; listened to the Oregonians who came to our open-to-all town halls, called and wrote into our offices; and searched deep within our hearts to come to a verdict. That verdict was unmistakable: Guilty on both counts. While a majority of our colleagues came to a different conclusion, there should be no mistake: This sham trial did not exonerate the president. Indeed, it demonstrated quite the contrary. It is our greatest hope that no future president will use the example set by Donald Trump as a rationale for replicating his misbehavior, nor any future Senate will use this sham trial as a model for how to weigh the misconduct of a president. If this trial is to serve any future service, it should be as an example of the dangers of putting party before country, and how, though sometimes it can be frail and manipulated, our system of checks and balances is critical to democracy and worthy of protection. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 05:25:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Forces loyal to Yemen's government launched artillery shelling against weapons depot of the Houthi rebels in the country's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, local sources told Xinhua Saturday. "One of the Houthi weapons depots was targeted by the government forces using artillery shelling that began on Friday evening and continued sporadically overnight," a military official said on condition of anonymity. "A series of blasts struck the Houthi weapons depot located near Durayhmi district of Hodeidah," said the official, confirming that "a number of Houthi elements were injured during the blasts." However, source from the Houthi rebels based in the strategic port city denied that an artillery shelling struck one of their weapons depots. "The (government) forces launched several attacks overnight and only destroyed the civilians' houses and farms in Hodeidah," an official of the Houthi authority in Hodeidah said anonymously. As the main Yemeni port city along the coast of the Red Sea, Hodeidah is the key lifeline entry of most Yemen's commercial imports and humanitarian aid. The grinding war of more than five years has pushed over 20 million people to the verge of starvation. The Iran-allied Houthi rebels control much of Hodeidah while the Saudi-backed government troops have advanced to its southeastern districts of the strategic port city. A police officer has been shot and wounded inside a precinct in the Bronx, New York, hours after another officer was shot while sitting in a patrol car in the same area. A man walked into the 41st precinct headquarters on Sunday morning and opened fire. A police lieutenant was wounded in the arm and has been taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he is reported to be in a stable condition. A suspect was arrested and is in custody. It was not immediately clear whether there was any connection with a shooting near by on Saturday evening on Simpson Street, in an area covered by the same precinct. Media reports suggest that police believe the same man may be responsible. A man in a black jacket and hat reportedly approached two officers in a patrol car, asked a question and then opened fire. One officer was hit in the neck and chin and taken to hospital. He was expected to be released later on Sunday although it was revealed one bullet came close to hitting his carotid artery. Neither officer returned fire and the gunman escaped. New York city mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted: "This vicious assassination attempt is the second one we've seen in 24 hours and an attack on our NYPD officers is an attack on ALL New Yorkers. "This despicable hatred is an attempt to divide our city and undermine our safety. We cannot and will not let that happen." NYPD commissioner Dermot Shea told a news conference: "By the grace of God, we are here talking about an officer that will be going home. "Let me be very clear: this was an assassination attempt of two New York city police officers. It is a miracle we are not here under worse circumstances." Pictures of the suspect in the first shooting released by police and video purporting to show the attack on the precinct show bearded men of similar build, wearing jeans, black shoes and a black beanie hat but different coloured jackets black in the street shooting, orange and blue in the second. The attack on the squad car recalls previous fatal attacks on New York City police officers. In 2017, a gunman killed Miosotis Familia as she sat in her patrol vehicle in the Bronx. In 2014, two officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, were shot dead in their patrol car in Brooklyn by a man upset about recent police killings of unarmed black men. Mr Shea said Ramos and Liu's deaths were "not something that engenders anything but the worst memories". The Associated Press contributed to this report Jhansi, Feb 9 : Seven Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested here for not having any valid documents, police said on Sunday. Jhansi's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) D. Pradeep said: "As many as seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested during routine checking near the bus stand in Babina on Friday." Those arrested were staying at a hotel near the bus stand and did not have valid documents for staying in India, the SSP said, Seven of those arrested belong to Dhaka. The SSP said that the arrested persons were in the business of selling fish oil. "During routine probe, no criminal cases have been found against them, but they have been booked under the Foreigners Act for illegally staying in India," he said. The arrested have been identified as Mamoon Sheikh, Milan Sheikh, Aslam Sheikh, Falan Sheikh, Sijer Sheikh, Mukul Sheikh and Monu Vaid. Bay of Plenty Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of hammerhands for an immediate start.The successful... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Villagers in Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday set ablaze a bus after it hit a motorcycle killing two people and injuring one, police said. The incident took place near Dodwada village on Khandwa-Indore Road, said Sub Divisional Officer of Police KP David. "Mayabai (30) and Shriram (4) were killed and Akhilesh was injured when the bus hit their motorcycle from behind. Irate villagers set ablaze the bus and fire engines had to be called to douse the fire," he said. "Mayabai, her husband Akhilesh and their nephew Shriram were returning to their village after attending a marriage ceremony. The driver fled from the spot and efforts are on to arrest him," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Muhammadu Buhari has said ECOWAS member countries are mobilizing their own resources to combat the scourge of terrorism. Speaking on Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at a High-Level meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on the State of Peace and Security in Africa during the 33rd AU Summit, the president commended the move, while calling for new strategies by the Union to effectively prevent, manage and resolve conflicts in the face of new challenges. The president said Nigeria is proud to continue to serve as a strong contributor to the peace roles played by the regional bloc. In Burkina Faso, we (ECOWAS) pledged to mobilize one billion US dollars to address the challenges of insecurity in our region and the Sahel. In Guinea Bissau, ECOWAS successfully midwifed the general elections. Nigeria along with ECOWAS member states led in the restoration of democracy and peace in the Gambia, he said, while welcoming the collaborative leadership of the AU with other Regional Economic Communities in resolving conflicts on the continent. Nigeria condemns, in the strongest terms, the perpetrators of terrorism in Libya, the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, and parts of the Horn of Africa. We b that efforts must continue to be pooled to mitigate this dreadful violence and secure the future of our continent, he said. On new strategies to resolve conflicts on the continent, the President said: The AU must strengthen its own capacity for mediation and develop an effective intervention roadmap. He added that more emphasis should be placed on promoting national dialogue, reconciliation and social cohesion in order to rally all actors towards sustainable peace. Meanwhile, the president announced that Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the AU Peace Fund up to 2019, pledging to continue investing in peace and security on the continent. He reminded the meeting that drawing from the Kigali and Johannesburg Assembly Decisions, the fund is structured for the internal peace support arrangements within the continent and not as resources to subsidise the mandate of the UN Security Council. In this regard, my delegation will always fervently contest attempts to make Africa subsidize the primary responsibility of the UN as clearly provided in it Charter, he said. President Buhari also welcomed the decision of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to adopt the regional stabilisation strategy for the Lake Chad Basin and the renewal of mandates of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the G5 Sahel Joint Force. He told the meeting that Nigeria was very encouraged by the resolution of the continent's standing decision-making body for conflict prevention, management and resolution, on the Lake Chad Basin. We are hopeful that the Inter Water Basin Transfer Initiative for the recharging of the Lake Chad will address some of the drivers of terrorism, particularly the impact of climate change and inter-communal clashes over access to natural resources. We equally call on the Assembly to direct the full implementation of these AU-inspired initiatives, he said. Noted Urdu poet Munnawar Rana's daughter Sumaiyaa has alleged police high-handedness in "crushing the anti-CAA protest" at Eidgah here. Addressing women protesters who have been agitating against the new citizenship law since the past 22 days, she said on Saturday, "We are holding all-women protest which is totally peaceful and is our democratic right. "But as we have seen in Lucknow, the Uttar Pradesh Police is using coercive measures to crush our protest. Even women washrooms were blocked in Lucknow where protestors were sitting, to break the protest," Sumaiyaa, who was accompanied by student leaders from the Aligarh Muslim University, said. Many women have been protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at the Eidgah complex here with the police booking 250 of them recently for unlawful assembly. According to reports, many Eidgah protesters have also been served notices, warning them that their properties would be attached if they continued with their agitation. SSP Akash Kulhari said "anti-social" elements may try to take advantage of the ongoing protest at the Eidgah. Meanwhile, the police have put up barricades surrounding the Eidgah, restricting men from entering the enclosure, where women are sitting on protest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A puppy was taken into custody along with his owner in Florida for petite theft Wednesday, confirmed the police authorities to the reporters. Logan Wilson was arrested for shoplifting from a store and was reportedly charged for possession of meth and theft by the police. According to the reports, the man committed the crime while he had the puppy in his possession, and therefore, the duo was detained at the signal when the man tried to run. Wilson's four-legged friend was also taken into custody Wilson admitted to stealing $259 worth of items from Bass Pro Shops, deputies told the media. He was arrested during a traffic stop after he was seen leaving the store, they further explained. Wilson's four-legged friend was also taken into custody. Sheriff's office posted the picture of the pup on Facebook showing an officer holding the dog. The post said that the deputies took care of the cutest accomplice before handing him over to Hillsborough County Animal Services. Read US Woman Reunites With Her Missing Dog After Beer Cans Carry His Face On Them Read Courteney Cox Learns To Play Alicia Keys' 'Underdog' With Boyfriend Johnny McDaid Deputies informed the reporters that the Animal services will look after the dog until the owner is released from the prison, the puppy is listed with the services as pre-adopted. They said that if in a situation that the owner refuses to take the pup back in, the dog will go up for the adoption. Users urge the deputies to find the pup a better home Facebook users have poured in the suggestions on the comment section asking the sheriff not to hand the puppy back to the owner and find him a better home instead. Dont give him back to the owner. Let the shelter adopt him out to a family that actually cares and can obviously take care of him (since he was shoplifting to begin with). Do the right thing, recommended one user. Please dont give that sweet puppy back to a criminal. Let animal control put it up for adoption, appealed another user. An individual shared his dogs experience saying, This is how we ended up with our family pet who was a Rottweiler found chained under the sink in a drug bust. CoCo was trained as a therapy dog and visited retirement homes. Read Chiefs' Derrick Nnadi Pays Adoption Fees For Over 100 Dogs To Celebrate Super Bowl LIV Win Read Man Spends $6 Million To Buy An Ad To Thank Vets For Saving His Dog's Life The death toll from the novel coronavirus surged past 800 in mainland China on Sunday, overtaking global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic, even as the World Health Organization said the outbreak appeared to be "stabilising". With 89 more people dyingmost in Hubei, the province at the centre of the outbreakthe toll is now higher than the 774 killed worldwide by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), according to figures from national health authorities. The latest data came after the WHO said the last four days had seen some stabilising in Hubei but warned the figures can still shoot up. Almost 37,200 people in China have now been infected by the new coronavirus, believed to have emerged late last year in Hubeis capital Wuhan, where residents are struggling to get daily supplies because of sweeping transport restrictions and instructions to stay inside. The epidemic has prompted the government to lock down whole cities as anger mounts over its handling of the crisis, especially after a whistleblowing doctor fell victim to the virus. With much of the country still not back at work after an extended Lunar New Year holiday, cities including financial hub Shanghai have ordered residents to wear masks in public. Many regions far from Hubei are allowing only one person per household to go out every two days to buy supplies. Michael Ryan, head of the WHOs Health Emergencies Programme, said the stable period of the outbreak may reflect the impact of the control measures that have been put in place. While the death toll has climbed steadily, new cases per day have declined since Wednesdays single-day peak of nearly 3,900 new cases nationwide. On Sunday, the number of new cases was just over 2,600 people. Public anger Millions of people remain under lockdown in Hubei, in a bid to stop the virus spreading. The local government asked people to stay at home as much as possible, but theres not enough goods in shops each time we get there, so we have to go out frequently, said a woman surnamed Wei, who told AFP her husband was infected. Story continues Melissa Santos, a student from the Dominican Republic living in Wuhan, said she planned to go out Sunday for the first time in a week to buy food. I am a bit worried, she told AFP. I have read that the virus can be transmitted very fast, in a few seconds. China drew international condemnation for covering up cases during the SARS outbreak, whereas the measures it has taken this time have been praised by the WHO. But anger over Beijings approach erupted on social media this week after the death of a Wuhan doctor who police silenced when he raised the alarm about the threat of an emerging virus in December. The doctor, 34, died early Friday, after contracting the virus while treating a patient. Chinese academics were among those angered by his death, with at least two open letters posted on social media demanding more freedoms. Put an end to the restrictions on freedom of speech, one letter demanded. Percolating along The central government responded by sending its anti-graft body to launch an investigation, as Beijing attempts to ease the anger. But Ian Lipkina professor at Columbia University who worked with China on the SARS outbreaksaid earlier intervention could have made a key difference. This virus was percolating along without anyone realising it was there, he said. If the quarantine measures have been effective, the epidemic should peak within the next fortnight, Lipkin addedalthough there is still a risk the number of cases could increase when people return to work. If in fact the methods for containment have been adequate or effective at all... I think we will start to see some dramatic reduction in China around the third week of February, he said. Lipkin also said warmer weather would help to slow the number of cases. Global fears The first foreign victim in China was confirmed this week when a 60-year-old American diagnosed with the virus died on Thursday in Wuhan. The only fatalities outside the mainland have been a Chinese man in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong. Governments have hardened their defences, with several countries banning arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights. Sixty-four people on board the Diamond Princess off Japans coast have tested positive and the ships passengers have been asked to stay inside their cabins to prevent new infections. (AFP) Srinagar, Feb 9 : The 2G mobile internet services which were restored in Kashmir last month, have been suspended again on Sunday, on the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. There are mild restrictions on parts of Srinagar, officials said. The All Party Hurriyat Conference have called for a bandh in Kashmir on Afzal Guru's death anniversary. The seventh annual Philly Wine Week will be touting the same goals but the crew running it will do so under a new moniker: Philly Wine Cru. It remains an early spring event, running from March 30 through April 6 at bars and restaurants throughout downtown and some of the surrounding neighborhoods. As always, the signature kick-off celebration will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. March 29 at XIX at The Bellevue in the heart of Center City. Along with hundreds of world-class wines that will be poured, Philadelphias talented food scene will deliver an assortment of pairings. Its an evening filled with conversation, laughter and plenty to eat and drink. Discounted tickets are on sale through Sunday at a cost of $50, using the code earlybird20. Beyond that, general admission tickets are $65 and a limited amount of early admission VIP tickets will be available at $125. VIP guests will be invited to enter early at 5 p.m. for an extra 90 minutes to enjoy the tasting, as well as an exclusive sparkling wine bar, raw bar, deluxe passed hors doeuvres, delectable bites prepared by guest chefs, plus three complimentary raffle tickets. You can purchase tickets at this link. During wine week, fans can look forward to many favorite events from past years, such as Jet Wine Bars Rainbow Wine Night, featuring wines representing all colors of the rainbow; a Prosciutto di Parma Pairing at Di Bruno Bros; and American Sardine Bars Backyard Wine BBQ, the unofficial closing ceremonies of Philly Wine Week. New additions for 2020 will be announced over the next few weeks, and a full list of events will be added to Philly Wine Crus website as they are confirmed from new and returning participants. As for the name change, it should allow the wine community to take the activities that have centered around Philly Wine Week and spread them throughout the year For example, the group has been holding an Australian Crawl since Thursday, and it will continue through Sunday as a way to support that world-class wine region that has been ravaged by brushfires. Those interested in tasting and learning more about Australian wines at Philly bars and restaurants during the Australia Crawl may check for updates, participating locations, and ways to donate on Philly Wine Crus Instagram page. Much like this call to action, in the fall of 2018 Philly Wine Cru helped organize a fundraiser for those affected by the Sonoma County wildfires. The logo for Philly Wine Cru. Says its vice president, Chloe Grigri of The Good King Tavern: 'Philly Wine Cru will still host Philly Wine Week, and we see the name change as a renewed and strengthened promise to our Philly friends and members that were ready to celebrate in good times and support in times of need.' Philadelphias wine scene is having a moment right now, with so many great wine shops, wine bars and restaurants offering incredible bottles to drink. Its moving to see and be part of it all. Were excited and dedicated to keep the momentum going, Philly Wine Cru President Sande Friedman of Di Bruno Bros said in a press release. Philly Wine Cru will still host Philly Wine Week, and we see the name change as a renewed and strengthened promise to our Philly friends and members that were ready to celebrate in good times and support in times of need, adds Vice President Chloe Grigri of The Good King Tavern and new hotspot le Caveau. Austrailian wines will be showcased through tomorrow at the following venues: 1. Veda 2. Rittenhouse Hotel 3. Fishtown Social 4. Bistro Romano 5. Paris Bistro and Jazz Cafe 6. Bloomsday Cafe 7. Barbuzzo 8. The Good King Tavern and le Caveau 9. Tria 10. Vintage Wine Bar 11. Panorama 12. Bud & Marilyns 13. Jet Wine Bar Each location will pour their favorite Australian wines, as both a celebration of whats in the bottle and in support of the hard-working community behind it. Philly Wine Cru says it hopes this brings awareness to the wine and also to the terrible losses many Australians have faced, including wildlife decimation. To help further, Philly Wine Cru has advised on ways that crawl participants can donate funds and share those with their guests who might like to contribute more. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. -- Other PennLive stories on wine Winemakers lifelong dream comes true with purchase of Chester County winery Ice wine a surprise winner at 18th annual Pa. Wine Society competition Cassel Vineyards of Hershey buoyed by recent recognition Maryland wine community shaken by death of one of its association co-founders Australian winery proprietor back home in State College to give consumers a taste of his passion Views from a Napa Valley winemaker: Julien Fayard N.J. producer to fill hillside overlooking winery with another 5 acres of vines A trip to winemakings roots: Meet the regions oldest producers Barcelona has hosted the world final of Roca's express design competition, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals defined by United Nations The awards ceremony, presided over by Xavier Marcet, Councilor of Tourism and Creative Industries and Xavier Torras, Roca Brand Communication Director, was held at the SalA de Cent of the Barcelona City Council BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The winners of the 13 editions of the Roca One Day Design Challenge, Roca's express design competition, which were held in 12 countries in 2019, came together last month in Barcelona, a benchmark in design, to celebrate the first edition of the Master Design Challenge, with the support of the BCD (Barcelona Centre de Disseny) and the collaboration of the We Are Water Foundation. A A The awards ceremony, presided over by Xavier Marcet, Councilor of Tourism and Creative Industries,A andA Xavier Torras, Roca Brand Communication Director and Director of the We Are Water Foundation was held on Wednesday, 22nd January at the SalA de Cent of the Barcelona City Council, after two days of activities carried out by contestants in different spaces of the city of Barcelona. Xavier Torras pointed out that,A "As director of the We Are Water Foundation, I also try to analyze the projects by bearing in mind the Sustainable Development Goals and we are really proud to say that all submitted projects have aligned with some of them, thus showing the awareness these future designers have of global problems. Likewise, Xavier Marcet highlighted that, "Barcelona is especially sensitive to any initiative that drives responsible creativity and this is exactly what Roca's competition does." The briefing faced by contestants challenged them to propose a new type of basin with an additional functionality that provided value to the product. Ahmad Alkattan,A from Heriott-Watt University in Dubai, EAU, won the award to the winner among winners, a group made up of 22 participants from the 12 countries where the competition has been held. His project proposes a mobile basin that facilitates basic hygiene without having to move. Featuring wheels and two water tanks (fresh and grey), it can be operated with the mobile phone. Isabel Pintado, Regional Managing Director at Wilson Associates, pointed out that "the project changes the static concept of bathroom products, incorporating a moving piece that can be used even outside the bathroom space." Apart from the global award, during the ceremony other prizes were presented to the best projects carried out during the different activities and workshops attended by contestants in these three days in Barcelona: Award to the best sketch; Award to the best presentation; Award to the best concept: Ahmad Alkattan , United Arab Emirates . , . Award to the best render: Desislava Petrova and Liliya Ivanova , Bulgaria . and , . Award to the best Materials project: Wioleta Pertyinia, Poland Aleksei Lukianov , Russia , Rita Yang , Australia , Funi Di , China , Award to the best architecture photography Miguel Angel Fern! Andez, < span class="xn-location">Spain Award to the best IOT project Fellicia Amanda , Indonesia , Aresha Suraya, Malaysia Alicia SimAn, Spain Miguel Angel FernAndez, Spain The consuls of some of the participating countries, such as Poland, Argentina, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria and China have also attended the ceremony to support the young talent of their countries. A The international jury also attended the ceremony. The members of the jury have been JoAo Bessa, designer and founder of BESSA; Josep Congost, Design and Innovation Director at Roca; Kenneth Koh, founder of Quarters Architects; Isabel Pintado, Regional Managing Director at Wilson Associates; Vladimir Pirozhkov, president of the 'Astra Rossa' industrial design and innovation center; Isabel Roig, general director of BCD (Barcelona Centro de DiseAo); and Xavier Torras, Roca Brand Communication Director, who have assessed the proposals, as well as the experts who have run the workshops:A Nicanor Garcia, architect and photographer specializing in architecture and travel; Robert D. Thompson, engineer and industrial designer, scient! ific dire ctor at MaterFad; Guillem Camprodon, Research Director at Fab Lab Barcelona. Roca, leading brand in the production, design and distribution of products for the bathroom space, organizes these initiatives to provide visibility to young talent. Roca One Day Design Challenge was first held in 2012 and since then its international expansion has increased over the years. The competition challenges young architecture and design students and professionals to create original and innovative products for the bathroom space in just one day.A A About Roca Roca is a company engaged in the design, manufacturing and commercialization of products for the bathroom space, floor and wall tiles for architecture, building and interior design. More than one hundred years after its establishment, the company has over 24,245 employees, 82 production plants and is present in more than 170 markets on all five continents. www.roca.es About Roca One Day Design Challenge Roca One Day Design Challenge is a design competition organized by Roca, which takes place annually in different cities around the world. Design and architecture students and professionals under the age of 30 are challenged to create original and innovative products related to the bathroom space in just one day. With the aim of supporting and providing visibility to young talents, the members of the jury are renowned professionals of every country who value the originality, creativity and feasibility of the ideas presented in a 9-hour time limit. The first edition of the competition took place in Spain in 2012, and since then it has not stopped its expansion. In 2019 the competition was held in 13 cities in different countries: Buenos Aires (Argentina),A Melbourne (Australia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Katowice (Poland), Sofia (Bulgaria), Lisbon (Portugal), Moscow (Russia), Shanghai (C! hina), Muscat (Oman), Barcelona and Madrid (Spain) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). www.onedaydesignchallenge.net About the Sustainable Development Goals The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it's important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030.A www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ About Barcelona Design Centre (BCD) Barcelona Design Centre (BCD) is a private non-profit foundation with over 45 years of experience in the promotion of design in companies, institutions and society as a whole. BCD leads activities to foster innovation, creative talent and the projection of Barcelona's design to the world. Its mission is to promote design as a transformation tool for competitiveness, sustainability and the improvement of the quality of life of people, promoting Barcelona as an international benchmark in design. It leads the ClAster DiseAo en CataluAa and is a member of the World Design Weeks network through the Barcelona Design Week. www.bcd.esA Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1087780/Roca_Winner_Master_Design_Challenge.jpg For more information: Carla Martinez +34-670-858-248 cmartinez@ulled.com Naeem Akhtar, J&Ks 5th mainstream politician, booked under Public Safety Act. SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Saturday slapped Public Safety Act (PSA) on another senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Naeem Akhtar. Mr Akhtar, who served as a minister in both Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition governments and also as their chief spokesman is among several hundred politicians and activists taken into preventive custody by the authorities ahead of the Centres abrogating Article 370 and bifurcating J&K into two Union Territories on August 5 last year. His detention under Section 107 of the CrPC was coming to end this week, the official sources here said. Mr Akhtar is the third senior leader of the PDP and J&Ks fifth mainstream politician booked under the PSA this week. On Wednesday, his party colleague Muhammad Sartaj Madni and National Conference (NC) general secretary and former minister Ali Muhammad Sagar were detained under the PSA after the expiry of their preventive detentions under Section 107 of the CrPC. A day later, former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti too were slapped with PSA. The dossiers on which they have been booked under this law refer to their stiff opposition to abrogation of Articles 35A and 370 and Ms. Muftis alleged pro- militant and pro separatist propensity. On September 14 last year, NC president and three-time chief minister and sitting MP Farooq Abdullah became J&Ks first mainstream politician to be booked under the PSA. The official sources said that some more mainstream politicians are also being booked under this tough law, six months after they were taken into preventive custody. The authorities have slapped the PSA on these leaders amid reports that the government may act tough against those mainstream politicians of J&K who remain unswerving in their opposition to its August 5, 2019 contentious moves stripping the state of its special status and splitting it up into two UTs. Under the PSA introduced in J&K in 1978, a person can be detained for a period of two years without the authorities seeking a formal trial. In 2012, the State legislature amended PSA by relaxing some of its strict provisions. In the case of first-time offenders or individuals who act against the security of the state for the very first time, the detention period for such individuals was reduced from two years to six months. However, the option of extending the term of detention to two years was kept open, if there is no improvement in the conduct of the detainee. While the authorities are invoking the PSA against select politicians, they are, at the same time, also releasing some others among those detained with them six months ago. President Moon Jae-in listens to Interior and Safety Minister Chin Young during his visit to the quarantine facility at Jincheon in North Chungcheong Province, Sunday. Yonhap President Moon Jae-in on Sunday visited a local quarantine facility for more than 160 South Korean evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, which is known as the epicenter of the fast-spreading novel coronavirus outbreak, according to Cheong Wa Dae. They have been staying in isolation at the National Human Resources Development Institute in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, around 90 kilometers south of Seoul, since arriving in South Korea on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 on emergency chartered flights. Moon received a briefing on their daily life there and medical conditions. Winner of Best International Film "Parasite" Korean film director Bong Joon-ho poses in the press room during the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2020. Reuters When Bong Joon-ho's tragic comedy thriller "Parasite" debuted at Cannes and won the Palme d'Or in May last year, nobody anticipated that the South Korean film would contend for best picture and five other awards at the 92nd Academy Awards nine months later. But the Korean auteur's seventh feature film about have-nots infiltrating a wealthy family has created strong buzz throughout the U.S. awards season and become a massive hit since its stateside release in October. It is nominated in six categories at this year's Oscars: best picture, best director, best screenplay, best editing, best production design and best international feature film. It will be a history-making event if "Parasite" wins an award at the Oscars on Sunday (local time) as no other South Korean film has even been nominated for an Oscar despite Seoul's booming movie industry and international successes. Many news outlets in and outside the U.S. expect that "Parasite" will bring home at least one Oscar statuette that for best international feature film, previously known as best foreign-language film. It is the clear front-runner over "Corpus Christi" from Poland, "Honeyland" from North Macedonia, "Les Miserables" from France and "Pain and Glory" from Spain. For best picture, "Parasite" is competing with eight other films including "1917" by Sam Mendes, "The Irishman" by Martin Scorsese, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" by Quentin Tarantino and "Joker" by Todd Phillips. As the Oscar race reaches its final stage, the grand prize category has narrowed to a battle between "Parasite" and "1917," a World War I movie with 10 Oscar nods, after they shared major guild awards in January. Irish restaurant chain Camile Thai is to begin trialling food delivered by drone in Dublin next month. The chain has partnered with Manna Aero, a Dublin company pioneering the use of drones for delivering takeaways within a two-kilometre radius of their base. Manna have been working with the Irish Aviation Authority for three years and they expect to receive permission to fly this month, which would allow them to proceed with live trials in March. Brody Sweeney, the CEO and founder of Camile Thai, outlined the companys plans at the recent UCC Commerce Societys annual conference. We are the exclusive restaurant launch partners and we are starting live trials in Dublin in March, Mr Sweeney said, adding that drone delivery would be offered from two sites in Ireland by the end of the year. He said the system would allow users of the Camile Thai app to select drone delivery for their order and they would then be shown a satellite image of their home, overlaid with a grid allowing them to select the landing area, such as their driveway or back patio. Mr Sweeney said drone deliveries would be faster than road vehicles and would be better for the environment. You can send a two-tonne car or send an electrically-operated drone. Its got to be way better for the environment, he said. Manna CEO, Bobby Healy, said their drones will fly at an altitude of 80m and a speed of 80km/h and food would be delivered to their destination within three minutes. 2020, for us, is going to be about showing everyone in Ireland what it looks like, and showing the world that we are the first to do it properly, Mr Healy said. Manna has raised $5m from venture capitalists and is one of a number of companies globally entering the drone delivery sector, including Amazon and Google. Manna intends to have a fleet of 100 drones in the air by the end of the year. We are on the cusp of the fifth industrial revolution, powered by drones. Our intention is to make drone delivery as pervasive as running water, Mr Healy said. Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Huu Do said Vietnam may extend the ending time of the 2019-2020 academic year if the epidemic lasts for many days. Do on February 5 told the press that the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has asked local education departments to instruct schools to come up with plans to teach and make up the days off. Students in 61 out of 63 cities/provinces, except Nghe An and Ben Tre, are not attending school for the fear of the spread of the coronavirus. Students in the cities/provinces are scheduled to return to school on February 10. However, the days off may be extended in some localities. The HCM City Education and Training Department is seeking permission from the municipal authorities for one more week off to prevent the spread of nCoV. Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Huu Do said Vietnam may extend the ending time of the 2019-2020 academic year if the epidemic lasts for many days. Hanoi and Da Nang are also considering to close schools for one more week. Regarding the plan on teaching students to make up time lost, schools can organize classes in the time after learning hours, on Saturday and Sunday, and use the buffer week to adjust the teaching schedules. If necessary, the academic year may end later than initially planned. In principle, the academic year will finish by May 31. Under the initial plan, the work of considering and recognizing the fulfilment of primary and secondary education will be completed by June 15. However, if necessary, the deadline would be extended by 10 days. Regarding the national high school finals, Do said there would be no change because it would be organized in late June. Do said provincial authorities have the right to decide whether to allow students to continue stay at home, depending on the recommendations of healthcare agencies. MOET gives priority to ensuring the health of students. Everyone needs to be calm and alert. If the epidemic is put under control, students can return to school, he said. MOET has asked schools to be ready to receive students with the best school conditions and disease prevention plans. Students must wear protective masks and wash hands before entering class, after breaks and after having lunch. On February 1, soon after the Prime Minister signed a decision declaring the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) an epidemic in Vietnam, MOET sent a report about the implementation of the measures in the education sector. Chi Mai Vietnam to feel bad economic contagion of coronavirus: ANZ The new coronavirus is estimated to shave 0.81 percentage points off Vietnam's annual GDP growth. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 10 2020 Dragon fly: Crowds gather to watch a liong (dragon) dance at Pancoran Chinatown Point mall in Glodok, West Jakarta, on Saturday. The performance was staged as part of Cap Go Meh celebrations. (JP/Galih Gumelar) Hundreds of Jakartans were drawn into the post-Lunar New Year excitement of the Cap Go Meh festival in the capitals Chinatown area in Glodok, West Jakarta, on Saturday, with visitors enjoying the various performances that celebrated diversity and the fusion of Chinese and local traditional cultures. Hendrawanto, a 54-year-old resident of Penjaringan, North Jakarta, laughed heartily as he watched two lenong (traditional Betawi theater) performers trade pantun (four-line rhyming poems) with each other. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Two of three Ukrainian men suspected of stealing the equivalent of $1.51 million from automated-teller machines (ATMs) operated by a Russian state-owned bank in Bosnia-Herzegovina have been placed in pretrial detention for one month, local media reported over the weekend. Dmytro Boyko and Oleksandr Zaytsev were arrested on February 2 in Bihac, a city of more than 56,000 inhabitants. A third suspect, Yaroslav Tytarenko, is still at large and entered Hungary the next day, according to Bosnian police. All three entered Bosnia via Serbia on January 31 and were believed to have been residing in Montenegro and Serbia as well, local police said. Approximately $60,000 in local currency was found on the two apprehended suspects who solely targeted ATMs belonging to Sberbank, Russia's largest lender. Police said the arrested suspects weren't cooperating with authorities and didn't provide details of their actions, which saw them allegedly withdraw the money over a span of 53 hours. The Russian state-owned bank told the Sarajevo Times that the remaining stolen money was still missing. RFE/RL learned of the alleged theft last week after speaking to customers who tried using Sberbank ATMs. Sberbank's in-country network of ATMs is operating normally and money wasnt stolen from any client accounts, Vedran Persic, director of communications and marketing at Sberbank BiH, told RFE/RL. Computer-hacking tools were used to withdraw the money, Vahidan Djaltur, a permanent court expert on information and communications, told RFE/RL. Based on reporting by the Sarajevo Times and Vijesti The last two weeks have seen China launch a nation-wide mobilization in the fight against the epidemic outbreak of the novel coronavirus, and the courage and resoluteness, as well as the effective measures demonstrated in the fight, have impressed the world. In addition to the domestic response, the international community has provided the broadest support both materially and spiritually for China, and the stories are moving. This suggests a lot, particularly the rule that friendship is always rewarded with friendship. Despite serious concerns, it is expected that the epidemic will soon be controlled as the Chinese government has taken the most swift and forceful measures ever in human history in this regard. Medical resources, especially from the military, witnessed in the past two weeks, have been intensively transported into the city of Wuhan, the most severely affected area. Seriously affected regions around the country have taken toughest restrictions on passenger transportation. Governments at all levels have acted to quarantine those affected or suspected to have the virus. Meanwhile, the public at large has been advised to stay at home for 14 days of the incubation period. Judging by all these strict measures and the full awareness of Chinese people, things will soon change for better, according to experts on epidemics. Most worthy of mention are the moving stories behind the fight against the crisis, some coming from the international community. Shortly after the outbreak of the epidemic, the international community has largely demonstrated its solidarity with China for the fight against the virus by different means. Many countries have donated medical facilities and equipment like masks to China. Spiritual support in addition to material assistance has also been delivered. Leaders across the world have expressed their appreciation of China for maintaining transparency, adopting the toughest control and also for its cooperation with international health authorities. Middle East countries have especially demonstrated their sincere support for China. Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Zarif was the first to express support for China in this regard, and Iran also rushed a million urgently needed masks to China despite itself was under serious economic sanctions. The Burj Khalifa, one of the UAE's most famous edifices, and several other landmark buildings in UAE, were lit up in the evenings expressing solidarity with China over the coronavirus. Children of Turkey, Iran, Israel, Yemen and some other Middle East countries appeared in a variety of videos expressing solidarity with Wuhan and China. All these stories are moving, as they have demonstrated the beautiful and shining part of human nature. The outbreak of the epidemic is a misfortune for China but also for the world as well. With the advancement of communication and transportation, the world has become more and more like a village, and it is natural for those living next door to express sympathy and solidarity to those affected by the disasters. Disasters like epidemics are a threat not only for one nation but for everyone. The massive expression of solidarity in some way also suggests that China has rightly adopted the friendly approach in its relations with members of international community. Differences are always there, but Chinas positions on international issues would always aim at the nature of the issues themselves. It will always adhere to the principle of sovereignty of nations in international relations, and China never meddled into the domestic affairs of other countries. In the Middle East, China has never chosen to side with one individual party while opposing the other side. And China never gets involved in the disputes between regional parties, but seeks to promote reconciliation and peace between the conflicting parties. Therefore, the Middle East countries, though differ in religions and cultural backgrounds and are in conflicts with each other over many issues, share the same kind of friendship with China. They might sometimes feel frustrated that China has not sided with them, but finally realize that Chinas approach should be most reasonable in maintaining stability in the region. In one word, while China is fighting the virus tenaciously, it is rewarded with friendship, which is a natural expression of human community and is also a reflection of its rightness of applying a friendly approach in foreign relations. Last but not the least, as usual, a crisis often exposes the dark side of human nature, and it is the same with the new coronavirus crisis. For instance, a certain politician is not talking about how to overcome the crisis with joint efforts, but talking about attracting job opportunities by taking advantage of the situation. Some media categorize the virus as Chinese virus, which is an obvious discrimination against a specific race. However, this can never hide the positive shining side of the story. Jin Liangxiang is Senior Research Fellow with the Center for West Asian and African Studies, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/jinliangxiang.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Iran doesn't have experts who can analyze the data recorders from a civilian airliner it shot down last month and it's time to send the black boxes out of the country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this Jan. 8, 2020, file photo a rescue worker searches the scene where a Ukrainian plane crashed in Shahedshahr southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran. Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Iran doesn't have experts who can analyze the data recorders from a civilian airliner it shot down last month and it's time to send the black boxes out of the country. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Ebrahim Noroozi, File ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Iran doesn't have experts who can analyze the data recorders from a civilian airliner it shot down last month and it's time to send the black boxes out of the country. "I think they have understood from the different civil aviation authorities in the world that the kind of equipment and expertise that you need to read the black boxes cannot be brought to Iran," Champagne said at a news conference in Ethiopia, where he's travelling with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He said it's been more than 30 days since the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 outside Tehran and it's time to end the standoff over who will process the recorders that are expected to reveal a lot about the crash. Iranian investigators recovered the black boxes quickly and say they're damaged but functional. Iran has asked to be lent the equipment needed to download their contents, while Canada and others have been increasingly insistent that the boxes be sent to experts in a country such as France. Among the 176 people killed when the airliner was shot down were 57 Canadian citizens and 138 people who were connecting to Canada via Kyiv. Many were students and academics returning to Canada after a December break. Iran admitted, after initial denials, that an air-defence battery shot at the plane shortly after it took off from Tehran's international airport. Iranian forces were on extreme alert: hours before, Iran had fired ballistic missiles at American and allied forces in neighbouring Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Amid partial and false information, rumours have proliferated about whether the airliner was downed deliberately or had had its transponder hacked to confuse Iran's defence systems. "The best antidote to conspiracy (theories) is transparency," Champagne said, a message he said he's sent the Iranian government. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has gotten a boost after a four-day visit to Washington where he met with President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials. It's been a year since the United States and other Western nations threw their support behind Guaido Iowa messed up the caucuses so bad this year that it may lose its long-held privilege of hosting the first presidential nominating contest. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said the party will absolutely have that conversation after this election cycle is over. Is Iowa about to lose their first-in-the-nation caucus status? CNNs Jake Tapper asked Perez Sunday. Its not difficult to imagine South Carolina, New Hampshire, other states that are out of the processIllinois for example, the governor there is making a big pitch saying, Iowa, you lost your chance, you screwed up, its time for another state to take over. Is that possibly going to happen? Perez replied: Thats the conversation that will absolutely happen after this election cycle. He went on to note that after the last election we had a conversation about two really important thingssuperdelegate reform and the primary caucus issue that were discussing now and thats going to happen again. I have no doubt about it because its very necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement .@jaketapper: Is Iowa about to lose their first-in-the-nation caucus status? DNC Chair Tom Perez: Well, that's the conversation that will absolutely happen after this election cycle https://t.co/5TPpyf0PzV #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/zRLFyM719e CNN (@CNN) February 9, 2020 Facing criticism from some within the party for the chaotic caucuses, Perez said he has no intention of stepping down. Absolutely not, Perez said when he was asked whether he had considered resigning as some, including Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, have demanded. Look at the last three years, my job when I came in was to rebuild our infrastructure, to win elections. And when you do that, sometimes you have to make tough decisions. Perez insisted it is the Iowa Democratic Party that runs the actual election although he did acknowledge that anytime something goes wrong, whether its something thats run by the state party or not, were all in this together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Tulsi Gabbard also called on Perez to step down Sunday. Ultimately, this is a failure of leadership, and I think the DNC chair, Tom Perez, should resign, the Hawaii congresswoman, 38, told WMUR on Sunday. The issues with Perez go beyond Iowa, the presidential hopeful told the Manchester, New Hampshire station. Its both because of what weve seen happen in Iowa, but also over the last several months, the growing skepticism that I hear from Democrat voters that this primary will actually be carried out in a fair way where voters can get the information that they need to make the best choice in who should be our Democratic nominee, and ultimately who should be our next president and commander in chief, Gabbard said. Randy Reid holds Danny a nine-week-old pit mix from Good Karma Dog Rescue at Super Pet Expo at the New Jersey Convention Center. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Thousands of dogs came to the Super Pet Expo and checked out dogs, cats, birds, snakes and even a bearded dragon. And people came too twenty thousand over the three-day event, said Eric Udler producer for Super Pet Expo held at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison. Randy Reid held Danny, a nine-week-old pit mix from Good Karma Dog Rescue, and the passing crowd couldnt resist. Shoppers could get tips on pet health care, buy pet treats, gifts, fashion and food from 200 exhibitors. Don't Edit Candy, a Maltese. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Some dogs and cats came in strollers, some carried by owners, but most dogs were on a leash. Lisa Lubrano brought Smokey, her pit bull mix rescue, who loves the show for all the treats and fun. Smokey shared some of the fun with Miles Firestine, a dog lover who has rescues at home. Firestine gave smokey a good scratch and got some serious dog kisses in return. Here are some of our favorite shots from the expo. Don't Edit George, an African Gray Parrot, rests on the back of Paul Cheplyakov. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Diane LaPoma and Cooper have fun playing as part of the Mid Atlantic Disc Dog Club show. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Don't Edit Pewter, a Mojave snake. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Smokey, a pit mix that belongs to Lisa Lubrano, gives some love to Miles Firestine, a dog lover with pit mixes at home. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Zeus, an exotic shot hair Persian cat, with Diane Quaas. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Norman, a bearded dragon. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Sugar, a golden retriever, is held by Madera Garay as they visited the Super Pet Expo. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Don't Edit Just So Happy Hooligan, a grand champion Persian cat owned by Kate Preston. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit A Spotnose Het Clown snake. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Candy, a maltese. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Just So Happy Hooligan, a grand champion Persian cat with owner by Kate Preston. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Don't Edit Danny, a nine week old pit mix from Good Karma Dog Rescue gives some love. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Don't Edit Diane LaPoma and Cooper have fun playing as part of the Mid Atlantic Disc Dog Club. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Ed Murray may be reached at emurray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Ed on Twitter at @EdMurrayphoto. Find NJ.COM on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com's newsletters. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Ilhama Isabalayeva Trend: The ongoing parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are also covered by Turkish TV channels, Trend reports on Feb. 9. The correspondent of the famous Turkish TV net channel informs about election process via live broadcast. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation started in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Secretariat Information Center of the Central Election Commission (CEC) will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers will observe the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Support for Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army, surged in Irelands national elections Saturday, according to exit polls. Prime Minister Leo Varadkars party, in power since 2011, was weakened, but the result left open the possibility that he could still hold onto his office. If the exit polls prove accurate, the vote boiled down to a three-way tie in a three-way race between Sinn Fein, Varadkars Fine Gael party and the leading opposition party, Fianna Fail. This would give Sinn Fein a shot at joining the next coalition government. A joint exit poll commissioned by The Irish Times and state broadcaster RTE showed Fine Gael at 22.4 per cent, Sinn Fein at 22.3 per cent and Fianna Fail at 22.2 per cent. Analysts said the centre-left Sinn Fein was boosted by younger and urban voters angered by austerity policies implemented following the 2008 financial crash. It capitalized on frustrations over housing and health-care crises largely blamed on Varadkars party. Still, this result would offer a political lifeline to Varadkar, who had been expected to finish third. It could be a mixed bag for Sinn Fein and its leader, Mary Lou McDonald. If the exit polls are correct, the party won its highest-ever share of the national vote. But it chose to run only 42 candidates for the 180-seat Parliament and may have been able to take an even greater share had it fielded more candidates. Ireland has been moving in an increasingly liberal direction in recent years. While both Fianna Fail and Varadkars party have vowed not to partner with Sinn Fein given its past support for violence, the left-wing party could still emerge as a kingmaker, and its ascension signals an appetite for a greater emphasis on social welfare after decades of dominance by the pro-market centre-right. The exact shape of the next Parliament will take days to emerge, thanks to Irelands painstaking system of proportional representation, but it now seems likely that the contest for the premiership will be between Varadkar and Fianna Fails leader, Micheal Martin. A 75-year-old San Antonio man has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault of a child and one count of possession of child pornography. The Bexar County Sheriffs Office started to investigate Paul Zappe in January after a utility company technician worked on Zappes home computer system. The technician saw an image depicting children in a sexual situation pop up on Zappes TV, the worker told authorities a few days later. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said deputies arrested Zappe on Thursday and seized his cellphone. An investigator found child pornography involving a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old on the device, Salazar said at a news conference Friday. The children were identified through Zappes social media accounts, Salazar said. Deputies have contacted the childrens family. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox The parents initially did not want to believe what deputies found because they trusted Zappe, whom they knew as a nice guy who was active in his church. Im pretty sure that if we wouldve asked the parents of these 10- and 11-year olds a couple days ago not knowing anything about any videos on a cellphone is this guy capable of this? They would have sworn up and down on a stack of Bibles that he wasnt, Salazar said. But we know different. Gesturing to a photo of Zappe, Salazar said, Monsters are real and they look like that. In addition to his work at his church, Zappe participated in a well-known fraternal organization that works with children, particularly the terminally ill. Salazar did not identify the organization but noted Zappe may have joined it in order to gain access to children. The sheriff emphasized that anyone whose children had contact with Zappe, no matter how casual or infrequent, should notify his office by calling 210-335-6070 or emailing bcsotips@bexar.org. The sheriff lauded his agencys Special Victims Unit and Child Safe investigators. The computer technician who alerted police will receive a civilian medal from the sheriffs office. The U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBI are also investigating, Salazar said. There is no evidence of distribution of child pornography thus far, he said, but he added that the crimes often go hand in hand. Zappe was booked into jail and held on bail totaling $200,000. Mark Dunphy is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read him on our breaking news site, MySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mark.dunphy@express-news.net | @m_b_dunphy Climate change never quite became the hot topic in the run-in to the election that many thought it would. It was largely squeezed out by more immediate topics such as housing and healthcare, not to mention the heat and fire generated by Sinn Fein's surge in the polls. But the thing about climate change is that, talk about it or don't talk about it, it is happening relentlessly and is sure to present major challenges to whichever parties manage to harness the mandate they receive as the ballot boxes are counted this morning. In potentially one of his last acts as a minister, Paschal Donohoe, through the Office of Government Procurement, last week issued a tender invitation seeking a supplier of cars and pick-up trucks for a contract that, according to documents, may be worth 50m over 10 years. That, of course, will have been of great interest to car suppliers. But it may also interest those who want to measure how much of what the new government says about its green agenda is spin and how much of it is real. Vehicles will be ordered by public sector bodies, including the Defence Forces, An Garda Siochana, the Prison Service, the health service, Government departments, local authorities and educational institutions. Vehicles supplied under the contract can be fuelled by diesel, unleaded petrol, electricity, compressed natural gas, hydrogen, or any other energy source developed during the term of the contract. Just what fuel mix is chosen by the wider public sector will go a long way to signposting where things are really at with ambitious pre-election targets for low-emission transport. Coronavirus could boost short-haul business: Ryanair Ryanair group chief executive Michael OLeary has said the spread of coronavirus could be good for aviation in Europe, as more people will holiday closer to home. During a results call with analysts, OLeary talked of how the outbreak of SARS in China influenced business back in 2002, and how this might play out with coronavirus. Our experience with the SARS, and the avian bird flu five, six years ago was that actually it was mildly good for the short-haul business here in Europe, he said. More people were likely to holiday in Europe rather than travelling long-haul to Asia etc, and we would think that will play out again. Looking to the future, OLeary said that Ryanair could be set for a positive 2021, but was cautious against things that might go wrong, like a coronavirus epidemic. - Leaving the coronavirus, there continues to be significant interest in Chinese business relations with the west. The Bank of Chinas acquisition of Goodbody brings Chinese business interests closer than ever to Ireland. The detailed approval of the deal by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission notes that Bank of China is owned by the Chinese states China Investment Corporation (CIC). It is wholly owned by the state but there has been extensive delegation to the Bank of Chinas board by CIC, it says. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) President Rodrigo Duterte's travel ban that was prompted by the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus or the 2019-nCov only applies to foreign travellers, and not Filipino citizens and holders of permanent resident-visas issued by the Philippines, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) clarified Sunday. "The travel-ban directive of the President of February 2, 2020 is a ban on travel to the Philippines of any persons directly coming from China, Hong Kong and Macau as well as those not directly arriving from China, Hong Kong and Macau but have been to these territories within 14 days immediately preceding their arrival in the Philippines," CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said in a statement. This means that Filipino citizens and holders of permanent resident visas can still fly directly from China, Hong Kong and Macau going back to the Philippines, and outbound flights, Chinese, Hong Kong and Macau nationals can fly back home, since they are not subject to the travel-ban directive, Arcilla said. Flights are therefore still being operated to transport these persons, and they can be subject to quarantine procedures upon arrival. "But these flights should carry only Filipinos and holders of permanent resident visas. This is assured by the fact that the immigration officers at the airports are strictly enforcing the travel ban. In addition, our Consular offices in those territories are no longer issuing visas for travel to the Philippines," Arcilla said. He added that the travel ban directive is "essentially similar" to travel bans being imposed by a number of countries, as a travel ban does not necessarily imply a ban on flights. Arcilla said "only a handful of airlines" are still operating with less frequencies to and from China and Hong Kong. This includes China Southern Airlines which flew to Guangzhou and Hong Kong Airlines which flew to Hong Kong on February 7. He said China Southern has already reduced its daily flights from four to two, and will reduce to once a day on February 15. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific continues to fly to Hong Kong, but will reduce its number of flights from seven to two per day starting February 10. Duterte had previously widened the ban to cover not only China's Hubei province but also the rest of the Chinese mainland and the special administrative regions following the recommendation of the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Wuhan is located in Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak. A total of 30 Filipino evacuees from Wuhan arrived at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga early Sunday morning. They are now quarantined at the New Clark City. Fines eyed vs violating airlines Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente earlier called on airlines to "do their share in implementing the travel ban and prevent the entry of foreigners from the areas of concern." In a statement, he said all airlines and ships have been instructed not to board passengers covered by the ban as the agency is now studying the possibility of imposing files against violations. "We have developed a series of checking, double-checking, even triple checking to ensure that we assist our health authorities in monitoring the travelers. We do what we can to help prevent the spread of this virus," he said. Both foreign and Filipino passengers from abroad were encouraged by the agency to completely fill out and submit their arrival cards while undergoing immigration arrival formalities by BI officers. The BIs immigration regulation division also said it is now strictly screening applications for extension of stay of foreign tourists to check if any of them have a history of travel to China, Hongkong and Macau within 14 days from their arrival. An ambulance waits inside a quarantine zone managed by the Regiment 123 in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, February 6, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy. A 55-year-old woman in Vinh Phuc Province is Vietnam's latest case of novel coronavirus infection, the Ministry of Health said Sunday. This is the 9th confirmed case in the northern province. The woman is a neighbor of one of the eight workers of Japanese-invested Nihon Plast Company Limited sent to train for two months in Chinas Wuhan City, Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic. The infection first spread from the 23-year-old worker to three other family members: her mother, sister and cousin. After returning to Vietnam last month, six of the eight workers have been confirmed infected with the nCoV. The 55-year-old woman had gone to the worker's house for about an hour as a Tet (Lunar New Year festival) visit on January 28. She developed symptoms like fever, headache and a runny nose on February 2. She is currently quarantined in the Quang Ha Area General Clinic in Vinh Phuc Province and in stable health. Vietnam officially declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak an epidemic on February 1. Out of the 14 confirmed cases so far, three have been discharged from the hospital: a Nha Trang hotel receptionist, a Chinese man from Wuhan, and one of the workers who returned from Wuhan. The global death toll of the epidemic has reached 813 one each in the Philippines and Hong Kong, and the remaining in mainland China. REUTERS Donald Trump has appeared to admit he fired a senior White House official in part for the aides involvement in the impeachment inquiry. Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a Russia and Ukraine expert on the National Security Council (NSC), was escorted from the White House on Friday after the US president ordered his removal. He had given evidence to House committee hearings which led to Mr Trump being impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress relating to a campaign by the president to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden, a political rival. Fake News @CNN & MSDNC keep talking about Lt. Col. Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was, the US president tweeted on Saturday morning. Actually, I dont know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I dont believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly, & was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information. In other words, OUT. Mr Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr, had earlier appeared to suggest Lt Col Vindman and Gordon Sondland, who was recalled as US ambassador to the European Union, were sacked for their testimony in the inquiry. Mr Trump was acquitted this week by Republican allies in the Senate, even though some admitted they did not dispute the allegations against him. ....was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information. In other words, OUT. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020 Amid speculation that Lt Col Vindman was likely to be fired, the president on Friday said he was unhappy with him but appeared to suggest the decision would be made by someone else, saying: Well, Im not happy with him. You think Im supposed to be happy with him? Im not. Theyll make that decision. Story continues He did not specify who they referred to but his comments came against a background of suggestions that the NSC, which is thought to have about 180 staff, could be reduced in size. Lt Col Vindmans twin brother, Yevgeny Vindman, was also fired from his position as a lawyer with the NSC, although he had no involvement in the impeachment process. Both are expected to return to the Department of Defence. Lt Col Vindmans attorney, David Pressman, said in a statement: There is no question in the mind of any American why this mans job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House. Lt Col Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honour, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful. The decorated Iraq veteran had listened in to a 25 July call between Mr Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in which the US president pressed his Ukrainian counterpart to launch investigations into his Democratic political rivals. Lt Col Vindman testified that he was unsettled by the call. In an emotional statement at the end of his testimony he thanked his late father for bringing him and his family to America from the former Soviet Union, saying: Do not worry. I will be fine for telling the truth. At another point, he said: Here, right matters. Mr Sondland had been involved in efforts in Ukraine to press officials to investigate Mr Trumps political opponents. He told the impeachment hearings there had been a quid pro quo, involving the withholding of US military aid until Ukraine announced the investigations the presidents wanted. He also claimed other top figures were in the loop, including vice-president Mike Pence, secretary of state Mike Pompeo and chief of staff Mick Mulvaney Some of the other witnesses who gave evidence have already left their jobs, including former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who was recalled in May after apparently getting in the way of efforts to pressure officials in Kiev to investigate Mr Trumps rivals. In the 25 July phone call he appeared to threaten her, saying: Well, shes going to go through some things. Ms Yovanovitch retired last month. Her replacement, William Taylor, vice-presidential aide Jennifer Williams and NSC official Tim Morrison all of whom also gave evidence have also left their posts. There is speculation that there may be more firings in the wake of Mr Trumps Senate acquittal. One name in the frame is Mr Mulvaney who did not testify, despite demands from the House of Representatives that he do so. However, he did admit at a White House press briefing that Mr Trump had withheld US military aid to Ukraine at least in part to pressure Kiev to investigate conspiracy theories about the Democratic Party, saying: I have news for everybody: Get over it. Theres going to be political influence in foreign policy. Despite Mr Trumps assertion that his job is safe for the time being, there are suggestions he will be replaced by Mark Meadows, a Trump loyalist currently serving as a Republican congressman for North Carolina. The Washington Post reports that the president has discussed firing Michael Atkinson, the intelligence communitys inspector general, who passed on a complaint from a whistleblower about the 25 July phone call to Congress. The paper says another possible target is Victoria Coates, a deputy national security adviser. Last week the literary agents for an anonymous government official behind the book A Warning which claims to come from a Trump insider who describes themselves as part of the resistance to the president denied that Dr Coates was the secret author. Read more Donald Trump Jr appears to admit officials fired for testifying Photo of Trumps orange face prompts ridicule and Panda comparisons Russian far-right leader asks to honour Trump acquittal at Mar-a-Lago GUGELMAN, Donald "Don" Ernest, 84, passed away peacefully, with his wife by his side, on February 4, 2020, after a period of declining health. He was born May 27, 1935, in Elizabeth, N.J., to the late Ernest Gugelman, formerly of Basel, Switzerland and the late Lillian Hundley Gugelman, formerly of Amburg, Va. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Eddie Mae Maher Gugelman; his cousin, Dianne Hirsch of Franklin, Va.; two children, two grandchildren and many special in-laws of whom he was very fond. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Lavinia Ruark; and his nephew, Gene Ruark, all formerly of Deltaville, Va. Don attended The Pingry School in Elizabeth, N.J., graduating in 1953. He was one of only two students in his graduating class who attended the school all 12 years. He graduated in 1955 with a Business Administration degree from Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., after which he became a Virginia State Trooper for a year. He was offered a job opportunity at Sears, Roebuck & Co. and was a Credit Executive there for 34 years, retiring in 1991. During college, he was an ROTC member and then served in the U.S. Army Reserve for nine years. After retiring from Sears, he volunteered at the Richmond International Airport giving tours of planes to school children; worked part-time at Hurd's Hardware in Deltaville; and volunteered for several years with the Henrico County Police Department working with detectives in the Cold Case Squad. His professional memberships included: International Credit Association; Retail Credit Executives Association in Portsmouth and Norfolk, Va.; Roanoke, Va. Consumer Credit Association; Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Roanoke; Merchants Association of Roanoke Valley; Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond; Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers; and 100 Club, of which he was a founding member. In 1982, he had the honor of being asked to represent the U.S. credit industry by addressing the Congressional Judiciary Committee on Bankruptcy Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, at the request of Committee Chairman, Congressman Peter Rodino. He received numerous commendations and awards from Sears, as well as other credit organizations for his excellence in credit management. Don's community involvement included holding several offices, culminating with President, in the Middlesex Lions Club; and serving as President of the Bay Country Estates Homeowners' Association in Deltaville; and President of the Sussex Square Homeowners' Association in Richmond, where he simultaneously chaired several committees and managed the pool replacement project. His dedication to his communities earned him several awards, including the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Humanitarian Service from Lions Club International; County of Henrico Certificate of Appreciation Member of Sergeants Professional Standards Board, 1991 and 2000; and just prior to his death, the Virginia State Police Trooper's Pledge with Patch, a Challenge Coin and a Letter of Recognition for Don's lifelong support of and service to public safety from Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. Don was a good, kind, smart and generous man who had a great sense of humor. He was a wonderful husband and a loyal friend, and he will be dearly missed. A memorial service will be held at Bennett Funeral Home on West Broad Street on March 27, 2020, at 2 p.m., prior notice of which will appear in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. At the request of family, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Don's memory to either the American Heart Association, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 78851, Phoenix, Ariz. 85062-8851 or the Richmond SPCA, 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Va. 23220. This article was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba After a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck in the Caribbean, the Navy captain in charge of this remote Pentagon outpost declared a tsunami warning. Word reached the base school and boats on the bay but never got to the war court, where pretrial hearings were underway in the case of the five men accused of plotting the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. It was a significant logistical problem that nobody in the court knew, James G. Connell III, a defense lawyer who had ducked under his courtroom table when the first temblor rolled through, protested to the judge the next day. Col. W. Shane Cohen, the military judge, has scheduled jury selection for the death-penalty trial to begin early next year. It will be by far the most prominent and complex legal proceeding in the nearly two decades since the first prisoners arrived at the base. And Guantanamo is not yet ready. Extending the emergency early-warning system to the courtroom is among the more straightforward tasks on the bases to-do list. Dealing with a substantial influx of people to the base potential jurors, legal teams, journalists and relatives of victims, among others is among the biggest. Flights and housing have to be sorted out, including where to stage hundreds of would-be jurors and then, once chosen, where to sequester the jury of 12 military officers plus alternates for what is projected to be a nine-month trial. OVER 300 policemen, including a one-star general, will undergo investigation beginning Monday, February 10, over alleged involvement in illegal drugs, Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa said. In a television interview, Gamboa said the 357 policemen are on the illegal drugs watchlist of President Rodrigo Duterte. The highest-ranking officer is a Brigadier General, or a one-star general. Gamboa said those who will be found innocent will be removed from the list while case buildup will be conducted against those who will be proven to be involved in the illegal drugs trade. The PNP chief declined the divulge the identity of the policemen, but said most of them already reported to his office on Friday pending the start of the verification on them on Monday. "I hope the public would not mind for me not to supply more details... I would like to protect their identity because as of yet, they are presumed innocent," Gamboa said. He said they are hoping to finish the adjudication and validation process within a month. "Two levels. The first level will be regional, national support unit, or directorial staff adjudication boards where they will be heard one week. Then for the next three weeks, they will be passed on to the National Adjudication Board which will be headed by the Deputy Chief PNP for Administration," said Gamboa. Gamboa said the result of the investigation will be presented to Duterte. The top cop said the conduct of such investigation is part of his promise to Duterte to cleanse the PNP of erring personnel. (SunStar Philippines) KEARNEY Mariela Santos didnt have the highest opinion of sororities when she was preparing for her college career. Shed heard all the negative stereotypes and couldnt see how Greek life might benefit her. Then the Omaha native arrived at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she didnt know anyone. Members of the Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority became fast friends, giving her another support system as she transitioned to a new city. When I met the girls from my sorority, it was different from what I expected, Santos said. It didnt feel fake. It didnt feel like I had to pretend to be a certain type of person. I joined because I like that feeling of unity and acceptance, without feeling like I had to change. Now a junior, Santos is president of the Multicultural Greek Council, a governing body that oversees UNKs three nontraditional Greek organizations Sigma Lambda Gamma, the Lambda Theta Nu sorority and Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity. These organizations are a little different than UNKs other sororities and fraternities, according to Santos, a social work major with a marketing minor. The head of the Uniting Church in NSW has called for a renewed, nuanced public discussion about voluntary assisted dying to avoid repeating the controversy of last year's bruising abortion debate in State Parliament. Reverend Simon Hansford, who is also the moderator of Uniting's ACT Synod, said the church would be closely impacted by any future policies on voluntary euthanasia as it was one of the largest non-government providers of aged care in Australia. The Uniting Church is calling for a revived public discussion about voluntary assisted dying in NSW. Credit:Michele Mossop "It's going to happen and we in the church think wed rather be in front of it than behind it," Reverend Hansford told the Herald. "We should have this conversation." Voluntary euthanasia has been legalised in Victoria and Western Australia. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday clarified his stance on the contentious citizenship law (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) by the BJP-led government. Addressing a large crowd, the MNS chief asserted that the issue of 'infiltrators' is as significant as that of unemployment, education, drinking water. Questioning if India was a dharmashala (rest-house), Raj Thackeray backed the need to introduce NRC in the country. In addition, exuding his support for CAA, said that the 'persecuted Hindu minorities be brought to Hindustan'. However, the amended citizenship law nowhere mentions the term 'persecuted'. He said, "When minorities in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan are persecuted because of religion, shouldn't we take them in Hindustan? The minorities there are Hindus. They say, even bring the Muslims. How do we get them? I had said, we have a population of 156 crore people, we still can't disciple that. What is wrong with CAA? Now the issue is NRC. Do they think my country is a dharamshala? They are coming from anywhere, living anywhere. I know we have issues of water, education, unemployment but the issue of infiltrators is equally important." READ| Raj Thackeray takes fight to CM Uddhav's doorstep; MNS puts up poster outside Matoshree Last week, Centre notified that non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will have to provide proof of their religious beliefs before applying for citizenship in India. As per CAA, non-Muslim minorities of the three neighbouring countries can apply for Indian citizenship who have come to the country before December 31, 2014. MNS rally MNS workers on Sunday organised a rally at Azad Maidan in Mumbai demanding the ouster of illegal Bangladeshi and Pakistani immigrants from the State. In the afternoon, scores of workers of Raj Thackeray's party were seen raising slogans in favour of NRC. Some of them also played musical instruments to send out their message. According to a press note issued by the Maharashtra police on Saturday, an additional 600 police personnel have been deployed for the rally apart from the routine deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Riot Control Police. Drones and CCTV cameras will also be deployed by the police to keep a watch on the gathering. The MNS chief had earlier said that the party will take out a huge rally on February 9 in Mumbai seeking to drive "infiltrators" from Pakistan and Bangladesh out of India. "We will take out a huge rally on February 9 to drive infiltrators from Pakistan and Bangladesh out of India. There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but why should we shelter someone who has come from outside illegally?" he had said. READ| Cong slams BJP for awarding cabbie for 'handing over poet to police' over anti-CAA talks In Ivory Coast, where big-man personalities dominate and switching allegiances is par for the course, Guillaume Soro -- former student leader, rebel chief and prime minister -- seems a perfect fit to one day lead the world's biggest cocoa producer. His loyalties have zigzagged over the years, from being a supporter of Laurent Gbagbo, the man who led Ivory Coast into a civil war, to backing Alassane Ouattara, who defeated Gbagbo in elections and recently accused Soro of trying to overthrow him. Soro called the allegations "pure fiction" in an emailed response to questions. Through it all, Soro, 47, has never been shy about his desire to run French-speaking West Africa's biggest economy. Last month in Paris, he announced he's planning to return to contest presidential elections in October. But there's a catch: He faces an arrest warrant on charges related to the alleged coup attempt. That's heightened concern he might try to stoke unrest as the vote approaches. "The reality is that they want to exclude me," Soro said. "I won't accept it. I'll organize myself so that I can be in Ivory Coast and submit my political project to the voters." Soro is a divisive figure. Even though he's publicly asked for forgiveness for his role in a decade-long conflict that split the country into a rebel-held north and a government-run south, many Ivorians blame him for the crisis that killed thousands and destroyed the livelihoods of many others. All the same, as the youngest major politician in a country dominated by men well into their seventies, his social-media savvy and penchant for bling resonate with a new generation of voters. Last year he asked his 963,000 followers on Twitter to write a slogan and come up with a theme song for his fledgling political party. While Ouattara has overseen consistent annual economic growth of more than 7% since 2012 and transformed the main city, Abidjan, into a bustling metropolis that's attracting companies from Morocco to China, he's a taciturn 78-year-old technocrat. The main opposition leader, Henri Konan Bedie, turns 86 in May. "Soro is somewhat of an enigma in Ivorian politics; he has allied himself with many of the major actors over the years and he is extremely ambitious," said Kobi Annan, an analyst at risk consultancy Songhai Advisory in neighboring Accra, Ghana. "His age is very much in his favor." As a 33-year-old rebel leader controlling northern Ivory Coast, few took him seriously in 2005 when he received visitors sitting on a red Louis XVI chair at his shabby headquarters and declared himself prime minister. Yet just two years later, he reached his goal by making a pact with then President Gbagbo, who he had previously tried to oust. Then, in 2010, he dropped Gbagbo, whose refusal to accept his defeat in elections sparked a violent six-month standoff, and deployed his rebel force alongside French and United Nations aircraft to help Ouattara assume the presidency. That conflict -- the country's bloodiest -- paralyzed cocoa exports for months and sent prices for the commodity soaring. Ivory Coast grows about 40% of the world's cocoa. While a role as power broker in recent years appeared to set Soro on course for a high office, he suffered a fall from grace after the allegations emerged of a coup plan. In December, the state prosecutor released a recording of a 2017 phone call in which Soro allegedly discussed a plot, before issuing the arrest warrant. About 15 of his closest collaborators were detained, and anti-tank missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47 assault rifles found in their homes. For some observers, the timing was suspiciously convenient with elections approaching. "We could indeed ask legitimate questions about the period and the context chosen by the justice system to institute proceedings against Soro," said Sylvain N'Guessan, a political analyst in Abidjan. Commenting publicly on the issue for the first time last week, Ouattara told party loyalists "there's no doubt" that a coup was being planned. He declined to elaborate, saying the case was in the hands of the prosecutor. Soro quit the ruling coalition last year and resigned as speaker of parliament, a post he'd held since 2012. The rift was caused by Ouattara's decision to groom Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly as his likely successor -- if he chooses not to seek a third term, which is now allowed by a 2016 change to the constitution. "The problem is that he's still too much of a rebel and not enough of a polished politician," Annan said. "Ouattara believes in Soro's potential, but he's worried that he's a little bit unpredictable and that, in an election year, is dangerous." In 2018, the discovery of a cache of weapons in a house owned by Soro's head of protocol was seen as evidence that he had backed a series of mutinies in the army, where he still has substantial support from his days as a rebel leader. Two years before that, U.N. investigators said he'd acquired about 300 metric tons of weapons and ammunition, an accusation he denied. The prosecutor of neighboring Burkina Faso also sought Soro's arrest over his alleged role in a short-lived coup against the then-interim government. The charges were later dropped. "Will he be president one day? I very much believe so," Annan said. "He still needs to work toward gaining political and popular capital and that cannot be done from outside the country. The arrest warrant has effectively put paid to any ambition he had of being able to mount a viable challenge in the October elections." - - - Bloomberg's Baudelaire Mieu and Leanne de Bassompierre contributed to this report. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Euisun, left, talks with National Governors Association (NGA) Chairman and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan during the official reception for the NGA Winter Summit held at the residence of the Korean Ambassador to the U.S. in Washington, D.C., Sunday (KST). Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group By Nam Hyun-woo Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Euisun promoted the group's initiative to spread hydrogen-powered vehicles and future mobility services in the U.S. to the country's governors, the group said Sunday. According to the group, Chung attended the official reception of the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Summit at the residence of the Korean Ambassador to the U.S. in Washington, D.C., and shared the group's vision. The biannual summit is a gathering of U.S. governors to discuss ongoing issues including the state-federal partnership. It was the first time the reception was held at the Korean ambassador's residence and governors from more than 30 states, including NGA Chairman and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, attended. "The friendship and trust stemming from the values that the two countries share are more important than any other things," Chung was quoted as saying at the reception. According to the group, Chung mentioned the group's commitment to expanding the hydrogen fuel cell system in the U.S. and the value that a hydrogen society will bring. He also spoke about the air-cleaning feature of the Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Hyundai Motor Group has been pursuing various projects to expand the use of hydrogen as an energy source. Last September, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cummins of the U.S. to jointly develop and commercialize electric and fuel cell powertrains in the North American commercial vehicle market, combining Hyundai's fuel cell systems and Cummins' electric powertrain, battery and control technologies. The group began exporting the fuel cell system to Cummins this year. Chung is co-chairman of the Hydrogen Council, a global CEO initiative aimed at fostering hydrogen in the global energy transition. In December 2018, the group said it would sell more than 200,000 fuel cell systems a year to Korean and overseas markets and produce at least 500,000 fuel cell vehicles in Korea by 2030. Also at the reception, Chung promoted the group's initiatives on future mobility services, including self-driving, car-sharing and air-taxi services. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last month, Hyundai Motor revealed a strategic partnership with Uber. Under it, Hyundai Motor is developing and manufacturing air vehicles, while Uber will provide its mobility service platform. During the CES, Chung said he believed the air-taxi service would be able to commercialize as early as 2028. Hyundai Motor Group also is using the U.S. as its center for various mobility services. In September, Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Hyundai Mobis teamed up with U.S. automotive technology firm Aptiv and agreed to set up a $4 billion joint venture in the U.S., to which the group is contributing $2 billion. The joint venture will develop level four or five autonomous driving software that can be applied to various platforms. For the car-sharing service, the group set up a venture firm named Mocean Labin Los Angeles last August. It will prepare and run a series of pilot projects for car-sharing, last-mile mobility and multi-modal transportation. "The reception had its significance as it showcased the eco-friendliness of fuel-cell technology directly to the governors and U.S. government officials," a Hyundai Motor Group official said. A flyer from Dubai was arrested outside the city's international airport on Sunday and "high quality" fake currency notes of nearly Rs 24 lakh face value were seized from him, police said. The man, Javed Ghulam Nabi Sheikh (36), a resident of Kalwa in Thane district, had managed to come out of the airport with the notes hidden in the luggage, police said. The crime branch is trying to find out if these notes were brought into India for "terror funding". "Central agencies had tipped off the Mumbai crime branch that a man is arriving in Mumbai from Dubai with several fake Indian currency notes. Accordingly, a trap was laid near a bus stop outside Terminal-II of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, and he was nabbed," a police official said. "During his check, it was found that he was carrying 1,193 high quality notes of Rs 2000 denomination with the face value of Rs 23.86 lakh," he said, adding that the notes must have gone unnoticed during the checks inside the airport. During his interrogation, the accused told the police that the fake notes are routed from Pakistan via Dubai, the official said, adding, "The crime branch suspects that these notes fake notes could be used for terror funding." "As these notes are of high quality, the common man cannot easily differentiate between these bills and the real ones. The security features present in the genuine notes are imitated in the fake ones in a skilful manner," the official added. Police are trying to find out where the accused was planning to take the fake notes and for what purpose. After his arrest, Sheikh was produced before a court, he said. (Representative Image) Fine Gael's Simon Coveney and Fianna Fail's Michael McGrath have been elected on the eighth count in Cork South Central. Mc Grath was elected without reaching the quota. Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy has been elected in Kildare North on the third count. She initially topped the poll with 9,808 votes with a final tally of 11,008. Outgoing Fine Gael Minister Regina Doherty has lost her seat in Meath East, while former Labour leader Joan Burton loses seat in Dublin West Sinn Feins Matt Carthy has been elected in Cavan-Monaghan. Fine Gael's Higher Education Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor has lost her seat in Dun Laoghaire. Ruth Coppinger of People Before Profit has lost her seat in Dublin West. Willie O'Dea of Fianna Fail has retained his seat in Limerick city after the second count. Sorcha Clarke has become the first Sinn Fein TD to be elected in either Longford or Westmeath for over 60 years.. Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn of Sinn Fein have been elected on the first count in Donegal. Solidarity's Richard Boyd Barrett has retained his seat in Dun Laoghaire. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and FF leader Micheal Martin are elected on 5th and 6th counts respectively. People Before Profit TD Brid Smith has kept her seat in Dublin South Central after the second count [snippet1]977032[/snippet1] The Tanaiste Simon Coveney and Fianna Fail's finance spokesperson, Michael McGrath, have been elected in Cork South Central. The constituency has returned the same representatives it did in 2016 - two Fianna Fail, one Fine Gael and one Sinn Fein. Mr Coveney had to wait just over seven hours after Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O Laoghaire topped the poll to be elected on the eighth count, after he exceeded the 11,429 quota with 12,170 votes. Because Mr McGrath, with 10,809 votes, had more votes that the other remaining candidate, Green Party Cork city councillor Lorna Bogue, on 9,179, plus the untransferred surplus, he was deemed to be elected, without reaching the quota, taking the fourth and final seat. Asked about the prospect of coalition government with Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he thought some were jumping the gun following comments he made earlier. I think people are jumping the gun in terms of interpreting what I said today, as I said one doesnt change ones policies and principles overnight, he said. Im disappointed that Simon Coveney says Fine Gael wont talk to Sinn Fein. Obviously a misguided effort to wrong foot Fianna Fail. But I thought he was better than that. Incompatible policies fair enough. But has he learned nothing from the DUP? Sinn Fein voters lesser voters? Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) February 9, 2020 That said, todays a day to let the election happen, let the election unfold, let people enjoy their elections and so on. In the cold light of day, tomorrow and the day after, we will assess where we are, because I am not taking anything for granted because I know that some people are saying we could be anything from 40 to 46. "I have been in touch with colleagues, there is a lot now riding on transfers and distributions places like Wexford and Donegal. I am very conscious our first priority is to assess how we are doing and how well actually do, well know all that tomorrow. Asked would he take a call from Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, Mr Martin said: I think Sinn Fein have already made it clear they dont want to talk to Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, I think all their statements are consistent all day long saying the last thing they want in government is Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, so thats their decision. Sinn Fein's Matt Carthy has topped the poll in Cavan-Monaghan, ahead of Minister for Business Heather Humphreys. Mr Carthy was elected with 22.6% of the first preference vote. His surplus will be redistributed tomorrow morning, when it is anticipated his running mate, Pauline Tully, will be elected. Ms Humphreys received 17.74% of the vote, followed by Ms Tully on 14.08% of the vote. The final two seats will be likely a contest between Brendan Smith (FF), who got 10.19% of the vote, Niamh Smyth (FF) who is on 7.96%, TP OReilly (FG) who is on 7.1%, and Fianna Fail Senator Robbie Gallagher, on 7.01%. FG and FF leaders elected on fifth and sixth counts; Healy-Rae and Pa Daley returned in Kerry Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been elected on the fifth count in Dublin West while former Labour leader Joan Burton has lost her seat. Mary Mitchell-O'Connor is about to lose her seat the FF team in Dun Laoghaire are fairly confident that Richard Boyd-Barrett's surplus will narrowly favour Cormac Devlin over her. He had a lead of 20 (twenty!) before RBB's surplus of nearly 4000. #ge2020 Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) February 9, 2020 Mr Varadkar's election follows that of Sinn Fein's Paul Donnely, who took the top spot in the constituency and was elected earlier this evening on the first count. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Phibblestown Community Centre. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Fine Gael tonight have ruled out a number of scenarios in forming a government or cooperating with parties in power. While Mr Varadkar said his party would not work with Sinn Fein and would not be involved in any "forced marriage" with the party, Tanaiste Simon Coveney tonight has also closed the door on alternative options. Mr Coveney said Fine Gael would not work in a confidence and supply agreement. Such a deal operated with Fianna Fail supporting the Fine Gael-led government for almost the last four years. But Mr Coveney told RTE he had seen what had been done to Fianna Fail after working in this arrangement and that his party would not be part of such a process. Both @LeoVaradkar and @MichealMartinTD have been elected while former Tanaiste Joan Burton has lost her seat #iestaff Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) February 9, 2020 This now firmly puts pressure back on Fianna Fail to cobble together a government-if it gets the most seats-either with Sinn Fein or with other smaller parties. Sinn Fein have said they are open to working with all parties. Meanwhile, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has been elected on the sixth count in his Cork South Central Constituency. In Kerry, Michael Healy Rae (Ind) and Pa Daley (SF) have been elected on the first count in Kerry. The biggest loser of the count is expected to be Fianna Fail's John Brassil while Danny Healy-Rae looks on course to retain his seat. Counting has been adjourned and resumes tomorrow at 9am. Fianna Fail leader Michael Martins immediate reaction after retaining his seat in #Cork South Central #iestaff #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/xJf4jDL96A Eoin English (@EoinBearla) February 9, 2020 Simon Coveney speaks to the media during the General Election count at the Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork. Pic: PA. Tanaiste joins Taoiseach in ruling out Fine Gael coalition with Sinn Fein The Tanaiste Simon Coveney has again ruled out any coalition with Sinn Fein. Ive said many times that I just dont believe that the policy platform that Sinn Fein are outlining, and the approach and the policies that Sinn Fein and Fine Gael have committed to are compatible, he said. I dont think that government would work, I think the Taoiseach described it as a marriage that will be forced rather than one that will work. I think we have responsibility to follow through on the commitments that we made during this campaign and well do that. Ive always said our priority is to try and form a government that didnt involve Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein but that clearly the numbers dont look like thats going to be possible. He added: "I think in the aftermath of this election the likelihood of our confidence and supply type arrangements, is very unlikely. Fine Gael will either play a constructive role in government or we will be a very active party in opposition. In Wicklow, Fine Gael's Simon Harris is in second place (12%) behind Sinn Feins John Brady who has been elected on the first count after topping the poll in comprehensive style with more than 17,000 votes (24%), well in excess of the 11,000 quota. Solidarity-People Before Profit look set to have a disappointing election and possibly only return two or three of its five outgoing TDs. As the tallies predicted, Richard Boyd Barrett topped the poll in the south Dublin constituency of Dun Laoghaire, while Brid Smith retained her seat in Dublin South Central. Brid Smith PBP elected 2nd count pic.twitter.com/bEmk84Clsg RTEdublinSTHCENTRAL (@RTEdubSCENTRAL) February 9, 2020 However, Paul Murphy is battling to hold his seat in Dublin South West, Gino Kenny has conceded defeat in Dublin Mid West, while Ruth Coppinger is in the chase for the last seat in Dublin West. Ms Smith (People Before Profit - Solidarity) retained her seat on the back of a huge swathe of transfers from Sinn Feins Aengus O Snodaigh, who topped the poll on the first count. Smith received more than half of O Snodaighs 8,356 surplus in transfers, which saw her take the second of the four seats in the race, in the second count. Joan Collins (Independents4Change) received 1,747 in transfers, putting her on 4,578 votes and in fifth place. Minister of State Catherine Byrne (Fine Gael) is in third place in the race on 5,192 vote, 179 ahead of Fianna Fails Catherine Ardagh. Shane Ross rejects idea he has been punished after he loses his seat Twice a poll topper and the first TD elected in 2016, Shane Ross lost his seat on the fifth count in Dublin Rathdown, the same count that saw Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin elected. Ross said he didnt attribute the result to his performance as Minister for Transport, but rather the volatility of the Rathdown electorate. Its a very volatile constituency. Dublin Rathdown always has been and its always punished its poll toppers and I was a poll topper last time and the time before. However, he said he did not feel he had been punished by the electorate for entering into Government with Fine Gael. I dont think Ive been punished at all. "I think whats happened is that what the constituents have done is said we want to try something else we want a change from Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance and that is absolutely their entitlement and I accept it fully and I wish my successors a great deal of success. The alliance had been a very responsible if radical part of the Government he said. My colleagues and I certainly had an effect on the way government operated and were proud of that. Peter Casey forecasts another election within months The former Presidential candidate Peter Casey made a brief appearance at the Donegal count centre in Letterkenny. He said of course he was disappointed to receive only 1.48 of the first preference votes, and blamed bad timing and restrictions from Facebook for his poor performance, but did not run out standing for election again: Its too early to say. I have no doubt that I will resurrect something, it may not be in politics. Mr Casey, who also ran in Dublin West, said it only cost 500 to get your name on the ballot, and if had brought peoples attention what he described as the mistakes of Leos government then it was worth it. He congratulated Sinn Fein and said fair play to the party. I think theyve done a wonderful campaign, they just miscalculated how wonderful they were doing. Here is the moment Leo Varadkar realised he was not elected on the second count in #DublinWest. He got 118 transfers. Peter Casey got 213.#GE2020 #GeneralElection @JOEdotie pic.twitter.com/W2SAiuYpuu Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) February 9, 2020 They should have put up another 30 candidates and they probably would have got another 20 elected, for this reason I think well probably be back to the polls within two or three months, he said. But he said he was not optimistic a lasting coalition could be formed. Its hard to see how anyone can go into a coalition because Fianna Fail have said they wont go with Fine Gael, Fine Gael have said they wont go with Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein have said theyll talk to anybody but everybodys said they wont go with Sinn Fein. Peter Casey in Donegal today. Pic: North West newspix Its hard to see how anyone could get a coalition of more than 40, 50, 60 people max and thats well short of the 80 you need for a stable government. Counting is continuing in Donegal, with the results of the first count expected between 8-9pm this evening. Independent TD Shane Ross has conceded that he will not retain his seat in Dublin-Rathdown. My own situation is worse than precarious, says @Shane_RossTD #iestaff Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) February 9, 2020 Deputy leader of the Green Party, Catherine Martin, is the first person elected there with Fine Gael's Neale Richmond and Josepha Madigan poised to take the final two seats.. Varadkar rules out coalition with Sinn Fein as Martin hints at possible deal The Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has opened the door to a possible deal with Sinn Fein despite "significant incompatibility" between their policy platforms. Mr Martin said: "There is significant incompatibility in terms of the policy platforms between ourselves and Sinn Fein. I would just have to put that marker down now." Micheal Martin TD speaking to the press at the Cork North and Cork South Central Count Centre at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan However, he said "the country comes first" and he pointed to the fact the Fianna Fail facilitated the formation of a functioning government after the last general election. "There is an onus and an obligation on all to ensure that such a functioning government is formed after this," he said. Varadkar not willing to talk with Sinn Fein about govt formation Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he will not be speaking to Sinn Fein with a view to forming a coalition after the election. Speaking at his count centre in Dublin, he said his party Fine Gael was not compatible with Sinn Fein. We are willing to talk to other parties about how we could form a government and give this country a government that can spend the next five years dealing with the problems that we have had to tackle for the past few years. Asked if he will speak to Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald after she had reportedly reached out to other parties, he said: No, not at this stage anyway. He added: She has not been in touch with me yet, we would talk on occasion. I understand she has said she is seeking to form a left-wing coalition which does not include Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. I am not sure that is possible on the numbers so it is going to be a number of weeks before we are in a position to form a government. Mr Varadkar has said he is not disappointed in his own performance in the election, despite a Sinn Fein candidate being elected ahead of him. Speaking at the count centre, the Taoiseach said: The results are still coming in from around the country and it seems as though we have a three-party system and three parties getting roughly the same number of seats and that is going to make forming a government quite difficult. We do not know yet if any of the parties have enough seats to form a majority in the Dail. We have to count the votes and see what the lie of the land is tonight and tomorrow. Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar as he arrives for the the General Election count at Phibblestown Community Centre in Dublin. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire In terms of coalition speculation, I have made my position and the partys position clear during the campaign and we won the votes that we won, based on that decision. It is an increase on my vote in the past three elections and I topped the poll the last time which was a nice experience. I have been elected four times in a row and I am very grateful for today. Sinn Fein vows to work with like-minded parties after 'election about change' Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald's poll-topping performance in Dublin Central was confirmed when she was the first candidate elected with 11,223 votes. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald celebrates after being elected at the General Election 2020 Count centre in Dublin. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie Ms McDonald was embraced by supporters as the result was announced inside the RDS count centre in Dublin. Asked if the result marked a revolution in Irish politics, Ms McDonald replied: Yes, you could call it that for sure. She said she had been in touch with the Greens, Social Democrats and People Before Profit to discuss the prospect of them joining her party in government. Sinn Fein President @MaryLouMcDonald tops the poll and is elected on the first count in Dublin Central #iestaff #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/RbB9ePuFej Elaine Loughlin (@Elaine_Loughlin) February 9, 2020 Its been an election about change, she said. The extraordinary thing is that it seems that the political establishment and by that I mean Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are in a state of denial. They are still not listening to what the people have said. I want us to have a government for the people. I want us to have ideally a government with no Fianna Fail or Fine Gael in it. I have started the contact with other parties to explore over the next days whether that is a possibility. I also have to say this, that in any event I do not accept the exclusion or talk of excluding our party a party that represents almost a quarter of the electorate. I think that is fundamentally undemocratic. 'Bad day' for Labour Labour leader Brendan Howlin conceded it was a bad day for his party. Mr Howlin was facing calls for his resignation from party supporters online even before ballot boxes were open, given the exit poll showed the party's level of support at below 5%. The party, which has recorded a worse performance than in 2016, when it lost 30 seats, is set to miss out on several of its key target gains, falling victim to the Sinn Fein surge. I had hoped to make significant advances, that is not happening, but we are in contention in eight or nine constituencies. I am hoping my comrades across the country will win those final seats and until then, we won't what number will be in the next Parliamentary Labour Party. But it has not been a great day for us, he said.Dismissing criticism of his party's campaign, Mr Howlin said the Labour messaging was bang on. He called on Sinn Fein to step over the threshold and take the reigns of power. Sinn Fein's Dessie Elllis celebrates his election with party leader Mary Lou McDonald. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire Speaking at the count centre in Wexford, Mr Howlin conceded it has been a bad day for Labour. Mr Howlin came second with 9,223 and is expected to be elected in the second or third counts. He was behind Sinn Feins Johnny Mythen who was deemed elected in Wexford with almost 19,000 votes, becoming the partys first TD in the county in 100 years. Mythen, who lost his lost his seat on the local council just nine months ago, captured 18,717 first preference votes or 24.75% of the total. The quota to be deemed elected was 12,513. Sinn Fein's Paul Donnelly elected ahead of Taoiseach as party gets first four elected TDs Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O Laoghaire is the first TD to be elected to the 33rd Dail. O Laoghaire, was deemed elected on the first count a few minutes ago with just over 14,057 votes. The quota was 11,429. It's almost double his vote in the 2016 general election. He comes ahead of Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin who got 11,023 votes. Tanaiste Simon Coveney got 9,327 just ahead of Fianna Fail's Michael McGrath on 9,236 votes. Sinn Feins Paul Donnelly has been elected in Dublin West on the first count. It means Leo Varadkar is the first sitting Taoiseach who hasnt topped the poll in his constituency but he will be elected on the second count. Paul Donnelly. Picture: Collins Sinn Fein's Eoin O Broin has been elected in the Dublin Mid-West first count. He managed to get 11,842 votes in the first count there while his party counterpart Johnny Guirke has also been elected in the first count in Meath West with 12,652 votes. Padraig MacLochlainn, who is expected to be elected in Donegal, has said that Sinn Fein is deadly serious that we want to be in government and is in a very strong position to negotiate. Counting is continuing in Donegal, but according to the final tally Mr MacLochlainn and his party colleague Pearse Doherty are both expected be elected on the first count. Mr MacLochlain said that while his preference would not be for Fianna Fail or Fine Gael to be in this next government, we have to look at the numbers. He was certain, however, that Sinn Fein will not enter government unless the core components of our manifesto can be delivered. We need to deliver the real change that people need. Donnchadh O Laoghaire at the count centre in Cork today. That said, he added, with the numbers of TDs that we seem to be electing I think well be in a very strong position to negotiate for a very strong government platform. Sinn Fein could increase its Dail seat numbers by between 10 and 15, cementing their place as the third large party in Irish politics. The extent of the surge has led to early calls from within Fianna Fail for them to open discussions with Mary Lou McDonald's party about government formation. The first count was in Galway East with no one elected and a raft of first counts is expected over the next hour when we may see the first TD elected to the 33rd Dail Even though Micheal Martin has ruled out any coalition deal with Sinn Fein, Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness has said all options must be considered. Incredibly, in constituencies throughout the country where the party suffered major losses in last year's local elections, Sinn Fein candidates are not only topping the poll, some are coming back with up to two quotas. Mary Lou McDonald speaks to media at the RDS in Dublin this afternoon. Picture: PA The party is up on the exit poll with most of the tallies across the country done. At least 37 of the 42 Sinn Fein candidates are in serious contention for a seat. Ms McDonald has said she is already started talking to other parties about trying to form a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Arriving at the RDS count centre Sinn Fein President @MaryLouMcDonald says the party have already spoken to @greenparty_ie @SocDems and Solidarity-PBP about forming a Government without @FineGael and @fiannafailparty #iestaff pic.twitter.com/wxMqG7Bioh Elaine Loughlin (@Elaine_Loughlin) February 9, 2020 She drew massive cheers as she arrived at the RDS this afternoon to be thronged by dozens of journalists and photographers. Speaking at the RDS, she said she wants to explore whether such a new Government would be possible. "I also have consistently said that I will talk to and listen to everybody, I think that is what grown-ups do and that is what democracy demands." She said it was "not sustainable" for either Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail Micheal Martin "to say they will not speak to us, representatives of such a sizeable section of the Irish electorate." She said she was not shocked by the country-wide surge in support and acknowledged that the party should have fielded more candidates. It is a big statement of change. This is no longer a two party system. People want a different type of Government. Her party could return to Leinster House with as many as 37 or 38 seats based on the current tallies. As an illustration of how strong the swing to Sinn Fein is, final tallies show that Sinn Fein is set to take a Dail seat in Roscommon for the first time in 102 years. In Cork South Central, Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O Laoighaire ahead of three heavy-hitters in Micheal Martin, Simon Coveney and Michael McGrath Counting staff at Nemo Rangers GAA club in Cork. Pic: PA In Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein will be home early with the first two seats through Eoin O Broin and Mark Ward, when such a scenario looked impossible just a few days ago. To illustrate the disruptive nature of the Sinn Fein surge, the final tally in Dublin Bay North put Denise Mitchell on 30% of first preferences, Fine Gael minister Richard Bruton on 16% and Aodhan O Riordain of Labour on 11%. Ms Mitchell was tipped to lose her seat less than two weeks ago. 79, a native of Tucson, AZ, died February 1, 2020, at St. Catharine, Kentucky. She was a Dominican Sister for 57 years. Sr. "MT" is survived by her brother, Carlos Cocio. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, February 7, 2020 with burial in St. Catharine Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Sr. Maria Teresa's memory may be sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219-2098. To make a secure online donation please visit www.oppeace.org. To the Times: Thank you, Gov. Wolf, for recently proposing a rule to reduce methane emissions from the states oil & gas operations. The oil and gas industry is needlessly wasting methane at the expense of Pennsylvanians. If the industry wont stop this on its own, it must be compelled to do so. Pennsylvania is the No. 2 natural gas producer in the nation, and that product is mostly methane. Now that pipelines are being constructed at our doorsteps in southeastern Pennsylvania, and impacts of the climate crisis are seen evermore frequently, strong protections from dangerous oil and gas pollution are more important than ever. The Delaware County community needs to stand with residents across the commonwealth in calling for strong rules that will safeguard the health and future of our kids. As a Media resident & mother of two, I am very concerned about the oil and gas industry in my community, including the Mariner East 2 pipeline, the volatile natural gas liquid it transports, and the threats it poses to southeastern Pennsylvania. Protecting our children is paramount. This pipeline, and the expansion of other oil and gas operations, poses grave risks to Pennsylvanians at precisely the time we should be taking bold action and moving toward clean energy solutions. Pennsylvania has an obligation to take care of its own with respect to oil & gas development. Finalizing a methane rule is a meaningful step & one of many the Wolf administration can & should take to rein in this industry. Several big names in politics are facing a Portillo moment as the election count continues this evening, writes Michael Clifford. The sudden departure of well known politicians in the course of an election count has come to be known as a Portillo moment after the shock loss of a seat for former Tony party minister Michael Portillo in the 1997 UK general election. The most high profile departure looking likely this evening is that of Regina Doherty, the minister for Social Protection who is a close ally of Leo Varadkar. Fine Gael was always going to have a battle to hang onto the two seats in Meath East that it won in 2016 with Doherty and junior Minister for European Affairs, Helen McEntee. Geography was against Doherty and she garnered just over 10% in the first count. The poll topper in the constituency was, as elsewhere, the Sinn Fein candidate, in this case Darren ORourke. Doherty came in fourth behind ORourke, McEntee and outgoing Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne, all of whom are poised to be re-elected. Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport Shane Ross fell on the fifth count, with just 3,419 first preference votes. Cavassers across rural Ireland had reported back that the former journalist and stockbroker was a deeply unpopular figure on the doorsteps, but it was thought that he was safe in his own constituency of Dublin Rathdown. He made major play of delivering the re-opening of the Stepaside Garda Station in the heart of the constituency. Ross also managed to get his fellow Independent Alliance members, Fintan McGrath and John Halligan to put the shoulder to the wheel in his canvas. Notwithstanding that, he came in sixth on the first count. Although "not surprised", he said he was disappointed. "It's a very volatile constituency and I was taking nothing for granted. I'm not totally surprised. Of course I'm disappointed, but that's politics." I think the position [now] is I certainly will not be elected, says Shane Ross #GE2020 https://t.co/9zMMPw4asx pic.twitter.com/fGVlmzy664 RTE News (@rtenews) February 9, 2020 Another independent minister on the way out is Minister for Children Katherine Zappone in Dublin South West. She came in sixth in the first count for the five seat constituency, in which Sinn Feins Sean Crowe topped the poll with 20,007 first preference votes. Former Tanaiste Joan Burton was always under pressure to retain her seat in Dublin West. The extent of her political demise became apparent when she secured just 5% of the first preference vote as Sinn Feins Paul Donnolly topped the poll on 28% to be elected to the Dail for the first time. Burton had a relatively low profile in the last Dail after she resigned the party leadership following the rout of Labour in the 2016 election. Some observers were surprised that she had contested this election. She was first elected to the Dail in 2002. Burtons Labour party colleague Jan OSullivan also looked last night as if her time in elected national politics was coming to an end. She came in sixth in the first count for the Limerick city constituency where outgoing Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinliven topped the poll. Other high profile TDs under threat include Fianna Fails front bench spokesperson on health, Stephen Donnolly and the spokesperson on Brexit, Lisa Chambers. Donnolly had in 2011 been elected as an independent and in 2016 he ran under the Social Democrats banner before joining Fianna Fail in the last Dail. In Dublin North West, Noel Rock conceded early on after he was fourth in the first count for the three seater will little prospect of getting over the line on transfers. Here again, the polltopper was the Sinn Fein candidate, Dessie Ellis, who was elected on the first count. In Wexford, two junior ministers Michael Darcy and Paul Kehoe were left fighting for the last seat in a constituency where Johnny Mythen topped the poll. Thai Soldier Kills 29 in Rampage Before Being Fatally Shot NAKHON RATCHASIMA, ThailandA soldier angry over a property deal gone sour killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 in a rampage that spanned four locations in and around the northeastern Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima, before he was shot dead early on Feb. 9. Most of the victims were at the citys Terminal 21 shopping center, where the shooter held out against an overnight siege with an assault rifle and ammunition stolen from his army base. Police identified him as 32-year-old Jakrapanth Thomma. He initially posted written messages on Facebook during the attack before his account was shut down by the company. It was a personal conflictover a house deal, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters in Nakhon Ratchasima after traveling there to meet wounded survivors. Prayuth added that the conflict was with a relative of the soldiers commanding officer. An image of a suspect Jakrapanth Thomma on a wanted poster, after a mass shooting in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, in a document released by the Thai Crime Suppression Bureau in Thailand on Feb. 8, 2020. (Thai Crime Suppression Bureau/Handout via Reuters) Hundreds of shoppers fled the mall in groups while crouching low, and the police and army launched several rescues during the more than 12-hour standoff, with armed forces at one point emerging while carrying small children. It was frightening because I could hear the occasional gunshot. we waited a long time for the police to come and help us, many hours, said Suvanarat Jirattanasakul, 27, her voice trembling. Another survivor told local Amarin TV that the shooter was aiming for the heads and said his colleague died on the scene. He was shooting everywhere and his shots were very precise, said the man, identified as Diaw. Thai security forces evacuate people who were stranded inside the Terminal 21 shopping mall following a gun battle, to try to stop a soldier on a rampage after a mass shooting, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on Feb. 9, 2020. (Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters At a morgue in Nakhon Ratchasima, the family of 13-year-old Ratchanon Karnchanamethee sobbed as they identified his body. Hes my only son. He hasnt even had dinner, said his father, Natthawut Karnchanamethee. I allowed him to do anything he wanted to. I never set expectations for him. I only wanted him to be a good person. The provinces governor, Wichien Chantaranochai, on Feb. 9 said a total of 29 people had been killed and 57 were wounded. Also known by the historical name Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima has a population of about 250,000. Its close to a national park popular for its wild elephants, but the relatively poor northeastern region is one of the lesser-visited areas for Thailands tens of millions of tourists. Stolen Arsenal CCTV footage from inside the mall posted on social media showed the gunman dressed in black and wearing a mask, his gun slung over his shoulder with no sign of other people around. According to local media, Jakrapanth worked at an army base close to Nakhon Ratchasima, which is about 250 km (155 miles) from the capital Bangkok. He was a sharpshooter and took many special courses on carrying out attacks, including planning ambushes, army sources said. Thai media reported he often posted photos of weapons on social media. The killings began on Feb. 8, when the soldier opened fire in a house before moving to an army camp and then driving to the mall in a stolen Humvee. Thailand security forces enter in a shopping mall as they chase a shooter hidden in after a mass shooting in front of the Terminal 21, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on Feb 9, 2020. (Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters) The soldiers commanding officer was one of the people reported killed, before the soldier moved on to the shopping mall. At some point during the day, the soldier raided the army camps weapons storage to arm himself, said Lt. General Thanya Kiatsarn, Commander of the Second Area Command. He attacked the guard to the weapon arsenal, who later died, and he stole an official jeep and an HK33 gun and an amount of ammunition to do what he did, Thanya said. A person runs away from a shopping mall during a Thai soldiers shooting rampage in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on Feb. 8, 2020. (Nattaya Nganiem via Reuters) Spend the Money in Hell Hours before he began shooting, Jakrapanth had posted on his Facebook account denouncing greedy people. Rich from cheating. Taking advantage of other people. Do they think they can spend the money in hell? read one post in Thai. He later posted written updates during the attack. Death is inevitable for everyone, he wrote. Later, he complained about his fingers cramping and asked, Should I give up? before the account was no longer available. Hours after the mall siege began, Facebook said it had removed the suspects account. There is no place on Facebook for people who commit this kind of atrocity, nor do we allow people to praise or support this attack, a Facebook representative said in a statement. Major shootings are rare in the Southeast Asian country other than in the far south, where a decades-old insurgency persists. By Panu Wongcha-um Three new coronavirus patients confirmed Sunday By Jun Ji-hye HanaTour, Modetour and other travel agencies here have been hit hard by the spread of the new coronavirus as Koreans have become reluctant to travel abroad over the past month, according to company officials. People had initially avoided going to China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, but more and more people fear traveling to Southeast Asia and other parts of the world after people fell ill after visiting Japan, Singapore and Thailand, they said. Some small enterprises are even expected to file for bankruptcy as an increasing number of people are canceling their overseas trips. Originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the new coronavirus has been spreading rapidly around the world. On Sunday, the government here confirmed three new coronavirus patients, raising the total number to 27. The January-February period, which overlaps with the winter vacation and graduation ceremonies, has been one of the traditional peak seasons for the travel industry. Warm Southeast Asian countries account for more than 50 percent of winter travel demand. The Daily Beast Fox News White House correspondent and perpetual nemesis of Jen Psaki thought he had Joe Bidens press secretary cornered on Monday when he asked her why the president is still referring to COVID-19 as a pandemic of the unvaccinated when so many people are getting breakthrough infections. He was wrong.I understand that the science says that vaccines prevent death, Doocy began, before undercutting that basic truth. But Im triple-vaxxed, still got COVID. Youre triple-vaxxed, still got COVI Allentown, PA (18103) Today Mostly sunny and bitterly cold. It will feel like it's in the single digits and low teens.. Tonight Partly cloudy and extremely cold. Wind chills around or below 0 degrees. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said the Kashmir issue would continue to remain the "cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy". Chairing a meeting here with the leaders from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as a follow-up to Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to the PoK's Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad on February 5, Qureshi said that a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute was essential for durable peace and stability in South Asia region. "Kashmir would continue to remain the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy," Qureshi was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry (FO). During the meeting, which was also attended by PoK leader Raja Farooq Haider Khan, the participants called for the complete removal of lockdown on communication and media in the Kashmir valley. Indian abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019, that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality. By Trend No violations have been encountered so far at the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, OSCE Observer Arthur Gerasimov told reporters in Baku, Trend reports Feb. 9. The observer noted that about 360 OSCE observers are monitoring the elections in Azerbaijan. We met with representatives of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC), civil society institutions and parties before the elections, Gerasimov said. Presently, our representatives are monitoring the elections throughout the country. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Some 5,573 permanent polling stations operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Toronto police identify 29-year-old man as the victim of a shooting in Etobicoke, Friday. He is Torontos 10th homicide victim of 2020. Deandre Campbell-Kelly, of Toronto was pronounced dead in hospital after a shooting broke out at around 11 p.m., in front of 546 The West Mall, near Rathburn Road and The East Mall, investigators say. Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The investigation remains ongoing and police are not releasing suspect description at this time, Const. David Hopkinson said. Campbell-Kelly is the citys eighth homicide victim who died in a shooting. So far, eight men and two women have been killed in Toronto this year. They are: Ahmed Yakot, 21, was shot near River and Oak streets in Regent Park at 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 1. He died the next day in hospital. Paul Anthony DeSouza, 25, was shot in a residence at 367 Military Trail in Scarborough around 2 a.m. on Jan. 11 and pronounced dead at hospital. Maryna Kudzianiuk, 49, was found seriously injured in an apartment building at 25 Bay Mills Boulevard, near Sheppard Avenue East and Warden Avenue, after a fire at 3 a.m. on Jan. 13. She was pronounced dead at hospital. On Jan. 18, police charged 37-year-old Ricardo Mirabelles of Toronto with first-degree murder. He was shot dead by police near Scarborough Town Centre on that day. Safiullah Khosrawi, a 15-year-old Woburn C.I. student, was shot at Markham and Ellesmere Roads on Jan. 20. He died in hospital. Police said he was completely innocent. Another 15-year-old Woburn student has been charged with second-degree murder. Giulia Matthews, 54, was found dead inside a home in the St. Clair Avenue West and Atlas Avenue area on Jan. 20. Police found Matthews after they were called to conduct a wellness check. A boy has been arrested and charged with second degree murder. His identity cannot be released under the Youth and Criminal Justice Act. Stephon Kelly, 28, was shot near Markham and Kingston roads at around 9 p.m. on Jan. 25. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A man in his 50s and a woman in her 40s were also shot, and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Jalen Colley, 21, of Brampton, and Tyronne Noseworthy, 19, of Toronto, and Joshua Gibson-Skeir, 20, of Brampton were shot in an Airbnb at 85 Queens Wharf Road, just south of Fort York Boulevard, at around 10:30 p.m. Police say the shooting took place within a condo unit, and the adjacent hallway on the 32nd floor. Police say they arent looking for suspects but say evidence suggests this was a murder-suicide. They have not clarified who the two homicide victims are. Thomas Michael Alcott, 29, was found unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the area of Danforth Avenue and Greenwood Avenue at around 3 a.m., Feb. 5, he was pronounced dead in hospital. Deandre Campbell-Kelly, 29, was found suffering from gun shot wounds after a shooting in front of 546 The West Mall, near Rathburn Road and The East Mall Feb. 7, he was pronounced dead in hospital. A record-setting firework display in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, on February 8 drew large crowds who stood to view the show light up the night sky, local media reported. The Steamboat Pilot said local pyrotechnic aficionado Tim Borden celebrated the successful launch of his almost 2,800 pound firework on Saturday, which burst in a dazzling display of red and white over Howelsen Hill at the finale of the Winter Carnival Night Extravaganza. In 2019, his first attempt at the word record ended in failure when the shell exploded inside the mortar without lifting off the ground. Guinness World Records, which adjudicated both launches, requires the shell to leave the ground and explode in the air to consider it a success. Credit: Steamboat Pilot via Storyful BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Acts of deliberately or permissibly spreading the coronavirus shall be punished as the crime of endangering public safety by dangerous means, according to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). Public security departments across the country have attached great importance to such acts and have promptly filed cases for investigation. Police in Jinghong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, have investigated a patient surnamed Li for endangering public safety by dangerous means. Li had traveled to Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, from December 2019 to January 2020. After returning to Jinghong, she had a cough and other symptoms and was confirmed to be infected with the virus. During isolation observation and treatment, Li refused to implement prevention and control measures, which caused the virus to spread to unspecified personnel, causing serious consequences. After she was cured and discharged from the hospital on Feb. 3, Li was put under coercive measures by the police. Other similar cases have also been filed for investigation across the country. The MPS called on those who know that they have been infected or may be infected with the virus to seek and receive medical treatment in a timely manner, quarantine themselves at home and be responsible for the safety and health of themselves, their families and others. Vietnam ranked seventh among countries with the highest growth of international visitors worldwide in 2019, announced the United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Vietnam ranked seventh among countries with the highest growth of international visitors worldwide in 2019. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) In 2019, Vietnam welcomed over 18 million international tourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 16.2%. A remarkable result given the slow increase of the worlds economy last year. According to the latest UNWTOs statistics, the number of global international tourists reached 1.5 billion in 2019, up 3.8% over the previous year. The growth of Vietnamese tourism also contributed to the overall growth of the Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific regions. The number of international arrivals to the Asia-Pacific rose by 4.6% last year, the second highest in the world, following the Middle East. In addition to Vietnam, Myanmar and the Philippines were also Southeast Asian countries among the list of nations with the highest growth of international arrivals. Accordingly, Myanmar stood at the top while the Philippines ranked eighth. Nhan Dan Services available for tourists affected by flight ban Accommodation service providers have been asked to continue to serve foreign tourists who are unable to return to their countries due to the Vietnamese civil aviation authoritys ban on flights between Vietnam and China. If I will die, let it ... According to reports, the operatives of Amotekun will be known as corps and will bear licensed firearms while working. This was made known by the Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda, while speaking on the outcome of a meeting of the Attorney Generals from the South-West zone held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday. Also Read: Why We Are Against Establishment Of Amotekun: Miyetti Allah Fapohunda revealed that each of the Commissioners for Justice in the zone agreed to insert a clause which empowers the Amotekun Corps to carry only licensed firearms in the bill for an act backing up the initiative. He, however, said arms bearing by Amotekun personnel would be subject to the approval of the Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed. After serving as the convenor of the Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Partys election management committee for the 2018 panchayat polls and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Mukul Roy, the former Number 2 in Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress (TMC), has now been made the convenor of the BJPs management committee for the 2020 municipal elections, BJP leaders said. There are over 100 municipal bodies across the state, including the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The municipal elections in the state, likely to be held in April, are widely being seen as the semi-final before the 2021 assembly elections. The 58-member municipal election management committee includes state unit president Dilip Ghosh, union ministers Babul Supriyo and Debasree Chaudhuri and national secretary Rahul Sinha, besides members of Lok Sabha, state Assembly and the partys state unit office-bearers. Roy has extensive experience in managing elections. Our party knows how to use the right person in the right role, Dilip Ghosh said. Political observers say Roys appointment as the convener of the election management committee for the third time in a row reflects how he has transformed into the Bengal BJPs election manager and the second most important leader after state president Dilip Ghosh, since joining the party little more than two years ago. There is no match for Mukul Roy in Bengal BJP when it comes to managing elections, pre-empting TMCs strategies and having knowledge of the political scenario in every municipal area. Evidently, the BJP central leadership trusts no one over him on this matter, said psephologist Biswanath Chakraborty, a professor of political science at Rabindra Bharati University. Mukul Roy joined the BJP in November 2017 and after three months, was appointed as the convener of BJPs panchayat election management committee. At present, the 65-year-old former railway minister is a member of BJPs national executive. A state unit office-bearer of Bengal BJP said, requesting anonymity, that there was no better person than Roy to identify disgruntled TMC leaders who would have a good chance of winning on a BJPs ticket. Of Bengal BJPs 18 Lok Sabha members, four had joined BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, courtesy Mukul Roy, the BJP leader said. It was due to Mukul Roy that former TMC mayors of Kolkata and the adjoining Bidhan Nagar municipal corporations switched over to the BJP in 2018. Maidul Islam, a professor of political science at Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta, said, In the civic polls, BJP lacks prominent local faces in most municipal areas and would have to depend much more on micro-management. Trinamool Congress, however, mocked at the selection. Those whom we dumped as garbage have become crowns of glory in BJP, said state food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Masked members of a neo-Nazi white supremacist group called Patriot Front marched through Washingtons National Mall on Saturday. Patriot Front, which is part of the so-called alt right movement, was established by disillusioned members of another white supremacist group called Vanguard America in September 2017 in the wake of a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville. Members of the group were accompanied by police as they marched but officials said no violence erupted and no arrests took place. More than 100 members of the Patriot Front, dressed in khaki trousers and caps, blue jackets and white face masks, yelled Reclaim America! and Life, liberty, victory! footage of the march showed. Video of Saturdays march in Washington posted on the News2Share Facebook page showed occasional hecklers, but there appeared to be no organised counter-protest movement waiting for the Patriot Front as the group marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the US Capitol grounds and later a nearby Wal-Mart parking garage. They were accompanied by dozens of police officers, some on bicycles, but it was not clear whether the group had acquired a permit for the march. A spokesperson for District of Columbia Metropolitan Police said it had no record of a permit for the march. Capitol Police and the National Park Service could not immediately be reached for comment. The police spokesperson said that the First Amendment demonstration was peaceful with no incidents or arrests. The white supremacist rally in Charlottesville in August 2017 saw anti-fascist activists clash with neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members and alt-right supporters. James Fields, a self-described neo-Nazi, drove his car into a crowd of peaceful anti-fascist demonstrators and killed a 32-year-old civil rights activist called Heather Heyer. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2018. Donald Trump drew criticism from his fellow Republicans as well as Democrats for saying that both sides were to blame for the deadly 2017 incident. Story continues While the problem of white supremacy has gained increasing attention since the election of Mr Trump in 2016 and then Charlottesville, it has been an ongoing and persistent problem America. According to the Anti-Defamation League, a manifesto posted to Patriot Fronts website soon after it was established called for American Fascism which it referred to as a return to the traditions and virtues of our forefathers. The manifesto also made it obvious people who were not white were not deemed to be Americans. Additional reporting by Reuters Read more White supremacist who praised psychedelic Nazis arrested South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Sunday visited a facility in Jincheon, which is temporarily being used to accomodate evacuees who are being placed in quarantine upon their return from Wuhan. South Korea had sent chartered planes to evacuate hundreds of citizens stranded in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the new type of coronavirus outbreak is centred. Moon also held a meeting to talk with local residents living in the neighbourhoods where the quarantine facilities have been set-up and visited a government training centre in Asan. Governments have rushed to get their citizens out of China, which is orchestrating history's largest anti-viral campaign by blocking 50 million people from leaving Wuhan, the centre of the outbreak, and nearby areas. The viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 37,500 people globally. South Korea has 27 confirmed cases. Met Eireann has a series of Weather Warnings in place as the unsettled and stormy weather looks set to continue into the early days of the week. Two warnings are for wind while one is in place for snow and ice. There is a Status Orange Wind Warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry. Met Eireann says that Storm Ciara will continue to produce very strong westerly winds in coastal areas with mean speeds of 65-80km/h and gusts generally between 110 and 130km/h. A combination of Spring Tides and high seas will result in a significant risk of coastal flooding. The warning is valid from 6am on Monday until 8pm on Monday. A status orange wind warning has been issued for tomorrow from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., for counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry. The existing yellow warning has been extended to 8 p.m. also.#StormCiara.https://t.co/ozrQHtoOkt pic.twitter.com/EMtkT7b0Dt Met Eireann (@MetEireann) February 9, 2020 There is a a Status Yellow Wind Warning currently in place for Ireland. Met Eireann states that Storm Ciara will continue to produce very strong west to southwest winds over Ireland with mean speeds of 50-65km/h and gusts generally of between 90 and 110km/h, higher in Atlantic coastal areas. A combination of Spring Tides and high seas will result in a significant risk of coastal flooding. The warning is in place until 8pm on Monday. Met Eireann has also issued a Status Yellow Snow/Ice warning for Ireland. Met Eireann says that there will be widespread wintry showers on Monday and Tuesday with some snowfall accumulations, especially in the west and north. Some disruption to travel is possible, particularly over higher routes. It is place from 12.01am on Monday until 11.59pm on Tuesday. E -commerce in India has seen phenomenal growth over the years from $39 billion in 2017, it is projected to rise to $200 billion by 2026. This comes in the wake of deepening penetration of the Internet and mobile phones. There has been a steady expansion of online offerings electronics, apparel, travel, movies, medicine, hotel reservations, books, matrimonial services, cosmetics, footwear, fashion accessories and groceries. The liberal Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, where 100% business-to-business transactions are allowed, is also fuelling the growth of this market. This growth, however, comes with challenges. Counterfeiting and pirated goods continue to distort the virtual marketplace. E-commerce sites are regularly being used as common platforms for the sale of counterfeit goods. Whether it is online or offline, the dangers are legitimate market loss and the occupation of economic space by unauthorised and grey market operators, causing loss of revenue to the government, loss of jobs, threat to consumer safety, and growth of organised crime. While technology offers several solutions to authenticate the original product, the same technological tools, particularly artificial intelligence, help create clones. This makes it more difficult to distinguish between the original and the fake. Moreover, when e-commerce players and brand owners get embroiled in disputes, it is the counterfeiters who reap the benefits. What is needed is constant upgradation and innovation to stay ahead of the counterfeiters. Therefore, it is important that we have regulations for e-commerce. A big step has been taken by the government in bringing in the draft e-commerce policy, which has indicated clear guidelines on the expectations from brand owners and e-commerce players. It is the first time that a government document has listed concrete steps for combating counterfeiting. It categorically states that the details of sellers should be made available on a marketplace website for all products, and that sellers must provide an undertaking to the platforms about the genuineness of their products. Also, trademark owners should be given the option to register with an e-commerce platform so that wherever a trademark product is uploaded for sale on the platform, it should notify the respective trademark owner. If the trademark owner desires, the e-commerce platform can only list or offer for sale any of the owners products only with prior permission. In case of a complaint, the matter should be brought to the notice of the trademark owner, the product withdrawn and the site blocked. Additionally, in case of a customer complaint of counterfeiting after the sale, compensation will be paid and financial disincentives imposed on the seller found dealing in counterfeit products. Unlike the problem of physical piracy and counterfeiting, the piracy of content is easy and damaging. It is easy because the content of the original product is retransmitted and, therefore, there is no new creation, no infrastructure is required, no money is invested in creating content, and the same content of the same quality is made available to everyone for free. The majority of copyright infringement is done through illegal reproduction of journals, magazines and books, video piracy, cable piracy, and imitation and distribution of computer programmes without the permission of the original copyright holders. Leading industries in the online space have taken measures such as 24*7 content monitoring, takedowns, and filing criminal cases. But this is not enough. For example, the film and television industry contributed a total of Rs 33.3 billion to the economy and supported over 2.36 million jobs in 2017. However, piracy remains a growing threat to this industry. Online copyright theft is a criminal enterprise which also affects consumers, and is susceptible to malware, identity theft and ransomware. A 2016 study, analysing 1,143 pirating sites popular in India, found that large and medium pirate sites earned revenues of about Rs 4 million and Rs 2 million respectively, and 361 advertisers on such sites were found to be in the high-risk category. Recently, it was found that a wi-fi-enabled box is available in the market for about Rs 1,000-5,000 which uses the keys of a distribution platform to transmit all the television channels of Indian broadcasters. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism in India where one can track down and block the last-mile subscriber whose box is being used for piracy. One of the greatest difficulties in tackling content theft and piracy is the jurisdictional challenge. While laws have national boundaries, piracy is a global beast. One can sit on a non-compliant jurisdiction, upload content, and make it available throughout the world. Indian laws will not be applicable in this case. Therefore, nothing can be done against the pirate. There is also no mechanism in India which prepares a list of websites which are infringing on content or physical goods. Though the guidelines list steps for online counterfeiting and anti-piracy, it is evident that there is a need for greater collaboration between the stakeholders as well as better regulation from the government. The Indian Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy, which was released in 2016, emphasised strengthening, enforcement and adjudication to combat piracy and counterfeiting. It further stated that best practices need to be followed, technological tools and training of enforcement agencies needs to be done, the judiciary needs to be strengthened and more commercial courts opened to deal with the intricacies of IPRs, and to ascertain the extent of counterfeiting and piracy. Narendra Sabharwal is former deputy director general, World Intellectual Property Organization, think tank member, FICCI CASCADE, and chairman, FICCI IP Committee The views expressed are personal A KFC employee in China working with food preparation and on the counter serving customers has reportedly been diagnosed with coronavirus. The infected staff member worked at the fried chicken fast-food chain in Xian, Shaanxi province, according to local media reports. The Office of the Pneumonia Prevention and Control in Yanta District identified the patient as working at the eatery in Xiaozhai Intime shopping centre. According to China News, the employee worked 'at the front desk' at the end of last month and 'the main work was to prepare meals'. KFC is among a series of US franchises in China that have temporarily closed restaurants over fears of the spread of coronavirus that has killed more than 800 people. Currently over 37,000 cases of the deadly infection have been confirmed worldwide that has struck in 25 countries. Kentucky Fried Chicken fast-food restaurant in Xian, China, where an employee who became infected with coronavirus worked Yum China which operates Pizza Hut and Taco Bell as well as KFC, announced the shutting of its 9,200 outlets after the disease gripped China. The company, which operates in more than 1,300 cities in China, said its profits this year would be severely hit by the outbreak. KFC said it could not say exactly when the restaurants would reopen and that more stores could close. Last week the company based in Shanghai launched what it calls 'contactless' delivery to avoid spreading the virus through food delivery. Videos on the Chinese social media site, Weibo, showed delivery drivers having their temperature taken before donning Hazmat suits and face masks before disinfecting all food packaging and leaving the restaurant. Some meal deliveries come with notes detailing the temperature readings of the workers who prepared and delivered the food, local media reports. Workers in protective suits carry sanitising equipment to disinfect trains at a maintenance depot in Xian, Shaanxi province, China, last week Joey Wat, Yum China's chief executive, said in a statement: 'Our top priority is the health and safety of our employees and customers. 'We have implemented various preventive measures across our restaurants and other workplaces to help protect our employees and customers. 'We will continue to monitor this fluid situation and respond accordingly.' The company said in a statement discussing 2019 financial results: 'As a result of the outbreak, the company may experience operating losses for the first quarter of 2020.' China's finance ministry said today that all levels of government had allocated a total of $10.26 billion) to fight coronavirus. The ministry will deploy the funds to ensure that members of public can afford diagnosis and treatment, it said in a statement. SRINAGAR, India - Shops and businesses shut in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Sunday and authorities imposed a lockdown in some parts of the disputed regions main city after separatists called for a strike to mark the anniversary of the execution of a Kashmiri man who was convicted in an attack on the Indian Parliament. Hundreds of police and paramilitary soldiers patrolled largely deserted streets in Srinagar. Authorities put old parts of the city under lockdown, with major roads blocked by razor wire and barricades in anticipation of anti-India protests and possible violence. Public transport was largely off the roads. Most Kashmiris, who have long demanded that the region be given independence or allowed to merge with neighbouring Pakistan, were incensed when in 2013, Mohammed Afzal Guru was secretly hanged in a New Delhi jail on charges of being involved in a 2001 Parliament attack that killed 14 people, including five gunmen. Most people in Kashmir believe Guru was not given a fair trial, and the covert execution led to days of deadly anti-India protests in the Muslim-majority region, where anti-India sentiment runs deep. Separatists have also called for a strike on Feb. 11 to mark the day in 1984 when pro-independence leader Mohammed Maqbool Butt was hanged in the same New Delhi jail after being convicted of killing an intelligence officer. Separatists demand that the two mens remains, buried within the jail compound, be returned to the region. Meanwhile, police on Saturday summoned two journalists for questioning in Srinagar for reporting about the strike call issued by the pro-independence Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front. The Kashmir Press Club called it harassment. It has become a routine with police to summon journalists for their stories, said Ishfaq Tantray, the clubs general-secretary. It is an attempt by the law enforcement agencies to define new terms of journalism in Kashmir. Theyre trying to define to us what we should report and how we should report. Police in a statement said they registered a case against the separatist group for attempts to incite violence and disturb law and order situation. India and Pakistan each claim the divided Himalayan territory of Kashmir in its entirety. Rebels have been fighting Indian control since 1989. About 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian crackdown. Sunday, February 9th, 2020 (12:01 am) - Score 3,573 Broadband ISP BT has begun inviting some UK customers of their BT Mobile service to take part in a new London underground Wi-Fi trial, which will start mid-March 2020 and run for approximately 3 weeks. Those taking part will be given one months credit for the number they use (applied post-trial and subject to feedback). The move was perhaps inevitable following EEs recent deal (here) to join related 4G trials on the underground tube trains with Transport for London (TfL), which is due to begin in March. As if a reminder were needed, parent ISP BT currently has the United Kingdoms largest single network of WiFi hotspots, including tens of thousands of premium access points and millions of public guest networks via the routers (FON technology) of their existing broadband subscribers. Separately, we should point out that 260 London underground stations are already covered with WiFi as a result of Virgin Medias deployment some years ago, which can today also be harnessed by customers of O2, Three UK, EE (BT) and Vodafone. Meanwhile 79 London Overground stations are served by The Cloud (Sky). A WiFi Pass exists for those who arent existing members of those networks (here). Otherwise the newer TfL project aims to make 4G services available across the whole of their London Underground (tube trains) network by the mid-2020s, although initially this will only take the form of a limited pilot along the Jubilee Line between Canning Town and Westminster stations (i.e. bug testing before further expansion). Such networks can of course also be harnessed to extend WiFi on-board trains too. Oddly BTs private trial announcement makes no mention of any coverage limitations, doesnt specifically reference on-board connectivity and merely suggests that those who take part connect to the Wi-Fi when entering a London underground station, although we assume it will also continue to work on-board trains running the trial route (above) as well. Severe bushfires burned through parts of Western Australia on Sunday, with other areas of the state dealing with the landfall of a powerful cyclone, while the country's east coast was facing potential life-threatening flash flooding. After months of destructive wildfires that have razed millions of acres of land, Australia has been hit in recent weeks by wild weather that has alternately brought heavy downpours, hailstorms, gusty winds and hot and dry air. About a dozen fires were burning in Western Australia on Sunday, with severe fire danger expected in several districts, according to fire services and the state's Bureau of Meteorology. Daytime temperatures in some of the districts were forecast at up to 42C. The state's upper parts were battling the aftermath of the tropical cyclone Damien that made a landfall on Saturday afternoon, bringing gusty winds of up to 124 miles per hour. Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra in the state of New South Wales on 31 December 2019 AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billows from a huge bushfire that has torched over 200,000 acres of land in East Gipplsand, Victoria on 2 January EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Residents look on as flames tear through bushland in Lake Tabouriee, Australia on 4 January on 4 January Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage behind Lake Conjola on 2 January Robert Oerlemans via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighting helicopter tackles a bushfire in East Gippsland, Victoria on 31 December EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter gives water to a parched koala in Cudlee Creek, South Australia AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters tackle a blaze as it tears through a farm in New South Wales on 21 December AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The sky is turned red over East Gippsland as fires continue to rage through Australian bushland on 4 January Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A kangaroo near bushfires in Nowra AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures An aerial view of a bushfire near Bairnsdale State Government of Victoria/EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters work to tackle a blaze on the outskirts of Sydney on 31 December 2019 Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighting helicopter dumps water on a bushfire on the outskirts of the town of Bargo near Sydney Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Children play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A satellite image of the Batemans Bay showing smoke and fire from wild bushfires European Union, Copernicus Sentinel Data via REUTERS Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The afternoon sky glows red from bushfires in Nowra AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Burning embers cover the ground as firefighters battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The sky glows red as bushfires continue to rage in Mallacoota, Victoria Jonty Smith via Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The remains of burnt out buildings along a main street in the New South Wales town of Cobargo AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters try to protect homes around Charmhaven, New South Wales NSW Rural Fire Service/AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Wildfires rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale Glen Morey via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Business owners stand in front of their shop which was destroyed by a bushfire in Cobargo EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A helicopter dumping water on a fire in Victoria's East Gippsland region Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning/AFP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Think smoke from bushfires fills the air in eastern Gippsland Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures "Carmelised" snow caused by dust from Australian bushfires is seen near Franz Josef glacier in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland, Victoria. More than 800,000 hectares have been burnt in East Gippsland EPA/DELWP Gippsland Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland EPA/DELWP Gippsland Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures LIFES.A.BREEZE via Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke and wildfire rage behind Lake Conjola Robert Oerlemans via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A house and van are seen destroyed after bushfires ravaged the town of Bilpin, west of Sydney AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A helicopter fighting a bushfire near Bairnsdale in Victoria's East Gippsland region State Government of Victoria/AFP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Fire and Rescue personal run to move their truck as a bushfire burns next to a major road and homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Amy, left, and Ben Spencer sit at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter sprays foam retardant on a back burn ahead of a fire front in the New South Wales town of Jerrawangala AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Two bushfires approach a home located on the outskirts of the town of Bargo Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield, Victoria EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Property under threat from the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The main street of the New South Wales town of Bombala is pictured shrouded in smoke from nearby bushfires AFP via Getty No immediate damages were reported and the cyclone was expected to weaken as it moved inland, but winds were seen to blow at more than 60 miles per hour. Although Tropical #CycloneDamien has weakened significantly from the thrashing it gave Karratha and Dampier yesterday, areas around Tom Price and Paraburdoo are receiving significant rainfall and squally conditions, the state's Bureau of Meteorology said on its Twitter account. On the opposite coast of Australia, Sydney and the state of New South Wales were in danger of potential life-threatening flash flooding as rain kept bucketing down for a third day in a row in downpours not seen since 1998. Rainfall in some parts of the state approached half the annual average, but the falls were welcomed after the state saw its driest year on record in 2019, at 55 per cent below average. The state's Bureau of Meteorology said there was potential for heavy rainfall and life-threatening flash-flooding, and coast erosion, although little danger of river flooding as water levels have been low due to a persistent drought. In Queensland, meteorologists also warned of flash and river flooding on Sunday, following heavy falls overnight. An emergency flood alert was issued for residents of Dalby due to a creek overflowing, some 124 miles west of Brisbane. Reuters David Hockney has revealed he has no regrets about his five-decade nicotine addiction and will continue smoking as an act of defiance. The 82-year-old British artist told The Sunday Times Magazine that three medics who have advised him to kick the habit have now passed away before him. He said: 'I've had three doctors in the past 40 or so years. They all told me to give up smoking and now theyre all dead.' Despite having a minor stroke in 2012 and a heart attack 30 years ago, Hockney says he won't give up smoking any time soon, after claiming the health scares were down to stress. David Hockney (pictured in May, 2015) has revealed he will continue smoking as an 'act of defiance' When asked if he had any regrets in life, the Yorkshire-native said: 'No. I can honestly say that, for the last 60 years, every day Ive done what I want to do. 'Not many people can say that. Ive been a professional artist. I didnt even teach much, just painted and drew every single day.' A desire to live life with purpose and pleasure has always been fundamental to him and his art - as such it's no surprise that David won't be curtailing his smoking habit. The renowned artist - known for his contributions to the 1960s pop art moment - is even giving up life in his home of 55 years, Los Angeles, to move to Normandy, France, as the French are more relaxed about smoking. Despite having a minor stroke in 2012 and a heart attack 30 years ago, David (pictured in February 2018) said he won't give up smoking any time soon after claiming the health conditions were due to stress David is seen smoking in support of groups campaigning against legislation to ban smoking in public places at the Labour Party conference on September 28, 2005 in Brighton, England Speaking to the Wall Street Journal Magazine in September 2019, the art icon said Americans have become too censorious about smoking and that it is something he will never give up. 'I've smoked for more than 60 years,' he said. 'But I think I'm quite healthy. I'm 82. How much longer do I have? I'm going to die of either a smoking-related illness or a nonsmoking-related illness.' David has long been a pro-smoking activist, having campaigned in 2009 for the relaxing of the smoking ban in the UK. He backed a cross-party group of MPs who wanted the ban to be relaxed to allow people to light up in designated rooms in pubs. Hockney told the BBC's Politics Show at the time that he was appalled to find that his local cafe in east Yorkshire no longer even allowed people to smoke at tables outside because they were frightened that smoke would waft inside and breach the law. Smoking was banned in England in all public indoor spaces, including work places, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs in 2007. The ban also applies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The United States has accused Iran of developing ballistic missile technology in the garb of a satellite launch. An Iranian minister on February 3 said that the country will launch a satellite into the orbit by the end of this week following which Washington said that it is a cover for ballistic missile development. According to reports, Iran had two failed satellite launches last year and is now preparing for a third launch. Read: United States Imposes Sanctions On Lebanese Men Over Financial Assistance To Hezbollah The United States fears that long-range ballistic missile technology could be used to launch nuclear warheads as it is the same technology used to put satellites into the orbit. Trump administration in 2018 withdrew from the nuclear deal between Iran and P5+1 (UN Security Council members) together with the European Union. The nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed in 2015 during the Obama administration. Washington re-imposed sanctions on Iran following the withdrawal from the deal. Read: WWE RAW: Rey Mysterio Gets Randy Orton's Help To Reclaim United States Championship Title US-Iran tensions Tensions between the United States and Tehran are at an all-time high after General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed by US air raid near Baghdad's international airport on January 3, along with six others. The White House and the Pentagon confirmed the death of Iran's powerful military head by saying that the attack was directed by US President Donald Trump. Read: United States' Millennial Politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Next Goal Is To Learn Bengali. Here's Why Iran in response bombed the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq that houses the US and coalition forces. According to reports, the US airbase was struck by multiple rockets during the wee hours of January 8. This incident was first reported by Iranian state TV, who described it as Tehrans revenge operation over the killing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Read: 'Our Country Is Full, So Turn Around,' Says Donald Trump At Mexico Border For Those Heading For United States (with inputs from agencies) Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith first confronted calls to render his county a Second Amendment sanctuary through social media a few weeks ago. Then a resident met with Smith in person to ask the sheriff to lead the movement that would absolve Montgomery County from enforcing gun restriction laws. But Smith rejected the requests. Were a rural county, and a lot of people are gun owners and support the Second Amendment and were not happy with the SAFE Act, and I support all of that, Smith said. But I couldnt take the lead and advise people to break the law. Smith is just one of many elected officials across the state and nation who have been asked over the last year to push back against state-mandated gun restrictions by declaring their municipalities sanctuaries, or zones, where those restrictions would not be enforced. There have been more than 400 counties, cities and towns in 21 states that have passed Second Amendment sanctuary ordinances or resolutions, according to Gun Owners of America. The movement has hit New York. For example, town officials in Berne, Albany County entertained the idea at their 2020 organizational meeting last month. But Smith and Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino posted letters to their Facebook profiles last week stating they would not designate their counties as Second Amendment sanctuaries. I couldnt lead it because I took an oath and am here to support people who are for and against the Second Amendment, Smith said. While New York's controversial Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act moved through the State Legislature and was signed into law in 2013, opponents pushed back against the legislation through protests, petitions and resolutions. The act broadened the definition of banned assault weapons, reduced the amount of rounds that can be possessed in a gun magazine, increased penalties for illegal gun possession and required mental health professionals to report concerns about a gun-owning patient who poses a risk of harming themselves or others. But for the laws opponents, the SAFE Act was an assault on their Second Amendment rights. One day you were legal, and the next day because of the appearance of a rifle or nature of a magazine, you were criminalized only because of this law when youve done nothing else wrong, Giardino said. The fight against the SAFE Act continued, its most recent iterations being the the Second Amendment sanctuary movement and the gun-rights group 2AWNY, which is pushing New York public schools to include more Second Amendment material in their curricula. However, Gov. Andrew Cuomos office said the movement has little juice, citing a 2018 Siena Research Institute poll that found 61 percent of surveyed registered voters support the SAFE Act, while 28 percent oppose it. The SAFE Act withstood multiple frivolous court challenges, was twice re-litigated electorally and, according to the last public polling, was actually supported by most upstaters, Rich Azzopardi, Cuomos senior adviser, said in a statement. Any public official advancing this farce doesnt care about the rule of law and should resign in disgrace. Attorney General Letitia James office declined to comment. Despite being pro-Second Amendment and against the SAFE Act themselves, Giardino and Smith said they can't encourage people to disobey a law that has so far been held up as constitutional in legal challenges. We cant pick and choose which laws we enforce, its a real slippery slope, Giardino said. However, Giardino and Smith both said they are not actively enforcing the SAFE Act. They said the only times they have charged individuals with SAFE Act violations were when those individuals were brought to them for having allegedly committed different crimes. Both cited a lack of financial and personnel resources as the reason they dont actively enforce provisions of the SAFE Act. Even if I did have the resources, it would not be a priority, Giardino added. Bill Sisk, a doctoral student at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, is writing a dissertation on gun rights and said law enforcement officials like Giardino and Smith are stuck between a rock and a hard place - especially because their counties are relatively smaller. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. They tend to know a lot of the locals, Sisk said. They dont want to piss off the locals, so its a delicate balance between not doing so much to draw the ire of Cuomo and potentially get removed, and also keeping their constituents happy and making sure they dont draw the backlash either. The comments on the sheriffs Facebook posts exploded after they posted letters explaining their positions, ranging from residents accusing them of placating Cuomo and upholding unconstitutional laws, to applauding the sheriffs for their transparency and having the best interests of their constituents at heart. Pine Tree Rifle Club President Paul Catucci is one of the residents who voiced support for Giardino. I can understand where (Giardino) is coming from, Catucci said. In his position he has to be careful what he says publicly. We dont have to be, obviously. Hanging on a board to the right of the porch door of the rifle club is a petition to make Fulton County a Second Amendment sanctuary, Catucci said. Do I really think thats going to work? No, he said. We have to change the people that are making these stupid laws. The description of a municipality being a "sanctuary" has most recently been used in a much different way - by cities, towns and counties that have wanted to formally reject aiding the efforts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport non-U.S. citizens. One of the things this movement reflects is a longstanding tactic of gun-rights groups to borrow language from their opposition and use that language to their own advantage, Sisk said, a tactic he said has previously been successful for more conservative groups. But the sheriffs in question have said comparing the two issues are like apples and oranges because local authorities are not legally obligated to help ICE agents do their jobs in the first place, and wouldnt be able to arrest individuals on federal immigration violations themselves. The difference is if we encounter someone during the course of another intervention and a SAFE Act violation is discovered, we have to address that, Smith said. Regardless, constitutional experts say the Second Amendment sanctuaries would never hold up in court. State constitutions, statutes and common law generally affirm the supremacy of federal and state law, meaning that local jurisdictions are preempted from enacting conflicting ordinances and resolutions, Mary McCord, legal director of Georgetown University Law Centers Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, wrote in The Washington Post last month. And in no state do local governments have the prerogative to declare a state or federal law unconstitutional without involving the courts. Prince William and Kate Middleton were guests of honor at the 2020 BAFTAs Awards, but they might be having second thoughts about accepting invitations now. The Duke and Duchess of Cambrdige had to sit through Prince Andrew and Prince Harry jokes thrown at the crowd by celebrities themselves, and the couple was reportedly upset about it. Out of Line Prince William and Kate Middleton attended this year's BAFTAs Awards ceremony to show their support for the film and the arts. However, the couple had to sit through Brad Pitt's acceptant speech while he made fun of Prince Harry leaving the royal family. They also had to sit there and pretend everything is okay while Rebel Wilson joked about Prince Andrew. According to sources who spoke to Neil Sean of Fox News, the royal couple found it offensive that celebrities told jokes in front of the patron, the Duke of Cambridge. The person whose jokes about Prince Andrew and Prince Harry they found the most offensive were those made by Rebel. "It is really great to be here at the Royal Andrew...uh.. Royal Harry, no, at this royal Palace Place," Wilson reportedly said. Although the couple looked stunning, it was evident in their photo that they felt uncomfortable. Moreover, a an insider told Neil Sean that the reaction of the royals on the jokes was apparently edited. The journalist revealed that, truth be told, the jokes were not met with smiling faces. "Their reactions were different from what seen in the final version of the show," Sean revealed. To ensure that it does not happen again, the royals inserted a "morals clause" in their acceptance agreement for invitations to social events like BAFTAs. This is to ensure that the members of the royal family are given due reverence every time. "Prince William and Kate Middleton gave their time and support to such a wonderful celebration of film and the arts, they only deserve the utmost respect," Sean wrote. The Royal Issues Prince Andrew and Prince Harry have been the subject of jokes among people, including celebrities. The Duke of York and his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has caused serious concerns to the royal family. Moreover, his accuser Virginia Giuffre continues to urge him to speak the truth and admit that he was at fault. However, Prince Andrew maintains his innoncence and continues to deny all the allegations thrown at him. On the other hand, Prince Harry became the talk of the town when he and his wife Meghan Markle announced that they were taking a step back as senior members of the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made the announcement of their decision through social media. It brought about complications within the royal family that the Queen had to call for an emergency family meeting at the Sandringham Estate. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ From 1999 to 2012, CP Audichya served as the assistant labour welfare commissioner and assistant labour commissioner in the ministry of labour, government of India in various states. Post retirement, Audichya, a resident of Pimpri-Chinchwad, has been working towards seeking justice for labour unions, working class and the poor. In an interview with Nadeem Inamdar, he talks about issues faced by the working class in India. What are the critical issues before the working class today? Financial instability, unavailability of jobs and job security are some of the issues faced by the working class. The rich are getting richer while the poor are becoming poorer. Informalisation of employment has also been growing. Informalisation of workforce, refers to a situation where there is a continuous decline in the percentage of workforce in the formal sector along with simultaneous rise in the informal sector's workforce. Neoliberalisation policy of the government may increase more exploitation of working class. Justice delivery system and industrial disputes resolving mechanism has also weakened. What about government policies and lack of initiatives by the people? Policies made by the central government and state governments are arbitrary, without understanding the ground reality and problems faced by the working class. The working culture of politicians and senior bureaucrates is not friendly in nature. The entire system seems lethargic, irresponsible, unaccountable and completely rotten. More than 300 million rupees is lying unused in the construction workers welfare fund despite multiple orders to utilise the same from the apex court. Similarly, Rs 400 million is lying unclaimed with the provident fund department. I believe that human rights should be at the forefront of our domestic and foreign policy regardless of whos in power, but unfortunately hardly any government or political party followed this principle. What changes do you wish to see with regards to improvement of labour rights? The right of workers to social security has been recognised as an inalienable right and therefore, must accrue to every worker. Provision of social security is mandated in our Constitution . Equal work for equal wage principal is not being implemented for unorganised, contract and casual workers. The apex court has pronounced several decisions, but the government has not implemented it and exploitation of these vulnerable workers is continuing. The death toll in the Saturday's cloth factory fire here in Gujarat mounted to seven on Sunday with the recovery of two more charred bodies, police said. Police also booked six officials of the factory under the section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and arrested three of them on Sunday. A huge fire gutted the Nadan denim factory located in Narol locality of the city on Saturday late evening. "The death toll in the fire incident rose to seven on Sunday with the recovery of two more charred bodies this morning in the burnt debris of the Nandan Denim Limited," said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) R B Rana. He said a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was registered against the general manager of the factory, a whole-time director, a fire safety officer, and three others. Police have arrested the general manager, the fire safety officer and a whole-time director. Meanwhile, a fire department official said the fabricated shed structure of the factory godown had just one staircase with a narrow path without any air ventilation, which resulted into more number of deaths as the victims got trapped inside. "Besides, no fire safety equipment was found working," he added. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sudan is reconsidering its participation in the armed conflict in Yemen and gradually reducing its forces there, Information Minister Faisal Mohamed Salih has said, Trend reports citing Sputnik. "Currently, there is a revision of the whole war in Yemen, even among the coalition's principal countries, and there is an opinion that military activities will not solve the problem, and will likely to compound it", Salih said on Sunday at the ongoing summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa. According to the Minister, it was not easy for Khartoum to suddenly decide to withdraw its troops, so it is gradually reducing the number of its forces per an agreement with the coalition. "We think that the current efforts will soon lead to a decrease in combat activities, which will be replaced by negotiations", he said. In December, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced that his country had cut the number of its troops participating in the conflict from 15,000 to 5,000. Early vote tallies in the Irish General Election predict prime minister Leo Varadkar's party will be in a historic three-way tie, after a surge from republicans Sinn Fein. As vote counting continues the ballots are supporting exit poll predictions of a knife-edge contest that would see a coalition between Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein. The exit poll reported an extraordinary statistical dead heat between the two centre-right parties and the nationalist party, all on around 22 per cent. Initial tallies suggested Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the IRA, had narrowly secured the most votes in the election. It represents a remarkable breakthrough for Sinn Fein, which for the first time is challenging the 90-year power duopoly of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. If the predictions are borne out when all results are confirmed, the task of forming a coalition government looks extremely complicated. Irish republican Sinn Fein party leader Mary Lou McDonald (centre) arriving with Deputy First Minister Sinn Fein's northern leader Michelle O'Neill (second left) at the Dublin City count in the RDS centre today Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) with partner Matthew Barrett in the stands before the match Ireland v Wales in the Six Nations yesterday Ballot boxes were opened at centres around the country at 9am to start a lengthy counting process that is expected to last at least two days. The first declarations are expected on Sunday afternoon. The uncertainty created by the exit poll has even thrown up the possibility of another General Election being necessary. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have vowed never to go into government with Sinn Fein, and Fianna Fail has ruled out a 'grand coalition' with Fine Gael. If parties stick to their pledges then it would be extremely difficult for any of the three to lead a majority government. Smaller parties such as the Greens, Labour, the Social Democrats and Solidarity/People Before Profit and a sizeable number of independent TDs may all be courted as the main parties seek junior coalition partners. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the party is ready to enter government and it would be undemocratic to exclude it. 'I do not accept the exclusion or talk of excluding our party, a party that represents now a quarter of the electorate and I think that that is fundamentally undemocratic,' McDonald told journalists in Dublin. Arriving at the RDS count centre in Dublin, the Sinn Fein president Ms McDonald added: 'It's been an election about change. The extraordinary thing is that it seems that the political establishment - and by that I mean Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - are in a state of denial. They are still not listening to what the people have said. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said Irish voters have registered a 'step change' in politics. He is seen (above) at the unveiling of a Border Communities Against Brexit poster last month Mary Lou McDonald said her Sinn Fein party is ready to enter government and it would be undemocratic to exclude it after a three-way tie was predicted in exit polls 'Obviously this election was all about change. Sinn Fein went to the people and we convinced them in very, very large numbers that we are the alternative, that we are the vehicle for change. 'We asked people to give us a chance to deliver the platform that we have set out and that platform is about solving the housing crisis, it is about getting to grips with the crisis in our health services, it is about giving families and workers a break and breathing space so that ordinary people begin to experience this economic recovery that they have heard so much about.' Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams declared Irish voters have registered a 'step change' in politics. He said his party would prefer a government which did not include Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. The exit poll indicated a remarkable three-way tie, with Fine Gael on 22.4 per cent, Sinn Fein on 22.3 per cent and Fianna Fail on 22.2 per cent. The poll has a 1.3 per cent margin of error. While the poll suggests a major breakthrough for Sinn Fein in the Irish Republic, the party is still unlikely to emerge with the largest number of seats because it ran significantly fewer candidates 42 compared to Fianna Fail's 84 and Fine Gael's 82. There are 160 seats in the Dail parliament. The speaker is automatically re-elected, leaving 159 seats up for grabs and 80 the magic number for a majority. Vote transfers will be crucial in the proportional representation contest Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's last government a minority Fine Gael-led administration that included several independent TDs was sustained in power through a historic confidence and supply arrangement with Fianna Fail. Leader of Sinn Fein Mary Lou McDonald arriving at the at RDS count centre today following Sinn Feins historic surge in the polls That landmark pact between two parties founded from opposing sides of Ireland's civil war of the 1920s took 70 days to negotiate following the inconclusive 2016 General Election. A new confidence and supply deal cannot be ruled out potentially a reverse of the last one, with Fine Gael supporting a Fianna Fail led-minority. The fractured vote could yet force Ireland's two traditional political superpowers to contemplate the once unthinkable a grand coalition in government together. Brexit did not feature prominently in an election campaign which was instead dominated by domestic issues like spiralling rental prices, record-breaking homeless numbers, controversy over the state pension age and a struggling health service. The exit poll, carried out by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of The Irish Times, RTE, TG4 and UCD, suggested that only 1 per cent of voters highlighted Brexit as their main concern. Health (32 per cent) and housing or homelessness (26 per cent) were the most important deciding factors in how people voted. Fine Gael business minister Heather Humphreys has said it was not a mistake for her party to put Brexit at the centre of its re-election strategy. Count staff sorting ballot papers for the constituency of Dublin West at the Phibblestown Community Centre in Dublin during the Irish General Election count oday 'A lot of people obviously thought Brexit is over Brexit is far from over,' she told RTE Radio One. 'Brexit is still a big threat but some people live in the moment and a lot of people thought Brexit has gone away it has not gone away.' Fianna Fail candidate Jack Chambers has said it was clear 'there is a strong desire for change' and that people want 'an alternative to Fine Gael'. He again ruled out a coalition with Sinn Fein. 'Our word is our bond,' he told RTE. Sinn Fein's director of elections Pearse Doherty has said his party will sit down with all parties and independents to discuss forming a government. 'The view from Sinn Fein is clearly that the best outcome of this election is a government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael and the worst outcome would be where we have been, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail,' he said. Mr Varadkar will find out if he has retained his seat in Dublin West at Phibblestown Community Centre in the city. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald is likely to top the poll in Dublin Central when votes are counted at the RDS in the city. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin will be at Nemo Rangers GAA club in his native Cork city for the outcome of the race in his Cork South Central constituency. Counting is taking place across the state's 39 constituencies. There is a mix of three, four and five-seat constituencies. From left, a worker setting up beds at a stadium to convert it into a makeshift hospital, a man disinfecting a woman arriving at a hotel for isolated people, and a still from a video of a woman going outside in an inflatable costume all in Wuhan, China. China Daily via REUTERS/ Feature China/Barcroft Media/Getty Images/Twitter/Manya Koetse/Weibo/Business Insider The 11 million residents of Wuhan, China, have been under lockdown for the past three weeks because of the deadly coronavirus. The residents are worried about having enough food, getting the virus from other people in the city, and staying entertained as they largely choose to stay in their homes. The city is shipping in food and building hospitals in days, while residents are making memes as they wait for things to return to normal. This is what life in the city is like under quarantine, as China enforces increasingly strict measures. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The Chinese city of Wuhan has been under lockdown for three weeks after it was identified as the center of a deadly coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 1,500 people. Photos show how the typically bustling city of 11 million people now appears to be a ghost town, as people shout support from their balconies and run in their apartments as they wait for word on when the spread of the virus might slow, or their quarantine might be lifted. People are allowed outside, but many are choosing to stay indoors. Those who go outside are faced with screenings and disinfectant sprayings. A teenager with cerebral palsy died after his dad was quarantined, while thousands of pets are at risk of starvation in empty homes. Residents are trying to challenge Chinese law and spread news about the virus, while healthcare professionals are going to extreme measures to try and stop others from getting infected. China is bringing in stricter measures and ordering all the city's residents to report their temperatures every day, while public venues have been transformed into makeshift medical centers and the city has built new hospitals in just days. Here's what the city is like: The city of Wuhan, China, was placed under lockdown on January 23, leaving about 11 million people quarantined in the center of the coronavirus outbreak. Story continues Wuhan lockdown footage The Paper Twitter video coronavirus virus January 23 Chinese soldiers blocking the entrance to the central Hankou Station in Wuhan, China. The Paper/Twitter China cut off transport links inside and outside the city and ordered places like cinemas and cafes to close. The World Health Organization said that cutting off a city as large as Wuhan was "unprecedented in public health history" and that it wasn't sure the strategy would work. China later extended the measures to other cities, covering about 60 million people, creating what is thought to be the largest quarantine in history. People stockpiled food and fuel, worried that supplies would run out with the city cut off. Wuhan Getty Images Authorities urged people not to stockpile, as some stores ran out of meat, vegetables, and instant noodles. But fleets of trucks have brought food to the city under orders from the government, which has vowed not to let prices increase. Drivers' temperatures are checked, and their trucks are sprayed with disinfectant. Wuhan trucks Twitter/Chinese Embassy in Uganda Some drivers said that they were unsure whether they would be paid but that they volunteered to help the city anyway. One driver, Ma Chenglong, said he volunteered straight away. "When the country is in trouble, we common people have a duty," the driver told The New York Times. And medical supplies have been consistently arriving in the city. Wuhan coronavirus Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images But because of the travel restrictions and fears that the virus can spread from person to person, the streets are largely deserted. Wuhan Getty Images Drone footage of the city taken this month showed an eerie stillness across the city. Satellite photos also reveal just how empty the streets are. Two satellite images show traffic on the Yingwuzhou Yangtze River Bridge in Wuhan, China, January 12, and on January 28. Planet Labs Inc / Handout / Reuters The photos, taken on the eighth day of the city's quarantine, showed the city looking like a ghost town. Some people have ventured outside many to buy supplies. Decorations for the Lunar New Year served as a reminder of how the usually-huge holiday was celebrated much differently this year. Getty Images Wuhan Those who do go shopping are met with in-store announcements about how to stop the virus from spreading. Wuhan Xiaolu Chu/Getty Images/Business Insider People have largely been staying in their homes. Video footage showed people yelling supportive phrases out of their apartments, like "Wuhan, come on!" Wuhan Reddit/Mind_Singularity The footage, shared on Reddit, showed dozens of residents shouting their support of the city: State media has reported that people are running around their apartments in circles around beds, or in their living rooms. wuhan china An aerial view of Wuhan on February 3. Getty One man ran about 62 miles in his living room. People have also been sharing their progress on social media. Source: CNN This boredom has inevitably turned into joke- and meme-creation. Screenshot 2020 02 07 at 12.31.29 Twitter/Manya Koetse/Weibo/What's on Weibo Some people have poked fun at the lack of protective masks by doing things like wearing inflatable costumes outside: Many are also turning to delivery drivers, who are bringing food and goods ordered online to people still at home, and are even checking residents' temperatures. wuhan delivery worker Zhu Weihui/The Paper (Pengpai News) But the people placing the orders are treating them with suspicion, keeping their distance and spraying their packages. Source: The Wall Street Journal But even as people seek to find ways to stay connected, some have slipped through the cracks. A teenager with cerebral palsy died after he was left alone for six days as his father was quarantined. Wuhan AFP via Getty Images The South China Morning Post reported, citing the Beijing Youth Daily, that Yan Cheng was found dead on January 29. His father had appealed for help on social media, writing: "I have two disabled sons. My older son Yan Cheng has cerebral palsy. He cannot move his body, he cannot speak or look after himself. He has already been at home by himself for six days, with nobody to bathe him or change his clothes and nothing to eat or drink." Two local officials were fired, and an investigation into the death is underway. People who are found to need treatment are now being forced into quarantine, with one top Chinese official describing the country as being under "wartime conditions." A worker sets up beds at the Hongshan Stadium to convert it into a makeshift hospital following an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China February 4, 2020. China Daily via REUTERS Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan visited Wuhan on Thursday, saying that anyone who needed treatment should be rounded up and forced into quarantine. And as many as 50,000 pets are thought to have been trapped as their owners are quarantined or unable to return to the city. Volunteers have broken into homes to save animals at the request of their owners, but they are overwhelmed. hospital wuhan STR/AFP/Getty Images The Paper (@thepapercn) February 6, 2020 Source: Reuters Some people still with their pets are also putting them in masks before going outside, though there's no evidence pets can catch the coronavirus. Doug Perez and his girlfriend get their dog ready for a walk in Wuhan Doug Perez via AP Images of cats and dogs wearing the protective gear have spread on social media. China has ordered the city's 11 million residents to report their body temperatures every day. courier wuhan Stringer/Getty Images People have found themselves facing screenings as they go about their daily lives. Wuhan coronavirus AP Photo/Arek Rata Speaking out about the virus can lead to trouble in the city. Some outspoken citizens and bloggers have disappeared in recent weeks. chen qiushi Chen Qiushi, a Chinese lawyer and citizen journalist, went viral on YouTube and Twitter for reporting on the Wuhan coronavirus from the epicenter of the outbreak. Screenshot YouTube/Chen Qiushi Chen Qiushi, 34-year-old Chinese lawyer and citizen journalist, has gone missing after his video reports from Wuhan about coronavirus went viral. Others are trying to tell their stories online from Wuhan, in a huge challenge to the state. Some people in Wuhan, including academics, are also calling for freedom of speech protections, challenging established Chinese politics. Some local officials have also been replaced in an apparent effort to stem public anger. While there is no cure for the virus, some people in Wuhan have tried to get their hands on HIV medication after it was suggested as a potential treatment. Coronavirus patients wuhan STR/AFP/Getty Images Medics around the world are holding clinical trials to test whether HIV medication could work as a treatment. The streets and the insides of buildings have been sprayed with disinfectant. Wuhan Getty Images China is using trucks to spray cities, including Wuhan. Some people have been kept isolated in hotels, where food is delivered to them. Wuhan Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images People are disinfected before entering the hotels. Wuhan coronavirus Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images Many international brands have closed their stores in Wuhan, and some have also done so in other parts of China. Wuhan coronavirus Getty Images Source: Reuters The city has turned public spaces like sports centers and exhibition halls into makeshift hospitals. Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital set up in an exhibition center in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province Tuesday, Feb. 04, 2020. Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images At the venues, which have thousands of beds, workers can observe people who have mild symptoms and give emergency aid. Other people have been brought in for treatment at new hospitals that were constructed in just days. WUHAN, CHINA - FEBRUARY 4, 2020 -The first batch of patients stay in huoshenshan hospital, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, February 4, 2020. Getty But some people have gotten medical treatment outside or in their cars because they're scared of the number of sick people in the hospitals. Wuhan hospitals Getty New York Times journalist Amy Qin on Tuesday tweeted a photo showing people getting IV drips while sitting on the pavement or in their cars outside a hospital in Wuhan. They said they didn't want to go inside the hospital because there were too many sick people, Qin said. And it's taking seven days, on average, for Wuhan's patients to be admitted to the hospital after their symptoms start to show, researchers found. Wuhan coronavirus doctors Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images Researchers at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University did not outline why exactly it can take so long, but the delay could help the virus to spread. Meanwhile medical workers are regularly sprayed with disinfectant. Wuhan coronavirus STR/AFP via Getty Images Those working to fight the virus are taking extra steps to treat the sick and to protect themselves. Chinese nurses going to Wuhan are shaving their heads to stop their hair from spreading the virus... Chinese nurses shave heads coronavirus China Xinhua News/Twitter Source: Business Insider ... while other medical professionals are getting support from their families. This video still shows a nurse who has quarantined from her family walking to work at 3 a.m while her husband drives behind her to illuminate her journey. husband drives behind his wife as she walks to wuhan hospital at night CGTN Wang Xiaoting is staying at a hotel and will not let her husband drive her to work in case she spreads the infection, the state-run CGTN news agency said. She walks instead, and her husband drives behind her, according to CGTN. But those working to fight the virus face the most risk. More than 1,700 health workers have been infected as of Friday, China said. Most are in Hubei province, the home of Wuhan. A doctor checks the conditions of a patient in Jinyintan Hospital, designated for critical COVID-19 patients, in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. China on Thursday reported 254 new deaths and a spike in virus cases of 15,152, after the hardest-hit province of Hubei applied a new classification system that broadens the scope of diagnoses for the outbreak, which has spread to more than 20 countries. (Chinatopix Via AP) Associated Press Read the original article on Business Insider By Associated Press BEIJING: China's coronavirus death toll rose by 89 on Sunday to 811, passing the number of fatalities in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic, but fewer new cases were reported in a possible sign its spread may be slowing as other nations stepped up efforts to block the disease. Some 2,656 new virus cases were reported in the 24 hours ending at midnight Saturday, most of them in the central province of Hubei, where the first patients fell sick in December. That was down by about 20% from the 3,399 new cases reported in the previous 24-hour period. That means the joint control mechanism of different regions and the strict prevention and control measures have worked, a spokesman for the National Health Commission, Mi Feng, said at a news conference. Also Sunday, new cases were reported in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, the UK and Spain. More than 360 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China. ALSO READ | Spain confirms second coronavirus case; UK plane brings 200 evacuees Dramatic reductions in the pace of the disease's spread should begin this month if containment works, said Dr Ian Lipkin, director of Columbia Universitys Center for Infection and Immunity. He assisted the World Health Organization and Chinese authorities during the outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. Warmer weather will reduce the virus's ability to spread and bring people out of enclosed spaces where it is transmitted more easily, Lipkin said in an online news conference. However, he said, if new cases spike as people return to work after the Lunar New Year holiday, which was extended to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, then well know were in trouble." The new UK case was the nation's fourth, while Spain reported its second, as European authorities sought to contain the spread of the virus by tracking down people who came into contact with those infected. Passengers wear masks to prevent an outbreak of a new coronavirus in a subway station, in Hong Kong | AP Both of the new cases were acquired during trips to France, officials said. The new UK case is a known contact of a previously confirmed case there, the countrys Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said, adding that experts "continue to work hard tracing patient contacts." ALSO READ | Mapping app location data shows how coronavirus spread in China In Spain, authorities were working to identify everyone who came into contact with a British man whose case was detected in Mallorca, a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean Sea, Spain's National Microbiology Center said. The fatality toll passed the 774 people believed to have died of SARS, another viral outbreak that originated in China. The total of 37,198 confirmed cases of the new virus vastly exceeds the 8,098 sickened by SARS. Wuhan opens new hospital A 1,500-bed hospital built in two weeks in Wuhan, the city of 11 million people at the centre of the outbreak, accepted its first patients on Saturday, the government announced. Another 1,000-bed hospital built in 10 days opened last week. The government of the surrounding province of Hubei it will pay subsidies to farmers, other food producers and supermarkets and give tax breaks to companies that donate to anti-virus work, the official Xinhua News Agency said. It said overtime for employees of companies making medical supplies will be subsidized. Chinese medical workers in protective suits move a coronavirus patient into an isolation ward in a Fuyang hospital | AP China's leaders are trying to keep food flowing to crowded cities despite anti-disease controls and to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access to Wuhan and nearby cities was cut off. ALSO READ | Death toll in China rises past 800, nearly 37,000 affected Two more flights from Wuhan carrying American citizens, permanent residents and close relatives landed in the United States, the State Department said. A spokesman said more than 800 Americans have been evacuated from Wuhan. A plane landed Sunday in Britain carrying 200 people from Wuhan. Officials said Britain's second evacuation flight carried 105 British nationals and 95 citizens of other European countries and family members. The passengers will be quarantined at a hotel for 14 days. Dozens of repatriated Brazilians, some waving small Brazilian flags, landed Sunday morning at an airbase in the state of Goias, where they will spend the next 18 days in quarantine. A charter flight carrying Filipinos from Wuhan arrived in the Philippines. The 29 adults and one infant will be quarantined for 14 days. Elsewhere in China, the industrial metropolis of Chongqing in the southwest told residential communities to close their gates and check visitors for fever. The government said the spread of the virus through family gatherings had been reported in Chongqing but gave no details. Irans Revolutionary Guard has unveiled a new ballistic missile, the countrys state TV reported Sunday, amid heightened tensions with the U.S. Iran routinely unveils what it describes as technological advances for its armed forces ahead of the February anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution. State television said the missile, called Raad-500, or thunder, had half the weight of a similar ballistic missile, Fateh-110, but had 200 kilometers (some 120 miles) more range. The fourth generation of Fateh-110 has 300 kilometers (some 180 miles) range. The Guard also unveiled a new missile engine that uses solid fuel and a satellite carrier that has movable nozzle technology." The technology increases a missile's accuracy in hitting targets. The U.S. alleges such activities defy a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at a military base in Iraq housing American troops in January, after a U.S. drone strike killed its top general Qassem Soleimani outside Baghdad. Dr. Vahid Alavian was born on August 11, 1950, and peacefully passed away on January 31, 2020, surrounded by loved ones and friends while participating in a meeting at the Chattanooga Baha'i Center. In line with how he lived his life, he was active and engaged in community service until his final moments. The eldest son of Bozurg and Azam Alavian, Vahid was inquisitive and studious in his native Iran. Vahid came to the United States at age 17 to study, and earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There he met his wife Barbara Miller, who also obtained a Ph.D. in civil engineering. This partnership launched more than 40 years of professional collaboration, meaningful service and a rich family life with their daughters. During his more than 40-year professional career, Vahid came to be a foremost expert in civil engineering, leading numerous water and energy-related projects in the U.S. and developing countries. He served as a senior advisor at USAID and as the Global Water Advisor at the World Bank, providing strategic and technical oversight for World Bank water-related investments across the globe. Importantly, he led technical and diplomatic negotiations on the Jordan River between Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority as part of advancing the regions peace process. During his time at the Tennessee Valley Authority, he contributed to the agencys pioneering work on sustainable water and energy management. He was named both TVA Engineer of the Year and Top 10 Federal Engineers in the U.S. in 1993. Vahid also held several university faculty positions and was a Fulbright Scholar. Vahids true accolade is his spirit of humility and integrity, rooted in his dedication to the Bahai Faith, which teaches that work carried out in a spirit of service is akin to worship. In everything he did, Vahid demonstrated commitment to his faiths principles of upholding unity in diversity, the equality of women and men, and pursuing excellence in all endeavors. Vahid served on numerous Bahai administrative bodies, and following his 2011 retirement, he spent three years providing strategic and advisory volunteer services at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel. In 2015, he and Barbara retired to Chattanooga, Tn. Vahid and Barbaras life and work took them to many places in the U.S., and across the globe. They raised two daughters who are both physicians engaged in public service. Together they mentored countless young people. Their home was always open to friends, and newcomers were welcomed as family. Vahid is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dr. Barbara Miller, and his two daughters, Drs. Shereen and Naseem Alavian; his brothers Vedad and Vahdat; and numerous nieces, nephews and spiritual siblings and children. The family rejoices that after such a full earthly life, Vahid's soul is at peace. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to support a local charity of your choice or the Tahirih Justice Center at Tahirih.org. A memorial service will be held at the The Westin Chattanooga at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. Family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to support a local charity of your choice or the Tahirih Justice Center at Tahirih.org. Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com. Representative image A soldier was killed and three others were injured on February 8 as the Pakistani army violated the ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing of small arms and mortar shelling along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said. The soldier, manning a forward post, was killed and three others were injured in the Degwar sector, they said. Earlier, a defence spokesperson said Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars in the sector around 3.45 pm. The Indian Army mounted an effective retaliation, the spokesperson said. The casualties suffered by the Pakistani troops in the retaliatory action was not known immediately, the officials said, adding that the cross-border firing between the two sides was underway when last reports were received. A police official said the Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas, besides the forward posts, causing panic among the local residents. However, there was no report of any civilian casualties, the official said. I n scrubland north of Edgware stand the crumbled remains of a Tube line that was never finished and has largely been forgotten about. All that still exists of Brockley Hill Tube station are a few stone arches now covered with moss and graffiti. But back in the 1930s, the station promised to a new frontier for the London Underground system which was planned to eventually stretch as far as Hertfordshire. From Edgware, a new branch of the Northern line would have extended north to Brockley Hill and then a further two new stations - Elstree South and Bushey Heath. However, due to a succession of town planning failures and a world war it was never completed. The land was put to good use in World War II as a vegetable patch / Nigel Cox The extension became a part of the failed Northern Heights Plan which aimed to extend the Northern lin north west. It would have seen miles of extra Tube systems and the housing developments in the area. Clues about the plans remain in several places, including the Mill Hill East station which was the beginning of a connecting line between Finsbury Park and Edgware stations where it would have connected too with Brockley Hill station. However, the Tube line now terminates at Mill Hill East - the least used station of the Northern Line. Another sign that plans to build Brockley Hill were serious is the tunnel at Edgware station which keeps on going despite it being where the train terminates. How the Northern line could looked if it had extended up to Bushey Heath / Alastair Carr Bridges, tunnels, footways and underpasses exist far along where the line would have been built. Now new homes occupy the space which was carved out for the route. What really put the brakes on Brockley Hill was the Second World War. Plans were 'temporarily' scrapped as all resources and funding were redirected to the war effort. The protective laws meant large housing developments were no longer permitted on the green belt land. And with fewer people moving into the area to live, there was no need for a new tube line. The war changed many aspects of the United Kingdom, including the minds of the city's planners who now wanted to preserve the greenery on the outskirts of London as opposed to building expansive transport systems. Urbanisation was now tempered with Green Belt legislation as fear grew that "there won't be any countryside left by 1960", one report said. The protective laws meant large housing developments were no longer permitted on the green belt land, and if not new housing were to be created there would be no use for a tube line. The idea for Brockley Hill and its sister stations had been conceived in 1936, and the entire proposal was binned 18 years later in February, 1954. With the line left unbuilt, neighbourhoods did not spring up in the surrounding areas in the density they had in the rest of Middlesex since the early 1900s. However, another author on the London Underground, Douglas Rose, believes it is a shame the system never came to fruition. Graffiti is all that remains of Brockley Hill station ( Jay Robinson) / Jay Robinson However, Mr Rose admits that had the line been built, either prior to or following the war, it would have come in useful to people in modern times. With the land development that has crept into this area, it is almost a pity this short section of line wasnt built," said Mr Rose. The unbuilt status of the line has drawn fascination from an online community with a proclivity towards transport-based history. Pictures and information about Brockley Hill and its sister stations adorn websites dedicated to the Underground and its secrets. Questions of whether the line could, or should, be built are often asked. The police in Lagos on Sunday said they arrested Maliki Bello, the supreme leader of the notorious Berry Boys Secret Cult with operational base at Itire area of the state. The spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Bala Elkana, said in a statement that the 22-year-old Mr Bello is a native of Lalopun in Kwara State. He said that Mr Bello, who resides at 23, Ayinla Street, Idiaraba, Lagos, had been on the police wanted list for violent crimes and gang clashes. The suspect confessed to be responsible for series of violent attacks, murders and armed robbery incidents recorded in Idiaraba, Lawanson, Dosunmu, Ashimowo Bakare, Omo-Bola Mushin and Itire. The suspect told detectives that he was initiated into the cult at age 12 when he was in Junior Secondary School (JSS 1) and later rose to the number one position, he said. Mr Elkana said Mr Bello had an official Facebook account with 1,928 friends which they use, alongside other social media accounts, to recruit new members. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu has further reaffirmed the commitment of the command to address the menace of cultism and youth gangsterism in the state. The onslaught on social miscreants launched by the Commissioner of Police is intelligence driven, targeting mostly leaders of gangs and cult groups and blocking the channels through which they recruit young people. The Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants has successfully brought under control the activities of various cults and gangs in the state, he said. He added that the feat was achieved through well-coordinated and targeted operations, stressing that the onslaught would be sustained until the miscreants were totally defeated. (NAN) The separatist Polisario militias have issued recently a racist statement describing Sub-Saharans in Laayoune in derogatory terms and warning of a black invasion of the Canary Islands. The statement, published by the Polisario henchmen in the Canary Islands, comes after a wave of Sub-Saharan countries opened or are planning to open consular representations in the Sahara as an additional proof of their support to Moroccos sovereignty over the territory. The statement was meant to stir xenophobia and fear among Populist in the Canary Islands by using wordings such as We denounce the presence of thousands of African nationals in Laayoune adding that their presence was asphyxiating the local Sahraouis. The Poliario went on in their abject racism to warn the Canary Islands of the advent of a black danger. Surfing on an anti-Moroccan wave backed by populist and far-right movements in Spain after the North African Kingdom decided to demarcate its maritime borders, the Polisario claimed Morocco was bringing Sub-Saharans to Laayoune to blackmail Spain on the migration front. But such claim shatters after a careful look at Moroccos migration policy. The country has offered legal residency stay for more than 56,000 people and has defended a humanitarian approach to deal with migration beyond the security paradigm. At the rhetorical and practical level, Morocco has opened its arms to its African brothers. Meanwhile in the camp of Tindouf, Sub-Saharans and black Sahraouis continue to suffer slavery. In their annual reports on the human rights conditions in the Tindouf camps, international rights watchdogs including Human Rights Watch (HRW), repeatedly condemned the persistence of slavery practices. Practices of slavery that centuries ago were a basic feature of traditional nomadic culture in the Western Sahara appear all but nonexistent among the Sahrawi refugees today, HRW said in its report on Tindouf camps. The persistence of certain forms of slavery highlights the need for continuous, on-the-ground human rights monitoring, it said. In 2009, two Australian journalists with the Sydney Morning Herald were invited to the camps by the Polisario representative in Australia with the aim to carry out a propaganda coverage in favor of the polisario leadership. While in the camps, the two journalists noticed slavery practices and decided to secretly film a documentary on the ordeal of black people in the camps. The film, dubbed Stolen, exposes modern-day slavery in the refugee camps of Tindouf through telling the story of a Sahrawi girl called Fatim Sellami, herself a slave, who was reunited with her mother after 35 years of separation with the help of the United Nations. Yet, how many slaves are still languishing in these camps? Rep. Jan Schakowsky, left, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call | Getty Images; Zach Gibson | Getty Images As California's digital privacy bill hurtles toward the first day of enforcement on July 1, federal lawmakers are under pressure to establish a national standard. Several proposals are making their way around Congress but two points of contention still threaten to hold up negotiations over new legislation. First is preemption: the question of whether a federal law should override state laws, which Republicans tend to favor to create consistency for businesses. Democrats often argue it would prevent states from creating stronger laws in the future. Second is the question of whether individuals should be able to sue companies they believe violated their rights, a typically Democrat-backed concept known as private right of action. Republicans tend to argue it would result in frivolous and burdensome lawsuits on businesses. These issues could prolong the debate over a federal law, leaving tech companies with greater uncertainty around how they'll need to change their businesses to comply with a growing set of state privacy laws. Tech executives have voiced their concerns to lawmakers directly, arguing that a disparate set of laws will be most burdensome on smaller businesses. In interviews with CNBC, three members of the House of Representatives shared what they see as the path forward for privacy legislation, including how to gain bipartisan support. Despite differing views over the types of enforcement mechanisms that should be created and where the law should take precedence, they largely agreed that creating a strong federal bill with tough enforcement should take priority over discussions around the most contentious issues at play. Stronger than California When it comes to the most divisive issues around digital privacy law, some lawmakers are opting to push them off. The top Democrat and Republican on the House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., have been working on a bill together that so far side-steps the questions of preemption and private right of action. That was a deliberate choice to focus on the language of the bill and get feedback from staff and industry stakeholders. The thinking goes: Make a strong enough bill and those issues will be easier to resolve. "If we have a great bill that is really, really strong, stronger than the California law or what Colorado or Washington state are looking at or what Europe is doing, we can have that conversation," Schakowsky said in an interview with CNBC last week, referring to the discussion around the two key issues. "But we can't start with that. We aren't nearly there yet." "Those issues absolutely have to be addressed. Those are important," McMorris Rodgers said last week. "In the staff draft we wanted to present strong language for people to consider so that it would be a model for the country. And our hope is that the stakeholders and industry would see this as a way to reach an agreement and then support this as the model for a national standard." The issues may not be fully black and white. "There may be ways to reach compromise," Schakowsky said. "Are there areas where states can fill gaps and go beyond what a federal bill would be? So you know, rather than just across the board, no preemption, we can look at that. We will look at that." Other lawmakers have opted to tackle preemption and private right of action more directly. A bill lead by Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington, the top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, includes the private right of action and does not preempt state laws. The Republican proposal, led by Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi, takes the opposite stance on those issues. Still, at a committee hearing in December, senators on both sides echoed the need to come to a bipartisan solution. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., speaks during a rally in the Capitol Building to call on the Senate to vote on House Democrats' prescription drugs and health care package on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images A House bill proposed by two Silicon Valley Democrats, Reps. Anna Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren, does not include a provision preempting state laws. Eshoo said in an interview that she's willing to listen to her peers' thoughts on the matter but is hesitant to delete the work put forth by states. "There's some states that are far ahead of the federal government, we haven't done a damn thing. So what are we going to say to them, wipe out what you've done? They're a thousand miles ahead of us at this point," she said. Their bill also adds a sort of gatekeeper for individuals seeking to file suit against a company under their proposed legislation. The bill allows for individuals to sue for declaratory or injunctive relief or damages if they're not acting collectively, but for collective private civil actions, states can appoint nonprofits to pursue damages on behalf of constituents. Pushing the status quo Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa delegated Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Diyab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, to open the Royal Special Force School. The opening of the school coincides with the 52nd anniversary of BDF Day. Al Nuaimi toured the school where he was briefed about its facilities and equipment. Al Nuaimi expressed delight to open, on behalf of the Commander-in-chief the modern school in conjunction with the celebrations of the BDF Day. He stressed the interest of the BDF General Command in boosting the levels of military education and training for its affiliates across all branches and units through carefully planned and well-organized military institutes and schools that offer modern curricula and training courses to enhance the skills and aptitudes of Royal Special Force staff, each within their competence. Commander of the Royal Special Force Major General Isa Mohammed Al Rumaihi hailed the opening of the school and praised the special attention that officials in the General Command attach to all military institutes and schools and their keenness to provide all advanced and modern requirements and to overcome difficulties and obstacles. Experienced Royal Special Force School officers and trainers were honored during the ceremony. ALBANY Audience members attending Saturday's Town Hall presented by two Capital Region-area state Assembly members expressed concerns about adequate affordable housing in the governor's budget. Patricia Fahy, D-Albany, and John McDonald, D-Cohoes, convened the meeting at the Albany Public Library to discuss Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget, and outlined workforce proposals, environmental efforts and public transit initiatives. The Cuomo administration put together a $178.6 billion executive budget with plans to reduce the growth of government programs and restructure the state's Medicaid program to combat a $6.1 billion deficit. Despite the deficit, some individuals will still see tax cuts. Fahy and McDonald discussed tax cuts that low- and middle-income individuals and small businesses will receive. There will be a decrease in income taxes from 6.21 to 6.09 percent for those who earn between $43,000 and $161,550. Those in the $27,900 to $43,000 bracket will see a drop from 5.9 to 5.5 percent. I will tell you though, in this state, the single biggest complaint on taxes in upstate New York are property taxes, but this is moving in the right direction, Fahy said. Small businesses will have a 4 percent tax rate, which is down 2.5 percentage points from last year for businesses with fewer than 100 employees and less than $390,000 in income. Both Fahy and McDonald emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses while many brick and mortar stores decline, indicating small businesses fill storefronts and contribute toward property taxes. They also said they need to fund a reliable transit system so employees have a way of getting to their jobs. Currently, the budget calls for a 4.2 percent increase for upstate transit. Fahy said she is going to try to get that number closer to 10 percent this year. She said the increase for public transit funding is part of a big environmental push. We are pushing for electric buses here in upstate, Fahy said. The Capital District Transportation Authority bought four all-electric buses, along with four high-capacity chargers and other needed equipment, for just over $3.9 million, using some of the funds from the 2016 Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement. This year the state allocated $370 million in electric vehicle infrastructure and charging stations. Another environmental issue addressed in the state budget was climate change, which allocated $30 billion for various programs to address the problem. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Many people in the audience at the town hall had questions about how the budget was going to address a lack of affordable housing in Albany. There are so many things, so many issues we have with this governor's budget. It's crazy, but it's devastating what he's proposing for housing, said Peter Cook, the executive director of the New York State Council of Churches. Ellie Pepper, with the Working Families Party and a member of Citizen Action, asked the assembly members to find funding for the Homeowners Protection Program, which provides housing counseling services and other foreclosure relief to homeowners. Please get the money in there, Pepper said. Studies have shown over and over again, that housing counseling and rental services help homeowners get a (loan) modification or to get a modification that is more affordable. The budget does include funding for programs for housing the homeless and those with mental illness, among other housing initiatives. However, McDonald said it still a persistent issue people deal with throughout the state. Housing is a very large issue. We know, people are struggling with (rent), and we're trying to provide more opportunities for affordable housing opportunities to make sure that we can make our community stable, McDonald said. Deaths come at a sensitive time in 18-year war, with Trump eager to bring troops home and end the USs longest conflict. Two US soldiers have been killed and six others wounded when an individual in an Afghan army uniform opened fire on them with a machinegun in eastern Afghanistan, the US military said. The incident, which took place in Nangarhar province, occurred after a combined US and Afghan force completed a key-leader engagement at a base in Sherzad district, Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement on Saturday. Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun, Leggett said, adding that the cause or motive behind the attack were not immediately known. In a tweet, the US Armys 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) said several of its soldiers had been killed or injured during combat operations in Afghanistan. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident. Provincial governor Shah Mahmood Meyakhil said in an audio message to reporters that three Afghan commandos were wounded. He said it was not immediately clear if the incident was a deliberate act by an infiltrator or an accident. It was not a clash between the forces. We are investigating, Meyakhil said. Insider attacks, often known as green-on-blue attacks, have been a regular feature of the conflict in Afghanistan, although their frequency has diminished in recent years. About 13,000 US troops are stationed in Afghanistan as part of the US-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces and to carry out counterterrorism operations. Delicate time The incident came at a delicate time in the 18-year war, as US diplomats have been talking with the Taliban for months to agree on a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces in exchange for security guarantees. US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been negotiating with the Taliban for about 18 months for a deal that would see the Pentagon pull its troops from Afghanistan. In return, the Taliban would guarantee the country is not used as a safe haven to launch attacks on other countries. Many are sceptical of the proposed deal and US President Donald Trump himself declared talks dead in September amid continued Taliban violence. Negotiations have since resumed in Qatar. Trump has expressed his eagerness to bring troops home and end the longest conflict in US history. 200202095450927 Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially ended at the end of 2014, highlighting the challenging security situation that persists. Depending on how one qualifies combat deaths, some 20 American troops were killed in 2019. Since the US-led invasion in October 2001, nearly 2,400 US troops have been killed in combat in Afghanistan. In December, Taliban infiltrators in the Afghan military killed nine Afghan soldiers in central Afghanistan. In July, an Afghan soldier killed two US troops as they were visiting an Afghan army base in Kandahar. That came two weeks after another Afghan soldier shot and killed an influential Afghan army colonel while he was conducting a security assessment in Ghazni province. Your browser does not support the audio element. "The entire roads from the first place to Cho Ray Hospital were blocked. Cho Ray doctors acted very quickly. They isolated us into a separate room. After that, we went through several medical examination procedures. After ten days of isolation for treatment at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Chinese patient Li Zichao was clear of the novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, which has infected tens of thousands of people in China and around the world since it was first recorded in Wuhan in December 2019. The 28-year-old Wuhan man said he was lucky to receive treatment in Vietnam. Li was one of the first two 2019-nCoV patients to be confirmed in Vietnam. On January 28, the Vietnamese Ministry of Health announced that Li had been fully recovered. He is among three people, the other two being Vietnamese, who have fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital in Vietnam, where there are eleven active cases now. Meeting with reporters on the afternoon of February 5 at the Department of Tropical Diseases at Cho Ray Hospital, Li recounted his ten days of treatment. Surprising and fearful moment Wuhan City, Hubei Province, located in central China, is the place where the new coronavirus has first emerged. Reports show that the virus started hitting Wuhan in mid-December. Lis father, who is currently among the 11 active cases, came to Vietnam on January 13, before China locked down Wuhan to curb the viral spread on January 23. Li has been in Vietnam for four months during a long business trip of Wuhan Zonse Company, which specializes in health products. As planned, he would end his working time in Vietnam in January 2020. The Wuhan man stayed in Vietnam, waiting for his father to fly over to have a tour in Vietnam and they would then return to China to welcome the Lunar New Year. The two met in Nha Trang, located in south-central Khanh Hoa Province on January 16, but the trip to Vietnam was interrupted after Lis father was unwell. I met my father in Nha Trang and we traveled there. But he started to show signs of fever and health instability. After that, we returned to Ho Chi Minh City. It was my turn to have a fever. We thought it might be serious, so we went to Cho Ray Hospital. At that time, both of us were not feeling well, both of us had a fever, he told reporters Li told Tuoi Tre News that when Cho Ray doctors heard about his fever and knew he was visiting from China, they took actions very quickly. They isolated us in a separate room. After that, we went through a number of medical examinations, including a full-body exam, X-ray, blood test, throat test, and some others like checking for viruses, he said. Li added that he and his father initially did not believe that they were infected with the new coronavirus. Lis father flew to Vietnam from Wuhan during the days when the situation in the city was still relatively stable, and they did not have any information about the outbreak beginning in mid-December 2019. He recollected the time of receiving the testing results at Cho Ray: At that time, we thought that it was very unlikely we were infected with [the novel] coronavirus, and we knew we were infected with the virus two days after the medical examination. Li and his father had had a really frightening time being transferred from Binh Chanh Hospital in Binh Chanh District to Cho Ray Hospital in District 5. The most terrible stage was the way from the first place [Binh Chanh Hospital] to Cho Ray Hospital. All roads from the first place here [Cho Ray] were blocked. They asked people not to get close, and the health workers were fully insured with masks and other protective gear. And on the way, we were worried because we did not understand. I asked myself, whats happening to me? Using Google Translate to communicate When Li and his father were taken to Cho Ray Hospital, there were initial problems with communication due to the language barrier. Li said that he had to use Googles translation tool to talk to Vietnamese doctors. We used Google Translate. Then they had a doctor who could speak English, and we could talk directly, Li recalled. Lucky to be hospitalized in Vietnam Until February 5, Li was known to be perfectly healthy, while his father was in isolation in another room. Every day, they contact each other by phone. Lis mother, who is not infected, is also under supervision at District 11 Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Recalling the past, Li said that he had been treated enthusiastically, and they looked after us very carefully and kindly. All the doctors and nurses were very professional. They conducted the checks every day and had very good medical skills. They encouraged us, the Chinese man said. During the days of isolation for treatment at Cho Ray, Li went online constantly to update the disease situation in China, where over 800 have been confirmed dead, and the world. Li said he was worried about people in his homeland, who were fighting hard against the virus. The authorities have taken timely actions, and now they are controlling the virus, he claimed. Wuhan has been completely isolated since January 23. Currently, China has also built a field hospital that can accommodate 1,000 beds in Wuhan to cope with the coronavirus epidemic, starting to accept patients from February 3. Disease prevention continues to be implemented urgently, when other facilities such as exhibition centers have been turned into makeshift hospitals to deal with the current tens of thousands of cases. Were very lucky to be here and treated. Because in Wuhan, there is a shortage of hospitals and beds as there are too many patients. So we should have been in big trouble. We are really lucky to be here and well-treated, Li said. Fight the virus, not humans At a time when the whole world is worried about the epidemic, there is some information being spread on Chinese social networks about Wuhan people being discriminated against by people in other regions, and the Chinese people being discriminated against by people in other countries. I can read that information. I think I need to tell people that they should fight the virus, not against Wuhan or Chinese people, he told Tuoi Tre News. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! New Delhi: On a sit-in for nearly two months against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), women protesters at Shaheen Bagh voted in batches on Saturday amid heavy security so that the agitation remains unaffected. While some of the women voted in the morning, others went in the afternoon and the remaining in the evening. Some voters complained about deletion of their names from the voters list. A few voters could not cast their votes in Shaheen Bagh under the Okhla constituency as their names were either found deleted or incorrect in the voters list, said a poll official. Shaheen Bagh, in southeast Delhi, has a sizeable Muslim population and has turned into a political battlefield between AAP and BJP. Nearly every political party was trying to polarize the election by using our name in some way or the other but we see everything. We were determined to cast our vote after seeing the political scenario which has hit a new low, said Huzefa a first-time voter. We started our day knowing that it will be of double importance for us. There were some elders who were in a dilemma whether to vote or not but we urged them to come out as it is crucial for our democracy hence, every one here is voting, she said. After casting her vote, Najma said, I am voting for India and its Constitution. We are all citizens of India and people should come out and vote. This election almost every politician irrespective of their party shifted from the real issues like development, health and education to communalism which directly hits the basic essence of Babashahabs Constitution. Amzad Qureshi, who returned to the protest site after voting, said, I stayed at home to let the women in the house go out and vote. Now I have joined them at Shaheen Bagh I voted to secure democracy. Our agitation was about a human issue but was turned into a poll issue to serve selfish interests. Waheeda Khan, another resident of Shaheen Bagh said, The women here had decided a day before voting that some of them would go out for voting in the morning, while others will stay ack for chores. The others will go in the afternoon, she said. Always consult a doctor for removal of earwax since attempts to clear it yourself may only push the wax deeper into the ear canal. Waxy oil called cerumen is produced by the glands lining the ear canal. Normally, it falls out of the ear canal naturally or is removed by washing. Sometimes, the earwax becomes too hard to be cleared naturally. Excessive accumulation of earwax or cerumen in the ear leads to blockage of the ear canal. Wax blocking the ear canal is one of the commonest causes of reversible hearing loss. Causes of Earwax Production of earwax is a protective measure taken by the body to trap and prevent foreign objects like dust, bacteria or other germs from entering and damaging the delicate structures inside the ear. Earwax also protects the skin lining the ear canal from getting irritated by water. Earwax blockage usually affects only one ear; not everyone experience earwax. The reason for either of these facts is not known. Perhaps, the susceptible ones are those in whom the wax secretion is too much for the body to clear off. Symptoms of Earwax Earache Feeling of fullness in the ear Ringing, swishing or other types of noises in the ear (tinnitus) Decreased hearing in the affected ear. Hearing loss may be severe Diagnosis and Treatment of Earwax Earwax can easily by visualised by your doctor using an instrument called otoscope. A doctor removes impacted earwax with the help of a curette-a small curved instrument. Wax may also be flushed out using a water pick or a rubber-bulb syringe containing warm water. A number of wax-removal medications are available from medical stores. People often buy them without consulting a doctor. These drops could irritate the delicate skin of the tympanum (ear drum) and ear canal. So always use them only if your doctor advices. Wax removal drops such as carbamide peroxide may be prescribed by a doctor for people with wax blockade as a recurring problem. Home remedies Application of a few drops of glycerin or hydrogen peroxide in your ear canal twice a day for up to five days can soften earwax. Baby oil or mineral oil may also be used. Never try to dig the earwax out as it may push the wax deeper. Self-care measures may harm you if your ear drum is abnormal and has a hole in it. Hence, it is best advised to consult a doctor and better not to attempt to clear the wax yourself. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Which doctor should I visit in case of earwax blockage? An ENT surgeon is usually consulted when one has the symptoms of earwax blockade. However, any competent general practitioner can be approached for this. 2. Does earwax blockade recur even after removal? Yes. There are chances that it can recur. 3. What are the complications of earwax blockade? Remember, earwax protects the ears. However, too much wax blocking the ear can affect your hearing. Serious hearing loss may also occur, which is temporary, and gets corrected following wax removal. Most of the complications appear to happen due to self-care measures. Unauthorized application of wax-removal drops is common. These may irritate the delicate skin lining the ear canal and ear drum. Troubles also ensue when people with perforated ear drums try to wash out earwax. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The Pale Horse Rating: Next time you run a brush over your barnet and come away with stray hairs, it might be more than just your age. Youve probably been cursed by witches. All the characters were moulting like stuffed cats with mange in Agatha Christies creepiest mystery, The Pale Horse (BBC1). Posh bunny-girl Thomasina (Poppy Gilbert) left locks of her red curls all over the dressing room at the Soho dive where she waggled her spangles for the clientele. Rufus Sewell plays the seducer on the trail of a killer. Hes drawn in to the nasty business when he wakes up at dawn in his girlfriend Thomasinas bedsit and discovers her dead, writes CHRISTOPHER STEVENS Aunt Clemency (Sarah Woodward), as gung-ho an old girl as youll find in the pages of Dame Agatha, was shedding her tresses by the fistful, and so was the stark-mad Miss Davis (Madeleine Bowyer). Either they were using the wrong shampoo or, by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked was out to get them. And get them it did. None survived the first episode of this two-parter, directed by Leonora Lonsdale and adapted by Sarah Phelps from one of the Queen of Crimes least-known novels. The Pale Horse was published in 1961, as the writer was struggling to adapt to the modern world of pop groups and washing machines. No one kept servants any more, which was a problem for a genre in which the butler was everybodys prime suspect. You can tell what the author thought of pop music: it kills the first character on screen, Delphine (Georgina Campbell), when her radio falls into the bath while plugged into the mains. Delphine had just paid a visit to the village of Much Deeping to see three witches who told her the fates held nothing good for her. The Pale Horse is a clever choice for TV, because the story will be a genuine mystery to most viewers. Id far rather see this than Sir Kenneth Branaghs remake of Death On The Nile, due out in cinemas this year but retreading a tale familiar to even Miss Christies casual fans. The book is largely forgotten for a second reason: it doesnt feature Poirot or Miss Marple. Even her second-tier sleuths, Ariadne Oliver, and Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, are absent. Instead, the investigator is an antiques dealer and ladies man called Mark Easterbrook. If youre ever on Pointless and Alexander Armstrong asks you to name Miss Christies least-famous detective, theres your prize-winning answer. Rufus Sewell plays the seducer on the trail of a killer. Hes drawn in to the nasty business when he wakes up at dawn in his girlfriend Thomasinas bedsit and discovers her dead. The Pale Horse is a clever choice for TV, because the story will be a genuine mystery to most viewers, writes CHRISTOPHER STEVENS Mark does what any well-bred cad does in the circumstances, and wipes the place clean of fingerprints before sneaking home to dump all his clothes down the rubbish chute. He explains this behaviour to wife Hermia (Kaya Scodelario) by claiming to have run over a cat, while motoring around London one morning. That would set any womans mind at rest. We saw how relaxed she was by the way she took a meat cleaver to the soft furnishings when her husband left. Sewells difficulty is to make his character likable, when clearly a bounder. He manages it by being Rufus Sewell: saturnine, strong of jaw and piercing of eye. Mark keeps his cool in almost every situation. Even the discovery of his name on a handwritten list of victims, most dead in unexplained circumstances, leaves him unruffled. He only lost his temper when confronted by Bertie Carvell as a hysterical shopkeeper whose name is also on the list. Berties role was small, but he was determined to make the most of it. So were his fake teeth, which protruded like a mouthful of dominoes. I think I last saw them worn by Dick Emery as that smirking vicar on his long-ago sketch show. As his patience evaporated, Mark spotted a temperance badge on the mans jacket. Throwing him out, he advised him to, start drinking heavily... but first, f*** off. Sarah Phelps has been criticised, both for sexing up Christie and filling scripts with foul language. This single obscenity was restrained by her standards. Casting restraint aside, Mark decided to investigate the three witches of Much Deeping, who seemed to have some connection to every corpse. They sensed he was watching them. Mark ran his anxious fingers through his hair. It came away in clumps. Black magic plays havoc with the hairline. We have been thoroughly analyzing more than 20 hospital solutions, it has been tough because we have been searching for the best-integrated solution that can help us with our continuous excellent patient care, said Ahmed Bagedo, newly-minted Chief Financial and Administration Officer at Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital. Between all of these international companies, we have chosen Ecaresoft because of their solution Cirrus, it is true-cloud, fully integrated financial and clinical solution, along with the business intelligence suite. Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital has provided the best medical care for its community in Jeddah for more than 30 years, it has around 300 beds, 9 operating rooms, and 33 specialties. This health center is well renowned in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its patient care and experience as one of the best in the region; constantly being the hospital of choice by the community of Jeddah. As it was proved in the National Competition for the Prevention of Blood Infections Associated with Central Catheters, here they won first place toward the objective of reducing infection rates, supporting public and private hospitals in joining the national electronic monitoring program, and demonstrating and emphasising health practices in reducing this type of infection. Up until now, Dr. Erfan & Bagedo has been working with a customized in-house on-premise system, meaning it is not cloud-based and customized to the needs they had when first built. Therefore, the technology which it is powered by is starting to display a technology gap that can slow down the hospital operation and doesnt fulfill completely their current needs; a shift to a market-proved system like Cirrus is essential. With it they will work on-cloud which integrates our ERP, HIS, RCM, and EHR for a full control of their operation. All this will work along with our business intelligence suite, Estela, which helps in better decision-making based solely on data. With Cirrus, Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital is expecting an increase in revenue, better control of their operation as a whole, more financial visibility, and a more efficient work environment. Most of all Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital is working towards a fully integrated operation to provide the best patient care possible. Were excited to welcome Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital as our client in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,'' adds Adrian Pina, Co-CEO of Ecaresoft. Our relationship with Dr. Erfan & Bagedo Hospital is valuable as we look to provide them with the most advanced technology and to support their continued growth and digital transformation. Ecaresoft is based in the US, all regulations and certifications for its customers are up to par with international standards. It has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, its focus is constantly on improving their system for the best user-experience they can provide. With this evolution, they will be sure to continue with their development and modernization of their services, physicians, specialists, staff, and medical equipment. By working with Cirrus they will not only provide better patient care, but they are also up to par with providing their associates and suppliers with better management of their transactions. About Dr. Erfan & Bagedo General Hospital Founded in 1981 by Sheik Ahmad Bagedo and Dr. Mohamed Erfan, it was established as a psychiatry and neurology clinics. They have always been committed to providing the highest quality Comprehensive Healthcare Service that fulfills the National and International Standards of patient safety goals and meeting the communitys needs and expectations. It is also one of the biggest and most recognized hospitals in Jeddah in particular & in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. About Ecaresoft and Cirrus At Ecaresoft Inc, we build software products that are up-to-standard with current technology: easy to use, cloud-based, and fast to deploy. Our mission is to democratize technology in the healthcare industry and make our solutions available to all. Our headquarters are in Austin, Texas. Cirrus is a cloud-based solution that helps hospitals run in a more efficient way. It covers everything from patient admissions, to inventory management, to medical records, to billing. Cirrus is divided into four main modules: Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), Electronic Health Record (EHR), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Hospital Information System (HIS). A member of the Thai security forces was killed early on Sunday in a raid into a shopping mall to try to stop a soldier on a shooting rampage, bringing the total death toll to 21, the health minister said. The killings began at around 3 p.m. (0800 GMT) on Saturday when the soldier opened fire in a house before moving to an army camp and then to the mall in Nakhon Ratchasima in northeastern Thailand, posting messages on Facebook as he went. Early on Sunday, gunfire broke out at the mall as security forces tried to dislodge the soldier, identified by police as 32-year-old Jakrapanth Thomma. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at the scene that one member of the security forces was killed and two wounded in the raid. As he spoke, a series of explosions and further shooting echoed from the Terminal 21 mall. Police closed off streets around the mall and kept journalists behind a security cordon. After the raid, Reuters video images showed one casualty being wheeled out to an ambulance. Another staggered from the building barechested as he was helped onto a stretcher. At least 31 other people have been wounded. Thai media said the suspected shooter had worked at an army base close to Nakhon Ratchasima, which is about 250 km (155 miles) from the capital Bangkok. Before the attack, Jakrapanth had posted on his Facebook account that he was out for vengeance -- but he did not say for what. It appears he went mad We dont know why he did this. It appears he went mad, Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit told Reuters. It was unclear how many shoppers and workers remained inside the shopping mall after soldiers and police had earlier escorted hundreds of trapped people to safety, Kongcheep said. It was frightening because I could hear the occasional gunshot ... we waited a long time for the police to come and help us, many hours. said Suvanarat Jirattanasakul, 27, her voice trembling after she emerged. The mall was busy with shoppers on a long weekend for the Buddhist Makha Bucha holiday. CCTV footage from inside the mall posted on social media showed the gunman dressed in black and wearing a mask, his gun slung over his shoulder with no sign of other people around. Facebook said it had removed the suspects account. There is no place on Facebook for people who commit this kind of atrocity, nor do we allow people to praise or support this attack, a Facebook representative said in a statement. Major shootings are rare in the Southeast Asian country other than in the far south, where a decades-old insurgency persists. Nakhon Ratchasima is one of the biggest cities in northeastern Thailand, an island of relative prosperity in a rice growing area that is one of the poorest parts of the country of 69 million people. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Chinese delegation's visit to Goa has been put on hold by tourism industry stakeholders here in view of the novel outbreak in the neighbouring country, an official said on Sunday. The delegation, comprising photographers, models, online and offline booking experts and marketing strategists from China, was supposed to arrive here on Sunday, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) president Savio Messias told PTI. "But, their visit has been now put on hold in view of the present situation following the outbreak of the in China. The delegation was part of a marketing strategy planned by industry stakeholders to attract visitors from China," Messias said. Goa has been eyeing Chinese markets to salvage its sagging international tourism industry. A delegation from the coastal state participated in a travel mart last month in China's Chengdu city. There were also plans to market Goa as a tourist destination in China's prominent cities like Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, Messias said. "But, the plans have now been put on hold till the scare is there. Once it is over, we will resume our promotions in China," he said. Former TTAG president Ralf D'Souza, who also runs a chain of hotels in Goa, claimed that highest footfalls in any tourist destination across the world are from India and China. "Goa's tourism industry also sees a huge potential from China, but due to the coronavirus scare, we have to keep our promotional activities in the neighbouring country on hold," he said. Goa attracts nearly four lakh foreign visitors annually, including from destinations like the UK and USA. The death toll in China's coronavirus outbreak rose to 811 on Sunday, while over 37,000 people have been confirmed as infected with the deadly virus. The virus - which first emerged in Wuhan city in China's central Hubei province - has spread to 25 countries, including India (three confirmed cases have been reported from Kerala), the US and the UK. Five emergency crews were called to the scene on Bridge Street in Sydney's CBD Four people have been rushed to hospital after their taxi was crushed by a falling tree in Sydney. Five emergency crews were called to the scene on Bridge Street in Sydney's CBD at 1.30pm on Sunday. The four passengers, two men and two women in their 50s, were treated for neck pain. Duty Operations Manager NSW Ambulance Inspector Giles Buchanan said paramedics have responded to five car accidents every hour since Friday night. A taxi was crushed by a tree in Sydney's CBD, injuring two men and two women in their 50s Five emergency crews attended the scene as Sydney is battered by torrential rain 'This wet and windy weather is really wreaking havoc on our roads,' she said. 'We've responded to multiple trees that had fallen onto cars, trees into houses and units, and people trapped in cars in flood waters. 'Please do not underestimate these conditions, they have the potential to be deadly.' The injured taxi passengers were taken to St Vincent's Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in stable conditions. Ms Buchanan said they had a 'lucky escape'. The accident comes as Sydney is devastated by a powerful storm cell. Water overflows the banks of the Parramatta River after heavy rains in Sydney, Friday, February 7 A severe weather has been in place on Sunday for heavy rain, damaging winds, abnormally high tides and damaging surf for the entire New South Wales coast. More than 80,000 homes are without power, while major roads across Sydney's northern beaches have been flooded as torrential rain and wild winds tore down trees. The state is copping the heaviest rainfall event it has endured since 1998, according to BOM acting NSW manager Jane Golding. Rain drenched even the best-prepared pedestrians in Sydney with the strong winds turning umbrellas into useless pieces of twisted metal. Trees were broken or even blown clear out of the ground by the wind and streets were turned into raging torrents that cars battled to drive through. One family was rescued by the Rural Fire Service via helicopter after flood waters cut them off leaving them isolated in a car. The Karnataka unit of BJP on Saturday sparked a controversy while targeting those protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the proposed nationwide National Register for Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). On the day that Delhi went to polls, the Twitter handle of Karnataka BJP posted a video of Muslim women queuing up with their voter IDs in their hands, and tweeted, Kaagaz Nahi Dikayenge Hum!!! Keep the documents safe, you will need to show them again during NPR exercise. Taking a dig at the protesters for their slogan of Kaagaz nahi dikhaayenge [when officials seek papers during the NPR exercise), the party said people should keep their documents ready for when they will need to furnish them for the NPR exercise. However, the tweet contradicts the Centres stand that one wouldnt need to submit any documents for the NPR. The clarification had come in the wake of media reports that the trial NPR form asking for the place of birth of parents had received Centres approval. Meanwhile, in Delhi, senior RSS functionary Ram Lal also hit out at the anti-CAA protesters by saying that those insisting they wont show their documents will be dealt a blow by the results of Delhi assembly elections. After casting his vote in the national capital, Ram Lal, while urging the voters to keep their documents handy, said while pressing the EVM button, they should keep in mind who [which party] can make Delhi the best capital city in the world. My message to the voters is, Aaj apna kaagaz zaroor lekar jayein. Kaagaz jaroor dikhayein (Carry your document today and do show them, thats my appeal to them), he said. Four days before their trip to Guatemala, Randy and Tina Carter read a story in The New York Times that enraged them. That story changed their lives. It also changed the life of a little boy and those who love him, especially his mother. The article, published on June 17, 2018, was about Antony, 8, and his mother, Elsa Johana Ortiz Enriquez, who had made the perilous journey to the United States from their impoverished and dangerous home in Guatemala, only to be caught up in the treachery of the U.S. policy of separating families at the border. The article, written by reporter Miriam Jordan, detailed how that May the 25-year-old mother and son had been taken by the Border Patrol to a detention center in South Texas and separated he to a shelter for migrant children, she on a plane back to Guatemala, sobbing and frantic and ignored. Argue the merits of such a policy if you will, but what the Carters saw was a little boy ripped away from his mother. That, they said, was just wrong. We were both angry, furious that our government would do this, said Randy Carter, who like his wife is a retired professor in Albuquerque. Since we were going down to Guatemala, we thought maybe we could help. They started researching and reaching out to people they thought could help including Michael Avenatti, the flashy Los Angeles attorney who formerly represented porn star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against President Donald Trump. Randy Carter said he read that Avenatti had vowed to help families affected by the administrations immigration policies. Carter decided to hold Avenatti to that vow. The Carters also enlisted the pro bono help of Ricardo de Anda, a Laredo, Texas, attorney with experience in family separation cases. Other contacts they made helped them track down Ortiz to her fathers home in Guatemala City. In four days, they had managed to bring together a legal team and arrange a meeting with Ortiz in Guatemala City. It took more than 2 hours to get Ortiz to trust them enough to allow them to help her. It took 81 days to bring Antony home. But the Carters werent done yet. They came to know Ortiz as a brave, smart woman, despite having little education, little family support, little of anything to eke out a life for her and her son. They are so poor, you cant imagine, Tina Carter said. Elsa has been abandoned by every man in her life, from her father to her sons father. Once again, they thought maybe they could help. They decided to try their hand at business, forming a limited liability company selling handmade textiles and other crafts from Guatemala. They hired Ortiz as their buyer. They named the business Elsa Ortiz Online and adopted the company motto, We care. Because they do. This month marks a year since the business went online, and the Carters say theyve had modest success with selling vibrant textiles and traditional Guatemalan clothing like jaspe-style dyed drawstring pants and brightly embroidered dresses and blouses called huipils, wooden puzzles, animal figures and masks, beaded jewelry and ornaments. The items are sold in small shops such as Great Harvest Bread in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, a website and Facebook page, craft fairs and an open house in their foothills neighborhood. Weve never done anything like running a business and never imagined doing this, Randy Carter said. But its kind of fun. Ortiz receives $350 a month for her work, which in Guatemala affords her a middle-class lifestyle. She and Antony can now afford to live in a nice home close to Antonys private school, his tuition paid for by the Carters. In addition, the Carters are paying for Ortizs two younger sisters, ages 18 and 22, to attend school to obtain the equivalent of a GED. As you might guess, the retired professors see education as a way out of poverty. Thats especially true in a country where school is free only up to sixth grade and rates of illiteracy range from 33 percent to as high as 60 percent in rural regions. Recently, the sisters sent a photo of them proudly displaying certificates for completing a typing course. They looked happy. And so are the Carters, who channeled their rage into a force for good, all because they thought they could help. Were retired, we have a nice pension, so we thought, lets just do this ourselves, Tina Carter said. You just have to have the nerve to say Im going to do it. UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor. (Newser) A gunman is in custody after he ambushed police officers in the Bronx twice in 12 hours, wounding two in attacks that ignited outrage from officials who blamed the violence on an atmosphere of anti-police rhetoric, the AP reports. The man, Robert Williams, was captured after he walked into a police station in the Bronx and started shooting early Sunday, hitting a lieutenant in the arm and narrowly missing other police personnel before he ran out of bullets, lay down, and tossed his pistol, police said. That attack came just hours after the suspect approached a patrol van in the same part of the Bronx and fired at two officers inside, wounding one, police said. Despite multiple shots fired in both incidents, nobody was killed and all are expected to recover, police said. story continues below Shea called the gunman a "coward" and said he had a lengthy criminal history, including a 2002 shooting and carjacking in which he also fired a gun at police officers. Shea said the man was paroled from prison in 2017 after an attempted murder conviction. The commissioner also lashed out at criminal justice reform activists who have held demonstrations against excessive force by police in recent months. He suggested that the protests helped create an anti-police environment. Mayor Bill de Blasio also suggested that anti-police sentiment had gotten out of hand. Williams' grandmother tells the New York Post he's been "upset" since his 18-year-old son was shot dead in June 2018apparently a self-inflicted wound while playing with a friend's gun. "That was his only child," she says. (Read more police stories.) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2020) Russia no longer considers establishing a military base in the Horn of Africa a relevant issue and is therefore not conducting negotiations to that end, Russia's ambassador to Somalia and Djibouti, Mikhail Golovanov, told Sputnik. The strategic geographic position of Djibouti at the isthmus between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden has prompted France, China and the United States to set up military bases in the country. "The issue of creating a material and technical support point for Russian naval ships in Djibouti has lost its relevance for the Russian side, so there are no negotiations on opening a Russian base in the region," Golovanov said to Sputnik. The ambassador pointed out that the volatile security situation in the region nevertheless necessitates consistent patrolling in the region. "The strategically important location of Djibouti requires additional measures to ensure free navigation, including combating maritime piracy and hijacking of civilian vessels. In this regard, coast guard units are constantly patrolling territorial waters in the narrowest part of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait 38 kilometers [About 24 miles] through which 12 percent of the global volume of sea cargo transportation and transportation of 30 percent of hydrocarbons pass," the diplomat said. Golovanov also ruled out the possibility of building a military base in Somalia, where terrorism remains an acute problem. Al-Shabab, a radical Islamist group that has close ties with the international terrorist organization Al Qaeda (banned in Russia), controls large areas of Somalia and regularly perpetrate acts of terrorism on the civilian population. It wages an armed struggle against the central government of Somalia and impedes the humanitarian activities of the UN. America's most powerful private equity firm has held talks with senior executives at NMC Health about a 2 billion plus takeover of the embattled hospital operator. City sources told The Mail on Sunday that KKR the former owner of pharmacy giant Boots that was immortalised in the bestselling book Barbarians At The Gate discussed the possible buyout with NMC Health's management team in the past few weeks. The news emerged as the care provider battles allegations over its accounting practices and claims that its finances pointed to possible 'fraudulent asset values and theft of company assets'. Under the weather: KKR's interest in NMC Health suggests the powerful private equity firm has rekindled its interest in London-listed companies One source said discussions are ongoing, but the company's volatile share price has made it difficult to agree a price. KKR's interest in NMC Health suggests the powerful private equity firm has rekindled its interest in London-listed companies amid hopes that political stability is returning after several years of wrangling over Brexit. If an agreement can be reached on NMC Health, the takeover could fire the starting gun on a wave of dealmaking in the City this year. KKR has already spent billions of dollars investing in healthcare assets in the US. It paid $2.8 billion (2.2 billion) in 2017 for WebMD, the health information provider. The private equity firm also paid $10 billion for the Envision Healthcare Corporation, an American hospitals group, in 2018. Then last year, reports emerged that it was examining a $70 billion buyout of Walgreens Boots Alliance the owner of Boots in what would be one of the largest ever debt-fuelled buyouts. NMC Health, which is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, operates private hospitals and fertility clinics in 19 countries, including the UK. Sources said KKR may face competition from other US-based private equity firms for NMC Health. Apollo, led by Leon Black, has talked to NMC Health about a variety of deals, varying from purchasing a stake in the business to buying the whole group. NMC Health's shares have crashed since Muddy Waters, an investor research firm led by short-seller Carson Block, published a critical report that raised red flags over its accounting practices. The sustained criticism from Block's firm has knocked the former blue chip medical company out of the FTSE 100. On Friday, NMC Health was worth just 1.5 billion after it lost 46 per cent of its value in a week. Short-sellers including Block an make huge profits when share prices crash. The healthcare company's shares were also hit when two UAE-based billionaires, Saeed and Khalifa Bin Butti, were forced to sell some of their investment in NMC Health by their lenders, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, to cover loans. Reports last week suggested NMC Health's Indian founder, Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, 77, was seeking to take control of the remainder of their shareholdings in NMC Health and return to an 'active leadership position' at the embattled group. KKR was founded in 1976 by Wall Street legend and former Bear Stearns banker Henry Kravis. It became famous for its takeover of US tobacco and food conglomerate RJR Nabisco in 1988, documented in the Barbarians At The Gate book and later in a film of the same name. The $25 billion takeover of RJR Nabisco was the largest buyout in history at that time. In 2007, KKR bought London-listed Alliance Boots for 12 billion at the height of the credit-fuelled takeover frenzy before the financial crisis. It later sold the Boots owner to pharmacy giant Walgreens. Last week, it was reported KKR had hired advisers from JP Morgan to weigh an $8 billion takeover bid for haircare brands Clairol, GHD and Wella. Coty, the US-listed cosmetics manufacturer, said in October that it would seek to offload its professional beauty and nail products divisions as part of a simplification of the company. NMC Health has vigorously denied the allegations made by Muddy Waters. But it has set up an independent review committee and has appointed former FBI director Louis Freeh to report on the claims. NMC Health, Apollo and KKR declined to comment. Tears spring bright in Senzeni Nomasonto Mpofu's eyes as she describes the fear she lives under. "It's like a sword hanging over your head," she says of the Intent to Deport order served on her last December. "Every day I feel like I don't know what's coming. I don't want this journey to end like this. I am afraid of what's waiting for me " Noma (33), as she is better known, arrived in Ireland five years ago. She stepped completely alone out of the plane at Dublin Airport. "I was frightened because I knew there was another process waiting for me," she says. "Nobody was just going to open the doors for me. Fortunately enough, the person I made contact with at the airport was a very nice man. And he listened carefully to my story." Noma told him that she grew up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city. She never knew her father. Her mother and stepfather "did the best they could for me". As a child she was sexually molested by a relative. "It happened repeatedly. I was 18 when I told my mother." Most sexual assault cases in Zimbabwe never reach even the stage of an official complaint, this was no different. "My mother did counsel me but I was hoping he could be brought to justice. But that is not what happened. That was a time when I was just finishing my O-Levels and she said that she didn't want all the bad attention coming to me because people would be asking negative questions about me rather than focusing on him. I still think about it often because he is out there walking the streets somewhere and who knows who else he did it to." She remembers the Zimbabwe of her childhood as a peaceful place - "it was calm and you could speak your mind" - but Robert Mugabe's land grab in the 2000s changed that. "I never took so much interest in politics, but things changed when black people claimed what they saw as their land. There was a scramble for produce, a scramble for everything. There were no more farmers." Noma had two children with a man but they split up. She moved to a different part of Zimbabwe to work as a schoolteacher. It was while she was living at the school that she was taken in for an interrogation by local police, who accused her of spreading anti-government propaganda among the schoolchildren. They released her but a few weeks later she was brought in again, this time by a man who was acting alone. "I hadn't seen the man before but the way he was dressed made him look like a detective - we call them CID - I also got this impression from the car. He said to me to get in the car and I believed I was going back to the same camp where they had questioned me a few weeks before." Instead, the man assaulted her violently and sexually. She becomes emotional as she recounts the terrible toll this took on her. "It wasn't the first time that something like this happened and I knew it had changed my life before. So now I felt that this is a pattern. You feel like people look at you and you and feel, somehow, that they have the right to touch you, that you draw attention to yourself and invite this. It completely changed my life." Rape has been described as Zimbabwe's silent political weapon and given the political overtones of her initial interrogation, Nomu did not see a prospect of her attacker being brought to justice, even if she reported the crime. To add to her pain, she became pregnant from the assault. "I didn't know what I would do after that happened. It was very hard to make a decision. In the end I had a miscarriage." She says deciding to come here, leaving her two children behind, was the hardest decision she ever had to make. "When you are growing you never think you are going to have to leave. I had children that I had to think of, I had family I had to think of. My daughter is 14 and my son is seven." She travelled first to South Africa, and then on to Dublin, where she was housed for a few weeks before moving to a direct provision centre in Cork. When she arrived in Ireland she phoned her mother. "She said I am finally happy that you are safe, where you can leave everything behind and start over. My kids didn't even know that I had left. I called them from Ireland and said that I would be away for a while and they've been strong. I miss them terribly though." In Ireland, Noma was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. "When I first came to Ireland I wasn't sleeping at all," she says. "I started suffering from what I thought were minor mental health issues. "I had depression, panic attacks, trouble sleeping and I developed really bad anger issues. I realised that I hadn't really processed anything, I didn't really deal with it all." The opposition to Direct Provision in this country has been pointed. Some rural townspeople have spoken out against provision centres being located in their area. Even those who see the necessity for the centres don't deny that there are deep flaws with the system. Noma says that some of the criticisms of Direct Provision in this country are not well founded. "I know people don't like it but it's not so bad. We have food and shelter and we can get medication if we're not feeling well. That's more than anyone else in any other country would be getting and it's a safe place where you can fall asleep. I'm in a room by myself. "My only criticism is the length of time it takes. You have to wait for years. I've tried many times to do my Leaving Cert or to go to school and I'm always told that I would be regarded as an international student. The time it all takes affects people socially and mentally." Just under 3,300 people have been granted asylum in Ireland in the past 10 years. The Department of Justice says that an Intention to Deport letter "is the start of a process whereby detailed consideration is given to each case. A decision is made at the end of this process either to make a deportation order or grant permission to remain". Noma now faces a dilemma - if she remains here and a deportation order is served, she could be banned from returning to the country for a number of years. But if she leaves voluntarily, as many asylum seekers do, she will be giving up. Instead she has chosen to make her presence felt here. She tells her story as part of Cead Mile Failte, a new documentary this coming week on TG4, and she speaks of wanting to "give something back to Ireland". "I really love this country and I want to stay here. I want to become a mental health nurse. I don't want to go back to Zimbabwe. "Waiting for this decision is so stressful. The fear is there every day. I don't know what's coming next." See Noma's story in Direct Provision in Tabu: Cead Mile Failte which airs on Wednesday at 9.30pm on TG4 as part of the Wednesday Documentary Season A month into 2020, many significant events are underway that would affect India, the region and beyond. One, the coronavirus pandemic, still coursing mostly through China and with lower intensity in its Asean neighbourhood. Second, US President Donald Trump escaping impeachment and removal due to the Senate Republican majority uniting to acquit him. With his popularity ratings up, he is preparing to make his first visit to India this month. Third, the likely domestic impact of the BJPs performance in the Delhi election, which the exit polls predict will be a rout. The new pandemic made China belatedly order a complete lockdown at its epicentre at Wuhan and neighbouring cities, at the crossroads of Chinas global supply chains that may soon be impacted. When the SARS pandemic occurred in 2002-03, Chinas share of global trade was under five per cent. Its thrice that now and thus can be more disruptive. The barring of Chinese air connectivity and its citizens by many nations has begun to hit Chinese tourism-dependent countries like Thailand, Singapore, etc. Even Myanmar, which Chinese President Xi Jinping visited in mid-January to sign high-profile infrastructure projects, including a Belt and Road Initiative project named China Myanmar Economic Corridor, is reacting to the scare. The United Wa State army, a rebel group and de facto buffer between Myanmar and China, shut down the border with China. Anti-Chinese racism has mushroomed across the region. The pandemic is unlikely to abate till temperatures rise with onset of summer. Till then it threatens Chinese connectivity-based outreach to the world and its export prowess, as trading partners start seeking alternative supply chains, if the disruption persists. Unless quickly controlled, questions will arise over President Xi Jinpings governance model and centralised power. As The Economist has reported: While Chinese infrastructure has developed, healthcare has lagged. It has 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people, of whom many are underqualified. That may be exacerbating the health crisis in Hubei province. India cant remain smug as the virus is easily transmitted, though maybe not as lethal as SARS, as even a two per cent fatality rate can be lethal as the deaths in China near 1,000. This is despite Chinas deeper pockets and ability to build a 1,000-bed hospital in two weeks. India could face a nightmare scenario with the deficiencies of the medical coverage of its vast population. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a $100 million grant for creating a vaccine. Many nations are rushing to do likewise, but the results may take months as vaccines are created and tested for safety before release. Pakistan and Nepal have vast land links with China and possibly lax medical scrutiny at their borders. The virus is suspected to be communicable by carriers not yet showing full-blown symptoms. This makes border checks anyway tricky. With the current state of India-Pakistan relations any outbreak there can probably be quickly countered by sealing the border. With Nepal, that would be impossible to replicate as the Nepal-India border is porous and the movement of tourists, workers and pilgrims is huge. How prepared is India to deal with this is unclear. President Trump, before his proposed India visit, has authorised a number of destabilising decisions for West Asia and the Gulf. On January 3, the US killed Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, in a drone attack that also eliminated the deputy chairman of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Force. Iraq now has a new Prime Minister, a more assertive Moqtada al Sadr, and more Iranian forces visible in Syria in the Syrian Armys attack on Idlib. If this wasnt destabilising enough, President Trump unfurled with much fanfare his new Mideast peace plan in Washington, in the presence of beleaguered Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, on January 28. It is a one-sided proposal conceding most Israeli demands while negating the UN Security Council resolutions dating back to 1976 as indeed the Oslo Accords, on which has traditionally rested the US approach to a two-nation solution. Palestinians and Arab nations, that still have independent voices, rejected the proposal publicly. Certainly, most would have condemned it in private. With this developing legacy, Mr Trump will visit an India that is divided over the sectarian and divisive agenda of the BJP government. While Mr Trump is unlikely to be troubled over that, he would have his wishlist of a trade deal, to extract a mix of cosmetic and real concessions, defence deals that he can brandish in an election year, etc. He would also want to wean India away from Russian arms deals, Chinese wireless 5G technology (India having allowed Huawei to join 5G trials) and Iran. He would expect an Indian counterpart of the Houston Howdy Modi tamasha, hoping to capitalise on Mr Modis connect with segments of the Indian diaspora. India in turn wants Mr Trump focussed on joint battle against terror and Pakistani perfidy while seeking clarity on the US endgame in Afghanistan. India would defend its balancing outreach to Russia and Iran. All told, it would be a deft diplomatic dance with subtle trade-offs while each side protects its core interests. But lingering in the backdrop will be the domestic politics of both nations. In America, it is a presidential election year and any excessive wooing of Mr Trump would be noted by the Democrats, who want to rejig the Trumpian foreign policy excesses. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren want fair, not better trade deals that Mr Trump seeks, introducing elements like labour standards, equity, etc. Joe Biden even supports organising in his presidencys first year a Global Summit for Democracy to renew global democratic ethos. However, Mr Sanders and Ms Warren are both neo-isolationists who would want to lower the US military profile abroad. The Trump hoopla will be a good distraction from the domestic travails of the BJP, but popular resentment over the CAA is unlikely to abate unless the BJP offers a compromise. The Trump itinerary may be conditioned by this worry. Space for pure diplomatic theatre, which Prime Minister Modi covets, is unavailable any longer. Pandemics, Islamic ire, the Shia-Sunni contestation to Indias west, falling popularity at home as economic distress combines with youth and minority ire and continuing absence of normality in Kashmir are a dangerous setting for the BJPs shortsighted sectarian agenda at home. Mr Trumps visit wont change that. Only Mr Modi can do so by reversing gears and getting India back on the track he had marketed in 2014: an inclusive and growing India. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock The lawyer for Lt Col Alexander Vindman condemned Donald Trump on Saturday for making obviously false statements about the decorated military veteran, after the president defended sacking him through several critical tweets. Related: 'Real power is fear': what Machiavelli tells us about Trump in 2020 Ambassador David Pressman, who represents Vindman, said: The president this morning made a series of obviously false statements concerning Lt Col Vindman; they conflict with the clear personnel record and the entirety of the impeachment record of which the president is well aware. He went on: While the most powerful man in the world continues his campaign of intimidation, while too many entrusted with political office continue to remain silent, Lt Col Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military. Pressmans statement came several hours after Trump said that the Fake News @CNN & MSDNC keep talking about Lt Col Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was. Actually, I dont know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I dont believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly, & The next tweet from Trump said Vindman was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information. In other words, OUT. Vindman was a key witness in the impeachment inquiry, delivering damaging testimony despite Trumps opposition to the proceedings. While Vindman, a Ukraine expert and Purple Heart recipient, was set to rotate out of his national security council (NSC) post this summer, he was abruptly axed and escorted out of the White House on Friday. Vindmans twin brother who was not an impeachment witness was also booted from his job on the NSC, reports said. Gordon Sondland, who also provided testimony in the inquiry, was sacked from his post as US ambassador to the EU just hours after Vindmans firing. Not only was Stiver a missionary and teacher at heart, but she also was a musician as she played the accordion, or as Bailey called it the pitch box piano. To honor Stiver who touched so many lives and made such an impact throughout the county, a special Ms. Joy Stiver Gospel Program is planned for Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. at The Unity Center, 1145 Salisbury Road, Statesville. All former students and Bible School campers are encouraged to attend, as Bailey said, to honor and pray tribute to this incredible lady. At last years tribute to Stiver, those attending Skyped with her so she could be a part of the special time together. This years, organizers of the event plan to make a video for her of the program. Attendees will also have the opportunity to give a personal greeting to Stiver, who is currently in a nursing care facility in the eastern part of the state. The video will be taken to Stiver so she can watch the tribute and have the opportunity to hear the greetings and see her former students and campers once again. Bailey shared that singing songs like the ones Stiver used to do at camp will be another special part of the tribute including one of her favorite songs, Ive Got the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart. For additional information about the gospel program, call Bailey at 704-500-1621. Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi, Feb 9 : A students' group on Sunday came out in support of the allegations of molestation by female students during the annual fest at Delhi University's Gargi College earlier this week. The Democratic Students Federation alleged that scores of inebriated men groped and harassed students on the day-3 of the annual fest 'Reverie'. Expressing anguish over the alleged sexual assault, the DSF said, in a statement, that on February 6, "deliberate negligence on the part of the administration and the security led to a situation where a score of inebriated men were allowed to enter the campus and grope and harass the students." The federation also alleged that the intruders raised 'Jai Sri Ram' slogans and waved saffron flags. "Students were repeatedly groped by these men as well as locked inside the bathroom by them. One of the students lost consciousness due to the mental and physical trauma brought on by the presence of this mob of lumpen sexual harassers." The student body claimed that the security guards turned a blind eye to the proceedings and the administration only reinforced their apathy. "Whilst the security guards were supposed to check the entry pass of all the male students wanting to attend the fest, as well as frisk them at the entry, these hooligans were given a free hand to do as they please," it alleged. The College Principal, however, has denied the allegations of molestation, levied by a second year student of Political Science. Taking their love to another height and attempting to put all the dissents to rest, one of them opted for a sex change operation in July last year to be reassigned as a man. Bhubaneswar: Two women of tribal-dominated Malkangiri district in Odisha have got married after falling in love with each other for quite some time. What is more surprising is that one of the two women went to the extent of undergoing a sex reassignment surgery to marry her female partner. Though unusual for a district like Malkangiri, which is considered as one of the backward regions of the state, the wedding was solemnized as per Hindu rituals in the presence of families from both sides as well as local residents. It was love-at-first-sight for both the women when they met in Bhubaneswar a few years ago. After being in love for quite some time, the two decided to take their relationship to the next level and join in wedlock. However, the path was not easy for the two had to struggle through several disapproving eyes. Taking their love to another height and attempting to put all the dissents to rest, one of them opted for a sex change operation in July last year to be reassigned as a man. After the successful surgery conducted in Delhi, the couple tied the nuptial knot with blessings of both of their family members sending a message that love always finds its way. Iran today unveiled a short-range ballistic missile it said can be powered by a 'new generation' of engines designed to put satellites into orbit. The Revolutionary Guards' said the Raad-500 missile was equipped with new Zoheir engines made of composite materials lighter than on earlier steel models. It also unveiled Salman engines made of the same materials but with a 'movable nozzle' for the delivery of satellites into space. The Raad was 'a new generation missile that has half the weight of a Fateh-110 missile but with 200 kilometres more range', the Guards Sepahnews website said. US officials raised concerns in the past about Iran's satellite programme, describing the launch of a carrier rocket in January 2019 as a 'provocation'. The Fateh-110 is a ballistic ground-to-ground missile first unveiled in 2002. Its latest generation has a range of 186 miles. It comes as Iran announced it was counting down to the launch of a scientific observation satellite today. The launch today of the new Raad-500 missile, a short-range ballistic missile by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) The new missile can be powered by a 'new generation' of engines designed to put satellites into orbit. Footage of the launch was broadcast on Iranian state TV Communication minister Morteza Berari said the satellite's 'primary mission' would be collecting imagery, adding that Iran needed such data to study earthquakes, deal with natural disasters and develop its agriculture. Once the satellite is in orbit, the first picture that it will transmit will be of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad last month, minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said today. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Major General Hossein Salami unveiled the ballistic missile and engines alongside IRGC aerospace chief Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh. 'The complicated achievements on the bleeding edge of global technology that were unveiled today are our key to entering space,' Salami said. Salami noted the movable nozzle on the new engine allowed 'manoeuvrability beyond the atmosphere' and amounted to a 'leap in modern missile technology'. The new technologies that made the missiles 'cheaper, lighter, faster and more precise' could be applied to all of Iran's missile classes, he added. 'Beginning countdown to launch #Zafar_Satellite in the next few hours... In the Name of God,' Azari-Jahromi wrote on Twitter. US officials raised concerns in the past about Iran's satellite programme, describing the launch of a carrier rocket in January 2019 as a 'provocation' State-run Iran Press news agency issued the unveiling of the short-range ballistic missile by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards On February 1, the head of Iran's space agency said the 113-kilogramme Zafar - which means Victory in Farsi - would be launched into orbit 329 miles above Earth by a Simorgh rocket. Tensions between Iran and its arch foe the United States have soared since May 2018 when President Donald Trump withdrew from a nuclear deal that offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons. Diplomatic relations reached the lowest level in decades after Soleimani was killed. Iran retaliated with a missile attack against two US bases in Iraq. Washington says it seeks to rein in Iran's ballistic missile programme as well as its 'destabilising behaviour' in the region. It has since slapped crippling sanctions on Iran as part of its 'maximum pressure' campaign, with Tehran hitting back by progressively rolling back commitments to the nuclear deal. The US has also raised concerns in the past about Iran's satellite programme, saying the launch of a carrier rocket in January 2019 amounted to a violation of curbs on its development of ballistic missiles. Iran maintains it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, and says its aerospace activities are peaceful and comply with a UN Security Council resolution. A Simorgh (Phoenix) satellite rocket at its launch site at an undisclosed location in Iran (file image). The country's telecommunications minister announced the launch of a scientific satellite today on Twitter Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in 2016. The first picture the Iranian satellite will transmit will be of the Iranian military commander, who was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad last month In January 2019, Tehran announced that its Payam - Message in Farsi - satellite had failed to reach orbit, after authorities said they launched it to collect data on the environment in Iran. The US said the launch of the carrier rocket was a violation of a 2015 UN Security Council resolution which endorsed an international accord on curbing Tehran's nuclear programme. The United States says it is concerned that long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit could also be used to launch nuclear warheads. Tehran denies that satellite activity is a cover for missile development and says it has never pursued the development of nuclear weapons. President Trump's administration reimposed sanctions on Iran following Washington's 2018 withdrawal from an international accord designed to curb Iran's nuclear programme. Trump said the nuclear deal did not go far enough and did not include restrictions on Tehran's missile programme. A satellite image of a failed Iranian rocket launch at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Semnan, Iran, last August Resolution 2231 called on Iran to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran maintains it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, and says its aerospace activities are peaceful and do not violate the security council resolution. Tehran confirmed in September that an explosion occurred at one of its satellite launch pads due to a technical fault, and slammed Trump for 'gleefully' tweeting about it. Replying to a tweet that asked what if Zafar fails like it predecessor, Jahromi said 'we will try again'. Iran's internet services have faced cyber attacks for the past two days, according to the ministry. Officials have not elaborated on the source of the attack or its likely motives. Iran launched its first satellite Omid (Hope) in 2009 and the Rasad (Observation) satellite was sent into orbit in June 2011. Tehran said in 2012 that it had successfully put its third domestically-made satellite Navid (Promise) into orbit. What if you get stuck on the highway in a storm? Here are some tips Colorado Springs City Council deadlocked Monday over the appointment of Stephannie Fortune to fill Councilman Richard Skorman's seat on the board. Who among the 7 finalists should be appointed? You voted: Brokers Ireland has today called on consumers to be alert to the dangers of fraudsters masquerading as insurance brokers as reports emerge that gardai have found yet more fraudsters selling forged or invalid insurance to unsuspecting motorists. Brokers Ireland, which represents 1,250 Brokers registered with and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, said it is great to see progress being made by gardai towards targeting and catching those who are carrying out this fraud and said the gardai must be given whatever resources they need to continue their efforts to protect vulnerable and unsuspecting people. Cathie Shannon, Director of General Insurance at Brokers Ireland, said with not too much difficulty consumers should be able to establish the authenticity or otherwise of those presenting themselves as brokers. If you buy insurance from a fraudster, you have not actually purchased a valid insurance policy and the consequences can be severe in the event of needing to make a claim. If you purchase car insurance from a fraudster you will be driving without insurance, which is a criminal offence. Fraudsters often target young or what might be considered more vulnerable consumers, often foreign nationals who are not clear on how the insurance market works in Ireland, she said. Ms Shannon said one of the most obvious signals can be an insurance quote that seems too good to be true. Invariably if it seems too good to be true it transpires that it actually is. This opens up the prospect of serious consequences when the unexpected or unwanted happens, she said. She advised consumers to always check the authenticity of any person or company selling or administering insurance policies. The easiest and cost-free first step would be to check the Brokers Ireland website: www.brokersireland.ie because all our insurance Brokers are listed there. Our website has a handy search facility, which will also enable a consumer to find an insurance Broker in their local area. Second, consumers can also check with the Central Bank, the website of which provides a search facility to enable consumers check whether the person or company purporting to sell insurance or administer policies is a regulated entity. She said while conducting business over the web is now the norm, the web is also an easy marketplace for fraudsters. Consumers need to be alert at all times. Think twice before purchasing insurance from sources such as social media sites and carefully check any insurance documentation for accuracy, she said. She said the term ghost broker is unfortunate. The more correct description would be fraudsters," she said. On Friday, Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib participated in a radical democracy event at Howard University in Washington. The YouTube video below shows Omars four-minute riff on the theme that everything that goes wrong in the world is Americas fault. Thanks to the Washington Free Beacon for bringing it to light. Omars blame-America-first ideology is comprehensive. Are there refugees in the world? Its because of American foreign policy! Are we raising money to help victims of floods abroad? Floods are our fault because climate change! Is it bad when American manufacturing jobs go overseas? Yes, but only because foreign workers are subjected to the horrors of American capitalism! You really have to see it to believe it. Here is the video, then a final comment: A final observation on Omars refugee shtick: When you see a Somali refugee or an Iraqi refugee or a Libyan refugee, we often are like this is my neighbor, they must have survived some struggle, we dont ever pause to think what American policy made them come over here? Lets stay with Somalia, since Omar herself is, of course, a Somali refugee. What American policy was it that made [Ilhan] come over here? Omars family fled Somalia for a refugee camp in Kenya because they were on the losing end of violent clan battles in Mogadishu. Is Somalias clan warfare Americas fault? I would love to hear Omar expound on that. Actually, the American policy that made Omar come to America is the incredibly generous welcome that we extend to refugees. Omar was rescued from the Kenyan refugee camp, brought to America, sustained and educated at public expense, elected first to the Minnesota legislature and then to Congress at a remarkably young age. How cruel can you get? Omar sets a standard of ingratitude that may never be surpassed. On second thought, though, Omar might have a point for once. Our refugee policy is perhaps one aspect of Americas foreign policy that needs to change. Posters have come up in Azamgarh claiming that Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is "missing" since 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Akhilesh Yadav is a Member of Parliament (MP) from Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat. The posters, put up by Uttar Pradesh Congress minority cell, question Yadav's silence on police action against Muslim women during the agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed Register of Citizens (NRC). "Akhilesh Yadav - Missing from Azamgarh since 2019 elections," read the posters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first step in minimizing the damage from climate change will come not from solar panels or electric cars, but from frank conversations about the topic, one of the nations top climate researchers and communicators said this week in a two-stop tour of Alabama. Katharine Hayhoe, director of Texas Tech Universitys Climate Science Center, delivered the keynote address Saturday at the Citizens Climate Education Faith Meets Business forum at Birminghams McWane Science Center. The event gathered business, faith and environmental leaders throughout Alabama in attempts to foster an open dialogue about how to address climate change. Citizens Climate Education is a tax-exempt sister organization of the Citizens Climate Lobby, which argues for bipartisan solutions to climate change. Hayhoe delivered her presentation titled Our Climate Imperative to a sold-out crowd of 235. What is our climate imperative? I think it is to use everything we have to advocate for solutions, starting with our voice," Hayhoe said Saturday in Birmingham. Her message mirrored that of her TED Talk, titled The most important thing you can do about climate change: Talk about it, which has been viewed online more than 2.5 million times. If we dont talk about it, why would we care? Hayhoe said. If we dont care, why would we act? Hayhoe has served as lead author on the Second, Third and Fourth National Climate Assessments and is host of the PBS series Global Weirding addressing frequently asked questions about climate change. Shes been named one of Time magazines 100 most influential people, Fortunes list of the worlds 50 greatest leaders, and received numerous other awards for her work as a climate scientist and communicator. Shes also an evangelical Christian, married to an evangelical pastor, and regularly argues that Christians and other people of faith have a moral obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to reduce harmful impacts of climate change. For me, the reason why I am a climate scientist and not an astrophysicist as I was originally planning to be is because Im a Christian, Hayhoe said. And I know that in book one chapter one of the Bible we are told that we humans were made in Gods image for a very specific purpose and that purpose was to be responsible for every living thing on the face of the Earth. Hayhoe led her presentation with an overview of the science surrounding climate change, how the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to levels not seen in the last 400,000 years is impacting the planets current extreme weather events and sea level rise. She also discussed public perception of climate events and what she called myths that have emerged around climate change. The first, most dangerous, myth that we bought into is the myth that it doesnt matter to us, Hayhoe said. The second most dangerous myth that we bought into is the myth that only certain types of people care. The truth is, to care about a changing climate, the only thing we have to be is a human living on planet Earth. On Thursday, Hayhoe spoke for a crowd of about 400 at Auburn University. Saturdays forum kicked off with UAB professor Jim McClintock giving a presentation on his research on Antarctic ecosystems. McClintock is leading efforts to discover new drugs from the cast of creatures living beneath the Antarctic ice, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth, but his annual trips to the bottom of the globe have also given him a front row seat to the changes happening to the Antarctic, including melting ice sheets, species migrations and extinctions, and ocean acidification. When people ask you about climate change, its not that things dont change," McClintock said. "Of course they do. Its the rate of change and this is why biologists are so concerned about how life is going to be able to respond to such rapid changes. McClintock said he still organizes trips to Antarctica for people to see firsthand the impacts on that part of the world. What I find is the narrative of having witnessed it in Antarctica where its so profound, provides a wonderful backdrop for explaining how significant changes can happen very quickly, and how they can have dramatic effects on the ecosystem, the wildlife and how that Antarctica can be linked back to Alabama, he said. The program including presentations and panel discussions on climate solutions and faith motivations from business and religious leaders, including Seth Hammett, former Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives and current vice-president of business development for PowerSouth Energy Cooperative in Andalusia. He is also the chairman of the Energy Institute of Alabama. Hammett participated in a panel on climate solutions, mostly speaking about the challenges of incorporating renewable energy sources for utilities and the fact that actions in the United States dont mitigate what other nations do for emissions. Its important I think to have balance in all discussions and I was very pleased to be invited to be here today to give the utility perspective about the issue, Hammett said after the panel. I think theres a lot of people that think why dont we just use all the solar? And I think theres a real answer to that question, its always part of the mix and should be, but it cant be the only part of the solution, if you want electricity thats reliable. After lunch a panel featuring the Rev. Michael Malcom of Alabama Interfaith Power and Light, spoke on the need for people of faith to become involved in environmental justice issues, citing specifically issues like industrial pollution in north Birmingham, and sewage issues in Alabamas Black Belt. Malcom said he believes his faith calls him to act in those circumstances. Civility is not religious principle, Malcom said. "The Bible does not tell us to be civil. The Bible tells us to be righteous, and to be righteous, is to be right. And to be right is to stand up for those who dont have a voice, who are often ignored, those black and brown people, those poor white people who you pass by you see their neighborhoods and you see all industry in their neighborhoods and you say nothing. "No. Start raising some hell. Before I even start talking about the impact of China's Coronavirus outbreak on the tech industry or other businesses, I'd like to point out that the current situation in China's Hubei province is getting worse by the day. The province has seen 97-percent of deaths from the virus and ongoing quarantine lockdown has delayed supplies from getting in. As much as we discuss the impact of Coronavirus on businesses that are relevant to us, it's equally important to understand that there are people who are suffering and going through a lot to prevent the virus from getting out of the province. Let's not get caught up in the moment and forget that all that. Reuters If there's one sector that's experiencing a severe impact because of Coronavirus, then it's got to be technology. From closing down offices and manufacturing hubs to pulling out of tech events, we've been seeing a lot of repercussions. It's obviously not possible to put it in words about what people are going through in China right now and how it's affecting everything. But if there's one thing which is clear now, then it's the fact that we rely a lot on China and the products coming out of their country. Since the companies are shut for in the country, including some offices in Hong Kong, it also severely affecting the production in the facilities. As many of the products that we use on a daily basis are produced in China, experts are warning the consumers to expect shortages when it comes to smartphones, accessories, cars and other tech products. Reuters Both Foxconn and Pegatron sites in China are closed so you can expect delays in the production of iPhones and AirPods. For those of you who don't know, these two manufacturing plants are the ones that are responsible for nearly all of the world's iPhones. Similarly, Facebook has also stopped taking orders for its new Quest VR headset and cited the outbreak for the delay. The ASUS ROG Phone 2 is also one of the products affected due to the outbreak. ASUS has warned that the device won't be available at all until further notice. Here, check it out - An open letter to our fans whove been waiting to buy the #ROGPhoneII. Thank you for your patience. #WorshippedByGamers #LovedByTechGurus pic.twitter.com/PgtjaojHOa ASUS India (@ASUSIndia) February 1, 2020 And if the word from the folks over at the South China Morning Post is something to go by, then we can also expect to see production delays of devices from brands like Oppo, Xiaomi, Lenovo, and Huawei. The situation is not as severe for brands that don't rely on components from Hubei. Even a lot of new products that were expected to ship in early February have now been delayed, even indefinitely in some cases. It includes the Nintendo Switch console, games, accessories including the Animal Crossing edition. The MWC & Other Event Escape It's been very shocking to see one of the biggest conferences in the world has been seeing withdrawal from a lot of companies. Yes, the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona will be seeing a lot less attendance this year. Companies like LG Electronics, ZTE, and Ericsson have all pulled out this year citing the Coronavirus outbreak. There's no denying that places of interest like these events are the breeding ground for such viruses. There's definitely a potential risk of a further disease outbreak. Reuters That being said, the WHO hasn't directed to cancel global conferences like MWC. And on top of that, the GSMA is also taking all the necessary measures that it can to keep the show floor safe and sanitized for the attendees. In addition to MWC, Huawei has also postponed its developers conference. It was scheduled to happen now, but it's now been postponed until the end of March. And when it comes to gaming, week 2 of the major League of Legends tournament has also been indefinitely delayed. The same is the case with Overwatch League matches. Reuters Both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X might also get delayed due to Coronavirus. So, yes, it's safe to say that a lot of things are affected due to the outbreak. And it only goes to show how much we rely on China for our needs, at least when it comes to tech. So far, more than 800 people across multiple nations have lost their lives due to the virus outbreak. We really hope the situation goes back to being normal in China and the infected people safely recover. Looking for the best body moisturisers, creams and lotions? Soaps, detergents, the weather, stress and hot baths and showers are all potential causes of dry, scaly skin. But thankfully there are a handful of specially formulated body lotions for dry limbs that are effective and available at purse-friendly prices. For long-lasting locked-in hydration we recommend applying your lotion straight away post-shower, while the skin is still slightly damp. This is because damp skin absorbs the product more readily. Ahead, we bring you five of the best high street moisturisers, creams and lotions for treating dry, irritated, or itchy skin. This classic lotion from Palmer's is rich, luxurious, and it instantaneously relieves flaky and dry skin. The deliciously scented body lotion is packed with a powerful blend of ingredients including vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that smooths marks and tones skin. It is, of course, also formulated with cocoa butter, a rich natural moisturiser that leaves skin soft and silky. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Lotion is longstanding favourite among beauty shoppers and experts alike. On Amazon the body lotion has received an average star rating of 4.7 out of 5. One happy customer wrote in their review: 'This is my favourite cream, I've been buying it for a decade and usually use an entire bottle each week or two. 'The best thing about this cream is how well it moisturises compared to other creams at this price point. I've tried a lot of their different products... definitely a brand I plan to always keep buying from.' Another shopper noted how it's a must-have during pregnancy. 'This and bio oil [are] the only two things you need to prevent/minimise stretch marks in pregnancy,' she wrote. 'Used it once a day during pregnancy, it lasted forever and I had no stretch marks.' Buy now on Amazon Ameliorate is a dermatological skincare brand that was created specially to help treat keratosis pilaris (the red, goose-bump like condition most common on upper arms, thighs and bum), and its Transforming Body Lotion has been hailed as one of the best products on the market to treat KP. The bestselling lightweight lotion contains lactic acid and sweet almond oil to help smooth bumps and soften skin. One Amazon reviewer raved: 'I bought this for three problem areas of my skin: chicken skin on my arms, general breakouts and scars and the sensitive clogged pores on my bottom! (glamorous) I've noticed marked improvement on all three areas but especially my bum.' Another customer agreed, adding: 'Had keratosis pilaris on my legs for so long and it's been getting me down. Didn't feel confident getting my legs out, this lotion has changed everything. Only used a handful of times yet but already I can see a difference. So happy would 100% recommend.' Buy now on Amazon If you have extremely sensitive, finicky skin, then E45 Dermatological Moisturising Lotion could well be the product for you. This frills-free body moisturiser from E45 is infused with rich emollients such as petrolatum and lanolin to help prevent and relieve the itchiness, dryness and cracked skin associated with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Its easily-absorbed and an affordable, prescription-free option that's ideal for everyday use. 'I wish I'd found it sooner,' writes one Amazon shopper in their review. 'Have been struggling for a year now with eczema on my hands. Tried other lotions but it hasn't really helped much. 'Since using this for the last few weeks, I've seen and felt a huge difference. In between my fingers would get so itchy, peely and sore. After just a few minutes of applying this, it immediately fades away!' Buy now on Amazon To help heal stressed-out skin we highly recommend Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repairing Balm. The multipurpose protecting balm from French pharmacy skincare brand La Roche-Posay is a great option for burns, new tattoos, cuts, scrapes, diaper rash, cracked heels and chapped lips. It's fast-absorbing, non-sticky, antibacterial and incredibly moisturising, thanks to its formulation of five per cent panthenol (vitamin B5), shea butter, glycerine and madecassoside, a compound found in the plant extract centella asiatica. Many Amazon customers mentioned the moisturiser's value for money and effectiveness in helping to soothe sensitive, distressed skin. 'Fantastic for perioral dermatitis!' one shopper wrote. 'Had very dry cracked skin as well as acne spots so struggled to find anything to treat both - this stuff did the trick at clearing the dry cracked skin and soothing the redness. Skin feels amazing now after struggling for years to get anything to soothe it.' Buy now on Amazon Ceramides in skincare are often overlooked, but are arguably more of an anti-ageing powerhouse than many key actives we think of for plumping the skin. Naturally found in skin cells, as we age our production of ceramides decreases resulting in drier, rougher skin, wrinkles, irritation, redness and visible signs of dehydration. CeraVe Moisturising Lotion is a beauty-editor approved ceramide-rich lotion that will protect and nourish the skin's moisture barrier. Developed with dermatologists, the formulation is also non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Among the reviews, one Amazon customer noted how the budget beauty buy keeps skin hydrated and moisturised all day long. They wrote: 'This is a wonderful moisturiser. Keeps skin hydrated all day. Good for face and under makeup as it is non-greasy and sinks into skin rather than sitting on surface. I have dry skin that is prone to eczema flare ups, this has helped a lot. 'I have been using over a year now and definitely recommend this product as it's inexpensive, non-fragranced and gives skin a healthy, moisturised appearance.' Buy now on Amazon Check out our discount section for Amazon deals and offers. MailOnline may earn commission on sales from the links on this page. Samantha Armytage has strongly denied claims that she's 'absolutely miffed' that she missed out on hosting this year's Academy Awards. Her new network colleague Sonia Kruger was chosen to cover the glittering event, with The Daily Telegraph's Annette Sharp reporting on Friday that Sam, 43, is finding the decision 'hard to accept'. The Sunrise host rubbished those claims in a scathing Instagram post, dubbing the report 'menacing', 'mean' and 'rubbish' and insisted she was happy for Sonia, 54. Not happy: Samantha Armytage (pictured) has strongly denied claims made by with The Daily Telegraph that she's 'absolutely miffed' she missed out on hosting the Oscars, having lost the role to her new network colleague Sonia Kruger She wrote at length: 'There's a very odd woman who works for one of the Sunday papers. Her name is Annette Sharp and she's been obsessed with me for 8+ years in a kind of creepy, nasty, menacing, mean way. 'I don't know her from a bar of soap, but she seems a dreadful bit of gear. She is certainly no friend to women and most worrying for someone in her position, she simply makes stuff up. 'Today she wrote some more crap about me and @soniakruger who I like a lot, admire immensely, welcome back to 7 with open arms and who does a FAR better job covering a red carpet than me! Speaking out: The Sunrise host rubbished those claims in a scathing Instagram post, dubbing the report 'menacing', 'mean' and 'rubbish' and insisted she was happy for Sonia, 54 'I usually rise above her rubbish (as I was raised to do with bullies) but this year I've decided to call out her bulls**t. Weekly, if necessary.' The TV star went on: 'I ask her to refrain from calling me Sammy. That's only for my friends. If you don't like my peaches Annette, don't shake my tree.' Samantha concluded: 'I write this for all the girls (and boys!) out there, to stand up to bullies and bull***t artists in 2020.' She wrote at length: 'There's a very odd woman who works for one of the Sunday papers. Her name is Annette Sharp and she's been obsessed with me for 8+ years in a kind of creepy, nasty, menacing, mean way' The TV star went on: 'Today she wrote some more crap about me and @soniakruger who I like a lot, admire immensely, welcome back to 7 with open arms and who does a FAR better job covering a red carpet than me!' Sam concluded: 'I usually rise above her rubbish (as I was raised to do with bullies) but this year I've decided to call out her bulls**t. Weekly, if necessary' The post comes after it was announced that Channel Seven has enjoyed a big win by securing official telecast rights for the Academy Awards this year. The event will be covered by Sunrise, and it was at first believed that Samantha would be reporting from the red carpet. On Friday, The Daily Telegraph reported that the gig went to Sonia, and made claims that the TV host was bothered by the turn of events. Win: Channel Seven enjoyed a big win by securing official telecast rights for the Academy Awards this year. The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday that Sonia Kruger (pictured) will be reporting from the red carpet The paper claimed: 'Sammy said to be absolutely miffed network execs are now putting their promo power into their new prime-time investment Kruger' 'Sammy said to be absolutely miffed network execs are now putting their promo power into their new prime-time investment Kruger, possibly at Armytage's expense,' the article read. The paper claimed that Samantha will be, 'hosting from Seven's Sydney studio and crossing live to the uber-glamorous Kruger on the red carpet at the 92nd Oscars Awards ceremony.' The article went on to claim that, 'By next month, Kruger will be all over Seven, which can't be easy for Armytage to accept.' Back: Sonia rejoined her old stomping ground at Seven after quitting the Nine Network live on air during Today Extra in November last year Sonia rejoined her old stomping ground at Seven after quitting the Nine Network live on air during Today Extra in November last year. An insider told Daily Mail Australia at the time: 'She's leaving because Channel Seven are prepared to pay far more money than Channel Nine'. The insider claimed her new salary at Seven is said to be a package worth as much as $4million over three years, or $1.3million per year. Working hard: In addition to the Oscar's gig, she will be one of the presenters appearing during the bushfire relief concert Fight Fire Australia on February 16 However, a source close to Kruger said her salary is 'basically the same' as she was on at Nine - with her move more to do with career opportunities than money. Sonia signed with Nine in late 2011. Nine had reportedly offered Sonia a new three-year contract worth over $1.5million, but negotiations hit a wall. In addition to the Oscars gig, she will be one of the presenters appearing during the bushfire relief concert Fight Fire Australia on February 16. Last Wednesday, Sonia also confirmed she will host Channel Seven's reboot of Big Brother. Back on the show: Last Wednesday, Sonia also confirmed she will host Channel Seven's reboot of Big Brother. She previously hosted the show between 2012 and 2014 (pictured) Incoming: Sonia revealed to The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday that she had only been asked to host the reality show the week prior. 'Literally like last week [the network] said to me do we want you to host Big Brother,' she said The series was originally hosted by Gretel Killeen for seven seasons on Channel 10 before she was replaced by Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson in 2008. Hosting duties were then taken over by Sonia, who hosted Channel Nine's revival, which aired between 2012 and 2014. Sonia revealed to The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday that she had only been asked to host the reality show the week prior. 'Literally like last week [the network] said to me do we want you to host Big Brother,' she said. Snubbed! Sonia's coverage of the Oscars is a coup for the Seven network. In 2018, Sunrise's Edwina Bartholomew was humiliatingly forced to report on the Oscars from a nearby shopping centre rooftop (pictured) All dressed up! 'We don't have the broadcast rights to the Oscars. Still plenty to see,' said Edwina, while dressed up in a ball gown and reporting live from across the street Sonia's coverage of the Oscars is a coup for the Seven network. In 2018, Sunrise's Edwina Bartholomew was humiliatingly forced to report on the Oscars from a nearby shopping centre rooftop. Channel Nine, who were the telecast partner that year, denied being behind this. Wearing a glamorous black frock atop the Hollywood and Highland complex in 2018, Edwina joked with fans during a live cross: 'My invitation was lost in the mail!' Gig: Brooke Boney (pictured) is expected to fly to LA to cover the event for Nine's Today show She added: 'We don't have the broadcast rights to the Oscars. Still plenty to see!' This year's show will air on Monday, February 10, accommodating for the time difference with LA, where the ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 9. Brooke Boney is expected to fly to LA to cover the event for Nine's Today show, while Angela Bishop will be there for Channel 10's Studio 10. SODUS POINT, N.Y. A father and son who fell through the ice on Brisco Cove in Sodus Bay were rescued early this afternoon, according to a news release from New York State Police. Troopers were called to the cove at 12:15 p.m. where they found one man, identified as Jason Brudz of Amherst, still in the water, clinging to ice about 30 feet off the shore. First responders and a witness went into the water to try to rescue the man but failed to get him out. So the Alton Fire Department launched a rescue boat containing a trooper, an environmental conservation police officer and the civilian and others to rescue Brudz from the freezing water. The crew was able to rescue Brudz. He and his son, Fisher Brudz, were taken to hospitals for treatment. The elder Brudz was brought to Rochester General Hospital, and his was taken to Newark Wayne Hospital. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. A tragic house fire in Mississippi took the lives of a mother and her six children, according to authorities. They are identified as 33-year-old Brittany Presley and her children: Landen Brookshire, 15; Layne Presley, 13; Lawson Presley, 13; Malcom Presley, 4; and Felicity Presley, 16 months. The father refused to leave the scene until he knew if his family was deceased, our sister station WAPT reported. He is currently being hospitalized for smoke inhalation. According to a GoFundMe page, Brittany Presley was a second-grade teacher and her husband, Jake Presley, has a lawn maintenance business. The fire started around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. It took about 45 minutes to get the fire under control. The Clinton Fire Department had four engines, a ladder truck, and administrators respond to the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but investigators do not suspect foul play. The Clinton Fire Department and state fire marshal are investigating the fire. The Mississippi State fire marshal's office has been called in to lead the investigation as to what started the fire and if the family was unable to escape. Brittany Presley's employer, Canton Public School District, issued a statement in response to her death. "Her compassionate heart and giving spirit will forever live on in the hearts of the countless lives she touched," the statement read, in part. Clinton is located about 10 miles northwest of Jackson, Mississippi. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for medical and funeral costs and has raised more than $24,000 as of early Sunday. The golden rule is to think twice before you post something as you never know who might read it. Photo: Getty Social media can be enormously helpful when it comes to finding a new job. Sites like Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR) and Google+ (GOOGL) can help people build networks, promote their work and allow employers to see past what we include on our CVs. Since LinkedIn (MSFT) was introduced in 2002, it has enabled us to showcase our skills online and create a digital resume. More than 630 million registered members across 150 countries now use the site and members apply to 25 million jobs every single week. On average, a new hire is made every eight seconds using LinkedIn. In a digital world where everything is recorded, though, there are downsides to using social media. And in some cases, it can cost you a new job. According to a recent survey of more than 900 people by WhoIsHostingThis, over half (51%) were concerned their social media profiles will be used against them by work. In addition, more than one in five of those in a hiring position said they had denied someone a job due to their social media. The results also showed one in five people have already experienced their social media being used against them at work and 16% said the content on their social profiles has been used against them in a job interview. Despite this, many people still avoid deleting old content from their social media accounts, such as pictures. Of those surveyed, four out of five said they never remove old posts, videos or photos. Many people keep old accounts activated too, such as Myspace profiles. Although it is possible to delete an account without the log in details, the multistep process is often too much of a hassle or the profiles are simply forgotten about. READ MORE: Does a blanket ban on out-of-hours emails actually help our wellbeing? It is a common misconception that what happens on your personal social media, stays on your personal social media, employment experts have warned. A separate survey of 2,000 Brits published earlier this year by Slater and Gordon lawyers found nearly a third of workers admit they have posted content which could come back to haunt them. Story continues Social media is a public forum, which means sharing information and opinions in this setting is the same as printing it in a newspaper or speaking at a public event, says Melissa Chuttur, an employment lawyer from Slater and Gordon. Before you put anything on a public space it is crucial to consider whether it is something you would be comfortable saying in front of your boss or within the workplace. If the content doesnt pass that test, dont post it. Posts on social media accounts have landed over one in 10 people in trouble with their boss, such as provocative images, criticising bosses and complaining about ex-partners. The research found 60% of those who have been hauled in front of their boss were questioned on historical content. One person who responded admitted they had deleted an image of themselves with a gun, after conducting their own social audit. As a result, 37% of users no longer share their true opinion for fear of placing their job in jeopardy. Perhaps even most worrying is that it is legal for employees in the UK to be dismissed if they act online in a way deemed to be offensive, harassing or detrimental to their employers reputation. It is always best to keep this in mind, Chuttur adds. Is there an image of you from your student days, which wouldnt translate well if it landed on your boss desk? Unfortunately, nothing these days is out of date or private, and your personal and professional life are longer two separate things, when it comes to your social footprint. So beyond making your accounts private, how can you make sure your social media habits dont affect your likelihood of getting a new job or your chances of keeping it? READ MORE: Should we ban open-plan offices? If you choose to share publicly on social media, its important to make sure it plays to your advantage and cant be construed as unprofessional. And never under any circumstances criticise your boss, as it is always safer to vent to a friend in confidence. The information you provide online about your job background and experience should be consistent across all of your social media accounts, too. Although many of us expect a potential employer to look at our LinkedIn accounts, they may also check Twitter, Facebook and Google+ too. Old, out-of-date content can be deleted, but avoiding posting altogether may leave you at a disadvantage, however. Job seekers who are invisible online may miss out on networking opportunities, or may avoid being found and contacted by employers. Ultimately, the golden rule is to think twice before you post something as you never know who might read it. JB Hi-Fi chief executive Richard Murray says increasing customer reliance on everyday electronics has enabled the ASX-listed company to emerge unscathed from the retail downturn after surprising investors with a bumper half-year earnings result. "[Technology] is a higher-order purchase in the family home than it was 10 years ago," Mr Murray said. "If you take 'back to school', all my children's homework is accessed on an online portal, the connectivity at home from a study perspective is just a given." "If their laptop's broken, they literally can't work. And whether we love that or hate that, it's the reality." Shares in the ASX-listed company soared 13 per cent on Monday after it revealed its revenue for the half-year period had jumped 3.9 per cent to $4 billion, ahead of expectations of a 3.4 per cent increase. RTHK: Thai gunman killed after shooting spree in mall A Thai soldier who killed at least 20 people and holed up in a mall overnight was shot dead by commandos on Sunday, ending a near-17-hour ordeal which left dozens wounded and stunned the country. It was unclear how many people remained trapped inside the Terminal 21 mall in Nakhon Ratchasima -- also known as Korat -- as the gunman held out through the night, armed with assault weapons stolen from his barracks. Volleys of gunfire rang out as the siege ran into dawn, hours after Thai security services stormed the ground floor and freed scores of stunned, terrified shoppers from a bloody rampage that the gunman -- a junior army officer identified as Sergeant-Major Jakrapanth Thomma -- had relayed via Facebook posts. Commandos from elite Thai police units killed the gunman, officials said, after an operation involving hundreds of security personnel. Purported video from the scene shared on social media showed snipers in webbing on elevated walkways, aiming their rifles downwards as heavy gunfire echoed across a concourse below. "The official death toll is 20 and wounded 42... nine are in surgery," Narinrat Pitchayakamin, a Korat doctor told reporters, revising down an initial death toll of 21. But it was unclear if there were more victims inside the multi-level complex which was packed with Saturday shoppers when the gunman stormed in. A fleet of ambulances left the front of the complex and forensic police poured into the grim crime scene, shortly before the gunman's death was confirmed. The night was peppered with heavy exchanges of gunfire and desperate escape bids by frightened shoppers who had sent cascades of messages to friends and family on social media from cupboards, toilets and under tables as the gunman stalked the mall. A police officer who took part in a raid to flush out the gunman was killed in clashes with the rogue solider, according to deputy prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul. "He was hit and unfortunately, he couldn't make it," said Anutin. Shocked evacuees recounted how an ordinary Saturday shopping day at the busy mall descended into horror as the gunman entered. "It was like a dream... I'm grateful I survived," Sottiyanee Unchalee, 48, told AFP, explaining she hid in the toilet of a gym inside the mall as she heard the gunfire. "I'm so sorry for those who died... (and) the people still trapped inside." Jakrapanth relayed his shooting spree through Facebook posts which charted the attack from an army barracks to the city mall. But his motive remained unclear. A volunteer rescue worker recounted a bloody scene of horror after his team carried four corpses to the hospital. "I've never seen anything like this," Peerapong Chatadee told AFP. "I just feel so sad. He is a soldier, he should not have fired at unarmed people." The bloodshed began Saturday afternoon when Jakrapanth shot three people -- among them at least one soldier -- at a senior officer's house and then at the nearby army barracks, before driving an army vehicle to the town centre. There the gunman used weapons stolen from the military arsenal to unleash carnage in the town centre. He "used a machine gun and shot innocent victims resulting in many injured and dead", said police spokesman Krissana Pattanacharoen. Throughout the day, Jakrapanth posted images of himself and wrote several posts on his Facebook page as the attack unfolded. In one Facebook video -- since deleted -- the assailant, wearing an army helmet, filmed from an open-top jeep, saying, "I'm tired... I can't pull my finger anymore" as he made a trigger symbol with his hand. There were also photos of a man in a ski mask holding up a pistol. A Facebook spokesperson said: "We have removed the gunman's accounts from our services and will work around the clock to remove any violating content related to this attack as soon as we become aware of it." The city is home to one of the largest barracks in Thailand, a country where the military is enmeshed in politics and society. It also has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, and several shootings at courthouses last year renewed concern about gun violence. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that Beijing has assessed all 50 governors on their attitudes toward China. Pompeo's warning comes as he urged US governors to resist Chinese pressure to shun Taiwain as the two countries engage in a diplomatic battle. In an address to state leaders gathered in Washington, Pompeo said that President Donald Trump's administration would step up communication with state and local governments about dealing with China. 'Don't make separate individual deals and agreements with China that undermine our national policy,' Pompeo urged. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a Chinese government-backed think tank has assessed all 50 governors on their attitude toward China and urging states to be wary of their influence 'I know none of you would do so intentionally. Let us help you make sure we're getting it right.' Pompeo said in a speech to the National Governors Association in Washington that China was pursuing a policy of exploiting U.S. freedoms to 'gain advantage over us at the federal level, the state level and the local level'. 'When it comes to doing business, I'm asking you to adopt a cautious mindset. In the words of President Reagan, when you are approached for introduction or a connection to a deal, 'trust but verify',' he told the governors representing the 55 U.S. states and territories. He said a Chinese government-backed think tank has assessed all 50 governors on their attitude toward China and assigned each one a label: 'friendly, hard-line or ambiguous.' Pompeo urged the governors to be wary of Chinese investment and influence, including through contacts with Chinese diplomats, students and organizations,(file photo) 'So here's the lesson. The lesson is the competition with China is not just a federal issue,' Pompeo said in addressing the National Governors Association meeting in Washington. 'It's happening in your states with consequences for our foreign policy, for the citizens who reside in your states and indeed for each of you,' he said. Pompeo pointed to a threat last year sent to Mississippi's governor that China would cancel investment over his visit to Taiwan. He also cited a letter by a Chinese diplomat urging state governments not to congratulate Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on her re-election last month and a case in which a high school in Chicago withdrew an invitation to a Taiwanese representative to take part in a climate discussion. 'It's one thing to pressure the secretary of state of the United States of America. It seems quite something else to go after a high school principal,' Pompeo said. 'It shows depth. It shows systematization. It shows intent,' Pompeo said. 'While these might seem like local matters to some, the cumulative effect is of enormous national importance and international significance,' he said. China considers Taiwan, a self-governing democracy where the mainland's defeated nationalists fled in 1949, to be a territory awaiting reunification. The United States, like most countries, only recognizes Beijing but the Trump administration has been increasingly vocal in backing Taiwan's right to participate in international bodies and maintain diplomatic relations with other countries. Pompeo also warned of Chinese pressure on local leaders not to meet Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. And he voiced concern about US state governments' financial choices, saying that Florida's pension fund has invested in a company with ties to surveillance in Xinjiang, the northwestern region where China has detained more than one million Uighur and other Turkic-speaking Muslims. Pompeo has conveyed similar warnings on a recent five-nation tour of Europe and Central Asia. During a stop in London, he declared the Chinese Communist Party 'the central threat of our times.' Chinese Canadians commit 'to support each other' as they encourage 14-day self-quarantine to fight coronavirus Chinese Canadians concerned about potential coronavirus spread have launched mutual help groups to encourage those who have travelled to China to go through self-imposed quarantine. Canadian health officials have urged anyone returning from Hubei the Chinese province at the centre of the outbreak to voluntarily quarantine themselves for 14 days. But many have chosen self-imposed quarantine even if they haven't been to Hubei, organizers of the groups told CBC News. "We built a WeChat group consisting of volunteers and people who were recently in China," Naijun Wang told CBC News in Mississauga on Saturday. "We have hundreds of people across Ontario and other provinces. We're working together as a team trying to help [in this] hard time." Wang and other volunteers are using the WeChat social media and messaging platform to provide support such as shopping services and deliveries to those in quarantine. Angelina King/CBC Wang has been making deliveries over the past two weeks. So far, he has delivered supplies to seven families. The most common items being requested by people in quarantine are hand sanitizer, face masks and groceries, he said. There's no face-to-face contact between the volunteers and those in quarantine. After requests are made via WeChat, the closest available volunteer buys the items and delivers them to the family's doorstep. The volunteer then sends a picture to alert the person who made the request that the items have been delivered. "You still have people coming, especially students, so we try to encourage more people to join the group," Wang said. "When everybody works together, it will be easy for us. It's team work. When there is a need for help, I'll be there. I'll be there to help people." Volunteer Bing Cui, who lives in Aurora, Ont., said it was an easy decision for him to support people who need help, especially after they took the step to be self-quarantined. Story continues "Maybe the whole family, they don't have any other friends or people to support [them] to buy something for them, so I just do the voluntary thing to support them," Cui told CBC News. "These people self-quarantined, take responsibility for the whole community or the whole society. That's their activity just to reduce the risk of the whole community, so as a member of the community I just want to contribute something. "Also, I want to set an example for my son to volunteer to contribute to the society," Cui added. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency over the new coronavirus that has infected more than 37,000 people and killed 811 people in mainland China surpassing the number of deaths globally during the 2002-2003 SARS pandemic. Coronavirus cases have also been confirmed in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. As of Saturday, there were seven confirmed cases in Canada. Angelina King/CBC So far only two deaths have been reported outside mainland China, in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Both of those victims were Chinese nationals. "When facing these problems, worry or discrimination or some complaint doesn't help," Cui said. "What we need is love, or to work hard together to help each other, to support each other and then I think finally we will win the battle with the virus." CBC News spoke to a man in self-imposed quarantine who said he is grateful to the other members of his community who have volunteered to do pick-up and delivery. CBC The man, from Toronto, did not want to be identified because of the stigma associated with coronavirus. "The volunteers deliver food to the door of my house twice and now I have plenty of supplies," he told CBC Toronto. "Also, two of my friends who returned to Toronto also voluntarily started self-quarantine and the volunteers delivered food and supplies to their apartment." "I see so many Chinese people start their self-quarantine considering safety to the public and I'm really surprised that so many Chinese strangers help people like me in the community without even charging a penny, especially [now] when the weather is not really good and windy and they have their own work," he said. "The Chinese community really shows helpfulness and consideration to everyone. It's really perfect." The volunteers say there are hundreds across Ontario ready to help complete strangers with anything from grocery shopping and running errands to delivering vehicles at the airport. They say they'll continue making deliveries as long as needed, adding that if people continue to take extra precautions to keep other people safe, they'll keep helping them to make that possible. Retiring Sinn Fein TD for Louth, Gerry Adams, has said that he would prefer to see his party form a government without Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. Speaking to the Democrat today, Mr Adams said: "Our preference is to have a government without Fine Gael or Fianna Fail - they've had their day. "Maybe it won't be possible to put together such an arrangement, but we'll have a good go at it - either in government or whether in opposition we will be true to the mandate given," he said. Deputy Adams praised both local candidates Imelda Munster and Ruairi O Murchu. "Imelda was an outstanding councillor here for quite a long time. She came into Sinn Fein during the hunger strikers when she was a teenager. She's been on a long road. It was a great honour for me to be on the benches of the Dail with her. She was an outstanding spokesperson in whatever role she was given and she held the elites very much to account as well as doing all the work she did locally. "Ruairi is himself, he's a republican. He's well-known in his own community. He's stood up against the drug gangs. He has brought forward different initiatives on Brexit and on Irish unity as well as the more localised, important work, particularly in the disadvantaged neighborhoods that we have throughout this county." On a personal level, Deputy Adams thanked the voters for electing him ten years ago. "I want to thank the people who elected me ten years ago in Louth and we have a mandate for change now and they will stand up for Louth in the way I tried to do and also deliver locally as well as nationally." A desire to form a government is very much key to Mary Lou McDonald's strategy, says Mr Adams. "Mary Lou was very clear that we wanted to be in government and that we wanted a mandate to be in government. We've been given the mandate, now we have to see whether we can agree a programme for government which underpins, promotes and implements that mandate. Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs are in intensive discussions on reducing the burgeoning pension cost to the exchequer by gradually increasing the retirement age of some non-combatants, prioritising hardware purchases and generating internal resources for military housing in cantonments. With the military pension budget mounting to Rs 1.33 lakh crore , or 0.5% of gross domestic product, in fiscal 2020-21, from Rs 41,000 crore in 2010, and Rs 6-7,000 crore of expense looming in June for the equalisation of pension under the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme, Gen Rawat is learnt to be in favour of increasing the retirement age of certain classes of non-combatants and medical staff to 58 years from 39 to cut the bill. In 2019-2020, the pension bill amounted to Rs 1.13 lakh crore. Although the military top brass is still to come to terms with the proposal on concerns that it will lead to a greying force, Gen Rawats move could entail a longer stint in service for around 400,000 non-combatants, saving around Rs 4,000 crore in pension cost. The plan includes retiring 60 non-combatants in each of the 450 infantry battalions at the age of 58 and the same applies to armoured regiments. The increase in the retirement age to 58 is expected to be gradual. Reforms also loom in the military housing sector with colonial bungalows giving way to future vertical housing with the armed forces generating their own resources to fund these projects. Called the New Moti Bagh Model, the CDS wants infrastructure agencies like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to fund military housing projects (as per military specifications and under its monitoring) in lieu of compensation for acquiring cantonment lands. The military plans to generate some Rs 35,000 crore in the next seven to eight years, and the defence ministry is in support of the effort. The days of Corps Commander living on a hill with a sprawling bungalow are over. Time has come for military commanders to stay in flats and in one building, said a senior general who didnt want to be named. With the CDS and the department of military affairs now responsible for all officer-level promotions and the prioritising of military hardware purchases, Gen Rawat along, with the three service chiefs, is pushing more for indigenisation, with the prime focus being on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the neighbourhood. The new aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is expected to be ready for sea trials this year and so is the nuclear ballistic missile submarine INS Arighat, India should dominate the IOR with active airbases on both Andaman and Nicobar Islands and soon to be extended Agatti air strip at Lakshadweep by reclaiming land, the senior general cited above said. First step is IOR and then next is Indo-Pacific. The air force is ready to use Tejas fighter with top-of-the-line Rafale fighter deliveries to start this year. Army should be equipping its front-line troops with the best of assault rifles and ammunition, he said. The reforms are expected to culminate in setting up of separate theatre commands by the end of three years. The department of military affairs has already an additional secretary and six joint secretaries and a host of other directors and deputy secretaries to fulfil the mandate. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed solidarity with people of China and their leader, President Xi Jinping, in their battle against novel coronavirus, and offered India's assistance to Beijing in facing the challenge, sources told ANI on Sunday "In a letter to Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with the Chinese people, offered condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives and offered assistance in China's fight against the epidemic," the source added. The Novel Coronavirus was first detected in December last year in Wuhan city of China and has since spread in most parts of the including the US, Japan and India. It has now surpassed the fatalities caused by the SARS epidemic of 2003. The death toll has reached 810 in China, as of Sunday. The Health Organization has declared a global health emergency in the wake of the outbreak. As the virus spread, China has imposed quarantine and travel restrictions, affecting the movement of 56 million people in more than a dozen cities, amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year. Health authorities around the are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the United States and seven Asian countries besides China. Countries like the US and India evacuated their nationals from the epicenter of coronavirus Wuhan, China. Early this month India evacuated over 640 people from Wuhan. In his letter, PM Modi also conveyed appreciation for the facilitation provided by the Chinese government for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Hubei province. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) He had one son. He was 18, he was getting ready to go to college upstate, and somebody shot him in the street and killed him, said Ms. Williams, 80. He never got over it. Mr. Williams keeps a white candle lit in his own bedroom to remember his son, and has his baby picture hanging above his bed, she said. Ms. Williams said she believes her grandson started using heavy drugs to cope with his grief: I think that was his downfall. Police records show that in 2018, Robert Williams, 18, died in a shooting in the Bronx. Ms. Williams confirmed that was her great-grandson. In surveillance video, a man, who the police said was Mr. Williams, is seen calmly entering the 41st Precinct, which serves the Hunts Point neighborhood, at around 8 a.m. on Sunday. He glanced around and almost immediately opened fire, sending officers and civilian staff scrambling to shield themselves. One bullet struck the arm of a lieutenant, who then returned fire, but missed. The man paused, appeared to hear returning gunshots, and then lay on the ground, sliding his gun along the floor to officers at the other end of the room. This coward immediately laid down, but only after he ran out of bullets, Commissioner Shea said. Mr. Williams was taken into custody at the precinct without further incident. He was charged Sunday with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest. Just 12 hours earlier, at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, the police said, Mr. Williams had approached two officers in a marked police vehicle a few blocks from that same station house. The officers had been posted in the neighborhood because there had been reports of drug dealing and shootings there recently, Commissioner Shea said. The agency is likely to recommend that people who can consistently wear N95 or KN95 masks, rather than cloth masks, should do so. Coming Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. ET The Biden campaign released a biting web ad comparing Mr. Buttigiegs experience as a former mayor Pete Buttigieg revitalized the sidewalks of downtown South Bend by laying out decorative brick to Mr. Bidens tenure in the White House and Senate. The commercial also swiped at Mr. Buttigieg over matters of policing and race, the most delicate issues he is facing as he labors to build support among black voters. The spot went viral online, prompting a Biden staffer to boast that it had quickly gained more views than the population of South Bend. But it also led to a withering retort from Mr. Buttigiegs campaign. The vice presidents decision to run this ad speaks more to where he currently stands in this race than it does about Petes perspective as a mayor and veteran, said Chris Meagher, a spokesman for Mr. Buttigieg. Mr. Biden kept up the criticism in an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, as he lit into Mr. Buttigiegs struggles to connect with voters of color. A recent poll from Quinnipiac University showed that Mr. Buttigieg did not register with black voters. Im saying he hasnt been able to unify the black community, Mr. Biden said. He went on to add, In order to win, George, youre going to have to be able to win states like Pennsylvania. Youre going to have to be able to win Florida. Were going to have to be able to win a lot of places that, in fact, have very diverse populations. And so the assertion that hes ready across the board, I dont see it. I havent seen it yet. Yet to reporters on the campaign trail, Mr. Biden insisted that his criticisms of Mr. Buttigieg in recent days didnt violate his frequent warnings against Democratic infighting. The Supreme Court gave the verdict during a case regarding the validity of a 2012 notification by the Uttarakhand government to fill up vacancies in government jobs without giving reservation to the SC/ST communities. In a judgment delivered Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that states are not legally bound to provide quotas to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in government jobs and held that individuals have no fundamental right to claim reservations in promotions. According to a report in The Times of India, the court gave the verdict during a case regarding the validity of a 2012 notification by the Uttarakhand government to fill up vacancies in government jobs without giving reservation to the SC/ST communities. The Uttarakhand High Court had struck down the notification and asked the government to provide representation to the specified categories. Through its verdict the apex court overturned the Uttarakhand HC's order and upheld the state government's decision. "There is no doubt the state government is not bound to make reservations. There is no fundamental right which inheres in an individual to claim reservation in promotions. No mandamus can be issued by the court directing state governments to provide reservations," NDTV quoted a bench comprising justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta as saying. Agreeing with the advocates representing the state who argued that there is no fundamental right for claiming reservation in promotions in public jobs, the top court held that that while articles 16(4) and 16(4A) of the Constitution give states the power to make such reservations, it is so only if in the opinion of the state they are not adequately represented in the services of the state. Article 16 of the Constitution pertains to matters of equality of opportunity in matters of public employment, while sub-sections 4 and 4A pertain to reservations to SCs/STs in appointments and reservations in promotions respectively. Article 16(4) states: "Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.' Article 16(4A) states: "Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any provision for reservation in matters of promotion, with consequential seniority, to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favor of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes which, in the opinion of the State, are not adequately represented in the services under the State." "It is settled law the state cannot be directed to provide reservations for appointment in public posts. Similarly, state is not bound to make reservation for SCs/STs in matters of promotions," the court said. As per The Times of India report, it further said that state governments may exercise their discretion in making such provisions, provided that it collects data showing the lack of representation to these categories in the government employment. As per a report in the Hindustan Times, the judgment says that the state will also have to justify its decision to provide reservations if challenged in a court of law. However, the state governement also need to collect data when making provisions for reservation and not when the government decides not to provide quotas. The court thus ruled that even if the under-representation of SC/STs in public services is brought to the notice of the court, no direction can be issued by the court to the state government to provide reservation. A review petition of the 2018 Supreme Court order which held that people belonging to the cream layer of the SC/ST community are not entitled to reservation, is also pending in in the Supreme Court. The Pakistani Taliban has confirmed that one of its key leaders and another member of the group were killed in a clash with security forces in Afghanistan. In a statement published by the SITE monitoring group Friday, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said Sheikh Khalid Haqqani, who served on the group's consultative council and had been a deputy leader, had been killed January 31. "Haqqani embraced martyrdom while fighting with slaves of the United States", the TTP said. Haqqani's close confidant Qari Saifullah Peshawari was also killed in the clash that took place inside Afghanistan during a "mission", a senior Pakistani Taliban leader told AFP. Afghan security forces declined to comment, and it was not immediately clear what type of mission Haqqani may have been on. Haqqani was not thought to be related to the Haqqani network, which is also affiliated to the Afghan Taliban. Both Islamabad and Kabul have long accused each other of allowing militants to shelter in the border regions and launch bloody attacks that threaten regional stability. "Haqqani, also a writer of several books on different topics, was known for giving a befitting reply to so-called torch-bearers of democracy," the TTP said in its statement. The "TTP resolves to carry forward the mission of Khalid Haqqani ... we have been taking revenge for martyrdom of our comrades in the past and we will avenge these martyrs," the group added. Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade, with thousands of civilians and security personnel dying in extremist attacks, especially after the TTP began their campaign of violence in 2007. But overall levels of extremist-linked violence dropped dramatically last year, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths since 2007 the year the Pakistani Taliban umbrella group was formed. Analysts have credited the fall to military offensives against the Taliban in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber where they were headquartered, as well as operations in the country's largest city of Karachi. In 2018, the TTP was further degraded after a US strike in Afghanistan killed their leader Maulana Fazlullah, who was notorious for allegedly having ordered the attack on education activist Malala Yousafzai. Express News Service By NEW DELHI: If exit polls are to be trusted, the Assembly poll results in the national capital are going to upset Congress, which has been in power for three consecutive terms from 1998-2013, yet again. Scanty presence of party workers and polling agents at counters, set up to facilitate voters, on Saturday were enough to suggest that the contest is largely between the two rivals BJP and AAP and Congress was fighting a lost battle. I couldnt see Congress in the race hence I didnt want to waste my vote. My family has been supporting it for year. It cant give fight to BJP. And the other reason for deserting Congress is that present government is doing well for the people, said Girdhari Lal, a voter from Sadar Bazaar. The grand old party suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of AAP in 2015 and has been struggling to regain its foothold in Delhi since then. The party didnt win a single seat. Rejecting the exit polls, Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra said that he would wait for the actual results. Exit polls predicted similar results in Maharashtra and Haryana polls and actual results were far from their prediction, he said. Some of the voters blamed Congress and leaders for its dismal position. They opined that the party seemed to have conceded its defeat before it started the campaign.Despite the fact that wave wasnt in Congress favour, several of party candidates put up spirited show to take up their opponents. Former minister Arvinder Singh Lovely, five-time MLA Mateen Ahmed, Abhishek Dutt, Shivani Chopra, and Alka Lamba fought tooth and nail and made the election a three-cornered contest in their constituencies. Thousands of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) activists and supporters held peaceful rallies in Loralai district and Karachi city of Pakistan, demanding the release of their leader Manzoor Pashteen, who was arrested last month on charges of sedition. Videos shared on social media under the hashtag #PashtunLongMarch2Loralai show a large number of protesters participating in the rallies organised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a social movement which exposes the military offences and brings to the front the issues, which continue to plague the locals including enforced disappearances and fake encounters by the state. Pashteen, the 27-year-old human rights activist and founder of PTM, was arrested last month along with nine other members of the organisation and sent to 14-day judicial remand by the magistrate on the charges of sedition. His arrest drew tens of thousands to rally across cities around Pakistan and worldwide, accusing the government and the Army of Human Rights abuses. It even drew criticism from European Foundation for South Asia Studies (EFSAS) -- a European think-tank -- who noted in its commentary that the arrest has engendered shock and dismay across Pakistan, as also internationally. Pashteen has since been granted bail in two of the four sedition cases while hearing on the remaining two are expected to be held in Dera Ismail Khan on Monday. The demonstrators rallying in Loralai and Karachi today also demanded justice for Arman Loni, a PTM leader who was killed during a sit-in in Loralai, Balochistan on February 2, last year. Loni's family and members of PTM had maintained that he was killed in a police crackdown and demanded that the Balochistan government take notice of his death. Meanwhile, Dawn reported that Sunday's demonstration was joined by Ghinwa Bhutto, the chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto). Other than Loralai and Karachi, the Pakistani city of Peshawar has also witnessed a protest by traders of North Waziristan for nine consecutive days, who seek compensation for their damaged shops in Miramshah Bazaar of the tribal district. Holding banners and placards, the traders marched from the Peshawar Press Club and observed a sit-in outside the provincial assembly building to record their protest against nonpayment of compensation to them for their losses, as per a report by Dawn. The demonstrators told reporters that hundreds of shops were damaged and destroyed in Miramshah Bazaar during a military operation but the federal government has not yet fulfilled its commitment to compensate the affected traders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At one time it was hard to think that Donald Trump was going to be the pro-life president of this generation, but that is exactly what he has become. Evidence of how a man -- who once referenced to a book of the Bible as Two Corinthians --has evangelicals singing a different tune started with the appointments of Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. More evidence came last week when Trump, during his State of the Union address, called upon members of Congress to pass legislation finally banning the late-term abortion of babies. "Every human life is a sacred gift from God, Trump said. Yes, Mr. President, you are correct. And your call to pass legislation, known as the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, is not only good government, it is good politics. A Marist poll conducted in 2019 showed 71 percent of respondents stated abortion generally should be illegal during the third trimester of pregnancy. The poll also stated that about 66 percent stated abortion should be banned after 20 weeks except to save the life of the mother. And heres hoping that Trump turns the tables on the Democratic Partys nominee, who will undoubtedly double down on the partys desire to keep all abortions legal and available. If that is how Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg or Michael Bloomberg want to identify across America, make them defend it every chance you get. Does it matter that an estimated 1 percent of the 862,320 done abortions a year -- or more than 9,000 abortions -- occur during the third trimester? It shouldnt. For years, Democrats have put Republicans on their heels when it comes to the abortion issue. Its time to return the favor. I go back to 2015 when then-presidential candidate Rand Paul was the first to make late-term abortion a high-profile issue when he said, You go back and you ask (then-Democratic National Committee Chairwoman) Debbie Wasserman Schultz if shes OK with killing a 7 pound baby that is not born yet. ... Ask her when life begins, and you ask Debbie when its OK to protect life. When you get an answer from Debbie, get back to me. Trump should ask the same of the Democratic Partys nominee. He should put that person on the record. It is hard to believe that the U.S. is one of seven countries that allow late-term abortions. Two of those seven are China and North Korea. Our country can do better, and our president knows it. Sinn Fein could increase its Dail seat numbers by between 10 and 15, cementing their place as the third large party in Irish politics. The extent of the surge has led to early calls from within Fianna Fail for them to open discussions with Mary Lou McDonald's party about government formation. Even though Micheal Martin has ruled out any coalition deal with Sinn Fein, Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness has said all options must be considered. Incredibly, in constituencies throughout the country where the party suffered major losses in last year's local elections, Sinn Fein candidates are not only topping the poll, some are coming back with up to two quotas. Robert Troy tells @JoeFinneganShow that responsible thing to do is look at policies and talk to all parties (including sf) Johnny Fallon (@jonnyfallon) February 9, 2020 Ms McDonald's party is topping the poll in constituencies across the country and it looks as though the vast majority of Sinn Fein's candidates are going to be elected. The party is up on the exit poll with most of the tallies across the country done. At least 37 of the 42 Sinn Fein candidates are in serious contention for a seat. As an illustration of how strong the swing to Sinn Fein is, final tallies show that Sinn Fein is set to take a Dail seat in Roscommon for the first time in 102 years. Arriving at the RDS count centre Sinn Fein President @MaryLouMcDonald says the party have already spoken to @greenparty_ie @SocDems and Solidarity-PBP about forming a Government without @FineGael and @fiannafailparty #iestaff pic.twitter.com/wxMqG7Bioh Elaine Loughlin (@Elaine_Loughlin) February 9, 2020 To illustrate the disruptive nature of the Sinn Fein surge, the final tally in Dublin Bay North put Denise Mitchell on 30% of first preferences, Fine Gael minister Richard Bruton on 16% and Aodhan O Riordain of Labour on 11%. Ms Mitchell was tipped to lose her seat less than two weeks ago. In Dublin North-West Fine Gael TD, Noel Rock, has told the Irish Examiner about the prospect of keeping his seat there. "It was always going to be a big ask," Mr Rock said adding that his election is "indecisive". "Sinn Fein became a natural home for people who were disaffected by the performances in housing and health." For our most recent updates on #GE2020 follow this link A 49-year-old police constable was killed after a truck hit his motorcycle in the neighbouring Navi Mumbai township, police said on Sunday. The mishap took place in Sector 5 of Belapur on Saturday night when the truck dashed against the two-wheeler of constable Sudhakar Laxman Bua while he was going to his home in Panvel, senior police inspector Dinkar Mohite said. "The constable was rushed to a hospital in Navi Mumbai where doctors declared him dead," the official said. The victim was attached to Trombay police station, he said The truck driver, Santosh Kumar Yadav (39), who was on way to Hyderabad from Vashi, surrendered before police, he said, adding that the accused was not found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. The accused has been arrested and booked under various Indian Penal Code Sections, including 304-A (causing death by negligence), and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh received Chinese Ambassador An Waer and discussed developments of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and the precautionary measures being undertaken in Bahrain. The meeting was attended by Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Dr Mariam Al Hajeri and Public Health Director Najat Abul Fateh. The minister stressed continuous co-operation and co-ordination to undertake necessary preventive measures as China goes through a critical period due to the outbreak of the virus. The ambassador commended Bahrains unwavering support to China, which reflects the solidarity of friendly countries and support in difficult times, adding that these humanitarian stances contribute to alleviating the pain. The meeting focused on the ministrys efforts to to beef up preventive measures, in compliance with the World Health Organisations (WHO) protocols, as well as disease monitoring system. The two sides stressed the importance of continuing co-ordination to get updated about the virus developments and protect citizens and residents health. The minister said that no case of novel coronavirus had been detected in Bahrain so far, adding that a national medical team had been set up to avert any outbreak of the disease. The Chinese diplomat stressed continuous co-operation and co-ordination to undertake and follow-up preventive measures, stressing his countrys edge in dealing with such health crises. He announced that the embassy would hold a press conference today at 11 am at the InterContinental Regency for an update on the situation, inviting the Health Ministry to attend. The thing that really concerns us is the folks who are crossing the intersection diagonally and, for example, coming from the Century Square corner and going to the Zachry Engineering Complex, Lomax said, We havent had anybody hit in that kind of situation, but we try to do things before people get hit rather than after, Lomax said. We feel like we need to be more aggressive about letting people know whats going on out there. Rother said that the city has worked for years in a variety of ways to improve pedestrian safety along University Drive, including by widening sidewalks. He said the most recent touch was to provide a pedestrian-only phase during which all car traffic is stopped. Rother said pedestrians are now given 49 seconds to cross using the L-shaped maneuver, and crossing diagonally in an effort to save time is not permitted. The reason is because to cross diagonally, we would need to provide a 70-second crossing time by law, Rother said. He said the time allowed is enough time to cross two legs of the intersection. This whole idea was an effort to improve pedestrian safety, and we really appreciate those pedestrians who are staying in the crosswalks and crossing the intersections safely, he added. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. akhil994 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 296 Thanked: 663 Times The Federal Express Entry program, Canada : My experience I did visit a couple of immigration consultants, to understand the process once I had made my mind up that I would be definitely moving abroad (or at least trying to). I hired one consultant for helping me out with this process, since I was actually unaware about a lot of stuff back then. In hindsight, that couldve been avoided, since the PR process is quite straightforward I believe and one can actually go through it all by themselves. I reiterate, you DO NOT need to hire a consultant or an attorney, but you may do so, if you feel your application is complex and you need help with that. Now the Federal Express Entry Program, is the most sought-after stream for immigration, but not the only stream for immigrating to Canada. However, I will only talk about this program, since I did not have any interest neither did I go through any other program. The Federal Express Entry Program is only valid for occupations falling under the National Occupation Classification job groups : Managerial jobs (skill type 0) Professional jobs (skill level A) Technical jobs and skilled trades (skill level B) You can find out your NOC code from the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...tion-code.html E.g. : The job codes for IT development lie in the range of 2171 to 2175 You need to score at least 67 out of 100 on the Federal Skilled Worker Program points grid, to be applicable for Federal Express Entry Program. You may refer to the grid at this link : The Federal Express Entry program is purely a points based immigration system and provides you points for 4 major factors: Age Those falling in the age range of 18-29 are awarded the maximum points, while each subsequent year deducts 5 points from the score Education (Canadian or its equivalent) One needs to get their education degrees assessed by any of the assessing agencies WES/IQAS/ICAS/CES. These agencies assess the educational credential and provide the candidate a report which states that the degree is equivalent of a Canadian degree (bachelors/masters etc.) Please note: Due to concerns about fraudulent degrees, most of these institutions now require that the detailed transcripts are sent to them in a sealed and signed envelope directly by the awarding institution. Also note that you would want the transcripts to be issued by the institute and not the college that you have studied. E.g. If you have a degree from MDU, the transcripts have to be sent by MDU and not the college under MDU which has awarded that degree This step is the most time-consuming step of the whole process. Current TAT from WES is about 3 months, while when I gave my credentials for assessment , I got the report within 1.5 months. Due to the sheer volume of credentials sent for assessment, IQAS has paused intake of applications from November 2019 to 19 May 2020, to clear the backlog. IQAS was the most preferred option, since it was quite liberal in awarding Masters equivalency. WES or World Education Services , is the most popular agency for credential evaluation, while also being the fastest. However do note, they only award Masters equivalency if your MBA/M.Tech is from IIM/IIT. Otherwise they assess it as dual bachelors or a bachelor and a diploma in case of PGDM. Also note that WES has an online tool for checking the validity of the degree and institute of your education. However that tool is just indicative and one should not rely on it to decide whether WES will recognize the credential or not. If your course/degree is approved by AICTE, then you will get a positive assessment in 99% of the cases I just had a Bachelors degree to evaluate, hence went ahead with WES. I had initially gone ahead with IQAS, since the WES tool did not mention my university, however on checking with my University, I got to know that they do assessments for WES as well and hence I cancelled my IQAS assessment and went ahead with WES, for the sole reason that it was faster Language Proficiency [IELTS(for English) and/or TEF(for French)] One can get score for two languages in the Canadian Immigration Process English (IELTS/CELPIP): One should aim to score atleast 8777 in the four modules of the IELTS exam (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) . This exam is fairly simple, with only caveat being that one needs to pay extra attention to the writing section, since they are most stingy in awarding marks for that section. o I gave my IELTS exam on 2nd March 2019 and scored overall 8.5 bands (out of 9) and my individual scores came out to (L 8.5, R 9.0 , S 8.0 , W 7.5). This is the maximum score that is possible to attain, which is Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 10 for each of the modules. o IELTS is offered by British Council and IDP, and its a personal choice over which institute does one want to go with, for the exam. Both the institutes offer option of Pen and paper based exam as well as Computer based exam o One needs to write the General IELTS exam and not the Academic one, since that is only for educational purposes French (TCF/TEF): Candidates are also awarded points for French language scores. The exact score and benchmark may be referred to at the link shared above in the post Work Experience Candidates are also awarded points for both Canadian as well as foreign (outside Canada) work experience. A candidate must have at least one year of continuous work experience in the primary NOC that is selected by them. In case one has Canadian experience as well, there are additional points awarded. Apart from the above factors, there are few other factors that can help one score additional points in this process: Blood Relative Living in Canada Valid job offer from a Canadian Firm : If a candidate has a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) approved job offer from a Canadian firm , they are awarded an additional 50 points. However this is really hard to come by as the LMIA is a cumbersome and expensive process, along with being time consuming and hence one should consider themselves really lucky If they are able to get this Provincial Nomination: If a candidate is nominated by any of the 9 provinces in Canada, they receive an additional 600 points over and above the points that they get based on the factors above. There are two kinds of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) : Express Entry Linked PNP: The provinces which follow this kind of PNP, select candidates from the Federal Express Entry Pool , based on the requirements of their province. (Generally those requirements are around the NOC job codes). These Provinces send out a Notification of Interest (NOI) to the candidates and the can choose to accept or reject this. In case a candidate accepts this, they have to submit their documents to the province for verification. The province verifies the documents and awards the candidates the 600 points. There may or may not be additional processing fee that one will have to shell out to the provinces E.g: Ontario charges 1500 CAD for processing while Saskatchewan charges 300 CAD Standalone PNP : There PNPs are where one has to file an Expression of Interest on the respective portal of the Province. If selected in a draw, the candidate will have to submit the documents for verification, post which 600 points will be awarded I created my Express Entry profile on the 18th of July with CRS (Comprehensive Ranking Score) of 441 and got a NOI from Ontario on the 1st of August under their Tech Draw initiative (inviting certain profiles pertaining to the IT sector). I submitted my documents to Ontario on the 29th of August 2019 and got my nomination from them on the 19th of November In case one wants to calculate their CRS, they may do so at the following link : Note : You also get additional points for Spouses IELTS and education. Post getting the nomination, my CRS became 1041, while the CRS range for 2019 had been between 438 (lowest, only touched this score once in January) to 475 The average CRS for the 2 years prior to CRS had been 441, while the increasing popularity and awareness has caused this score to shoot up. Anyone having a CRS of less than 465, should aim for one of the PNPs, based on the trend since February last year. The Canadian Immigration authority (IRCC) conducts bi-weekly draws and invites about 3400 candidates on an average each time. The score of the 3400th (for example) candidate becomes the lowest score to be invited for that draw. In case of multiple people at that score, there is a cut-off rule applied and the older profile gets the preference. I got an ITA (Invitation to Apply) on the 10th of December, 2019 with CRS of 1041. I have submitted my application to IRCC on the 31st of January 2020 and expect to receive my PR in about 6 months from that time. Costs Involved Education Credential Assessment: ~220 CAD (for WES) Some agencies charge extra fee for more than one credential, which is not the case with WES IELTS:~13.5k INR PNP (if Applicable) :From Free to max 1500 CAD Medicals:~5.5k INR Police Clearance Certificate:500 INR Post ITA fee Processing Fee (per applicant) 550 CAD Right of Permanent Residence Fee (per applicant) 490 CAD Dependent child (per child) 150 CAD Biometrics fee (per applicant) 85 CAD In addition to these application cost, you also need to show that you have sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family after you land in Canada. This amount varies on the number of people immigrating. For a single applicant, the amount is 12,960 CAD, which is about 7.3 Lakh INR You may refer to the link for Proof of Fund requirements : Note : In case a candidate is married but is only immigrating alone initially and plans to sponsor their family later on, the proof of funds will still have to be provided for the complete family I think this covers all aspects, as far as Express Entry Federal Skilled Workers Program is concerned. I will add on my experience further once my file moves along the various stages of processing, right until getting the PR. Note: I have not put specific document requirements in this post. This is only to help one understand the processes involved and the timelines around the same. All the best to anyone who feels motivated to take on this journey. Mods : Please move it to a new thread if necessary The thought of immigration to a foreign land was something that came to my mind in January 2019. Poor work culture, civic infra and general quality of life lead me to think about moving base. Since I am only 25 and unmarried, there was not too much that I had to think of, while making this decision. The biggest factor behind this being, that I have breathing difficulties andI did visit a couple of immigration consultants, to understand the process once I had made my mind up that I would be definitely moving abroad (or at least trying to). I hired one consultant for helping me out with this process, since I was actually unaware about a lot of stuff back then.In hindsight, that couldve been avoided, since the PR process is quite straightforward I believe and one can actually go through it all by themselves.I reiterate, youneed to hire a consultant or an attorney, but you may do so, if you feel your application is complex and you need help with that.Now the Federal Express Entry Program, is the most sought-after stream for immigration, but not the only stream for immigrating to Canada. However, I will only talk about this program, since I did not have any interest neither did I go through any other program.The Federal Express Entry Program is only valid for occupations falling under the National Occupation Classification job groups : Managerial jobs (skill type 0) Professional jobs (skill level A) Technical jobs and skilled trades (skill level B)You can find out your NOC code from the following link:E.g. : The job codes for IT development lie in the range of 2171 to 2175You need to score at leaston the Federal Skilled Worker Program points grid, to be applicable for Federal Express Entry Program. You may refer to the grid at this link : https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...d-workers.html The Federal Express Entry program is purely a points based immigration system and provides you points for 4 major factors:Apart from the above factors, there are few other factors that can help one score additional points in this process:If a candidate is nominated by any of the 9 provinces in Canada, they receive an additional 600 points over and above the points that they get based on the factors above. There are two kinds of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) :In case one wants to calculate their CRS, they may do so at the following link : https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...d-workers.html You also get additional points for Spouses IELTS and education.In addition to these application cost, you also need to show that you have sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family after you land in Canada. This amount varies on the number of people immigrating. For a single applicant, the amount is, which is aboutYou may refer to the link for Proof of Fund requirements : https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...oof-funds.html In case a candidate is married but is only immigrating alone initially and plans to sponsor their family later on, the proof of funds will still have to be provided for the complete familyI think this covers all aspects, as far as Express Entry Federal Skilled Workers Program is concerned. I will add on my experience further once my file moves along the various stages of processing, right until getting the PR.I have not put specific document requirements in this post. This is only to help one understand the processes involved and the timelines around the same.All the best to anyone who feels motivated to take on this journey.: Please move it to a new thread if necessary Last edited by akhil994 : 7th February 2020 at 14:15 . Reason: Formatting Gov. Kristi Noem drafts bill limiting 'action civics' This legislation prohibits colleges and schools from directing, requiring or compelling students to protest or lobby as part of a grade or a class. Fort McCoys housing of Cuban refugees was a short but intense period of Monroe County history. The Monroe County Local History Room in Sparta is commemorating the 40th anniversary of the refugee program with its Lost Voices of Mariel display that opened Jan. 31 and runs through March 28. Local History Room Director Jarrod Roll said the display is unique for the museum because it chronicles a piece of history that many in the county can still recall. This is a very alive subject, Roll said. Fort McCoy was one of four facilities in the United States that housed Cuban refugees from the 1980 Mariel boat lift. The first of the 14,000 refugees arrived at Fort McCoy May 29, and almost of all of them were gone by October. Only a handful of refugees settled permanently in western Wisconsin. The photography exhibit was created by Omar Granados, associate professor of global cultures and languages at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and was most recently shown at a public library in La Crosse. Granados will visit the history room Thursday, Feb. 13 as part of a panel discussion Most of the photographs were taken by the La Crosse Tribune. The History Room added to the display with a Voices of Monroe County section. It includes a series of quotes culled from local newspapers and a display of items created by refugees during their stay at Fort McCoy. Roll said the History Room has already received interesting feedback on the display. People say, Has it really been 40 years? Roll said. People dont always realize the scale of it there were almost 15,000 people out there and they dont realize how short it was. The display doesnt shy away from conflicts with the local population. Several refugees used the railroad tracks to leave Fort McCoy without permission and follow them into Tunnel City. It includes mention of Lene Cespedes-Torres, who was charged with killing his sponsor, Berniece Taylor, in her Tomah home. This is difficult history because of the multiple perspectives, because of the emotions involved, Roll said. People are still alive and well who are directly involved. There is a place on the History Room website where people can share their memories and read the memories of others. Roll said people who were involved are willing to tell their stories. As a museum, we handle it as a neutral place where people can share their story, Roll said. Opinions are one thing; memories are another. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A Wall Street firm has directed employees, when introducing themselves to each other, to offer up their own gender identity pronouns, all in order to show respect for all whose identity does not align with their sex.With similar policies, private entities and government agencies (including schools) appear unwilling to respect the reality that sex is not "assigned" at birth, but declared before and after birth by a person's 23rd chromosome pair in every cell of the body as either male (XY) or female (XX). They also appear unwilling to respect truth, transparency, science, and common sense. Last year, cnbc.com quoted Warren Buffett from his annual shareholder letter: "Abraham Lincoln once posed the question: 'If you call a dog's tail a leg, how many legs does it have?' and then answered his own query: 'Four, because calling a tail a leg doesn't make it one.'" The cnbc.com story continued: "Lincoln's riddle signifies the difference between illusion and fact. In other words, you can get away with a lot by changing the definition of something, but changing definitions won't change reality." The same wisdom applies to issues of gender identity. Lincoln's wisdom demonstrates common sense when compared to policies developed out of false notions that men can become women and vice versa, and that addressing or referring to a person of one sex with names and pronouns associated with persons of the opposite sex will increase the respect accorded to that person. Coercion, whether by government or by a corporation, will create not respect, but rather resentment.Can anyone seriously believe that a relationship conceived by compulsion and born in deception will engender respect? Only truth deserves dignity and respect. And it is only in an environment of truth and transparency that compassion, effective care for those suffering from dysphoria, and appropriate policies will ensue. Such policies appear to have been adopted without consideration or appreciation of the material adverse medical, social, and economic risks and consequences attending transition and of the adverse impact of such policies on the efficient functioning of society.In addition to any applicable constitutional issues (such as compelled speech, privacy, free exercise of religion, and rights of parents to control the education and upbringing of their children), such policies exhibit some or all of the following major deficiencies.: 1. They ecourage employees to act contrary to ethics policies requiring honesty and integrity. 2. They appear to be a capitulation to campaigns to intentionally eliminate the essential differences distinguishing males from females and to do what Lincoln condemned: alter and hijack the definitions of the words sex and male and female and their derivative names and pronouns. 3. They are unwise when they encourage and compel others (employees) to become complicit in misrepresentation, deceit, and other actions that may be unethical and unlawful. 4. They lead to confusion as to the intended meaning of names and pronouns and inferences which might be drawn from them. Does they refer to a single person or to a group of persons? Does he refer to a male or to a female who believes she is or desires to be a male? 5. They ignore the resulting societal disruption when all who were formerly comfortable relying on names and pronouns will be compelled to engage in their own costly, time-consuming, and difficult investigations and inquiries in order to verify a person's true nature. 6. They ignore current estimates that around "a quarter (2228%) of transgender women [i.e., men calling themselves women] are living with HIV, and more than half (an estimated 56%) of black/African American transgender women [sic] are living with HIV." Policies affirming "transition" by black African-American males are, in effect, encouraging behaviors which make it more likely than not that they will be infected with HIV. Such policies are contrary to public policy and insulting to public and private efforts to reduce the spread of HIV. 7. They ignore (a) that affirmation of gender dysphoria is only one of a number of controversial alternative treatments for gender dysphoria and typically commences with social transition (use of opposite-sex names and pronouns, cross-dressing, and use of opposite-sex facilities) and (b) that diagnosis and selection of recommended treatments is complex and is reserved for licensed mental health professionals. Because there "is no evidence for the political case that transsexuals were born that way" and because there are many suggested causes and contributors to gender dysphoria (including patient and family psychopathology, media influence, peer pressure, and social contagion), it is inappropriate (and likely unethical and perhaps unlawful) for government, an employer, or educational institution to institute a "one-size-fits-all" affirmation policy, thus usurping the prerogatives of licensed medical professionals. 8.Ignore the fact that medical treatments (including social transition such as use of opposite-sex names and pronouns) for gender dysphoria require the securing of valid "informed consent" after detailed disclosure of all material information and explanations regarding treatment alternatives, and after all adverse medical, economic, and social risks and consequences of proceeding with the treatment, are fully comprehended.If valid informed consent is not secured, claims for failure of informed consent, malpractice, and battery may be justified. 9.They ignore the warning in the American Psychological Association's APA Handbook on Sexuality and Psychology as to children: Premature labeling of gender identity should be avoided. Early social transition (i.e., change of gender role, such as registering a birth-assigned boy in school as a girl) should be approached with caution to avoid foreclosing this stage of (trans)gender identity development. The Handbook explains that if there is early social transition, "the stress associated with possible reversal of this decision has been shown to be substantial[.]" 10. They ignore the fact that many who take on opposite-sex names and pronouns will ultimately come to regret the decision. Even "sex change" surgeons express doubt about transgenderism. Dr. Miroslav Djordjevie, world premier genital reconstruction surgeon, is realizing that "sex reassignment" surgery is not making patients happy and that the surgery they thought would bring them the satisfaction they were looking for only plunged them into deeper despair, with "crippling levels of depression" and intense suicidal thoughts. Dr. Djordjevie also says he's overwhelmed by the numbers who've approached him about reversing their procedure. 11.They disregard the violence that can and does occur, typically when males take on opposite-sex names and pronouns and then encourage intimacy with a male without disclosure of the impersonation. Such occurs so often that some courts have accepted a so-called panic defense to exonerate the deceived party. 12.They implement indoctrination of vulnerable children with propositions that do not conform to reality. 13.They compel employees to violate deeply held religious beliefs.(Lying is proscribed by Jewish and Christian doctrine.) There appears to be no compelling justification for government or private entities to adopt policies attended by the described flaws and deficiencies and that mandate usage of opposite-sex names and pronouns based on self-identification, a self-identification which is solely in the mind and can change from day to day.Commitments to honesty and integrity are discarded so that a tiny number of employees or students can dissemble, resulting in the discomfort (whether or not verbalized) of employees and others who value honesty and transparency, to confusion and disruption in public and private discourse, and to an increase in potential adverse risks and consequences for those choosing to commence or continue with "transition." The usually week-long Lunar New Year holiday was extended by 10 days in much of China amid mounting alarm over an epidemic A currency trader talks on the phone at the foreign exchange trading room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. AP photo The Chinese economy will sputter towards normal on Monday after the coronavirus outbreak forced an extended holiday, although numerous stores and factories will remain shut and many white collar employees will continue working from home. The usually week-long Lunar New Year holiday was extended by 10 days in much of China amid mounting alarm over an epidemic that as on Sunday had killed 811 people. Huge cities including Beijing and Shanghai seem like ghost towns, with shops and restaurants closed or empty, and as containment measures including transportation curbs are enforced in many parts of the country. Some cities are keeping schools closed and restrictions on movements remain. Many employers in the southern technology hub of Shenzhen are taking precautions to prevent workers from returning in large crowds, asking those who have travelled from elsewhere to self-quarantine for up to 14 days. Calls to the hotlines of an NGO serving migrant workers in nearby city of Guangzhou have multiplied in recent days. People are asking, what if my factory hasnt put enough safety measures in place? Will there be a notice suspending work again? How do I get in to work if roads are sealed off? said Ice Huang, a spokeswoman for the Inno Community Development Organisation. Apple Inc said on Friday its retail stores in China would stay closed, even as it worked toward opening its corporate offices and contact centres. Apple supplier Foxconn plans only to gradually restart its factories with a view to resuming full production in late February, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. While in Shanghai, the city government said Teslas factory would reopen on Monday. The toll on Chinas already-slowing economy has been heavy, with Goldman Sachs cutting its first quarter GDP target to 4% from 5.6% previously and saying an even deeper hit is possible. Its certainly not going to be a return to normal next week, said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics in Singapore. The longer this disruption continues the higher the risk it affects employment and the higher the risk of a much bigger hit on the economy, he said. TEMPERATURE CHECKS, HOME QUARANTINE In Shenzhen, businesses looking to reopen were required to check the recent travel history of all staff and implement temperature checks and prevention measures such as providing masks. Similar guidelines were in place elsewhere. Some businesses told Reuters that they were not sure when they would reopen. Were still not sure well be open on Monday, Suki, who works in human resources for a Belgian-owned manufacturing company in Shenzhen and declined to give her surname. We applied online to open five days ago but inspectors only visited today, she said on Friday. Still, Sunday is set to be the peak travel day of the Lunar New Year period, an official from the Transport Ministry said this week, as millions of Chinese return from their holidays. U.S. confectionary and pet food maker Mars said it was advising its China staff to continue working from home until at least Feb. 14 and providing masks, while apparel brand Agnes B said it had bought disinfectant to clean its offices. Major tech companies such as Hangzhou-headquartered e-commerce giant Alibaba Group have told staff to continue working from home beyond Feb. 10 until further notice, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Alibaba did not respond to a request for comment. One engineer who works for a mobile phone manufacturer company in Shenzhen said she was told to return to work on Monday but was unsure whether to go. Its choosing between earning enough to live and living, she said. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), left, and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), House intelligence chairman, hold a press conference about the impeachment inquiry of President Trump, at the Capitol in Washington on Oct. 2, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Pelosi, Schiff Claim Trump Is Retaliating Against Impeachment Witnesses House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) accused President Donald Trump of retaliating against an impeachment witness, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who was dismissed from his job at the National Security Council last week. In a statement on Feb. 7, Pelosi said it was a clear and brazen act of retaliation. Vindman has proven to be an American patriot: on the battlefield, when he earned a Purple Heart, and in the House trial, when he spoke truth to power. His brave testimony showed America that right still matters, Pelosi said. Schiff, one of the key Democratic leaders in the push for the impeachment of Trump, echoed Pelosis claims and wrote that Trump is exacting his retribution on a witness who complied with subpoenas. He repeated impeachment inquiry allegations that Trump believes he is above the law. During a public impeachment inquiry hearing, Vindman said it was inappropriate for Trump to have asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a July 25 phone call to look into Joe and Hunter Biden. Vindman said he listened on the call, as it was part of his job. Both Zelensky and Trump said their conversation was fine. Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a military officer at the National Security Council who testified during the impeachment hearings on Capitol Hill, walks down the steps of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, on Jan. 27, 2020. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo) I couldnt believe what I was hearing, he testified to a Democratic-controlled House panel. During the hearings in November, his boss, Tim Morrison, the National Security Councils senior director for European affairs, said that multiple other officials had cast doubt on Vindmans judgment. Morrison said those colleagues had expressed concerns about whether Vindman had leaked information and confirmed that Vindman didnt keep him in the loop at all times. Vindman also didnt immediately speak to Morrison about his concerns about the July 25 phone call, Morrison said during the hearings. Over the weekend, Trump commented about the firing of Vindman, saying it had nothing to do with his impeachment. Actually, I dont know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I dont believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly, & was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information, Trump wrote in a statement on Twitter. In other words, OUT. Gordon Sondland, the U.S ambassador to the European Union, testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill on Nov. 20, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Vindmans attorney, David Pressman, confirmed the official was escorted out of the White House after he was fired Feb. 7. On Feb. 8, he denied the presidents assertions to news outlets. They conflict with the clear personnel record and the entirety of the impeachment record, of which the President is well aware, he said in a statement. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Feb. 9 that people in Vindmans chain of command have been suspicious of him regarding his political point of view. It comes after Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, confirmed Feb. 8 that he was told the president intends to recall me effective immediately. Sondland was perhaps the most important impeachment witness, as he had directly spoken to Trump. But Sondlands statement was far less adversarial than the one from Vindmans lawyer. I am grateful to President Trump for having given me the opportunity to serve, to Secretary Pompeo for his consistent support, and to the exceptional and dedicated professionals at the U.S. Mission to the European Union, Sondland said. Republicans, during the impeachment hearings, sought to highlight some contradictory testimony by Sondland, including a phone call from Trump that explicitly stated, I want nothing. I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zelensky to do the right thing. But earlier in his testimony, Sondland told the House Intelligence panel that he believed there was a link between a hold on military aid to Ukraine and investigations: Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret. After reading Meghan Mangrums article in the Times Free Press regarding the school board considering a new contract for Superintendent Bryan Johnson and attending the State of our System address at The Howard School on Thursday, Feb. 6, I felt compelled to write to you. Will you create a new contract for Superintendent Bryan Johnson? In my 18 years of teaching I have come to understand the importance of stability in leadership. Hamilton County Schools have shown significant improvements since Dr. Johnson arrived in 2017. Ive always believed that one person can make a difference, and Superintendent Bryan Johnson has illustrated this once again for me. I feel it is crucial that we secure Dr. Johnson as superintendent now so we continue the positive momentum in our school system. Our students need the consistency of Dr. Johnsons visionary leadership; it is the key to the transformation we have seen in our schools. Under Dr. Johnsons leadership we became the fastest improving school district in the state of Tennessee. I have heard Superintendent Bryan Johnson say that he is a teacher at heart. As teachers strive to do with their students, Dr. Johnson saw the potential in our school system and drew out the best in us. He is working tirelessly to help us achieve our full potential. I believe this is because Dr. Johnson is focused on kids. He did not come to Chattanooga to be inactive, and he is willing to have courageous conversations, even if it makes people uncomfortable. With urgency Dr. Johnson reorganized how we use data so it is meaningful to teachers and moves instruction forward. He amplified what is going well, reduced variability in the quality of instruction, and improved communication to all stakeholders. As a direct result of Superintendent Bryan Johnsons focus on teaching and learning we all have Clear Learning Targets, and weve grown in our understanding of how to teach to the depth and demand of the standards. The questions we ask students are fully aligned to the standards. In literacy instruction our practices reflect the science of reading. Throughout the last three years Dr. Johnson has strategically built capacity by equipping and empowering educators. He knows how to think strategically and which levers will improve outcomes for all students. Remarkably, he makes time to attend small group sit-downs with the superintendent where he has conversations with teachers. As a parent of one Hamilton County graduate and a senior, I am grateful for Dr. Johnsons support of creating Future Ready Institutes. My oldest daughter participated in one of Hamilton Countys Future Ready Institutes and earned her CNA license which she uses as she works as a tech at a local emergency room. This daughter was on Superintendent Bryan Johnsons student advisory council and she still remembers how he asked them what was going on that was good and what could be improved. This type of commitment to listening and valuing student perspective is integral to Dr. Johnsons success. My younger daughter wants to be an elementary school teacher and she will graduate in May with 18 hours of college credit. Dr. Johnson has promoted Early Post Secondary Opportunities and although my daughters feel called to different professions, both of them began preparing for their future while still in high school. I am impressed with how Dr. Johnson has prioritized for results by first addressing the people part-students and educators- and now he is moving onto the facilities aspect. As a teacher I have grown and improved my instruction as a direct result of Superintendent Bryan Johnsons initiatives. More importantly, my students are better prepared for their futures. Three years ago I did not dream that each of my students would have a chromebook or that I would have timely access to the quarterly benchmark data and be able to truly use it to adjust and tailor my teaching. Our students have demonstrated unprecedented growth in Hamilton County since Dr. Johnson took the helm in 2017; and make no mistake, I firmly believe that this improved student learning is a direct result of his compelling leadership . Will you please offer Superintendent Bryan Johnson a new contract? Carrie Bishop 8th Grade Reading Language Arts Teacher Hixson Middle School Proud Parent of a Senior at Hixson High School * * * Id like to echo the thoughts Carrie Bishop shared about securing a new contact for Dr. Bryan Johnson. Ive worked for several superintendents and by far Dr. Johnson is the most visible, visionary, and approachable leader we have had in recent years. I understand there is hesitation with some because we know how this ended the last couple times a contract was extended. However, Dr. Johnson is not one of those previous leaders. He has truly blazed his own path and approach and it is working. We are not the same system that we were three years ago. Parents across the county entrust their children to our care five days a week almost 10 months of the year. It is time to value our thoughts on what we have witnessed since 2017. I have not talked to a single staff member in the system who does not have complete confidence in Dr. Johnsons leadership. Hes intelligent and driven, and another system will snatch him up in a heartbeat if we as a community do not unite and show that we want to continue to build on the foundation he has started. Ive always been proud to be a Hamilton County parent and educator. However, Dr. Johnson incites an excitement and zeal that I dont think we have ever seen in a superintendent. We are on our way to being the best school system in Tennessee. Lets make sure we keep building on the momentum that Dr. Johnson has started and do what it takes to keep him as our leader. I hope to see a vote on February 20th that affirms his leadership and what has been accomplished so far. Jennifer Rimback Middle Valley Elementary parent Hixson Middle School parent Hixson High School Counselor * * * Dr. Johnson has stated that he desires to see the graduation rates increase. That is an admirable goal. However, I worry about some of the changes that have been made. Board policy 4.609 was revised on 12/13/18 from the 6/19/14 version. In the revision it no longer states that a student must pass classes to be promoted. This change is a board policy and not directly from Dr. Johnsons office but it causes me to pause. I also am concerned by the seeming increase in central office staff and resulting budget increases from these and non-teaching positions added to local schools. I do not stand opposed to a contract renewal but I also have a degree of hesitation. Jerry Harwood A woman BJP leader here was shot dead allegedly by her husband who suspected her of having an illicit relationship, a police official said on Sunday. Munesh Godhara, state secretary of the BJP Kisan Morcha, was talking to her sister on phone on Saturday evening when her husband, Sunil Godhara, allegedly opened fire at her from his licensed revolver, the police official of Gurgaons Sector 10-A police station said quoting the FIR registered in the case. The accused shot her twice on her chest while she was engaged in a video call with her sister. The victim died on the spot, Gurgaon Police public relations officer Subhash Bokan said. The husband, an ex-serviceman, who works in a private company as a security officer, suspected that she had illicit relations, the police official said. Following the incident, the accused fled, he said. A case has been registered in Gurgaons Sector 10 A police station against Sunil Godhara and two others, and further investigation is underway, the police official said. Munesh and Sunil got married in 2001. She joined the BJP as Mahamantri of women wing in 2013. The womans family members have refuted the allegations of any illicit relationship. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON "Serving in the military changes you. The shades and degrees of change vary for everyone, but no one is ever the same as... Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Federal Government of Nigeria and Cross River State Government to ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja over what it termed the prolonged, arbitrary detention, unfair prosecution, persecution, and sham trial of journalist Agba Jalingo. SERAP said Jalingo, who is the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested on August 22 over a report alleging that Mr Ayade diverted N500 million belonging to the state. In the suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/10/2020 filed last week at the ECOWAS Court, SERAP is arguing that: The sole objective of the government of Nigeria and the Cross River State Government of governor Ben Ayade is to perpetually keep Agba Jalingo in arbitrary detention and to silence him simply for expressing critical views and carrying out his legitimate job as journalist. According to the suit: This is not the first time the government of Nigeria and the Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade have taken actions to intimidate, harass and suppress journalists through the instrumentality of trumped-up charges and use of overly broad and unjust laws, including section 24 of Nigerias Cybercrime Act, 2015, which provides for the offence of cyber-stalking. The suit filed on SERAPs behalf by its solicitor Kolawole Oluwadare, states: the government of Nigeria and Cross-River state government are using vague laws that give officials massive discretion to undermine human rights. They are punishing Agba Jalingo and other journalists and silencing them for their reporting, thereby undermining Nigerians right to information, to public participation, to open and democratic governance in the country. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Motorola has officially launched the Moto G Power and Moto G Stylus mid-range smartphones in the US. Motorola recently launched the new Razr smartphone in the US to whet the appetite of true-blue flip phone lovers, but it hasnt forgotten about its patrons in the mid-range segment. Motorola announced on Friday two new models in the Moto G line-up of smartphones, namely the Moto G Power and Moto G Stylus. While the formers unique feature is long battery life, the latters is an inbuilt stylus. Both models are currently on sale in the US and will be launched in Canada by springtime. The Moto G Power starts at $249 (Rs 17,800 approx), and the Moto G Stylus, at $299 (Rs 21,400 approx). The Moto G Power is presumably named so because it packs a massive 5000mAh battery on the inside along with support for 10W rapid charging. The company claims the battery is good for up to 3 days of use on a single charge. The handset is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chip with 4GB of RAM. Internal storage is 64GB but can be expanded to up to 512GB using a microSD card. The rear camera setup includes a 16MP primary sensor (f/1.7 aperture), 2MP macro sensor (f/2.2 aperture), and an 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor (f/2.2 aperture). The selfie camera is a 16MP unit (f/2.0 aperture). The Moto G Stylus, as you can tell, comes with an inbuilt slide-out stylus for scribbling and drawing on the screen. Like the Moto G Power, its powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chip with 4GB of RAM. Internal storage is 128GB but can be expanded to up to 512GB using a microSD card. Compared to the Moto G Power, the Moto G Stylus has a smaller 4000mAh battery with support for 10W rapid charging. The company claims the battery is good for up to 2 days of use on a single charge. If youre in the market for a smartphone with a stylus but reside in India, you can consider the Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite that was launched earlier this month. It starts at Rs 38,999. Both Motorola mid-range entrants sport a 6.4-inch Max Vision IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 2300 x 1080 pixels. The screen is housed in an aluminium water-repellent body that has a fingerprint scanner on the back side. Both handsets run Android 10 right out of the box. While the Moto G Power is available in a single Smoke Black colourway, the Moto G Stylus is available in a single Mystic Indigo colourway. Both models feature Bluetooth 5.0, a 3.5mm audio jack, and native support for Google Assistant. In its official blog, Motorola hasnt mentioned if it has plans of bringing its two new mid-range models to India anytime soon. When Peoples United Bank decided to close a branch in tiny Huntington following its acquisition of United Bank, customers cried out. In response, Westfield Bank bought the Route 20 location and plans to open a branch of its own there. And when TD Bank announced it would close its branch in Springfields Mason Square at the end of January, the community cried out. City and state officials and even members of Congress got involved, fearing a banking services desert where folks might have to use high-cost prepaid cards instead of checking accounts. It would be, according to state Sen. James Welch, D-West Springfield, as bad as a food desert, where folks have access to packaged junk food but no fresh fruits and veggies. The message of both episodes is clear: customers might like online banking and mobile apps, but they still want access to face-to-face services. People still need to see you, said John F. Heaps Jr., president and CEO of Florence Bank, who will retire in May after 25 years of leading his bank. Ive used to term bricks equal clicks. Kevin Day, Florence Banks chief financial officer, said the physical bank branch gives people peace of mind. One is problem solving, one is advice, Day said. You cant stick a card in a machine and get advice. But you can at one of our branches. The Valley is a place where people like to talk to each other. Florence Bank opened a branch in Springfields Sixteen Acres neighborhood in late 2018 and renovated its older offices to have fewer teller lines and more modern amenities. Maybe soon you can get advice not from a machine, but through a machine. Holyoke-based PeoplesBank is one of the banks installing higher-tech teller machines that connect users via video with staffers working in a remote location. An old name in banking disappeared in 2019. Thats the constant in an industry where mergers and acquisitions are frequent. United Banks roots in West Springfield went back to 1882. Peoples United Financial bought United Financial Bancorp, the holding company for United Bank, in July for $759 million. It rebranded the locations with Peoples United logos. It will close three Springfield-area branches in addition to the Huntington location: a former United Bank branch at 1355 Boston Road in Springfield a former United Bank branch at 1414 Main St. in Springfield, at Monarch Place a location at 85 Elm St. in West Springfield that Peoples United bought in 2018 from Farmington Bank Meanwhile, an old name came back. New Valley Bank, the first startup bank in Springfield in 11 years, opened for business in 2019 with two offices. One is in Monarch Place and one is in Sixteen Acres. Valley Bank was the name of a long-gone bank in Springfield. Matthew Sosik, president CEO of Hometown Financial Group in Easthampton, a holding company that does business locally as bankESB, said local banks can take advantage of mergers like United Bank and Peoples United by picking up customers who dont want to deal with a larger institution. Not that Hometown Financial hasnt made some acquisitions itself, including Pilgrim Bank in Cohasset, Abington Bank and Milbury Savings Bank. We are going to be focused in 2020 in assimilating those brands, Sosik said. And making sure that weve normalized our operation, and then well look at other growth opportunities. A new bankESB branch opens in downtown Amherst sometime early this year. "We are still looking, always looking. Very bullish on Western Mass and Pioneer Valley," he said. Heaps said Florence Bank will open its newest branch in Chicopee at the former Hu Ke Lau site on Memorial Drive in the fall. There will be other locations, Heaps said, but he had nothing to announce. Northampton Cooperative Bank opened a new location in South Hadley late in 2019. 25 PeoplesBank grand opening at the new Pedlar Banking Center in Holyoke PeoplesBank will open a banking center at 450 Center St. in Ludlow in the third quarter, said Matthew Bannister, first vice president for marketing and innovation. Ludlow is a new market for PeoplesBank. The location is a former Mobil station near Starbucks at Exit 7 of the Massachusetts Turnpike. In another new market, PeoplesBank will open in Enfield, Connecticut, in early 2021 and at the corner of Lyman and Newton streets in South Hadley in the latter half of 2020. PeoplesBank bought Connecticuts First National Bank of Suffield in 2018 and integrated those operations into its own in 2019. The Suffield locations changed brands to become First Suffield Bank, a division of PeoplesBank. PeoplesBank renovated its offices in East Granby, Connecticut, in December. In Holyoke, Peoples Bank opened its new banking center at the site of the former Yankee Pedlar restaurant in 2019. The bank preserved and restored the Hildreth House, which was at the heart of the Pedlar, and converted it into community meeting space. PeopelsBank closed two offices in Holyoke and merged operations into the Pedlar center. Bannister said the bank in the second quarter will add a video-enabled teller machine at the former Highland Street branch, replacing the standard ATM there now. The fate of the building on that property is undetermined, as is the fate of the former South Street branch, Banister said. The hospitality empire of celebrity chef George Calombaris is on the brink of collapse and could be placed into voluntary administration as early as this week, with about 500 employees facing an uncertain future. A decision to appoint an administrator to oversee Made Establishment is set to be made at a meeting on Monday afternoon, months after the ailing business was battered by a major underpayment scandal and a tsunami of negative media coverage. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald have been told by several hospitality sources that senior staff have been informed of the crisis meeting where the fate of the business will be determined. Sources have said employees and suppliers will be paid out under the deal, regardless of the outcome of the meeting. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The nCoV is cultured inside the lab at the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the institute. Vietnam has developed test kits for the novel coronavirus that provides results in just 70 minutes as opposed to the current four hours. The Reverse Transcription Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) test kits, produced by a group of scientists from Hanoi's School of Biotechnology and Food Technology, amplify the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of pathogens to identify them. It does this in 70 minutes, while current methods using the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technique take at least 4 hours. A test by the new kits would cost VND350,000 ($15), while one with the RT-PCR kit costs around VND1 million ($43), Le Quang Hoa, the lead scientist, said at a conference Saturday. The scientists began working on developing the new kits after the 2019-nCoV's genome sequence was published on the GenBank sequence database on January 13. To get their test kits have wider application, the group wants at least 12 RNA samples from the virus to carry out internal tests before registering and mass-producing their product. Vietnam had announced Friday that it has successfully cultured and isolated the nCoV in the lab, allowing quicker test results and paving the way for development of a new vaccine. The country has so far confirmed 13 infections: six workers returning from Chinas Wuhan City last month, the mother, sister and cousin of one of the workers, a Vietnamese-American visitor who transited in Wuhan, a Chinese man from Wuhan and his son who met him in Vietnam, and a hotel receptionist who served the father and son in Nha Trang. Three of them have been discharged from hospitals: the Nha Trang hotel employee, the Chinese son, and one of the workers who returned from Wuhan. The global death toll from the epidemic has reached 813 one each in the Philippines and Hong Kong, and the remaining in mainland China. MONTREAL - Five days a week, students at a high school in one of Montreal's poorest districts spend all day learning math and science in classrooms without windows. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Jacques Langlois poses outside Louis-Joseph-Papineau school in Montreal, Saturday, February 8, 2020. Langlois started a petition to have windows installed in the school. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes MONTREAL - Five days a week, students at a high school in one of Montreal's poorest districts spend all day learning math and science in classrooms without windows. In the winter, when the sun rises late and sets early, they may go days without hardly seeing any natural light at all, says a parent who started a petition to force the school board and province to add windows to the school nicknamed "the bunker." Jacques Langlois, a father of four and head of the governing board at the high school Louis-Joseph-Papineau, said the petition rose out of frustration that nothing has been done to improve conditions at the 50-year-old concrete building, where the only windows are small slits lighting the stairwell, he said. "I don't think it's fair, I don't think it's acceptable that it's been that way for so long," he said. "To me, it's inexplicable." Langlois says the school serves many lower-income families and newcomers, many of whom live in sub-par housing as they adapt to Canada. "At home it's not ideal, at school it's not ideal," he said. The change.org petition, which had more than 5,700 signatures as of Sunday morning, links to a website run by the parents that lists articles detailing the beneficial effects of natural light on concentration and mood. The school, built in 1970, is a vast expanse of stacked white concrete blocks and was built to accommodate 2,700 students. The school website says a little more than 1,300 students are enrolled in Grades 7 to 11. "The presence of many blind walls in reinforced concrete highlights the fact that the building is designed to be closed on itself," reads a pamphlet produced by the school board that details the architecture of its schools. According to the pamphlet, the lack of natural light was a deliberate attempt by the architects to minimize distraction a "prevailing ideology at the time" that has since fallen from favour, the authors said. "Architects justify this by the importance of promoting concentration of the mind by controlling any source of external distraction," it reads. The school board, the Commission scolaire de Montreal, announced in a news release on Jan. 30 that it would begin feasibility studies on major renovations, which includes adding windows. "The issue of windows for our students is primordial for the CDSM," the board said in a statement. But Langlois worries the file could drag on for years or worse, be forgotten altogether now that the current provincial government has passed a bill that abolishes school boards. He also wonders why the school has taken so long to act. "We're in 2020, it's not normal," he said. "We're talking about many, many years that people have known about the issue." He wants change to come quickly to the school he calls "Louis-Jo." He hopes that within a year or two, the school can at the very least add an atrium or other well-lit common areas, so kids can get their "daily dose of sunlight." If not, he wants to see the school torn down and rebuilt. Claudine Deom, a professor of architecture at the Universite de Montreal, says the building is an example of the brutalist style that was prevalent in the 1960s and '70s. A focus on artificial lighting and a blocky, sometimes stark look that showed off raw material, especially concrete, clashes with our definition of what architecture should be today but was in fashion at the time, she said. "What we consider today as poor architecture might have been considered 50 years ago as what you should be doing," said Deom, who has worked with the school board. "That's a natural evolution. Now we're facing today in 2020 buildings that were built with a completely different mindset," she said. In Deom's opinion, piercing the facade to add windows to the building should be "doable," noting that another school, HEC Montreal, did a similar renovation on another concrete building. In her opinion, it would also be the right thing to do. "Even though it's identified as representative of the architecture of that period, it doesn't mean it can't be changed," she said of the building. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020 Spanky Felton has seen his fair share of changes to the auto industry. As the longtime owner of Sleepy Hollow Auto Group in Viroqua, Felton has seen the workforce shrink as birth rates declined and more students pursued four-year degrees. This phenomenon hits particularly hard with his automotive technicians. I would hire technicians if they were here today, he said. There arent enough going through school. Felton noticed that other dealerships were facing the same problem. It was at that point Felton decided something needed to be done. What could we do at a grassroots level to remedy this? he said. Lets get these kids involved in this while theyre still in high school. Maybe theyre not interested in a four-year college. From there, Felton helped develop a program with area school districts to get students more involved with career fields in the trades. Three years ago, Felton, with help from CESA and Western Technical College, developed a program that allowed students to earn college credit in Westerns Automotive Technician program while still in high school. The class meets every Wednesday evening at Sleepy Hollow in Viroqua. High school juniors and seniors complete one class their first year, then a new course the next year. The hope is to spark an early interest in auto careers. If one person goes through this class and makes it a career here as a technician, its worth it, Felton said. Sleepy Hollow also offers scholarships for students who are interested in coming back to the company after completing the program through Western. Several students have already made the commitment. The instructor for the program, Evan Nelson, said the classes have had a big impact on his career. He works at Sleepy Hollow as a technician himself, but has found a new passion in teaching. I enjoy it so much. They want to learn and are so helpful. I love working with kids, he said. It makes me feel happy. A few of these kids dont have dads. I might be the only father figure in their life. Both Felton and Nelson believe the course is important well beyond the college credit that transfers to Western. It gives you real-life scenarios. These are real vehicles with real problems, Felton said. They are going to see stuff here that they may not see in a classroom. At the same time, Western will give them the technical skills that they need. Western, CESA and Sleepy Hollow took on this maiden voyage, Nelson said. We did it first and did it well, and will continue to make it even better. Similar partnerships with other dealerships are quickly expanding. Western will soon offer a similar program in Black River Falls. Were all in the same boat, Felton said. You need to build (interest in this field) from the ground up, when they are in high school. National Career/Technical Education Month Western is celebrating February as National Career and Technical Education Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. CTE covers many different fields, including health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing and hospitality and management. It also encompasses different types of education, from K-12 to college, from classroom learning to certification programs to work-based learning opportunities outside the classroom. Love 6 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SATURDAY RESULTS | DAY ONE RECAP | FULL RESULTS ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The penultimate event at the NM Collegiate Classic proved to be the best event for The University of New Mexico on Saturday at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Running in the mens 4400-meter relay against SEC schools Alabama and Kentucky in the first of three heats, the Lobos were the first to cross the finish line with Carlos Salcido responsible for the final leg. Crossing at 3:12.35 (3:12.79 converted) the Lobos won by a margin of 0.13 seconds over Alabama to win the heat and ultimately finished second overall in the event. Ben Parmoon led off the relay and turned the baton over to Alejandro Goldston, who in turn handed it over to Jay Griffin IV. The Lobos were in second behind the Crimson Tide at the final handoff, but Salcido flew around the track in his 400-meter leg, taking the lead and holding off Alabama down the backstretch. The time marked the best time this season for the Lobos in the 4400 relay. It was just one of the events in which the Lobos shone on the final day of competition, with Aidan Quinn finishing fourth in the triple jump also of note. On his third attempt, the sophomore registered a mark of 49-3.75 (15.03m) to move in to fourth, which he would hold through the finals. However, Quinn was the third-highest collegiate finisher in the event. Diamond Black once again set a personal best in the triple jump with a mark of 39-6.00 (12.04m) on her third attempt, the first time that the sophomore has eclipsed 39-0.00. Although it wasnt enough to make the finals, the Lobo improved her mark on every round and finished 13th overall but 12th among collegiate competitors. Competing in the 60-meter dash, Lawrence Johnson ran a 6.90 (6.92 converted) and Elijah Lilly a 6.91 (6.93 converted) to move on from the qualifying round after finishing fifth and seventh, respectively. In the preliminaries, the dual-sport athletes ran a 6.87 (6.89 converted for Johnson) and 6.88 (6.90 converted for Lilly), with Johnson missing out on the finals by one place, and just 0.023 seconds. Lilly would finish 12th out of the 24 runners in the preliminary round. Right around the time that the men were running the relay, Weini Kelati was competing two time zones away at the NYRR Millrose Games against top collegiate and professional runners in the sport. The Lobo, wearing her recognizable turquoise jersey, followed the pack and held steady in fifth through the first 1000-meters of the 3000-meter race behind Wisconsins Alicia Monson, the only other collegiate runner in the prestigious race. Kelati stuck in fifth with 1000-meters left, but as the pacers began to fall off, the order started to shift as runners made moves to position themselves in the remaining distance. Kelati dropped to seventh, just behind Monson in sixth, but would finish with a time of 8:54.66. That time would be the second-fastest in UNM program history, only behind her 8:53.98 that she ran at last years Millrose Games to set the school record. Additionally, it clocks as the second-best time run this season in the NCAA, only behind Monsons time of 8:53.69 that she ran on Saturday. As a result, Kelati now has the second-best time in three events, the mile (4:32.66), the 5000-meter (15:14.71) and now the 3000-meter, according to the TFRRS NCAA Indoor Qualifying Performance List. The Lobos continue to host next week with the Don Kirby Elite Invitational, starting on Thursday, Feb. 13 and finishing up on Friday, Feb. 14. The meet will be streamed on FloTrack. Local authorities of Hong Kong and Macao have confirmed there are 26 and 10 cases respectively of the new deadly coronavirus outbreak, according to the reports. The National Health Commission of China on February 8 briefed the press and said that Hong Kong has reported one death so far, whereas one single of the pneumonia outbreak, in Macao and Taiwan each, have been cured and discharged from the hospital. The 2019-nCoV virulent virus is believed to have emerged from the local seafood market of Wuhan, capital of Hubei province in Central China which has killed at least 811 people and infected more than 37000. READ: Two New Cases Of Coronavirus Detected In UAE; Infection Cases Rise To 7 WHO experts to leave for China On the other hand, 31 provinces in the mainland, which includes Xinjiang in northwest China have reported 2,656 new cases of viral infections, including 2,147 cases in Hubei province. Nearly 600 patients were discharged from the hospital after being cured, the Commission said and added that nearly 188,183 cases are currently under medical observation. A World Health Organisation-led international team is all set to leave for China to investigate the coronavirus outbreak, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to media reports, the investigating team will leave for China on Monday or on Tuesday. When asked whether the team would include experts from the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC), Pedros said, "We hope so". READ: Coronavirus Can Stay Infectious For A Period Of Nine Days: Research Warning against excessive use of protective suits Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, while talking to the press said that there has been a stabilisation in the number of cases reported in the Hubei province of China in the past four days. However, Ryan further added that the decline should not be taken as containment of the disease as the situation can accelerate quickly. An advisory for the "reasonable use" of protective suits for safety against coronavirus has been issued on Sunday by the China's National Health Commission that cautioned against "excessive and disorderly" use of the clothing that would waste resources and could also increase infection amid the intensifying global spread of the disease that has claimed more than 800 lives. (With ANI inputs) READ: China Warns Against 'excessive' Use Of Protective Suits Amid Coronavirus Outbreak READ: UN Health Body Led Team To Leave For China To Investigate Coronavirus Outbreak Rabbi Emanuel Rose, a powerful voice for social justice who led Oregons largest synagogue for nearly a half-century, died peacefully on Feb. 7, surrounded by family. He was 88. Rose was known as a forceful preacher within his congregation and a strong advocate on social justice issues in Portland and across the state. As Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel from 1960 to 2006, Rose played a central role in building bridges between Jewish, Catholic, Muslim and other faith communities. He brought together divergent communities in a way that hadnt been done in Portland, said Congregation Beth Israel Senior Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana, Roses immediate successor at the Northwest Portland synagogue. Rose focused heavily on building relationships between Jewish and Catholic communities, a theme of his doctoral studies. In the 1980s, then-Archbishop William Levada of the Archdiocese of Portland joined in a prayer service at Temple Beth, believed to be the first instance of a U.S. bishop participating in prayer at a Jewish temple. Rose became the first rabbi to lecture at a Catholic college in America when he lectured at the University of Portland. Catholic and Jewish congregations worked together to establish the Oregon Holocaust Memorial in Portlands Washington Park in 2004. His relationship with the Catholic Church and the archdiocese was singular and extraordinary, said Roses son, Rabbi Joshua Rose of Congregation Shaarie Torah in Northwest Portland. Emanuel Rose was born in Jamaica, in New York Citys borough of Queens, on Oct. 20, 1931 to Abraham and Mary Rose. His father was a rabbi, part of a family lineage that now includes at least six generations of rabbis. Rose attended the University of Cincinnati and earned a masters and a doctorate of Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College, also in Cincinnati. Following his ordination, he served as Assistant Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in New York. He married Lorraine Wilson in 1960 in London before moving to Portland at age 29 to lead Congregation Beth Israel, the states oldest and largest Jewish congregation. Rose quickly made his mark. He had a booming voice from pulpit, said Cahana, his successor. He was a classic preacher who took his responsibility very seriously. Rose also engaged the congregation in the social issues of the day, raising his voice on moral issues including opposition to the Vietnam War, advocacy for civil rights and gay rights, and other social justice issues. He hired Oregons first woman rabbi. Rose was a leader in opposing Ballot Measure 9, a polarizing statewide anti-gay initiative, in 1992. Rose also was a fierce advocate for Israel and engaged in the complex political issues of that region. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who is a member of Congregation Beth Israel, said Rose would contact him frequently whenever the federal government took action that he believed would hurt poor and vulnerable people. Rabbi Rose worked each and every day to root out injustice wherever he found it, Wyden said. Roses work, Wyden said, leaves an unshakeable legacy for all of us to build upon. Rose also was a member of the Lewis & Clark College Board of Trustees during the 1980s and 1990s, serving as the chairman for a time starting in 1988. Within the Jewish community, Rose was the last surviving member of a group of three rabbis who each led their congregations for more than 40 years. The intertwined personal and professional lives of Rabbi Yonah H. Geller of Congregation Shaarie Torah, Rabbi Joshua Stampfer of Congregation Neveh Shalom, and Rose were presented in a 2006 Oregon Public Broadcasting documentary, The Three Rabbis. Rose is survived by wife, Lorraine; children Melanie Rose, Tania Rose, Laura Rose Lewis (Scott Lewis), Rabbi Joshua Rose (Channah Rose) and six grandchildren. The family will hold a private burial service at Beth Israel Cemetery. A community memorial service will be held at Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 N.W. Flanders St. Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. A reception will follow. According to a Department of Defense news release, one of the two special forces soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Saturday was from San Antonio. Sgt. 1st Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, was from San Antonio, according to officials. He was killed along with Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28, from New Mexico, in a so-called insider attack in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province late Saturday when an Afghan dressed in an Afghan army uniform opened fire, according to military officials. RELATED: U.S. confirms 2 soldiers killed, 6 wounded in Afghanistan attack Both soldiers were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), out of Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Sgt. 1st Class Gutierrez was a warrior that exemplified selfless service and a commitment to the mission, both values that we embody here in the 7th Special Forces Group, said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Special Forces Group Commander. Our priority now is to take care of his family and teammates, we will provide the best possible care possible during these trying times. Staff Sgt. Gutierrez was posthumously promoted to Sgt. 1st Class and awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart, according to a U.S. Army Special Operations Command release. Six others were injured during the attack and the gunman killed, according to Associated Press reports. In a statement, the U.S. military said an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time. This latest attack brings the total number of U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan in 2020 to six. Associated Press contributed to this report. Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story included a video provided by the Department of Defense depicting a man by the name Javier Gutierrez. He was not Sgt. 1st Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez from this story. The video has since been removed. A small number of Republican senators tried to talk to the White House to prevent President Donald Trump from firing Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union. But the president wasnt swayed by their concern that it would look bad for him to get rid of a key impeachment witness and went ahead with the ouster, reports the New York Times. Beyond optics, the senators, including Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, tried to convince Trump with the argument that ousting Sondland was unnecessary because he was already in talks to leave the administration after the impeachment trial. But Trump was apparently uninterested in trying to get Sondland to leave quietly. When Sondland refused to resign Friday, Trump ordered he be recalled from his post immediately. Other senators who tried to prevent the firing included Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Martha McSally of Arizona, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement of Sondlands ouster came shortly after Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a Ukraine expert on the National Security Council staff who was also an impeachment witness, was fired and escorted out of the White House. Vindmans twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, who worked as a lawyer on the National Security Council staff, was also fired even though he did not take part in the impeachment hearings. The senators were not as eager to try to stop Alexander Vindmans ouster, in part because the presidents allies saw it as inevitable. Democrats have characterized the firings as a Friday night massacre, saying it was a way to get revenge against those who testified against the president. A Trump adviser confirmed to CNN that the firings were a way to send a message that speaking up against the president would not be tolerated. Flushing out the pipes, an adviser told CNN. It was necessary. Trump pushed back on the characterization of Vindman as a victim, calling him very insubordinate. In a series of tweets Saturday, Trump said Vindman was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information. Trump did not explain why Vindmans twin brother was also fired. Vindmans lawyer issued a statement later Sunday, saying Trumps allegations conflict with the clear personnel record and the entirety of the impeachment record of which the President is well aware. The New York police officer accused of letting his young autistic son freeze to death in a garage overnight kept custody of his three children despite a judge suspecting him of abuse. Authorities say Michael Valva, 40, had complete custody of his sons when eight-year-old Thomas Valva died of hypothermia on January 17, after allegedly being starved, beaten and locked outside his home in freezing temperatures. Valva and his fiancee, 42-year-old Angela Pollina, have been charged with second-degree murder in Thomas' death. Valva maintained custody of his children despite desperate pleas from Thomas' biological mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, and concerns from school officials. Initially, Valva agreed to a one-year probation period - an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal - in March 2018, as well as attending parenting classes and refraining from 'any acts of physical and domestic violence' towards his sons. A Suffolk County Family Court judge allowed Michael Valva (left) to maintain custody of Thomas Valva (right) despite concerns that the young autistic boy was being abused But court records show red flags suggesting the physical abuse never stopped, New York Daily News reports. Still, Suffolk County Family Court Judge Bernard Cheng left the three children in their father's care even after admitting he was concerned 'about a couple of things' in February 2019. The three Valva boys were also failed by Child Protective Services, who visited the family three times from March 2018 to March 2019 and reported no issues. Cheng cited an interview with Valva's oldest son, Anthony, where the autistic 10-year-old arrived in January 2019 bent over at the waist and said his backside was sore. Valva (left) and his fiancee, 42-year-old Angela Pollina, have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Thomas Medical officials say Thomas (pictured) died of hypothermia - just two days after his father referred to him as a 'piece of s****' in texts to Pollina Anthony also attended school with injuries so grave from beatings that school officials were forced to ice his upper thighs and rear. Cheng said: 'He was not able to explain how he got hurt and denied falling. He also stated his father told him to say he does not get hit at his house' '...Anthony was (also) observed with bruising on his arm in the shape of fingerprints. So the court is concerned with that.' Cheng wrote that Valva was 'less than credible', noting that the man would change his testimony when pressed for details. He also brought up Anthony and Thomas' fluctuating weight. A 2018 East Moriches School District report showed Anthony's severe weight loss and Thomas' concerning plateau. 'Biggest concern is that Mr. Valva and his fiance Angela do not understand the depth of Anthony and Thomas's disabilities,' the report read, regarding Thomas' brother. 'Both Anthony and Thomas come into school hungry and frequently say they did not eat breakfast because they did not ask for breakfast or got in trouble.' 'The boys were afraid to go to the nurses's office for a while and they said it was because they were directed by Mr. Valva and Angela not to go to the nurse's office.' Anthony had allegedly dropped around 11 pounds over the course of nine months. The report says: 'Both Anthony and Thomas come into school hungry and frequently say they did not eat breakfast because they did not ask for breakfast or got in trouble' A 2018 East Moriches School District report detailed concerns of abuse for Valva's two oldest sons, including being denied food and losing significant weight Additionally, officials from the East Moriches school district claimed that the boys had difficulty concentrating and shifted through garbage cans in search for food. Katherine Izzo, a neighbor of Zubko-Valva, would later testify that Thomas revealed that his father hit him several times. However, Suffolk Assistant County Attorny Randall Rajti said the concerns were 'non-issues' and pushed back against further investigations. Cheng objected, but ultimately did not proceed with any action. 'The court cannot ignore there are problems going on,' Cheng said. 'Anthony is facing stressors. His deterioration in his level of functioning suggests that his needs are not being met.' Thomas Valva's funeral was held in Long Island, New York, on January 30 after he froze to death Justyna Zubko-Valva (pictured) repeatedly begged for custody of her three sons and warned authorities that Michael Valva was abusing the children Cheng said he must rely on the the findings from Child Protective Services investigators - who reported no wrongdoing - and could not reverse the initial custody arrangement ordered by Nassau County matrimonial Judge Hope Zimmerman. Lucian Chalfen, a New York courts spokesman, said the case was handled according to protocol despite the tragic incident. He said: 'As a neglect case, an inordinate amount of time was spent on this case by the judge including ordering three CPS investigations of the father and two physician visits.' 'These are not routine occurrences. Extra attention was paid to this case.' In his decision, Cheng would once again deny custody to Zubko-Valva. 'That is denied. You have to learn that once I make a decision that is it,' he wrote. The alleged murderers: Valva and Pollina (pictured with Thomas and their other children) were charged with second-degree murder on Friday The heartbreaking incident initially began when Valva beat Thomas at their Bittersweet Lane home in the Center Moriches hamlet in Long Island. Then, Valva forced Thomas outside into the garage when the area was a frigid 19 degrees that night. Thomas body temperature was just 76 degrees -21 degrees below a normal temperature- when doctors later attempted to revive him. Before calling 911, Valva is said to have placed the boys cold body in a warm bath to raise his core temperature. Authorities dispatched to the couples home around 9.40am after reports that Thomas had fallen in the driveway and lost consciousness. The funeral service for Thomas was held in the Long Island neighborhood of Melville last Thursday Responding officers found Valva performing CPR on Thomas in the basement before he was rushed to Long Island Community Hospital and pronounced dead. In addition to hypothermia, Thomas also suffered head and face injuries that were not consistent with Valvas story. Valvas cover story that Thomas was trying to catch the school bus and died after falling in the driveway- quickly came apart as homicide detectives investigated the death. Long Island prosecutors say Valva called his Thomas a 'f*****g piece of s**t' and bragged that he had 'been through more stressful things' when he learned the boy died of hypothermia. Gasps were heard in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead on Thursday as prosecutors read text messages that Michael Valva sent to his fiancee just two days before his autistic son, Thomas, died at his home in Center Moriches on January 17. He grimaced during the hearing as prosecutors read text messages he sent to Pollina expressing no remorse over his son's death Both Valva and his fiancee, Angela Pollina (above) were arraigned in Suffolk County court in Riverhead on Thursday 'I have zero clothing for him,' Valva texted to Pollina. 'F**k a piece of s**t Thomas,' one text read. 'He's not going anywhere.' Suffolk County prosecutor Kerriann Kelly shocked those in the courtroom when she described Valva's reaction to the news that his son had died in a hospital. 'When asked if he needed anything at the hospital after his son was ultimately pronounced (dead), the defendant replied, 'I've been through more stressful things than this',' Kelly said. Kelly also said that after Valva summoned EMTs to his home to help his already-dead son, Pollina went into the bathroom of their home to fix her hair. 'It took her about 45 minutes before she arrived at the hospital,' Kelly said of Pollina. The children's mother, Justyna Zubko-Valva, was in court sobbing during the arraignments of her estranged husband and his fiancee. After the hearing, she gave a statement to reporters blasting authorities for not doing enough to protect her dead son. Justyna, who buried Thomas last Thursday, also filed court documents warning officials that her children were being neglected and abused by her Valva and his fiancee 'What happened to my son is a clear instance of enormous corruption within the system,' a tearful Zubko-Valva said. 'The people involved have Thomas' blood on their hands.' Before the uncovered text messages, audio recordings obtained by authorities from family surveillance footage at the couple's home captured Valva mocking and joking about his son as he slowly died from hypothermia. Thomas was so cold that he was 'face-planting' on the floor, according to Assistant District Attorney Laura Newcombe. New York Post reports that one of the other children asks why Thomas can't walk. Pollina said: 'Because hes hypothermic. When you wash with cold water and its freezing out you become hypothermic'. She later asks Valva the same question only to receive a callous response from the father. 'Because hes cold. Boo f**king hoo,' he said, according to prosecutors at the couple's arraignment. At one point, Pollina walked into the garage and asked Valva what he was doing. 'Im f**king suffocating him thats what Im doing,' Valva said, prompting Pollina to answer, 'Take your hands off his mouth. There are people everywhere.' Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal American Airlines is set to bring back direct flights between Los Angeles and the Santa Fe Regional Airport on a temporary basis, which could benefit the citys burgeoning film industry. But city officials would prefer to see daily flights between the two cities, which they say would have a greater impact not just on the film industry, but the local economy as a whole. As of now, American Airlines flights are scheduled on Saturdays only, meaning round-trip passengers would have to stay a week if they didnt want to make any stops in between. The direct flights are scheduled for takeoff beginning April 11. The airline plans to maintain a Saturday schedule through Oct. 24. Its uncertain if the airline will continue the nonstop flights beyond that date. Were always evaluating our network based on supply and demand, and look forward to starting this new service, American spokeswoman Nichelle Tait said in an email. The flights will be on a Bombardier CRJ700 series airplane with nine first class seats and 56 seats in main cabin. Outbound flights are scheduled to leave Santa Fe at 12:47 p.m. and arrive at LAX at 2:03 p.m. local time, according to the American Airlines website. The return flight will take off at 11:20 a.m. and arrive in Santa Fe at 2:19 p.m. Round-trip tickets are selling for $172 for basic economy, $242 for the main cabin and $520 for first class. Between 2009 and 2015, American offered direct flights from Santa Fe to Los Angeles on a daily basis, and at one point there were two flights per day. Airport manager Mark Baca said the airline cancelled the daily flights due to low ridership. Baca said the new flights will serve as an experiment of sorts to see if American will want to provide more frequent trips in the future. Its a good thing were getting this flight to test the waters and see what kind of interest we can get, he said. The Santa Fe airport already has nonstop flights to three other cities: Dallas, Denver and Phoenix. Local officials long for the return of daily flights between the City Different and the City of Angels, which could boost Santa Fes growing film reputation. Santa Fe was recently listed as the third best small town on MovieMakers annual roll of best places to live and work as a moviemaker. Evidence of that is the open casting call for the Netflix production of The Harder They Fall, which will take place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Hotel Santa Fe & Spa. Albuquerque, which already offers daily non-stop flights between the two cities, was ranked No. 1 on the MovieMaker list for big cities for the second year in a row. Jennifer LaBar-Tapia, film liaison at the Santa Fe Film Office, said the weekly flights will make accessing Santa Fe a little bit easier, but shed like to see flights more often than just once a week. I dont know how conducive it will be for film productions, because a lot of our above-the-line (movie creative types) who are coming out of the LA region like to go home for the weekend, LaBar-Tapia said. They have their families, or they like to bring their families out here while theyre shooting. They can commute home a lot easier with these direct flights, she continued. The problem is, its just on a Saturday, so if we can get those more frequent like we used to have, that would really be ideal. Film productions in New Mexico, which has earned the nickname of Tamalewood because of the success of the film industry, have been on the rise, and thats especially true in Santa Fe County. After the Santa Fe Film Office was founded in the summer of 2016, LaBar-Tapia said there were 23 productions in fiscal year 2017, 49 productions in fiscal year 2018 and 73 productions in fiscal year 2019, which ran from July 2018 to June 2019. LaBar-Tapia said Santa Fe County is on pace to break that record this fiscal year. Every year, were on this uptick and the movie industry is this very word-of-mouth industry, so when productions come here and have a good experience, they come back, or they tell their counterparts at other studios or other people in the film industry about coming to Santa Fe, she said. Tourism Santa Fe Executive Director Randy Randall believes the return of the direct flight between Santa Fe and Los Angeles could be a step toward making Santa Fe the No. 1 small town in the country for filmmakers. We have a contingent of film people who have chosen Santa Fe to reside, but need to go to LA on a regular basis, he said. Randall said the flights will also provide a convenient option for Santa Feans and visitors alike. And it could do wonders for Santa Fes economy. Santa Fe Office of Economic Development Director Rich Brown said the flights could have a positive effect on industries besides film, such as outdoor recreation, arts, and science and technology. Angelenos will also have easier access to art galleries, museums and Meow Wolf, for example. The city is already investing in the regional airport to make it more convenient and pleasurable to fly out of Santa Fe. Plans are to expand the terminal from about 9,000 square feet to about 30,000 square feet. The city is also putting money into an expansion to the airport parking lot. While people can still fly out of Albuquerque, travelling straight to Santa Fe will take a couple of hours off travel time. And thats important to jet setting Hollywood types, LaBar-Tapia said. The more accessible we can be to L.A., it just helps. And if that means just bringing in this one flight for now, well take it, she said. Hopefully, American will see the benefit and there will be butts in the seats, so to speak, and theyll increase their flight schedule. The Supreme Court's latest verdict on quotas in promotions in government jobs appears turning out to be a hot potato for the BJP with allies and the opposition voicing disagreement with the order. Congress on Sunday targeted the BJP government in Uttarakhand claiming that its lawyers failed to argue the case effectively in the apex Court and raised questions on the BJP's commitment to the cause of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. BJP ally Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) too expressed its displeasure over the apex court verdict and urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure that people belonging to reserved categories continue to get quotas in promotions in government jobs. In a bid to step up pressure on the government, Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan has convened a meeting of SC/ST members of Parliament on Monday for discussion on the issue. LJP President Chirag Paswan said the recent judgement of the Supreme Court was entirely against the concept of reservation and wanted the government to ensure restoration of reservation as provided in the Constitution. Congress leaders Mukul Wasnik and Udit Raj declared that the party would launch demonstrations both inside and outside Parliament to demand the restoration of the quotas in promotion in government jobs. We respectfully put forth our dissent against this verdict. It is unfortunate that those who hold important posts in the government today are against reservation, Wasnik, a former union minister for social justice and empowerment, told reporters here. Wasnik recalled the statements of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calling for a rethink on the reservation policy and doubted the BJP's commitment to the cause of the SC/ST communities. The BJP government at the Centre and the BJP government in Uttarakhand have taken a different stand on the issue in courts. BJP should clarify this dichotomy, Udit Raj, a former Lok Sabha member, said. He wanted the Modi government to clarify whether it agreed with the stand taken by the Uttarakhand government in the Supreme Court. On Friday, the apex court had ruled that it cannot compel states to provide quotas and states could not be forced to make such provisions without data showing imbalance in the representation of certain communities in public service. In a verdict delivered on appeals on reservations for SC/ST community members in promotions to Assistant Engineer (Civil) posts in the Public Works Department of the Uttarakhand government, the apex court said there was no fundamental right that allowed for such claims. An employee from a disinfection service company sprays disinfectant at a traditional market in Seoul, Feb. 7. Reuters The number of people in South Korea held in quarantine and undergoing coronavirus tests jumped nearly twofold to 620 people Saturday, as the number of confirmed cases here remains unchanged at 24. The country's health protection agency said compared with Friday 293 more people are being checked as Seoul has expanded the scope of people who can be tested for the virus that is thought to have originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. It said that 1,420 people who have come in contact with infected people have been identified and quarantined for monitoring so far, with 1,090 currently in isolation. The total is up from 1,386 people who were tallied the day before, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The KCDC said the country has tested 1,701 people for the new coronavirus since Jan. 3, 1,057 of whom have tested negative. Of all the people confirmed to have contracted the virus here, two who have fully recovered have been released. The total now in quarantine and undergoing treatment stands at 22, with health authorities stressing that all are in stable condition. The KCDC, however, said not a single patient has been discharged in the day, with details to be announced later. The third and fourth patients, both Korean nationals in their 50s, meanwhile, have mostly recovered, the KCDC said. The two patients had the longest treatment period. Of the confirmed cases in the country, eight contracted the illness here likely through person-to-person transmissions, 11 recently visited China, and five visited Singapore, Thailand and Japan. Four of the total treated for the virus were Chinese nationals, with the rest being South Koreans. The public health agency said the 16th patient who visited Thailand has made contact with 362 people in the country after her return on Jan. 19. Two others in her family have been infected, with Seoul working with Bangkok to determine how she was infected. In regards to the two men who were found to have caught the virus after attending the same business meeting in Singapore, the KCDC said they have been told there were Chinese citizens from Wuhan at the gathering. South Korea, which reported its first confirmed case on Jan. 20, has stepped up its response to controlling the spread of the new coronavirus. The country has expanded the scope of its checks to anyone who has visited any part of China and shown symptoms like an elevated temperature or respiratory issues. These people are classified as "suspected cases" and are subject to a medical check, according to the KCDC. People who are suffering from pneumonia brought on by unknown causes can also be examined for the virus. Previously, South Korea only checked people who felt sick within 14 days of returning from Hubei. South Korea also bars entry to foreigners who visited or stayed in Hubei, where Wuhan is located, in the previous two weeks. On Friday, a quick test for the new coronavirus became available at 124 public health centers across the country in the latest effort to further stem the spread of the disease here. Those who have been to China in the last 14 days and feel ill can visit health centers for a check-up. In addition, doctors at the centers can at their own discretion test a person even if he or she has not been to China recently. The health ministry here said for now, the country can carry out some 3,000 tests on a daily basis, although priority will be placed on people who have been abroad and those with acute signs of illness. The goal is to conduct at least 5,000 tests per day. Besides domestic efforts to halt the spread of the illness, the government said it is keeping close tabs on developments in China. "The Lunar New Year holiday that was extended by authorities to prevent the spread of the virus officially ends Sunday, so there will be a spike in the movement of people that pose risks," a senior official said. South Korea in the next one or two weeks will concentrate its quarantine efforts on monitoring everyone who arrives from China. All costs associated with the tests will be covered by the state, with Seoul saying it will provide 1.23 million won (US$1,030) per month to a four-person family with a member in quarantine. The health ministry said that the monthly living expenses allowance will be provided to anyone who has been in quarantine for more than 14 days, with foreign nationals also eligible for support. It said the move is to compensate people who cooperate with the ongoing effort to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. If a person without a family is quarantined, the government said it will provide 454,900 won if that person has been in isolation for two weeks. The total amount will be adjusted to reflect the size of the family and the period a person is in quarantine. The compensation rules apply to those that are in self-quarantine as well. The ministry, however, said those that received paid leave from their companies will not be able to apply for the compensation pay. (Yonhap) Two U.S. troops were killed and six others wounded in an attack Saturday in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, a military official said. U.S. and Afghan forces were conducting a joint operation when an individual wearing an Afghan uniform opened fire on the service members using a machine gun, according to Col. Sonny Leggett, spokesman for American forces in Afghanistan. "We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time," Leggett said in a statement. "The incident is under investigation." More from NBC News Turkey accused of sending Syrians back to 'war zone' as conflict escalates Evangelist Franklin Graham scrambles to rebook tour after all UK venues cancel Memorial service held for U.S. airman who died fighting Australian wildfires The names of the service members killed in action will not be released until 24 hours after their families have been notified, officials said. The U.S. has 12,000 to 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, but in December three current and former U.S. officials told NBC News that the Trump administration was poised to withdraw approximately 4,000 of them. President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the "endless wars" and NBC News reported in August that the president has made clear to his advisers that he wants to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by the 2020 election, according to five current and former administration and military officials. The war in Afghanistan, America's longest, has raged for 18 years and killed nearly 2,300 troops, according to the Department of Defense. From January 2009, when the United Nations began a systematic documentation of civilian casualties, to September, some 34,000 Afghan civilians have been killed as a result of the armed conflict. No presidential candidate has finished lower than second place in New Hampshire and gone on to become the partys nominee. For all of the candidates, there was another looming problem: the entrance, as of the March 3 Super Tuesday primaries, of former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, who has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars in pursuit of the nomination, although he has yet to appear on a ballot or step on a debate stage. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor An Ikeja Special Offences Court heard on Thursday how a middle-aged woman (names withheld) was allegedly raped and robbed of N198,000 ... An Ikeja Special Offences Court heard on Thursday how a middle-aged woman (names withheld) was allegedly raped and robbed of N198,000 inside Balogun Market, Lagos by a trader, one Fidelis Nnaona, aged 29 after threatening her with a knife. The incident happened on March 22, 2018 in an uncompleted building at Balogun Market. Led in evidence by the prosecution, Olusola Soneye before Justice Abiola Soladoye, the victim who is a beautician, lamented that Fidelis had approached her and offered to help her purchase some goods in the market but ended up raping and robbing her in an uncompleted building in the process. The victim said she went to Balogun market on the day of the incidence to buy some fabrics when her assailant approached her asking what she needed. She told the court she declined his offer to help but that the defendant kept following her. She said that at a point, Fidelis who claimed to also be a trader in the market began wooing her but that she told him to stay back. She said this made her to insult him and consequent upon which he pulled her dress at a point. The victim said Fidelis threatened her that he was going to teach her a lesson. She said that when they got a place that was a little secluded, Fidelis pulled out a knife with which he threatened and ordered her to follow him. She said she followed him quietly to avoid being stabbed. She said she offered him N198,000 which she wanted to use to buy goods and her phone but which did not deter him. He led me to an abandoned building in Idumota on the Island. On getting there, he told me to climb the stairs and take off my pant and I protested. He started threatening me that he is going to cut me with the knife if I dont obey him and that he would get away with it. So, I took off my pant and gave my pant to him, she said. She said that the defendant thereafter told her that he still has one lesson to teach her and that was when he raped me. She said the defendant warned her not to shout and threatened to cut her if she did. You cant shout, I have your pant with me whatever you say is your word against mine. I will simply tell everybody you gave your pant to me willingly. If you walk quietly back into the market, youll be fine. He said that repeatedly, she told the court. She said that after a while, she no longer heard him saying anything and that was when she knew she was alone. I turned back and I didnt see him again. I sat on the floor and started crying that my phone, my money was gone and that someone just raped me. She said that it was a passerby who saw her that took her to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba where she was medically examined and treated. I was given tablet to prevent pregnancy and STD, she said adding that three days after she was placed on Antiretroviral drugs for 30 days. She told the court that the defendant was arrested when she returned to the market with a friend on April 4, 2018. She said that while walking along Marina, she sighted the defendant and that immediately he saw her, he took to his heels. She said that she raised an alarm as a result of which some people chased the defendant, arrested him and handed over to Ebute-Ero Police Station. She said she wrote statements at the station about how she was raped by the suspect but that the defendant was released after 24 hours. She said that she was able to recover her phone after the police tracked her phone back to the suspect. Justice Soladoye adjourned the matter till February 20. Fidelis is standing trial on a two-count charge of alleged armed robbery and rape. The defendant resident at Block 61 Flat 19 Amuwo Odofin Festac is charged with armed robbery and rape contrary to Section 297(2) (a) and Section 260 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 respectively. This month, in Torontos Union Station, there will hang a quilt by Canadian artist and poet Nadine Williams in commemoration of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (International Decade). The piece is an intricately stitched work of art depicting the indestructible threads that tie Canadians across the continent of Africa. Separate, and yet at the same time threaded together in a common journey. The International Decade is a necessary, focused period of time where world leaders have agreed to recognize, achieve justice, and intentionally develop our shared economic destinies. Acknowledgment of the International Decade, which the Canadian government officially began to take part of in 2018, aims to recognize people of African descent as a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected. As Canadians celebrate Black History month, a national recognition made possible by Canadas first African-Canadian female Member of Parliament Jean Augustine, there are countless exhibits to engage with from coast to coast. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau serves as the first Canadian prime minister to attend an African Union Summit, with travel to Ethiopia and Senegal this week reinforcing a quilted connection over 400 years in the making. After making his way to Goree Island, off the coast of Dakar, Senegal and standing at the Door of No Return (a memorial to the Transatlantic slave trade), the prime ministers understanding of the journey of a distinct people in Canada will be deepened. With this enhanced understanding of our history, his government will be better prepared and hopefully motivated to collaboratively shape our economic futures. To quote Yaa Gyasi, author of the 2016 novel Homegoing, This was where it started, but when, where, did it end? This past week I joined the Black Political Action Committee of Canadas call for action on economic inclusion for Black Canadians, and positive and responsive measures as it relates to the International Decade. There was a specific focus on entrepreneurship supports, removing barriers for Black owned businesses to access government procurement processes, and increased representation across government and arms length institutions shaping Canadas future economy. We further reiterated our support for holistic reviews and reforms within Canadas justice system using an anti-Black racism lens, mental health supports, an official apology for slavery in Canada, an Emancipation Day Act of Parliament, and capital funding for Black-led community infrastructure projects. There is no singular leader within the vibrant Black communities that make up the African diaspora across Canada, there are many. The African diaspora in Canada is an interconnected web whose institutions and networks predate Confederation itself. In this continued trust-building exercise, I turn to the wisdom of my grandmother whose church covenant reminded us to be slow to take offence, and always ready for reconciliation. Leading with grace, understanding and hard work. Over the course of Black History Month the prime minister, and all elected officials, will engage and hear directly from many Black voices. Halfway into the International Decade, and ahead of the 2020 budget, Black communities are expecting measurable results. Prime Minister Trudeau will do well to listen and seek greater understanding of the Black experience across Canada balanced with Canadas role in the economic empowerment of African continental states. It is only after this that he will be able to contribute to sustainable change. In the words of Maya Angelou, Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. The real winners of this work are the Black women entrepreneurs further empowered to shine and build stronger business while growing healthier communities in Canada, Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and beyond. Canada has long been overdue for a shift in the narrative about the economic promise of this generation of Black entrepreneurs, and women especially, lifting as they climb. My only regret of 2019 was not joining a trip to Ghana in commemoration of the Year of Return. As a result, Ive made it a lifelong goal to plan many trips to connect to the roots of the freedom seekers that make up my own ancestry. Collaboratively stitching fresh patches of material to the quilt my generation has inherited and preparing to pass it forward. Tiffany Gooch is a Toronto-based Liberal strategist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: is a Toronto-based Liberal strategist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @goocht Read more about: "Once floodwater [reaches] 2.4m the Pittwater Road will be cut," the SES said. "If you remain in the area after 10.30pm you will be trapped without power, water and other essential services and it may be too dangerous to rescue you." Residents evacuate low-lying areas around Narrabeen Lagoon. Credit:Jacqui Kirk "This flood will be higher than the 2016 flood of the Narrabeen Lagoon." All residents in affected areas were told to evacuate to friends or family outside the flood area or seek refuge in evacuation centres set up in the Mona Vale Memorial Hall or Cromer Community Centre. Narrabeen resident Jacqui Kirk said residents were staying optimistic. "Incredible community spirit in flooded areas, neighbours helping push cars and fill sandbags. "[There's] heavy traffic with people coming to check it all out as well, which has cause[d] problems creating a wake that washes into houses." A fourth evacuation order was issued for residents in parts of Moorebank, Chipping Norton and Milperra, to the west of Bankstown Airport. In Sydney's south-west, residents with properties backing onto the Georges River in Sydney's south were instructed to leave by 7pm, amid fears floodwaters would cut off all escape routes. Residents were advised to head in the direction of Liverpool. A tree fell in Bridge Street just before 1.30pm, crushing a car. Credit:NSW Ambulance By Sunday afternoon, extreme rain had inundated much of Sydney and the east of NSW. Sydney CBD had recorded 146mm since 9am, while Ingleburn had seen 199mm, Peakhurst 182mm and Hornsby 173mm. Some of the worst falls hit south of Wollongong, with Wattamolla recording 266mm since 9am. Along with the rain, gale-force winds battered coastal areas, topping out at maximum speeds of 110km/h, recorded at Fort Denison just after 5pm. "The multi-day rainfall from this event looks like much more than what we had during the June 2016 east coast low which was our last significant east coast low," Bureau acting NSW state manager Jane Golding said on Saturday. A tree fell in Victoria Street in Potts Point just after 3pm, causing a suspected gas leak and forcing residents to evacuate. Credit:KlausHeo / Twitter "Potentially, we haven't seen anything like this since the late 1990s." Meanwhile, more than 137,000 people remain without power as of 9pm as tree falls, high winds and drenching rains wreaked havoc on roads and the public transport network. Four people in the CBD were taken to hospital after a tree fell on their car just before 1.30pm, crushing the vehicle. Loading Paramedics treated five people at Bridge Street for neck pain and to take precautions against spinal injuries. Four of the passengers, two men and two women believed to be in their 50s, were taken to hospital in stable conditions. In Potts Point, a large tree came down just before 3.15pm, uprooting a section of footpath and causing a suspected gas leak. Residents were evacuated from surrounding properties and nearby St Vincent's College will remain closed on Monday, one of over 30 schools in the state forced shut. This wet and windy weather is really wreaking havoc on our roads today, with paramedics responding to five car accidents every hour since Friday night, NSW Ambulance Duty Operations Manager said. Weve responded to multiple trees that had fallen onto cars, trees into houses and units, and people trapped in cars in floodwaters. This was a lucky escape for the passengers who were in the car when a tree fell on them in the city today. Rain is forecast to intensify into Sunday evening, making for a rarely-seen weather event, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Catchment areas are having the best inflow they have seen in three years, according to WaterNSW. Warragamba Dam is receiving 40 billion litres of water each day, and is predicted to swell above 50 per cent capacity for the first time since August 2019. Falls of over 130mm are predicted for the rest of Sunday, which could take the dam to 55 per cent capacity, effectively recouping nine months of water supply in less than a week. In other parts of the state, WaterNSW modelling shows the Nepean dam could overflow if the intense rainfalls continue, and all metropolitan dam storages will see their water levels rise. Wild weather at Bronte on Sunday morning. Credit:Brook Mitchell WaterNSW scientists are monitoring inflows for contaminants left by the fires that gripped the state. "While it is likely some ash and debris has been washed into the upper reaches of the Warragamba system, there is no impact on the water quality being supplied for treatment," WaterNSW spokesperson Tony Webber said. "Any surface debris is being avoided by extracting water from 30m below the surface as a precaution." Earlier on Sunday, four men were rescued by good Samaritans after their boat capsized on Brisbane Waters on the Central Coast, and one person was rescued after being swept away in floodwaters near Dungog. NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb chastised residents on Sunday morning for failing to heed the warnings not to drive through floodwater or enter waterways. The SES has responded to 2200 jobs since Wednesday. "We have experienced an increase in demand from people driving into floodwaters. It doesn't work. You can't beat those floodwaters under the volume of water. People are clearly not hearing or adhering to those messages." The wind had also affected surf conditions and waves of up to eight metres have been recorded. "Those waves are being directed towards the coast. That, in combination with the king tides we are seeing today and expecting tomorrow, will mean some areas see some coastal erosion and we will also see inundation into low-lying areas." The NSW Rural Fire Service announced on Saturday night that the rain had extinguished the mammoth Currowan fire, which raged for 74 days and razed 500,000 hectares on the South Coast from Batemans Bay to Sussex Inlet, running north to the southern highlands and inland to Queanbeyan. Kids have fun on their boards at flooded Nolan Reserve in Manly on Sunday. Credit:Renee Nowytarger The Blue Mountains has recorded some of the heaviest rainfall, with Wentworth Falls receiving 180mm, but areas around Newnes on the western side of the range have received much less rain, and the Gospers Mountain fire is still listed at advice level. The rain is causing havoc with transport, with Sydney Trains carrying out "urgent infrastructure repairs" at Central Station after platforms nine to 12 became inaccessible. The Centre is planing to change the scheme of the UPSC test for recruitment of entry-level paramilitary forces' officers and merging it with the civil services examination that selects IAS and IPS officers, officials said. A proposal in this regard is being thought upon, officials privy to the development told PTI, in the backdrop of the Union government last year granting the Organised Group A Service (OGAS) categorisation to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) that include CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. The organised service tag allows a service to have its own recruitment rules and enhanced avenues for promotion, pay, command and deputation of its officers. The deliberations are essentially aimed to change the scheme and syllabus of the Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandant) exam that is being conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) since 2003 for recruiting officers to lead these forces deployed in the internal security and border guarding domain of the country, they said. As the syllabus has "not been reviewed since then", the UPSC wrote to the Union Home Ministry in 2017, seeking its comments in finalising the new scheme and pattern of the exam, according to official documents. With the Union government granting the OGAS tag to the officers of these forces on the Supreme Court directions last year, it is now being thought upon that this test can be merged with the civil services examination in order to forge a better synergy between all the allied services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) and others, officials said. However, the recommendation is under consideration and a final decision is yet to be taken, they added. A committee of senior home ministry and CAPF officials that went into the issue of changing the scheme, syllabus and pattern of this exam in December last year, has also suggested inclusion of new subjects like challenges of internal security, ethics and values, they said. The CAPF service can been mentioned as a separate entity in the UPSC civil services exam notification once a decision to merge the test is taken, officials said. The annual CAPFs (AC) exam has three-stage evaluation -- a written test, physical efficiency test and an interview. It usually recruits about 300-400 men and women, as per requirement projected each year, in the age group of 20-25 years for the Central Reserve Police Force, the Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police force and Sashastra Seema Bal. CAPF officials have again gone to the court seeking its intervention to ensure them full benefits of the OGAS announced last year and curtailing the tenure of IPS officers in their services up to a certain number and rank. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment It is hard to believe that an entire year has passed since my dear father, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, left this world. My father died unexpectedly of a heart attack, but it was my heart that was shattered. I spoke to him every Friday before Shabbat and several times during the week. He was at every family birthday party and we spent all of the holidays together. I also had the privilege of working with my father at The Fellowship for 15 years. I simply couldn't imagine life without him. A Lasting Memorial After the Shiva, the week of mourning, I started a tradition with my family every Friday evening. Jews light Sabbath candles at sundown, and we decided to light a memorial candle in honor of my father at this time every week. Once the candles were lit, we shared memories of my father and spent a few moments remembering the love and light that he brought to our lives. This sacred time each week helped us through our journey of mourning. Recently it occurred to me how much our weekly commemorations have changed. When we began this custom, the moments were bittersweet more bitter than sweet. I took comfort in the memories but they also underscored how much I had lost. Yet, sometime in the past year, I realized that I hadn't really lost my father. In some ways, I feel his presence more than I ever did before. 'Love is Strong as Death' In the Jewish tradition, we believe that a righteous person is considered even more "alive" after death than when they were living. This is because when a soul is in a body, it is confined by time, space, and all physical limitations. When my father was alive, either he was with me or he was not. But when a soul is freed from the body, it is like a light that can shine brightly anywhere at any time. Now, I feel my father's presence all of the time. Moreover, the righteous live on through the good deeds done in their lifetime and through the love that they shared while living. As Scripture says, "Love is as strong as death" (Song of Songs 8:6); it does not end, but endures forever. Mourning into Healing This year of mourning has, thankfully, transformed into healing. While at first I felt more alone than ever with the passing of my father, I now feel him with me constantly, sending me love and encouragement. While at first, I was overwhelmed by stepping into my father's shoes, I have since felt his presence guide me and cheer me on. I see him everywhere in the smile of the elderly when I bring them a meal, in the grateful eyes of the needy when I hand them a food box, and in the joy of new olim (immigrants to Israel) when I meet them on the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport. I see him in the faces of my own children as they carry on our family values and traditions. My father's legacy extends beyond this life, and his impact on this world is forever. Rejoicing in the Rabbi's Legacy I miss my father dearly and wish he was here with me. I would do anything for one more hug and kiss. But as I remember him this week, one year after his passing, I will also celebrate his life and rejoice in his legacy. I thank God for giving me my father for 34 years, and I am grateful for his enormous love a love that is stronger than death, that has never left me, and I now know, never will. Thank you, Hashem, for giving me my Abba. May you love him as he has loved all of your children, and may his soul ascend even higher in everlasting life. About 1,000 people were involved in the mass brawl that occurred on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Akim of Zhambyl region Ablai Myrzakhmetov, during a press conference, stated this, as BaigeNews.kz reported. "In total, about one thousand people took part in the night riots," Myrzakhmetov said. He specified that now 47 people remain in police custody in the Kordai region. At the same time, 44 people from the village of Aukatti were released from custody. They were released after it became clear that they were not involved in the brawls. As we reported before, as a result of mass clashes in a number of settlements on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, eight people died, several dozen were injured, some even obtained gunshots. Minister of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan Erlan Turgumbayev announced this information at a briefing. According to him, the conflict began on the evening of February 7 on the outskirts of the village of Masanchi, it initially involved about 70 aggressively-minded residents. Some of the participants in the conflict filmed what was happening on video and, as Turgumbayev stated, "through messengers and social networks they called on citizens to illegal actions, which led to an escalation of the conflict." A bike rally was held here on Saturday against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "I am a Hindu and this protest is not against any religion but to preserve our culture, language and identity. In Delhi, CPM is opposing CAA but in Tripura Manik Sarkar has kept mum on the issue," said a protester. "Bikers will go to every village in Tripura and tell the people how CAA is harmful. Today we do not have jobs, then why are we planning to increase the population of the country by giving citizenships to those who are from neighbouring countries," he added. Protests have been going on in various parts of the country against the newly amended citizenship law since December last year. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and if they entered India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It pays to be royalty. Before landing a spot on Suits and tying the knot with Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan Markle was reportedly so poor that she could not afford to fix her car door. Meghan is now worth millions of dollars, not to mention all the wealth she has access to as a member of the royal family. Heres a quick look at Meghans struggles in the early days of her Hollywood career. Meaghan Markle | Christos Kalohoridis/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images How much is Meghan Markle worth? The best estimates put Meghans fortune at a little over $4 million. Most of her wealth comes from her days starring on the hit legal drama Suits, for which she pulled down close to $40,000 an episode. Meghan Markle also earned a good salary for her part in the movie Remember Me, which she worked on with her ex-husband, Trevor Engelson. When you account for Harrys wealth, however, the couple is worth well over $30 million and that will likely increase now that they have struck out on their own. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning on becoming independently wealthy now that they have stepped down as senior members of the royal family. Although Meghan will clearly never worry about money again, the former actress struggled in the financial department when she trying to get her first big break in Hollywood. When the Duchess of Sussex was broke As hard as it is to imagine, there once was a time when Meghan was so poor that she had to do outrageous things just to save a few bucks here and there. According to Express, this includes not being able to fix her car door when it broke. In a book from 2018 titled Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, author Andrew Morton claimed that Meghan had to climb in and out of her car through the trunk because she couldnt get the door repaired. Meghan Markle would reportedly park as far away as possible to avoid people seeing her getting out of the trunk. She would also act like she was looking for something in her trunk before climbing into the car. It was a scratchy hand-to-mouth existence, one experienced by thousands of Hollywood hopefuls, Morton added. Morton noted that Meghan was lucky she was in such good shape. If she hadnt been, she might not have been able to squeeze out through the trunk. What did Meghan do before Suits? Speaking of Meghans early days in Hollywood, when she was first starting out, she could only find infrequent roles here and there. To help supplement her income, she worked at a Beverly Hills restaurant and even taught gift-wrapping classes. The future Duchess of Sussex also used her skills in calligraphy to earn some money on the side. Her career changed when her father, Thomas Markle, got her a part in General Hospital. At the time, Thomas was working on the set as a lighting director and vouched for Meghan. Sadly, Meghan and Thomas are now estranged and do not talk to each other. From there, Meghans career eventually took off and she got her first big break on the popular legal drama, Suits. Her life, of course, changed forever when she met Harry, whom she married in 2018. Meghan Markle grew up on a Hollywood set While it took Meghan a few years to establish a career for herself in Hollywood, she was raised on sets in Los Angeles. When she was a young girl, for example, Meghan would often join her father on the set of Married with Children, an experience she later recalled was an odd place for an 11-year-old. Every day after school for 10 years, I was on the set of Married with Children, which is a really funny and perverse place for a little girl in a Catholic school uniform to grow up, Meghan stated in 2013. Prior to trying her hand in Los Angeles, Meghan attended Northwestern University, where she majored in communications and theater. Meghan always had dreams of acting, but she wanted to experience life outside of Los Angeles before she made the big plunge. Meghan loved college so much that she almost started a career in politics. She even landed an internship in Argentina working at a U.S. Embassy. But the world of American politics did not work out for Meghan Markle, who moved back to Hollywood after her days in college were over. And we all know how the fairytale went from there. Holding candles and writing condolences as monks chanted prayers, hundreds of Thais held an evening vigil Sunday for the 29 victims of an "unprecedented" mass shooting carried out by a soldier. Sharpshooters killed the gunman on Sunday morning after a 17-hour ordeal, including a night of firefights and terrifying dashes for mall exits by shoppers trapped in the Terminal 21 mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat. The provincial governor told reporters that the total death toll -- including the gunman -- stood at 30. The dead include civilians, one of them a 13-year-old boy, and security forces going after the rogue soldier, who was upset over a debt dispute, according to Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha. "It is unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happens," he said earlier outside a hospital where victims -- some in critical condition -- were being treated. Those who attended the somber vigil scrawled messages on white sheets of paper laid out on the ground, including "Remember Forever" and "I wish you a good afterlife". Prayut, a former army chief, blamed a "personal problem" over the sale of a house for the soldier's rampage, which began on Saturday afternoon near an army barracks and was for several hours relayed by the gunman via Facebook posts. The attacker, identified as Sergeant-Major Jakrapanth Thomma, used a stolen M60 machine gun and rifles from one of Thailand's largest barracks as well as a military Humvee to carry out the attack. Prayut said the gunman overpowered security at the barracks' arsenal and that "carelessness" was not a factor. "We don't leave the arsenal depot alone -- we had people guarding it." Volleys of gunfire rang out as the siege ran into dawn, hours after Thai security services stormed the ground floor and freed scores of terrified shoppers. They sent cascades of messages to friends and family on social media from storerooms, barricaded in toilets and hidden under tables as the gunman stalked the mall. With the machine gun slung over his shoulder and in full combat gear, Jakrapanth swaggered through the emptied out floors in haunting footage captured by CCTV cameras. Evacuees recounted how an ordinary Saturday at the busy shopping centre descended into horror as he entered. "It was like a dream... I'm grateful I survived," Sottiyanee Unchalee, 48, told AFP, explaining she hid in the toilet of a gym inside the mall as she heard the gunfire. Filipino teacher Aldrin Baliquing said he was ushered into a storeroom by staff as the shooting began. "We were there for six gruelling hours... I'm in shock," he said. Scores of people made a dash for it as police and soldiers in masks and wielding assault rifles took control of the ground floor following a gun battle and scoured the fleeing crowds for the assailant. - 'Like a Zombie movie' - "It was total panic, it was like a Zombie movie," Chanatip Somsakul, 33, said of his escape with his wife and three-year-old daughter. "People jumped on motorbikes and ran in all directions." Several hours later the gunman was shot dead. Photos showed smiling units of elite soldiers and police emerging from the mall. The gunman relayed his shooting spree through Facebook posts which charted the attack from an army barracks to the city mall. The bloodshed began Saturday afternoon when he shot three people -- among them at least one soldier -- at a senior officer's house and then at the nearby army barracks, before driving a military vehicle to the town centre. There the gunman used the stolen weapons to unleash carnage. Throughout the day he posted images of himself and wrote several posts on his Facebook page. In one Facebook video -- since deleted -- the assailant, wearing an army helmet, filmed from an open-top jeep, saying, "I'm tired... I can't pull my finger anymore" as he made a trigger symbol with his hand. There were also photos of a man in a ski mask holding a pistol. Thailand's digital economy minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said he contacted regional executives at the social media giant to report the activity. "I think this might be the first time that this happened in Thailand and it caused a lot of problems," he told AFP. A Facebook spokesperson said the gunman's accounts were removed and it will "work around the clock to remove any violating content related to this attack as soon as we become aware of it." Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, and several shootings at courthouses last year renewed concern about gun violence. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kusumasari Ayuningtyas (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta Sat, February 8 2020 Warjiyem, 50, believes her daughter, Dani Fajarwati, 30, is a victim, not an Islamic State (IS) fighter, despite the fact that she is now in Al Hol Camp in Syria. She went to Syria because her husband took her there. She is now in a tent at the camp with her toddlers, Warjiyem told The Jakarta Post on Friday. In 2014, Warjiyem said, Dani and her husband went to Syria without telling Danis parents. Warjiyem believed her son-in-law was responsible for taking her daughter to Syria and joining the IS. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login CHEYENNE Every winter as they settle behind their desks, the 90 men and women who make up the Wyoming Legislature must be conscious of the fact that, more often than not, they are probably going to fail. According to an analysis of legislative voting records for the past seven years, in general sessions of the Legislature, bills sponsored outside of committees are successful just under 36 percent of the time, compared to a significantly higher success rate for committee bills, which come tested and debated well before they arrive in the Capitol. The chance of success is even lower in budget years, where individual bills which need to receive the approval of two-thirds of members just to be discussed are passed into law just under 27 percent of the time. Thats an ironic lack of success given the clear majority of members willing to hear those bills on the floor: in the last three budget sessions, according to a Star-Tribune analysis, approximately 62.4 percent of individual bills received some sort of hearing a success rate nearly five points higher than in non-budget years. The only way to be successful in such a critical and selective system, veterans of the process say, is to understand how best to navigate the institution of the Legislature itself deploying politics to get things done without forgoing ones principles. That said, theres a lot to remember, and the political landscape is constantly shifting, not only in terms of the feelings of Wyoming voters, but in the temperament of the Legislature as well. Lawmakers must know not only how the power dynamics of leadership work, but also how to build coalitions, think strategically and when the going gets tough which groups can be challenged and which ones present obstacles in their pursuit of a better Wyoming. There are a lot of moving parts that determine what bills even make it to the floor in a budget session, said the Equality State Policy Centers Chris Merrill, an experienced observer of Cheyenne politics. With a lot of bills, theres a lot of work behind the scenes, decisions that are made that decide which bills will see the light of day and which bills will be kind of jammed so far down the list that there wont even be a vote. So its really hard to predict. Building influence Even the most powerful members of the Legislature can have problems passing legislation. In 2017, for example, House Speaker Steve Harshman, R-Casper, filed nine bills with the Legislative Service Office, only to see several die once theyd made their way to the Senate. It takes a lot for a lawmaker to even get to that point, particularly with 60 members of the House pushing their own pet projects, their own constituents needs and their own preferences. To rise above the fray, first and foremost, is to make sure that people like you. While other states have a traditional leadership hierarchy, Wyomings Legislature, observers say, resembles a system more in line with a meritocracy, designed in a way that allows rookies an early seat at the table. With its short, fast-paced sessions, a legislators word becomes as good as currency and, with little room for more protracted levels of negotiation, decisions need to be made in a quick and orderly fashion. Through a legislators consistency both in their word and their performance lawmakers can rise through the ranks quickly. They can get [to a leadership position] very fast, said Senate Vice President Ogden Driskill, who is entering his ninth legislative session this month. Guys like Tyler Lindholm (House majority whip) rocketed, as did Hans Hunt (former House majority whip). And you know, both of them are very open legislators, theyre ethically and morally bound, and their word is good. Everybody seemed to have gotten that right away. But leadership isnt for everybody. In a citizen legislature like Wyomings, the pay is low and the hours demanding, particularly as a member rises through the ranks. For many of the working people in the Legislature, change typically has to be affected from the throngs of the rank and file, who find influence not from the weight of their position, but from their numbers. In a legislative system dominated by one party, the states politics are dictated not by overarching ideologies, but by the issues themselves. Being a Republican alone, many will tell you, is not enough to get a fellow Republican to like your bill: coalitions matter a great deal, and oftentimes, they can form in unpredictable ways. In the 2019 Legislative Session, the best example could be seen in debates around death penalty repeal, an issue that has transcended party and redrawn the lines within the Legislature, not just between Republicans and Democrats, but within the membership as a whole. Its no longer a Republican issue or a Democratic issue its a Wyoming issue. Its an ideological jigsaw puzzle in some sense, where the coalitions needed to pass a bill can come from numerous sources libertarians, progressive Democrats, ultraconservative Republicans and right-of-center moderates and all have their role to play. Theres not enough time in the day to sit down and discuss things. You need to have a coalition of people helping to bring their thoughts to the body. In other words, if you got 60 members of the House, you better have 25 people that are all like-minded that can help move those things. You better be a good speaker and you better have a coalition of people that will sign on and say, Hey, thats a good idea. At the end of the day, you just need 31 people. Finding out who those people are or flipping them to your point of view takes legwork. While some, like Rep. Mike Greear, prefer to make their case from the microphone during floor debates, others, like Lindholm, prefer to work one-on-one behind the scenes, building personal relationships that can help to bolster support or to gauge the shortcomings in their bill that could make it easier to pass. This is an approach used by some legislators like freshman lawmaker and realtor Shelly Duncan, R-Torrington, to gain a better sense of what elements could make their bill better, or at least easier to pass. Having to read people and read emotions and negotiate, sometimes its a minefield, said Duncan. But you deal with that on a daily basis. So when I come from that real world, into the legislative world, Im having to read people having to negotiate whether we can ultimately go back and forth, to give up, to stand my ground and be firm or to see whether there is something I can give ground up on to make a bill stronger. Power, leverage and strategy While the public may believe the Wyoming Legislature is ruled by the edict of House and Senate leadership or the governor himself the reality is it primarily functions in conflict and in cooperation with itself, passing and killing bills by consensus. Just like the rest of the Legislature, we see their edicts come down and decide whether to fall in line or not, said Lindholm. Its a fascinating premise. If you look at states that are tight in regard to their party split, like Colorado, the Republicans and Democrats vote in lockstep. Theres no going away from that you do what youre told. Because were a supermajority, theres really no reason to do that, nor has there been. You dont see those types of votes happening. Things have changed in recent years however, says Sen. Michael Von Flatern, R-Gillette, a moderate who once served as Senate vice president and as a member of management council, which sets policies for the Legislature and has the final say on how committees spend their time. Where the bodies used to caucus sparingly, meetings between leadership and the rank and file have become more common in recent years, often used as a tool to take the temperature of the body and where they stand on an issue. From there, members of leadership can decide whether a bill is worth debating or not, a decision that ultimately requires the support of at least a simple majority to help them retain their legitimacy as leaders. However, caucuses are also an opportunity for members of leadership to push priority bills and talk them through, hoping enough members of their chambers see the light and pass the bill. However, lawmakers are quick to say that they never feel forced to vote a certain way. I have never been part of a directed vote, either on the receiving end or the giving hand, said Rep. Don Burkhart, R-Rawlins, who formerly served on management council. But, if you have something that you find is very, very important, you may I dont want to say coerce but you may try to do something to convince people to see your point of view. How they make those decisions, however, can be informed by a multitude of inputs. Like many lawmakers, Powells freshman Republican Sen. R.J. Kost believes his positions on many issues are informed by the general leanings of his constituency. As such, he will tend to vote for positions he feels are reflective of those he represents. However, other influences can begin to permeate into those attitudes. There are regional considerations for another part of the state, for example, or larger problems with the states budget that go beyond the immediate needs of his community. To make decisions effectively, he said, is to take on a holistic perspective of the work they do. In general, I always weigh the pro or con on different votes, and I really want to take them into perspective, said Kost. And at the same time, I think its important that we not only look at the impact on them, but the potential impact on the Big Horn Basin and on all of Wyoming. How does it affect the whole picture? instead of just looking at one little aspect. Thats not to say leadership has no sway over how things develop: while there is little enforcement over the way lawmakers vote, members of leadership can occasionally exert their power to kill bills they dislike or force those they do like to a floor debate something they can do either by holding a bill in their desk or by assigning it to a committee they deem as friendly or unfriendly. (The reason the agriculture committee might be assigned an abortion bill, for example.) The biggest influence that leadership has is in the handling of bills, Gail Symons, a longtime observer of the Legislature and author of politics blog 307 Civics, wrote in an email. That includes in deciding which ones that have been filed are actually introduced and then which committees the bills are assigned. If there is any whipping of bills, it is not apparent. The other influence is on the assignment of legislators to committees, another way that leadership has of managing potentially rogue legislators. Placement can also impact how a bill is evaluated, Von Flatern said. A bill assigned to judiciary committee, for example, may be judged solely on its legal merits, while one assigned to the agriculture or transportation committees may see its members voting with their hearts on a bill. In that sense, choosing the committee a bill is assigned to can ultimately make or break a bill. You might have a brilliant idea, or you think its a brilliant idea, he said. But if it gets sent to the wrong committee with people who are philosophically opposed to your idea, whether its good or not, can matter. I mean, it suddenly dies in committee and youre trying to figure out why. You have to look at the makeup of that committee, and you have to figure out whos your friend and whos your enemy, basically. Take tolling I-80 for example, he added. If we want to pass that bill, I would not send it to a committee that was made up of mostly Rawlins and Cheyenne and Rock Springs people. They would say, Why are you picking on us? I guess thats basically emotion voting versus the actual facts. Influence from the outside While the politics of the Legislature can sometimes be seen as an insiders game, its often the influences from the outside that can have the most impact. A corporate income tax that flew through the House of Representatives last year, for example, was killed after immense opposition from outside sources, while other groups like the hospitality industry used their influence to nearly push a statewide lodging tax across the finish line. (That effort failed after an outpouring of opposition from the public, however.) Even the governors office can apply pressure when needed, sometimes dispatching staffers to lobby lawmakers on programs it supports, like the Wyoming Works program. With little time to consider bills, lobbyists have come to occupy an uneasy but essential role in the lawmaking process, often serving as the primary authority for an issue many legislators may not have had ample time to study on their own. While that trust is fragile most lobbyists and lawmakers will tell you that one mistake could be the end of that relationship it is an essential part of the lawmaking process. However, its largely the citizens themselves who make the most impact. While many constituents are relegated to formats like email or mail to interact with their leaders, some like Bondurants Bill Winney make the trek down to the session every year,. His standout achievement, he said, came several years ago on a change to the states computer science education standards, which followed an email he had sent to the chairman of the committee that, he said, was ultimately taken into consideration. The method to my madness is straightforward, Winney wrote in an email. I want the legislators to understand that I am speaking only for myself, that Im not pushing an agenda for someone, and that I speak from my experience and knowledge. Over the years they have come to know my background and, I believe, see that I speak from that background. I dont expect them to agree with me, but I do hope they will listen and reflect on what I say. I believe I am successful in that regard. Then there are the political considerations. While the House and Senate each have their own vibe to them, there is one distinct separation between the two bodies that can have unpredictable implications on how they conduct policy: elections. While each member of the House of Representatives is up for re-election every two years, senators are only up for reelection every four years, with only half up for reelection in a given year. That means less ideological turnover as a body and less of a tendency among legislators to consider their prospects for reelection when voting on a bill. Symons says that elections can greatly influence how lawmakers do their jobs. Oftentimes, this can manifest itself not in bold actions, but in moves made in self-preservation. I do believe there is more often defensive approaches to legislating, Symons wrote in an email. That is, actions geared towards preventing political opposition to keeping their seat that may hold back individuals. That is most visible as you see the legislature kicking the can. Outside political influence has had direct impacts on the outcomes of some bills lawmakers have considered, however. For Driskill, one of his greatest regrets came following outside political pressure on the controversial Stand Your Ground bill, which he believed caused his peers to rush a bill that was not, in the parlance of the Legislature, ready for prime time. A more current example could be seen in the recent activism of the state Republican Party on social and taxation issues, which many feel is bringing the party dangerously close to becoming a lobbying organization. Ultimately, Duncan said, a legislators vote should be viewed through only one lens: whether they can defend their decision at the end of the day. When you come from a small community like I do, you just have to stick to your guns and really vote your conscience, she said. Thats the test: Can you defend your vote to your people back home? Can look yourself in the mirror and sleep at night? Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A man wanted in Burlington County for alleged sex crimes was arrested in Philadelphia Saturday. Charles E. Torrance, of Marlton, was indicted by the Burlington County Prosecutors Office Friday and charged with crimes related to having sex with a minor at his home on Summer Lane. Authorities said Torrance, 50, failed to appear in court and was considered a fugitive. Torrance was found at a homeless shelter on Spruce Street in Philadelphia after Evesham Police received an anonymous tip leading to his whereabouts, police said. Hes been charged with four counts of sexual assault, two counts of luring or enticing a child, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of criminal attempt endangering the welfare of a child, and promoting prostitution, according to police. Torrances alleged crimes had been under investigation since June 2019 when authorities in Ocean County, where the victim lives, contacted the Burlington County Prosecutors Office, police say. Anonymous Tip Leads to Arrest of Sex Assault Fugitive in Philadelphia Homeless Shelter. On February 8, 2020, the... Posted by Evesham Township Police (NJ) on Sunday, February 9, 2020 Tennyson Donnie Coleman may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TennysonTV. Find him on Facebook. Have a tip? Let us know at nj.com/tips. 2.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) refused to debunk the Russian propaganda about Ukranian election interference in 2016. Transcript via Face The Nation: MARGARET BRENNAN: Have you ever said to the president when he repeats things like the idea that theres the DNC server- server hidden in Ukraine, that this is Russian propaganda that he is repeating and apparently believing? SEN. GRAHAM: Well, Ill MARGARET BRENNAN: Have you ever said that directly to him? SEN. GRAHAM: Well, I dont have any information about the server being in the Ukraine. MARGARET BRENNAN: But you just said SEN. GRAHAM: It was the Russians MARGARET BRENNAN: things coming out of Ukraine should be looked at with high scrutiny SEN. GRAHAM: Heres my point MARGARET BRENNAN: because of Russian interference. SEN. GRAHAM: my point. It was the Russians who hacked into the DNC, not the Ukrainians. But there are people in the Ukraine that were pulling against Trump because they hated Manafort. To suggest there was no political interference coming out of the Ukraine directed toward the president, I think would be- would not withstand scrutiny. Video: Graham refuses to stand up to Trump and tell him that the Russian propaganda that he is pushing is totally bogus. Lindsey Graham sells himself as a patriot, but he is really a sell-out to Donald Trump and Russian propaganda. Jhansi (UP): Seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested here as they did not have any valid documents for staying in the country, police said on Sunday. Jhansi Senior Superintendent of Police D Pradeep said, "As many as seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested during routine checking near the bus stand in Babina on Friday." Babina a cantonment town in Jhansi district stands for British Army Base in North Asia. Those arrested were staying at a hotel near the bus stand and did not have valid documents for staying in India, the SSP said, adding that the seven belong to Dhaka. "For some time, they were in the business of selling fish oil. During routine probe, no criminal cases have been found against them, but they have been booked under the Foreigners Act for illegally staying in India," Pradeep added. The arrested were identified as Mamoon Sheikh, Milan Sheikh, Aslam Sheikh, Falan Sheikh, Sijer Sheikh, Mukul Sheikh and Monu Vaid, police said. In the last few years, several Bangladeshi nationals have been held in Uttar Pradesh for staying without valid travel documents. In May last year, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) had arrested six Bangladeshi citizens from Agra for allegedly preparing fake passports. The ATS got information that some Bangladeshis, living illegally in the state, were making fake Aadhaar and ration cards and were then using these documents to get Indian passports made. During interrogation, they confessed to being residents of Bangladesh living in India on the basis of fake documents and data retrieved from the accused revealed that they had also visited Punjab and Rajasthan. Those arrested were identified as Habibur Rehman of Madaripur district (in Bangladesh), Zakir Hussain of Narayanganj district, Mohammad Kabil of Khansama district, Kamaluddin of Sylhet district, Taizul Islam of Mymensingh district and Liton Miya of Ghazipur district. Similarly, in 2018, the ATS had picked up three persons, including a Bangladeshi national, for their alleged involvement in preparing fake passports, Aadhaar cards and other documents for illegal immigrants. The Bangladeshi national, identified as Yusuf Ali alias Nazrul, was arrested from Muradnagar in Ghaziabad and two locals Ahsan Ahmad and Wasim Ahmad were nabbed from Deoband in Saharanpur. In September 2017, three illegal Bangladeshi immigrants -- Mohammad Imran, Rajidudeen and Mohammad Firdaus -- were arrested from the Charbagh railway station in Lucknow. The three brothers were staying in western Uttar Pradesh for years. The police said they were originally residents of Jessore district in Bangladesh, but had got their Aadhaar cards made on the basis of fake addresses. They stayed in Deoband, where Imran was employed as a teacher in a madrasa. In 2017, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) had arrested another illegal Bangladeshi immigrant -- Abu Hannan alias Abu Hana -- who was staying in India for 15 years. He had married an Indian woman and got his Indian passport and Aadhaar card made. Abdullah-Al-Mammon, an alleged key operative of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) -- an al Qaeda-inspired Islamic extremist group in Bangladesh -- was arrested from Muzaffarnagar in a separate case. The names of Imran, Rajidudeen and Firdaus came to light during his interrogation. Yet another illegal Bangladeshi immigrant, Abdullah, was arrested from Kuteshara in Muzaffarnagar district on August 5, 2017. Abdullah was arrested from a place of worship, where he worked as a preacher. He was originally a resident of Momin Shahi district in Bangladesh but told the locals that he belonged to Assam and got a fake Aadhaar card and a passport made for himself. During interrogation, it came to light that the accused used to get Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards and other documents made on the basis of false documents. The documents were then used to get passports made. Six persons, including five Bangladeshi nationals, were arrested from Dulhipur village in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh in November 2018. Acting on a tip-off, the Uttar Pradesh Police had arrested them and seized from their possession fake high school certificates, mark sheets and four voter identity cards. The arrested Bangladeshis Mohd Farooq Parmanik, Mohd Manik Sardar, Zulfikar, Mohd Mamoon and Mohd Nurul Islam were residents of Naogaon district of Bangladesh, police said. The sixth arrested person was Mohd Shakeel alias Guddu Ansari, a resident of Dulhipur village. In January this year, a special court in Lucknow convicted three Bangladeshi natives who were arrested in 2017 for living in the country without valid documents. The three were awarded five years imprisonment and also fined Rs 19,000. They were convicted for cheating, criminal conspiracy, forgery of valuable security and section 14 of the Foreigners Act. Identified as Mohammad Imran, Faridudeen and Mohammad Firdaus, the three, natives of Jessore in Bangladesh, were residing at Madrasa Talimul Quran in Deoband, Saharanpur, police said. The trio were apprehended at the Lucknow Railway Station while they were boarding the Howrah-Amritsar Express and allegedly had a link with the Ansarullah Bangla Team, a banned outfit. File photo of traffic in Singapore. (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman) Of the 40 confirmed cases, four are in critical condition, with one requiring additional oxygen support. Two have been discharged, and the remaining are mostly "stable or improving", said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a press release. In addition to a taxi driver and a private-hire driver, the new cases include: Two employees of Yong Thai Hang, the health products shop linked to a local transmission cluster and a Chinese tour group; as well as another two who attended a business meeting at Grand Hyatt hotel, which has been linked to a cluster of local and overseas cases. All seven patients had not travelled to China recently, said the ministry. Coronavirus - Yong Thai Hang map, Singapore locally transmitted cluster MOH said it is working with the Ministry of Transport to reach out to all taxi and private-hire drivers on the steps they should take to protect themselves. "For the general public, the risk of infection from transient contact, such as on public transport or in public places, is assessed to be low," MOH said. Details of the new cases are below: CASE 34 Case 34 is a 40-year-old Singaporean woman who works at Yong Thai Hang. She reported symptoms on Jan 27, and visited a general practitioner clinic on the same day and another on Feb 1. As she works at Yong Thai Hang, she was identified as a close contact of cases 19 and 20, and placed under home quarantine on Feb 4. She was admitted to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) on Feb 6, and tested positive for the virus the following day. Prior to hospital admission, the woman, who lives at Sin Ming Road, had gone to work at Yong Thai Hang. CASE 35 Case 35 is a 64-year-old Singaporean taxi driver who reported first having symptoms on Jan 30. He visited Bukit Merah Polyclinic on Jan 31, was admitted to Singapore General Hospital on Feb 6 and tested positive on Feb 7. Between the time he had symptoms and when he was admitted to hospital, the man had largely stayed at his home at Henderson Crescent, except to visit Redhill Market and a hawker centre at Bukit Merah for meals. CASE 36 Case 36 is a 38-year-old Singaporean permanent resident who attended the Grand Hyatt business meeting from Jan 20 to 22. She also travelled to Johor Bahru from Jan 25 to 28. She reported symptoms on Jan 24 and visited a GP clinic on Feb 1. She was isolated and admitted to KK Women's and Children's Hospital on Feb 4, and test results confirmed the infection on Feb 7. She is currently warded in an isolation room at NCID. Prior to hospital admission, she had visited a family member at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. She lives at Bukit Batok Street 31. CASE 37 Case 37 is a 53-year-old Singaporean who worked as a private-hire car driver and lives at Jurong East Street 32. He reported onset of symptoms on Jan 30 and visited two GP clinics on Feb 1 and 3. He was admitted to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital on Feb 6 and transferred to NCID two days later after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. CASE 38 Case 38 is a 52-year-old Singaporean woman who had visited The Life Church and Missions Singapore, which has been linked to another cluster of cases. She reported onset of symptoms on Feb 3 and visited Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic the day after. She was admitted to NCID on Feb 7, where tests confirmed the infection. Prior to hospital admission, she had also visited Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown and Plaza Singapura and had travelled by public transport. She lives at Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3. CASE 39 Case 39 is a 51-year-old Singaporean man who attended the same business meeting as several other cases at Grand Hyatt, and lives at Jurong West Central. He travelled to Malaysia from Jan 23 to Feb 2. On Jan 29, he reported the onset of symptoms and visited two GP clinics on Feb 3 and 5. He was admitted to NCID on Feb 6 and tested positive for the infection on Feb 8. CASE 40 Case 40 is a 36-year-old Singaporean man who works at Yong Thai Hang and lives at Bedok North Street. He reported the onset of symptoms on Jan 30 and visited a GP clinic the same day. He was identified as a close contact of two other cases linked to the health products shop, and placed under home quarantine on Feb 4. He was admitted to NCID on Feb 7 and tested positive the following day. LINKS BETWEEN PREVIOUS CASES FOUND Further epidemiological investigations and contact tracing, with the help of the police, have uncovered links between previously announced and new cases, MOH said. Nine of Singapore's cases are linked to the cluster associated with Yong Thai Hang at 24 Cavan Road in Jalan Besar. Five cases are linked to The Life Church and Missions Singapore at 146B Paya Lebar Road. Three cases are linked to the Grand Hyatt business meeting in Singapore. Investigations on these clusters are ongoing, and contact tracing is under way for the locally transmitted cases, said the ministry. SUSPECTED CASES As of Feb 8 noon, 438 of the suspected cases have tested negative for the novel coronavirus. Test results for the remaining 181 cases are pending. A total of 758 close contacts of the confirmed cases have been identified. Of the 663 who are still in Singapore, 647 have been contacted and are being quarantined or isolated. Efforts are ongoing to contact the remaining 16 close contacts, said MOH. Contact tracing for the confirmed cases is ongoing, said the health ministry. MOH said it will continue to monitor the situation. "As medical practitioners are on the lookout for suspect cases who have recently been in China, Singapore is likely to see more cases that will need to be investigated," it said. DORSCON ORANGE On Friday, Singapore raised the DORSCON level to Orange following several cases of novel coronavirus without any links to previous cases or travel history to mainland China. This means the disease is deemed severe and spreads easily from person to person, but has not spread widely and is being contained. Moderate disruption is expected, due to measures such as quarantine and visitor restrictions at hospitals. A second flight bringing Singaporeans and their family members back from Wuhan, Hubei is expected to arrive in Singapore on Sunday morning. At least 722 people have died from the virus in China while more than 34,000 have been infected, according to the latest official figures. Image: ANI Delhis ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on February 8 alleged that there was an unauthorized movement of electronic voting machines (EVMs), following the Assembly election in the national capital. Senior party functionaries have claimed that they have received information of officials allegedly trying to take away EVMs in an unauthorized manner. Speaking to news agency ANI, AAP Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Singh said, Manish Sisodia, Gopal Rai, Prashant Kishor and I had a meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Information has been received that officials are trying to take away EVMs at several places in an unauthorised manner. The EVMs which should have been sealed and have gone straight to strong rooms. How are these machines with the officials? Sanjay Singh questioned. The MP also claimed to have video proof of poll officers alighting from a DTC bus with EVMs in their hands. He said it was a big incident which had come to light and that his party would apprise the Election Commission (EC) about it. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report. Voters in all 70 constituencies polled in a single phase on February 8. Counting of votes will happen on February 11. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe VALPARAISO Valparaiso University announced this week it has accepted a landmark $15 million donation dedicated to student scholarship. The commitment is the largest gift the university has received specifically for student scholarships in its 161-year history, according to a VU news release. "The donors have requested to remain anonymous at this time," VU President Mark Heckler said in the release. "Both my wife and I have been blessed by coming to know them over the years and learning about the things that are important to them helping others, treating people with respect and embracing civility across our differences." The $15 million deferred commitment will be used to establish an endowed fund, according to the university. VU plans to annually select a distinguished student cohort to receive the scholarships. These students will be assigned a dedicated university faculty member to serve as an adviser throughout their VU education. The university has not yet determined an application process for the scholarship cohort, according to the news release. The Wednesday Club will host a meet and greet with Danville Police Department Chief Scott Booth this week. Booth is a native of Virginia and grew up in Northumberland County. He served two enlistments in the U.S. Army working as an infantryman and a military police officer and deploying to Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. After leaving military service, Booth joined the Richmond Police Department where he served for 19 years. In August 2015, he joined the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in Washington, D.C., where he served as the deputy chief of operations and then as the chief of police. In July 2017, he went over to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security where he served as the deputy federal security director for the Charlotte, North Carolina, region, coordinating transportation security efforts for the federal government until he became the chief of police for Danville in February 2018. Booth has a bachelors degree from the University of Richmond in human resource management and leadership studies and a Master of Science degree in criminal justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. The program will begin at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, and coffee will be served at 3:15. The program is free and open to the public at The Wednesday Club at 1002 Main St. in Danville. Special to the Register & Bee Prince Andrew has delivered a message of sympathy to the people of China amid the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak. Despite retiring from public duties in November amid criticisms over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the Duke of York attended a dinner hosted by Liu Xiaoming, Chinas ambassador to the UK. On Saturday, Xiaoming tweeted about the meeting alongside two photographs of himself with Prince Andrew and their fellow dinner guests, which included the Dukes ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their eldest daughter Princess Beatrice. The diplomat wrote: Her Majesty The Queen sent an encouraging message to President Xi and Chinese people: At the critical time of fighting #coronavirus, I express my sincere sympathy for Chinese people, and pray for the speedy control and victory over the virus. It was conveyed by Duke of York. My wife and I invited Duke of York and his family to our residence and celebrated Chinese New Year, he added. Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Show all 154 1 /154 Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Paramedics wearing personal protective equipment carry patient on a stretcher on to an ambulance in North Point district in Hong Kong, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker wearing protective gear takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at an entrance of a hospital in Daegu, South Korea YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker sprays disinfectant on an ambulance after carrying a patient infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective face masks shop at a supermarket in Casalpusterlengo, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus in a local market in Daegu, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective facemask walks outside a nearly empty shopping mall at lunch time in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing protective facemask and gloves puts a drawing made by a girl living in the area asking residents to wear protective gear, next to a quarantine notice for people who have travelled and a notice asking people to register outside a residential compound in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman is taken into an ambulance amid a coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulances and health workers are seen outside the Padua's hospital, northern Italy EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers in coaches leave MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire after being repatriated to the UK from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus in Yokohama, Japan and head to Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People rest in a temporary hospital situated in the Tazihu Gymnasium in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buddhist monks wearing protective face masks pray during a blessing ceremony for the people affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient infecting with a new coronavirus to a hospital in Chuncheon, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Soldiers in hazmat suits sanitize cargo from a China Airlines plane at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Barricades are seen to block the entrance a the gate of a local mall in a nearly empty area in Beijing, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor wearing a protective facemask waits for customers at a shop in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The body temperature of an Iraqi child returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers hand out free facemasks at a shopping district in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient suspected of contracting the new coronavirus toward an ambulance at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker disinfects a shop at a market in Shanghai AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A restaurant worker wearing protective clothing as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus passing a bag of food to a customer on the street outside their restaurant in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A recovered patient is discharged from Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built makeshift hospital for novel coronavirus patients, in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a factory with sanitising equipment in Huzhou, China China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A drone operated by the Suwon municipal government flies around Changyong Middle School spraying disinfectant, in Suwon, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers transfer medical waste at Leishenshan Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective mask rides a bicycle with his children in Guangzhou, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a railway station as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Changsha, Hunan province, China cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman repatriated from Wuhan carries a child as she walks upon her arrival at the Van Don airport in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff checking the body temperature of a patient who has displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Boys wearing protection masks, gloves and modified water bottles sit on a cart at the airport arrival terminal in Guangzhou EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Employees work on a production line manufacturing protective suits at a clothing factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits move a patient at an isolated ward of a hospital in Caidian district following an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in protective clothing, including face mask and gloves, carries a bucket as he works inside of The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton, southern England, after it closed for "urgent operational health and safety reasons", following reports a member of staff was infected with the strain of the novel coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers of the ecology and environment bureau collect samples from the sewage system of a hospital in Xinle, Hebei province China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man in protective clothing cleaning the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice The British government warned the outbreak of novel coronavirus was a "serious and imminent threat" and reported four new cases that brought the total recorded in the country to eight. Two hospitals The Royal Free and Guys and St Thomas', have both been designated as "isolation" facilities, with both currently housing Britons who have returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to the newly completed Huoshenshan temporary field Hospital in Wuhan. The global coronavirus death toll rose again with Hong Kong announcing its first death from the outbreak on 4 February EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff wait as coaches carrying Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes, after being repatriated to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess talks to a worker wearing protective gear standing near the vessel, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan Xinhua News Agency/AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective suits walk from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesians who arrived from Wuhan are sprayed with antiseptic at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. People evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak, were transported to a quarantine zone on a remote island at the edge of the South China Sea, shortly after landing Indonesian Foreign Ministry via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman wears a protective mask as she shops in a market in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members hugging each other in an isolation ward at a hospital in Zouping in China's easter Shandong province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A portrait of Dr Li Wenliang is left at Li's hospital in Wuhan. He is regarded a whistleblower on the outbreak and died of the coronavirus which triggered wide-spread mourning on Chinese media Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where people tested positive for coronavirus, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Firefighters and personnel from the health ministry participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory as they try to find an effective treatment against the new Sars-like coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to patients at the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A girl wears a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man is transferred from the World Dream cruise ship to an ambulance at the Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong as health officials conduct inspections AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man who arrived from Hubei province talks with police at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor holds a handheld digital thermometer near health officials preparing a health check for arriving passengers from China at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A resident walks across an empty track in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A scientific staff member works in a secure laboratory, researching the coronavirus, at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members preparing equipment to meet passengers of a military plane, which evacuated citizens of Russia and ex-Soviet countries from China's Wuhan province Vsluh.ru via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff wearing protective suits as they prepare to disinfect a Vietnam Airlines plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi Vietnam Airlines/AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A South Korean person, who was evacuated from Wuhan, arrives at the National Medical Center after showing suspected symptoms of novel coronavirus, in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear escort a person (under the blue sheet) who was on board cruise ship Diamond Princess and was tested positive for coronavirus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor being disinfected by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buses carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesian health officials conduct an exercise drill in transporting a patient requiring isolation at the Belawan port in Medan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Pasteur Institute in Dakar, designated by the African Union as one of the two reference centres in Africa for the detection of the new coronavirus that appeared in China, is hosting experts from 15 countries on the continent this weekend to prepare them to deal with the disease AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A government worker disinfects a co-worker after visiting a quarantined woman's home in Qingdao EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An aerial view of the deserted roads and bridges in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers hold a strike outside the Hospital Authority as they demand for Hong Kong to close its border with China to reduce the coronavirus spreading Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person has their tempriture checked in Qingdao, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Malaysian nationals being directed from a bus by health officials in protective suits as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, after being evacuated from Wuhan Malaysia's Ministry of Health/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People hoping to buy face masks crowd outside a medical supply shop that was raided by police for allegedly hoarding and overpricing the masks, as public fear over China's Wuhan Coronavirus grow in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has been heavily criticized after failing to immediately implement travel restrictions from China, the source of a deadly coronavirus that has now killed hundreds and infected thousands more Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Residents wearing masks and raincoats volunteer to take temperature of passengers following the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a bus stop at Tin Shui Wai, a border town in Hong Kong Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Italian citizens repatriated from Wuhan going though a health control zone after landing at the Mario De Bernardi military airport in Pratica di Mare, south of Rome, prior to be placed in quarantine Italian Defence Ministry/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital, set up in an exhibition center, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor checks conditions of occupants in a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city of Wuhan, arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The Chinese army deployed medical specialists to the epicentre of the spiralling viral outbreak that has killed and spread around the world AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A baby wearing a protective face mask is pushed by a woman as they arrive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong at Lo Wu MTR station AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A young child wears a protective mask and is covered in plastic while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance crews arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan, China. Eighty-three Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan are being flown back to the UK Tom Maddick / SWNS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman carries a baby wearing a protective mask as they exit the arrival hall at Hong Kong High Speed Rail Station Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Camp beds at a Medical Assessment Center set up at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on the eve of the arrival of German citizens evacuated from Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Funeral parlour staff members in protective suits help a colleague with disinfection after they transferred a body at a hospital in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Muslims wearing masks pray for the victims of coronavirus at a mosque in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical officials waiting for people who wants to check the novel coronavirus at Myeongdong shopping district Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A patient assisted by medical staff gets off an ambulance in Wuhan AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People line up to buy face masks from a medical supply company in Nanning, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Countries began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by a new virus that has now infected more people in China than were sickened in the country by SARS Chinatopix via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Millions spent their normally festive Lunar New Year holiday under lockdown Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children with face masks wash their hands before prayer at Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Thailand has detected eight Coronavirus cases so far AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An Indonesian health officer points at the screen of a thermal scanner for passengers China confirmed that the deadly Wuhan coronavirus virus can be transmitted between humans AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Hospital workers wearing protective eyewear and masks examine an Indonesian student who returned from China in quarantine at a hospital in Banda Aceh AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance staff dispose of an outfit at the hospital in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person checks the temperature of a passenger to help stop the spread of a deadly virus as he arrives at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International airport in Palembang AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Nepali students, wearing face masks, attend a class at Matribhumi School in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Two Buddhist monks wear face masks while walking along a street in Yangon AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting a residential area in Ruichang, part of Jiujiang in China's central Jiangxi province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020. - China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken thousands of people, state media reported on January 24. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) HECTOR RETAMAL AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Vapor blurs the goggles of an ambulance driver while they work, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Yangzhou AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff getting on an ambulance in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor of traditional masks wears a facial mask at his shop in Thamel EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An airport official checks the temperature of a passenger upon his arrival at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An ambulance driver talking with medical staff in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market The new coronavirus appears to have its origins in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, a popular transport hub AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers produce protective suits at a factory in Nantong AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers scanned by thermal imaging for body temperature as they go through health measures and procedures after they landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Thai royal guard wears a mask while on duty at the Grand Palace in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A shopper wearing goggles with a face mask and gloves uses a self checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Italian Red Cross putting on protective gear, getting ready to give health checks to passengers that landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of the Hong Kong government's Civil Aid Service gestures at the entrance to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village which is being used as one of two quarantine centres for people who have been in close proximity with suspected cases of a SARS-type virus. Hong Kong will turn two holiday camps, including a former military barracks, into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with carriers of the Wuhan virus, officials announced AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff wearing protective suits at the Zhongnan hospital in Wuhan STR/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Malaysia Health official checks passengers going through a thermal scanner upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting Yingtan North Railway Station, China China banned trains and planes from leaving the major city at the centre of a virus outbreak on January 23, seeking to seal off its 11 million people to contain the contagious disease that has claimed lives and spread to other countries AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A passenger walks past a quarantine control station at Narita airport, Japan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Patients queue up to seek treatment in Wuhan Tongji Hospital Fever Clinic, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Quarantine workers spray disinfectant at Incheon International Airport, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of staff checks the temperature of a guest entering the casino of the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macau, after it reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital Little is known about the new disease which, if confirmed, would be only the seventh coronavirus known to science that can infect humans Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Three Gorges Medical Laboratory offering free masks to the public in Yichang, China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Gabriel Leung, right, chair professor of public health medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, speaks about the extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conducting searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, uses an electronic thermometer to check the temperature of passengers arriving by plane from Wuhan The virus causes symptoms of viral pneumonia, and has already led to several deaths EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A screen shows cancelled flights at Tianhe airport in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials hand out information about the current coronavirus at Kuala Lumpur International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A store owner argues with security guards as he attempts to enter the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Handan, China's northern Hebei province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff and security personnel stop patients' family members from being too close to the Jinyintan hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus maya-goodfellowAn airport staff member uses a temperature gun to check people leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A rescue worker walks past a notice about new coronavirus that has broken out in China Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A staff member checks body temperature of a child after a train from Wuhan arrived at Hangzhou Railway Station in Hangzhou AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine station measures passenger body temperatures at Narita Airport JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a notice displayed near a quarantine control station at Narita airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a poster alerting on coronavirus screening ahead upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An employee sprays disinfectant on a train, as a precaution against coronavirus, at Suseo Station in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Kazakh sanitary-epidemiological service worker uses a thermal scanner to detect travellers from China who may have symptoms possibly connected with the previously unknown coronavirus, at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Pharmacist Liu Zhuzhen stands near a sign reading "face masks are sold out" at her pharmacy in Shanghai AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in a protective suit at the closed seafood market in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of a high speed train station in Hong Kong AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A notice for passengers from Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wears a mask while riding on mobike past the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Getty Their enthusiasm for China and contribution to China-UK relation is highly appreciated. Many people on social media questioned why Prince Andrew had been socialising with diplomats when he was supposed to have stepped back from royal duties for the foreseeable future. So much for him stepping back from royal duties, tweeted one person. Another asked why Prince Andrew was being treated as a normal royal. Buckingham Palace said that since Prince Andrew had stepped back from royal duties, his visit to the Chinese ambassador was conducted in a private capacity. Many lawmakers find their way to Columbia on interstates that only have two lanes in each direction and supporters of the bill said something needs to be done to encourage anyone not passing another vehicle to get out of the left lane. Thousands of janitors and security guards who work in Twin Cities retail stores and office buildings may go on strike amid protracted contract negotiations with multiple employers. At a meeting Saturday in Minneapolis, members of the Service Employees International Union voted to authorize a walkout if the two sides can't reach a deal however, that does not mean a strike is certain. The two sides continue to negotiate. SEIU Local 26 President Iris Altamirano said a key issue is sick time. City ordinances in Minneapolis and St. Paul mandate six sick days a year. But Altamirano said workers elsewhere in the metro get half that under their recently-expired contract. "A worker who has more than one year on the job gets three sick days. And so when you're trying to find the difference, it's really three days that the companies need to come up with," she said. ADVERTISEMENT Altamirano said negotiators also remain far apart on wages. For security guards, she said the union is seeking a $2-an-hour annual raise in each of the contract's four years, but the employers are proposing an 81-cent raise over that entire period. Attorney John Nesse represents the cleaning contractors, and he said Saturday that they're disappointed with the vote. "We have been meeting with the union since November," he said. "They have over 100 proposed changes to the contract that remain open at this point. We do expect to make significant progress in the near future." Nesse said four bargaining sessions are scheduled in the next two weeks. Saturday's vote follows a separate strike vote on Friday by about 1,800 SEIU members who work at HealthPartners facilities . They voted to begin a seven-day strike if a contract agreement is not reached by Feb. 19. This story originally appeared at: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/02/08/janitors-security-guards-in-twin-cities-vote-to-authorize-strike of story Questions or requests? Contact MPR News editor Meg Martin at newspartners@mpr.org 2019 Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved. Haiti - FLASH : President Jovenel Moise optimistic about the outcome of negotiations with the opposition Friday, February 7, in an interview with the agency Associated Press (AP) in his residence at Pelerin 5, on the heights of Port-au-Prince, President Jovenel Moise said he was optimistic about a positive outcome of negotiations with the opposition on power sharing to end the crisis "It makes me optimistic to see my brothers and sisters from the political opposition, civil society and religious groups [...] I think were at a crossroads," convinced of an agreement "[...] if theres good will on the part of the people involved to find a way forward with a realistic calendar [...]" Explaining his position, the Head of State said he would accept an opposition Prime Minister and a shortened mandate, but only after the adoption of a constitutional reform strengthening the Presidency, stressing that he would only serve one mandate and that he would therefore not be the beneficiary of the enhanced powers of a presidency. "Two concessions" of reduction of its mandate and Prime Minister of the opposition, without far-reaching, since the convocation of a Constituent Assembly to rewrite the Constitution, will certainly take all the time that it remains in his mandate... The Head of State recalled that the Haitian Constitution of 1987 had been drafted after the end of three decades of dictatorship and that it was intended in part to prevent the emergence of another strong man, by limiting the presidential powers "The 1987 constitution took all the power out of the presidents hands [...]" emphasizing that his efforts to improve the living conditions of the population had been thwarted during these first three years in power because of the constitutional requirement according to which the Parliament must approve practically all the important actions of the President. In the constitutional reform, he envisages inter alia that the presidential proposals pass automatically if the Parliament does not vote them within 60 days and that all the political mandates, deputies and senators are of 5 years, to avoid the multiple elections and their batches of problems... "We need to all get together and forge a deal, even if that deal isnt accepted by everyone [...] Youll have radicals, extremists who wont sign, who wont accept it, but that wont kill the republic." SL/ HaitiLibre A tunnel, believed to be centuries-old, was unearthed while digging a plot of land for building the foundation of a house in West Bengal's East Burdwan district, officials said on Sunday. During foundation work on the land of Jiarul Mullick in Mahata village under Bhatar block on Saturday, a seven feet by four feet opening of the tunnel was found, the district officials said. A team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is expected to visit the village on Sunday, they said. Historian Sarbajit Yash said that the tunnel is likely to be 250-300 years old and some portions of it have similarities with Jain architecture. However, the tunnel could also be of any aristocratic family built during the early days of the British rule, he said. "The area has been cordoned off and a police contingent deployed as a large number of people from across the district have come to Mahata village to take a look at the tunnel," a police officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnson is facing a Tory backlash amid claims he will impose a 'mansion tax' on Britain's most expensive homes to fund a huge spending splurge. There is also mounting speculation pension tax relief will be slashed to help pay for pledges to boost public services However, the dramatic moves - being mooted for the Budget next month - are already facing significant resistance from Conservative MPs who warned they would hit 'aspiration'. Insiders say the package being put together by PM and Chancellor Sajid Javid will be wide-ranging and bold, as they seek to demonstrate their determination to bring real change after Brexit. After the Tories swept traditional Labour 'Red Wall' seats to win the election, Mr Johnson is keen to show he is spreading wealth and opportunity outside of London and the south. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering imposing a 'mansion tax' on Britain's most expensive homes. Pictured: Mr Johnson on Thursday How do council tax bands work and are they outdated? Current council tax bands were established in 1991, ahead of a new council tax being introduced in 1993. As time was short, Government workers were enlisted to slowly drive up and down streets, estimating bedroom numbers and house values. Estate agents were often used to give a rough idea of the price of homes. The property price estimates were then put into bands. For England and Scotland the bands are A to H. If you own a property in England that sold for less than 40,000 in April 1991, it is band A. Most properties are in bands D and E valued at the time between 68,000 and 120,000. The top band, H, is for homes valued at more than 320,000. However it might be that your home was put into the wrong band from the outset. Advertisement Ways of raising revenue from better-off homeowners are believed to have been discussed at the highest levels in the Treasury. The shape of the extra tax on properties has not been finalised, but it has been described as a 'recurring wealth tax', according to The Sunday Telegraph. One idea tax is an added council tax band for even more expensive properties than those fitting in the H band now. It comes after reports that the Treasury is considering slashing pension tax relief to 20 per cent - from 40 per cent - for those making equal to or more than 50,000. This would raise an extra 10billion per year. Sources told MailOnline it was still a 'long way to the Budget'. A Treasury spokesman said: 'While we keep all aspects of the tax system under review, we do not speculate ahead of the Budget.' Any effort to target owners of expensive homes is likely to face strong resistance. Many householders in London have benefited from rocketing price rises, but while they are asset-rich they do not have money available to pay such taxes. Telford MP Lucy Allan warned against imposing a 'penalty on endeavour'. 'Hard work being rewarded maximises aspiration, effort and achievement. A low tax environment increases the tax take,' she posted on Twitter. Former Cabinet minister John Redwood said: 'The Budget must be full of optimism, promoting growth and encouraging more transactions and people to spend their wealth and income, not to destroy it.' Chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance John O'Connell said: 'It seems to be a misunderstanding of what the Tories' new voters were looking for. 'They may be new converts to the message, but they still expect the Conservatives to be the ones backing them when they succeed. 'Levelling up doesn't mean cutting other people down.' The death of a whistleblowing doctor who was reprimanded for warning about the new coronavirus has sparked rare calls for political reform and free speech in China. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist in Wuhan - ground zero of China's virus epidemic which has killed more than 800 - succumbed to the disease Friday over a month after he first raised alarm about the SARS-like virus. He was among eight physicians punished by Wuhan police for 'rumour-mongering'. But after his death struck a collective nerve, a number of academics have spoken up to demand more freedoms in China. At least two open letters demanding free speech have circulated on social media since the 34-year-old's death - one signed by 10 professors in Wuhan. Doctor Li Wenliang (left and right), 34, who died from coronavirus in the early hours of Friday morning after first raising the alarm about the illness The death of doctor Li Wenliang has sparked rare calls for greater freedom of speech in China Li's efforts 'vigorously maintained the interests of the country and society', read that letter, which has since been censored on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media site. 'Put an end to the restrictions on freedom of speech,' it demanded, and 'openly apologise' to Li and the seven other doctors punished for discussing the emergence of the virus in December. The other letter - signed on Friday by an anonymous group of alumni from the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing - called on authorities to 'guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens'. 'Resolutely oppose making political security the top priority -- that is an extremely selfish goal of a small organisation!' it said. The letters are a rare call for political reform in China, a country where dissidents are often jailed and criticism of the government is quickly scrubbed. Many references to the two letters had been removed from Weibo by Sunday. Dr Li was sent a letter by Wuhan police (pictured) that warned if he 'refused to repent he would be punished' Beijing has sought to quell public anger by positioning Li Wenliang as a hero, despite local police reprimanding him While the World Health Organization and other experts have heaped praise on China, saying it took decisive steps to try to contain the virus, critics say precious time was lost by early inaction from the local government. Li - diagnosed with the virus on February 1 - said in a Weibo post in late January that local police had forced him to sign a statement agreeing not to commit any more 'law-breaking actions'. He said police had summoned him after he saw test results from some patients suggesting a SARS-like virus and reminded colleagues in a group chat to take stronger precautions. In the letter he was warned by police that if he 'refused to repent he would be punished'. The final part of the letter, Li was asked 'if you insist on your views, refuse to repent and continue the illegal activity, you will be punished by the law. Do you understand?' Since his death, Beijing has sought to quell public anger by positioning the doctor as a hero. People attend a vigil in Hong Kong for dead Chinese doctor Li Wenliang, who tried to warn about the new coronavirus Criticism is being deflected towards local authorities in Hubei province who are taking the bulk of public anger over the handling of the epidemic. Social media users accused the Chinese government of a 'cover-up' over the death. 'He wasn't allowed to speak. He wasn't even allowed to die,' wrote one person on popular messaging app WeChat. China's anti-graft watchdog announced Friday it was sending a team to Wuhan where it would investigate 'issues involving Dr Li Wenliang reported by the masses'. 'It sends a clear message that the central authorities are determined to get to the truth and hold those responsible accountable,' said the state-run China Daily newspaper in an editorial on Friday. Meanwhile Cui Tiankai, China's ambassador in the United States, said he was 'really saddened' by the doctor's death. 'We are so grateful to him for what he has done in our joint efforts' fighting the virus, Cui tweeted. Damayanti Datta By Fake, fun and fantastic, myths usually tell us something about why the world is the way it is. But believing myths about cancer can be outright dangerous. Consider this: cancer is contagious and you need dollops of positivity to beat the dreaded C-word. Or this: cancer is caused by a fungus and its actually your bodys attempt to protect itself from the infection. From coffee to carbonates to cannabis, millions of pages on the internet tell us every day about miracle cures for cancer. And it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction, because few illnesses cause as much terror or have as many misconceptions that refuse to die. Here, some of the countrys leading oncologists bust old myths and bring new hope, as an explosion of new research changes the way cancer is perceived, understood and treated. Dealing with cancer means making some tough choices. How you decide to seek medical help will determine your chances of cure. Hence, education is vital. The most common concerns patients come to me with are often some of the biggest myths. I find it painful that the myths are very much alive even among the educated classes. I make time to engage with my patients to dispel the misconceptions and to create awareness about the bad effects of these myths. Remember, you have a far better chance of beating the disease if you can dispel the fallacies and false notions. Myth Biopsy can disturb cancer cells and cause them to spread to other parts of the body. Reality It disturbs me that people still come to me and say, I dont want to do a biopsy. The truth is: there is little reason to worry that a biopsy allows cancer cells to spread within the body. Medical evidence shows that this is unlikely. In fact, patients who have biopsy procedures to confirm their diagnosis and determine the cancers stage have a better outcome and longer survival than patients who do not have a biopsy. The point is, how can you diagnose a cancer without biopsy? Cancer treatment starts only after biopsy. It is the first landmark event in the definitive diagnosis of a cancer. That is crucial in determining and planning the correct treatment for a patient. If a biopsy indicates a benign disease, the patient is spared unnecessary treatments. Dr Harit Chaturvedi Biopsy may involve discomfort and bleeding, but the gain far outweighs the risks. I ask my patients if biopsy is responsible for cancer spreading, then all the people coming to me should have initial stage cancers, since they havent done biopsy as yet. I bring in their own examples: how come your own cancer has spread, as all the imaging, MRI, CT and PET scans show, although you have not done biopsy? Yet faith in this myth continues. It is a key reason why treatment gets delayed in our country. We have to understand that cancer does not wait for any procedure to spread. Myth Chemotherapy means the cancer is terminal. Hence, avoid chemo. Reality The second set of cancer myths I come across revolves round chemotherapy. My patients ask a lot of questions about it: they want to know if chemotherapy means the illness is terminal, if the side-effects of chemo will completely disrupt their life completely, and if chemo is really worth it. A lot of patients do not wish to go through it. The truth is: chemotherapy certainly does not mean a cancer is terminal. It is essential for many cancer patients. The more advanced cancer you have the more you need chemotherapy. In fact, chemotherapy is often a preventive measure to prevent recurrence and to improve the odds of cure. It also ensures faster recovery. Chemotherapy has evolved considerably over the decades. The drastic side effects are not as prevalent today. It does not disrupt a patients everyday life the way it used to once. With the advances in chemotherapy, more and more people are surviving and doing well after cancer treatment. We need to understand that cancer is something that happens in all multicellular organismsfrom the smallest hydra to the biggest whales. Cancer is more common in animals that are domesticated or in the zoo, because they live longer than those in the wild. Studies from India have analysed fossils of dinosaurs that suffered from cancer. Cancer is a disease of cell regulation. In multicellular organisms there are many cells, some of which become bones, some tissues, some the brain. In that process of evolution, things can go wrong. And sometimes they can become uncontrollable. Cancer is such unchecked cell growth. Dr Mohandas K Mallath More recent studies show cancers are caused by three broad groups of cell alterations: the smallest group is that of people born with some genetic alteration that runs in the family. It makes up about 5 percent of all cancers. Of the environmental factors, the biggest is tobacco, which causes damage to the DNAcigarettes and passive smoking, chewed tobacco, hookah, dant manjanmaking up 25 percent of cancers. The next big group is infection, which is coming down now as hygiene is improving. The big ones are papilloma virusa sexually transmitted disease, from the male to the femaleit takes about 30 years to manifest, from pre-cancer to cancer and then to metastatic cancer. In the liver you get Hepatitis B and C, from mother to child. Hep C comes through transfusion, tattooing. Then there is the Helicobacter pylori, a waterborne bacterium that is usually acquired in early life. If one is exposed to other carcinogens, like salted meat, cigarette smoke and so on, it triggers the cancer. Infections are responsible for 15-25 percent of cancers in India. The rest of the cancers are now thought to be random occurrences. Our body is a continuous workshop of cell regulation, replacement, regeneration: when cells get damaged, old cells are removed and new cells grow. The skin, the bone marrow, the linings of the gut, bladders and the kidneyare changing continuously. Stem cells provide new cells to the body as it grows and replace those that are damaged or lost. They can divide over and over again to produce new cells. As they divide, they can change into the other types of cell that make up the body. And just sometimes, things go wrongat randomthat have carcinogenic potential. That means, anyone can get cancer. Call it plain bad luck. Myth Cancer is fast turning into an epidemic in India. Reality That to me is the biggest myth. You may see a large number of cancer patients in hospitals. You may know a lot of people with cancer. But the epidemic is more apparent than real. Cancer is a disease of older age. It usually picks up from about age 40-50 and reaches a peak at about 7080. What has happened in India is that our population has exploded and we have a substantial number of older people. There are a 100 million people above age 60. The number of cancer patients is also increased. This is typical of what we call an epidemiological transition. That means, once people died of infectious diseasestyphoid, malaria, dengue, choleraand so life expectancy was very low. In 1947, life expectancy was about 30-35 years. Now it is almost 70 years. So you dont just have more people, you have more older people. Most importantly, we have started doing lab testsendoscopies, scans, screens, biopsiesso deep-seated cancers are being picked up. Even 30 years ago, there was no opportunity for this. This is why you are suddenly seeing so many people with cancer. The proof for this lies in some very beautiful studies done 100 years ago by British doctors in India. They had done autopsies on a lot of unclaimed bodies. And the autopsies showed a high rate of cancersalmost as high as it is today. The Mumbai Cancer Registry, which was started in 1962, has been monitoring cancers in the city continuously for nearly 60 years. You will be pleased to know that the rates have not really increased. The actual numbers have gone up, as the population of Mumbai has gone up enormously, but if you standardise the number of cancers in corresponding age groups and compare, there is no increase at all. On the contrary it has decreased a little bit, which is very reassuring. Myth AYUSH can cure cancer. Reality Every day in my chamber, I see patients who have been sitting on their symptoms for months, sometimes years, thinking it would not be cancer. Their doctors have not told them it could be cancer and treated them for dysentery or piles, instead. And when things get out of order, they come to oncologists. But by then, its often too late. There is a serious lack of awareness among people and among AYUSH practitioners. The bottomline is, if you have symptoms that continue for weeks, do not go to doctors who cannot do biopsy. You cant diagnose cancer without doing biopsy. Myth Cancer is a death sentence. Reality People panic once cancer is diagnosed. They seek out immediate treatment, go to people who are not experts, do not understand the upsides or downsides and end up getting treatments that harm them more. One reason could be that they are driven by the messages they hear. So the first thing to remember is that cancer is not a death sentence. Dont panic. You must do your research and find out people who are doing the right treatment and go to the right place. Cancer cells grow slowly, dividing every three to four weeks. It is not that scary. You have four to six weeks time to find the right place. The best treatments are inevitably found in places that have multidisciplinary teams. Myth Cancers spread with intervention. Reality The biological nature of cancer is to spread. Thats why cancer kills. All cancers will spread depending on its tumour biology. Some fast and some slow. The reason why there is an apparent spread after an intervention via biopsy or surgery is because those procedures can reveal the spread more accurately, and not because cancers spread after the intervention. As the cancer cells divide in geometric proportions, it will take more or less time to double its size from 1 mm to 2 mm and from 5cm to 10 cm. In other words, the growth of cancer will appear to be faster in more advanced stages. Dr Rakesh Garg Myth Dont tell the patient the bad news. Reality If you tell the patient the bad news (diagnosis of cancer etc) they will not be able to take it. As a result, often half-truths or white lies are told by doctors to patients. Studies done in India on patients with cancer, however, reveal that 90 per cent of them want to know the correct diagnosis and likelihood of survival, as it helps to plan the treatment and plan their lives as well. There are a whole range of rumours and myths about cancer that makes it hard for people to know what is true about this widely misunderstood disease. Every day, new myths arise and old ones reappear, leaving patients and family members confused and vulnerable. Many turn to dangerous remedies, others get trapped into believing fallacies that harm them immensely. Here are some of the most persistent and pernicious myths surrounding cancer and its treatment that we face every day. Myth No, this cannot be cancer. Reality We come across hundreds of patients who show signs and symptoms indicating the possibility of cancer, yet they will not accept it. The first reaction in India, typically, is: No, this cannot be cancer. Somebody gets a lump, a hard mass on any part of the body, a coughing spell that lasts for over four weeks. And the first thought is to blame it on infections or pollutionsomething that will settle down within a week or two. Who will tell them that cancer coughs will not settle down? The first presenting symptom for lung cancer will be cough. We get patients with telltale signs of cancerblood or discharge through urine, stool, mouth, female genital organsyet by the time they seek medical opinion, often the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. This denial mode and not letting treatment start on time, is a very Indian attitude. Myth Lifestyle tendencies that lead to heart disease, hypertension or stroke are not related to cancer. Reality Think of physical inactivity, of stress, of eating a lot of preserved and processed food. And the first reaction we find among patients is: Surely, those are not linked to cancer. They seem to be convinced that the lifestyle tendencies that are linked to heart disease, hypertension or stroke have nothing to do with cancer. Thats just not true. Now we have sufficient literature and scientific evidence to show that patients having more junk food, leading more sedentary lives, living in more stressful environments are more prone to cancer than those who are not under such circumstances. Fortunately, these are modifiable factors. That means, people can change these. Non-modifiable factors mean those that cannot be changed: for instance, somebody with a family history of cancer will have higher chances of getting the disease. These are genetic traits. There needs to be developed the maximum awareness that modifiable lifestyle excesses dont just bring on heart disease, stroke or hypertension, but also cancer. Myth Cancer is contagious. Reality This is an important myth that even educated people share. If somebody gets cancer, friends and neighbours do not visit, thinking they may also get it. This is a huge issue, because in India we are dependent on social support for emotional sustenance. That often breaks down for cancer patients, who are anyway emotionally disturbed and need more support. Myths like this make them go through social isolation, bringing in more stress. Cancer is absolutely not contagious. In some people, cancers may be caused by certain viruses (some types of human papillomavirus, or HPV, for example) and bacteria (such as Helicobacter pylori). While a virus or bacterium can spread from person to person, the cancers cannot. Myth Nourishing food nourishes cancer cells. Reality This is a common and dangerous misconception: if you give nourishing food to a patient, the cancer will grow faster. Hence deprive a cancer patient of food and the cancer will die out. People try to avoid taking nutritious food, become malnourished, their immunity gets weak and they are not able to tolerate chemotherapy, surgery, radiationfor all of which a patient needs to be physically as strong as possible. If they eat well, the immunity system of the body will fight the cancer cells. Remember, our body constantly makes some cells that can convert into tumour cells. At the same time, the body also has the immunity to destroy these cells. If immunity goes down, the patient becomes more prone to having cancer. Keeping yourself healthy and stress-free are the vital preventives for cancer. 75% cancers can be prevented today, if treatment is sought early 80% patients in India come to doctors too late 40% cases are detected early in Kerala, the state that records fewer cancer deaths THE COST Cancer is now the leading cause of catastrophic health spending, distress financing, and increasing expenditure before death in India Out-of-pocket expenditure is three times higher for private inpatient cancer care in the country 40% of cancer costs are met through borrowing, sale of assets and contributions from friends and relatives These costs exceed 20% of annual per capita household expenditure in 60% of Indian households with a patient with cancer A lot of my patients ask: Why did I get cancer? I dont smoke, I dont drink, I am a vegetarian, I pray to God regularly, I have never harmed anybody. Then why did I get it? These are some of the most challenging questions oncologists face. And these are also at the intersection of the myths, misconceptions and facts in all discussions on cancer. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. She won the heart of Justin Bieber lookalike Luke Mabbott. But Love Island's Casa Amor rejects aren't so convinced by Natalia Zoppa, as they claimed that she is 'playing a game' after being dumped from the show on Friday. Jade Affleck, 25, admitted that she thinks Natalia is putting on a front in her romance with Luke M, after frustrated fans also claimed that she was a 'fraud.' Savage: Love Island's Casa Amor rejects aren't so convinced by Natalia Zoppa, as they claimed that she is 'playing a game' after being dumped from the show on Friday Speaking about her time in the villa, Jade said: 'I definitely think Natalia's playing a game. If Luke M asked you to cuddle him, you'd cuddle him wouldn't you?' Jamie McCann seemed to agree, adding: 'I don't think Natalia really likes Luke M. She did say she takes time to get to know people. 'But I think he was really, really trying with her and I don't know if she was giving as much back. But it's really hard to tell. You hope people wouldn't play games.' Asked who she thinks is the most genuine in the villa, Jade said: 'Molly and Callum, 100 per cent. From the get go him and Molly, they just clicked straight away. 'Shaughna, she's more like his mum. I didn't think that was going to work anyway - he'd have got bored of that.' Bizarre: Jade Affleck, 25, admitted that she thinks Natalia is putting on a front in her romance with Luke M, after frustrated fans also claimed that she was a 'fraud' Tension: Jade also claimed that Shaughna's relationship with Callum Jones would never have worked, as she seemed to be more like 'his mum' It seems that fans also aren't convinced by new girl Natalia as well, after a spoiler clip for Sunday's show hinted that she was already having doubts about her relationship with Luke. In a spoiler clip on Friday, Natalie could be seen confessing that she has 'no sexual chemistry' with Luke while he questioned whether she had ever been genuine with him. Fans were quick to react on Twitter, with many calling Casa Amor newcomer Natalia a 'fraud,' Awkward: It seems that fans also aren't convinced by new girl Natalia as well, after a spoiler clip for Sunday hinted that she was already having doubts about her relationship with Luke Luke can be seen talking things through with best pal and Luke T and sharing his doubts over Natalia, he says: 'I don't know if Casa Amor was forced or what?' The camera then cut to Natalia, who is stood around the fire pit, and speaking about Luke M, who chose to bring her back to the main villa with him, says: 'I don't feel any sexual chemistry whatsoever.' Fans were quick to react to the teaser on Twitter and were quick to slam Natalia for 'using' Luke M, so she could maintain a place on the dating series. They wrote: 'Nice guys finish last for some reason I don't understand. Luke M, take a page off of Mike's book. It's time to become savage #LoveIsland. 'If one more girl mugs off luke M I'm flying over to Africa myself #loveisland. Tense: Luke is seen questioning whether Natalia has been genuine with him in a spoiler clip 'Natalia is fake. Wants her PLT clothing line not Luke M #loveisland. 'actually feel soooo bad for Luke M, he's one of the most genuine, sweetest boys in there but just has no luck with the girls he chooses #LoveIsland. 'If Luke M gets hurt again I stg, he is the purest little soul ever, not to mention the fact he is G O R G E O U S!!!! What are these girls missing???? Omg. 'In Conclusion, Natalia didn't like Luke M in any way she just used him to enter the main villa #LoveIsland.' During Friday's episode, viewers saw Luke M admit that he is still yet to kiss Natalia, after the pair decided to take things slow when it comes to their relationship. 'Fraud alert': Fans accused Natalia of 'using' Luke after seeing Sunday night's teaser The boys were left shocked by his revelation, but unfazed, Luke said he would 'wait as long as he needs to' when it comes to getting affectionate with the beauty. All six girls that entered Casa Amor set their sights on Luke, with all of them admitting they fancied the Geordie lad. He was initially attracted to Molly, but seemed to hit things off with Natalia and didn;t second guess his decision to bring her back into the main villa with him. Luke had been coupled up with Jess Gale, but ended things with Jess after realising the twin was more interested in Mike Boateng. However, neither Jess or Mike stayed single to make a go of things with one another, she recoupled with new boy Ched and Mike decided to couple up with new girl Priscilla. Awkward: Elsewhere in the episode, fans saw Shaughna Phillips threaten to leave the Love Island villa, after a tense showdown with Callum Jones on his return Elsewhere in the episode, fans saw Shaughna Phillips threaten to leave the Love Island villa, after a tense showdown with Callum Jones on his return. He ditched Shaughna for blonde model Molly and told his ex that 'something was missing' between him, so his head eventually was turned. Shaughna accused Callum of 'forcing' their relationship and was later sent out of the villa with Molly to discuss the scaffolder. Fans will have to wait and see how their conversation plays out in Sunday night's episode, with Sean Paul making a surprise appearance on the show to perform for the islanders. Love Island continues Sunday night at 9pm on ITV. South Kansas City Winning Watts Mill gets a facelift By Leslie Alford, KC Parks If you plan to visit Watts Mill anytime soon, you will notice some beautiful changes to the area. KC Parks, using PIAC (Pubic Improvement Advisory Committee) funds helped bring ADA accessibility and enhanced amenities to the historic area at 103rd St., east of State Line Road. Sirens Blare Amid Burbs Blaze Lee's Summit music store damaged in early morning fire KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Lee's Summit firefighters battled an early morning fire at a music school. Shining Light Music at 611 SW 3rd street caught fire before 2:25 a.m. Sunday morning. A police officer in the area saw the flames and alerted the fire department. Show-Me $3-MIL Ask Facing dire budget, Missouri's chief public defender calls on lawmakers for added funding To fulfill the constitutional right to an attorney, the office has said it needs more than 300 additional lawyers, which is roughly double what the office has now. In 2017, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the state on behalf of five defendants who were awaiting trial on criminal charges. Kansas Lockup Redux No visitors at Johnson County Jail in Olathe for months as building undergoes construction OLATHE, Kan. -- If you have a loved one at the Johnson County Jail, you won't be able to see them for a while. Visitation at the Olathe facility has been suspended, but only temporarily as work is being done on the old, out-of-date building. Panty Power Play Models Sign Open Letter to Victoria's Secret CEO Over Alleged 'Culture of Misogyny and Abuse' Over 100 models have come together to sign an open letter to Victoria's Secret CEO John Mehas, urging "the company take concrete action to change its culture of misogyny and abuse." Mom Talks Shooter Down Thai soldier killed after shooting dead at least 20 people in shopping mall A Thai soldier accused of killing more than 20 people and injuring 33 others in a shooting at a crowded shopping mall has been shot dead by police, bringing an end to a 12-hour manhunt, military officials said Sunday. Brash BBC Analysis Is US politics beyond the point of repair? The new decade in American politics has started with a hangover that keeps on getting worse - a quickening of the downward democratic spiral we have witnessed over the past 30 years. So much of what has gone awry has been resident in the trial of Donald Trump. The partisan vitriol. MAGA TARGETED!!! Man plows van through voter registration tent narrowly missing Trump campaign volunteers Authorities arrested a suspect who allegedly drove his van through a voter registration tent in Florida, narrowly missing volunteers campaigning for President Donald Trump. Gregory Timm, 27, was taken custody after the incident at the Kernan Village shopping center in Jacksonville on Saturday, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. AOC Insta-Mess AOC mixes up two 'very different' economists in Instagram post about 4-day workweek Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Boston University, had to correct herself Saturday evening after mixing up two "very different" economists during a lengthy Instagram discussion. Kansas City Hip-Hop Tribute Kansas City Hip Hop Artists Remember Justin 'Info Gates' Gillespie, Who Brought Beats To Millions Kansas City hip hop artist and producer Justin " Info Gates" Gillespie, 39, died unexpectedly at the end of January. Those who loved him are reeling but not at a loss when explaining how Gillespie will live on. Independence Dedication Friends fondly remember a community stalwart Even as he dealt with his own health issues, Cecil Vaughan didn't stop his constant mission to help the blue-collar worker. "Literally within a week of getting out of the hospital, he went to Jeff City to talk with legislators because he thought he could make a difference," Vaughan's neighbor Deb Twyman said. Weather Outlook Today Morning rain gives way to mild Sunday Hide Transcript Show Transcript WE HAVE A PARTLY CLOUDY SKY, 42 DEGREES, IF WE CAN GET AN OUTSIDE CAMERA I WANT TO TAKE THE PRODUCER OUTSI, ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW IS THE TECHNIQUE. IT'S ALL ABOUT LINING UP THE HEADWIND. Quick peek at pop culture hotness, community news and info from across the nation and around the world.is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . . A group of teachers from across the state, in a letter, have urged chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to exempt them from nearly 50 non-academic duties that they perform through the year. Recently some teachers, who refused to perform the booth-level officer (BLO) duties, citing shortage of staff in their schools, were issued notices by the government. Besides teaching, we are asked to perform census duty, election duty and other tasks like filling data for different schemes among other things. This majorly eats into the time that can otherwise be spent on teaching, stated the letter. The state education minister Varsha Gaikwad had recently assured the teachers that the government would not ask them to take part in any non-academic work. However, the teachers claim that their issues are far from resolved. The education department has also asked teachers to celebrate Pariksha Parv, an initiative by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). As part of the initiative, schools have to organise activities for students to help them cope with exam stress. Examinations are a stressful period for school students and teachers. Schools attempt to help students in all possible ways before the examinations. But, introducing something like this just adds to the burden, said Uday Nare, a teacher at Hansraj Morarji Public School in Andheri. Officials from the state education department said that the guidelines from the Central government were passed on to schools by education inspectors. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, February 9, 2020 13:41 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2063654ae 1 National national-press-day,Jokowi,reporters,press,journalist,journalism,South-Kalimantan Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo joked that journalists often made him nervous during the celebrations of the 2020 National Press Day in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Saturday. Jokowi said he made a point of attending the celebration despite being scheduled to leave for Canberra the same day. Why did I have to come? Because journalists are my friends, who I meet every day, Jokowi told an audience of journalists at the event, as quoted in a State Palace press release on Saturday. Jokowi added that reporters accompanied him on most of his presidential trips, more than even some of his ministers. "Wherever I go, reporters are the ones who always follow me. The ministers sometimes do not come along, but reporters are always there. They're the ones who chase me every day, who stop me for comments. Sometimes they make me nervous and I stutter because they ask questions I'm not ready to answer, Jokowi said. "When I see journalists, I dont hate them, I miss them. They are always in my heart, and I always miss them, he said. Jokowi reiterated his statement in a post on his official Twitter account. Happy National Press Day 2020, he said in his tweet. Tahukah Anda siapa yang kerap membuat saya gugup? Para wartawan. Yang mengejar saya untuk doorstop interview, yang membuat saya kadang-kadang gugup dan gagap, tak siap ditanya sesuatu. Ke mana pun, selalu ikut bersama saya adalah para wartawan. Selamat Hari Pers Nasional 2020! pic.twitter.com/2S3dUPtjll Joko Widodo (@jokowi) February 8, 2020 During last year's celebrations, Jokowi received a Press Freedom Award from the National Press Council for his administration's "commitment to protecting the freedom of the press". However, the award was questioned by the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), which cited the many attacks and restrictions on journalists covering certain topics and issues during his administration. The organization recorded at least 223 cases of violence against journalists between 2015 and 2018, with the largest number of cases, 81, recorded in 2016. YAOUNDE, Cameroon - A surge of violence derailed voting in Cameroons English-speaking regions Sunday because residents were too scared to cast ballots in legislative and municipal elections after militant separatists kidnapped scores of candidates and threatened violence. At least 120 candidates were abducted in the African nations North West and South West regions in the past two weeks. About half of them have been released but the separatists warned voters not to participate in the elections. Residents in the two regions said suspected separatists chopped off the fingers of at least 12 people caught with voter cards in the weeks leading up to the elections. They said I did not respect their injunction that no one should be found with the cards, said Bunui Claudine, who had three of her fingers amputated, said. Claudine, a resident of the southwestern town of Kumba, said she fled to the city of Yaounde and would not return home until after the elections because I am not sure my security is assured. The elections were being held with a heavy military presence but few voters showed up. North West Region Gov. Deben Tchoffo urged people to come out and vote. No one should intimidate you. You have to vote and decide who manages your future and the military is there to protect you he said. Heavily armed gangs suspected to be separatist fighters attacked military vehicles transporting elections material to the northwest town of Jakiri on Saturday night. God saved our lives election worker Margeritte Oum told The Associated Press. We were told that the fighters had locally made guns but we saw them heavily armed with war weapons. Our lives were saved because we were in armoured cars she said. Three soldiers were wounded while fighting back, the military said. Separatists previously claimed responsibility for fires at several offices of Cameroons election management body. In Cameroons French-speaking regions, voting proceeded normally Sunday Voter intimidation also kept residents away from the English-speaking South West region. We hope that before the polls close at 6 p.m., some people would have come out to perform their civic duties, regional Gov. Bernard Okalia Bikai said. They should not be scared. The military will protect them and any separatist who tries to disrupt the polls will be killed. During Cameroons 2018 presidential election, only 5% of voters cast ballots in the North West region and 16% in the South West region because of violence. Unrest broke out in Cameroons English-speaking regions in 2016, when teachers and lawyers protested the dominance of the French language and French-speaking officials. Rebels took up arms a year later, demanding a separate English-speaking state. Fighting between the separatists and Cameroons military has killed about 3,000 people, many of them villagers caught up in the conflict. Some civilians flee the ongoing clashes, saying they dont believe the government can protect them. Two opposition leaders called for voter boycotts of the elections. Cameroon Peoples Party president Kah Walla said voting cannot go on as citizens die in the English-speaking regions. Maurice Kamto, the opposition leader who claims he won the 2018 election in which President Paul Biya easily won a seventh term, argued that the elections would not be free or fair. Other opposition parties favoured the elections, saying that winning more seats in the national legislature would enable them to enact laws to address the countrys separatist crisis. International Crisis Group senior analyst Arrey Elvis Ntui said it was a foregone conclusion that the ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement party would win a sweeping victory in the election for members of the National Assembly. The risk of that outcome is it will further bias the character of state institutions toward the views of a single party and seems bound to reduce prospects for frank discussions about resolving the Anglophone conflict and other brewing crises. Ntui said. Amnesty International has blamed Cameroons military for the escalating violence. It said this week it has documented a pattern of unlawful killings by the army in the English-speaking regions since armed separatists announced Dec. 23 they would act out against Sundays elections. ___ AP journalist Carley Petesch in Dakar, Senegal contributed. Ways to end violence in countries such as Libya and South Sudan high on agenda of African Union summit held in Ethiopia. Heads of state and government officials from across Africa have gathered in Ethiopias capital for talks primarily focused on ways to end to regional violence, including the conflicts in South Sudan and Libya. The 33rd African Union (AU) summit, which opened on Sunday in Addis Ababa, is being held under the theme Silencing the Guns: Creating conducive conditions for Africas development. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is taking over from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as AU chair, announced on Sunday that he planned to host two summits in May: one focused on conflict resolution and the other on implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. We will focus our efforts on conflict resolution across the African continent, especially those experiencing protracted conflict, said Ramaphosa, who has has identified the conflicts in South Sudan and Libya as priorities. On Saturday night, Ramaphosa met separately South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, in an effort to jumpstart mediation efforts to form a power-sharing government in South Sudan, which descended in a ruinous civil war in 2003 that has killed hundreds of thousands of people. The two men face a February 22 deadline to form a government, but they have already missed two previous designated dates to settle their differences. Marginalised on Libya On ending the conflict in Libya, the AU has consistently called for greater involvement during peace processes led primarily by the United Nations. At a summit in Brazzaville in late January, African leaders pledged to hold a reconciliation forum for Libyas warring parties. In response to a question by Al Jazeera about the possibility of the creation of an African force for peace in the North African country, Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who chairs the AUs High Level Committee on Libya, said the idea is being discussed. Africans have been complaining that they have been marginalised in terms of contributing to peace in Libya, Al Jazeeras Mohammed Vall, reporting from Addis Ababa, said, adding that the presence of UN chief Antonio Gutteres at the two-day summit is bringing a strong message of solidarity to the blocs leaders. Addressing the gathering, Guterres said the world bodys partnership with the AU was of paramount importance and stressed the UNs full support for the AUs landmark initiative of silencing guns. Ultimately, Silencing the Guns is not just about peace and security, but also inclusive sustainable development and human rights, he said. He highlighted three challenges of particular urgency in Africa: eradicating poverty, tackling the climate crisis and silencing guns. Meanwhile Moussa Faki, chairperson of the African Union Commission, warned that the persistence of terrorism threatens the collapse of some member states and must be eradicated. The AU summit also comes amid a dispute between Egypt and Sudan on one side and Ethiopia on the other over a dam built by the latter on the Blue Nile, which Cairo fears will reduce its supply of water. After several meetings hosted by Washington, the three states said a final agreement will be signed in late February. The AU has announced that the Democratic Republic of the Congo would replace South Africa as AU chair in 2021. Your browser does not support the audio element. Vietnamese border guard officers have been exerting their best efforts to monitor all people arriving from China to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the Southeast Asian country. Officers have worked around the clock to measure body temperature and quarantine Vietnamese citizens returning from China via border gates in the northern provinces of Lang Son and Lao Cai. A train is sterilized upon arrival in Lao Cai on February 8, 2020. Photo: Tuoi Tre As a lot of Vietnamese people still need to come home via these border gates, multiple teams of border guard and disease control officers have been taking turns working in continuous shifts to prevent the contagion of the 2019-nCoV. A Vietnam-China train also resumed its operation on Saturday following a five-day shutdown, which made the job even more demanding. A Vietnamese citizen has her body temperature measured at the Lao Cai Border Gate. Photo: Tuoi Tre The novel coronavirus, which first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, has killed 813 people and infected more than 37,550 globally as of Sunday. It has since spread across mainland China and to 27 other countries and regions, according to a Reuters report. A man has his body temperature measured at a border gate in northern Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre Vietnam has so far confirmed 14 infection cases, including eleven Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. Among them, one Chinese and two Vietnamese had fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital as of Thursday. They were all treated for free. Vietnamese citizens returning from China stay in a quarantine area. Photo: Tuoi Tre A trailer tractor is thoroughly examined before entering Lang Son Province. Photo: Tuoi Tre A checkpoint is established along a footpath at the border. Photo: Tuoi Tre Border guard officers patrol the Vietnam-China border. Photo: Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The San Francisco Federal Building, as befits an 18-story structure clad in sheets of steel, is a lightning rod. Design buffs celebrate its futuristic swagger. Local detractors recoil from its blunt slab-like form. But neither camp, Ill warrant, expected the 13-year-old complex at Seventh and Mission streets to emerge as a poster child for a handful of people who hate modern architecture hate it so much they want President Trump to pretty much ban any new federal buildings that dont look like they were designed in 1903. Scary thing is, the taste police might get their wish. When cultural zealots court a cynical politician, all bets are off. Our silvery gray slab at Seventh and Mission streets is in the national design spotlight because of a draft executive order that surfaced this week with the working title I kid you not of Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again. The draft order decrees that for all federal courthouses, as well as all federal buildings in and around the District of Columbia, the classical architectural style stall be the preferred and default style. Elsewhere, the emphasis would be on styles that value beauty ... and command admiration by the public. By contrast, the draft proclaims that the track record for federal buildings since the 1950s is one of aesthetic failures, including ugliness. And to illustrate that bureaucratic blight still ravages our land, three contemporary structures are cited as having little aesthetic appeal: courthouses in Miami and Austin, Texas, and yes, the San Francisco Federal Building. Federal architecture should once again inspire respect instead of bewilderment or repugnance, reads what sources say is the current version of the draft. Classical and traditional architectural styles have proven their ability to inspire such respect for our system of self-government. On the sliding scale of outrages from an administration that makes a fetish of attacking everything from environmental protections to the right of a woman to control her body, the notion of imposed aesthetics is small potatoes. Nonetheless, the fact that it is under discussion shows the extent to which self-interested crusaders can try to dictate public policy behind closed doors. The driving force behind the quest for an executive order whose existence was made public last week by Architectural Record appears to be the National Civic Art Society, a small advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., that defines its mission as advancing the classical tradition in architecture, urbanism and their allied arts. Trump has appointed two of its members to the seven-member U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which reviews designs of memorials and large government buildings. Inside the newsroom Like the news articles that The Chronicle publishes, our columns seek to be thoroughly reported, using interviews and data to back up the writer's observations. But columns allow writers to offer readers their own perspective on the issues they're examining. John King's columns on urban design and architecture are drawn from his exploration of the Bay Area landscape as well as research into projects; interviews with planners, designers and residents; and on-site visits. Based in The Chronicle's newsroom, King gets his ideas from readers' observations as well as the buildings and spaces that catch his eye. See More Collapse At best, the Civic Art Societys self-appointed design czars are guilty of the same fault they ascribe to modernists an elitism that views any differing opinions with disdain. People are aligned with your world view, or they are beneath contempt. At worst, the society and its backers are comfortable arguing that visual embodiment of Americas ideals is architectural classicism the same design ethos that Adolf Hitler embraced as Nazi Germanys official look. Realistically, I cant imagine Donald Trump caring one way or another. As a developer, Trumps best-known residential towers came wrapped in glitzy metal and glass. But his obsession then, as now, was with the brand. Certainly this was the case in Chicago, where after erecting a crisp skyscraper along the Chicago River, he attached his name in two-story-high letters at the top of the base a billboard looming over the rivers architectural boat tours. Whats profoundly more disturbing is that with each year of his presidency, Trumps only core conviction is the need to stoke up his base by whatever means he can. If he can undermine policies that are valued by his perceived opponents, watch out. Thats why I wont be surprised if Making Federal Buildings Beautiful Again finds its way to the Oval Office. What better way to placate a few purists still upset about design wars that now date back generations? And, in the process, trigger the big-city libs already railing at the potential edict as a backward-looking assault on contemporary values. Evidence? The draft now circulating states that if a design competition is held for a building project, there need to be panels where the public can have a say but participants shall not include artists, architects, engineers, art or architecture critics and so on. Back to the San Francisco Federal Building, designed by Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis and open since 2007. I love the towers metallic vigor. The three-story-high public alcove that begins on the 11th floor is a truly generous civic treasure. Other aspects of the complex, though, are troubling. The gravel plaza that Mayne conceived as a village square in fact is a stark, sketchy void. The Social Security Administration office on the plazas west edge, the space that regular citizens are most likely to visit, is claustrophobic and glum. But heres the bottom line: This flawed but ambitious complex offered a fresh take on the traditional American urge to strike out in fresh directions. This makes it a provocative companion to its federal neighbor across the street, the ornately classical U.S. Court of Appeals Building, a 1905 treasure filled with the citys most lavish interiors like walking inside a wedding cake one employee once told me, referring to the lavish slather of marble and tile work that cloaks every corridor. The United States isnt perfect. Architecture doesnt have the power to right larger wrongs. But federal buildings should convey our varied societys potential in all its conflicted aspirational splendor not try to pretend somehow that the 21st century does not exist. John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron Developing fundamentally new approaches against multi-resistant germs: This is the goal of the new Bavarian research network bayresq.net which started in January 2020. The Free State of Bavaria is providing over ten million euros for this purpose. Research groups from Julius-Maximilians-Universitat (JMU) Wurzburg are involved in two of the six funded projects. They will receive around 2.7 million euros over the next five years. Using digital methods for designing RNA antibiotics Conventional antibiotics are usually effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria. As effective as they may be, they unfortunately also promote the development of multi-resistant germs. They also destroy the protective microbiota - including bacteria that have useful effects in the human intestine. Using an interdisciplinary approach, a JMU team led by Professor Jorg Vogel, junior Professor Lars Barquist and junior research group leader Dr. Franziska Faber will investigate new antibiotics that can be used to treat specific types of bacteria. In principle, such novel antibiotics based on the nucleic acid RNA can be "programmed" according to simple chemical principles and can also be reprogrammed if resistance occurs. Digitalization has arrived in the life sciences since quite a while ago and the problem of antibiotic resistance must be approached from different angles," says Jorg Vogel. "The funding provided by bayresq.net will allow us to develop digital strategies to combat multi-resistant germs that go hand in hand with our work in the laboratory". Jorg Vogel, professor The aim of the project at the JMU Institute of Molecular Infection Biology / Research Center for Infectious Diseases (IMIB / ZINF) is to develop universal rules for programming effective antibiotics and to decipher the underlying mechanisms. For this purpose, the team uses a combination of high-throughput sequencing and machine learning. The aim is to create a very powerful digital platform for the future application of RNA-based antibiotics against a variety of bacteria. Salmonella and Campylobacter under pressure Pathogens are exposed to diverse chemical stimuli and stress conditions during the infection process. These stimuli originate from the host organism, the microbiota and food, as well as from antibiotics and other drugs. Pathogens have various survival and adaptation strategies to adapt to these changing conditions. However the molecular mechanism of how a given stimuli activates particular adaptation responses is largely unknown. This is where the StressRegNet consortium comes in, which is led by Professor Cynthia Sharma from tthe IMIB / ZINF and junior research group leader Dr. Ana Rita Brochado from the ZINF / Biocenter together with Professor Christian Muller from the Institute of Statistics of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munich. The team will investigate different chemical stimuli and regulatory signaling pathways that control host adaptation of Salmonella and Campylobacter. Both are two widespread food-borne pathogens that have recently been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) with high priority for research and development of new antibiotics. Using high-throughput automation technologies, the researchers aim to expose the two bacterial pathogens to a library of more than 3,000 different small molecules. The gene expression responses and stress reactions triggered by these chemical molecules will then be measured, with a focus on regulation by small regulatory RNA molecules. The measurements will provide a highly complex dataset. This will then be investigated using machine learning techniques for specific signals and stress responses related to antibiotic sensitivity and host interactions. The StressRegNet consortium aims to achieve a significant advance in automation and digitalization in infection biology. At the same time, its work should provide valuable new insights into the regulatory networks of bacteria. This is essential for the development of new antimicrobial strategies. Facts about bayresq.net The six projects of the bavarian research network "New strategies against multi-resistant pathogens using digital networking - bayresq.net" are running at JMU, the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, LMU, the Technical University of Munich and the University of Regensburg. Research groups from biology, bioinformatics, chemistry, biophysics, medicine and mathematics are involved. In addition to junior Professor Lars Barquist from JMU/HIRI, two junior research group leaders from the ZINF are represented in the Wurzburg projects. Dr. Franziska Faber has been researching at ZINF since 2018; Dr. Ana Rita Brochado was appointed as a junior research group leader at the ZINF / Biocenter (Chair of Microbiology, Professor Thomas Rudel) in 2019. Her group is also supported by the Emmy-Noether-Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG). ZINF: Young Investigators Groups as the core The Research Center for Infectious Diseases (ZINF) at JMU was founded in 1993 and is the oldest university institution in Germany dedicated to interdisciplinary and cross-faculty research on infectious diseases. Since 2010, it has been a central scientific institution of the JMU. At the heart of ZINF are the independent junior research groups, which give young, talented researchers the opportunity to set up their own laboratory after their postdoctoral research. Over the past 25 years, the ZINF junior research groups have developed into an internationally renowned program. The success of this program is also reflected in the fact that many former junior research group leaders have been appointed to national and international professorships or permanent group leader positions after their time at ZINF. "The ZINF young investigator program has enabled us to steadily recruit new expertise in emerging technologies or novel research areas in the field of infection biology to JMU over the last years . For example, Dr. Brochado's expertise in the field of genome-wide screens using high-throughput automation technologies is essential for our StressRegNet consortium," says Cynthia Sharma. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Judah's Redemption Through the years, Judahs family prospers, along with the other sons of Jacob. However, famine strikes the land of Israel. The brothers go to Egypt, where there is grained stored up for this period thanks to Joseph. Judah and his brothers do not recognize their younger brother, but are afraid when they see their money returned to them in their grain sacks, and are especially afraid that the second-in-command of Egypt demanded they bring their youngest brother Benjamin to Egypt. The transformation of Judah and his rise to leadership amongst his brothers becomes apparent when looking at the way Reuben and Judah react to the demand to bring Benjamin to Egypt. Reuben was the oldest son of the first wife. By mans law and logic, he should have been the natural leader and heir apparent. However, when Jacob mourns at possibly losing Benjamin, Reuben makes a strange offer. The Biblical record states, Then Reuben said to his father, Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you (Genesis 42:37). Rather than putting his own life on the line, Reuben offers up his own progeny. He stakes the lives of two uninvolved individuals, rather than taking responsibility and incurring all the risk upon himself. Jacob rejects this offer. While part of the reason for the rejection may be because he was not ready to let Benjamin go, it can also be inferred that he did not trust Reuben to bring the young man back alive. Eventually, Jacob had to relent or the whole family would have starved. Here, Judah steps up and takes Reubens role as the leader. When they go back, they know they must take Benjamin with them; And Judah said to Israel his father, Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go ... I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever (Genesis 43:8-9). Where Reuben offered his sons as a ransom, Judah offered himself. He accepted full responsibility for the price of his brothers life. In Egypt, he acts as the spokesman for his family, not any of his older brothers. When Benjamin is accused of stealing a cup from Josephs household - though they still do not know it is Joseph - Judah again offers himself as the ransom for his brothers life. Eventually Joseph reveals himself, and the whole family moves to Egypt to survive and live together once more. In these passages Judah acts as an intercessor, speaking for his family before a man to whom they owe much, who wields great power and authority. He then becomes the substitute, the surety that a debt will be paid. These characteristics foreshadow the role of Jesus Christ as the intercessor for mankind, and the substitute on the cross, who paid the debt humanity owed to the Creator because of its sins. Photo credit: Getty Images/itref The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Nelson Chamisa has commended the Rand Corporation for coming up with a blistering report on political and economic reforms in Zimbabwe. VOA Zimbabwe Service's Gibbs Dube speaks with MDC chairperson Thabitha Khumalo about the report. Devon McKenzie fought tooth and nail to stay in her affordable east-end apartment but after a seven-month battle with a landlord who owns just one per cent of the house, the process, she said, has worn her down. Im done. Im moving out of Toronto. I am going to pick up and start something new, said McKenzie, 24, who, after fighting multiple attempts to evict her through the Landlord and Tenant Board and facing a separate eviction over rent she said was owed by previous roommates, has agreed to leave by the end of May. Ive been fighting this on my own. I want to get on with my life. McKenzie had been trying to block repeated attempts by her landlord to force her out for his own personal use, which she fought because Jacky Bai Jun Liu, a first-time homebuyer in his early 20s, had acquired the landlord title after he was sold just a one per cent stake in the house in midsummer. McKenzie told the Star that Liu had told her during a phone call he was a Ryerson student and intended to move his friends into the house. Almost immediately after the sale, Liu moved to evict seven tenants from two units, in June serving them with an N12 notice co-signed by one of the primary homeowners, informing them that Liu intended to exercise his legal right to take over the property for personal use. The upstairs renters left, telling the Star they had already considered finding a new place to rent. McKenzie, who shared the downstairs apartment with three others, stayed put to fight on principle, she said, and because a lack of affordable rental housing meant she had nowhere to go. In September, McKenzie went to the board with a lawyer ready to fight but a paralegal representing Liu declared that a failure to properly fill out paperwork on their side meant the application was invalid and should be withdrawn. The adjudicator agreed. Minutes after McKenzie stepped into the hallway an employee of Beaunest Property Services, the company listed as representing the landlord on board documents, handed her a brand new N12 form starting the process all over again. The hearing for the second N12 was scheduled for November but, McKenzie said, delays on her teams side and a lack of available time before the board meant it was adjourned to Feb. 20. I fought this tooth and nail simply because I cant go anywhere else in this city ... Ive said this before but there doesnt need to be one more reason for landlords to kick people out in this crazy rental market. Liu and Beaunest Property Services did not respond to the Stars repeated requests for comment. McKenzie told the Star that after receiving the first N12 notice, she and her roommates decided to hold on to their portions of July rent until they understood the process, whether they stood a chance before board or could put the money in trust. But then, she said, those roommates moved on and she has been left holding the outstanding bill. She was ordered by the board during a December hearing to pay what she owed or leave by the end of January. Unable to come up with the money, and weary of what seemed like an unending fight, she agreed to stop pursuing the N12 case and move out. In exchange, the landlord would not rush to evict her, allowing for the late May exit, and forgive the $1,934 owed in back rent, according to a Jan. 20 decision agreed to at the board. The whole thing has been insane. Had it just been the N12 I could have waited it out. It would have been fine, McKenzie said. It just became so much more than the N12. I just cant handle it anymore. In November, McKenzie spoke about her experience at city hall before a subcommittee created with a mandate, in part, to prevent potential abuses of the N12 process. What they dont tell you about fighting an eviction is that it takes over your life, McKenzie said before a standing-room-only meeting of the protection of affordable rental housing subcommittee. These landlords simply see those numbers and the potential to make those numbers bigger not the people behind them. On deciding to leave, she said she felt she was letting people down as a decision in the case would have set a precedent on whether a person with such a small claim to ownership can also take on the rights of a landlord and move to evict. I feel like I am letting people down because I cant get the decision, she said. It was frustrating because people came up to me (at city hall) and told me to keep fighting. Last year, the vacancy rate for the Greater Toronto Area was reported at 1.5 per cent, up from 1.2 per cent the previous year, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. reported in January. Those numbers are strictly for purpose-built rental properties with three or more units, and any unit occupied before Nov. 15, 2018, is subject to rent controls. However, landlords can charge whatever they want for vacant apartments and raise the rent any amount on tenants in all apartments occupied for the first time after Nov. 15, 2018, following a change to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) made by Ontarios Progressive Conservative government. Ontario tenants can be asked to pay a set increase each year, a number determined by the province. The increase for 2020 is 2.2 per cent, the highest annual increase since rents were raised 2.5 per cent in 2013. Changes to the RTA are expected to be announced this winter. That review includes consultations with landlords and tenants and analysis provincewide on applications before all boards, including N12 and N13 applications, a spokesperson for Ontario Housing Minister Steve Clark told the Star via email. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing works very closely with the Ministry of Attorney General and Tribunals Ontario/Landlord and Tenant Board to share information, such as provincewide trends for N12 and N13 applications received by the Board, amongst other data it collects, wrote Julie ODriscoll. Looking forward, McKenzie is researching entomology programs and hopes to work with animals, ideally outdoors. It wont be in Toronto and she asked the Star not to publish where she was thinking of heading because after a stressful and unusually high-profile experience she wants a fresh start. Honestly I feel like a weight has lifted. Judge reverses convictions of aid workers who left food, water for immigrants in desert Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Four aid volunteers who left food and water for immigrants who illegally entered the country by way of the Arizona desert in 2017 had their criminal convictions overturned Monday by a federal judge who ruled that the governments prosecution violated their religious freedom rights. U.S. District Judge Rosemary Marquez, an Obama appointee, ruled that the four volunteers serving with the No More Deaths ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tuscan were engaging in a sincere exercise of their religious beliefs. The volunteers Natalie Hoffman, Oona Holcomb, Madeline Huse, and Zaachila Orozco left food and water in an area of rugged landscape in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge near the Mexico border where immigrants have been known to die of dehydration and exposure to extreme temperatures. Last January, they were convicted by a federal magistrate of violating regulations governing the refuge and faced fines and probation since they entered without out a permit, drove on restricted-access roads and left food and water. However, the defendants argued that their actions were taken with the goal of mitigating death and suffering and that the actions were exercises of religion protected by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Court finds that Defendants demonstrated that their prosecution for this conduct substantially burdens their exercise of sincerely held religious beliefs, the ruling states. [A]nd that the Government failed to demonstrate that prosecuting defendants is the least restrictive means of furthering any compelling governmental interest. The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge spans over 800,000 acres in the Sonoran Desert. As millions of immigrants have illegally entered the U.S. through the southern border in the past three decades, No More Deaths claims that the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is an area where as many as 155 migrants have died since 2001. No More Deaths says the refuge is one of the deadliest migration corridors along the U.S.-Mexico border. The area is especially dangerous because of the lack of publicly accessible roads and no natural water sources. In 2017, the year in which the four volunteers were charged, No More Deaths reports that 32 sets of human remains were found in the refuge. According to the ruling, the federal government argued that it wanted to prevent clean water and food from being placed in the refuge so as to not increase the risk of death or extreme illness for those seeking to cross unlawfully. In other words, the Government claims a compelling interest in preventing Defendants from interfering with a border enforcement strategy of deterrence by death, Marquez ruled. This gruesome logic is profoundly disturbing. It is also speculative and unsupported by evidence. Marquez contends that the government was unable to produce evidence showing that the news of the 32 sets of human remains found in the desert in 2017 deterred unlawful entry. This ruling reaffirms what No More Deaths has always maintained: providing life-saving humanitarian aid is never a crime, volunteer Alicia Dinsmore said in a statement. The reversal of the convictions is a victory for all people of conscience and righteousness who seek to end the death and suffering in the borderlands. The reversal of the four volunteers convictions comes after fellow No More Deaths aid volunteer Scott Warren was acquitted last November on felony charges of harboring illegal immigrants. An outcry was raised after it was reported that Warren could have face up to 20 years in prison. Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel of the religious freedom nonprofit law firm Becket, which helped craft legal arguments in Warrens case, explained in a Twitter thread that there are several important lessons to learn from these cases. First, this was a foolish prosecution, Goodrich wrote. Giving water to those who thirst is not a crime. Just consult Matthew 25:35 and common sense. Second, laws like RFRA are essential for religious freedom, he added, pointing out that RFRA was used to defend the Little Sisters of the Poor in their cases against the Obamacare contraceptive mandate. It was undisputed in this case that the volunteers committed the crime. Their only protection was RFRA. Goodrich stressed that religious freedom isnt partisan. Sometimes it may look conservative (Hobby Lobby) or progressive (this case), he wrote. But the core principle is bipartisan. Every human being has a thirst for the transcendent, and the government (under both parties) must respect that. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A few months ago, I was reading from my signed copy of W. A. Swanbergs biography, First Blood: The Story of Fort Sumter. Its a marvelous account of events that led up to the firing on Fort Sumter, the act that represented the North-South quarrel and led to the greatest war America has ever known the Civil War. In the book, Swanberg describes what was taking place in South Carolina just before the terrible War Between the States ensued. He wrote: Almost without exception, the state senators and representatives were in favor of secession, the main points at issue being how soon and under what circumstances. That they had ample provocation to quit the Union, few had any doubt. The victory of Lincoln on the anti-slavery Republican platform, while not sufficient cause in itself, was regarded as the last straw in a thirty-year succession of wrongs against the South. They could give reasons galore to justify slamming the door on the Union. The slavery question, the tariff, the fight for territories, the endless fugitive-slave quarrels undoubtedly all of these underlay the trouble. But probably Mary Boykin Chesnut, the pretty and mettlesome wife of Senator James Chesnut, struck more at the heart of the matter. We are divorced, she said, because we have hated each other so. For some time now, various news articles have been claiming that Americans are just as divided as they were before the Civil War and query as to whether were headed for another one. God forbid. Last year, C. Bradly Thompson, a professor at Clemson University and an opinion contributor for USA Today, aptly wrote about Americas current great divide. Thompson said: There was a time, not long ago, when most Americans were proud to be Americans, and they liked each other. Sadly, that is no longer the case. People are so polarized in 2019 that we might now speak of the Disunited States of America or the United States of Hate! Americans are irredeemably divided over Donald Trump, impeachment, capitalism, socialism, democracy, pronouns, abortion, marriage, immigration, climate change, reparations, Brett Kavanaugh, the Covington kids, free speech, drag queen reading hour, political correctness, and many other topics. All of our cultural institutions the schools, Boy Scouts, NFL, Oscars, soap operas, late-night television, Broadway, stand-up comedy have become polarized and weaponized. We cant even come together over the flag and the national anthem. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that liberals and conservative Americans hate each other. Where is all this leading us? This much is certain: To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, a nation that hates itself cannot stand. If anyone reflects on the matter deeply and has any semblance of patriotism, the current situation will precipitate tears. And, of course, could there have been any display more manifest and representative of the palpable hatred between our countrymen than when President Trump refused to shake Speaker Pelosis hand and the Speaker tore apart his State of the Union speech in front of the entire country? Thompson said he believes the answer needed to bridge the divide is a return to what he called Americanism. Americanism, said Thompson, is the philosophy that despite our vast and varied differences, we agree that all men and women should be equally free, morally sovereign and self-governing. Yet as high-sounding and noble as that sentiment might be, it wont be enough to cause Americans to come together again. Perhaps Yoram Hazony, in a Time Magazine article titled, How Americans Lost Their National Identity, is closer to the truth and implies what actually must be done. Hazony, who is an Israeli philosopher and political theorists, argues that Americans once possessed an intuitive understanding of nationhood whose source was in the Bible. He says that the original American states, while internally diverse, nonetheless, largely shared the English language, Protestant religion and the common law, and had fought Britain together. The nation reflected in these characteristics was so strong that Americans were gradually able to adopt other tribes into the mix: Catholics, Jews and with time the African Americans who had lived through the evils of enslavement and segregation. Hazony adds that Americans eventually sought to counterbalance increasing diversity with a carefully protected common cultural inheritance: New territories were admitted as American states only once they had an English-speaking majority and adopted the common law. The eradication of slavery in the South and polygamy among the Mormons was likewise the result of a common cultural inheritance, descended from English Puritanism, which Americans insisted on maintaining even at the price of coercion. Hazony further contends it was only after Americans commitment to these principles begin to fade, which were fashioned out of a biblically rooted American nationalism (not the racist white nationalism), did dangerous and destructive revolutionary new theories fill the vacuum. Hazony concludes, As Americans have stopped reading the Bible, they have also lost an intuitive sense of what a nation is, and of what must be done to maintain it. Thus, the correct diagnosis of the division our nation now so painfully endures and the remedy to effectively treat it. There is, unfortunately, no point of reference larger than ourselves by which we define ourselves or hold ourselves together anymore. So consequently, we have become factions of competing value systems, each fighting against the other, most falling under the categories of politically Right or politically Left, to determine which will ultimately prevail. But we should have no illusions as to the outcome. Our national ship will sink in this storm unless it stops its drifting unless its turned away from the rocks of personal and public practical atheism unless it is once again anchored to the conventional teaching of the Old and New Testaments. It wasnt Abraham Lincoln who said it first, but Jesus Christ: Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand (Matthew 12:22-28). A revival of Christian orthodoxy and adherence to its tenants is the only way to regain our national identity and stop the hate. Rev. Mark H. Creech is executive director of the Raleigh-based Christian Action League of North Carolina Inc. Thousands of people stranded aboard a cruise ship in Hong Kong for five days were allowed to disembark on Sunday after its 1,800 crew tested negative for the deadly new coronavirus. Health authorities in the semi-autonomous Asian financial hub said the crew and a similar number of passengers had been released from a quarantine imposed because of fears some staff could have contracted the deadly virus on a previous voyage and passed it on. The World Dream carried three Chinese passengers to Vietnam between January 19 and 24 who were later found to be infected with the SARS-like coronavirus, which has killed more than 800 people in China since it emerged in December. The government grounded the ship on its arrival in Hong Kong Wednesday while tests were carried out on the crew, but said the passengers need not undergo examination as they had no contact with the three sick holidaymakers on the January trip. First found in the city of Wuhan in central China last December, the virus has infected more than 37,200 people on the Chinese mainland and at least 36 in Hong Kong. The passengers and crew isolated on the vessel had been expecting to stay aboard until Tuesday after Hong Kong authorities said testing would take at least four days. But chief port health officer Leung Yiu-hong said Sunday "all tests have results this afternoon and are all negative". He added that passenger testing was deemed unnecessary because they were at relatively low risk. All 3,600 onboard will not be required to self-quarantine after leaving. As he left the ship, passenger Rocky Chan said quarantine conditions had been "okay", though his time on board had caused him a few problems. "My job was somewhat affected due to the time I had to spend here," he said, but added that a letter he received from the Department of Health should smooth out any issues. Vice-president of marketing at Dream Cruises, Phoebe Yip Ching-man, said the company arranged for dozens of coaches to take passengers into the city, while free hotel rooms were booked for the more than 100 foreign passport holders on board who needed them. Hong Kong on Saturday began enforcing a 14-day quarantine period on all people arriving from mainland China in a fresh bid to curb the spread of the virus. The city's health minister on Sunday morning said 468 people had so far been ordered to stay at home, in hotel rooms or at a government quarantine camp since the policy took effect. Swiss voters agreed on Sunday to penalize public homophobia, greenlighting an amendment to an antidiscrimination law that had not provided protection for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. The amendment, which was years in the making, was challenged by opponents arguing that it would stifle freedom of expression. Voters were asked in a referendum whether they wanted to extend Switzerlands racism statutes to sexual orientation, and on Sunday 63.1 percent voted in favor of it. The extension was backed by the government and most of Switzerlands political parties. Unlike most countries in Western Europe, Switzerland did not have a law that specifically protects lesbians, gay men and bisexual people from discrimination. Publicly denigrating someones sexual orientation, or inciting hatred against someone in public, could not be prosecuted. People walk alone Salthill promenade in Co Galway (Liam McBurney/PA) There have been power outages, flooded roads and fallen trees across Ireland in the wake of Storm Ciara. Orange status wind warnings were put in place by forecaster Met Eireann, with gusts of up to 130 kilometres per hour expected, up to noon on Sunday. An estimated 10,000 homes, farms and businesses were left without power at the height of the storm. Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill, Co Galway, is battered by waves as Ireland and the UK were hit by Storm Ciara (Liam McBurney/PA) Counties in the west and south, including Co Waterford, Clare and Galway, have been among the worst affected. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) advised the public for safety reasons against visiting a number locations owing to the woodland nature of the sites. These include Connemara National Park, Wicklow Mountains National Park and Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park while the wind warning was in place. The opening ceremony of Galways year as European Capital of Culture on Saturday was cancelled due to weather conditions. Construction workers begin the process of dismantling steps at Galways South Park after organisers of the opening ceremony to mark Galways year as European Capital of Culture cancelled the ceremony due to bad weather (Liam McBurney/PA) The fire-lighting spectacle had been expected to draw thousands of spectators. Organisers said in a statement they were extremely disappointed to announce the cancellation but the decision had been made in the interests of public safety. Met Eireann warned a combination of spring high tides, high seas and stormy conditions had created a significant risk of coastal flooding, particularly along western and north-western coasts. Irish airline Aer Lingus advised passengers to check the status of their flights before leaving for the airport. Minister @DeirdreHargey advises householders affected by flooding as result of #StormCiara that the Scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance to District Councils has been activated. Those affected should contact their local council Communities NI (@CommunitiesNI) February 9, 2020 Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland an estimated 300 customers were without power on Sunday morning, with the eastern half of the region worst affected. Communities minister Deirdre Hargey said emergency flooding funding to district councils has been activated, advising those faced with flooding to contact their local authority. A demonstrator wears a variation of the hat that President Donald Trump made famous as he marches to protest Trump's immigration policies during the "Immigrants Make America Great March" in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 18, 2017. The public charge rule would largely bar elderly Indian immigrants who wish to immigrate to the U.S. to live with their Indian American children. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images) Ministers are reviving plans originally drawn up to cope with a No Deal Brexit to help tackle the impact of the coronavirus on businesses. They are concerned that Chinese cities and factories could be locked down for months, creating a shortage of goods that UK firms rely on. Whitehall officials have been ordered to dust off crisis plans made to ensure the flow of vital supplies if Britain left the EU without a deal. It comes after concerns about companies running out of lifesaving equipment or parts for supply chains. The virus has forced businesses with Chinese operations to close factories. Those affected include iPhone maker Apple. Pictured: A man wears mask as he walks past a closed Apple store at Sanlitun in Beijing, China The virus has forced businesses with Chinese operations to close factories. Those affected include iPhone maker Apple, car manufacturers Ford, Volkswagen and Nissan, airlines such as British Airways and drug giant Glaxosmithkline. Experts fear the viruss impact could cost the world economy 217billion in the first quarter of 2020. Chancellor Sajid Javid has reportedly joined meetings of the Cobra emergency committee to discuss the crisis. ANNE DRAGO, Stonington, Girls Basketball, Senior; Drago was named to the all-tournament team at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. In two games, she scored 38 points and had eight rebounds. DANTE WILK, Westerly, Boys Basketball, Senior; Wilk was named MVP of the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament after the Bulldogs beat Chariho in the title game. Wilk had a combined 35 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals in two tournament victories. TYLER LABELLE, Chariho, Boys Basketball, Junior; LaBelle scored 41 points in two games to earn all-tournament honors at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. LaBelle had 22 in a win against South Kingstown and 19 in a loss to Westerly. ADDIE HAUPTMANN, Wheeler, Girls Basketball, Senior; Hauptmann scored 32 points in two games in the Montville Christmas Tournament. She also had 20 rebounds, seven assists and eight steals. Vote View Results Turkey threatened Saturday to strike back if its military outposts in the Syrian opposition bastion of Idlib come under attack, a day after officials said three had been surrounded. Under an agreement with Russia, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Turkey has set up 12 observation posts in Idlib to avert an offensive by Syrian government forces. Since Friday, Turkey has sent 350 vehicles with commandos backed by armoured vehicles to beef up the positions, the state-run Anadolu news agency said, after officials reported that three had been surrounded by regime forces. "Our observation posts in Idlib continue their duties and are capable of protecting themselves with the weapons and equipment they possess," the Turkish defence ministry said on Twitter. "In the event of a new attack, a proper response will be given in the strongest manner, based on the right of self-defence." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has given Syria an ultimatum to pull its troops away from Turkish observation posts by the end of February, after eight Turks were killed by regime fire on Monday. Fahrettin Altun, Erdogan's top press aide, said the escalation in Idlib was becoming unacceptable for Ankara, and blamed Assad's regime for the crisis. "We cannot tolerate what has been unfolding in Idlib. We will seek accountability for our martyrs," he told a Turkey-Syria media forum on Saturday in Istanbul. "Bashar al-Assad's place in the future ... is not the presidential palace but the International Court of Justice at The Hague," he said. Since the deadly clashes erupted, Turkey has urged Moscow to convince Assad to end the Syrian offensive. A Russian delegation was to meet Saturday with Turkish officials to discuss the situation. Turkey and Russia have worked closely in recent years to resolve the standoff in Idlib despite being on opposing sides of the conflict. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Mayflies have long been indicators of the ecological health of the lakes, rivers, and streams. The more mayflies present in water, the better the water quality. But scientists from Virginia Tech and the University of Notre Dame recently discovered that a particular species -- the burrowing mayfly -- had a population decrease of nearly 84 percent from 2015 to 2019. The measurements, using radar, took place during the annual insect emergence events at Lake Erie, when the transition of almost 88 billion insects moving from the waterways to the air marks one of world's largest annual insect emergence events. Although it was previously impossible to analyze the emergence of the burrowing mayfly, researchers were finally able to do so by using meteorological radar data and new methods in tracking the presence of airborne creatures. By observing the swarms on a year-to-year basis, the data showed a shockingly simple trend: over the same timeframe and time of year, the mayfly swarms are growing smaller. This refined radar technology that allows for tracking and quantifying aquatic insect populations at such a large scale is instrumental in understanding land-water connections." Sally Entrekin, associate professor in the Department of Entomology in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences The finding speaks to more than just the mayfly's decline: It highlights the growing problem of insect decline and the cascading effects that has on ecosystems around the world. "Radar technology -- coupled with traditional field sampling -- can start to address the scope and magnitude of insect declines from global change in aquatic ecosystems," said Entrekin. Entrekin and her colleagues, Phil Stepanian, Charlotte Wainwright, Djordje Mirkovic, Jennifer Tank, and Jeffrey Kelly, recently published their findings in the Proceedings in the National Academy of Sciences. The emergence is visually spectacular (where the skies are darkened by the shear mass of flying insects), but this event also represents a new availability of food for many creatures throughout the food chain, providing more than 3,000 tons of insects for consumption by birds and other land-based plants and animals. Fish, birds, bats, and other animals consume the mayflies as a source of food and nutrients. Some insect-eating birds in these areas have synchronized breeding habits that coincide with mayfly emergence, and they rely on them as a high-quality food source for their young. These bird populations have also taken a downturn, which has been partially attributed to the lack of insects to eat, particularly aquatic insects. Historically, negative human impacts on mayfly habitat has led to reductions and disappearances of the mayfly swarms. While conservation and habitat rehabilitation have helped to clean up the waterways and bring back the mayflies, in the Mississippi, Ohio, and Illinois rivers, as well as Lake Erie, efforts to bring back the mayfly swarms took nearly 20 years to reach their previous levels. As the research shows, it appears the swarms are once again declining. Multiple stressors in these waterways attributed to human activity could be a reason for the reduction in mayfly populations. A warming climate puts more stress on certain aquatic environments, leading to decreased oxygen levels, which can result in fewer mayflies coming out of the water. Runoff from rivers into the warmer surface waters of Lake Erie, for instance, can cause algae blooms, which release toxins that these mayflies are especially susceptible to. Another type of runoff from agricultural land carries commonly applied pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, which can kill mayflies as immatures in the water. Even when these pesticides are present in nondeadly levels, they can negatively affect mayfly young by stunting their ability to reach adult stage. Many of these factors likely contribute to the decreasing mayfly populations, and policy and conservation efforts will be needed in order to change this trend. Global insect population decline is an emerging topic that has sparked public awareness, however there are logistical challenges to analyzing these trends. Monitoring the life-cycle of the burrowing mayfly and other aquatic insects offers an early warning system for changes in our ecosystems. This monitoring system is also applicable in other parts of the world where large aquatic emergence events occur, and it can be useful in pinpointing regions that would benefit from waterway conservation efforts or ecological rehabilitation efforts. With the impact the climate crisis is having on ecosystems, tracking the emergence of certain aquatic insects could serve to motivate and inform the public as to the effect humans are having on their local waterways. Pete Buttigieg said Sunday that his goal wasn't to become 'the gay president,' but admitted he realizes the impact it would make if he became the first openly-gay major party presidential nominee. 'There's not a lot of time for reflection on the campaign,' Buttigieg, 38, admitted to NBC's Meet the Press Sunday morning. 'But yeah, there was a moment before we went out when Chasten pulled me in and just reminded me what this means for some kid peeking around the closet door wondering if this country has a place for them,' Buttigieg said, reflecting on a conversation he had with his husband. 'I didn't set out to be the gay president, but certainly seeing what this means is really meaningful and really powerful,' he continued. Buttigieg and the other Democratic presidential candidates have been campaigning through New Hampshire since Tuesday in the days after the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses and ahead of the New Hampshire primary election. Pete Buttigieg said Sunday: 'I didn't set out to be the gay president, but certainly seeing what this means is really meaningful and really powerful' If Buttigieg were nominated he would become the first-ever openly-gay major party presidential candidate. He has been married to his husband Chasten (pictured) for five years While the results of the Iowa caucus have still not been officially called, with 100 per cent of precincts reporting, Buttigieg is shown in the No.1 spot with 26.2 per cent. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is shown in second place with just .1 percentage point less at 26.1 per cent. The Iowa caucus was thrown into chaos when the app it was supposed to use for reporting precinct results malfunctions and the nearly 1,7000 locations had to result to paper and telephone call reporting and the Iowa Democratic Party had to conduct manual tabulations. A viral video emerged of one middle-aged female caucusgoer in Iowa asking to change her vote after finding out that Buttigieg, who she initially caucused for, is gay and married to a man. The individual is recorded telling the precinct captain, Nikki van den Heever, 'I don't want anybody like that in the White House' after she was told that Buttigieg is in a same-sex relationship. Buttigieg and Chasten have been married for five years, and when the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana was asked about the video Sunday morning, he said he was 'saddened.' 'But I'm running to be her president too,' he said. 'The reality is prejudice is still out there,' the youngest 2020 presidential candidate continued. 'And you've got to deal with it. But I would not have been able to be re-elected the way I did in Mike Pence's Indiana if people were not able to look past that.' 'Every time somebody seeks to break a barrier, pundits try to make it about electability,' he noted. A middle-aged female caucus-goer in Iowa asked to take back her vote for Buttigieg after she was informed he is openly gay and married to a man Buttigieg said he was 'saddened' by the viral video, but said Sunday, 'I'm running to be her president too' Although Buttigieg's competitors of which there are now only 11 have not made his sexual orientation a point of whether he could get elected or not, they have upped their attacks on him recently for other concerns. Specifically, Democratic candidates have questioned Buttigieg's inexperience, noting that he has only served as the mayor of a small town for two terms and before that had no other political experience. Before becoming mayor he began working as a consultant for McKinsey & Company in 2007 and in 2009 joined the Navy Reserves before leaving that post in 2017. Compared, his fellow candidates on stage, Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Joe Biden have a combined nearly 70 years experience in the Senate. Sanders, who has vowed not to take any big-donor money, has also waged an attack on Buttigieg for accepting campaign contributions from billionaires. But Buttigieg defended himself during the eighth Democratic primary debate Friday night, claiming they had to use all their resources to defeat Donald Trump in November. 'We are going into the fight of our lives,' he said, citing how much money the Trump reelection campaign is bringing in. 'We need to go into that fight with everything we've got.' Buttigieg also faced fresh attacks as he surged in a New Hampshire poll days ahead of the primary. The youngest candidate in the Democratic contest overtook Sanders, who at 78-years-old is the most senior. Friday's poll results showed Buttigieg at 25 per cent and Sanders at 24 per cent, a larger margin than Buttigieg's Iowa victory. For, Gaurav, an employee of Star Cruise, could not arrive in Mangaluru on Friday for his wedding on February 10 as the cruise-liner remained anchored near Hong Kong with the authorities undertaking repeated screening of all employees and others onboard. Mangalore: Coronavirus has not only claimed scores of lives and triggered a scare across the world but also held back Gaurav of Kumapala village from tying the knot on Monday. For, Gaurav, an employee of Star Cruise, could not arrive in Mangaluru on Friday for his wedding on February 10 as the cruise-liner remained anchored near Hong Kong with the authorities undertaking repeated screening of all employees and others onboard. He (Gaurav) had come to Mangaluru about eight months ago and we had fixed the wedding on February 10. Though he was supposed to arrive on January 26, the authorities have held up the ship at Hong Kong as a precautionary measure, Sabitha Raj, his relative, told the media in Mangaluru on Saturday, adding his family has remained in constant touch with the groom. The authorities had assured to send everyone back once they test negative. He has tested negative about 3-4 times, but it looks like they are taking precautions and are not sending any of the personnel or passengers out in a hurry, she added. In Mangaluru, Gauravs relatives arrived from distant places as they could not cancel the ticket at the last moment. We have sent a message to all our relatives and friends that the wedding has been postponed, but some who could not cancel the tickets have arrived. Weakening tropical cyclone Damien battered northwestern Australia's resource-rich Pilbara region on Sunday, as storms brought heavy rains and flooding to the country's bushfire-ravaged east. The cyclone was downgraded to a Category One storm Sunday after making landfall late Saturday as a Category Three, when it brought winds of 195 kilometres per hour (121 miles per hour) at its peak and forced residents to hunker down indoors under a code red emergency warning. The Bureau of Meteorology said Damien was weakening as it moved southeast through the sparsely populated central Pilbara on Sunday, bringing winds of up to 100 kilometres an hour and heavy rainfall that was expected to cause flooding. "Tropical Cyclone Damien will continue to weaken as it moves further inland," the bureau said. The storm reportedly downed trees, ripped roofs off sheds and knocked out power in the small coastal towns of Dampier and Karratha. Meanwhile, Australia's east coast has been lashed with days of rainfall that has caused flash flooding in New South Wales and Queensland. Flood warnings were issued for more than a dozen rivers across the two states, including in Sydney, home to about five million people and the country's biggest city, which has been drenched by heavy rainfall. New South Wales police said they had rescued dozens of motorists who were trapped after driving their cars into floodwaters, as well as a teenager who spent two hours in waist-deep water after falling into a river in the Hunter Valley region. Emergency services said they also received hundreds of calls for assistance as trees, boulders and power poles fell onto cars and homes, and power went out in some areas. The heavy rain comes after months of bushfires, with the downpours dousing blazes that have burned out of control for months and raising hopes for an end to the unprecedented crisis. One major fire -- a 500,000-hectare (1.2 million-acre) blaze south of Sydney -- was declared out late Saturday as a result of the rains while several drought-stricken areas also received downpours. The wet weather, which began earlier in the week in some areas, is forecast to extend into next week. Theres still a chance the Red Sox, Dodgers and Twins will complete the three-team deal slated to send Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers, but optimism is waning. Despite reports that they had pulled out of discussions earlier Saturday, the Twins remain in active talks and have not declared their end of the deal dead, two sources with direct knowledge of the conversations said Saturday. Discussions are currently going slow and any path forward for the potential trade will likely not involve Minnesota. The three teams agreed to a blockbuster, five-player trade Tuesday night, with Betts, Price and cash going to the Dodgers, Graterol and outfielder Alex Verdugo going to the Red Sox and right-hander Kenta Maeda going to the Twins, pending medical review. As the Red Sox reviewed Graterols medicals, they had some concerns and began to project the right-hander as more of a reliever than a starter, causing progress to stall. Graterols medicals caused Boston to ask for more compensation on their end of the trade, and there seems to be a significant gulf between what the Red Sox are asking for and what the Twins are willing to give up. Minnesota is unlikely to want to give up much more than Graterol (a top prospect) for Maeda (a mid-rotation starter). If the Twins pull out, the Red Sox and Dodgers could theoretically work out a new deal in which Betts and Price go to Los Angeles and Verdugo goes to Boston, along with other pieces. The Dodgers also have a pending deal with the Angels (in which outfielder Joc Pederson and righty Ross Stripling would go to the Angels for infielder Luis Rengifo) in limbo as they wait for the Betts/Price deal to be finalized. Its clear the involved parties want a resolution as soon as possible, preferably before pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training early next week. As things currently stand, there appears to be only a remote chance a three-team trade is worked out and significant uncertainty about whether or not a deal will be consummated at all. Is there any sane, middle-ground thinking in America anymore? Its getting harder to find. And yet I recently stumbled on some in a most unlikely placea former convent on the outskirts of Washington D.C. Its a facility now known as Building 60 of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, which once housed the Sisters of the Visitation of Washington D.C. And it happens to be a favorite place of the director of NIH, Dr. Francis Collins, with whom I sat down with this week. I was there mostly to ask Dr. Collins about the coronavirus of course as he and his team are on point right now when it comes to analyzing and combating the disease here in the U.S., as well as around the world. You may be pleased to hear that I found Collins thinking to be clear, dispassionate, unsensational and unbiasedand thereby greatly reassuring. Reassuring not so much for what he had to sayby no means does he think were out of the woods yet, particularly when it comes to Chinabut because listening to him you feel we have someone in a leadership position we can trust with no axe to grind. Sadly, this is a rarity these days. Ill elaborate more on Dr Collins and just how unique his perspective is in a little bit, but first let me share his thinking about the coronavirus. At the present time, there is no reason for considerable anxiety in America, because we still have less than a dozen cases in our country, Collins told me. The concern, of course, is in China, where this is spreading very rapidly. It is impossible to say, however, exactly what the next few weeks will hold for America. We are doing rather extreme measures to try to isolate individuals who are coming from China and make sure that those who are already identified as infected are not infecting others. [Its] really, really important over the next three or four weeks to see whether that holds up or not. The glass is both half full and half empty Collins told me: The bad news is, this one spreads very rapidly. It's clearly transmitted from person to person, probably even when people aren't even symptomatic. The good news is its lethality seems to be a lot lower than SARS and MERS. Story continues Does he expect more cases here in the United States before the disease is contained? I'd be very surprised if 11 is the total that we're going to have, he said. Heres a small portion of my extensive interview with Collins from this weeks Influencers with Andy Serwer. ANDY SERWER: Are you working on that vaccine right here in Bethesda? Dr. FRANCIS COLLINS: We are. The vaccine research centerwhich is only 100 yards from here[Yikes, I said to myself.] is a central part of developing that vaccine. It's a very high-tech approach where you're not actually growing the virus, you actually have information about it's RNA sequence, and from that, you make something that can be injected into a muscle. And the muscle will then make one of the viral proteinsnot the whole thing, just a little piece of itthat the immune system will look at and go, oh, no, you don'tand make an antibody. It's very much in the forefront of what's possible. But we believe it will work in this situation, and it would be the fastest way that you can get to a vaccine at a time like this. SERWER: It sounds like you're being briefed on it pretty regularly. Is that the case? COLLINS: Well, as the director of the NIH, whenever there's something that emerges that is really an intensely important set of research questions, I'm in the middle of that. That's part of my job. Dr. Fauci [Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)] and I are probably communicating several times a day right now about exactly where we are and what we're doing. SERWER: And how often do you brief the White House? Do they reach out to you and Dr. Fauci about the progress that you're making? COLLINS: They do, indeed. Dr. Fauci is part of the White House team now that is assembled to look at coronavirus, chaired by Secretary [of Health and Human Services, Alez] Azar, who's my boss as well, and they're spending 24/7 looking at all the issues. The CDC is a big part of this. The Homeland Security people are trying to figure out exactly what's the best way to protect the American public. The economic implications of the epidemic will be significant, to what degree though is unclear right now. Some economists estimate that it will take two full percentage points off of Chinas GDP, and half a percentage point from the U.S. I asked Dr. Collins if when health care officials make decisions about, say, quarantining people or closing certain areas, they take the the economic impact of that into consideration. Well, I don't have to make those decisions, but I have seen the people who do. And I think they do consider that at some level. But the first priority has to be human health. Are we going to actually make a decision that saves lives, or are we going to make a wrong decision in the name of trying to keep the economy going and actually hurt people or even cause loss of life? Loss of life, that's just not acceptable. If you have a choice, it seems you've got to do the thing that is going to protect people from a terrible disease. And I think that's what they're doing, admittedly with economic consequences. Again, sound, logical thinking. Heres some more on Collins himself. He grew up home-schooled in Staunton, Virginia, went to UVA undergraduate, has a PhD in chemistry from Yale and an MD from UNC. He told me he wanted to be a trucker when he was a kid, and rides a motorcycle today. He was appointed by Barack Obama and now works for Donald Trump. Collins has been awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom (pre-Limbaugh.) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis Collins poses for a portrait after his interview with The Associated Press at the NIH headquarters in Bethesda, Md., Friday, July 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz) Collins describes himself as a serious Christian, but obviously is very much a scientist and in fact, sees no incompatibility between the two. He is no fan of intelligent design, and believes in evolution. While he is "intensely uncomfortable with abortion as a solution to anything" he says he would not advocate changing laws making abortion less accessible. Speaking about his book The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, Collins said, "one can be intellectually in a rigorous position and argue that science and faith can be compatible. Right on Doc! All of which is why when I hear Collins lay out his positions I listen pretty carefully. His take on the rise of anti-vaxxers? [It] deeply concerns me, and puzzles me. The whole eruption about whether the measles vaccine causes autism started on the basis of an entirely fraudulent publication which was admitted later to be fraudulent and has been retracted. ...we will see childrenif something doesn't happendie in this country of a preventable disease called measles. It's heartbreaking. As for gene-editing with tools like CRISPR, (used by a Chinese scientist who was recently sentenced to jail in that country), Collins has called for a five-year moratorium on the practice. This is a really fundamentally important bioethical issue, probably the most significant one of our era. We have just in the last few years developed efficient ways to modify the DNA instruction book of human cells, even including an embryo. Are we ready to go there? Do we think that we have enough information about safety to be able to modify our own instruction book? Do you think that we're at the point where we know enough about what it means to be a human to start to change that? Are we stepping into territory that's philosophically and theologically fraught with all kinds of potential downsides? And furthermore, there's no medically-compelling reason that we need to do this right now for modifying embryos. Modifying the embryothe germline, the heredity part of the genome, that is a profoundly significant line, and I do not think we're ready to cross it. What about weed? It is disturbing, frankly, to see that marijuana has gone from being a substance that a lot of people were worried about in terms of its impact on human health to being rapidly embraced in many states as just something of recreational interest and maybe some medicinal value as well. We know so little about this. There's not a single instance of an absolutely clear-cut benefit of smoked marijuana for anything. And a lot of the problem is that every marijuana plant's a little different. Fair enough. I take comfort in knowing Francis Collins is fighting the coronavirus. I think I can trust him and thats pretty damn important when it comes to something like this. I wish there were more people in positions of power like Francis Collins. Individuals who can see both sides and find a middle ground that works for say Barack Obama, Donald Trump and for most of us Americans too. This article was featured in a Saturday edition of the Morning Brief on February 8, 2020. Get the Morning Brief sent directly to your inbox every Monday to Friday by 6:30 a.m. ET. Subscribe Andy Serwer is editor-in-chief of Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter: @serwer. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Read more: Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. WASHINGTON - He had been publicly vilified by President Donald Trump, marched out of his national security office across from the White House, so Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman wanted only to get his mind off politics as he settled in to watch a television show with his grade-school-age daughter Friday evening. Then his wife returned home with some news: Much of the country had just watched as former vice president Joe Biden implored the audience to give a standing ovation in Vindman's honor at the nationally televised Democratic presidential debate in Manchester, New Hampshire. "Stand up and clap for Vindman. That's not who we are! We're not what Trump is!" Biden thundered in the name of the Army officer whom Trump had hours earlier ousted from the White House National Security Council in retaliation for his testimony in the House Democrats' impeachment probe. To Vindman, the gesture was appreciated, but it felt "surreal" that he has become a lightning rod for the nation's sharp political polarization in the Trump era, according to a person familiar with the events surrounding his ouster, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. After all, as a military officer, Vindman had been trained to avoid overt displays of partisanship or politics. Yet if Vindman was hoping to move past his removal, the president had other ideas. On Saturday, Trump escalated his public attacks, impugning Vindman as "very insubordinate." The attacks came as part of Trump's purge of key figures who testified in the Ukraine impeachment saga, which has sent a chill throughout the federal bureaucracy, with other career officials fearful of retaliation. In a pair of tweets, Trump asserted he has never met Vindman but cast him as a rogue underling at the NSC who undermined his superiors, even though a lawyer for Vindman said he received "exemplary" reviews during his White House service. Vindman "was very insubordinate, reported contents of my 'perfect' calls incorrectly" and "was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to," Trump wrote, referring to phone conversations with the Ukrainian president that were central to the impeachment inquiry. "In other words, 'OUT'." Trump's attack came as Vindman spent the day at his home in Northern Virginia overseeing a birthday party for his daughter, an ugly coda to the months-long political crossfire after his dramatic testimony in the impeachment hearings. On Friday, Vindman was escorted out of his third-floor office at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building - the first, dramatic step by the president to enact payback against those he felt betrayed him during the House impeachment investigation. Trump simultaneously ordered the ousting of Vindman's twin brother, Yevgeny, a chief ethics lawyer at the NSC who did not testify in the impeachment probe, and recalled Gordon Sondland, a Trump campaign donor who served as U.S. ambassador to the European Union. Sondland had testified that the president sought a quid pro quo in tying U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine's president launching an investigation of Biden. Alexander Vindman's lawyer Michael Volkov responded to Trump on Saturday by emphasizing that Vindman will land "at a good spot" at the Pentagon, where he will be assigned until July 1, when he is to begin a new posting at the Army War College. "Clearly the Army is not participating in the president's desire to retaliate," he said. But beyond the Vindman brothers, career officials and political appointees who had testified in Ukraine hearings remained worried about their future under a president who has emerged emboldened from the Republican-controlled Senate's vote to acquit him on both impeachment charges - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress - and eager to punish those he believes have betrayed him. There are doubts among officials at the State Department and the Pentagon about whether their bosses would protect them if Trump broadens his purge. Both Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper have been careful not to break with the president during the Ukraine crisis. Pompeo, in particular, has lashed out at reporters who have asked him about his refusal to defend Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. "You look around and you see the adverse actions taken against people who testified under subpoena and it creates a real air of uncertainty," said a lawyer for one of the witnesses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the White House. On Saturday, neither of the two current State Department officials who testified - David Holmes, a Foreign Service officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, and George Kent, a career official who served as deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs - had been notified of any change in their employment, people familiar with both cases said. Trump's "personal insecurities and vindictiveness are making our nation less secure," Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said in a statement. The president's punitive actions signal he "won't tolerate people who tell the truth." White House aides had sought to frame the Vindman brothers' ousting as part of a broader downsizing of the NSC that has been taking place for more than a year. National security adviser Robert O'Brien has said he intends to pare the agency from a peak of more than 200 staff members, many of whom are career officials detailed from the Pentagon, State Department and other agencies, to about 100, mostly through attrition. But the actions against the Vindman brothers and Sondland, just a day after the president marked his acquittal with an angry speech in the White House's East Room, led Trump's critics to dub it the "Friday night massacre" - a replay of the "Saturday night massacre" when President Richard Nixon forced out several senior Justice Department officials during the Watergate scandal in 1973. "Every career official will tell you it's not just chilling but frightening," said Fernando Cutz, who served on the NSC as a senior adviser to then-national security adviser H.R. McMaster before they both left in 2018. "You're seeing things happen in an unprecedented way that even Nixon didn't do. . . . The broader message to career officials is that you can't speak up. Even if you see something illegal, something unethical, you can't speak up. That's the message the president wants to send." In recent weeks, the Vindman brothers began clearing out personal effects from their NSC offices, concerned that they might be suddenly ousted and not given a chance to collect their belongings. Associates said the White House made clear that the Vindman brothers were to be isolated even as they continued to report to work. On Ukraine policy, Alexander Vindman was "sidelined," said Cutz, who keeps in touch with staffers who are still serving. "He hasn't been playing a key role. He had not been in the room." White House officials instructed NSC staff to bypass Yevgeny Vindman on ethics matters and take questions directly to the White House Counsel's Office, Cutz said. Alexander Vindman informed his superiors at the NSC and in the Army that he wished to leave his White House job at the next rotation opportunity, which would have meant departing by the end of this month. Trump ensured that there would be no quiet departure for Vindman, whose name he often spoke in seething and mocking tones. White House aides said the president's anger stems from his belief that Vindman passed along information about the president's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to another government official who ultimately came forward as an anonymous whistleblower to report Trump's call as inappropriate. Trump has denied wrongdoing and said he was trying to pressure Zelensky to do more to clean up corruption in his country. Of all those who testified in the House investigation, Trump was most determined to punish Vindman, aides said, and he wanted to do Wednesday after the Senate voted to acquit him. But the aides persuaded the president to delay the action in hopes of enjoying positive news coverage over the acquittal, an aide said. Robert Spalding, a retired Air Force general who was ousted from a job at the NSC in early 2018 after his memo arguing for a government takeover of the 5G industry was leaked, defended Trump's actions. Spalding said the NSC is inherently a politicized job. "It doesn't matter what the reason is," Spalding said. "Of course, the president has every right. It's his NSC. It's his personal staff." Vindman's final day on Trump's staff ended when a security officer and the NSC's senior director for personnel management showed up at his office door and escorted him downstairs to an exit from the White House grounds on 17th Street, according to the person familiar with his thinking. It was there that he encountered his brother, who arrived moments later. The two were prepared, having brought NSC computers and other items from their homes to turn in, and four plainclothed security officials followed them to a nearby parking lot to retrieve those items, the person said. Then the twin brothers commuted to their separate homes in suburban Virginia - just a block away from one another - in a final carpool. - - - The Washington Post's Josh Dawsey, Anne Gearan, Tom Hamburger, John Hudson, Greg Jaffe and Ellen Nakashima contributed to this report. Libya's warring sides ended several days of UN-brokered talks without reaching a deal to consolidate a provisional cease-fire in and around the capital, the UN said. Another round of talks was proposed for later this month "as both sides agreed to the need to continue the negotiations," according to a statement from the UN support mission in Libya released Saturday. The current cease-fire was brokered by Russia and Turkey on January 12. It marked the first break in fighting in months, but there have been repeated violations from both sides. Oil-rich Libya is split between rival governments, each backed by an array of foreign countries apparently jockeying for influence in order to control Libya's resources. A UN-supported but weak administration, led by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj, holds only a shrinking area of western Libya, including the capital Tripoli. It's been fending off an offensive since last April by forces loyal to General Khalifa Hifter, who is allied with a rival government that controls much of Libya's east and south, including key oil fields and export terminals. Outside nations continue to break a UN arms embargo on Libya by sending equipment, weapons and even foreign fighters to both sides. The UN statement said there was "broad consensus" between the two sides on "the urgency for Libyans to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity" and to "stop the flow of non-Libyan fighters and send them out of the country." Hifter's forces are backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, as well as France and Russia. Sarraj is backed by Turkey, Italy and Qatar. In the latest twist, Turkey has deployed Syrian fighters affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State to the Libyan battlefield. The UN statement said there was "widespread consensus" between the two sides to continue the fight against UN-identified militant groups, such as the Islamic State, al-Qaida and Ansar al-Sharia. It said both sides expressed support for the exchange of prisoners, the return of the bodies of deceased fighters, and the return of displaced civilians to their homes. The U.N. proposed a new round of cease-fire talks in Geneva on February 18. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About Barretts esophagus is a condition where the inner lining of the esophagus changes to resemble the intestinal lining. It predisposes the patient to cancer. The esophagus is a 25 cms tube that connects the throat to the stomach and is the food pipe that lies behind the wind pipe. It consists of muscles lined on the inside by particular type of cells. Norman Barrett, a British surgeon first described this condition, hence it is named after him. Following Barretts esophagus, some cells could show precancerous changes. This stage is called low-grade dysplasia. It could further progress to high-grade dysplasia and cancer. 8a Magazine published an Article of Interest by John M. Collard, turnaround specialist, outside director, interim CEO executive, and private equity advisor. www.StrategicMgtPartners.com www.StrategicMgtPartners.com/8acompete.pdf Formatted Version https://www.8amagazine.com/8a-Article-Detail/compete-to-win Article-of-Interest: Compete to Win. Build a Business Development Organization That Will Improve Your Win Ratio By John M. Collard Many small and struggling companies have not yet developed a Business Development (Sales) and Marketing Organization that will generate and win the new business opportunities needed for their business to grow. This is particularly pertinent with companies that are part of the US Small Business Administration Set-Aside Programs (ie; 8(a) Business Development, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran, and Woman-Owned Small Business). These Set-Aside Programs allow companies to acquire new business in sole source or other noncompetitive environments; they haven't had to really compete. This practice does little to encourage building a marketing and business development function within their company, while they are part of the program. Often technical managers capture business from technical counterparts and the Set-Aside rules force little, if any, competition. When Set-Aside companies graduate from their program, they are ill equipped to compete in the competitive federal and commercial contracting marketplace. In fact, these companies have often allowed their overhead structure to inflate until they reach a price which their customer will no longer accept. Often this overhead structure does not allow for, or include, business development, which is between 20% to 30% of cost structure, in competitive companies. When these companies do add the required business development and marketing function, they price themselves out of the competition, by perhaps 130% of competitive price. When your price is 30% more than the competition you can't win competitive bids. The dilemma; how to become competitive. They must restructure and cut their non marketing overhead, while building a business development function to become viable. Restructure Personnel and Cost Structure You can always cut costs by laying off employees, but that is seldom an answer that best serves the needs of the company. Employees are your most valuable resource. Repurpose employees. While many Set-Aside firms utilize poor hiring practices, which allow them to hire family and friends, nepotism has no place in building a profitable company. Transfer people who are charging to overhead into billable positions. This moves costs associated with these individuals from overhead to direct costs. Perform a zero-based approach to justify the need for all employees. Try an exercise where you hypothetically place all employees in the parking lot. Then invite them back into the organization chart one at a time based upon needs to be filled. Those left in the parking lot give you a list where hard decisions are needed; stay versus go. If you can't justify their role as billable to contracts or business development or administration, then why are they employed here? Make some very hard, non-emotional decisions. Build a Dedicated Business Development and Marketing Team Implement systems and methods, which are not in place, that will guide the competitive and marketing process. This will be new to many organizations who have not been indoctrinated to the competitive process before. Implement a Bid Information Review Process to increase Win Ratios. Understand the elements of a Bid: Program Rationale (Why the customer buys), The Program (Who, what, where, etc.), Procurement Plan (Customer's plan to buy), Program Schedule (Concept to Award), Competition (Strengths and Weaknesses), Bid Rationale (Why are we pursuing?), Investment versus Payoffs (Return for our B&P investment), Win Strategy (How do we win?), Capture/Strategy Details (How do we execute?), Proposal Plan Overview (Support efforts), Contact Plan (Who? Why? Message?), Key Issues (Risk? Probability?), Decision/Action (Bid vs NoBid?). Don't be emotional this is business. Learn to Compete. This requires a change in thinking. You must keep costs low, deliver only what a customer will pay for, and manage a program to maximize profits. Seek change/task orders after the win. When the program is advertised, it is normally too late to prepare an effective proposal. You are well behind the procurement curve, and your competition has had the chance to influence the RFP in their favor, while you have not prepared. Learn how to exploit that Indefinite Delivery Contract (ie; Indefinite Quantity, Definite Quantity, and Requirements Contract) opportunity. The IDIQ is a contract vehicle that provides an opportunity to hunt for business. Commit to grow the business by acquiring task orders within this contract vehicle. You must market to agencies who need these services and products. Find ways to locate a pipeline of potential opportunities. Select Resources to Locate New Business There are many databases available that you can use to find federal and other contracts to bid on. There are also multiple databases that government agencies use to find contractors. Utilize these resources to leverage exposure. Register in System for Award Management (www.SAM.gov) so that you can do business with the government. Register with Central Contractor Registration (https://uscontractorregistration.com) which is the primary source for agencies to learn about prospective vendors. Allow agencies to find you to send RFPs. Use Federal Business Opps (FedBizOpps www.FBO.gov moving Nov 12, 2019 to https://Beta.SAM.gov), the authoritative source which lists contracts being solicited. Print out the opportunity, you could have trouble locating it again. Search FedConnect (www.fedconnect.net) the Government Acquisition and Grants Portal Acquisition Central (www.acquisition.gov) is an excellent general resource. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (www.sba.gov). Check Federal Procurement Data System (www.FPDS.gov). Check Advanced Procurement Portal (www.app.usfcrgov.com) to find opportunities, research vendors, and explore awarded contracts. Explore SBA Subcontracting Network (SUB-Net https://eweb1.sba.gov/subnet/client/dsp_Landing.cfm), a database, with available subcontract and partnering opportunities posted by large contractors, Federal agencies, state and local Governments, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, foreign governments. Learn what agencies and prime contractors have a need for and introduce your company and its capabilities. Participate in procurement related conferences and activities. Check Presolicitation List or 'Wish List', which indicates where agencies have needs. (www.acquisition.gov/procurement-forecasts) Check USASpending (www.USASpending.gov) which tracks spending and for contracts that are ending soon. Search Federal Agency Procurement Forecasts within each agency. Check State Agency websites. Bloomberg Government (www.bgov.com) is a research platform that provides news, analysis, data, and insights. You will find more resources. Increase Win Ratio to Capture Backlog Perfect your Capabilities Statement. Be succinct, and state clearly in layman's terms, what benefits your product or service offering will provide to the customer. Don't assume that the decision-maker, contract officer, or federal officials will understand the technical nuances. There is plenty of time to expound on the intricacies of the technical solution in the proposal and benchmark. Let the capabilities statement be a tool for parties to direct the document to decision-makers who can invite you to participate. You can only increase revenue in two ways: 1) Sell new product/service to existing customers add to your offerings, and 2) Sell your product/service to new customers Explore. Explore New Markets. Don't limit your outreach to the same old agencies. Many times other agencies have similar needs. For instance; all DOD agencies have needs for weapons, information technology, communications, services, etc. Be creative and look to new horizons. Look for Best Value Procurements. These RFPs evaluate factors beyond just 'Low Price Wins' (ie; quality, expertise, experience, unique technical solution, barrier to entry, etc.). When lowest price wins, usually only the government wins, but your bottom line doesn't necessarily reflect the profit results. Remember, you are in the business to provide profits and cash for the shareholders. Program Management is the Key. Build firm contract backlog. Create Win Themes that are: Significant and Believable (Not Irrelevant), Verifiable and Defendable, RFP/Customer Specific, Evaluation Criteria Compliment, To the Point (In Layman's Terms), and Compelling and Engaging. Look for RFPs where the evaluation criteria is not representative of the real expectation of customer need. Give the customer only what is in the contract for the contract price, and seek change orders when added services are requested. You must talk to the customer and influence their thinking while they formulate or change the RFP. This is where you have a chance to set your company apart as a leading candidate to perform the contract. Look for contract alternatives to IDIQ, when you want to increase profit and growth. Fixed Price, Cost Plus, Incentive Fee, etc. contracts are options when you can manage the delivery. Request debriefing after contract award. Why did you win, or not win, the award? Always add this information to your company knowledgebase. Learn from all bids and perfect your approach. Bid to win, then manage to profitability and cash flow. ### About the Author: John M. Collard John is Chairman of Strategic Management Partners, Inc. (410-263-9100, www.StrategicMgtPartners.com ) in Annapolis, Maryland. John is a Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP), and a Certified International Turnaround Manager (CITM), who brings over 35 years senior operating leadership, $85M+ asset and investment recovery, 45+ transactions worth $1.2B, new business developed of $950M+ and win ratio of 3.5 of 5.0, and $80M fund management expertise to run troubled companies, serve on and advise boards of directors, and raise capital. John has parachuted in as the Interim CEO, CRO, senior executive to turn around troubled entities, and serves as an outside director. John is inducted into the Turnaround Management, Restructuring, and Distressed Investing Industry Hall Of Fame. John is Past Chairman of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), Past Chairman of the Association of Interim Executives (AIE), and a Senior Fellow of the Turnaround Management Society. John is a Founder of TMA. John is Prince George's Business Leader of the Year. John is honored with the Interim Management Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Interim Executives. John is honored as Most Admired CEO in Maryland by Daily Record. John is honored with SmartCEO Distinguished Leadership Award. About the Firm: Strategic Management Partners, Inc. ( www.StrategicMgtPartners.com 410-263-9100) is a turnaround management firm specializing in board and private equity advisory, executive CEO leadership, new business development, asset and investment recovery, raising money capital, and investing in and rebuilding distressed underperforming troubled companies. The firm has been advisor to Presidents Bush (41 & 43), Clinton, Reagan, and Yeltsin, World Bank, EBRD, Company Boards, and Equity Capital Investors on leadership, rebuilding troubled companies, investment recovery, turnaround management and equity investing. SMP is celebrating 25+ years of service to its clients. SMP was named Maryland's Small Business of the Year, and received the Governor's Citation, Governor Martin J. O'Malley, The State of Maryland as a special tribute to honor work in the areas of turning around troubled companies and saving jobs in Maryland. Turnarounds & Workouts Magazine twice named SMP among the 'Top Outstanding Turnaround Management Firms'. American Business Journals named SMP among the Best Turnaround Management and Consulting Firms in Baltimore, Washington, and the Mid-Atlantic Region. Global M&A Network Turnaround Atlas Awards named SMP as Boutique Turnaround Consulting Firm of the Year. Strategic Management Partners, Inc.: turnaround managers ready to run troubled companies, recover assets from investments gone bad, advise boards of directors and investors on company viability in distressed situations. We provide strong interim and operational leadership, strategic planning, financial, defense conversion, sales and marketing acumen developed building organizations in large and small companies, including President of public & private middle-market companies providing solutions to Commercial, Federal Government, International markets. Enterprises range from start-up to $100+mil. Industry expertise: Manufacturing; Job Shop; Engineering Services; Computer Processing/Services/Software/Integration; Communications; Defense Electronics; Aerospace; Federal Government Contracting; Systems Integration; High-Tech; Finance; Marine Services; Real Estate Development; Construction; Fabrication; and Printing. End ### Reference: www.StrategicMgtPartners.com Turnaround Managers www.StrategistLibrary.com or www.StrategicMgtPartners.com/library/libindx.html Compete to Win Published by 8a Magazine Outside Directors Published by 8a Magazine Built to Sell. Value Creation Model Published by Shareholder Value Magazine Raising Money Capital Published by Chief Executive Magazine Is Your Company in Trouble? Published by Corporate Board Magazine Managing Turnarounds Phases and Actions Published by RMA Journal Social Media: John M. Collard on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JohnMCollard John M. Collard on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/JohnMCollard John M. Collard on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JohnCollard Collard on NewsReleaseWire 8a Magazine: www.8amagazine.com 8a Magazine 8a Magazine Joint Venture Directory Firm: www.StrategicMgtPartners.com Turnaround Management Experts www.StrategicMgtPartners.com/jcsum-8a.pdf Capabilities Statement End ### Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. A woman wears a mask as she walks through China Town in London, on Feb. 7, 2020. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP photo) Spain Confirms 2nd Coronavirus Case; UK Plane Brings 200 Evacuees MADRIDSpain has confirmed its second case of the new virus from China and a plane evacuating more than 200 people from the Chinese city at the center of the epidemic landed Sunday in Britain. Spains National Microbiology Center said Sunday the coronavirus case was detected in Mallorca, a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish Health Ministry said the person was one of four suspicious cases admitted last Friday to the Son Espases University Hospital in Palma de Mallorca. The other three tested negative. The Health Ministry said further details would be released at a news conference later Sunday. Spains first virus case was a German tourist diagnosed a week ago in the Canary Islands off northwest Africa. Britains evacuation plane, the second one charted by the government, arrived Sunday morning at RAF Brize Norton. British officials said the flight brought back 105 British citizens and family members, as well as 95 European citizens and family members. A total of 13 staff and medics were also on board. The passengers were being taken to a hotel in Milton Keys where they will be quarantined for 14 days. The deadly virus has infected at least tens of thousands and stirred concern worldwide. Europe has seen a total of 38 infections in nine countries, with including 14 in Germany. Cannabis has legitimate medicinal qualities for pain reduction and other uses, but theres little doubt that some will try to game the system to obtain it for recreational purposes just as some always have for other forms of medicinal drugs. The effort that medical-marijuana dispensaries and the state will have to make to prevent that adds to the reasons for wholly legalizing the product. As the Post-Dispatchs Jack Suntrup reports, organizers are gearing up to do just that. The group Missourians for a New Approach will attempt to gather the requisite 160,000 signatures by a May deadline to get the question on the November ballot. The previous effort to get signatures for the medical-marijuana initiative took much longer but, again, this has been an increasingly fast-moving issue. Scott Perry Local News Editor Deputy night editor for Lee Enterprises Central Illinois. Follow Scott Perry Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today John Hawkins began preparing for the increase in the states minimum wage soon after it was approved a year ago. Confronted with yet another government-induced cost to an already challenging bottom line, Hawkins, owner of Dohertys Pub and Pins in downtown Decatur, knew something would have to give. One thing that wasnt on the table was cutting the long-term staff he counts on to provide the service and food quality his customers have come to expect. If it wasnt for the customers, we wouldnt have a business, he said, and customer retention is linked to the quality of the people he hires. For this reason, he said, the majority of his employees were already making more than minimum wage. Still, he felt obligated to increase their take-home pay to maintain the gap that exists between seasoned workers and any new hires still needing to prove themselves. That left the menu increasing some prices and eliminating marginal items as the primary target. The prospect of any future hires also will be heavily scrutinized. Hawkins isnt alone. Businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies across the state are going through the same process as they come to grips with a minimum wage that increased from $8.25 per hour to $9.25 per hour on Jan. 1, and will increase to $10 on July 1. But the increases dont stop there. On Jan. 1, 2021, the minimum wage will increase to $11 and will increase each Jan. 1 through 2025 when the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour. For nine years there were many forces that were arrayed against giving a raise to the people who work so hard to provide home care for seniors, child care for toddlers, who wash dishes at the diner, and who farm our fields, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at the February 2019 bill-signing ceremony. Today is a victory for the cause of economic justice. With the signing, Pritzker achieved one of his major campaign promises a little more than one month into his tenure as governor. The federal minimum wage is $7.25. That also is the minimum wage required for workers in neighboring Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Kentucky. Missouri lawmakers approved an annual minimum wage increase that began taking effect in 2018. The rate there increased to $9.45 this year and will be $10.30 in 2021. The U.S. House of Representatives in July passed legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by October 2025. The bill remains stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. The minimum wages that are coming within the next five years create many issues for workers and employers," said Tina J. Gist, president of the Decatur Society for Human Resource Management Chapter. "It is unfortunate we have allowed minimum wage to stay the same for the last 10 years. Especially since our workers are more productive, prices are higher, and the cost of living is higher." Child care As Pritzker predicted at the signing event, the employees at ChildCare Plus in Taylorville are getting raises this year. Up to 2019, our entry level wages were slightly above minimum wage, but the new wage minimum caused an affect to all our employee wages, said Larry Peterson, chairman of the board for the child care center operated by Trinity Lutheran Church. It has served children ages 6 months to 5-year-old since 2002. Operating a child care center in a rural setting is a very cash-flow challenging operation, Peterson said. You can't charge too high tuition that makes it unaffordable to local customers and yet you have to pay wages high enough to attract and maintain quality employees. Peterson said the ChildCare Plus has graduated wages for employees based on education qualifications and years of experience. Prior to 2020 the range was $9 per hour to $14.50 per hour. Because of the mandated pay increase, the upper wage amount will exceed $15 per hour this year. In total, its projected that the additional wages will cost ChildCare Plus an extra $30,000 in 2020. These increases could not be absorbed by existing income, primarily tuition. Raising tuition 10% was the only solution, Peterson said. But we are still concerned for the continued viability of the child care center, because we know we will have to raise tuition significantly again every year as opposed to previously minor increase every two years. Increased costs Steve Horve, owner of Horve Hospitality Management, did some number crunching of his own. Its definitely going to impact my business, Horve said. Based on current staffing, Horve said it was estimated the increased wages would add $497,882 to the bottom line at his Decatur Conference Center and Hotel when the pay raises have run their course. When you add two other hotels in Macon County and another in Champaign, the additional expense could exceed $1.1 million. That amount doesnt account for any increases that will be needed to maintain gaps between new hires and senior staffers who have earned increased wages by accepting additional responsibilities or workers with special skills. Whoever thinks this is going to work, they think you can just add that onto your costs; you can just raise your rates, Horve said. The problem is, we have a lot of negotiated rates with large corporations. Its hard to get it back through rate increases. The only viable option is cutting back on payroll. A survey by state Chambers of Commerce, released by the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce soon after Pritzker signed the law raising the minimum wage, found that 70% of respondents would raise costs, 63% would reduce hours for employees, 62% would slow down hiring for new positions and 48% would lay off employees. Another 17% said they would consider closing their business. If the survey results hold true, Gist wonders if lawmakers might revisit the wage increase, taking into account the different business factors that exist between Chicago and downstate Illinois. Like Hawkins, Horve is concerned about all the additional expenses that are out of their control. Im up against all kinds of things. Real estate taxes are just crazy. Workmans' comp. Now the minimum wage, Horve said. Three or four years ago, (the city of Decatur) increased the rate for sewer and water. That cost me $30,000 more a year the conference center. And every year, when your health insurance comes up for renewal, it always goes up. Youre under siege. It makes you wonder if its worth it, he said, adding the business climate in Illinois and the lower wages that can be offered in neighboring states gives current and future businesses in Illinois pause. The risk continues to increase. Its making me tap the brakes on new projects, he said. Im just not sure how much more I want to stick my neck out in Illinois. Hiring pool Even before the minimum wage was increased, many businesses were already positioning themselves to do more with fewer people. And while the loss of more jobs brought on by the pressures created by the minimum wage increase and other factors are a concern, there is an undercurrent about the impact these changes it will have on the overall quality of the workforce. Rocki Wilkerson is director of Workforce Investment Solutions, a program that helps job-seekers obtain gainful employment at companies in Macon and DeWitt counties in positions that will pay more than minimum wage. In her conversations with employers, Wilkerson said the biggest concern they have about the local workforce is the lack of soft skills. Things like showing up on time, dressing properly, following directions and being respectful. I think most people learn those skills with their first job and if there isnt an opportunity for an employer to pay you minimum wage when you bring nothing to the plate, then who does the responsibility fall to so people have these skill sets, she said. Those are critical skills that are not being met. Wilkerson said most of the jobs that are paying minimum wage were intended to be stepping stones to better opportunities, through advancement in the same company or providing the skills that can be transferred to a better-paying job elsewhere. The Decatur Park District, especially during the summer, is one of those training grounds. Last year, the park district employed 450 part-time workers, said Kristin Sowa, chief financial officer. A majority of those workers were seasonal help consisting of high school and college students. Its estimated the same level of workers would cost the park district an additional $125,000 to $150,000 this year, she said. After year five that amount could reach $900,000. In both cases, the numbers dont include maintaining a current gap between workers and supervisors. Sowa said those additional costs will certainly be a part of upcoming budgets discussions, along with an examination of programming fees and attendance. We will be looking for efficiencies in other line items and look to be more efficient in the hours. I dont know if that will be fewer hours worked or fewer people, she said. It will be some combination of those. Up against major retailers like Target, which announced plans in 2017 to pay its team members a minimum of $15 per hour by the end of 2020 (the current rate is $12), and other national corporations who call the area home, Horve said the local marketplace was already adjusting on its own to attract and retain quality workers. He said that was the case in Champaign, where the starting wage for some jobs at his hotel there were increased because of competition from other local businesses. A crew person recruitment sign at a McDonalds in Decatur promoted a pay rate of $11 per hour for eligible employees 18 and over who have perfect attendance after their first 30 days, in addition to other benefits. The starting wage for these same employees is $10. Shift managers can make $13.50 per hour after training is complete. Gist said there is another aspect of the higher wage that works against young jobseekers. Increasing the wage will make entry-level jobs more desirable for older workers that are looking to make extra money to offset the cost of benefits and living longer, she said. For Horve, the primary issue is too much government control. What bothers me is I dont think its fair that the government steps in and tells you what you are going to pay your employees, Horve said. Its all well and good when the economy is strong but what happens when we have a recession, when your business has a downturn. Youre going to have to get rid of people because you are stuck with a higher wage person. Things are pretty good now. But what do you do then? The low unemployment rate, which was 5.1% for Macon County in December, also is playing a role in employee recruitment. The problem right now is hiring people, Horve said. One problem is people dont want to go to full-time because it impacts their benefits. Its hard to compete against that. 17 Decatur bars you'll never drink at again Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ahn Cheol-soo listens to a lecture by former Dongyang University professor Chin Joong-kwon at Hi Seoul Youth Hostel in Seoul, Sunday, during an event to launch a preparation committee to set up a new political party. Yonhap By Kim Rahn New political parties will be set up ahead of the April 15 general election, mainly by conservative and centrist politicians who say they will hold the Moon Jae-in administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in check. Former presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo and his aides, including seven lawmakers, officially launched a preparation committee for a new party, Sunday. They have named the new party the "People Party," and said they aim to achieve "pragmatic and centrist politics." Ahn initially planned to name it "Ahn Cheol-soo's New Party," but the National Election Commission refused to allow this, saying a name using a specific person's full name could be construed as pre-electioneering and voters may confuse Ahn and the party's candidates for their constituencies. This is the fourth time for the entrepreneur-turned-politician to establish a party or be named a co-leader the New Politics Alliance for Democracy in 2014, a predecessor of the current ruling Democratic Party of Korea; the centrist People's Party in 2016 ahead of the general election that year; and the Bareunmirae Party in 2018 when he merged the People's Party with the center-right Bareun Party. Ahn's group plans to finish preparations within this month and officially launch the party March 1. Rep. Yoo Seong-min of the minor opposition New Conservative Party announces his plan to seek a merger of his party with the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, during a press briefing at the National Assembly, Sunday. Yonhap During the current ongoing India visit of Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Lankan, especially the Tamil language, media noted that in his media statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was confident that the Sri Lankan government will realise the expectations of equality, justice, peace and respect of the Tamil people within a united Sri Lanka. But the Sri Lankan prime minister did not mention the Tamil question in his media statement at all. Instead, he spoke of bilateral cooperation in economic, ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. 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Digital Editor DANVILLE (BCN) A new drop-off ballot box installed at the Sycamore Park & Ride lot will make voting in the March 3 election simpler for commuters and others in Danville. Ballots can be dropped off at any time of day at the secured box near the intersection of Sycamore Valley Road and Camino Ramon. Postage is not required. "We are excited to offer voters this opportunity," City Clerk Marie Sunseri said in a statement, "and we urge voters to take advantage of this service." The City Clerk's office teamed with the Contra Costa Elections Office to make the box available. Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before March 3, Ballots may also be dropped off at any polling place on Election Day. Information about voting is available by calling the elections office at (925) 335-7800 or visiting www.cocovote.us. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A pedestrian wears a protective mask in Toronto, Canada (Picture: AP) A mum is desperately hoping her two-year-old daughter will be able to fly home to Canada soon after her husband contracted the coronavirus while they were visiting China. Amelia Pans daughter Cerena is stranded in Hubei province, epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, being cared for by a relative after her dad Wei Ye and grand-parents fell ill. Ye had flown to Yingshan, near Wuhan, on January 17 to be with his ill father, who later died from coronavirus, taking his daughter with him while Pan stayed behind in Richmond, British Columbia. At the time, the family had heard of the infection but did not understand the danger it posed. A man wears a mask following the outbreak of a new virus as people arrive from the International terminal at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto (Picture: AP) By January 26 Pan received word that her father-in-law was infected with the coronavirus. Soon after, it was confirmed Pans husband and mother-in-law had the illness and they were hospitalised. Cerena was left in the care of a neighbour but because she was deemed an infection risk, she was put in hospital. Fortunately, test results came back negative on Saturday. If her temperature stays normal, she should be discharged over the weekend, her mother said. A plane carrying Canadians back Wuhan, China, lands at CFB Trenton, in Trenton, Canada Friday, on February 7 (Picture: AP) I am just hanging in there, Pan, a Canadian citizen originally from China, said in a Skype interview. I need to stay strong so I can fight for my family. Pan has been scrambling to get her daughter on to an evacuation flight back to Canada, but it has been complicated. Cerenas father has contracted the virus so he cannot accompany her home on the flight. Factbox: Latest on the coronavirus spreading in China and beyond The death toll in mainland China rose to 722 on Saturday, up by 86 from the previous day, Chinese authorities said. The virus infected five British nationals staying in the same chalet at a ski resort in Savoie in southeastern France, the French health minister said. A Chinese doctor who issued an early warning about the virus outbreak before it was officially recognised died of the virus on Friday. The virus has spread to 27 countries and regions, according to a Reuters count based on official reports, infecting more than 330 people. There have been two deaths outside mainland China, in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Story continues Cerena is in a Chinese hospital, separated from her father and being looked after by one of his cousins. Pan said she is in touch with the Canadian authorities to get her daughter, a Canadian citizen, on to an evacuation flight and is seeking someone willing to accompany her on a plane that is supposed to leave on Monday. READ MORE YAHOO UK NEWS HERE: Brit honeymooner on board quarantined cruise ship confirmed as having coronavirus Coronavirus: Chinese whistleblower doctor 'in critical condition' after earlier reports he had died Newborn baby diagnosed with coronavirus 30 hours after being born If this plan works out, Pan will be flying to Trenton, Ontario, to stay in quarantine with her daughter. The coronavirus death toll in mainland China rose by 86 to 722 on Saturday, according to authorities, and is likely to pass the 774 deaths recorded globally during the 2002-2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Sundance in 2020 had an unusual vibe to it. It was the second year without longtime Head of Programming Trevor Groth (replaced ably by Kim Yutani), and the final year for longtime Festival Director John Cooper. Big stars still tread through the snow, perhaps even more so than in the pastAngelina Jolie, Taylor Swift, Will Ferrell, even documentary subject Hillary Clintonbut everyone seemed a bit distracted by politics, with impeachment hearings in full swing and the Iowa caucuses looming. Still, Yutanis second year at the helm of programming turned out to be an excellent one, and we found plenty to love. Here are our Top Ten favorites, beginning with our overall choice for Best Film of Sundance 2020. Its a peculiar film to emerge as the hot pick out of Sundancein Lee Isaac Chungs magnificent Minari, a Korean-American couple with two young children moves to rural Arkansas to try their hand at starting a farm. Eventually the kids grandmother comes to live with them as well. Oh, and theres a prayer-yelling local who helps them. That doesnt exactly scream hot Sundance pick, does it? But Chungs direction, award-worthy performances from Steven Yuen and Will Patton, and the best kid performance in years from young Alan Kim produce a true masterpiece that will reverberate far beyond Park City. Each line, each movement, each shot contains worlds of meaning. Minari is a wonder, a crucial step forward in Chungs red-hot career, and a richly deserving recipient of this years Audience and Grand Jury awards, both of which it did indeed win. Sometimes everybody gets it right. This was clearly the best film of Sundance 2020, and I doubt Ill see a better film all year. Michael Dunaway The rest of the Top Ten, in alphabetical order: One of those movies its better not to know too much about, going in. Director Lawrence Levine is married to fellow director Sophia Takal, who twice has explored the themes of jealousy and the creative impulse, in Green and in Always Shine. Here Levine touches on similar territory, in the story of a young actor/screenwriter (Aubrey Plaza) who goes to the huge lakehouse of a married couple (Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon) on a sort of writing residency. Things between the couple arent quite as sweet as they seem, and all manner of disruptions and eruptions ensue. And then the movie gets really weird. Levine has a great feel for dialogue and rhythm, and he coaxes a wonderfully nuanced, haunting performance from Plaza. At the very least, you wont be bored. Michael Dunaway Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets is a sandbox for its performers so thoughtfully crafted its no surprise that Sundance programmers felt the film too real to contain to a narrative fiction category. A masterclass in realism, its sincerity towards the marginalized characters it depicts shines through every frame of a story that could easily have read as caricature in less capable hands. Elle Schneider If anyone is unsure about the future generation of politicians (all of us?) Boys State offers both a hopeful and haunting perspective. Filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine interviewed hundreds of 17-year-old male candidates attending the leadership program Boys State in Texas, before deciding on a diverse handful to follow. During the summer program, the boys create a mock governmentincluding elections, speeches, voting and bill passing. At the end of the program, a governor is elected. The filmmakers couldnt have predicted how their subjects would perform, and luckily, many of them rise to the top in a wildly surprising fashion. Both bright and eloquent, Ben Feinstein and Renee Otero garner positions of leadership, while quietly commanding Steven Garza and Robert Macdougall, both charming and perplexing, campaign for governor. Each of the boys are strategic in their own ways, and never predictable. You continue to think, these kids are born for this. As the film drives toward the final election, the morality and the manipulation each character demonstrates becomes increasingly convoluted. At the end, its impossible not to root for one of the candidates, especially after their heartfelt and profound speeches. Its no wonder Apple and A24 bought this one for a hefty price. Itll engage all ages, and if youre on social media, youll want to start tracking each of these boys political careers immediately. Meredith Alloway It almost doesnt seem fair, given a stellar cast including Oscar winners Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman, to compare The Father to other Sundance films. And sure, Id love to see what Lee Isaac Chung could do with those two actors, but then again Chung also had the backing of A24 and Plan B, and Id love to see what, say, Carlos Estrada could do with that. In the end, you just have to look at the films as films, and The Father is a devastating film. Hopkins, as ever, turns in an extraordinary performance as Antony, whose memory is beginning to fail him, and director Florian Zeller takes us inside his protagonists brainwe see the other characters as Antony sees them, even if in reality he is, and we are, confusing them. Its a conceit that worked to great effect in the celebrated play, which Zeller wrote. (He wrote the screenplay, too, with some help from Christopher Hamptonspeaking of enviable assets.) The confusion and frustration of dementia have seldom been so effectively communicated. Michael Dunaway Speaking of devastating. Holy schnikes. In this Slamdance film, documentarian Elke Lehrenkrauss takes us inside a camper van parked by the side of a highway in rural Germany, which is manned each night by a prostitute. We meet two of them, plus the owner of the van, a former prostitute herself. We also meet a few of the johns, amazingly enough. But the parts of the documentary that will stay with you are the lonely, desperate conversations with the two girls themselves. Its not sex trafficking, exactlytheyre each there by choice. But at what point of the intersection of economic desperation and male desire is a choice no longer a choice? Devastating. Michael Dunaway Not the only film at this years festival blurring the line between fiction and reality, Shirley is a fever dream of a biopic, exactly the kind of hazy, sinister character study its subject, author Shirley Jackson, might have fashioned about herself. The portrayal of that sometimes lonely, sometimes frustrating, sometimes fruitless pursuit of art is instantly relatable, and expertly deconstructed by Elisabeth Moss powerhouse performance in the lead role, Josephine Deckers confident direction, and the poetic camerawork of Sturla Brandth Grvlen. Elle Schneider I have no objectivity about this movie. I adore Carlos Estradas first film, Blindspotting. I adore Richard Linklaters Slacker, to whom this film owes an obvious debt. But most of all, I fell madly in love, onscreen and off, with the young LA poets who comprise its cast and screenwriters. Theyre all a product of Diane Luby Lanes incredible nonprofit Get Lit, which finds, encourages, nourishes and promotes young Los Angeles poets and spoken word artists. Estrada had 27 of them write not only poetic pieces for the film, but scenes around them as well, and he had them act in those scenes. It might seem as if poetic recitations would be jarring in the middle of a film, but Estrada weaves them in so seamlessly that they dont seem like interludesthey seem more like songs in a musical. Theres no small measure of delight just in discovering how each scene sets up the poem. And the whole thing has such a bighearted, joyous vibe to iteven when its full of pain. Michael Dunaway You know what Sundance, at its essence, is for? Filmmakers that take risks. They can be exhibiting their first film, or their twenty-first, the important thing is that high-reaching independent spirit. Itd be hard to find someone more illustrative of that description than Michael Almereyda, whose association with star Ethan Hawke began nearly twenty years ago with their outlandishly inventive Hamlet. He employs Hawke to great effect here as the mysterious genius Nikolai Tesla. Hawke doesnt let us see most of whats going on inside Teslas brain and heartits left to narrator (and possible love interest) Anne Morgan (rising star Eve Hewson) to try to do that. Along the way he tangles with and/or teams up with titans like Edison (Kyle MacLachlan) and Westinghouse (Jim Gaffigan, continuing his unexpected run of outstanding dramatic Sundance performances). Almereyda takes many bold risks, and though not all of them worked for me, the ones that did were pure magic. Sometimes a mans reach should exceed his grasp. Michael Dunaway In Zola, filmmaker Janicza Bravo (Lemon) takes on the infamous twitter saga published by Aziah Zola Wells in 2015. The tweets were ripe for a cinematic interpretation, and Bravo translates them into a riotous, delicious, hilarious, and at times nauseating road trip movie through the south. The sharp script, co-written by Jeremy O. Harris (Slave Play), infuses social media devices into a journey that feels equal parts bubblegum dream and vicious crime comedy. After Zola (an excellent Taylour Paige) becomes overnight besties with Stefani (transformative Riley Keough), shes whipped onto an increasingly Bacchic rollercoaster ride thats dangerous and skates the fine line of absurdity. But Bravo is smart, as the story and characters could easily go off the rails. While some people have said Zola is a passive protagonist, her quiet scheming is exactly what helps her to survive, and feels more realistic than projecting plot points onto a story thats already so lush. Zolas subtle gravitas really shines through the scorefrom the always ingenious Mica Levi (Under the Skin). It keeps you on your toes because you, like Zola, can never predict if money or death or friendship comes with the next fork in the road. And for all you Succession fans out there, Nicholas Braun as the bumbling boyfriend, Derrek, is the priceless cherry on top. Meredith Alloway (Editors Note: As one of the authors of this list is a co-executive producer on Dinner in America, they left it off this list, but given our review, Adam Rehmeiers movie is a worthwhile 11th entry on this list of films you might want to keep a look out for when they hit the theaters or streaming.) Dinner in America joins a long line of films ranging from Repo Man to Relaxer in the grimy canon of American dirtbag cinema: It isnt graphic by any definition, but all the same, it isnt for the squeamish. Instead, its for the punk rockers. Come for Gallners palpitating lead performance; stay for Rehmeiers thoughts on what your dinner choices say about you. Andy Crump HONORABLE MENTION: Bastards Road (Slamdance), Big Fur (Slamdance), Never Rarely Sometimes Always, Nine Days, Scare Me, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme, Whirlybird In this September 2017 file photo, smoke rises from an Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, near Houston, as 17 tons of volatile organic phosphates burn following power and refrigeration systems failures under 40 inches of rain from Hurricane Harvey. The French-owned company's U.S. headquarters is in King of Prussia. Arkema North America and its CEO, chief logistics officer, and a plant manager are contesting criminal charges in Harris County, Texas. They say politically motivated prosecutors are unfairly blaming them for an "act of God." (KTRK via AP, File) Read more They could go to prison. In a case that has shocked the U.S. chemical industry, King of Prussia-based Arkema North America, its CEO, and two managers are scheduled for trial on state criminal charges in Texas next week. The focus is on their alleged roles in the explosions and fires that consumed 175 tons of volatile chemicals at its Crosby, Texas, plant in 2017, when the Houston area was swamped by 40 inches of rain from Hurricane Harvey. Floodwaters killed power and refrigeration at the plant, leaving trailers of organic peroxides used in making plastics to heat, explode, and burn for days. Police on an emergency route near the plant drove into the smoke and got sick. More than 200 residents were evacuated from nearby homes, and 21 people sought treatment for chemical exposure; no deaths or serious injuries were reported. Arkema said the storm was what insurance lawyers call an act of God and was not its fault. It also praised staff and emergency responders efforts to protect people. But law enforcement in the nations petrochemical center says that the French-owned company, with yearly sales of about $10 billion and 20,000 employees around the world, should have prepared better, and that its time that Texas chemical company bosses were held responsible for failures that endanger workers and the public. Arkema knew of the dangers, withheld vital information, and unleashed harm on first responders and the community, Kim Ogg, the elected Harris County district attorney, said last year. She spoke after a grand jury indicted Arkema and its King of Prussia-based logistics vice president, Mike Keough, on felony assault charges for causing bodily injury to two sheriffs deputies by withholding critical information needed by first responders. If convicted, the company will likely pay fines while Keough faces up to 10 years in prison. Keough and Arkema deny wrongdoing. How could Keough assault anyone in Texas, when he was at his office in King of Prussia as the Texas plant blew up? Arkema lawyer Rusty Hardin asked. Keough has since retired. The indictments followed grand jury indictments in 2018 against the company, CEO Richard Rowe, and plant manager Leslie Comardelle for recklessly releasing dangerous chemicals in violation of Texas law. All the criminal cases will be tried together before state District Judge Belinda Hill, with opening arguments scheduled for Feb. 18. Responsibility for pursuing profit over the heads of innocent people rests with the leadership of Arkema, prosecutor Ogg said when she announced the first charges. Rowe and Comardelle were released on $20,000 bond each. Rowe, a Bucknell-trained chemist, joined an Arkema predecessor in 1996 and was made CEO in 2015. Comardelle was later assigned to run an Arkema plant in Louisiana. Ogg said Rowe and Comardelle face up to five years in prison if convicted. They are contesting the charges. A civil suit filed against the company by the State of Texas listed 17 tons of chemicals, particulates, and gases that the company released during the fires. It noted that the local fire department had run up costs of $44,000 in dealing with the emergency and said Arkema could be subject to millions in fines but did not attempt to quantify other damages. That suit and other civil suits by neighbors and emergency workers are on hold until the criminal charges are resolved. Criminal charges against industrial companies and bosses are rare, Ogg acknowledged. Arkema says this case is unique. There has never been an indictment like this in Texas or any other state," Arkema lawyer Hardin said in a statement. The prosecutions are an unprecedented and outrageous attempt to criminalize a natural disaster, he added. This is a political prosecution. He called Arkemas managers heroes, noting that Comardelle was part of a ride-out team that tried to keep the plant running through the floods. The company in its own statement called the criminal charges astonishing and defended its record, noting that the independent U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found that Arkema had set up industry-required plans, procedures, and backup power to keep the chemicals cold so they wouldnt explode. The company also warned emergency responders and was overwhelmed by a storm it said was likely to occur only once in 5,000 years. The boards official summary says that Arkema did indeed comply with the law and industry standards, and was hit hard by unprecedented rain. But the board also noted that Arkemas current employees were not told of the sites history of floods: A past plant manager knew of worse flooding in 1994 and 2015, but his successors didnt. Also, the companys insurer realized that the plant lay in a flood plain, but details werent shared with plant staff. The board also found that Arkema didnt meet company or industry standards in its planning for what to do when the power went out. And the board called existing industry and government flood hazard guidelines inadequate because they didnt require Arkema to elevate power sources or cables despite the flood-prone site. The Arkema plant had also been cited in a 2016 Texas A&M University and Houston Chronicle analysis as one of the facilities most at risk of dangerous accidents in the Houston area, which has the nations largest petrochemical complex. The indictment of Arkema and CEO Rowe is legally significant and a deviation from the treatment of other chemical accidents in Texas, which had not resulted in criminal prosecution of executives or companies since 2005 even when workers died, noted Benjamin H. Patton and Mary M. Balaster, in a report to clients of Pennsylvania-based corporate law firm Reed Smith LLP. British Petroleum (BP) not its executives was criminally charged in connection with a 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery that killed 15 workers. That case was settled for $50 million. Oggs office has an Environmental Crimes Division which joined Harris County sheriffs deputies and the Houston city police Environmental Investigations Unit in preparing the case against Arkema. Ogg was elected district attorney by voters in Houston and its suburbs in 2016, defeating incumbent Republican Devon Anderson. Ogg pledged to take a harder line against companies that pollute. She faces a primary challenge this year from a left-wing former deputy who says Ogg has not been an activist enough. Since the charges were first filed, Harris County has approved $850,000 to hire more environmental prosecutors and investigators, according to Reed Smiths Patton. In the Arkema case, prosecutors say the company claimed to be monitoring chemical dangers, as the plants generators and batteries lost power. But investigators found the company didnt actually track or know how fast some containers of organic peroxides were warming until they caught fire, giving emergency responders a false confidence that left them and neighbors exposed to chemicals. The Arkema charges may be unusual in Texas, but they are also part of a larger nationwide trend of holding companies increasingly accountable for their inadequate prevention, including Californias criminal complaints against Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for deadly fires along its power lines, Texas environmental lawyer Walter D. James III wrote in a review of the indictments for the American Bar Association. Could charges follow other industrial disasters, such as last falls explosive fire that wrecked a key facility at the two-square-mile Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery? That explosion led to its bankruptcy and 1,100 layoffs and was initially traced to an uninspected pipe that failed. We would absolutely consider any criminal complaints that were referred to us by an investigating body, whether from the local, state, or federal level, said Jane Roh, spokesman for Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. But she added that such referrals from regulatory agencies around here are rare. Chester County filed criminal charges last year against the security manager of Energy Transfer Corp., owner of the Sunoco Logistics pipeline projects in that county, Pennsylvanias wealthiest, for illegally hiring state constables as armed guards. Officials of two guard contractors were also charged. The district attorneys office, now run by Democrats, is continuing a criminal investigation of recent pipeline construction begun under the former Republican administration, confirmed assistant district attorney Alex Gosfield. At the least, lawyer James wrote, charging business executives with crimes serves as a reminder: The costs of compliance pale in comparison to the costs of enforcement. This article contains material that was added after its initial publication. INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano assured on Sunday, February 9, that all preventive measures are being implemented at the Athletes' Village in Capas, Tarlac, where 30 Filipino repatriates from Wuhan, China are under quarantine. While we take note of the sentiments of Capas, Tarlac LGU and its residents, the National Government has already decided out of necessity and of national interest to use the Athletes Village in NCC (New Clark City), he said. They are also Filipinos that deserve our help and understanding. This is the time that we must help each other. There is no risk to the residents of Capas, Tarlac. How could that be when they will not even see a glimpse or shadow of our OFWs in the athletes village, he added. Thirty Filipinos repatriated from Wuhan, including an infant, arrived early Sunday morning from the virus-stricken city in China. They are under quarantine for the next 14 days, the incubation period for the respiratory disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Wuhan is the epicenter of the disease outbreak caused by the new coronavirus. As of Sunday, the death toll from the new virus has increased to 811, exceeding the 774 persons who died of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), a disease also caused by a coronavirus. In the Philippines, three visiting Chinese nationals tested positive for 2019-nCoV. One had died of pneumonia caused by the virus. One is still confined at the San Lazaro Hospital while the third has returned to China. As part of security measures, Ano said only those with normal health status shall be allowed to travel back to the Philippines from China. Those who will manifest symptoms during a screening will be brought immediately to the hospital and will not be allowed to board the aircraft going to the country. In other words, only those persons without symptoms or manifestations shall undergo the mandatory 14 day quarantine, Ano said. Both the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Health (DOH) also assured earlier that quarantine protocols are in place and a three-level health screening is being implemented. Story continues The DOH will be in charge of the management coordination and logistics of the entire quarantine process. The agency tapped all government hospitals in the region for the provision of medical teams in the quarantine area. Upon completion of the 14-day quarantine period, discharge of repatriates will be facilitated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Authority in coordination with the DFA. (SunStar Philippines) Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Candidate Quotes One of my opponents even stated in his announcement that he doesnt agree with President Trumps tweets and soundbites which leads to the logical question of which ones? Its clear that voters are tired of political double speak and coded language in regards to our President. Im 100% supportive of our President and proud to say it without hesitation. Republican Senate candidate Louie Sanchez Ive been a huge supporter of President Trump and have worked hard to help him pass his agenda. This week, I was honored when the White House invited me to join President Trump at the USMCA signing ceremony because of my work to help get it passed as the chair of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. Republican U.S. House candidate Claire Chase Yvette voted for President Trump in the primary and the general election and will continue to stand with the President in Congress. Republican House candidate Yvette Herrells campaign manager Dakotah Parshal President Trump needs a battle-tested swamp warrior he can really count on in the U.S. Senate with the ideas and energy to advance his agenda and empower our state. Republican Senate candidate Gavin Clarkson I supported President Trump in 2016, in my race for U.S. Senate in 2018, and publicly on my radio show throughout 2019 and at his Rio Rancho rally last September. My continuing support for the President has been justified by his successes internationally, nationally, and with the one bright spot in New Mexicos economy, which is the oil and gas industry. Republican Senate candidate Mick Rich Working with and supporting President Trump is critical if Republicans are to make gains in New Mexico. Republican Senate candidate Elisa Martinezs campaign manager Ryan Lynch As I listen to Republican voters across New Mexico they remind me that President Trump was elected to the presidency by the American People. Republican House candidate Chris Mathys Im more loyal to President Donald Trump than you. That sentiment is shaping up to be a theme in the Republican primary in at least one congressional race and the open U.S. Senate seat as voting in June nears. Businessman Louie Sanchez criticized former KRQE meteorologist Mark Ronchetti for saying he supported the president, even though he might not agree with every tweet and sound bite shortly after both entered the race to replace Democrat Tom Udall in the U.S. Senate. In the 2nd Congressional District race to take on Democrat Xochitl Torres Small, the Claire Chase and Yvette Herrell campaigns have swapped blows over Chases Facebook posts criticizing Trump leading up to the 2016 election and Herrells email to then-fellow legislators gauging support for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a Trump rival for the GOP nomination, when she has campaigned as being a Trump supporter from Day One. I would encourage candidates to focus on themselves and the issues that are important to New Mexicans, Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce told the Journal in an interview a couple of weeks ago when asked about the issue. But the candidates and campaigns believe it is important to point out the differences. Claire Chase called President Trump an (expletive) undeserving of the office, encouraged Republicans to dump Trump, and wouldnt even vote for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, said Herrells campaign manager, Dakotah Parshall. National Democrats are already using Chases attacks against the president to divide Republicans in New Mexico, and we cant afford that as we work to turn New Mexico red in 2020. Her campaign said Herrell did not endorse Cruz, but simply passed along information about his campaign to her colleagues when she was asked to do so. But Chase said she has been honest about the posts she wrote during the primary election, but like most Republicans who supported someone else in the 2016 primary, I got on board the Trump Train and was ecstatic when he defeated Hillary Clinton. Ive been a huge supporter of President Trump and have worked hard to help him pass his agenda, she said, noting her invitation to join Trump at the recent United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement signing ceremony at the White House. The other Republican in the race, Chris Mathys, criticized both. The president deserves the respect of all Americans, Chris Mathys said. Following his criticism of Ronchetti in the Senate race, Sanchez said it was imperative we have a nominee who supports President Trump unequivocally. From the first week of our campaign, Ive raised alarms at some in this race who want to hedge on supporting the president for perceived political gain, and surround themselves with Never Trumpers. But Ronchettis campaign spokesman Jeff Glassburner said Ronchetti made it clear that he supports President Trump, because his policies are benefitting New Mexico, particularly on job growth, energy and bringing in federal law enforcement to address Albuquerques crisis. Candidates in both races said loyalty to the president is an important issue to state residents. Roughly 90% of Republicans support President Trump, and they want their U.S. Senator to do so as well, said Senate candidate Mick Rich, who was the partys nominee against Democrat Martin Heinrich in 2018. All Republican candidates are voicing their support for President Trump, but voters want proof. One of his rivals, former Trump administration official and New Mexico State University professor Gavin Clarkson said support for Trump was the most frequent question he has heard on the campaign trail. Im the only candidate who has literally been hired by President Trump and fired by the radicals at NMSU for supporting him, he said. Ryan Lynch, Senate candidate Elisa Martinezs campaign manager, said supporting the president was critical if Republicans are to make gains in New Mexico. Elisa supports President Trump, whose economic policies have created a 50 year low in unemployment and has helped create more opportunities in our oil and gas industry, he said. Former Vice President Joe Biden turned his attention back to President Trump at a campaign stop in New Hampshire Sunday, going after his 'absolute lack of any integrity.' He pumped the brakes on attacking his Democratic rivals, instead saying any of them running could 'restore America's character.' After four days of going after Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg by name, the Biden that showed up to the Ashworth by the Sea hotel in the ocean-front town of Hampton was the folksy version, telling stories instead of reciting attack lines. 'We can talk a lot about the differences between Bernie and Pete and me and Amy, there's a lot of differences we have, but not on the fundamental issue of how to restore America's character,' Biden said at on point. 'We go about it differently, but folks, we've got to get it done,' Biden said. At a second event Sunday in Hudson, Biden also kept his attention on Trump. A folksy and friendly Joe Biden returned to the campaign trail Sunday. The former vice president went after President Trump and Congressional Republicans instead of knocking Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg On Saturday, Vice President Joe Biden attacked Pete Buttigieg for his youth and inexperience, asking in a pre-taped interview with ABC's 'This Week' that aired Sunday morning, 'what has he done?' 'Who has he pulled together? Does he know any of the forieign leaders?' former Vice President Joe Biden (left) asked ABC News' George Stephanopoulos (right) about 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg, who topped the results of the Iowa caucuses He was back to talking about bringing Republican voters into the fold, saying they, too, were 'hungry' for change. 'This is not about him being a Republican,' Biden said of Trump. 'There's simply no empathy.' He also called the current commander-in-chief out for having an 'absolute lack of any integrity.' 'What in God's name are we doing?' Biden mused. It was a departure from the fire-breathing Biden of the last 24 hours. That Biden told reporters that the 38-year-old Buttigieg's 'not a Barack Obama.' And went after him at a Manchester, New Hampshire campaign stop on Saturday, saying, 'I do believe we're a party at risk if we nominate someone who's never held an office higher than the mayor of South Bend, Indiana.' And who deployed a surrogate, former Secretary of State John Kerry, to call Sanders a capital-S 'Socialist.' That Biden sat down with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos and belittled Buttigieg's record. 'So what has he done?' Biden asked. 'Who has he pulled together? Does he know any of the forieign leaders? I mean, Barack Obama was a different story.' The interview was pre-taped Saturday and aired Sunday morning. Meanwhile, his campaign put out an ad that highlighted the Biden-Buttigieg contrast in harsher terms. While Biden helped give 20 million Americans healthcare, it said, Buttigieg 'installed decorative lights under bridges giving citizens of South Bend colorfully illuminated rivers.' And while Biden saved the auto industry after the 2008 crash, Buttigieg 'revitalized the sidewalks of downtown South Bend by laying out decorative brick.' On Sunday by the beach, Biden stuck it to Trump for firing Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman. 'This guy's a hero and he pins a medal on Rush Limbaugh,' Biden said. And yelled at Congressional Republicans for refusing to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, legislation the former senator originally penned. 'And now we have a Republican Congress that won't even reauthorize my Violence Against Women Act because they don't want to prevent boyfriends who beat up their wives from being able to own guns,' Biden said. 'Think about this. Think about what's going on. These are your neighbors. These are our neighbors,' he added. He also had his share of stories to tell the audience, like explaining where the phrase 'rule of thumb' comes from. Biden told the crowd that hundreds of years ago, when women were considered 'chattel' under English common law and were getting beaten and killed by their husbands, the law changed. 'And said you can no longer beat your wife with a rod thicker than the circumference of your thumb,' Biden noted. 'But you could beat her,' the former vice president said. 'As long as the rod wasn't thicker than the circumference of your thumb.' 'We have a serious cultural problem,' he said of domestic violence. 'We can change it. That's why I wrote the legislation.' The former vice president also opened up the event to audience questions. He was asked by a college student about his electability against Trump after he came in a disappointing fourth place in the Iowa caucuses. The vice president asked her if she'd ever been to a caucus and when she answered in the affirmative he said, 'No you haven't.' 'You're a lying dog-faced pony soldier,' Biden said to laughs. Donald Trump Jr. floated that former Vice President Joe Biden has 'lost his marbles' over the 2020 hopeful's comments to a voter 'It was a little bit confusing in Iowa,' Biden then answered. 'But let's assume everything was exactly right in Iowa, the idea that you come in with half the delegates that the leaders come in with in Iowa, does not necessarily say how you're going to win Pennsylvania, how you're going to win Michigan,' he argued, suggesting he'd outperform Sanders and Buttigieg in the general election swing states. Iowa, too, is considered a general election swing state. 'I congratulate Pete, I congratulate Bernie,' Biden continued. 'They were really well organized, better organized than we were in Iowa.' Biden then argued that he had 'overwhelming' support in the black community, and that's the way Democrats win a general election. He also downplayed expectations in New Hampshire, which holds the nation's first primary on Tuesday. Biden said he can't be expected to top Sanders, who represents Vermont, or Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, since they're from neighboring states. 'Look, who has won a New Hampshire primary ... if you have somebody running in the two states next door to you?' he asked the crowd. He also called the student's inquiry 'honest.' Later Sunday, his 'lying dog-faced pony soldier' crack drew criticism online - especially from President Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr. 'Are we still pretending that Joe Biden hasn't lost his marbles?' the first son tweeted, sharing a clip of the back-and-forth. Trump Jr. recommended that people 'Google a video of him from 30 years ago and compare it to him now and tell me it's the same person!' 'Long gone,' Trump Jr. said. Governors of Nigerias South-east states have resolved to ensure the creation of laws to establish a regional security outfit. The governors stance comes weeks after South-west governors met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo where they agreed to pass similar laws to back up the South-west security outfit, Amotekun. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had earlier declared Amotekun illegal, saying the constitution only allowed a unitary police structure to be controlled by the federal government. To resolve the impasse, the South-west governors met with Mr Malami and Mr Osinbajo where it was agreed that the South-west state assemblies should pass laws to legalise the already launched Amotekun. In their meeting on Sunday, South-east governors resolved to have their state assemblies pass laws to establish their own security outfit. Details of the discussion of the South-east governors were sent to PREMIUM TIMES by the spokesperson to the Enugu State governor. Read the full statement below. The governors of the South-east geo-political zone rose from a closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu, disclosing their plan to forward a bill to South East State Houses of Assembly to enact a law to back-up the South East Regional Security Programme. Briefing journalists after the meeting which lasted over five hours, the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, stated that the arrangement with the States Houses of Assembly will arrive at a name for the regional security outfit. Mr Umahi, who maintained that the South-east governors had earlier formed their joint regional security on July 28, 2019, and consequently inaugurated the committee on August 31, added that the forum had written the federal government concerning the security outfit. According to him, at an appropriate time we shall be inviting the federal government to note the details of our Joint Security Programme. The governors assured the people of the South-east zone that we have our State Vigilante and the Forest Guards in all the South East States, who work with the security agencies daily in our various communities for protection of lives and property. They reassured the people that the protection of their lives and property is paramount to us and we are committed to just doing that. On ongoing rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the South East governors, while noting the quality and speed of work by the contractor, PW Nig. Ltd, expressed satisfaction with the progress so far made and assurances of integrated safety and landing facilities, fencing and drainage system incorporated in the package. The forum, therefore, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his prompt response in full release of special funding for the project. The forum also commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for making more land available and his commitment in the overall success of the project, as well as the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and the Works Committee Chairman on the project, Chris Okoye and his team, for their commitment and constant supervision and monitoring of the project. The governors assured the people that President Buhari, the aviation minister, the Presidents Chief of Staff and all other stakeholders are committed to the re-opening of the Enugu airport by March 31, 2020, saying: All inconveniences are regretted. The forum equally applauded the federal government on the speedy and quality work on the ongoing Enugu-Port Harcourt federal highway, with reservations on a number of sections yet to be attended to, especially the Abia-PH axis being handled by a Chinese Company. According to the forum, Our findings show that they are not yet properly funded, as to effect reasonable work before the rainy season. While thanking Mr President and the Hon. Minister of Works for this road, we appeal that all the companies be fairly funded so as to attend to most of the deplorable sections before the rainy season. On the 2nd Niger Bridge, after a brief on the progress of work from the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, represented by his deputy, Nkem Okeke, the forum and other stakeholders who were present at the meeting commended President Buhari, the works minister, the Presidents Chief of Staff and the Managing Director of National Social Insurance Authority (NSIA), Uche Orji, for making the all-important project a reality. With the level of funding by Mr President, we are confident that this project shall be completed in his tenure, the forum declared. They thanked members of Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo for visiting them during the meeting, assuring them that their useful advice was noted with a pledge to work with them for the benefit of the people of the zone. Pin Kaow Thai Restaurant, with locations at 1974 N. Rainbow Blvd and 9530 S. Eastern Ave, will celebrate Valentines Day with festive cocktails and a special menu for two, available exclusively from Wednesday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 16. Couples will begin their meal with a champagne toast for two. The appetizer course will include a sampling of coconut shrimp, crab rangoons and spring rolls, followed by two cups of tom yum chicken soup. The entree course, intended for sharing, will include New York Strip steak with green curry, as well as cashew nut seafood. The meal will end on a sweet note with sweet coconut rice with butterfly pea flower. The prix fixe menu will be priced at $90 per couple. Available exclusively at the S. Eastern Blvd location, specialty cocktails will include the Pretty in PinKaow, a mix of Suntory gin, elderflower liquor with a hint of lemon, as well as simple syrup, lime and champagne, priced at $10. The drink comes with a side of butterfly pea flower tea, which is poured tableside over the drink to create a vibrant color. The Cupids Arrow is a mix of Suntory whisky, muddled clementine and ginger-lemongrass syrup, priced at $10. Nevada is a state with a tough record as far as fatal traffic accidents, and it leaves some parents worried about their teens starting to drive in the state. Luckily, in recent years the state has been working on making the roadways safer, and they do have a graduated license program. Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Nevada Roadway Safety May Be Lacking In 2018, fatal crashes in Nevada hit a 10-year high according to a report cited by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, making it the deadliest year for motorists in a decade. In 2018, there were 331 roadway fatalities in the state, which was up 6.4% over the 311 deaths in 2017. This year, there was a report from the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety Group, and they determined based on their findings that Nevada is lacking what they call essential traffic laws. Nevada ranked close to the bottom of the list as far as the implementation of crucial roadway laws. The group looks at 16 traffic safety laws that they say are foundational. These fall into five general categories which are occupant protection, child passenger safety, teen driving, impaired driving, and distracted driving. States are then rated based on whether or not they have a specific law in place or other measures to enforce safety on roadways. Some of the areas where Nevada lost points included the fact that they didnt have laws in place for booster seats and their lack of supervised driving for beginners as well as stringent night-time driving restrictions for young drivers. However, recently Nevada officials at the Department of Transportation said they are introducing three new initiatives that they hope will improve roadway safety. These include warning signals being placed ahead of traffic signals and additional warning signs in certain locations. Graduated Licensing So what about teens and driving in Nevada? There is a graduated licensing system, which is something in place in most states around the country. Some of the benefits of a graduated licensing system in general include: They save livesin fact, the implementation of these programs is estimated to save 200 high school students from dying in accidents every year in the U.S. There was one study showing a 19% drop in injury accidents These policies can help keep insurance premiums down Nevada Graduated Licensing Requirements When you are under the age of 18, if you live in Nevada, you have to show that you meet the minimum state school attendance requirements. You have to show this if youre applying for an instruction permit, a drivers license or a driver authorization card. To show this, students have to show whats called a Certification of Attendance, which is DMV form 301. If a students license or permit is suspended because theyve missed too much school, they have to submit a new DMV 301 before their permit or license can be reinstated. When a student attends high school, their principal, or another official from their school has to complete the first section of the form. Some students may be excused because of disability or home school and in this case, a parent or guardian has to fill out Section 1. Almost all drivers under the age of 18 in Nevada have to do a driver education course, and enrollment opens when a student turns 15. There are three options here. These include: You can take a classroom course and then do 50 hours of time behind the wheel Do an online course and get 50 hours of time behind the wheel Complete 100 hours of driving experience but only if theres not a class available within 30 miles of where you live, and you dont have internet access When youre 15 , you can apply for a permit. You have to show proof of residency and identity and pass a vision and written test. With the learners permit, a teen has to drive for at least 50 hours with a licensed driver whos 21 and older. Ten of those hours have to be at night, and a written log has to be maintained. Minor License Once a teenager in Nevada turns 16, and theyve had their permit for at least six months with no violations, they can apply for whats called a minor license. This requires passing a driving test and submitting a Beginner Driver Experience log. In Nevada, a teen can drive alone with a minor license, but they cant transport anyone under the age of 18 for the first six months unless its a family member. They also cant drive between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. unless there is an event related to school or work and a minor may have to show proof of such an event. Along with the statewide driving curfew, there are local curfews as well. For example, teens cant be on the Las Vegas strip after 9 p.m. without an adult, whether theyre driving or not. The same is true in the downtown Reno Gaming District. Full License When a teen turns 18 in Nevada, they become eligible for a full, unrestricted license. That eligibility means they cant have any outstanding restrictions from the court or DMV. As far as other restrictions, in Nevada, there is a 0.02 blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21 and drivers can be arrested for any detectable amount of a prohibited or controlled substance in their system. If you are a new resident and you move to Nevada, you have to do drivers education even if you already have a restricted or graduated license or an out-of-state permit. You also have to complete the Beginning Driver Experience log. While Nevada does have some graduated licensing restrictions, theyre actually not as strict as they are in some states. With the high number of roadway fatalities, it may be up to parents of new drivers to enforce their own rules that go beyond the rules of the state to keep their child safe. Israels success in spawning innovative technology is due in no small part to the talent cultivated in the countrys military. For decades, veterans of tech units of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) especially its renown signal intelligence unit, 8200 have gone on to found startups that have attracted billions of dollars of investment. Despite that reputation, not all branches of the IDF have harnessed cutting edge software tools or technologies. In fact, the army has notoriously relied on faxes rather than email to communicate with prospective draftees. In November, Brig. Gen. Ziv Avtalion was given command of the IDFs Digital Transformation Administration, a unit established to apply big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve battlefield performance and streamline the militarys administration. Avtalion answered CIOs questions about what digital transformation means for a military known for its tech prowess. What does digital transformation mean in the context of an army considered to be on the cutting edge of high tech? Why does the IDF need a digital transformation and how does it benefit? Well, the main challenge in a digital transformation is changing the culture of an organisation and making all of the commanders think digital. Most of the generals dont understand what it means to be digital, and they dont comprehend the benefits they can obtain from going digital. Our army is one of the most technological organisations not just the military in the world. But the world is progressing at such a quick pace, that its hard for the generals to keep up; and if they dont know how to use all the richness we enable, then its insignificant because all of the new abilities wont reach the battlefield. Where is the army in the process of the digital transformation, and what challenges still lie ahead? Were at the beginning of the process. We understand that transforming an organisation of this magnitude will take several years, so now were mapping the abilities we currently have, the challenges of the future battlefield and initiating new projects to answer those challenges. In addition to that mapping, were starting to meet with generals to hear from them about the challenges theyre facing, and whether we can bring them digital solutions from the shelf. Can you say how does the IDF use artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning to become more effective, and to improve its processes? Just imagine a scenario where you have hundreds of sensors, constantly scanning the battlefield. With each movement, the data is relayed to a processing centre which determines whether it belongs to an animal, an innocent bystander or a confirmed terrorist. Just in that small example we can better utilise our border defence, by making it much more effective and freeing up the soldiers to do the more complex explorations, when the algorithms return ambiguous answers. Were also using big data and AI in our HR processes. We have data collected from the early days of the IDF; so, we can predict with a high success rate the chance of a soldier dropping out of the service on one hand, or his chance to become a general on the other hand. This, of course, helps us with the way we develop our soldiers, and the career choices and paths we have for them. Can an organisation dependent on classified-level information security transition to the cloud, and take advantage of the computing power and services offered by the cloud? Or does the army have to develop these tools on its own cloud? A lot of the data we have is low-level classified, and some of it is not classified at all. So, we want to take all of that data and business processes and transition them to the cloud. The classified data will remain in an army cloud forever, although it doesnt mean that well have to develop it ourselves instead of using the vast abilities the civilian world has. The army cant compete with the resources that the cloud giants and the rest of the cloud providers invest in building their cloud, so its useless to even try and compete with them. How do you use these tools AI, machine learning, the cloud to get an edge on your competitors, rival military and armed organisations. We understand that data will be a key asset in future warfare, so if we will be able to utilise that data to our advantage, well gain a head start on our enemies. To utilise the data, we need to be able to deliver new operational processes quickly, and deploy them to the battlefield. And to that end, we cant waste any time on setting up IT infrastructure. And thats where we need the cloud to help us deliver apps and operational processes as quickly as possible. After we have built the apps which manufacture the data, were using AI and machine learning to get the most out of all data accumulated through the apps and the sensors we have deployed. Once that much data is in your possession, the sky is the limit regarding what you can do with it. Just imagine a tactical IT unit connected to sensors and deployed in the battlefield; through the data it harvests, it can operate have a kinetic effect on the battlefield. We havent gotten there yet, but we understand the potential and were building the path that will get us there. Digital transformations are very much about catering to users and customers, understanding who they are, how they use products and what they need. What do these challenges mean in terms of the army? Who are the IDFs end users? As Ive mentioned earlier, our biggest challenge in digital transformation is the commanders. They need to understand how they can benefit from the digital assets that we have, and its a long road but with a large bounty at its end. Just imagine that youd have the entire App Store at your fingertips, but you werent aware of its existence? Our commanders are trained in warfare, and its our job to bring the digital to them. The younger guys get it quicker because they were born into the digital age. So, our main culture challenge is with the mid-level commanders because we have to convert them to the digital age, and help them utilise the apps and data that the technological units are developing. Can you tell us about your military career and how you reached this point? I started my military career almost 30 years ago in the armoured corps, where I was given my basic training. During my years of service, I experienced many professional shifts, including operations, logistics, management and technology. In my last post, as the commander of the Ground Forces Technology Division, we invested a lot of effort to create the best solutions for the operational brigades, using the benefits of technology in general and digital technology in particular. That combination of tactical and technological experience led me to my current duty. He, like Trump, breaks the mold and defies the laws of political gravity: He had a heart attack last fall, at the age of 78, and it didnt scare away voters or slow his stride. While Trump claims leadership of a movement the likes of which the world has never seen, Sanders spearheads a revolution, to be brought about by the most unprecedented campaign in the modern history of this country. And aspects of his pitch on trade, for example resonate with the blue-collar workers in the Rust Belt who were important to Trumps election. While some of Trumps advisers believe that Sanders would be an easily caricatured foil, others believe that he could be trouble. The woman did what the man said but the two men with her resisted, police said. The gunman fired several times at the men. A 39-year-old man was shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the location. The second man, 38, also was shot in the head and pronounced dead on scene, according to police. Too Good to Be True President Trump pledged his support for a paid family leave plan during his State of the Union address on Tuesday. But the bill hes backing, which was proposed in December, doesnt quite do what he implied. For starters, it doesnt actually pay anyone it simply allows parents to borrow money from their future selves by collecting a portion of their child tax credits early, and receiving a smaller credit for the next 10 to 15 years. (The credits are worth up to $2,000 total, per child.) It also doesnt guarantee job protection for the person on leave, and it only applies to parents of babies or newly adopted children under 6 not anyone taking time off to care for an older family member. Image Credit... Giacomo Bagnara Whats Next? (Feb. 9-15) The Foldable Phone Is Back And maybe itll work this time! Samsung will unveil new products at its annual showcase in San Francisco, including a clamshell smartphone that folds into the size of a pocket square. The design features a touch screen with super-thin glass thats flexible enough to bend in half at least, thats the hope. You may recall that Samsungs first foray into this type of product, the Galaxy Fold, was a debacle last year when early reviewers found that the screens bulged oddly and died unexpectedly. The new version is known as the Galaxy Z Flip, and rumored to retail at $1,400 a steal compared with the nearly $2,000 price tag of the original Fold. Chinas Valentine True to its word in the recent trade pact with Washington, China said it would cut tariffs on $75 billion in United States goods, effective Feb. 14 (aw). The announcement shows that Beijing intends to fulfill its end of the agreement, but the deadly coronavirus outbreak may complicate matters. The deal requires China to make big purchases of American products, but its economy is now reeling from the fallout of the illness, which has infected tens of thousands of people in the past few weeks and caused a widespread lockdown within the country. Since travel to and within China has been restricted (and in some cases, banned), fewer goods are being imported, and its population is staying home and shopping less. Will Google Cave? Reports say that Google is considering selling its third-party advertising arm. The company has been under increasing bipartisan pressure from Washington (especially the Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren) to break up its business, which some lawmakers have argued has gotten too big. Regardless of the companys size, the one-two punch of Googles advertising and search technologies is a bit like the internet snake eating its own tail. Critics say that the company unfairly combines these tools to lead users back to its own services, like YouTube and Google Maps. Two American troops were killed and six others wounded by an Afghan soldier armed with a machine gun, the US military confirmed Sunday. The deaths come at a sensitive time in the 18-year-old war, with President Donald Trump eager to bring troops home and end the longest conflict in US history. The incident occurred late Saturday at a base in Sherzad district, in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan. "Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun," US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Sonny Leggett said in a statement on Sunday. The defence ministry said one Afghan soldier was killed and three local security forces injured during the shooting, and added that an investigation had been launched while vowing to continue fighting "terrorism" with the US. "Incidents such as this fail to have negative effects on the friendship and spirit of cooperation and between the ANDSF and U.S military forces," the ministry said in a statement. Provincial governor Shah Mahmood Meyakhil had earlier said it was not immediately clear if the incident was a deliberate act by an "infiltrator" or an accident. "It was not a clash between the forces. We are investigating," Meyakhil said. Leggett also stressed the cause or motive behind the attack were not immediately known. In a tweet, the US Army's 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) said "several" of its soldiers had been killed or injured during combat operations in Afghanistan. According to Sherzad resident Najeebullah -- who goes by one name -- gunfire could be heard coming from an Afghan security forces base nearby late Saturday followed by immediate air evacuations. "We heard the sounds of gunfire and immediately helicopters landed inside the base and evacuated the casualties," added Najeebullah. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid later declined to comment on the incident, saying in a message sent to AFP only that the insurgents were "investigating" the attack. - Trump and the Taliban - Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially finished at the end of 2014, highlighting the challenging security situation that persists. Depending on how one qualifies combat deaths, about 20 American troops were killed in 2019. Since the US-led invasion in October 2001, about 2,400 US troops have been killed in combat in Afghanistan. In December, Taliban infiltrators in the Afghan military killed nine Afghan soldiers in central Afghanistan. In July, an Afghan soldier killed two US troops as they were visiting an Afghan army base in Kandahar. Such insider attacks are sometimes called "green-on-blue" incidents. That came two weeks after another Afghan soldier shot and killed an influential Afghan army colonel while he was conducting a security assessment in Ghazni province. US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been negotiating with the Taliban for about 18 months for a deal that would see the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan. In return, the Taliban would guarantee the country is not used as a jihadist safe haven. Many are sceptical of the proposed deal and Trump himself declared talks "dead" in September amid continued Taliban violence. Negotiations have since resumed in Qatar. The deaths of US soldiers in Nangarhar come at a sensitive time, with President Donald Trump keen to pull troops out and end the conflict in Afghanistan An engineer from Chikmagalur plays a key role behind a unique probe to look under the skin of the Sun on-board European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter mission that is scheduled to be launched on Monday morning. Sandeep Ramanath is an important member of a team from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Gottingen that developed PHI (Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager), one of the five remote sensing instruments on board the ambitious solar mission. Armed with sophisticated instruments for imaging the solar surface and measure the star's properties in its vicinity, the ESA and NASA's new mission will be the first one to look at the polar regions of the Sun to help unravel the mysteries associated with the Sun spots. From its unique elliptical orbit, the probe satellite will view some of the never-seen-before regions of the Sun and shed new light on some of the little-understood aspects of its activity such as the formation of the solar wind. The Solar Orbiter will complement the NASAs Parker Solar Probe, currently in orbit around the Sun, Ramanath, who is currently at Kennedy Space Centre, Florida for the launch told DH. The PHI's high-resolution telescope would zoom in on the Sun for a close look. Each pixel in the image would represent a distance of 150 km on the solar surface. The instrument (PHI) can not only determine the strength and direction of the magnetic fields in the photosphere. It can also indirectly probe deeper layers. This is because the processes inside the Sun lead to oscillations that show up on the surface and which PHI can measure, said Ramanath, who completed his engineering at a college in Mysore and masters from France. In 2012, he joined the Max Planck Institute for the PHI project. In Solar Orbiter, all the instruments are kept behind a 40 cm thick titanium shield that would help keep their temperature below 5o degrees Celsius even though the outer part of the shield will bear the wrath of the giant fireball. In recent months, the frontiers of solar research have been expanded with three new observation instruments the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope, Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter. Indian Space Research Organisation too would jump on to the bandwagon with its Aditya-L1 mission, which may be launched in next one year. The Sun is rising. It is because of our growing understanding that the Sun governs our space environment and affects many of our technologies like telecommunication, GPS navigation, satellite broadcast, high-frequency defence communication and air traffic on polar routes, said Dibyendu Nandi, a scientist at the Indian Institute for Science, Education and Research, Kolkata, who is not associated with the ESA mission but has a link to the ISRO one. Ramanath completed his early education from Jagadeeshwara English Medium school and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Balehonnur before staring the college specialising on mechanical engineering. (CNN) -- It was supposed to be the holiday of a lifetime. Instead, American couple Kent and Rebecca Frasure found themselves quarantined on a cruise ship, staring at ambulances lined up on land ready to receive the increasing toll of passengers diagnosed with a deadly virus. On Friday morning, Rebecca, 35, found out she had tested positive for Wuhan coronavirus and had to leave the ship immediately -- alone, as her husband Kent, 42, was still apparently uninfected. Her only symptom when she tested positive was a cough. "It is terrible, I could never imagine that this could be happening right now," she told CNN shortly before she left the boat. "(The hardest part) is the unknown. Like, I don't know what's going to happen an hour from now." The Diamond Princess cruise ship, on which the Frasures were traveling, has been quarantined off the coast of Yokohama, near Tokyo, since Tuesday, after a former passenger tested positive for the coronavirus. There are more than 3,700 people on board, including 2,600 passengers, of whom 428 are American. So far, 61 passengers have tested positive for the virus, and the quarantine is expected to last until at least February 19. So far more than 31,400 people globally have been infected by the pneumonia-like coronavirus, which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, and at least 630 have died, predominantly in mainland China. Three cruise ships in Asia, including the Diamond Princess, have had their journeys disrupted or brought to a halt by the virus. In the middle of the East China Sea, the Westerdam is struggling to find a port to dock at after being turned away from both Taiwan and Japan over fears of passenger contamination. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the World Dream cruise ship has been held in quarantine since docking Wednesday, after eight former passengers tested positive for the virus. Fear on the Diamond Princess After Rebecca was diagnosed, Kent says no one came to disinfect the room the couple shared. He believes it is only a matter of time before he is diagnosed with the virus, too. "(But) you roll with the punches and try to make the best of things as you can," he said. Information from the cruise staff has been scant and he only found out that a further 41 passengers had been diagnosed with the virus after talking to a reporter, he said. "The only way anybody knows (what is happening) is when people that are infected tell other people they've been infected," he said. American author Gay Courter is also among the more than 2,600 passengers trapped on board the Diamond Princess, which she described as a "contaminated prison." "(My husband Philip and I) are 75 and 77 years old, we have health risks and we are a bad category to get sick ... We are not safe in our rooms," she said. In an attempt to escape the infection, Courter said she had contacted her insurance company, Medjet, which is willing to send a crisis extraction team from the boat to evacuate her. The US and Japanese governments, however, won't allow that to happen. Japanese health officials told CNN that any passengers of the Diamond Princess had to go through the quarantine process before they were allowed onto land and that the process was ongoing. "We can be taken in quarantine, and extracted in quarantine and arrive in the United States safely," she said. "We are not sick at the moment but there is a major concern that circulating air on this ship can make people sick." Courter said the US government could take them to the nearby Okinawa military base for evacuation, telling President Donald Trump that he could have another thousand US coronavirus cases on his hands if the ship wasn't emptied. "This was a trip of a lifetime, and I used all of my credit card points. The way out was divine but right now I do not mind how I go home," she said. Courter is afraid that if she becomes infected she may not survive. Older people are especially susceptible to the Wuhan coronavirus -- China's National Health Commission said Tuesday that 80% of all fatalities in mainland China were over the age of 60. "I (just) do not want to go home in a box," she said. Nightmare on board the Westerdam The Westerdam cruise liner left Singapore on January 16 for what should have been a 30-day cruise around Asia. But after leaving Hong Kong on February 1, the ship has been turned away from the Philippines due to fears that there may be coronavirus cases on board. There is no suggestion that any passengers, current or former, have been infected. Australian passenger David Holst, 63, who is traveling on the Westerdam with his wife Judy, said that the ship had briefly docked in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. But on February 6, Taiwan announced it would no longer allow international cruise ships to dock in its ports due to fears around the epidemic. The Westerdam left Kaohsiung and was turned away from Taipei as well. The ship, which is operated by Holland America, had been set to stop at five ports in Japan, but on Thursday the Japanese government said that it would not allow the Westerdam to call anywhere in their territory. "No one wants us," Holst told CNN from the cruise ship, which is currently sailing through the East China Sea. "Holland America said they're in discussions with the US State Department, the US Navy, and the Dutch government to try and find a solution. I have no idea what that will be or when that would be." Holst said he and his wife had spent more than $20,000 on the trip, including flights. But he said the past six or seven days had been a "nightmare." "It keeps getting worse and everyone on board is just living in fear that the bell is going to ring and the captain is going to say, 'Return to your cabins, we're in quarantine and we've got a virus case on board,'" he said. In a statement, Holland America said it understood that guests on board are concerned and it was doing everything it could to protect their health. "We have implemented a significant number of measures. Our medical experts have been coordinating closely with global health authorities to implement enhanced screening, prevention and control measures for our ships," the statement said. "We have no reason to believe there are cases of coronavirus on board." The company added that all guests would receive a full refund of their cruise fare plus a future cruise credit of 100% of their cruise fare. Holst criticized the ship for stopping in at Hong Kong and taking on new passengers there, despite the Chinese territory having coronavirus cases. "People are angry, I think the tension is rising and everyone on this boat for the last seven days has lived under the dark shadow of wondering whether we have the virus on board," he said. In its statement, Holland America said it had followed US Centers for Disease and Control guidelines at the time the ship docked in Hong Kong on February 1. Trapped in Hong Kong In Hong Kong, the 3,600 people aboard the World Dream cruise liner have been under quarantine for three days after a number of passengers from a former voyage tested positive for the coronavirus. Three crew members have been evacuated from the ship for treatment in hospital. Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Hong Kong Department of Health said that all passengers would have to remain on board until "we complete the quarantine work." Chuang said 33 crew members had shown symptoms of illness at varying degrees, although most had tested negative for the coronavirus. Before arriving in Hong Kong, the World Dream had docked at several ports across China and Vietnam. On January 24, after visiting those locations, more than 4,400 passengers disembarked mostly to return to mainland China. Not long after, eight of those former passengers were confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus, potentially leaving the ship contaminated. Dream Cruises has said it is attempting to contact passengers who had previously been on board the World Dream "to inform them of the situation and seek professional health assistance." There is no word yet when the World Dream may be allowed to leave Hong Kong. This story was first published on CNN.com, "'A contaminated prison': Scared, angry passengers are trapped on three cruise ships amid coronavirus outbreak" Top female experts from the region to inspire and empower for International Womens Day on Curacao Paramaribo, Suriname:--- CLIP Training & Consultancy will be hosting its first Inspiring Ladies of the Caribbean convention on Curacao from March 6-8, 2020 at the World Trade Center. This convention aims to bring 500 high achieving professional and entrepreneurial women from around the Caribbean who are interested in strengthening their personal and professional leadership. The convention is uniquely designed to empower women with the tools to help them achieve greater success, highlight some of the regions top female experts, and to celebrate International Womens Day. Attendees will be able to grow their network in the region, gain insights, and showcase their business. The weekend will also include a gala dinner, business expo, and book fair. Inspiring Ladies of the Caribbean convention will kick-off with a gala dinner which will include a keynote from global businesswoman, Olive Strachan, MBE from Dominica. Over the course of two days, top female leaders coming from Curacao, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Suriname will share their best practices and strategies to balance achieving more success and living a happier and more fulfilling life. Creator and producer of the convention, Ruth Sinkeler specializes in UBUNTU leadership (amongst other leadership styles). UBUNTU is the South African Philosophy of true connection, reconciliation, forgiveness and working together to achieve great things. Over the course of three (3) days, attendees will be immersed in an informative and interactive experience focused on this style of leadership that has transformative effects both personally and professionally. Registration has already opened. Regular prices are $250. However, interested persons can still benefit from the early bird special until February 20th This special includes the gala dinner, seminars, business expo, lunches, and coffee breaks and will be available for $199. Prices will increase to regular prices after that. Day passes for the separate days are also available. Willemstad Resort in Otrobanda is providing a discount to registered attendees as is Curacao Marriott Beach Resort. For more information, regular updates, or to register, then connect to the conference website www.inspiringladiescaribbean.com Please also check out the Facebook page for regular updates: https://www.facebook.com/ILOCConvention/ Former special counsel Robert S. Mueller III looked exhaustively at whether the Trump campaign had colluded with the Russian government to win the 2016 election. Mueller found that the Russians had interfered in the election in a sweeping and systematic fashion, and he indicted 26 Russian nationals, including 12 intelligence officers, for conspiracy and hacking into U.S. computers. Although he found that the Trump campaign had welcomed Russian interference, Mueller could not establish that the campaign had conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in a manner that violated the law. Current law prohibits candidates from accepting money from foreign sources, but it is not clear on nonfinancial assistance. We are already in February and the New Years resolutions made back at the start of last month are but a distant memory. Often topping the list of pledges to oneself at the start of each year is the promise to cut down on the bad stuff and get into shape. An oft neglected activity, though, once the daily routine kicks back in again. Consumers, though, are increasingly aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and the trend has spawned a whole industry catering to the fitness minded public. With this in mind (and body), we thought wed investigate further. Using TipRanks Stock Comparison tool, weve lined up two fitness focused stocks side by side on the treadmill, to take a closer look at why some on the Street believe these two are compelling buys right now. Lets jump right in. Peloton Interactive (PTON) One of 2019s high profile IPOs, Peloton caused quite a stir when going public last September; the stationary bicycle company was valued at $8.1 billion on its first day of trading. By the second, it had shed $1 billion of its value, making the companys trading debut one of the worst of the decade. Peloton dusted itself off, got back on the bike and finished off the year on a more positive note, back to roughly its original IPO price. The company, though, is drawing negative sentiment again this week, following the release of its FQ2 2020 earnings report. Peloton posted revenue of $466.3 million, a year-over-year increase of 77%, and handily beating the estimate of $423.7 million. Net loss per share of $0.20 topped the Streets $0.30 call, too. Estimates which called for 688,800 connected fitness subscribers were left in the dust by the figure of 712,005 a 96% year-over-year gain. Despite the positive print, following the earnings call, PTON shares were sent tumbling down by over 7% due to soft guidance for the next quarter. For Q3, Peloton expects revenue of between $470 million and $480 million, less than the Streets call of $494 million. Story continues With a 94% customer retention rate, though, Stifels Scott Devitt remains bullish on the bike maker. Devitt points out that the lower Q3 revenue guide was caused by shorter than expected delivery times, which shifted 6,000 Connected Fitness subscribers into Q2 from Q3. The 5-star analyst believes a higher total second half is implied in the companys updated outlook. Pelotons investments in content development and new markets, in addition to its ability to drive engagement with new and existing product offerings, are further encouraging signs. What does it all mean, then? It means the 5-star analysts rating remains the same, a Buy, but the price target changes gear, up from $37 to $38. The new figure implies upside potential of 36%. (To watch Devitts track record, click here) The Street is up for the ride, too. 17 Buys and 2 Holds add up to a Strong Buy consensus rating. At $36.94, the average price target suggests possible upside of 33%. (See Peloton stock-price forecast on TipRanks) Planet Fitness (PLNT) Planet Fitness everyone is welcome strategy is paying off. The affordable gyms and judgement free atmosphere they generate has seen the company provide handsome returns to investors. Over the last five years, PLNTs share price has increased by 427%. Looking at the business growth, its no wonder investors have been impressed. Totaling over 14 million members, in 2019, the gym franchise added another 261 locations, a 15%-unit growth. The final day of the year saw the opening of its 2000th location in Colorado Springs. PLNT intends to open an additional 1,000 in the next five years, with its sights set on adding the 80% of people over the age of 14 in the US and Canada without a gym membership. The expansion is not limited to North America, either; Planet has just opened its first two locations in Australia. According to the company, a minimum of 35 new additions down under should be expected over the next several years. Macquaries Paul Golding believes that relative to its peers, Planet Fitness stock is "substantially undervalued". Given the companys annualized growth rate, the 4-star analyst thinks PLNTs low price-point is appealing and its focus on the US market positions it "defensively". In addition, PLNTs penetration rates are rising, with an increasing gym count and further potential runway for comp reacceleration. Therefore, Golding kept his Outperform rating and $90 price target as is. This conveys the analysts belief PLNT will add a further 9% over the next year. (To watch Goldings track record, click here) The Street takes a break from the workout and nods in agreement. PLNTs Strong Buy consensus rating breaks down into a unanimous 5 Buys. The average price target comes in at $86.80 and suggests possible gains in the shape of 5%. (See Planet Fitness price targets and analyst ratings on TipRanks) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has insisted he would not impose a successor on Rivers people after completing his tenure in 2023. A news report on AIT, Saturday, quoted Mr Wike as making the assertion when traditional and political leaders from Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state paid him a solidarity visit at Rivers Government House, Port Harcourt. I say it to Rivers people, I am not going to impose anybody on this state. I will not do it, Mr Wike told the visiting Oyigbo leaders. You see what is happening in Edo State? you see what is happening in Anambra State? Even in Rivers State, did it not happen? Did it not happen? Somebody that Dr Peter Odili created, did it not happen? You think me, I will suffer the same fate? It will not happen! I am an experienced politician, I have seen it all. There is nothing you can do, people will change. If there is anybody you want to bring into the office that you think would do according to what you want, then you must be joking in your life. Then you are not a student of history, Governor Wike said. AIT reported that the governor said those wishing to succeed him should pray and work very hard for it. The governor also said no ethnic group in the state can produce the governor without the support of other ethnic groups. This is not the first time Mr Wike would be making such remarks about succession politics in Rivers. The governor, during a 2018 interview with PREMIUM TIMES, said he would not play the role of a godfather which he said is the mistake most Nigerian politicians make. My friends and colleagues, they know me and I have told them I am a student of history. Mention who have survived it that you put your life at stake and bring up somebody to become the governor, and therefore youll be in charge and he will protect you! It is not correct! As a student of history, I know it does not work that way. Ill do what I have to do to serve my people and will retire when my time has come to an end, those who want it let them go and take it. Let the people of Rivers State decide. Thats the problem we are having in Nigeria, people want to continue as godfather, he said. Mr Wike, in the 2018 interview, also talked on ethnic politics in Rivers. I dont want to reduce myself to ethno-politics. Tell the person who say so, during the Ada George period, who are those who contested the election against him? the governor had said in a response to a question that the riverine people in the state felt it was their turn to produce a governor in 2019. In 1999, when Dr. Peter Odili contested for governor and won, who and who contested against him? Chief Ebenezer Isokariari ran against Dr. Odili. In 2003, did Dumo Lulu Briggs not run for governor against Odili? Where was it zoned to? In 2007, who and who ran against Amaechi? In 2011, who and who ran against him? In 2015, who and who ran against me? But that does not mean that one would say that it would not be fair to allow power to go to them, he said. Mr Wike was asked if he would support a riverine person to succeed him as governor after his tenure. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it. Theres nothing wrong with the riverine people becoming governor of the state. You see, I work as a team. I dont want to deceive people, we must sit down to agree, and which is correct; not one person sitting down to dictate. They are really qualified. They have supported the PDP, and when the time comes I will do everything to support them, the governor responded. Open source February 9, early elections to the local parliament, Mili Mejlis, began in Azerbaijan. Interfax-Ukraine reports, citing data from the Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan. Voting began at 8 am and will last until 19:00. 5,573 polling stations have been opened, with 5,3 million registered citizens registered. There are 1,134 candidates and 125 seats in parliament. It is noted that in Azerbaijan there is no lower threshold for the turnout, therefore any result will be considered valid. The candidates with the most votes win. The CEC is expected to announce the preliminary election results no later than February 12, and the final results by March 26, 2020. Recall that on November 28, 2019, the parliament submitted an appeal to the president on dissolution and the holding of early elections. The last Miles Majlis was elected on November 1, 2015, for a period of 5 years. The ruling party is New Azerbaijan. On December 4, the Constitutional Court recognized the dissolution of parliament as constitutional. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev dismissed the parliament and scheduled early elections for February 9, 2020. As we reported before, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Dmytro Razumkov believes that Ukraine already has all the necessary legislative framework for elections in the Donbas, including in the temporarily occupied territories. Turkish Airlines continues to expand its flight network with the launch of operations to Malabo on February 7, making the capital of Equatorial Guinea its 319th destination. As the 60th destination of the global carrier in the continent of Africa, flights to Malabo will be operated on Istanbul Port Harcourt Malabo Istanbul route with Boeing 737-900 type aircrafts. Turkish Airlines chairman of the Board and the executive committee, M. Ilker Ayc, stated: A new era has begun in Turkish aviation and tourism sector with the Istanbul Airport. Our new and improved operation hub offers us an unparalleled performance advantage when it comes to enhancing our flight network. Today, in line with our continuing growth strategy, we are happy to announce the addition of Malabo to the ever-expanding flight network of Turkish Airlines. From this day forth, passengers travelling to Malabo will be able to enjoy the Turkish Airlines comfort and hospitality. We firmly believe that our new route will further enhance the relations between Turkey and Equatorial Guinea in all areas. Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, is the second largest city of the country. Apart from being an oil-rich city, it is also at the forefront with tourism activities. With its natural wonders, rich world cuisine and historical architecture, Malabo is one of the most prominent destinations in Africa. Travellers who wish to experience the exotic atmosphere of Malabo, the oldest city of Equatorial Guinea, will be able to fly to this great destination with Turkish Airlines at special introductory prices starting at $789, valid for tickets purchased until April 30, for round trips between February 7 and June 30. - TradeArabia News Service Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Laurie Goering (Reuters) London, United Kingdom Sun, February 9, 2020 15:06 701 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206369cfc 2 Environment climate-change,climate,climate-crisis,crisis,Science,scientists Free A failure to get to grips with climate change and associated problems, from ecosystem collapse to worsening water and food shortages, is the most severe and probable threat facing humanity, more than 200 scientists have warned. The risks will also likely feed on each other - as intensifying heat and drought spur more wildfires and forest loss, for example - "in ways that might cascade to create a global systemic crisis", they said in a report. The situation could become "potentially uncontrollable in the future if we don't act very soon", said Owen Gaffney, an author of the report and a sustainability analyst with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. The survey of 222 scientists from more than 50 countries echoes the top worries of economic and business leaders in a risk perceptions report issued last month ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Both this week's inaugural survey by international sustainability network Future Earth and the WEF report ranked environmental risks as significantly more serious than other threats, from data theft to terrorist attacks and unemployment. The new survey also examined how social and political trends - such as disinformation campaigns and the rise of populist authoritarian governments - could make efforts to tackle key global challenges more difficult. Climate threats and associated risks are "very big complex problems that need complex solutions", Gaffney told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Alongside that, "the 2020s need to see the fastest economic transition in history" to curb global warming, added Gaffney, who also works for the Stockholm Resilience Centre. But a new crop of populist world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, tend to look for simple answers, the report noted. And disinformation campaigns - backed by everyone from vaccine alarmists to the Russian government in an effort to undermine trust in democratic institutions - can make it hard for voters to understand issues and push for action, it said. Read also: Climate crisis has reached 'point of no return', UN chief says But other forces may help drive the large-scale changes needed, the report said. Social movements, such as the "Fridays for Future" youth protests spearheaded by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, are growing in size and influence, and could exert growing political pressure, Gaffney said. Another positive sign is Britain's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, despite political upheaval and divisions caused by the country's decision to leave the European Union, he noted. "Even in a really difficult political situation there is common ground to do something quite radical," he said, adding that with Europe now talking about its own Green Deal, the region could reunite, at least around climate policy. The continuing plunge in the cost of solar and wind power, and their scale-up, also mean clean energy is likely to make ever more economic as well as environmental sense in coming years. "That's a game changer," Gaffney said. But action on environmental risks needs to come quickly, he added. Scientists have long warned about climate threats but "their speed and severity over the last few years has taken people by surprise" at just 1 degree Celsius of global warming, he said. The world is currently on track to see average temperatures rise more than 3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times this century, a level scientists say would be catastrophic. Our actions in the next decade will determine our collective future on Earth, said Amy Luers, executive director of Future Earth. The soon-to-be-published book by John Bolton reportedly reveals that Bolton had conversations with President Donald Trump directly linking the hold on security aid for Ukraine with the president's demand that Ukraine announce investigations into the bogus conspiracy theories relating to the Bidens and 2016 U.S. election interference. In a normal world, this late-breaking information would have likely provided the necessary cover for Republican senators to vote to call witnesses in the Senate's impeachment "trial." We do not live in a normal world. DANBURY After KKK was found spray painted on a billboard on North Street over the weekend and covered up, a local radio crew and the mayor hiked up the frosty hill Sunday to do some tagging of their own. Its not something that we want to be associated with or tolerate, the mayor is here because the city wont tolerate it, said Lou Milano, a radio personality for WRKI radio. Leaving the black plastic over the graffitied reference to the Ku Klux Klan, he spray painted love in red capital letters - to match the original advertisement for i95 - before underlining the word. The graffiti appeared on the right side of the billboard Saturday morning, and was covered with black plastic hours after the local chapter of the NAACP said it should be covered until the billboard could be fixed. The left side of the billboard was also hit with grafitti, but Mayor Mark Boughton said he believed that vandalism had been there for some time. The privately-owned billboard advertises WDBY and WRKI radio stations, both owned by Townsqure Media out of Purchase, N.Y. Its not something thats appropriate, were very upset by this, said Boughton Sunday, after he also made the trek up up the grass-covered slope. He said the citys police force is actively looking for the people responsible for the graffiti. This is a serious crime that will be dealt with in a serious manner, Boughton said. He asked anyone with further information to contact the Danbury Police Department. Hate has no home here, he added, after Milano had finished spraying paint. Milano said he would leave the covering in place, rather than spraying over the phrase, because he didnt want to expose it. Joe Echevarria, who filmed the new tagging of the billboard for WRKI, said he first saw the graffiti while driving past it Saturday morning. A second billboard to the left of the one advertising WDBY and WRKI was also hit with graffiti, which the mayor noted appeared to be the same color as the red used in the spray painted KKK. Brie, will u make it FB official with me?? that message says, over a billboard advertising RVNA Health. Boughton said the surrounding buildings did not have surveillance cameras to capture the crime as it occurred. Police officers went door-to-door the night before asking nearby residents if they had seen anything, Boughton said. He said the person responsible might bubble up at the high school or through social media. If it was a young person, they tend to talk, Boughton said, noting the difficult walk up meant it likely was someone young enough to make the climb. Glenda Armstrong, president of the Danbury chapter of the NAACP, had asked the city to cover the vandalism up Saturday night. Its something we cant tolerate in Danbury, Armstrong said in a phone interview Saturday night. Im glad that the police are investigating. The reference to the Klan had been covered up by 9 p.m. Saturday, according to Boughton. The city has a long history with the white supremacist group dating back to the 1970s. Amid race riots which broke out at Danbury High School in 1975, the Klan distributed racist material at Western Connecticut State University, and organized a cross-burning on private property in 1982. The group said they dedicated the cross-burning to a black resident living in Danbury who led a task force distributing material about the Klan to educators, according to past reporting in the NewsTimes. The graffiti on the hill overlooking the Padanaram Road section of North Street is not the only incident of racist vandalism in the Hat City in recent years. In 2016, police were called after a half-dozen instances of swastikas were reported spray painted on private property including a home and a parked car on Division Street. Its really upsetting, a resident said at the time. This is a very ethnic neighborhood with a lot of diversity. I hope my kids didnt see it, but they probably dont know what it means at this point. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday saying it would be good if the PM could suggest an Aasan (yoga exercise) for the unemployed youth of the country. Prime Minister Modi is known to practice Yoga and promoting it as part of a healthy lifestyle. Prime Minister had recently referred to a Yogasan, Surya Namaskar, while taking potshots at senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Parliament during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Presidents address in the budget session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about increasing the number of Surya Namaskar for strengthening his back. It would have been good if he could suggest a similar Aasan to unemployed youngsters, Akhilesh said while speaking to reporters in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. ALSO WATCH | Protected by blessings of Indias mothers: PM Modi counters danda jibe PM Modis Surya Namaskar was seen as a response to Rahul Gandhis reported comments about youngsters beating up Modi with sticks over the lack of jobs. Modi said he would increase the number of Surya Namaskar so that his back could bear the sticks. He (Gandhi) said Modi will be beaten up with sticks in six months. I can imagine that it is not an easy job, so six months will be needed for preparations, he said, before adding further, In these six months, I will do more Surya Namaskar so that my back is ready for the beating. Later that day Rahul Gandhi accused the prime minister of distracting from the real issue of unemployment in his governments second term. Akhilesh seemed to be raising a similar concern. Unemployment is rising in the country. The prime minister does not have any time to think over it. At least he could suggest an aasan, he said. By Anne-Marie Slaughter and Monica Chellam Anne-Marie Slaughter Monica Chellam Photo: Jeremy Chiu/Viridian Here's what you need to know about news coming from Oakland's food scene. In this edition: Uptown gets a new craft cocktail bar, a prolific Bay Area Indian spot opens a new location downtown and a Grand Lake specialty liquor store changes hands (and names). Openings Uptown Viridian (2216 Broadway) Photo: Jeremy Chiu/Viridian Asian-American-themed bar Viridian opened its doors earlier this week, in the former home of Plum Bar on Broadway. The new bar comes from owners from William Tsui (Lazy Bear), Raymond Gee (Noodle Theory Provisions), Jeremy Chiu (Shinmai), and Alison Kwan (Lazy Bear). Its menu is centered on Asian snacks and small bites, like cha siu bao (pork buns), salt-and-pepper chicken nuggets and milk bread with chili crisp and ginger butter. For the after-dinner crowd, there's an especially large selection of desserts, like Thai tea tiramisu, egg custard tarts and pandan (young coconut) pie. Cocktails include the Lemon Glass (Toki Japanese whiskey, red berry consomme, lemongrass, Ramune) and the Mamacita Margarita (mezcal, tangelo, yuzu kosho, palm sugar, sweet vermouth). Designed by Soon and Soon Studio, the moody space is inspired by the Hong Kong-set '90s film "Chungking Express," with neon sculptures from San Francisco-based artist Laura Stevenson (Rite Guy Design) and lots of black accents. Hours for Viridian are Monday - Thursday from 4 p.m. - midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. until "late." Food is only available until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on the weekend. Downtown Naan 'n Curry (1615 Clay St.) Photo: Albertino M./Hoodline Tipline Hoodline's veteran tipster Al M. alerted us that local Indian-food juggernaut Naan 'n Curry has taken over the former Phuong Nam Restaurant, leaving the interior largely the same. Naan 'n Curry has a strong local presence, with two SF locations as well as locations in Concord and Hayward. The menu is focused on simple Indian and Pakistani fare, like chicken tikka masala, tandoori fish, lamb chops, samosas and garlic naan. Story continues The new Naan 'n Curry is open daily, from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Closed Grand Lake Alchemy Bottle Shop (3256 Grand Ave.) Photo: Ashley F./Yelp Over on Grand Avenue, Alchemy Bottle Shop quietly closed at the end of December, Berkeleyside reports. "We've loved getting to know so many of you over the years, and can't thank you enough for all the support," married owners Tova Herman and Peter Mustacich wrote in a farewell letter on their website, explaining that becoming parents has changed their outlook on running a small business. Berkeleyside also found out what's next for the space: another beverage-focused retail store, Alkali Rye, which will offer natural wine, beer and craft spirits. The shop will also have an in-house espresso bar, with Red Bay coffee to be enjoyed "for here only," and will sell coffee and tea accessories as well. Expect Alkali Rye to arrive in early spring. Thanks to our veteran tipster Al M.! Have you noticed a new addition to (or subtraction from) Oakland's food landscape? Text a tip and a horizontal photo to (415) 200-3233, and we'll look into it. The Trump administration is considering suspending much of its humanitarian assistance to Yemen as part of an international response to new restrictions imposed by Iran-linked Houthi rebels, officials said. Consideration of such a move by one of Yemen's biggest donors, which, if implemented, could worsen already dire conditions, underscores the challenge of managing aid operations in areas controlled by a rebel movement that is hostile to the West. A senior State Department official said the United States has not made a final decision but was coordinating with other donor nations and aid organizations on possible responses to a 2 percent "tax" on assistance projects and other new measures in swaths of Yemen administered by the Houthis. "We're in an unfortunate situation and we're trying to work the problem," the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. "If such an action were taken, it would be one that was forced by basically unprecedented Houthi obstructionism." Whether the United States and other donors should suspend or reduce assistance in Houthi-controlled areas will be a central question when donor countries and aid groups meet in Brussels next week. Officials familiar with the discussions say the Trump administration has already informed humanitarian organizations that a suspension, if finalized, would take effect March 1. The United States provided $746 million in Yemen assistance in fiscal 2019. A potential halt to lifesaving aid comes as hopes for a negotiated end to the conflict have been complicated by a flare-up in violence between the rebels, who receive assistance from Iran, and Yemeni forces backed by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. The conflict began in 2015 when a Saudi-led military coalition began a punishing air campaign against the rebels, who had taken over Sanaa, the Yemeni capital. The possible move also coincides with heightened U.S. tensions with Iran, which is believed to have provided military support to the Houthis. The White House has applied a "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran that includes punishing sanctions aimed in part at forcing Tehran to end its support for foreign armed groups. Humanitarian officials, who already have cut back assistance due to Houthi restrictions, describe a morally fraught situation in which they acknowledge that donor countries need to ensure taxpayer-funded aid is properly delivered but also worry that large-scale suspensions will aggravate conditions for Yemenis. "What we really want to do is make sure people don't get hurt," a senior U.N. official in Yemen said, also speaking on the condition of anonymity. "But we recognize that we have very big problems." The United Nations provides food assistance to more than 12 million people a month in Yemen, which was very poor even before the conflict erupted. Fighting, reduced commerce and economic upheaval have all contributed to widespread hunger and disease. The discussions in Washington about a potential suspension may also reflect skepticism about whether the United Nations and aid groups can manage the risks of aid diversion. Soaring need among Yemenis has prompted the United Nations to scale up aid its Yemen operation in the past year, posing another challenge to managing and delivering supplies. U.N. officials say they have struggled to prevent diversion of aid by Houthi officials, who they believe have sold assistance on the black market or funneled it to fighters. Last year, the United Nations temporarily suspended part of a program in Sanaa after Houthi officials rejected a registration system designed to ensure that aid reached its intended beneficiaries. Just last month, the United Nations said that an aid warehouse in a Houthi-controlled area was looted. Aid agencies have also faced problems in areas controlled by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, but those have been less dramatic, aid officials say. It was not immediately clear whether a U.S. suspension would impact funding for U.N. aid programs in Yemen or only assistance provided via smaller aid groups. Reuters previously reported that a reduction to international aid to Yemen was likely because of the Houthi restrictions. Many aid organizations say they have undertaken "involuntary reductions" in Yemen because a newly formed Houthi apparatus that oversees assistance has delayed approving travel for relief workers and their initiatives. U.N. and other officials also cite increased harassment and even detention of aid workers in Houthi-controlled areas. One aid worker familiar with operations in Yemen said such hostility there has reached "a fever pitch." But he described the 2 percent tax as a "red line" that compounded concerns for aid groups. While views about a possible U.S. suspension vary in the assistance community, several aid officials said they hoped that donor countries, including the United States, would adopt a uniform response to maximize leverage over the rebels and possibly prompt them to drop some of the restrictions. "We want to see other donors come together on this," the aid worker said. "At that point, and only at that point, would it be okay to suspend assistance." A united international stance has not yet emerged among top donors to Yemen. Abdullah al Rabeeah, who heads KSRelief, Saudi Arabia's government aid organization, condemned the Houthi restrictions but said the kingdom was not currently considering a suspension. "If we stop, we are penalizing the people of Yemen; we are not penalizing the Houthis," he said. When asked about dissenting views among U.S. allies about an aid suspension, the senior State Department official stressed that "no decision has been taken" and that "we're still working with our partners" to try to change the dynamic on the ground. The U.S. Agency for International Development did not respond to multiple requests to discuss the situation in Yemen but provided a statement saying that as a taxpayer-funded organization, the agency expects "all U.S. assistance to be provided without hindrance to those for whom it is intended ... who continue to bear the brunt of this conflict." - - - The Washington Post's Kareem Fahim in Istanbul contributed to this report. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- American Legion National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford released the following statement regarding allegations that senior leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs attempted to retaliate against a staff member for reporting a sexual assault. "Generally, The American Legion does not comment on VA's internal personnel matters. We invest full faith and credit in the administration, the Inspector General, and department leadership to faithfully execute their duties, serve in a manner that honors their sacred positions, and work to protect the communities they serve. We are not privileged participants in any formal investigations and learn of publicly available reports from the same sources the general public does, and we rely on these reports to inform our membership, our voice, and positions. In cases where evidence is uncovered of malfeasance or wrongdoing, The American Legion expects that the perpetrator or perpetrators will be held accountable and either disciplined, dismissed or prosecuted accordingly. The allegations that have been reported over the past week at the Department of Veterans Affairs are extremely concerning and bring into question the ethical suitability of the leadership at VA's highest levels. The American Legion calls on the administration and Congress to thoroughly investigate the recent allegations of improper employee behavior and report their findings to the American people with complete transparency. We expect that any persons found to have acted outside of their authority and the scope of their duties will be held accountable and dealt with in an appropriate manner. This was one of the core tenets of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 that The American Legion supported, and still supports today." With a current membership of almost 2 million veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 12,000 posts across the nation. Media contacts: John Raughter, [email protected], (317) 630-1350. SOURCE The American Legion Related Links http://www.legion.org Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 13:41:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NANCHANG, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Every day at around 8:00 p.m., 11-year-old Lin Zihan takes two benches and sits in her doorway with her three-year-old brother, Lin Zilang, waiting for their mom's video call. Meanwhile, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University in Nanchang City, the capital of eastern China's Jiangxi Province, emergency doctor Lin Shirong and his wife, nurse Li Ping, snuggle up together on a bench outside the isolation ward and video call their children. "Baby, do you miss mummy?" Li said. "Yes, I miss daddy too," Lin Zilang said, sitting outside his grandparents' house in Tongtian Village in the city of Fengcheng. He put his mouth on the screen to give his mom a kiss. "It has been 16 days since you guys left," said Lin Zihan, who has hand-painted a calendar to calculate the number of days their parents have been gone. It was Chinese Near Year's Eve 16 days ago. Lin Shitong took his whole family back to their home village, planning to have a good Spring Festival celebration at their newly-decorated house. However, that night Jiangxi Province scaled up the response to major public health emergencies to level one to prevent and control the pneumonia epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus. As medical workers at a major hospital in Nanchang, Lin and his wife had to rush back to the hospital immediately. "We left in a hurry, leaving our children to their grandparents. They wouldn't let go of our hands, crying at the door," Li said. In order to calm her little boy down, she left a stethoscope for him to play with. Confirmed cases were continuously increasing, and the isolation wards were getting busier each day. Li had to work at least four hours each shift in the isolation ward, and her husband was on standby 24/7. The nurse station, outside the isolation ward, is where the couple is most likely to meet as that is where the medical workers put on their protective suits before entering isolation areas. Sometimes, Li helps her husband tighten his mask and sees if the protective clothing and goggles are on properly. But most of the time, the couple does not get to see each other. Their only contact with each other is over walkie-talkies, as mobile phones are not allowed in the isolation wards. "Despite the hard and dangerous work, I feel safe because I'm here with my husband," Li said, adding that she worries about her two children most. Although they always cry when they are on the phone with their parents, the elder sister, Lin Zihan, has been trying to help her grandfather with housework, teaches her brother songs and tucks him in at night. Lin Zihan told their parents she had taught her younger brother to sing the song, "Little Star." "Twinkle, twinkle, little star; how I wonder what you are," the two kids sang to their parents through the phone under a sky full of stars, looking forward to a reunion soon. Julia Roberts was seen leaving a pre-Oscar party on Saturday night with a male friend. The stunning Oscar-winning actress beamed as she held hands with the man. Just one step behind the 52-year-old Pretty Woman was her husband of almost two decades, Daniel Moder, 51. Where's Daniel? Julie Roberts was in high spirits on Saturday evening when she left a pre-Oscar party hand-in-hand with a male friend Julia stunned in a black loose fitting sweater top for the A-list celebrity evening. She teamed the look with form-fitting leather trousers that showcased her trim physique. The Runaway Bride star added to her 5ft9 physique with some black pointed-toe stiletto boots. Missing out: Julia's husband, Daniel Moder, was seen trailing behind the duo as they walked to their car Gorgeous: Julia's brunette tresses were styled out into loose waves and she accessorised with a pair of glasses and a small bag Julia's brunette tresses were styled out into loose waves and she accessorized with a pair of glasses and a small bag. The Academy Award winner appeared in high spirits when she left the event with a male friend. However, her husband, Daniel Moder, wasn't too far behind. Twenty years strong! Julia and Daniel met in 2000 on the set of The Mexican. He was the cameraman while she starred in the movie (pictured in January) Family: They have three kids together, twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, 15, and other son, Henry, 12 Julia was part of the famous Oscar selfie taken by Bradley Cooper back in 2014 (clockwise from L-R) Jared Leto, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong'o, Angelina Jolie, Peter Nyong'o Jr. and Bradley Cooper Julia and Daniel met in 2000 on the set of The Mexican. He was the cameraman while she starred in the movie. The pair were both dating other people when they met but eventually wed in 2002 at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico. They have three kids together, twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, 15, and other son, Henry, 12. Stunner: She stunned in a floral number and added some extra warmth with a cream colored coat over the top while at the same event A-list stars: Sarah was seen speaking with Warren Beatty when leaving the party Sarah Paulson was also seen at the same event, speaking to Warren Beatty. She stunned in a floral number and added some extra warmth with a cream colored coat over the top. Sarah is yet to receive an Academy Award nomination. So far in her career she's accumulated three Golden Globe nominations and seven Emmy nominations. She won the Best Actress Golden Globe for her role in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story in 2017 and the Emmy for the same role in 2016. By Marc Rittle As April 1 approaches the day when 700,000 people could be dropped from the SNAP rolls nationwide I am growing increasingly concerned about a wave of families unable to afford nutritious food in the Lehigh Valley. By one estimate, soup kitchens and food pantries will see 30% more people coming through their doors. At New Bethany Ministries this would boost our annual attendance from 9,000 to upwards of 12,000 people. This could be the sharpest hunger spike weve seen in decades, and it promises to be sudden. How did we get here? We could say it all started in 1996, when the Clinton administration introduced work requirements and time limits to cash assistance programs. For the Food Stamp program, which that year was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the new rules secured two requirements to receive the benefit: 1) people must be working at least 20 hours a week, and () if you are not working and able to do so (defined as being of working age, without disability, and without dependents) then you are time-limited to receive the benefit for only three months over the course of three years. When unemployment is low, the thinking goes, finding a job should not be a problem. Legislators soon realized an important truth different people in different states experience poverty in different ways. Just because the national unemployment rate is low, that doesnt mean jobs are equally accessible in every part of the country. This is remedied by authorizing states to pass laws identifying local exceptions. The federal restriction of work requirements or time limits can be waived in specific cases, depending on regional employment conditions. This strategy has worked well for the past 24 years, up to and including the 2019 farm bill, which includes bipartisan legislation on SNAP requirements that preserve the state-by-state allowance. In a sharp reversal, and despite 2019 legislation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced late last year it was removing the state-by-state provision to determine SNAP waiver eligibility. According to the USDA, there are too many people on the rolls, and state-defined waivers are to blame. Their logic is this: Return to the original spirit of SNAP, tighten the waiver system, reduce the rolls, and able-bodied people of working age will gain incentive to find jobs. This sounds logical, and yet its proven not to work. Four years ago, West Virginia ran a nine-county pilot study, sharply limiting SNAP waivers and enforcing the work requirement. Using the same logic as the USDA, unemployment was low and state officials expected increased employment and the reduction of poverty in these nine counties. A report released last month (West Virginia Center on Budget Policy, January 2020) revealed an unintended consequence after dropping 5,400 recipients from SNAP rolls food pantries in all nine counties realized a sharp increase of hungry and malnourished families. Whats more, the workforce stagnated, and unemployment did not change. The West Virginia example begs a serious question: What if everyone who reasonably could be looking for a job at this moment is already looking? New Bethany Ministries Community Health Manager Pam Lewis is tasked with helping anyone coming through our doors to improve life skills and gain employment. She regularly walks up and down the soup line, waving papers while yelling Who wants jobs? She immediately is swarmed by able-bodied albeit hungry people, every time she does this. Our problem is not that people are lazy. There is so much more required to securing a job than the mere absence of a public benefit. If the USDA wants to provide incentive for job searching, they should invest in the full process life skills development, case management, employment counseling, not to mention adequate provisions to purchase healthy food. Our community is on the cusp of an unnecessary and preventable hunger crisis. The new USDA ruling could eliminate SNAP benefits for an estimated 92,000 Pennsylvanians this April. We should trust our state legislature to set the Pennsylvania waiver guidelines, as the 2019 farm bill intended. The Lehigh Valley has done so much to help people in need. Let us not reverse our progress. Marc Rittle is the executive director of New Bethany Ministries in Bethlehem. DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday urged the AIADMK government to not allow the National Population Register drive in Tamil Nadu, saying any move to go ahead with it would invite "stern opposition" from the people. He also renewed DMK's demand for an anti-CAA resolution in the state assembly and said only such a move would be an "atonement" for supporting the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament. Writing to party cadres, Stalin said the AIADMK government should not allow the National Population Register exercise in Tamil Nadu under any circumstances. "If the government attempted to do it to fulfil the objective of the BJP government at the Centre, I would like to caution that it will invite strong opposition from the people," he said. He urged the government to take steps for passing the resolution against Citizenship Amendment Act during the budget session, commencing on February 14. Thanking his party workers and cadres of alliance parties for 'active' participation in the "one crore signature campaign" against the CAA, NPR and National Register of Citizens (NRC), he said as 'expected', it has turned into a people's movement and so far it has seen over two crore signatures. On February 2, Stalin launched the campaign of the DMK- led alliance which comprise among others the Congress. It is expected to be completed soon and the signatures are to be submitted to President Ram Nath Kovind. The DMK chief, who is also the leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu, said the battle against the CAA will be taken forward if the Centre failed to reconsider its stand even after seeing the response to its signature campaign. According to the Home Ministry, the NPR is a register of usual residents of the country. A usual resident is defined for the purposes of NPR as a person who has resided in a local area for the past six months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next six months or more. It's objective is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars. The government has defended NPR, saying it was being updated to allow the rightful beneficiaries get the benefit of welfare schemes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 29-year old woman in nothern Vinh Phuc Province has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, becoming the nations 13th confirmed 2019-nCoV infection. The unnamed woman, hailing from the northern provinces Binh Xuyen District, was among a group of eight employees of Japan-based Nihon Plast Company Limited sent to train for two months in Chinas Wuhan City, Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic. Five of her colleagues have tested positive since their return from Wuhan on January 17, and the woman was quarantined despite showing no symptoms of infection. Though she has tested positive for the virus and has been quarantined at the Tam Dao District Health Center, she is in good health and has remained asymptomatic thus far, doctors said. Nine of the nations 13 confirmed infections so far have occurred in Vinh Phuc. The Health Ministry has directed that local authorities closely monitor those who have come into contact with people infected with nCoV. The 8 employees had returned to Vietnam on a Southern China Airlines flight (CZ8315) on January 17. They were picked up by the company car at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport and attended a company meeting in Thien Ke Commune, Binh Son District, Vinh Phuc Province, about 18 km from the airport. The 11th and 12th nCoV infections in the country, confirmed Thursday, are the 49-year-old mother and 16-year-old sister of one of the above-mentioned eight returning from Wuhan. Vietnam officially declared the 2019-nCoV an epidemic last Saturday. The other 10 infected cases include a cousin of one of the workers from Wuhan, a Vietnamese-American visitor who transited in Wuhan, a Chinese man from Wuhan and his son who met him in Vietnam, and a hotel receptionist who served the father and son in Nha Trang. Three of the ten have been discharged from the hospital: the Nha Trang hotel employee, the Chinese son, and one of the workers who returned from Wuhan. The global death toll from the epidemic has reached 638, with 636 dying in mainland China, one in the Philippines and one in Hong Kong. Radio Amateurs of the Future - Who wants to join in? Switzerland's USKA is looking for ICT-competent radio amateurs who can actively contribute to shaping the future of the amateur radio community to join their working group A translation of the USKA post says: The world-changing mega trend of digitization has enormously enriched the amateur radio hobby. Its past was largely shaped by analog circuit technology. Technologies from modern, digital ICT (Information and Communications Technology) have been added for some time. The competence profile of a modern radio amateur therefore includes skills in dealing with microprocessors (programming, Linux, etc) as well as knowledge of digital signals and their processing (SDR etc), as well as understanding of essential network technologies (Ethernet, IP, packets, Protocols, WWW etc). New radio amateurs should be given basic knowledge of these areas as part of their basic training. Of course, modern ICT skills are extremely useful in school / training and in professional life. Only through this added value can our hobby become modern and attractive again for those interested in technology. It is clearly not a question of operating apps and the like, but of technical knowledge and understanding of how our modern devices and systems work. Radio amateurs have never been "end users", but have always been ambassadors for modern communication technologies! The USKA also recognized this proven (!) And urgent need for action. The need for action is processed in a USKA working group by ICT-know radio amateurs. The aim is to create a radio amateur competence profile adapted to the 21st century. A market test with a pilot course is intended below. These efforts are coordinated across Switzerland and internationally. International coordination will take place at the upcoming General Conference of IARU Region 1 in autumn 2020, with the active participation of USKA. The USKA invites expert members to participate in this strategic process for the future of Swiss amateur radio. Registration / questionnaire is included, in German and English. If several language regions will be represented in the working group, the correspondence can be conducted in English. Willi HB9AMC ( hb9amc@uska.ch ) will provide further information. Download registration form and questionnaire in English https://www.uska.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Application_Radioamateur _of_the_Future_USKA.pdf Source UKSA https://tinyurl.com/SwitzerlandUSKA October 2019 Future Radio Amateurs conference http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/november/future-radio-amateurs.htm Herat, Feb 10 : At least five militants were killed after Afghan fighter planes targeted a Taliban hideout in Shindand district of Afghanistan's Herat province, an army statement released here said. Acting upon an intelligence report, the fighter planes on Sunday targeted the Taliban hideout in Wazirabad area at 10 a.m. local time, killing five insurgents on the spot. Two motorbikes of the militants were also destroyed during the strikes, the statement further said. The Taliban outfit hasn't commented yet. The soldier killed on Saturday night in firing by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Degwar sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir has been identified as Naik Rajeev Singh Shekhawat of Rajasthan, the army said Sunday. Three other soldiers were injured when the Pakistani army violated the ceasefire and used small arms, mortars and artillery guns. Indian troops had returned the fire. In the exchange of fire, Naik Rajeev Singh Shekhawat attained martyrdom, Defence PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said. Shekhawat (36) hailed from Luhakna Khurd village in Rajasthans Jaipur District. He is survived by his wife, Usha Shekhawat. Naik Rajeev Singh Shekhawat was a brave, highly motivated and sincere soldier. The Nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty, Col Anand said. The LoC along Poonch is a volatile place and often comes under Pakistani fire and shelling. The shelling often forces villagers to flee to safer places and forces the local administration to shut down schools temporarily. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, February 10 2020 State diplomacy: Former prime minister and ambassador-at-large Sutan Sjahrir (left, front row) leads the Indonesian delegation at a hearing in the United Nations headquarters in Lake Success, New York, the United States, in 1947. Then-foreign minister Agus Salim (right, second row with cap) was also part of the delegation. (kepustakaan-presiden.pnri.go.id) Minangkabau figures have been actively involved in Indonesian politics since the preindependence movement of the 1920s. They were not only prominent in their era, but also represented a wide political spectrum left, center and right. One key figure of the preindependence movement is Sutan Ibrahim, better known as Tan Malaka, who won praise from Sukarno for his articles that the countrys founding president used as inspiration for his speeches in the 1920s. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Soon, robots can take blood samples that can benefit both patients and healthcare workers, thanks to a new blood-sampling robot. A few years back, it was developed but was only tested on plastic arms. Now, the robot has been successfully trialed on live humans. A team of scientists from Rutgers University has created a robot that can take blood samples from patients. The robot can perform as well or even better than people in drawing blood. The new machine will help many people and save time in clinics and hospitals. A prototype of an automated blood drawing and testing device. Credit: Unnati Chauhan Venous extraction difficulties Obtaining venous access for blood sampling or intravenous (IV) delivery is an important step inpatient care. From there, they can perform laboratory tests that can determine a diagnosis. In some cases, depending on the healthcare professionals' experience and the patients physiology, blood sampling can be harder and may need additional shots before hitting the right vein. Difficulties in obtaining access to the veins may result in missed sticks and sometimes, injury to the patients. When vein access fails, it may require other personnel to try, or access another vein, hence, making the procedure time longer. The blood-sampling robot The device provides quick results, allowing healthcare professionals to spend more time treating patients in clinics and hospitals. Now, the team has tested the machine in live humans and published their findings in the journal Technology. The results of the trial had a success rate of 87 percent for the 31 participants. For the 25 participants whose veins were easy to access, the device had a success rate of 97 percent. The team designed the machine to combine ultrasound imaging and miniaturized robotics to determine the best vessels for access and robotically guide an attached needle toward the vein lumen center. This reduces the chance of going through the vein, making it rupture and requiring access to an alternative vein. In the future, this device can be extended to other areas of vascular access such as IV catheterization, central venous access, dialysis, and arterial line placement, the researchers noted in their paper. Study implications Venipuncture involves inserting a needle into a vein to get a blood sample for testing and perform IV insertion and therapy. Across the globe, venipuncture is the most common clinical procedure, with 1.4 billion performed each day in the United States alone. Healthcare professionals fail to hit the vein in 27 percent of patients whose vessels arent visible, 40 percent in patients whose veins arent palpable, and 60 percent of emaciated or abnormally thin or weak patients. When there are repeated failures to get venous access or start an IV line, it increases the chances of phlebitis, infections, and thrombosis. These conditions require treatments and the need to target larger veins or arteries, needing greater costs and risks. The new device saves time and money, giving doctors and nurses more time to spend on treating the patients. Further, the longer it takes to hit a vein, the greater the costs for the patient. "A device like ours could help clinicians get blood samples quickly, safely and reliably, preventing unnecessary complications and pain in patients from multiple needle insertion attempts, Josh Leipheimer, a biomedical engineering doctoral student in the Yarmush lab in the biomedical engineering department in the School of Engineering at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, said in a statement. Soon, the device can be used in various procedures that require obtaining venous access, including dialysis, central venous access, catheterization, and putting arterial lines. The team says further polishing is needed to improve success rates. 1.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Republican Senators acquitted Trump, and then when Trump started his revenge purge, they tried to convince him not to fire Sondland. The New York Times reported: A handful of Republican senators tried to stop President Trump from firing Gordon D. Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union who testified in the House impeachment hearings, but the president relieved the diplomat of his post anyway, according to people briefed on the discussions. . Among the Republicans who warned the White House was Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who after voting to acquit Mr. Trump said she thought he had learned a lesson. Others included Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Martha McSally of Arizona and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on Saturday but a senior administration official confirmed the senators outreach on behalf of Mr. Sondland, a donor to Mr. Tillis and other Republicans. Voting to acquit Trump has been an unmitigated disaster for Sen. Collins. The vote immediately blew up in her face after she claimed that he had learned a giant lesson from impeachment, and then went on a Friday Night massacre where he fired everyone in his administration who testified on impeachment. It is not a coincidence that three of the Republican Senators who tried to convince Trump not to fire Sondland (Collins, Tillis, and McSally) are all facing difficult reelection contests in November. The Senators who rushed to acquit Trump are already paying the price for their sham trial, and are poised to see their acquittal of Trump cost them their seats. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Its times like these when I hear my parents words of decades ago, echoing in my brain: Whats the matter with kids today? The reality of life is that nothing stays the same, that change occurs whether we like it or not and that peoples attitudes towards everything from fashion and music to beer and the world of work evolve over time. (Ill get back to the beer thing later.) Over the course of a few decades of working in the same place, Ive been a part of and seen a lot in the evolution of our workforce. Ive also witnessed the attitudes of at least three generations of work colleagues and work among three generations right now. We all approach our jobs very differently, but it doesnt mean we dont all work just as hard. There are a few work ethic basics I learned from my parents and Im destined to carry through the entirety of my work life until the day retire, like arriving on time (or better yet, early), dressing appropriately and treating people with respect, whether its the person who collects the trash from my work area or the CEO of a major corporation. To me, things like those and answering email and calls as promptly as possible are almost sacrosanct. It was estimated that by this year, the workforce of the U.S. would be almost 50% millennials. Merriam-Webster defines a millennial as anyone born in the 1980s or 90s, while others suggest its anyone born between 1981 and 1996, which would make the age range from 24 to 39 in 2020. At 33, Delcie Bean IV, founder of Paragus IT in Hadley, is a millennial himself. He also employs a whole lot of millennials. Paragus was born out of a project he had as a sophomore at Amherst Regional High School back in 1999 and began life as Valley Computer Works. In those days, anyone who wanted to hire Bean had to promise to come pick him up because he didnt yet have his drivers license. Fast forward over the past two decades, and Beans learned a lot about the evolution of the workforce and what its like to be an employer, as well as an employee. Hes had to confront head-on the high rates of turnover among millennials as well as having had to change and adapt to the demands and expectations of the new generation of workers. In the process, hes worked hard to develop a workplace thats, in three short words, productive, competitive and profitable. He knows all too well, for instance, the expenses of recruiting and hiring new talent. We get 100 resumes every time we post a job, and we invest a lot of time sorting through those to find 20 or 30 people to interview just to find one or two we need, he says. Its a lot of disruption, and it impacts the customers and clients you serve as well as the employees. It can stunt growth. Whats interesting is I get both sides of it, Bean says. We have to accept we have a competitive job market. Thats nobodys fault. Its a sign the economy is strong. What we have to do is restructure our businesses to be less impacted by it. It means a stepped-up retention effort at the same time, and weve designed a business to be less impacted by turnover. One of the biggest steps Bean took was in 2016 when he made Paragus employee-owned, turning over 40% of the companys stock to its 40 employees. It was a deal valued at $1.6 million. It was a huge gamble, he acknowledges. The major part was retention, but it also helps with recruitment. More subtle things done at Paragus have been investments in the corporate culture, according to Bean. From a monthly survey to gauge employee satisfaction to being very transparent about survey results and steps taken to address concerns, its helped Paragus evolve over the past four years, he says. In many cases, there were easy decisions, like allowing employees to bring their dogs to work, a request that had been turned down for some time. It didnt really cost us anything except having to clean the carpets a couple of times a year, Bean notes. We figured out with the insurance company the risks and came up with a policy. (In case youre wondering, only one employee each day can bring a pet to work, and theres a sign-up sheet to keep things orderly.) How about having beer on tap in the office for an end-of-day session where employees could unwind? We did research, and there were a lot of ways to do it safely, Bean says. Now, everyday at 4:30 is beer oclock, and, in case youre wondering, theres a two-beer limit. Its not rocket science, Bean says of these small steps, but its made a huge difference. These days, people can work anywhere, he explains. People are starting to look at more than the job and the paycheck. They look at the culture and the opportunities (of the workplace). (Employers) have to differentiate ourselves in other ways. For other employers, Bean has this advice. There is absolutely no one size fits all. I would highly recommend you really have to start by listening to employees (and learning) what would make a difference to them. Oftentimes, all you have to do is ask and listen, Bean explains. You just have conversations in an open, caring way. Bean gets how annoying it can be to confront what might be construed as a sense of entitlement among the new generation of the workforce, but he recognizes, too, that it comes with the intense competition in the workforce. Its the idea that the second they get hired, they expect to be listened to and be heard on significant decisions. They also expect to advance in career very quickly. If they dont see a raise in their next paycheck or a promotion in the short term, theyre going to get antsy, complain about it and leave. Now the market is almost rewarding that, Bean adds, noting that employees entering the workforce now often leapfrog to another company, sometimes in less than a year. The market is challenging for employers not used to that pace. Employers, he says, should be willing to first of all understand that there is another side to the story. I think millennials sometimes get tunnel vision and dont understand why it doesnt make sense to their employer. Both sides need to be open to and understanding of the fact that its more complex. His own evolution as an employer has changed fairly dramatically over the past 20 years, Bean says. In the middle, 10 years ago, when company growing rapidly, doubling every year, I very much saw employees as family, close friends. I took it so personally emotionally and struggled with it when employees left. It was almost like breaking up with a girlfriend. It took some time to come to terms with it, (to understand there is) only so much control we have, Bean says. With experience, he notes, has come his conclusion that employers should try to do everything we can reasonably do to retain talent. At the same time, we cannot be disappointed (when employees move on). Thus, at Paragus, when employees mark three years, they are honored for their contributions on a wall of fame, and when an employee leaves, we call them graduations. Its another subtle thing, but it helps to change the psychology, Bean says. It has minimal effect on customer service (because) customers cannot be impacted. Were in a good place now. Cynthia G. Simison is executive editor of The Republican. She can be reached by email to csimison@repub.com. Tehran: An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, state television reported, the latest setback for a program the US claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program. The launch happened at 7.15pm local time at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran's Semnan province, some 230 kilometres south-east of Iran's capital, Tehran. A Simorgh, or "Phoenix," rocket couldn't put the Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit, however, due to a low speed, Iranian state TV reported. The latest rocket failure follows this failed launch at Imam Khomeini Space Center in January 2019 in which the rocket also failed to reach the "necessary speed" in the third stage of its launch. Credit:AP "Stage-1 and stage-2 motors of the carrier functioned properly and the satellite was successfully detached from its carrier, but at the end of its path it did not reach the required speed for being put in the orbit," Defence Ministry space program spokesman Ahmad Hosseini told state TV. Hosseini still sought to portray the failure as a "remarkable" achievement for its space program. Previous Simorgh launches of the 80-ton satellite carrier suffered other failures. A young girl suspected to have coronavirus in quarantine on Christmas Island has tested negative for the virus, while three people who were among Australia's 15 confirmed cases have been "completely cleared". Australia's chief medical officer Professor Brendan Murphy told a press conference on Sunday afternoon that the patients had returned home, while a number others with coronavirus were now "clinically well". Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy. Credit:Sydney Morning Herald The news comes after a second Qantas plane chartered by the government to help people out of the Chinese city of Wuhan arrived in the Northern Territory on Sunday afternoon. The plane carried 266 Australians, including 90 children and 11 infants. (Newser) A New York police officer was wounded Saturday night while sitting in a marked patrol van in the Bronx with another officer. A man walked up to the driver's side of the van and asked for help finding an address, police said. The van was starting to pull away when the man pulled a gun and fired several times, WNBC reports. The officer behind the wheel was grazed by one or two bullets that just missed his carotid artery, police said. He was able to drive around the corner and stop so he could switch seats with his partner, who drove the van to a hospital. Police said they expect the wounded officer to make a full recovery. "This was an assassination attempt of two New York city police officers," NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said, per the Post. "It is a miracle we are not here under worse circumstances." story continues below Police sealed off the Hunts Point area and launched a search for the attacker, using helicopters, looking under cars, and going door to door. "This police department will use all its resources to make sure we bring this person to justice," the president of the police benevolence association said at a press conference. Added Mayor Bill de Blasio, "There is too much hatred in general, and there is too much hatred directed at our officers, and it has to end." The partners have known each other since middle school and joined the force eight years ago. "It's an amazing story," the commissioner said. (Read more police shooting stories.) Beijing, Feb 10 : Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has emphasised on the role of scientific research to win the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the epidemic, made the remarks while inspecting the Institute of Pathogen Biology at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on Sunday, Xinhua reported. After hearing reports on the updates of the research on the prevention and control of the epidemic, Li expressed acknowledgement to the researchers' dedication and hard work. Noting that it takes both nationwide action and scientific support to battle the virus, Li called for efforts to mobilise the best scientific research resources to tackle the most urgent challenges in epidemic prevention and control. Li asked researchers to communicate with the public with their authoritative knowledge on how the virus is transmitted and other issues of public concern to facilitate scientific prevention and control. Stressing the important role of effective drugs in curing patients and reducing mortality, Li urged researchers to "race against time" to pool wisdom and study treatments of cured cases in all-out research efforts on effective drugs. Li also stressed respecting science and scientific rules in drug and vaccine research to ensure safety and effectiveness. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Monday's new trading session finds the Pound-to-Rand exchange rate firm, quoted at 0.05144 as the European session gets underway. ZAR has seen some positive gains against the Turkish lira, the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc and the US Dollar. The South African Rand traded in a wide range over the last week as markets remained gripped by the coronavirus outbreak in China. Its feared that the virus will cause major disruption to Chinas economy and the wider global economy of which China is a significant engine of growth. Given South Africas economy relies on commodity exports and slowing global growth is likely to limit demand its unsurprising that ZAR exchange rates were highly sensitive to coronavirus developments this week. This lead to a strong pick-up in the Rand in the first half of the week amid reports that UK scientists had made a significant breakthrough in the development of a vaccine. Oliver Alwar, Senior Trader as Standard Bank said: Tuesdays price action was very erratic with vacuum liquidity at times, as news of a possible vaccine treatment for the virus made the headlines. Riskier currencies all rallied hard with commodities also bouncing. However the risk rally quickly began to fade in the latter half of the week, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned there were currently no known effective therapeutics for the virus and the death toll in China continued to climb at an alarming rate. This lead to analysts slashing their growth forecasts for China for 2020 with warnings it slowdown is likely to spill over into other countries. Ratings agency S&P warned: The global impact will be felt through four real economy channels: sharply reduced tourism revenues, lower exports of consumer and capital goods, lower commodity prices, and industrial supply-chain disruptions. If the virus cannot be contained, a material risk, the economic impact could develop exponentially with significant credit implications. Rand Exchange Rates Weakened by Eskoms Woes Also continuing to influence the South African Rand this week was state power utility Eskom and its ongoing struggle to meet the countrys energy demands. The cash-strapped utility announced it would need to continue to implement load shedding through the weekend as it carries out much needed maintenance on its ageing coal power plants. Andre de Ruyter, recently appointed CEO at Eskom said: We have to unfortunately expect some increase in load-shedding. We will have to give ourselves the space to fix what needs to be fixed. Frequent power cuts have been a major drag on the Rand in 2020 with the currency already shedding over 8% so far this year as markets fear the disruption caused to businesses may leave South Africa on the brink of a recession in the first quarter. With debts of more than ZAR450bn the utility is in dire straits and will be reliant upon additional cash injections from the government if it is to remain solvent, but ZAR investors fear such bailouts could lead to a downgrading of South Africas credit rating. All Eyes on Ramaphosas State of the Nation Address Looking ahead to next weeks session, the main catalyst of movement in South African Rand (ZAR) exchange rates looks to be President Cyril Ramaphosas State of the Nation address. ZAR investors will be looking for any clues on Ramaphosas plans for policy reform as how the government will address Eskoms continued woes. On the data front the focus will be on South Africas latest employment report. Could a drop in the unemployment rate in the last quarter of 2019 bring some much needed relief for the Rand? Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin speaks to media after exit polls were announced in Ireland's national election, in Cork, Ireland, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar as he arrives for the election count at Phibblestown Community Centre in Dublin Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has said a coalition between Fine Gael and Sinn Fein is "not an option" and compared such an outcome to a "forced marriage". Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar said that it may take months to form a government given the likely result that will see three parties with roughly the same Dail numbers. Mr Varadkar said Fine Gael's position on ruling out a government deal with Sinn Fein hasn't changed since the election and his party won votes on that basis. He said: "It wasn't a tactic or a strategy. It's what we honestly believe and for us coalition with Sinn Fein is not an option "We're willing to talk to other parties about the the possibility of forming a government, one that can lead the country forward for the next five years." He responded to Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald's argument that it is "fundamentally undemocratic" for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to exclude her party. Mr Varadkar congratulated Ms McDonald's party on its results but he said: "Bear in mind we have three parties that got roughly the same share of the vote and the same number of seats and we all have a mandate and everyone's mandate needs to be respected." He added: "Nobody can be forced into some sort of forced marriage or forced coalition. "In order to form a government together you have to have roughly the same views around the courts and the criminal justice system, around how the economy and society should be run, and also how democracy should function. "That's what makes my party, Fine Gael, not compatible with Sinn Fein." Mr Varadkar was asked about Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin's apparent softening of his party's stance towards Sinn Fein. He said Mr Martin's comments are "open to interpretation" on what he believes the next step should be. "I think we need to count the votes and see what the lie of the land is in the next day or two and work on things from there," the Taosieach said. Asked about his offer of a grand coalition with Fianna Fail, Mr Varadkar said: "Any of those discussions would have to happen between the leaders and the key people in the parties and not across the media." Mr Varadkar said he wasn't concerned that Ms McDonald has made contact with left-wing parties in relation to forming a possible government. He said: "She hasn't been in touch with me yet but we would talk on occasion. "I understand what she's said is she's going to seek to form a coalition of the left-wing parties which doesn't include Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. "I'm not sure if that's possible on the numbers. I think it's going to be a number of weeks or a number of months before we're in a position to form a government." Asked if he will be picking up the phone to her, he said: "No. Not at this stage anyway." Sinn Fein's Paul Donnelly topped the poll in Mr Varadkar's Dublin West constituency and was elected on the first count. Mr Varadkar will be re-elected but will have to wait for a later count. Earlier, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he is no longer ruling out forming a government with Sinn Fein. In a very clear change of stance since voters went to the polls, he now claims he will tease out the election results and policy difference with all concerned in the coming days. I think well let things calm down today. Well assess it when the full count is in, and the full number of seats is in. Im a democrat. I listen to the people. I respect the decision of the people, he said. Expand Close Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin speaks to media after exit polls were announced in Ireland's national election, in Cork, Ireland, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin speaks to media after exit polls were announced in Ireland's national election, in Cork, Ireland, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls The Cork TD, who has now led Fianna Fail into three elections, warned there remains "significant incompatibility" between his party and Sinn Fein on key policy issues. When asked he still could not go into coalition with Sinn Fein on moral grounds, Mr Martin replied: "Today is not the day for Ive heard the people speak today. The people have voted in number and I respect that. "For any government to sustain there has to be compatibility in the political programme for that government. "Also, you know, ones polices and ones positions and principles dont change overnight. There are significant issues there. "But as I say over the next number of days well tease those out with all concerned." Speaking at the Nemo Rangers GAA count centre in Cork, Mr Martin predicted that Irish politics has become far more fragmented and volatile. Meanwhile, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has been elected on the first count in Dublin Bay South, and has said he is willing to listen to Sinn Fein and other parties about forming a coalition government. Expand Close Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and his son Tom at the RDS count Centre Dublin Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and his son Tom at the RDS count Centre Dublin Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins Ryan topped the poll in his constituency with a share of 8,888 first preference votes. The quota was 7,919. He said he was thrilled with the win and hoped the party would get at least nine more seats, making it an option to help form a government. "Its a relief, we had a really good team. We had a really good campaign. We knocked on every door in three and a half weeks. That takes some doing and we had great help. "Now my focus is on the rest of the country. Every other candidate in the party is part of a wider team. I am glad we have one seat in the bag and hopefully there will be more." He confirmed he had been in contact with Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald earlier in the day. She rang me earlier on. I missed the call and rang her back. She missed my call but I think we have to sit down together first. I do think that [idea Labour Leader] Brendan Howlin was saying the other day is what I have been saying that Labour, ourselves and the Soc Dems and a few Independents that we might be naturally close to, we should see if that block is there and if there is negotiating power in it. Come what may, I am hoping we can get a team up to double figures and we will do what we can in the national interest in whatever way we can. Sinn Feins Chris Andrews, came second in the poll and looks set to take a seat for the party in Dublin Bay .South at the expense of sitting TD Kate OConnell. Fine Gaels Eoghan Murphy was third in the poll with 6,346 first preference votes. Fianna Fails justice spokesperson Jim OCallaghan looks set to take the final fourth seat. He totalled 5,474 votes. OConnell was fifth with 4,624 first preferences as counting continues. Ms McDonald said she has already spoken to representatives of the Green Party, Social Democrats and People Before Profit. "I said throughout the campaign and I meant it that we need change, that we need a new government," she said. "The best outcome is with a government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael so that's the first thing I want to test, whether or not that's possible. "I also have consistently said that I will talk to and listen to everybody. I think that's what grown-ups do. I think that's what democracy demands. "I am advised I should have had a running mate in my own consistency, that's for sure. "We certainly could have fielded another candidate, but hindsight is a great thing. I'm just delighted that the candidates that we did run have performed so astonishingly well and have come back so strongly." However, she said that it is not a sustainable position for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Mr Martin to say that they will not speak to Sinn Fein after the party received such a sizeable vote. "This is not a protest vote. This is certainly an election that is historic in proportions, this is changing the shape and mould of Irish politics. "This is not a transient thing - this is just the beginning," she said. Ms McDonald said the support for Sinn Fein is a "big statement of change". Expand Close Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald REUTERS/Phil Noble / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald REUTERS/Phil Noble "It's a big statement that this is no longer a two-party system, it's a statement that people want a different type of government and people have great confidence in us, and I say that with all humility. "My first port of call is the other parties to see whether or not can we actually give a new government, a government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. That's item number one. "Beyond that of course I will talk to and listen to everybody with the express intent of getting a programme for government that delivers for people. "We are not doing another five years of housing crisis, that is not on the agenda. We are not going to simply allow record (hospital) trolley counts, day in, day out, week in, week out. "We want families and workers to have breathing space, I mean financial, economic security and breathing space. "Those are the items on the agenda, I will talk to everybody about those things." Social Democrats TD Roisin Shortall said she has not spoken to Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald yet today. She added that the party will be speaking to "all parties." "Today we are concentrating on just our own numbers and hoping that we will maximise the number of TDs," Ms Shortall said. "Then we will look around see what the lay of the land is in relation to other parties, but we have not vetoed any party, and we are very clear about that throughout the campaign. We are happy to talk to all parties." She said it was "far too early" to say whether the Social Democrats would consider going into government with Sinn Fein, adding that "it depends on what the numbers are." On her own partys performance, she said it is in a "serious contention in three constituencies as well as Catherine and myself so I am very happy with the performance." With regards her own first preference vote, which is down by around 4,000 votes, she said she knew there was a "tidal wave" coming, "in the context of that I was happy to get 19pc of the vote." The military, who opened fire in a shopping center, was eliminated by police special forces As a result of the shooting in a shopping mall in the Thai city of Nakhonratchasima, 30 people were killed, another 58 were injured. This was reported by Thailand News Agency on Twitter, citing data from the Maharat Hospital. Previously, it was reported about 26 dead. We recall, the military, who opened fire in a shopping center, was eliminated by police special forces. According to the Thai Prime Minister, the shooter was motivated by resentment because of a real estate fraud. The attacker broadcasted his actions on Facebook. He published a selfie with guns and wrote about how tired he was of shooting his victims. After a few seconds, Facebook deleted the page of military Jakrapant Tomma and all the content related to his shooting. Related: Massacre in Thailand: Special Forces eliminated shooter, who killed 26 people Leonardo DiCaprio has had an acting career most could only dream of. From child actor to teen heartthrob to Academy Award Winner, DiCaprio has shown that he is an actor willing to grow, and unwilling to ever be kept in a box. Every step of the way, his career has benefited from a combination of enormous talent, luck, and excellent choices. One of these choices, in fact, was something as foundational as his name. Leonardo DiCaprio almost changed his name Leonardo DiCaprio | Frazer Harrison/Getty Images DiCaprio was born Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio. When he was first starting out in Hollywood it was better to blend in than to stick out, at least when it came to cultural identity. DiCaprio explained: They felt my name was too ethnic and I wouldnt get as many jobs. So that thwarted me from being an actor for a number of years. I tried again two years later when I was 13 and got an agent to accept me with my name. Thats right: DiCaprio, with his blonde hair and blue eyes, was told his name was too ethnic. One agent even suggested he change his name to Lenny Williams, an Americanization of his first and middle name. Thankfully he didnt take that advice, and that agent couldnt have been more wrong about DiCaprios castability. How did Leonardo DiCaprio get his name? The story goes that DiCaprios parents Irmelin and George DiCaprio were in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy enjoying a portrait of Leonardo da Vinci when the then-unborn DiCaprio started kicking like crazy from inside his mothers belly. DiCaprio told ABC News: My dad, being the man that picks up on cosmic messages, said that His name must be Leonardo.' By the time he was born, on November 11, 1974, the name had stuck and hes been Leo ever since. For a time, there was a project in the works where DiCaprio was set to play his namesake in an adaptation of Walter Isaacsons biography of the artist. A screenwriter, John Logan (James Bond: Spectre and Skyfall) was announced for the project in 2018, but news of the project has been quiet ever since. Leonardo DiCaprio isnt slowing down DiCaprio was just 19 when he played Arnie Grape alongside Johnny Depp in Whats Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). This was his first of 6 Academy Award nominations. He was also nominated for The Aviator (2005), Blood Diamond (2007), The Wolf of Wall Street (2014), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2020). His single Oscar win was for his role as a grizzly frontiersman in The Revenant (2016), an accolade many believed was long overdue. DiCaprio currently has two films in pre-production and two more announced. The two announced films are especially exciting in terms of roles that will stretch this talented actor even further. In The Devil in the White City, he will play infamous American serial killer H.H. Holmes. In Roosevelt, he will take on portraying President Theodore Roosevelt. Not only is DiCaprio a brilliant actor, hes an environmentalist who cares deeply about animal welfare. He uses his massive social media influence to promote organizations that protect animals and their habitats such as Earth Alliance and the Australia Wildfire Fund. DiCaprio, along with a business partner, is also starting his own eco-resort on a previously unoccupied 104-acre island off of the coast of Belize called Blackadore Caye. The project has been pushed back several times and at last reporting was set to open this year. DiCaprio said of the resort: The main focus is to do something that will change the world. I couldnt have gone to Belize and built on an island and done something like this, if it werent for the idea that it could be groundbreaking in the environmental movement. President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, commended the renewed vigour by ECOWAS member countries to mobilise their own resources to combat terrorism. The president spoke at the High Level meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on the State of Peace and Security in Africa at the 33rd AU Summit. President Buhari called for new strategies by the union to effectively prevent, manage and resolve conflicts in the face of new circumstances and emerging challenges. The president also announced that Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the AU Peace Fund up to 2019, pledging to continue investing on peace and security on the continent. On ECOWAS matters, President Buhari declared that Nigeria is proud to continue to serve as a strong contributor to the peace roles played by the regional bloc. In Burkina Faso, we (ECOWAS) pledged to mobilize one billion US dollars to address the challenges of insecurity in our region and the Sahel. In Guinea Bissau, ECOWAS successfully midwifed the general elections. Nigeria along with ECOWAS member states led in the restoration of democracy and peace in the Gambia, he said, while welcoming the collaborative leadership of the AU with other Regional Economic Communities in resolving conflicts on the continent. On security challenges in Africa, the Nigerian leader said it was regrettable that terrorism, violent extremism and other forms of vicious conflicts had continued to cause mayhem and untold crisis on the continent. Nigeria condemns, in the strongest terms, the perpetrators of terrorism in Libya, the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, and parts of the Horn of Africa. We reiterate that efforts must continue to be pooled to mitigate this dreadful violence and secure the future of our continent, he said. On new strategies to resolve conflicts on the continent, the president said: The AU must strengthen its own capacity for mediation and develop an effective intervention roadmap. He added that more emphasis should be placed on promoting national dialogue, reconciliation and social cohesion in order to rally all actors towards sustainable peace. On the Peace Fund, the president reminded the meeting that drawing from the Kigali and Johannesburg Assembly Decisions, the fund is structured for the internal peace support arrangements within the continent and not as resources to subsidize the mandate of the UN Security Council. In this regard, my delegation will always fervently contest attempts to make Africa subsidize the primary responsibility of the UN as clearly provided in it Charter, he said. President Buhari also welcomed the decision of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to adopt the regional stabilization strategy for the Lake Chad Basin and the renewal of mandates of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the G5 Sahel Joint Force. He told the meeting that Nigeria was very encouraged by the resolution of the continents standing decision-making body for conflict prevention, management and resolution, on the Lake Chad Basin. We are hopeful that the Inter Water Basin Transfer Initiative for the recharging of the Lake Chad will address some of the drivers of terrorism, particularly the impact of climate change and inter-communal clashes over access to natural resources. We equally call on the Assembly to direct the full implementation of these AU-inspired initiatives, he said. 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On the other hand, we'd be remiss not to mention that insider sales have been known to precede tough periods for a business. So before you buy or sell PuraPharm Corporation Limited (HKG:1498), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. What Is Insider Buying? Most investors know that it is quite permissible for company leaders, such as directors of the board, to buy and sell stock in the company. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. We don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Columbia University study found that 'insiders are more likely to engage in open market purchases of their own companys stock when the firm is about to reveal new agreements with customers and suppliers'. See our latest analysis for PuraPharm PuraPharm Insider Transactions Over The Last Year In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the Founder, Yu Ling Chan, sold HK$30m worth of shares at a price of HK$2.00 per share. While we don't usually like to see insider selling, it's more concerning if the sales take place at a lower price. The silver lining is that this sell-down took place above the latest price (HK$0.91). So it may not tell us anything about how insiders feel about the current share price. Yu Ling Chan was the only individual insider to sell shares in the last twelve months. In the last twelve months insiders purchased 30.54m shares for HK$60m. On the other hand they divested 15000000 shares, for HK$30m. Overall, PuraPharm insiders were net buyers last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! Story continues SEHK:1498 Recent Insider Trading, February 9th 2020 There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership of PuraPharm For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. It's great to see that PuraPharm insiders own 43% of the company, worth about HK$102m. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. So What Do The PuraPharm Insider Transactions Indicate? The fact that there have been no PuraPharm insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. With high insider ownership and encouraging transactions, it seems like PuraPharm insiders think the business has merit. If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Just like many others Adam Sandler has also been snubbed this year at the Oscars. But he is taking all in his stride as he did when he lost his high school yearbook superlative for best looking to some feather-headed douchebag." Twitter Wondering what we are talking about? Sandler won best male lead for his role in Uncut Gems at the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, and there, he joked about the Oscar snub in his acceptance speech, leaving everyone in splits. Twitter Putting on his gruff voice, he went into the character and said, "A few weeks back when I was, quote-unquote, snubbed by the Academy it reminded me when I briefly attended high school and was overlooked for the coveted yearbook superlative category best looking." "That accolade was given to a jean jacket wearing feather-haired douchebag by the name of Skipper Jenkins," he said. Twitter "But my classmates did honor me with the allegedly less prestigious designation of best personality," he continued. Twitter "Tonight as I look around this room I realize that the Independent Spirit Awards are the 'best personality' awards of Hollywood. So, when all those feather-haired douchebag motherf**kers go to get their Oscars tomorrow night, their handsome good looks will fade in time...but our independent personalities will shine on forever," he said. Watch his entire speech in the video below! The movie Uncut Gems also took home the award for best editing, along with nominations for the top prize of best feature and best screenplay. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Mainly sunny. High near 35F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 29F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Guo Qiang, a deliveryman, knows his family is worried that hes returned to work during the coronavirus epidemic. The 29-year-old went back to his hometown in central Chinas Henan province for the Lunar New Year, a once-a-year chance that many in China have to visit their families. When news broke about the fast-spreading coronavirus, he volunteered to return to Beijing. Im not a reckless person, he told Reuters, as he loaded his electric bicycle with groceries and checked the list of addresses in Beijing he was supposed to deliver them to. But how can I say it. Its for my work, for my life, and I want to contribute to the society to realise a little self-value. Guo, who delivers goods for Dada-JD Daojia, an online grocery and delivery arm of JD.com, is one of thousands of workers that are keeping Chinese residents supplied as they isolate themselves at home. The authorities have ordered people to stay indoors and away from crowded, public areas. The coronavirus, which started in Wuhan city in central Hebei province in December, has killed more than 800 people and infected over 37,000 in China. Many migrant workers like Guo had already made the long trek home to see their families, but companies recalled workers, urging them to serve their communities and offering to triple their salaries. To assuage the anxieties felt by customers, firms such as Yum Chinas fried chicken chain KFC, Alibaba Holdings Ele.me, Meituan Dianping and JD.com have rolled out no-touching contactless delivery, and some meal deliveries come with notes detailing the temperature readings of the workers who prepared and delivered the food. I have to say Im indeed worried, said Guo, when asked about how he felt about his own safety. Sometimes Im nervous even if I have a little cough. Thats why I have a thermometer at home and, sometimes when I come back, Ill check my body temperature. While the coronavirus outbreak has hit sectors such as hospitality and tourism hard, it has shored up demand for mobile and online firms, such as short video apps and games as well as for meal and grocery delivery firms. Most of those staying at home have been focused on buying the essentials. JD.com said the sales of vegetables, eggs and rice by its supermarket chain 7Fresh each surged on average by about 300% during this period compared with last years Spring Festival. China will sputter towards normal on Monday after holiday extensions authorities made to the Lunar New Year holiday end, but many shops are expected to still remain shut with workers being asked to work from home. Huge Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, currently look like ghost towns. Guo says that he feels the echoes of the citys empty streets on his long drives. It really feels like a deserted city. It is completely different from the look of a usual Beijing, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Other major new cobalt companies in the DRC are angry with the cartel in Zimbabwe and they have gone to approach South Africa and former president Motlanthe, who is chairman of one of the unhappy companies called Ivan Hoe Mines, and that is why Motlanthe approached President Mnangagwa in Maputo three weeks ago during (Mozambican President Filipe) Nyusis inauguration, saying we cant use this expensive pipeline, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-10 01:35:22|Editor: yan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran failed on Sunday to launch indigenous satellite Zafar into space, state IRINN TV reported. The homemade satellite carrier Simorgh could not reach the desired speed to put the satellite into the required orbit, the spokesman for space projects of Iran's Defense Ministry was quoted as saying. The satellite carrier put Zafar at 540 km of altitude, but the process could not be completed due to the lack of required speed by Simorgh, Ahmad Hosseini said. Hosseini said that the Iranian space experts will analyze and work on the data, correct the problems and prepare the satellite for re-launch. The 90-km Zafar was a remote-sensing satellite equipped with color cameras and had been designed for for surveying oil reserves, mines, jungles and natural disasters. In Aug. 2019, an Iranian rocket exploded on its launch pad at Imam Khomeini Space Center in northern Iran before its scheduled launch. Iran sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into space in February 2010, using a Kavoshgar-3 (Explorer-3) carrier. Iran's first home-built satellite, Omid (Hope), was launched in 2009. The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, is starting to take its toll on global markets. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty When I first started to read headlines and articles about the Wuhan coronavirus, it was January 24. By that stage, the number of confirmed cases was 830 and sadly, 26 people had lost their lives. It was alarming to read about the aggressive symptoms of the virus and the high mortality rate, but what also struck me was that it was taking place in a city that I had never heard of, and that city, Wuhan, has a population of 11 million people. The province of Hubei, which includes Wuhan and several other large cities, is now in total lockdown: shops, restaurants, public transport, everything is shut down. Streets are being sprayed with disinfectant on a daily basis and very tight restrictions have been imposed on when residents can restock their food and water. It is difficult to grasp the magnitude of all of this. Hubei is massive, about the size of the Netherlands, with a population of 58 million people. Beyond Hubei and across China, efforts to contain the virus include mass business closures, significant travel restrictions and quarantining. Thousands of visitors to China, who have now returned to their native countries, face two weeks in quarantine. Despite all these containment efforts, the human cost will continue to rise, until successful anti-viral treatments can be developed. The economic cost will rise too, not just in China, but across the globe. Over the past two decades, China's economic growth has been unparalleled. At an average pace of 9pc GDP growth per year, it has risen rapidly from virtual obscurity to become an economic super-power, second only to the US. In fact, in many regards, China has become more important to the global economy than the US. It is by far the largest consumer of raw materials and industrial metals, and it also accounts for 13.5pc of global exports, well ahead of the US on 9pc. China is effectively the engine room of manufacturing and industrial production for the APAC (Asia Pacific) region and beyond. It is deeply embedded in critical supply chains across the entire globe and, for as long as it is crippled by the coronavirus, the economic toll will intensify. During the SARS virus, back in 2003, it is estimated that 1pc was knocked off Chinese GDP, the fallout across the APAC region cost approximately 0.5pc of GDP and, beyond that, the economic impact was minimal. But with this disaster, there are stark differences. The spread of this virus is more aggressive, containment efforts are more rigorous and the Chinese economy is over eight times the size it was during SARS. In short, while it is impossible to estimate the global economic impact of this outbreak, it is likely to significantly exceed the fallout from SARS. Back in 2003, China's production chain was rudimentary in comparison to today. The list of companies impacted this time around is endless and it's full of household names, such as Apple, Toyota, BA, Walmart and Ikea. Of course, there are several Irish companies that will be hit too. They will include exporters of dairy, meat and seafood, as well as the growing list of companies that rely on the production lines scattered around China. At the beginning of the year, the IMF forecast global growth of 3.3pc for 2020, but already that figure looks optimistic. China accounts for over 16pc of that number, so if 2-3pc is knocked off the 6pc initially expected for Chinese growth this year, the projected global growth numbers quickly drop back to around 3pc. Take another 0.2pc to 0.4pc off that, to account for the economic fallout beyond China, and 2020 could be the worst year for global growth since 2009. But that may prove pessimistic, depending on the reaction of fiscal and monetary authorities. Earlier in the week, the People's Bank of China cut short-term funding rates and announced a $174bn (158bn) liquidity injection to limit the market fallout of the virus. If financial conditions fail to stabilise, follow-up measures are likely, not just in China, but in other economic regions. Of course, it will be a long time before the full economic cost of the virus can be estimated, but financial markets are already telling us where the pain is most likely to be felt. As you'd expect, global commodity and Asian equity markets have been hit hardest, with oil down 13pc, iron ore down 10pc and the Chinese stock market down almost 6pc. Hundreds of lives have been lost and now millions of livelihoods are at risk, so the race is on, both to contain the spread of the virus and to develop anti-viral treatments. On this front, at least, there may be some cause for optimism. In recent days, the alarming rise in the number of infected cases has slowed, and some reports have suggested that existing anti-viral drugs may be effective in treating the symptoms of the coronavirus. The most promising lead perhaps is Remdesivir, a broad-spectrum anti-viral, developed as a treatment for ebola. I can only hope that by the time you're reading this article, medical experts will have made the necessary breakthrough to manage, contain and ultimately eliminate this deadly virus. Ronan Costello is head of sterling and dollar rates at Bank of Ireland Global Markets New Delhi, Feb 9 : The PSU Banks may see enhanced profits with write-back of some of the loans provisions in their balancesheets on account of the IBC resolutions and they must now tap the market themselves instead of looking for recapitalisation, Chief Economic Advisor Krishnaswamy Subramanian has said. "The Budget's decision not to recapitalise the PSU banks is a good move and signals that all the banks are adequately capitalised at this point. The Judgement on Essar Steel provides greater clarity on the IBC. State Bank of India profits were boosted by Essar Steel IBC resolution. Some of those accounts which have been fully written down by banks, when they get resolved, there will be a write-back on account of the resolutions. And this will enhance their profitability and also have an impact on their growth capital. That's one aspect the government clearly believes that these banks are adequately capitalised. "So having all the while supported the banks when they needed support, now government wants them to stand on their own, enhance the governance and tap into the market," Subramanian told IANS. State Bank of India reported a 41 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) rise in its net profit during the December quarter to Rs 5,583 crore, which was driven by healthy income from retail loans and an Rs 11,000-crore recovery from Essar Steel, following its sale to ArcelorMittal. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Budget that government so far has infused Rs 3.5 crore capital into public sector banks (PSBs) to help them maintain regulatory capital requirements and finance growth plans. In the last Budget, the government had infused Rs 70,000 crore. "We have infused Rs 3.5 crore capital into PSU banks. A few among them will be encouraged to move capital market for fundraising purposes", she said in her Budget Speech. Finance Secretary Rajeev Kumar had earlier said banks have to tap the market and government would start gradually lowering its stake from the state lenders. In some of the state run banks, government stake nearly touches 100 per cent. Recently Punjab National Bank got board approval to raise Rs 1,000 crore from market through bonds. The IDBI Bank also proposes to raise Rs 1,500 crore from bonds to fund growth. Among all four anchor banks, the Punjab National Bank was given Rs 16,091 crore, Union Bank of India Rs 11,768 crore, Canara Bank Rs 6,571 crore and Indian Bank Rs 2,534 crore. Merging entities, like the Allahabad Bank, was provided Rs 2,153 crore, while the United Bank of India got 1,666 crore and Andhra Bank Rs 200 crore. Besides, the Bank of Baroda got a capital infusion of Rs 7,000 crore, Indian Overseas Bank Rs 4,360 crore, UCO Bank Rs 2142 crore, Punjab & Sind Bank 787 crore and Central Bank of India Rs 3,353 crore. State Bank of India has already initiated the process of diluting stake in its subsidiary SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd., and UTI Asset Management Co. Ltd. via planned initial public offerings. It is looking to sell 50 lakh shares representing 1.01 per cent stake in the National Stock Exchange. Life Insurance Corporation of India-controlled IDBI Bank too received additional capital of Rs 4,557 crore through the first supplementary demand for grants approved by the Parliament last month. (Anjana Das can be contacted at anjana.d@ians.in) Ayah Paul Abine Facebook Barrister Ayah Paul Abine, former Member of Parliament on the ticket of the ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) says he suffered a cardiac malaise early morning of Saturday, February 8, 2020. Taking to Facebook, the former Judge at Cameroons Supreme Court said his chest has since been congested. He said the post was in order that the public is not misinformed. Captioned Before You Are Misinformed, the post reads: PA AYAH suffered a cardiac malaise in the early hours of this morning, the 8th day of February 8, 2020. He has had a congested chest ever since! The cardiologist in the Buea Regional Hospital did caution a few months ago that PA Ayah was disposed to a cardiac malfunction and/or stroke. By Gods grace, it has all been mild! Surprisingly, the post attributable to Ayah Paul Abine suggests that the Candidate in the 2011 Presidential elections is yet to make it to the hospital owing to the lockdown imposed by separatists in the North West and South West Regions in a bid to frustrate this Sundays twin Municipal and Legislative elections. Hear Ayah: With the LOCKDOWN and with Ayah being a target by the Government of Cameroun for all manner of elimination, the Ayah Family has not ventured to make it to the hospital YET! God is in control and in more control till the divine mission is over. Praise the Lord! In Him we trust! In July 2018, the ex-leader of the Popular Action Party and former Member of Parliament for Akwaya in a Facebook post said there were plans to eliminate him and other members of his family. He claimed that armed security forces had loitered around the Ayah Foundation in Buea, as well as his Buea residence, apparently to kill him but could not. It is already a notorious fact that, yesterday, July 31, 2018, six masked BIR soldiers on board a white pick-up went to St. Valentine Centre (Orphanage), Buea, used by the Ayah Foundation to shelter some orphans of the genocidal war against Anglophones, most probably to kill Ayah Paul Abine, but missed him, Ayah Paul wrote on his Facebook page at the time. He has again evoked fears that there are plans to kill him. It is not known why anyone will want to kill the retired judge. He was released from detention on August 31, 2017 after spending over seven months behind bars following the escalation of the Anglophone crisis. Preeja Prasad By Express News Service BENGALURU: The 102-year-old freedom fighter HS Doreswamy has been protesting in Bengaluru for years and this time against the Citizen (Amendment) Act. He has been part of a four-day dharna against the denial of permission for a protest at Town Hall. He revealed his plans and views on the current state of the country. It has been almost two months since CAA. What do you intend to do next? I am launching a movement to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah that they are diverting the attention of the people and fooling them instead of focussing on burning issues of the country. There is malnourishment of children and poverty of farmers. I will ask them to attend to these issues or else quit. Shah has stated that the CAA has been passed and nothing can be done? This is a democratic country and the government should listen to the people carefully. There are thousands of people taking to the streets against the CAA and NRC. But Shah is saying nothing can be done while Modi is giving a different version. They both are complementary to each other, while students are at the forefront of this movement. What will your movement focus on? I am 102-years-old. I know my limitations, but if Im alive, I will work till 2024 elections to mobilise people and educate them. Modi is concentrating on capturing power by taking up issues that will help him reach his goal. My first move is to educate people and create awareness. We have invited NGOs and other organisations to come together and intend to educate 6,000 people in the first year. The following year, there will be a non-cooperation movement against the government, if it does not mend its ways. Thousands may have to go to jail, but we will sacrifice ourselves to educate the people... Currently, all parties are silent and dead. Parties should strengthen themselves to solve our problems. What are the issues with the current government? None of the governments have kept their promises. This government promised about 5 lakh jobs per year, but what has been done? On the Kashmir issue, at least Kashmiris should have been consulted, if not the rest of India. The economy is bad. Food prices have increased in such a way that the common man cannot afford it. They have increased salaries for government officials, but what about the common man? What would have Gandhiji said if he were alive? Mahatma Gandhi wanted independence to eradicate poverty. When Jawaharlal Nehru implemented the five-year plan, the rich became richer and the poor poorer. If he were alive, he would have revolted against the system and conducted a movement for poverty alleviation. What do you hope to achieve through this movement? This is a fight for a new kind of independence and a revolution. People have to understand the problem first and then organise themselves to move forward. The people sometimes protest only for a day and are done with the movement. That doesnt yield results. A sustained effort should be made. VATICAN CITY For years, nuns around the world have worked to help trafficked and enslaved people break free from the conditions that ensnare millions of men, women and children. They have prayed for them, and they have offered hospitality. On Sunday, they marched on St. Peters Square for them. There have never been as many slaves in the world as there are today, Gabriella Bottani, the international coordinator of Talitha Kum, a global network of nuns that assists trafficked persons, said in kicking off the march. Only together we can break the chain of trafficking and slavery. Dozens of nuns, laypeople and a smattering of priests walked along the broad avenue that links the Castel SantAngelo to St. Peters Square, but Sister Bottani said that several women who had been trafficked decided at the last minute not to join. "Overwhelmed," was the reaction of Sinn Fein's Brian Stanley to the tally figures which put him in pole position at 16,319. "It's a huge day for us. I felt we were doing well from Ballylinan to Banagher and Rathdowney to Rhode, but I did not see the scale of this victory. It's a great day for the party." As to the composition of the next government, he said it was a case of seeing how it worked out from here. "Sinn Fein's preference is to be in a left of centre government. We want to be in power. "Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar are still denying the reality of it. That's fine if they think they can do it. But we do want to be in the middle." Sinn Fein's success was based on "years of hard work by the organisation. It's important to listen to people and particularly the people not doing so well. We really communicated our message well across this time. There is no point in telling people the economy is going well, if their week's wages are running out on a Monday or Tuesday and they have to wait until Friday or doing long commutes to work. Stanley hit out at sections of the national media that "tried to do a hatchet job on us, particularly in the last days of the campaign. "The reality is people do not depend on the mainstream media as much anymore. People make up their own minds rather than been told what to do by the Dublin 4 know-alls. "At the last election in 2016, I was accused of presiding over murder. People made up their own minds. "The establishment parties and sections of the media closely allied to them have failed. People are not fooled by their propaganda." Australias digital news industry is highly complex with new platforms and publishers entering the ecosystem each month. Since the ACCCs Final Report, Apple News has expanded in Australia; TikTok has become one of the most downloaded apps in the world; Byte has rapidly become one of the top-10 iPhone apps downloaded in recent weeks; and News Corp has announced its news aggregation service, Knewz.com. Facebook is shaping up its arguments following the release of a final report by the digital platforms inquiry. Credit:Facebook This ever-evolving landscape and rapid adoption of new platforms and distribution services by Australians has raised important policy questions on sustainable business models for publishers. While many of the challenges facing news organisations are due to shifts in technology and consumer behaviour that predate Facebook, we absolutely recognise the importance of a strong news ecosystem. Since launching the Facebook Journalism Project in 2017, we have invested millions of dollars in local publishers to support high quality journalism and build solutions that help them reach new audiences and monetise their content. Loading There is now an opportunity for platforms and publishers to establish a set of common standards that provides transparency around the distribution of news content, protects the interests of Australians consuming news media, and encourages competition and innovation across the industry. In its response to the Digital Platforms Inquirys final report, the Australian government recommended a code to address the relationship between digital platforms and publishers in the distribution of news online. While we have concerns with the underlying analysis for the recommendation, we proposed a version of the code that would address the policy concerns about the role algorithms play in the distribution of digital news. This voluntary framework for digital news distribution would preserve the many benefits that technology delivers to Australians. This framework seeks to set standards that ensure all digital news distributors are held accountable for their commitments to publishers and consumers. While some aspects of these standards will apply differently to search engines, social media, messaging and news aggregator platforms, they should apply consistent principles that protect the interests of all news publishers, regardless of their size. To be effective, they must also provide transparency and accountability to the Australian public about how people consume and share news online, outline a complaint-handling procedure, and define a process for evaluating the standards in future. Loading Adopting a framework that is underpinned by these principles will help foster trust among Australians that news content is treated fairly, and avoid distorting the industry by entrenching the market power of one news organisation over another. This approach delivers more benefits to consumers that rely on access to a diverse range of quality news sources than a code that appoints a regulator to negotiate commercial deals on behalf of media companies. In the near future, we will share our proposed 'Digital News Distributor' framework and ask for feedback from both the digital industry and the media industry on our recommendations. We support an open and transparent dialogue that takes into account diverse industry perspectives and ensures all publishers and the wider industry have the opportunity to view and comment on these principles. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the successful launch of a 62-inch, 2,797-pound firework nearly a mile into the air, Steamboat Fireworks has officially set a world record, as certified by Guinness World Records . Tonights thrilling conclusion of the Night Extravaganza on Howelson Hill the signature event of the Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival resulted in a pyrotechnic milestone that eclipsed the firework record of 2,397 pounds set in the United Arab Emirates Dec. 31, 2018. Project Manager Tim Borden of Steamboat Fireworks dedicated his groups achievement to the City of Steamboat Springs, especially including the areas public safety organizations: firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians and the Routt County Search & Rescue team. We had to work closely with these people to ensure that our firework posed absolutely no danger to people, wildlife or structures in the area, Borden said. He also thanked the members of his team: Ed MacArthur, Jim Widmann and Eric Krug. They analyzed the data compiled from the groups 2019 failure, and they made a couple of significant changes to the structure of the shell and the lift inside the mortar. Without their dedication and their expertise, we could not have succeeded in this project, Borden said. I would also like to thank my wife, and the teams families, for their patience and constant support during this time-consuming project. The shell was more than seven inches thick, and the mortar used to launch the shell was 26 feet long. A representative of Guinness was on hand to witness the event and to present Steamboat Fireworks with official certification of their standing within the list of Guinness records. We invested hundreds of hours into this project, and we anticipate that we will enjoy the satisfaction of this success for months to come, Borden said. People are already asking us, Whats next? I really cant answer that question, other than to say, whatever it is, I hope to do it with this same bunch of guys. Media contact: Steve Caulk, 303-410-4971, srcaulk@proconnectpr.com ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has deferred its verdict against the Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed on 11 February 2020 in two cases of terrorist funding. At the same time, Hafiz himself had requested to postpone the decision. Judge of the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court, ie ATC Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta, reserved the judgment last week in two cases against the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (Jamaat-ud-Dawah, JuD) chief for providing funds for terrorist activities. It is also being said that Hafiz Saeed had gone a new way to postpone the decision. At the same time, he gave an application before the ATC court on Saturday, 8 February 2020, requesting that all the cases of terrorist funding running against him should be clubbed and the verdict be given only after the joint hearing of the two cases. Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta gave the next date after taking Hafiz's application. At the same time, the officials said that the deputy prosecutor opposed Saeed's plea and argued that in both the cases, the trial has been completed, in which case the court of law can give the verdict. But the court issued a notice to the prosecution and the defense, giving the 11th date for arguments on Saeed's fresh petition. Terrorist Hafiz Saeed had been introduced in the case amid heavy security arrangements. It has been learned that both the above cases of terrorist funding were registered by the Anti-Terrorism Department of Punjab Police in Lahore and Gujranwala cities. Explain that the counter-terrorism department has registered a total of 23 FIRs against Hafiz and his associates. Saeed was arrested on 17 July last year. He is kept in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. Also Read: Pakistan may soon issue new order for passport-free entry, facility given to Indians for Kartarpur corridor Coronavirus becomes epidemic, increase in death toll Soldier attacked people in Thailand and lashed bullets, 20 died Big reveal: America is resorting to banned weapons STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- About 150 people attended a fundraiser at Flagship Brewery in Tompiksville to support the LGBTQ+ community on Staten Island. Move Forward Staten Island organized the annual event and donated all the donations received during the event to the Pride Center of Staten Island, a non-profit organization that supports the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens of Staten Island, and the Staten Island Lunicorns, a community organization that supports transgender immigrants on Staten Island. Overall the concert-like event raised $4150. The event Hops in the Name of Love, included a silent auction, dances and music throughout. Photographer Kristopher Johnson hosted a pop up portrait studio and GreenEyes Art live painted during the event as well. This is a family oriented event more than just a concert, Julienne Verdi, the chair and founder of Move Forward Staten Island. It is a community event. Stephanie R., who wished not to have her last name published, said she decided to attend the event for the constant outpouring of gifts the Pride Center gives to the LGBTQ community on Staten Island. The Stapleton resident and a transgender woman decided to celebrate her 50th birthday at the event with her best friend, Jen Kruger, 48, of Bay Ridge. There are limited places I can go to be the true expression of myself, she said. [The pride center] always create a safe place. Members of the Lunicorns shared a typical Mexican dance with the audience. Among the dancers there was Alejandra Moran Juarez who was recently granted asylum after suing the government. Sofia Alejo, 35, of Willowbrook, another member of the advocacy group talked about her journey to the United States after she decided to flee Mexico at the age of 15 after she was raped and targeted because of her sexual orientation. Alejo moved to Staten Island in the 2000s and met with the Lunicorns two years ago. Thats when I realized I was not alone, she said adding she was granted asylum in March of last year. Verdi said Move Forward organizes the event every year and when it came to decide which organizations would benefit from the donation she had not doubt. At at time when LGBTQ rights are under attack at the federal level we wont stand back and watch the hard fought progress we achieved for the last decade being rolled back by a transphobic administration, Verdi said. Locally, Verdi added, the LGBTQ community is fighting its own struggle: being allowed to march in the Staten Island St. Patricks Parade after in 2018, the Pride Center was banned from our boroughs own parade. This is the year that this discriminatory practice must stop, Verdi said. By being here today we are sending a strong message that the Staten Island we know and love is welcoming, inclusive and just for all. Carol Bullock, the executive director of the Pride Center, said she is going to present the application for the parade soon and hopes that the result will be different this year. Saudi Arabia has banned its citizens and expatriates from traveling to China in a move to curb contamination by the coronavirus, which has already killed over 800 people in China. State-run news agency SPA said citizens who violate the ban will face punishment upon their return while expatriates who neglect travel advisory will not be allowed to return to the kingdom, hosting 13 million expats. So far, no coronavirus case has been reported in the country. Early this week, General Directorate of Passports started questioning travelers coming to the kingdom, at various entries points, if they travelled to China during the 15 days prior to their arrival in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia via its embassy in China said it was evacuating its nationals from Wuhan city locked down in efforts to prevent the spread of contamination. The officer glanced at the building and said they couldnt go through the front, near where evidence technicians were working. They asked if they could go through the back, and the officer agreed, escorting them. A short time later, the two women were joined by a third on a third-floor balcony overlooking the street. They continued to go in and out of the apartment until a firetruck arrived, just before 9 p.m., to hose down what was left of the crime scene. Samena Telecommunications Council, with TRA-Bahrain, recently held its Convergence to Bahrain conference attended by leading private-sector industry players across the terrestrial, satellite, and technology domains. Acting general director of TRA Bahrain, Shaikh Nasser Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, stated: The more we delve into exploring 5G and the myriad of possibilities it can create in combination with IoT, the more practical use-cases surface, justifying the need to incentivize 5G investments at both network and service levels. Autonomous vehicles, smart grids, autonomous farming; the applications are endless, and the world is exploring them as we speak, at a rapid pace." He added, "With such powerful network capacity and speed, we have a duty to unearth all possible beneficial uses of 5G and IoT and tap the immense potential, which can catalyze Bahrain's as well as the region's progress in the age of the digital economy." The Convergence to Bahrain conference was attended by telecoms and ICT industry leaders from around the MENA region and consisted of a variety of panel discussions, focusing on regional 5G implementation, technology use-cases for the terrestrial and satellite industry in the 5G space, including IoT, financing models to aid 5G investments and network implementation, and open discussion steered toward understanding the future of 5G connectivity, collaboration, and regulation. The Conference was an effort for exchanging insights on key IoT trends and use-cases that are made possible with 5G network deployments and to draw focus on the role that operators can and should take in leading the way in 5G-enabled IoT applications and digital services in regional as well as specific country contexts, including market-specific monetization opportunities available to operators going beyond traditional data packages. Samena Council's CEO, Bocar BA, said: "Samena Council is grateful to the TRA for the hospitality and for making it possible to bring Samena Council's Members to Bahrain, to focus on an industry subject which has become among the most important ones, lately." "Samena Council's interest in conducting a 5G and IoT conference in Bahrain was driven by multiple factors, including the Kingdom's increasing readiness to benefit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution underway; a business-friendly environment that encourages international businesses and top executives to visit the Kingdom; and, under the TRA's watch, a continued focus on sustainable investments in digital technology infrastructure. Bahrain ranks among the most mature ICT markets in the whole of the SA-ME-NA region and it is a comfortable destination for conducting business-centric industry meetings that require multiple stakeholders with varying profiles to convene together. We thank the TRA and the entire TRA team for their collaboration with Samena Council, and look forward to having Shaikh Nasser be an integral part of Samena Council's next major industry activity in April in Dubai, he added. Major regional industry players, including Batelco Group, stc Group, Zain Group, Orange MEA, AT&T, Arabsat, Huawei, among others, took frontal role in the conference. TradeArabia News Service Climate change is a global issue that will play out locally, and we must do everything we can to keep it at the forefront of our minds and the minds of our elected leaders. We must push them specifically on how they will mitigate climate change. And once they are elected, we must hold them to it. If we are complacent, we may soon be contemplating our own Day Zero. As a countermeasure against the new coronavirus in Vietnam, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) plans to provide testing reagents worth 14 million yen, which ensures the rapid detection of the virus. Chief representative of JICA Vietnam Office, Konaka Tetsuo (L), handed over the testing reagents to Professor Dang Duc Anh, director of the Hanoi-based National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology PHOTO: JICA In response to an urgent request from Vietnams National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), the Japanese agency on Friday handed over the first batch of chemicals, valued at 2.3 million yen. As of February 7, Vietnam had confirmed 13 cases of coronavirus, while more than 70 other suspected patients have been quarantined, and are awaiting test results. The Vietnamese Government is on highest alert, said the JICA. NIHE has been designated by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health as the leading institution to perform definitive diagnoses of suspected cases in the northern region. In recent years, Vietnam has been exposed to a variety of emerging infectious diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in 2004. Since 2006, through Japans official development assistance (ODA) program, the JICA has supported the installation and strengthening of biosafety level-three laboratories that enable the safe handling of these high-risk pathogens. In the ongoing project for capacity development for medical laboratory networks on biosafety, and the examination of highly hazardous infectious pathogens, two long-term experts have been dispatched to strengthen the collaboration of major inspection agencies in Vietnam, such as the Hanoi-based NIHE and the Pasteur Institute in HCMC. This support is part of the project. In addition, the first detected coronavirus patient was admitted to Cho Ray Hospital in HCMC on January 23. A Japanese doctor, also a JICA expert who works at the hospital, had provided reference materials to the hospitals infection control department and supported preparations through a series of joint learning sections with colleagues at the hospital. JICA pledged to continue supporting the Government of Vietnam to combat the virus. SGT Thanh Thom HALIFAX - The Opposition Progressive Conservatives in Nova Scotia say they'll introduce legislation to welcome ridesharing in the province. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. HALIFAX - The Opposition Progressive Conservatives in Nova Scotia say they'll introduce legislation to welcome ridesharing in the province. Leader Tim Houston says Nova Scotia should enjoy the same market advances as the rest of the world, including ridesharing. Houston made the announcement Sunday at the party's annual general meeting in Halifax. He says the party is committed to creating a new category of license consistent with other jurisdictions like Toronto. Houston says rideshare drivers would be required to pass a clean criminal record check, hold a class-five license for at least three years, and complete a training program. He says ridesharing has the potential to benefit rural areas where there may be limited transportation options. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. A proposed apartment development at the end of a quiet street in Northampton has sparked a lawsuit as well as concerns from residents who are worried about the projects size and impact on the neighborhood, which has remained largely the same for the past several decades. The city of Northampton is also now seeking to amend one of its zoning laws, partially to ease roadblocks for developers, following obstacles posed to the potential complex on Dewey Court. The three-story, 15-unit building, proposed in the summer of 2019, was intended to go up on the southeast corner of 34 Dewey Ct., a 1.3-acre property situated at the end of the quiet street. It was proposed for what is called a pre-existing non-conforming lot, meaning it has no legal frontage on the street. The location currently includes a single-family home as well as a detached garage and shed. Mark Moggio, one of the apprehensive residents, filed a lawsuit in land court last year against the developer of the site, Benjamin Lewis of Dewey Court Properties LLC, and the citys Zoning Board of Appeals on behalf of multiple people living on the street. Renters and homeowners in the neighborhood are largely not opposed to housing going up at the site, he said, but there are concerns about the scale of the complex and how it will impact conservation, as well as driving safety. Were in favor of a smaller-scale development thats more in tune with the neighborhood, said Moggio, who is named as the plaintiff in the lawsuit, as his property directly abuts 34 Dewey Ct. Its just a matter of how many people are living there. Moggio, a landlord in the community, met with other residents in May after the complex was proposed. Residents felt the project was too large for the dead-end street, and the residents wrote letters to city officials explaining concerns with public safety, traffic, parking, tree removal, etc. The complex, if constructed, would include three four-bedroom apartments, six two-bedroom units and six one-bedroom apartments. The single-family house on the property would also remain and be renovated for use by residents of the apartments as a clubhouse-style building with additional rooms to rent, according to Moggios lawsuit. Neither Lewis nor his attorney in the lawsuit responded to multiple requests for comment. Currently, 10 houses exist on the street, nearly all of which are either single-family or two-family homes. David Reinhart, who has lived on the street for seven years, said that when he first learned about the lot possibly being developed, he thought only a couple condos would be constructed, an idea he was not opposed to. He then realized the project was going to include more than a dozen rental units. The contention in the neighborhood is that its always been a little big, he said. Theres a whole plethora of issues. Moggio claims in his lawsuit that the new apartments would create additional traffic and parking in what residents already consider an unsafe driving area. Dewey Court intersects South Street, a busy road drivers can take to get to Northamptons business district. Susan McCreary, who lives on Dewey Court, said she was walking toward her home from South Street when she was hit by a car. With current traffic levels, she believes the intersection with South Street is dangerous for drivers. One of the big concerns is that the intersection leading in and out of Dewey Court is an F rating, she said. The problem would only get worse if a large apartment complex goes up at the end of the street, McCreary added. Though residents said they are not opposed to college students living at potential housing on 34 Dewey Ct., Moggios lawsuit expressed concern over residents who attend one of the five local colleges causing noise considerably higher than the noise currently in the Dewey Court neighborhood. The buildings appearance is consistent with that of a contemporary college dormitory building, the suit alleged. The property at 34 Dewey Ct. was previously owned by Raymond and Carolyn Gottlieb, who sold it to the Northeast Enterprise Realty Partnership in early 2018. The company then sold it to Dewey Court Properties LLC several months later, according to Moggios lawsuit. Raymond Gottlieb, a physician, had patients traveling to and from his office regularly, but the number of people seeing him rarely exceeded four every day, the lawsuit said. The potential new development will require more parking spots than the developer intends to create and would clearly create additional traffic, according to Moggio. Its a really strange lot. Its not on the court. Its across the street. It doesnt have frontage along the road, John McLaughlin, one of Moggios attorneys, told MassLive. It was built on decades and decades ago. Residents also worry about the potential developments environmental footprint. The project is slated to remove five trees at the site, including a tulip tree that experts estimated is the one of the largest of its kind in the state, according to Lilly Lombard, a resident in the neighborhood and chair of the Public Shade Tree Commission. One of the last remaining mature tree groves near the citys downtown is also on the lot, Lombard said, noting that she was speaking as a concerned neighbor and not as a representative of the commission. Northampton is doing a great job of planting trees, but planting trees is not enough, she said. This site is devastating. The developer of the complex needed three permits from the city to proceed with the project: one from the Zoning Board of Appeals, another from the Planning Board and a third from the Conservation Commission. The zoning board approved Lewiss permit application in August, a decision that required a finding from the board that the new use of the non-conforming lot would not prove any more substantially detrimental to the neighborhood than the propertys previous use. Moggios lawsuit, filed in Boston Land Court in September, appeals the zoning boards decision, naming the city of Northampton as well as the developer as defendants. Lewis withdrew his planning board permit application in December while the lawsuit was being reviewed, pressing pause on any progress on the complex. However, he can file a new application within two years. Northamptons new zoning amendment would do away with the requirement of the finding, though, effectively making the suit null, according to Moggio, and allowing Lewis to go ahead with the project. They want as many apartments and condominiums in downtown as possible, Moggios attorney said about the city. Its very unusual. Roadblocks posed to the 34 Dewey Ct. development come in the midst of a report released earlier this month that outlines more than a dozen barriers to accessing affordable housing in the city. Carolyn Misch, assistant director of planning and sustainability in the city, recognized there are housing issues in Northampton and said the amendment would hopefully ease hurdles for people seeking to develop on their property. Mayor David Narkewicz also told MassLive the amendment is part of a larger strategy to build more housing and add more smart housing. During a Jan. 9 planning board meeting, Misch also said there is "repetitiveness in the ordinance and that the proposed amendment will streamline the process for developers, according to Moggio. The city drafted the zoning change not due to obstacles facing a single landowner but because officials wanted to ensure Northamptons regulations are consistent across the board, Misch said. The finding from the zoning board is a requirement that does not exist in other areas of the citys zoning laws, according to Narkewicz. The provision was a vestige that remained as the communitys zoning laws changed over time. However, roadblocks posed to the Dewey Court development put the issue on his offices radar. This was an area in our zoning where we discovered there was an issue, the mayor said. We do think its a change thats appropriate. Such a zoning change would affect the entire city, not just the area near Dewey Court, according to Moggios attorney. McLaughlin said he understands that a new apartment building would be good for the citys tax base, but in the past, the goals of such an argument would be weighed against concerns of the neighbors. The amendment is unlike any he has seen in nearby communities, he added. The east coast of Australia was covered with torrential rains which extinguish almost one third of the bush fires in the region. Officials said that it may be able to put out more. The heavy and widespread rain over the skies of New south Wales (NSW) was able to put out 33% of the fires within the state, February 6. Although authorities have welcomed the downpour which dampen the long blazing bush fires, there have been warnings of flash floods along Sydney and other coastal cities. This has been the most rain that has been recorded in a year for some areas in Australia who have been experiencing blazing heat all year long according to the Bureau of Meteorology. On Friday, Sydney has recorded the wettest day in almost over a year making many residents happy despite the inconvenience caused by the rain and flooding. Also Read: Climate Change May Have Lengthened Global Wildfire Season By As Much As 20 Percent Sydney's Lord Mayor, Clover Moore took it to twitter to celebrate saying how fantastic it was to wake up to the much-needed and long awaited Australian rain. Rain has been overdue in NSW after over three years of drought which escalated the intensity of the bush fires over the summer. This made the fire officials in the state ecstatic after seeing weather forecasts indicating a week-long downpour. According to Angela Burford, spokeswoman of the NSW Rural Fire Services (NSWRFS) this steady and constant rainfall is what they have been praying for for months. She added that this isn't just one of the scattered rain showers that they experienced a month ago, thus giving the firefighters the rest they need which was months overdue. However, she added that whilst some places have already experienced heavy rainfall, some places where the lagest blazes occurred still only experienced very limited rainfall and are still of concern. Although rain was much awaited in Australia, the heavy downpour did cause quite an inconvenience. On February 7, Friday, the biggest rainfall in the last 20 years in Australia, caused flooded roads and stranded some vehicles. Australian authorities have already issued severe wet weather warnings in 621 miles of NSW with heavy rainfall, abnormally high tides and damaging winds.While in Norther NSW, 280mm of rain was already recorded in the town of Byron Bay. Locals described the downpour as much heavier than the rain they experienced in a cyclone in 2017. Many have already been rescued in trapped cars amid the rising flood levels and there have been over 1,000 calls asking for help and rescue in Queensland and NSW. Meanwhile, despite the flood and heavy downpour, NSWRFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said that the rainfall in a very welcome disruption to the weather pattern and has caused relief to many residents. However, officials have warned that the peak of danger from fires may still come to southern states of South Australia and Victoria. It can be recalled that in September, around 11.7 million hectares of Australia's wild was ravaged by bush fires which even killed 33 people and more than a billion of their wildlife perished in the killer fires. Related Article: Growth in Life Expectancy in Australia Slows, Research Finds @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. MCLAREN VALE, South Australia The Cube rises from neatly tended rows of grapevines in the middle of the dArenberg winery like a meteorite from some faraway jagged dimension. Housing art galleries, a restaurant and a wine tasting room, the giant glass geometric structure is both impressive and confounding from the outside. That confusion only intensifies once you enter the five-story building, where you are greeted by a statue of an upended life-size cow, cradling a large vintage polygraph machine in its outstretched legs. Since its opening in 2017, the dArenberg Cube has attracted about 1,000 visitors each day, making it one of South Australias most popular tourist destinations. Its twisted, blocky glass facade inspired by a Rubiks Cube has become a recognizable symbol for the region and the eccentric winemaker who built it. This is exactly what Chester Osborn, a fourth-generation winemaker at his familys 108-year-old dArenberg winery, had in mind almost 20 years ago when he conceived of the Cube. I wanted something iconic, like the Sydney Opera House, with its own amazing architecture that tells a story, he said. The building cost $15 million to $16 million Australian, $2 million of which was provided as a grant from the South Australian government. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 23:59:13|Editor: yan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus' government is preparing reaction scenarios in case the Supreme Court ratifies a ruling that salary and pension cuts in the public sector as part of the 2013 bailout are unconstitutional, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides said on Sunday. The country's Administrative Court ruled a year ago that a freeze on incremental pay rises -- a 3 percent contribution to pensions, and a reduction in civil servants' pay were in violation of article 23 of the constitution regarding the protection of the right to property. Petrides said in an interview with Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the impact on public finances was estimated at 844 million euros over a four-year period should the government lose its appeal. This sum amounts to about 10 percent of this year's budget. He added the treasury is working on alternatives to meet all contingencies. Petrides said amending the constitution and re-enacting the law imposing the cuts is an option. But he added that alternatives are examined should this plan proves to be not feasible. Another potential risk to public finances, along with the public service payroll, cited by international lenders, was the General Health System, or GESY, introduced in May 2019. Petrides said exorbitant claims by doctors might lead to a derailment of the economy. "Safeguarding budgetary discipline is very important and it is easy to jeopardize with increased health spending," he added. Petrides cited fiscal discipline, risk reduction in the banking sector, in the form of the reduction of non-performing loans, and structural reforms as his main concerns. He said the priority is public finances and public debt, which is expected to be reduced by five percentage points a year, followed by the reduction of non-performing loans, which he described as a "heavy legacy" of the 2013 economic and financial crisis. Non-performing loans stood at 9.667 billion euros at the end of August 2019. "It is not easy, but it is something that should be managed and that is a priority of the Central Bank," he said. President Donald Trump on Friday ousted Gordon Sondland, his ambassador to the European Union, who delivered damaging testimony during the impeachment inquiry. Sondland said in a statement that Trump intended to recall him effectively immediately. The action came hours after Alexander Vindman, the decorated soldier and national security aide who played a central role in the impeachment case, was escorted out of the White House complex. His attorney said Vindman was asked to leave in retaliation for ``telling the truth.'' ``The truth has cost Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman his job, his career and his privacy,'' David Pressman, the attorney, said in a statement. Twin brother also dismissed The Army said in a statement that Vindman and his twin brother, Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny Vindman, who also was asked to leave his job as a White House lawyer on Friday, have been reassigned to the Army. Alexander Vindman's lawyer issued a one-page statement that accused Trump of taking revenge on his client. ``He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day: he followed orders, he obeyed his oath and he served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril,'' Pressman said. ``And for that, the most powerful man in the world buoyed by the silent, the pliable and the complicit has decided to exact revenge.'' The White House did not respond to Pressman's accusation. ``We do not comment on personnel matters,'' said John Ullyot, spokesman for the National Security Council, the foreign policy arm of the White House where Vindman was an expert on Ukraine. Vindman's status had been uncertain since he testified that he didn't think it was ``proper`` for Trump to ``demand that a foreign government investigate`` former Vice President Joe Biden and his son's dealings with the energy company Burisma in Ukraine. Vindman's ouster, however, seemed imminent after Trump mocked him Thursday during his post-acquittal celebration with Republican supporters in the East Room and said Friday that he was not happy with him. ``I'm not happy with him,'' Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. ``You think I'm supposed to be happy with him? I'm not. ... They are going to be making that decision.'' Vindman, a 20-year Army veteran, wore his uniform full of medals, including a purple heart, when he appeared late last year for what turned out to be a testy televised impeachment hearing. Trump supporters raised questions about the Soviet Jewish immigrant's allegiance to the United States and noted that he had received offers to work for the government of Ukraine offers Vindman said he swiftly dismissed. ``I am an American,'' he stated emphatically. Trump loyalists cheer Trump backers cheered Vindman's removal, while Democrats were aghast. ``The White House is running a two-for-one special today on deep state leakers,'' Representative Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, wrote on Twitter. A Twitter account used by the president's reelection campaign, #TrumpWarRoom, claimed Vindman leaked information to the whistleblower, whose complaint about Trump's call ignited the investigation, and ``colluded with Democrats to start the partisan impeachment coup.`` Former Trump NSC official Tim Morrison testified that others had brought up concerns that Vindman might have leaked something. Vindman, in his own congressional testimony, denied leaking any information. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the firing was another example of how the ``White House runs away from the truth.`` ``Lieutenant Colonel Vindman lived up to his oath to protect and defend our Constitution,`` Schumer said in a statement. ``This action is not a sign of strength. It only shows President Trump's weakness.'' At last fall's hearing, when the senior Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Devin Nunes, addressed him as ``Mr. Vindman,'' the Iraq War veteran replied: ``Ranking member, it's Lieutenant Colonel Vindman, please.`` Defense secretary pledges protection Defense Secretary Mark Esper was asked what the Pentagon would do to ensure that Vindman faces no retribution. ``We protect all of our service members from retribution or anything like that,`` Esper said. ``We've already addressed that in policy and other means.'' Alexander Vindman is scheduled to enter a military college in Washington, D.C., this summer, and his brother is to be assigned to the Army General Counsel's Office, according to two officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Pressman said Vindman was among a handful of men and women who courageously ``put their faith in country ahead of fear'' but have ``paid a price.'' ``There is no question in the mind of any American why this man's job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House,'' Pressman said. ``Lieutenant Colonel Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth. His honor, his commitment to right, frightened the powerful.'' The march would begin at Girgaum Chowpatty and continue along Hindu Gymkhana and end at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) is making an all-out effort to make Sundays rally against illegal Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants a grand success. Banners, videos, T-shirts are being used to create a conducive atmosphere for the event. The march would begin at Girgaum Chowpatty and continue along Hindu Gymkhana and end at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. The party has already started a huge campaign on social media to promote the rally. At several places in the city, the workers have carried out signature campaigns to register the names of citizens for Sundays event. At several places, banners have been raised appealing people to participate in the rally. As the MNS chief Raj Thackeray has asked his cadres not to call him Hindu Hriday Samrat, the party workers have prepared T-shirts bearing the name Hindu Jan Nayak. The late Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena, was called Hindu Hriday Samrat by his followers. Some activists have also been circulating the videos of the party chief for the rally. India is my country! All Indians are my brothers and sisters. But....the Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators are not my brothers and sisters. They are not Indians..., one of the teasers/promos stated. MNS has stated that India is not a dharmashala and Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators need to be driven out. The MNS has also put up a poster outside the private residence of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, seeking a clean up of the colonies that have cropped up in the Sena chiefs own backyard of Bandra. The chief ministers private residence Matoshree is located in Kalanagar, a locality of Bandra. Backing the Narendra Modi-led government on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the poster reads, Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators need to be expelled from India. If this is your stand, then you need to clean up these colonies of infiltrators which has cropped up in your own courtyard in Bandra first. Not just Mumbai, in Pimpri-Chinchwad city, too, banners have been put up calling for eviction of Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators. (Bloomberg) -- Want the lowdown on European markets? In your inbox before the open, every day. Sign up here. The rapidly spreading coronavirus has wreaked havoc across much of the developed world, yet not a single case has been confirmed so far in Africa -- the continent thats least equipped to deal with the epidemic. Health officials are still bracing themselves for the worst. Two-way travel between Africa and China, the epicenter of the respiratory illness thats infected more than 34,000 people since late December, has surged over recent years as they forged closer financial and political ties, raising the regions risk of exposure. About 20 African nations have already issued alerts of possible cases, and the World Health Organization has expressed concern that a widespread outbreak would overwhelm their fragile health systems. We are not waiting for an outbreak, said Amadou Sall, a director at Institut Pasteur de Dakar, a bio-medical research center in Senegal. Were anticipating it. Thirteen nations, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are seen as especially at risk and have been identified by the WHO as priority zones for containing the spread of the virus. While the WHO declared coronavirus a public health emergency last month, it hasnt recommended restrictions on trade or travel to and from China. Read more: What You Need to Know About the Spreading Coronavirus: QuickTake Even if Africa doesnt suffer an epidemic, it faces risks from an economic slowdown in China, its most important trading partner. Two-way trade between the continent and the Asian nation totaled more than $204 billion in 2018, data from the China-Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies shows. A number of African governments have instituted measures aimed at detecting coronavirus cases, halting their spread and treating those who are infected. Some are better equipped than others, having had recent experience in tackling other epidemics like Ebola and cholera. Story continues A lot of progress has been made in dealing with highly pathogenic viruses since the Ebola outbreak, with many Africans having been trained to deal with them, according to Sall. Laboratories and research centers have also been built, while new surveillance methods have been introduced, he said. An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that began in 2018 has infected about 3,350 people and killed 2,210. About 70% of countries in the region established isolation facilities in response, according to Michel Yao, emergency operations program manager at the WHOs Regional Office for Africa. Medical personnel in the DRC have also had to contend with a measles outbreak thats claimed at least 6,000 lives since the start of last year, while those in Mozambique faced a surge in reported cholera cases after it was hit by a tropical cyclone. South Africa and Senegal have been conducting tests for the coronavirus for other countries in their respective regions. Ghana, Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Nigeria also have the capacity to do sampling, and another 24 countries are set to join their ranks. The absence of confirmed cases in Africa and other regions could possibly be attributed to weak public health systems, although it cant be stated for certain that they arent being detected, said Muhammad Pate, the global director for health nutrition and population at the World Bank. These are some of the measures African nations have taken: Zambia has dedicated two medical facilities in the capital, Lusaka, to quarantine people suspected of having the disease. They include a new 800-bed hospital, funded and built by China. Thermal body scanners have also been set up at all ports of entry to detect travelers showing symptoms of the virus.Mozambique has stopped issuing visas to Chinese travelers. The government has also designated isolation centers in case the virus is detected.Kenya has introduced mandatory screening at all ports of entry, and established isolation facilities and a rapid response team to handle suspected cases.South Africa has set up national and provincial response teams, designated 300 health officials to ports of entry and begun screening all travelers from China. Nigeria has established a national team that meets daily to assess the risk coronavirus poses to the nation and review its response to it. Nigeria, Africas most populous nation, is among a number of countries where the response is likely to be inadequate, according to Oyewale Tomori, a professor and fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, whose research areas include infectious diseases and public health. If it comes, what next do you do? he said. Do you have the isolation wards where you can keep the people? Do you have proper systems of monitoring? Do you have laboratory diagnostics for it? In each of those areas, I dont think we are measuring up to par and that is my worry. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which helps nations on the continent tackle and prevent infectious diseases, has also voiced concern about their capacity to cope with a wide-scale epidemic. High population growth and unplanned urbanization have increased the risk of an outbreak starting and spreading, and governments have limited resource to respond, it said. The real point of entry of a virus to a country is very often in a poorly equipped emergency room, in a doctors clinic where theres no awareness of the disease, said Mike Ryan, head of the WHOs Health Emergencies Program. What we absolutely have to avoid is the disease arriving in an unprotected health facility with untrained, unaware workers. (Updates number of people infected in second paragraph, adds WHO officials comment in last paragraph. An earlier version of this story corrected the location of a measels outbreak in Congo.) --With assistance from David Malingha, Gordon Bell, Matthew Hill, Paul Richardson, Prinesha Naidoo, David Herbling, Samuel Gebre and Thomas Mulier. To contact the reporters on this story: Janice Kew in Johannesburg at jkew4@bloomberg.net;Ruth Olurounbi in Abuja at rolurounbi4@bloomberg.net;Yinka Ibukun in Accra at yibukun@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Eric Pfanner at epfanner1@bloomberg.net, Mike Cohen, John Lauerman For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand - As mourning began for the victims of Thailand's worst mass shooting, the country counted its losses: a mother shot dead at the wheel of her car as her son sat beside her, a 13-year-old student gunned down as he was riding his motorbike home and more than two dozen other people. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/2/2020 (702 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Vehicles block the road in front of Terminal 21 Korat mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. A soldier who holed up in a popular shopping mall in northeastern Thailand shot multiple people on Saturday, killing at least 20 and injuring 31 others, officials said. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalitkanjanakul) NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand - As mourning began for the victims of Thailand's worst mass shooting, the country counted its losses: a mother shot dead at the wheel of her car as her son sat beside her, a 13-year-old student gunned down as he was riding his motorbike home and more than two dozen other people. Authorities said the attack was carried out by a single gunman a disgruntled soldier who opened fire on strangers before he was fatally shot Sunday at a shopping mall. Another 58 people were wounded. The dead were mourned Sunday night in Nakhon Ratchasima, a hub for Thailands relatively poor and rural northeastern region. More than 1,000 people turned up for the vigil led by Buddhist monks. They lit candles and prayed and chanted in the town square featuring a statue of Thao Suranari, a governor's wife who is revered for leading troops against invaders from Laos two centuries ago. Officials said the gunman was angry over a financial dispute with his commanding officer. He made Col. Anantarote Krasae his first victim before stealing guns from an army camp and heading to the mall, shooting wildly along the way at people inside and outside the building. The attacker was identified as Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma, who holed himself up in the Terminal 21 Korat, an airport-themed mall filled with colorful Lego sculptures, a merry-go-round and huge replicas of landmarks from around the world. Bullet holds reflect the Terminal 21 Korat mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Thai officials say a soldier who went on a shooting rampage and killed numerous people and injured dozens of others has been shot dead inside a mall in northeastern Thailand.(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) After most mall employees and shoppers were evacuated, a joint police and military team hunted down the gunman and killed him. "This incident was unprecedented in Thailand," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters as he gave a casualty count after visiting the victims in hospitals. By the end of the day, the toll had risen to 29 people killed. The death toll surpassed Thailand's last major attack on civilians, a 2015 bombing at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine that was allegedly carried out by human traffickers who killed 20. "I hope this is the only one and the last incident and that it never happens again. No one wants this to happen. It could be because of this person's mental health in this particular moment," Prayuth said. He said he was worried that people inside the mall could be accidentally hit by bullets fired by police, but added, "I have checked, that didn't happen." Video taken outside the mall showed people diving for cover as shots rang out. Many were killed outside the mall, some in cars and others while walking. Bullet holes mark the glass wall of the Terminal 21 Korat mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Thai officials say a soldier who went on a shooting rampage and killed numerous people and injured dozens of others has been shot dead inside a mall in northeastern Thailand. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Survivors and victims' families gathered during the day at the city's hospitals, where they recounted their ordeals. Cpl. Korakot Ampanngeun was visited by Suwat Liptapanlop, a prominent politician from the area. I received an order from my superior to block off the road so that no one could go in the direction of the gunman, the corporal recalled. "So I was signalling to oncoming traffic, when I turned around and saw him. If I had not, I would not have survived. I tried to run and find somewhere to hide. But I could only take two steps and then I heard the sound 'bang.' My leg just went and I couldn't walk. A good Samaritan helped carry me away." High school student Nachote Chotiklang said he was in his mother's car as she passed the gunman's vehicle. The assailant "got out of the car and fired into the window. At that, I ducked down and didn't do anything until I felt that car hit something. It hit a tree." "What happened to your mom?" Suwat asked. Nachote shook his head while another man explained that she had died. Another harrowing tragedy was recalled by Nuttawut Kanchanamethi, father of 13-year-old Rachanon Kanchanamethi, who had the nickname James Bond. The middle school student was riding his motorbike home when the gunman fired on him from his car on his way to the mall. Rachanon, the family's only child, was one of the first victims. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The father spoke at the first day of his son's Buddhist funeral. "I don't want to lose him like this," Nuttawut said. "This is too sudden. We had plans for him, growing up. That's all. We didn't impose any expectations on him." Nuttawut paused for a long moment. "I want to continue taking care of him, but I no longer have that opportunity," he said, breaking into sobs. ___ Vejpongsa reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Grant Peck and Busaba Sivasomboon contributed to this report. Solidarity-People Before Profit look set to have a disappointing election and possibly only return two or three of its five outgoing TDs. As the tallies predicted, Richard Boyd Barrett topped the poll in the south Dublin constituency of Dun Laoghaire, but was still short of the quota by a few thousand votes. Boyd Barrett performed well during the TV debates and while there were initial fears within the party that he may struggle to get re-elected, he looked set last night to beat off strong competition from Fine Gael and the Greens in the mainly affluent constituency to take the first seat. Elsewhere, People Before Profit TD Brid Smith retained her seat in Dublin South Central. A first count in the constituency put her in second place. However, a large surplus from Sinn Fein's Aengus O Snodaigh, who was elected, Smith reclaim her seat shortly after 8.30pm. Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, who still ran under the party's banner but has also set up his own new group called Rise, was battling to hold his seat in Dublin South West. In Dublin Mid West, Solidarity-People Before Profit's Gino Kenny early on during the count conceded defeat. In Cork North Central, it was expected that a surplus from Sinn Fein's Thomas Gould would help outgoing Solidarity TD Mick Barry. Initial tallies suggested Mr Barry was fourth on 7.14%, with less than 1% separating him and Independent Kenneth O'Flynn (6.88%) In Dublin West, Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger was in the chase for the last seat, which was expected to see her battle it out with the Green's Roderic O'Gorman for one of the final places in the four-seater. Solidarity-People Before Profit candidates called on Mary Lou McDonald's party not to go into government with either Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. It is likely that Sinn Fein surpluses and transfers could be crucial in getting some Solidarity-People Before Profit candidates across the line. Libyan factions will pick up peace talks, U.N. says: Libya's warring parties will continue talks this month to try to reach a lasting cease-fire in a battle for control of the capital, Tripoli, the United Nations said after a first round in Geneva last week failed to yield an agreement. The U.N. hosted indirect talks between five officers from the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter, which has been trying to take Tripoli since April, and the same number from forces of the internationally recognized government in Tripoli. Fighting has calmed down since last month, though skirmishes with artillery have continued in southern Tripoli. Oman Air, the sultanate's flag carrier, said earlier this morning, its Zurich flight WY 154 bound for capital Muscat, experienced a cabin pressurisation fault, thus forcing the aircraft to make a precautionary landing at Diyarbakir, Turkey. Guests onboard the flight are currently being accommodated in local hotels in the Diyarbakir area, said the Oman Air in its statement. The national carrier will be dispatching a replacement aircraft to Diyarbakir, departing Muscat later this evening at approximately 20:00 hours (local time) to repatriate the delayed guests back to Muscat. "Our airport team are currently working with local authorities in Diyarbakir to look after our guests and ensure a swift and safe return of our passengers to their destination," the airline said. "Oman Air regrets any inconvenience this may have caused. The safety and welfare of our guests and crew is our top priority," it added. - TradeArabia News Service Many young people in Ireland seemed to think they were terribly radical and bold by voting for Sinn Fein at this election. Newsflash, whippersnappers - your daring anti-establishment pose is nothing new. The young have always tacked as far left as they can at the ballot box in an effort to distinguish themselves from their boring, bourgeois elders. The only reason older people take a different view is that they've been there, done that, and got the T shirt, and know that it doesn't work. But how to tell young people that? The truth is that you can't. They'll do what they want, and nagging them as to the error of their ways will only convince them they were right to ignore you and follow the Provo Pied Piper instead. Looking on in dread at the confluence of different forces working in SF's favour during the election campaign, mainstream politicians and commentators of a generation old enough to remember the Troubles decided that the best way to lure younger voters away from the siren call of armed republicanism was to remind them again of the party's continued links with IRA terrorism and criminality. It didn't cut much ice, partly because a certain group of voters now tends to dismiss all attacks on SF as a smear campaign, regardless of whether the charges are factually accurate or not. As far as they're concerned, they had little enough to lose by voting SF in these days of spiralling rents and fears over climate change. Read More It's still a puzzle, and a sadness, to understand why they care so little about the brutalities in which Mary Lou McDonald's party has been complicit. The standard explanation is, as a piece in the Guardian by a young Irish writer put it last week, "people who grew up in Ireland in the late 1990s and beyond don't really have a living memory of the IRA or the Troubles". That may be so, but what type of imaginative black hole must a person be living in to think that the only things which matter are those that impact them directly? Young people are entitled to conclude that none of this stuff about the IRA is relevant to their lives and vote SF anyway. What they're not entitled to do is ignore it, while still pretending they're so right-on, caring and compassionate. Young people love to pose as painfully progressive and "woke". They'll "cancel" someone in the public eye for a tweet, or a joke, or something they did that was a bit sexist in the 1970s, or even if they just misuse someone's preferred pronouns. But ask them to give a damn about murder, and suddenly they're rolling their eyes and groaning: "OK, boomer, get over it." There are plenty of things that young people have no "living memory" of, but still purport to care about, from industrial schools to Magdalene laundries, slavery, colonialism, you name it. Those unmarked graves in Tuam have nothing to do with their daily lives either, but they'd faint with disgust at anyone who dared say they didn't give a fig about dead babies because it happened decades ago and has nothing to do with paying next month's rent. Paul Quinn's brutal murder wasn't even that long ago. Yet, while congratulating themselves for emoting over the horrors perpetrated by the Catholic Church, they're indifferent at best, and hostile at worst, if asked to show compassion when presented with testimony from victims that SF and its private army did exactly the same thing. They might think the sexual abuse of children, and the rape of women and men, which was rampant during the Troubles, and which SF helped cover up by spiriting abusers to other parishes, is ancient history. It's not to the victims. Forgiving and making excuses for the Provos, but not the prelates, is young voters' choice, but it is a choice, and they shouldn't expect to have their hypocrisy overlooked just because SF promises to put it up to "the rich". Young left wingers are equally unforgiving of Fianna Fail for having "wrecked the economy", and like to think they're keeping it real by continually throwing it in Micheal Martin's face; only to get snippy when it's pointed out to them that there might be equally damaging economic consequences to the socialist policies they're embracing. The so-called snowflake generation has the knack of appearing vulnerable and sensitive down to a fine art, but deep down they're hard as nails and focused on what they think are their own interests. If the Catholic Church offered them a bunch of free stuff, like Mary Lou does, they'd be in the pews faster than Speedy Gonzalez. They're just selectively choosing what to get outraged about, then berating anyone with whom they disagree for doing the same. Take Europe. Young people in Ireland claim to love the EU, but were apparently content at this election to ignore whole swathes of the SF manifesto which flirted with Brexit Party lite, eurosceptic language promising to "stand up for Ireland" and "end the Brussels power grab". They should get that cognitive dissonance seen to by a doctor. Looks nasty. Young people are trying to have it both ways, and there's nothing particularly deplorable, or even surprising, about that. We're all hypocrites about some things, usually those that benefit our pockets. But they should stop kidding themselves that they're morally superior to their parents or grandparents in that regard. Young people backing SF this time round are not bad for choosing to prioritise what they care about, we all do it, but if they want understanding for why they're willing to vote SF despite all the terrible things that republicans have done in the recent past, and still don't think were wrong, then they should be able to make a mental leap by understanding why many people still voted FG despite homelessness, or FF despite the crash 10 years ago. If they're allowed to play the "get over it, grandad, that was ages ago" card, then so can everyone else. Fingers crossed young people never have to endure the economic and political repercussions of voting SF; but if they do, then the irony is that it won't be too long before they're the ones facing the wrath of future generations demanding to know why their prospects were ruined by people back in 2020 voting for populists peddling Junior Infants solutions to complex problems while pretending they could magically reunite the national territory in time for the centenary of the Treaty. Good luck explaining that one. A British Airways flight from Geneva to Gatwick has declared an emergency in order to land swiftly, after diverting to Lyon in southern France. The Airbus A320 operating BA2749 diverted to Lyon squawked 7700 after spending hours in flight. The plane took off almost three hours late from the Swiss airport, and flew a holding pattern near Gatwick. But it was unable to land safely, and the decision was taken to fly to Lyon just 61 miles from where it had started. Having spent far longer than normal in flight, the plane is thought to have been running close to its fuel reserves which allow for half-an-hour of flight. Declaring an emergency is a frequent procedure to minimise risk. The British Airways operation at its main base, Heathrow, is unravelling, according to one passenger caught up in the chaos caused by Storm Ciara. BA had pre-emptively cancelled about 140 flights but has now abruptly cancelled dozens more from its hub at Heathrow Terminal 5. Many of them are long-haul flights, each of them involving hundreds of passengers. Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose flights have been grounded at short notice, together with multiple flights on BAs flagship route to New York JFK. Long-haul links from Heathrow to Accra, Dubai and Lagos are also cancelled. Andy Hook tweeted: My second attempted flight to New York (1355) was cancelled one hour before take off. You have five staff airside at Heathrow Terminal 5 trying to serve hundreds. Your app thinks I am on the plane, Your phone lines are down. Advice? The link from Gatwick to St Lucia and Trinidad was also cancelled. Thousands of passengers will be stranded at the other end of these routes. A spokesperson for BA said: Like all airlines operating in and out of the UK today, we are being significantly disrupted by Storm Ciara. Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and our highly trained team is carefully assessing every flight. Were merging flights to the same destination to minimise disruption, and weve got extra customer teams working to help those affected, including a range of flexible rebooking options. British Airways is obliged to pay for meals and hotels for all disrupted passengers, and to fly them on the next available flight even if it is with a rival airline. Many other carriers are experiencing problems. Emirates flight 15 from Dubai to Gatwick made several attempts at landing before diverting to Zurich. EK17 from Dubai to Manchester ended up at Frankfurt in Germany. Wizz Air flights to Luton ended up at a wide range of airports, from Gatwick and Stansted to Birmingham and Newcastle. The disruption is likely to take days to sort out, and will cost the airlines tens of millions of pounds in care costs, additional flying and lost revenue. Rebecca Sutter, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), and Allison Evans Cuellar, Professor, Health Administration and Policy, CHHS, are implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of a Mobile Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) Program in the Prince William Health District that will expand capacity for opioid use disorder support and services. The mobile unit is staffed with a nurse practitioner, a social worker and a pharmacist. Mason's College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), Prince William County Community Services (CSB), the Prince William Health District (PWHD), Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center (ADC), and Nova Script Central (NSC) are serving as partners in this project. Each organization has been able to identify champions for the project. Sutter and Cuellar have executed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with CSB and PWHD. These MOUs required that multiple organizations' legal and risk management departments reviewed and approved the agreements. As part of this project, Sutter and Cuellar have expanded their partnerships and have engaged criminal justice partners who provide direct referrals for Suboxone maintenance upon release from the jail or as a referral from the local and state probation and parole offices in Prince William County. Additionally, the researchers are working with a peer recovery specialist program--Empowered Community Opioid Project--to continue to engage MAT van clients in recovery. Medication assisted treatment policies and procedures for MAT have been developed and approved for use across organizations. This allows for consistent care coordination and seamless warm hand-offs to the CSB from the van. Included in this policy and these procedures is an algorithm that will allow for a coordinated way for project participants to make medication payments directly to the pharmacies they contract with. The researchers received $100,000 from the Northern Virginia Health Foundation for this work. Funding began in December 2019 and will conclude in December 2020. A frontline Civil Rights Advocacy group - HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) is of the considered opinion that it is long overdue for the relevant anti-graft agencies to initiate active and transparent prosecution of erstwhile governor of Abia state Mr. THEODORE Orji currently in the Senate over the alleged gross mismanagement of Abia State resources during his tenure as governor. HURIWA has therefore tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop the hide-and-seek gambit that is playing out between it and the immediate past governor of Abia state and a serving Senator Mr. THEODORE Orji and his affiliates linked with the alleged theft of Abia State commonwealth and proceed to drag them to Court once and for all for the sake of the suffering citizens of Abia state deprived of good governance for over two decades and even now as we write. However, the Rights group said the Abia State people must be the direct beneficiaries of the loots that have allegedly been retrieved or would be recovered from the former Abia State governor Mr. THEODORE Orji should the anti-corruption agency successfully obtains conviction just as the Rights group said instead of the assets and resources reportedlt taken away from Abia State to be returned to the Federal government of Nigeria and thereby depriving Abia state people of their rightful resources and assets purportedly diverted by someone they gave their mandate for eight years to preside over their political and economic affairs for a whole eight years, it is just and appropriate that everything taken away from Abia people be returned to them. HURIWA said it would amount to DOUBLE jeopardy for Abia State people to suffer the loss of their stolen assets and resources ornered by politicians should the Federal government corner them whenever final forfeiture orders are made by the Courts. HURIWA said: " Although the report making the rounds that the former Abia State governor Mr THEODORE Orji may be charged soon for alleged heist of multibillion cash and resources belonging to Abia State during the periods he was the state elected administrator, we in the organised civil Rights body think that it is better late than never. But again we think the EFCC need not to have waited to secure the conviction of a former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu for corrupt practices, before it, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to now decide to open an investigation into an alleged diversion of N525bn by another ex-governor of the state, Theodore Orji who has been out of office for almost 5 years and therefore has no executive constitutional immunity stopping his prosecution ever since after he left office as Abia State governor and handed over to the incumbent governor Okezie Ikpeazu who has just got re-elected for the second and final four year period. The petition is not new and so why wait till now? But again let us say that it i better late than never. As noted above, the information in the public space indicates that a petition dated March 17, 2017, was filed by Fight Corruption: Save Nigeria Group, in which the former governor was accused of receiving and diverting various sums of monies meant for the states development. According to a report on the petition, the monies were N383bn revenue from federal accounts, N55bn excess crude revenue, N2.3bn Sure-P, N1.8bn ecological funds, N10.5bn loan from First Bank of Nigeria through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, N4bn loan from Diamond Bank, N12bn Paris Club refund, N2bn agricultural loan for farmers and N55bn Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC). Also, the petitioners alleged that the funds were received by the Abia State government, and nothing commensurate to show for it. One would have expected that the EFCC could have swung into action to immediately recover whatever could be recovered and prosecute the accused persons rather than wait for a whole five years to allow the principal accused to amass more political weight as Senator and again the EFCC waited even when one of the persons listed still holds a powerful political office in Abia state and could influence the disappearance of otherwise of any incriminating body of evidence in the custody of the Abia State government since both the person listed in this petition and the current Abia state governor work harmoniously. Be that as it may, We in HURIWA are strongly behind EFCC; that is if it is really factual that based on the petition, EFCC commenced investigations and discovered that the former governor, who was a Chief of Staff to the convicted ex-governor Orji Kalu, was the Authorising Officer drawing N500m monthly purportedly as Security Vote, which was converted.. HURIWA is therefore expecting the EFCC to comprehensively prosecute THEODORE ORJI and anyone connected to the grandscale underdebelopment of Abia state which has been ruined to an extent that there are really no quality state built roads; no quality hospitals built by the state, no quality primary or post primary institutions built by the state during these last 20 years and the few people who work as teachers and civil servants are not being paid as at when due with most pensioners spending years in squalor and poverty as their entitlements are not paid to them. Tjere is virtually 100 youtj unemployment in Abia State and the crime rate is so high so much so that the insecurity has discouraged investors from doing businesses in the state. Again THERE is total lack of energy or electricity power to power industrialisation and therefore provide employment opportunities to tens of thousands of graduates of Abia state origin." HURIWA in the media Statement endorsed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf said that Nigerians and especially citizens indigenous to Abia State should be appreciative of the profound effort of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in digging out the massive and extensive body of evidence of the monumental heist of the resources of Abia State people allegedly stolen during the tenures of the immediate past government. "The Abia state people and the entire civil society community in Nigeria including the mass media should monitor the progress or otherwise of this matter and ensure that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission makes good the reported threat to drag the former governor and all his listed accomplices to the Court of competent jurisdiction to answer for the alleged economic demolition that happened in Abia state when he presided over that state". "The alleged squander of the resources of Abia state is manifestly unacceptable and this is why all hands must be on deck to ensure that there is justice in this long delayed matter. " "We urge Nigerians not to treat this case like any other case in which we will simply shout now and after a while everyone go back to their shells and nothing would come out of this. The EFCC must Make hay whilst the sun shines and prosecute this THEODORE ORJI's case with professionalism and efficiency so the last penny taken away from the Abia State coffers be returned back to the suffering people of Abia state who have for over the past 16 years experienced the most criminal kind of maladministration and massive underdevelopment by the species of political leaders that they elected or are imposed on them through electoral heist by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC)". HURIWA has also tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to begin the prosecution of the immediate past governor of Imo State Mr. Rochas Okorocha so as to recover all the resources allegedly stolen by that government that was in place for eight years but ended up destroying basic infrastructures of Imo State and unleashing mass hunger and poverty on the people. "Imo State people must be vigilant so the newly installed Supreme court's returned governor Mr. Hope Uzodinma who is of same political family like Rochas Okorocha does not undermine the investigations and prosecution of Rochas Okorocha by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Tourists in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the outbreak will cause significant losses to Vietnams tourism sector, especially due to a sharp drop in tourist arrivals from China the epicenter of the outbreak, which accounts for over 30 percent of foreign arrivals in Vietnam. The VNAT suggested tapping key markets with high growth potential such as the Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan (China), ASEAN and India. The sector was asked to attract visitors from North America, and expand markets in Western, Northern and Eastern Europe and Russia, as well Australia and New Zealand. More marketing campaigns will be held in China after the epidemic is repelled while domestic tourism will be stimulated with preferential packages. The VNAT also proposed restructuring resources and markets under the national tourism promotion programme and the national action programme to offset growth in epidemic-hit markets. Marketing campaigns should be run in the media to convey the message that Vietnam is an attractive and safe destination for tourists. Regarding long-term solutions, the VNAT highlighted the need to launch demand stimulation drives, offer lower prices to draw visitors back, allow tax reductions for travel firms, and simplify visa procedures for delegations of tourists served by travel agencies. It also pledged to hold training courses in localities to help firms deal with the tourism crisis. She has been turning heads at New York Fashion Week events. And Katie Holmes was the fabulous guest of honour at a Zadig & Voltaire event to celebrate her front cover on Flaunt Magazine's Home Issue on Saturday. The actress, 41, gleamed in a lustrous powder blue suit with massive lapels, which she paired with a low-key white tank top as she arrived at the Butterfly Soho in New York City. Suited and booted: Katie Holmes was the fabulous guest of honour at a Zadig & Voltaire event to celebrate her front cover on Flaunt Magazine's Home Issue on Saturday The Dawson's Creek star teamed the glittering attire with a pair of barely-there black open-toe heels. She accessorised with a few delicate charm necklaces and repped the brand with a boxy Zadig & Voltaire handbag. The Batman Begins actress tied her dark brown tresses into a loose bun, with a few strands dangling to frame her elegant features. Shining: The actress, 41, gleamed in a lustrous powder blue suit with massive lapels, which she paired with a low-key white tank top as she arrived at the Butterfly Soho in New York City Stepping out: The Dawson's Creek star teamed the glittering attire with a pair of barely-there black open-toe heels Earlier in the day Katie had a front row seat for all the fashion forward action on the catwalk for Ulla Johnson's show. She wore a figure-hugging white crop top to show off her toned abs, and paired it with some loose-fitting acid wash jeans. Holmes has been a regular fixture at New York Fashion Week for many years. Inspired: She accessorised with a few delicate charm necklaces and repped the brand with a boxy Zadig & Voltaire handbag This go-around she's also worked in some time to promote her new film Coda. The musical drama co-stars Patrick Stewart as a famous pianist struggling with stage fright later in his career who finds inspiration in a free-spirited music critic, played by Holmes. Holmes has also gone into promo-mode for the supernatural horror flick, Brahms: The Boy II, which drops February 21, 2020. Tidy: The Batman Begins actress tied her dark brown tresses into a loose bun, with a few strands dangling to frame her elegant features Household name: She was honoured with a front cover of Flaunt Magazine's Home Issue earlier in the week The actress first achieved fame as Joey Potter on the hit television series Dawson's Creek (1998-2003). Her film resume includes roles in Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999), Go (1999), The Gift (2000), Wonder Boys (2000), Batman Begins (2005), Thank You For Not Smoking (2005), and the TV mini series The Kennedys (2011) and The Kennedys: After Camelot (2017). She also received a great deal of media attention during her marriage to Tom Cruise (2006-2012), which resulted n their daughter Suri, 13. Flirty: The actress flaunted her midriff in a white crop-top and acid wash jeans at the Ulla Johnson fashion show earlier in the day The death toll from the novel coronavirus surged past 900 in mainland China on Monday, overtaking global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic, even as the World Health Organization said the outbreak appeared to be stabilising. With 91 more people dying in Hubei, the province at the centre of the outbreak, the toll is now higher than the 774 killed worldwide by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The latest data came after the WHO said the last four days had seen "some stabilising" in Hubei, but warned the figures could still "shoot up". At least 39,800 people in China have now been infected by the virus, believed to have emerged late last year in Hubei's capital Wuhan, where residents are struggling to get daily supplies. The epidemic has prompted the government to lock down whole cities as anger mounts over its handling of the crisis -- especially after a whistleblowing doctor fell victim to the virus. With much of the country still not back at work after an extended Lunar New Year holiday, cities including financial hub Shanghai ordered residents to wear masks in public. Michael Ryan, head of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, said the "stable period" of the outbreak "may reflect the impact of the control measures". A WHO "international expert mission" left late Sunday for China, the agency's director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Twitter. The mission is led by Bruce Aylward, a veteran of previous health emergencies. While the death toll has climbed steadily, new cases have declined since Wednesday's single-day peak of nearly 3,900 people nationwide. - Public anger - Millions of people are under lockdown in Hubei in a bid to stop the virus spreading. "The local government asked people to stay at home as much as possible, but there are not enough goods in shops each time we get there, so we have to go out frequently," a woman in Wuhan, surnamed Wei, told AFP. China's central bank said from Monday it would make 300 billion yuan ($43 billion) available in special loans to banks to help businesses involved in fighting the epidemic. China drew international condemnation for covering up cases during the SARS outbreak, whereas the WHO has praised measures it has taken this time. But anger erupted after the death of a Wuhan doctor who police silenced when he flagged the emerging virus in December. The doctor, 34, died early Friday, after contracting the virus from a patient. Chinese academics were among those angered by his death, with at least two open letters posted on social media demanding more freedoms. "Put an end to the restrictions on freedom of speech," one letter demanded. - 'Percolating along' - Beijing responded by sending its anti-graft body to launch an investigation, attempting to ease the anger. But Ian Lipkin -- a professor at Columbia University who worked with China on the SARS outbreak -- said earlier intervention could have made a key difference. "This virus was percolating along without anyone realising it was there," he said. If the quarantine measures have been effective, the epidemic should peak within the next fortnight, Lipkin added -- but he warned there is also the risk of a "bump" in numbers when people return to work. Wuhan has converted public buildings into makeshift medical centres, and built two new field hospitals. But Wuhan resident Chen Yiping told AFP her 61-year-old mother has severe symptoms and was still waiting for a hospital bed because "there are too many people in need of treatment". The first foreign victim in China was confirmed when an American diagnosed with the virus died in Wuhan. The only fatalities outside the mainland have been a Chinese man in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong. Seventy people on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan's coast have tested positive, with all passengers told to stay inside their cabins to prevent further infection. Several countries have banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights. burs-rox/jah Jeremy Hunt called on President Trump to intervene. (PA) Jeremy Hunt has asked Donald Trump to treat the United Kingdom like an ally and extradite Anne Sacoolas over the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn. The former foreign secretary said Ms Sacoolas being allowed to avoid justice in the UK is totally and utterly unacceptable. He called on Mr Trump to act, arguing he did not think Britain would have behaved in that way if it was a British diplomat that had been involved in an accident. I think it is totally and utterly unacceptable that she is not facing justice in the UK, he told Skys Ridge On Sunday. Mr Trump has previously refused Britain's attempts to have Ms Sacoolas extradited. (Getty) And I would just say to the United States Im someone who is the strongest supporter of the special relationship, I think in a very uncertain world the democracies of the world need to stand together, but if were going to be in an alliance we need to treat each other like allies and that is not happening, he added. And if anyone is questioning that I think we just need to ask what would have happened if the boot had been on the other foot, if a British diplomat had been involved in a road accident in the United States where someone had died and had fled on a private plane back to the UK and was evading justice I dont think President Trump would stand for that for one second. And I dont think Britain would have behaved in that way. Mr Hunt added that the US government should send Anne Sacoolas back. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Mr Dunn died after a crash in Northamptonshire in August which led to Sacoolas leaving for the US under diplomatic immunity. Extradition proceedings were launched last month, but were turned down by the US government. Also on Sunday the Mail on Sunday reported that Ms Sacoolas had served as a spy with the CIA. Story continues The mother of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn has criticised the Government following the reports. Charlotte Charles said she and the rest of Dunns family were full of anger after hearing of Anne Sacoolass alleged past and asked of the British Government, how could they do this to us? Mrs Charles said the fresh reports in a British newspaper took her back to the early days following her sons death when she claims the Government were trying to kick this all under the carpet. Responding to the latest reports, Mrs Charles said: How could they do this to us? We have thrown ourselves into building relationships with the Government despite the terrible way they were treating us. We believe in giving people a second chance. But I am livid today and my family are full of anger. Mrs Charles added: How could they keep this from us? This doesnt affect the fact that Anne Sacoolas is coming back, which she is. But to hear this from them shows that they have not been candid with us at all and takes us back to those terrible days when they were trying to kick this all under the carpet. President Trumps acquittal on impeachment charges is welcome, but hardly the best news of the week. For, unnoticed until recently, another court proceeding advances, and win or lose, this matter can shake the globalist, deep state swamp off its here-to-now protected foundation. The case in question is Lawrence W. Doyle and John F. Moynihan (Petitioners) v Internal Revenue Service (Respondents), a case where allegedly corrupt actions of the Internal Revenue Service itself may fall under the microscope. It likely involves as yet unprosecuted crimes by charities that are still corruptly directed by household names. For history of this case, and some tantalizing details, see here. The names of Petitioners in the U.S. tax court case are familiar to many -- Doyle and Moynihan are self-described financial bounty hunters who are determined to police the waste, fraud and abuse that has grown exponentially of late, especially because the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice and Internal Revenue Service seem loath to go after the biggest of fish -- dynastic political families, billionaire donors, and all who enrich themselves at taxpayer expense. In December 2018, Doyle and Moynihan threw down ample evidence of malfeasance by the network of loosely-affiliated Clinton Foundation charities before a Congressional oversight hearing chaired by Congressman Mark Meadows: Most in the mainstream media ignored their testimony and its potential implications, but Sara Carter noticed and her work was picked up by the massive audience of concerned citizens who follow zerohedge.com Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney John Huber, who was slated to appear, did not bother to attend or even to send a stand-in. All was quiet on the Huber front after the December 2018 hearing until an unconfirmed report erupted in corporate or billionaire-owned media early in January 2020, starting with this piece in The Washington Post. Though it should not be so, the deck is stacked against patriots like Doyle and Moynihan and other whistleblowers who correctly question suspicious, arguably criminal acts allegedly committed by people who must know better -- highly educated and acclaimed public servants who once held and still aspire to hold the highest government positions in this and other nations. Why, today, are charities still used to launder dirty money, and then to trade it for influence? The answer is as simple as it is sad -- because fraudtsers can do so with impunity. To date, very few charity frauds have been prosecuted, and then chiefly against lower level grifters, not the rotten, core group that has tentacles in both political parties here inside the United States, and in counterparts worldwide. Leaky bucket: The business model for charity fraud In the United States, charities are readily exploited because the primary regulators, based in most states or territories and in certain localities, do not have resources or bandwidth to investigate or to prosecute large, complex schemes to divert donations, illegally, for political campaigns, or to enrich those who must be bought off. This is particularly so in the case of charities that claim they engage in work outside the United States, where even the F.B.I. has a hard time cracking the facade of charity frauds. Fake charities can open bank accounts and then divert donations away from intended, worthy recipients whose faces we see, and appeals we hear so frequently across the media complex. Who actually checks whether a given charity is lawfully organized in each jurisdiction where it operates? Who regulates what a given charity has been authorized to do to advance its professed goals? And who cares whether a charity the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation to pick one -- actually changed its name lawfully since incorporation on Oct. 23, 1997? That task falls to people like Doyle and Moynihan, as well as others who fight to protect integrity of the nonprofit sector. Frankly, financial institutions and governments worldwide are still not careful enough when it comes to performing diligence on purported charities. This is crystal clear when it comes to the network of Clinton Foundation charities. For example, to great public fanfare, John Kerry released a Memorandum of Understanding supposedly negotiated by Dec, 12, 2008 that would, in theory, mitigate potential conflicts among Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and an entity described in the document as William J. Clinton Foundation (see here). Jason Goodman and I, since June 2017, have shared more than two hundred detailed podcasts -- see the playlist here -- which demonstrate, beyond doubt, that William J. Clinton Foundation was not lawfully organized or operated before, on, or after Dec. 12, 2008, a fact that the incoming Obama Administration Team likely would only have discerned after Jan. 20, 2009, once they found a copy of this memo dated Nov. 10, 2008, made available through the Podesta WikiLeaks release during 2016. Why have so many Presidents allowed their Administrations to grant deference to predecessors to operate and potentially profit personally from stewarding Presidential Records? Put differently, when did operating Presidential Foundations become a tool to transform politically ambitious families into phenomenally wealthy, almost royal dynasties? Connecting the Dots Between Clinton Charity Frauds and Trump-Era Hoaxes President Trump made clear just now that his Administration intends to learn and then expose why, and with what resources, plotters in both political parties worked so hard to support Hillary Clinton when she was a viable candidate and then to obstruct Donald Trump from the moment he secured his first election victory, right through to the present -- see here. Animus against Trump runs deep; many anti-Trump plotters are in thrall to unregulated globalism, a project begun in earnest around 1988 that hollowed out the heartland, shuttering factories here to employ less expensive workers in loosely policed foreign nations. For more than thirty years, globalists squeezed private sector workers, as American and foreign oligarchs reaped the spoils of their late, great gambles. In time, this approach may become known as futilism -- impoverishing workers to make them dependent upon profligate governments only works inside ivory towers, and then, just in theory. This is an era that the Trump Administration has started to end. It may have been a fun ride for those who today operate near monopolies, and grease political wheels using opaque charities. But, long-overdue reckoning nears. Follow the Doyle and Moynihan case, and follow developments with regard to charities affiliated with Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, wishing the Trump Administration success in efforts to rebalance equal justice, under law, by policing all larger, tax-exempt organizations, particularly those operating internationally. Photo credit: YouTube screen grab (Newser) Pete Buttigieg took his share of shots from his Democratic presidential rivals in their debate Friday night, and that wasn't the end of it. A new online campaign ad for Joe Biden mockingly contrasts his experience in working to pass the Affordable Care Act and cut the Iran nuclear deal with the former mayor's Buttigieg's accomplishment in adding decorative brick to the sidewalks of South Bend, Indiana. "We're electing a president," NBC reports the 90-second ad says. "What you've done matters." Biden had continued his attacks Saturday in answering reporters' questions in his campaign office in Manchester, New Hampshire. The former vice president said Buttigieg has blamed current problems on President Barack Obama's administration. "This guy is not a Barack Obama," Biden said. "Barack Obama had been a United States senator of a really large state. Barack Obama had laid out a clear vision of what he thought the international society should look like. Barack Obama had laid out in detail what he thought should happen to the economy." story continues below On Sunday, Buttigieg said Biden had a point in saying he's not Obama. "Well, he's right, I'm not. And neither is he," Buttigieg said in an interview on CNN. "Neither is any of us running for president." But then, he said: "This isn't 2008, it's 2020, and we are in a new moment calling for a different kind of leadership." In addition, the former mayor's supporters have called Biden's line of attack dismissive of small cities, as well. Communities outside the Beltway, Buttigieg said Sunday, per the Hill, "are frustrated with being being made into a punchline by Washington politicians." New Hampshire's primary is Tuesday. (Read more New Hampshire primary stories.) Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt has revealed that she has separated from her husband. Froggatt, best known for playing Anna Bates in the hit TV and film franchise, confirmed the split from James Cannon in an interview on Saturday. 'We've actually been separated for a little while,' she said. 'I'm looking to the future. All over: Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt has revealed that she has separated from her husband James Cannon (poictured in 2018) 'I'm just going to embrace this year and see what happens.' The pair married in 2012 and their private ceremony at a church in Oxfordshire was attended by members of the Downton cast. The actress, 39, described the day as the happiest of her life. The couple appeared devoted to each other, and the revelation that they have split will take the world of showbusiness by surprise. They still plan to work together on film and TV projects. Happiuer times: Froggatt, best known for playing Anna Bates in the hit TV and film franchise, confirmed the split from James in an interview on Saturday (pictured in 2014) Although a showbusiness outsider, IT consultant Cannon was keen to support his wife's career and was regularly photographed alongside her at red-carpet events. They set up a production company called Run After It and in 2018 even moved to Los Angeles so that Froggatt could pursue career opportunities in Hollywood. Froggatt, who starred in last year's Downton Abbey movie and will soon reprise her role in the hit ITV thriller Liar, remains one of Britain's most popular stars. In the interview, the actress also revealed that she had no qualms about turning 40 in August and that she had not ruled out motherhood in the future. Moving on: 'We've actually been separated for a little while,' she said. 'I'm looking to the future' She said: 'If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, I hope I'll still feel I can live a happy and fulfilled life.' In April last year, Joanne was seen engaging in a very heated conversation with husband James as she wagged her finger at him during a boozy night out. The actress appeared rather distressed as she addressed James while on their way to the Hide bar in London's Bermondsey. In turn, James appeared rather stressed during the conversation but remained calm and collected, before taking Joanne's hand in his. Feud: In April last year, Joanne was seen engaging in a very heated conversation with husband James as she wagged her finger at him during a boozy night out The couple then headed to the bar with their arms around one another, after celebrating Joanne's final night starring in Alys, Always at the Bridge theatre. Clearly having smoothed things over, James wheeled Joanne's suitcase behind him, which likely contained all the things she had been keeping in her dressing room. Joanne has previously opened up about James, saying that she found it refreshing that he managed an IT company and was not in the showbiz industry. 'He's passionate about film and theatre, so we have a common interest and he's not in the business, so it's perfect,' she told The Telegraph in 2015. Split: The pair married in 2012 and their private ceremony at a church in Oxfordshire was attended by members of the Downton cast Its a long way, geographically, from the small south Kerry village of Cromane to the gilded acres of Californias Stanford University. And an even greater cultural distance when ones origins derived from deep poverty and forced emigration, only to transform in a single generation to the highest echelons of American academia. Such was the life journey of John McCarthy lauded as a computer age visionary and the godfather of artificial intelligence and to whom the new Fexco facility in Killorglin was dedicated last week. When he died in 2011, aged 84, the computer science pioneer was described by one US newspaper as perhaps the greatest Irish-American youve never heard of. Fexco CEO Denis McCarthy and Susan McCarthy, daughter of John McCarthy, to whom the new Fexco facility in Killorglin, Co Kerry, was dedicated last week. Picture: Valerie OSullivan Accepted as a giant in the field of computer science and a seminal figure in the development of artificial intelligence, McCarthys achievements won him global respect and in 1971 the Turing Prize, the highest distinction in science and known as the Nobel Prize of computing. He also received the Kyoto Prize in 1988, and in 1990 the National Medal of Science, Americas highest technical award. Like so many Irish success stories, it began in the humblest of circumstances. His father John left Cromane in the early 1920s in search of better prospects, selling a cow for the fare to London. Meeting his future wife Ida there, the couple eventually moved to Boston, where John was born in 1927. As the Great Depression began to bite, the family eventually moved to Los Angeles, where his father found work as a union organiser with the Amalgamated Clothing Workers. Even at an early age, John displayed an affinity for mathematics so advanced it allowed him to skip the first two years of his undergraduate degree. One of his favourite sayings was: He who refuses to do arithmetic is doomed to talk nonsense. At a 1956 conference in Dartmouth College, McCarthy first coined the term artificial intelligence, a process he defined as the science and engineering of making intelligent machines. He also created Lisp the computer language used in robotics and the basis of a multitude of internet-based services, from credit-card fraud detection to airline scheduling, to the voice recognition technology used in Siri and Alexa today. He developed the concept of computer time-sharing, an advance that transformed the efficiency of distributed computing and predated the era of cloud computing by decades. People knew that time-sharing was clearly the way to go, but nobody could figure out how to make it work nobody except John, said Les Earnest, a senior research scientist emeritus at Stanford. McCarthy went on to develop the first hand-eye system in which a computer was able to recognise actual 3D blocks via a video camera and control a robotic arm for lifting and stacking. He contended that every aspect of learning or intelligence can in principle be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it. In 1964 he became the founding director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Its goal was the creation of a thinking machine a task that McCarthy said would require 1.8 Einsteins and one-tenth the resources of the Manhattan Project. Known for his total focus upon whatever project he was working on, McCarthys eye was always turned toward the next peak of discovery. He could be blunt, but John was always kind and generous with his time, especially with students, and he was sharp until the end, said Ed Feigenbaum, professor emeritus of computer science at Stanford. He was always focused on the future. Always inventing, inventing, inventing. That was John. Focused on exploring methods to enable machines to become capable of abstract thought, McCarthys vision saw beyond the laboratory and into the age when computers would be ubiquitous additions in every office, home, and handbag. Program designers have a tendency to think of users as idiots who need to be controlled, he observed. They should rather think of their program as a servant, whose master, the user, should be able to control. During his tenure at Stanford, McCarthy formed the Homebrew Computer Club, a Silicon Valley group of computer enthusiasts whose membership would go on to include Steven P Jobs and Stephen Wozniak, the future co-founders of Apple Corp and designers of the first personal computer prototype, the Apple 1. After his death, one of the many epitaphs from former colleagues stood out: John McCarthy was a man who helped change the world. Chinese gaming giant Tencent Holdings Ltd has asked its employees to continue working from home until Feb.21, extending the period from Feb.14 announced previously, to protect employees from the spread of the coronavirus, the company said on its official WeChat account on Sunday. Catch Coronavirus LIVE updates here China has blocked a plan by Apple Inc supplier Foxconn Technology Co Ltd to resume production in China from Monday, the Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday, amid concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus. (Reporting by Dominique Patton and Winni Zhou; ... Israel responded to a rocket launched from Gaza with tank fire at two Hamas military posts, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said, Trend reports citing Sputnik. "In response to the rocket launched from Gaza into Israel earlier this evening, IDF tanks just targeted 2 Hamas military posts in Gaza", the IDF said on Twitter. The army had previously reported that a rocket had been fired from Gaza at Israel. A warning of rocket fire was sent out in a special application, addressing those who were in open areas. Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The third Pan-African Comedy Festival will be held in Cotonou next Saturday, according to sources close to the organizers A YOUTH who attacked and robbed an innocent student as he was walking home late at night has been jailed for two and-a-half years. Jimmy McCarthy, 19, of Stradavoher Court, Thurles, Tipperary had pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery relating to an incident at Roxboro Road shortly before midnight on January 5, 2019. A juvenile who has also admitted his role in the assault and robbery will be sentenced later in the year. During a sentencing hearing, Detective Garda Pat Whelan told Limerick Circuit Court the victim, who was 19 at the time, was walking near the Bus Eireann depot when he encountered the Mr McCarthy and his co-accused. They asked him if he was another named individual and despite his insistence that he was not that person they proceeded to attack him. Blows rained on him. It was a sustained attack, he told John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, adding that it is estimated from CCTV footage that up to 80 blows were inflicted. Judge Martina Baxter was told the victim, who managed to stay on his feet, sustained a black eye and some bruising and was lucky not to have sustained more serious injuries. A wallet, containing 15 in cash, was taken from the student who, the court heard, is still nervous when out at night time. Imposing sentence, Judge Baxter said while Mr McCarthy was not the main instigator he played an active role. This was an unprovoked and menacing attack by two thugs, she said noting that Mr McCarthy is anxious to turn his life around. She imposed a three and-a-half year prison sentence, suspending the final twelve months. An alternative alliance to the moderate Tamil National Alliance, the main Tamil political party in Sri Lanka, was formed in Jaffna on Sunday to participate in the next Parliamentary Elections expected to take place in April. The Thamizhi Makkal Tesiya Kootani or the Tamil People's National Alliance was forged under the leadership of former Northern Province chief minister CV Wigneswaran, who has always maintained a tough line on Tamil nationalism as opposed to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Wigneswaran said he opposed Sri Lanka being called a Sinhala Buddhist country, which was not the TNA's official stance. The alliance was launched with the signing of an MoU between three Tamil parties in Jaffna. Among the signees were former members of the TNA, including veteran Tamil political party leader Suresh Premachandran. At the launch, Wigneswaran charged the TNA with continuously duping the Tamil people by working in cooperation with the government in the south. Wigneswaran, backed by the TNA, became the Northern Province's first-ever elected chief minister in 2013 when he was elected with over 80 per cent of the Tamil votes. The new alliance aims to contest the next Parliamentary Elections, which are expected to take place in late April, in the North and East provinces. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Technological advances have oil and gas development in the Permian Basin headed to new areas. In response, some counties are taking steps to prepare for the possible arrival of the industry. The Tri-County area -- Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties -- is one example. A series of seminars on the potential impact of energy development on Big Bend communities is being held through April at Sul Ross State University. Additional seminars are planned for the fall. The first seminar was last week and featured Mike Teague with Adamantine Energy and David Iannelli with Hudson Pacific. Another seminar, Development By Design: Where Energy and Conservation Meet is set for March 18 and will feature Joe Kiesecker with The Nature Conservancy of Texas and Melinda Taylor of the University of Texas. All seminars are held at the Espino Conference Center at Sul Ross State University beginning at 6:30 p.m. Weve been tasked with reaching out to communities, landowners, corporations, to see what their thoughts are as energy development makes its way into the region, said Louis Harveson, Dan Allen Hughes Jr BRI Endowed Director and professor of wildlife management at Sul Ross, in a phone interview. He said the seminars -- sponsored by the Respect Big Bend Coalition, Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, Permian Basin Area Foundation, Meadows Foundation, Still Water Foundation and Borderlands Research Institute -- are designed to help area residents prepare for what may come. This is an effort to be proactive and have plans and procedures in place, he said. While energy development of any significance has not yet reached the Tri-County area, We want to understand what energy development can look like, what the constituents want and dont want, he said. The Big Bend region is home to fragile ecosystems, threatened species and picturesque landscapes and attracts half-a-million visitors annually, Harveson said. We do think this is a place worth putting in the effort of bringing together landowners, mineral owners, residents and the energy industry, he said. Oil and gas development of any significance is not expected in the Big Bend region, Harveson said, but renewable energy development may be on the way. We have a lot of sunshine, we have a lot of wind, he pointed out. We want to try to get a plan in place, to understand the values of the stakeholders and what they want, work with the industry to understand those values and come up with a plan to accommodate everyone. He called it a spatial exercise, in which we overlay what we value -- the landscape, the scenic vistas, the sensitive habitat, and overlay where we think development may be, where our concerns are and get to an accommodation. Our projections are only as good as current technology., he said. This needs to be a dynamic process and updated regularly. We need to constantly revise our projections, enter updated data and models. The foundations that are part of the coalition are bringing in experts, some globally renowned, Harveson said. He is grateful for the partnership of the foundations, as well as the energy industry. A lot of people paint the industry as the bad guy, but there are a lot of concerned corporations and good players who are setting an example for their peers to follow, he said. There are good players who want to help raise the bar. Of his more than 20 years teaching at Sul Ross, he said this series of seminars is the most impactful project hes been involved with. - Captain Rotimi Adeoye has been commended for making Nigeria and Africa proud for his service to Ethiopia Airlines - Adeoye flies the Airbus A350-900 XWB for Ethiopian Airlines, and he is said to be the youngest captain flying that type of plane - Recently, a Nigerian identified as Frank Umole discovered that Adeoye was the captain of the plane he boarded - Umole could not hide his joy that his fellow countryman was doing a great job It is always a thing of pride when fellow countrymen make being a Nigerian a special thing. Seeing a fellow national achieving great things internationally makes you proud to flaunt your identity as a Nigerian. This is the story of Captain Rotimi Adeoye who flies the Airbus A350-900 XWB for Ethiopian Airlines. A Nigerian identified as Frank Umole, who could not hide his joy when he learnt that Adeoye was the captain of the flight he boarded, took to social media to commend the captain for commanding the flight. He tweeted: "...and on some days a Nigerian makes you so proud. I heard Captain Rotimi and a Nigerian voice going on to speak Aramaic! I hail Captain Rotimi Adeoye of Ethiopian Airlines... he sure commanded that flight." Adeoye is said to be the world's youngest Airbus A350 captain. He also flew for Arik Air and Air Peace. In other news, breaking barriers and making a name in the world is what Nigerians do best. Nigeria is filled with talented people who do their best in their various fields in other to be known for their great achievement. A Nigerian woman broke a barrier and paved the way for many Nigerian women in the aviation industry. The woman identified as Adeola Ogunmola Sowemimo became the first female Nigerian pilot with Qatar Airways. The woman, who now works for the state-owned national carrier of Qatar, had taken to her Facebook page to thank God for his mercy. She wrote: "It is the Lord's doing and it's marvelous in my sight." On seeing her post, friends and family members on the platform also celebrated her for the great achievement. They also thank God for granting her the abilites to achieve it. Ghanas 1st Female Police Bemoans High Rate of Police Indiscipline | #Yencomgh: Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page Source: YEN.com.gh The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena on Sunday commenced its 'Mahamorcha' from Hindu Gymkhana along Marine Drive to the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. Raj Thackeray-led party has organised the march demanding eviction of illegal (Muslim) immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh staying in India. Thousands of MNS activists are expected to participate in the 'Mahamorcha'. Thackeray is scheduled to address the gathering at the Maidan. A large number of police personnel will be deployed along the route of the march. As many as 600 police personnel, riot control teams, bomb squads, and CCTVs will ensure the safety of both the protestors and Mumbaikars during the mega MNS demonstration. "Apart from local police, personnel of the State Reserve Police Force (DRPF), Riot Control Police, Quick Response Teams (QRTs), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), and additional 600 policemen will be deployed on the morcha route," the Mumbai Police spokesperson said. READ | MNS Accords 'Hero Of Hindus' Title To Raj Thackeray, Prints T-shirts Before Feb 9 Rally 'Illegal infiltrators' The MNS chief, Raj Thackeray on January 23 had said that the party will take out a huge rally on February 9 in Mumbai to drive "illegal infiltrators" from Pakistan and Bangladesh, out of India. During 'Maha Adhiveshan' (mega meeting) at the NESCO Ground in Mumbai addressing the public Thackeray, said, "We will take out a huge rally on February 9 to drive illegal infiltrators from Pakistan and Bangladesh, out of India. There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but why should we shelter someone who has come from outside illegally? I will meet the state Home Minister or Chief Minister over some issues. Muslim clerics in India go to other countries, nobody knows what do they do, even the police can't go there." READ | MNS To Conduct Huge Rally On Feb 9 To Drive Out 'illegal Infiltrators', Says Raj Thackeray Raj Thackeray-led MNS launched its new party flag, ahead of its day-long Maha adhiveshan (mega meeting). The new saffron-coloured flag of the party also features Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's, Raj Mudra. Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray has also been inducted into the party. As per the reports, there has been speculation that the BJP will support Raj Thackeray in rebranding his party after the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena joined hands with the Congress and NCP to form a government in Maharashtra. READ | Raj Thackeray's MNS Tweaks Indian Pledge In Poster: 'Infiltrators Not My Brother-sister' Posters outside Matoshree On Friday, MNS had put up posters right outside Uddhav Thackeray's Matoshree residence challenging him to fulfil his commitment that he made in a recent interview. The posters contain the following message- Honourable Chief Minister, if your stance is that Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators must be thrown out of the country, then first clear the neighbourhoods in your Bandra backyard that are brimming with infiltrators. READ | Heavy Police Deployment For MNS March On Sunday natural hair Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images Montgomery County, Maryland, expanded its human rights legislation on Thursday, making it the first in the US to ban hairstyle discrimination on a local level. Montgomery County Council member Will Jawando told ABC Washington D.C. station WTOP the bill expands the definition of race to include natural hairstyles commonly worn by Black people. "We have over 200,000 black and Latina women in Montgomery County, many of whom get up every day and make decisions about how they are going to present themselves to the world," Jawando told WTOP. Black people across the US have reported countless instances of racial discrimination on both an individual and systemic level based on wearing common natural hairstyles like Afros, twists, Bantu knots, and braids. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Montgomery County, Maryland, became the first in the United States to ban hairstyle discrimination on a local level on Thursday. In an effort to combat racist policies that prohibit Black people from wearing hairstyles like Afros, cornrows, and braids in schools, companies, and other institutions, city council members passed a bill to expand the definition of race used in their human rights legislation. "It will expand the definition of race to include natural hairstyles, like Afros, twists, Bantu knots and protective hairstyles like braids, that people of African descent wear," Montgomery County Council member Will Jawando said in an interview last year with WTOP. Expanding the definition of race to include hair is a direct response to the wave of discrimination towards Black people across the US for wearing traditional natural hairstyles in schools and workplaces. In December 2018, a New Jersey high school wrestler was forced to cut off his dreadlocks before a match because they were not compliant with regulations. Earlier that year, three young girls were sent home from their Catholic school in New Orleans for wearing braids. Story continues With instances of like these being reported across the country, advocates are calling hair discrimination a growing problem for African-Americans. "In the past, the regulations existed, but African-Americans often conformed through haircuts, wigs and relaxers," Ama Karikari-Yawson, a lawyer and diversity trainer on Long Island, New York told NBC. "Now, more of us are choosing not to conform, and so the conflicts are coming to light." The Maryland legislation falls under the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act, a legislation that legally bars discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles being championed by lawmakers across the country. "We have over 200,000 black and Latina women in Montgomery County, many of whom get up every day and make decisions about how they are going to present themselves to the world," Jawando told WTOP. While Montgomery County is the first in the US to ban hairstyle discrimination locally, California, New York, and New Jersey have all passed protections at the state level. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker also announced his plan in December 2019 to pass a federal bill banning hairstyle discrimination. Read More: 'Sexual racism' is a major problem on queer dating apps like Grindr, and it may be causing depression in black men An Israeli official told gay dads to pretend to be 'a normal couple' and figure out who should be labeled the 'mother' Podcasters of color are striving to amplify 'the actual voices of marginalized folks' Read the original article on Insider The late Princess Diana was one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. She joined the royal family in 1981 and became an icon all over the world. Although Kate, Duchess of Cambridge never got to meet the late Princess Diana, many people still cannot help but point out similarities between the two women. In fact, Kate herself just earned a nickname that is very similar to the one that Princess Diana received from her adoring fans. Princess Diana was called the Peoples Princess Princess Diana | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Princess Diana had a few nicknames that she was called both in her private life and in the press. One of the most enduring ones was the Peoples Princess. Princess Diana earned this nickname for her dedication to humanitarian work. Many royals take on humanitarian work as well, but Princess Diana put a lot of effort into being a true humanitarian. She was a patron of over 100 different organizations with varying causes like HIV/AIDS, homelessness, disabilities, and more. She also was very relatable to the public. Although she was a princess, she did not shy away from talking about her struggles. Additionally, she radiated warmth and care whenever she met with the people that her charities were working with. Kate Middleton is now called the Childrens Princess #duchessofcambridge has launched a new nationwide survey #5BigQuestions as part of her work into the #earlyyears. I joined her in Cardiff today on her whistle stop two day tour of the UK read more in @VanityFair pic.twitter.com/uSGBdW49t3 Katie Nicholl (@katienicholl) January 22, 2020 Like Princess Diana, Kate has touched the publics heart as well. However, she did it by connecting with children and promoting causes that help youngsters well-being, which is why she is now called the Childrens Princess. The Duchess of Cambridge has been working with family-oriented charities for years now. But she recently wowed fans when she embarked on a tour of several daycares in the U.K. to promote a national survey that will allow her to understand the key issues affecting families and communities across the country. An eyewitness that one of the centers that Kate visited described the Duchess of Cambridge as a natural with kids, as she played and talked to them. Meanwhile, followers all over the world are giving Middleton praise on social media. One person wrote: I love seeing her with children. She relates well with people of all ages but with children she has a different type of glow. She clearly loves them. Kate Middleton has three children of her own Perhaps it isnt surprising to see Kate being so dedicated to taking care of kids. After all, she herself is a mother to three children: George (b. 2013), Charlotte (b. 2015), and Louis (b. 2018). There is no doubt that her kids well-being is constantly at the forefront of her mind. Kate has also been praised for her parenting skills. For example, she has been known to limit her childrens screen-time and often encourages them to play outside instead. A source once shared with Us Weekly that, because Kate and her husband, Prince William, grew up without electronics, they are firm believers in toys, outdoor play, and encouraging an active imagination. Additionally, Kate is a very hands-on parent and really enjoys bonding with her kids. She herself is a decent cook, so she sometimes has her children spend time in the kitchen with her. The kids help her make things such as pizza, pasta, and salad. More importantly, the future queen-consort has also been following in Princess Dianas footsteps and actively tries to be there emotionally for her children. Royal families are traditionally very formal, which means that there is often an emotional distance between parents and their kids. However, Princess Diana broke away from this norm and tried to be close to her children. Kate has been doing the same as well, and its clear that she is not afraid to give her kids lots of hugs and let them know that they can come to her for anything. There are some corporate phrases that even executives would like to see gone. (Source: Getty) As far as corporate phrases go, there are some that are hated more than others and then there are some that even executives are tired of. Last year, the phrases not aligned to the legislative requirements and voluntary employee separations won the award for the most hated corporate doublespeak by the Plain English Foundations 2019 Worst Words of the Year. But, going forward to 2020, there are others that we should just leave behind in the last decade. Yahoo Finance asked a few company executives including HR executives about what office jargon we should ditch. Heres what they said: Agile A word that seems to have lost a lot of meaning throughout 2019 is agile. Businesses claim to be agile or to have adopted the agile way of working, yet in many cases, this isn't quite the case. An agile business is more than stand up scrum meetings and post-it notes flooding office wallsit's a culture where every employee is empowered to make decisions, accountability is shared and teams work together to achieve a common strategic objective. This is easier said than done though, with many companies bogged down in administrative burden and hierarchical structures. If we're going to do away with a misused term in 2020, let's make it agile. Monica Watt, chief human resources officer, ELMO Cloud HR & Payroll Work-life balance This term should well and truly be left in the last decade. We should instead be acknowledging the daily give-and-take: there are only 24 hours in any given day and there will always be times where I dedicate more time to my family or to my friends, to my hobbies or to my health or my career. It is important to accept this and stop beating ourselves up for not having achieved the perfect, mythical balance. I take a more thoughtful view of working practices and have the opportunity to work whenever and wherever we can be most productive. This is because work is just one part of our lives and the better it fits with everything else, the happier and healthier we become. Story continues Jaime Nelson, managing director of strategy and marketing services at Hotwire: Customer experience We need to think more critically about how we use the term 'customer experience' it has quickly evolved into jargon companies use to describe why they have automated a point in the customer journey. However, simply deploying a chatbot on a website or app does not constitute a better customer experience. We refer to customer effort as a concept, that is, looking at how hard it is for a customer to engage with an organisation. If the customer feels they need to put in more work than the organisation itself to achieve the desired outcome the only impact on customer experience is a poor one. Only when businesses deploy intelligent, specially designed solutions that seamlessly engage with customers in their moment of need will organisations be able to reduce customer effort. Only then do organisations have merit to speak to their impact on customer experience. Robert Schwarz, managing director of enterprise and mobile ANZ at Nuance Communications Married to the job I'd like to see us not only get rid of the phrase married to the job, but really shift the culture away from praising an unbalanced life. We sometimes applaud people who prioritise work over everything else, including relationships, when we should really be promoting balance and harmony with one's career not being married to it. We understand the emotional, mental and physical necessity of having a healthy work-life balance. Almost 30% of respondents on OkCupid said they don't check their emails on the weekend and 50% check only when it's urgent. It's so important to set time aside for your personal life, whether that's with family or friends, or just spending time doing something you love. We all need to recharge. Ariel Charytan, chief executive officer at OkCupid Digital-first Given the rapid pace at which businesses are embracing new technologies, most businesses, organisations and industries have already adopted digital-first as a core part of their strategies, rendering the term itself somewhat redundant. As we enter a new decade, the focus must be on providing transparent leadership and communication, particularly during business changes. When a workplace attempts to make changes too quickly or without the right partner and expertise especially large-scale technology or process changes the success of a project can be undermined and result in employee resistance. Whether you are introducing a new technology like artificial intelligence or replacing a legacy system, communication is critical. Clearly communicating the reasons for a change and the benefits it will bring to the wider organisation will help businesses achieve buy-in, without the need for unnecessary jargon or sugar-coating. Shweta Mishra, director of HR, APJ at Rackspace Value-add Any jargon that lends itself to ambiguity, particularly as we now largely communicate in shorthand over digital mediums, should be avoided in the office. Leaders too often throw around jargon without context, clarity or actionable outcomes, leaving teams in limbo as they figure out what is actually being communicated. For example, value-add can easily be used as a filler by someone who doesnt have specific ideas to share, and its on my radar can be roughly translated to I havent cared to take action on this item yet, and I am not ready to commit to a deadline. Nathan Knight, general manager for Lenovo Data Centre Group ANZ Acronyms When rushing to meet deadlines or pushing to minimise time spent on tasks at work, were all guilty of being lazy typistsdelightfully infatuated with shortened words. Why spell out estimated time of arrival when you can write ETA? Jargon isnt necessarily a dirty word. While popular culture (think Office Space and 30 Rock) has frequently lampooned office-speak, Ive always found the contextualisation and clarity of jargon amongst a team to be more important than avoiding it altogether. If your company is growing rapidly, youll likely have some new team members joining every week. As new hires are onboarded and learning the ropes, acronyms can make them feel like they dont fit in and cause confusion that slows down learning. If theyre embarrassed to ask for clarification, theyll turn to Google instead of getting a correct, contextualised answer in-house. Of course, common lingo will inevitably end up in conversation. However, always endeavour to use simple and clear language, not obscure acronyms, in internal channels for team cohesion and easy understanding. Fintan Lalor, regional manager, APAC, Wrike Technological unemployment This phrase refers to human expertise and jobs that are being replaced by robots and has recently been tossed around the office in a negative way as technology continues to make leaps and boundstransforming the way organisations operate and innovate. This kind of jargon, however, can send the wrong message to employees and imply humans dont stand a chance with the rise of robots and will ultimately be out of a job. While its no secret Australia is currently facing a shortage of technology skills, theres a clear opportunity for talent to upskill in all areas of technology, and its up to organisations to empower them to do so. Technological unemployment should be a phrase of the past, and nows the time to be honing in on skills so talent may work alongside advanced technology. After all, while technology may run the world, its humans who run the technology. Mike Featherstone, managing director, ANZ/APAC, Pluralsight Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news. Chinese netizens are mourning the death of Li Wenliang, the whistleblower doctor who first publicized information about the coronavirus outbreak in December 2019. Early morning on Feb. 7, Li passed away after contracting the virus from a patient he had treated. Soon after, there was an outpouring of grief and anger on social media. Chinese censors quickly began deleting such messages. Li and several doctors in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, had alerted the public about the illness before authorities confirmed it. But he was visited by local police and reprimanded for rumor-mongering. After public outcry, Chinese authorities touted Li as a hero who warned people about the virus. Grief Todays Wuhan is our city tomorrow and I want free speech are currently among the hottest keywords on Chinese social media. Netizens are angry that the authorities had punished Li for telling the truth. Comparing his bravery to figures in Chinese history who risked their lives in pursuit of freedoms, some even shared photos of protesters during the Tiananmen Square movement of 1989a taboo topic that is banned from public discussion. Soon after, such posts were removed by Chinese censors. Only posts by state-run media about his death were available. On the Chinese Twitter-like platform Weibo, netizen Lin Sensen complained that he tried eight times unsuccessfully to write a post, alluding to lingering questions he had about Lis death. He said: Im tired. Wuhan authorities also arrested citizen journalists who shared information about the situation in Wuhan on social media. Chen Qiushi is from Beijing. He arrived in Wuhan on Jan. 24 shortly after the city was locked down. Early morning on Feb. 7, Chens mother said that she couldnt reach Chen, and asked for netizens help in tracking him down. In the afternoon, Chens family received a notice from officials that Chen had been detained. Netizen Fang Bin also shared videos he recorded inside Wuhan hospitals since late January. On Feb. 7 afternoon, Fang said in a new video that plainclothes police had surrounded the residential area he lives in, and that he was concerned they could break in at anytime. Lis Death State-run media first reported Lis death at 9:30 p.m. Thursday. But hours later, they reported that he was still alive and being resuscitated. Shortly before 4 a.m., state-run media then announced that Li had passed away at 2:58 a.m. on Feb. 7. Li, an opthamologist, studied in Wuhan. Some of his former university classmates are his colleagues. On Feb. 7, Lis classmates revealed that Li had actually died around 8:30 p.m Thursday, and claimed that the hospital did not give him proper treatment. Though the posts were removed soon, netizens screenshot them and shared them on international social media platforms. State media reported that hospital doctors tried to revive him, using a medical ventilator to supply the oxygen. Then they conducted an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ecmo) operation and roughly three hours of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). On Feb. 7, Lis mother revealed more about her sons death in a published video. His condition was stable about 20 days ago. He could eat and walk. But in the last two days, his condition deteriorated rapidly, Because the disease is contagious, both Lis parents could not see him in person. They previously were infected with the virus but had recovered and returned home. After they [the hospital] sent his body to a funeral home, they [authorities] took us to the hospital to collect his belongings. The mother said Li Wenliangs wife Fu Xuejie returned to her hometown, a village in Zaoyang City of the Xiangyang municipality in Hubei Province, together with Fu and Lis five-year-old son after the doctor fell sick on Jan. 10. Fu is also pregnant with their second child, due in June, the mother said. Lis Wife Lis wife Fu also posted a public letter onto social media. My young brother was diagnosed [with the coronavirus] on Jan. 27. Both of my parents started to have a fever on Feb. 1, and are under quarantine at home, Fu said. After hearing my husband passed away, my body cant stand the pressure anymore. I started to have a fever today. Im worried about our baby in my womb. Fu said all adults are required to be quarantined if they are suspected of contracting the virus. She is worried that no one would be able to take care of her five-year-old child if she were quarantined. Fu asked for help for her son, as it would be difficult to relocate him back to Wuhan, where his grandparents are living. The entire province is currently under transportation lockdown. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) first broke out in Wuhan, located in central Chinas Hubei Province, in early December 2019. Tens of thousands have been infected within China, while dozens of countries are also reporting cases. From The Epoch Times Desperate Australians still stranded in the Chinese coronavirus epicentre have begged for another evacuation flight home as the death toll rises to more than 800. Up to 100 Australians still remain in Wuhan after 266 'clinically well' evacuees arrived in Darwin on a chartered Qantas flight on Sunday. A further 243 Australians who were on the first rescue flight from Wuhan are almost halfway through a 14-day quarantine on Christmas Island after landing on Tuesday. There are growing calls for the federal government to put on a third evacuation flight after many of those trapped missed out on selection for the second flight which departed Wuhan early Sunday morning. Around 266 evacuees flown from Wuhan arrived in Darwin on Sunday afternoon Among those still stuck in Wuhan desperate to return home are Lily and her two teenage children. 'One is in grade 12 and the other in grade 8. If we can't go back to Australia by April, [the elder one] will have to re-study at grade 12,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'The children are very anxious, hoping to return to school as soon as possible. We are currently in good health, but we are worried about being infected.' Another woman added: 'I have been very upset for not being chosen in the first two batches [to be evacuated]. I hope the Australian government can rescue me.' The death toll in China has risen to 811, surpassing the toll from the 2002-03 SARS epidemic. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs for further comment. Two groups of Australian citizens or permanent residents were evacuated to Christmas Island last week, with 241 leaving on a Qantas flight and 35 departing on a later Air New Zealand flight. Many Australians are still stuck in Wuhan after missing out on selection for the second evacuation flight (pictured) which has arrived in Darwin Australia's Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy told reporters on Sunday night there are no further plans to evacuate any more Australian citizens and permanent residents still stuck in Wuhan. 'I know that the Department of Foreign Affairs is in contact with people on the ground in Wuhan; we've certainly brought off the people at greatest risk,' he said, An estimated 100,000 Chinese students who study in Australia will not be able to return while the strict travel bans and quarantine measures are in place. While travel bans could be reviewed later this week, federal education Minister Dan Tehan acknowledged extended bans could disrupt universities, where classes will resume within weeks. Some Australian universities have already delayed the start of the semester. 'It's very much wait and see what happens,' Mr Tehan told Sky News on Sunday. But my hope is that we will see some sort of a breakthrough and we will be able to get students here for the first semester, but we will have to wait and see.' Evacuees who arrived in Darwin on Sunday (pictured) were transported to Howard Springs, where they will spend the next fortnight in quarantine More than 90 children were among the evacuees who arrived on Sunday. After undergoing four health screenings that confirmed all passengers were 'physically well', they were sent to the Manigurr-ma Village, a former mining camp at Howard Springs, 30km from Darwin. The evacuees were initially expected to be quarantined on Christmas Island but were redirected to Darwin because the island facility was unable to accommodate another couple of hundred people. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs is in contact with people on the ground in Wuhan and we have certainly brought off the people at greatest risk,' Professor Murphy said. 'They will review that situation and if there were any further flights, there is more capacity at Howard Springs but Christmas Island also may become vacant again.' The Qantas flight left the Chinese coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan early Sunday morning The Indian Air Force needs to "reorient and retrain" itself to a changed paradigm of war, former Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said here on Sunday. He also said the Rafale fighter aircraft and S400 missile defence system will help restore technological asymmetry in India's favour. "Though the Indian Air Force has trained itself to fight a full-scale conventional war in a joint campaign with sister services, it has to reorient and retrain itself to the changed paradigm. It must plan and address capability voids in due course of time," the former Air Chief Marshal said. He was speaking on the topic 'IAF In The Changed Security Paradigm' at the fifth Flying Officer Nirmal Jeet Singh Sekhon PVC annual memorial lecture organised here by the Gujarat chapter of the Air Force Association. Speaking on likely scenarios of the future, the IAF chief (retd) Dhanoa said, "We come to realise that sub-conventional conflict over terrorist attack on one of our installations and personnel has the highest probability of occurrence, because it can happen anytime and anywhere. This is something for which we need to be prepared 24/7." "A skirmish or a localised conflict like Kargil due to a terrorist attack that has gone awry like Uri and Pulwama is within the realm of possibility of our western neighbour," he said. The former IAF chif added that there was a need to "re-prioritise our expenditure based on this changed paradigm". "Hence spending on the integrated perimeter security system of our bases is more important than bemoaning not having a full authorised centre required for a two-front war," he said. The former IAF chief also said, "With the induction of Rafale and S-400, the technological asymmetry will once again be restored in our favour. Even if there is going to be a paradigm shift in the way they are going to fight the next war, there is a need to have a technological superiority so that our deterrence remains effective and we can maintain the peace". He underlined the needs for a "full-spectrum capability", as the enemy keeps modernising, and to address some of the "capability voids". Stressing that cyber and space were two new domains which have to be defended strongly, the former ACM said, "The way we have a network-enabled force, there are so many systems riding on our communication network, and very shortly deployment of operational data link, we will become a network force." "Cyber will have to be defended very strongly. Second is space, initially used only for telecommunication...add a new dimension which has changed the paradigm," he added. Former IAF chief Dhanoa said the surgical strike carried out in retaliation to the attack on the Uri base has signalled a paradigm shift in the way Indian government would respond to terrorist attacks involving mass casualties. "A surgical strike was authorised, and Balakot strike was approved by the government to send a political message to Pakistan that such attacks will incur a heavy price. "Pakistan government got the message that the new government will respond militarily to major terrorist attacks on its soil....This happened because of decisive national leadership in place, backed by the fact that should it escalate, we are ready for it at short notice. After all, it was a joint battle, and government cannot battle without all the three services being ready," he said. Regarding the Balakot strike, the former IAF chief said going after a "non military target" was "a very wise decision". "The operational capability and our intelligence capability cannot be compromised to just try and win the perception battle in the media. But both the Pakistani establishment and (terror group) Jaish-e-Mohammed got the message," he said. The former IAF chief further said that there were no major terror attacks between February and June, 2019 till the conclusion of the Lok Sabha polls because the Army, Navy and Air Force were "forward deployed to give a punitive response at a very short notice." He added that the attack on a terror camp in Pakistan was meant to give a message to that country's establishment, and "not to the Pakistani public, or an effort to win a propaganda battle with the Pakistani and international media". "Had it been so, we would have used different weapons and different modes of attacks for which presently Pakistan has no counter," he added. Lt General PM Hariz (retd) and Vice Admiral Vijay Shankar (retd) also delivered speeches on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Press Council Adjudication The Press Council considered a complaint from Isaac Golden, the national secretary and Victorian state president of the Health Australia Party about two articles published in The Age in November 2018. The articles were: Micro-parties set to win big in Victorian election after vote swap on November 12, 2018 in print and online and Socialists, anti-vaxxers, taxi owners: your guide to the microparties on November 22, 2018 online. The first article described the Health Australia Party (the party) as the anti-vaccination Health Australia party in the body of the article. The second article referred to the party as anti-vaxxers in the headline and said the party formerly known as the Natural Medicine Party claims it is not anti-vaxxer but opposes no jab, no play laws aimed at increasing vaccination rates. It also said the complainant claims to be a world authority on homeopathic immunisation. The complainant said the Health Australia Party is not an anti-vaccination party. Anti-vaccination is not one of its policies and it denies having an anti-vaccination policy. He said the partys opposition to the No Jab No Play legislation does not mean it is anti-vaccination, only that it supports informed consent. He said that a number of respected medical organisations which he identified also oppose the No Jab No Play legislation and he noted that it has not been asserted that those organisations are anti-vaccination. He said the description of the party as anti-vaccination has arisen as a result of previous comments made on social media by a past party founding member concerning the partys opposition to the No Jab No Play legislation. He reiterated that the party opposes that legislation not because it is anti-vaccination but because of freedom of choice. The complainant said that the current president of the party has never expressed anti-vaccination sentiment and has been quoted denying the party was anti-vaccination. He also said the title of the book written by him, Vaccination and Homeoprophylaxis?: A Review of Risks and Alternatives, did not suggest that he had anti-vaccination views. The complainant said that following the first article, the party published a statement on its webpage stating the party was not anti-vaccination and that he also contacted the publication to complain about that description of the party and provided copies of these communications to the Council. The Department of Justice sent a senior civil servant in charge of reforming gambling legislation in Ireland to a highly controversial global gambling industry showcase in London last week. The ICE Expo at London's Excel Arena was described by one British Labour MP as "archaic and beyond disrespectful" because of the use of scantily-clad women by betting companies to advertise their wares. The Department of Justice and Equality said that its Principal Officer Brendan Mac Namara "is the official responsible for the development of new legislation on gambling activities" and that he had "attended the ICE Expo in a professional capacity". Mac Namara is the departmental representative to the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF), an international organisation for regulatory organisations and relevant EU ministries. "GREF meetings are traditionally arranged at the Excel Expo Centre in London to coincide with people's likely attendance at ICE," it said. Mac Namara attended a number of GREF meetings during his visit and did not have meetings with companies at the event, the department said. "ICE is perhaps the foremost global gathering of gambling industry representatives and regulators. It provides a very useful indication of trends in the gambling industry that are valuable to regulators," it said in response to Sunday Independent queries. In 2018, Sarah Harrison, the then head of UK regulator the Gambling Commission, had threatened to boycott the event in future. "You saw men representing their companies wearing expensive tailored suits whilst their female colleagues were expected to wear nothing more than swimsuits. I say bring this to an end now," she told reporters after attending the show. Harrison has since stepped down and her replacement delivered a speech at this year's event. Nevertheless, there was further media criticism last week, with reports that exhibits at the event were "fronted by models in highly sexualised or revealing outfits", including cat suits and Playboy bunny outfits. Hodges said she wondered if the climate crisis would get the attention it deserves if it was placed in another program of the national chapter other than the Making Democracy Work campaign. No "Huawei ban" as Sweden takes next step toward 5G rollout STOCKHOLM, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said Friday that there will be no "Huawei ban," as Sweden moves forward with plans to roll out 5G technology in the country. Sweden's 5G frequency licenses will be assigned following an auction on Oct. 13, Anna Beckius, head of the spectrum analysis unit at PTS, told Swedish Television (SVT) on Friday. Although Chinese tech company Huawei will not be automatically excluded from the bidding process, any company that wants to take part in the auction must first undergo a review by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Security Service, according to PTS. Beckius said that "it will be up to the mobile operators to determine whether or not 5G can become a reality." Next-generation 5G wireless networks could give Swedes up to 10 times faster web speeds than current 4G technology allows. BEIJING (AP) Carrying permits demanding fast passage, truck drivers rushed a 560-ton shipment of disinfectant from eastern China to Wuhan, the locked-down city of 11 million people at the center of a vast effort to contain a new viral disease. Outside the metropolis in central China, the cargo was shifted to local trucks with drivers in masks and protective suits, part of a tightly controlled flow of food and other supplies through checkpoints that have blocked most access to Wuhan since Jan. 23. As global anxiety about the new virus rises, authorities have blocked 50 million people from leaving Wuhan and nearby cities at the center of the outbreak. That in turn requires a massive effort to keep them supplied with food and other necessities. Wuhan is not an isolated island, declared a state newspaper, the Yangtze Daily. Few governments could attempt such drastic restrictions on a population bigger than South Korea's or Australia's. They are made possible by the ruling Communist Party's extensive controls on society and experience combating the 2002-03 SARS epidemic. Some trucks are allowed to leave the 17 locked-down cities to collect food. Photos in state media show them lined up at checkpoints, their drivers wearing face masks. Police, shrouded in white protective suits, examine the drivers for the virus's telltale fever. Those without passes are turned back. Schools, cinemas and restaurants are closed in Wuhan, an industrial center with a population 1 1/2 times that of New York City. To keep people at home and reduce chances for infection, subway and bus services are shut down and private vehicle use is banned in downtown areas. The government of Hubei province, where all the cities are located, has promised adequate supplies of vegetables, rice, meat and medical supplies. It said authorities were working with retailers to bring food from as far away as Yunnan province in the southwest and Hainan island in the South China Sea. A crackdown on hoarding and price-gouging by merchants was announced after food costs spiked. Please do not panic, do not hoard, so as not to cause waste, said a government announcement. Story continues China on Friday reported 9,692 confirmed cases of the virus, which can cause pneumonia and other severe respiratory symptoms. So far 213 have died. The shipment of disinfectant last Saturday was moved by drivers from two trucking companies in the eastern province of Jiangsu, according to the manager of one of the companies, Huai'an Hazardous Goods Transport Co. With official passes, the 18 teams of drivers cut the normal 20-hour travel time to 15 hours, according to the manager, Liu Hankang. "Enterprises must take on this responsibility, Liu said by phone. The government has released no details of how it is enforcing travel curbs on smaller roads and villages on the outskirts of the vast locked-down area. Residents contacted by phone said most supermarkets still have adequate food supplies. They can meet our needs for the time being, said a 40-year-old father of two in Wuhan who would give only his surname, Cai. Residents are wary of talking to reporters after authorities said eight doctors were punished in December for warning about the emergence of the virus. Authorities can draw on an extensive surveillance network involving thousands of video cameras, smartphone tracking, monitoring of social media and other technology developed with the help of Western technology to protect the party's monopoly on power. Hospitals are straining to cope with thousands of virus patients while doctors also treat other cases. State media say police in protective gear are stationed at hospitals to separate people arriving with fevers and other possible virus symptoms from other patients. Rui Zhong, a Wuhan native who lives in Washington, D.C., said that her mothers elderly cousin died in the city in the past 10 days after a delay in the arrival of an ambulance. A 73-year-old man with a lung problem, he died on the way to the hospital, Zhong said. Its hard to know for sure: could he have been saved?" said Zhong, who works at the Woodrow Wilson Center. But my family will always wonder. The cause of death was never determined. The doctors didnt look at it super-closely, she said. He was cremated. The city is racing to build a 1,000-bed hospital for virus patients. It is due to open Monday, 10 days after construction began. A second hospital with 1,500 beds is to open shortly after that. Parents contacted by phone say their children, forced to stay home, are doing homework and watching TV. A restaurant chef in Jingzhou, another Hubei city, said his 12-year-old son was getting restless. He wanted to go out, but I had to keep him home, said the chef, who would give only his surname, Nong. Police in Jingzhou were stopping pedestrians on empty streets to check their temperature and ask their addresses, Nong said. We grow our own vegetables, but the stocks can last only for another 10 days or so, said Nong. I guess the village committee will need to offer us supplies if we are still banned from going out. Liu Xiaoran, a Wuhan University journalism student, said she and her parents had Lunar New Year dinner, China's most important family event of the year, with relatives over WeChat, a popular messaging service. She said her grandparents refuse to leave home or receive visitors. Liu said one woman she knows begged for help online after four of her five family members were quarantined in three different hospitals. She asked for beds in the same hospital or else help traveling to the different facilities to look after them, a task made harder by Wuhan's closure of bus and subway service. When she goes out, I wear two layers of masks, try not to touch anywhere, keep a distance from others and disinfect with alcohol right after coming home, said Liu, 21. I feel nervous, especially when I go somewhere with a lot of people, such as drugstores or supermarkets. Other cities are imposing their own travel controls. Some apartment complexes in Beijing bar anyone but residents from entering. People in two villages on the Chinese capitals outskirts say they have set up their own barriers to prevent outsiders from entering. The government of Shanghai, a global business center of 25 million people, has extended the end of the Lunar New Year holiday by 10 days to Feb. 9 to encourage the public to stay home and avoid spreading infection. In Wuhan, public schools were ordered to start teaching online Feb. 10 after the new semester was postponed. Wuhan University is organizing online classes. For the healthy, its like what you call a snow day, staying inside," said a Wuhan University professor who asked not to be identified further for fear of retribution. "For the people that are struggling, the hospitals are under strain. ___ AP researchers Shanshan Wang and Yu Bing and video journalist Olivia Zhang in Beijing and writer Christina Larson in Washington, D.C., contributed to this story. The word is finally starting to get out about Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the fresh faced, suddenly surging Democrat presidential contender who is poised to do well in Tuesdays first in the nation New Hampshire primary. Just as I suspected, however, first impressions can be deceiving: Mayor Pete is in effect morphing into Obama 2.0 another questionable cut-out figure posing as a moderate who in reality is a socialist at best and most likely a full-blown Marxist communist sympathizer. Much is made of Buttigiegs initial claim to fame, exactly 20 years ago when he was a high school senior in South Bend, Indiana. His essay was selected as the best one out of 600 to be submitted in 2000 to the annual prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage essay contest sponsored by the JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Few MSM reports, however, have noted the subject or content of the young Buttigiegs 1,100-word essay. The title says it all: Bernie Sanders. Sanders, it turns out, was Buttigiegs favorite political profile in courage. In 2000, Bernie Sanders was in his fifth term as the sole member of the House of Representatives from the state of Vermont. He was an obscure backbencher who identified himself as an Independent and a Socialist. According to the Washington Post, Sanders was the fifth socialist to serve in the House, the last one having left in 1929. In 2007, Sanders would be elected to the United States Senate and after another eight years on the sidelines, the rest, as they say, is history. Caroline Kennedy and Peter Buttigieg at the JFK Library and Museum essay award ceremony, May 22, 2000 Source: jfklibrary.org In his award-winning essay, Buttigieg swoons over his hero Rep. Sanders, writing: Sanders courage is evident in the first word he uses to describe himself: Socialist. In a country where Communism is still the dirtiest of ideological dirty words, in a climate where even liberalism is considered radical, and Socialism is immediately and perhaps willfully confused with Communism, a politician dares to call himself a socialist? He does indeed. Here is someone who has looked into his own soul and expressed an ideology, the endorsement of which, in todays political atmosphere, is analogous to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Even though he has lived through a time in which an admitted socialist could not act in a film, let alone hold a Congressional seat, Sanders is not afraid to be candid about his political persuasion. A decade and a half before Sanders would inspire a generation of young leftists to action with his clarion call for free stuff and a top-down transformation of the United States away from free market capitalism, Buttigieg concluded his essay: I commend Bernie Sanders for giving me an answer to those who say American young people see politics as a cesspool of corruption, beyond redemption. I have heard that no sensible young person today would want to give his or her life to public service. I can personally assure you this is untrue. The nine-member committee that judged the entries and selected Buttigieg as the winner included JFKs daughter Caroline Kennedy; JFKs brother Sen. Ted Kennedy; Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Childrens Defense Fund; Antonia Hernandez, President of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund; and several high level MSM executives. Along with a $3,000 prize, Buttigieg and his parents were feted at a lavish event in Boston where they got to hob nob with the East coast progressive elite. Speaking of Buttigiegs parents: It has recently come to wider attention, thanks to the new media and social media, that Buttigiegs father Joseph, who passed away last year, was a leading Marxist academic. The Washington Examiner actually broke this story last April, but it was largely ignored, probably because back then Pete Buttigieg, an unknown mayor of a small rust belt city with a minimal political resume, was considered an asterisk in this years race for the Democrat nomination until recently, that is, after his strong showing in last Mondays Iowa Caucus. And the desire of Democrat bigwigs to anoint someone to stop the equally surging but harder to swallow full-throated socialist Bernie Sanders. The elder Buttigieg, according to Emily Larsen and Joseph Simonson writing in the Examiner: was a Marxist professor who spoke fondly of the Communist Manifesto and dedicated a significant portion of his academic career to the work of Italian Communist Party founder Antonio Gramsci, an associate of Vladimir Lenin. Joseph Buttigieg, who died in January [2019] at the age of 71, immigrated to the U.S. in the 1970s from Malta and in 1980 joined the University of Notre Dame faculty, where he taught modern European literature and literary theory. He supported an updated version of Marxism that jettisoned some of Marx and Engels more doctrinaire theories, though he was undoubtedly Marxist. Pete Buttigieg, his late father Joseph, and the Italian communist Antonio Gramsci Source: JrinTheUSA Twitter The parallels here with Barack Hussein Obama are striking. At his high-profile launch in July 2004 when he delivered the keynote speech at the Democrat National Convention in Boston that nominated John Kerry and for the next four years, Obama presented himself as a moderate. In 2007-08, he ran to the right relatively speaking of Hillary Clinton for the 2008 Democrat presidential nomination. While a handful of reporters and commentators tried to bring Obamas extreme radical left background to wider attention, his previous career, writings, and associations were completely whitewashed and largely ignored by the mainstream. It wasnt until he assumed office and ruled for eight years that his promise to transform America would start to be appreciated for what it was. A number of mainstream talking head pundits are already making what they see as favorable comparisons between Obama and Buttigieg. Both of them boast an Ivy League pedigree, they are (or were, in the case of Obama) young and appealing figures, and they are smooth, glib talkers. Buttigieg is currently getting the buzz, as well, because the leftist power brokers clearly see someone like him as more electable than the aging, dour, in-your-face socialist Sanders. Waiting in the wings, meanwhile, is multi-billionaire Mike Bloomberg. The former New York City mayor, however, who is prepared to self-fund his campaign to the tune of $2 billion, carries a lot of baggage if hes to be the one to stop Sanders and beat Donald Trump. Buttigieg who Forbes last June estimated has a net worth of only $100,000 would more likely be much easier for leftist Democrats, and many independent and even Republican voters, to swallow. With all of this disturbing information now coming to light, the question today should be: Is Pete Buttigieg, like Obama, another wolf in sheeps clothing? The increasingly strong possibility, I think it is safe to say, is YES. Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who writes about politics, media, popular culture, and health care for American Thinker and other publications. Peter's website is http://peter.media. His new YouTube channel is here. Follow Peter on Twitter at @pchowka. China's northern Shandong province said all schools will stay closed until the end of February amid an ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the province's education bureau said in a statement on its official webite on Sunday. . The move, which applies to all types of schools, is being carried out to guarantee students' safety, the statement said. . Update: Abducted 2-month-old OK, suspect arrested: dispatch Police are looking for Evan Brown, who they say abducted a 2-month-old child from Middletown Saturday evening. He is believed to be driving a gold 2005 Town and Country minivan, according to Middletown Police Department. He is wanted on charges and when approached, he fled in the minivan. Police believe the two-month-old child may be in danger. The department is asking for the publics help to find him. Brown should not be approached, police said. They ask anyone who sees him call 911. There is noticeable damage to the drivers door, police said. The license plate is LCG0952. Police said he might be in Harrisburg, Middletown, or Enola. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. CHINESE officials often try to portray racism as primarily a Western problem. Yet there is a widespread tendency in China to look down on other races, especially black people. Two years ago a television ad for a laundry detergent showed a young Chinese woman luring a black man closer, triumphantly popping a detergent capsule into his mouth and stuffing him into a washing machine. At the end of the cycle, out came a fresh-faced Chinese man, over whom the woman swooned. Among the tens of thousands of Africans living in a neighborhood of Guangzhou known as Chocolate City, many report racist slights. (Kenyans Say Chinese Investment Brings Racism and Discrimination, The New York Times, Oct. 15 2018) While most Americans were busy celebrating Labor Day, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte was busy insulting their president. After Obama criticized Dutertes human rights record at a press conference over the long weekend, Duterte called him a son of a w**re. Duterte apologized, but it was too late: On Tuesday morning, Obama canceled a planned summit between the two presidents. This isnt the first time Duterte has done something like this. In 2015, after a papal visit caused a traffic jam in Manila, Duterte called Pope Francisyou guessed ita son of a w**re. Just last month, he referred to US Ambassador Philip Goldberg as the gay ambassador, the son of a w**re. (Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippiness less racist but more murderous Donald Trump, explained; VOX, Sept. 7, 2016) During his impromptu press conference last week about the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) scare, President Duterte was in his usual rambling and incoherent self. It wouldnt have been anything out of the ordinarily crazy things he has already done since coming into power, except that this one sounded uncharacteristically un-Duterte. Not that he was now starting to speak like Obama. He was still rambling and incoherent as usual, but this time he seemed to have sprouted a heart. He urged Filipinos to be more humanitarian towards the mainland Chinese, calling the countrys fright over the 2019-nCoV as nothing but xenophobia. Story continues If I had never heard Duterte speak before, and if he were still running for office, I probably would have been persuaded to vote for him. Except that I have, and unfortunately, he is now our President. This was a President, remember, whose solution to the countrys drug problem was simply to get rid of the addicts. No drug addicts, no drug problem. And now he accuses his countrymen of being un-humanitarian? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black, eh? Like the rantings of a crazy drunk accusing his sober neighbors of drinking too much, the Presidents appeals elicited nothing but derision, to be sure. Any shred of moral authority he may once have held simply by virtue of being President has long since disappeared without a trace, forgotten in the wake of his curses hurled against America, the pope, opposition politicians and everybody else who did not share his weird and sick sense of humor, if it can even be called that. Same too with the pleas of the Chinese, who now complain that the world is being racist to them, in the midst of the 2019-nCoV scare. The same country that considers a TV commercial featuring an African person being laundered into a Chinese man normal, now has the audacity to cry racism when many nations closed their borders to its citizens in the wake of the virus scare. No one should condone racism, and we cannot allow ourselves to be without sympathy for those who are suffering, the Chinese included. But people are just people, and they have long memories. For their president to call them racist when he himself has been everything but, is not only an insult, but alsoquite franklydownright outrageous. The same goes with the Chinese, who now plead victimization, after playing the racist bully for so long. So let this be a lesson to all future leaders and bully nation-states. You reap what you sow; you cannot just plead for mercy whenever you feel like it. If you invest in kindness, only then will you be rewarded with everyones compassion. By Lee Min-hyung KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo Jerusalem: A US has envoy warned Israel not to declare sovereignty over West Bank land without Washington's consent, pushing back against calls for immediate action by ultra-nationalists within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition. US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan, unveiled on January 28, envisages Israel keeping key swathes of the occupied territory where Palestinians seek statehood. But the question of timing has opened up a rare rift between the allies. United States ambassador to Israel David Friedman has cautioned Israel against unilateral action in annexing West Bank settlements. Credit:AP Netanyahu initially pledged a speedy "application of Israeli law" - de facto annexation - to Jewish settlement blocs and the Jordan Valley, delighting his religious-rightist base ahead of Israel's March 2 election, where he hopes to win a fifth term. But he was forced to backpedal after the White House made clear on Sunday it wanted a US-Israeli mapping process - likely to take weeks or more - completed first. A woman opened her window in Wuhan at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, 24 hours after the death of the doctor who had been arrested for spreading rumours about a virus that would soon infect tens of thousands, kill hundreds thus far, and result in the lockdown of tens of millions of people in her city and across China. A neighbour was playing Remembrance, a well-known song commemorating the tens of thousands who died in a 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Lights flickered from apartment windows in all directions, an isolated person or family behind each one. Then another sound floated through the darkness: whistles, loud and clear, piercing the darkness. The woman posted a video of the moment online with a message to the deceased doctor, Li Wenliang: Doctor Li, did you hear? It was your warning, letting us know to ask those around us to wear a mask. Thank you for your protection, my loved ones are still safe and well. We will always remember ... She added a hashtag: Farewell to the whistleblower. Then censors deleted her video. The death of the doctor has roused an outpouring of fury, angst and demands for government accountability and transparency in Wuhan and across China, especially as the coronavirus epidemic intensifies and spreads. Almost 35,000 have been reported infected and more than 700 have died in mainland China so far, including a 60-year-old U.S. citizen who succumbed Wednesday in Wuhan. As the toll mounts, Beijing has doubled down on efforts to control the narrative, sending 300 propaganda writers from state media to Wuhan to produce upbeat stories about Chinas virus response while deleting questions, criticisms and cries for help posted online and detaining independent activists seeking to investigate the crisis scale. Officials continue to repeat the message: Trust the Communist Partys leadership. But many Chinese people are no longer listening. In the hours after Lis death on Friday morning, millions of comments and posts flooded social media, many of them accusing the government of concealing information about the virus, resulting in the death of Li and hundreds of others. I want freedom of speech trended for hours before censors scrubbed the topic clean. Some social media users pointed out that Li was a regular person who had not sought to be a hero, and was detained simply for warning colleagues and friends within a private chat group about a new virus. Many reflected on how efforts by authorities to prioritize political stability over reality had contributed to the current disaster. Weve become deformed without realizing, disciplined to the point where we dont react like regular people, wrote a blogger surnamed Chen. When you get a message about something that could risk millions of peoples lives, your first thought is not, How can I warn everyone? but Will I be in danger for speaking? ... While the well-intentioned are too afraid to speak, the poisonous ones have already raised a torch. In the past, I didnt understand why we had to study so many Lu Xun essays, or what kind of society is one where man eats man, wrote another user surnamed Liu, referencing the Chinese revolutionary writer famous for penning allegories depicting China as a numbed, slavish society where humanity is devoured by concentrated power and an apathetic public. Half a year ago, I also didnt understand, why did the useless youth in Hong Kong say that we are living in a made-up beautiful dream, unable to hear the sounds from outside? she wrote. Now I understand it all. The ones whove suffered are not we who sit here typing words, but those who have lost their lives, wrote yet another user. You cant pay them back. You government officials and hospital leaders, red-faced over public opinion youre the ones who are the disease. In Wuhan, dozens of citizens ventured out Friday and Saturday to the hospital where Li had died, leaving bouquets of flowers in his honour. One included a handwritten message: The ophthalmologist couldnt cure the worlds blindness. If there is another life, give up medicine and take up literature to open the peoples minds, referencing Lu Xuns decision to leave medicine and become a writer in hopes of rousing Chinese people to rise up against the Qing Dynasty. It was signed, From a free citizen. Two local newspapers ran front-page stories demanding accountability for Lis demise. Let the sunlight of openness and transparency pierce through the haze of the virus, read a headline in Shanghais Xinmin Evening News. Please clear the name of the rumormonger, read the front page of Beijings Economic Observer. Beijing announced Friday that the Communist Party was sending an inspection team from the National Supervisory Commission, the partys anti-corruption body, to thoroughly investigate issues related to Dr. Li in Wuhan. Chinese media reported that Wuhans local government would consider Lis death a work-related injury and provide roughly $117,000 (U.S.) to his family. Wuhans city government issued a statement expressing sadness and respect for the doctors death without apology for any mistreatment. But such measures have not quelled public anger. On Friday, a group of scholars from prominent universities issued an open letter to the National Peoples Congress, demanding immediate implementation of Chinas constitutional guarantee of the freedom of speech. Where there is no free speech, there is no safety, they wrote, calling the outbreak a humanitarian disaster that was leaving China in unprecedented global isolation while authorities continued to focus more on silencing critics than on controlling the virus spread. Gao Fei, a migrant worker in Hubei province who was detained for seven days because he wrote a tweet criticizing President Xi Jinpings refusal to admit Chinas need for outside help, said in a phone interview that he had met two others in prison detained for posting information about overwhelmed hospitals and lack of medical supplies in Hubei. He feared that the outbreak was getting worse in Hubei, and that authorities could now arbitrarily use quarantine orders to detain those who speak up about it, with no accountability for whether those quarantined were actually sick. We are all hiding at home. We eat, drink and wait to die. Its terrifying, Gao said. We hope for international pressure and for Chinese people to fight for freedom of speech and push this government to do something, because everyones life matters including the people in the government. Every life is the same. Freedom of speech has become paramount in China because its a matter of life or death, said Tsinghua University sociologist Guo Yuhua. Its a sea change in how society perceives political authority, particularly among those who had believed obedience and passivity would keep them safe. This has touched the bottom line of Chinese peoples existence, Guo said. A lot of people think, as long as I can eat and stay warm, who cares about freedom or democracy? But now you know ... this withholding of freedom of speech, this unrestricted abuse of power, is evil. Its not just the virus, but a political type of virus, she said. At the same time, Chinas stability maintenance apparatus police, jails, censorship, propaganda is so strong, and civil society so weak, she said, that institutional change is unlikely any time soon. To cover up earlier wrongs, they do new wrongs. To cover the old lies, they tell new lies. And they are so powerful, she said. I feel a lot of sorrow and anger. Li, the doctor, is one of many who have died while seeking to combat the disease on the front lines. On Feb. 3, He Hui, 54, died in Wuhan, infected with coronavirus after volunteering as a driver to ferry people to and from hospitals amid a transport lockdown. Theres this pain in my heart. I cant put it into words. Its not sadness, its pain, said Qi, a friend and former colleague of Hes who did not give his full name. Qi said in a phone interview from Wuhan that He had been a successful businessman with a large family and newborn grandchild. And in the end, He was the victim of an inept system, Qi said. Why did they need volunteers to drive and pick up doctors? When authorities decided to restrict transportation, didnt they think that medical staff would need to go to work? he said. Why couldnt he get into the hospital earlier? Was it not because the government is hiding the numbers of those infected, and so cannot solve the problem of not enough beds and not enough staff? Its not about how great any individual is. We are all regular people, he said. The problem is in our society, this failed structure and chaotic management that have created a man-made disaster ... Its killing people. Its letting the people suffer. Read more about: DES MOINES A final count of national delegates awarded to the presidential campaigns is coming soon, and an investigation of what went wrong with the results is coming later, the Iowa Democratic Partys chairman said Friday. Troy Price told reporters an independent investigation will examine why a new app designed to report results failed on caucus night. We will be undergoing an independent forensic review of the challenges that we saw on Monday night: what went right, what went wrong, from start to finish, and what we can do better in the future, Price said. Price said the investigation will take however long is needed and will be delivered directly to members of the partys state central committee. He said the report will be independent of himself and other state party leaders. The state party did not complete its reporting of official results until Thursday evening, 72 hours after the caucuses were held. Price said a coding error in a new app caused inconsistencies in the results being reported, and backup systems took longer than expected. In the final results published by the state party, former mayor Pete Buttigieg holds a slim lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in state delegate equivalents earned. Buttigieg has roughly two more state delegate equivalents in a race in which more than 2,000 were awarded. Because the results are so close and some results are being called into question, media outlets have not declared a winner of the caucuses. The state party does not declare a caucus winner. The New York Times and Bernie Sanders presidential campaign have notified the Iowa Democratic Party that they found what they believe to be errors in the results published in dozens of precincts. Price said the party has asked the campaigns to highlight any results that they feel are incorrect and also has extended until Monday the deadline for campaigns to request a recount or re-canvass of the statewide results. The Buttigieg campaign told The Associated Press it will not be requesting a recanvass, and the Sanders campaign did not immediately reply to the APs question. While the state delegate equivalents have been calculated, the number of national delegates awarded to the campaigns has not yet been published. Price said that should happen this weekend. According to The Associated Press calculations, Buttigieg has won 13 national delegates in Iowa and Sanders 12, with one more delegate to be awarded to the winner. The three-day delay in reporting results instigated another national debate over Iowas role as the leadoff state in the U.S. presidential nominating process. Price defended the caucuses by noting this years turnout which appears to be similar to four years ago but short of the record set in 2008 and by saying the caucuses themselves were executed efficiently Monday night. It was not until the results reporting stage, Price said, that things fell apart. Price said he will provide another update to reporters Monday after the deadline for a recanvass request passes. We have a lot of work left to do. Theres no question about that. But I will say this: we have worked tirelessly over these last four days to produce a full record from all 1,765 caucus sites, Price said. Now were going to work to finalize that process here over the next few days. Every four years for more than four decades, Iowas status as the first state in the presidential nominating sweepstakes has held firm, weathering criticism for its largely white and rural demographics being at odds with the makeup of the nation as a whole. But after Mondays debacle, the Iowa caucuses and the states outsize influence in choosing the nations top candidates for president may be over. This is a conversation that happens every four years, Price said of the possibility of Iowa losing its status after facing withering attacks for the bungling of the caucuses. Theres no doubt that conversation will take place again. Despite Prices downplaying it, the fate of the first-in-the-nation caucuses is in unprecedented jeopardy. Mondays national embarrassment only amplified the growing criticism from party progressives that Iowas lack of diversity should disqualify it from having such influence over how such a racially, socially and economically dynamic party chooses its top contenders. The fiasco also only layered more condemnation on the caucus process itself, a lengthy evening commitment that critics argue makes participation difficult for those with young families or who work night shifts. Its been a great ride, but were talking about the presidency here, were talking about the way this country looks on the world stage, said David Yepsen, who retired after 34 years at The Des Moines Register, including serving as the papers national political columnist. Lets not be parochial here anymore. If we cant do this right, then we ought not to do it. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-10 04:22:30|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Police officers stand guard near the site where a gunman opened fire in Bronx of New York, the United States, on Feb. 9, 2020. A policeman was shot Sunday morning in the New York borough of Bronx shortly after two other police officers were assaulted in the same area, in targeted attacks by the same gunman, local media reported. (Xinhua/Wang Jiangang) NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A policeman was shot Sunday morning in the New York borough of The Bronx shortly after two other police officers were assaulted in the same area, in targeted attacks by the same gunman, local media reported. In the first attack on Saturday night, one of the two police officers was injured when a gunman fired into their patrol van. In the second assault on Sunday morning, another policeman was shot when the gunman entered a police station and opened fire. The two incidents took place within hours of one another. Both of the injured policemen are expected to recover, and the gunman who opened fire in the police station has been taken into custody, according to local officials. New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea was quoted by media as saying the officer at the wheel of the patrol van Saturday night was grazed in the chin and neck, but his carotid artery narrowly avoided injury. The officers had been stationed in the neighborhood because of recent drug activity and violence, Shea said. The officer shot in the police station is in stable condition, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted Sunday morning. "An attack on our NYPD officers is an attack on ALL New Yorkers," tweeted the mayor, adding that "this despicable hatred is an attempt to divide our city and undermine our safety. We cannot and will not let that happen." The Justice Department is receiving information from President Donald Trumps personal lawyer on former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Sunday. Graham, a close Trump ally, said on CBS Face the Nation that he had a conversation with Attorney General William Barr who said the DOJ has created a process to vet information Giuliani collected in Ukraine. The senator, who denied that the DOJ is investigating the Bidens, insisted that it is important to follow that process because the information coming from Giuliani could be Russian propaganda. Advertisement The senator said that this concern over Russian propaganda was partly what made him decide to take a step back from his earlier plans to investigate the Bidens through the Senate Judiciary Committee. The senator said he called Barr and Sen. Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, after Giuliani claimed he had information on the Bidens from Ukrainian sources and said Graham should investigate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement .@LindseyGrahamSC responds to @realDonaldTrumps morning tweet: I think what hes talking about is oversight of the FISA warrant system that failed. pic.twitter.com/U7RLZoeDmu Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 9, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before Grahams appearance on Face the Nation, President Donald Trump sent out a cryptic tweet. DeFace the Nation will tell @LindseyGrahamSC that he must start up Judiciary and not stop until the job is done. Clean up D.C. now, last chance! Trump tweeted. Heres what I want to tell the president: Im not going to be the Republican Christopher Steele, Graham said, referring to the British former intelligence official who compiled a dossier of opposition research on Trump. When host Margaret Brennan asked whether Giuliani is getting played by the Russians, Graham said he didnt know. Im saying that anybody whos got any information coming from the Ukraine needs to turn it over to the intelligence community, Graham said. Advertisement .@LindseyGrahamSC reacts to @RudyGiuliani: Im not going to be the Republican Christopher Steele Adds, that he's "not sure" if Giuliani is getting played by Russia. WATCH --> pic.twitter.com/4mljoFFxdV Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 9, 2020 Brennan noted that a channel being open between Giuliani and the Justice Deparment sounds a lot like this is in some ways a taxpayer funded oppo-research operation against Joe Biden. But Graham denied that was the case, claiming there are plenty of people being contacted by folks from the Ukraine. For now, Graham said he is focused on probing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts decision to issue warrants that led to the investigation into whether Trumps presidential campaign colluded with Russia. A lightning bolt is believed to have struck the mountainside of Ugandas Mgahinga National Park, killing four gorillas. Three adult females and an infant male were found covered in gross lesions, which conservationists said indicated they had been electrocuted. The gorillas were part of a band of 17, known locally as the Hirwa family. One of the females was pregnant. The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) described the deaths as a big loss for the species, of which there are only about 1,000 in existence. This was extremely sad, Andrew Seguya, executive secretary of the GVTC, told the BBC. The potential of the three females for their contribution to the population was immense. He added that the 13 surviving members of the Hirwa family have been found and are feeding well. Mountain gorillas live only in protected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. The Hirwa crossed into Ugandas Mgahinga National Park from Rwanda Post-mortem examination results are expected within three weeks, the GVTC said, when authorities hope to confirm the cause of death. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Thousands of spectators lined the streets of downtown San Francisco on Saturday night to welcome the Year of the Rat during the annual Chinese New Year Parade. Over a hundred different organizations participated in the parade, one of the only night parades in the United States and the largest parade outside of Asia celebrating the Lunar New Year. Some residents of Osisioma Ngwa community in Abia State have filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian government accusing it of neglect after a pipeline explosion ripped through their homes. The suit, filed by 80 victims before an Abia State High Court in Osisioma Ngwa, is seeking damages totalling N3.2 billion for the injuries and trauma suffered during the explosion. Joined in the suit as respondents are the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In October 2018, a system 2E petroleum pipeline belonging to the NNPC caught fire and exploded in Osisioma Ngwa destroying lives and properties. Some of the villages affected include Umuaduru and Umuimo, as well as residents of Uratta, Umuze, and Njiko Umunna autonomous communities. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said at least 60 persons died in the explosion. But the community put the figure to about 200. In his reaction to the incident, President Muhammadu Buhari blamed the explosion on vandals who pilloried the pipelines to scoop the products. According to the claimants, the fire incident left some of them with fractured bodies, wounds and scalds. They alleged that the NNPC and PPMC were aware that their pipelines in Osisioma Ngwa community were ruptured and spilling out petroleum products into the community and did not shut them down. They also accused the government of indifference to the excruciating and blistering hardship caused them by the explosion. In the wake of the tragic pipeline fire explosions and the traumatising and extensive losses suffered by the casualties of the fires, the defendants did virtually nothing to provide emergency or other relief to the claimants and their loved ones who were casualties of the explosions, the claimants stated. Up till this time too, the defendants have not sought to identify or reach members of the affected communities who, against heavy odds, survived the pipeline fire incident, in order to find ways of supporting them through their rehabilitation process. Access to Justice, an advocacy group and lawyers to the claimants, said the lawsuit is aimed at holding the federal government and oil corporation to account. Access to Justice expects that there will, ultimately, be a day of reckoning for the impunity of both the government and the oil corporations towards the Osisioma Ngwa population, said Chinelo Chinweze, senior programme officer at Access to Justice. And a day of justice for the victims of the pipeline explosions whose lives have been broken so horrendously and disdainfully by government and Nigerias state oil corporations. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Many automakers in China have set the sales goal they will try to accomplish in 2020. According to the data compiled by Gasgoo, most of them offered a conservative target due to the prolonged downturn that hits both carmakers and the overall auto industry. Nonetheless, there are also some exceptional companies setting a rosy picture based on their blooming performances in 2019. On the other hand, the national outbreak of new coronavirus has disturbed automakers' production plan as most of them have been requested to postpone restart of plant operation after the Lunar New Year holiday. Besides, the product roll-out plan and the work of suppliers will be correspondingly affected as well. The immense impact makes the outlook of the target completion more uncertain for every carmaker. FAW Group FAW Group sold 3.464 million vehicles through 2019, achieving a growth of 1.3% compared with the year-ago period, and outpacing the overall auto industry by 10 percentage points, the state-owned automaker announced via its WeChat account. Besides, the group saw its full-year revenue of 2019 climb 4.4% year on year to RMB620 billion, for the first time surpassing 600 billion. Besides, its annual profit also edged up 2.2% to RMB44.05 billion. For the year of 2020, both Hongqi and FAW Besturn aim to sell 200,000 vehicles, nearly doubled over their 2019 actual sales. The premium brand Hongqi announced its 2019 cumulative sales had surpassed 100,000 units as of December 26, versus a sale volume of 33,028 units for 2018. To double its annual sales, Hongqi intends to enrich its product lineup by rolling out two new models in 2020, namely, the H9 flagship sedan and the E115 all-electric SUV. Besides, the H5 series will be added with 1.5T and 2.0T versions, and the HS7 2.07T version will be launched as well, according to local media reports. With around 120,500 vehicles sold in total, FAW Besturn boasted a year-on-year surge of 33.4% in 2019. In the future, it is going to form a product lineup composed of four model seriesB E S T. Based on the FME platform, Besturns first all-electric model code-named C105 is set to go on sale at the Auto China 2020 in Beijing. Compared to self-owned brands' aggressive ambition, the goals set by joint ventures look much milder. FAW Volkswagen increases its annual sales target by 198,000 units over that of 2019, while the task is mainly on the shoulder of Jetta. The other two brandsVolkswagen and Audirespectively target sales volume of 1.425 million and 700,000 units for 2020, 27,000 units and 11,100 units more than their 2019 full-year sales. FAW Toyota increases its yearly sales goal to 770,000 units in 2020 from 745,000 units in 2019. The Sino-Japanese joint venture rolled out a number of new products last year, including the all-new Corolla and the all-new RAV4. In 2020, such new models as the IZOA EV and the RAV4 PHEV are scheduled to go on sale, and a fire-new SUV model based on the same platform with the all-new Highlander is expected to be launched as well. SAIC Motor SAIC Motor announced its annual sales in 2019 shrank 11.54% from a year ago to 6,237,950 units, failing to fulfill its original target. However, after suffering 15-straight-month year-on-year downturn, the Chinese biggest automaker finally posted growth in December. The Chinese biggest automaker has not released the concrete number for its 2020 goal. Some industry insiders predicted that SAIC's sales volume will sit between 6 million and 7 million units in 2020 under the drawn-out downward pressure. Among the five subsidiaries whose full-year sales all exceeded 100,000 units, only SAIC Maxus sold more vehicles than that of 2018. Notably, the champion SAIC Volkswagen featured a decrease of 3.07%, 3.65 percentage points fewer than the drop in Jan.-Nov. sales. Clearly, the contracted decline should be attributed to the 37.67% surge in its Dec. sales. Both SAIC-GM-Wuling and SAIC-GM confronted double-digit decrease in YTD sales. The New Baojun, a brand launched in last April, will be a highlight to SAIC-GM-Wuling's 2020 development strategy. Reportedly, the young brand plan to roll out six all-new models and four face-lifts this year. Last year, SAIC Motor sold roughly 350,000 complete vehicles in overseas markets, a significant growth of 26.5% compared with 2018. Of that, the sales of MG-branded cars zoomed up 90% to 139,000 units. It expects its overseas auto sales to reach 1 million units by 2025, according to a senior executive of the company, as more automakers are seeking growth in global businesses amid the slowdown in domestic market. GAC Group GAC Group said its full-year auto production and sales of 2019 were better than expected. Last year, the automaker output 2,023,814 vehicles (-7.76%) and sold 2,062,160 new vehicles (-3.99%), and had roughly 2.0849 million vehicles delivered to consumers. The Guangzhou-based automaker has announced it will strive to achieve a year-on-year sales growth of 8% in 2020. Focusing on the 13th Five-year Plan and the e-TIME Plan, the group intends to roll out a number of new self-owned models, including two NEV models, the mid-cycle refresh of the Trumpchi GA8, GM8, GS3 and GA4, as well as the GS4 PHEV. GAC Motor, the group's self-owned PV subsidiary, sets a conservative goal of 400,000 units. The future launch of the aforementioned Trumpchi-branded models is expected to help the company evidently boost its sales this year. In spite of the group's overall downturn, two major Sino-Japanese joint ventures eventually maintained their rising impetus. In 2019, GAC Honda boasted a year-on-year growth of 3.98% with 770,884 vehicles sold, and GAC Toyota's annual sales leapt 17.59% to 682,008 units. According to local reports, GAC Honda will roll out at least three new key models in 2020, namely, the new AVANCIER, the Crider PHEV and the all-new Fit. GAC Honda is ready to bring such new products as the Wildlander SUV and the CH-R BEV. Dongfeng Motor Corporation Dongfeng Motor Corporation, along with its subsidiaries, sold 2,931,953 new vehicles throughout 2019, posting a year-on-year downturn of 3.94%. Of those, PV sales shrank 5.67% to 2,463,620 units, while CV sales climbed 6.3% to 468,333 units. Dongfeng Fengshen aims to sell 100,000 units in 2020, 20,000 units less than its 2019 goal, while 25,000 units more that its 2019 actual sales. New products to be launched this year include three all-new models, a mid-cycle refresh and two annual updated models. The joint venture Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia also lowered its sales target compared to the previous year. Besides, Dongfeng Infiniti sets a goal almost remaining flat over its 2019 sales volume. Last year, Dongfeng Honda successfully completed its 800,000-unit sales target. In 2020, the Sino-Japanese joint venture will roll out at least five new modelsthe Civic hatchback, the Envix 1.5L HEV, the sibling of the all-new Fit, the XR-V HEV and the CR-V mid-cycle refresh. BAIC Group BAIC Group said its full-year sales in 2019 dropped 5.91% over a year ago to 2.26 million units, while the annual revenue climbed 4.26% to RMB501.23 billion. The Beijing-based automaker adopts a scrupulous attitude towards its 2020 picture by setting a target no higher than its 2019 sales volume. If the goal was reached ahead of schedule, BAIC Group will strive to fulfill a higher target of 2.35 million units. Photo source: BAIC Group's WeChat account) Beijing Hyundai was ambitious to sell 900,000 units in 2019, while only 80% of the goal was eventually achieved. Thus, the target set for 2020 is only at 750,000 units. To promote sales, the joint venture will roll out several new models like the tenth-generation SONATA, the LA FESTA EV, the all-new Elantra and an all-new MPV. Geely Auto For the year of 2019, Geely Auto sold a total of 1,361,560 new vehicles, posting a decrease of roughly 9% over the prior-year period, while successfully achieving the 1.36 million-unit sales target for 2019. Considering the complex and changeable market climate, the automaker makes its 2020 target only 50,000 units more than that of 2019. Geely Auto plans to put six new models onto the market in 2020, including the BMA-based ICON, the CMA-based Lynk & Co 05, a Geometry-branded all-electric SUV code-named GE13 and an all-new full-sized SUV Haoyue. Mercedes-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz) and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) announced on Jan. 8 that they had formally established the global joint venture smart Automobile Co., Ltd. for the smart brand after receiving the regulatory approvals. The collaboration is expected to make a substantial progress in 2020. Chery Holding Chery Holding closed its 2019 with an annual sales volume of 745,000 new vehicles, versus 752,759 units for the year of 2018, according to Chery's statements. Of that, the sales of the group's self-owned models climbed 6.9% year on year. Photo source: Chery Automobile) Last year, Chery Holding and its subsidiary Chery Automobile Co.,Ltd successfully got a same controlling shareholder, the private enterprise Qingdao Wudaokou New Energy Industrial Fund, as part of efforts for the state-owned group to achieve its strategic blueprint for 2025. The group will put forth utmost efforts to sell more than 1 million new vehicles and earn RMB150 billion in revenue in 2020. JAC Motors JAC Motors said its full-year sales slid 8.91% from the previous year with both the PV and CV units posting decrease. (Photo source: JAC Motors) The company expects the combined sales of its complete vehicles and chassis to reach 450,000 to 500,000 units in 2020, according to a filing from the company on December 11. The target is 50,000 to 100,000 units less than that of the 2019 plan. In 2020, JAC Motor will renovate its SUV lineup by launching such models as the new Refine S4, the all-new Refine S5 and the Refine S7 Pro. The BEV version of the Jiayue A5 is anticipated to hit the market this year. An infant has died after he was administered a vaccine at a government health centre in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district, Health officials said here on Sunday. A probe has been ordered into the incident, they said. Ramgarh Civil Surgeon Dr Neelam Chaudhary said that three-month-old male child died on February 6 after being administered Penta-2 vaccine to protect from multi-diseases. The Civil Surgeon said that a probe has been ordered by the health department after the incident came to light, adding that the District Rural Child Health Officer Dr Vinay Mishra would inquire into the death of the infant. The infant, identified as Rohan Kumar, son of Rohit Mahato of Patratu village under Gola block of the district died after he was given the vaccine in the government health centre at Gola, said another government official. Mithlesh Singh, a local representative of the World Health Organisation, said that a case reporting format (CRF) has been furnished with details of the death of the child after vaccination, adding "the vaccine is safe and given to other children also". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) So when Chubby, a 1-year-old Labrador, needs to go out, Mr. Perez pulls on gloves, straps on a mask, and wriggles into the special jacket and pants that are sprayed down with alcohol after every trip outdoors. Then he slides a yellow jacket over Chubby, too. The State Department has evacuated hundreds of Americans from Hubei Province, where the outbreak began. But some, like Mr. Perez, have decided not to leave. In his case, it is because he does not want to abandon his girlfriend, who is Chinese. They have spent more than two weeks in his apartment, along with his girlfriends brother. They cook, they watch television (three seasons of The Sopranos so far), and they clean a lot. They scrub down surfaces, furiously wash their hands and disinfect their clothes after going out. Sometimes I find Im out of time, which is crazy, Mr. Perez said. Youd think Id have all the time in the world, but with the coronavirus, a lot of time is spent cleaning. Other Americans have also stayed in China because of loved ones. Gabrielle Autry, 26, from Georgia, lives in the eastern city of Hangzhou. She has looked into flights that would take her to the United States but her fiance, a Chinese citizen, would not be able to join her, since all foreign citizens are barred from entering the United States if they have recently been in China. If the two were married, it would be a different story. For now, they are mostly stuck at home, a little bored. Together its O.K., but alone it would be horrible, she said. I just couldnt fathom it. Mr. Perez has tried to make the best of the isolation, working on his coding skills and reading news about the virus. He talks to his family nearly every day. His parents have sent him masks. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 12:28:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- China is paying close attention to the situation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) amid the ongoing epidemic as the country seeks to keep economic growth stable. Official and private surveys have been launched in China to learn about the impact on small and medium-sized firms. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has initiated an online survey on SMEs, while many similar surveys by think tanks, firms and media organizations are now being taken on China's popular social media platforms, covering a wide range of sectors. These surveys are likely to serve the development of targeted supportive policies for firms affected by the epidemic. Central authorities and local governments have introduced an array of measures such as offering credit support to cushion the epidemic's impact on SMEs. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 23:19:09|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAKURU, Kenya, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenya gender rights activists on Sunday urged the government to adopt innovative strategies to help eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM). The campaigners decried movement of girls to neighboring countries for the cut, as some parents opt for their infants to be cut at birth and medical professionals engaging in the practice. Isabella Mwangi, Access to Justice Officer at Centre for Rights Education and Awareness, said that pro-active measures conscious of contemporary obstacles are inevitable if Kenyan society is to be free from FGM. "We must find workable and applicable solutions to emerging threats," Mwangi said during an interview in Nairobi. She said continuous awareness to keep reminding people of the harms of FGM and legal punishments for engaging or abetting the practice is pivotal to preventing people from embracing the emerging threats. In November, Kenya's Ministry of Public Service and Gender Affairs launched an FGM policy providing guidelines on combating the vice including conducting awareness and investing in research to establish a data bank on the outdated practice. Shiphrah Kuria, a reproductive health specialist with Amref Health Africa, underscored the urgency of sensitizing the community and medical personnel on long-term damages of FGM. Grace Lolim, Executive Director of Isiolo Gender Watch, said that ending FGM requires a wide range of strategies since it touches on communities' beliefs, customs, religions and source of income. The white farmhouse with it massive chimneys and wraparound porch is a landmark on U.S. 460 in Bedford with a stunning view of the Peaks of Otter stretching out behind it. Named Sunnyside, the plantation home has stood since 1791, surviving generations of threats, from Indian attacks to pillaging Civil War soldiers to tornadoes. But it was a late spring thunderstorm in 2010 that almost destroyed it. Ann and Wayne Ferguson own the home and almost 60 acres of farmland surrounding it. The couple had spent May 28, 2010 preparing for a yard sale and decided to drive to Wendys for dinner. It was just really strange because as we came down Little Otter Hill, I told Wayne, I said, I think I smell smoke, Ann said. Thats just really strange because how could you smell smoke from that far away? When Ann and Wayne got to their home, they could see smoke. Lightning had struck the house and sparked a blaze in the attic. A passerby stopped and called 911. By the time it was over, the fire had taken a heavy toll on the house. The roof partially collapsed. The second floor was charred and the first floor was flooded by water used to extinguish the blaze. It was a nightmare, Ann said. Because the house was so old and everything with the plaster and the old way the wood was put together, the fire had a hard time getting through. That is what saved it. When I was young, I always thought that if it caught on fire, it would go up in an instant but it didnt. It took about four months, but the house was repaired and some of its old architectural features were saved, including the tight staircase leading to the second floor. The fire also revealed some things Ann didnt know about the house she was raised in work crews uncovered a fireplace, window and dark walnut wainscoting in an upstairs bedroom. Anns parents, Eva and Victor Mitchell, purchased the house in 1952; Ann bought it from them in 1995 and worked to fix up her childhood home. If I hadnt have come and redid it, it would have just gone like a lot of old homes you see, she said. If a house isnt lived in, its like its not alive. You have to live in a house for it to stay alive. Few houses live more than 200 years. In that time, Sunnyside has witnessed a lot of history from its lofty vantage point. Built by Col. William Leftwich in 1791, the massive chimneys framing the house had lookouts to guard against Native American attacks and later, against Union troops during the Civil War. Raiding parties inevitably made their way to Sunnyside. During one incident, a servant gathered up the prize horses and raced with them to the lower fields to hide them among the trees. The horses werent tied securely and soon came trotting back to the lawn, where they were seized by Union troops, Marie Powers and Elizabeth Arthur wrote in Bedford Villages Lost and Found. On another occasion Major Leftwich went out the front door to face a swarm of Yankees stabbing their swords and bayonets into the family cemetery looking for buried treasure. When he objected to this activity, they finally moved on. The old cellar was used as a ballroom in the plantations early years. A three-room schoolhouse known as Rucker Branch School once sat on the property, as well as a cannery. Col. William Leftwich, builder of Sunnyside was described as a handsome man who wore his hair in a queue, wrote Powers and Arthur. He owned several large plantations and over 100 servants. With its sprawling view of the mountains, Sunnyside has played host to a number of celebrations, from weddings and receptions to family reunions. Anns parents purchased the estate in 1952. Victor farmed the land while Eva worked at Rubatex in Bedford. The couple had four children, all of whom attended the New London Academy for all 12 years of their education, except the youngest who graduated from Liberty High School after the academy was converted to an elementary school. That 2010 storm isnt the only one Sunnyside weathered. A June 1993 windstorm took out a number of cedar, oak and maple trees lining the property. A tornado in 2002 caused minor damage to the property, but obliterated a house across U.S. 460. Ann purchased her childhood home after her father and first husband both died in 1993. She began renovating it in 1997, moving her mother into her home in Vinton while the work was underway. Ann and Wayne married in 1999 and he now farms the land as her father once did. He raises beef cattle. In all, the house still sits in the same footprint it occupied when Anns parents purchased it. The layout inside, though, has changed. The couple took out a wall to create a large den. The small kitchen was carved out of what used to be a porch. What once was a living room at the front of the house now is a bedroom and vice versa. A sunroom was added to the Peaks of Otter side and the large front porch was extended to wrap around one side. Im sure it was added on at different times but its a lot the same as it was when we moved in in 1952, Ann said. Following the fire, Ann worried one of the houses original architectural components would be lost. The staircase leading to the second floor is steep and curved and doesnt meet current building codes but the insurance company allowed them to keep that historic element. Its so crooked that we didnt know if they would allow that to stay, she said. ... The queen-sized mattresses and things upstairs had to be put in through the window up there so they are there to stay because they will not fit to come back down the stairway. Its a small opening. The importance of family is reflected all over the house in family photographs. Theres her parents as a young couple. Her father and her two children riding in a cart pulled by a mule, and portraits of the couples grandchildren climb the stairwell wall. Both Ann and Wayne said their favorite spot in the house is in the den, sitting before the large fireplace with a wood crackling as it burns on plow points converted to a wood holder. Burning up the wood, Wayne said with a smile. In the summertime, though, that large front porch is the place to relax on a nice day. The den is lined with shelves a couple feet below the 12-foot ceiling, displaying Anns Longaberger basket collection. A wagon wheel light fixture created by her father dangles on one end of the room. The couple had two windows installed on the back wall of the den following the fire, but soon found there was a glare while watching television so Ann put up two glass panes with irises painted on them her mothers favorite flower. A kitchen was carved from what once was a porch. Its a narrow but functional space with rich, warm granite countertops with brown veining, matching the cabinetry. This really isnt a big kitchen at all, especially when the kids and grandkids are here, she said, adding sometimes she wishes the kitchen was a bit bigger. The new first-floor bedroom, once the living room, features a built-in cabinet next to the fireplace that Ann believes once served as a wine cabinet. She keeps it closed in the winter since there is a draft inside it. A narrow hallway off that room leads to a master bathroom and closet. When you have a view, you have wind, she said. The Peaks side of the house is cold, especially if the wind blows. Ann remembers a different floor plan in this part of the house, creating a little room that was one of the warmest spots in the house. It was where she and her son slept the winter her first husband served in Korea. Upstairs features guest bedrooms and a little room that extends over the front porch Anns favorite place to read as a child with the windows open and a summer breeze blowing through the little space. Some of the original red pine floors remain despite the fire damage. In other spaces, the wood had to be replaced with new flooring that matches the old. The family farm extends all the way to the Big Otter River, where the couples grandchildren play in the summertime. To Ann, that old house holds the memories of her lifetime, from enjoying the summer breeze and a good book as a child to the sandy, wet swimsuits she launders after her grandchildren spend all day playing in the river. It means everything to be able to live in a house that I was raised in. PHOTOS: Old Bedford farmhouse has weathered storms for more than 200 years The white farmhouse with it massive chimneys and wraparound porch is a landmark on U.S. 460 in Bedford, a stunning view of the Peaks of Otter stretching out behind it. Named Sunnyside, the plantation home has stood since 1791, surviving generations of threats, from Indian attacks to pillaging Civil War soldiers to tornadoes. But it was a late spring thunderstorm in 2010 that almost destroyed it. Sidener is the special publications editor for The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5539. Sidener is the special publications editor for The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5539. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. In the wake of some Muslim leaders from Madhya Pradesh quitting the BJP in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday said his party has not put up a board of "no exit" or "no entry". He said those who have misunderstandings about CAA should think with an open mind and get their misconceptions cleared as the new law is not a threat to any Indian citizen. Talking to reporters here, Naqvi assured Indian Muslims that their citizenship was "100 per cent protected". Asked about Muslim leaders from the Congress-ruled Madhya Pradesh quitting the BJP in protest against the CAA, Naqvi said, "The BJP is a big political party. The BJP has neither put up a board of 'no exit' nor of 'no entry'. People come to the BJP and those who don't want to stay in the party go away." To another question, the Union minister denied that the BJP failed to convince its Muslim leaders that the CAA was in the country's interest. "We appeal to those having misunderstanding about CAA to think with an open mind and clear their misconceptions. They should also think why a 'bogus bashing brigade' was spreading fake information about CAA to create an atmosphere of fear and confusion in a particular community," he said. Notably, BJP's lone Muslim corporator Usman Patel in the saffron party-ruled Indore Municipal Corporation on Saturday announced his resignation from the "changed" BJP, which he said was indulging in "politics of hate" over CAA. In a letter to the district BJP unit, Patel said he was resigning from all posts in the party with which he was associated for last 40 years. Last month, at least 80 Muslim leaders of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh resigned from the party's primary membership in protest against the CAA, calling it a "divisive" measure. Naqvi said the new law was not a threat to any Indian citizen. "The CAA has been passed by Parliament after a long process. Those who are spreading confusion about CAA also know that there will neither be any change in the new law, nor would it be withdrawn," he said. "The President and Prime Minister have made it clear that there is no threat to the citizenship of any citizen of India due to CAA. I specially assure the Muslim community that the citizenship of Indian Muslims is 100 per cent protected," the BJP leader said. Targeting people opposing the new law, Naqvi said those raising questions about the citizenship of Indian Muslims are suffering from a "distorted mentality". "Such people are engaged in the sin and conspiracy of trying to keep a large section of society out of the path of progress," he added. Prior to his interaction with media, Naqvi inaugurated the 'Hunar Haat' here organised by the Minority Affairs Ministry. Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon was also present on the occasion. During the nine-day 'Hunar Haat', over 250 artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts from across the country will be putting up stalls to display their handicrafts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australians still trapped at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak in China are pleading with the federal government to evacuate them, after the last scheduled rescue flight landed in Darwin. A second Qantas plane chartered by the government to help more than 200 Australians leave Wuhan, the centre of the outbreak, arrived in the Northern Territory early on Sunday afternoon. A child is carried from the Qantas evacuation flight at Darwin International Airport on Sunday. "All of the 266 people on board have been screened four times now ... they are all clinically well," Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Brendan Murphy, said late on Sunday. More than 100 children were on the flight. Professor Murphy said a young girl who had been tested for coronavirus on Christmas Island was found not to have the illness. Of the 15 cases identified in Australia, three were now virus free, "several" were clinically well but yet to be cleared and no one was in a serious condition, he said. Mr. Deacon, a designer who said his work is often inspired by ethereal beauty and otherworldliness, doesnt regularly work with celebrities for red carpet events. Though once, he joked, he dressed the biggest diva Ive ever worked with: Miss Piggy for the 2012 London premiere of The Muppets. (He also designed the wedding dress of Pippa Middleton, the royal sister-in-law.) This time around, Mr. Deacon said he felt it was very poignant to be dressing Billy. To literally wrap Mr. Porter, a queer black man, in royalty is to challenge the perception of who can be royal. Mr. Ratelle said its meaningful for him to both celebrate and subvert that perception. While the look has been in the works for months, it is being introduced at a dramatic moment in royal history. Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are splintering from the family amid claims that Meghan, an American woman of color and a divorced actress has never been accepted by the royals. Two American troops were killed and six others wounded by an Afghan soldier armed with a machine gun, the US military confirmed on Sunday. The deaths come at a sensitive time in the 18-year-old war, with President Donald Trump eager to bring troops home and end the longest conflict in US history. The incident occurred late Saturday at a base in Sherzad district, in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan. Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun, US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Sonny Leggett said in a statement on Sunday. Provincial governor Shah Mahmood Meyakhil said in an audio message to reporters that three Afghan commandos were wounded. He said it was not immediately clear if the incident was a deliberate act by an infiltrator or an accident. It was not a clash between the forces. We are investigating, Meyakhil said. Leggett also stressed the cause or motive behind the attack were not immediately known. In a tweet, the US Armys 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) said several of its soldiers had been killed or injured during combat operations in Afghanistan. According to Sherzad resident Najeebullahwho goes by one namegunfire could be heard coming from an Afghan security forces base nearby late Saturday followed by immediate air evacuations. We heard the sounds of gunfire and immediately helicopters landed inside the base and evacuated the casualties, added Najeebullah. 'Investigating' attack No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid later declined to comment on the incident, saying in a message sent to AFP only that the insurgents were investigating the attack. Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially finished at the end of 2014, highlighting the challenging security situation that persists. Depending on how one qualifies combat deaths, about 20 American troops were killed in 2019. Since the US-led invasion in October 2001, about 2,400 US troops have been killed in combat in Afghanistan. Story continues In December, Taliban infiltrators in the Afghan military killed nine Afghan soldiers in central Afghanistan. In July, an Afghan soldier killed two US troops as they were visiting an Afghan army base in Kandahar. Such insider attacks are sometimes called green-on-blue incidents. That came two weeks after another Afghan soldier shot and killed an influential Afghan army colonel while he was conducting a security assessment in Ghazni province. US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been negotiating with the Taliban for about 18 months for a deal that would see the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan. In return, the Taliban would guarantee the country is not used as a jihadist safe haven. Many are sceptical of the proposed deal and Trump himself declared talks dead in September amid continued Taliban violence. Negotiations have since resumed in Qatar. (AFP) Racing a Lamborghini through Houston might sound like an 'over-the-top' driving adventure. Some Houston car lovers got a little bit closer to realizing this dream on Saturday. Exotic car fans had the chance to put the pedal to the metal at the Car Cultures epic event, Supercar Saturday. NEW FOOTBALL SEASON: Houstonians turned out to watch Roughnecks in the first XFL game The HbA1c assay is the gold-standard measurement of chronic glycemia and measures the amount of glucose that binds to hemoglobin over a period of 3 months. The HbA1c Test is often prescribed as a must-do blood test for pre-diabetic, type 1 diabetic or type 2 diabetic or even non-diabetics. So what exactly is HbA1c? How does this measure work? How will it help you manage your diabetes better? All this and more info on the HbA1c counter and teach yourself how best you can interpret your blood test results.(1) In the abbreviation HbA1c, Hb refers to hemoglobin while 'A1c' is a specific subtype of hemoglobin. Also called the Glycated/ Glycosylated Hemoglobin A Protein test, the HbA1c test gives the level of blood glucose estimated over a period of time (ideally 3 months or 8-10 weeks), The correct format of HbA1c is HbA1c but for convenience it is mentioned as HbA1c. Unlike the customary finger-prick blood test which reads blood glucose at a specific point in time, the HbA1c gives us a long range value. This reading of blood glucose is unaffected by immediate or short-term fluctuations in blood sugar and reflects how well glucose levels have been maintained over the specific period. HbA1c test improves the effectiveness of diabetes treatment by tablets or insulin injection or both. It is a good guiding test by which the patient can understand how best he has controlled his condition and take further necessary corrective action. The HbA1c test range should be as follows - A non-diabetic should have an A1c result between 4% and 6%. In Diabetics - A1c level should be 6.5% (47 mmol/mol) or higher. In Pre-diabetes (increased risk of developing diabetes in the future): A1c is 5.7% to 6.4% (39 - 46 mmol/mol) In most diabetic individuals the blood glucose level is higher and results in a higher HbA1c level. This higher level also reflects the possible level of damage to tissues due to glycation and hence diabetic complications. The normal recommended HbA1c readings for diabetics should fall within the reference range of 6.5 to 7%. What this really implies is that for every 100 red blood cells, 6-7 cells have glucose attached to them. In the long term the importance of the HbA1c test can be understood from the fact that if well controlled, it lowers the possibility of vascular complications that can be traced back to diabetes. How often should one test with HbA1c If someone is first diagnosed with diabetes or if the control of diabetes is not good then Hb A1c is usually ordered more frequently. The American Diabetes Association recommends testing HbA1c at least twice a year. Usually the test is conducted less often if diabetes is well controlled but most physicians would subject their patients to have the test 2 to 4 times each year. When should HbA1c Not be Used as a test to detect Diabetes control- Pregnant women Recent severe bleeding Recent blood transfusions Chronic kidney disease Chronic liver disease Iron-deficiency anemia Anemia due to Vitamin B12 deficiency Hemoglobin variants like sickle cell hemoglobin (hemoglobin S) Many epidemiological studies and clinical trials (UK Prospective Diabetes Study and the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial) have now established the importance of the relationship between HbA1c levels and risk for long-term diabetes complications. Today worldwide, HbA1c targets for diabetes management are used as the means to delay or prevent the development of complications. "Medicine might Be winning the battle of glucose control, but is Losing the war against diabetes" By IANS MUMBAI: Over 100,000 activists led by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray, marched in a mega-procession to demand the ouster of Pakistani-Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the country, here on Sunday afternoon. Accompanied by the MNS top brass, the Thackerays headed the procession from Girgaum Chowpatty as it wend its way to the historic Azad Maidan, around 4 km away, where more enthusiastic crowds awaited Thackeray, who is expected to address a rally later. Earlier, starting from his Shivaji Park home, Thackeray, wife Sharmila, their son and MNS leader Amit Thackeray, first stopped to perform an 'aarti' and avail 'darshan' of Lord Ganesha at the famed 220-year old Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi and a 'darshan' of his uncle and Shiv Sena founder the late Balasaheb Thackeray's memorial, before proceeding to Girgaum Chowpatty. Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Mumbai: I don't understand why the Muslims who were protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act, were doing so. CAA is not for the Muslims who were born here. To whom are you showing your strength? pic.twitter.com/LNz7gZT3N2 ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2020 Thousands of MNS activists from all over Maharashtra have been trooping to Mumbai since Saturday night to join the procession, by public or chartered buses, private vehicles, trains and even motorcycles, braving the mild chill in the atmosphere. The entire route from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan resembled a sea of the MNS' new saffron-hued flag with the symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Royal Seal, and the marchers donning arm-bands of the party symbol, some sporting matching t-shirts and caps. Marching peacefully and in an orderly fashion, many raised slogans demanding that the illegal migrants living in the country should be driven away as they are a drain on the country's economy, resources and jobs, besides posing threats to national security. However, Raj Thackeray has made it clear that the morcha is not in support of the CAA-NRC-NPR which have created massive socio-political upheavals in the country over two months. This is the MNS' first public show of strength after it donned a new 'avatar' on January 23, with a new flag, symbol, 'Hindutva' agenda and right-wing direction as it struggles for survival to create its own political space in Maharashtra politics, particularly after the recently changed state political scenario. A couple of days ago, some posters were seen outside the Chief Minister's residence, Matoshri in Bandra seeking the eviction of illegal Pakistani-Bangladeshi residents. Mumbai Police have made elaborate security arrangements by deploying over 600 personnel, besides specialized forces and other units on standby, and plainclothes personnel mingling with the crowds, to avert any untoward incidents. "Apart from the Mumbai Police, we have deployed State Reserve Police Force, Riot Control Police, Quick Response Team, Bombay Detection & Disposal Squads, Dog Squads and monitor the entire morcha through CCTVs and drones," Mumbai Police Spokesperson and DCP Pranaya Ashok informed the media. The Traffic Police have implemented stringent regulations, diversions, closures of certain routes, no-parkings, restrictions at Nariman Point, Gateway of India, etc for the smooth movement of the procession. At the MNS mega-convention on January 23, Raj Thackeray had announced the Febuary 9 procession, amidst speculation that the party was cosying up to the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. "We are not against any Indian Muslims. They are ours. There can be a debate on the CAA, but why should we permit those who have illegally entered the country and continue living here," he demanded. Supercharging the mutation rate in cancer cells can create a powerful vaccine that is able to boost the effectiveness of immunotherapy, a major new study reports. Scientists forced cancer cells in the lab to evolve much more rapidly than usual using a molecule called APOBEC3B, which is often used by tumors to drive rapid genetic change and drug resistance. They found that these highly mutated cancer cells could be used to create a vaccine for each individual cancer type, which amplified the effects of immunotherapy - and cured mice with a variety of otherwise treatment-resistant tumors. The international study - carried out by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, US, and the University of Leeds - is the first to show that APOBEC3B's role in driving cancer evolution can be used to create vaccines that can boost the immune response. The researchers want to take their new technique for creating personalized vaccines into the clinic as early as next year - starting with a trial in children with brain tumors. The findings are published in Nature Communications today (Friday). The researchers first showed they could drive rapid genetic changes in human cancer cells in the lab using high levels of APOBEC3B, which is able to edit the DNA code of cells, giving rise to genetic changes that can be seen as 'signatures' or 'footprints'. The genetic analysis revealed more than a million extra mutations in the cells expressing APOBEC3B, compared with control cells. Of these, around 68,000 contained the classical APOBEC signature. These genetic signatures made cancer cells vulnerable to treatment with immune checkpoint blockade, a major strategy in immunotherapy. However, by generating new genetic changes, APOBEC3B can also drive cancer evolution and help cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy. So rather than give APOBEC3B directly to tumors as a treatment, the researchers instead used the genetic signature it left behind to create individual cancer vaccines, each tailored to the particular genetic profile of a specific tumor. They gave mice highly mutated cancer cell vaccines, in the form of mutant cancer proteins, and these elicited an immune attack against their tumors as they were immediately detected as 'foreign'. By combining the individualised tumor vaccines with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, the researchers were able to cure melanoma and brain tumors in mice. The next step is further preclinical research to translate these findings further into human cell systems, with the aim to take the vaccine technique into clinical trials for pediatric brain tumors within the next year. The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has been focusing on increasing its understanding of APOBEC protein molecules, which are crucial to the ability of the immune system to adapt to different infectious diseases - but are also hijacked in many cancers to speed up evolution of drug resistance. The potential of APOBEC inhibitors to slow down cancer evolution is enormous. This study now demonstrates that APOBEC3B could also be used to increase the effectiveness of new treatments that use immunotherapy to attack tumors. The ICR - a charity and research institute - is creating a new 75 million Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery to study molecules like APOBEC3B, with the aim of creating new cancer treatments that can overcome the major challenge of cancer evolution and drug resistance. The ICR has less than 10 million left to raise to deliver the new building. This study was supported by a variety of funders - the National Institute of Health, the European Research Council, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic Partnership, Cancer Research UK, the Shannon O'Hara Foundation, Hyundai Hope On Wheels, and a research grant from Oncolytics Biotech. Study author Alan Melcher, Professor of Translational Immunotherapy at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: Our new study rather paradoxically takes advantage of a mechanism used by cancers to rapidly evolve and become resistant to chemotherapy, and instead makes them much more vulnerable to the effects of immunotherapy. We have supercharged genetic changes in cancer in order to create cancer vaccines, which are tailored to the genetic code of these tumors, and can boost the immune response against them." By combining our vaccines with checkpoint inhibitor chemotherapy, we've shown in mice that it's possible to cure tumours in a variety of locations, including the brain. Our new approach has the potential to be effective against cancers that do not currently respond to treatment, and we're keen to take it into clinical trials as soon as possible." Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: Cancer's ability to evolve and become drug resistant is the biggest challenge we face in treating the disease more effectively. But this exciting new study also suggests it is possible to use a key evolutionary mechanism against cancers, by forcing them to accumulate genetic mutations that are able to spark the immune system against them. "This is a terrific example of the kind of exciting research into cancer evolution and drug resistance that will be the focus of our pioneering 75 million Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery, and which we hope will deliver entirely new types of cancer treatment." Co-author Dr Adel Samson, from the University of Leeds' School of Medicine, said: An armed group attacked a police post in northern Benin near the frontier with Burkina Faso, where several jihadist groups operate, leaving at one officer wounded, police and residents said on Sunday. It was the first such assault against security forces in Benin which borders three West African countries battling a growing jihadist insurgency. Around ten armed men arrived on motorbikes and opened fire with automatic weapons on the police post in Keremou, a remote village near the town of Banikoara in the early hours of Sunday morning. A police report seen by AFP said four officers were at the post when the attack happened. One officer is missing and one was seriously wounded, the report said. The gun men shouted "God is greater" in Arabic during the attack, the report said. "We lost one colleague in the attack, that is all we can say for the moment, and an investigation is still ongoing," one police official said. "It is difficult to say if it was poachers or jihadists, but they shouted 'Allah Akbar' when they were opening fire." The wounded officer managed to escape and hide in bushes during the attack. Benin has been a relative safe haven in a region rocked by jihadist violence that has spread from Nigeria and Mali to the north. Two French tourists were kidnapped last year and their tour guide killed in Benin's remote Pendjari national park, on the porous border with Burkina Faso. They were rescued soon after by French special forces in northern Burkina Faso where they had been taken. Burkina Faso is struggling with intensifying jihadist violence that has spilled over the border from neighbouring Mali and spread across the Sahel region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following the emergency intervention plan that has been put in place, a meeting has been called under the lead of Interior Minister Taina Bofferding. The aim of the meeting was to further analyse the situation and to coordinate further action. The meeting will continue in the night from Sunday to Monday as conditions change and develop. UPDATE 5h: Un renforcement du vent est a attendre au fil des prochaines heures. Plusieurs routes sont fermees au trafic, des perturbations au niveau du trafic routier et ferroviaire sont previsibles. Restez vigilants.#Sabine@CGDISlux @infocriseLU https://t.co/ozbYblSiVS GouvernementLU (@gouv_lu) February 10, 2020 A warning has been issued against potential damage caused to homes and trees, as well as traffic issues, affecting road, rail and air travel, due to the red alert in place. The weather alert will change from orange to red between 1 am and 9 am on Monday. Residents are strongly urged to stay at home and to only leave their homes if absolutely necessary, as well as to call 112 to report trees or other large objects obstructing roads. For tips on how to stay safe, refer to this article. Residents are also urged to follow the situation via official online sources, such as www.meteolux.lu, www.infocrise.lu and www.inondations.lu. Jung Woo-sung / Yonhap New Delhi/Patna, Feb 9 : Kameshwar Chaupal was named among the members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust constituted for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. But unlike others, his name raised many eyebrows. Chaupal is a senior Bihar BJP leader who has twice been a member of the legislative council in the state and fought on a BJP ticket in 2014 general election from Supaul Lok Sabha constituency. This is primarily the reason many eyebrows are being raised after his inclusion in the trust. Last December, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised something contrary. "I want to make two things clear: there won't be any trustee from among BJP members and the government will not spend anything on the project. The trust will have to collect donations from the society to build the temple," he said in an interview. This February, Shah told Parliament, "Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Trust will have 15 members, out of which one member will always belong to the Dalit community. I congratulate PM Modi for such an unprecedented decision that strengthens social harmony." While Shah has kept his word by including Chaupal, a person from the backward class, Chaupal's close proximity to BJP has raised questions. But, to be fair, Kameshwar Chaupal is more than a BJP leader. He had a key role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the early 1990s. He was a critical part of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the organisation that steered the movement at that time. Chaupal was the organisation's General Secretary. "The struggle of Ram temple started from Mithila. Today, the District Magistrate of Ayodhya also belongs to Mithila," he told IANS. November 9, 1989 has been a red letter day for Chaupal who laid the first brick at the Ram Mandir Shilanyas event in Ayodhya. Speaking to IANS, Chaupal said, "That day was the most important and happiest day of my life. Today the time has come to fulfill the resolution I took that very day." As he spent his lifetime on this endeavour and looks back as part of the 15 key decision makers of the all important trust. In fact, much before the 1990s when politics hijacked the movement, in the 1980s, Chaupal crisscrossed the country to mount a "final battle" for Ram Janmabhoomi. But apart from his affiliation with VHP, his links with the BJP is making people's heads turn. In his political life, he has been a BJP Legislative Councillor from 2002 to 2014. Chaupal has also contested Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. But all Chaupal would say is, "I will take it as a responsibility. My life is for the Ram temple. The struggle has never disappeared from my eyes." While some perceive it as BJP playing the Dalit card, appointing one of its own from Bihar also sends a political message ahead of the crucial Bihar Assembly election later this year. With the Ram Mandir issue resonating strongly across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar's Hindi heartland, the BJP hopes to reap political benefits with Chaupal's appointment. But the question remains the same: Has the BJP not gone back on its word against appointing a party leader in the Ram Janmabhoomi trust? Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston Echevarria, who played the last of his seven major-league seasons with the Cubs in 2002, died at Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut, according to the Connecticut Post. Echevarria felt ill for about a week and hit his head during a fall, his girlfriend, Jazmine Cox, told the Post. Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Germany has pledged to provide over 80 million euros to help assist the Sudanese transitional government with fuel and infrastructures, reflecting the warm relations between the two countries The silver miners stocks are looking interesting. While they really lagged silvers surge on golds bull-market-breakout rally last summer, their upleg since remains intact. Gold stocks own upleg peaked in early September. And silver itself remains wildly undervalued relative to gold, overdue to mean revert dramatically higher. When that happens during golds next upleg, the silver stocks have big potential to soar. Like the global silver market is vastly smaller than golds, silver stocks are a proportionally-little fraction of the precious-metals miners. As a small subset of a usually-ignored contrarian sector, the silver stocks often languish in obscurity. For decades there wasnt even a silver-stock index, making sector analysis difficult. Thankfully that changed in April 2010, when the first silver-stock exchange-traded fund launched. The SIL Global X Silver Miners ETF has maintained a first-mover advantage ever since, functioning as a silver-stock index despite its flaws. This week SILs net assets ran $525.4m, 3.6x bigger than its next-largest competitors. All 3 silver-miner ETFs trading in the US only have $763.6m of capital. Compare that to the 11 US-traded gold-miner ETFs, which command net assets a massive 27.3x bigger at $20,849.1m! Every few months I analyze the latest quarterly results of the major silver miners included in SIL. Thats where this sector benchmarks limitations really become apparent. With Q419 results still coming out over the next month or so, Q319 remains the latest reported quarter. And that continued to show major silver miners increasingly diversifying into gold production. Recent years low silver prices necessitated this. SILs top 17 silver miners dominating this small ETF at 93.9% of its total weighting averaged just 40.4% of their Q319 revenues from silver! The majority of their sales came from gold, with some base metals mixed in. Golds far-superior cashflows have greatly helped traditional silver miners weather their metals long slog deeply out of favor. But lower silver exposure also retards these miners sensitivity to silver-price moves. The more gold the major silver miners produce, the more they trade like gold stocks amplifying that metals trends. The secular yellowing of this sector definitely casts a pall over silver stocks potential. But most investors and speculators still remember these companies as primary silver miners. And since there arent many major silver miners left anyway, capital will pour into them again as silvers next upleg powers higher. Ive written much about major gold stocks in recent months, and despite remaining really undervalued relative to gold they are wavering technically. The leading and dominant GDX gold-stock ETF peaked in early September, and hasnt been able to regain those highs since. Thats despite gold surging to new secular highs of its own on geopolitical fears, the US-Iran conflict flaring and Chinas coronavirus outbreak. Usually the silver stocks mostly follow the gold stocks for several reasons. Again the majority of the big silver miners revenues now come from gold. And silvers primary driver is gold, silver only powers higher when gold itself is. Finally the traders interested in silver stocks are a subset of the contrarians interested in gold stocks. So for the most part, silver and thus its miners stock prices are effectively slaved to gold. Thus I dont write about this small realm often, since silvers fortunes are directly dependent on golds. Generally as goes gold, so goes silver and its miners stocks. But SILs recent performance has really diverged from silvers, golds, and GDXs! Ive been watching this chart superimposing SIL over silver with growing interest recently. The silver stocks are faring much better than they ought to in this situation. (Click to enlarge) Back on September 4th, a silver-stock upleg peaked in concert with silver, gold, and the gold stocks as measured by GDX. SIL crested at $32.22 that day, driven by silver hitting $19.59. While the major silver stocks had blasted far enough to catapult SIL 46.6% higher in 3.3 months, that was a disappointing silver-stock upleg. In that same short span silver itself soared 36.6% higher, so silver stocks leverage was terrible. Related: The Survival Of A $2.7 Trillion Market Rests On This Tiny Niche Naturally silver stocks are far riskier than silver itself, bearing all kinds of operational and geopolitical risks in addition to silver-price risk. Thus silver stocks are only worth trading if their gains amplify silvers when it enjoys bull-market uplegs. A case in point is this silver-stock bulls maiden upleg mostly in the first half of 2016. SIL skyrocketed 247.8% higher in 6.9 months, leveraging silvers advance in that span by 6.1x! Given the risks inherent in highly-volatile silver and its miners, I need to expect leverage running at least 3x to deploy capital in this sector. Silver stocks were so disappointing when the precious-metals sector peaked in early September because SIL had merely amplified silvers own gains by 1.3x. Thats nowhere near enough to compensate traders for the miners serious additional risks beyond their underlying metals. Silver crested then because gold did, which in turn peaked because speculators gold-futures positioning had grown excessively bullish. After studying and trading silver for decades, Ive found it mostly acts like a gold sentiment gauge. When gold is consistently rallying, traders increasingly flock to silver forcing its price higher. But these capital inflows wane when gold tops out, and reverse to selling as gold retreats. Since those normal precious-metals upleg toppings in early September, silver has ground sideways to lower. While silver surged with gold starting with the latters late-December downtrend breakout, silver didnt follow gold to new upleg highs. Silvers rallies on that flaring US-Iran conflict in early January and the Chinese coronavirus outbreak in late January proved very muted compared to golds major new highs. Silver was right back to lagging gold again, a vexing trend that has endlessly frustrated the silver-stock traders in recent years. With the white metal really underperforming the yellow one, silver-stock prices shouldve mirrored silvers disappointment. But they didnt. As this chart shows, the major silver stocks as measured by their leading SIL benchmark are continuing to gradually climb in an extended upleg! Unlike the GDX major gold stocks which failed to eclipse early-Septembers original peak, the SIL major silver stocks hit new upleg highs in late December. As silver surged on golds downtrend-breakout rally starting on Christmas Eve, SIL blasted up to a new upleg high of $33.32. That extended silver stocks upleg to 51.6% gains over 7.0 months, making for greatly-improving 2.1x upside leverage to their metal! Silver stocks upleg remains intact, with SIL meandering higher mostly within trend since last summer. So from a current-technicals standpoint, the silver stocks are looking better than the gold stocks these days! Thats really unusual, and suggests enthusiasm for and capital inflows into the traditional major silver miners stocks are stealthily mounting. That portends a flood of buying as silvers next bull-market upleg begins. Arguably silver stocks deserve to keep advancing relative to the metal they mine, because their original upleg was prematurely killed by gold at such anemic gains. They still havent reasonably reflected silvers full advance between late Mays deep lows and todays levels. So a continuing catch-up rally is certainly warranted. And silvers bull itself is likely to grow massively bigger in coming years for similar reasons. Related: The Banking Bonanza Is Just Getting Started Again technically silver is a leveraged play on gold. Capital floods into silver when gold gets consistently bought. Higher gold prices considered sustainable motivate investors and speculators alike to buy silver and its miners stocks. Silvers tight technical relationship with gold over the decades is both indisputable and ironclad. And todays silver prices are wildly undervalued compared to current prevailing gold levels! This next chart quantities silvers relationship with gold through the Silver/Gold Ratio. As dividing silvers daily closes by golds yields tiny hard-to-parse decimals, I prefer to consider this SGR in inverted-Gold/Silver-Ratio terms which is identical. Ever since this silver bulls maiden upleg peaked in early August 2016, silver has been losing ground relative to gold on balance. Silver psychology has been miserably weak. (Click to enlarge) In that first chart above you may have noticed SIL plunged in Q219, hitting a deep 3.3-year low. That temporarily interrupted a longer upleg. The reason the major silver miners plumbed such ugly depths is silver itself was collapsing while gold remained fairly stable. Late last spring before golds breakout to its first new bull-market highs in several years, traders were wholesale abandoning the precious-metals realm. Silver plunged so fast relative to gold that the SGR hit an unbelievable 93.5x in early July! That meant it took 93.5 ounces of silver to equal the value of a single ounce of gold. That was an apocalyptic 26.8-year secular low! Silver was languishing at its worst price levels compared to its primary driver in well over a quarter century. Such monumental extremes are exceedingly rare, resulting from unsustainable psychology. With silver stuck in the $14s and virtually everyone assuming it would keep spiraling lower, naturally the silver miners stocks were shunned. The major silver miners of SIL were still technically profitable, averaging all-in sustaining costs of $11.51 per ounce in Q219 while silver itself averaged $14.88 that quarter. But margins were squeezed and these companies werent earning enough to compensate for their big risks. Yet history has proven that extreme silver levels relative to gold never last long. The extreme fear and apathy plaguing silver was maxed out, everyone interested in selling soon was already gone. With selling exhausted, buying soon had to return. And it did as golds late-June bull-market breakout fueled enough momentum to sustain a major upleg. Silver rocketed higher at double golds speed in the next 2.5 months. Silvers relative outperformance blasted the SGR back up to 79.3x on that early-September day when the precious metals peaked. Powerful mean reversions higher are normal for silver after it has been beaten too low relative to gold. Had golds own upleg ran a few more weeks before speculators expended their capital firepower and stopped buying gold futures, silvers outsized gains wouldve continued blasting the SGR higher. Since mid-December 2015 when todays secular gold and silver bulls were born, the SGR has averaged 78.8x. So silver price levels didnt even return to bull averages relative to gold before it prematurely killed silvers still-young upleg! All silvers lost upside potential remains, as it didnt climb far enough relative to gold. And since silvers upleg peaked, the SGR has again fallen off a cliff as silver lagged golds upside. Because silver sentiment stayed bearish, silver certainly didnt proportionally mirror golds latest new highs on Chinas coronavirus breakout. So by late January, the SGR had collapsed all the way back down to 90.0x. Thats not far above last summers extreme quarter-century-plus lows. And remember they helped unleash silvers last upleg. Silver still needs to mean revert far higher relative to todays gold prices! So far in Q120, gold has averaged $1561. If silver merely returned to that low SGR-gold-bull average at 78.8x, that implies silver at $19.81. That would be a new secular high exceeding late Septembers peak levels. And with silver approaching the psychologically-heavy $20 level, theres no doubt traders would flock back to silver stocks. SIL would explode higher, hitting major new highs in this extended upleg. If silver regained that 65.9x SGR seen in the summer of 2016 when this bulls maiden upleg peaked, that would yield $23.69 silver at this quarters prevailing gold prices! That would be a major new silver-bull high well above August 2016s $20.56 bull-to-date peak. The capital that would deluge into this tiny silver-stock sector at such silver prices would be massive, catapulting these stocks to amazingly-huge gains. And even at such an SGR mean-reversion overshoot relative to this silver bull, this metal would still remain very undervalued relative to gold historically. For many years the SGR meandered around 55.0x, so recent years low levels were a serious anomaly. That implies $28.38 silver even at todays gold levels, let alone where gold goes in its next major upleg. The SGR is likely to overshoot that historical mean too. Because the world silver market is so small, this metal is the quintessential speculation. Rarely silver enthusiasm morphs into such extreme greed and bullishness that its price rockets parabolic. Much like the insane Tesla stock run this year, traders rush to buy high as they foolishly extrapolate such extreme gains into the indefinite future. Silver last shot parabolic in a near-popular-mania in late 2010 into early 2011. The higher and faster silver soared, the more investors and speculators wanted to buy it. That forced the SGR as high as 31.7x! At this quarters average prevailing gold price of $1561, such bullish-extreme SGR levels would yield a silver peak of $49.24. If silver powers back up to $30, $40, or higher later in this gold bull, the ultimate gains in the handful of major-silver-miners stocks will likely prove life-changingly huge! Contrarian traders who buy in low and are fully deployed during silvers rare parabolic ascents can multiply their capital many times over in less than a year! These epic gains are why traders put up with silvers long dull years between such parabolic surges. Silver stocks upside potential is big, if not enormous, as silver inevitably mean reverts higher relative to gold. Thats almost certain to happen in coming years. That being said, dont jump the gun on deploying. Silver is effectively slaved to gold, and the situation in gold futures since late December has been even more extreme than it was in early September! These hyper-leveraged traders are effectively all-in, with their long upside bets pretty much maxed based on precedent and their short downside bets as low as they get. If gold rolls over into a correction, silver will follow. A 10% gold retreat would likely force silver around 20% lower. Considered from its upleg peak in early September, that would hammer silver back to the mid-$15s. So if a gold correction is still coming, investors and speculators will enjoy far-better prices to deploy capital into the major silver stocks. They and thus SIL could easily fall 20% to 30% from current levels. So its prudent to be patient and wait for now. While silver remains wildly undervalued relative to gold, and the silver stocks are still cheap compared to even recent silver prices, silver is never immune to material gold selloffs. But given this setup, silver will almost certainly well-outperform gold in its bulls next upleg. And the resulting gains in the major silver miners should trounce those seen in the major gold miners. SILs upside potential greatly trumps GDXs. The bottom line is silver stocks have big upside potential. While their upleg last summer was truncated prematurely when gold initially peaked, that uptrend subsequently resumed. SIL defied silver relapsing into again underperforming gold, making new upleg highs in late December. So unlike major gold stocks, major silver stocks upleg remains intact. That implies traders silver-stock demand is stealthily mounting. Greatly boosting this sectors upside potential, silver is still wildly undervalued relative to prevailing gold levels. Not far above last summers quarter-century-plus lows, silver has rarely been cheaper relative to gold. This extreme anomaly cant last, meaning silver has to far outperform gold in its bull uplegs to mean revert way higher. Silver stocks will soar on that! But gold likely still faces a correction before its next upleg starts. By Adam Hamilton More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are doing their best to put their royal lives behind them and focus on the future. The couple left the United Kingdom for North America in early January, and theyve been slowly adapting to their new lives. But moving somewhere completely new is likely a high security risk for the two and you wont believe how many security officers protect Meghan, Harry, and Archie every day. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Daniel Leal-Olivas/WPA Pool/Getty Images Harry and Meghan left the royal family after a tough battle with acceptance When Meghan and Harry first wed back in 2018, it seemed like it was going to be an exciting new beginning for the prince, who had been through a lot in his royal life. But, unfortunately, it didnt turn out that way. Rather, the press immediately began to berate Meghan, suggesting she would never amount to everything Kate Middleton is. The press scrutiny of the duchess led the public to form a negative opinion of her as well. After less than two years of marriage, Harry and Meghan ultimately decided to leave the family. The two took a six-week hiatus in late 2019 to spend some time alone, and when they returned, they announced they were leaving the royal life behind. The couples security reportedly costs as much as $7.8 million per year Harry and Meghan have since left the United Kingdom for Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and they seem to be enjoying their new lives. Meghan has been spotted hiking with Archie and the dogs, while Harry has reportedly been seen purchasing lunch for the two at a local sandwich shop. Leading a peaceful life comes at a price, though. Meghan and Harry are still two of the most famous people in the world, despite working hard to obtain privacy. And protecting them carries a massive cost. Harry and Meghans security bill reportedly runs somewhere between $3.8 million and $7.8 million per year. Right now, its unclear who will end up paying for security; its reportedly still the taxpayers, but that could change. The two have 15 security officers protecting them Harry and Meghan have an extremely hefty security team. The two reportedly have 15 security officers working around the clock to protect them and their son, Archie. When Meghan was photographed hiking in Canada, there were clearly two security officers walking right behind her. The Sun reports that all 15 officers stay in three other houses as well as Meghan and Harrys home. The number of officers is higher than what was originally expected for the two, but living somewhere so new, it makes sense that they would want extra protection. The officers are reportedly a mix of British security detail and Canadian Mountees. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Chris Jackson/Getty Images There have been rumors their security guards are unhappy Sources close to the couples security detail have revealed that the officers are unhappy with their treatment from Harry and Meghan. The officers allege that theyve had to run errands for the couple and do menial tasks other than protecting the two. While the guys are happy to be out there doing the jobs, there is a feeling they are carrying out menial tasks, like picking up takeaways and groceries, a source told The Sun. its unclear how true the sources words are, as Harry and Meghan have always been independent when it comes to something like buying groceries. On January 31st, US President Donald .J. Trump Sr slammed on Nigeria alongside five other countries a travel ban. This is coming after his administration ended the birth tourism which was a huge toast among Nigerians who flock to the country like bees to the honey comb to give birth to their babies as it will give them a head start in life as they will avert the ugly incidence of being denied visas in the future. It is a hedge which will ensure that they wont have to pay for the ineptitude of heartless African and Nigerian leaders. This ban majorly affects the bid of Nigerians who want to immigrate to Gods own country. The authorities said it wont affect the student visa or tourism bid of migrants but invariably it will lead to a drastic reduction of Nigerians getting these visas since the spotlight has now been beamed on the joke of a country which prides herself as The Giant of Africa. What a sarcastic way of reference! The major reason for the ban was because of the lack of a database to properly address security issues especially with the current wave of terrorism which is affecting the entire world. There is hardly any profiling of the boko haram insurgents with their fingerprints not been in the custody of the government. The inept government has not been pro active in battling its internal security issues with kidnappers, bandits and terrorists running amok and some of these undesirable elements being exported abroad. The US has a point here as national security is of paramount interest to them especially when you take into cognizance the attacks on their country since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre which left thousands dead and was the precursor of the death of the one time worlds most wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden by the subsequent Barack Obama led administration. We recall with sadness the involvement of Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab in an attempted bomb attempt in a US plane in 2009. This obviously made the US place Nigeria under the radar. Many Nigerians are furious with Uncle Sam and talk as if they are entitled to a continuous free entry into the country. The US will cater to the interests of their citizens first as they owe no apologies to Nigerians who feel aggrieved. They can go to hell and burn to blazes for all they care. Uncle Sam comes first and not some shit hole nation apologies to Donald Trump. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Nigerians are the third highest people who overstay their visas. About thirty thousand annually were found to have been guilty of this and this is a huge security issue especially in these times of terrorism challenges. Nigeria obviously had no data on the visa defaulters which would have been a serious issue with the government of Uncle Sam. The response of the Nigerian government was rather lame as they said they will set up a committee to look into the matter. The foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama has been ranting on the determination by his boss to reverse the ban without any concrete agenda by the government to upturn it. An age-long cliche goes thus: Problems are opportunities. The ban by the US government should act as a clarion call by the Muhammadu Buhari led government to ensure good governance so that they will be no need for Nigerians to flee the nation in droves. This was a man who promised to put an end to health tourism while he campaigned in 2015 only for him to use taxpayers funds to treat himself for an undisclosed ailment in the United Kingdom. Does Boris Johnson run to Canada on medical tourism? Does even the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa run to the US for his health needs? The world is watching and is not fooled by the incompetence of our leaders which has made the country the laughing stock among the international comity of nations. We recall during the military rule of the late General Sani Abacha he forged ties with the Middle East when the west slammed his dictatorial government with heavy handed sanctions. A responsible leadership should damn Uncle Sam and look inwards for creative ways to solve her nagging challenges instead of going cap in hand begging the worlds policeman for a soft landing. We should take a cue from Rwanda which emerged from the ashes of a genocide to becoming one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Their leader looked inwards and ensured that his countrymen became self sufficient and built a haven which was conducive for foreign investors to come in droves to invest in. it is sad that the most populous nation in Africa still wants to perpetually seek validation from the west. The US government charges fourteen thousand for its visas and denies a majority of the Nigerian applicants while making billions from the applications alone. The Nigerian government still sits down and isnt doing anything pro active to ensure the betterment of living conditions back home. What a shame! It is high time that Nigerian leaders rose to the occasion and damn Uncle Sam by ensuring that this nation becomes one of the most desirable places to reside in the globe. It may sound utopian but the journey of a thousand miles begins with one positive step. Lets commence taking the baby steps. Tony Ademiluyi writes from Lagos and edits www.africanbard.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 Trend: The election process was organized at the highest level and voting went on without any problems, Head of the Supreme Electoral Council of Turkey (Yuksek Secim Kurulu) Muharrem Akkaya, who monitors the early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, told Trend. "We have been in Azerbaijan for several days, and we are observing both the preparation and the voting process of the parliamentary elections. Today we watched the vote at several precincts," Akkaya said. "All necessary conditions were provided. This is the first time I am observing parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. There were no obstacles in the election process. Despite the cold weather, the voter turnout was high," Muharrem Akkaya said. "Azerbaijan is a brotherly country, we feel at home. We continue the observation. Cameras have been installed in the precincts and thus, the possibility of obstructing the process has been eliminated." The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. A Florida teacher is facing felony drug charges after police say she tried to buy methamphetamine while teaching. Valerie Lee Prince, a first grade teacher at Jacksonville Heights Elementary School in Jacksonville, was in contact with an undercover officer with the Clay County Sheriff's Office, according to a news release. An audio recording that CCSO made and provided to the media revealed a woman talking to an officer about buying an $85 "eight ball" --an eighth of an ounce -- of methamphetamine. The woman, who the CCSO identified as Prince, is heard telling the undercover officer he can come to the school before kids arrive at 8:30 a.m. or during her lunch break at 11 a.m. "It was a pretty nonchalant request and the indication was it was no big deal to the suspect," Clay County Sgt. Vincent Hall said. The teacher intended to leave the classroom of first graders to buy the narcotics, use some and save the rest for her boyfriend, said Clay County Lt. Domenic Paniccia with the CCSO during a press conference Friday. The CCSO actually made the arrest after school, Hall said. Prince was charged with possession of methamphetamine. Former Commons speaker John Bercow has said it is blindingly obvious that there is a conspiracy to keep him out of the House of Lords. Boris Johnson refused to follow a precedent stretching back hundreds of years by granting Bercow a peerage when he stood down in October, and a nomination by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is understood to be in doubt as a vetting committee considers allegations of bullying. The ex-speakers former private secretary Angus Sinclair has become the third parliamentary official to submit a dossier of complaints to the House of Lords Appointments Commission, following the former Clerk of the Commons Lord Lisvane and ex-Black Rod David Leakey. Asked on BBC Radio 4s Broadcasting House whether he thought there was a conspiracy to block his elevation, Mr Bercow replied: Oh yes, theres no doubt about that. Its blindingly obvious. In fact, its so obvious that only an extraordinarily clever and sophisticated person could fail to grasp it. But he said he had not given up hope of becoming Lord Bercow: I didnt say that. You asked me whether there was a concerted campaign, whether there was a conspiracy, whether there was an organised effort and I said it is blindingly obvious that that is so. As to what the outcome will be, we shall have to see. Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Show all 10 1 /10 Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Dennis Skinner - Labour Labour MP of 49 years Dennis Skinner lost his Bolsover seat to Conservative Mark Fletcher, losing 16% of the vote share PA Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Jo Swinson - Liberal Democrat Leader of the Liberal Democrats lost her Dunbartonshire East seat in a 6.8% swing to the SNP PA Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Anna Soubry - The Independent Group for Change Leader of The Independent Group for Change, formerly Conservative MP, Anna Soubry lost her Broxtowe seat, coming third behind the winning Conservatives and Labour PA Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Dominic Grieve - Independent Prominent Remain-backing MP Grieve lost the contest for Beaconsfield, coming second to the Conservatives, his former party AFP/Getty Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Luciana Berger - Liberal Democrat Luciana Berger lost the contest for Finchley and Golders Green, coming second to Conservative Mike Freer PA Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Laura Pidcock - Labour Prominent Corbyn ally Laura Pidcock lost her Durham North West seat to Conservative Richard Holden PA Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Chukka Umunna - Liberal Democrat Prominent anti-Brexit MP Chukka Umunna lost the contest for the Cities of London & Westminster, coming second to Conservative Nickie Aiken Getty Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Zac Goldsmith - Conservative Former candidate for Mayor of London Zac Goldsmith lost his Richmond Park seat to Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney PA Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Nigel Dodds - DUP Former leader of the DUP Nigel Dodds lost his Belfast North seat to Sinn Fein AFP/Getty Big beasts lose their seats: Prominent MPs gone after election Gareth Snell - Labour Labour MP Gareth Snell lost his Stoke-on-Trent central seat to the Conservatives PA There is no entitlement to go to the Upper House. Every speaker for the last couple of hundred years has been invited to do so, but theres no entitlement. We shall have to see what happens. Labour MP and deputy leadership candidate Dawn Butler said today that Mr Bercow may himself be a victim of a form of bullying in being denied a peerage by Conservative ministers who blame him for throwing up obstacles to the Brexit process in parliament. But housing secretary Robert Jenrick said there was no obligation on Mr Johnson to ennoble the former speaker and there should be a high bar for those entering the House of Lords. Mr Bercow acknowledged having had two disagreements with Lt Gen Leakey during his time as the official responsible for maintaining order in the House of Lords, but insisted neither remotely amounted to bullying and there was no regular rancour between them. Almost eight or nine years later he is still moaning about the fact that we argued, he said. He was, from my point of view, a very marginal figure. He was a bit-part player in my day to day existence. And while he accepted his relationship with Mr Sinclair did not work because of differences over his efforts to modernise procedure, he said he believed they had parted on good terms. He was not bullied, there was no bullying, said Bercow. There was an honourable difference of opinion and that is the end of it. Speaking on Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Ms Butler said: It is the norm that the speaker of the House is always given a peerage, so I think the first question for me is why hasnt he been given a peerage from the Conservatives? The shadow women and equalities minister added: I would like to know the reason why he wasnt given a peerage. I suspect its actually do to with Brexit rather than anything else. The other thing is due process has to happen so if you accuse somebody of bullying there has to be due process. Ms Butler said: If John Bercows been accused of bullying then there needs to be due process and has he been found guilty or is it just an accusation? And I think those are the things that we have to go through. We really do need to ask the Conservatives why is it that you havent like everybody else ensured that the speaker of the house is given a peerage? Otherwise I think that is a form of bullying too. But Mr Jenrick told the programme: The prime minister chooses individuals who could sit in the House of Lords as Conservative peers. Theres no obligation on the prime minister to make John Bercow a member of the House of Lords. I think whats important here is that there should be a high bar on anybody who ends up in the House of Lords as indeed in the House of Commons. The allegations against John Bercow need now to be investigated. Your 401(k) is not an all or nothing bet. It is an important investment in your future, a tool to enhance your golden years. So, for goodness sake, dont just let it ride. More often than not, I find, individuals roll the dice on their future by ignoring their biggest asset. Be honest, when it's time to sign up or change the investment allocations in your plan, how much effort do you make? A securities analyst colleague just told me he spent 13 seconds making his investment selections. How much research do you do? Save better, spend better: All the money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here Cutting the cord with kids:How to wean grown kids off your payroll, freeing up more retirement cash Successful investing: The secrets of successful stock investing from veteran markets reporter My colleague claims his friends just ask their parents, or him, which investments to select. Many individuals choose investments they know very little about. A pigeon move if ever there was one. Since 401(k) assets represent 10% of U.S. households total financial assets as of the second quarter of 2019, they should command a commensurate amount of your focus. Company websites provide a significant amount of information to participants. Designate an evening to review and discuss with a spouse, a friend or your adviser. And because 401(k)s enjoy many attributes that enhance the growth of your nest egg, lets review the benefits: Dollar-cost averaging ensures that you will continue to buy into markets when they decline, a habit that is difficult to employ as an individual investor but occurs naturally with your 401(k) payroll contribution. Consistently putting money to work in the markets enhances total return over time. The Investment Company Institute, a fund-advocacy group, reported that 4.6% of 401(k) participants stopped putting money in the market during the first half of 2009, just when they should have been staying put or increasing their contributions. (The bear market bottomed in March of 2009.) And a 2016 study by financial research firm Dalbar found the average equity fund investor had an annualized return of 3.66% for the previous 30 years compared with 10.35% for the Standard & Poor's 500 index. Dalbar research shows that same average investor staying in equity mutual funds for 3.46 years. Hopping in and out of investments truncates your total return. Story continues While gainfully employed continue to contribute during up markets and especially in down markets. And give your investment selections a reasonable period to perform before pulling the plug. I'm 58 and have no retirement savings.: Is my financial life ruined, or is there still hope? 5 things to know: The SECURE Act could help boost your retirement savings Tax-free compounding allows each of us to accumulate wealth tax-free until the time of withdrawal. The power of accumulating income and capital appreciation tax-free over 20- to 30-years is impressive. AB Insurance Services compared the growth of a taxable investment versus a tax-deferred investment over 30 years. With an initial investment of $100,000 compounding at 8% annually (analogous to the average return for stocks over the last 120 years of approximately 9%) and assuming an income tax rate of 33%, the tax-free investment grows to $1,006,266 versus $478,931 for the investment subject to taxes. That means you should stash as much money as you possibly can into your 401(k). Employer matching. Think of this as free money a jackpot you would be silly to ignore. If your employer pays a dollar for dollar match you will effectively double the value of your 401(k) balance over time. You cant receive the match if you dont participate in your 401(k). Once you select the allocation of your 401(k) assets, review them every six months or even annually. The exception to this rule would be if you have a material, life-changing event. But for the most part, the research shows that taking a long-term, patient approach is best. This will increase your odds of beating the house over the long term. And that, after all, is the surest way to retire in comfort with a whale of a jackpot. Nancy Tengler is chief investment strategist at Tengler Wealth Management, ButcherJoseph Asset Management and the author of The Womens Guide to Successful Investing. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 401(k) investors: Research stock allocations and then review them Iranian Christian convert granted early release from prison; 2 others expected to be freed Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment One Iranian Christian convert imprisoned for his faith has been released early from prison and it is expected that two more converts will also be granted an early release. According to Middle East Concern, Asghar Salehi was freed from his six-month prison sentence this week after being charged with propaganda against the Islamic Republic. The nonprofit advocacy group that operates in 24 countries across the Middle East and North Africa previously reported that Salehi was arrested along with Mohammadreza Rezaei and four other associates in the Fars Province after their homes were raided by intelligence officers in September 2018. Asghar was allegedly interrogated for three days in which he was kept blindfolded for most of the time. He was eventually transferred to Eghlid prison for eight days before being released on bail. Asghar, Mohammadreza and one other convert whose name was not reported were summoned to a court hearing in Eghlid last April and charged for their Christian activities. According to the advocacy group, the judge refused to allow Asghar to speak. Additionally, he was warned that he was being monitored and told he would have to commit to stopping his Christian activities before another court session. Last September, the three men were reportedly sentenced to six months in prison under Article 500 of the Iranian legal code banning propaganda against the System through promoting Zionist Christianity. Asghar was again arrested last December and sent to Eghlid prison. He and the other two applied for a pardon and early release. According to MEC, Asghars request for early release was granted after serving only two months of the six. While he was freed on Feb. 2, MEC reports that the two other converts are scheduled to be released on Feb. 8. A source close to Asghar told MEC that pardons are less likely in the larger cities or for Christians accused of acting against national security. Iranian Christians are very pleased that Asghar Salehi has been given early release from Eghlid Prison, a MEC spokesperson told BosNewsLife. It is expected, fellow prisoners Mohammadreza Rezaei and A.T. will also be released soon. Iran ranks as the 9th worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. The regime has for years arrested, tortured and imprisoned Muslim converts to Christianity and has severely restricted the rights of recognized Christian minorities like Assyrians and Armenians. This week, the daughter of an Assyrian pastor currently imprisoned in Iran on a 10-year sentence for running house churches spoke at a Family Research Council panel discussion in Washington, D.C., on religious freedom. Dabrina Bet Tamraz described what it was like for her growing up as an Assyrian in Iran. We have been monitored, our house has been broken in. My father was regularly arrested and interrogated, she said. Sometimes it was just before the Sunday service began. We always had to be prepared to preach in case my dad got arrested. That became normal but it was part of our life growing up. In 2009, her familys Pentecostal church in Tehran was shut down by the government for refusing to agree to only allow Assyrian-speaking members. Today, Tamrazs father, mother and brother are all in prison. She is traveling the world to advocate for their release. Today, there is not a free church. There is no free evangelical church, nor free Pentecostal, she said. The only churches that are allowed to function are orthodox or Catholic churches with restrictions. They are not allowed to have books in Farsi. They are not even allowed to, nowadays, print books in our own language. Any Christian literature or Bible even in our own language is not permitted. They are not even allowed to speak to a Farsi person near the church. Muslim background believers risk arrest just by simply attending church in Iran. Any time if the government find out, they can raid the gathering, arrest people, torture them and confiscate their property, Marziyeh Amirizadeh, a former Muslim who helped lead two house churches in Iran before fleeing in 2010, said during the FRC panel discussion. That is why they have to be very cautious about their communications. They cant worship God loudly. We have to stay very quiet because you never know who is your neighbor and it can happen at any time. The Christian persecution watchdog group Article 18 reports that there were at least 25 Christians arrested in Iran in 2019 while at least 13 Christians received sentences that ranged from four months to five years. According to Article 18's annual report, in 2019, intelligence agents harassed family members of Iranian converts who fled the country even though they themselves may not be Christian. Indirect talks in Swiss city were aimed at turning shaky truce into lasting ceasefire after 10 months of violence. The first round of talks between military representatives of Libyas internationally-recognised government and eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire have ended with no breakthrough, the UN has said. Five senior officers from the UN-brokered GNA and five others from Haftars self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) convened this week in the Swiss city of Geneva amid renewed international efforts to end the conflict, which intensified in April when the eastern forces launched an offensive to seize the capital, Tripoli, from the GNA. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya said in a statement on Saturday it thanked the two parties for agreeing to come to Geneva as well as their high professional and positive spirit throughout the discussions. The talks, which were mediated by UN Special Envoy Ghassan Salame, did not include face-to-face meetings. On Thursday, Salame had reported progress in the talks aimed at turning a fragile truce into a permanent ceasefire that would have included a monitoring role for the world body. Two days ago, Salame said there were some points of divergence, Al Jazeeras Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Geneva, said. He was hoping that they could come to some sort of agreement or middle ground but that did not happen. Salame had issued a statement at the time, saying that two parties agreed on the need to continue abiding by the shaky truce, as well as the need to preserve Libyas sovereignty. The GNA said it was Haftars forces [that needed] to pull back all the way to the pre-April 2019 position, basically to return to Benghazi which is something that Haftar has not agreed to, Abdel-Hamid said. While the two parties agreed on the need to expedite the return of internally displaced people, especially in the areas of clashes, they did not reach a full understanding on the best ways to achieve that goal. At a summit in the German capital, Berlin, last month, world powers committed to ending all foreign interference in the oil-rich country and to uphold a weapons embargo to help end the war. But Salame said this week the embargo was being breached with weapons, ammunition and foreign fighters arriving to support both sides in the conflict. Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, as well as France and Russia. Meanwhile, Turkey is the GNAs main supporter. Speaking from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regretted that the conflict has been aggravated by foreign intervention. With regards to Libya, it is evident that the crisis has been severely aggravated by the presence of forces and equipment from many other countries, in clear violation of the mandate of the Security Council, Guterres said. I think we have to re-establish the sovereignty of international law and the conditions in which the decisions of the Security Council could be implemented and that countries should understand that their engagements to promote certain conflicts only increases the potential for action by terrorist groups. If you wanted to create an education environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at doing, you probably would design something like a classroom. In his book Brain Rules, author John Medina lays out the science and research to back up this statement and hes not the only one. A growing number of researchers, policymakers and educators, in Wyoming and across the nation, are speaking out about the need for change. Wyoming has responded in-kind in several ways: Boot-Up Wyoming is Wyomings computational thinking and computer science initiative. Since this key 2018 legislation, educators, business and industry have worked to ensure that K-12 students learn the ability to navigate, innovate and solve problems in todays workplace and world. Early Literacy underpins everything in education and life. Knowing how to read is the most important skill a student learns in school and a driver for future economic well-being. Wyoming is embarking on systematic K-3 early literacy improvement that sets the bar high to teach and learn how to read. Career and Technical Education (CTE, formerly Vo-Tech) is front and center. Efforts in Wyoming have led to the expansion of the Hathaway Scholarship, funding for career training and industry partnerships. In 2018, U.S. Senator Enzi led the work on Perkins V, a federal grant program that helps fund CTE. Wyomings plan for Perkins V helps ensure that our schools CTE programs are aligned to workforce needs. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced No Child Left Behind four years ago. Under ESSA, the responsibility of education is in the hands of each state, not the federal government. Wyoming has responded with accountability requirements that include career, college and military readiness, a move further away from federal standards, and a new statewide assessment. By and large, Wyoming is moving in the right direction with these efforts, recent statewide test scores, graduation rates, adequate school buildings and quality teachers. But if we scratch the surface, just barely, theres another story. K-12 schools in Wyoming and across the nation are producing students who need remedial help in basic math and literacy in college. Four out of five employers say that high school graduates have serious gaps in how prepared they are to succeed in the workplace. Sixty-two percent of employers say schools are not doing an adequate job of preparing students. Wyoming was among the 31 states where eighth grade reading scores declined on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). How can this be? Simply, key state education policies have failed to appropriately adapt to a changing society. The education basket of goods is a state law that consists of ten distinct, separate content areas plus a handful of skills that students should learn. The basket has driven education funding debates, lawsuits and decisions by the Wyoming legislature. Every five years (plus in 2017), the Wyoming Legislature has used the basket to adjust how much we spend on education. Yet, only once since 1997 has the content core of the basket been updated (computational thinking and computer science were added in 2018). It should not take us that long to innovate. The challenge for local school districts is that a 21st century education is not fully aligned to the basket of goods. And as school boards endeavor to fund the basket with a block grant, their ability to implement a modern classroom is thwarted by an outdated basket. For example, teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in an integrated manner is not contemplated in the basket. Each subject, minus engineering, is funded separately. Other states have already met the modernization challenge and created more relevant expectations for student learning in state law. Virginia and South Carolina have created new graduation requirements in their Profile of a Graduate state initiatives which specify the academic knowledge, skills, experiences and attributes students need to be successful in college and the workplace, and be life ready. Utah has launched a similar Talent MAP graduate profile, as the state redesigns standards and expectations. Alongside learning expectations, career exploration is emphasized. 2020 is a pivotal year. The Wyoming Legislature has already contracted services to refine, or recalibrate, education funding. For the past four years the legislature has transferred funds from the rainy day account to cover the cost of school operations and school construction. In other words, we cant afford our current education system. Thus, most of the debates in the legislature will be about quantity how much we spend. But recalibrating funding for a system that we can neither afford nor guarantee is the best for students, is not a path to prosperity for Wyoming. We have taken important steps to offer students a 21st century education but that will only take us so far without an update to the basket of goods. Jillian Balow is Wyomings state superintendent of public instruction, an office she has held since 2015. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa sent out a message by choosing India as the destination for his first trip abroad after assuming office, and also struck the right notes in New Delhi by saying the changes made by the Indian government in Jammu and Kashmir last year were the countrys internal affair. Mr Rajapaksa also discussed cooperation in counterterrorism with his Indian counterpart, Mr Narendra Modi, and ways to take forward the use of two lines of credit totalling $450 million offered by India last year. However, Mr Rajapaksa sought to strike a balance between Sri Lankas ties with India, and those with other regional players, such as China and Pakistan, describing India as a relation and the others as friends. He also noted Pakistans help in the war with the Tamil Tiger rebels and Chinas help in rebuilding Sri Lanka after the war, which ended when the Sri Lankan Army launched a massive offensive under Mr Rajapaksas leadership. Mr Modi used Mr Rajapaksas visit to raise Indias concerns about the incomplete process of reconciliation and the devolution of powers to Sri Lankas Tamil minority, saying the government in Colombo must rise to the occasion to meet the Tamil peoples expectations for equality, justice, peace and respect by implementing the 13th amendment to the constitution, which envisages giving more powers to Tamil-inhabited areas of the island nation. Mr Rajapaksa and his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, however, have shied away from committing to the full implementation of the 13th amendment. The Sri Lankan president has even said there couldnt be full devolution of powers against the wishes of the Sinhala majority and Mr Rajapaksa, while speaking to a section of the Indian media, too, ruled out any resolution in the Tamil-inhabited areas that isnt acceptable to Sri Lankas majority community. Clearly, both sides will have to do some manoeuvring to ensure they reach common ground on this touchy issue. P rotests at the British Museum have ended after more than 50 hours amid a row over oil company BP's sponsorship of a Troy exhibition. Climate activists BP Or Not BP? occupied the Great Court inside the museum on Saturday night, where they covered themselves in plaster as part of a "theatrical protest". Around 60 people took part in the action, in which they created a structure out of their body parts for a piece called Monument. The activists left at about 10.30am on Sunday, with action having begun at 7.30am on Friday when a 13ft-high Trojan horse was wheeled into the grounds of the museum in response to the sponsorship deal. Activists inside the British Museum, London in protest against BP, who are sponsoring the Troy exhibition at the museum. / PA Two activists, Phil Ball and Chad Nickson, stayed in the timber structure overnight after "a friendly negotiation" with British Museum staff, according to the group. They later removed it from the site after a 35-hour stint in the grounds. Climate change activists demonstrate against BP outside British Museum in London / REUTERS On Saturday afternoon, the group said more than 1,500 people had taken part in the peaceful protest, in which the pressure group held talks and singing activities inside some of its exhibition rooms. Crowds of supporters could be heard cheering and clapping as the activists delivered speeches on climate change. "Black Brigade" activists demonstrate against BP outside British Museum in London / REUTERS At 3.45pm, they staged a "sit-in" inside the Great Hall for 15 minutes, singing and chanting "BP must fall". Member for BP Or Not BP? Malou den Dekker, 24, told PA news agency: "The issue of sponsorship is dear to my heart because the way that fossil fuel companies are allowed to make themselves look good in our cultural spaces is really outrageous during our time of climate crisis. "The British Museum should be taking a far harsher stand on partnering with people who are complicit in the climate crisis and until they draw that line, we will be coming back with performative actions." Museum director Hartwig Fischer said: "The museum is a public space where people can come to debate and we respect other people's right to express their views. "We share the concerns for the challenges that we all face together as a result of climate change. Tories who are sponsoring the Troy exhibition at the museum / PA "We address these issues in an innovative way through significant exhibitions and public programming." He added: "The British Museum offers for millions of people an extraordinary opportunity to engage with the cultures and histories of humankind. "Without external support and sponsorship this would not be possible. "Removing this opportunity from the public is not a contribution to solving the climate crisis." A spokesman for BP said: "Our new CEO, Bernard Looney, will set out his low-carbon ambition for BP next week. "He understands the frustration and anger and shares protesters' deep concern about climate change. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Nargiz Sadikhova Trend: The voting process in the Azerbaijani parliamentary elections is being held smoothly, Israeli journalist Michael Finkel told Trend. Finkel arrived in Azerbaijan as part of the delegation of journalists from Israel to cover the parliamentary elections. Despite the early morning and cold weather, citizens are coming to the polling stations to take part in the elections. "The elderly people are actively participating in the voting process, the journalist said. More and more people are coming. I think that there will be much more voters in the afternoon. The journalist also added a few words about the election process itself. Everything is very good, the journalist said. Everyone works very professionally, competently and with great responsibility. Everything is great. Finkel also pointed to the parallel features in the elections in Azerbaijan and Israel. The elections in Israel and Azerbaijan have similar features, the journalist added. Azerbaijan has created all the necessary conditions for holding elections, including the smallest details. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are observing the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls will be conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Tehran, Feb 9 : A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader said the US forces should leave Iraq and Syria, Tehran Times daily reported on Sunday. The era of US presence in Iraq and Syria has come to an end, Ali Akbar Velayati was quoted as saying at the ceremony commemorating the assassinated senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, reported Xinhua news agency. The US soldiers will be expelled from the region "soon," he added. The US rulers thought in vain that they could overcome the resistance in the region by assassinating Soleimani, the Iranian official noted. Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, was killed in a US airstrike near Baghdad International Airport last month. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Polyhydramnios or hydramniosis defined as a condition where the fluid in the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus becomes more than 2000mL. The normal maximum amount of amniotic fluid is 800ml, which is noted at 34 weeks of pregnancy. This amount further decreases as the pregnancy progresses and is around 600 ml at 40 weeks. In polyhydramnios, the excess fluid causes a large abdomen, which may cause discomfort to the mother. It may also make it difficult for the doctor to estimate the position of baby by physical examination, necessitating the use of sonography. Polyhydramnios is more common in women who have given birth many a times before than in women who are going to have their first child. It may be acute, occurring over a few days, or chronic, occurring over a few weeks. This article mainly describes chronic polyhydramnios. In many cases, the cause of polyhydramnios is not known. In others, polyhydramnios may be due to fetal, maternal or placental causes. Fetal causes : Since the fetus normally swallows amniotic fluid, fetal malformations are associated with polyhydramnios. These include: : Since the fetus normally swallows amniotic fluid, fetal malformations are associated with polyhydramnios. These include: Genetic abnormalities like abnormal number of chromosomes Neural tube defects which result in conditions like anencephaly, where the brain is not developed, and openspina bifida, a Birth Disorder, where the spinal cord is not well developed Inability of the fetus to swallow amniotic fluid due to facial clefts, neck masses and developmental problems of the food pipe and the duodenum, the first part of the intestine Hydrops fetalis, where there is an accumulation of fluid in two or more areas of the fetus like the scalp, around the lungs and heart, and in the abdominal cavity. It may occur due to Rh blood mismatch between the mother and the fetus, or several other problems Placental causes : A tumor of the placenta called chorioangioma causes polyhydramnios. It leads to excessive secretion of amniotic fluid. : A tumor of the placenta called chorioangioma causes polyhydramnios. It leads to excessive secretion of amniotic fluid. Maternal causes: Uncontrolled diabetes in the mother causes an increase in the level of fetal blood sugar. This leads to excessive urination by the fetus, thereby causing an increase in the amniotic fluid. Renal Heart or kidney disease carrying Presence of more than one fetuses like twins or triplets. Symptoms and signs of polyhydramnios include the following: Breathlessness while lying down Palpitation that is, hearing or feeling ones own heartbeat. Due to pressure from the large uterus, the patient may develop swelling of legs, varicose veins in the legs and piles Abdomen is larger than normal for the particular duration of pregnancy and the skin appears excessively stretched. The physician is unable to feel the fetal parts or hear the fetal heartbeats with a stethoscope. Diagnosis of polyhydramnios is made based on: Ultrasound: Ultrasound is the method of choice to detect polyhydramnios. It is also helpful to detect multiple fetuses, fetal position or congenital anomalies if any. Blood tests: ABO and Rh blood grouping is done since, Rh mismatches can give rise to hydrops fetalis. Blood sugar levels are also measured to detect diabetes in the mother. ABO and Rh blood grouping is done since, Rh mismatches can give rise to hydrops fetalis. Blood sugar levels are also measured to detect diabetes in the mother. Amniotic fluid tests: Estimation of alpha-fetoprotein in the amniotic fluid is done to find out congenital malformation. It is markedly increased if the fetus has an open neural tube defect. Complications of polyhydramnios include: Increased blood pressure during pregnancy which may lead to pre-eclampsia Abnormal fetal position, making delivery difficult Early rupture of membranes leading to preterm labor and premature baby Prolapse of the umbilical cord during delivery, which can result in reduced blood supply to the baby Excessive bleeding during and after delivery Increased fetal deaths due to prematurity and congenital abnormality. Treatment of polyhydramnios depends on the extent of the condition and the underlying cause. Mild polyhydramnios that develops around the middle of pregnancy usually reduces by itself without treatment. Bed rest is advised for a few days. Severe polyhydramnios is treated in the hospital. A severe fetal malformation may warrant immediate delivery. If no fetal malformation is present, the mother is advised bed rest and is administered indomethacin to decrease fetal urinary output. Excessive amniotic fluid is removed at regular intervals in a controlled manner by a process called amniocentesis. If the pregnancy is more than 37 weeks, amniocentesis is followed by delivery of the fetus. How can Polyhydramnios be prevented? Polyhydramnios can be prevented to some extent by: Early detection and control of maternal diabetes Eileen O'Mara is in no mood to listen to American propaganda. Sitting in Stripe's bustling Silicon Docks office, chatting about perceptions of European technology in the US, the company's newest European boss mentions some common Valley tropes; that we in Europe know little about innovation, that we try to tax anything creative, that we'll forever be in the shadow of Silicon Valley. She's not having it. "Look at the top 10 IPOs last year," says the Clarecastle, Ennis-born executive. "Six of them are from Europe. I don't know why we keep hearing that innovation and tech are not as strong in Europe as in the Valley or in other places around the world. It's just not true." O'Mara might know a bit more about it than Hacker News blowhards from Boston or Boise. As Stripe's new revenue and growth lead for Europe, the former Salesforce executive deals with companies such as Deliveroo, N26 and hundreds of others across the continent that are growing quickly, attracting tens of millions in VC investment. The data coming through Stripe's coffers, she suggests, paints a different picture to the one you might read in a San Jose Mercury News editorial. "If you look at investment [into European tech firms] of over 100m, it's up four-fold since 2016," she says. "And three quarters of that is coming from outside the region. From a digital perspective, Europe is open and it's growing quickly." Expand Close John and Patrick Collison of Stripe. Photo: Dai-Lon Weiss / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John and Patrick Collison of Stripe. Photo: Dai-Lon Weiss Stripe appears to be growing as quickly as the continent's fastest big startups. The company won't talk about its revenue or profit ("We've no intention or obligation to do that right now," says O'Mara). But its demonstrable spread across the internet's infrastructure makes it one of Silicon Valley's most talked-about firms. It is inside the code of thousands of major online organisations, taking a cut from billions of online transactions each year. "We're growing at massive scale, now processing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of transactions every year with millions of customers," she says. "I think that gives you an indication of the scale that we're operating at." And this, O'Mara says, is only scratching the surface. "Less than 8pc of commerce is done online at the moment," she says. "So in terms of the long-term view, from my perspective, when I look in Europe, we're still at chapter one. That's why we're investing here." This is O'Mara's first interview since being appointed to the new top European role. She's keen to talk about the importance of the Dublin office, how it incorporates a range of different functions, and how it is a definitive statement on just how much faith the founders have in Ireland's capability as a tech hub. But she also knows that Stripe faces intense scrutiny, perhaps even more in Ireland than in Silicon Valley. There is scarcely a reader of this newspaper who is unaware that its founders are the young Limerick brothers Patrick and John Collison, arguably Ireland's most successful ever industrial exports. Even though the firm is still privately held, with around $1.3bn (1.2bn) in funding, its most recent valuation pegged it at $35bn. In practical terms, that makes it far too big for all but a tiny handful of giant corporations to consider acquiring, even if the Collisons were minded to sell (they have consistently said they are not). Consequently, it's a Wall Street favourite for a giant IPO some time in the next two years. O'Mara's appointment at Stripe is, she says, reflective of the company's ambition. Eight of the 10 new supported countries announced in the last year are European. Most are powered, to some degree, by Stripe's biggest office outside San Francisco: Dublin. And O'Mara's job is to make Dublin bigger. That looks set to happen soon. With around 320 people now in the office, Dublin will likely have a lead role in some of the expansions pegged for this year. That includes supporting Stripe's credit card (Stripe Card) and its small business lending service (Stripe Capital), if and when they are launched into Europe some time this year. "That is the importance of the engineering hub that we have built here in Europe, in Dublin," she says. "We're accelerating. We're developing products here." Coming from Salesforce and Oracle before that, O'Mara has joined Stripe at a pivotal time in more ways than one. There's a new dynamic between tech companies and cities. Tech firms are now the biggest, richest, most powerful employers in Dublin. Their influence here is getting closer to that in the biggest US tech hubs of San Francisco and Seattle. That brings with it a new set of considerations. O'Mara is a 20-year veteran of the area known as the Silicon Docks. She points out that Stripe's office is less than a kilometre from the apartment she bought in 2000 when working for Samir Naji's Horizon Technology Group, itself just around the corner. "That was before it all happened," she says. "There was nothing here. It's hard to believe it now, but this was a tough place. You had to make sure your car was well locked at night." Not anymore. Today, it is Ireland's richest industrial zone. The average area salary is 125,000. While O'Mara focuses on building Stripe's Irish headquarters into an engineering powerhouse serving half the western world, she is aware of the emerging complicated relationship between tech companies and civic infrastructural planning. High rents caused largely by the Elysian Fields of inner city tech campuses are now one of the defining issues in Dublin, as in other cities. For all the openness and multiculturalism these workforces typically bring, tougher access to housing - and an apparent failure by authorities to plan correctly for this - is weighing on tech companies like Stripe. "I do think sometimes about what kind of community is being created around us," she says. "In some ways, it's not as diverse as it was 20 years ago. I think there are implications for society and for the city around that." It's a theme that Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison has paid a lot of attention to in California, a place where housing divisions are reaching dystopian levels. On a recent visit here, Google CEO Sundar Pichai went so far as to tell this reporter that the company would consider subsidised housing in Dublin, reflecting some of what the biggest tech firms are doing in San Francisco and Seattle. But while the situation here risks becoming "stark", O'Mara says it's not as simple as tech firms becoming infrastructure providers, or being a negative overall influence. "I have a balanced view," she says. "Dublin is vibrant, growing and welcoming. Irish people can now have a really good career here. And we're very open to diverse talent coming into the city. I'm an example of someone who might have had to go some place else to build a career if it wasn't for all of this." There are lots of considerations, she says, from residential "low-rise and high-rise" planning debates, to "subsidised communities" and figuring out where the intersection is between industry and the Government. "It's not just the tech companies. I think it's broader. We probably need a private and public partnership approach because there is an overall joint responsibility. We need to ensure we're creating ecosystems that benefit local communities as well as tech companies. There probably hasn't been enough progress on it." "But it's something Patrick [Collison] has been very passionate about. Apart from anything else, we think about the experience we want people to have when hiring, and retaining and motivating key talent, diverse talent. We need to ensure that they can find a place to live and to commute." While referencing the "talent war" that is universally acknowledged, she observes that Stripe in Dublin hasn't had it as bad as some other firms. This, she believes, is partially because of Stripe's high growth and profile, and partially because of the influence and reputation of the Collisons. "In general, I'd say that it's hard in Dublin to recruit at the moment because there's a lot of demand and there's a lot of opportunity," she says. "But honestly, there's a lot of interest in Stripe. We're lucky to get a very decent volume of really high-quality candidates. They know about the company and are interested." They also know much of what Stripe executives say and even what might remain unsaid. "Less than 8pc of commerce happens online," said John Collison in September, when he announced the most recent fundraising round of $250m. "We're investing now to build the infrastructure that'll power internet commerce in 2030 and beyond. If we get it right, we can help the internet fulfil its potential as an engine for global economic progress." That's not a bad pitch for ambitious developers. Equally interesting is the prospect that Stripe may be entering the latter stages of its privately-funded existence. (Venture capitalists rarely wait beyond a decade to seek a return on their money, one way or the other.) That may mean an attractive equity roadmap. While many talented developers aren't motivated by such issues, it doesn't hurt either. "I would say we're really optimistic," says O'Mara. "We're continuing to grow at scale within the region and specifically here out of Dublin. We're super-bullish about Europe, not only for Stripe but for the innovation that's coming through." Curriculum Vitae Name Eileen O'Mara Position Revenue and growth lead EMEA at Stripe Lives Blackrock, Co Dublin Education BComm from NUI Galway and an HDip in marketing Previous experience Salesforce: SVP international marketing sales APAC; SVP, sales EMEA Family Two teenage sons, Matthew (17) and Jude (15), husband Kieran and dog Tilly Pastimes Meditation and mindfulness Favourite book Hello World: How to be Human in the Age of the Machine by Hannah Fry Favourite movie Don't watch many movies Favourite holiday Kenya Best business advice Be yourself Voters in Muslim-dominated constituencies of Delhi said they voted on Saturday over the issues of jobs, development, education, health care and civic amenities. Of all constituencies where the communitys population can sway the poll results, three witnessed a healthy turnout. In the run-up to the February 8 polls, there were allegations of religious polarisation with the BJP making the anti-CAA protests at Shaheen Bagh its poll plank. Many Muslim voters said though they were anxious over some objectionable statements made by the saffon party leaders, they rejected politics over religion. At the close of polling, the top three assembly segments in terms of voter turnout were Mustafabad, Matia Mahal and Seelampur, as per provisional turnout figures provided by the election commission. All these seats have a large Muslim population. More than casting a vote in favour of someone, this election is about casting a vote against someone. Against those who believe in politics of religion over politics of work, employment and development, said Sarfaraz Khan, a resident of Seelampur, a constituency that witnessed violence in December, days after the Citizenship Amendment Act was passed in Parliament. As many as five out of 70 assembly constituencies in Delhi have about 50% Muslim population, suggested data shared by political parties. Several residents of these colonies said that they voted for good education, good healthcare and civic amenities such as water, sewer and better roads even as they expressed anxiety over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the idea of a pan-India National Register of Citizens (NRC). Iqbal Ahmed, an embroidery worker in Ballimaran, said he would not vote for Hindu-Muslim politics. The most important thing for a common man is development. We want our state government to provide us basic facilities such as electricity, water, education and clean roads and not one that divides people on religious lines, he said. Araish Fateema, a resident of Matia Mahal, said: Our choice is clear. We have voted for the party who can provide better future to our children. My daughter studies in a government school and I am very happy with her progress. We dont need leaders who know only about politics on religious lines. Praveen Rai, political analyst with the Centre for Study of Developing Societies, said: The BJP polemics against anti-CAA protesters at Shaheen Bagh and other places have led to a strong consolidation of Muslim votes against it. They seem to have voted en bloc for AAP in this election. The exit polls predicting a clean sweep for AAP confirms their voting choices. In the 2015 polls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the Matia Mahal and Seelampur constituencies with margins exceeding 25,000 votes in each. The party, in its second poll outing in the year, also went on to win the Ballimaran and Okhla seats with huge mandates around 60% and 62.5% vote shares, respectively. However, this year, these two constituencies witnessed very low turnout. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won the Mustafabad seat with a 35% vote share, benefiting from a split of Muslim votes between AAP and the Congress they bagged around 32% and 30% votes, respectively, from the constituency. The BJPs Jagdish Pradhan, a Gujjar, is the first non-Muslim MLA since the assembly segment was carved in 2008. In few Muslim-dominated constituencies, voters anticipated a split in Muslim votes between two parties but found themselves in a fix when asked if they could see a third party could benefit from the potential split. It does not seem like the numbers could add up and lead to an unexpected result. The winning candidate is likely to be a Muslim, said Mohammad Usman, a resident of Jafarabad in Seelampur. While both AAP and the Congress have fielded Muslim candidates in the constituency, the BJPs choice is a Hindu face a strategy the saffron party has followed in all Muslim-dominated constituencies across the city. However, in neighbouring Mustafabad constituency, Samiuddin Haider did not seem confident about the outcome. He said, A split can lead to unexpected results and we have seen that happen last year. Most Muslim constituencies in Delhi have some common trends old-school political leaders with large personal following is one such. In several of them, the parties have fielded political heavyweights Mateen Ahmed and Parvez Hashmi for the Congress in Seelampur and Okhla, respectively. The AAPs choice for Matia Mahal, Shoaib Iqbal, has been MLA for five terms for three different parties since 1993. Such factors make calculations difficult in many such Muslim-dominated constituencies, several residents said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered assistance to Chinese President Xi Jinping in the fight against the ongoing novel coronavirus epidemic that has killed over 800 people and infected around 35,000 in China. Top sources told IANS that Modi in a letter to Xi, offered his condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak of the 2019-nCoV. He has also offered assistance to face the challenge, sources said. The Prime Minister has also expressed solidarity with the Chinese President and the people of China in this time of crisis. Sources said Modi also conveyed appreciation for the facilitation provided by the Chinese government for evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from Wuhan in Hubei province which has been placed under lockdown for the past several weeks now. Olivia Newton-John has teared up watching her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, make her debut on Dancing With The Stars. The 71-year-old Australian actress looked proud as punch as she sat in the audience alongside her husband, John Easterling, watching Chloe dance with her partner, Gustavo Viglio. Olivia Newton-John held back tears as she watched her daughter perform on Dancing With The Stars. Photo: Channel 10 Nothing like a little love from mumma bear #DWTSau pic.twitter.com/Awvomd0yho Dancing With The Stars Australia (@DancingOn10) February 9, 2020 Presenter Amanda Keller asked the Grease star how she felt watching her daughter take to the dancefloor, with Olivia instantly getting emotional. Oh my goodness Im so proud. Im so proud and my heart is beating so fast, Olivia said. Im trying not to cry. You were so beautiful darling. You did such a wonderful job. It was just gorgeous. Chloe Lattanzi made her Dancing With The Stars debut last night. Photo: Channel 10 Chloe looked like she was holding back tears herself as her mum gushed over her performance, turning to Amanda and asking her if she could hug her mum. The pair then embraced, with Chloe also giving a loving glance in John Easterlings direction. Channel 10s Dancing With The Stars got off to a risque start last night, with former Married At First Sight star Dean Wells taking to the stage to shake it to MC Hammer's U Can't Touch This. The Dancing With The Stars cast are pictured. Photo: Channel 10 Dean donned a hi-vis vest and held a fake glittery jack hammer in his hands as he started his routine. Dean and Chloe also danced alongside Claudia Karvan, Ed Kavalee, Celia Pacquola, Travis Cloke, Dami Im, Angie Kent, Beau Ryan and Christian Wilkins. Under the watchful eye of the three judges Sharna Burgess, Tristan MacManus and Craig Revel Horwood - they all battled it out to dance and beat the risk of elimination. Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com Baghdad: Life is nothing less than a hell for girls who marry terrorists of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), leaving their parents at home five years ago. After the end of ISIS, these girls are spending life with children in Syrian refugee camps and now want to return to their homeland, but all the way back home seems to be closed. Shamima Begum is the bride of one such ISIS terrorist who fled from Britain to Syria in 2014 at the age of 15 but now wants to return. However, now it does not appear to be possible. Shamima attended a school in East London. Life was beautiful There was no shortage of money and no problems regarding facilities, but suddenly a fitoor was born in the mind and Shamima along with her three friends reached Syria, a country of terror. At this young age, the devilish idiology of ISIS had such a profound effect in the mind that the good life became worse than the hell. Shokh Chulbuli Shamima became Shamima Begum by arriving at the satanic camp of ISIS. Now 20-year-old Shamima's life is standing at a strange crossroads today. Shamima Begum is trying to regain British citizenship with her child, but on Friday she lost her legal battle. The Immigration Appeal Commission of Britain has rejected the application of Shamima. Also Read: WHO claims, 'Garlic can cure coronavirus' Princess of Britain to marry Italian businessman, Royal wedding to be held in St. James's Palace DGCA's big order due to coronavirus, says 'Indians went to China before January 15' Big disclosure on terror funding case, Hafiz Saeed's move to avoid judgment Patrick George Zaki, researcher for Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, arrested in Cairo upon return from Italy. An Egyptian researcher and activist has been arrested at Cairos international airport upon his arrival from Italy, in a move that raised alarm and prompted condemnation by human rights groups. Patrick George Zaki, 27, had been in Bologna since August 2019 for his postgraduate studies and returned to Egypts capital for a brief family visit on Friday, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR). It said Zaki, who works as a gender and human rights researcher for the group, was taken into custody at the airport and disappeared for 24 hours. Zakis lawyers said he was beaten, subjected to electric shocks, threatened and questioned about his work and activism before he appeared at a public prosecutors office in his hometown, the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, on Saturday, according to EIPR. Prosecutors ordered that he remain in custody for 15 days pending investigations into a host of allegations, including publishing false news, inciting protests without permission and calling for the overthrow of the state. Other allegations included managing a social media account that aims to undermine the social order and public safety, and incitement to commit violence and terrorist crimes, EIPR said. EIPR demands the immediate release of Patrick George Zaki and an end to continued harassment and arbitrary detention of human rights professionals, members of civil society groups and journalists, the group said in a statement published on its website. The Ministry of Interior, which oversees Egypts police, said in a brief statement on Sunday that Zaki was being held on a warrant from the prosecution, who ordered him to remain in detention pending an investigation. Thousands arrested Rights activists say President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has overseen an unprecedented crackdown on freedoms in Egypt since first taking power in 2013 and then winning elections in 2014. El-Sisi and his backers say the measures are needed to keep Egypt stable and counter threats from armed groups. Thousands of people have been arrested both secular-leaning activists and members of the Muslim Brotherhood all while rolling back freedoms won after the uprising in 2011 that became known as the Arab Spring. Egypt outlawed all unauthorised protests in 2013, months after el-Sisi led the militarys removal of the countrys first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, following mass protests. Commenting on Zakis arrest, a spokesman for Amnesty International Italy told Al Jazeera: The fact that they started with 15 days of pre-trial detention makes us worried about how long this is going to last. Riccardo Noury added: It could go on for months to then get to an unfair trial with a heavy sentence, he added. Meanwhile, Italys ANSA news agency quoted sources as saying that Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio is closely following the case through the embassy in Cairo. Zakis arrest has stoked fears of a repeat of the case of the murder of Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student who was disappeared killed in Cairo in January 2016. Despite months of cooperation between Egyptian and Italian prosecutors, no one has been arrested or charged over the killing. Italy is pressing Egypt to speed up the investigation. Regenis body was found, several days after he was killed, bearing signs of extensive torture which activists and rights groups say is common in Egyptian detention facilities. Egyptian authorities have denied involvement in his death and initially suggested Regeni died in a traffic accident. They later said he was killed by a criminal gang that was subsequently wiped out in a shoot-out with police. How do you still consider Egypt a safe country? Erasmo Palazzotto, president of the parliamentary inquiry into the death of Regeni, said in a Twitter post. The Italian government cannot keep acting like nothing happened in its relationship to a country that continues to violate human rights in this way, he added. Just like the previous week, insecurity was one of the major deliberations of the Senate last week. The Senate in the previous week dedicated a day to discuss insecurity across the country and the need to review Nigerias security architecture. While the Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, called on the president to resign, other lawmakers urged the president to dismiss all the service chiefs and appoint new ones. They also summoned the Inspector General of Police, Mohammad Adamu, to discuss the matter. Insecurity has gotten worse across the nation and is caused by different armed groups and individuals. These include resurgent Boko Haram attacks in the North-east and increased cases of killings and kidnappings across the country. Amidst the insecurity, the presidency has said Nigerians have reasons to be grateful as the situation is better than it was before President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office. The Senate in the past week, also confirmed the appointments of some nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari. This is even as they queried Ministries, Departments and Agencies who they say, are delaying the approval of the foreign loan requested by the president. Here are some major events from the upper chamber last week: Tuesday: ** The Senate approved N238.1 billion (N238,149,325,832.70) for the Nigeria Customs Service for 2020. The approval followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs which considered the proposed budget for the Service. Chairman of the committee, Francis Alimekhena (Edo North), who presented the report, said the budget is based on the federal governments Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). Wednesday: ** The Police IG appeared before the lawmakers in plenary in response to the summon by the Senate the week before. The meeting was held behind closed doors. During the session, Mr Adamu briefed the Senate on security challenges in the country on the concept and practical implementation and modalities of community policing policy. Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu at the Senate Thereafter, he answered questions bordering on national security challenges, assaults on major roads across the country, illegal circulation of firearms and encouraging synergy between the federal and state governments, Senate President Ahmad Lawan disclosed after the meeting which lasted about four hours. ** Mr Lawan queried some ministries for failing to appear before the Senate committee on local and foreign debts, to defend their borrowing plan request. The ministries are Education, Power, Niger Delta, Humanitarian and Disaster Management and Water Resources. Others are Health, Communications and Agriculture. The ministries are to defend their borrowing plan following President Muhammadu Buharis external loan request. ** The Senate confirmed the appointment of Ahmed Amshi as the chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission. The lawmakers also confirmed other members of the commission. Thursday: Advertisements ** The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, presided over plenary. It was his first since the inauguration of the ninth Senate in June 2019. He is also to head the Constitution Review Committee which was announced by the Senate President. ** A senator, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue), raised alarm over a strange disease which he said, has killed up to 15 people. He called on the Ministry of Health to investigate and ascertain the nature of the disease as well as find a cure. She won an Academy Award for her role in Shakespeare In Love at the 71st Academy Awards. Gwyneth Paltrow partied with other celebrities ahead of this year's Oscar ceremony at a house party in Beverly Hills. The 47-year-old actress and entrepreneur was joined by her producer husband Brad Falchuk, along with Nicky Hilton, Andy Cohen, Diane von Furstenberg and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Rubbing elbows: Gwyneth Paltrow, 47, partied with other celebrities including Nicky Hilton, Andy Cohen and Robert Kraft ahead of this year's Oscar ceremony at a house party in Beverly Hills Gwyneth looked cool and casual in a relaxed violet dress, which reached down to her knees. She paired the item with a warm navy cardigan and a stylish pair of white and black sneakers. Her TV producer Brad Falchuk was along for the ride in a gray cardigan and beige khakis. Low key: Gwyneth looked cool and casual in a relaxed violet dress, which reached down to her knees Standing out: She paired the item with a warm navy cardigan and a stylish pair of white and black sneakers Gwyneth stars on the new Netflix series The Goop Lab, which was inspired by her upscale lifestyle brand Goop. The series was lambasted by critics, scientists and medical professionals, who criticized it for relying on pseudoscience. The Avengers: Endgame actress recently released a 'This Smells Like My Vagina' candle, which the website described as having a 'funny, gorgeous, sexy and beautifully unexpected scent' comprised of 'geranium, citrusy bergamot and cedar' scents. Despite the candle's hefty $75 price tag, it quickly sold out. Rugged: Her TV producer Brad Falchuk was along for the ride in a gray cardigan and beige khakis TV star: Gwyneth stars on the new Netflix series The Goop Lab, which was inspired by her upscale lifestyle brand Goop and lambasted by critics for relying on pseudoscience The high-profile outing also featured Nicky Hilton, who looked as if she were ready for spring in a black dress adorned with crimson cherries and green stems. The dress showed off her toned legs, and she elevated her 5ft7in stature with a pair of black and beige wedges. She accessorized with a scarlet handbag and covered up with large black sunglasses. Woman in red: The high-profile outing also featured Nicky Hilton, who looked as if she were ready for spring in a black dress adorned with crimson cherries and green stems Leggy display: The dress showed off her toned legs, and she elevated her 5ft7in stature with a pair of black and beige wedges Seeing red: She accessorized with a scarlet handbag and covered up with large black sunglasses Blonde beauty: She wore her blonde tresses styled straight and resting over her shoulders Nicky was seen leaving the party with her husband James Rothschild, who rocked a more casual look with a navy jacket, plain white T-shirt and weathered jeans. Her father Richard Hilton stuck with a simple gray sweater and a baby blue scarf on the chilly day. Her mother Kathy was decked out in a pink jacket with a long matching scarf and a straw hat. Cute couple: Nicky was seen leaving the party with her husband James Rothschild, who rocked a more casual look with a navy jacket, plain white T-shirt and weathered jeans Growing family: She shares two children with the financier, whom she married in 2015 Old money: Her father Richard Hilton stuck with a simple gray sweater and a baby blue scarf on the chilly day Pretty in pink: Her mother Kathy was decked out in a pink jacket with a long matching scarf and a straw hat Despite her parents making an appearance, Nicky's sister Paris was nowhere to be seen. The bussinesswoman shared a photo to her Instagram later in the day of her and James posing with legendary fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. She complemented Nicky's outfit with a pale blue vest and matching skirt with lovely floral designs, along with a black ruched blouse. 'Perfect Saturday picnic,' Nicky labeled the outing. Legend: The bussinesswoman shared a photo to her Instagram later in the day of her and James posing with fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg Purple theme: Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen looked dapper in a dark purple sweater with charcoal trousers Staying cool: He blocked out the sun with a stylish pair of blue-tinted aviator sunglasses Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen looked dapper in a dark purple sweater with charcoal trousers. He blocked out the sun with a stylish pair of blue-tinted aviator sunglasses. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wore an ultra-casual navy hoodie with dark jeans and navy sneakers. He held hands and had his arm wrapped around his girlfriend Dana Blumberg. The New York Citybased doctor had on a charcoal sweater with prominent metal clasps over one shoulder, along with dark jeans and black open-toe heels. Blue mood: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wore an ultra-casual navy hoodie with dark jeans and navy sneakers Hong Kong: Quarantine facilities explained The Government today said with the developments and changes of the novel coronavirus infection, it is necessary to ensure sufficient quarantine facilities for combatting the disease. It noted the three quarantine centres, namely the MacLehose Holiday Village, the Lei Yue Mun Park & Holiday Village and Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp, have reached their maximum capacity. The Government is actively preparing to convert the Jao Tsung-I Academy's Heritage Lodge into the fourth quarantine centre. When searching for the sites, the Government thoroughly considered whether the facilities meet the requirements for a quarantine centre including location, overall facilities and infrastructure, environment, the possible impact on nearby residents, as well as the time required for its operation. It will also ensure that the operation of the quarantine centres meets the stringent requirements. Security and healthcare staff will be on duty round the clock in the quarantine centres. A transfer service for leaving and entering the centres will be provided to people under quarantine, who will not take part in any community activities. Entry into and departure from the quarantine centres are not allowed without written permission of health personnel. According to the prevailing measures, patients confirmed to have been infected with or suspected to be infected by the novel coronavirus will be admitted to hospitals for isolation and treatment. Whether being arranged to stay at quarantine centres or to be put under compulsory home quarantine, they are not confirmed or suspected cases. They are close contacts of confirmed cases or those who have been to Hubei Province in the past 14 days, and without any symptoms. To prevent the transmission of the disease in the community with a view to achieving the highest effectiveness of the compulsory quarantine measures, the co-operation of the whole community is indispensable, the Government noted. It added that the setting up of quarantine centres not only protects those under quarantine, but also safeguards everybody's health. Thus, it is hoped that the whole community can fight the disease together. Representatives from the Food & Health Bureau attended the Sham Shui Po District Council meeting on February 5 to explain the use of the Jao Tsung-I Academy as a quarantine centre and listened to their views. On the plan to use Chun Yeung Estate as a quarantine centre, representatives from the Food & Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the Housing Department today briefed Sha Tin District Council members on the arrangement. However, some District Council members did not allow participating government officers to leave at the end of the four-hour meeting. The Government expressed regret over this and reiterated the importance of rational discussion. This story has been published on: 2020-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 2.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard In his State of the Union Address, Trump took a swipe at what he called failing government schools. Most of us use the term public school or talk about public education, as we refer to institutions set up by, for, and of the people. Trump, of course, is talking about public schools, but his choice to re-name them government schools is consequential. This phrase is not aimed at making public schools appear as institutions central to supporting the public good, to undergirding any hope for equality and freedom in this country, and to enabling the vast majority of Americans to access education. Rather, he makes these schools sound repressive and imprisoning, not enabling and liberating. (And Im not suggesting there arent issues of gross inequality in our public school system.) Certainly, the phrase government take-over is never used positively, as when opponents of, say, universal healthcare decry a government take-over of the healthcare system. In short, substituting the adjective government for public can make any institution sound like a top-down, inefficient messy operation. Sadly, these are just the connotations the word has become saddled with over time, deserved or not. And in many cases, it is not deserved. Remember when Tea Party activists used to wave signs demanding Keep your goddamn government hands off my medicare? People loved their government-run healthcare; they just didnt know it because the right wing has trained so many Americans reflexively to hate government (even when the right wing controls it!) and automatically see it as the enemy and as inefficient. Indeed, the world had been turned upside down for these Americans, as they protested against their own interests, railing against a government that administered the very program they wanted. The same is true in the case of Trump referring to failing government schools. The phrasing is designed to get folks on board with defunding the public schools on which most Americans depend, promising them more choice and better schools. But whats really behind Trumps words? Lets listen and then unpack. Heres what he said Tuesday night: The next step forward in building an inclusive society is making sure that every young American gets a great education and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, Trump said. Yet, for too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools. The solution is to pass the Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act, legislation proposed by Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz and endorsed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. This act would provide $5 billion worth of annual tax credits to encourage individuals and businesses to donate to nonprofit scholarship funds. Families could apply for these funds to send their children to private and religious schools or potentially other kinds of vocational training or certification. But whats really behind this proposal? Why not actually have not just government run schools but schools that are actually sufficientlyand why not lavishly?government funded? We cant separate Trumps call for an inclusive society and attack on public education from his call for what he calls religious liberty, which is intimately linked to Attorney General William Barrs and DeVoss agenda of dismantling the division between church and state, imposing a right-wing Christian worldview on public institutions (or eliminating them), and de-funding the public sector. Compare what Trump said in last Tuesdays address to what Barr said in a speech last October at Notre Dames law school. Heres Trump: My administration is also defending religious liberty, and that includes the constitutional right to pray in public schools, he said. In America, we dont punish prayer. We dont tear down crosses. We dont ban symbols of faith. We dont muzzle preachers and pastors. In America, we celebrate faith, we cherish religion, we lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the glory of God. Heres Barr, enumerating what he sees as the secular assault on religious liberty: The first front relates to the content of public school curriculum. Many states are adopting curriculum that is incompatible with traditional religious principles according to which parents are attempting to raise their children. They often do so without any opt out for religious families. Thus, for example, New Jersey recently passed a law requiring public schools to adopt an LGBT curriculum that many feel is inconsistent with traditional Christian teaching. Similar laws have been passed in California and Illinois. And the Orange County Board of Education in California issued an opinion that parents who disagree with the instructional materials related to gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation may not excuse their children from this instruction. What Trump and Barr mean by an inclusive society and by religious liberty is the right, for example, to exclude LGBTQ peopletheir history, reality, and culturefrom the curriculum because this body of knowledge is incompatible with traditional Christian teaching. Religious liberty means repressing, indeed eliminating, ways of being right-wing Christianity cannot tolerate. And, as Ive written elsewhere, the entire school choice movement does not actually provide choice. It gives the government the right to under-resource schools and let them decay, and then tell people that they have the choice to send their kids to better schools elsewhere in the city or to pay tuition, perhaps offset by some scholarships, at a private school. This is how the government frees itself of its obligation to fund public education. And, as we see in my hometown of Chicago, which boasts of many excellent and well-funded public schools, the schools that are under-resourced and left to decay are primarily in neighborhoods populated by African Americans and Latinos. Let these people choose the burden of traveling outside of their communities to access education. We dont hear folks in the wealthy suburbs or those who send their kids to the top public schools in Chicago (the top three high schools in Illinois are Chicago Public Schools) complaining. Government schools work just fine when they are actually government funded. By Trend Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were held in accordance with democratic norms, Member of the Hellenic Parliament Lazaros Tsavdaridis, who observed the elections, said at a press conference in Baku, Trend reports. "We visited four polling stations. The election process went without any problems. I spoke with a number of voters, volunteers, observers, party representatives, and no one said anything bad about the election process. The elections were held at the highest level in accordance with the standards of democratic elections," the Greek MP said. Another Member of the Hellenic Parliament Stella Biziou noted that the flow of people during the elections was normal, and the voting process was in line with democratic standards. Stella Biziou also expressed the view that the new composition of the Azerbaijani Parliament will work with the goal of further growth, development and progress of the country. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Three months ago, Wuhan resident Zhang Yi was sitting next to two local Hubei province reporters at a restaurant. He overheard them talking about the Provincial Party Committee secretary, who was upset about a news story. The official told the reporters negative stories would no longer be published. A month later, a mysterious virus started spreading though Wuhans residents, causing pneumonia-like symptoms. In early January, Chinese officials called this new virus preventable and controllable. They said they had seen no evidence of person-to-person transmission. Throughout the week of January 11, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission published the same number of confirmed cases: 41. Those official statements failed to convince Zhang. In his mind, he kept hearing what hed overheard the reporters talking about in the restaurant. Zhang talked to VOA right after authorities locked down Wuhan on January 23. Thats when the official number of confirmed cases and deaths was 571 in 25 provinces and 17 in Hubei province where Wuhan is the capital. Media reports on Saturday said the toll had topped 800. When the epidemic first started, I knew the published statistics were not real, he said. Zhang could see just how much the lockdown had upset people he knew. They are relatively furious now. I was warned [by police] but right now I must speak out. I must speak even if they are going to lock me up. If I dont do it now, I may never get another chance. On February 3, another Wuhan resident emailed VOA. He identified himself as Ming. Many people in China prefer to use pseudonyms online so they can speak without fear of being identified by authorities. Ming had just spent five days by his fathers bedside in a hospital in Wuhan. That was their last time together. According to Ming, his father was infected by the new coronavirus in mid-January after he checked in at Wuhan Union Hospital for a routine annual examination scheduled to take several days. The hospital is one of two dozen designated for coronavirus treatment. After a day or two Wuhan Union, Mings father began showing coronavirus symptoms and tested positive. Medical authorities transferred Mings father to the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital, where he died on January 29. Its so miserable that my dad just lost his life like that. Its so tragic, said Ming in a video he posted on YouTube and shared with VOA. Even though he wasnt supposed to be in the virus ward, Ming was holding his fathers hand when he died. What happened next still worries Ming. Employees of the official crematorium whisked the body away. Ming was told to come and pick up the ashes 15 days later. Ming told VOA hes worried the ashes wont be his fathers remains because the crematorium is overwhelmed by the quickly escalating death toll. There are many people like me in Wuhan. The virus killed many. I saw people die every day. Many families have fallen apart, a devastated Ming said in the video. My dad worked hard and contributed to the country for his whole life. Now he is dead, we didnt see his body, we cant hold a memorial service, nobody came for a farewell. Online comments expressed sympathy for Ming and anger at government officials for their response to the outbreak. On February 4, Xu Zhangrun, a former law professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, published a long article about the governments response to the coronavirus outbreak. The article, Furious People No Longer Fear, went viral online before censors removed it. In the article, Xu said the coronavirus epidemic was causing a nationwide panic. He criticized the authorities confusion and the time they lost in responding, which caused ordinary people to suffer and China to become an isolated island in the world. Xu said the Chinese peoples anger has erupted like volcanos. Furious people are not scared. This was not Xus first harsh condemnation of Chinas leadership. In July 2018, he criticized President Xi Jinpings strongman rule in an article published on the website of the Unirule Institute of Economics, a liberal think tank in Beijing. Tsinghua University suspended Xu in March 2019 and the government closed Unirule in September. As expected, censors pulled Xus article on the outbreak. Unexpectedly, screenshots of the article disappeared when shared. Even using WeChat, Chinas most popular messaging app, the screenshots were not displayed on the receivers phones. Outside China, beyond The Great Firewall, many readers hailed the article. Others spoke of Xus courage. Some, however, wondered if Xu overestimated the anger of Chinese people. Or as one reader posted: As long as it doesnt hurt them directly, most Chinese people just repeat, Wuhan, stay strong. China, stay strong, and go about their lives. Chu Wu contributed to this report, which originated in VOAs Mandarin service. Eleven years ago, the writer Michael Walsh wrote (under his penname David Kahane) Think of the Democratic Party as it really is: a criminal organization masquerading as a political party. After the Democrats Russia, Kavanaugh, Mueller, and Ukraine fiascos, the Iowa caucus debacle, and Fridays bizarre Democratic debate, I think we need to update it: Its a Criminal, Insane Posse masquerading as a political party. The week began with an outstanding, uplifting, and inspiring State of the Union address by the President before a joint Congress. Among the House delegates were a gaggle of Democratic congresswomen dressed in white who insist they are strong, independent, capable, and worthy to lead. They stood, clapped, or sat in unison at signals from Speaker Pelosi who sat behind the President, mouthing words to some imaginary friend and moving her mouth reminiscent of someone on psychotropic drugs. (Message: I am woman -- hear me meow chasing the laser red dot.) At the conclusion of the speech she stood and ripped up her copy of the SOTU address in small packets either because she lacked strength to rip it all in one batch or for dramatic effect. To say the Democrats behavior was disconsonant with any message of sober adult solons is to understate it. The following day, the Senate voted down the Houses absurd impeachment effort, after which the President gave a heartfelt address to all those in the House and Senate who had helped him in exposing the fact-free, corrupt House effort to overturn the 2016 election by ousting him from office. If you missed it, heres a video of it. He was gracious and thankful to all those who stood by him, something Republicans are not known to do as soon as Democrats hurl charges, no matter how patently flimsy and partisan those charges are. For once, Republicans didnt flee the forum for fear of spotting their white togas when the jackals appeared. (I suppose when much of the media described the address as dark, they meant the pushover Republican days were over for them and their party of choice.) The App that Failed And then there was the Iowa Caucus, the results of which are unclear -- did Sanders or Buttigieg win? Will the DNC chair who is about to leave that slot with a big bonus persuade Iowa to recanvas or will they give him the back of their hand? Only the Shadow apparently knows Although it is clear that Warren and Biden lost. Over at the Wall Street Journal, James Freeman explains the genesis of the App that failed. Veterans of Hillary Clintons failed 2016 presidential campaign who for some reason were considered gurus at this sort of thing created the app. (Professor Kevin Gutzman reminds us: Robbie Mook, the Hillary staffer who laughed at Bill Clinton when he said Hillary needed to go to Michigan and Wisconsin in the 2016 campaigns final days, is the fellow responsible for the app that didnt work in Iowa.) Their outfit, Shadow, in turn was supported by a firm called Acronym. Acronym is a non-profit run by Tara McGowan, continues Freeman. Certainly not by coincidence, McGowan oversaw the $42 million digital program in 2016 for Priorities USA, the primary super PAC for Hillary Clinton. Among the hotshot coders Shadow engaged was a prep cook for Starbucks. Why was Shadow hired to do this? Connections. David Burge, Iowahawk, tweeted the contract chain: Keep in mind whenever you donate to a political party or movement, this is where your money goes -- to make sure Senator McDreamys nephews roommate gets his piece of the take I know there are Bernians who see the app as a Machiavellian technoplot to fix the vote, but the truth is much more likely a bunch of Hillary campaign wunderkinds decided to cosplay as a Silicon Valley startup, and everybody was afraid to say they were in way over their heads Where you come from, the software salesman isnt your boss who says you better damn well buy it if you know whats good for you. Vice, like Iowahawk seems to think that the coders were working off an App Coding for Dummies book. Its not clear that this simple and likely explanation for the app that failed will persuade Sanders followers. After all, he was cheated in 2016 and the people whose app seem to have cheated him out of a clear victory in Iowa and momentum going on to New Hampshire were intimately connected to Hillary Clinton. Of course, you can ignore the apps factual genesis and look elsewhere for blame. Sheila Jackson Lee, B.A. Yale JD U Va, whose gerrymandered district looks like a gaping sharks mouth, suggested that Russia was responsible for the crashing App in Iowa. Rachel Maddow blamed the weird message board 4 Chan. As for me -- Im sticking with graft and incompetence, the usual Democratic Partys operational mode. Burning Bernie Professor Charles Lipson explains why the Sanders supporters have reason to doubt the fairness of their opposition in the democratic establishment: The Democrats nominating process increases the likelihood of a contested convention -- and a nasty fight with Bernie and his supporters. The party discarded the traditional, Anglo-American system, where each states winner receives all its delegates. Instead, they chose a European-style system in which each candidate wins a fraction of the delegates proportional to his share of the vote. The Anglo-American system produces clear winners and losers. The European system doesnt. It includes all factions in Parliament, where the leading party tries to assemble a governing coalition. Democrats problem is that they are not trying to form an inclusive, coalition government. They are trying to pick a nominee, but they are doing it with a system that was never designed to produce a single, decisive winner. Oops. If the convention is contested, elected delegates will be joined by super delegates, starting on the first or second ballot, depending on the convention rules. Who are these super delegates? They are quintessential insiders, mostly state and local elected officials. There is absolutely no way they will jeopardize their own fiefdoms by choosing Bernie or any other socialist. Their refusal will produce a bitter clash if Bernie arrives in Milwaukee with millions of votes and millions of donors. If he actually holds a plurality of elected delegates and is passed over anyway, the fight will degenerate into trench warfare. Remember, Bernie knows this is his last rodeo, and he has zero loyalty to the party. Remember, too, that his default speaking style is really angry, interspersed with damned mad. If thats how Bernie and his supporters leave the convention, its hard to see a Democratic path to victory. The partys best outcome would be for Bernie to lose decisively in both the primary vote and delegate count -- so decisively that his followers believe the process was fair and the nominee legitimate. A bad outcome would be an inconclusive primary contest, where Bernie did well but lost at the convention. Worst of all would be one where Bernie arrived with the most votes and delegates but fell short of a majority and came away empty-handed. He would blame party leaders and their back-room deals to benefit billionaires, corporations, and corrupt politicians. If that happens, the party will be in real trouble. Bernie will scream, Trump will exploit the divisions, and left-wing voters will spend November 3 in a purple haze, eating Ben and Jerrys. What they wont do is trudge to the polls and vote Democratic. The Democratic Debate I confess, by weeks end I lacked enough patience to watch the Democrats debate on Friday night, and contented myself with reading about it from trusted observers. The actor James Woods is back from a year-long jailing by Twitter, and bounced back having lost none of his acid wit: The #Democrats have cheated elections for so long, they cant even elect themselves... #IowaCaucusDisaster -- James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) February 7, 2020 Pete Buttigieg seems to have mastered the art of glibly speaking meaningless word salads (an Obama mode). So much that Sundance cleverly satirized him: Sample Mayor Pete quote: "The consequential moments that we face are moments of great consequence we must face; and when facing those moments we must think of the great consequence behind these faces or we will fail to be great..." sarcastically: Yup. The consequential moments that we face are moments of great consequence we must face; and when facing those moments we must think of the great consequence behind these faces or we will fail to be great... :::crowd cheers::: Stage crew looks around: "Huh, what the?.." -- TheLastRefuge (@TheLastRefuge2) February 8, 2020 Kim Strassel: If you take a step back and really think about what theyre saying in this debate its fricking bonkers stuff. Like really beyond crazy. Josh Holmes: "It used to be over-the-top parody to say that Democrats want free healthcare for illegal immigrants and felons to be voting from their cells its now a consensus position among their leading Presidential candidates." Greg Price: Elizabeth Warren says we need "race-conscious laws." Think about that. Isn't that what we spent so long trying to make sure we didn't have? #DemDebate Tom Maguire tweets: Physicists have theorized on the manner in which some stars collapse inward and then go super-nova. The Dem party may give us a lab experiment in 2020. Maybe so. Some viewing the weak field of Democratic contenders are placing their bets on another old White Male Hope -- the latecomer, billionaire Michael Bloomberg. He has spent ovet $250 million on his campaign already. If he seriously campaigns from now to the election, and maintains that spending pattern, I think hed still lose but it would be a bigger boon for the economy, especially Democrat coders, consultants, pilots of private planes, and ad agencies, than any other stimulus package I can imagine. The press will love that, as well. Trump has proven that clever use of social media makes it unnecessary for a candidate with a saleable message to keep them alive by paying them a fortune for ads no one watches. But if Bloomberg thinks $1 million per vote is a great campaign plan, who would complain? Analysts have credited the fall to military offensives against the Taliban in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber The Pakistani Taliban has confirmed that one of its key leaders and another member of the group were killed in a clash with security forces in Afghanistan. In a statement published by the SITE monitoring group Friday, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said Sheikh Khalid Haqqani, who served on the group's consultative council and had been a deputy leader, had been killed January 31. "Haqqani embraced martyrdom while fighting with slaves of the United States", the TTP said. Haqqani's close confidant Qari Saifullah Peshawari was also killed in the clash that took place inside Afghanistan during a "mission", a senior Pakistani Taliban leader told AFP. Afghan security forces declined to comment, and it was not immediately clear what type of mission Haqqani may have been on. Haqqani was not thought to be related to the Haqqani network, which is also affiliated to the Afghan Taliban. Both Islamabad and Kabul have long accused each other of allowing militants to shelter in the border regions and launch bloody attacks that threaten regional stability. "Haqqani, also a writer of several books on different topics, was known for giving a befitting reply to so-called torch-bearers of democracy," the TTP said in its statement. The "TTP resolves to carry forward the mission of Khalid Haqqani ... we have been taking revenge for martyrdom of our comrades in the past and we will avenge these martyrs," the group added. Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade, with thousands of civilians and security personnel dying in extremist attacks, especially after the TTP began their campaign of violence in 2007. But overall levels of extremist-linked violence dropped dramatically last year, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths since 2007 the year the Pakistani Taliban umbrella group was formed. Analysts have credited the fall to military offensives against the Taliban in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber where they were headquartered, as well as operations in the country's largest city of Karachi. In 2018, the TTP was further degraded after a US strike in Afghanistan killed their leader Maulana Fazlullah, who was notorious for allegedly having ordered the attack on education activist Malala Yousafzai. MTVs The Challenge has graced our TV screens for two decades, and weve been watching Cara Maria Sorbello compete for 10 years. The Challenge champ is known for her incredible strength and wits, and shes attained quite an Instagram following. And shes been leaving hints on the gram that shes ready to move away from the state of Montana. So, why does Sorbello want to leave the state she resides in with her boyfriend and horses? On Feb. 6, she turned to her Instagram Story to answer fan questions. And when one of her fans asked her why she wants to leave, she gave an honest reply. Heres what she said. Cara Maria Sorbello said shes thinking about moving away from Montana Johnny Bananas Devenanzio and Cara Maria Sorbello appear on MTVs The Challenge: Rivals II final episode and reunion party | Mike Coppola/Getty Images While Sorbello is originally from Massachusetts, she currently resides in Montana. And it seems she moved there originally to be with her first Challenge boyfriend, Abram Boise. Boise and Sorbello started their foray into romance back in 2010 after Cutthroat. And while they seemed crazy about each other, their clashing personalities led to multiple blowups and eventually a serious breakup. Now, Sorbello is with Paulie Calafiore, another Challenge competitor. And they seem to be living together in Montana, as Sorbello never moved after her breakup from Boise. But it seems Sorbello may be ready for a change. If the hair is greener is the grass as well? Where would you suggest is a good place to live and why? Im getting antsy out here in Montana, Sorbello captioned her Instagram post on Jan. 19. She told her Instagram followers why on her Story Cara Maria Sorbellos Instagram Story | Cara Maria Sorbello via Instagram Story We know Sorbello loves the wide-open spaces available in Montana. And she also adores her horses, which also have plenty of room in her current home state. Some of her fans are now wondering why Sorbello is considering moving when she has so much going for in her current place of residence. Why do you wanna sell your house already? the follower asked. Is owning not what you expected? I love this home actually. But, my horse is 30 years old and I just found out that now she has arthritis so we can only walk, Sorbello explained on her Instagram Story. And I think that what she needs is a nice warm pasture out East with no more winters. Plus, Im kind of sick of being in the middle of nowhere. On her Story, Sorbello also added that shes just ready to spread my wings and ditch winters for good. She added that her horse, Garnett, needs a warm summer field to retire in. Would Paulie Calafiore come with her? So, now that we know that Sorbello is ultra-motivated by her horse, what about her boyfriend? Sorbello and Calafiore have been together since the end of 2018, and their relationship has hit some serious ups and downs. Theyve been through difficult Challenge seasons together and a cheating scandal at the beginning of their romance. And now, theyre choosing to take their love story off of Instagram, as theyre refocusing their social media to be a bit less personal. Since Sorbello and Calafiore are seemingly still very much in love, were betting Calafiore is OK with a move, too. The couple spent some time in The Bahamas back in January 2020, and they seemed to adore the tropical weather and beaches. Were they trying out the island lifestyle with moving in mind? Were not sure but we cant wait to find out where Sorbello ends up. Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! The police say three suspected members of Ansaru militant group were arrested in Kaduna during the raid on the militants camp. Fr... The police say three suspected members of Ansaru militant group were arrested in Kaduna during the raid on the militants camp. Frank Mba, police spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. He said the suspects are Munkailu Isah (32yrs), Abdullahi Saminu (21yrs) and Aminu Usman (22yrs). Mba said eight suspected militants have so far been arrested. He said investigation revealed that the suspects were actively involved in the recent attack and attempted kidnap of Umaru Bubaram, emir of Potiskum, Yobe state. He said the suspects are already assisting the police with useful information relating to the membership spread and make-up, criminal/operational records, logistics and general modus operandi of the terror group . He also said they were involved in several other kidnap operations and attacks on commuters and other citizens along some major highways in the north-west and north-central states. He said investigation also revealed that some citizens support the insurgents by deliberately doing businesses with them through the supply of essential goods, drugs and other services. Mba said Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police, asked Nigerians to support the fight against terrorism. The police had raided a camp of the group in Kuduru forest, Birnin-Gwari area of the state, killing 250 fighters. During the operation, the force lost Muhammed Abubakar, an inspector, while 13 other officers sustained wounds. On Saturday, one of the wounded officers died. TOKYO As the Diamond Princess cruise ship steamed back into port in Yokohama, Japan, on Sunday morning after a night of quarantine at sea, passengers lucky enough to have windows and balconies could see fire trucks and 15 ambulances waiting for the ship. It was an unnerving sign for the nearly 3,700 people who had been confined for six days on the ship, which has become host to the highest concentration of coronavirus cases outside China. That afternoon, the captain announced over the intercom that six more people five of them crew members had tested positive for the virus. Eight others would be taken off the ship to be treated for unrelated medical conditions, the captain said. Now we will start counting ambulances and know thats the number being removed, said Sarah Arana, 52, a medical social worker from Paso Robles, Calif. Massachusetts State Police are searching the person who was shooting at vehicles on Route 24 in the Randolph area Saturday. A motorist called state police around 3 p.m. Saturday to report that a person was firing a gun out of a pickup truck window while it was driving on Route 24 northbound. The caller reported that the shooter was firing at other vehicles, state police said. Troopers converged on the area to locate the dark-colored truck. It was never found. No injuries were reported. A short time later, a male motorist called 911 and reported that something struck and broke the rear window of his Toyota Sienna van. No one was hurt. State police patrols and detectives responded to that motorists location and observed evidence that the vans rear window had been struck by gunfire, state police said. The state police Crime Scene Services Section and Ballistics Unit collected evidence from the van. State police did not release any additional information about the truck or any description of the suspected shooter. Anyone who has information, or who was in the area of Randolph, Stoughton, or Brockton Saturday, and spotted a dark-colored pickup truck is asked to call state police investigators at 617-740-7812. A second evacuation flight is bringing back another 174 Singaporeans and their family members from the virus hit Wuhan in China to Singapore on the morning of February 9, according to Singapore's foreign ministry. It had evacuated 92 Singapore nationals from Wuhan that has been under effective quarantine and some of them have been since been confirmed as infected. In order to take precautionary measures, the passengers who are returning will have to go through medical screening upon arrival at Singapore's Changi Airport, according to the foreign ministry. READ: Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 811 In China, Exceeds SARS Fatalities Passengers to be quarantined for 14 days Those found with fever or respiratory symptoms will be taken to designated hospitals for further treatment and the rest of the passengers will be quarantined for 14 days. It added that the flight also took some Chinese nationals back home to Wuhan. Singapore has reportedly raised the risk assessment level on the deadly coronavirus outbreak from Yellow to Orange as they saw three more cases with no confirmed travel history to China or links to the past cases on February 6. The total number of cases in Singapore rose to 33, making it the country with the second-highest number of cases of coronavirus after China. Ministry of Health reportedly said that the Code Orange has been issued because of heightened risk. This is the second time Singapore has issued Code Orange and the first was for swine flu back in 2019, as per the reports. READ: WHO-led Coronavirus Probe Team To Leave For China On Monday Or Tuesday 811 died, more than 37500 infected Coronavirus has claimed at least 811 lives in China, as per the latest government reports. The government reported more deaths on Friday morning, leading to the crisis worsening. The Chinese government also reported that the number of people infected has crossed 37,500 across the country. The outbreak took place in Wuhan in January and multiple countries have started evacuating their citizens from the country, and have decided to restrict the entry of foreigners returning from China. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus as a 'global public health emergency'. READ: Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, Nepal Donates 1 Lakh Masks To China READ: France Confirms Five British Nationals Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus A retired teacher has revealed how she was raped by her son's childhood best friend after she made him a cup of tea. Carlyn Thompson, now 58, from Scotland, screamed as she was forced onto her sofa and had her pants ripped off by attacker Gregory Houslin, now 38, who she had known since he was 14 years old. He used to play video games and listen to music with her sons Matthew, now 37, and Dom, now 36, who were both left 'distraught' by the attack. Houslin, from Watford, was found guilty of one count of rape and jailed for five-and-a-half years in 2005 at St Albans Crown Court. He was 23 years old at the time. He was released just four years into his sentence and, after Ms Thompson saw him in a cafe, she moved back to Scotland to get away from 'that monster' and to be near her family. Carlyn Thompson, now 58, has waived her right to anonymity to reveal how she was raped by her sons childhood best friend Gregory Houslin at home in Watford, near London Houslin was jailed for five-and-a-half years for the chilling attack in 2005. He used to play video games and listen to music with her sons Her sons Matthew, now 37, (left) and Dom, now 36, (right) had introduced their mother to Houslin when they were still at school Waiving her right to anonymity, Ms Thompson said that she had had a three-hour conversation over tea at her home with Houslin in January 2005 before he launched the chilling attack. 'We chatted about work, family and watched some TV,' she said. 'Suddenly I realised it was late and I told Gregory I should get some sleep.' 'I opened the front door for him, expecting him to leave, but he told me he wasn't going anywhere and insisted on staying. 'Out of nowhere, Gregory gripped me by my arms and pulled me onto the sofa. I was in complete shock and began to scream. 'I was still holding my phone so I dialled 999, but I dropped it before I could find the call button. 'Then, Gregory ripped my trousers and underwear off. 'I prayed that my neighbour was home, so I screamed at the top of my lungs "I'm being raped! Help me!" But no one came. 'Gregory put his hand over my mouth. Then he raped me. I was crying hysterically and couldn't believe what was happening. 'I'd known Gregory since he was a little boy and never thought he was capable of this.' The mother-of-two described how she screamed as Gregory ripped her trousers and pants off She said she escaped to the bathroom to call the police but then Houslin appeared in the mirror behind her and 'smiled' Ms Thompson frantically grabbed her phone and escaped to the bathroom. She called the police, telling them Houslin was still in the house. But, then Houslin appeared behind her and smiled at her through the mirror. 'I was paralysed with fear,' she said. 'He didn't say anything, he just kept smiling.' 'Moments later I heard sirens outside, so I pushed past him and sprinted out the front door. I collapsed into the arms of a female officer and burst into tears.' Speaking about the impact the attack had on her, Ms Thompson said it 'nearly ruined my life'. 'I'm now trying to move forward and let other women know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel,' she said. 'I'm finally coming to terms with what happened and I feel a lot stronger. I'm sharing my story to encourage other women to report their attackers too. 'Although it's extremely hard, please pick up the phone and get the justice you deserve.' Ms Thompson's son Matthew, now 37, (left), Ms Thompson (centre) and her youngest Dom, now 36 (right) pictured together Ms Thompson said that after Houslin was released from jail she moved back to Scotland to be near her parents. She is pictured above in 2005 She met Houslin in October 1996 when he was brought home by her sons Matthew, now 37, unemployed, and Dom, now 36, who is a tyre fitter. Ms Thompson said he was 'polite' and 'seemed like a typical teenage boy' and would sit upstairs with her sons listening to music and playing games. When the attack began she screamed for her son Matthew, who lived across the road, but the lights were off in his house. She said her sons were 'distraught' when they heard what had happened and 'couldn't believe' that it was their childhood friend. 'In court, Gregory told everyone we'd had consensual sex and said I'd been flirting with him for years. 'When he was found guilty I cried in relief,' she said. Pakistan's Punjab government moved the Lahore High Court against pre-arrest bail granted to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's nephew Advocate Hassaan Niazi, and seven other lawyers by a trial court in Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) attack case. The Pakistani Government had filed an appeal through the prosecutor general of Punjab on Saturday. "The learned trial court has granted bail to the accused persons in a hasty manner without applying its judicial mind," said the government's appeal. Over 200 lawyers, who had an ongoing 'tussle' with the doctors of the PIC, had forced their way into the hospital on December 11. The lawyers are also allegedly responsible for vandalising the hospital property and causing harm and damage to a lot of vehicles. ANI sources also stated that the lawyers were also responsible for setting ablaze a police van during their assault. Post the incident, nearly 52 lawyers were arrested by the authorities after the attack and presented before the court. READ | Pakistan Court yet again defers order in Hafiz Saeed's terror financing cases until Feb 11 Over 250 lawyers accused of violence The appeal filed by the Pakistani government argued that the accused were involved in attacking the institute, torched a police van and also attacked policemen. According to the appeal, a few hospital patients also lost their lives during the incident because of the removal of their oxygen masks by the accused persons. The accused were involved in causing grievous damage to the hospital's property as well as expensive medical equipment, the appeal added. Meanwhile, the appeal further stated that the trial court, while granting bail to the accused, was bound to see tentative assessment, but it also considered the facts and evidence, which prejudiced the case of the prosecution. READ | Jaishankar confirms India offered to evacuate Pakistani students in Coronavirus-hit Wuhan The Punjab government has now asked the Lahore High Court to set aside the bail granting an order of the trial court for being against the law and facts of the case. The Police authorities had lodged two First Information Reports against more than 250 lawyers. The authorities also tried to arrest Niazi several times after a viral video showed him actively participating in the attack. Earlier last month, a committee comprising senior lawyers and doctors had reached reconciliation to end hostilities. READ | Delhi Election: BJP hits back at Pakistan min rejoicing at the Party's projected defeat READ | UNMISSABLE: Altaf Hussain mellifluously shames Pakistan for persecuting minorities (With inputs from ANI) For more than two decades, disturbing allegations of child sex abuse have emerged at Jehovahs Witnesses congregations across the country, even as the organizations leaders have largely avoided serious law enforcement scrutiny. That might be about to change. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has launched a grand jury investigation into allegations that Jehovahs Witness officials have long been covering up reports of abuse, according to Mark ODonnell, a former Witness who said he testified before the grand jury last year. ODonnell, 46, shared with The Inquirer a copy of the subpoena that he received before he traveled in August to Harrisburg, where he testified for more than two hours in front of 23 grand jury members. The existence of the grand jury probe was first reported by USA Today. Witness leaders said in a statement to the newspaper that they welcome an opportunity to explain our beliefs and practices to government officials and look forward to any recommendations they may have as we continue to focus on educating and equipping parents to protect their children from the horrible crime of abuse. A spokesperson for Shapiro declined to comment Saturday. Shapiros office led a landmark investigation into six Roman Catholic archdioceses that culminated, in 2018, with a report that identified more than 300 priests who had sexually abused more than 1,000 victims, dating back to the 1940s. For years, ODonnell, a Maryland resident, has detailed on a website nightmarish stories about children who have been sexually assaulted by Jehovahs Witness elders and relatives. The site became a resource for journalists and ex-Witnesses and a thorn in the side of Witness leaders who have been loath to publicly discuss the religions abuse problems. READ MORE: She says she was 5 when another Jehovahs Witness raped her The Atlantic last year wrote about ODonnells efforts to bring transparency to a religious organization notorious for its secrecy. ODonnell said he was contacted by an assistant deputy attorney general after that story was published, and then interviewed at his house. I was not surprised, because I get calls all the time from different agencies or journalists, ODonnell said Saturday, but I did skip a beat when the attorney general of Pennsylvania called. The Inquirer published an investigation in 2018 that examined how Witness leaders routinely ostracized and punished survivors and even their families if they spoke out about their abuse or sought help from police. The investigation helped lead to the arrest of a man who sexually abused a 4-year-old girl at a Witness Kingdom Hall in York County in 2005. Another story exposed video footage that showed Shawn Bartlett, a Witness official, instructing elders at a 2017 seminar to destroy handwritten notes and drafts of internal documents, because those records could prove harmful in litigation. So the organization has said, Weve run into difficulties in the past because of the records we have,' " Bartlett said in the video. ODonnell said he was shown footage of Bartlett that had been on The Inquirers website during his grand jury testimony. READ MORE: For Jehovahs Witnesses, archaic rules have created a recipe for child abuse The Jehovahs Witnesses have more than eight million followers around the world and have counted multiple celebrities Prince, Venus and Serena Williams, Donald Glover among their ranks at one time or another. The organizations roots run deep in Pennsylvania. An Allegheny County man, Charles Taze Russell, founded the Witnesses in the 1870s. A 2014 Pew study estimated that more than 120,000 Witnesses call Pennsylvania home, while Philadelphia has more than a dozen congregations. Glimpses of the organizations response to abuse have emerged over the years in records leaked by whistle-blowers. A 1989 memo advised that elders should resist cooperating if police ever showed up at a kingdom hall with a search warrant. "The need for elders to maintain strict confidentiality has been repeatedly stressed, one portion of the memo said. Witness leaders, faced with mounting legal bills from lawsuits filed by abuse survivors in the United States and abroad, sold their sprawling Brooklyn headquarters in recent years for more than $1 billion to a real estate company run at the time by Jared Kushner, President Donald Trumps son-in-law. Delhi Election Exit Polls 2020: Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to sweep Delhi elections for the third time, according to exit polls. Six exit polls have predicted that AAP will be winning more than 50 seats in 2020 Delhi Assembly elections. The final result of Delhi Election 2020 will be out on February 11, Tuesday. The exit polls, conducted by India Today-Axis My India, Times Now-IPSOS, Republic-Jan Ki Baat, ABP News, NEWSx and TV9 Bharatvarsh, predicted that AAP is likely to secure over two-thirds majority in Delhi Assembly Elections 2020. Almost, every exit poll signalled that Kejriwal remained the most preferred choice as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Also read: Delhi Election Exit Poll Results 2020 Highlights: Surveys predict victory for AAP; BJP remains hopeful According to India Today-Axis My India survey, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party is expected to win 59-68 seats in the Delhi Assembly elections 2020. Meanwhile, BJP will once again remain a distant second with only 2-11 seats. The exit poll also predicted that about 48 per cent voters shifted from the BJP to AAP, since General Election 2019. The 48 per cent voters comprise a large chunk of the lower and lower-middle-class, segment, the survey said. On the other hand, ABP-C Voter exit poll forecast AAP winning 49-63 seats, whereas BJP is likely to get 5-19 seats and NewsX-Polstrat suggests AAP could win 50-56 seats and BJP 10-14 seats. Also read: Delhi Elections: Amit Shah summons BJP MPs as exit polls predict AAP returning to power The half-way mark for forming government in Delhi is 36. If the predictions of the poll of polls hold true on February 11, the AAP party will be in a comfortable position to form the next government in Delhi. However, this time it is likely to win fewer seats than it won in 2015. One thing common in all the exit poll is that Congress is all set to be once again routed in Delhi, which ruled Delhi for three terms between 1998 and 2013. Here's what Exit Polls say: 1. India Today-Axis My India AAP: 59-68 seats BJP: 2-11 seats Congress: 0 2.Times Now-IPSOS AAP- 47 seats BJP: 23 seats Congress-0 seat 3. Republic-Jan Ki Baat AAP: 48-61 seats BJP: 9-21 seats Congress: 1 4. ABP News AAP: 51-65 seats BJP: 3-17 seats Congress: 0-3 seats 5. NEWSx AAP: 50-56 seats BJP: 10-14 seats Congress: 0-1 seat 6. TV9 Bharatvarsh AAP: 53-57 seats BJP: 11-17seats Congress: 0-1 seat In the last Delhi assembly election in 2015, the AAP won 67 of the 70 seats, with a total vote-share of 54 per cent. It's projected to rise to 56 per cent in 2020. The BJP is projected to secure a vote-share of 35 per cent, up from 32 per cent in the 2015 Delhi Assembly vote. Also read: Delhi Exit poll: Who will win Delhi elections? Kejriwal's AAP likely to make hat-trick Delhi is the fourth state to go to polls after the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand were the other three states, where Vidhan Sabha elections took place post-2019 general election. All of them were previously ruled by the BJP but the BJP is presently in power only in Haryana, that too with the help of the Jannayak Janata Party. So what exactly is happening to Kigalis street children? Theyre being rounded up, mostly by police, and taken to a site called Gikondo Transit Center as part of a rehabilitation process, as the Rwandan authorities call it. In reality the center operates as unofficial detention facility. The kids arent given due process, or access to a lawyer or guardian. They are not brought before a judge. Instead they are kept for weeks to months at a time in terrible conditions. And in most cases, theyre released back onto the streets, threatened, and told theyll be arrested if theyre found on the streets again. Some kids told us the food in Gikondo was rotten maize with grit, and clearly insufficient. There wasnt enough water. Some kids said they shared mattresses with three or four others and that the blankets were covered in lice. Many said they got rashes and skin infections from sharing mattresses. They were regularly beaten for laughing or chatting with friends or making noise. They were bored. They spent all day sitting in this room, and they were forbidden from talking to each other and were often hungry. In some cases, children werent allowed to call their parents, if they knew where they were. For example, one boy said he was beaten by a police officer because he asked to call his parents to tell them he was at Gikondo but didnt have money to pay for phone credit. Some girls were called prostitutes and placed in a room with adult women. Many of the youngest children said they were kept in a separate room without adults, and they didnt seem to face as much abuse as the older teenagers who were accused of being delinquents and who were held with adults. The younger kids could bathe daily, but thats not the case for those held with adults. There is nothing good there, a former Gikondo detainee tells Human Rights Watch about the center in 2015. 2015 Human Rights Watch There was zero education or vocational training, unlike what authorities claim. There is no question that this is arbitrary detention. And it is certainly not rehabilitation. Youre releasing the report to coincide with Rwandas review by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which has already called on the government to close Gikondo. Can the committee force Rwanda to close the center? No. But as a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Rwanda has agreed to abide by the terms of that treaty, and the Committee is the adjudicator of whether that is happening. So what the committee can and undoubtedly will continue to point out is that Rwanda is in violation of this convention and not complying with its obligations under international human rights law. And thats powerful. Also, given the lack of space in Rwanda for people to question the government, or for journalists or civil society to report independently on abuses, the committee is a rare independent body to ask the government tough questions. One reason Kigali is often described as one of the cleanest, most orderly cities in Africa is because law enforcement arbitrarily round up people deemed undesirable and keep them out of sight, often in so-called transit or rehabilitation centers. 2015 Human Rights Watch When you read articles on Kigali, journalists often observe how clean and safe the city is. Is there a relationship between this and these roundups? Kigali is presented as one of the cleanest and safest cities in Africa. And it is Ive lived there and in many other African cities. Its very clean and very controlled and considered very safe by visitors. This is partly because very poor people, including street children, are rounded up and detained against their will. Were not saying children should be left to live on the streets, but we want these kids to have meaningful support and to be treated respectfully, with dignity. Arbitrarily detaining them is a violation of their rights. Human Rights Watch has published a number of reports on Gikondo, starting in 2006. How has Rwanda responded? Usually after we publish a report, Rwanda will make some improvements, which unfortunately appear to be superficial or technical. For example, after the 2006 report, they shut down Gikondo centre and stopped detaining children for a while, letting things cool off. Other reports on Gikondo also focused on the plight of street vendors, sex workers, the homeless, and beggars detained there. In 2015, we called Rwandas government out for its lack of a legal framework around detention in Gikondo. Over the next few years, the government introduced new legislation and policies around reintegrating people with deviant behaviors, which basically enshrined the governments arbitrary procedures and detentions. The experience for people locked up in Gikondo hasnt changed much. Rwanda did create a rehabilitation center in Bugesera District specifically for children and women, called Gitagata, where authorities said detainees would get vocational training, support, and the opportunity to reunite with their families. And while Gitagata appears to be better than Gikondo, the kids we spoke to said living on the streets where you didnt know where your next meal would come from was better. What we want is Gikondo to be shut down. Were not there yet, but well keep at it. Did any of the children you spoke with stand out to you? Theres a few. Theyre quite painful interviews to do. Some of the kids are so young, just 11 or 12, and they were so resigned to the abuse as they explained what happened to them, it was normal for them to get rounded up and beaten up. There was one boy, 15 or 16, who was held in the delinquent room with other adults and explained that there was so little space that they all had to sit in between each others legs. Another boy said he wasnt allowed to leave the room and go to the toilet when he needed to, and when he defecated on himself, he was beaten for it. All because he had been detained for living on the street. We spoke to another boy who said that police told him they were taking him to Gikondo because the president didnt want him on the street. These children werent getting the help or support they needed. And as if living on the streets wasnt already tough, they were forced to hide for fear that theyd be rounded up. Then, you hear about children as young as 11 who were detained being held in these awful conditions. Clearly, the system isnt working. Honestly, over the last nine years Ive been interviewing people who were locked up in Gikondo, the stories havent changed much. What are these kids doing now? A lot of them go back to living on the streets when theyre released and are usually detained again sooner or later. Some children said theyd been to Gikondo five or six times. Theyre not getting much support. And, as ever, when big events take place in Kigali say, foreign visitors come to the city the police will clear the streets and take them to Gikondo again. Its not a great life. There should be support for these kids, education and vocational training to help ensure rehabilitation. The government should do what theyre claiming to do and actually rehabilitate these kids. I lived in Kigali for a number of years and Gikondo is literally a 5-minute drive from the citys most upscale restaurants and hotels. The city is clean, it is safe, I raised my first child there, its a great place to be. But theres another side to the city, one that revolves around repression and abuse of its most vulnerable people. Kigali can stay safe and clean without resorting to this. The government should do better. Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on February 8 claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from the state had been asked to "not utter a single word" on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Patton was replying to Opposition leader TR Zeliang's query in the Assembly as to why BJP legislators from the state remained silent during a consultative meeting convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the CAA in Delhi. "Why we did not utter a single word is because our central leaders told us not to participate," Patton, the leader of BJP Legislature Party, said in reply. Nagaland Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on February 8, as opposition NPF protested against the new citizenship law, and insisted that an anti-CAA resolution be passed in the House, taking a cue from states such as Kerala and Bengal. Rejecting the demand of the Naga People's Front (NPF), Patton iterated that the law would not affect the Nagas, as states with Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime have been exempted from its purview. Zeliang, along with NPF MLAs Chotisuh Sazo and Chumben Murry, during a discussion on matters of public importance, however, reasoned that the ILP would not impede influx of illegal immigrants. Patton said the Union home minister, in December, had given assurances that the CAA would not have any impact on the people of the state. Days after the central government signed the Bodo Peace Accord with various ethnic groups active in Assam, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi dismissed the accord as "cosmetic". Speaking to the media on Saturday, Gogoi said: "PM Modi wants to give the impression that there will be peace in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) area after the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord. However, everyone knows that peace and development had started in the region when we signed the agreement with the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) in 2003. Modi is indirectly blaming the previous governments for the chaotic situation in the area." Terming the new accord as a "cosmetic" arrangement, Gogoi further said: "We also want peace and development in the region along with the preservation of language and culture and generation of employment, but most of the people there are non-Bodo people. If they are deprived, their grievances are not given importance and they are ignored, how would peace prevail in the region?." Referring to the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, Gogoi stated that since its introduction, the state of Assam is burning and protests have been on the rise. "It is dangerous for the people's identity and the culture of Assam, and it also violates the Assam Accord," he said. He also blamed PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the ongoing unrest in Assam. Gogoi further accused Modi of not giving importance to the demands and sentiments of the people of Assam, and stated that "peace can be achieved through action, not speeches". "We are not foolish, we understand your (government's) so-called sympathy towards the state. These are just crocodile tears. We are not expecting much from this accord," he added. On January 27, the central government signed a tripartite agreement with representatives of all factions of the banned Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi. The Bodo groups have been demanding a separate state of Bodoland for the last 50 years. The movement has resulted in extensive violence and loss of hundreds of lives over the years. In 1993, the Bodoland Autonomous Council was formed through an agreement with the Union government, but it could not stop the violence initiated by various Bodo militant groups. In 2003, an extensive agreement was worked out with Bodo Liberation Tigers, which led to the creation of Bodoland Territorial Council and Bodoland Territorial Area Districts with four districts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and other organisations took out a 'Mashal Juloos' protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) here on Saturday evening. "It is a part of the non-violent and democratic protest against CAA," said a protester. "The imposition of CAA is against the secular character of the country and is an anti- move. Giving citizenship to the illegal foreigners by violating the preamble is unconstitutional," he added. Protests have been going on in various parts of the country against the newly amended citizenship law since December last year. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and if they entered India on or before December 31, 2014. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With a boycotting opposition and low expected turnout in conflict-affected Anglophone regions, Cameroons ruling party should win big in forthcoming elections. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Arrey Ntui explains why that result means dialogue about the countrys crises will have to happen outside parliament. How are Cameroons elections likely to unfold? In November 2019, President Paul Biya called elections for Cameroons National Assembly and local councils, to be held on 9 February. The elections should have been held in 2018, when these bodies five-year terms came to a close, but the government has put them off twice. In 2018, the government argued that it was logistically impossible to hold them at the same time as the presidential polls that year, and in 2019 it cited a tense political and security atmosphere, including in Anglophone areas, as justification for further delay. Now Biya is moving ahead with the vote, however, perhaps in order to keep up appearances after the national dialogue held in September and October 2019 (discussed below) failed to bring an end to the Cameroonian governments conflict with Anglophone separatists. That conflict has claimed roughly 3,000 lives and displaced more than 700,000 people since 2017. Conditions for the legislative and municipal elections are hardly ideal. Residents in Anglophone areas are unlikely to vote in significant numbers, given both the ongoing violence on the ground and their view that the government lacks legitimacy. Although the government has assured Anglophones that they will be able to cast ballots, and has deployed troops and clustered polling centres to better secure them, voters will still be unable to travel safely on election day. At the same time, separatists have stepped up attacks on election offices, contributing to a general sense of insecurity. The Kamto-led boycott may be more important for the message it sends than for its impact on the polls. Other developments are also undermining the elections legitimacy. Maurice Kamto, leader of the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement (known by its French acronym, MRC), has withdrawn his partys slate and is now calling for a boycott of the vote. Kamto who was runner-up to President Biya in 2018, an election he later claimed to have won, and was then jailed without charge for the first eight months of 2019 argues that credible polls require electoral reforms the government has yet to make. These would include meaningful measures to prevent fraud and ensure that the national electoral commission is fully independent. Although he is French-speaking himself, Kamto also takes the position that moving forward with elections while Anglophones are unable to vote would strengthen separatist arguments that the countrys institutions represent only Francophones and a small, co-opted English-speaking elite. Finally, Kamto has recently suggested that he withdrew the MRC from the polls after its candidates were blocked from competing in various races by allies of the ruling party. (There have been similar reports about candidates from other parties.) The Kamto-led boycott may be more important for the message it sends than for its impact on the polls. While the MRC leaders move may appear to play into the hands of separatists who also call for a boycott, it is unlikely to affect the vote in Anglophone regions, in part because participation is already expected to be so low. Even in 2018, when Kamto was on the ballot, only some 5 per cent and 16 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the Anglophone North West and South West regions, respectively, due to the violence. But whether or not the boycott has much impact on vote tallies, low Anglophone turnout is expected to hand the ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) a sweeping victory. The CPDM is the only party standing for all 180 National Assembly seats, and it is running unchallenged in about 20 per cent of these races. Consistent with Kamtos complaints about impediments faced by MRC candidates, reports suggest that officials close to the ruling party have worked to ensure that many members of the 42 other opposition parties participating in the polls are unable to register as candidates, which skews the playing field further. How is the biggest opposition party in parliament reacting? The Social Democratic Front (SDF), whose electoral heartland has long included many parts of the Anglophone regions and which is currently the largest parliamentary opposition party (holding eighteen seats), officially opposes the boycott. But some SDF officials increasingly question whether that is the right position, given mounting pressure from Anglophone citizens who are turning against the party, saying it is too timid in furthering the Anglophone cause. Moreover, even though the SDF is not participating in the boycott, its election prospects are poor. The partys longstanding support for resolving the Anglophone crisis through federalism rather than the creation of a new state has been criticised by separatists, who have intimidated many SDF candidates for local councils, over a hundred of whom have decided to withdraw. The SDF cannot campaign even in some constituencies in its Anglophone strongholds because its candidates fear they may be attacked. These are not idle concerns: separatists have twice abducted the SDFs leader John Fru Ndi, himself an Anglophone. Unable to travel to Anglophone areas because he fears for his own safety, he is now based in the capital, Yaounde. How has the Anglophone crisis played out since the national dialogue, and how is it affecting political dynamics? The government-controlled national dialogue, which commenced in Yaounde at the end of September 2019, has done little to prevent the Anglophone crisis from deepening. Separatists, most of whose leaders are based outside the country or are in prison in Yaounde, took no part in the conference, which they viewed as a government ploy to deflect international criticism. Even those Anglophones who seek a federalist solution rather than their own state, and who largely eschew violence, were given little room to present their views. For example, the government offered participants no chance to discuss the recommendations that Prime Minister Joseph Ngute, who convened the dialogue, transmitted to President Biya. These included a recommendation to confer special status on the Anglophone South West and North West regions under the decentralisation provisions of the 1996 constitution. As it stands, even the special status recommendation which parliament approved in December and which President Biya has touted as a working solution to the crisis seems destined to have limited impact. The new status would, on paper, provide for the central government in Yaounde to consult Anglophone regional assemblies concerning decisions about the formulation of educational policy and the application of common law in their regions. But the provisions lack details on what kind of consultation is required or how the measures would be implemented, leaving many Anglophones frustrated, and bolstering the separatist narrative that division of the country is the only solution to English speakers marginalisation. How are security risks evolving in the run-up to elections? Violence in Anglophone areas has continued unabated. As noted above, the government has deployed additional troops to the Anglophone regions and tried to assure citizens there that they will be able to vote, including by sending teams of ruling-party campaign officials to engage with voters in some areas. But even these teams had to be guarded by heavily armed special forces, undermining the governments narrative that peaceful polls are in the offing. While authorities have decided to group voting centres together to provide better security, this step does not address the question of how voters will travel safely on voting day. Separatists have accompanied their attacks on election offices with declarations of a lockdown a tactic they use frequently, which consists of stopping all movement on roads and confining people to their homes for the election period. As before the 2018 elections, thousands of civilians have fled Anglophone areas in the months leading up to the vote into the bush, to Cameroons Francophone regions or to Nigeria. Ethnic tensions have also risen in other parts of the country as the political crisis has deepened. In April and again in October 2019, tensions spilled over into minor clashes involving people of the Bulu ethnic group (to which Biya belongs), the Bamileke group (to which Kamto belongs) and others in the South and Centre regions. In Sangmelima in the South region , for instance, local Bulu attacked businesses belonging to Bamouns and Bamilekes, hundreds of whom fled the area. The violence did not directly result from an electoral or party dispute but appeared to be part of a pattern of intolerant rhetoric traded between the ethnic groups of rival political leaders, playing out in social media and, in some areas, on the street. On 30 January, a senior government minister, speaking on national television to victims of communal tensions in the Centre region, warned that violence might intensify unless action was taken to calm things down. What are the implications for the countrys overall crisis? An overwhelming CPDM victory in the forthcoming elections which, as noted, seems to be a nearly foregone conclusion will further bias the character of state institutions toward the views of a single party and seems bound to reduce prospects for frank discussions about resolving the Anglophone conflict and other brewing crises. The ruling party already dominates the upper house of parliament, the Senate, where it holds 87 of 100 seats . The 9 February elections are only for the lower house the National Assembly where the CPDM already holds 148 of 180 seats. That majority is likely to become even more lopsided. Although the National Assembly usually complies with the governments wishes on national issues, some deputies have expressed concerns about the situation in Anglophone regions and the SDF has tried (albeit unsuccessfully) to push for a full parliamentary debate on the crisis. Further ruling-party dominance risks muting the handful of voices that have been willing to challenge government positions on these issues. The best approach for lowering tensions likely lies in dialogue outside parliament. Three Catholics were in a mobile shop in Craigavon in 1991. An evangelical Protestant church has defended employing a UVF serial killer suspected of carrying out 14 sectarian murders. Victims' relatives are furious that Elim Pentecostal in Portadown has praised Alan Oliver's "exemplary service" in his church and community work, and is refusing to even meet them. They branded the church "heartless" and "unChristian" in its attitude. They had contacted Elim Pentecostal to say that Oliver's employment in its Helping Hands Outreach Project was causing them "undue stress and retraumatisation". The Mid Ulster Families victims' group said Oliver had been "named many times in court documents and the press as having been involved in multiple sectarian murders of Catholic men, women and children including our loved ones". It said the bereaved had "come into contact with him through "your church and its charity" and that he was "wholly unsuited" to a public role which involved working with kids. The families asked for a meeting to "discuss our very serious concerns". They were stunned when the church wrote back effectively dismissing their objections and saying that the former killer had "spoken openly of his Christian conversion and determination to live a 'changed life' as a follower of Christ". Expand Close Brendan Duffy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brendan Duffy Elim Pentecostal even expressed fears for Oliver's "personal safety and potentially for our wider church community" in the wake of claims that he was involved in multiple murders. He was named in BBC's Spotlight on the Troubles last year as "maybe one of Northern Ireland's most prolific serial killers". Oliver was first exposed back in 2014 by Sunday Life. Among the unsolved killings the 49-year-old is believed to have carried out for Billy Wright's Mid-Ulster UVF are those of three Catholics in a mobile shop in Craigavon in 1991, and the double murder of schoolboys Gavin McShane and Shane McArdle. The 17-year-olds were shot in the head in May 1994 while playing an arcade game inside a taxi depot in Keady, Co Armagh. Their killer, who has been identified as Oliver, wasn't wearing a mask. Gavin's sister, Alana McShane, told Sunday Life: "We are disgusted that Elim Pentecostal won't even sit down with us to discuss our concerns. "They are hiding behind God, rather than having a face-to-face meeting where families could ask questions. "This man is unsuited to charity work. When he looked into the taxi depot that day, he saw children. He could have walked on by, but he didn't. He went in and murdered them. Expand Close Alana McShane / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alana McShane "He saw teenagers in a mobile shop in Craigavon, and he went in and murdered them too. He was a psychopath." Gavin's father Matthew said: "It is unforgivable that Elim Church are burying their heads in the sand. I'm fighting for justice for my son for 25 years. We have hit another brick wall. Wherever we turn, Alan Oliver is protected. "Gavin was murdered just before he sat his A-levels. His driving test was booked and I was sorting him out with a wee car. Alan Oliver has paid no price for murder while every day we go through the torture of losing Gavin." The loyalist has denied claims that he was a high-placed protected security services agent. Oliver has been named in court as the gunman who shot dead Katrina Rennie (16), Eileen Duffy (19) and Brian Frizzell (29) in the Craigavon mobile shop. Eileen's brother, Brendan Duffy, said: "Elim Pentecostal Church is basically presenting Alan Oliver as an upstanding member of the community now. "It's not as if he committed some minor misdemeanour. He has blood on his hands. He has not been punished for what he did. We need truth, accountability and justice. "I found my sister slumped on the floor of the shop, shot in the head. Her face was swollen and blood was pumping out of her head and ears. I tried to resuscitate her, but she was gone. "Eileen was only 19. She was buried in the dress she bought to go to dances." Oliver is suspected of involvement in the murder of brothers Gerard (22) and Rory (18) Cairns who were shot dead in their home in Bleary, near Lurgan, in October 1993. Their sister Paula said: "We are appalled that Alan Oliver has risen to a trusted position in this church given his background. "Elim Pentecostal's refusal to meet us defies belief. I don't know how they can claim to be Christian when they shut the door in victims' faces. A Christian church should be the first to offer solace to the bereaved." Paula added: "I was at university in England when the police arrived at the door to say my brothers had been murdered. It destroyed our family life. Everything has been ruined for us while Alan Oliver has the privilege of living his life as 'a devoted follower of Christ'." The former UVF man is suspected of involvement in the murder of Charlie (63) and Tess (53) Fox who were shot dead in their home in Moy, Co Tyrone, in September 1992 as they prepared to go to bed. Their son Patrick was an IRA prisoner, but the couple had no political involvement. Their daughter Bernadette McKearney found her parents' bodies the next morning. "Alan Oliver turned our lives upside down," she said. "He has refused our pleas for him to give us closure - to tell the truth about what he did and who he was working for. "We don't even want an apology, we just want answers. The letter from his church sounds to us like 'Get on with your life and forget about it.'" Bernadette added: "It's 28 years since I found mammy and daddy lying there but every detail is still fresh in my head. Daddy was in his pyjamas. Most of his face had been blown away. "Mammy had been shot several times. She'd taken the sweeping brush to the gunman, trying to protect herself. He broke her jaw before shooting her. "My 10-year-old daughter Seana was due to stay with them that night but thank God she had homework to finish and didn't." In its letter to the Mid Ulster Families group, Elim Pentecostal General Superintendent, Rev Chris Cartwright said that Oliver had "a record of over 20 years' exemplary service in the church and serving the wider community through the work of Helping Hands" in the areas of poverty and homelessness. "During this time, Elim have received no complaints about Mr Oliver," it said. "In fact quite the opposite - his service in helping some of the most vulnerable is invaluable and has been appreciated across different sectors of the community." The church said the loyalist had Access NI clearance, had undertaken training, and complied with all its policies and procedures on the welfare and well-being of the community. It said he had no involvement in frontline services nor any direct involvement with the public. Elim Pentecostal said it understood there was "no current police or other official investigation" into Oliver concerning the serial killer allegations nor was there any pending prosecution or legal proceedings. If such an investigation took place it would "directly co-operate and liaise with the authorities". The church voiced its opposition to "terrorist atrocities and sectarian violence" which it said had destroyed lives. FILE PHOTO: A Denel company logo is seen at the entrance of their business divisions in Pretoria By Joe Bavier and Alexander Winning JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa aims to free up over a billion dollars in stalled weapons sales, including to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, by amending a document at the heart of an export row, a senior arms control official told Reuters. Local defense firms have lobbied the government for months to change a clause in the export document requiring foreign customers to allow South African officials to inspect their facilities to verify that weapons aren't being transferred to third parties. Saudi Arabia and the UAE buy at least a third of South Africa's arms exports and have been engaged in a war in Yemen. They refused to agree to the inspections because they considered them a violation of their sovereignty, industry officials told Reuters in November. "I can confirm that the amendment of the end-user certificate was approved by the NCACC recently," Ezra Jele, the head of the secretariat of South Africa's National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), told Reuters. A draft letter from Jele to a defense industry association obtained by Reuters and authenticated by two industry sources said the NCACC planned to replace a clause allowing for "on-site verification ... performed by an inspector designated by the (defense) minister." The new clause would state "on-site verification of the controlled items may be performed, through diplomatic process". Defense sources said the changes were aimed at assuaging the concerns of importing nations that objected to the original wording, in the hope that exports could resume. Before it takes effect, the amendment must be published in the government gazette. But the letter stated that permission was being sought from the defense minister for companies to use the new language in the interim. Jele declined to comment on the letter, as did the head of the industry association to whom it was addressed. South Africa has sought to reform its defense industry once a pillar of the racist apartheid regime by making export approvals subject to human rights considerations. Story continues It has long included a clause in its end-user certificates requiring on-site inspections, though it was rarely acted upon. But in 2017, arms control officials moved the clause to the front page of the certificates, and countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Algeria refused to sign them. Exports to the Gulf and North Africa are a key source of revenue for local defense companies including state-owned Denel, Paramount Group and Rheinmetall Denel Munition, a joint venture between Denel and German industrial giant Rheinmetall . Defense firms threatened hundreds of job cuts if the wording of the clause wasn't changed to resolve the row. Graphic: https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/editorcharts/SAFRICA-DEFENCE/0H001QXL69KH/index.html (Reporting by Joe Bavier and Alexander Winning; Editing by Christina Fincher) One of the new breed of Tory MPs who smashed through Labour's 'Red Wall' at the Election faces an extraordinary probe over five separate misconduct allegations. Lee Anderson could be stripped of the whip by party bosses just two months after he entered the Commons for the first time. A confidential dossier held at Tory HQ, and seen by The Mail on Sunday, lists the charge sheet against Mr Anderson as: A confidential dossier held at Tory HQ, and seen by The Mail on Sunday, lists the charge sheet against Mr Anderson, pictured with the PM, as a string of five offences Lee Anderson could be stripped of the whip by party bosses just two months after he entered the Commons for the first time. This is a picture of his vile Facebook post Posting a 'vulgar' Facebook post where he referred to a woman's breasts as 'knockers'; Faking an Election campaign encounter to fool television viewers that he had persuaded a Labour swing voter to back the Tories; Claiming in a pre-election video that nuisance tenants should 'evicted, made to live in tents in the middle of a field and be forced to get up at 6am to pick potatoes'; Suggesting women could struggle to be councillors because of childcare responsibilities; Actively taking part in an 'antisemitic' internet discussion about billionaire George Soros. Mandarin leaps into his limo to travel a mile He claims his 250-a-day chauffeur-driven car is to take him to far-flung parts of Britain but last week Sir Mark Sedwill used it for a mile-long trip to an exclusive club. Sir Mark Sedwill, arriving at the Cabinet Office in October last year Just days after The Mail on Sunday exposed the Cabinet Secretary's 175,000 expenses bill, including his taxpayer-funded limo, he was spotted using it after a lunchtime meeting at the Garrick Club. The all-male, members-only institution is just a brisk 12-minute walk from Sir Mark's desk at 10 Downing Street, but instead a blacked-out Government Car Service Ford was used to whisk him back to work on Wednesday. When The Mail on Sunday confronted the Cabinet Office last week about Britain's most senior civil servant's unusually large expenses bill, on top of his 205,000 salary, officials said Sir Mark's use of the limo helped him to meet his teams around the country. His chauffeur is from the ministerial fleet and cost the public purse 22,000 every 90 days last year. Sir Mark's defenders say the reason behind the large bill is because he is 'very active in getting out of Whitehall'. However, an eyewitness said of last week's trip: 'I did a double take as I saw him confidently stride out of the Garrick and straight into his waiting car.' The source added: 'He didn't look like he had a care in the world. It was a sunny day, so he probably could have walked.' As one of the oldest gentlemen's clubs in the world, the Garrick is loved by actors, lawyers and men of letters. It is also popular with top mandarins. Advertisement The length of the complaints list against Mr Anderson, who defected from Labour to the Tories in 2018, is adding to party bosses' concern at the calibre of some of its 100-plus new MPs. Mr Anderson's victory in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, was just one of the Tory gains in Labour's heartland that handed Boris Johnson his 80-strong majority. But during the campaign, Mr Anderson was already running into trouble over several reported incidents, now collated into the confidential disciplinary dossier. That document stresses that no formal allegations have yet been made but asks for Mr Anderson's comments on the allegations, which include a Facebook post from July 2018. It showed a photograph of him looking at the chest of a local resident wearing a vest top with the caption: 'Out with some great knockers tonight in Skegby.' The Tory dossier states: 'It is obvious from this double entendre that you are referring to the breasts of the woman in the photograph.' The report also asks the MP to comment on reports that he faked with a friend a canvassing encounter which was filmed on MailPlus.co.uk. It summarises the claim as: 'You visited that friend's home with a journalist with the intention of appearing to show how you were able to persuade that person to vote Conservative when in fact he was always going to do so. The whole thing was a sham, intended by you and your friend to deceive both the journalist and the voting public.' Mr Anderson is further challenged over his suggested punishment for anti-social tenants. The dossier notes sternly that it amounts to 'degrading' hard labour. And he is accused of being a member of Facebook group 'Ashfield Back Boris' which, says the dossier, 'is alleged to promote antisemitic conspiracy theories'. Mr Anderson was unavailable for comment but a friend said: 'Allegations that Lee took part in an anti-semitic Facebook thread about Soros or said woman can't be councillors is rubbish. All the other stuff has been in the public domain and dealt with, and is now being dragged up as dirty tricks.' I read an article that he said [Iowa] was a punch to the gut, and Im not one to just push on wounds. Im not trying to humiliate anyone, she told The Washington Post. He wasnt sitting in at the Senate trials for impeachment, so he had Iowa to himself. And then youve been a politician for like decades how are you not way above all the other candidates? Hyderabad: Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu, who arrived in Hyderabad late Friday night, was confined to his residence on Saturday and skipped visiting NTR Bhavan. Usually every Friday, Naidu comes to Hyderabad and spends some time in NTR Bhavan on Saturdays and discuss with party leaders. The NTR Bhavan sent a message on Friday that Naidu will visit NTR Bhavan at 3 pm on Saturday, but in the late night sent another message that Naidu visit to NTR Bhavan has been cancelled. It may be recalled that IT raids are continuing on the houses and offices of close associates of Mr Naidu. After the Assembly election defeat, Mr Naidu is spending the weekends in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, income-tax searches continued for the third day on offices and residences of Mr Naidus former PS P. Srinivasa Rao and Kadapa TD president R. Srinivasula Reddy. TD sources said some party leaders met Mr Naidu at his residence on Saturday evening. TEHRAN, Iran - Irans Revolutionary Guard has unveiled a new ballistic missile, the countrys state TV reported Sunday, amid heightened tensions with the U.S. Iran routinely unveils what it describes as technological advances for its armed forces ahead of the February anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution. State television said the missile, called Raad-500, or thunder, had half the weight of a similar ballistic missile, Fateh-110, but had 200 kilometres (some 120 miles) more range. The fourth generation of Fateh-110 has 300 kilometres (some 180 miles) range. The Guard also unveiled a new missile engine that uses solid fuel and a satellite carrier that has movable nozzle technology. The technology increases a missiles accuracy in hitting targets. The U.S. alleges such activities defy a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles at a military base in Iraq housing American troops in January, after a U.S. drone strike killed its top general Qassem Soleimani outside Baghdad. For the outlandish spectacle that is Krewe du Vieux, the mules that pull the floats stand to be the most mundane thing about the 33-year-old parade known for its often unabashed debauchery. Revelers line up along Marigny and French Quarter streets to take in the sight of R- or X-themed carriages and scantily clad members of various subkrewes. Most of the revelers are focused on the floats themselves rather than the mules, said Charlotte Jones, a tour guide for Mid-City Carriages, which contributes the 14 mules for Krewe du Vieuxs floats. Theres a lot to look at, which is understandable. But for krewe members, the mules represent a sweet word rarely used to describe anything associated with Krewe du Vieux: tradition. Ask any subkrewe lined up along Royal Street on Saturday night, and they could only express a sincere appreciation for what these noble animals do to make this parade the only one of its size thats allowed to roll with floats through the Quarter happen. Jones, having been with Mid-City Carriages for three Carnival seasons, noted her admiration for the original method of propelling Mardi Gras floats, long before tractors were an option. It was time to celebrate these humble steeds, she said. The result was the first-ever "grubbing ceremony," an informal knighting of the 14 mules an hour or so before they were needed for their parade duties, and an opportunity for parade patrons to throw a carrot or some alfalfa their way. Standing before us are 14 fabulous steed half-asses that have no shame in performing their duties for mere carrots or pellets of hay who willfully yoke themselves to whatever great or vulgar reference there be that needs to be displayed, Kevin Reed, a former krewe member, proclaimed before "grubbing" each mule except for Claudia, still back in the den getting ready to pull Queen B.B. St. Roman and her royal float. +33 Photos: Krewe du Vieux and krewedelusion wow the crowds -- like only they can Krewe du Vieux brought its rude political satire and sexual allusions aplenty, and Krewedelusion rolled as one of Mardi Gras' most eccentric, Krewe du Vieux is one of the few parades that still use mules, and maybe the only krewe to use this many of them. It wasnt always like this. In the early days of Mardi Gras, floats were predominantly pulled by mules. They predate the internal combustion engine, after all, said former krewe member Stuart Auld. It wasnt until the 1950s, Jones said, when the city phased out the (mule-pulled) garbage wagons for the garbage trucks. The ceremonys attendees, mostly longtime Krewe du Vieux visitors and Mid-City Carriage handlers, booed at the thought of a time when mules were no longer wanted. When Krewe du Vieux was born in 1987 from the former Krewe of Clones, it brought back the mules after nearly 30 years as a nod to the early days of Carnival. The mules are as much members as everybody else, said St. Roman. We cant do this without them. Reveling in the mules past, Jones said she hopes the first "grubbing ceremony" will be quickly accepted as an annual tradition by Krewe du Vieux members and fans. BRIANNA FOX is a new client service associate at the Lincoln Savings Bank Cedar Falls Industrial Park branch. ANDREA OLSON joined the Kimball Operations Center as an internal auditor. DANA UHLENHOPP was promoted to chief banking officer at Lincoln Savings Bank. He has been with the company for 33 years and received a bachelors degree from Wartburg College in business administration and economics. He also has been a member of the Iowa Bankers Association Ag Committee and IBA Leadership, and attended a two-year agricultural credit school with the American Bankers Association, has taken a Dale Carnegie course and other IBA classes. WES LYONS, PA-C, joined Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton as an emergency room/hospitalist. He is a graduate of Vinton-Shellsburg Community Schools, received a bachelor of science degree from Drake University, Des Moines, a masters in public health from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and a master of physician assistant studies from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. MEGAN YOUNG was promoted to manager of payroll and benefits with Veridian Credit Union. Young, of Waterloo, has worked at Veridian for nine years and was previously a learning and development specialist. Young has a masters degree in business administration with an emphasis in human resources management from Upper Iowa University and a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. Two people joined Prairie Lakes Churchs Cedar Falls campus. BRETT MCCALLA is an IT coordinator. He has a bachelors degree in movement and exercise science and was a transaction banker supervisor/customer service representative at First National Bank in Cedar Falls. ABBEY BECK BRUNK is a Kidventure coordinator. She earned an associates degree in business from Iowa Central Community College and is enrolled in early childhood education at University of Northern Iowa. She was a camp director at Camp Pine Lake. GLEN GASTON joined joined Collins Community Credit Union as a branch manager. Gaston has been a retail store manager at Rent-A-Center in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and Mason City. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelors degree in psychology with an industrial-organizational psychology certificate. HUSSAIN NASERI, MD, joined MercyOnes Waterloo Cancer Center. Dr. Naseri, a hematologist oncologist, received his medical degree from King Saud University College of Medicine in Saudi Arabia in 2003. He performed a rotating medical internship at King Saud University, a hematology and oncology residency at King Fahad Medical City in Saudi Arabia and an internal medicine residency at King Fahad Medical City. Dr. Naseri completed an internal medicine externship at East Orange General Hospital in East Orange, N.J., and an internal medicine residency at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, R.I., from. He completed a hematology oncology fellowship at Roger Williams Medical Center. Before joining MercyOne, Dr. Naseri worked at the Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle, Maine, Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent and Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, W.Va. MEGAN ANDERMANN was appointed a member service representative II at the Dupaco Community Credit Union in Cedar Falls. TRAVIS MOREHOUSE was appointed a member service representative at the San Marnan location in Waterloo. MICHELLE WILFER joined Dupaco as AVP, community outreach and education at the Cedar Heights location. DIANNA MAGGINETTI joined Peoples Community Health Clinic as a pediatric psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She earned her bachelors and nursing degrees from San Jose (California) State University, a masters degree from Rush University in Chicago and her ANCC certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Her specific areas of interest include pediatric/adolescent mental health. MATT MILLER joined VGM Marketing as creative director. He was an associate creative director with Hellman in Waterloo, a division of VGM Group. Miller is a graduate of Cedarville University. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The parents of a young woman who took her life at The Gap want "catfishing" to be criminalised after their "bubbly, fun-loving" daughter became a victim of a faked romance they believe was orchestrated by her friend. An inquest into the tragic death of 20-year-old Glenhaven woman Renae Marsden in August 2013 is set to examine the act of luring someone into a relationship using a fictional online persona, with her parents Teresa and Mark hoping the person behind the sinister hoax will be held responsible. Renae Marsden, 20, is believed to have taken her life after falling victim to a 'catfishing' plot. "There is no closure for us until we determine the facts surrounding her disappearance, and this won't be resolved until [the friend] decides or is forced to tell the truth, Mr Marsden said on the eve of a five-day inquiry to be held at the NSW Coroners Court in Lidcombe. "Ultimately we would like to see the perpetrator charged, and that the coroner recommends the laws surrounding catfishing are tightened to make it a criminal offence." KAMPALA A team of African American Investors arrived in Uganda with plans to invest USD300million approximately UGX1.1 trillion with a focus put on health and real estate sectors in Uganda. Led by Head of Delegation, Mark Anthony Hernandez the team made their grand entrance at Entebbe International Airport and were received by Abbey Kigozi, NRM Chairman Diaspora league. Addressing journalists at Entebbe, Hernandez revealed that the team plans to invest in Neurosurgeon and their decision to invest in Uganda was informed on the peace and security Uganda is enjoying saying the new investment will be critical at solidifying this peace for the future development of Uganda. What we are focusing on in this particular trip is health care, we have a Neurosurgeon investor on our team who is interested in setting up a factory for Cardiac transplants in Uganda and offering services in other ways, said Hernandez. For the real estate sector, he said the focus will be put on commercial and residential estates and after further scrutiny of the business environment, the team will look at expanding to other sectors and rally more Americans to join the team. At this time we are looking at investing 300m dollars in the health and real estate sectors and we believe other African Americans in California will be interested in joining us because of their interest in bringing back African American dollars back to Africa, Hernandez. Isaac Kigozi, Managing Director, East African Partners, said that unlike the people from developed nations that look at Africa as a continent with impoverished masses and therefore come seeking to save them from poverty, diseases, and illiteracy, the African American investors group is not looking at offering charity to Africa, but rather talk into the human capital development to enable Ugandans to become self-sustainable. Kigozi remarked, When we discussed with this group, they said the government has done enough opening up doors to them and are now looking at what they can do for the government and the people of Uganda. This is exactly what enticed me to bring them to Uganda because they are not looking for free things. He called on Government agencies and Ugandans at large to offer support to the team noting that the planned investment will be critical at addressing the employment ravaging the country and propel Uganda to middle-income status as well as attaining Vision 2040. Kigozi assured the investors of peace and security and informed them that Uganda is a signatory to a number of international treaties like East African Community Market, COMESA which will further widen market for their investment products. The team is set to meet President Yoweri Museveni with Kigozi remarking, The President is aware that you are here and is ready to meet you anytime. As Diaspora League, its our mandate to always encourage our friends in the outside world to come and invest in our country. Its good to have a mixture of not just investment but marketing, real estate, tourism on the delegation. They are here on a fact-finding mission and they are ready to share the business knowledge they have been blessed with in America to be able to impact our young population in Uganda and take Uganda to the next industrial revolution. Related She had been searching for a mate, or another pack, officials said, and had wandered at least 8,712 miles in her hunt. Its not yet known how the animal died, but state officials say they are investigating. The shooting death of another collared wolf OR-59 is unsolved, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a $2,500 reward in January for information in that case. China will continue to crack down on any forms of illegal wildlife trade amid the coronavirus outbreak, an official with the State Administration for Market Regulation said Saturday. China has suspended all trading of wild animals nationwide to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, said Yang Hongcan at a daily press conference in response to reports that the novel coronavirus may have originated in wild animals. From Jan. 21 to Feb. 6, the Chinese market regulators paid a total of nearly 1.5 million inspection visits to markets across the country, and over 3,700 markets and operators have been closed for rectification, Yang stressed. More than 16,000 breeding sites have been cordoned off, controlled and isolated, he said. Yang noted that those suspected of committing crimes would be handed over to the police for investigation. "We have worked with the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, General Administration of Customs and National Forestry and Grassland Administration to launch a special campaign to ban illegal wildlife trade," said Yang. Authorities also planned to strengthen publicity and education for the public not to buy or eat wild animals that are illegally captured and traded, Yang added. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Delhi recorded 61.46% voter turnout on Saturday, down from 67.47% in 2015 assembly election, with exit polls predicting an easy win for AAP, which sought to retain power on development plank, against the BJP that ran an aggressive campaign centred around the issues of anti-CAA protests and nationalism. The polling went off peacefully, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh told reporters. Over 60,000 security personnel, including Quick Response Teams, had been deployed for the election while police and paramilitary forces conducted flag marches in sensitive areas. The voting percentage was 57.04 till 6 pm deadline, and rose to 61.46% as those in queues at polling stations were allowed to vote, poll officials said, adding it may increase further. The officials said Mustafabad (66.29%), Matia Mahal (65.62%) and Seelampur (64.92%) -- all three with large Muslim population -- recorded the highest voting percentage till 5 pm. Long queues were seen outside polling stations in areas like Jaffrabad, Jamia Nagar, Turkman Gate and Shaheen Bagh which have been witnessing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In the 11 districts in the national capital, northeast recorded 65.24% turn out, northwest (62.23%), south (59.65%), central (58.57%), southwest 61.57 (%), east (61.29%), west (61.79%), north (57.19%), New Delhi (56.10%), Shahadra (62.96%) and southeast (54.89%). On a sit-in for over a month against the Citizenship Amendment Act, women protesters at Shaheen Bagh in south-east Delhi voted in batches "so that the agitation remains unaffected". Mehzabeen Qureshi, who returned to the protest site after voting, said, "I stayed at home to let other women in the house go out and vote. Now I have joined them here at Shaheen Bagh after voting. I voted today to secure democracy". Polling started at a sluggish pace and the voting percentage was low till noon. However, it picked up pace as the day grew warmer. A senior Delhi poll official said the lower turnout compared to 67.47% in the 2015 Assembly polls could be attributed to the polling day falling on a weekend as a section of people may have gone out of the city. The voting percentage was 60.6 in 2019 Lok Sabha election. A poll officer died apparently due to a heart condition at a polling booth at Babarpur, just before the voting began, Singh said. Congress' Chandni Chowk candidate Alka Lamba got into an altercation with an AAP worker outside a polling booth and tried to slap the man, but missed. Lamba alleged that the man used "very foul" and objectional language against her. Free electricity and water, development, jobs, national security and CAA were among the key issues on the minds of Delhiites in the polls where 672 candidates were in the fray in 70 Assembly seats. Sonakshi Ranjan (22), a first-time voter, said she opted for development while casting her vote. S C Sharma (74), a voter in Kalkaji constituency, said he voted for development and national security. Exit polls have predicted a clean sweep for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party while the BJP was a distant second. Most exit polls also predicted that Congress is unlikely to open its account even this time in Delhi, which it ruled from 1998-2013. After the polls ended, BJP President J P Nadda held a meeting with party's Delhi unit leaders and took stock of the situation. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari put up a brave face amid prediction of defeat for his party, claiming it will win 48 seats and form a government in the city. AAP leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said his party is going to win with a big margin. There were some complaints related to VVPAT slips. Congress' New Delhi candidate Romesh Sabharwal said VVAPT slips did not show his name and photo. "I gave a written complaint to poll authorities after which the machine was replaced," Sabharwal said, adding that polling was halted for sometime. Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh said that Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) failure was only one% this time. "There was very little VVPAT failure this time. In the Lok Sabha election, the VVPAT failure was more than 12.5% and this time it is less than 1%," he said. "Because of our enforcement and preventive action we took, the elections went off peacefully," Singh told reporters. Police said over 200 calls related to election complaints were received at the Delhi Police's control room on the polling day. First time voters and women turned out in large numbers. More than 60 centenarians voted in the assembly polls, Singh said. President Ram Nath Kovind, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, West Delhi MP Parvesh Verma and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari also exercised their franchise. Union Ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri were also among those who cast their votes. Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal voted at Rajpur Transport Authority polling station in the Civil Lines area. Kejriwal, who is contesting the polls from the New Delhi constituency, was accompanied by his wife Sunita and son Pulkit. Before leaving for voting, he sought his parents' blessings. Former vice president Hamid Ansari and senior RSS functionary Ram Lal were among those who queued up outside the Nirman Bhavan polling station in the first hour of voting. Minutes before polling began, Kejriwal tweeted, "Please go to cast vote. A special appeal to all the women - as you shoulder the responsibility at home, likewise, the responsibility of the country and Delhi is on your shoulders." Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who covered 60 assembly seats during his whirlwind campaign, appealed to voters to "free" the national capital from lies and vote-bank politics. "By giving Delhi clean air, clean drinking water and every poor house, only the best capital of the world can make it a government with far-sighted thinking and strong intentions. "I appeal to the people of Delhi to vote to free Delhi from lies and vote bank politics," Shah tweeted. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's son Rehan and Kejriwal's son Pulkit were among first-time voters. Asked if his father will be the CM again, Pulkit said whoever people choose will become the chief minister of Delhi. Talking to reporters, Rehan said that public transport should be more affordable for students. Taking a swipe at those protesting against CAA-NRC, senior RSS functionary Ram Lal said those shouting "kagaz nahin dikhayenge" would be defeated in the Delhi assembly election as he appealed to people to show documents while voting. He asked voters to keep in mind who can make Delhi the best capital city in the world. Hundreds of people, protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in many areas across the country, often raise the slogan of "kagaz nahi dikhayenge" (we will not show documents). "My message to the voters is 'aaj apna kagaz jaroor lekar jayen. Kagaz jaroor dikhayen' (Today, take your document along with you and show your document)," Lal said. 09.02.2020 LISTEN Police in the Ashanti Region has arrested one person in connection with the suspected murder of Ruth Ama Eshun, a nurse with the Sewua Health Center. The cause of the death, which has sparked outrage, is yet to be confirmed by police. Despite speculation, police are also yet to confirm if the deceased was raped before her death. Ruth Ama Eshun, who is a mother of three, was found dead at a secluded area close to her Ayoum new site residence in the Bosomtwi District. Relatives of Ruth Ama Eshun, who could not trace the whereabouts of the deceased after she closed from work on Monday, February 3, found her lifeless body a day later. Police were called in to convey the body which has now been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue. Investigators who visited the crime scene found a mobile phone which was suspected to belong to persons behind the suspected murderer. There has been a social media campaign by the members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association seeking justice for the deceased. The association has also called on police to intensify its investigations into the death. Red bands were tied at every corner of the Sewua Health Center where the late Nurse worked when Citi News visited the facility. The deceaseds husband, Kwadwo Arhin while narrating the incident to Citi News called for swift investigations into the matter. ---citinewsroom Manchester City's Premier League clash with West Ham was among major sporting events postponed on Sunday as storm Ciara battered the United Kingdom. Howling winds and driving rain have disrupted transport links with travellers advised only to make journeys if absolutely necessary. "Due to extreme and escalating weather conditions and in the interests of supporter and staff safety, today?s match has been postponed," City said in a statement. "This decision has been made by Manchester City?s Safety Officer following consultation with Club stakeholders and officials at West Ham United." The women's Six Nations clash between Scotland and England was also postponed. Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash between Scotland and England's men in Edinburgh had been marred by terrible conditions as England ran out 13-6 winners. The only other Premier League game of the day is due to go ahead as Sheffield United host Bournemouth. Manchester City's Premier League game with West Ham was called off due to a severe storm on Sunday Pakistan will hold an international conference to mark four decades of the presence of Afghan refugees in the country, according to an official statement. The conference "40 years of Afghan Refugees Presence in Pakistan: A New Partnership for Solidarity" would be held on February 17-18 in Islamabad, the Foreign Office (FO) said. The conference, which is being organised by Pakistan in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan and would see participants from around 20 countries, the statement said. "In addition, senior level participation is expected from United Nations, multilateral developments banks, civil society and private sector," the statement said. "The conference would be held at an important juncture as efforts on to consolidate peace in Afghanistan are making progress, the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Novaland one of the leading real estate developers has just sent a letter requesting help from the government and related ministries to break through difficulties for its 30-hectare project in District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City. More than 25 international banks, organisations, and financial institutions are financial partners to Novaland The letter that Novaland has sent to the government and relevant ministries, on one hand, requested pushing competent bodies to speed up reviewing procedures and support developers to continue their project as soon as possible, to stabilise their business. On the other hand, as the developer holding the biggest land fund currently, the request is a helping hand lent by Novaland to many other developers facing similar difficulties. The reaction from the government and local authorities will consolidate the belief of both domestic and international developers in the investment environment of Ho Chi Minh City. More than 25 international banks, organisations, and financial institutions are financial partners to Novaland. International institutional investments often come with very strict standards and are highly demanding. In many cases, these institutions not only pay attention to the quality of the assets when gauging the developers' abilities, but they have been carefully considering the developers' capacity and commitments. They stipulate many conditions on maximum ownership and key positions in the capital contribution and investment contracts. This clearly demonstrates their principles of "choosing the right partner" and there are only a handful of developers like Novaland who can tick all the boxes and live up to all standards set by international institutions. In return, the foreign capital from international financial institutions helps Novaland avoid the dependence on domestic credit sources, especially as the government is tightening credit poured into the real estate sector. Le Hoang Chau Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) has just submitted to the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission a proposal to create a more transparent, fair, and competitive business environment, citing a remarkable decline in the number of housing projects in Ho Chi Minh City in recent years. According to HoREA, between October 2015 and the end of 2018, there were 126 commercial housing projects stuck with investment procedures as they are located in a land fund that includes a mixture of plots earmarked for different land uses. In addition, 158 other real estate projects built on land managed by the state were halted and are being reviewed for compliance. The current difficulties of the Ho Chi Minh City real estate market were only temporary, caused by conflicts and overlapping legal frameworks and inadequate enforcement. According to experts, if the difficulties in procedures, policies, and mechanism related to the real estate sector are not solved quickly, not only Novaland but many other developers will face difficulties in implementing their projects. In the past two years, the HoREA has submitted many petitions and proposals to the government and local authorities to resolve these obstacles and help developers steer clear of the risk of bankruptcy and society to avoid the negative impacts. Chau added that the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City will meet with the HoREA and real estate developers to look for solutions for delayed projects next week. Based on these solutions, we can hope that the real estate market will be more stable towards the end of this year, Chau said. DES MOINES, IowaThe Iowa Democratic Party is reviewing roughly five per cent of the precincts in Mondays Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses after issuing a deadline for campaigns to offer data demonstrating inconsistencies with the partys results. In a statement Saturday, state party officials in their effort to clean up after Mondays reporting breakdown said they were reviewing campaign data from 95 of the 1,765 precinct caucuses and would issue any corrections to the final results by Monday. The party asked the campaigns to submit evidence of inconsistencies in the final results of Mondays caucuses, which ended in a near-tie of former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Iowas leadoff caucuses ended in disarray, after a technical problem and then a telephone logjam prevented the Iowa Democratic Party from compiling results until Thursday evening. In those figures, Buttigieg leads Sanders by two state delegate equivalents out of 2,152 counted. That is a margin of 0.09 percentage points. The Associated Press said Thursday it is unable to declare a winner based on the available information. The results as reported by the Iowa Democratic Party, the AP believes, may not be fully accurate. The party, which runs the contest, has given the campaigns until Monday to request a review of all the results. For 70 years, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its political departments the Jana Sangh (founded in 1951) and its successor the BJP (now in power) clamoured for the abrogation of Article 370 of Indias Constitution. That implies no more than its deletion from the Constitution. Designed to guarantee Kashmirs autonomy, it had been reduced to a husk by its co-architect Jawaharlal Nehru by the time he died in 1964. Article 370, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, was no ordinary provision. It reproduced a solemn compact negotiated over five long months, from May to October 1949, between Prime Minister Nehru and his deputy Vallabhbhai Patel on the one hand, and the Prime Minister of Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and his trusted colleague and brilliant lawyer Mirza Mohammed Afzal Beg on the other. What Prime Minister Narendra Modi did on August 5, 2019, went far beyond the abrogation of Article 370. It was the constitutional and political destruction of Kashmir. Not only was it robbed of its status and reduced to a Union territory, but its entire political landscape was also altered drastically. Measures are afoot to redraw its electoral constituencies, engineer defections in its two major political parties the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party, build up a new political front comprising the BJPs touts and flunkies, and give primacy to Jammu. The touts include two senior leaders of the PDP. The bulk was put in jail. The entire exercise was based on the calculation that Kashmirs leaders, press and political class would submit to the BJPs plans. An atmosphere of fear was created all over Kashmir. The assumption that all would eventually submit, resigned to their fate, has been belied. That it was entertained at all reflects the poor opinion BJP leaders have of Kashmiris. Politicians were not put in jail because they were about to commit any crime; far from it. They were incarcerated for fear that they would reject the BJP regimes sordid scheme and urge the people to do likewise. They were no terrorists. When in power as chief ministers, the PDP and NCs leaders fully cooperated with New Delhi in combating the armed insurgency. It is total, popular rejection of the BJPs scheme that prompted it to forcibly remove them from political activity. How long can this oppressive setup last? How long can those senior leaders be placed under these forced restraints? It is a habit of rulers to sound their detainees about their future plans. That is how New Delhi created rifts among jailed Hurriyat leaders about two decades ago. But a different ballgame is being played today. Kashmiris are being asked to become accomplices in the murder of the political identity of their own ancient historic land with its vibrant past, rich culture and a record of revolt over centuries since Emperor Akbar extinguished Kashmirs independence in 1586. Kashmiris never cease to invoke their history. They never will. The instrument that the BJP has deployed is of colonial vintage. The Criminal Procedure Code, 1898, itself had a hoary past. In 1973 it was revised but this new code is no better. Section 107 reads: When an executive magistrate receives information that any person is likely to commit a breach of the peace or disturb the public tranquillity or to do any wrongful act that may probably occasion [the same] and is of opinion that there is sufficient ground for proceeding, he may, in the manner hereinafter provided, require such person to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond, [with or without sureties] for keeping the peace for such period, not exceeding one year, as the magistrate thinks fit. Section 151 states: A police officer knowing of a design to commit any cognisable offence may arrest, without orders from a magistrate and without a warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officer that the commission of the offence cannot be otherwise prevented. On February 5, the imprisoned ones completed six months of detention. They have refused to sign the bonds. An official told the Tribune: The government can continue their detention beyond February 6 only after the advisory board recommends so. The J&K government detained nearly 6,000 political leaders after invoking Section 107 of the CrPC through its magistrates. Nearly 1,000 persons, including three former chief ministers, are still under detention under Section 107 of the CrPC and the Public Safety Act. Had the police detained political leaders or others under Section 151 of the CrPC, they would have all secured bail given the charges against them, said a police officer. That is why this British-era law of Section 107 came in handy this time, he revealed. The plans do not reckon with public opinion, in Kashmir or elsewhere. As ill thought as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the scheme of August 5, 2019, will hoist the Narendra Modi government firmly on its own petard. By arrangement with Dawn WFH for Private offices in Delhi, restaurants & bars to be shut as Omicron-led to sudden rise in Covid cases Lata Mangeshkar admitted to ICU in Mumbai Hospital after testing positive for Covid Coronavirus: PM Modi writes to Xi Jinping, offers assistance India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Feb 09: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a letter to President Xi Jinping, expressing India's solidarity with people of China over Coronavirus outbreak. In the letter, the Prime Minister condoled the lives lost due to the coronavirus outbreak in China and offered India's assistance to deal with the situation. PM Modi also thanked Xi for offering assistance in the evacuation of Indians from China's Hubei province. "PM Modi offered India's assistance to China to face the challenge, besides conveying condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak," official sources, quoted by news agency PTI, said. The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has sharply risen to 803 with 86 new mortalities in a single day, mostly in the worst-affected Hubei province, while the total number of confirmed cases jumped to 37,000, Chinese health officials said. Among the deaths, 81 are in Hubei province and its provincial capital Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, two in Heilongjiang, as well as one in Beijing, Henan and Gansu, the commission said. By Guy Faulconbridge and Kylie MacLellan LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The United Kingdom leaves the European Union on Friday, its most significant change of course since the loss of its empire - and a major blow to 70 years of efforts to forge European unity from the ruins of two world wars. As the EU's most reluctant member prepared to cast off an hour before midnight, Brussels warned that leaving would always be worse than staying, while Britons either side of the Brexit divide expressed either sadness or delight. After the numerous twists and turns of a 3-1/2-year crisis, the final parting is an anticlimax of sorts: Britain steps into the twilight zone of a transition period that preserves membership in all but name until the end of this year. At a stroke, the EU will lose 15% of its economy, its biggest military spender and the world's international financial capital - London. Prime Minister Boris Johnson planned to celebrate with English sparkling wine and a distinctly British array of canapes including Shropshire blue cheese and Yorkshire puddings with beef and horseradish. "This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act," said Johnson, one of the leaders of the "Leave" campaign in the 2016 referendum. "It is a moment of real national renewal and change." Beyond the symbolism of the Union Jack flag being lowered in Brussels after 47 years, little will actually change until the end of 2020, by which time Johnson has promised to strike a broad free trade agreement with the EU, the world's biggest trading bloc. 'LET'S HOPE IT'S A SUCCESS' The EU cautioned that leaving meant losing the benefits of membership, though the United States said Britons wanted to escape the "tyranny of Brussels". For proponents, Brexit is "independence day" - an escape from what they cast as a doomed German-dominated project that is failing its 500 million people. "I voted to leave," said Mark Campbell, a 52-year-old writer. "Let's hope it's a success. I mean, also, 50 years is nothing." Opponents believe Brexit is a folly that will weaken the West, shrivel what is left of Britain's global clout, undermine its economy and ultimately lead to a more inward-looking and less cosmopolitan set of islands in the northern Atlantic. Story continues "It's a very sad day," said Roger Olsen, a 63-year-old engineer. "I think it is a disaster. An absolutely wrong thing. And I think time will prove that we have taken the wrong course." Brexit was always about much more than Europe. The referendum, which split voters 52% to 48%, showed up deep divisions and triggered soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to empire and modern Britishness. So severe was the Brexit meltdown that allies and investors were left astonished by a country that for decades had seemed a confident pillar of Western stability. DISUNITED KINGDOM At home, Brexit has tested the ties that bind the United Kingdom: England and Wales voted to leave the bloc but Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay. Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, used the moment to demand a second independence referendum. A poll on Thursday suggesting a slim majority of Scots would now back a split because of Brexit. So on "Brexit Day", some Britons will celebrate and some will weep -- but many will do neither. Many are simply happy that years of political wrangling about the divorce are over. "To be honest, I think it's been going on for so long now, I just wanted to see it done with," said Lee Stokes, a 44-year-old project manager. Brexiteers hope departure will herald democratic and economic reforms to reshape Britain and propel it ahead of its European rivals, which they say are chained to a doomed single currency. Supporters of membership say Britain will atrophy and have little option but to cosy up to U.S. President Donald Trump. A Times newspaper cartoon had Johnson leaping out of the EU frying pan into the fire of Trump's orange hair. "Britains place in the world will change," said outgoing opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. "The question is what direction we now take." Across the EU, citizens bade farewell with sorrow or hope of a return, but also some support for Brexit - especially in Greece and Poland. Johnson was chairing a cabinet meeting in Sunderland, the first city to declare a majority of votes for leaving the EU. Brexiteers will celebrate on Parliament Square. A Union Jack in the building of the European Council in Brussels will be lowered at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Friday, and put away with the flags of non-EU countries. "We should have done it a long time ago," said Helen Brown, 50, in Dagenham, east London. "I'm glad Boris has finally pulled his finger out. It will be tough at first. But I think it will be good for the country in the long run." (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Additional reporting by Kylie MacLellan and Andrew MacAskill in London; John Chalmers and Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; Editing by Kevin Liffey) by For this weekends Wall Street Journal I have written an impassioned encomium for William Dawsons thrilling Negro Folk Symphony of 1934 still (alas) buried treasure: William Dawson In 1926 the African-American poet Langston Hughes wrote a seminal Harlem Renaissance essay, The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain. The mountain standing in the way of any true Negro art in America, he declared, was an urge toward whiteness, a desire to pour racial individuality into the mold of American standardization, and to be as little Negro and as much American as possible. Hughes cited, as an antidote, the eternal tom-tom beating in the Negro soul: jazz and the blues. Truly, Americas protean black musical mother lode has found expression in popular genres of its own inventionnot string quartets, symphonies and operas. Nevertheless, a concurrent black classical music was pursueda buried history today being exhumed. The notable interwar black symphonists comprise a short list of three: William Grant Still, Florence Price and William Levi Dawson. Their failure to excite attention was partly a consequence of institutional bias: African-Americans did not play in major American orchestras or conduct them. And there was also a pertinent aesthetic bias: The reigning modernist idiom was streamlined and clean, inhospitable to vernacular grit. It projected a sanitized America. Over the past decade, both Still and Price have acquired new prominence. But the buried treasure is Dawsons Negro Folk Symphony of 1934, whose three movements chart an ascendant racial odyssey. They notably embed such spirituals as O Lemme Shine. A heraldic horn call, symbolically linking Africa and America, binds the whole. Dawson (1899-1990), then 35 years old, had since 1931 led the Tuskegee Institute Choir. He had never before attempted a symphony. The Negro Folk Symphony is anchored by its central slow movement, Hope in the Night. It begins with a dolorous English horn tune set atop a parched pizzicato accompaniment: a melody, Dawson writes in a program note, that describes the characteristics, hopes, and longings of a Folk held in darkness. A weary journey into the light ensues. Its eventual climax is punctuated by a clamor of chimes: chains of servitude. Finally, three gong strokes that prefaced the movementthe Trinity, says Dawson, who guides forever the destiny of manare amplified by a seismic throb of chimes, timpani and strings. If the symphonys governing mold is European and (as Hughes put it) standardized, its energies remain uninhibited. Its lightning physicality of gestureat one point, the music is intended to suggest rhythmic clapping of hands and patting of feetexudes spontaneity, even improvisation. Dawson seizes the humor, pathos and tragedy of the sorrow songs of the cottonfield with an oracular vehemence. The best-known roughly contemporaneous American symphonies are the Third Symphonies of Aaron Copland and Roy Harris: leaner works favoring a modernist decorum. Dawsons symphony, in comparison, exudes a wild folk energy driven by an exigent cause. Notwithstanding its present obscurity, Dawsons symphony received a galvanizing premiere by Leopold Stokowski and his Philadelphia Orchestra in 1934. Speaking from the stage, Stokowski called it a wonderful development. He also broadcast the symphony nationally, and took it to Carnegie Hall. Both in New York and Philadelphia, the young composer was repeatedly called to the stage. Far more remarkable is that Hope in the Night, with its culminating three-fold groundswell, ignited an ovation midway through every performance. Leonard Liebling of the New York American hailed Dawsons symphony as the most distinctive and promising American symphonic proclamation which has so far been achieved. Its most ardent admirers included W.E.B. DuBoiss future wife, Shirley Graham, who wrote to Dawson of her joy and pride. As the music historian Gwynne Kuhner Brown has pointed out, the tumultuous approbation the Negro Folk Symphony received from critics and audiences alike set it apartnot only from contemporaneous works by African-Americans, but also from most new classical music of the period. After that, the Negro Folk Symphony disappeared from view. Stokowski returned to the work in 1963, recording it with his American Symphony. Neeme Jarvi recorded it with the Detroit Symphony 31 years later. But performances and recordings of consequence remain few and far between. The vital question becomes: What if? Dawson became a leading arranger of black spirituals, an honored eminence grise. But he had hoped to write a series of symphonies. He had hoped to conduct orchestras. Antonin Dvorak, teaching in New York in 1893, famously and controversially predicted that a great and noble school of American classical music would arise from the Negro melodies he adored. His African-American assistant, Harry Burleigh, turned spirituals into concert songs with electrifying success beginning in 1913. George Gershwin, in 1935, produced an opera saturated with the influence of Negro melodies: Porgy and Bess, arguably the highest creative achievement in American classical music (and this seasons smash hit at the Metropolitan Opera). No less than Dawsons symphony, these lonely exampleshowever anathema to Langston Hughess famous admonitionsuggest that Dvorak did not overestimate the music of black Americans. Rather, he overestimated America. To read a pertinent essay on black classical music, click here. BART officials are hoping a new ambassador program launching next week will provide riders with a sense of added security and help curb inappropriate behavior aboard trains. Starting Monday, 10 BART Ambassadors wearing distinct uniforms will walk trains in teams of two along the agency's busiest routes, BART officials said. The six-month pilot ambassador program will cost the transit agency $690,000 and was approved last month in response to concerns about safety aboard trains. The ambassadors were recruited from the ranks of BART's police community service officers. They completed de-escalation and anti-bias training on Friday, BART officials said. "This team will be police employees and trained to provide a sense of safety and security for our riders on-board trains and deter crime," BART Police Chief Ed Alvarez said in January after the BART Board of Directors approved the program. The unarmed ambassadors will ride trains from 2 p.m. to midnight seven days a week, with extra coverage on Saturdays. The program will focus on the most heavily traveled route -- the transbay corridor between the 12th Street Oakland and San Francisco Civic Center stations. During the busy evening commute, the ambassadors will walk trains on other portions of BART routes, including Oakland Coliseum to Union City, and Walnut Creek to Pittsburg/Bay Point. The ambassadors are trained to answer riders' questions and will have radios to report security issues and biohazards. When police are needed, the ambassadors will call an officer, BART officials said. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. The Himachal Pradesh Police have arrested a Nigerian who was living in the country for the last six years without valid travel documents. The man was also involved in drug peddling, police said. The man, Henry Onuchuw, was detained from Delhi on Saturday and brought to Kullu on Sunday. Onuchuw has been living in India for the last six years without a passport and visa. He used to supply drugs to the local youth in Kullu, according to police. Kullu Superintendent of Police (SP) Gaurav Singh said: "He was arrested based on the inputs provided by a local youth named Nesh Ram, who was arrested on Wednesday with 10.5 grams of heroin. Nesh Ram took us to the Nigerian man who had sold the narcotic to Nesh Ram." A case has been registered against the arrested Nigerian person under Section 29 of NDPS and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act. In the last two months, 10 foreign nationals have been arrested in drug cases under the NDPS Act in Himachal Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Micheal Martin went into Saturdays election shunning Sinn Fein. As the cost of a campaign that misfit the public mood was counted today he recalibrated, slightly. He spoke of electoral volatility and the continuing fragmentation of national politics. Asked what he would do, he told RTEs Aine Lawlor he "would put the country first". Making clear that a fuller assessment awaited the declaration of results, the old fire and brimstone on Sinn Fein markedly absent. Fianna Fail prepared for a different election than the one that materialised. The centre would hold and grow. The 50% of the vote fought over with Fine Gael in 2016 was a nadir. Economic recovery nationally, and recovery politically as the party demonstrated qualities of substance and leadership through confidence and supply, would position it to challenge Fine Gael for a larger share, of a larger centre. The virulence of the attack on Sinn Fein was twofold: Firstly, it was based on real concern about wheels within wheels in that party and who exactly was turning them Secondly, it was what in political bunkers is called 'prebuttal' this is proactive attack on an issue you expect to be attacked on Fianna Fail knew it was vulnerable in that tidal estuary of the middle class between it and Fine Gael on the accusation that it would do a deal with Sinn Fein. Those attacks arrived. Fine Gael used the accusation of collusion as a contrast with its own supposed steadfastness and principles. Arguably the din of the two beating up on Mary Lou, did her a service. Her exclusion from debates between Varadkar and Martin only, allowed her to emphasis her change credentials. The personal popularity of the two declined during the campaign. What they did, delivered for nobody except Sinn Fein. This is a deeply disappointing election result for Fianna Fail. In advance of declarations, but after the Ipsos MRBI poll, fewer votes and Dail seats are certain. Saturdays vote upends a narrative of recovery for the party begin after the local and European elections in 2014. The consequences are far bigger than the detail. If the Sinn Fein surge solidifies there is another threat, more insidious than the economic crash, to its relevance. For Fianna Fail, Fine Gael is competition for a band of voters between the two. Sinn Fein is now an alternative to itself. It was to be so different. Martin showed steel and stamina few credited him with. In Irish political terms his recovery from 2011 2020 is unequalled in scale and in fact far outstrips the comeback of his early mentor Charlie Haughey between the Arms Trial in 1970 and his becoming Taoiseach in 1979. Martins strategy underpinned determination to keep Leo Varadkar in office for as long as possible. He stood up to parts of his own party on that and much else. He succeeded in part. Varadkars own surge since becoming Taoiseach in 2017 has long since subsided. But what beset his opponent contaminated Martin. Unseen, unheard and unanticipated until too late, a Sinn Fein wave galvanised around a single unanswerable theme of change. What it means and delivers is for the future. But the electoral consequence is already Fianna Fails recent past. All options that exclude both Sinn Fein and Fine Gael, Martins stated strategy, are likely inoperable. Dealing with either requires a u-turn of gobsmacking proportions. One sensed a taut, controlled Martin, was wrestling yesterday less with his conscience than with urgent necessity. One necessity is to lead-on. He is on the cusp of Houdini-like success, albeit under terms and conditions he abhors. Failure to find a way through means an end for his leadership. Talk to the contrary is blather. His lifes work politically has crystallised into this conundrum. The biggest issue for Fianna Fail is cultural. It is not in step with the times. Another take on the same thing is that in a fragmenting society, it can no longer catch-all. Its preponderance over Celtic Tiger Ireland was an Indian summer. The country was changing fundamentally but the political architecture remained intact for so long as the boom lasted. The crash was not just political realignment. It was a belated cultural reset. Fianna Fail has never reconnected with urban Ireland or made a connection with the young who lead fundamentally different lives. The stand-out stat in the Ipsos MRBI poll was that with the exception of Aontu, Fianna Fails single outstanding lead among any population cohort is among regular mass goers. Thats good, and those people dont deserve Varadkars denigration. But if thats the highpoint of your political base, you have a problem. Fianna Fail got 44 seats in 2016. It was a great result on the day. But it hasnt delivered thought leadership or vision that resonates, however. Many spokespersons are competent. Few inspire or set fire. The party believed that workmanlike reliability would be asked for and rewarded by the electorate. It wasnt. The party became a version of continuity. The people wanted change. The imperative now is to give it to them. The worst of all worlds for Fianna Fail is revival of any duopoly with Fine Gael. It is for Martin to get himself out of the corner he painted himself into on Sinn Fein. I have a sense that Fine Gael wants to see Fianna Fail stew in its juices. Martin must cut the knot. He can reconfigure the conversation by answering the call for change and offer a government for one budget, and one year, to lead Ireland through the trade talks. It would be a national government. It would have specific, limited objectives. It would consist of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein. The spectre of Jagannath Sarkar, one of the finest Marxist leaders in India, haunts the troubled state of Bihar, which awaits a crucial election between October 8 and November 5. During his stewardship in the late 1960s, the Communist Part of India (CPI) became the most powerful Left party in the state. Unfortunately, the CPI leaders today as also their counterparts in the CPI(ML) Liberation and CPI(M) do not wage a social jihad against the privileged castes that own and control the property and also torture the underprivileged masses. With the RSS calling the shots, especially in the Hindi belt, the cobra-hold of extremely in-egalitarian property relations in Bihar is stronger than ever, thanks to the decimation of the three official Left parties. Democratic forces and civil rights organisations need to emerge and lend support to chief minister Nitish Kumar to halt saffron politics. Kumar showed the courage to set up a one-man committee for agrarian reforms, under chairmanship of D Bandyopadhyay, but shelved the report and its recommendations. So the Lefts criticism of Kumars back-down in implementing the recommendations of the Bandyopadhyay committee was conscientious but not in sync with the socio-politically nebulous nature of the BIMARU state. True, the top brass of the JD(U), like the once-powerful Samyukta Socialist Party, have no interest in establishing democratic solidarity based on social justice. Instead, its purpose was to strengthen its mass base by inciting cattiest passion against forward castes, observed Sarkar in a note to his partys national council in 1998 on the reasons for the vertical decline of the CPIs masses in Bihar from the early 1980s. Yet Kumar tried to chart a new governance that the Left parties never studied dispassionately. They never appreciated steps such as curbing of criminal raj (life imprisonment for nearly 6,000 criminals and death sentence for over 80) between 2006 and 2008. Laws such as the Bihar Special Court Act, 2008, empowering the state to seize the assets of public servants proved to possess disproportionate assets and mandatory utilisation of forfeited assets for primary or secondary schools, and the Right to Service Act,2008, to end red-tapism in the issuance of caste certificates, birth and death registration, are of no value to them. These laws were never thought by the CPI(M)-led governments in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura. All this is simply parliamentary opportunism thriving on negative politics. CPI(M) polit bureau-member Brinda Karat looks forward to a strong political and electoral intervention as the Left parties have been fighting on peoples issues in Bihar since long in contrast to other alliances implying that the JD(U)-RJD-Congress combine has no ideology and are fighting on seat-sharing issues. She reflects her obsession with vacuous conceit, evading the reality of the alienation of the Left from the upper-caste-oppressed people in chill penury. For elite-brand leaders like her, Ravidas, Kanu, Lohar, Paswan and Dusadh are Greek. Little wonder that out of the over 100 candidates fielded by the Left parties in the last assembly polls, only one seat was won and that too by the CPI. They refuse to learn the lesson, excepting a showbiz self-critique that has no impact on the electorate. Sankar Ray is a Kolkata-based writer. The views expressed are personal. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Giving a voice to rural and frontier communities is the idea behind a bill sponsored by state Sen. Roberto Bobby Gonzales, D-Rancho de Taos. The bill calls for a rural equity ombud to be designated within the state Department of Finance and Administration. It currently is in the Senate Committees Committee and must also pass through the Public Affairs Committee, as well as the Senate Finance Committee. This is actually year four of working in this direction trying to get more equity for frontier and rural communities in New Mexico, said activist Carol Miller of Ojo Sarco, who has been working with a coalition of organizations advocating for just such a state slot. Were calling for the state to start trying to make itself more accommodating to the smaller communities. The bill does not call for additional staffing, only that an existing staff person within the finance and administration department take on the role. Gonzales, a former state representative who was appointed to the District 6 senate seat in December following the death of Sen. Carlos Cisneros, did not respond to repeated requests for comment on the bill. But Miller, who three times ran unsuccessfully for public office, said it is an important step for organizations trying to help rural residents. We are in an exciting time to have an advocate in state government, she said. Its not for individuals. Its to take and resolve complaints from agencies and organizations. The hope is as they are documented and fall into certain kinds of categories, they will be able to proactively work toward solutions. Too often, Miller said, state government does not get a clear picture of the issues facing rural residents. With a central point of contact, we can develop positive information about the laws and regulations that are intentionally or unintentionally biased against rural residents, she said. This will help in distributing resources more equitably around the state. Under the bills guidelines, it will provide planning assistance to the state and counties to ensure that concerns of residents of rural and frontier communities are being addressed as part of the states or a countys planning processes in health; human services; educational services; economic development; infrastructure planning, funding and improvements, including water and wastewater, utilities, roads and highways, broadband and other infrastructure; public safety; transportation; land use and land development; tourism; energy; natural resource management, including game and fish resources; community development block grant projects; and state or local planning in conjunction with federal agencies and funding. It would also help create a way to impact future legislation affecting those communities by providing bill analyses and testimony to the legislature on legislation that positively or negatively affects rural and frontier communities. Miller, who is best known for her advocacy of community health care in New Mexico, said shes realized that it all tied together. A number of years ago, I had switched my focus to more economic development, she said. Communities that had more (economic) resources had more health care. Throughout the state, there are many areas that have no local economy whatsoever. How are we going to start bringing the whole state up? Last year, a bipartisan Senate joint memorial to convene a working group to identity challenges of the frontier and rural communities was included in the state budget with support from all corners of the state, but was a line-item-veto casualty. However, a coalition formed out of that effort, bringing together the New Mexico Association of Regional Councils as an umbrella organization to oversee the continued push for rural advocacy at the state level. Since (the) last session, weve had ongoing meetings and one of the options to consider, which was favored by many people, was trying to put together one central place in state government that agencies and organizations could share problems in accessing state resources, Miller said. Among the issues facing rural and frontier communities is the wide diversity of those very communities, she said. Were hopeful this will pass this year, she said. Part of the problem is our state is so diverse, and isolated and small communities needs are different from location to location. That diversity can be a strength and a weakness, Miller said. It doesnt take a very long drive in New Mexico to have it sink in that there are some communities doing quite well, but there are many which are not, she said. We can prevent that if we can build up and make our kids proud of all of our communities; it will help with a lot of social problems after the fact. She said its the type of move that could set New Mexico up as a leader in this area. Its kind of exciting, Miller said. Im not aware of other states having ombuds to collect problems that communities face. At our working group, we studied things other states are doing. There are some real concerns, like lack of investment and disinvestment in unincorporated areas and small incorporated areas. This is a case of which were really proud. If this passes, and Im optimistic that this will pass, it will be a place for New Mexico to provide leadership, not only in our state, but also in other states that are struggling with these kinds of issues. However, these crises are a reflection of the societys wrath against the ruling system and the highest official, being the supreme leader. These days, and after Khamenei himself ordered the bloody crackdown against the 2019 November protests, public hatred has spiked against Khameneis regime in its entirety. The Root of All Internal and External Crises of the Iranian Regime According to the Iranian regimes constitution, the Islamic Republic is summarized in the principle of Velayat-e Faqih [the supreme leader] and who currently holds this position, being Ali Khamenei. In this respect, the supreme leader directly involves himself in all crucial issues of the country. In addition, he is responsible for all stalemates and collapses that Iran is engulfed in. In recent years, frequent protests proved that socioeconomic and sociopolitical problems have culminated to a point of no return. Authorities remarks and state-run medias talking points underline this truth. Notably, a new round of infighting among different factions has begun given the remaining period to the scheduled parliamentary elections. On the other hand, widespread disqualification of current members of parliament and rival candidates by the Khamenei-controlled Guardian Council directed internal crises into Khameneis destabilized role and function even among his supporters. Ambiguity, Doubt, and Concerns about the Regimes Future On January 23, former deputy interior minister Mostafa Tajzadeh referred the countrys current problems to the structure of the constitution and the Velayat-e Faqih principle. The velayat-e Faqih should not have been included in the constitution, he said in a session titled Was the Islamic Republic inevitable? Afterward, Tajzadeh compared the regimes state with a person who suffers from an acute decease. When every wise man realizes that he cannot survive without surgery, he accepts the operation The fact is [our] system has arrived at a [irreversible] point out that it cannot continue without major surgeries. The most important surgery is reforming the constitution, he added. I believe that we should tell the people that if we dont correct our constitution after the passing of 40 years, our problems wont be resolved. This is more important than our participation or non-participation in the next parliament, Tajzadeh continued as other prominent leaders of the so-called reformist movement made similar remarks in the same session. In response, pro-Khamenei factions directed official websites and state-run T.V. networks to defend Khameneis authority. However, the intensity and increase of this argument show that the supreme leader has become the focal point of infighting among different regime sectors. Not defending [the supreme leader] is the first sign of political hypocrisy The second sign is insulting him, Hossein Rashidian said specifically in the Friday prayer sermon of January 24 while acknowledging defection among Khameneis supporters and insults targeting him. Additionally, state-run T.V. broadcasted a televised program displaying several clerics hatred against Khamenei. Several clerics dont defend the leadership and claim, I dont have an appropriate qualification, Elahirad said in the mentioned televised program. Subsequently, he tried to justify Khameneis silence toward the crucial problems in society like skyrocketing prices, unemployment, and other impasses. They ask, why doesnt Khamenei engage [in crucial issues]? If the leadership engaged in each issue, dont people say, you are dictators? he said. The fact is that the Iranian regime, after 40 years of crimes and corruption, has failed in all strategic capacity and under the pressures of the people and their rightful demands on the one hand, and international pressures on the other to abide by global regulations deals with a complex dilemma. It should make key decisions about the fate of the religious dictatorship. However, in any path, the continuation of the peoples demonstrations, which revived in January once again even after killing 1,500 protesters during the November protests, demonstrates the real desire of the Iranian population who will not accept anything less than the toppling of the entire regime. The textile industry suffers from a shortage of raw materials since they are mostly imported from China, which is reeling under the coronavirus epidemic. Face mask production by TNG Investment and Trade Co in Thai Nguyen Province. Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), said the textile and apparel industry mainly depends on the import of raw materials from China. Cao Huu Hieu, general deputy director of Viet Nam National Garment and Textile Group (Vinatex), said the Chinese Government had ordered the companies making the raw materials to close and stop foreign trade. Viet Nams textile and apparel companies only have enough raw materials to produce this month. VITAS said to minimise the negative impacts, businesses need to discuss the issue with their customers, look for raw materials at home or in other countries and ensure continued production. It also asked businesses to closely monitor the epidemic situation in China and other countries. According to the General Statistics Office, textile and garment exports in the first month of 2020 dropped by 21 per cent year-on-year to US$2.6 billion and imports of raw materials from China were down 7.1 per cent to $6.2 billion. The rubber industry too faces a shortage of raw materials since 70 per cent is imported from China, Nguyen Quoc Anh, chairman of the HCM City Rubber-Plastic Manufacturers Association, said. If by March Chinese partners are still not able to resume supply, businesses have to import from Japan and South Korea at 15-20 per cent higher prices, he added. The coronavirus has spread to many cities in China and 26 other countries and territories after being first detected in Wuhan city in December. As of 7am yesterday, the epidemic had claimed 565 lives and infected 28,276 people in 27 countries and territories. Viet Nam has 12 confirmed cases. VNS Vietnam gives scenarios for economic growth amid the impact of coronavirus The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has submitted two scenarios for economic growth this year to the Government, as the country faces the impact of coronavirus in China, one Viet Nams biggest trade partners. A group of men allegedly molested students after gatecrashing a college fest in Delhi University's south campus, according to college students. Some of the students took to Instagram to narrate their unpleasant experiences during the fest at the all-women Gargi College on February 6 and alleged that the security personnel did nothing to control the unruly groups. The students have planned a protest inside the college on Monday. The college principal, Promila Kumar, remained unavailable for comment. Police said they have not received any PCR or other complaint in the matter either from the students or the college authorities. Many students on the page, 'speakupgargi', blamed the college union and the administration for "failing" to protect students and even demanded the resignation of the college principal. A student, in an Instagram post, said, "The college fest was a traumatic experience. I was guarded by two male friends at the fest. But unfortunately lost them in the sea of men at the fest. In merely those 10 minutes, I was groped thrice by a group of men and when I realised what had happened, they laughed in my face." Another student shared on the Instagram page that two women students had panic attacks due to "harassment" they faced. A first-year student claimed that a group of "five middle aged, drunk men cornered her and " tried to molest her" and there were men inside the crowd who were smoking weed. A student, requesting anonymity, said, "The students' union will be taking up the matter with the college administration on Monday. During the fest, the police and bouncers were present and were informed that there was overcrowding but they did not do anything to manage the crowd." In a statement, the Left-backed Democratic Students' Federation (DSF) said, "Thursday saw the Gargi annual fest, Reverie happen in the college premises where the deliberate negligence on the part of the administration and the security led to a situation where a score of inebriated men were allowed to enter the campus and grope and harass the students."The outfit claimed students have also said these men were shouting "Jai Sri Ram" and holding saffron flags. The DSF also compared the incident to recent violence at the Jamia Millia Islamic and the Jawaharlal Nehru University. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- To help underserved children at Staten Island schools, a local non-profit is working to fill backpacks for children who face food scarcity on weekends, holidays, snow days and other school vacation days. The Staten Island Giving Circle, which was founded in 2008 with a mission to assist underserved children, senior citizens, military and the homeless -- began its Weekend Food Backpack Program in the 2018-2019 school year. We started getting calls from the schools indicating that there were children who were really food deprived over the weekends and holidays and snow days and so forth -- anytime that cafeterias are closed, said Staten Island Giving Circle founder Evelyn Kormanik. The program now exists in these four Staten Island public schools: PS 57, Clifton; PS 31, New Brighton; PS 21, Elm Park; and PS 74, Tompkinsville. And it helps about 10 to 12 students at each school, according to Kormanik. The idea came about when Kormaniks niece, who is a principal in upstate New York, began a weekend backpack program -- and Giving Circle founder thought the initiative would work for students on Staten Island. Each weekend, students receive enough food for two days. Items include granola bars, cereal and other non-perishable and pantry goods. Kormanik explained that the Staten Island Giving Circle shops online at Stop & Shop and has the grocery stores delivery service, Peapod, deliver the food to each school. Staff at the school and student volunteers then pack the backpacks. In return, the young volunteers receive community service credits. We started getting calls from the schools indicating that there were children who were really food deprived over the weekends and holidays and snow days and so forth -- anytime that cafeterias are closed, said Staten Island Giving Circle founder Evelyn Kormanik. (Courtesy/Michele Yacovello) While it receives grants from local organizations and donations from private donors, the Staten Island Giving Circle said additional donations are needed to renew the program each school year. More funds could also help expand the program to more schools or increase the number of kids benefitting from the program in existing schools. The cost to run the program is $125 per week at each school. Unfortunately, we have a waiting list because these other schools keep calling us, said Kormanik. But we have to wait for funding, so I keep asking for grants and so forth. The Carl V Bini Memorial Fund and the South Shore Rotary Club have both provided funding to the program. Kormanik said she hopes to expand the program to more students in each school and to other schools in need on the borough. I believe the whole community should be involved, because you know, who knew in Staten Island, its relatively prosperous, but we have all these pockets of kids, she said. Some of these kids are really in dire situations. But food is the biggest issue." The Staten Island Giving Circle holds meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Old Bermuda Inn, Rossville. For those who are looking to donate or are interested in learning more about the program, you can contact the Staten Island Giving Circle at its website, https://www.statenislandgivingcircle.org/contact/. SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS If you have a Good News story to share: Email it to goodnews@siadvance.com Or mail it the old fashioned way to the Good News Editor at the Staten Island Advance, 950 Fingerboard Rd., S.I., N.Y. 10305. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. " " Auto tech Becky McInnis reinstalls an airbag after changing the inflator module on a 2003 Toyota Tundra. John Patriquin/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images A recall occurs when a manufacturing defect or quality issue becomes apparent in a product. To qualify as a recall, the flaw in the product has to be a safety issue for its users, and it can be caused by any part of the product, or by the way the product has been designed or put together. Children's toys and contaminated food are two commonly recalled categories. So, cars aren't the only products that get recalled, but the severity of a recall on a popular car model means that it'll probably be in the news a lot. Depending on how an auto manufacturer chooses to handle a recall situation, the company can come out looking like a hero, or a villain. In short, it's true that auto manufacturers can often ignore a known defect for a while. But that doesn't mean they'll get away with it forever. Let's explain. A car manufacturer usually, but not always, becomes aware of a quality control problem fairly quickly. Generally, people come into the dealerships' service centers with similar mysterious symptoms. Once the data starts to pile up, the car company takes a look at the situation and tries to figure out what went wrong, and how to fix it. Then, they have two choices: they can issue a voluntary recall, alerting owners of the affected cars to go to their nearest dealership and have it fixed for free. Or, they can hope the problem just goes away. Advertisement The problem never really goes away. Instead, the government steps in. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the government agency that keeps an eye on automotive quality and safety issues. If you own a car with what you believe is a safety-related defect and you think the people at your dealership's service center aren't taking it seriously, the next step is to contact the NHTSA. The NHTSA looks at every single complaint they receive, but there's no set criteria for a full investigation; it's taken on a case-by-case basis. The more complaints the NHTSA receives about a specific issue, though, the more likely they are to investigate. If the NHTSA discovers that the car doesn't meet minimum federal safety standards, or that there is a safety flaw related to the car's manufacturing, the government can force the car company to issue a recall. So why would an auto manufacturer come forth and issue a voluntary recall if there was a chance they could get away with it? After all, automotive recalls are so common that most people don't dwell on them [source: Gorzelany]. It's because it's in the manufacturer's best interest to get defective cars off the road and fixed before they cause crashes, injuries or deaths. And if the government discovers that the manufacturer tried to hide the flaws or was otherwise dishonest about recall-worthy safety issues, the company can face criminal charges, hefty fines and tons of unflattering headlines. Some might say love is a myth, while others may think like Joan Baez that love is just a four letter word. But there is no denying the fact that Valentines Day, dedicated to the feelings of the heart, is perhaps one of the most widely celebrated occasions around the world. A day which sees red roses, chocolates, and stuffed toys bearing (often) melodramatic messages brightening up young souls as the winter gloom gives way to spring. It is not bereft of myths and legends surrounding it. February 14 The Victorians may have popularised it, but the concept of Valentines Day is far older and traces its origins back to ancient Rome. The Romans celebrated a drunken festival called Lupercalia in mid-February, which involved hitting women with the hide of a sacrificial goat -- all in the hopes of raising their fertility. Not too romantic is it? The creator of the Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer spoke about the day in his 14th-century poem Parlement of Foules, which is considered to be one of the earliest references to Valentines Day. Cupid The rosy-cheeked Roman god of love is perhaps one of the most popular Valentines Day iconography. But the figure of Cupid is far from cherubic in classical mythology. In Roman myths, Cupid is defined by his seductive prowess and in later adaptations, he is shown as a malicious figure who exploits desire to draw people into the world of vice. In Greek myths, Eros is the god love. He is one of the primordial gods who came into existence asexually; and wielded power over god and mortal alike. B0849MY5MT Greeting cards Yes, the Victorians popularised it by exchanging tokens of love and the tradition really took off with the improvement of postal services. The concept of a day dedicated to love was not started by them. In 1797, a British publisher issued a book that contained sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own. Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories as well. B07N2F79N3 Saint Valentine It is only normal that people associate St Valentine with Valentines Day, but did you know that the Catholic Church recognises at least three different saints with the same name, all of whom were martyred. One of these legends surrounds Roman Emperor Claudius II. The ruler from third-century decided that single men made better soldiers than those with families and outlawed marriages. Valentine, who was a priest with the emperor, realised the injustice of the decree and defied the emperor to conduct secret marriages. When Valentines actions were discovered, Claudius ordered him to be killed. Others believe that the person was Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop who too was beheaded by Claudius II. Single means miserable Companionship has often been linked to long-lasting happiness. But is it true? In the book Happy Singlehood: The Rising Acceptance and Celebration of Solo Living by Hebrew University researcher Elyakim Kislev, he says that singles are not a minority and are far better positioned to realise happiness and fulfillment in their lives. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A fourth patient has tested positive for coronavirus in the UK after being infected in France by another British case. They are being treated at the Royal Free Hospital in Camden, north London, marking the first person suffering the killer infection in the capital. The victim caught the virus in France from a previously confirmed UK patient, believed to be the British man under quarantine in Brighton who recently returned from a four-day trip to the Alpine ski resort of Contamines-Montjoie near Mont Blanc. This Brighton man became the third case on UK soil, joining two Chinese nationals quarantined in York. Health officials are now scrambling to track down anyone who came into contact with these UK cases to squash the spread of the highly-contagious virus. Professor Whitty said: 'A further patient has tested positive for novel coronavirus in England, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to four. They are being treated at the Royal Free Hospital in Camden, north London, marking the first case of the killer infection in the capital Coronavirus: Key infection numbers How many cases are there in Britain? Four. Two Chinese nationals in York, one British man in Brighton and fourth patient in London. How many Britons have been infected? Eight confirmed. The man in Brighton, five in France, one in Japan and a father in Majorca. How many have been infected worldwide? The number of worldwide infections has surpassed 37,000 and the global death toll has spiked to 813, with all but two in China. Advertisement 'The new case is a known contact of a previously confirmed UK case, and the virus was passed on in France. 'Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. 'They successfully identified this individual and ensured the appropriate support was provided. 'The patient has been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at The Royal Free Hospital, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus. 'The NHS is extremely well prepared to manage these cases and treat them, and we are working quickly to identify any further contacts the patient has had. This patient followed NHS advice by self-isolating rather than going to A&E.' The nationality of the fourth UK patient has not been confirmed, but it is understood he was infected by a Brighton man who caught the bug in Singapore where he had attended a business conference. He then flew to France and stayed at the Contamines-Montjoie, where he infected five British nationals - including a nine-year-old child - currently being treated in the Alpine region. Six other Britons at the resort were also quarantined but have not been diagnosed, and the local school attended by the child patient has temporarily shut. Professor Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia said: 'This new case would appear to be linked to the cluster of cases in the French ski resort which is also linked to the case in Brighton. 'As such this case is part of the same cluster which is being reported as linked to a British national returning from Singapore.' It comes as the government-charted plane which rescued stranded Britons from Wuhan, China, landed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The victim caught the virus in France from another British national, believed to be the man under quarantine in Brighton who recently returned from a four-day trip to the Alpine ski resort of Contamines-Montjoie (pictured) near Mont Blanc Five Britons diagnosed with coronavirus in a French ski chalet (pictured) caught the killer infection from a Brighton man who stayed at the same resort A locator map shows the Contamines-Montjoie ski resort in the French alps The fourth UK case was confirmed not long after a British man in Majorca tested positive for coronavirus. His wife and two daughters tested negative, the government in the Balearic Islands said. The health ministry said the study of cases that may have had contact with the man had already begun. The passengers on the charter flight have been taken to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they will be quarantined for 14 days. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the repatriation flight had brought back 105 British nationals and family members, as well as 95 European nationals and family members. A total of 13 staff and medics were also on board. The ambulance service said the presence of the group in Milton Keynes would not present a risk to local people. Four men who ambushed a salesman in a car park and stole more than 4 million pounds of jewellery have been jailed for a total of 65 years. The victim Joseph Savoie, who worked for exclusive US designer Le Vian, was violently kicked and punched during the robbery in Surrey and has spoke of how the attack has left him living in fear. The four men were found guilty of robbing the salesman of millions of pounds worth of jewellery in a car park in Staines-upon-Thames last year. Joseph Savoie, who worked for exclusive US designer Le Vian, was ambushed in a car park in Staines, Surrey. Pictured are two of the thugs. Left is Ciro Troyano and right is Oscar Hicks Lee Jason Gardner, aged 48 years, from Tottenham, London, Camilo Carvajal, aged 39 years, from Lewisham, Ciro Troyano, aged 40 years, from Elephant and Castle, London and Oscar Hicks, aged 37 years, from Southwark, were jailed. It followed a lengthy and complex investigation which involved piecing together hours of CCTV and ANPR footage to show the meticulous planning which went into the robbery. All four men were convicted of conspiracy to rob following a trial at Kingston Crown Court. He was beaten to the ground and battered almost unconscious after taking the jewel-filled case (pictured, some of the items stolen) from his car boot on the morning of May 13 Lee Gardner (right) and Camilo Carvajal (left). Gardner was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment, while Carvajal received 17 years behind bars Gardner was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment, while Carvajal received 17 years behind bars. Troyano was imprisoned for 16 years, while Hicks was jailed for 14 years. During the trial, the court heard how the gang set upon the jewellery salesman after he had parked his car on the first level of the Elmsleigh Centre car park in Staines-upon-Thames at around 8.20am on May 13 last year. He was opening the boot of his car to take out the suitcase containing the jewellery when he was struck with such force to his face that he fell to the ground, before being repeatedly punched and kicked to the head and body. During the attack, the victim's watch was ripped off, fracturing his wrist and lower arm in the process. The victim managed to get to his feet and run for help. When he returned to his car, the suitcase containing all the jewellery had gone. Some of the items which were stolen included a Le Vian 14ct White Gold 1ct Chocolate Diamond Ring (left) worth 3499 and an teardrop ring worth 2499 An investigation was launched, which uncovered footage from the car park's automatic number plate readers which captured the gang's car, a black Mercedes C Class, breaking through the exit barrier at speed at 8.25am shortly after the robbery. The number plates had been stolen earlier that week from a Mercedes in Lambeth. Describing the sustained and violent attack, the victim, a salesman for celebrity jeweller Le Vian, told the court how the physical and psychological effects he had suffered would remain with him throughout the rest of his life. An investigation was launched, which uncovered footage from the car park's automatic number plate readers which captured the gang's car, a black Mercedes C Class (pictured during the getaway), breaking through the exit barrier at speed at 8.25am shortly after the robbery He said: 'I was left black and blue all over from the amount of punches and kicks I received. There was no need for these men to have injured me the way they did. I would have handed over what they were demanding without the need for violence. 'I also lost most of my possessions, including my clothes, phone, wallet, ID and passport, and was left stranded in a foreign country with nothing. Now I feel really vulnerable when I travel to the UK. 'I hope those involved reflect on what they have done and turn their lives around in the future. I would also like to thank Surrey Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for the fantastic support I received at such a traumatic time.' Unfortunately, what they found was her carcass, Jordan Traverso, a department spokeswoman, said. The death has devastated biologists at the department and conservationists who became invested in the remarkable journey of the wolf known as OR-54, so named because she was the 54th wolf collared by Oregon wildlife officials. She was also the offspring of OR-7, a male well known in some circles for crossing into California in 2011, becoming the first wolf to appear in the state in about 100 years. Wolves are prolific breeders, biologically driven to break off and start their own packs. The average wolf will travel 50 to 100 miles to find a mate, and some will travel hundreds more, according to Misi Stine, outreach director at the International Wolf Center in Minnesota. But the distance OR-54 covered in two years was extraordinarily long, she said. Shes going to be one of those ones who people say, Wow, she was exceptional, because we know her story, Ms. Stine said. The circumstances of her death are under investigation. The department said in a statement on Thursday that it takes very seriously any threats to this recovering wolf population, adding, We remind the public that killing a wolf is a potential crime and subject to serious penalties, including imprisonment. Biologists have not said where the carcass was found. OR-54 was mythic not just for the vast distance she covered or her famous father: She is also believed to have killed several calves in Plumas County and surrounding areas. LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Airbus, the world's largest aircraft maker, will pay just under 1 billion euros ($1.11 billion)in a British settlement to draw a line under a three-and-a-half year criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption. The deal under a three-year Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA), ratified in London's High Court on Friday, means the European planemaker avoids prosecution in London in a case that spanned transactions involving more than a dozen countries. UK prosecutors said Airbus failed to prevent individuals associated with the company from bribery involving Malaysia's AirAsia and AirAsia X, SriLankan Airlines, Taiwan's TransAsia Airways, Garuda Indonesia and Citilink Indonesia. They said the case also involved the sale of military aircraft to Ghana. Earlier on Friday France's prosecutor said the plane maker would pay a total of 3.592 billion euros in global corruption fines once settlements are reached. ($1 = 0.9014 euros) (Reporting by Kirstin Ridley and Iain Withers Editing by Rachel Armstrong) Photo credit: Tommaso Boddi - Getty Images From Harper's BAZAAR The Farewell's Lulu Wang won two awards including best film at the Independent Spirit Awards last night, after her film was overlooked by the Academy Awards. The critically-acclaimed semi-autobiographical movie follows Awkwafina's Billi, a Chinese-American woman who returns to China when her grandmother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Writer and director Wang used her platform to implore those with power in the industry to give women more jobs. "There's been a lot of conversation this year about how to encourage more women in film," Wang said upon accepting her award for best film (via The Hollywood Reporter). "You don't have to encourage women - there are lots of women making films and in film school. Shadow programmes are great but women need the the job - just give them the frickin' job." Photo credit: Courtesy of Big Beach Wang continued: "Give us the money, you know, because in America, unfortunately we're not going to make a lifelong career making arthouse films supported by government funding. "That's just not the country we live in. So, just give the women the jobs. Don't make them run through that many hoops." The Oscars and BAFTAs were criticised once again for a lack of diversity among nominees this year. Harriet's Cynthia Erivo is the only person of colour to be nominated for an acting award at the Oscars, while only white actors were nominated in Baftas' acting categories - with Margot Robbie being nominated twice for supporting actress. No female directors were nominated for best director at the Oscars or Baftas. Awkwafina was awarded best actress as the Golden Globes in January. Photo credit: Getty Images Earlier in the evening, Wang had collected an award on behalf of Zhao Shuzhen, who was awarded best supporting actress. The Farewell beat out nominees including A Hidden Life, Clemency, Marriage Story and Uncut Gems. Adam Sandler won best actor for Uncut Gems, while Willem Defoe won best supporting actor for The Lighthouse. Story continues American Factory - which is the first film from Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground - won best documentary. The 92nd Academy Awards take place today, February 9 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Like this article? Sign up to our new newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. SIGN UP You Might Also Like Sydney commuters have been overcharged more than a quarter of a million dollars in just 12 weeks by tapping on to the citys public transport network with their credit cards or smartphones. A fault to the government's new contactless payment method resulted in more than $266,000 having to be refunded to commuters from the last quarter of 2019, Transport for NSW confirmed to the Herald. Transport for NSW have blamed the thousands of incorrect charges on "minor issues" experienced by one of its tech partners. Credit:Michele Mossop The payment bungle was attributed to minor issues experienced by the governments technology partners, with TfNSW insisting the problem had been completely corrected. The payback represented only 0.6 of a per cent of the $46,000,000 in contactless payments collected over the 12 weeks, according to the department. The Madhya Pradesh government has asked over 100 multi-national companies and other private firms whether details of their investment proposals can be made public, according to official documents. The move comes after social activist Ajay Dubey filed an RTI query seeking details from the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) of the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee for Investment Promotion (CCIP), headed by Chief Minister Kamal Nath, on promotion of investment in the state. The activist also sought details of implementation of CCIP decisions clearing investment proposals of private companies. "The proceedings of CCIP and decisions taken therein must be available online for the people. The government should proactively share details of investment made by companies in the state and other steps being taken by it to promote investment," Dubey told PTI. Following this, the MPIDC, a state government undertaking, wrote to around 120 companies, including MNCs like Reliance Land Systems Ltd, ITC Ltd, HEG Ltd, Procter and Gamble Home Products Ltd, asking them whether the details sought in the RTI application can be made public, according to the official documents. Since the details sought pertain to "third party information", the companies concerned have been asked to give their approval or disapproval on sharing the details and their replies are awaited, the MPIDC said in its response to Dubey's RTI query. The corporation further said copies of CCIP orders from 2019 onwards have been put up on its website "invest.mp.gov.in". The process of uploading the decisions of the previous years is on, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israel has begun to draw up maps of land in the occupied West Bank that will be annexed in accordance with U.S. President Donald Trumps proposed peace plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday. We are already at the height of the process of mapping the area that, according to the Trump plan, will become part of the state of Israel. It wont take too long, Netanyahu said at an election campaign rally in the Maale Adumim settlement. Netanyahu said the area would include all Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley - territory Israel has kept under military occupation since its capture in the 1967 Middle East war but which Palestinians want in a future state. The only map that can be accepted as the map of Palestine is the map of the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, said Nabil Abu Rdainah, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Prospects for annexations, which have already been widely condemned, are unclear. Israel will hold a national election on March 2 and Netanyahu, who is facing criminal corruption charges, is hoping to win a fifth term in office. He presently heads a caretaker government, whose legal authority to annex territory is still undecided by judicial authorities. Settlers make up part of Netanyahus right-wing voter base and many members of his coalition cabinet view the West Bank as the biblical heartland of the Jewish people. Most countries consider Israeli settlements on land captured in war to be a violation of international law. Trump has changed U.S. policy to withdraw such objections. Palestinians say the settlements make a future state non-viable. Israel cites security needs as well as biblical and historical ties to the land on which they are built. Trumps plan envisages a two-state solution with Israel and a future Palestinian state living alongside each other, but it includes strict conditions that Palestinians reject. The blueprint gives Israel much of what it has long sought, including U.S. recognition of settlements and Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley. A redrawn, demilitarised Palestinian state would be subject to Israeli control over its security, and would receive tracts of desert in return for arable land settled by Israelis. Right after Trump presented the plan on Jan. 28, Netanyahu said his government would begin extending Israeli sovereignty to the settlements and the Jordan Valley within days. But Washington then appeared to put the breaks on that and Netanyahu has since faced pressure from settler leaders to annex territory despite any U.S. objections. The Prime Minister is set to give controversial rail link HS2 the go-ahead this week, it has been reported - despite fears over spiraling costs and news that trains will only be able to travel at their 255mph top speed for half of the route. Boris Johnson's expected decision will come after months of bitter rowing over whether to continue with the scheme which will create a high speed link between London with Birmingham. A decision on the project, which has seen estimated costs soar to more than three times the budget at 100 billion, is expected to be made on Tuesday. Should Mr Johnson give the go-ahead to the line, despite strong opposition from at least 60 Tory MPs, he will refrain from giving full approval to the second phase lines north of Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds. Boris Johnson's expected decision will come after months of bitter rowing over whether to continue with the scheme which will create a high speed link between London with Birmingham (Mr Johnson is pictured outside Downing Street last week) The HS2 route would initially link London and Birmingham with the second phase of the project then heading north to Manchester and Leeds His decision is expected to be accompanied by a major infrastructure package focused on improving transport connections in the north of England this week, reports The Guardian. But news of HS2's expected approval may be soured by the revelation that trains will be only able to travel at their top speed of 225 miles per hour on around half of the 134-mile route. Assessments published by the Department for Transport show that trains will only operate at their full speed on 68 miles - between Amersham and the proposed interchange station at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Lord Tony Berkeley, a former deputy chairman of Mr Johnson's review into the scheme, explained that speeds could not be as high elsewhere because the tunnels were not being built big enough to allow for it. Dame Cheryl Gillan, a former Tory Cabinet minister and a keen opponent of HS2, told The Sunday Telegraph: 'One of the justifications was speed and what is now painfully obvious, to keep the costs down both in what they construct and in what they are doing, the speed is going to have to come right down. 'The very raison d'etre behind the original justification for the project has gone.' Lord Tony Berkeley (pictured), a former deputy chairman of Mr Johnson's review into the scheme, explained that speeds could not be as high elsewhere because the tunnels were not being built big enough to allow for it HS2 would allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 250mph. That would mean much faster journeys between key UK cities. The graphic shows times for HS2 passengers (in red) verses the current times (in blue) The hugely controversial project originally due to link London with Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds by 2032/33 has become a litmus test of Mr Johnsons determination to level up the North/ South economies. Not all will be happy to see the scheme approved however. Critics inside and outside Westminster want it to be axed on financial and environmental grounds. On Wednesday, the TaxPayers Alliance reiterated its opinion that it is too expensive and should be abandoned. The estimated worst-case cost of HS2 is currently estimated at 106billion, but the TPA suggested it could eventually reach 150billion. In a letter to Boris Johnson it urged a rethink, writing that 'given the undoubtedly rising costs, it is prudent to consider the deliverability of the project'. 'We are concerned that it may be difficult to deliver in its current form, despite significant increases in budget,' it added. Ministers have warned that abandoning the high-speed rail proposals would cost billions in compensations as well as leaving some of the UK's major construction companies on the brink of financial uncertainty. But leading figures in Downing Street, including Dominic Cummings, believe it is a white elephant. But politicians in the Midlands and north are urging him to continue with a project that they say will revitalise the economy. The Whitehall spending watchdog last week said that HS2 is over budget and behind schedule because its complexity and risks were under-estimated. The National Audit Office (NAO) warned that it is impossible to 'estimate with certainty what the final cost could be'. It published a report urging the Government and HS2 Ltd to be 'transparent and provide realistic assessments' in relation to the high-speed railway. Critics inside and outside Westminster want the scheme to connect London with northern cities to be axed on financial and environmental grounds. Dominic Cummings, pictured arriving in Downing Street earlier this week, is opposed to HS2 and has previously labelled the project a 'disaster zone' Rail row: Estimated costs for the HS2 rail link have tripled to more than 100billion A Government-commissioned review led by former HS2 Ltd chairman Doug Oakervee leaked earlier this week stated that the project's bill could reach 106billion. But HS2 was only allocated 56billion in 2015. Phase One between London and Birmingham was due to open in 2026 but full services are now forecast to start between 2031 and 2036. The news come as Mr Johnson is expected to launch a major infrastructure package focused on improving transport connections in the north of England this week. A decision on the controversial HS2 rail project will be taken 'within days', the Prime Minister has told Tory northern MPs. The PM is set to say that investment is needed at all levels, with an emphasis on not just transport, but also taking in freeports and broadband initiatives. The move comes after the PM spoke to a number of backbenchers last week, many elected by the Tory surge in traditional Northern Labour heartlands. A Government source said: 'HS2 is understandably an important part of this picture for many constituencies, and the PM reassured them he would be making a decision in "days".' The package is expected to see ministers announce projects set to receive a slice of 40 million for pilots of 5G technologies in rural areas. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will require West Midlands Trains to deliver a 20 million package of improvements for passengers due to recent 'poor performance'. The investment will be directed at improving services and recruiting extra drivers. It is understood Mr Shapps will remain in his position in the looming Cabinet reshuffle. Downing Street is believed to be impressed by his 'grip' on the portfolio, according to sources. CLEVELAND, Ohio Great works of art always look distinctive, complete and inevitable. Nothing needs to be added or subtracted. Everything contributes to an authoritative, deeply satisfying whole. So how does an artist get there? For the second big show in a row, the Cleveland Museum of Art is devoting its major special exhibition space to the quest for insight into that core issue in the creative process. First came the museums big, highly-acclaimed exhibition on Michelangelo drawings, which closed in January after a 15-week run. It allowed viewers to peer over the shoulder of a Renaissance master hard at work, refining ideas on paper before tackling the Sistine Chapel murals and some of his greatest sculptures. Now comes Proof: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet, a smashingly good show, which opened Friday, and which focuses on black-and-white contact sheets and selected individual images by some of the worlds greatest photographers. (Editors note: Proof, which opened Friday, Feb. 7, was originally scheduled to close in April. The museum, which closed March 14 because of the coronavirus pandemic, reopened June 30, and has extended Proof through Sunday, Aug. 2). Contact sheets, also known as proof sheets, were used widely through much of the 20th century, before the adoption of digital technology in the 2000s. The sheets emerged in the 1920s with the advent of cameras such as the German-manufactured Leica, a light, elegant, camera designed to use 35-millimeter movie film for still photographs. Whats a contact sheet? After a shoot, a photographer would develop and cut a roll of film negatives into strips, flatten them on a sheet of photographic paper, and make a contact print of multiple images. Photographers would then select individual shots to print or crop, a process that could also involve magazine or newspaper editors, or graphic designers, depending on the project. The late Mark Schwartz, who died in 2014 at age 57 after a brief battle with cancer, was one such designer. An avid photography collector, and a trustee of the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Schwartz co-founded the award-winning graphic design firm of Nesnady + Schwartz in 1980. Schwartz collaborated deeply with photographers, making it natural that he developed (pardon the pun) an interest in contact sheets. More than two decades ago, Schwartz and his wife, Bettina Katz, who survives him, began building the collection that forms the vast majority of the museums splendid and deeply engaging exhibition. A large part of the collection has been promised to the museum as a future gift. A collectors passion Organized by guest curator Peter Galassi, former chief curator of photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the show includes more than 200 objects, most of them contact sheets. All but 22 of them are from the Schwartz-Katz collection. Many of those additional 22 objects are copies of the original magazines or books in which photographs in the show were initially published, conveying when and how they became part of contemporary visual culture. The shows revelation is that some of the most famous photos ever taken emerged out of a creative process of search and discovery that had no guarantee of success at the outset. As the exhibition demonstrates, photographers sometimes nailed it in the first shot, but more often had to try numerous times to get the right angle and the right moment. Galassis catalogue essay discusses the notion of the shooting ratio the number of tries a photographer had to attempt before capturing a decisive moment. Hits and misses It could happen right away, as when Diane Arbus snapped her 1970 image of Jewish giant at home with his parents in the Bronx, N.Y., getting the best shot with the first click of the shutter. Or it could happen after a struggle, as in the case of a Stuart Eisenstaedt image of an opera premiere at La Scala in Milan in 1933. The exhibition is a tribute to the genius of the photographers whose work is on view, including greats such as Arbus and Eisenstaedt, Robert Frank, Richard Avedon, Elliott Erwitt, Harry Benson, Harry Callahan, Philippe Halsman, Irving Penn, Albert Watson, Arnold Newman, Larry Fink and Emmet Gowin. Less obvious is that the show amounts to a posthumous tribute to Schwartz. Big and tall, loud and mouthy, invariably dressed in black, Mark was always right, and he made sure you knew it, museum trustee cultural entrepreneur Fred Bidwell recalls in the preface to the shows catalogue. But if Schwartz was a merciless tease and a guy who relentlessly pressed those around him to get better at their work, as Bidwell writes, the show also portrays him as a guy with a laser focus as a collector and considerable persuasive charm. The checklist at the back of the catalogue is sprinkled with evidence of Schwartzs penchant for haunting galleries and auction houses, waiting for the opportunity to pounce. It also includes anecdotes about how he assembled his collection through direct contact with photographers, their dealers, or members of their families. Art of persuasion For example, Schwartz persuaded Emmet Gowin, under whom he studied at Princeton in the 1970s, to donate a 1996 photo of craters at a nuclear test site in Nevada to an Art for Obama auction so Schwartz could by it and make a campaign donation at the same time, killing two birds with one stone. Through a San Francisco gallery, Schwartz persuaded the family of Arbus, who died in 1970, to print fresh proof sheets in 2003 for three of the photographers most famous images: Child with a toy hand grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C., Identical Twins, Roselle, N.J., and the Jewish giant photo. If some photographers were hesitant about letting their contact sheets out into the world, others were OK with it. Galassis catalogue essay relates how Avedon willingly provided the collector with a six-by-five-foot enlargement of a contact sheet made for a 1972 portrait of Groucho Marx. Another indication of Schwartzs particular views on photography is that the entire show focuses on work in black-and-white, which for him was the acme of the medium. Bidwell says in his catalogue preface that Schwartz always had his digital point-and-shoot Leica set on black and white. To be sure, its challenging in the show to peer intently at small images without a magnifying glass. The museum isnt providing any. But anyone with a cellphone camera can use the zoom function to magnify the contact sheet images if desired. Im going to predict that at least some viewers will do that, and feel the temptation to snap pictures of those details as well. Art or not? Among other things, the show explores the question whether contact sheets can be considered art, and not simply a form of working materials. The answer is yes, especially when a photographer treats them as such, and as in examples such as Richard Avedons enlarged contact sheets of Groucho Marx portraits. The show also examines the relationship between contact sheets and movies, specifically noting that photographers such as Frank made contact sheets out of film shot for projects such as "Pull My Daisy,'' a wistful 1959 documentary about Beat-era writers such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Because it focuses heavily on portraits of celebrities, famous writers, movie stars, stage performers, and visual artists, the show can be viewed as a celebration of 20th culture in the broadest sense. Woody Allen is a huge presence, as are Groucho Marx, Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, Ernest Hemingway, the Beatles and others. But as the show makes clear, we know these figures and feel close to them at least in part through extraordinary photographs of them that have entered popular culture. Proof takes us into the darkroom alongside the photographers who captured those unforgettable images, and it helps us see and understand the patient search it took to make them. REVIEW Whats up: Proof: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet. Venue: Cleveland Museum of Art Where: 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland When: Extended Through Sunday, August 2. Admission: Free. Call 216-421-7340 or go to Clevelandart.org. Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan was found dead at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. (PA) A widow has hit out at the Army over the death of her soldier husband whose body lay on the floor of his barracks for three weeks before it was eventually removed. Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, a veteran of the Iraq war, was found dead on January 23 in his bedroom in a barrack room at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. The 33-year-olds body was said to have been so badly decomposed that it may never be discovered how he died. According to The Sunday Mirror, LCpL Mongan was also due to transfer to another army base a week after he was last seen alive. L Cpl Mongan joined the Irish Guards in 2004 and fought in the Iraq War. (PA) The father of threes disappearance reportedly went unnoticed at both camps for three weeks before his body was discovered. He was also not listed as Absent Without Leave (AWOL) from this base, a standard army protocol. His wife, Beth Mongan, from whom he was separated, said: What happened to Bernie is outrageous. How can a soldier be dead in his room for three weeks and nobody notice? READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: When he failed to report for duty, why wasnt his room checked? I have not received any answers to these questions. The Army has kept me in the dark. There is no way he would have [taken his own life]. As far as I am aware there was no note and he was in very good spirits. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: The circumstances surrounding the death of a soldier in Catterick are being investigated. It would be inappropriate to comment any further. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- Lisa Chambers is among a number of high-profile Fianna Fail TDs now fighting for their seats as counting continues in the election. However, Micheal Martins party could still return as the largest political party in the next Dail and Fianna Fail have already come under pressure to enter coalition talks with Sinn Fein. As Sinn Fein candidates topped polls across the country, Mr Martin last night seemed to soften his stance on doing a deal with Mary Lou McDonalds party which he had repeatedly ruled out in advance of polling day. Fianna Fail, who had supported Fine Gael in Government through the confidence and supply agreement, have failed to make the gains they had hoped for after the unexpected surge in support for Sinn Fein. They are now projected to take just over 40 seats roughly the same as the 45 seats they had in the last Dail as a number of their out-going TDs are now expected not to return to the 33rd Dail. Ms Chambers, Fianna Fails Brexit spokesperson, was in danger of losing her seat in Mayo after receiving 6,373 first-preference votes. Fine Gaels Michael Ring and Sinn Feins Rose Conway-Walsh were both elected on the first count in Mayo, with Fianna Fail deputy leader Dara Calleary trailing behind them with 9,163 first-preference votes. In Wicklow, the partys health spokesman Stephen Donnelly was also clinging on last night. He ran as a Social Democrat in the 2016 election when he topped the poll with 20% of first-preference votes. However, he received just 7% of first-preference votes in Saturdays election and could be pipped at the post by Jennifer Whitmore the candidate put forward by his former party. In Kerry, outgoing Fianna Fail TD John Brassil conceded early yesterday afternoon claiming that barring a miracle he would not retain his seat. However, the party were last night still expected to retain a seat in the constituency with his running mate Norma Foley looking likely to be elected. Tallies had her on 9% with 6,842 first-preferences and Mr Brassil behind her on 7% with 5,421 votes. Among the other outgoing Fianna Fail TDs who last night were in jeopardy of losing their seats was Eugene Murphy in Roscommon-Galway. Fianna Fails strategy to put forward Orla Leydon as his running mate appears to have backfired and neither are now expected to be elected. However, as expected Independent Michael Fitzmaurice topped the poll and was the first TD to be elected in Roscommon-Galway. There were also doubts over Declan Breathnachs seat in Louth as well as Anne Rabbitte in Galway East. However, Fianna Fail are expected to make some gains including in Clare where they are now tipped to return two TDs. They were also in the hunt for three seats in the Laois-Offally constituency as counting continued. The party went into the election with one secure seat as the Ceann Comhairle is automatically returned to the Dail. Speaking in the Cork South Central count centre Mr Martin said there is an onus and an obligation on parties to build a functioning government. I dont want to pre-empt anything, he said but stated that there are still serious policy issues between the parties. Sinn Feins Donnchadh O Laoghaire topped the poll in the Cork South Central constituency with over 14,000 first-preference votes. Micheal Martin was elected on the sixth count. Mr Martin said: I think well let things calm down today. Well assess it when the full count is in, and the full number of seats is in. Im a democrat. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a speech to the National Governors Association Saturday that governors should be vigilant in their business interactions with China, warning that they're each being methodically analyzed and lobbied by the Communist Party, Politico reports. Why it matters: Pompeo, who has helped shape the Trump administration's hawkish stance toward China, was seeking to highlight how competition with Beijing is not just a federal issue. What he's saying: "When it comes to doing business, Im asking you to adopt a cautious mindset," Pompeo said, according to Reuters. "In the words of President Reagan, when you are approached for introduction or a connection to a deal, trust but verify.'" "[W]hether you are viewed by the [Communist Party of China] as friendly or hardline, know that its working you, know that its working the team around you," he added. "Competition with China is happening inside of your state, and it affects our capacity to perform Americas vital national security functions." Between the lines: While phase one of a trade deal between the U.S. and China was signed in January, the two countries have still not resolved disputes over IP theft, spying and other broader issues. Just last month, prosecutors charged Charles Lieber, chair of the Harvard University chemistry department, with lying about funds he obtained through a Chinese government recruitment program. Go deeper: The FBI is walking a tightrope on China Tulsi Gabbard YouTube Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico and the 2016 Libertarian Party nominee, offered "whatever I can do" to support Tulsi Gabbard ahead of Tuesday's New Hampshire Primary. Gabbard, a Democrat, has bucked her party in the past and consistently draws Republicans, 2016 Trump supporters, libertarians and other non-Democrats to her events in the Granite State. Johnson's support came the same day that Gabbard responded to an audience question that she would be "receptive to a third party" in front of a room that included many independent and Libertarian voters. She later clarified, "I am not running as a third party candidate." Johnson won more votes than any third party candidate for the presidency in 2016 since Ross Perot did in 1992. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. KEENE, N.H. Former New Mexico governor and 2016 Libertarian Party presidential nominee Gary Johnson offered his support to Democratic presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbard ahead of Tuesday's New Hampshire Primary in a voicemail obtained by Insider. "Hey, I was asked a long time ago to endorse Tulsi, and I did, and you know, whatever I can do I'm not active on social media but I did endorse her, and you know, whatever quote you wanna attribute to me to say vote for her, you got it," Johnson told a local Gabbard volunteer. "Anyway, talk to you later," he continued. Gabbbard, a 38-year-old Congresswoman from Hawaii, has set herself apart in American politics through her willingness to buck her own party. During the 2016 election, she resigned from a post with the Democratic National Committee to endorse Bernie Sanders and allege the DNC was hindering his campaign in favor of Hillary Clinton. Most recently, she voted "present" on both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in the House, the only representative to do so in either party. Story continues While Gabbard has denied mulling a potential third party run in the past often insisting she will remain in the Democratic primary "through the convention" she told a voter in Greenland, N.H. today that she would be receptive to a third party in general, according to Michael Shure of i24 News. She later clarified to BuzzFeed's Rosie Gray, "I am not running as a third party candidate." Although no candidate in either major party has won the New Hampshire primary by winning among independent voters without a plurality of support in their own party, Gabbard has drawn a significant proportion of supporters to her events who self-identify as Republicans, 2016 Trump voters and non-Democrats, particularly libertarians. Read the original article on Business Insider OTTAWA - A group of Metis citizens from Western Canada was left waiting in the cold as they sought approval from federal bureaucrats to enter an Ottawa building meant to be a space for Indigenous Peoples. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation. (The Canadian Press files) OTTAWA - A group of Metis citizens from Western Canada was left waiting in the cold as they sought approval from federal bureaucrats to enter an Ottawa building meant to be a space for Indigenous Peoples. The group was in Ottawa last weekend for a ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of Manitoba joining confederation a milestone negotiated by Metis leader Louis Riel in 1870. David Chartrand, vice-president of the Metis National Council, wanted to give his delegation a peek inside 100 Wellington St., the former U.S. embassy across from Parliament Hill. The building has been vacant for two decades, but in 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it would be dedicated to Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Since then, representatives from the three main national Indigenous organizations the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Metis National Council have been working with the government to make it a space that reflects their cultural and historical identities. There are also plans for those organizations to have office and conference space inside the building, as well as areas for the public to tour. Much of that work has been completed, but the building has not yet officially opened. Chartrand says the Metis space is ready to go and he wanted to show it to his visiting delegation, but he encountered roadblocks getting into the building. He had to go to federal officials in Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett's office to get permission for someone to come and unlock the doors. He emailed one person, who had to email another, going up the chain of command until they could finally get inside. "It took time and the weather was not that nice outside ... some people left and said they'll come another day," Chartrand said. "If it's our building, why don't we have keys?" Leaders of the AFN, the ITK and the Metis National Council met last week in Ottawa to discuss the status of 100 Wellington St., and Chartrand says some of the discussions included expressions of frustration at a lack of Indigenous control over the building. He believes Indigenous leaders shouldn't have to ask permission from federal bureaucrats to access the space, even if it hasn't officially opened yet. That's why he says they're now going to ask for their own keys. "We're concerned about the bureaucratic side of this, where the bureaucrats for some reason still believe that they still have say and control of what should be or what could be in there," Chartrand said. "We do know there's going to be construction matters that are going to happen, and we understand that, but we want to have a say in it and we definitely want the ability it's our building, we should have a right to go in." The future of the building and how to move forward with the project was flagged in a short list of "pressure issues" facing Trudeau after he was re-elected to office, according to documents contained his prime ministerial briefing binder. The Canadian Press obtained the documents under the Access to Information Act. The renovated building was on its way to being open last summer, but that plan stalled over calls from the Algonquin Nation to be included as a full and equal partner in the project. Last summer, members of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation erected a birch-bark wigwam on the sidewalk in front of the building. Grand Chief Verna Polson staged a hunger strike, demanding equal space within the building located on unceded Algonquin territory. The standoff lasted a little over 40 hours and ended with promises from Bennett's office to negotiate an agreement on a role for the Algonquin Nation. Negotiations between the federal government and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council have been ongoing. The talks include a proposal to give the Algonquin Nation the empty lot beside the building as their own distinct space. But it remains unclear where things stand on these negotiations. Attempts to reach Polson for comment on this story were unsuccessful. According to the prime minister's briefing materials, which were heavily redacted, the government has "committed that any short-term occupancy of the Indigenous people's space will remain on hold until an agreement regarding its governance can be reached." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Bennett's office says federal officials are working together on a "short-term use" plan for the building while a longer-term design is completed, but did not comment on Chartrand's request for more immediate and direct access to the building. The ITK declined comment on this story and the AFN was unable to provide a statement within the requested deadline. Chartrand says his people are frustrated by the delays in the project, especially after lengthy negotiations among the three national Indigenous organizations over the last two years have been successful. "There definitely is frustration, we did our due diligence and we're caught in this little pit stop," he said. "One of the ways of moving forward is: give us the keys. Give us the keys to our building so we can actually start working at it and let's open these doors." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. Valentines Day naturally brings thoughts of hearts, flowers, sweetness and love. Because it also occurs during American Heart Month, its a perfect opportunity to start taking care of your own heart and the hearts of loved ones. Part of the charm of the days celebrations is in giving family and friends flavorful foods to enjoy from chocolates and candies to other sugary treats. However, the festivities dont have to be completely focused on unhealthy bites in order to make someone feel special. This year, it can be easy to share in the fun of Valentines Day by serving those you love with sweet, seasonal treats. For example, these Frosted Watermelon Cutouts make for ideal snacks for children and adults alike whether its an after-school treat or a sweet dessert with just three ingredients, heart-shaped cookie cutters and minimal time spent in the kitchen. If youre really looking to impress that special someone, this Watermelon and Chocolate Dessert Board calls for creativity and plenty of tasty morsels like berries, cashews, almonds and dark chocolate. Without any baking or cooking required, simply spread out the ingredients for a platter thats just as visually appealing as it is appetizing. Both recipes include the benefits of watermelon, which boasts plenty of vitamin C to boost the immune systems defenses as a cholesterol-free, fat-free and sodium-free food. Plus, watermelon draws its red color from the powerful antioxidant lycopene (12.7 mg per serving), which may help protect cells from damage, and the healthy treat is American Heart Association Heart-Check Certified with just 80 calories per serving, making it the perfect centerpiece for Valentines Day recipes. Find more Valentines Day inspiration and recipes at watermelon.org. Frosted Watermelon Cutouts 1 seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-3/4-inch thick slices 4 brownie bites 1 cup frosting (any flavor) Using heart-shaped cookie cutters, cut shapes out of watermelon slices or simply use cut watermelon wedges, if desired. Top heart shapes with brownie bites and add frosting as desired. Watermelon and Chocolate Dessert Board Servings: 6-8 1/2 medium seedless watermelon, cut into wedges and cubes 1 cup fresh raspberries 1 cup fresh red cherries 1 cup strawberries, trimmed and halved 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup roasted, salted cashews 1 cup chocolate covered almonds 1 bar dark chocolate, broken into squares 1 cup coconut chips mint leaves, for garnish On serving board, arrange watermelon in center and surround with raspberries, cherries, strawberries, cranberries, cashews, almonds, chocolate and coconut chips. Scatter mint leaves around board for garnish. The Defense Department has awarded posthumous promotions to two Special Forces soldiers killed in a firefight in Nangarhar province Afghanistan on Saturday. Killed in the fight were Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Both were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Six other U.S. troops, who were not identified, were wounded in the fight, which began when "an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun," U.S. Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett said in an earlier statement. It remains unclear whether the act was a deliberate enemy attack via infiltration or an accident of some kind, Nangarhar provincial governor Shah Mahmood Meyakhil said in a message, according to an Agence France-Presse report. U.S.-partnered Afghan troops also sustained casualties, according to reports. Rodriguez and Gutierrez were both posthumously promoted from the rank of staff sergeant and awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, U.S. Army Special Operations Command Lt. Col. Loren Bymer said in a released statement. Related: Two US Troops Killed by Afghan Soldier in Nangarhar Province Gutierrez, born in Jacksonville, N.C. had enlisted in the Army in 2009 as an infantryman and completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection at Fort Bragg in 2012. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), in 2015. Prior to this deployment, Gutierrez had completed deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He had previously earned the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster signifying subsequent award; and the Army Achievement Medal. "Sgt. 1st Class Gutierrez was a warrior [who] exemplified selfless service and a commitment to the mission, both values that we embody here in the 7th Special Forces Group," Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Special Forces Group Commander, said in a statement. Rodriguez enlisted in 2009 and then earned his Ranger tab, getting an assignment to 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia. In June 2018 he voluntarily re-classified as a Cryptologic Linguist with expertise in Spanish, according to USASOC. Rodriguez had deployed a total of 10 times to Afghanistan, eight times with the 75th Ranger Regiment and twice with his current unit. He had previously earned the Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; and Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. "Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez was selfless and served honorably; he was certainly among the best in our unit," Sannes said in a statement. "Here at the Red Empire, we take care of our own, and Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez' family will forever be a part of us, we will assist them in any way we can to help them through these trying times." Gutierrez and Rodriguez are the third and fourth soldiers to die in combat in Afghanistan this year. Pfc. Miguel Villalon and Staff Sgt. Ian McLaughlin were killed Jan. 11 in Kandahar province in an improvised explosive device attack. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Read More: 24 California Marines Kicked Out Over Smuggling, Drug Charges An off-duty FBI agent shot a man in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco late Saturday, law enforcement officials said Sunday. A man was wounded in the 11:30 p.m. shooting on the 500 block of Ashbury Street, according to the San Francisco Police Department. He was transported to San Francisco General Hospital and does not have life-threatening injuries, police said Sunday. The agent was not injured. The FBI takes any shooting incident involving our agents or task force members seriously, Prentice Danner, a spokesman for the FBIs San Francisco division, said in a statement Sunday. The review process is thorough and objective, and is conducted as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances. The agency declined to comment further and did not elaborate on what led to the shooting. The FBIs Inspection Division and SFPDs homicide unit are investigating. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Anyone with information is asked to call the departments 24-hour tip line at 415-575-4444. Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez 2 US and 1 Afghan service members killed, 6 wounded in Afghanistan attack originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Pentagon identified two U.S. soldiers who were killed in a firefight in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, along with one Afghan National Army member. The incident is being investigated as a possible insider attack, though no motive has been determined. Six others were wounded in the fight, which took place on Feb. 8 in Sherzad district, Nangarhar province, according to U.S. Forces- Afghanistan. The wounded service members are being treated at a U.S. facility, according to a statement. MORE: Pentagon IDs 2 US soldiers killed in Afghanistan On Sunday, the Pentagon identified the two Americans killed as Sgt. 1st Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Both soldiers, who were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), were posthumously promoted after the attack. PHOTO: Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio R. Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, N.M., died Feb. 8, 2020, from wounds sustained during combat operations in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army Special Operations Command via AP) Guttierez was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and enlisted in the Army in 2009 as an infantryman. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and then in 2012, he attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection there, and was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course. He graduated in 2015 as a special forces communications sergeant and was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base. "Upon completing a key-leader engagement at the district center, current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun," the U.S. Forces- Afghanistan statement said. "We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time," the statement said. "The incident is under investigation." MORE: Soldier who killed 26 in Thailand shot dead in mall: Officials The Afghan Defense ministry said in a statement, "Attacks such as this by our enemies fail to have negative effects on the friendship and spirit of cooperation and between the ANDSF and U.S Military forces. We will continue our fight against terrorism together." Story continues PHOTO: A U.S. Army sergeant scans the terrain in Pekha Valley, Achin District, Nangahar Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 3, 2017. (Cpl. Matthew DeVirgilio/U.S. Army, FILE) "The leadership of the Ministry of Defense extends condolences to the families and friends of all the brave martyred force members and prays for the quick recovery of the injured members of the forces," the statement continued. Four other U.S. service members have been killed in Afghanistan this year, two in a roadside explosion and two others when their U.S. Air Force E-11B aircraft crashed because of an apparent mechanical issue. MORE: US military identifies 2 pilots killed in Afghanistan crash Last year saw increased levels of violence against American troops in Afghanistan that made it the deadliest for U.S. forces in that country in five years. There are about 13,000 American troops in Afghanistan, most of whom are involved in the training and advisory mission to help the Afghan security forces in their fight against the Taliban and the Islamic State affiliate. The remainder are engaged in a counter-terrorism mission against those two groups. The Trump administration restarted peace talks in December with the Taliban that had broken down in September following the death of a U.S. soldier in Kabul. U.S. officials have said that the administration is considering a unilateral reduction in American forces down to 8,600 but that no presidential decision has been made. From the balcony of a luxury cruise liner anchored off the coast of Japan, Trudy Clement shouts to another Canadian couple a floor above to exchange tidbits of news. It's a rare bit of human contact on the 19-storey ship, where 2,666 passengers have been holed up since Tuesday after a man tested positive for the coronavirus after disembarking in Hong Kong. Outside the ship is a sea of media and cameras ready to capture any developments in the fast-changing saga. Ambulances come and go as infected passengers are taken off the ship for treatment. Inside, the halls are patrolled by guards so that guests remain inside their rooms. "We're not in jail, but it sort of feels like it," Clement said from inside her suite. "My husband and I are starting to feel the walls closing in." This is the Diamond Princess, a luxury ship, now a massive floating quarantine site, where passengers will remain confined to their rooms for two weeks. There's no getting off the vessel until at least Feb. 19. So far, more than 61 passengers have been confirmed infected, including seven Canadians. WATCH | Canadians quarantined amid coronavirus outbreak: "Mentally you think you've got it [together]. Then you call home and you lose it. You talk to the grandkids or children and it just hits you that we're not free to come and go." The fear: who might be next? Dr. Laura Hawryluck, associate professor of critical care medicine at the University of Toronto, co-authored a 2012 study on the psychological effects of quarantine on SARS patients. She says the short-term effects can lead some to feel stressed, anxious and depressed. Those feelings can be exacerbated when information is lacking from authorities, making timely updates an important part of getting through time in quarantine. "It can be very scary when you know you've been exposed, you've got a period of time before you know if you're going to be in the clear or not, but you don't have access to accurate and consistent information about this new illness," said Hawryluck. Story continues Other studies have shown the long term-effects can include nightmares and flashbacks, Hawryluck said. CBC Kerry Bowman, a bioethicist and professor of global health at the University of Toronto, was among those quarantined during the 2003 SARS outbreak. He says "many people did react with depression." "Many people found quarantine very, very hard going, alienating, worrisome. Alone with their thoughts, the fear setting in," he told CBC News. Bowman was fortunate enough to be quarantined in the comfort of his home, but says the experience on a ship is very different. "If you're quarantined at home, you don't have to worry about contagion from other people," he said. "The concern with the ship is the number of cases has risen and the testing of passengers is not complete and it may rise again. So with that, the fear factor will rise." WATCH | Prof. Bowman says those in quarantine need contact with outside world: It's critical to make sure people have access to mental health resources, he said. Canadian officials have said mental health services will be provided to those who were airlifted from the key outbreak zone of Wuhan, China, now quarantined at CFB Trenton in Ontario. Health Minister Patty Hajdu has said the evacuees experienced a "tremendous amount of stress," anxiety and boredom during the lockdown in Wuhan. Many have been separated from their children or had to leave loved ones behind. And while social interaction will be limited on the military base, officials are taking steps to keep people occupied, including setting up play centres for kids. WATCH | Canadian describes what it's like on quarantined ship: The Quarantine Act gives Ottawa extensive powers to detain people in order to halt the spread of a communicable disease, according to Michael Bryant, executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. The government does not require consent. On the Diamond Princess, the free Wi-Fi has become a lifeline for Clement, who's been passing the time videoing with family in Canada, watching plenty of movies and reading. Room cleaning and laundry service has ceased, with few supplies available to passengers, says Clement, who has been washing her clothes in the sink. Those on board are required to check their temperature regularly, with any passengers coming in over 37.5 C required to report to medical officials. "It's extremely scary," said Clement. WATCH | Clincal psychologist Dr. Steven Taylor on mental toll of quarantine: But another fear, is what happens after Feb. 19. So far, Clement says Canadian officials haven't said whether passengers will be allowed to board their flights back home, or if they will face another quarantine on home soil. For now, Clement is trying to remain positive, and reminding herself that she's one of the lucky ones. Not everyone on board has access to a balcony some don't even have a window. Mumbai, Feb 9 : Bouncing back onto the political centre-stage, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Sunday came out in support of the CAA-NCR-NPR, and warned that his party would strongly counter all those who are opposing these laws. Leading a massive procession to demand the ouster of illegal migrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh living in India --a figure he pegged at over two crore -- Thackeray said: "A thorough clean-up operation is a must." Coming out in support of the CAA, he said it has been in existence since 1955, and was intended to give citizenship to persecuted "minorities" in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan, but the circumstances have changed since then. "The Muslims are taking out morchas around the country...I don't see the point. Why do they need to make a show of strength? We have nothing against the Indian Muslims... they are ours. We are only against the illegal Muslim infiltrators from Pakistan-Bangladesh," he said. "Henceforth, for all morchas against CAA-NRC-NPR, we (MNS) will counter with morchas, retaliate sword by sword and stone by stone. My message through today's procession is clear to all whom it is intended for," Thackeray declared. He sought to know what about the unauthorized persons who have entered India and played havoc with the economy, taken away jobs, molested our women, indulged in criminal or terror activities, adding that wherever Marathi Muslims live, there are no riots. "Is India some kind of a 'dharamshala' (inn) where any outsider can walk in and settle down? We have enough of our own problems to tackle. India has not taken the responsibility for 'humanitarianism' by giving refuge to all," said Thackeray. He pointed out that similar operations to weed out infiltrators are underway in European countries, Australia and other nations, but there are no protests there. Thackeray rued that it is pointless knocking the doors of the Maharashtra government -- headed by his cousin and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray -- and he vowed to take up the issue with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre. Referring to speculation that the Opposition BJP was instrumental in his procession, Thackeray rejected the charge saying whenever the (BJP) did something good, he showered praises on them, but when it erred, he severely criticised them. Responding to his call, an estimated 150,000-plus activists from across the state, including many Muslims, marched enthusiastically as the Thackeray-led mega-procession against infiltrators left Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan and culminated into a rally. He was accompanied by wife Sharmila, son and MNS leader Amit Thackeray, a close relative Shalini Thackeray, top party office-bearers, leaders of affiliated organisations and workers from all over Maharashtra. Earlier, starting from his Dadar Shivaji Park home, the Thackeray family paid homage at the memorial of his uncle and Shiv Sena founder the late Balasaheb Thackeray, and later performed an 'aarti' and took 'darshan' of Lord Ganesha at the famed 220-year old Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi. The 4-km route route from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan resembled a sea of the MNS' new saffron-hued flag with the symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Royal Seal, and the marchers donning arm-bands of the party symbol, some sporting matching T-shirts and caps. Marching peacefully and in an orderly fashion, many raised slogans demanding that the illegal migrants living in the country should be driven away as they are a drain on the country's economy, resources and jobs, besides posing threats to national security. At one point, in view of the huge crowds surrounding him, Thackeray was cajoled by a senior officer to hop into a police van as a precaution and dropped him off at the rally venue. This was the MNS' first public show of strength after it donned a new 'avatar' on January 23 with a new flag, symbol, 'Hindutva' agenda and right-wing direction as it struggles to create its space in Maharashtra politics, especially after the recently changed state political scenario. Mumbai Police made elaborate security/traffic arrangements by deploying over 600 personnel, besides specialized forces and other units on standby, and plainclothes personnel mingling with the crowds, to avert any untoward incidents. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in) Former Maharashtra chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that with the help of people's blessings one can make a comeback. "Nobody can stop you if you have blessings of the people. We definitely make a comeback if we have their blessings," the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly told a gathering in Alandi, a pilgrim town in Pune district. "I think whether you are in power or in opposition, you have to walk on 'sanmarg' (right path) and for doing so, you have to come here to get the blessings. Therefore, I have come here to get your blessings," Fadnavis added. "Once you get blessings of the people, then you will definitely come again," he said. During the state Assembly elections held in October, Fadnavis had repeatedly used 'mi punha yein' (I will come again) slogan as part of his poll campaign. The BJP and the Sena, which had fought the assembly polls in alliance, had secured a comfortable majority by winning 105 and 56 seats respectively. The Sena, however, broke its three-decade-long ties with the BJP after the latter declined to share the chief minister's post. The Sena finally joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government with Sena president Uddhav Thackeray as the chief minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As part of his bid to become the next Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer has made political capital out of his legal career by highlighting the cases he has pursued on behalf of the 'underdog'. But there are some cases he appears to have airbrushed out of his CV including representing convicted IRA terrorists who staged a botched jailbreak in which a prison guard was shot, and then sued for injuries they sustained. He also teamed up with a notorious human rights lawyer to free a suspected Iraqi terrorist who plotted to bomb British troops in Iraq. As part of his bid to become the next Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer (2002) has made political capital out of his legal career by highlighting cases he has pursued on behalf of the 'underdog' Barrister Sir Keir, who was Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2014, used his leadership launch video to flag up his work as a human rights campaigner. He declared: 'I have spent my life fighting for justice, standing up for the powerless and against the powerful.' But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that in 1994, Starmer represented a group of men following an escape from HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire. The break-out included Liam McCotter, convicted IRA terrorist in prison for conspiracy to cause explosions, Gilbert 'Danny' McNamee, who was convicted and subsequently acquitted over the IRA Hyde Park bombing, and Andrew Russell, an armed robber serving 20 years for crimes that included hijacking a helicopter. The legal challenge cost the British taxpayer 500,000 and saw McNamee awarded 5,000 and Russell 2,500 in damages. In 2006, Starmer represented Hilal Al-Jedda, detained in a British facility in Basra under suspicion of 'recruiting terrorists outside of Iraq with a view to the commission of atrocities there'. Danny McNamee, then 40, left, and Liam McCotter, then 37, leaving the High Court in London, Tuesday 16th January 2001 Al Jedda, who had dual British and Iraqi citizenship, was also detained for helping a known terrorist explosives expert travel to Iraq and conspiring with him to target coalition forces around Fallujah and Baghdad. He was also believed to have conspired with an Islamist terror cell in the Gulf to smuggle detonation equipment into Iraq. Acting under the instruction of Public Interest Lawyers, a now defunct firm run by disgraced human rights lawyer Phil Shiner, Starmer headed the legal team which sued the Government over a breach to Al-Jedda's human rights. In 2007 the House of Lords ruled the detention of the suspected terrorist was lawful, but that ruling was then overturned in 2011 by the European courts. In 2017, Shiner was struck off the roll of solicitors after earning more than 1.6 million from an improper deal carving up fees from pursuing abuse claims against British troops. Last night Mark Tipper, whose brother Trooper Simon Tipper was killed in the Hyde Park bombing, said: 'Starmer has defended terrorists and violent criminals who break out of prison then sue the prison service, costing the taxpayer a fortune that is clearly wrong.' Acting under the instruction of Public Interest Lawyers, a now defunct firm run by disgraced human rights lawyer Phil Shiner, Starmer headed the legal team which sued the Government And Starmer was criticised by former Labour Home Office Minister Kate Hoey, who said: 'Keir Starmer likes to talk up his credentials as a human rights campaigner. However there is quite a lot of airbrushing of his CV going on here and the truth about his career outside politics is a good deal more complicated than this. 'What you won't hear Keir Starmer talk about is how he defended IRA terrorists suing the British taxpayer for injuries they sustained after breaking out of prison, how he worked with disgraced solicitor Phil Shiner to prevent British troops from detaining a suspected Iraqi terrorist.' Ms Hoey added: 'Of course everyone is entitled to legal representation, however, I am not sure where this fits Keir Starmer's frequently stated synopsis of his career as 'fighting for justice, standing up for the powerless and against the powerful'. 'As a potential political leader he must be much more transparent about his previous work'. Last night Sir Keir was unavailable for comment. Thirty-five more French citizens on Sunday arrived home in France from China's virus stricken Wuhan, in a repatriation organised by the government which saw a stop in Britain, officials said. Their flight landed at the Istres military base in the south of the country and they were immediately taken into a 14-day quarantine at an academy for the fire brigade in the nearby town of Aix-en-Provence, a base spokesperson told AFP. This was the third repatriation by France of people fleeing China and the risk of infection by the coronavirus. Some 180 people landed in Istres on January 31 and then 120 on February 2. This time the French took the initial leg of the journey on board a chartered civilian aircraft that arrived at the Brize Norton airbase in Oxfordshire, southern England. Some 80 people are already in quarantine at the Aix-en-Provence centre. The other 225 people taken back to France are at a holiday camp in Carry-le-Rouet west of Marseille. All those in the French quarantine centres are being regularly tested for the coronavirus but so far no positive test has been recorded for the virus which has killed over 800 people in mainland China. France has now detected a total of 11 cases of the novel coronavirus, including five British nationals who all stayed at the same ski chalet in the Alps. The authorities have now carried out tests on around one hundred people who had contact with the British group to ensure no more contracted the virus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Entering through old wooden double doors emblazoned with a brand in each center, you might think you were entering a Texas roadhouse. But this is no honky-tonk. Despite the cowboy boots and jeans worn by many inside, this is a place of worship, where instead of classic country songs lamenting lost loves, the music praises Jesus. Theres no line dancing or beer drinking. Instead, there are families praying and singing. Cowboy churches are Christian churches that embrace the cowboy culture, including western-style places of worship and its motifs. Services usually are held in refurbished barns, baptisms typically are performed in stock tanks, and collections commonly are taken in cowboy hats or boots. ENTER TO WIN: Four tickets to Morgan Wallen at the San Antonio Stock & Rodeo Show A large number of attendees are real life cowboys and cowgirls easily spotted by their muddy boots, jingling spurs and sweat-stained hats. While some arent clothed in western wear and chose to wear current fashions, the attire remains casual. Area residents probably have heard about cowboy churches during the annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, where a cowboy church service is held every Sunday inside the grounds auction barn. Where such services are more of a traveling ministry, established cowboy churches hold services year-round and operate much like any other church, with congregants, fellowship gatherings and Bible study groups. One thing that makes cowboy churches different, say its members, are its casual environments. Cowboy churches strive to remove as many of the barriers as possible in more traditional church settings and offer a more relaxed atmosphere where everyone is welcome, said Todd Mitchell, executive director of the American Federation of Cowboy Churches. The Waxahachie-based group is a non-profit organization that helps its affiliates develop new and expand existing cowboy churches through training and other resources. Mitchell said its affiliates have grown from one church 18 years ago to 184 churches last year. That increase reflects the growth seen at some cowboy churches the federation has assisted. The non-denominational Ridin the River Cowboy Fellowship in Bandera started 10 years ago with three people meeting on a front porch. When we moved to our new church in December 2016, our fellowship had an average of 179 attendees each Sunday, Pastor Jeff Bishop said, adding membership has grown steadily in recent years. In 2017, typical attendance at Sunday morning services was at 258, and in 2018 it grew to 347. Last year, it grew to 404. This increase in attendance allows us to get the Word of God to more people who really need it, Bishop said. Hes especially proud that his church is bolstering its relationship with young members. A few years ago, the church had two or three people attending its weekly youth services. Now that number is up to 70, Bishop said. To accommodate the growth of its members, Ridin the River built a larger sanctuary last year that seats an additional 200 worshipers. Another area cowboy church also is expanding its facilities. Steve Gross, pastor at Kendall County Cowboy Church in Boerne, said interest in his church has increased since construction on a new building began last year. Since we started putting the building together, we have been getting a lot of calls and a lot of visitors, Gross said, though he thinks much of the interest is due to down-to-earth preaching and singing, not buildings. There is no pretentiousness in the cowboy church. The church, established in 2011, is affiliated with the Baptist faith. Its new facility is being built as funds become available to avoid additional debt, according to its website. Mitchell agrees that the growth of cowboy churches is likely rooted in their casual environment that allows attendees to come as they are, both in attitude and dress. Our cowboy churches are filled with people from all backgrounds, income levels and interests, Mitchell said. Several members at area cowboy churches say the main reason theyve chosen to attend a cowboy church is because of the non-judgmental atmosphere that is welcoming to all. We make sure that every new person who walks through the doors knows that everyone here truly displays Gods love for one another, said Jerry Bardon, who leads the group of greeters at Ridin the River. Some churchgoers said the environment at a cowboy church is like that of a family reunion. Rachel Irving attends Ridin the River with her husband, who visited the church before she did. I love it, she said. I just felt right at home. Some practices at cowboy churches are not found in denominational churches. We have no offering plates, Bishop said. Instead, financial support can be given by dropping a donation in an old cowboy boot by the door. In keeping with such western culture, many cowboy churches use rodeos and other such events as means of outreach and fellowship. Cowboy Fellowship of Atascosa County in Jourdanton has an arena ministry that uses monthly rodeo arena events to spread its message of Christian faith outside the church. Ridin the River offers a real cowboy breakfast the third Sunday of the month as a regular gathering for congregants and to welcome new members. The meals, Bishop said, are cooked the cattle drive way in cast iron skillets. We fill your belly with a great meal and feed your soul with Gods Word, he said. The websites of other cowboy churches listed in the directory of the American Federation of Cowboy Churches boast trail rides, camping and rodeo events as ways of ministering. Its all about breaking down barriers that keep people from hearing the word of God, Bishop said. Terry Arnold is a freelance writer in San Antonio. 09.02.2020 LISTEN A group of aggrieved nurses and midwives have lashed out at the Ghana Registered Nurses And Midwives Association (GRNMA). The aggrieved nurses and midwives cited non-payment of monies owed them by the GRNMA as the reason for their fury. In a statement, the aggrieved nurses and midwives cited that the new executives of GRNMA have turned a blind eye to their pleas. They complained that they were made to understand that certain deductions would be made from their salaries as contributions into the GRNMA Nurses fund, but upon exiting the association or retirement, their contributions will be returned to them. However, despite several months after exiting the association, the group said that members are yet to receive their Nurses fund deductions from the union. These new executives since they took over office have done nothing but to cause chaos among the rank and file of the profession, a section of the statement reads. members contributed 2% of their salary, GHS20.00 as building levy and GHS50.00 as Nurses fund which is managed by Axis Pensions. The understanding is that all contributors will be given their money upon retirement or exit from the union. They also scolded the current president of the GRNMA for her 'deceptive tactics' of leadership. The aggrieved nurses and midwives warned that they are giving the GRNMA and Axis Pensions five working days to pay us our money or face the wrath of members. Read their full statement below: The current Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) executives are fomenting trouble in the health sector which has been peaceful for some time now. These new executives since they took over office have done nothing but to cause chaos among the rank and file of the profession. Since when has joining or remaining in a union become by force. For about sixty years (60 years), the GRNMA was the sole union for Nurses and Midwives in the country. Over this period, members contributed 2% of their salary, GHS20.00 as building levy and GHS50.00 as Nurses fund which is managed by Axis Pensions. The understanding is that all contributors will be given their money upon retirement or exit from the union. After several months of exiting the association, some members are yet to receive their Nurses fund deductions from the union. The immediate past executives of the GRNMA who were vilified by the current administration for reasons best known to them started with the payment process and indeed paid a number of people who submitted their request. The current President before she took office made all of us to feel she was the messiah who was coming to save us and thus our refund was not going to be a problem. It is quite astonishing that few weeks after taking office the only thing we can talk about now is law suits against the union and press statements upon press statements from aggrieved members across the country. We are by this public notice giving the GRNMA and Axis Pensions five working days to pay us our money or face the wrath of members. The conveners of this group has so far being able to manage the members and prevented them from doing anything that will disrupt the health delivery system especially in this time of coronavirus outbreak which is threatening Global health but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to hold members back if their monies are not paid to them within this time frame. Long Live Ghana, Long Live Nurses and Midwives Conveners: Samuel Piue Lasir 0247168929 Joseph Arhin 0542659546 Wisdom Dentsi 0245531518 Prempeh Agyemang 0246804790 By ANI PANAJI: In a significant statement, RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Sunday said that opposing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not amount to opposing the Hindus of the country. "The BJP does not mean Hindu community, and opposing BJP does not amount to opposing the Hindus. The political fight will continue but it should not be linked to Hindus," he said while addressing a press conference here. The RSS ideologue was addressing a gathering at Dona Paula here on Sunday. Joshi's remarks are significant a section portrays the BJP as representing the Hindus as a whole and opposing the party is projected as being anti-Hindu or even anti-national. Earlier, Goa RSS Chief Laxman Behare on February 5 said Hindu dharma is a must to save the eternal values of the world. "The RSS has been putting efforts to take India to newer heights in the world. The organisational structure of Hindu dharma is a must to save the eternal values of the world. The Sangh is trying to establish those values in society since the past 94 years," Behare had said. He had said that Bhaiyaji Joshi would visit Goa on February 8 and 9. "Joshi has invited all 40 MLAs, Goa Archbishop and others to create awareness about the RSS and its work among the people," he had said. A 13-year-old boy is in hospital after being swept into a storm water drain in Sydney. The horrific incident unfolded in Roseville on the city's Upper North Shore on Sunday afternoon as the heaviest rain since 1998 ravaged the area. The boy is believed to be in a stable condition at Northern Beaches Hospital. A 13-year-old boy is in hospital after being swept into a storm water drain in Sydney. Ambulance crews are pictured at the scene Four people were taken to hospital after a falling tree hit a taxi in Sydney's CBD Sydney battered by rain - what you need to know - Flood warnings for Manning and Gloucester rivers, the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo rivers, and the Orara River - Waves at up to 14m in Sydney with average swells of 6m along the coast - Five bridges closed across the Hawesbury River - everything from Penrith to the M1 north - Four injured when tree fell on car in the Sydney CBD - 80,000 without power across Sydney and surrounds - Sydney Harbour ferries cancelled Advertisement The incident comes as Sydney is being battered by the strongest winds in 16 years and torrential rain that has felled trees, turned roads into rivers, and left 100,000 homes without power. Almost 100mm of rain has fallen since 9am on Sunday. Widespread flooding prompted 3,300 calls to the State Emergency Service and 40 people had to be rescued. In addition to the 13-year-old boy, four people were rushed to hospital after their taxi was crushed by a falling tree in the CBD. A 16-year-old boy was also rescued after he became trapped in a raging river. Five bridges across the Hawkesbury River are closed - Richmond, Springwood Road in Anges Banks, Bridge Street in Windsor, Sackville Road in Sackville Ferry, and River Road in Webbs Creek. That means massive detours for anyone trying to get to towns east or northeast of Sydney, or into the city from the other side of the river - with essentially everything between the M1 north and Penrith is closed. Pedestrians sprint through Sydney's streets as the rain pelts down unabated, with umbrellas virtually no help A man in Tempe, Sydney, wades through calf-deep water to reach his car, which will almost be flooded once he opens the door Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia will Tuesday, February 11 address the first government town hall meeting this year in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. The meeting will focus solely on updating Ghanaians on the fulfilment of governments promises and commitments made ahead of the 2020 elections. It will be recalled that in the 2016 Manifesto of the NPP, it committed to 388 promises. President Akufo-Addo last year tasked the office of the Vice President to lead an exercise to produce empirical data on the status of these 388 promises the then-candidate and now President Akufo-Addo made to the people of Ghana. Addressing journalists in Accra on Sunday, the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said having completed the exercise and with the approval of Cabinet, Dr. Bawumia will lead the town hall meeting that will provide bullet by bullet details on the performance of the administration in the exercise of fulfilling its manifesto promises. Mr. Nkrumah said the exercise will be heavily data-driven and the data will be made available to the Ghanaian public and other stakeholders. The Minister disclosed that evidence of the work done will also be mounted in a Results Fair Exhibition led by the Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation similar to that which took place in Accra a few weeks ago. Dr. Bawumia's presentation will set the tone as a public accounting mechanism for the work done by the Akufo-Addo administration with reference to its 388 manifesto promises and commitments, he said. Invited guests from across academia, civil society groups, political parties and the general public have been invited to participate in the Town Hall Meeting. Mr. Nkrumah encouraged the media to take a keen interest in the data that shows how much of the administrations commitments have been fulfilled completely or being fulfilled within the first 3years and 2 months of the Akufo-Addo government. The theme for the event is Demonstrating fulfilment of our promises. The objectives of the Government Town Hall Meeting and Results Fair are to ensure accountability in accordance with the 1992 Constitution, guarantee inclusive and participatory development and provide an opportunity for the citizenry to interact with the implementation ministries on performance and impacts of the flagship programmes. --citinewsroom WASHINGTON The Justice Department has begun receiving information obtained by Rudolph W. Giuliani, President Trumps personal lawyer, from Ukraine about former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his son, Senator Lindsey Graham said on Sunday. Mr. Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is the chairman of the Judiciary Committee and a vocal Trump ally, said Attorney General William P. Barr told him in a telephone call early Sunday morning that the department was receiving information coming out of Ukraine delivered by Mr. Giuliani. He told me that they have created a process that Rudy could give information and they would see if its verified, Mr. Graham said on CBSs Face the Nation. A spokeswoman for the Justice Department declined to comment on Mr. Grahams assertion. The department has previously taken steps to distance itself from Mr. Giuliani, and in September, it said Mr. Barr had not discussed anything relating to Ukraine with Mr. Giuliani. You waited three days after the Iowa Democratic caucus to see the state partys best shot at saying how the presidential candidates fared. Get used to the delay. Waiting days maybe longer for results from caucuses and elections is likely to become common, a University of Iowa political science professor predicts. The new normal will be that were going have to wait for results, Caroline Tolbert said. Theres a high likelihood we wont know whos president on the night of the 2020 general election, and I would call that the new normal. While attention last week went to the state partys faulty technology, confusion at some precincts and surprise that the results hotline got pranked, another trend has been growing that doesnt involve human or mechanical errors. This fall, any delay in learning the results of the presidential election could in part be because 21 states are using absentee or mail-in ballots that, in some cases, will not be processed or counted until after the polls close Nov. 3. The delay last week in learning the Iowa caucus results is nothing when compared with the nearly four-week delay in 2018 in hearing the outcomes of four U.S. House races in Californias Orange County. The leader in an Arizona Senate race flipped during what Edward Foley of the Ohio State University election law program called the overtime count of provisional and mail-in ballots after the polls close on Election Day. In the Iowa Democratic caucuses, Tolbert said, the use of preference cards for the first time was essentially a transition to paper ballots. Frankly, this was the first caucus that acted like an election, she said. The Iowa caucuses have never had a paper ballot, Tolbert said. They just counted heads. We never reported our actual vote. We just reported out the state delegate equivalents, Tolbert said. The national partys requirement to report more information this time added to the delay. But in some ways, Iowa Democrats problems are small potatoes. In Texas, Democratic Party officials say changes in how election results are reported will delay the final tally of the 228 delegates won by the presidential hopefuls in the upcoming March 3 Super Tuesday primary. Iowa has just 41 delegates in comparison. Four of the states Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Hawaii hold all elections entirely by mail. In California, some counties now may conduct all-mail elections. And after 2020, all California counties will be allowed conduct all-mail elections. Several states, including Nebraska and Minnesota, allow all-mail elections in small cities and counties, and Missouri allows all-mail elections for non-partisan issue elections. Michigan voters approved no-reason absentee voting similar to Iowas absentee voting law and the secretary of state there has warned that the state may be the last to report results in the 2020 presidential election. Its going to take, like, multiple days after the election to get all those ballots counted, Tolbert said. Michigan is expected to be a battleground state again this year, so its results could be critical in determining the winner of the presidential race. This year, in an effort to be more transparent, the Iowa Democratic Party not only calculated state delegate equivalents but also reported raw body counts after caucusgoers formed preference groups and again when they realigned. While the party achieved that goal, the new steps also confused some caucusgoers and may have lengthened the process, according to Tolbert and political science colleagues from around the country who observed three caucuses at Iowa City West High. They saw people leave with their preference cards before precinct officials could record them. Caucusgoers around the state reported people leaving after the first alignment, especially if their preferred candidate was not viable. Tolbert doubts the party recognized that this transition to paper ballot was going to make this much difference. Its almost like it was under the radar, she said. However, the preference cards became important when the partys phone app for reporting precinct results failed. When that happened, Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center for Justice said, the caucuses became a mess ... painful to watch. Iowa Republicans have had their own problems with caucus results. In 2012, party officials declared Mitt Romney the winner. Two weeks later, they said, Oh, Im sorry, (Rick) Santorum won, Tolbert said. By that time, New Hampshire had voted, and that ship had sailed. So the adoption of mail-in ballots and all-mail elections is likely to continue as well as delays in announcing results, Tolbert said. No one wants to wait for caucus results, she said, but its important to maintain perspective. Nobody was killed. It wasnt the coronavirus. It wasnt a Boeing jet that went down and killed people, she said. And, Tolbert added, its probably a good thing that this early warning alarm for election officials everywhere went off in Iowa. You had blowback from the national media, from the Twitter-verse, from the social media world, from even the president and the whole national political establishment, and (Iowa Democrats) just held their own and they said, We will not be pushed, and they just counted those ballots, she said. You know, weve faced floods and how do we respond? We faced a trade war. How do we respond? Tolbert said. We have faith and we just kind of dig down and find a way out. The Iowa Democratic Party made some huge mistakes in the changes to the caucus rules, Tolbert said, but I am proud of them for how they and the Republican Party just ignore this blowback and just get down to business and just do what was the right thing to do. Theres something very Iowan about it. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 S wiss voters have overwhelmingly backed a new measure that makes it illegal to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation. The country's parliament will now expand existing anti-discrimination law, making it illegal to publicly denigrate, discriminate or stir up hatred based on a persons sexual orientation. Opponents of the move claimed it violated peoples right to freedom of opinion and gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on the issue. Switzerland holds referendums several times a year that give voters a direct say in policy-making. LGBTQ+ events to go to this February in London 1 /8 LGBTQ+ events to go to this February in London Golden Girls: A musical, February 11-14, Two Brewers Paul Drinkwater/NBC Photo Bank/G Femmi-Errect, February 8, Dalston Superstore Girls Aloud Party, February 22, Clapham Grand Getty Images Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist, February 6-17, the Vaults Queer Tour of Theatreland, February 9, meet opposite Lyceum Theatre PA Archive/PA Images Dirty Dis Tunnel of Love, February 14, The Glory Voters supported outlawing anti-gay discrimination by a margin of 63.1 per cent to 36.9 per cent, an outcome roughly in line with pre-referendum expectations. Of Switzerlands 26 states, only three Appenzell-Innerrhoden, Schwyz and Uri had majorities vote against it. Under the measure, operators of restaurants, cinemas and public facilities such as swimming pools will not be able to turn people away because of their sexual orientation. The revision approved on Sunday expands the scope of a law in force since 1995 that bans discrimination on the basis of race or religion. The law allows fines and up to three years in prison for violations. In its new form, it will cover sexual orientation but not gender identity. Supporters said the addition is needed but it would not stifle legitimate public debate as long as the views expressed dont stray into fomenting hate or discrimination. Voters are saying unmistakably that hatred and discrimination have no place in our free Switzerland, Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said. Opponents argued protections against denigration were already enshrined in Swiss law. The nationalist Swiss Peoples Party, the biggest single party in Parliament, opposed the change and said the backers must now show it was not a pretext for handing down politically motivated verdicts and silencing unwelcome opinions and voices. Ms Keller-Sutter said freedom of expression remains guaranteed. She added that courts have been restrained in their application of the existing law and anyone who remains respectful need have no fear of being convicted. (Corrects paragraph nine to show that the head of the WHO team would leave on Monday or Tuesday) * U.S. embassy confirms death of 60-year-old American in Wuhan * Five British nationals infected at French Alpine village * China death toll passes 700, approaches global deaths from SARS * For more coverage of the outbreak: https://www.reuters.com/live-events/coronavirus-6-id2921484 By Tom Daly and Min Zhang BEIJING, Feb 8 (Reuters) - A 60-year-old American has died of the new coronavirus, the first confirmed non-Chinese death of the illness, U.S. officials said, as millions of Chinese began returning home after a Lunar New Year break that was extended to try to contain the outbreak. While the vast majority of cases have been in China, the virus has spread to some two dozen countries abroad, including five British nationals infected in a French mountain resort. The American man died on Thursday in Wuhan, epicentre of the virus outbreak in the central Chinese province of Hubei, a U.S. embassy spokesman said in Beijing on Saturday. He did not elaborate. A Japanese man in his sixties and hospitalised with pneumonia in Wuhan, capital of Hubei, also died after suffering symptoms consistent with the new coronavirus, Japan's foreign ministry said. The virus has been a blow to China's already-slowing economy, with Goldman Sachs cutting its first-quarter GDP growth target to 4% from 5.6% previously and saying a deeper hit is possible. "It's certainly not going to be a return to normal next week," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics in Singapore. The death toll in mainland China rose to 723 on Saturday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, looking likely to pass the 774 deaths recorded globally during the 2002-2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Most of the deaths in China have occurred in and around Wuhan. Across mainland China, the number of cases stood at 34,598, the WHO said. Story continues The virus has spread to 27 countries and regions, according to a Reuters count based on official reports, infecting more than 330 people. Two deaths have been reported outside mainland China - in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Both victims were Chinese nationals. The head of a WHO-led international team investigating the outbreak will leave for China on Monday or Tuesday. WHO expert Mike Ryan said the number of new cases in Hubei had stabilised over the last four days, "which may reflect the impact of control measures put in place". The latest patients include five British nationals staying in the same chalet at a ski village in Haute-Savoie in the Alps, health officials said, raising fears of further infections at a busy period in the ski season. The five, including a child, had been lodged in the same chalet with a person who had been in Singapore. They were not in a serious condition, the officials said. France issued a new travel advisory for its citizens, saying it did not recommend travelling to China unless there was an "imperative" reason. Italy asked children travelling from China to stay away from school for two weeks voluntarily. 'STAY STRONG' Hidden among the statistics are poignant tales of grief and frustration. Canadian mother Amelia Pan is at home while her two-year-old daughter, Cerena, is running a fever and stranded in Hubei where her father has contracted the virus. "I am just hanging in there," Pan said in a Skype interview. "I need to stay strong so I can fight for my family." China's Communist Party rulers have sealed off cities, cancelled flights and closed factories, a response that has dented the world's second-biggest economy and had ripple effects globally for financial markets and businesses dependent on China. China's economy will sputter towards normal on Monday, as millions return to the big cities after the biggest holiday of the year. The holiday was extended, but many workplaces will remain closed and many white-collar workers will continue to work from home. U.S. electric carmaker Tesla's factory in Shanghai will resume production on Monday, a government official said on Saturday. Apple Inc said it was working to reopen its China corporate offices and call centres and was making preparations to reopen retail stores there. But Chinese authorities have blocked a plan by Apple supplier Foxconn to resume production from Feb. 10 over concerns about the spread of the virus, Japans Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday. Volkswagen, facing supply chain disruptions, said it had postponed restarting production at most China plants in its joint venture with SAIC Motor and the Tianjin plant in its JV with FAW Group until Feb. 17. News of the death on Friday of Li Wenliang, a doctor who was reprimanded by police for raising the alarm about the new coronavirus, sparked outrage on Chinese social media and rekindled memories of how Beijing was slow to tell the world about the SARS outbreak. Chinese-ruled Hong Kong introduced a two-week quarantine on Saturday for all people arriving from the mainland, or who have been there during the previous 14 days. The Pentagon is shrinking the size of its delegation travelling to the Singapore Airshow 2020 and U.S. defence firms Lockheed Martin Corp and Raytheon Co said they would not attend. Singapore has 40 coronavirus infections. Another three people on a cruise liner off Japan tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases from the ship to 64, Japan's health ministry said. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd on Friday banned "any guests holding Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passports, regardless of when they were there last" from boarding the company's ships. The WHO warned on Friday against the "unnecessary, unhelpful profiling of individuals based on ethnicity". (Reporting by Ryan Woo, Colin Qian, Min Zhang, Se Young Lee, Yan Zhang, Cheng Leng, Judy Hua, Tom Daly and Lusha Zhang in Beijing; Brenda Goh, Samuel Shen, Yilei Sun in Shanghai, Marine Pennetier and Sarah White in Paris and Giselda Vagnoni in Rome Writing by Nick Macfie Editing by Frances Kerry) Doctors have urged NHS hospitals to ditch 'humiliating' backless gowns which leave patients exposed during intimate examinations. The new 'down with the gown' campaign will challenge the standard practice to offer patients a robe which ties at the back, leaving much of the body on view. Leading medics are calling for the health service to prioritise the dignity of those undergoing examinations in hospital when they are vulnerable. Prof David Oliver, past vice-president of the Royal College of Physicians, told The Telegraph that such gowns were too often used for no good reason, in a way that left patients 'embarrassed and uncomfortable'. Doctors have urged NHS hospitals to ditch 'humiliating' backless gowns which leave patients exposed during intimate examinations (file image) He added that the open-backed gowns left far too much on show and could also leave patients feeling cold if they have no other layers to wear. The geriatrician said it leaves people who may already be feeling anxious in an unfamiliar environment even more exposed. Writing in the British Medical Journal, he said it was not right to expect patients to wear the garments, particularly in public areas, where they mix with other patients and visitors of the opposite sex. There are often real reasons to use the gowns for short periods, for example during some surgery, but NHS hospitals often expect patients to wear them at other times too, he said. Patients, doctors and nurses have responded to the #downwiththegown campaign, backing calls for action. The new 'down with the gown' campaign will challenge the standard practice to offer patients a robe which ties at the back, leaving much of the body on view (file image) One cardiac nurse told the publication her own experiences as a patient had left her in tears. She said that she was made to walk to surgery wearing a gown, paper pants and no bra, leaving her feeling undignified and embarrassed. One physio practitioner on Twitter said: 'Having these gowns put on is a fundamental part of stripping someone of their identity and dignity, and is done routinely and without thought. Horrible things.' 10 years ago the fashion designed Ben de Lisi came up with new designs which protected patients modesty, in a scheme commissioned by the Department of Health. The design included a fleece to keep patients warm, a bag to keep a mobile phone in and the option of trousers. However it was never introduced routinely across the NHS. In November, a Lancet study found found that seven in ten hospital patients who had been asked to wear the gowns were left feeling exposed. The study also found that four in ten patients were given two gowns, so they could attempt to cover themselves. Medics say the 'down with the gown' campaign aims to ensure that wherever possible, patients can to wear clothes in which they feel comfortable. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to lead a revolution into infrastructure development across Africa, a challenge he said if realised would see an end to all manifestations of colonialism and imperialism on the continent. Mr Ramaphosa took over on Sunday as the new chairperson of the African Union in Addis Ababa, using his acceptance speech to rail against decades of neglect that had rendered Africa a minor player in world trade and notorious dumping ground for substandard goods. The era of colonialism and imperialism under which Africa is a pit stop in the global assembly line has passed, Mr Ramaphosa declared as he took over from Egypts Abdel Fatah El-Sisi for the one-year tenure on Sunday afternoon. The South African leader expressed high expectations of the recently-adopted African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He said its implementation would mark the beginning of prosperity in a continent that has had its potential suppressed for too long. We are a continent that is rich in natural resources but also in history, intellectual output, culture in its sense of humanity, he said, adding that he would use his leadership to kickstart a process that would guarantee an Africa connected through a vast network of roads and railways, enabling the free movement of goods, people and services. Driving force The 33rd Summit of the African Union that got underway earlier this week has been packed with discussions around urgent implementation of AfCFTA, a continent-wide trade treaty adopted in 2018. Fifty-two out of 54 countries and territories that make up the African Union have endorsed the treaty. Legislative bodies of all the countries have already commenced ratification processes. African leaders believe the agreement would spur intra-continental trade amongst the member states, which is currently very low, notwithstanding their common borders and shared cultural heritage. The success of the AfCTA depends on infrastructure development, Mr Ramaphosa said, adding that a road would be constructed between Cape Town and Cairo as part of the agenda. A slew of outstanding issues around AfCFTA, especially on the definition of what constitutes an African good or service would be finalised before the official commencement of the policy, he added. Women and youth would also play a major role in driving AfCFTA implementation due to their indispensable potentials for economic mobility, Mr Ramaphosa said. He promised to reduce gender-based violence that has become a key impediment to social development and technological breakthrough on the continent. We have heard the calls of the women and the girls of Africa for liberation from the shackles of patriarchy, violence and economic exclusion, Mr Ramaphosa said. Africa must drive a skills revolution and an Africa intelligence forum must be established to include those in the diaspora. This years AU summit, which has non-African leaders like Antonio Guterres and Canadas Justin Trudeau in attendance, focused on silencing the guns to foster economic development on the continent. It would wrap up on Monday after consideration of all pending policy initiatives that were presented to the leaders of the 54 member states. - Stonebwoy has called for the legalisation of marijuana - He said that is not harmful compared with cigarette - The musician also said Ghana will reap many health and financial benefits from the legalization - Stonebwoy was also tight-lipped on whether he smokes or not, saying it is his private life Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana Top Ghanaian Dancehall musician Stonebwoy has joined in the call for the legalisation of weed, also known as marijuana. The musician said weed is harmless as compared with cigarette. He added that the country also stands to reap many benefits from the legalisation if it will be considered. READ ALSO: Ghanaian barber makes funny-looking photo resembling Sarkodie and Ofori Amponsah This is contained in a report seen by YEN.com.gh on Ghanacelebrities.com. He joins the likes of Yvonne Nelson and Samini, who have also said legalising weed is beneficial, especially, for health purposes. God has blessed Ghana with arable lands and resources to grow marijuana in large quantities. It will be good to have it legalised so as to reap the full benefits, Stonebwoy reportedly said. Asked if he smokes weed himself, Stonebwoy said he was not in the position to confirm or deny that, stressing that it is completely his private affair. READ ALSO: Good innovation: Nana Ama McBrown throws weight behind man selling Hisense coconut The musician has been in the news recently when a video of his plush hall decorated with love popped up on the internet. That was the first time Stonebwoy flaunted his home and many people were delighted at seeing the room. His daughter Jidula also trended in the news when she went swimming. The little girl of just three years proves that she is bold as other children of her age would cry at merely seeing the vast pool. READ ALSO: Fans raise concern over Nana Ama McBrowns husbands pose with Becca in new photo Mathew Anim Cudjoe showered with money after Hearts - Kotoko game in Accra | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: Stonebwoy puts his luxurious hall on display in new video for the first time Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh Not since she shot to fame 20 years ago as Jane Austens heroine Fanny Price in Mansfield Park has Frances OConnor taken centre stage quite so effectively. Her latest role isnt a particularly sexy one, shes more a mother battered by life, but it is possibly the role of a lifetime for the actress who won a Golden Globe nomination for 2014s The Missing and also starred as Rose in Mr Selfridge. Unbound by period dress, the British-born Australian actress shines in ten-part Sky Atlantic drama The End as Dr Kate Brennan, a woman juggling an ever-expanding pile of issues that would have most of us refusing to leave our bedrooms. As a palliative care doctor she looks after the terminally ill at a hospital on Australias Gold Coast, and at the start of the series we see the kind of ethical dilemmas this throws up when a seriously ill young woman shows Kate the poison shes planning to kill herself with. Frances O'Connor, a British-born Australian actress, shines in ten-part Sky Atlantic drama The End as Dr Kate Brennan Kate confiscates it, but then finds herself in a battle of wills with the womans husband. Things are no easier for her at home. Her estranged husband is in prison for embezzlement while her eldest child Oberon (played by teenage transsexual actor Morgan Davies) is transitioning into a boy and has attempted suicide once already. Her younger daughter Persephone (Ingrid Torelli) is playing up by leading rebellions at school in a cry for attention. Meanwhile, following the death of Kates father, her mother Edie (Dame Harriet Walter) tries and fails to commit suicide. Kate then transports her from Surrey to join her in Australia in an eye-wateringly expensive retirement village. Its a rare show that really looks at what it is to be a woman in each of these different stages of life, says Frances. O'Connor, right, as Kate in The End with Edie (Dame Harriet Walter), Persephone and Oberon I loved that the story didnt deal in stereotypes but has created wonderful, very flawed characters. 'Kate messes up a lot. It was such a pleasure to read this very real and funny script, and I hope weve done it justice. The #MeToo thing might have changed things a lot, but scripts like this about women especially women over 30 are still not being written enough, which is ridiculous when its women over 30 who are watching television. We need much more of this kind of stuff. The meandering and occasionally surreal story follows Kate and her family as they attempt to negotiate lifes many challenges. Ugh, Ive always been so nervous before sex scenes. Having to pretend to be doing stuff while half naked with a stranger, and making all the noises... Frances O'Connor They fall out, make up, love and hate each other. Refreshingly original, its about life, love, family and sex. Frances didnt think shed still be doing sex scenes in middle age. Perfectly understandably, shes always hated having to get intimate with a stranger in front of the camera, and had hoped that at the age of 52 those days would be behind her. Ugh, Ive always been so nervous before them, she grimaces. Having to pretend to be doing stuff while half naked with a stranger, and making all the noises... But she at least had a helping hand. The show used an intimacy director someone hired to carefully arrange sex scenes and guide the actors and directors about physical touch a growing speciality in the film world. It made the experience rather less painful, she says. Everything is choreographed like a dance. It means you know what youre doing and theres a lot less fumbling and getting things wrong. Thank God! But the show is also very much about death, and controversially so. It looks at euthanasia, suicide and how people feel about mortality. O'Connor won a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in 2014s The Missing, opposite James Nesbitt (pictured) It unflinchingly shows the pain of being forced to stay alive when you dont want to, the indignity of a painful death and how some people are desperate to cling onto life while others desperately want to end it. Kate doesnt believe in euthanasia but she becomes conflicted by it as the series goes on, says Frances. Im conflicted too, its such a complicated issue. 'Its hard to legislate in a blanket kind of way about something thats so personal, and its hard to see how it wouldnt be open to corruption. I spent a couple of days working with palliative care doctors to get a bit of an understanding of the role, and what they do every day is truly mind-boggling. Its important to articulate whether you still want to be kept going once you cant eat or speak while youre sane enough to do it Dame Harriet Walter 'Its all about giving people an excellent death. People are very uncomfortable with death they dont want to spend time talking about it, but maybe we should. I think the show will ruffle some feathers. For Dame Harriet Walter, 69, the issue is something shes thought long and hard about. The great thing about this show for me was my character is fully rounded shes an adolescent, a child, a middle-aged old woman shes terrific to play, says the acting veteran. The subject matter also feels important. Im getting nearer to it all being terribly relevant, which meant I did have to think about whether I could take it on. A decade ago I did a television play with Julie Walters about a euthanasia clinic in Switzerland, and it was all so brutally sad I did think, I cant go there again. But its a really important subject to revisit, and in this show its looked at with humour and a lightness of touch. O'Connor starred as Rose in Mr Selfridge, as seen with co-star Jeremy Piven as Mr Selfridge Assisted dying is something Ive thought about, but there are problems in making it legal. Its very hard to legislate against Harold Shipman-type situations. But one thing I have done is written a living will to make clear what I do want should something happen to me its important to do these things when youre still pretty sane. 'Its hard to come to terms with the fact that you have to make these decisions, but I have discussed it with my family and my solicitor. 'To ensure your loved ones are protected and exonerated of any criminal repercussions is something you have to do. So, its important to articulate whether you still want to be kept going once you cant eat or speak while youre sane enough to do it. Theres a lovely line, which I helped our scriptwriter with, about how the freedom of the 60s never reached Surrey. For people of that generation there was a lot of sexual repression and 'lie back and think of England' Dame Harriet Walter Dame Harriet, who is married to American actor Guy Paul, hopes the show will make people talk about it. Its a private thing, but I hope this provokes some discussion. Its good to get people talking were frightened of it but there are practical decisions to be made. The series is based on the real-life family of Australian writer Samantha Strauss, in particular her grandmother who found a new lease of life once she moved into a retirement village. Samantha has joked that the main topics of conversation there were sex, alcohol and death, and Harriet says she adored playing a character who starts off repressed and unhappy but changes her life. Theres a lovely line, which I helped our scriptwriter with, about how the freedom of the 60s never reached Surrey, she says. For people of that generation there was a lot of sexual repression and lie back and think of England. 'Edie had very little positive experience of sex. The more you learn about her, the more you see she was bullied by her husband. 'But when you travel to a new country there is a wonderful opportunity to reinvent yourself even at Edies age. Harriet too had the help of the intimacy director, as Edie explores her body and her sexuality at the retirement village. Its a big deal depicting a sexual relationship for someone at my age, she admits. I dont actually want to watch other people having sex even if they have beautiful bodies and this has been done discreetly, you dont see much. The notion that this element of you dies is such b*****ks. We were filming in a real retirement village with the residents as our extras and even then we could all see it going on. 'I mean when I think of my grandma... but she must have done it! Its still an important element for people my age, although theres also a wonderful freedom in the idea that you dont have to do it any more if you dont want to. The End, Monday, 10pm, Sky Atlantic and Now TV. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday he is seeking a seat for Canada on the powerful United Nations Security Council because it is where the world's most pressing issues are debated. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday he is seeking a seat for Canada on the powerful United Nations Security Council because it is where the world's most pressing issues are debated. Trudeau spent his second full day in Africa at a working lunch with some Ethiopian female business owners and in one-on-one meetings with leaders from Nigeria, Somalia, Mauritius and Madagascar. He attended a formal dinner for the African Union summit Saturday night, after meeting with five others and delivering two speeches on the margins of the summit. While Trudeau said this trip is aimed at moving Canada's relationship with Africa to new heights, including more economic partnerships and business ties, he acknowledged Canada's campaign for one of the 10 non-permanent seats on the Security Council is one of the reasons for the visit. Canada is up against Norway and Ireland for two spots on the council in a vote that will take place in June. There are 54 African members of the United Nations, more than one-fourth of the potential votes for the Security Council's seats. Canada lost its bid for a seat in 2010, partly due to lacklustre African support. "The UN Security Council is a place where the biggest issues facing our world are debated, discussed and advanced," Trudeau said. "Having a Canadian voice at that table is important for Canadians but also for countries around the world who share our values, who share our concerns, who share our perspective on the world." But not all African nations are on the same page as Canada on at least one issue: human rights. Trudeau has been noticeably quiet or vague about the matter on this trip so far, said Alice Musabende, a Canadian doctoral student in international relations specializing in Africa's international relations. She said she thinks it's because he didn't want to upset any leaders as he is campaigning for their votes. "I think this whole trip really was prepared as a way to not put human rights and good governance front and centre of these discussions," said Musabende. Trudeau said Canadians are used to seeing him talk about human rights "wherever we go around the world" and Africa was no different. "In all of my conversations with every leader we've talked about human rights," Trudeau said. But he did not do it publicly. Other than one mention of "LGBTQ issues", Trudeau didn't list human rights as something to discuss in any of the brief photo opportunities he held before all nine one-on-one meeting with African leaders over the last two days. He did meet with some whose governments have been criticized by international groups like Amnesty International for their human rights records, including the leaders of Rwanda and Egypt. Rwandan President Paul Kagame changed the constitution to allow him to run for more terms in office, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government has been criticized for arbitrarily detaining people, torture and extrajudicial killings. Canadian engineer Yasser Albaz has been detained in Cairo for a year after he was arrested at the airport at the end of a business trip. He has not been charged with anything. Trudeau said he raised the case with el-Sisi in their private meeting. Musabende said African leaders will surely welcome the economic partnerships, climate change co-operation and women's empowerment programs Trudeau talked about constantly but she said those can't happen without human rights being on the table. "If you're going there and you're going to be partnering with an entire continent where you still have some presidents who are changing, in a constitutional way, their terms to stay in power, or you talking with people who have abused human rights of their citizens and you are Canada, pretty much the flag bearer of human rights, how do you not say who you are and what you really stand for," she said. Trudeau and his cabinet ministers repeatedly said over the weekend that they believe their partnerships and relationships with Africa are stronger than ever and that their government has been working hard to make them even better over the last four years. Trudeau pointed to investments in peacekeeping and peace building, and said almost half Canada's spending on development goes to sub-Saharan Africa. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, who is in Africa with Trudeau, said thus far the leaders he has spoken to believe Canada embodies the same values about climate change, multilateralism, and economic security they do. "So far, I must say what I've heard from African leaders is that they certainly welcome Canada on the Security Council," he said. Antoine Chevrier, Canada's ambassador in Ethiopia, said he thinks this trip has sent a positive message to African leaders about how serious Canada is about stronger ties. He pointed specifically to the large trade delegation with more than 20 Canadian business owners along, as well as having the prime minister at the helm. "I think the trip has made a huge difference in firming up and building on the very strong and existing partnerships," he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. Beijing: The Chinese authorities have urged the masses to come forward to undergo coronavirus tests and have also announced a 1,000 yuan (around $143) reward for the people reaching hospital to get tested for the epidemic that has claimed over 800 lives and infected more than 37,000 people. The Hubei province administration has taken this initiative after noticing that the streets of Wuhan, a city with over 1 crore population, have started looking deserted. People, fearing infection, have confined themselves to their houses. According to the Global Times, the administration said residents with fever and other symptoms must get themselves examined at hospital and claim the reward. The Commerce Ministry of China said seven million medical masks, three lakh protective suits and two lakh goggles - donated by 21 countries and an international organisation - had arrived and would be distributed to the people soon. Meanwhile, the Beijing administration has banned the N95 mask for the public. A similar measure has been implemented in the Zhejiang Province. According to officials, the N95 masks will be available only to medical professionals engaged in the treatment of coronavirus-hit people. There has been displacement of black people out of this city, Bowser said. We have to confront the decisions that the government made to encourage that and deal with this head on. Some of them the local government made. And many more the federal government made and for much longer. At some point, we all have made a deal on handshake. Whether on the playground, at home or in the office, doing business on a handshake comes naturally. However, as technology evolves, so does the way we conduct business. In the past, a handshake agreement typically was preceded by verbal discussion. When that resulted in an exchange of things or promises, a legally binding contract was formed whether or not you actually shook hands. While verbal discussions can still create a contract, deals are increasingly being made by text message. Business owners often ask: can I be legally bound by a text message? With some exceptions, the answer is generally yes. With text messaging becoming one of the most prevalent forms of communication, it has become increasingly common to see text messages used as evidence in court. But should a text message be treated like verbal communication or more like a written agreement? After all, most of us use text messages casually and approach text messaging with the same sense of informality as a conversation. Unlike drafting a letter or email, text messages often use language that mimics the way we speak. At times, it may seem like weve forgotten how to use full sentences or even proper grammar. In business, however, it is important to remember that the law does not recognize this informality. Contrary to what some people think, you do not necessarily have to put an agreement in writing for it to form a valid, binding contract. In fact, the recipe to form a contract contains three simple ingredients: an offer, an acceptance and consideration. When two or more people reach an agreement (offer and acceptance) to exchange things or promises of value (consideration), a contract is formed. In certain instances, the law does require a written, signed agreement to create a contract. Common examples include the sale of real estate, goods valued over $500, or contracts that cannot be performed in less than a year. In those instances, the law asks: (1) is a text message a writing; and (2) was the text message signed? In 2002, Connecticut adopted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) to address these questions in electronic transactions. The act provides that any time the law requires a writing or a signature, then an electronic record or an electronic signature is sufficient. Text messages, therefore are writings under UETA. However, whether the text message contains an electronic signature will depend on its content. Under the UETA, an electronic signature is any electronic sound, symbol or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record. In other words, the court must examine the text message to see whether you intended it to act as your signature. For example, a Massachusetts court recently examined whether a contract for the sale of real estate could be created through text messages. The court ruled that text messages could satisfy the requirement of a signed writing and that the text messages in question were signed when the sender included his name at the end of the message. This decision and others like it should serve as an important reminder to take your text messages seriously. Whether you are transacting business verbally or by text message, beware of informality. Use clear and precise language, as even the most informal communications can have legal significance. And please, dont sign your name at the end of your text messages! David Shufrin is a business lawyer and litigator with the Milford-based firm of Hurwitz, Sagarin, Slossberg, & Knuff LLC. He can be reached at 203-877-8000. This article is not intended to constitute legal advice and is for general informational purposes only. Readers should contact an attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. North Belfast Sinn Fein MP John Finucane is still working full-time for his law firm. He revealed in the House of Commons register of members' interests he was doing 40 hours a week for Finucance Toner. The prominent lawyer does not take his 79,468 MP's salary because he does not take his seat, but he is still eligible for office costs and staff funding. The register of members' interests indicates that Mr Finucane is paid 4,672 a month by his law firm. Among the 40-year-old's high-profile clients is Belfast boxer Carl Frampton, who is suing former manager Barry McGuigan's Cyclone Promotions (UK) Ltd over an alleged failure to pay purse money from his bouts. Mr Finucane also declared 1,608.74 paid by Belfast City Council for his role as Lord Mayor of the city. This ceased on January 7 after his election to Westminster. Last year Sinn Fein's seven MPs were paid nearly 120,000 in expenses, leading to calls for the rules to be changed. Foyle MP Elisha McCallion, who in the recent general election lost her seat to SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, claimed almost 25,000 - the most of all Sinn Fein's MPs. West Tyrone's Orfhlaith Begley claimed the least, at just over 12,000. Mr Finucane was elected the MP for North Belfast in December last year. He managed to turn the 2,081 majority enjoyed by the DUP's Nigel Dodds into a 1,943 lead for himself. At the previous election in 2017 he reduced Mr Dodds' majority by nearly 3,000 votes. Sinn Fein has always maintained that its elected representatives take home the current average industrial wage on both sides of the border. But there have been instances where its politicians have been shown to be, or admitted to, taking home much more. In 2018, for example, Dublin North-West TD Dessie Ellis struck a deal with party chiefs to allow him to keep his 93,598 (82,493) salary. KABUL -- Two U.S. soldiers have been killed and six wounded in a firefight in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar Province, with the U.S. military saying initial reports indicate an attack was carried out by a man in an Afghan National Army (ANA) uniform. Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement early on February 9 that the incident occurred after a combined U.S.-Afghan force was returning from a "key-leader engagement" in which U.S. forces meet with important individuals of selected areas. "Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun," Leggett said. "We are still collecting information, and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time," he added. Shah Mahmood Miakhel, the governor of Nangarhar Province, earlier told RFE/RL that at least three Afghan soldiers were injured in the attack that he also said appears to have been carried out by an assailant in an ANA uniform. He added that the man had been killed and that his motive for the attack was not known. Nangarhar Provincial Council member Ajmal Omer also told AP that the gunman was killed, adding that the incident took place in Nangarhar Province's Sherzad District. The New York Times on February 8 quoted an unnamed U.S. military official saying there were at least six American casualties and confirmed that there were fatalities without saying how many. Assaults by rogue Afghan soldiers -- so-called green-on-blue attacks -- became a regular occurrence in the conflict, although they have become less frequent in recent years. "We are not ruling any possibility out, but we are not calling it an insider attack, Taliban attack, or 'green-on-blue' at this stage," an Afghan defense official told Reuters. Sohrab Qaderi, a provincial council member in Nangarhar, said it was possible a tactical mistake occurred between Afghan and foreign forces. U.S. spokesman Leggett said in a statement earlier that both Afghan and U.S. personnel were "engaged by direct firing." The Taliban and an Islamic State (IS) affiliate both operate in eastern Nangarhar Province. Taliban sources could not immediately be reached for comment. Some 14,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Afghanistan as part of the U.S.-led NATO mission to train, assist, and advise Afghan forces and to carry out counterterrorism missions. Washington has conducted talks with the Taliban in Qatar in an effort to find an end to Afghanistan's 18-year war, but a deal has not yet been reached. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and The New York Times Ghana is a corrupt country in everything, including the judiciary system and politics; therefore, politicians are restless because they know what happens during elections since there are never free and fair elections in Africa, including Ghana. A US News report has identified Ghana as the third most corrupt country in the world. Reference: https://bit.ly/38cZ4QO According to its 2020 ranking, a characterization of 73 countries based on a survey of more than 20,000 citizens of the world and apart from Ghana which occupies the 3rd place, the classification also implies Kenya which comes in 8th position of the most corrupt countries in the world. Others are Columbia and Mexico, known for its deadly drug cartels. Myanmar, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Bolivia are also in the top 10. Russia, which has been accused of electoral interference and Olympic doping, joined the top 10 this year after ranking number 12 in 2019. In the report, respondents indicated how closely they relate each country to the term corrupt, the exact meaning of which was left to their own interpretation. Transparency International, the German-based non-governmental organization defines corruption as the abuse of public power for private gain. The organization's most recent version of its corruption perception index also indicates that the failure to significantly control corruption is escalating a global democracy crisis. Corruption in Ghana is at its highest peak because it takes place daily, however, it increases significantly when getting close to elections. This is one of the reasons there is always political instability in Ghana, since the suffering masses, including the unemployed outraged over the impact of corruption in the country. The fight against corruption in Ghanas administration was one of President Nana Akufo Addo's major priorities but what has he done today? You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.- Abraham Lincoln. I write without inventing my own words but based on the references of what Akufo Addo himself said. On corruption, during a ceremony at the Flagstaff House (Thats what I know it is called), Nana Akufo Addo said: While corruption is a thorny issue that permeates every fabric of Ghanaian society, especially the public sector, he believes that it is one of the worst scourges that oppose the development of Ghana. Then when the president failed the fight against corruption, including his failure to solving chronic corruption among the members of the NPP, frustrated and embarrassed Akufo Addo, shamefully said, "it is not his job to accuse the innocent or convict officials who engage in corruption." According to President Akufo Addo, "all cases of corruption in his government will follow due process to determine whether the officials involved are guilty or not." Oh yes, Nana Akufo Addo, this is one of the reasons you appointed the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu to do that job. Yet, you were so scared that he will bring out corrupt NPP officials, which will affect the partys future in elections, therefore, you sat on the neck of the man to prevent him to do his job. If the common Ghanaians you starved at home cant see, the honest Ghanaians living outside the country know about your Politricks. In fact, Akufo Addo, all those attacking me for speaking the truth or any time I write an article about you are wasting their time, since the articles are based on what you say but never did or about your failures. Once provoked, I get the message to repeat similar articles because the truth is bitter than the bile. It's also necessary to add this to the article, in reality, you often see many deleted comments under my articles, only one or two are genuine, the rest of the names are from one person. Yes, I mean a frustrated angry, tribalistic enemy full of hate, who wants everyone to believe that the article I wrote has generated 10 negative comments but the fact is the different names are from only one person. I believe intelligent Ghanaians know that too. There is a time for everything, Mr. President, my only fear is before Ghanaians will realize how bad you are as a leader or how corrupt both NDC and NPP political parties are, then its too late. Nothing can bring a change to the doomed economy of Ghana because the impact of continuous abuse of power and corruption will destroy the economy beyond remedy. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo delivered a tough warning about China in a speech to US governors, urging caution in business dealings as Beijing looks for ways to exploit US vulnerabilities and expands repression at home. He had a pointed message for certain US state pension funds that may be investing in ways that help Chinas government crack down on its Muslim minority, or even put US military personnel at risk. As of its latest public filings, the Florida retirement system has invested in a company that in turn has invested in surveillance gear that the Chinese Communist Party uses to track more than 1 million Muslim minorities, Pompeo said at the National Governors Associations winter meeting in Washington. Californias pension fund, the countrys largest, is invested in companies that supply the Peoples Liberation Army, Pompeo said without providing specifics. That puts our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines at risk. The worlds second-largest economy is further embracing repression under President Xi Jinping, Pompeo said in a continuation of the commentary about Beijing that was a feature of his recent trip to Europe and Central Asia. Who are the Uighurs and why is China locking them up? Competition with China is happening inside of your state and it affects our capacity to perform Americas vital national-security functions, the top US diplomat said. Competition with China is not just a federal issue. Pompeo said US engagement with China at the end of the Cold War was based on the assumption that it would turn toward becoming a liberal democracy. It didnt happen, Pompeo said. Under Xi Jinping the country is moving exactly in the opposite direction: more repression, more unfair competition, more predatory economic practices, and indeed a more aggressive military posture as well. He added that those trends dont mean the countries cant do business, citing the recent Phase One trade deal between China and the US and prospects for a second round. Chinese officials in the past have pushed back aggressively on US criticism -- including those by Pompeo -- as interference in the countrys domestic affairs. The Chinese embassy in Washington had no immediate comment on his latest comments. Pompeo also said Chinas government wants to exploit US freedoms to gain advantage at the federal, state and local levels. Im asking you to adopt a cautious mindset, Pompeo said. In the words of President Reagan, when you are approached for introduction or a connection to a deal, trust but verify. DC Metro Cars As an example, Pompeo said there had been concerns that the District of Colombia had considered buying railcars from a Chinese state-owned company for its Metro transit system. The move, which was never finalized, was scuttled after Congress passed a law prohibiting such purchases on cybersecurity grounds. A government-backed think tank in China has assessed governors of all US states as friendly, hard-line or ambiguous toward it, Pompeo said. I would be surprised if most of you in the audience have not been lobbied by the Chinese Communist Party directly, he added. In London on Jan. 30, Pompeo, a former US Central Intelligence Agency chief, said Chinas Communist Party presents the central threat of our times. In Kazakhstan on Feb. 2, he denounced Chinas human rights abuses. Pompeos comments align him with Vice President Mike Pence but contrast with President Donald Trumps recent conciliatory language toward China. Trump on Friday tweeted that hed had a long and very good conversation by phone with Xi about Chinas response to the coronavirus. President Xi strongly leads what will be a very successful operation. Beyond posing a security risk, Pompeo said the lack of transparency was an issue for US investments in China. Their books are not wide open, so its difficult to know if the transaction thats being engaged in is transparent and fair and follows the rule of law, he said. All of these things may well be legal, but the question is do they demonstrate good judgment and preserve Americas national security. Health is a Human Right. The affordability and accessibility of health insurance have to be ensured. Higher incomed population can access and afford medical care, however, for the below poverty population medical care is neither accessible nor affordable. The Central Government launched the national health insurance schemes to provide healthcare support to all Indian citizens from private sectors, to government staff and specifically for the below poverty line people such as cobblers, fisheries and such occupations. The list of national health insurance schemes by the central government are as follows: Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana (RSBY) Employment State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS) Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the RSBY to provide health insurance for the below poverty line (BPL) population. BPL families under RSBY will be benefited with hospitalization coverage of Rs.30,000/- for most diseases that require hospital admission. The benefits of RSBY are: no age limit and no pre-existing conditions which are covered from day one. This scheme covers five members of a family, which include the head of the family, spouse and three dependents. There is a registration fee of Rs.30/- and the payment to the insurers will be paid by the central and state government. Comparing RSBY with other schemes, RSBY is unique and provides some unique features mentioned below: Empowers the beneficiaries by giving a choice between public and private hospitals. Inclusion of intermediaries such as Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Micro Financial Institutions (MFIs) to assist BPL households. Each family pays a maximum of Rs.750/-, per year to access quality healthcare to the BPL. Biometric enabled smart cards and key management systems make RSBY a safe and foolproof scheme. The smart card can be used by the beneficiary at any of the RSBY enlisted hospitals across India. Cashless and paperless transactions with the beneficiarys smart card and fingerprint verification are used to approve cashless transactions. Employment State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) provides socio-economic protection to the working population and their dependents. It is regarded as a multidimensional social security system. This scheme covers various cash benefits like physical distress, temporary or permanent disablement. Monthly pension called dependents benefit is also available for beneficiaries who die due to injuries or accidental deaths during their employment term time. The available coverage limit is Rs.15,000/- per month. There is also a coverage applicability for this scheme. It covers non-seasonal factories with 10 or more employees. It also includes shops, hotels, cinemas, newspaper establishments and road-motor transport establishments hiring 20 or more employees. Private medical and educational establishments in specific states/union territories recruiting 20 or more employees are covered under this scheme. ESIS is available in all states except Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram. It is only available in the Union Territories of Delhi and Chandigarh. The government has plans to implement this scheme in other Union Territories and states, where ESIS is unavailable. The central government first initiated the Central Government Health Insurance Scheme (CGHS) in 1954 at New Delhi. This scheme is precisely tailored to provide comprehensive health care support to central government employees and pensioners including their dependents living in cities that cover CGHS. This central government scheme is now active in the cities of Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubhaneshwar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jabalpur, Kanpur, Kolkatta, Lucknow, Meerut, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Ranchi, Shillong, Trivandrum and Jammu. Wellness centers/polyclinics offer medical facilities under Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathic (AYUSH) systems. This scheme also consists of components like dispensary services-domiciliary care, hospitalization and health education to beneficiaries. Aam aadmi bima yojana launched on 2nd October 2017 is a social security scheme for people living in rural households. This scheme either covers the head or the earning member of the family within the age group of 18 to 59 years. The central and state government shares a premium of Rs.200/- annually. A premium of Rs.30,000/- is paid for natural deaths, Rs.75,000/- for death due to accidents and Rs.35,000 for partial permanent disability due to accidents. The central government has set a separate fund called Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana Premium Fund to pay its contribution, and LIC maintains the fund resources. This scheme was introduced on 10th August 2000 to yield protection to below poverty or marginally above poverty line people. JBY replaced two insurance schemes such as Social Security Group Insurance Scheme (SSGIS) and Rural Group Life Insurance Scheme (RGLIS). NO OCCUPATION NO OCCUPATION 1 Beedi workers 24 Hilly area woman 2 Brick kiln workers 25 Foodstuffs products like khandsari/sugar 3 Carpenters 26 Textile 4 Cobblers 27 Manufacture of food products 5 Fisherman 28 Manufacture of paper products 6 Hamals 29 Manufacture of leather products 7 Handicraft artisans 30 Printing 8 Handloom weavers 31 Rubber and coal products 9 Handloom and Khadi workers 32 Chemical products like candle manufacture 10 Lady Tailors 33 Mineral products like earthen clay toys 11 Leather tannery workers 34 Agriculturists 12 Pappad workers attached to SEWA 35 Transport drivers association 13 Physically handicapped self employed persons 36 Transport karmacharis 14 Primary milk producers 37 Rural poor 15 Rickshaw pullers/ Auto drivers 38 Construction workers 16 Safai karmacharis 39 Fire crackers workers 17 Salt growers 40 Coconut processors 18 Tendu leaf collectors 41 Anganwadi workers/ Helpers 19 Scheme for urban poor 42 Kotwal 20 Forest workers 43 Plantation workers 21 Sericulture 44 Woman associated with SHG 22 Toddy tappers 45 Sheep breeders 23 Power loom workers People between the age group of 18 to 59 years and members of the above mentioned occupational groups are eligible for this scheme. Since 2013, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana and Janashree Bima Yojana are incorporated into one scheme as Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana" Universal health insurance scheme is implemented by four public general health insurance companies like LIC, etc,. UHIS aims to focus on improving healthcare access for low-income families. This scheme has been revamped to meet the needs of below poverty line (BPL) families. It includes individuals, families and groups. The scheme price ranges from Rs.100/- to Rs.200/- for an individual, Rs.300/- for a family of five and Rs.400/- for a family of seven. Regardless of the premium, there are no reductions in benefits. The UHIS covers a reimbursement of Rs.30,000 for medical expenses during hospitalization floated among the entire family and Rs.25,000/- death cover due to an accident of the earning family head. A compensation of Rs.50/- per day is paid to a person with job loss for maximum up to 15 days. To set the ball rolling, a meeting of stakeholders has been called on Feb. 11 Activists of the All Assam Students Union take part in a torch rally to protest against the new citizenship law in Nagaon district of Assam, on February 8, 2020. The state has been witnessing protests over the National Register of Citizens and the Citizenship Amendment Act which require documentation to establish ones claim for citizenship. (PTI Photo) Guwahati: In what may trigger a fresh controversy in Assam, the BJP-led government in the state has decided to conduct a socioeconomic census from March this year to identify and segregate indigenous Muslims from those that migrated from erstwhile East Bengal, East Pakistan or present-day Bangladesh. The Assam Minorities Development Board chairman Muminul Aowal told Asian Agethat the census will cover the Goria, Moria, Desi communities and the tea tribe of Jolha, whom the state government considers indigenous (like other ethnic tribes and communities of the state). The Muslim population constitutes about 34.22 per cent of the 3.55 crore population of Assam. This includes about 40 lakh indigenous Muslims. The move to conduct a survey comes at a time when the proportion of the indigenous population of Assam, which was 47 per cent in 2001, came down to 40.45 per cent in 2016 due to the influx of migrants. Pointing out that the department would take all the stakeholders into confidence, Aowal said, The names of indigenous Muslims and Bangladeshi Muslims are the similar. As a result, the government faces a problem in identifying them for implementation of various welfare schemes. Since our government is committed to the welfare of indigenous Muslims, they should have a separate identity. He said preparations for the census are in the final stage. He hoped the exercise will commence within this financial year. A meeting convened on February 11 by the state Minorities Development Department with various stakeholders belonging to indigenous Muslim communities will set the ball rolling for the census, which will be the first of its kind in the state, he said, adding that the state government would also be finalising the guidelines for the survey. The religious break-up of Assam is: Hindu 61.47 per cent, Muslim 34.22 per cent, Christian 3.74 per cent, Buddhist 0.18 per cent, Jain 0.08 per cent, other religions 0.09 per cent and not stated 0.16 per cent. Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Veracruz Properties SOCIMI, S.A. (BME:YVCP) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. I will be using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. View our latest analysis for Veracruz Properties SOCIMI The calculation We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Levered FCF (, Millions) 4.93m 5.65m 6.24m 6.69m 7.04m 7.31m 7.51m 7.67m 7.79m 7.88m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 20.65% Est @ 14.57% Est @ 10.32% Est @ 7.34% Est @ 5.25% Est @ 3.79% Est @ 2.77% Est @ 2.06% Est @ 1.56% Est @ 1.21% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 10% 4.5 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.3 4.1 3.8 3.5 3.2 3.0 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 40m Story continues We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 10-year government bond rate (0.4%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 10%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2029 (1 + g) (r g) = 7.9m (1 + 0.4%) 10% 0.4%) = 80m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 80m ( 1 + 10%)10= 30m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 70m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 32.0, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. BME:YVCP Intrinsic value, February 9th 2020 The assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Veracruz Properties SOCIMI as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.330. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. Next Steps: Whilst important, DCF calculation shouldnt be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Veracruz Properties SOCIMI, There are three essential aspects you should further examine: Financial Health: Does YVCP have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Other High Quality Alternatives: Are there other high quality stocks you could be holding instead of YVCP? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every ES stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. The partisan hoax is officially over. Wednesday in the United States Senate, President Trump was acquitted of any wrongdoing regarding the bogus articles of impeachment brought forth by House Democrats. Theres no question that the vote against impeachment vindicates President Trump from this purely partisan vendetta once and for all. The presidents legal team, along with House and Senate Republicans, made it overwhelmingly clear that there was no case for the sham impeachment brought against President Trump, all but tearing it to shreds as the weakest case for impeachment in American history. Yet the vote for acquittal in the Senate does not negate the fact that the do-nothing Democrats wasted three years and millions of taxpayer dollars by supporting baseless witch hunts against a president they have wanted to destroy since day one. From the beginning of President Trumps administration, the Democrats and media have obsessed over removing him office. Their obsession began even before he was inaugurated, proving that this partisan charade was not based on truth but rather their fear that they once again will be unable to defeat him at the ballot box in 2020. This impeachment charade lasted for 178 days 178 days of complete nonsense including 146 hours that were spent on debating and investigating a baseless charge. There were 13 hearings held and over 28,000 pages of evidence, which proved there was no quid pro quo and that President Trump took part in no wrongdoing. The Democrats efforts to erase the votes of 63 million Americans only pressed to further divide the nation while important business like the USMCA was left unfinished. The American people have watched as their Democrat representatives sold them out in favor of impeachment for months, but they were not fooled. They knew that while Democrats chased impeachment at all costs, President Trump and Republicans were working hard to continue the great American comeback weve seen under this administration. And while Democrats including our representatives in New Mexico got on board with Nancy Pelosi and her partisan power grab, support for President Trump has only grown, and his approval ratings are higher than ever before. This is no surprise. From the beginning, the people of New Mexico have shown that they opposed this impeachment charade. It is time for the do-nothing Democrats to forget their partisan agenda of resisting and focus on what the people of New Mexico want, which is President Trumps leadership. As we heard in the State of the Union, President Trump is delivering on the promises he made to the American people, providing historic record results in just three years in office, and they know he is fighting for each of them. The people of America, and New Mexico, will remember the Democrats reckless actions when they head to the ballot box in November to re-elect President Trump to four more years of promises made and promises kept. Brad Pitt is the hot favorite to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the Academy Awards on Sunday night. And it's likely the 56-year-old's acceptance speech will be chock full of zingers amid rumors he's hired a ghostwriter to craft his words for the current awards show season. Pitt has recently collected gongs at the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs and the SAG Awards for his performance in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and audiences have noted that his speeches are brimming with wit. While Pitt is already known for his keen sense of humor, Vulture reports that one speechwriting agency has confirmed that the actor's reps reached out about 'engaging their services' prior to the awards season. The agency - who wishes to remain anonymous - did not reveal whether they reached a deal with star. DailyMail.com has reached out to Pitt's management for comment. Brad Pitt has recently collected gongs at the Golden Globes, the BAFTAs and the SAG Awards for his performance in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and audiences have noted that his speeches are brimming with wit BEST LINES FROM BRAD PITT'S SPEECHES On his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio: 'I would have shared the raft with you' On his status as a Hollywood heartthrob: 'I wanted to bring my mom, but any woman I stand next to they say I'm dating. It'd just be awkward!' On Quentin Tarantino's foot fetish: 'Quentin has separated more women from their shoes than the TSA' On the SAG Award statue of a sculpted man: 'I've got to add this to my Tinder profile!' On Brexit: 'Hey Britain I heard you just became single, welcome to the club' On Megxit: 'I'm going to name this award 'Harry' because I'm really excited about bringing it back to the States with me' Advertisement The Hollywood heartthrob first sparked speculation that he had hired help to craft his speeches after delivering a widely-lauded address at the Golden Globes on January 5. His humorous speech made headlines after he specifically thanked his Once Upon A Time co-star Leonard DiCaprio, before making a witty reference to the end of DiCaprio's most famous film - Titanic. 'I would have shared the raft with you,' Pitt quipped, referring to the end of the film where DiCaprio's character freezes to death in the icy water after there were not enough life rafts. He also joked about his life in the tabloids, stating: 'I wanted to bring my mom, but any woman I stand next to they say I'm dating. It'd just be awkward!' At the SAG Awards a fortnight later, Pitt was once again in fine form as he collected an award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. Leonardo DiCaprio was seen laughing during Pitt's hilarious Golden Globes acceptance speech Pitt was once again in fine form at the SAG Awards on January 19 Looking lovingly at the award, he wisecracked: 'I've got to add this to my Tinder profile'. He then went on to poke fun at director Quentin Tarantino's penchant for filming the bare feet of famous actresses. 'Quentin has separated more women from their shoes than the TSA,' Pitt joked. Meanwhile, the actor managed to leave crowds laughing even when he wasn't available to accept one award in person. Last week, Pitt was absent from the BAFTAs where he won a gong for his role in Once Upon A Time. Co-star Margot Robbie accepted the statuette on his behalf, and read out a humorous speech purported to have been written by Pitt. The timely address referenced both Brexit and Megxit and went down well with the British audience. 'Hey Britain I heard you just became single, welcome to the club,' Robbie read from Pitt's note. The actor also couldn't resist also getting in a quip about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who had recently fled the United Kingdom for North America. Robbie explained: 'Brad's going to name this award 'Harry' because he's really excited about bringing it back to the States with him.' Prince William and wife Kate Middleton were seen cackling at the joke from their seats in the theater. Co-star Margot Robbie accepted Pitt's BAFTA on his behalf, and read out a humorous speech purported to have been written by the star Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 22:44:06|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (R) meets with Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Feb. 9, 2020. Cambodia and Laos pledged on Sunday to further strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership for mutual benefit, a senior Cambodian official said. (Photo by Li Lay/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Laos pledged on Sunday to further strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership for mutual benefit, a senior Cambodian official said. The pledge was made during a meeting here between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and visiting Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit, said Eang Sophalleth, a personal assistant to the prime minister. He said both leaders agreed to further promote cooperation in trade, investment, tourism and security along the border of the two countries. "Also, Samdech Techo said that local authorities and soldiers along the border played a very important role in building closer ties between the two countries," Sophalleth said, referring to Hun Sen's official title. Trade and investment volumes between the two ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members are still relatively small. On the tourism side, Laos is the fourth largest source of tourists to Cambodia with 363,951 Laotians traveling to Cambodia in 2019, down 14.6 percent year-on-year, according to tourism data of Cambodia. Bounnhang started a two-day state visit to Cambodia on Sunday morning. Following the ruling Friday, Aurora police spokesman Paris Lewbel said police would not register any convicted child sex offenders at Wayside Cross. He deferred other questions to a previously-issued statement, which said in part that the police department would begin reviewing cases of anyone alleged to be living too close to a barred area with the Kane County States Attorneys office, which would be the agency that would authorize any charges as a result of a violation. Two US special forces soldiers who were killed when an Afghan national army soldier opened fire with a machine gun have been named by the Department of Defense. Sgt. 1st Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, were killed in the attack in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province late Saturday. Both were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The Department of Defense said the two soldiers had posthumously been promoted. A member of the Nangarhar Provincial Council, Ajmal Omer, told The Associated Press the gunman was killed. Sgt. 1st Class* Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was killed in the attack Sgt. 1st Class* Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, was also killed Six more US troops were reportedly injured in the attack. An Afghan defense ministry official, who was not identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the shooter was an Afghan soldier who had argued with the U.S. forces before opening fire. He was not a Taliban infiltrator, the official said. In a statement, the US military said 'an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time.' Col. John W. Sannes, 7th Special Forces Group Commander said in a statement: 'Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez was selfless and served honorably; he was certainly among the best in our unit. 'Sgt. 1st Class Gutierrez was a warrior that exemplified selfless service and a commitment to the mission, both values that we embody here in the 7th Special Forces Group.' Col. Sannes added that the unit would make it a priority to assist and support the soldiers' families. The attack happened in the Nangarhar province in Afghanistan on Saturday, February 8 The US military said American and Afghan military personnel were fired on while conducting an operation in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province. The operation is to help the Afghan government clear the area of Taliban and insurgent forces. There have been numerous attacks by Afghan national army soldiers on their allied partners over the 18 years of Afghanistan's protracted war. Last July, two US service members were killed by an Afghan soldier in the southern Kandahar province. The shooter was wounded and arrested. In September, three U.S. military personnel were wounded when an member of the Afghan Civil Order Police fired on a military convoy, also in Kandahar. A US flag is seen at a military post in Deh Bala district of Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan in this July 2018 file photo The incident came as Washington has sought to find an end to the war in Afghanistan. Washington's peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been meeting with Taliban representatives in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar in recent weeks. He's seeking an agreement to reduce hostilities to get a peace deal signed that would start negotiations among Afghans on both sides of the conflict. In his State of the Union Address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump referenced the peace talks, saying U.S. soldiers were not meant to serve as 'law enforcement agencies' for other nations. 'In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our war fighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress, and peace talks are now underway, ' he said. Since the American invasion of Afghanistan, Taliban infiltrators have been a recurring problem in the Afghan Army. The Taliban and the Islamic State group affiliate both operate in eastern Nangarhar province were the attack took place. US soldier walks past burning trucks at the scene of a suicide attack at the Afghan-Pakistan border crossing in Nangarhar province, where two US soldiers may have died on Saturday (file photo) This past December, 23 Afghan soldiers were killed when a Taliban infiltrator opened fire on his colleagues at a base in Ghazni Province in eastern Afghanistan. The incident on Saturday comes as Washington seeks to find an end to Afghanistan's 18-year war, America's longest. Washington's peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been meeting with Taliban representatives in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar in recent weeks. He's seeking an agreement to reduce hostilities to get a peace deal signed that would start negotiations among Afghans on both sides of the conflict. In his State of the Union Address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump referenced the peace talks, saying US soldiers were not meant to serve as 'law enforcement agencies' for other nations. 'In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our war fighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress, and peace talks are now underway,' he said. SAN DIEGO - For decades, something about the case didn't sit right with Deputy District Attorney Brent Neck. He had won the 1996 conviction of a San Diego gang member for stabbing a homeless man over a bad drug deal. Neck got the culprit locked up on a sentence of 43 years to life in prison under California's "three strikes" law. But Neck kept thinking about the defendant, Jonathan Simmons. And the more he thought about Simmons, the more he thought that the sentence was just too long. The punishment didn't fit the crime. Last year, Neck accomplished something that many prosecutors might never consider. Working with the San Diego-based California Innocence Project and using a new law allowing certain prisoners to be re-sentenced, Neck got Simmons out of prison. Simmons, who figured he might never leave prison, walked out on Christmas Day. ADVERTISEMENT "I couldn't believe it. Wow, I was really free," Simmons said in an interview last week. "They came through for me. The DA is the one who really came through for me." The Innocence Project, founded in 1999, reviews about 2,000 claims of innocence each year and has secured the release of 30 people. Project attorneys work on cases with help from California Western School of Law students. The law, AB 2942, went into effect a year ago and allows local prosecutors to review a prisoner's request for re-sentencing and petition a judge to hear the matter. Penal Code Section 1170 expanded the right of prosecutors to initiate such petitions, not just wait for an inmate to file one. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office was the first in the state last year to use the new law to push for the release of Kent Williams, a three-striker who had served 33 years of a 50-to-life sentence for burglary and auto theft. He was released last fall. Neck's use of the PC 1170 expanded rights was also a first in the state, District Attorney Summer Stephan said. "For me, I was very proud of Brent Neck for bringing this forward," Stephan said last week. "Beyond using the new law, it told me that we had created a culture in our office that takes pride in doing justice. Justice may mean you re-evaluate and you make sure the punishment fits the crime." Neck, who is chief of the Collaborative Courts Division in the district attorney's office, which seeks alternatives to long state prison terms, said he hopes his action encourages other prosecutors to follow suit. "Any prosecutor should feel comfortable to take a second look at a case where justice dictates that we should," Neck said in a recent interview. "The pendulum of criminal justice is constantly swinging. In this day and age, people are being paroled on a lot more serious cases than this." ADVERTISEMENT Simmons, 57 - who was in his mid-30s when he entered prison - now has to prove while on parole for three years that he can rejoin society and stay out of trouble. Simmons started a class in refrigerator repair last week. He said he's open to any type of work: washing restaurant dishes, janitorial, construction or handyman odd-jobs. But what he really wants, he said, is to use the biohazard certificate he earned at Folsom State Prison to work in a hospital. He is living in transitional housing in North County and hoping his experience under the re-sentencing law will encourage other prison inmates. "If somebody out there feels the system is unjust: keep hope alive and one day it might happen for them, too," Simmons said. He said sentencing laws are too harsh. "You're doing crime, there's consequences. (But) they're over-doing it with these guys. They may be guilty, but they're doing too much time. They get a life sentence and they didn't kill anyone." The prison exit door began to crack open for Simmons in 2012, as the case continued to bother Neck. "It's always been a case I thought about," Neck said in a recent interview. "I respected the jury verdict and we won on appeals. But I always thought the sentence was perhaps too harsh." According to an account of the events filed by Neck and a defense attorney to the San Diego Superior Court late last year, Darryl Jones, then 32 and homeless, was stabbed in the back on June 12, 1996. ADVERTISEMENT He suffered a ruptured spleen, but recovered. About a week later and out of the hospital, he told a police officer what had happened. Jones said a parolee, later identified as Simmons, had sold "bunk" cocaine to a homeless man named Victor. In retaliation, Victor beat up Simmons' half-brother. When Jones started to approach that half brother to straighten it all out, Simmons stabbed Jones in the back. Simmons got arrested that day on an outstanding warrant. At a live line-up of Simmons and five other black men, and again in trial, Jones identified Simmons as his assailant. Simmons raised a defense of mistaken identity, but a jury convicted him of assault with a deadly weapon. On Dec. 6, 1996, Simmons was sentenced to 43 years to life in prison. The sentence was so long because of his prior felony convictions for robbing pedestrians and a store clerk in 1982, 1983 and 1986. "It didn't look like I had any more future," Simmons said in an interview. "I was under 'three strikes' at the time - that was the end of my life." Asked if he committed the stabbing, Simmons answered cautiously, "I played a part in it." As the years rolled by, Simmons says he matured and his behavior changed. "Being in there (prison) wasn't doing it," he recalled. "It was a wasted life. It was time to change, and to get out, I had to show that." He stayed away from gang members and signed up for a variety of prison courses - biohazard handling, upholstery, sewing, cooking. Neck contacted the Innocence Project in 2012 and asked the lawyers there to look into Simmons' case. They did, over the next few years, but couldn't find proof of innocence. "It's the first case a prosecutor has brought to our office in over 20 years of our existence," Innocence Project attorney Alissa Bjerkhoel said. "I know there are other prosecutors out there who have concerns about a case. But I think it was very brave of Brent to do this." Neck said his office supported his efforts. "I went to our DA and said I think he's done enough time. Based on his prison record and the facts of the case, we were comfortable that it was the right thing to do," Neck said. Stephan, the district attorney, said she made sure they balanced Simmons' "second chance" with public safety and victim rights. Neck wrote to the victim, Jones, in October last year, laying out the proposed re-sentencing and asking his opinion. Jones said it was all right with him. Neck called his attitude courageous and compassionate. Suddenly, things started moving faster. Neck filed a motion for re-sentencing on Dec. 10. Bjerkhoel filed a motion in support on Dec. 20, the day Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth heard their arguments. Neck recalled saying Simmons' record of behavior in prison was good, he had a lot of family support and prospects for the future. Neck and Bjerkhoel asked Smyth to re-sentence Simmons to "time served." The judge agreed. "I was kind of shocked," Simmons said. "He said he probably wouldn't make that decision except that I had support and my biohazard certificate. My son's mother said she would let me stay with her for a little while. Two of my brothers and my dad came. He (Smyth) was impressed with that." Neck remembered the moment as "surreal." "We are the same age, 57. I looked at him and said, 'Mr. Simmons, we both have a lot less hair and maybe, hopefully, we have a little more wisdom.' He smiled and said, 'Thank you,'" Neck said. "I'm just thrilled that he was released." Bjerkhoel said she and Neck had been keeping the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation apprised of their efforts. Nearly immediately, the state released its "hold" on Simmons, who had been transferred to a county jail before his re-sentencing hearing. Simmons was freed on Dec. 25. One of his brothers picked him up and they made the rounds to various family homes, including their father's in southeastern San Diego. Everyone fed him Christmas dinner. "I was stuffed," Simmons said with a laugh. Simmons said he has always believed in God and that faith "will always be a part of my life. That is what made this possible." Though he watched the news in prison and was aware of what was going on in the world, now that he's out, Simmons has had a lot to catch up on. He made a trip to the ocean, which he hadn't seen in 22 years. He's working on getting new ID cards and a driver's license. He wants to see Las Vegas for the first time, maybe travel. "It seems I got a little control over my life," he said with satisfaction. "I'll probably marry, find me a good woman. I got my eye on somebody." --- (c)2020 The San Diego Union-Tribune Visit The San Diego Union-Tribune at www.sandiegouniontribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. TSX Venture: NKL TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Conic Metals Corp. ("Conic" or the "Company") (TSXV: NKL) confirms that the Company has become aware of a writ of summons and statement of claim commenced in Papua New Guinea on February 5, 2020 against Ramu Nico Management (MCC) Limited ("MCC Ramu Nickel"). The writ of summons and statement of claim was filed on behalf of the Madang Provincial Government and certain local landowners, which contains certain allegations regarding the environmental impact of operations at the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Operation. The writ of summons and statement of claim seeks to have Ramu's tailings to be moved to an onshore tailings disposal facility, to have Ramu's deep-sea tailings facility closed, certain declaratory relief, as well as monetary damages in the amount of K$18 billion (approximately US$5 billion) and special damages of K1.6 million (approximately US$473k). MCC Ramu Nickel is the management company of the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Operation joint venture in Papua New Guinea. Conic, who holds an 8.56% joint-venture interest in the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Operation, does not have any ownership interest in MCC Ramu Nickel and is not named in (and is not a party to) the writ of summons and statement of claim. Operations at the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Operation continue as normal, and the Company has been notified by majority-owner and operator Metallurgical Corporation of China Limited that it intends to vigorously defend all of the allegations contained in the writ of summons and statement of claim. About Conic Conic Metals Corp. is a base metals company offering direct exposure to nickel and cobalt, both being critical elements of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Conic holds an 8.56% joint-venture interest in the producing, long-life and world-class Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Operation located in Papua New Guinea which provides Conic with significant attributable nickel and cobalt production. In addition, Conic manages a portfolio of 11 nickel and cobalt royalties on development and exploration projects in Canada and Australia. Conic will continue to invest in a battery metals-focused portfolio of streams, royalties and direct interests in mineral properties containing battery metals. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain information which constitutes 'forward-looking statements' and 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements with respect to the writ of summons and statement of claim; statements with respect to the business; and assets of Conic and its strategy going forward and statements pertaining to future events or future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the Company's control. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying these forward-looking statements materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this release and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. SOURCE Conic Metals Corp. The Mizoram government has placed six students, who had recently returned from China, under home quarantine as a part of precautionary measures in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in the neighbouring country, officials said on Sunday. Blood samples of two among the six have been sent to the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) in Kolkata for test, the state nodal officer of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma, told PTI. However, the NICED was not satisfied with it and had asked for fresh samples. The students did not develop any symptoms of being infected by the coronavirus so far, the epidemiologist said. He also said that another student, who is scheduled to return from China, will be arriving in Aizawl on Tuesday. He will also be placed under home quarantine after being screened at the Lengpui airport, Lalmalsawna said. All the six students have returned to returned to Mizoram from China since January and they have been quarantined at their homes according to the guidelines and procedures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. He said that the state government was closely monitoring the students by visiting their houses regularly. According to the official, the state government has issued an advisory discouraging people to travel to other countries, especially China and its neighbouring countries. He said that the state government also restricted import of goods from China and other foreign countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SARS had killed 774 people and sickened 8,098, mainly in mainland China and Hong Kong. The response this time has been much quicker, and countries around the world are enforcing tougher measures to contain the disease. China has placed around 50 million people under quarantine, mainly in and around Wuhan, the hardest-hit central Chinese city where the virus was first detected in December among people who had visited a food market where live wild animals were sold. The suspect (pictured) fled the scene after shooting at the officer. The bullet struck the cop in the chin, narrowly missing his carotid artery The horrific moment an NYPD cop is shot at during what is being called an assassination attempt has been caught on surveillance camera. Two uniformed officers were sitting in a locked police van with emergency lights activated when a man is seen approaching them. Commissioner Dermot Shea said the suspect started a conversation with the officers about 8.30pm on Saturday. Police believe the man asked the officers for directions before pulling out a gun 'without provocation,' the commissioner said. The New York Post reports that a six-year-veteran cop was grazed on the chin and neck after the suspect fire off multiple rounds into the van without provocation. The victim is said to have been sitting in the marked patrol van with a partner when they were approached by a man looking for directions from the passenger side of the vehicle. When they rolled down their window, witnesses say both cops noticed the man was holding a gun and attempted to escape by hitting the gas and attempting to drive away, New York Daily News reports. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO ommissioner Dermot Shea said the suspect - who is seen in this image holding a gun - shot at the officer multiple times while he sat in his patrol car An NYPD cop is expected to survive after being shot in his patrol van in the Bronx on Saturday Man is seen raising his gun and firing on cps in security camera footage The man fired multiple shots, striking the officer behind the wheel in the chin and neck. Shea said the bullets narrowly missed the officer's carotid artery. 'He is lucky to be alive,' Shea said. 'He is expected to make a full recovery and it is a miracle.' The commissioner indicated that the shooter was not in custody, saying officers had a description of a man between the ages of 20 and 30. Neither officer returned fire. The shooting happened near the junction of East 163 and Barretto streets, where the officers were stationed because of recent drug activity and violence, Shea said. The officer's partner drove him to a hospital nearby, where Shea and Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press conference. Shea said the partners had been friends since middle school. An officer shot at 906 Simpson St in the Bronx New York on Saturday, February 8, 2020 The suspect (pictured) was caught on camera walking away from the scene of the shooting, which police say was unprovoked NYPD issued a warning to avoid the area as helicopter is called in to search for the suspect The officer will be held for observation overnight and Shea anticipated he could likely be discharged Sunday. De Blasio echoed Shea's characterization of the shooting, calling it 'an attempt to assassinate police officers.' 'There's just too much hatred out there right now,' De Blasio said. Shea said the Saturday night shooting 'harkens back to some bad times,' referencing previous assassinations, including the 2017 fatal shooting of police officer Miosotis Familia as she sat in her patrol vehicle in the Bronx. Police have offered a $12,500 reward for information that could identify the suspect The shooting happened outside 906 Simpson Street in the Bronx, New York, on Saturday The shooting and the aftermath were captured by several people on the Citizen app Police are advising to stay away from the area. Emergency vehicles are still in the area. An NYPD cop is expected to survive after being shot in his patrol car in the Bronx on Saturday The victim's partner is said to be uninjured and rushed the victim to hospital in the van. An aviation unit was requested around 9pm to help search for the suspect. Police are advising to stay away from the area. Emergency vehicles are still in the area. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam Sun, February 9, 2020 15:17 701 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20636b0d4 1 World Singapore,coronavirus,Indonesia,Indonesian-Embassy,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,outbreak Free Indonesia has called on its citizens in Singapore to remain on alert after the city-state moved its disease outbreak response up from yellow to orange on Friday in response to the fast-spreading novel coronavirus outbreak. The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore urges all Indonesian citizens to follow the orange status precautions on the Ministry of Healths website, the embassy said in a statement on Saturday. On Friday afternoon, Singaporean authorities announced three new confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the countrys total number of cases to 33. While two of the 33 patients are in critical condition and under intensive care, most of the patients are stable, including a 44-year-old Indonesian domestic worker who had been declared coronavirus positive on Tuesday. Two patients have since recovered and were discharged from hospital. Read also: Indonesian maid in Singapore tests positive for coronavirus According to the embassys statement, the Singapore government has reported that the last three patients who tested positive for coronavirus did not have any recent history of travel to China, where the outbreak originated. The three of them, however, did visit Malaysia for a few days in January. The Indonesian citizen, whose identity cannot be revealed due to the Personal Data Protection Act, also had no recent travel history to mainland China prior to testing positive for the virus. With the orange alert level status, the Singapore government announced several preventative steps to minimize the risk of further virus transmission in the country, including urging the cancellation or postponement of large public gatherings. As of the time of writing, the Indonesian domestic worker remains the only Indonesian national to have tested positive for coronavirus. Despite the rising number of coronavirus cases worldwide, Indonesia has yet to confirm a single case of coronavirus in the country. (hol) Read also: Climate, immunity, incompetence? Indonesia's zero recorded coronavirus cases raise questions The final voter turnout in the Delhi Assembly elections held on Saturday was 62.59 percent, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh announced in a press briefing on Sunday evening The final voter turnout in the Delhi Assembly elections held on Saturday was 62.59 percent, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh announced in a press briefing on Sunday evening. Election Commission officials also denied that there was an unusual delay in releasing the voter turnout data and said that it was important to ensure accuracy. "The final voter turnout was recorded at 62.59 per cent," Singh said, adding that the figure is lower than the previous Assembly election by five percent. In the 2015 Assembly polls, Delhi had recorded a voter turnout of 67.47 percent. He further informed that the highest voting of 71.6 percent was reported from the Ballimaran constituency, while the lowest turnout was in Delhi Cantonment, which reported 45.4 percent polling. Responding to allegations of an "undue delay" in releasing the polling data, Singh said that the returning officers were busy with scrutiny to ensure data accuracy, which took a little bit of time. Sandeep Saxena, Deputy Election Commissioner added that there was no delay as such and there have been instances in the past when the voter turnout data has been released the next day. Trying to ally all the fears as expressed by a section of political parties over delay in releasing the final voting figures, Ranbir Singh said "they did not want to speculate and wanted to give exact figures". "So, returning officers worked throughout the night to check data to ensure it is accurate," Singh said while asserting that the delay was not unusual, and that the work was done in good time. He said there were more than 13,700 polling stations in the national capital and they had to add data from each station and ensure that every vote is accounted for. Singh's remarks came after Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal questioned the "delay" by the Election Commissioner in giving the final voter turnout figure for the Assembly polls, and said it was suspicious and asked if the poll panel was waiting for BJP office's nod. When asked about the charges of EVM tampering levied by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, the Delhi CEO denied that any such tampering had taken place. He said that the machines in question were reserved machines which had not been used for polling. He added that the EVMs were later opened in the presence of the concerned candidates to their satisfaction. The AAP leader had alleged that EVMs were being taken from polling booths in an "unauthorised manner", without the mandatory protection of reserve police. He also tweeted two videos showing separate instances of "flouting of the rules of transporting EVMs". Answering questions about the actions taken by the Election Commission in the light of the incidents of firing at Shaheen Bagh, Saxena said: "Some incidents occurred that made Election Commission feel that the police administration should have been more vigilant, that is why the Election Commission took cognizance of the matter." The Election Commission had on 2 February shunted out Delhi's southeast DCP Chinmoy Biswal, citing the "ongoing situation" in the area, after incidents of firing at Shaeen Bagh and Jamia Nagar. Saxena also added that repolling was not required in 69 of the 70 seats, with reports from Karol Bagh yet to be received. Exit polls on Saturday predicted an easy win for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which sought to retain power on development plank, against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that ran an aggressive campaign centred around the issues of anti-CAA protests and nationalism. With inputs from agencies BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke over phone with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday morning. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic, the Chinese government and people have been making all-out efforts to battle the disease, Xi said. China, he added, has carried out national mobilization, across-the-board deployment and swift responses, adopted the most comprehensive and rigorous prevention and control measures, and launched a people's war against the epidemic. Noting that China's efforts are gradually yielding positive results, Xi stressed that China has full confidence and capability to prevail over the epidemic and that the trend of the Chinese economy maintaining long-term growth will not change. Xi pointed out that China is dedicated to safeguarding the lives and health of not only its own people but also people all over the world. With an open, transparent and responsible attitude, China has kept the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as relevant countries and regions, including the United States, posted on the epidemic, and invited WHO and other experts to conduct field visits in Wuhan, the central Chinese city that is the epicenter of the outbreak, he said. He added that China is the first line of prevention and control against this epidemic, and its timely, decisive and effective response measures have been highly appreciated by the WHO and many countries. Noting that China and the United States have maintained communication over the prevention and control of the epidemic, Xi said he appreciates Trump's positive comments on China's efforts on multiple occasions, and is grateful for the supplies donated by various sections of U.S. society. He stressed that countries around the world need to pool their efforts to fight epidemics, and that the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak is currently at a crucial stage. Reiterating the call the WHO has repeatedly made from a professional perspective for all countries to avoid overreaction, Xi said China hopes that the United States will assess the epidemic in a calm manner, and adopt and adjust its response measures in a reasonable way. The two sides, he added, can maintain communication, strengthen coordination and work together to contain the epidemic. For his part, Trump said the United States fully supports China's fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic and is willing to send experts to China and offer assistance in various other forms. He said the fact that China completed building special hospitals for novel coronavirus patients in an incredibly short time is impressive, and shows China's outstanding organizational and response capabilities. The U.S. president said he is confident that under Xi's leadership, the Chinese people will undoubtedly win the battle against the outbreak. The United States has confidence in China's economic growth, he said, adding that Washington will calmly look at and respond to the epidemic, and is willing to maintain communication and cooperation with China through bilateral and WHO channels. Recalling that China and the United States signed the phase-one economic and trade agreement not long ago, Xi stressed that it is good for China, for the United States and for world peace and prosperity that the two countries reached such a deal. The progress, he said, fully demonstrates that despite their differences, the two countries can always find solutions acceptable to both through dialogue and consultation as long as they uphold the spirit of equality and mutual respect. Xi expressed the hope that the United States will work with China to move towards each other, seriously implement the consensuses reached by the two heads of state, adhere to the basic principle of coordination, cooperation and stability, and advance bilateral ties on the right track in the new year. Trump said the United States is willing to work with China to carry out the agreement and push forward bilateral relations. The two heads of state also agreed to keep close contact through various ways. Unknown men approached, trying to agree, and one of them attacked In the village of Sofiyivska Borshchahivka in the Kyiv-Svyatoshinsky district of the Kyiv region, a drunk man attacked a policeman during the clearance of administrative materials for another offender. The press service of the police of the Kyiv region reports. "During the competing of the administrative protocol against the offender, three unidentified men in civilian clothes approached the police and began to interfere in their work. One of them attacked the police officer," the statement said. It is noted that the violator for whom the protocol was drawn up, a fence of a private house crashed into a passenger car. The driver turned out to be a 25-year-old resident of the city of Vyshneve. He had obvious signs of alcohol intoxication, but he refused to be tested. While the policemen were talking with the intruder, unknown men approached them. One of them behaved aggressively and did not respond to the comments of the police, and then generally attacked one of them. The attacker is 42 years old Vyshneve resident, he was also drunk. A police officer went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a head injury. On the fact of the attack, a criminal proceeding was opened under Part 2 of Art. 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The issue of choosing a preventive measure for an attacker and declaring him suspicious is being addressed. As we reported, Law enforcers detained the reconnaissance commander of the illegal armed group OPLOT, who wounded a local police officer on the night of January 24-25 in the Desnyansky district of Kyiv near one of the recreation facilities. : Pure EV, a startup incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, on Sunday launched its High Speed Electric Scooter 'EPluto 7G' here. V K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),and Prof B S Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad,launched the vehicle at the institutes campus, a company release said. "E-mobility is an upcoming sector and one of the most disruptive ones. We are not only looking at the vehicular aspect, but also the supply chain. The value addition being done is very high by the startup and is highly commendable," Saraswat said. Being launched at anex-showroom price of Rs 79,999,the vehicle offers affordability, long range, a top speed of 60 KMPH and battery warranty for 40,000 KM. A unique point of this vehicle is that the battery and the vehicle have been designed and developed after factoring in Indian terrain and weather conditions, the release said. The company has a manufacturing capacity of 2000 units per month at its facility co-located with the campus. It aims to deploy over 10,000 Electric Vehicles on the road during the current calendar year. Pure EV has established a 40,000-square foot state-of- the-art facility, co-located with IIT Hyderabad, for cutting- edge Research and Developing and for large scale production of electric vehicles and electric batteries, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 17:14:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) --Yu Jia, an undergraduate majoring in law in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region never expected to see a webcast hosted by the president of her college amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. Nong Kezhong, president of Xiangsihu College of Guangxi University for Nationalities, has recently organized an online broadcast with about 2,500 students through Douyin, or TikTok "Many students use this app, so we decide to innovate our ways to keep them informed at home and remind them of better protecting themselves amid the outbreak of pneumonia," said Nong. He said that it is the college's responsibility to keep the students safe and sound during the extended winter holiday. In the chat room, questions concerning school opening day, course arrangements, as well as the preventive measures for the epidemic taken by college popped up on the screen. Nong said more than 10,000 masks will be handed out to teachers and students free of charge while online courses will be available later. Noting that it is the first time for him to use Douyin, Nong said more than 100 questions were collected through online platforms such as QQ and WeChat a week before the webcast. "Thanks to online communication platforms, the interaction between teachers and students becomes more frequent and closer," said Huang Dazhou, deputy secretary of the party committee of Xiangsihu College. He said the Internet has been a great help in people's daily life, especially during this epidemic outbreak. Lu Jiaxin, a student majoring in the Thai language, said the webcast through Douyin is "interesting and down to earth." "Although the epidemic is serious, we will unite to overcome it," said Yu Jia. Mudita Girotra By NEW DELHI: While a majority of women said that free bus rides were a good step, most, even AAP supporters, said they were not a factor for them to vote for the party. The voters that this reporter spoke to, spoke in similar terms of development or national security that hinted that their support was with AAP or BJP. Asked if deployment of female marshals and free bus rides influenced them in support of the ruling AAP, most said that many other initiatives taken by the party were equally important. Surprisingly, among those who questioned the government for unnecessarily providing facilities for free were women who are educated and financially independent. Free bus rides are a bait. I am against it. Nothing should be free. We wont rise to the bait, said Sumitra, 46, who lives on Pandara Road. For the woman, issues of national security are more important than anything else. We want peace in the state. There has been major turmoil of late. We want freedom from that, she said. Some others agreed. Shashi Joshi, who expressed satisfaction with AAP-led government in the state, opined that there was no benefit of free rides per se. What is the benefit? With this, some are benefitted. Not everyone. The schemes should be for all and not just for one section, the 47-year-old,who lives in Lodhi complex, said. Meena Devi and her daughter Shivani Jain said they cast their votes on the issues of development and hailed the government for providing them with free bus rides. There is an obvious benefit of the free bus rides. Every family gains from it. For the male member, who may not get to ride free, there is a relief as he also contributes to the finances. In most cases, men bear the financial burden, said Jain. A 38-year-old woman who lives in Seva Nagar said that other aspects shouldnt be ignored (when) he (Kejriwal) is doing so much for his people. Thirty-four-year-old Rajlakshmi said it was very important for the existing facilities to continue. Prince Mukesh, 41, who hails from Kerala, said in her more than decade-long time in Delhi, she saw huge difference in last five years. Apart from water, electricity, health and education, Mukesh appreciated the government for making the city safer for women, she said. We have somewhere to go and report about crimes against us now, she said referring to DCW. Shashi, who lives in Rajinder Nagar, said: Efforts are being made in every field. Kejriwal is doing something, unlike others. Two planes carrying Brazilian citizens evacuated from China arrived in Anapolis in Brazil on Sunday. 34 passengers were evacuated from the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak of the deadly new strain of virus, and will remain in quarantine for 18 days in facilities of the Brazilian Air Force in Anapolis city, in the central state of Goias. Some members of the crew involved in the operation will also remain in quarantine. Ahead of the 36 hour trip, none of the passengers had presented symptoms of the virus but the Defence Ministry said they will be monitored over the coming weeks. The decision to bring the Brazilians back came after a group of them posted a video asking the government for help. Brazil has no confirmed cases of the virus. ++MORE TO FOLLOW++ Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The Beninese government will soon update the regulations on building and demolition permits, which often cause social tension, an official statement in Cotonou said on Sunday NEW ORLEANS On board a re-created, 1940s-era Pullman train, passengers are encouraged to pick a story to follow a soldier or an entertainer, a journalist or medic, who served during World War II. Passengers will follow this individuals story throughout the massive National World War II Museum, a personal connection that makes the overwhelming scope of this time period more intimate and relatable. I picked Ernie Pyle, the Scripps-Howard correspondent who wrote about the war from 1940 until his death in 1945. His personal story weaves in and out of the broad themes and battle-specific exhibits, from Indiana to London, the European Theater and Okinawa. The museum opened in 2000 as the National D-Day Museum, focusing on the Normandy landings in June 1944. If its location in New Orleans seems curious, there is a reason its here: The city was home to Higgins Industries, producer of the Higgins boat, an amphibious landing vehicle built for the Louisiana swamp and adapted for use in war, including Normandy and elsewhere. Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Celebrating Victory in Europe at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Since its debut, the museum has expanded numerous times it now occupies six buildings and 350,000 square feet in New Orleans Warehouse District neighborhood, just south of the French Quarter. A World War II-themed hotel, the Higgins Hotel, part of the Hilton family, opened in early December. I spent six hours in the museum during my recent stay in New Orleans, and could have spent more. The museum is the top-rated tourist attraction in the city, and its one of the very best museums Ive visited in years. Do not miss it if youre in New Orleans. That said, touring the facility was overwhelming theres so much to see and absorb, and the museum could do a better job of guiding people through its many exhibits. Among the highlights: "Beyond All Boundaries, a terrific, 30-minute, 4D movie, narrated by Tom Hanks, which provides an emotional, unnerving and deeply patriotic overview of the war. It costs $7 on top of general admission, and is worth it. The Arsenal of Democracy: Salute to the Home Front, new in 2017, which tells the story of the effects of the war on Americans at home. Included here: galleries on the U.S. propaganda campaign; discrimination in the armed services; women in the workforce; and the Victory Cook Book, with tips on planning balanced meals under food rationing. A gallery on the U.S. internment of Japanese-Americans was particularly powerful, showcasing voices of those who were displaced; an exhibit on the Manhattan Project could have used more discussion on the morality of atomic weapons. Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries, which tells the stories, large and small, of American troops as they fought their way through Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. Visitors can walk through a re-creation of Ardennes, where the Battle of the Bulge was fought in bitter cold, snowy conditions in late 1944 and early 1945; and gaze up and see airplanes overhead in a barrack under attack in the Air War gallery. A 1940s-era Opel sedan, part of the Battle of the Bulge exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. An exhibit on the home front at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. A large space is devoted to D-Day, aka Operation Overlord, the museums original focus. In the lead up to the Normandy invasion, more than 1.5 million American soldiers amassed in Great Britain, referred to by Gen. Dwight Eisenhower as the greatest operating military base of all time. The Brits, overrun with American soldiers, referred to their guests as overpaid, oversexed, overfed and over here. Bad weather forced a one-day postponement of the invasion, but Eisenhower refused to delay any longer, fearful that the Germans would get wind of the plan. There was no guarantee of success. On display is a copy of a speech he was prepared to give in the event of failure, mistakenly dated July 5, with these words: If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone. In the end, the invasion was a brutal success, unfolding across a 50-mile stretch of five beaches Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. All told, the campaign included a mind-boggling 1,100 aircraft, 6,000 naval vessels and 2 million soldiers from 15 countries. Said one American pilot: Literally you could have walked, if you took big steps, from one side of the channel to the other. There were that many ships out there. Victory in Europe came 11 months later. An exhibit on the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. A display of Ernie Pyle artifacts at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. I spent perhaps the most time in the Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries, in part because my prior World War II education seemed to focus primarily on Europe. The exhibit begins with Guadalcanal, the first major U.S. battle in the Pacific, in August 1942, where Higgins boats made their wartime debut. From Guadalcanal, the Allies employed a strategy of island hopping through the Pacific to keep the Japanese off balance. Among the battles along the way: Iwo Jima, Okinawa and, finally, Operation Downfall, the largest amphibious operation ever planned. It never happened. Instead, President Harry Truman ordered the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war. On display here: the flight record and watch of Col. Paul Tibbets, who piloted the Enola Gay over Hiroshima. The run is entered simply as a B-29 flight on Aug. 6, 1945. Theres also a log book from Robert A. Lewis, Tibbets co-pilot, who, after describing the mushroom cloud forming below, famously wrote, My God, what have we done? The Pacific Theater Galleries also is where I learned the fate of Ernie Pyle, whose work and travels I had been following throughout the museum. He was killed by a Japanese sniper on April 18, 1945, on a small island west of Okinawa. He was 44. A hand-written copy of his final column was found on his body. It celebrated the end of the war with Germany, which would officially come on May 8: And so it is over. The catastrophe on one side of the world has run its course. The day that it had so long seemed would never come has come at last. I suppose our emotions here in the Pacific are the same as they were among Allies all over the world. First a shouting of the good news with such joyous surprise that you would think the shouter himself had brought it about. And then an unspoken sense of gigantic relief-and then a hope that the collapse in Europe would hasten the end in the Pacific. A memorial marks the location of his death: At this spot, the 77th infantry division lost a buddy. It was a pleasure to get to know you, Mr. Pyle. If you go: National World War II Museum Where: 945 Magazine St., New Orleans When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily How much: $28.50 adults, $24.50 seniors, $18 military and students More information: nationalww2museum.org, 504-528-1944 Read more: Veterans museum in Columbus celebrates the legacy of Bob Hope, entertainer to the troops New Orleans in 3 days: Cooking, eating, biking and drag shows, with a jazzy soundtrack Conservatives used to believe this, just as they used to believe that the branches of government were coequal; that political dirty tricks should never be normalized; that embattled allies must not be enlisted in such tricks; that, as Judge Laurence Silberman once said, The most heinous act in which a democratic government can engage is to use its law enforcement machinery for political ends; that innocence isnt established by the failure to get away with the intended crime; and that acquittal isnt vindication. Among the things now permanently lost to Republicans amid their supposed victory in the impeachment saga is the hope of having a leg to stand on when, in the fullness of time, a future Democratic president behaves toward them exactly the way Trump behaved last year. For Teen Vogue, fashion is all about giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the industry, thinking deeply about why we wear the things we do, and, of course, finding inspirations for our closets. To kick off NYFW, we are doing just that. In this story, we chat with creative Romina Cenisio about everything from her work for Rihanna to starting her own brand. Romina Cenisio has always been obsessed with nature. Growing up in El Paso, a city in Mexico that sits on the El Paso border, and spending a lot of time in Ciudad Juarez her backyard was the desert, so most of her design aesthetic and core concepts tie back to Mother Earth. Cenisio cites nature as her first love, and fashion as a close second. Her mother was a seamstress, from whom she learned the essentials of garment construction: sewing, basic pattern-making, fitting, and alternations. In high school, Cenisio even designed her own prom dresses. This led her to the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she pursued a fabric-styling degree in a program with a focus on concepts, trend forecasting, research, and visual landscapes. For me, this made more sense than studying fashion design, she says. I think quite conceptually, and this allowed me to flex my multiple creative skills. Not forgoing her love of nature, Cenisio also decided to study veterinary medicine, which she paid for with various fashion design gigs. While she was honing her duties and experiences as a veterinary student (spending summers in Mexico working at zoos, and internships at aquariums), the design opportunities flooded in, and she was forced to make the decision to pivot to fashion full time. Cenisio has since worked with some of the biggest names in fashion: Hood By Air, Nike, Alexander Wang, Rihanna, and more. She attributes her success as a creative director to wearing a lot of smaller hats at first, such as graphic designer, brand consultant, and stylist. She worked at Nike as a graphic designer, where she designed the Just Do It tee for an NYC capsule collection. At Hood By Air she created the HBA contact lenses and the FACES collection, in collaboration with photographer Kevin Amato. At Alexander Wang she worked on the Female CEO collection (Fall/Winter 2018), including the coveted CEO Sunglasses. Cenisio considers herself lucky to have been able to work on teams that have been crucial to changing the narrative in fashion, streetwear especially. Most recently, Cenisio launched her own brand, Infinite Resort. Story continues Teen Vogue spoke with Cenisio about designing, her relationship with nature, and how shes carving out her own space in the fashion industry. Teen Vogue: What types of things inspired you when you were growing up? Romina Cenisio: So, Ive sort of had this dichotomy since I was a child of what my interests are. I was always super obsessed with nature and how things work. I never wanted Barbies; I wanted science kits and books. Naturally, I was very drawn to the world. I was always going on adventures. The fashion part was out of necessity. My mom was a seamstress, and I was like her little helper. In Italy if you were lower-class, the oldest child was always sent to learn how to make clothes. Gianni Versace and a few other iconic Italian designers have similar stories, where they learned how to sew out of necessity. TV: What does being a graphic designer at a fashion brand mean? RC: In my experience, graphics are also branding, marketing, social media content, creative direction, strategy, as well as the obvious of knowing how to design anything your team or your brain can imagine. It's a mixture of tangible design skills, but it also means conceptualizing ideas; imagining how to interpret art onto clothing; being able to express this idea in a comprehensive way; being able to follow through on executing these ideas. You need a thorough knowledge of design programs, printing techniques, weaving, knitting, embroideries all of that. It means you have to be able to work with everyone on a design team and design not only your ideas but the ideas of others. It's a very intensive job that requires a sharp eye as well as good design skills. TV: Youve worked with a lot of big names like Hood By Air, Nike, and Rihanna. What were some of the biggest lessons you learned working with them? RC: I've learned that it's really important to be present as a team member. You know, it's like finding the balance between OK. Yes. Like, I'm an artist and, you know, I'm an artist and a designer. But there's also a team involved. And I think that that's one thing I'm seeing a little bit with some of the younger generation, is that a lot of them feel like, Oh, I've done one thing and, like, now I'm an icon. And, like, they don't want to do the work. Remember that doing the work is really what is going to get you where you want to be. TV: What was it like working as a woman in a male-dominated sector of fashion, such as streetwear? RC: Let me start off by saying things have been changing and getting better, and that I am so thankful for all the men I've worked with who have treated me fairly and taught me so much about negotiating and evaluating my worth. I think in order to progress as a society it's important to be honest, so it's helpful to call out the issues I've seen that I think can get better. The two biggest cons in my experience are the pay gap and that your male peers tend to get much more credit and "shout outs" from their team than women do. I have many male peers that were super helpful and honest with me, [but] I'll never forget the times I found out how much less I was [making] in the same position or project than a man was. Or not getting credit the way they do. I think some of it comes from expectations and confidence, and some of it comes from this natural team mentality men share with one another. I think this subject is something we need to grow with as a society, and not necessarily put the blame on men, but the overarching nature of the patriarchy we live in. TV: What was it like designing for Rihanna? RC: I got to work with Rihanna's creative director and her stylist, and it was so cool! She was very involved in making design decisions, and it was great to work with a team with such a clear vision. The album had such a strong message, and the design direction was very powerful from the beginning. Seeing her wear it onstage, and seeing all the articles talk about it, it was honestly a dream. It came out after Justin Beiber's Purpose and Kanye's Life of Pablo merch, so it felt like a win for women, being that I was of those three capsules the only woman graphic designer. I'm so thankful for that opportunity. TV: You are now behind your own line, Infinite Resort. Have you taken lessons that you've learned from previous brands and implemented them into your own? RC: Yes, everything! There are more lessons to implement, but I've seen a lot of good and a lot of bad in my career. A lot of budgets and resources wasted on the wrong things. However, Infinite Resort is its own thing; it's not on a schedule, it's not fast fashion, it's not even just fashion it's a platform. It's a way to connect with the earth in ways we have yet to explore. And I plan to use all my experience and lessons to grow it in a way that is meaningful and sustainable. TV: How did you know that you were ready to branch out on your own? RC: When you're ready, you're ready. I had wanted to do it for years, but honestly it's hard when you don't come from money. That's the reality period. But at some point there is no other option than that you absolutely need to bring your vision to life. I think it came just on time, because if I did an earth-inspired line in 2015, people might have been like, Um, okay, nerd. Now I feel really confident that I don't care how I sound, I don't care if I'm too intense, I don't care if I'm a nerd. This is my platform to explore how I can be a catalyst to make people care about the earth and build a community around it. TV: Your brand is very anchored to nature and the earth, as well as awareness of those things. How did you decide that your ideas surrounding the environment would be the ethos of the brand? RC: My mission is really to connect nature to humanity. And I call Infinite Resort an immersive platform for connecting nature to humanity, no matter what that outlet is, whether it's fashion or if its the travel guide/zine. TV: Your capsule collection features images in nature shot by National Geographic photographers. What was the intention behind that collaboration? RC: Honestly, I didn't even think it was going to happen. The idea came about in my mind as I was just thinking about how people are so disconnected from nature, especially in cities. How could I connect even my own friends and community and the fashion industry and start this conversation? And so I sketch these dresses. And I was thinking of expressing each element earth, air, fire, water also as a way for people to identify what they feel connected to. And who has more epic images than National Geographic? Their photographers dedicate their lives to this. I started cold emailing and searching images, plugging them in to try and see what would and wouldnt work to physically engineer the images on my designs. I prepared a presentation for them, and this was luckily the one time I was able to flex regarding the people that Ive worked with. But also, when you're talking to people at National Geographic, they don't care about fashion; theyre trying to save the world. I got lucky that all of my target photographers got back to me and were really interested in the project. With all of them, I immediately proposed that we donate 20 percent of the profits to their chosen foundation. It was a lot of navigating different ideas and making sure that everybody felt comfortable with what they were giving and what they were putting in. TV: Lately some of the most potent conversations around fashion are about sustainability. Where does your brand fit into that conversation? RC: You just can't, especially in 2020, start a business if it's not sustainable. If you're starting a business now, you have the opportunity to do all the research to start it as a sustainable business. But it's also super complex, you know? It's something that's going to take time, because not any one thing can be 100 percent sustainable. Right? Existing is not sustainable, you know? So for Infinite Resort, I try to look at it from every angle that was possible for me: Are the fabrics recycled or organic, or using materials that use low water? Again, you're not going to hit the nail on every single thing, but you just have to do your best. TV: What advice can you give up-and-coming creatives who want to be successful in fashion? RC: I would say to get all the experience you can and learn as much as you can about the industry. Stay true to yourself while also putting in the work. Take opportunities, even if it's not exactly what you want to do, especially in the beginning, because it will always come back and help you. Adjacent internships and assistant jobs ultimately make you grow. Knowledge is power, so the more you know, the more valuable you are to a company. There is enough abundance in this world for everyone to be successful, so be true to yourself, work hard, and don't EVER give up. Everyone's success comes at their own pace, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen when and how you want it to. Get comfortable with enjoying the journey and all the ups and downs that come with it there are no mistakes, only lessons to be learned! Also: connect together, build together, listen together, grow together. Be a sponge. Remember, you are infinite. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Jeremy Jerry Isadore Levin, 87, died Thursday in Birmingham, after a storied career in journalism and a dramatic escape from captivity in the Middle East that led to peace activism in his later years. His story has been chronicled in two books and a made-for-TV movie. Levin was born in Detroit, Mich. and attended Northwestern University, where he earned a degree in journalism. He served in the U.S. Navy before embarking on a career in television news that brought him to Birmingham in the early 1970s. He was working as the news director at WBRC when he met his wife, Sis. The family then moved to Texas, where he began his career with CNN, according to his obituary. Levin advanced with the company, taking positions in Washington, D.C. and Chicago before moving to Beirut in the 1980s. While working as Middle East Bureau Chief, Levin was abducted and held by Hezbollah militants in the midst of the Lebanon hostage crisis. He spent almost a year in captivity, often in solitary confinement, according to an article in Portico. His wife negotiated relentlessly for his release. Levin escaped by lowering himself out of a second-story window and walking hours through enemy territory, according to Portico. He and his wife both wrote books about the experience, Reflections on my First Noel and Beirut Diary: A Husband Held Hostage and a Wife Determined to Set Him Free. ABC created a TV movie based on his story that aired in 1991. In an article written for the 10-year anniversary of his escape, Levin described his captivity as a privilege. "I wouldnt want to repeat the experience . . . but it certainly was an opportunity for personal growth and it gave me a chance, through the sharing of my understanding, to do more with my life for the good of more people than perhaps I would have done before,'' he said. The captivity changed the course of both Jerry and Sis Levins lives. After his release, both began working for organizations promoting peace. From the very beginning, she tried to achieve some kind of reconciliation, Levin said in an article for the Huntsville Times. Ours was the only husband-and-wife do-it-yourself rescue team." They kept much of their attention on the Middle East, although the pair also worked with groups in the United States. I was a Christian woman with a Jewish husband in a Muslim country," said Sis Levin in 1999. You have to get on the side of peace, and you have to believe you can work it out. Levin was raised Jewish but converted to Christianity as an adult. He and his wife became involved with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Israel that monitored the treatment of Palestinians. He and his wife spoke many times, often critically, about U.S. and Israeli policies in the region. In 2003, Jerry and Sis Levin traveled to Baghdad to stand with civilians in opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Jerry and Sis also supported the arts, especially opera, and served on the board of Opera Birmingham. He was instrumental in starting the organizations vocal competition, according to general director Keith Wolfe-Hughes. Jerry had such a love and passion for opera, I loved hearing stories of all the famous singers he saw in performance, or hearing about the operas he and Sis saw on their travels, Wolfe-Hughes said. He will be greatly missed by everyone at Opera Birmingham. He and his wife traveled all over the world in pursuit of music and peace. Opera Birmingham Board Member Abbott Jones said he brought stories back to the Magic City. A passionate music lover, he made it his mission to travel with his wife, Sis, to visit almost every major opera house in the world, Jones said. He was a dedicated board member, a compassionate friend and a remarkable man. We will miss him very much. Levin is survived by his wife and six children. Updated at 12:31 p.m. on Feb. 9 with additional information. Shivaji Rao Gaekwad to launch new political party in Tamil Nadu by April India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 09: Rajinikanth alias Shivaji Rao Gaekwad is expected to launch his political party in April. Reports quoting top players in the Rajini Makkal Mandram, an outfit launched by the super star said that the party would be launched sometime in April. The launch could be anytime after April 14, but the name has not been decided as yet. Tamilaruvi Manian is expected to play the role of the chief strategist and would manage the day to day affairs of the party. Currently talks are on with other parties such as the PMK to join hands with the actor. CAA is no threat to Muslims: Rajinikanth The BJP too is expected to help Rajini run the show. It has been perceived that the actor is close to the BJP. Last week the actor threw his weight behind the contentious Citizenship Amendment law and asserted that the legislation did not pose any threat to Muslims. In his first reaction after the amendment to the Citizenship law and nation wide protests against it, the top actor wondered as to how Muslims, who chose to stay back in India following partition will be sent out of the country. "CAB is no threat to Muslims, if they face trouble I will be the first person to raise voice for them," he told reporters here. Besides, the central government has assured that Indian people will have no issues in view of the Citizenship Amendment Act, he noted. Alleging that some political parties were instigating people against CAB for their selfish interests, he also blamed religious leaders for supporting protests against the law and dubbed it "very wrong." Backing the National Population Register exercise, he said the drive is "very, very essential," and added that the Congress-led government had done it in the past. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 8:47 [IST] Pork imports are needed to ensure stable supply and curb price escalation. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has assigned the agriculture ministry (MARD) to import 100,000 tons of finished pork in Q1. Nguyen Tat Thang, secretary general of the Vietnam Livestock Association, commented that the governments instruction is reasonable. He noted that the pork prices in the Tet sale season were not overly high as predicted, thanks to the timely instructions by the government. Asked if the imports would affect the domestic livestock industry, Thang said he doesnt see any worrying signs. Positive signs about the African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported and farmers are likely to resume farming. However, the supply still is not high enough to satisfy demand in the immediate time. Therefore, the imports wont affect domestic farming. The nCoV epidemic has been spreading, affecting the lives of people all over the world. Positive signs about the African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported and farmers are likely to resume farming. However, the supply still is not high enough to satisfy demand in the immediate time. Therefore, the imports wont affect domestic farming. In the long term, when the domestic supply increases, the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Industry and Trade will have to report to the government about the situation and adjust the import plan. In fact, once the domestic livestock returns to normal, the supply will increase and importers will stop importing pork if they find the imports less competitive than domestic products. Nguyen Van Ngoc, deputy chair of the Southeastern Region Livestock Association, said importing pork is a necessary measure. The ASF has led to the serious shortage of pork in the domestic market, and the shortage needs to be solved by imports. Some sources said half of pigs died in 2019, while government agencies said the figure was 20 percent. Meanwhile, some analysts believe that 100,000 tons may be not enough. They warned that the shortage exists in many countries and it would be difficult to import pork. The fresh meat supply is in short supply. Importers will have to accept high prices, an analyst said. He went on to say that the pork price in Belgium is over VND100,000 per kilogram. If enterprises import pork from the country, the selling price will be relatively high in Vietnam. According to Ngoc, as the pork price is too expensive, people have changed their habits and are choosing fish and chicken instead. In the long term, according to Ngoc, it is necessary to change the livestock industry and relocate farms to areas far from residential quarters. This will control epidemics more easily. Kim Chi Prices of pork, face masks heat up pricing committees meeting The prices of pork and face masks were the centre of discussion at an extraordinary meeting of the steering committee for pricing on January 31 under the chair of its head, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue. Kenyans formed long queues on Sunday to glimpse the body of the country's longest-serving leader, Daniel arap Moi, which is on public display ahead of a state funeral service. Moi, who is respected by many despite a 24-year rule infamous for corruption and the crushing of opposition voices, died on February 4 aged 95. The body of the late president who towered over Kenya between 1978 and 2002 was escorted by military guard through the streets of the capital to the parliament building, drawn on a gun carriage and wrapped in the national flag. He will be on public view in Nairobi for three days, until a memorial service with full civilian and military honours on Tuesday. Many queued for hours to pay their respects to a ruler they revered, while others stood in disbelief that the man they had long feared was gone. Magdalene Njoki, a vendor, travelled with her two children from Thika, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Nairobi, to thank the president who provided free milk in school under a Moi-era policy. "He was a good leader," she said. Foreign dignitaries, soldiers and ordinary citizens alike paused, bowed and saluted as they passed the former ruler, dressed in dark suit. Justin Okello, who also queued to see Moi's body, said "even the mention of his name" could evoke fear. "I can't believe that is Moi's body lying there. That man who terrorised this country is now sleeping there, motionless," he said. Moi leaves a mixed legacy. During his tenure, corruption became endemic and tribal divisions were stoked and turned bloody, but many also remember a period of relative peace in Kenya as east Africa was roiled by conflict. Among those to pay respects on Sunday was Mwai Kibaki, the opposition leader who defeated Moi's handpicked successor -- now President Uhuru Kenyatta -- at the ballot box in 2002, ending his grip on power. The clerk of the national assembly, Michael Sialai, said nearly 25,000 people saw his body on Saturday, with greater numbers expected Sunday with longer viewing hours. Nixon Indeche, a retired public servant, said he was "going to see his body for closure". "He detained a lot of people without trial and destroyed our economy, but all that is in the past now because he asked for forgiveness publicly," he said. In neighbouring Ethiopia, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, a brief moment of silence was observed Sunday by visiting leaders and dignitaries before an annual two-day conference got underway. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Africa "had lost one of its illustrious sons". President Kenyatta, who on Saturday led the tributes for Moi, remembered "a father of our nation, a champion of Pan-Africanism". In recent years observers had criticised the apparent rehabilitation of Moi as the elderly former president often received visits from Kenyatta, his opposition rival Raila Odinga and other politicians, seeking his blessing ahead of elections. Kenyatta revived "Moi Day" in honour of the former president in 2017, after it was scrapped in 2010. Moi's body will be buried Wednesday in his home area of Kabarak, 220 kilometres northwest of Nairobi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 21:25:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army has become 2 km close to secure a strategic highway that runs along rebel-held areas in Aleppo province, a war monitor reported on Sunday. The Syrian army is making rapid progress in the quest to secure the strategic highway linking the capital Damascus in the south with Aleppo in the north, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Over the past hours and days, the army captured over 50 towns and villages in the southern and western countryside of Aleppo, said the Britain-based watchdog group. Earlier in the day, the Syrian army said in a statement that its troops have captured 600 sq km of areas over the past few days in the countryside region of Idlib and Aleppo provinces in northern Syria. The army's statement said that tens of villages and towns, as well as hills, have been captured over the past few days in the southern countryside of Aleppo and the countryside of Idlib provinces. The military campaign has targeted the "terrorist groups, which upped their aggressions against civilians and residential areas," said the statement. The Syrian government, backed by its ally Russia, has kept up a military offensive in Idlib province and the southern Aleppo countryside over the past two months, aimed at securing the strategic Damascus-Aleppo highway that runs along the rebel-controlled territory. Doctors who want to track their patients' physical activity might have more luck doing it with smartphones than wearable fitness devices, according to a new Penn Medicine study. The data showed that patients who used smartphones were 32 percent more likely to send in their daily step counts six months after being discharged from the hospital than those who used a wearable fitness tracker. Since smartphones have become near-ubiquitous, these findings -; published in JAMA Network Open -; signaled to researchers that it is possible to track physical activity on a wider level, which could improve efforts to remotely monitor patient behaviors. Most people with smartphones take them everywhere they go. Since carrying the phone is already a built-in habit, it makes it much easier to use the device to track activity levels. While wearables can track other metrics, every time patient takes them off, there's a possibility that they may never put it back on again." Mitesh Patel, MD, MBA, study's lead author, director of the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit and an assistant professor of Medicine The team of researchers enrolled 500 patients who had been admitted to two different Philadelphia hospitals in their activity tracking program. Half were assigned to track step counts via an app on their own smartphones, while the other half were assigned to use a wearable device. Once discharged from the hospital, the devices were used to monitor daily step data, which patients could then synchronize to transmit to the researchers. Seven days of steps could be stored at time, but patients were prompted via emails, text messaging, or voice messages to sync up if they hadn't done so in four straight days. The researchers tracked how many patients continued to send in their step data over multiple periods of time. While there was some attrition over time in both groups, at every interval, the number of patients synchronizing their data was higher in those using the smartphone app than those with wearables. At 30-days post-discharge, 87 percent of the smartphone group was still actively sending in their data compared to 82 percent of the patients with wearable devices. At 90 days, the numbers stood at 78 to 68 percent, respectively. And at six months (180 days) after discharge, the smartphone group stood at 61 percent compared to 47 percent in the wearable group (a 32% relative difference). While the study focused on comparing smartphone users and those with wearable devices, the team did find some significant differences in patient characteristics. These included that men were more likely to stick with reporting their activity than women, and patients with Medicaid insurance were almost twice as likely to not submit their data compared to patients with other insurance. "It's important to consider the tradeoffs between smartphones that may be used for longer periods and wearables that can track other types of data like heart rate or sleep patterns," said co-author Daniel Polsky, PhD, an adjunct senior fellow in the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at Penn and a professor at Johns Hopkins University. "With that, it's important to consider all factors and their affects, which could include things like demographic information." This study was conducted as a part of research examining the possibility of predicting whether patients will be readmitted to a hospital after discharge. Moving forward, the researchers hope to determine whether smartphones or wearable devices are more effective in making these predictions. "Our everyday health behaviors contribute significantly to our longer-term health," said Kevin Volpp, MD, PhD, the director of Penn's Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics and a professor of Medicine, Medical Ethics and Policy, and Health Care Management. "These mobile devices give us a window into daily activity patterns that could be used to help design interventions to improve health outcomes." (Newser) A polarizing self-help guru is trying to recover from a radical health treatment he underwent in Moscow, the CBC reports. Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist, spent eight days in a medically induced coma to battle a lung infection. The intervention followed his admitted dependence on clonazepama benzodiazepine tranquilizer often given to people with panic issuesand his pneumonia diagnosis in Moscow. In between, there were failed treatments in North American hospitals. All this according to his daughter, Mikhaila Peterson, who posted a YouTube video Friday updating her father's battle with dependency. "The decision to bring him to Russia was made in extreme desperation, when we couldn't find any better option," she said. story continues below Mihaila called his withdrawal "horrific" and said Russian doctors were willing to fight a drug's side effects without drugs: They "have the guts to medically detox someone from benzodiazepines," she said, per the National Post. Peterson apparently spent four weeks in intensive care and came out with neurological damage; he's recovering but can't walk without help and is taking anti-seizure medication. Seems he began taking clonazepam to treat anxiety a few years ago and relied on it when his wife was diagnosed with cancer last April. An intellectual hero of the right, and reviled by the left, Peterson gained notoriety in 2016 for opposing a University of Toronto policy that teachers address students by their preferred gender pronoun. (See how he "became a phenom.") BRUNSWICK, Ohio What could be more appropriate than Ohio Pie Co. celebrating its one-year anniversary Feb. 9 on National Pizza Day? Medina native Nick Robson opened up shop in Brunswick last year, introducing his Ohio-style pizza a traditional circle shape, with square-cut slices and an all-around swirly sauce. The fresh pie producer spent a lot of time working in pizza shops for income and support in and out of other states while touring with bands in his younger years. At this point in his life, Robson started to be a familiar face in pizza shops and wanted to make his own pizza. But most importantly, he wanted to create those pies where he first put down his roots -- Ohio. The ''Uncle Tony'' pizza is one of the many specialties pies at Ohio Pie Co. (Photo Courtesy Lee Sechrist) Located at 1315 1/2 Pearl Road, the Ohio Pie Co. interior is surrounded by walls decorated with murals dedicated to musicians, friends and everything and everyone that helped inspire the idea along the way. In its first year, the shop topped off at over 70,000 original Ohio-style pizzas and close to 25,000 cookies, homemade each day. Reflecting back, Robson shares one of his favorite memories of his first year in the pizza business. On (Friday) Feb. 8, Ohio Pie had a photo shoot, the day prior to the grand opening, Robson said. So, we had a bunch of dough left over, 100 to 150 doughs left, and we had to use it by Friday, because we couldnt carry it into Saturday. Nick Robson in front of Ohio Pie Co. in Brunswick (Photo Courtesy Lee Sechrist) We said after the photoshoot, lets just turn on the open sign. Ill post a picture on Instagram, well start answering the phones -- just kind of secretly open the day before. A couple hours later, I was finally able to post the picture of the open sign on Instagram -- after we sold out. Without ever announcing that we opened, Robson said. In the new year, Ohio Pie Co. will add more creative specialties to the menu, to be listed next to originals such as Firebird (Buffalo chicken pie), Paradise (Hawaiian pie) and Piggy Bird (BBQ chicken pie) -- all of which can be made with vegan substitutes. The owners favorite pie lands on simplicity -- pepperoni pizza. If I go to any new shop, I just want a pepperoni. Thats kind of how I compare a shop. A pepperoni pizza is how you can tell oh, does this shop know how to make pizza? A lot of people say plain cheese, but I care about the style of pepperoni, Robson said. At Ohio Pie Co., Robson and the crew work hard to make sure the energy and the attitude of the shop is alive and welcoming. I always looked at pizza kind of differently. A lot of people are like, oh its a job, its a service, youre just providing meals to people. But pizza is kind of the only food that youll eat if youre happy, youll eat if youre sad, youll eat no matter what. Pizza is any-occasion food. Anyone who is coming in here in a given day, we are improving that persons day. Youre not coming to get pizza to make your day worse; youre trying to improve your day. If youre celebrating, youre going to want to make it even better (if) you get pizza. If youre bummed, you can be like all right, I can at least get pizza and have a bright spot in my day. If you have the chance to improve a few hundred peoples day every single day, thats cool. Thats fun, Robson said. The shop does not offer a pizza delivery service or take part in any third-party delivery services. This is because Ohio Pie Co. wants to serve their product as freshly as possible and does not just want to have a transaction with their customers, but an interaction. Robson shared that in 2020, the company will be upgrading ovens for the shop so that they can make more pies a day in a timely manner. Robson is also owner of Live Large Fitness, a workout clothing brand that has been homed behind Ohio Pie since 2014. I started that company from the money I made delivering pizzas. And that company grew to the point that funded this pizza shop. Pizza brought it all together full circle, Robson said. Read more from the Brunswick Sun. The prosecution had produced some 20 witnesses in the Anti-Terrorism Court to testify against Hafiz Saeed and his close aides A Pakistani anti-terrorism court today deferred its verdict against Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed in two terror financing cases on his "request" and adjourned the hearing till Tuesday. Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta last week reserved the verdict against the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief in the two terror financing cases for Saturday. "The ATC judge on Saturday took up the application of Hafiz Saeed requesting the court to club all terror financing cases against him and announce the verdict after the trial is completed," a court official said after the hearing today. The official said the deputy prosecutor opposed Saeed's plea, arguing that the trial in the two cases against him has already been completed and the court may announce the verdict under the law. The ATC, however, adjourned the hearing till February 11, issuing notices to both prosecution and defence lawyers for arguments on Saeed's plea. He was produced before the ATC in high security. The prosecution had produced some 20 witnesses in the ATC to testify against Saeed and his close aides for their involvement in terror financing. The ATC indicted Saeed and others on December 11 in terror financing cases in day to day hearing. He has already recorded his statement before the court in two terror financing cases against him in which he pleaded "not guilty". The cases of terror financing have been filed against him in Lahore and Gujranwala on the application of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab Police. The Saeed-led JuD is a front organisation for the terror group Lashkar-ekTaiba, responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The US, since 2012, has offered a $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice. The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force in October decided to keep Pakistan on its "grey" list for failure to curb funnelling of funds to terror groups LeT, Jash-e-Mohammed and others. Photo credit: John Springer Collection - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics The Pentagon established the Space Force earlier this year, but there is no official name for Space Force personnel. The Space Force is considering a number of names but hasnt settled on one. Science fiction has some ideas, but the term spacer is our personal pick. Now that America has a Space Force, its time to figure out what we should call those that serve. Whatever it is will likely stick for decades, even centuries, if we look at the other armed forces as an example. Members of the Space Force will likely serve not only on Earth but eventually take the name into space itselfto Earths orbit, the moon, and maybe, just maybe, the solar system and galaxy beyond. The Space Force is the smallest of the armed services, with a projected troop strength of just 16,000 once personnel transfers from other branches of the military are complete. Still, what to call these men and women is proving a tough pick. According to DefenseOne, the Pentagon says its working on it : [W]eve spent some serious time and energy on it, Air Force Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of the Space Force, said during a Wednesday briefing at the Pentagon. We have recently gone out to our language department at the Air Force Academy, the Defense Language Institute, other English and language centers, to open up thoughts on what [they] might be called. U.S. Army personnel are called soldiers. U.S. Air Force personnel are called airmen. Navy personnel are called sailors, those in the Marine Corps are called Marines (note the capitalized M), the Coast Guard calls its people Coast Guardsmen, and the National Guard uses whatever branch personnel belong to (Air National Guard members called airmen, for example). According to Task & Purpose we can rule out space men and space cadets. Its easy to see why: the first isnt gender neutral, and the second implies the person as a member of a service academy. What are some other ideas? Story continues Photo credit: LMPC - Getty Images Science fiction writers have thought about this issue for a long time. Many people associate space with the Air Forcefor reasons that are never quite clear except that if youre in the air and keep climbing you eventually enter space. Science fiction authors, on the other hand, have thought about this quite a lot and have concluded that the voyages of spaceships resemble the voyages of terrestrial seagoing shipand thus should inherit naval terms. The 1956 science fiction classic "Forbidden Planet" has a navy-inspired Space Force, with ship's bosuns and naval ranks including commander. Robert Heinleins military science fiction classic Starship Troopers called Space Navy sailors spacemen, while Joe Haldemans The Forever War described those manning interplanetary warships using naval terms and ranksbut not explicitly sailor. Prolific science fiction author Ian Douglas, author of the Star Carrier series, calls his military space personnel sailors, while novelist John Scalzi of the Old Mans War series refers to the space forces of the future a navy, which probably means sailors as well. Science fiction has spoken. But the problem we 21st century humans run into is that theres still a terrestrial navy using the term sailor, and until the U.S. Navy outlives its usefulness using the term for the Space Force would cause needless confusion. So what else can we use? The pentagon is turning to crowdsourcing to come with some ideas. A Space Force email, posted on Facebook, is asking service members of the military's new branch to submit ideas for a variety of topics related to the Space Force, including uniforms, policies, and nomenclature. Some names like Guardians, Sentinels, and Vanguards are already in the running, according to Ars Technica. Whatever the Space Force uses, it has to be gender neutral and should avoid sounding like an existing armed service. Most importantly it has to avoid sounding cheesy, which is not easy in an age of names like Operation Infinite Justice and Operation Inherent Resolve. There are a number of themes we could consider. Space, as Star Trek pointed out is the final frontier, and the name could reflect Americas heritage from the time of colonization of North America through the westward expansion to the Pacific Ocean. Another could be the idea of Space Force members as guardians of the high ground, looking down protectively on Earth in general and the U.S.A. in particular. Heres one suggestion: spacer. It is short and to the point. Its humble and unpretentious and works for both men and women. Its similar to trooper, which harkens back to the U.S. Army cavalry troopers that patrolled the American frontier. That injects a little U.S. Army DNA into an organization with a name similar to the Air Force but run by a Chief of Space Operations, a name that borrows from the head of the Navys job title. And whatever we do, lets keep it lower case. You Might Also Like I want to tell a story about the birth of my second son, but I do not know how to tell it. I could start by recounting the irrefutable details: October 15, 2018, was temperate. The day was sunny. It was a Monday. I could tell you that I was feeling done with my pregnancy, in the predictable way that women at 40 weeks feel. Moving through the world had become difficult. Getting dressed required assistance. Sleep was impossible. The exhaustion of carrying another person peaks at some point, and I had hit my peak. I could tell you that, at home, 40 minutes away, a new sitter was caring for my 22-month-old son, who likely did not understand, despite my insistence on repeating it, that a baby lived in my protruding belly. He was a funny, spirited toddler, who was still learning language but who already understood what he liked and disliked. In the afternoons, while I sat at the table in our sunny kitchen, writing for a living, he rolled toy cars up and down my legs, humming to himself in that insatiable, delicious way that young children do. That son had arrived two weeks early, when, felled by the life-threatening condition of preeclampsia, I was induced into labour. Ten hours later, when his heart rate slowed, doctors shuffled me into an anteroom, where an anaesthesiologist poked at my back with a needle, missing my spinal cord five consecutive times. When he finally succeeded in numbing me, two surgeons opened me up. My curious husband looked beyond the curtain to see my intestines on the table, as they searched for this new life. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] Unlikely battle scars I want to talk about the badge of the caesarean, an unlikely battle scar. I had always envisioned myself as a natural birth mother, opening my maw to pain as proof, maybe, of my fortitude. During my labour, I refused the gentle offer of an epidural, riding through the waves of the contractions by cursing the God I did not believe in. Who was I proving this strength of constitution to? Myself? The doctors? The C-section stole that role from me, and in the murky first days of motherhood, when I stumbled, sleepless, from room to room of a house I did not own, the lines between day and night blurring, I felt every single stitch. I want to tell you about my reluctance when it came to a second surgery. I did not wish to repeat that part of motherhood. I resolved, in my second pregnancy, to eat less salt, to walk more, to preempt the ailments that forced my doctors hands during my first. The procedure of delivering vaginally after a C-section a VBAC is actively discouraged by risk-averse obstetricians. Those same obstetricians have favoured the sure thing of invasive surgery over the unpredictability of birth at an alarming rate. But my doctors were kind enough. The option, they said, was on the table. Would I be? Even as I prepared for a natural birth, I had my doubts that I would be able to make it a reality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 32 percent of all births in the US are caesareans, but the World Health Organization recommends an ideal rate of 10-15 percent. It is a slice-and-dice solution to the fairly common act of bringing human beings into the world. Between life and death I want to talk about the problems with the birth of my second child. They began with a labour check, with cords and alarms and a room so small it could accommodate just me, my bag and a nurse. Hooked up to a monitor, I could hear the swoosh of my babys heart, which sounded no different than it had on other occasions. But my hulking doctor, who shoved a meaty claw into my birth canal and concluded that I had not dilated at all, expressed concern. Hon, its time, he told me. Call your husband. With a caesarean, you are awake, in that woozy, dizzy space between life and death. A powerful wave of nausea, amplified by fluorescent surgical lights, caused me to retch and vomit into a pan. A blue curtain separated me from the corporeal reality of my entrails, taken out and placed on a surgical table for the world to see, exposing that thing that made me a woman: my womb. Time, fluid anyway, is even more fluid on the table. I felt the slice, just not the pain, and then pulling and tugging. I heard the murmur of voices and the clang of metal instruments. My purple baby, suddenly before me, eyes open, began to cry. Introduced to me, he was then ferried away, left with professionals. I do not know how to write about the unfamiliar parts of a familiar surgery. While the doctors sewed me up, I felt pressing, over and over again, as if someone were leaning into my insides. Time bent. My first C-section had seemed so fast, so breezy. It is hard to make heads or tails of time when you are drugged and recumbent, but I recognised, in that white-lit room, that something had stalled, that something was wrong. Eventually, I was wheeled into a hallway, where I waited for my husband and baby to arrive. After my first C-section, the nurses wheeled me into the same hallway, at the same hospital, and I held my newborn for the first time. He craned his neck up at me and l saw his navy eyes, shiny from the ilotycin that they use to stave off infection in newborns. I took a picture, with the baby on my breast, his face leaning into mine in some biological way that I was only beginning to understand. That memory of my introduction to motherhood is burned into my brain, part of a reel that I replay when I am feeling nostalgic. It was here that I met him, I think. It was here that I knew the pulsing vein of instant love. I want to tell you that I do not remember holding my second born in that hallway. I remember that he was there, of course, but I do not remember his face, or his glossy eyes, or his hands searching to connect. I remember only my desperate, painful thirst. I begged the nurses for water, but they would not relent. They promised my thirst would fade. They palpated my wounds, my swollen and distended belly that had held a human two humans, actually and that now held scar tissue. It hurts, I said, and the nurses nodded in solidarity. I had just had major surgery. Of course, it hurt. I was, to them, a wimp, incapable of suffering these common discomforts of early motherhood. Call her family Was the portable ultrasound that revealed my ruptured uterine artery first? Or was it the tachycardia, a new word that I now know explains what happens when your heart rate goes from 60 to 160. Were taking you into emergency surgery, the same large doctor said, and I thought of the staples that had just been used, not an hour before, to hold my spilling guts in. I remember nothing after that, not the cold bright light of the second operating room of that day, or the mask used to send me under, or the 20-odd doctors frantically called in to assist. My surgery, to repair the bleed, required four emergency blood transfusions and an entire vascular team. I want to talk about my husband. Outside, in that same hallway, he held my newborn baby. A door to the doctors office was open and he could hear a doctor calling for backup. She doesnt have that much time, someone said. Another person likened my insides to a hamburger. A nurse came out. Does she have any family? the nurse asked. My father was dead, but I still had a mother, a stepmother, a grandmother, three sisters, one brother, uncles, aunts, cousins, and, yes, a whole family. You should call them, the nurse told my husband. Exiled from the maternity ward When I woke up, in Intensive Care, with a throat burning from intubation, I was exiled from the maternity ward and from my son. He spent the first night of his life without me, as I struggled to sit up, to drink the water I had so badly wanted. In that first night, which folded into itself, hours stretching on through the beeping monitors and prickly IV and vital checks, I contracted pneumonia, the filthy bits of unused air sitting too long in my lungs. I want to tell you about the very worst of it, a condition known as an ileus. Air trapped in my stomach from two consecutive abdominal surgeries bloated me until I looked nine months pregnant again. My insides writhed against gas that could not escape, and I stayed up all night, for three nights straight, vomiting neon green bile. In those first days and nights, I did not hold my son, or nurse, or change a single nappy. My husband cradled our baby and fed him thimble-sized portions of formula, while I focused on learning to use the bathroom again. I spent almost a week in the hospital, begging for narcotics to offset the incomparable pain of my intestines rebelling against me, the only cure for which was time. A haunting I want to tell you that a traumatic birth does not end when you come home. Six weeks after my delivery, long after I had resumed my everyday life, I returned to my doctor. I was at risk, he said, for postpartum depression. Your experience, my doctor said. Not near-death. He did not use those words. He left me alone to nurse my newborn baby, whom I had brought with me to my appointment. I was, after all, no longer pregnant, no longer the priority of the practice. But it was not depression I was feeling, not exactly. I could not pinpoint what the problem was, but there was a problem. I kept an emotional distance from my baby, not because I did not love him, but because it was all very complicated. His entrance into the world had nearly signalled my exit, and when I started to think too deeply about it, I was drawn into a pattern of fear and regret. What if I had died? What if I had left my not-yet-two-year-old motherless, because of a commitment I had made to having two children, to fulfilling some outrageous American dream? What if I had been too greedy in my quest for a good life, and what if I had nearly uprooted it all in the process? What if almost dying was actually my fault? My mortality, before, had been a given. People in their thirties do not die for no reason. People in their thirties do not code on the surgical table. [Jawahir Al-Naimi/Al Jazeera] Around every corner, I began to see insidious danger. Privately, I catalogued how many ways a person can die. I could get hit by a car. I could fail to notice a changing mole. I could miss the signs and mistake a tumour for a migraine. I could choke on a piece of cheese while home alone with my kids. The birth of my son became a haunting, a visceral reminder that any of us could succumb at any time. Life was only a game of risk. I distanced myself from one of the great loves of my life, because I was scared of him, and scared of myself, and scared of what had happened, even though I had survived. At night, when he sobbed the sobs of a person just learning to live, I left my husband to tend to him, sleeping through the weight of my milk. It is strange to live through trauma and to arrive at the conclusion that you are weaker not stronger than you were before. But that is how I felt: gutted, emptied, a shell holding on for dear life, even as the periwinkle eyes looked up for me, and only for me. Dying of pregnancy I want you to know that I am not alone, that, in 2017, ProPublica teamed up with NPR to conduct a six-month-long investigation into maternal mortality in the US. That investigation concluded that more women in the US are dying of pregnancy-related complications than in any other developed nation. That rate 26.4 deaths per every 100,000 live births increased by 136 percent between 1990 and 2013. Worse, the numbers disproportionately affect African American women, who experience 43.5 deaths for every 100,000 live births, as opposed to 12.7 for white women. My experience was not an outlier; it was an example of a relative norm. We women are not listened to, regardless of our wealth, of the colour of our skin. When we are attuned to our bodies, convinced of its failings, we are labelled hypochondriacs. Our concern is converted into hysteria, a word derived from the Ancient Greek word husterikos: suffering in the uterus. Had my heart rate not raced to the point of near-oblivion, I am not sure that anyone would have believed that the pain I was experiencing was anything beyond that of an overly sensitive, post-surgical woman. The gravitas not given to my situation, and to the situations of women like me, is why women are dying. It is why women will continue to die. All the ways a woman can die I want to say that, a year after the birth of my son, I am not the same person. Before you have children, death feels like an inevitable bookend to life. After, it feels like some sort of hellscape you are imparting on the uninitiated. How will they survive without me? I ask myself. Who will cook them their dinners, or listen to their songs? Who will explain the depths of my love for them? How will they know how desperately I tried to stay alive, just for them? Many days, assaulted with the reality of motherhood, I do not think about the darkness at all. I do not thank the heavens, or medical advancements, for my life. And I do not wonder too intently about the women who did not survive the operating room. Some days. But some days, as my coffee grows cold, I think of all the ways a woman can die. I catalogue my ailments and practise my self-advocacy. I want to let you know that my son and I are OK now. In the mornings, when I hear his cries from the next room, before the sun has even come up, I go to his room alone, because I want the first moment of my day to be a baby in my arms, nuzzling into my neck because I am the person he needs most in the world. I hope he does not remember, now or ever, that I kept him at arms length for so long, while I battled the demons that arrived along with him. He is a sweet and needy baby, a difficult baby, and a baby that prefers his mother to anyone, and when I think back on the first year of his life, and how I struggled to be the thing he needed most, I hope that he forgives me. general secretary Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi on Sunday said that opposing the does not amount to opposing Hindus. Joshi was speaking during a question-answer session as part of his lecture on 'Vishwaguru Bharat' at Dona Paula near here. "We should not consider opposition to as opposition to Hindus. It is a political fight that will continue. That should not be linked with Hindus," he said responding to a question- 'Why Hindus are becoming the enemy of their own community?'. "Your question says that Hindus are becoming enemy of Hindu community, means Hindu community does not mean BJP," he said. His remarks come amid the ongoing protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the Register of Citizens (NRC). "A Hindu fights against a fellow (Hindu) because they forget the religion. Even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj faced opposition from his own family," he said. "Where there is confusion and self-centered behaviour, there is opposition," he said. "Some claim that Vivekananda's is good and not that of Vinayak Savarkar. What is the basis for such claims?" he said. Joshi said that the Communist rulers in West Bengal claim that they are against Hindus, but when it comes to heading Durga Puja mandals, they are always in the forefront. "Similar is the situation in Kerala, where Communists want to be president of temple committee," he added. Joshi advised that Hindus should rise above politics. Responding to a question, Joshi said that the people from all communities are welcome to join the Sangh. He said that those who believe in the ideology of the Sangh can join and they would be given "respectable position but not a separate position". "Sangh has given position to everyone. Whoever wants to come to Sangh they are welcome. We never stopped non-Hindus from joining Sangh. It is true that we have focused on Hindus. But if someone from Christian community or a Muslim agrees with Sangh's ideology, they can also join it," Joshi added. "After joining the Sangh, if they are reluctant to say 'Bharat mata ki jai', then we will say that you don't consider 'Bharat' as your mother, so you don't deserve to be here," he said. In states like Uttar Pradesh, many Muslims have joined the RSS, he said, adding, "If any non-Hindu joins the Sangh, they will get a position as much as any Hindu gets. They won't get a separate position. Whoever joins will get a respectable position, but not a separate position," he said. Responding to another question, Joshi said that government servants are not barred from joining the RSS, although they are barred from becoming part of political movements. "Unfortunately, in our country, if you speak about the country's welfare and possible threats, it is considered as a political thinking. When I live in the country, don't I have a right to speak about the country?" he asked. Joshi said that there is no example of any government servant losing his job for joining the RSS, but there are ample examples wherein they were harassed for being part of the organisation. In reply to another query, Joshi said that Hindus cannot be considered as communal as the religion does not believe in single religious book or single God. "Let them define the word communal. Communal has become a bad word these days. We believe that Hindu can never be communal in the country," he said. "It is wrong to consider Hindus as communal or those who work for Hindu religion. We don't believe in singular religious book (granth), singular God...We have to ask them what is the definition of communal," he said. A hearing scheduled for this week by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Kevin Gross in Wilmington could affirm a reorganization plan calling for the sale of the shuttered Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery complex. The refinery closed last June after a spectacular fire. But whatever the sites economic prospects or ultimate use, the heavily contaminated 1,300-acre property on the citys southeastern gateway deserves a high level of public involvement and stewardship. Mayor Jim Kenneys Refinery Advisory Group was a good start, and Drexel Universitys Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation recently began holding public meetings and brainstorming sessions to bring community values and voices into the larger conversation about the sites future. We strongly support this effort and its goal to ensure these 1,300 acres continue contributing to the vitality of the city and the region. PES declared bankruptcy a month after the 2019 fire and in January accepted a $240 million bid from Hilco Redevelopment Partners, a Chicago firm that re-purposes old industrial properties. Hilco was not the highest bidder, and a rival group seeks to resume refinery operations and preserve at least some of the 1,100 jobs lost in the closure. The battle heated up late last week as unsecured creditors called the bids flawed and asked the judge not to approve the plan. Theres more at stake than simply satisfying creditors, however. The 1,300 acres along the eastbound Schuylkill Expressway and lower Schylkill river include more land than all of Center City and are close to the Navy Yard, Pennovation Works, and Philadelphia International Airport. The site is across the river from the growing expanse of parkland and recreational amenities connecting residential neighborhoods with the water and the heart of the city. The petroleum operations that began at the PES site in 1866 have left behind a challenging legacy of environmental contamination that requires complicated and costly remediation. Longstanding health and safety concerns among residents of the working-class neighborhoods around the refinery complex have been exacerbated by the fire and subsequent revelations of how catastrophic it could have been. And as the Inquirers Andrew Maykuth reported, deed restrictions limit use of the property for anything unrelated to energy or chemical production, and exclude development of housing or recreational areas. Some local residents and others hope to see parks and open space on at least part of the site, and whether or how any such amenities could be provided isnt clear. Whats clear is that 113,000 people live within a mile of the refinery propertys fence line. As much as any creditors or investors, they have a stake in what happens and doesnt happen there, and in whether and when contamination is remediated. Lindy Institute executive director Harris M. Steinberg points out that the city has zoning, planning, construction regulations and many other tools to influence the use of private property, and so is hardly a passive bystander in the industrial landscapes evolution or transition. Any conversation about this important piece of Philadelphias past and future must include the voices of communities that will continue living with the legacy of fossil fuel productions heyday no matter who prevails in bankruptcy court. British Airways has recorded its fastest ever transatlantic flight after a plane flew from New York to London in just four hours and 56 minutes. The Boeing 747 hurtled across the Atlantic at more than 800mph on the back of Storm Ciara's 200mph winds before touching down at Heathrow at 4.48am today. It is thought to have set a new record for subsonic passenger planes as its time exceeds the current record of a Norwegian Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner which made the crossing in five hours and 13 minutes. British Airways today recorded its fastest every transatlantic flight has the Boeing 747 hurtled to Heathrow this morning The Boeing 747 completed the flight in just four hours and 56 minutes, which is thought to be a new record for a passenger plane It touched down in Heathrow, London, as early as 11.20pm yesterday after travelling at more than 800mph The plane was a minute faster than a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350, which landed moments later after also taking off in New York, and three minutes ahead of a Virgin Airways plane that arrived at Heathrow at 5.12am. Its time exceeds the 2018 fastest record set by Norwegian and also a 2015 record when a British Airways Boeing 777-200 completed the journey in five hours and 16 minutes. Flight Radar tweeted the extraordinary flight, saying: 'If we're not mistaken, BA now retakes the fastest subsonic NY-London crossing from Norwegian.' Passenger David Redhill, a global consultant who was on the flight, told MailOnline that everyone burst into applause when the pilot announced the achievement. 'I didn't have enough time to catch some sleep the flight was so fast,' he said. 'There was a round of applause from the passengers. I looked around at everyone's face - everyone was astonished. The plane completed the 3,459 mile journey in what is believed to be a record time The plane pictured on Flight Radar as it came in to land at Heathrow, London 'The woman opposite me was more like "what?!" "How?!" I'm going to keep my boarding pass as a momento.' 'I think we caught immigration by surprise. We all trooped in pretty cheered up. It was a unique experience. I've flown hundreds of times.' He said that as they left JFK airport, New York, the pilot said he was going to fly in the jet stream to try and get in just ahead of Storm Ciara. He said there was some turbulence on the route, but nothing major. Speaking to the Independent, a BA spokesman said: 'We always prioritise safety over speed records, but our highly trained pilots made the most of the conditions to get customers back to London well ahead of time.' The journey takes the record-setting plane an average of six hours and 13 minutes to complete. Aviation consultant and former BA pilot Alastair Rosenschein told the BBC: 'The pilot will have sat their aircraft in the core of the jet stream and at this time of year it's quite strong. 'Turbulence in those jet streams can be quite severe, but you can also find it can be a very smooth journey.' Passenger John Welch, who appears to have been on the plane, tweeted: 'British Airways thanks for getting me home two hours early from New York. Fastest flight across the Atlantic since Concorde? Nearly 800mph ground speed.' The fastest transatlantic crossing was completed by a BA Concorde, which completed the journey in two hours 52 minutes and 59 seconds in 1996 after hitting top speeds of 1,350mph. It comes as Storm Ciara batters the UK leaving flights cancelled, flooding and fallen trees across the country. By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 07, 2020 | 04:48 PM | FRANKFORT KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer spoke with the graduates, telling them the role of a telecommunicator is one of the most pivotal roles they have. "You are the voice of agency when the public calls in and desperately needs help and that voice will set the stage for whether the situation turns out well or not," Brewer continued, "The best telecommunicators that I have ever worked with in my life are multi-taskers that can take tidbits of intelligence, process it quickly and pass it on for a positive resolve in the end." Brewer made it clear when saying the ability to process information quickly is extremely important to the trooper or officer on the other end of the radio. "What you do in that dispatch room truly saves lives every day and sometimes it is our life that you save." The group, which represents five agency posts, began studies on January 6 of 2020 at the KSP Training Academy in Frankfort. The course provides 196 hours of training during a five-week period. The training includes numerous subjects such as: legal liability, limits of telecommunicator authority, the telecommunicator's role in public safety, interpersonal communications, customer service, interaction with news media, stress, ethics and confidentiality, responder safety, basic fire dispatch, state emergency operations plans, criminal justice information systems, cardio pulmonary resuscitation, first aid training, emergency medical dispatch, and special needs callers. In order to complete the training, telecommunicators were required to process scripted calls for service, and demonstrate proficiency in gathering pertinent information, dispatching responders, providing emergency medical dispatch if needed and correctly documenting information from the call for service. The graduates of the telecommunications academy included: Chad Spain, Post 1 Mayfield Margaret Mollak, Post 5 Campbellsburg Kaitlyn Vancleve, Post 6 Dry Ridge Dakota Durham, Post 7 Richmond Kelli Ann Tackett, Post 7 Richmond Joseph Aubley, Post 12 Frankfort Tackett was the class valedictorian with an overall grade point average of 98.7 percent. Law Enforcement Training Instructor, Jason Long, gave some advice to those who may be considering the field as a career. "You need to think hard about whether you are willing to make the sacrifices you have to make. You have to spend time away from your family. You have to work weekends and holidays." Long continued, "With all the continuing training required, there is a big investment of time and you need to be sure you can make the commitment." "To be honest, it's not a job for everyone," he says. "It is stressful and challenging and some people simply can't deal with the types of calls and deadly incidents that we have to handle." Six Kentucky State Police (KSP) Telecommunicators from across the commonwealth were recognized at graduation ceremonies for the fifteenth telecommunications academy. Weather conditions on Thanksgiving morning 1992 were just not cooperating with Jeff Erdmanns plans to both propose to and punk his future wife. Plummeting temperatures and rain contributed to a real snotty Thanksgiving. Nevertheless, he showed Barbara the faux note on his Norwalk counter demanding he move his boat from a mooring or were going to have to move it for you. He gave her some of his fathers rain gear and they started rowing a wooden boat. The joke was on him. It hadnt been on the water in a spell and started sinking. So I quickly proposed and we rowed back and I said Lets do something good before we see the family. Its a memorable proposal, but his next decision was also an important bookmark in Erdmanns life. He suggested they check out the nearby Norwalk soup kitchen, which had caught his eye. A few years ago he returned to the scene of that Thanksgiving morning, noticed the agency was flailing and started volunteering. He is now chairman of the board of trustees for Open Door Shelter. The proposal is one of three personal anecdotes spanning 39 years that Erdmann shares over our 45-minute interview. Hes a natural, affable conversationalist, which suits him well given his engagement with neighbors at both ends of the widest wealth gap in the nation. As managing director of the Merrill Erdmann Group, he has a four-year streak as Forbes top-ranked wealth adviser in the nation, along with a mirror distinction from Barrons. His team in Greenwich manages about $10.2 billion (give or take a few billion) for some 170 families. That means advising clients on whether they can afford a private plane, or counseling them on how to sell their business at 35 and still maintain their lifestyle (its a long runway when youre 35). Its very scary when an entrepreneur sells their company. Ive had billionaires ask me if they have enough money and I have to hold myself back from shaking them and saying ARE YOU KIDDING ME? But our conversation in his offices at the top of Greenwich Avenue keeps drifting to neighbors with more urgent life decisions. Erdmanns affability seems well-suited for dealing with people at both ends of the financial spectrum. He is clearly and justifiably proud of what the shelter has accomplished in recent years to take more innovative approaches to helping the chronically homeless, to ease the burden on the emergency room at Norwalk Hospital and to provide meals, clothing and job training to the working poor. Erdmann, who lives in Rowayton, confesses to once maintaining his own stereotype of the homeless as 50- to 60-year-old men who drink too much and cant hold a job. His second story busts both this cliche and ones about how shelters function. While visiting his 93-year-old mother-in-law at a nursing home on a recent Sunday morning, he talked to a nurse who mentioned living in Norwalk. He asked if she knew Open Door. I bring my grandchildren there for clothes; you have the nicest clothes there, she replied. Later that day he stopped at the shelter. He started chatting with a woman checking in who turned out to be a nurse at the same nursing home. She was going through marital issues and then lost her condo, got into a financial bind and came to the shelter to get her feet back on the ground, Erdmann recalls. He repeats a maxim that remains stubbornly true: A huge percentage of Norwalk and Stamford is one paycheck away from being homeless. Erdmann has quicksilver gestures, but I visualize him as a man coolly balancing wealth in one hand and poverty in the other. He says he has three or four conversations a month with clients contemplating fleeing Connecticut for Florida or Wyoming. He also recognizes the impossibility of living comfortably in Fairfield County on low wages. His third story is one he likes to tell about entering his freshman psych class at Ohio Wesleyan four decades ago. He settled in the front row and read five words on the board. Giving is a selfish act. The 18-year-old knucklehead didnt get it, but clearly the lesson stuck, and he strives to pass it on to his three sons. The most satisfying part of my life is when were able to be involved and help people down on their luck. We could use more of that kind of selfish. John Breunig is editorial page editor of the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. Jbreunig@scni.com; 203-964-2281; twitter.com/johnbreunig. Apple is hesitant over moving the production of 45 million AirPods to Vietnam due to the risks and barriers raised by the coronavirus, even as its main producers are struggling with labour and material shortages. Apple is rethinking the move of Airpods production to Vietnam due to coronavirus hold-ups Apple's plan to drastically ramp up the production of AirPods is threatened by the coronavirus outbreak, which has forced suppliers in China to halt operations for two weeks and could leave them short of components even after work resumes on Monday, multiple sources told the Nikkei Asian Review. The US tech giant had ordered its suppliers to produce up to 45 million units in the first half of the year to keep up with surging demand for the wireless earphones. Now, however, the current stock of AirPods is running low, with most of the finished products reserved for Apple's own online and offline stores, the sources said. Currently, the standard AirPods are still in stock, according to Apple's official online store, while there is a one-month waiting time for the premium AirPods Pro launched in last September. Luxshare Precision Industry (Luxshare-ICT), Goertek, and Inventec, the three key AirPods manufacturers, have halted the majority of production since the Lunar New Year break began, some resources told Nikkei Asian Review. The three companies now have at most two weeks' worth of materials and components needed to assemble AirPods and must wait for component makers across China to restart operations in order to receive fresh supplies, the company representatives said. In addition, travel restrictions across China are expected to create labour shortages at factories, which could slow the ramping up of production. Companies are also carefully weighing how quickly they should resume production. Several months ago, information.com reported that Apple was trying to diversify its supply chain while continuing to shift manufacturing outside of China. Luxshare-ICTand Goertek were seeking funding to begin moving some of the manufacturing processes to Vietnam, amid the ongoing trade tensions between China and the US. One of the firms had started trialling production earlier this year, but as the trade war rumbled on with no sure sign of settling, the companies were ramping up efforts towards the move. Apples audio factory in northern Vietnam has long made the companys wired earbuds, and this was expected to be the first time the plant would take on the wireless variety. However, amid signs that tensions between Washington and Beijing are easing, Apple is no longer in such a hurry to build up AirPods capacity in the country, people familiar with the plans told Nikkei. The majority of AirPods production remains in China. It is unlikely that Apple could immediately switch production to Vietnam to deal with the coronavirus threat, sources said, because Hanoi has banned the entry of Chinese nationals into Vietnam to prevent the spread of the virus, which means the two Chinese AirPods suppliers cannot send managers and other employees, who are mainly Chinese, to the country. Moreover, many of the parts needed for AirPods assembly are still produced in China. VIR Apple looking to move AirPods production to Viet Nam Apples bestselling wireless earphones, AirPods, could be soon manufactured in Viet Nam, as component suppliers look to expand away from their... The United States Strategy for Central Asia 2019-2025 was unveiled at an event hosted by the Heritage Foundation on February 5. The strategy lists areas where the United States seeks to work with Central Asian governments. To some, this recent strategy seems to echo previous U.S. strategies for the region, which is interesting since a summary of the strategy released by the State Department the same day notes there have been changes in leadership in the two largest countries in Central Asia -- Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. And without mentioning Russia and China by name, the document appears to address the advance of influence of both those countries into Central Asia. RFE/RL's Media-Relations Manager Muhammad Tahir moderated a discussion that looked at the strategy. Participating from Washington was Richard Hoagland, a former U.S. ambassador to Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and charge daffaires in Turkmenistan who was also deputy assistant secretary of state in the State Departments Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and took part in drafting previous U.S. strategies for Central Asia. From Harvard University, but originally from Kazakhstan, Nargis Kassenova of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies took part in the discussion. And Majlis friend Steve Swerdlow, human rights lawyer and Central Asia expert, joined the conversation from California. I was happy to say a few things, too. Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes or on Google Podcasts. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 11:52:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Local residents hold a vigil to express solidarity with China in the efforts to battle the novel coronavirus outbreak in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Feb. 1, 2020. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua) COLOMBO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- As the sun set over the ancient city of Kandy in Sri Lanka's Central Province on Saturday, local citizens gathered at the Nelligala Temple to perform "pirith," a Buddhist practice of chanting verses to ward off danger. The worshipers were invited by the Sri Lanka-China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA) to invoke blessings for the Chinese government and people who are fighting the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP). According to SLCBFA Vice President Ajith Dharmawardena, around 70 percent of Sri Lanka's population is Buddhist, and the practice of coming to the temple to pray for oneself and others during times of distress and hardship is deep-rooted. "China at the moment needs support, that is why we decided to come here to invoke the blessings of Lord Buddha to give a speedy recovery to people affected by the novel coronavirus in China and the whole world," Dharmawardena told Xinhua. "I have confidence that the Chinese government and people will overcome this problem," he added. Besides this prayer ceremony, Sri Lankans have taken many other acts of solidarity with China and will take more in the coming days. The SLCBFA had previously organised two other prayer ceremonies, with one at the Kelaniya Temple, one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lanka, on Feb. 1 and another at Gautama Viharaya in Colombo on Wednesday. A fourth SLCBFA prayer ceremony is slated for Feb. 15 in the ancient north-central city of Anuradhapura. On Wednesday, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, together with several cabinet ministers, lawmakers and Chinese embassy officials, prayed in the Abhayaramaya Temple in Colombo in solidarity with China. During the prayer ceremony, which was attended by around 1,000 people including locals and Chinese nationals living in Sri Lanka, Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka would stand firmly with China because of the close friendship between the two countries. On the same day, another prayer ceremony was held at the iconic Gangaramaya Temple in central Colombo for the speedy recovery of all patients of the epidemic. During the prayer ceremony, organized by the Sri Lanka-China Journalist Forum (SLCJF), Colombo district MP Udaya Gammanpila said that although Sri Lanka is a small country, it would do whatever it could to support a long-term friend. "When China is hurt, we shall cry," he said. SLCJF Chairman Nalin Aponso also called on all Sri Lankans to support the Chinese government and people. "We will never forget the support given by China when Sri Lankan suffered from tragedies, such as the tsunami, floods, landslides, war and terror attacks," he said. Earlier on Feb. 1, the Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Cooperation (ASLCSCC) held a candlelight vigil in front of the Bandaranaiake Memorial International Conference Hall, a gift from China, in Colombo. During the vigil, ASLCSCC President Indrananda Abeysekara expressed solidarity with the Chinese people and was confident that the Chinese government is capable of overcoming the challenge posed by epidemic. Support from Sri Lanka to China also came in other forms. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday donated a shipment of his country's black tea to China as a gesture of goodwill. On Jan. 29, the Sri Lanka Tourism Board released a graphic on social media with the phrase "We stand with China," stressing solidarity with the Chinese people and pledging to continue to welcome Chinese visitors. Bidhannagar Police confirmed the incident and said five protesters were detained Kolkata: A scuffle broke out between anti-CAA protesters and BJP supporters on Saturday when a senior saffron party leader visited two stalls of a BJP mouthpiece and the VHP at the International Kolkata Book Fair. The two sides allegedly exchanged blows after West Bengal BJP leader Rahul Sinha entered a stall around 4.30 pm. A section of Left-backed student bodies, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students Association (AISA), surrounded Sinha when he visited the stall and raised slogans against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Bidhannagar Police confirmed the incident and said five protesters were detained. VHP supporters claimed that a worker of the outfit suffered injuries in the tussle. "A karyakarta, Somesh, was beaten up by Left goons who created disturbances in front of our stall where a large number of people had gathered on seeing Sinha there. We showed utmost restraint," a personnel at the VHP stall told PTI. "The people have discarded them (the Left parties). We are not fools to allow them to steal the limelight by getting into a fight with them. Our fight is with the TMC," Sinha, who left the venue after the incident, said. Later in the night, some students, including women, went to Bidhannagar North police station to protest the detention of five protesters, some of whom belonged to the Jadavpur University, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate sources said. As there was commotion inside the police station, the personnel removed the protesters from the premises. Ushashi Paul, SFI's Jadavpur University unit leader, alleged that the police misbehaved with the protesters, which included women. She threatened to stage a sit-in outside the police station till the five protesters are released and the police "apologise for their behaviour". Organisers and police said the incident did not disrupt the book fair which had a large turnout on the penultimate day. Officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints kept the amount of their $100billion investment reserves a secret in case public knowledge of their massive wealth might discourage members from tithing. The Wall Street Journal reports that word of the Mormon Church's stockpile came after a whistleblower complained to the Internal Revenue Service that the fund, named Ensign Peak Advisors, had collected billions. 'Paying tithing is more of a sense of commitment than it is the church needing the money,' Roger Clarke, the head of Ensign Peak said. 'So they never wanted to be in a position where people felt like, you know, they shouldnt make a contribution.' Officials admit that the fund's total size is a kept tightly under wrap since Ensign Peak depends on tithing from it's 16million followers worldwide. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must pay 10 percent of their income each year. The firm was founded in the 1960s during financial hardships, but transformed under Clarke's guidance to bring 'the investment department into the 20th Century.' Ensign Peak Advisors' assets reportedly total between $80billion and $100billion in 2019, eclipsing Harvard Universitys endowment at around $40billion. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has $100billion in a fund, named Ensign Peak, amid reports that they kept it a secret amid fears that tithing would drop Officials declined to disclose the church's annual budget or how much is given to Ensign Peak, but the estimate for the main areas of expenditure equal to around $5billion. Holdings are said to include $40billion in U.S. stock, investment in prominent hedge funds like Bridgewater Associates LP and timberland in the Florida panhandle, according to current and former employees. Despite the church's expansive outreach, they are not obligated to publicly report their finances or tell members. However, David Nielsen's whistleblower report has mounted pressure for the church to adopt an air of transparency - something it hasn't done in decades. Nielsen's report alleged Ensign Peak made no charitable donations despite being considered a tax-exempt charity. He also said the firm illegally used tax-exempt donations to bail out two failed business ventures during the recession, specifically a life insurance company and construction of the City Creek Center. Officials have denied any wrongdoing, with presiding Bishop Gerald Causse saying: 'Its not an expenditure. Tomorrow we can sell it and it will come back with a return.' Apart from public reporting, the church does not tell business partners how much money they and Ensign Peak employees sign lifetime confidentiality agreements. Former employees say current staff are not longer privy to the firm's total assets and hardly know what the money is intended for. 'Weve tried to be somewhat anonymous,' said Clarke. A former employee said at occasional lunch meetings between Ensign Peak and the ecclesiastical arm, questions regarding the money's purpose would be brought up. Roger Clark (pictured) told WSJ: 'Paying tithing is more of a sense of commitment than it is the church needing the money' 'It was so amorphous,' the employee said. 'It was always, "When we have direction from the prophet." Everyone was waiting, as it were, for direction from God,' they added. According to Clarke, the $100billion savings is meant to be used during tough financial times. As the church continues to find followers across the globe in places like Africa, where members aren't able to donate as much, Ensign Peak's finances can help continue basic operations. As Christopher Waddell, a member of the ecclesiastical section that oversees the firm as the bishopric, said: 'We dont know when the next 2008 is going to take place.' During the Great Recession, officials say they didn't touch any of the reserve money and instead cut their budget. The Nielsen said he heard Clarke say the second coming of Jesus Christ, which Mormon's believe will be preceded by disasters, as another reason for Ensign Peak's existence. Clarke says they must have misunderstood his meaning, saying: 'We believe at some point the savior will return. Nobody knows when.' 'We dont have any idea whether financial assets will have any value at all. The issue is what happens before that, not at the second coming,' he added. Donations from members are able to cover the church's budget, allowing any surplus investments to be placed in Ensign Peak. Another official said the church doesn't publicly reveal their assets because 'these funds are sacred' and 'we dont flaunt them for public review and critique.' David Nielsen (pictured) complained about the Ensign Peak to the IRS in a whistleblower report The majority of Ensign Peak's money comes from returns on existing investments, not member donations, Clarke said. In recent years, the fund has gained 7 percent annually and from 2012 to 2014, the fund grew from around $40billion to $60billion. Clarke says Ensign Peak does not borrow money, invest in industries that Mormons oppose -like alcohol, caffeine, and gambling - and warns members about going into debt. The church also created an intricate system of more than a dozen shell companies o make stock investments harder to track. This was done so church members couldn't mimic what Ensign Peak was doing in an effort to protect them from mismanaging their own funds with misleading information. Neuburgh Advisers LLC, one of the said shell companies, held hundreds of stocks in companies like Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. Members have begun to question the church on finances, including why it was kept a secret for so long, where the money goes and if tithing should be still be practiced. Carolyn Homer, a member in Virginia, chose to tithe less and give more to other charities after learning of Ensign Peak. In the Book of Mormon, God denounces churches that value wealth above helping the poor. She said: 'When I hear members of the church say, "Its none of your business how wealthy we are," that to me is echoing the very scripture we revere, and not in a good way.' Since the Nielsen's complaint, members have been divided on tithing and how the church handles finances. Carolyn Homer: 'When I hear members of the church say, "Its none of your business how wealthy we are," that to me is echoing the very scripture we revere, and not in a good way' Lasi Kioa, a 61-year-old immigrant from Tonga and a lifelong church member, told WSJ: 'They use it well. They help other people. They build the church. I believe in that.' Member Sam Brunson, a tax law professor at Loyola University, would like to see the church use the $100billion to help the needy. 'They could go a good way to eradicating malaria, or fix Puerto Ricos electrical grid,' he said, adding that the church could possibly change the way they approach tithing and have members donate to charity instead. Tax lawyers have debated whether Ensign Peak violated any laws as Nielsen claims, but Brunson doesn't think so. Despite it being frustrating, he says the church's actions are legal. He said: 'Im a stakeholder in the church, and society has some stake in the church too. Even though Im willing to tithe blindly, I would like to see whats happening with that money.' The grieving family of a man who died after fleeing his burning home are devastated they will never see justice following the recent death of his accused killer. Jeffrey Lindsell, 39, suffered 80 per cent burns to his body after the granny flat behind his parent's home in Gymea in Sydney's south caught alight in October 2017. Police launched an investigation after Mr Lindsell died in hospital two days later. His girlfriend Amanda Zukowski, 49, was charged with murder eight months later, accused of starting the fire and tampering with the property's water supply. Zukowski was later granted bail by the Supreme Court and was due to stand trial last week, which was abandoned after she was found dead in her home in Sydney's inner-west on January 12. Jeffrey Lindsell (pictured centre with his family) will never get justice following the death of his girlfriend and accused killer three weeks before she was due to stand trial Detectives on the case broke the harrowing news to Mr Lindsell's family in person. They were left reeling with mixed emotions after being told the trial they'd been preparing the last two years for wouldn't be going ahead. 'At first I felt relief that we don't have to go through the trial because we were dreading it but now, it's so final and we don't have the answers we wanted,' his sister Corrine told news.com.au. 'We are all still struggling to process the news. Theres definitely anger among our family. I cant help but feel if the genders were reversed, we wouldnt have been waiting two years for a trial.' Her brother Nathan added: 'It's left our family with no answers and no justice for Jeff.' Amanda Zukowski (right) was due to stand trial on February 3 over her boyfriend's death Jeffrey died two days after he suffered 80 per cent burns to his body when his granny flat behind his parent's home was set alight in October 2017 (pictured) The pair opened up about their brother's volatile relationship with Zukowski and say he eventually turned into a recluse and cut ties with friends. Corrine says she always believed Zukowski was responsible for her brother's death while Nathan says she should have never been released bail. Zukowski's death is not being treated as suspicious. Kathy Lindsell will never forget the night her son emerged from the granny flat at the back of their home engulfed in flames. Her husband desperately tried to put out the fire with a hose but no water came out. The tragic death of Jeffrey Lindsell (pictured) has brought his family closer together Amanda Zukowski (left) was arrested and charged eight months after her boyfriend's death She's now struggling to come to terms with the news that her late son will never get justice. 'I'm still struggling with how I feel or what I feel,' Mrs Lindsell recently told the Sydney Morning Herald following Zukowski's death. 'We've been getting more anxious and stressed as it's been getting closer.' 'But trial or no trial, she said, 'we are still missing our person - Jeff.' The Lindsells say the tragedy has brought them even closer than they were before. For confidential support, call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636. With some of the 100 selected Smart Cities lagging behind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi will guide Amritsar and Ahmedabad will help Chandigarh in implementing projects under the mission. The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has paired up 20 best performing cities with the 20 bottom cities and they will work as "sister cities". Ahmedabad (1st rank), Nagpur, Tiruppur, Ranchi, Bhopal, Surat, Kanpur, Indore, Visakhapatnam, Vellore, Vadodara, Nashik, Agra, Varanasi, Davanagere, Kota, Pune, Udaipur, Dehradun and Amravati are the 20 best performing cities, according to internal rankings. An official said that under the 20-20 formula, Ranchi and Pune will team up with Shimla and Dharamsala respectively, and share ideas with them to improve their performance. The ministry has issued an advisory for the same and asked the 20 best performing cities and the 20 bottom cities to sign an MoU before February 20. According to the official, cities have been paired up with those from a similar region and culture. He said that for instance, Varanasi, a holy city, has been paired up with another holy city Amritsar which need to improve its performance under the mission. Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015, is aimed at ensuring all-round developments of a city which has advanced facilities for its citizens. Visakhapatnam and Surat will help Diu and Sharanpur improve their performance respectively, while Bhopal will share its ideas with Mizoram's capital city Aizawl. "The pair of sister cities will have to sign an MoU before February 20 to ensure expeditious execution of projects and report compliance to the Smart Cities Mission Directorate," the official said. "Sister cities" will undertake a 100-day challenge from the day of its announcement to enhance the ranks and performance of the bottom 20 cities. Under the mission, 100 selected smart cities have identified 5151 projects worth Rs 2,05,018 crore to be executed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) He also thanked Mr Xi for facilitating the evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from Chinas Hubei province. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed solidarity with China in the wake of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak that has left over 800 people dead (813 as of Sunday evening) and over 37,000 infected in that country. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mr Modi offered Indias assistance in tackling the 2019-nCoV outbreak. He also thanked Mr Xi for facilitating the evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from Chinas Hubei province. PM has expressed solidarity with Chinese President and the people of China over the outbreak of n-coronavirus in China. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, PM offered Indias assistance to face the challenge. PM offered condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak. PM also conveyed appreciation for the facilitation provided by the Government of China for evacuation of Indian citizens from Hubei province, a source said. However, no details of the assistance offered was available as of now. Sources said the Indian embassy in Beijing will follow up with the Chinese foreign office and work out things if China desires any help. Meanwhile, in India universal screening for all flights from Singapore and Thailand, besides Hong Kong and China, is ongoing at the earmarked aerobridges. The screening of passengers is going on at 21 airports, international seaports and land border crossings. The Union health ministry has said that so far 1,818 flights and 1,97,192 passengers have been screened at 21 airports. In Kerala, 1,510 samples have been tested, of which three that tested positive are undergoing treatment in the state. We are extending all possible support to the states/UTs in order to combat the situation arising due to novel coronavirus. As on date, 9,452 persons are presently under community surveillance in 32 states/UTs. The containment and prevention activities are being taken up on utmost priority. All the states are continually strengthening their rapid response teams to counter any eventuality, the health ministry said in a statement. The number of confirmed infections in Chinas coronavirus outbreak has reached 37,198, with more than 2,600 new cases reported, the National Health Commission of China said Sunday. In its daily update, the commission said there had been 89 new deaths from the virus with 81 in the hardest-hit Hubei province, and the rest in other regions bringing the national toll to 811. According to the World Health Organisation, worldwide 34,886 infection have been confirmed, out of which 3,419 are new. Of these, 288 infections and one death have been reported from 24 countries (excluding China). News reports have claimed China is testing anti-HIV drugs on n-CoV infection persons as a possible treatment for the virus. WHO announced it would convene a global research and innovation forum to mobilise global action in response to the 2019-nCoV. The forum, to be held February 11-12 in Geneva, will bring together scientists and public health agencies, ministries of health and research funders pursuing 2019-nCoV critical animal health and public health research, and the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, among other innovations. Experts will build on existing SARS and MERS coronavirus research and identify knowledge gaps and research priorities to accelerate scientific information and medical products most needed to minimise the impact of the 2019-nCoV outbreak, WHO said. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Heading into Friday nights Democratic debate, the media had effectively declared that the Democratic primary was down to only two viable candidates: Mayor Pete Buttigieg, of South Bend, Indiana, and Senator Bernie Sanders, of Vermont. Mondays Iowa caucuses had ended with the two candidates effectively tied after disastrous and seemingly systemic incompetence drew out the reporting process for days. The debate in New Hampshire was pitched as a contest between them, a bid to see which would prevail the moderate, big money-backed Buttigieg, or the grassroots financing juggernaught of the progressive Sanders. Prognoses pitched the debate as a battle between the partys ideological factions, and speculated at how the two men would attack each other, and which would prevail. But the five other candidates onstage had other plans. Senator Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, attacked Buttigieg fiercely and repeatedly. The moderate Senator is competing with the mayor for the Democratic partys right flank, and it made strategic sense for her to go after the man stealing away what she sees as her most likely voters. But there was also what seemed like a degree of sincere personal contempt in Klobuchars remarks toward Buttigieg. She has remarked before that his youth and inexperience would not be overlooked so easily in a woman candidate, and her comments on his inconsistent positions and lack of national experience carried with them a sting of anger at his arrogance and easy rise to the top of the polls. The exchanges highlighted Klobuchars refreshing authenticity, coming as they did on a stage full of people who are very practiced in saying things they do not mean. This combined with a ready sense of humor made Klobuchar a more charismatic figure on stage than many of her competitors, even as her policy positions continue to tend toward the unimaginative, uninspired, and unambitious, and threaten to reproduce ongoing cruelties. Klobuchar was not alone in attacking Buttigieg, as his competitors for the moderate wing of the party seemed to have determined that he poses the greatest risk to their own success. The billionaire Tom Steyer attacked his inexperience and said that he was afraid that the mayor couldnt beat Trump. And former Vice President Joe Biden, though often incomprehensible, seemed to make a similar case implying that the mayor would not be able to effectively reach across the aisle. Even Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren pointed out that only her campaign and Klobuchars were being supported neither through their personal wealth nor through opaque 501(c) 4 organizations, a comment that named no names but implicitly cast aspersions on Buttegeigs robust fundraising operation, which relies heavily on wealthy individuals and organizations that are not required to disclose their donors. Story continues If attacking Buttigieg was popular, the mayor himself did little to convince viewers that he did not deserve it. He responded to questions and volleyed attacks with his accustomed air of rehearsed imprecision, never deviating from his robotic affect and never giving a straight answer. The only time he ever seemed to answer a direct yes or no question was once, early in the evening, when he responded in the affirmative to confirm that he was indeed trying to attack Sanders. Buttigieg dodged questions on his healthcare plan and he dodged a question on a troubling history of police racism during his tenure as the Mayor of South Bend. He was heavy on niceties, light on specifics. He made lots of calls for unity, specifically in his attacks on the Senators to his left, but he did not have much to say about what Americans should unify around, or how to persuade them do so. His answers sounded more like marketing copy for a nefarious tech start up than like statements of political principle. He looked, more than anything, like a man who has not relaxed since he was a child. Through his cloud of consultant-speak and imprecision, it became clear that Buttigieg was trying to attack Sanders, and specifically, trying to emphasize that the Vermont Senator was divisive. He wasnt alone in this project. Biden in particular attacked Sanders, pointing out, correctly, that Sanders has not released a financing plan for his signature Medicare for All plan, and speculated, incorrectly, that the plan would double the federal budget and wildly increase, if not outright double, taxes for working people. For his part, Sanders parlayed most of these attacks with uncharacteristic patience, and he was at his best when he was making the plain moral case for his progressive positions, as when he called for diverting funds that have been spent on disastrous foreign wars to help fight climate change instead. Still, at times Sanders seemed a bit daunted by the attacks. At one point, he had to walk back and disavow comments made by his own campaign co-chair, Nina Turner. He did not give a concrete answer to a question about his past pro-gun stances. At another point, he answered a question on foreign policy, an area where his competence has improved tremendously since 2016, in a rambling and distracted manner, failing to make the plain humanitarian case for his own noninterventionist position. Its clear that Sanders is not used to receiving these kinds of attacks from his competitors: this is the first time that they are attacking him in a sustained manner, and that is probably because this is the first time that they have taken his candidacy seriously. Withstanding these aggressions is a skill he will have to hone if he is to face Trump in a general election as the partys nominee. Unexpectedly little was heard from Senator Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, who has been largely absent from media narratives about the race in the days since the Iowa caucuses. Despite conventional wisdom that the primary grants three tickets out of Iowa, her better-than-expected third place finish has been overlooked in favor of a myopic focus by the pundit class on the emerging rivalry between Buttigieg and Sanders. On the debate stage, Warren tried to use this to her advantage: while her rivals attacked one another and everyone else, she avoided making direct criticisms of other candidates and instead used every answer to make a broad moral case for her own position, tying everything back to her recurring anti-corruption message. At times, this involved some impressive verbal contortions: a question about gun control became an answer about gun control, gun suicides, domestic violence, and the political bribery power of the NRA. She stayed out of the sectarian fights that erupted around her, and depicted herself as a dedicated anticorruption advocate who could rise above the fray. The strategy seemed to be to show herself being the thing that the other candidates kept loudly declaring themselves to be: the unity candidate. Andrew Yang was also present. But a shadow hung over the debate: Mike Bloomberg, the billionaire who entered the presidential race in November. Bloomberg is effectively sitting out the first several contests of the primary cycle, and as a self-funded candidate, he does not qualify for the televised debates. But the super-billionaire is buying huge amounts of airtime in Super Tuesday states to run commercials for his bid; his stiffly smiling face appears whenever you flip on a television. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren both went out of their way to say that it was not acceptable for someone so wealthy to try to effectively purchase themselves political office. A billionaire shouldnt be able to buy their way into this race, Warren said. He shouldnt be able to. But its very possible that he can. Fashion rental platform Hurr Collective has announced that it's launching its first in-store wardrobe rental pop-up at Selfridges. The pop-up will showcase a curated range of 200 pieces from the HURR website, including pieces from cool-girl brands, RIXO, Ganni, Mara Hoffman and Gucci, available to rent for either four or eight days. The stock will rotate on a weekly basis and there will be specially curated London Fashion Week, Valentines Day and Holiday edits. HURR will also host a series of interactive workshops over the course of the six months it spends at Selfridges, including sustainable fashion panel discussions, how to build an online brand and styling sessions. The fashion rental industry is projected to reach $1.96 billion by 2023. The move follows the success of HURRs debut pop-up hosted in Londons Belgravia, which allowed existing and new members of the platform the opportunity to take their experience offline and physically interact with the products. HURR is based on creating accessibility and a route to luxury fashion for a mainstream market. In recent years, consumer behaviours have shifted towards access based models for houses and cars, with the sharing economy now entering fashion," explained Victoria Prew, the CEO and co-founder of HURR. "We are incredibly excited to partner with Selfridges to help us translate the HURR experience into a physical space. This isn't the first time Selfridges has toyed with sustainability-focussed pop-ups. The department store also houses a pop-up from fashion luxury resale site Vestiaire Collective. Anger erupted across Chinese social media after the death Friday of Dr. Li Wenliang, who had been punished for issuing an early warning about the coronavirus. Posters calling Li a hero accused the Chinese government of trying to cover up the virus. The hashtag I want freedom of speech trended on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, receiving 1.8 million views before censors took it down. Another hashtag, Farewell Li Wenliang, trended as high as No. 11 on Weibo. Memes crafted from movie scenes were subtitled with text praising Li and admonishing Beijing officials. Dr. Li Wenliang is a hero of the Chinese people and should not be treated like this, they are liars! one Weibo user wrote. One user posted a link to a White House petition asking President Donald Trump to nominate Li for the Nobel Peace Prize. Another expressed despair, however, that Lis death wouldnt matter. No major changes will happen following the end of this epidemic, except some local officials might be sacrificed to ease the anger that mounted in the mass, the Weibo user wrote. They will forget it soon like they always do," the user said. Artistic tributes abounded. One of the most popular memes: a sketch of Li wearing a hospital mask, modeled after his familiar photo. In one version, barbed wire was wrapped around Lis face like the hospital mask, symbolizing the governments move to silence him after sounding the alarm about the virus in December. One Weibo user posted an illustration of a doctor with angel wings lifting up a patient. A hand emerges from the sky with scissors, snipping at their wings. Chinese social media screeners were systematically blocking content critical of the government, according to the South China Morning Post. After censors blocked the hashtag, I want freedom of speech, users switched to CanYouManageDoYouUnderstand. That also was blocked by Weibo. A former law professor, Xu Zhangrun, published an article criticizing the governments response to the coronavirus updates. It went viral on Chinese social media before it was banned. The article was pulled as well. Posts of screenshots of it would disappear or not display. Off social media, memorials for Li were set up in front of Wuhan Central Hospital and in Hong Kong. The memorials use the photograph of Li looking into the camera wearing his mask. An endangered wolf travelled thousands of miles across the US in search of a mate but died before it could find one, officials tracking the canines movements have said. The female grey wolf was first captured in October 2017 by biologists in Oregon who began tracking the endangered animals movements. The young canine, named OR-54, was found dead on Wednesday in California. The wolf had been searching for a mate, or another pack, officials said, and wandered at least 8,712 miles in its hunt. Its not yet known how the animal died, but state officials say they have launched an investigation. The shooting death of another collared wolf OR-59 is unsolved, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced a $2,500 (1,940) reward in January for information on that case. Researchers say OR-54 was three or four when it died. Its tagging in 2017 was a happy find. At long last!, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office wrote on Facebook. State and federal wildlife officials had long been trying to collar a wolf from Oregons so-called Rogue Pack. The tracking collar on wolf OR-7, the founding member of that pack, had stopped working years prior, and officials had not been able to place a new tracking device on any of the protected animals in the area for several years. World's most endangered animals Show all 17 1 /17 World's most endangered animals World's most endangered animals Amur Leopard Endemic to the far east of Russia, the Amur Leopard has a population of around 84 and is critically endangered. Here follows every species that the WWF lists as critically endangered. Getty World's most endangered animals Sumatran Elephant The Sumatran elephant population now stands at only 2400-2800 Getty World's most endangered animals Yangtze Finless Porpoise Endemic to China's Yangtze River, the Yangtze finless porpoise has an estimated population of 1000-1800 Kenichi Nobusue World's most endangered animals South China Tiger When discovered in the 1950s, the South China tiger population was estimated to be 4000, by 1996 it was estimated to be only 30-80. Scientists consider the tiger to be "functionally extinct" as one has not been sighted for over 25 years World's most endangered animals Sumatran Orangutan The Sumatran orangutan was once found across the island of Sumatra and even further south on Java. Today it is found only in the island's north and its population stands at 14,613 Getty World's most endangered animals Western Lowland Gorilla Though it is the most populous of all gorilla subspecies, the western lowland gorilla is still critically endangered and its population has declined by 60% in the last quarter century Getty World's most endangered animals Sumatran Rhinoceros The Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest of the surviving rhinoceros species. Only 80 are known to be living today. The last male Sumatran rhino in Malaysia died on 28 May 2019 Willem V Strien World's most endangered animals Sumatran Tiger There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left today. They are severely threatened by deforestation and poaching Getty World's most endangered animals Eastern Lowland Gorilla Half of the rainforest of the Democratic Republic of Congo in which these gorillas live has been destroyed the past 50 years. There were 17,000 Eastern Lowland gorillas in the 1990s but scientists estimate their population has declined by over 50% since then Getty World's most endangered animals Vaquita The world's rarest marine animal has a population of only 30. They were discovered in 1958 and are endemic to Mexico's Gulf of California Paula Olson / NOAA World's most endangered animals Javan Rhino The most threatened of all rhino species, there are only an estimated 58-68 Javan rhinos left Reuters World's most endangered animals Saola The saola was first sighted in 1992, being the first large mammal to be discovered in over 50 years. Scientists have only sighted saola in the wild four times and it is considered critically endangered World's most endangered animals Malayan Tiger The Malayan Tiger population now stands at only 250-300 Getty World's most endangered animals Hawksbill Turtle The population of the Hawksbill Turtle has declined by more than 80% in the last century. They are threatened by black market poachers who kill them for their shell Getty World's most endangered animals Black Rhino The population of the black rhino dropped by 98% in the years 1960-1995 due to poaching, it stands today at around 5000 Getty World's most endangered animals Cross River Gorilla The population of the Cross River gorilla has been damaged by deforestation and poaching, it now stands at 200-300 Julie Langford World's most endangered animals Bornean Orangutan The population of the Bornean orangutan has been reduced by over 50% in the past 60 years, now standing at around 104,700. Their habitat has been reduced by at least 50% in the 21st century Getty Then they snagged OR-54, the 54th wolf collared in that state, and OR-7s daughter. The Oregon-born OR-7 was the first wild grey wolf documented in California since the species was widely eradicated in the 20th century. Its presence helped establish state protections for grey wolves. It travelled widely before returning to Oregon, finding a mate and starting the Rogue Pack. In 2018, OR-54 followed its fathers pawsteps to the Golden State. It crossed from Oregon into California on 24 January, 2018, and mostly stayed, first traversing eastern Siskiyou County before walking through Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra and Tehama counties in search of a mate, according to the Sacramento Bee. It twice returned to Oregon. It briefly sneaked into Nevada. It travelled an average of 13 miles a day a lengthy journey that seemed to cover a lot of the same ground its father crossed years before. Amaroq Weiss, a wolf advocate at the Centre for Biological Diversity, said in a news release that like its father: OR-54 was a beacon of hope who showed that wolves can return and flourish here. She told The Washington Post the wolfs death sets back the trajectory we hoped for wolf recovery. Being a wolf in the wild is very fragile, Ms Weiss said. Its surprising to most. But a lone wolf usually doesnt live past 4 or 5 years. She said lone wolves may be killed by wolf packs, kicked by the elk theyre chasing or killed by humans. Except for a few run-ins, OR-54s journey appeared mostly solitary. Recommended Coyote and badger seen travelling together in rare camera footage I think the fact that she travelled so far if nothing else is an indication that we dont have a lot of lone wolves for her to have met up with, Ms Weiss said. Fewer than a dozen known wolves live in California. In July, tracking devices found that OR-54 crept towards the territory of the only known wolf pack in the state, according to the Sacramento Bee. But she didnt stay for long. She was also suspected in at least five livestock attacks. Wolves have long been despised by ranchers and farmers, an industry whose influence wildlife advocates in part blame for reluctance at the state and federal level to develop recovery plans for the controversial predators. Last March, the Trump administration proposed stripping federal protections for grey wolves in the US, saying the species had successfully recovered. Still, some states are taking wolf recovery efforts into their own hands: In Colorado, for example, voters will decide via a ballot measure in November whether to reintroduce the endangered species. Ms Weiss said the loss of numerous wolves underlines how important it is that we have protections in place for wolves. Wed never have wolves coming back to California, coming to Oregon, if they hadnt been listed for federal protections, she said. She added: We hope every wolf has a long flourishing life in which they can live out their own intrinsic existence, and at the same time contribute to a successful recovery of this species. The Washington Post Chris Harrison wasnt lying when he said there would be plenty of turbulence in Peter Webers season of The Bachelor. Thus far, the 24th season has delivered one of the most-hated casts and frustrating storylines the ABC reality franchise has ever seen. And for the most part, both Bachelor Nation alums and fans seem to agree Webers wishy-washy behavior is the problem. But now, as The Bachelor enters its seventh week, Weber promises viewers his indecisiveness has come to an end because he finally knows who his frontrunners are. The Bachelor fans arent happy with Peter Webers indecisive behavior Peter Weber | Noel Vasquez/Getty Images Weber has displayed quite a bit of uncertainty since the start of The Bachelor Season 24. When Hannah Brown returned, Weber considered ditching the show for his ex. However, he eventually chose to go back to his cast. Later, during his first one-on-one date with Kelley Flanagan, Weber seemed uncertain about his relationship with the lawyer. But the bachelor ended up giving her a rose. Of course, its not easy to be the bachelor and Weber just wanted to give everyone a shot. That said, the situation with Alayah Benavidez truly highlighted how Webers way of doing things could go wrong. In the third episode, Weber eliminated Alayah after hearing about the former Miss Texas USAs fake behavior from other contestants. He was ultimately influenced by word-of-mouth and sent her home immediately. But then in the next episode, Alayah came back to clear her name. Alayah explained her side and Weber asked her to return to the Bachelor mansion. He also gave her a group date rose, despite not partaking in the date beforehand. But after backlash from the other women, Weber sent Alayah packing once more. Following the episode, a lot of Bachelor Nation shared their disappointment in Webers inability to stand his ground. And even former bachelorette Becca Kufrin expressed her wish for the reigning bachelor to take the lead. I love Pete and I really wish him the best. But hes just condoning this bad behavior, Kufrin told BUILD Series. He needs to put his foot down and stand by his decisions. Peter Weber says he knows his frontrunners by The Bachelor Season 24 Episode 7 As The Bachelor Season 24 continued into the sixth week, fans were curious to see whether Weber would stop rewarding the drama, as Kelley put it. Then by the end of the episode, Webers cast dwindled down to six women. Now, in an interview with Access on Feb. 5, Weber reassured fans his days of being an indecisive bachelor are finally over. Just to calm everyone down, I knew exactly what I was doing with my frontrunners. I had that all set in my mind, Weber said. He later added, At this point in the journey, I know who my frontrunners are. The 28-year-old was also honest about why he kept so many contestants on for so long. And basically, it boils down to the format for the show. The way the show goes, you have to give out a certain amount of roses. You have to have a certain amount of people there, Weber said. I still did my best to give myself to each relationship. But just naturally, youre drawn to certain people. Nevertheless, Weber noted he never felt indecisive about his frontrunners. The wishy-washy-ness of it was not with the frontrunners, but with the people that I still didnt know enough about them yet if I wanted to say bye, Weber said. So everyone, rest assured, I knew exactly what I was doing. I promise you right now. As expected, when Access asked Weber to reveal his frontrunners, the bachelor remained mum although we can take a few guesses. But even so, the Delta pilot teased The Bachelor fans wont have to worry about his decision making in regards to these women. If its obvious, you guys have nothing to worry about with the possible drama or with me being indecisive about certain decisions, Weber said. But everyone, its all good. Read now: The Bachelor: How Peter Weber Really Feels About Hannah Brown Now LISBON, Portugal (AP) French medical authorities tested scores of children and their families Sunday for the new virus from China, zeroing in on a ski resort in the Alps that appeared linked to new infections in Britain and Spain. The U.K. announced its fourth case of the new virus and Spain announced its second case Sunday, and officials said both infections were acquired during trips to France. Five British citizens, including a 9-year-old boy, contracted the virus in the French Alpine town of Contamines-Montjoie after staying in the same chalet as a British traveler who had been unwittingly infected during a business trip to Singapore in January. Six other British people staying in the chalet have all tested negative, according to the head of France's national health agency, Jerome Salomon. Salomon told reporters that 45 children and family members in the area underwent tests Sunday, and none of the tests so far came back positive for the new coronavirus. As a precaution, authorities planned to close three local schools where the boy had spent time. French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn visited the ski resort Sunday and sought to reassure residents and tourists, saying they can live normally there because theres a very weak risk of catching the virus. But the fact that the British business traveler could infect others days later in the French Alps without knowing it underscored the potential for the outbreak to spread further. The new coronavirus cases reported Sunday brought the total in Europe to 39 infections in nine countries. European authorities acted to contain the spread of the virus by tracking down people who had come into contact with those infected, in any country. Italian health authorities in Tuscany were trying to re-trace the steps of a Taiwanese couple who stayed four days in a Florence hotel. They flew to Hong Kong and then to Taiwan on Feb. 1 and were later confirmed to have the virus. The new British case is a known contact of a previously confirmed case there, U.K. Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said, adding that experts ... continue to work hard tracing patient contacts." Story continues In Spain, authorities were working to identify everyone who came into contact with a British man whose case was detected in Mallorca, a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean Sea, Spain's National Microbiology Center said. The man, who lives on the island, contracted the virus at the end of January at a French ski resort, according to Fernando Simon, head of Spains Coordination Center for Health Alerts and Emergencies. H e did not say whether it was Contamines-Montjoie, but the only other cases of the virus in France are in Paris and Bordeaux, nowhere near ski resorts. The man, who was not identified, is healthy but was being kept in isolation in Palma de Mallorca, Simon told a news conference in Madrid. His wife and two daughters tested negative. In Britain, a plane evacuating more than 200 people from the Chinese city at the center of the epidemic landed Sunday at RAF Brize Norton. British officials said it brought back 105 British citizens and family members, as well as 95 European citizens and family members. In a carefully coordinated ballet of secure planes and buses, those passengers were distributed around Europe. The British passengers were taken to a hotel-conference center in Milton Keys, where they will be quarantined for 14 days. Families will remain in isolation for the first 48 hours, but will have access to Netflix, magazines, books, baby equipment including highchairs, children's toys and games, mobile phones, and tablets for reading, games, and the internet. Some 20 people from Germany on the British flight were taken to Berlin, along with another 17 European evacuees who were then transported on to Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria and Romania on special flights. Thirty-five French citizens on the British flight were flown to southern France and were immediately taken into quarantine. The French government had already repatriated hundreds of Europeans and Africans from Wuhan. Eight Italians on the British flight including two babies were flown to Italy and transferred to a Italian military hospital in Rome to be quarantined. Aboard the same flight to Italy were also seven Danes, three Swedes and two Greeks. The virus death toll in China rose Sunday to 811, passing the number of fatalities in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic, and officials said nearly 37,200 people have been infected there. ___ Charlton reported from Paris. Sheila Norman-Culp in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Frances D'Emilio in Rome contributed to this story. Laura Dern (left), seen here with Nicolas Cage, photographed on stage at the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP) Hollywood: Can the black comedy Parasite win South Korea its first Oscar ever? Will Laura Dern become the first in her acting family to nab an Oscar statuette? Here's a look at some interesting facts and trivia ahead of the 92nd Academy Awards being held Sunday (Monday morning India) in Hollywood: 'Parasite' aims big Parasite already made history when it became the first South Korean film nominated for best international feature film as well as for best picture and best director. The dark comedic thriller, which has taken the awards circuit by storm, is tipped to win as best foreign-language film, but it also could make history by becoming the first non-English-language production to win for best picture. All in the family Laura Dern, nominated for a best supporting actress award for Marriage Story, comes from Hollywood royalty. While dad Bruce and mom Diane Ladd are no strangers to the Oscars, Laura would be the first in her family to actually win the award. In 1992, Laura Dern and Ladd became the first mother-daughter duo to receive Oscar nominations for work on the same film, Rambling Rose. Ladd was nominated two other times. Bruce Dern has earned two Oscar nods during his decades-long career -- in 1979 for Coming Home and in 2014 for Nebraska. Laura Dern, who was also nominated twice before this year, starred in two major releases in 2019: Marriage Story and the Academy Award contender Little Women. The only Oscar winner in history whose parents both also won Oscars is Liza Minnelli, who won for best actress in 1973 for Cabaret. Her mother Judy Garland -- the subject of an Oscar-nominated film this year (Judy) -- received a special juvenile award in 1940, the year after The Wizard of Oz was released. Her father Vincente Minnelli won best director for Gigi in 1959. Uncle Oscar? Hollywood lore has it that the Academy Award was nicknamed Oscar after Academy librarian Margaret Herrick -- who eventually became executive director -- saw the trophy for the first time and thought it looked like her uncle Oscar. Hollywood legend Bette Davis allegedly claimed she had nicknamed the award as it reminded her of her first husband, musician Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr, but later withdrew that claim, according to IMDB. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially adopted the nickname in 1939. Heavy prize The Oscar statuette is solid bronze and plated in 24-carat gold. It stands 34 cm tall and weighs 3.8 kg. It takes three months for Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry in New York to manufacture a batch of 50 statuettes. More than 3,140 statuettes have been handed out since 1929. The trophy represents a knight holding a crusader's sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes that refer to the five original branches of the Academy -- actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers. Record nominations With 52 nominations, composer John Williams holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for a living person, and second only to Walt Disney at 59. His nomination this year is for best original score for the latest Star Wars film, Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. Williams celebrated his 88th birthday on Saturday. A whopping $44 million The glitziest Hollywood film award comes with a steep price tag of $44 million for the ceremony, according to the financial site WalletHub. That includes $400 for each Oscar statuette and $24,700 for the 16,500-square-foot red carpet. School districts and churches in Kansas City, Missouri, will no longer have increased power to keep liquor stores and bars out of neighborhoods. On Thursday, the Kansas City Council unanimously passed an ordinance saying that churches and school districts have the same level of input as homeowners and other property owners when it comes to approvals for new bars and restaurants. Photo credit: GENYA SAVILOV - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics The U.S. Air Force is proposing to retire many older planes to make room for new ones. The service would get rid of most of its F-15 Eagle fighters, as well as older F-16s. Retiring planes would free up funds--as well as spare parts--for the air fleet that remains. The U.S. Air Force is planning major cuts to its fleet of fighters and bombers, many of which are three decades old or older. The cuts are designed to divert funds away from keeping older, less capable planes in service while funding a new generation of fighters and bombers. Among those on the chopping block are large numbers of F-15 Eagles and the B-1B bomber. The cuts, as Foreign Policy writes, are part of a process of modernizing the Air Forces fleet of warplanes to deal with modern threats. The average age of Air Force aircraft, as a recent Heritage Foundation report pointed out, is 28 years. Retired aircraft will be replaced with new ones, though the plan has been considerably watered down since it was originally proposed months ago. The Air Force wants to retire all 250 F-15C air superiority fighters and F-15D trainer jets. According to Air Force Magazines annual almanac , thats the entire F-15 fighter force tasked with the air combat mission. The service would retain 218 F-15E Strike Eagles, dual-role jets capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. In addition to being capable of both types of combat the F-15E fleet is significantly younger than the F-15C/D fleet, with production running from the late 1980s to 2001. The Air Force also plans to buy at least 72 brand new F-15EXs , procuring the first two in this years defense budget. Photo credit: JUNG YEON-JE - Getty Images The service also plans to retire a number of F-16C Block 25 fighters, many of which are over thirty years old. There are 787 F-16Cs on active and reserve duty. These jets will largely be replaced by the F-35A, though its unclear if the Air Force plans to replace them on a one to one basis. The Air Force will also retire 17 B-1B bombers, dropping the total active duty force to 45 B-1Bs. The B-1 force is old, with the last bomber rolling off the production line 32 years ago. Spare parts are hard to find and airframes are fatigued, in large part to the bombers role as a close air support aircraft over Afghanistan. Fast, heavily armed and with a long range, ground troops liked the B-1B for its ability to quickly respond to air support requests and then loiter over the battlefield, dropping bombs as needed. Story continues Photo credit: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND - Getty Images The B-1B bomber (and the B-2 Spirit bomber) are scheduled to be replaced by the B-21 Raider bomber starting in the late 2020s, and as Foreign Policy points out, this is simply an acceleration of the retirement schedule. Its also likely a compromise to keep the remaining bombers in service by cannibalizing the retired jets for usable parts. The B-1B, like many of the Air Forces planes, has been out of production for so long the contractors that would otherwise supply spare parts are no longer in business or do not have the capability to produce them. The 15 B-1Bs that are retired will probably be sent to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, home of "The Boneyard," and stripped of parts as needed. Satellite imagery of the base shows 17 B-1Bs already at the Boneyard, many without wings and other parts. The Air Force wanted to retire other aircraft, including the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle, the U-2 spy plane, and others, but Congress balked. Trading a F-16 for a F-35 is one thing, but retiring the MQ-9 would leave a hole in the services capability set. The same goes for the RC-135 Rivet Joint, a reconnaissance aircraft that currently has no planned replacement. Source: Foreign Policy. You Might Also Like P Parameswaran, veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue, thinker and a prolific writer, died early Sunday at Ottappalam in Kerala, Sangh Parivar sources said. The 93-year old founder director of the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram, established to promote "nationalist thoughts" among Keralites, breathed his last at 12.10 am while undergoing Ayurvedic treatment at Ottappalam in Palakkad district, the sources said. A leader of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Parameswaran, who had worked with leaders including Deendayal Upadhyaya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani during the Sangh days, was honoured with the country's second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan in 2018 and Padma Shri in 2004. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among the host of leaders who condoled the death of Parameswaran, who was a senior most RSS "pracharak" (organiser). Modi described the late leader as a "proud and dedicated son of Bharat Mata" who devoted his life to "India's cultural awakening" while Khan said he inspired society through insightful speeches and writings on Indian thought. "Shri P Parameswaran was a proud and dedicated son of Bharat Mata. His was a life devoted to Indias cultural awakening, spiritual regeneration and serving the poorest of the poor. Parameswaran Jis thoughts were prolific and his writings were outstanding.He was indomitable!" Modi tweeted. Governor Khan in a tweet said: "Deeply grieved by the sad demise of P Parameswar-Ji, Director, Bharatiya VicharaKendram. With endearing politeness and accomplished scholarship, he inspired society through insightful speeches & writings on Indian thought. My heartfelt condolences." Condoling the demise of Parameswaran, Vijayan said he was an ideologue who dedicated his life for the ideology he believed in. Shah in a tweet said: "Saddened to learn about the demise of senior Pracharak and Padma Vibhushan P. Parameswaran ji. He was a great social reformer and a true nationalist who devoted his entire life in the service of nation & humanity. His passing away is an irreparable loss to the society. Om Shanti." Noting that Parameswaran's writings and thoughts on social, cultural, religious and national issues were 'unparalleled', he said the late leader's contribution in restoring democracy during the emergency will always be remembered. Fondly called as Parameswar ji by the Sangh Parivar leaders, Parameswaran was a prolific writer, poet, researcher and a widely-respected RSS ideologue. He was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh's secretary (1967 1971) and vice-president (1971 1977), as well as the director of the Deendayal Research Institute (1977 1982), New Delhi. Born in Muhamma in Alappuzha district, he joined the RSS during his student days. During the Emergency days, he courted arrest as part of the all-India Satyagraha against it and was jailed for 16 months. Post-emergecy, he distanced himself from day-to-day politics and entirely focused his energy on laying a strong foundation for RSS ideology in Kerala and other parts of the country through his writings, teachings and discourses. In 1982, he set up the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram with the aim of national reconstruction through study and research. He travelled the length and breadth of Kerala, held closed-door meetings and attracted scores of youths into the Sangh Parivar fold in the state dominated by the Left and the Congress. Parameswaran's body was brought and kept at the RSS headquarters in Kochi where hundreds of people, including leaders and workers of the Sangh Parivar and other political parties, paid their last respects. It will be taken to Bharatiya Vichara Kendra Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday evening for the people there to pay their homage. The cremation will be held on Monday afternoon at his native Muhamma in Alappuzha, Sangh leaders said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The national death toll of Australia's 2019/2020 bushfire season was 33 as of Monday, March 2, with 25 confirmed deaths in New South Wales, three in South Australia and five in Victoria. OCTOBER New South Wales: Robert Lindsey, 77, and Gwen Hyde, 68, were found in their burned out Coongbar home near Casino on October 9th. NOVEMBER New South Wales: The body of 85-year-old George Nole was found in a burnt out car near his home in Wytaliba, near Glen Innes. Vivian Chaplain, a 69-year-old woman from Wytaliba, succumbed to her injuries in hospital after attempting in vain to save her home and animals from the blaze. The body of 63-year-old Julie Fletcher was pulled from a scorched building in Johns River, north of Taree. Barry Parsons, 58, was found in a shed at Willawarrin, near Kempsey. Chris Savva, 64, died after his 4WD overturned near burnt-out South Arm bridge, near Nambucca Heads. A 59-year-old man was founded sheltered in a Yarrowitch water tank on November 7. He died of injuries on December 29. Victoria: David Moresi, 69, died after being involved in a traffic incident while working at the at the Gelantipy fire in East Gippsland on November 30. DECEMBER New South Wales: Firefighters Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32, died on December 19 after a tree fell on their truck while they were travelling through Buxton, south of Sydney. Samuel McPaul, 28, was battling a blaze in Jingellic, in Green Valley, about 70km east of Albury on the border of NSW and Victoria, on December 30 when a 'fire tornado' caused his 10-tonne firetruck to roll. South Australia: The body of 69-year-old Ron Selth was found in his Charleston home, which was destroyed by the Cudlee Creek blaze on December 21. NEW YEAR'S EVE FIRES New South Wales: Dairy farmer Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63, died trying to save their property in Cobargo, near Bega, on December 31. A 70-year-old man, named by local media as Laurie Andrew, was found dead outside a home at Yatte Yattah, west of Lake Conjola. The body of a 70-year-old man was found in a burnt vehicle on a road off the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah on the morning of New Year's Day. The body of a 62-year-old man was found in a vehicle on Wandra Road at Sussex Inlet about 11.30am on New Year's Day. A body, believed to be a 56-year-old man, found outside a home at Coolagolite, east of Cobargo on New Year's Day. An off-duty RFS firefighter, believed to be 72-year-old Colin Burns, was found near a car in Belowra after the New Year's Eve fires swept through. Victoria: Beloved great-grandfather Mick Roberts, 67, from Buchan, in East Gippsland, was found dead at his home on the morning of New Year's Day. Fred Becker, 75, was the second person to die in Victoria. He suffered a heart attack while trying to defend his Maramingo Creek home. JANUARY New South Wales: David Harrison, a 47-year-old man from Canberra, suffered a heart attack defending his friend's home near Batlow on Saturday, January 4. A 71-year-old man was found on January 6. Police have been told the man was last sighted on December 31, 2019 and was moving equipment on his property in Nerrigundah. An 84-year-old man who stayed to defend his home in Cobargo, NSW, dies in hospital three weeks after fire hit. His pet dog Bella, who stayed by his side as fires raged, was also killed in the disaster. Three American firefighters are killed when Coulson Aviation C-130 Hercules water bomber Zeus crashed while fighting fires near Cooma on Thursday January 23. They have been named as Capt. Ian H. McBeth, 44, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr, 43. On January 24, Michael Clark, 59, was found in a Bodalla home destroyed by bushfires near the NSW South Coast town of Moruya. Victoria: Forest Fire Management firefighter Mat Kavanagh, 43, was killed Friday January 3 when he was involved in a two-car crash on the Goulburn Valley Highway. Bill Slade, a 60-year-old father of two from Wonthaggi was fighting fires with Parks Victoria at Omeo when he died on January 11. He has been remembered as one of the longest serving, most experienced and fittest firefighters. South Australia: Well-known outback pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his 43-year-old son, Adelaide surgeon Clayton Lang, died in the Kangaroo Island bushfire after their car was trapped by flames. The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, IFTC, has allocated to Egypt $1.1 billion destined to fund the energy sector and internal trade in 2020, Egypt Today reports. Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea who made the announcement said $700 million of the funding will go to the energy sector, and $400 million to internal trade. The aid package is in line with December agreement between two sides for the financing of imports of petroleum products and commodities in 2020. The announcement came during a meeting between Gamea and IFTC CEO Hani Sonbol. The head of the Jeddah-based corporation visited Egypt to review the institutions current projects and programs as well as the 2020 work program. IFTC helps Egypt in several fields, including supporting exporters and importers, and developing value chains in the cotton sector in cooperation with the UN Industrial Development Organization UNIDO. The financial foundation according to Gamea will this year launch in Egypt, the Women in Arab Trade program, with the aim of empowering Egyptian women. Buttigieg narrowly leads Sanders in Iowa Democratic caucus as vote tally problems persist Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg holds a narrow lead in the Iowa Democratic Caucus, with the full results finally being released following days of technical problems. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Buttigieg narrowly defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Buttigieg has 26.2 percent of the state delegate equivalents, versus Sanders' 26.1 percent, reported Bloomberg. Sanders, however, won the popular vote. Third place went to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., with 18 percent, followed by former Vice President Joe Biden with 15.8 percent, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., with 12.3 percent. There is still a possibility that a campaign might call for a recanvassing of Iowa due to the widely-reported problems associated with the calculating of the results. "What I expect will most definitely happen is that Mr. Buttigieg and I will end up with the same amount of delegates 11 now, each probably a little bit more," said Sanders about the possibility of calling for a recanvass, as reported by The Washington Examiner. "That's what will happen, ain't going to change, and what certainly is not going to change is the fact that in terms of the popular vote, we won a decisive victory." Buttigieg celebrated his narrow lead, stating that regardless of what happens next, "nothing can take away what happened on Monday, just an extraordinary moment for the movement that we have built." On late Tuesday afternoon, the state party released the results of 62 percent of the 1,765 precincts reporting, showing Buttigieg in the lead with 26.9 percent on state delegate equivalents, followed closely by Sanders with 25.1 percent, reported Matt Viser of The Washington Post. Third place went to Warren, fourth to Biden, and fifth to Klobuchar. By Thursday morning, with 97 percent of precincts reporting, Buttigieg's lead on Sanders narrowed, with him having 26.2 percent while Sanders had 26.1 percent, according to The Hill. Iowa Democratic Party officials delayed announcing the results due to a mixture of technological problems and inconsistencies in reporting, in what The Associated Press described as an embarrassing twist. State party spokeswoman Mandy McClure said they encountered inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results, according to the AP. The main issue, noted the AP, was that the caucus used a new mobile app meant to report results, however organizers had problems downloading and using it. The app was developed by Shadow Inc., a Democratic tech firm whose leadership has ties to the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign that was paid more than $63,000 by the state Democratic Party for the app, The Wall Street Journal reported. "Some Democratic campaigns, including those of former Vice President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, have used a Shadow-built app to send text messages to supporters and solicit donations, according to federal campaign expense records and people familiar with the matter. The Biden campaign halted its use of that app amid concerns about its reliability," WSJ added. Party officials went on to explain that the key problem was a coding issue with the app rather than the possibility of hacking. Nevertheless, many expressed displeasure with the delays. I think there were some significant failures in the process last night that should give voters concern, said Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield to CNN. During a call earlier on Tuesday, the Iowa Democratic Party Chairman told the campaigns that they would have most of the caucus results available by 5 p.m. Eastern time that day. Even before the results were announced, multiple Democratic candidates claimed victory and shifted their focus to New Hampshire, the first official primary in the election season. Days before the caucus, Sanders had achieved his first national lead in the Democratic primary, according to a NBC News/Wall Street Journal national poll. Released last Friday, the poll gave Sanders 27 percent support, 1 percent higher than the 26 percent of Biden, albeit within the +/- 4.74 percentage point margin of error, reported NBC News. The same poll had Warren at third place with 15 percent and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in fourth place at 9 percent. While the Democratic caucus was rife with uncertainty, President Donald Trump easily won the Republican caucus, getting around 97 percent of the vote. In the same caucus, former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh achieved 1.4 percent of GOP voters while former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld garnered 1.2 percent, noted Politico. Regarding the Democratic caucus and the issues they had getting out the results, Trump took to Twitter to call their process an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is Trump, tweeted the president. This stands in contrast to the 2016 Republican Iowa Caucus, where Trump came in second with 22 percent to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who got 34 percent. The next state competition will be the New Hampshire primary, the first official primary in the nation. It will take place next Tuesday. "Leopards don't change their spots." I hate hearing that. By the time the pseudo-soothsayer gets halfway through saying the word "leopard," I have to bite my lower lip to keep from ridiculing him for that tired sentence. Being a therapist, my creed says people can change their will when desire demands it, when the rewards are greater than the risks of stagnation. Only a few days after 9/11, many broadcasters groveled before our attackers: "Why do they hate America?" Beyond the TV, no one in my rarified circle of New Yorkers and Floridians seemed angered by it. The deeper meaning and implications about our national security either never registered or were not viewed as horrific. Since we apparently need hate crime legislation, don't we also need hate terrorism laws? We are being told that hate crime is on the rise, but what about addressing the numbers for crime crime? What about crimes against those victims with non-essential demographics? The message conveyed by "actions" in New York is that we all need to stop discriminating against criminals. Asking for money on the streets is no big deal, just like asking for directions or a restaurant, and it's about time we embrace our neighborhood panhandler's freedom of speech and get off our high horses. Instead of Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why, the focus is on the Goldstein Traitors of our time. "Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it." 1984 Our betters and rulers have labored mightily and nearly won. For today, simply stating facts is verboten. And so honest reporting, the pure form of covering a crime itself, is murdered. Cops are bullied into putting some ill defined Rules of Criminal Engagement before doing their jobs. Doctors, counselors, teachers, neighbors, anyone interacting with others must stay in their allotted verbal lanes and never utter a word or thought outside the assigned lines. Law enforcement drives in these same bicycle lanes fear over facts. Because facts are a liability to the modern progressive, and some facts are more equal than others. Did the suspect know what he was doing? Was it intentional? What took place at the scene of the crime? Never mind. The modern way is to demand that the law prioritize a criminal's feelings over his factual behaviors. Did he hate? What was in his heart? What was in in soul? These are matters no law or government should ever ask about. We search out hate everywhere, turning our whole world into Orwell's Ministry of Love, the agency and bureaucracy pursuing thoughtcrime. How many "Hate Has No Home Here" lawn signs cover a house where Orange Man Racist, Death to Deplorables is an article of faith? Do some humans have the right to monitor the emotions of other humans? Will dirty looks, growling, and snarls make the same list as large sodas after Bloomberg's warrior Karate Kid stance against them? Are emotions the new Orwellian animals making some emotions more equal than others? Recently, getting ready to leave work, I went down the hall to the ladies' room. Opening the door revealed a phone conversation in play. An attractive black woman who worked in the building was on her phone saying, "All the Jews have gone home for the day. Oh wait, there's one still here." I looked at her as she turned from the mirror and felt myself on pause until I finally said, "We're all God's Children." She replied, "Yes, we are," as if she was educating me. We both stood there a second in silence, and she left. Later, at the elevator, I thought about the black people I routinely see in the building, some more than I see my relatives a lawyer in my suite and others work for the building management, along with white people, some Jewish, some Italian, Irish, Asian, Muslim, some prejudiced, some not, all fallible, all human. If only we all could call Kansas home. Majority Leader Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has applauded the media for supporting Parliament to educate and inform the citizenry on activities of the Legislature, saying, not only collaborators but worthy partners in the development agenda of the country. Mr Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu made the call when the Leadership of Parliament met the Parliamentary Press Corps at a media encounter at Parliament House in Accra. The event, which was on the theme: Bringing Parliament closer to the Media, the role of the Parliamentary Press Corps, forms part of the efforts to ensure that Parliament engages regularly with members of the Parliamentary Press Corps as key stakeholders in reaching the citizenry. The event, sponsored by Star Ghana, an NGO forms part of Parliament and Star Ghana ongoing collaborative programme. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also explained that the Media through their informative process and were able to help Parliament attract the inputs from the general public to enrich the conduct of business in the House. He said the Legislature relied on the Media to as a means to account for the people about what they do in the House because a primary function of parliament is to provide oversight over the executive and the other arms of government. He said parliaments all-over the world required the services of the media to let their voices be heard by the people. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also explained the current session of the house would have 35 Bills for presentations within eight weeks of sitting, adding that, because of the tight schedule the House, it would have to prioritize the list of urgent bills in the legislature. Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Ranking Member on Constitutional and Legal Affairs who represented the Minority Leader, Mr Haruna Iddrisu also commended the media for shining the light on the ignorance of darkness. He said given the opportunity, the media should be able to access the performance of Parliament vis-a-vis the output of the lawmakers. Mr Iddrisu also noted that the important activity of this session would be the speech of the State of the Nation Address by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Owning a small business is no small task -- the energy, contacts and skills required are just as demanding as those needed at a Fortune 500 company. As a keynote speaker, I've been to more conferences than I can count. While there are some amazing ones, there are also some that feel like a waste of time. It's worth a little research to figure out which ones are beneficial. As helpful as conferences can be for understanding trends, there are so many that it's often difficult to know which are right for your business. I've provided other lists of conferences for entrepreneurs in the past. As difficult as it can be to run a business of any size, the right events can make the task quite a bit easier. Small business conferences offer ample opportunities for networking, development and education that can give your business the boost it needs. Here are 11 of the best conferences that all small business owners should have on their radar: 1. Inc. 5000; October 21-23; San Antonio, Texas I'm biased, but honestly, the Inc. 5000 was one of the events that changed my trajectory as a small business leader. I remember being a nervous twentysomething entrepreneur when I walked into my first one. One of the first people I ran into was Eric Schurenberg, the editor-in chief at the time, and I was greeted with kindness and support. Since then, a past company I led made the list four times; I'm shooting for my next one as well. Being a part of the community is not just about a ranking (which is cool); it's about being surrounded by a high-caliber group of people from different industries to share ideas, failures and successes with. 2. Small Business Expo; various dates and locations throughout the year If the fact that the Small Business Expo is the country's largest business-to-business tradeshow isn't enough to pique your interest, perhaps its price tag will. The Small Business Expo is free for all to attend, ensuring that any development you undergo or contacts you receive there represent nothing but pure profit for your business. Held in cities around the country from Dallas to Boston, the Expo ensures you can attend regardless of your location, budget or interest -- guaranteeing a worthwhile experience in the process. 3. 99U; June 3-5; New York City, New York Adobe's annual 99U conference is designed to bring together creatives of all types and from all industries. Even if you don't think of yourself as a "creative" in the traditional sense, the kinds of creativity on display at 99U are more than enough to inspire anyone in the small business realm to think outside the box. Past speakers include top-level creatives from the Museum of Modern Art, Instagram and The New York Times, and 99U's 2020 iteration is sure to feature a lineup just as impressive. 4. SXSW; March 13-22; Austin, Texas SXSW might not be traditionally thought of as a small business conference, but that may well be what makes it such a great one. Over the past several years, the Austin mainstay has turned into an epicenter of innovation in all fields, from music to business to film and everything in between. If your business is looking to expand its horizons and break new ground, SXSW might be the best place for you. 5. Pubcon; Miami, Florida, March 24-26 Small businesses are increasingly reliant on search engine marketing to break through, and Pubcon is the premier event for figuring out how to make that breakthrough happen. Featuring SEO experts from Google, Bing and more, Pubcon packs a lifetime of SEO insights into no more than a weekend of learning. Businesses looking toward search as a means of growth can't afford to miss it. 6. The World Domination Summit; June 23-29; Portland, Oregon After nearly a decade of turning the conference world on its head, The World Domination Summit is hosting its final event in 2020. By placing importance on nontraditional approaches to thinking and leadership, the World Domination Summit appeals to people from across the business landscape, ensuring plenty of valuable opportunities for networking. No matter why you end up going, you're sure to leave with a new perspective on your business. 7. Startup Grind; February 11-12; Silicon Valley, California Growth-focused businesses, take notice: Startup Grind is a must-attend conference. Featuring more than 100 different events in just two days, the Silicon Valley-based conference has everything a small business could possibly be looking for in a conference. Whether you come for the world-class speakers or the specialist breakout sessions, Startup Grind is bound to pay for itself through what you learn there. 8. Launch Festival; dates and location TBD After leaving for Sydney in 2019, Launch Festival is returning stateside for its 2020 iteration. While Launch is a fantastic conference in its own right, the real value comes from its investment arm. Many of the most impressive startup founders who attend Launch are then invited to the Launch Accelerator in San Francisco, an accelerator whose previous attendees included Uber, Tumblr and Trello. 9. #FinCon; September 30-October 3; Long Beach, California If your business is in the world of finance, there's a good chance FinCon is already on your radar. Located at the intersection of money and content, FinCon is designed to help finance-focused content creators hone their craft and broaden their audience. Users are always on the lookout for content that can lucidly explain complex financial issues, and attending FinCon can help your business fill that niche. 10. World Business Forum; October 20-21; New York City, New York It's hard to turn down a two-day business conference in the world-famous Lincoln Center, and the World Business Forum makes it even more difficult with its impeccable speaking lineup. 2019's keynote speakers included Colin Powell and James Cameron, among many more of the world's greatest and most iconically innovative minds. The World Business Forum is undoubtedly an elite group of leaders, and your business could be among them. 11. America's SBDC Conference; September 29-October 2; Atlanta, Georgia This year marks the 40th anniversary of the America's SBDC conference, and its theme -- "Think Big. Start Small" -- is a great jumping-off point for any small business prepping for growth. Featuring general sessions, keynote speeches, workshops and even a tradeshow, the SBDC conference is a well-rounded experience -- one that will grow your skills, your contacts and your business. By Trend High voter turnout was observed at the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, said MP from Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidija Bradara, who observed the voting process at the 21st polling station of the 23rd Nasimi-Sabail constituency, Trend reports Feb. 9. I believe that the elections will be extremely successful, the MP noted. Bradara said that by 13:30 (GMT +4) she has observed the voting at six polling stations and didnt find negative cases. The observer added that the elections were held in democratic environment and emphasized the great number of women participating in the election process as organizers and observers. The MP said that according to the experience of observation in many European countries, she estimates the presence of a great number of women in the election process as an extremely positive fact. This is my first visit to Azerbaijan and I am very glad to be here, Bradara added. Although I read about the country, I have never seen it. Baku is an unusually modern city that combines elements of East and West, past and present. I have very positive impressions about Azerbaijan. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Utah bill to require warning labels on porn, describing ill effects on mind, self-esteem Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A newly introduced proposal in Utah requires pornography to come with labels warning of "addictive sexual behavior" and "low self-esteem" among other ill effects in the latest legislative push against porn. According to state Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Highland, the proposed label on pornography circulated in the Beehive state warns of impairment of brain development, emotional development, and the ability to maintain intimate relationships, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Tuesday. Exposure to porn may also result in the improper objectification of and sexual violence towards others, among other numerous harms, Brammers label would also say. The idea is weve already found that ... exposing minors to pornography can be extremely damaging, Brammer said, drawing inspiration from a California measure, Proposition 65, which required warning labels on products that contain certain cancer-causing chemicals. Weve already made that finding as a state. So [the bill] says, well, lets put a warning label on pornography, and were going to enforce it the same way that Californias Prop 65 is enforced, he said. Defenders of pornography often do so on First Amendment grounds. The lobbying arm of the pornography industry and longtime foe of anti-porn activists is called the Free Speech Coalition. Brammers bill stipulates such warning labels ought to be displayed on the cover of any pornography print publication or shown for at least 15 seconds prior to the viewing of online explicit videos or images. While the labels may not dissuade minors from looking at porn, the Utah lawmaker said, it may give them more time to reconsider watching or prevent them from seeing it lest they stumble upon it accidentally. Its a clear demarcation of, you know, Im not supposed to be here, he said. They could ignore it. But thats how every warning label works. Those who decline to affix the labels could face fines up to $2,500 for every violation, he said. Brammer's bill also allows individuals to take legal action against pornographers who do not place warning labels on the material. Utah is among the 15 states where legislatures have passed resolutions declaring pornography as a public health crisis, linking it to domestic violence and human trafficking. The ubiquity of porn has also inspired greater movement among conservative intellectuals and thought leaders in recent weeks. In December, four Republican members of the House of Representatives wrote to Attorney General Bill Barr to address the scourge of porn with the appropriate legal tools available in keeping with then-candidate Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign pledge to enforce existing obscenity laws. "Child pornography is on the rise as one of the fastest-growing online businesses with an annual revenue over $3 billion. The United States has nearly 50% of all commercialized child pornography websites. Pornography is ubiquitous in our culture and our children are being exposed at younger ages. Nine in every ten boys under the age of 18 have seen porn. Children are struggling with pornography addiction," said Rep. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, one of the authors of the letter in an interview with National Review at the time. Millionaire businessman and former corporate raider Sir Ron Brierley is expected to plead not guilty to charges of possessing hundreds of thousands of child abuse images and videos and "typed stories" about "the rape of children". Sir Ron appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday using a cane for his first court appearance, less than two months after he was arrested at Sydney International Airport. Sir Ron Brierley leaves the Downing Centre on Monday. Credit:Ben Rushton The 82-year-old was detained by Australian Border Force officials while attempting to board an early morning flight from Sydney to Fiji in December. Detectives seized his carry-on bags, laptop and electronic storage units and allegedly discovered more than 200,000 images and 512 videos. He was subsequently charged with six counts of possessing child exploitation material. A former police officer will appear in court on Thursday accused of misconduct in public office. The case against Lesley Stock, whose address is listed as Tennent Street PSNI station in Belfast, relates to her conduct during an investigation into loyalist Jamie Bryson over the flag protests. She was charged after a Police Ombudsman probe led to a file being sent the Public Prosecution Service (PPS). Bryson made several complaints to the watchdog alleging that Ms Stock made inappropriate use of social media during the PSNI investigation. The ex-police officer has yet to enter a plea, with her appearance at Laganside Magistrates' Court in Belfast listed as a PPS summons. Bryson was at the forefront of the loyalist flag protests that blocked roads in opposition to the decision to fly the Union flag from Belfast City Hall on designated days only. He stood trial in 2015 and was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence for taking part in unlawful public processions. Bryson unsuccessfully appealed the conviction in 2016. Expand Close Jamie Bryson / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamie Bryson The Police Ombudsman first referred Lesley Stock to the PPS in 2017, saying: "We have completed an investigation into allegations that a police officer made inappropriate use of social media. "As is normal practice when we receive allegations of a potentially criminal nature, we have submitted a file to the Public Prosecution Service for their consideration." cbarnes@sundaylife.co.uk Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-10 00:17:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese online payment clearinghouse NetsUnion Clearing Corporation reported an increasing number of online transactions during the weeklong Spring Festival holiday. From Jan. 24 to 30, about 4.92 billion online transactions were processed by the platform, involving 2.73 trillion yuan (about 391.4 billion U.S. dollars). The number of transactions surged by 11.25 percent year on year while the value marked a 5.76-percent rise, the company said. To mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the company announced to waive service charges for merchants in Hubei Province, the hardest-hit region, till the end of the year. Moreover, non-profit medical institutions and charity organizations involved in the anti-virus campaign nationwide will see their service fees for online transactions reduced or exempted, said the company. The NetsUnion has also set up a "green channel", which provides round-the-clock service to facilitate the flow of funds related to the fight against the epidemic. In the constant barrage of news stories and opinion pieces by elected officials and others who are pushing the $190 million school bond, the stain of maliciousness has arisen. People who oppose the bond have been labeled in print as selfish child-hating tightwads, knuckle-draggers, believers in Voodoo, and perennial naysayers. Why would the side with so much (public and private) money go so negative? Could it be that there are weaknesses in the current bond plan that even a Caveman can understand? Lets start with the legally binding ballot language. Opponents are called the people of No, when actually we are the people of know. We want to know what we are getting and that we are meeting needs rather than wants with this 25-year commitment. No one can explain what pathways related updates means, or what might be included in other school district improvements." There are holes in the ballot language big enough to drive a school bus through. We want to know how high the mill levy can be raised to service this debt in an economic downturn or if future growth fails to meet expectations. With nothing in writing, taxpayers have to trust the experts forecast of future growth and hope no one drops the crystal ball. Speaking of uncertain futures, the 324 students currently at Rapid City High School probably want to know what their future looks like, too. Their program has been treated as sort of an afterthought in the scheme of things. RCHS Principal Shane Heilman wrote a recent op-ed trying to explain this away, but what we learned is that he doesnt know what the plan is either. The best we can surmise is that there is a plan to have a plan, and its now in the planning stage. One wonders why the vaunted task force that spent two years studying to come up with this proposal didnt think it was necessary to flesh out this important detail. If its not in writing, it doesnt exist. Parents who live in affordable neighborhoods are questioning the need to close down the neighborhood schools their children can walk to, and they dont like the idea of their kids riding buses to some distant campus in an uncertain location. Thats right; the location(s) of the proposed new schools are still unknown I guess you have to pass it to find out for sure. Because the bulk of our property taxes go to support a school district whose budget is larger than the City of Rapid City, it seems counter intuitive for elected officials to suggest that this community hasnt invested in public schools for 50 years. Those eight new schools and several major additions that have been built since 1970, and the renovation of RCHS all came out of the pockets of local taxpayers. You know - those people who were smart enough to elect you to public office. When reasonable questions are met with contempt instead of reasonable answers, something is wrong with this picture. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Chanting slogans of 'Azaadi' (freedom), women on Sunday hold the protest at Tannery Road against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Register of Citizens (NRC) and Population Register (NPR). Women are holding the protest in support of Delhi's Shaheen Bagh protest. Speaking to ANI, one of the protesting women, said: "We are Indians. We are against CAA. We don't need to prove this to anyone. We don't need CAA, NRC, and NPR". "We will continue to protest until these disastrous policies will be withdrawn", she added. Protests have erupted against the CAA in various parts of the country, including the Shaheen Bagh area of the capital, since Parliament gave its nod to the Citizenship Bill last year. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian actor Toni Collette will star in a new Netflix drama, Pieces of Her. Collette most recently starred in one of the streaming platforms most successful 2019 titles, Unbelievable. Pieces of Her is described as a dramatic thriller based on the book of the same name by Karin Slaughter about a quiet Georgia town where a random act of violence cracks open one family's past. The series will feature an all-female creative team, including director Minkie Spiro, writer/producer Charlotte Stoudt and executive producers Lesli Linka Glatter and Bruna Papandrea. Toni Collette (right) and Merritt Wever star in the new Netflix series Unbelievable. Credit:Netflix Seven locks in Big Brother host The Seven Network has confirmed one of the new year's worst-kept secrets, that newly signed presenter Sonia Kruger will present the network's reboot of Big Brother. Kruger has worked on the format before; during her previous tenure at the Nine Network she presented the show between 2012 and 2014. A statement from Seven said the network was "very excited to have Sonia on board for a thrilling new era of Big Brother". The series, which has aired on both Ten and Nine before, is based on a Dutch television format created by Endemol founder John de Mol in 1999. My skirt was lifted: Gargi College fest turns ugly, girls allege mass molestation India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 09: A few students from Delhi's Gargi College alleged that a group of men barged into campus and harassed the students of the all-women college on Thursday during their annual fest. The incident happened around 4pm on February 6 during the third day of the college annual festival 'Reverie' was under way. According to reports, the entry pass system failed because large groups of men rammed college gates and broke into the college premises without any resistance from security. Speaking to SheThePeople, a second-year student at Gargi said, "One guy kept touching me and when I retaliated he and his friends smirked, I was even grabbed by men I couldn't see, my skirt was lifted with being told how I was asking for it with the way I was dressed". Another girl from the first year reported how she saw a girl was standing near the entry gate when a group of guys walked passed her and threw money on her. The students also blamed college authorities on their inaction. Restrictions were in place and men were barred from attending the event. The event was open for boys studying in other Delhi University colleges and they were given passes. However, their ID could not be checked as the group broke the gates to enter the campus. Students said that a large crowd of men barged into campus after breaking open the gate and started molesting girls, catcalling and passing lewd comments. Social media posts about the incident suggest that these men were drunk and they groped, masturbated at, catcalled and teased students present. official statement of Gargi students. please do not try to change or politicise our narrative. #GargiCollege pic.twitter.com/cVkxUb6O8d kar (@donpenguinii) February 9, 2020 They also alleged that the college administration told students not to come to college if they feel unsafe. However, college authorities said that students have so far not registered any complaint regarding the incdent. Promila Kumar, the principal of the college, said that there were enough security arrangements and personnel deployed in the premises. "No complaint has been filed. Police in uniform and plainclothes, commandos and bouncers were on duty. No such incident was reported to the administration," she said. She also that there was an arena meant only for girls in the campus during the fest. "If they were outside that, it was their choice." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 15:17 [IST] Switzerland on Sunday voted strongly in favour of a new law against homophobia in a referendum in the face of strong opposition from the populist rightwing Swiss People's Party (SVP). Final results showed 63 percent voted in favour of widening existing laws against discrimination on ethnic or religious grounds to include sexual orientation. "This is a historic day," Mathias Reynard, a lawmaker from the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland who initiated the reform, told Swiss channel RTS 1. "It gives a signal which is magnificent for everyone and for anyone who has been a victim of discrimination," he said. With results in from all of Switzerland's cantons, the figures showed that the highest approval rate was in Geneva with 76 percent, while the rural cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Schwyz and Uri voted against. The change was passed by the Swiss parliament in 2018 but critics, who believe it will end up censoring free speech, forced a referendum on the issue. - 'Christian values' - Eric Bertinat, an opposition SVP local lawmaker in Geneva, told AFP before the vote that he believed the law was "part of an LGBT plan to slowly move towards same-sex marriage and medically assisted reproduction" for gay couples. Hans Moser, head of the small Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland (EDU) party, told the ATS news agency: "We will continue to represent Christian values". All of Switzerland's major parties except the SVP, the biggest political force in parliament, support the law. Switzerland is one of the last countries in western Europe without specific laws against homophobia. Rights campaigner Jean-Pierre Sigrist, founder of an association of gay teachers, said before the referendum that the new law might have stopped him getting beaten up outside a bar in Geneva four decades ago. "And maybe I would not have been laughed at when I went to the police," the 71-year-old told AFP, adding that he hoped the reform would help to counter a resurgence of intolerance against gay people. Sigrist said he supported freedom of expression, "but not the freedom to say anything at all". - 'No to Special Rights!' - Under the new law, homophobic comments made in a family setting or among friends would not be criminalised. But publicly denigrating or discriminating against someone for being gay or inciting hatred against that person in text, speech, images or gestures, would be banned. The government has said it will still be possible to have opinionated debates on issues such as same-sex marriage, and the new law does not ban jokes -- however off-colour. "Incitement to hatred needs to reach a certain level of intensity in order to be considered criminal in Switzerland," Alexandre Curchod, a media lawyer, told AFP. But he admitted that there could be exceptions "if it can be shown that, under the cover of artistic production or joking, someone is in fact engaging in incitement". Gay rights campaigners were divided over the legislation. A group called "No to Special Rights!" is opposed, arguing that the gay community does not need special protection. Off-colour jokes are still OK The pound has grown in value against 32 out of 40 currencies analysed, compared with February 2019 (Barry Batchelor/PA) UK travellers are benefiting from sterling being stronger than four out of five foreign currencies in popular holiday destinations compared with a year ago, new figures show. The largest bonus is for visitors to Chile as the pound has grown 19% against the Chilean peso since February 2019, according to analysis by Post Office Travel Money. That means someone buying 500 of the currency will get the equivalent of an extra 87 of cash to spend on their trip. South Africa and Mauritius are among several top winter sun destinations where sterling will stretch further than last year. Exchange rates could continue to fluctuate throughout 2020Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money UK visitors will get 11% more South African rand and 9% more Mauritius rupee than 12 months ago. Sterling has also grown by 4% against the euro and less than 1% against the US dollar. Only eight of the 40 currencies analysed have strengthened versus the pound since February 2019. The Egyptian pound has grown the most at 10%, followed by the Costa Rican colon (up 7%), the Russian ruble (up 3%) and the Swiss franc (up 2%). Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: Sterling is now stronger against the vast majority of holiday currencies and that spells great news for holidaymakers. UK tourists can do even better by picking a destination where the cost of living is low so they benefit from both the stronger pound and low prices in resort restaurants and shops. However, sterling is entering uncharted territory and exchange rates could continue to fluctuate throughout 2020 as trade negotiations with the EU progress. We advise holidaymakers planning trips abroad in 2020 to keep a close eye on rate movements and purchase foreign currency when sterling will give them more cash for their pounds. BOISE, Idaho Former Idaho Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state lawmaker Paulette Jordan announced Friday that she's challenging two-term Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Risch. Im running because we need a Senator who will work to re-engineer our government to prioritize American prosperity, protect our precious land and resources, fight for affordable, quality healthcare, and ensure a world-class education for our children, said Jordan. In 2018 she became the first woman to become the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Idaho but lost in the general election to Republican Brad Little. The 40-year-old Jordan is a member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. Shes a former two-term state representative with a long history of working on the tribal council. Over the past several years, Ive had the opportunity to listen to thousands of Idahoans throughout this great state, and what Ive learned is that Idaho is in need of new leadership, she said. Idahoans are fed up. People from all walks of life are frustrated with the partisan gridlock in Congress and they are calling for a leader who represents them." Jordan said that she'll fight for the rights of rural Idahoans and Native Americans while focusing on the environment and justice. Jordan has generally advocated for progressive policies, including teacher loan forgiveness, better rural education, better access to healthcare, and more economic development and opportunity for struggling communities. She'll face a difficult task in red-state Idaho, where the entire Congressional delegation is Republican and all five statewide elected offices are held by Republicans. Republicans also hold super-majorities in the Idaho House and Senate. The last Native American to hold a statewide office in Idaho was Larry Echo Hawk, who was the attorney general in the early 1990s. Jordan joins three other Democrats in seeking to unseat the 76-year-old Risch, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has been an avid supporter of President Donald Trump. Trump is popular in Idaho, having won about 60 percent of the vote in 2016. There are now four candidates running to become the Democrat nominee in this race, Risch said in a statement. "All of them have a clear desire to advance the liberal socialist agenda. I look forward to putting my record of fiscal conservatism, common sense solutions and proven leadership against any one of these individuals." Risch has a lengthy career in Idaho politics, serving briefly as governor in 2006. He also served as a lieutenant governor and as an Idaho state senator. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A select group Napa businesses were named award winners in their own categories at the Napa Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards luncheon. Hosted on Jan. 31, it is the 131st year the event has been held, said a news release. The sold out crowd of community leaders and stakeholders, elected officials, business owners and executives gathered at the Westin Verasa Napa for this longtime community tradition to recognize deserving businesses and individuals nominated for awards in seven categories, and also to witness the official installation off the 2020 NCC Board of Directors. Each winner was featured in a video before joining NCC President/CEO Travis Stanley for a photo op with executives representing the respective award sponsors, said the release. The afternoon also featured a video tribute and crystal gavel presentation for Mayor Jill Techel, who presided over her duties of officially installing the NCC Board for the final time as mayor. Techel is retiring as mayor in November. Barry Martin served as emcee and Michael Murray was welcomed as the incoming Board Chair after the passing of the gavel from outgoing Board Chair John Evans. Congressman Mike Thompson introduced Arik (and Hannah) Housley as Citizen of the Year, while Senator Bill Dodd, Napa county Supervisors Alfredo Pedroza and Ryan Gregory, Sheriff John Robertson, City Council members Liz Alessio, Doris Gentry, Mary Luros and Scott Sedgley and other dignitaries were seated amongst the crowd. The 2020 award winners: Wunder Boutique & Salon Small Business of the Yearpresented by Mechanics Bank. AUL Corp. Large Business of the Year, presented by Redwood Credit Union. Arik Housley Citizen of the Year, presented by Todd Zapolski Real Estate. Angele Restaurant Member of the Year, presented by Kaiser Permanente. Giovanni Scala (Bistro Don Giovanni)Customer Service Person of the Year, presented by Channel Properties. Sherrell Harper Ambassador of the Year, presented by Napa Valley Commons. OLE Health, Napa Valley Vintners and The Gasser Foundation Collaborating Community Champion of the Year, sponsored by AUL Corp. The Napa Chamber currently represents approximately 1,100 members and over 27,000 employees in Napa Valleys business and charitable communities, noted Stanley. Our Annual Meeting and Awards give them the chance to celebrate one another in a very public way, Stanley said. The 2020 awards ceremony marked significant growth in member in engagement and participation: more than 2,000 votes were counted for this years award honorees, said the release. We were so thankful and excited to see such a high level of community participation this year, said Stanley. It is just one example of our communitys great ability to collaborate and honor one another. Also honored at the event were the Chambers 2020 Board of Directors. The 2020 Executive Committee includes: Michael Murray (Board Chair), John Evans (Past Board Chair), Christi Coors Ficelli (Treasurer), Kevin Teague, Ken Frank and Richard Rybicki. Additional directors include: Michael Basayne, Gregory Brun, Andrea Clarke, M.D, Alonso Corona, Michael Downer, David Graham, Adam Ghisletta, Jeri Hansen, Paul Hicks, Jason Luros and George Nielson. You can reach reporter Jennifer Huffman at 256-2218 or jhuffman@napanews.com The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Goa Archbishop, an influential leader in the state, has called on the government to desist from implementing the National Register of Citizens across the country as well as to revoke the divisive and discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act. In a statement to the media on Saturday, the Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao has highlighted his serious concern that the National Population Register whose data is expected to be used for a countrywide roll out of the NRC will result in a direct victimisation of the underprivileged classes. The very fact that the CAA uses religion goes against the secular fabric of the country. It goes against the spirit and heritage of our land which, since times immemorial, has been a welcoming home to all, founded on the belief that the whole world is one big family. Such exercises will result in a direct victimisation of the underprivileged classes, particularly the Dalits, the Adivasis, the migrant labourers, the nomadic communities and the countless undocumented people, who, after having been recognized as worthy citizens and voters for more than seventy years in this great nation, will suddenly run the risk of becoming stateless and candidates for detention camps in their teeming millions, the Archbishop said. He went on to warn that the governments steps would lead to a systematic erosion of the values, principles and rights guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution. These initiatives issuing forth from the Government are forecasting a systematic erosion of the values, principles and rights which have been guaranteed to all citizens in our Constitution and which the citizens are called to protect and promote. The Christians in India have always been a peace-loving community and deeply committed to the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, enshrined in the Constitution of India, the Archbishop said. He also warned that the CAA, the NRC and the NPR are divisive and discriminatory and will damage Indias multicultural democracy. No one, particularly the poor and the marginalised, the minorities and other vulnerable groups, should be excluded in any way. These are universal values which clearly resonate in almost every religion as well as in the Constitution of India. The CAA, the NRC and the NPR are divisive and discriminatory and will certainly have a negative and damaging effect on a multicultural democracy like ours, the Archbishop said while calling on the government to listen to the voice of millions in India, to stop quashing the right to dissent and, above all, to immediately and unconditionally revoke the CAA and desist from implementing the NRC and the NPR. The Goa Archbishop who has consistently articulated his views on the relevant social and political issues having in the past publicly raising concerns that the constitution was in danger. The Church in Goa has actively lent its support to movements and protests often taking on the government. It has recently backed civil society organisations in their protests against the CAA, NPR and NRC. Protests against the CAA and the NRC continue to rage in different places since December with Delhis Shaheen Bagh becoming a symbol of defiance and inspiring similar demonstrations in other cities like Kolkata and Lucknow. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Pakistan Army fired mortar bombs at forward posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district for the second day on Sunday, a defence spokesperson said. No casualty was reported in the Pakistani firing, he said. The latest ceasefire violation by the neighbouring nation took place in Balakot and Mendhar sectors, prompting a befitting retaliation from the Indian Army, he said. The firing and intense shelling with mortars from across the border in the two sectors started at around 12.50 pm and was going on when last reports were received. On Saturday, an Indian soldier was killed and three others were injured in heavy firing and shelling in Degwar sector of Poonch district. Naik Rajeev Singh Shekhawat, 36, belonged to Rajasthan's Jaipur district. He is survived by his wife, Usha Shekhawat. The Army on Sunday paid rich tributes with full military honours to Naik Shekhawat. Senior officers paid last respects to the slain soldiers at a wreath-laying ceremony organised at the Air force Station in Jammu, officials said. General Officer Commanding-in-chief of Northern Command Lt Gen Y K Joshi and General Officer Commanding of elite White Knight Corps Lt Gen Harsha Gupta also saluted the soldier and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday warned the managements of aided schools in the state against appointment of teachers by providing inflated number of students and said the government can take over them, if needed. Vijayan was responding to the reaction of some aided school managements to the suggestion made by the finance minister to regulate appointment of new teachers in such schools. Finance minister T M Thomas Isaac had in his budget speech on February 7, said the Left government wants the school managements to stop misinterpreting the Kerala Rules (KER) and making appointments of new teachers. "I saw certain reactions of some managements (of aided schools) on TV today, asking the government to take over the schools. If that was a threat issued to the government, then let me tell you, we are ready to take over. If we can pay salary to the teachers there, why can't we give some rent and manage the school," Vijayan said. He also said that the budget suggestion was a warning to those managements engaged in the practice of appointing teachers by providing inflated number of students. In the state budget presented on February 7, Isaac had alloted Rs 19,130 crore for in the state. The finance minister also suggested that the appointment of teachers in aided schools be in accordance with the state rules and warned against the showing inflated number of students for new appointments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DUBAI, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Iran is not posing any threat to other countries, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday, according to State TV, adding that Tehran was determined to guarantee its own security. "Iran poses no threat to any other country ... Our only aim is to make sure our security is guaranteed," Khamenei told a group of commanders and staff of Iran's Air Force. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; editing by David Evans) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Asip Hasani (The Jakarta Post) Tulungagung, East Java Sun, February 9, 2020 18:16 701 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20636fa78 1 National Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,South-Korea,Kediri,Tulungagung,hospital,coronavirus,outbreak Free A 52-year-old woman from Kediri, East Java, is under observation at the isolation ward of Iskak Public Hospital in Tulungagung after showing symptoms consistent with the novel coronavirus. "She will stay in our isolation room until she is proven to be [coronavirus] negative. We hope that she is negative, hospital director Supriyanto told reporters on Saturday. Identified as YM, the woman had traveled to South Korea early last month to visit her newborn grandchild and returned to Kediri on Thursday. She soon began complaining of a fever and a sore throat. She was treated for bronco-pneumonia at a hospital in Kediri but was transferred to Iskak Hospital as the latter has been appointed by the government to handle patients showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus in the western part of East Java. Her recent visit to a country exposed to the virus outbreak is what led us to take these measures," Supriyanto said. According to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE), South Korea had 25 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Sunday. Supriyanto said the hospital wanted to stay on the side of caution by putting patients showing even only some symptoms under observation. He added that the hospital would take samples of YM's throat mucus as soon as possible and send it to the Health Ministry's laboratory in Jakarta for testing. Meanwhile, the hospitals lung disease specialist, Muhammad Arfi, said that YMs temperature had decreased to 37 degrees Celsius and the pain in her throat had also abated. Tulungagung Health Agency official Didik Eka told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that YM's mucus sample would be taken on Monday and sent to Jakarta right away. He said the agency had also been monitoring a female migrant worker who had returned home from Taiwan late last month and complained of having a high fever a week later. "We will check her condition and body temperature every day for up to 14 days from Feb. 4," he said. Despite the rising number of coronavirus cases worldwide, Indonesia has yet to confirm a single case of coronavirus in the country as of the time of writing. 5 Christian leaders, political commentators respond to President Trump's acquittal Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment After a months-long impeachment process that has exposed many divisions in the nation, the Senate voted to acquit President Trump Wednesday on two articles brought by Democratic members of the House: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The votes were 52-48 and 53-47, with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, voting to convict the president on the first article. Other than Romney, the Senate votes fell along partisan lines, with every Democrat voting to convict and every Republican voting to acquit. The acquittal came the day after Tuesday's State of the Union address. Speaking Thursday in the East Room of the White House, President Trump celebrated the end of the process, and took aim at those who launched the effort, such as Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Nancy Pelosi is a horrible person," the president said, adding that he did not think she was sincere in her prayers. Throughout the impeachment process, Pelosi often emphasized that it was sad time for the country and said she was praying for the president and urged Americans to be prayerful. The president also made a point to thank the Republican members of the House and Senate who were either part of his defense team or who most vocally backed him in the past several months. Trump predicted House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., would soon become Speaker of the House. Reactions to the president's acquittal and White House speech Thursday have poured in. Here's how some Christian thought leaders and public figures are responding. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next By PTI NEW DELHI: The government may impose anti-dumping duty on the imports of a chemical, used in foam making, from four regions, including the EU and Saudi Arabia, to guard domestic players from cheap shipments. The commerce ministry's investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated a probe into an alleged dumping of Toluene Di-Isocyanate from the EU, Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei, and the UAE following a complaint filed by Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. Toluene DiIsocyanate (TDI) is a chemical used primarily for flexible foam applications including furniture, bedding and carpet underlay, as well as packaging applications. DGTR in a notification has said that on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted by the domestic industry about dumping of the product, it has initiated the investigations. "The authority hereby initiates an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping," it said. According to the notification of the Directorate, the company has requested for imposition of anti-dumping duty on the imports. If the probe finds that dumping has caused material injury to the domestic industry, the directorate would recommend the amount of anti-dumping duty. Countries carry out anti-dumping probe to determine whether their domestic industries have been hurt because of a surge in cheap imports. As a countermeasure, they impose duties under the multilateral regime of the World Trade Organization. The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trade practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers. Desigbrand.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 26 Dec 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The total number of people who shared the desigbrand homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the desigbrand homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the desigbrand homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if desigbrand has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the desigbrand homepage on Twitter + the total number of desigbrand followers (if desigbrand has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the desigbrand homepage on StumbleUpon. Basic Information PAGE TITLE desigbrand |Brand handbag,Lady handbag,Tote bag,Louis Vuitton Bag,Gucci bag,Celine bag DESCRIPTION desigbrand KEYWORDS Brand handbag, Lady handbag, Tote bag, Louis Vuitton Bag, Gucci bag, Celine bag OTHER KEYWORDS original, leather, hardware, leather with, chanel, christian, christian dior The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE UTF-8 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Microsoft-IIS/7.5 (PHP/5.2.17,ASP.NET) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Server 2008 R2 Type of server and offered services. The language of desigbrand.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. Character set and language of the site. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for desigbrand.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The type of Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Avidaqueeuquero.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 29 Mar 2014, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the avidaqueeuquero homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if avidaqueeuquero has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the avidaqueeuquero homepage on Twitter + the total number of avidaqueeuquero followers (if avidaqueeuquero has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the avidaqueeuquero homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the avidaqueeuquero homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the avidaqueeuquero homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. Basic Information PAGE TITLE Meu Blog | Um otimo site WordPress.com DESCRIPTION Um otimo site WordPress.com (by Karina Liss) KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS wordpress, meu blog, search, meu blog um timo site, blog um timo site wordpress, um timo site wordpress , meu blog um timo The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE Breton UTF-8Breton DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER nginx OPERATIVE SYSTEM Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. Type of server and offered services. Character set and language of the site. The language of avidaqueeuquero.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for avidaqueeuquero.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Ravi Shankar By Express News Service The cartography of memory is crosshatched with paths to the past. The forgotten town of Serampore, or Srirampur as it was called until the 17th century, is just over an hours drive from Kolkata and serves as a gallery of Indian colonial life. The penchant for renaming places is not confined to the imagination, or lack of it, of neo-nationalists. The Dutch renamed Srirampur Fredericknagore after the Nawab of Bengal allowed their East India Companythere were a few of them those daysto open a trading post there. They promptly created a European enclave quarantined from the cowdung-steaming lanes and colourful village bazaars, and built a promenade along the riverbank where gents in evening dress and ladies with dainty umbrellas and parasols took the air as if Serampore was just another Amsterdam or Utrecht. In 1845, Denmark sold Fredericknagore to the British East India Company after losing a war to the British. The promenade is still there; only now, local teenagers romance on its municipal benches and idols of Kali lean against the age-old banyans that stoop to meditate on the tides. Serampore remains one of those little colonial mementos of Indias pre-Independence history, with narrow streets and little maidaans where cows ruminate, children play, rickshaw pullers smoke and gossip idly while the English church of St Olaf investigates the goings and comings of souls and clouds in the sky above. All these Indian idyll scenes are a short stroll away from a cheerfully painted colonial building on an elevated sidewalk which observes the river Hooghly nonchalantly. Until 1786, soldiers from the Netherlands stored their flagstaff and cannons here. An English tavern keeper from Calcutta named Mr Parr bought it to open a hotel and tavern. Three centuries later, it was reborn as The Denmark Tavern, now operated by The Park, Calcuttaa pleasant two-storey, yellow-painted edifice with proud round pillars and green louvered windows through which chefs are seen making the best caramel custard and roast chicken sandwiches this side of the river. Temptation here is the delectable Danish pastry from the little Flurys outlet hugging the wall like a coy sister. The Denmark Tavern has five large rooms with high ceilings and pastel walls sporting comfortable beds and modern bathrooms. The restaurant situated in the two-storey central atrium serves Continental and Bengali foodtry the Danish style chicken sausage and the Bengali fish curryin classic Park service style: discreet, courteous and fast. The hotel is being expanded to accommodate more rooms because they are mostly full. The quietness inside the building contrasts with the noises of the town around the somnolent building: watch the river in its eternal passage from the first floor terrace with a cold beer in hand, as the boats trace faded slipstreams of ships from another time and shore. The Park has positioned the tavern as the oldest hotel in India. The Great Dane of Serampore is indubitably one of the most unique in India. A lot of people feel defeated, said Danny Villazon, 54, a lawyer. Trump always wins. The Mueller report and then impeachment. It seems like nothing can stop him. Some Democratic officials and strategists argue that its far too early to panic, citing the quirky caucus process, which requires Iowans to spend hours on a cold winter evening publicly expressing their preferences. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia said the lower-than-expected turnout in Iowa came as a surprise, after the kind of voting surges hes seen in his home state. Last year, the highest number of voters in a generation for an off-off year election gave Democrats control of the House and Senate in Virginia for the first time in a generation. Its hard one to figure because turnout everywhere else has been so high, he said. Im going to lay it at the feet of this arcane caucus process. People just dont have the time to do what needs to be done. Others cited the large number of undecided voters in Iowa, saying that as the race narrowed, larger numbers of Democrats would get engaged. In the run-up to the caucuses, polling showed that as many as 40 percent of voters said they had not made a final decision on a candidate. At primary events, voters frequently say theyd support any of the candidates over Mr. Trump, underscoring that their attention is far more focused on the president than on their own options for a nominee. Tyler Jones, a South Carolina Democratic strategist who helped flip a Charleston district held by Republicans for nearly four decades, said he expected turnout to skyrocket once the contest moved to his state. By then, he predicts, the field will have narrowed to a clearer choice between Senator Bernie Sanders and a more moderate opponent. We are very top-heavy, said Mr. Jones, who is unaffiliated in the race. We have very similar candidates, and you have to be deliberatively picky. The Chinese governments inability to contain the outbreak has disrupted life across the country and beyond, provoking grief and outrage that the Communist Party state under Xi Jinping has also been scrambling to cauterize. The crisis threatens to disrupt peoples return to work on Monday after an already-extended break for the Lunar New Year. Most cities, including the capital, Beijing, have largely been shut down for two weeks, with residents warned to stay indoors. Most, by all appearances, have done so, creating eerily deserted cityscapes. It remains far from certain that anything like a normal workday will resume in most of the country, though the severity of imposed restrictions varies from city to city. Some schools have announced they would delay the start of post-holiday schedules, as have many companies. Theaters, museums and other places plan to remain shut through the end of February. Economists are predicting a significant blow to Chinas economy, which could worsen significantly if businesses and factories struggle to resume functioning. Millions of Chinese away from home are in limbo because of travel restrictions and quarantines imposed after the virus emerged. THEATRE| The Deep Blue Sea Roslyn Packer Theatre, February 8 Marta Dusseldorp stars in the STC's Deep Blue Sea. The Deep Blue Sea, Sydney Theatre Companys opening play for its 2020 season, is brave, beautiful and profoundly disappointing. Terence Rattigans The Deep Blue Sea is a day-in-the-life of a woman who finds herself fatally caught between a conventional, uninspiring marriage and a thrilling, unsustainable affair. It starts with Hester Collyer (Marta Dusseldorp), our hero, curled up lifeless on an empty stage after an attempted suicide. Shes not alone for long. The world crowds in, bringing scenery and furniture and people, from the young married couple to the mysterious Mr Miller (Paul Capsis), who is not a doctor and, finally, the two men who have defined her life so far: her High Court husband Bill (Matt Day) and her ex-test pilot lover Freddie (Fayssal Bazzi). It will take two and a half hours for her to reclaim the stage on her own terms. The Deep Blue Sea walks a tightrope between melodrama and tragicomedy. Sometimes it falls off. The emotions are, as director Paige Rattray says in her fascinating program essay, easily recognizable today: hope, despair, the frailty of human emotion and the search for meaning never go out of style. And yet the post-war setting, the clipped language, and various plot devices, including endless cigarettes and laws against homosexuality and suicide, are unmistakably anchored in London in the early 1950s, when the play was written. The production sits uneasily somewhere between the two. The final evacuation flight from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan has landed in the UK, as a leading microbiologist who helped discover Ebola warned that Britain could suffer a major outbreak of the virus. Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said he was alarmed about the spread of the illness, which he warned was potentially more dangerous than Ebola. Its a greater threat because of the mode of transmission. The potential for spread is much, much higher, Mr Piot said. If the number of people who get infected is huge, then that will also kill a number of people. More than 200 passengers landed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire shortly before 7.30am on Sunday after flying out from Wuhan. The coronavirus has already killed more than 800 people and infected at least 37,000 in China. The passengers will now be taken to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they will be quarantined for 14 days to prevent the spread of the virus. Two British people who wanted to fly back to the UK were denied boarding after failing temperature checks in China, the UKs ambassador to Beijing told the BBC. We are in touch with them and will try to support them to get them on to another countrys flights as soon as possible, Dame Barbara Woodward said. Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Show all 154 1 /154 Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Paramedics wearing personal protective equipment carry patient on a stretcher on to an ambulance in North Point district in Hong Kong, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker wearing protective gear takes a rest as he waits for ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at an entrance of a hospital in Daegu, South Korea YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker sprays disinfectant on an ambulance after carrying a patient infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu YONHAP/AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective face masks shop at a supermarket in Casalpusterlengo, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown due to the new coronavirus outbreak EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A trolley bus is disinfected amid fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus in Pyongyang, North Korea REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 coronavirus in a local market in Daegu, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective facemask walks outside a nearly empty shopping mall at lunch time in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing protective facemask and gloves puts a drawing made by a girl living in the area asking residents to wear protective gear, next to a quarantine notice for people who have travelled and a notice asking people to register outside a residential compound in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman is taken into an ambulance amid a coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulances and health workers are seen outside the Padua's hospital, northern Italy EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers in coaches leave MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire after being repatriated to the UK from a cruise ship hit by the coronavirus in Yokohama, Japan and head to Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People rest in a temporary hospital situated in the Tazihu Gymnasium in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buddhist monks wearing protective face masks pray during a blessing ceremony for the people affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia REUTERS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient infecting with a new coronavirus to a hospital in Chuncheon, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Soldiers in hazmat suits sanitize cargo from a China Airlines plane at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Barricades are seen to block the entrance a the gate of a local mall in a nearly empty area in Beijing, China Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor wearing a protective facemask waits for customers at a shop in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The body temperature of an Iraqi child returning from Iran is measured upon her arrival at the Najaf International Airport AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers hand out free facemasks at a shopping district in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers wearing protective gears carry a patient suspected of contracting the new coronavirus toward an ambulance at Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo, South Korea AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker disinfects a shop at a market in Shanghai AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A restaurant worker wearing protective clothing as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus passing a bag of food to a customer on the street outside their restaurant in Beijing AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A recovered patient is discharged from Leishenshan Hospital, the newly-built makeshift hospital for novel coronavirus patients, in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a factory with sanitising equipment in Huzhou, China China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to a patient inside an isolated ward of Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A drone operated by the Suwon municipal government flies around Changyong Middle School spraying disinfectant, in Suwon, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers transfer medical waste at Leishenshan Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a protective mask rides a bicycle with his children in Guangzhou, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Volunteers in protective suits disinfect a railway station as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Changsha, Hunan province, China cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman repatriated from Wuhan carries a child as she walks upon her arrival at the Van Don airport in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff checking the body temperature of a patient who has displayed mild symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A medical worker in protective suit transports oxygen tanks at Wuhan Red Cross Hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Boys wearing protection masks, gloves and modified water bottles sit on a cart at the airport arrival terminal in Guangzhou EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Employees work on a production line manufacturing protective suits at a clothing factory in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province cnsphoto via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits move a patient at an isolated ward of a hospital in Caidian district following an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in protective clothing, including face mask and gloves, carries a bucket as he works inside of The County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton, southern England, after it closed for "urgent operational health and safety reasons", following reports a member of staff was infected with the strain of the novel coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers of the ecology and environment bureau collect samples from the sewage system of a hospital in Xinle, Hebei province China Daily via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man in protective clothing cleaning the County Oak Medical Centre GP practice The British government warned the outbreak of novel coronavirus was a "serious and imminent threat" and reported four new cases that brought the total recorded in the country to eight. Two hospitals The Royal Free and Guys and St Thomas', have both been designated as "isolation" facilities, with both currently housing Britons who have returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to the newly completed Huoshenshan temporary field Hospital in Wuhan. The global coronavirus death toll rose again with Hong Kong announcing its first death from the outbreak on 4 February EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff wait as coaches carrying Coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes, after being repatriated to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan PA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A crew member of the cruise ship Diamond Princess talks to a worker wearing protective gear standing near the vessel, where dozens of passengers were tested positive for coronavirus, at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Doctors scan a patient's lungs at Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Wuhan Xinhua News Agency/AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People wearing protective suits walk from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesians who arrived from Wuhan are sprayed with antiseptic at Hang Nadim Airport in Batam. People evacuated from the Chinese city at the centre of a deadly virus outbreak, were transported to a quarantine zone on a remote island at the edge of the South China Sea, shortly after landing Indonesian Foreign Ministry via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman wears a protective mask as she shops in a market in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members hugging each other in an isolation ward at a hospital in Zouping in China's easter Shandong province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A portrait of Dr Li Wenliang is left at Li's hospital in Wuhan. He is regarded a whistleblower on the outbreak and died of the coronavirus which triggered wide-spread mourning on Chinese media Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where people tested positive for coronavirus, after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Firefighters and personnel from the health ministry participate in a drill to prepare for the potential arrival of passengers infected with the coronavirus at the Viru Viru International Airport, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Scientists are at work in the VirPath university laboratory as they try to find an effective treatment against the new Sars-like coronavirus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers in protective suits attend to patients at the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center, which has been converted into a makeshift hospital to receive patients with mild symptoms caused by the virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A girl wears a mask as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man is transferred from the World Dream cruise ship to an ambulance at the Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong as health officials conduct inspections AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers from a disinfection service company enter Lotte Department Store in central Seoul, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man who arrived from Hubei province talks with police at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor holds a handheld digital thermometer near health officials preparing a health check for arriving passengers from China at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A resident walks across an empty track in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A scientific staff member works in a secure laboratory, researching the coronavirus, at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members preparing equipment to meet passengers of a military plane, which evacuated citizens of Russia and ex-Soviet countries from China's Wuhan province Vsluh.ru via Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff wearing protective suits as they prepare to disinfect a Vietnam Airlines plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi Vietnam Airlines/AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A South Korean person, who was evacuated from Wuhan, arrives at the National Medical Center after showing suspected symptoms of novel coronavirus, in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Officers in protective gear escort a person (under the blue sheet) who was on board cruise ship Diamond Princess and was tested positive for coronavirus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor being disinfected by his colleague at a quarantine zone in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Buses carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Indonesian health officials conduct an exercise drill in transporting a patient requiring isolation at the Belawan port in Medan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Pasteur Institute in Dakar, designated by the African Union as one of the two reference centres in Africa for the detection of the new coronavirus that appeared in China, is hosting experts from 15 countries on the continent this weekend to prepare them to deal with the disease AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A government worker disinfects a co-worker after visiting a quarantined woman's home in Qingdao EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An aerial view of the deserted roads and bridges in Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical workers hold a strike outside the Hospital Authority as they demand for Hong Kong to close its border with China to reduce the coronavirus spreading Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person has their tempriture checked in Qingdao, China EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Malaysian nationals being directed from a bus by health officials in protective suits as they arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, after being evacuated from Wuhan Malaysia's Ministry of Health/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People hoping to buy face masks crowd outside a medical supply shop that was raided by police for allegedly hoarding and overpricing the masks, as public fear over China's Wuhan Coronavirus grow in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine government has been heavily criticized after failing to immediately implement travel restrictions from China, the source of a deadly coronavirus that has now killed hundreds and infected thousands more Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Residents wearing masks and raincoats volunteer to take temperature of passengers following the outbreak of a new coronavirus at a bus stop at Tin Shui Wai, a border town in Hong Kong Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Italian citizens repatriated from Wuhan going though a health control zone after landing at the Mario De Bernardi military airport in Pratica di Mare, south of Rome, prior to be placed in quarantine Italian Defence Ministry/AFP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers arrange beds in a 2,000-bed mobile hospital, set up in an exhibition center, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A doctor checks conditions of occupants in a hotel accommodating isolated people in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city of Wuhan, arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital. The Chinese army deployed medical specialists to the epicentre of the spiralling viral outbreak that has killed and spread around the world AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A baby wearing a protective face mask is pushed by a woman as they arrive from Shenzhen to Hong Kong at Lo Wu MTR station AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A health worker checks the temperature of a woman entering a subway station in Beijing Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A young child wears a protective mask and is covered in plastic while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance crews arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan, China. Eighty-three Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan are being flown back to the UK Tom Maddick / SWNS Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A woman carries a baby wearing a protective mask as they exit the arrival hall at Hong Kong High Speed Rail Station Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Camp beds at a Medical Assessment Center set up at the airport in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on the eve of the arrival of German citizens evacuated from Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Funeral parlour staff members in protective suits help a colleague with disinfection after they transferred a body at a hospital in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Muslims wearing masks pray for the victims of coronavirus at a mosque in Ahmedabad, India Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical officials waiting for people who wants to check the novel coronavirus at Myeongdong shopping district Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children wear plastic bottles as makeshift homemade protection and protective masks while waiting to check in to a flight at Beijing Capital Airport Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A patient assisted by medical staff gets off an ambulance in Wuhan AFP/Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus People line up to buy face masks from a medical supply company in Nanning, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Countries began evacuating their citizens from the Chinese city hardest-hit by a new virus that has now infected more people in China than were sickened in the country by SARS Chinatopix via AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Millions spent their normally festive Lunar New Year holiday under lockdown Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Children with face masks wash their hands before prayer at Erawan shrine in Bangkok. Thailand has detected eight Coronavirus cases so far AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An Indonesian health officer points at the screen of a thermal scanner for passengers China confirmed that the deadly Wuhan coronavirus virus can be transmitted between humans AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Hospital workers wearing protective eyewear and masks examine an Indonesian student who returned from China in quarantine at a hospital in Banda Aceh AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Ambulance staff dispose of an outfit at the hospital in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A person checks the temperature of a passenger to help stop the spread of a deadly virus as he arrives at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International airport in Palembang AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Nepali students, wearing face masks, attend a class at Matribhumi School in Bhaktapur, on the outskirts of Kathmandu AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Two Buddhist monks wear face masks while walking along a street in Yangon AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting a residential area in Ruichang, part of Jiujiang in China's central Jiangxi province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers are seen at the construction site of a new hospital being built to treat patients from a deadly virus outbreak in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020. - China is rushing to build a new hospital in a staggering 10 days to treat patients at the epicentre of a deadly virus outbreak that has stricken thousands of people, state media reported on January 24. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) HECTOR RETAMAL AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Vapor blurs the goggles of an ambulance driver while they work, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Yangzhou AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff getting on an ambulance in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A vendor of traditional masks wears a facial mask at his shop in Thamel EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An airport official checks the temperature of a passenger upon his arrival at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An ambulance driver talking with medical staff in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team leave the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market The new coronavirus appears to have its origins in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, a popular transport hub AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers produce protective suits at a factory in Nantong AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers scanned by thermal imaging for body temperature as they go through health measures and procedures after they landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Thai royal guard wears a mask while on duty at the Grand Palace in Bangkok EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wearing a face mask rides a nearly empty subway train in Beijing AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A shopper wearing goggles with a face mask and gloves uses a self checkout machine at a supermarket in Wuhan AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Italian Red Cross putting on protective gear, getting ready to give health checks to passengers that landed at Rome's Fiumicino airport on a southern airlines flight from Wuhan Aeroporto Di Roma/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of the Hong Kong government's Civil Aid Service gestures at the entrance to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village which is being used as one of two quarantine centres for people who have been in close proximity with suspected cases of a SARS-type virus. Hong Kong will turn two holiday camps, including a former military barracks, into quarantine zones for people who may have come into contact with carriers of the Wuhan virus, officials announced AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff wearing protective suits at the Zhongnan hospital in Wuhan STR/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A Malaysia Health official checks passengers going through a thermal scanner upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Staff disinfecting Yingtan North Railway Station, China China banned trains and planes from leaving the major city at the centre of a virus outbreak on January 23, seeking to seal off its 11 million people to contain the contagious disease that has claimed lives and spread to other countries AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A passenger walks past a quarantine control station at Narita airport, Japan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Patients queue up to seek treatment in Wuhan Tongji Hospital Fever Clinic, in Wuhan EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Quarantine workers spray disinfectant at Incheon International Airport, South Korea EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A member of staff checks the temperature of a guest entering the casino of the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macau, after it reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jin Yintan hospital Little is known about the new disease which, if confirmed, would be only the seventh coronavirus known to science that can infect humans Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of the Three Gorges Medical Laboratory offering free masks to the public in Yichang, China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Gabriel Leung, right, chair professor of public health medicine at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, speaks about the extent of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak in China AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Members of staff of the Wuhan Hygiene Emergency Response Team conducting searches on the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine officer at Incheon International Airport, South Korea, uses an electronic thermometer to check the temperature of passengers arriving by plane from Wuhan The virus causes symptoms of viral pneumonia, and has already led to several deaths EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A screen shows cancelled flights at Tianhe airport in Wuhan AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff transfer patients to Jinyintan hospital EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials hand out information about the current coronavirus at Kuala Lumpur International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A store owner argues with security guards as he attempts to enter the closed Huanan wholesale seafood market AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Workers producing facemasks at a factory in Handan, China's northern Hebei province AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff and security personnel stop patients' family members from being too close to the Jinyintan hospital Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus maya-goodfellowAn airport staff member uses a temperature gun to check people leaving Wuhan Tianhe International Airport AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A rescue worker walks past a notice about new coronavirus that has broken out in China Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Medical staff members carry a patient into the Jinyintan hospital AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A staff member checks body temperature of a child after a train from Wuhan arrived at Hangzhou Railway Station in Hangzhou AFP via Getty Images Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A quarantine station measures passenger body temperatures at Narita Airport JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a notice displayed near a quarantine control station at Narita airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers walk past a poster alerting on coronavirus screening ahead upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus An employee sprays disinfectant on a train, as a precaution against coronavirus, at Suseo Station in Seoul EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Kazakh sanitary-epidemiological service worker uses a thermal scanner to detect travellers from China who may have symptoms possibly connected with the previously unknown coronavirus, at Almaty International Airport, Kazakhstan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Pharmacist Liu Zhuzhen stands near a sign reading "face masks are sold out" at her pharmacy in Shanghai AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus The Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, EPA Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A worker in a protective suit at the closed seafood market in Wuhan Reuters Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus Passengers wear protective face masks at the departure hall of a high speed train station in Hong Kong AP Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A notice for passengers from Wuhan Getty Coronavirus: Cases soar of deadly new flu-like virus A man wears a mask while riding on mobike past the closed Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market Getty South Central Ambulance Service has reassured people in Milton Keynes that the evacuees presence in the area will not pose a risk to local residents. However, Mr Piot has warned that it may be difficult for health officials to prevent a serious outbreak in the UK. In todays world, no epidemic remains just a local affair. What happens thousands and thousands of miles from here in China has the potential of causing a major outbreak here, the microbiologist told The Sunday Times. Four cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, after more than 600 tests by the Department of Health and Social Care in recent weeks. The latest patient diagnosed had come into contact with a previously confirmed UK case and is being treated at the Royal Free Hospital in London, chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said. Meanwhile, French health authorities have confirmed that two people diagnosed on Sunday with the virus one in Britain and one in Spain were linked to a group of Britons who contracted it in a ski resort in France. The five Britons tested positive for the virus in France on Saturday after sharing a chalet in the mountain village of Les Contamines-Montjoie near Mont Blanc. We learned that there were two other cases linked to this cluster, two adults one who was diagnosed in the United Kingdom and the other who was diagnosed in Mallorca linked to a stay in the apartment in Les Contamines-Montjoie, senior health official Jerome Salomon said. He said a school near the French ski resort would be closed for checks this week. The four UK adults and a nine-year-old had come into contact with a British national who had recently returned from Singapore, the French health ministry said. The death toll from the virus in China has risen to 811, surpassing the number of fatalities from Sars in the 2002-2003 outbreak. However, Chinas National Health Commission said the number of new cases on Sunday had decreased from the day before, suggesting that the spread of the disease could be restricted. The total cases in the country increased by 2,656 in the 24 hours up to Sunday morning, down from the 3,399 new cases that were announced a day earlier. Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to the UK, told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that there is no reason to panic over the outbreak. The fatality rate is 2 per cent. Much lower than Sars, which was 10 per cent, and the H1N1 of 2009, which was 17 per cent. Theres no reason to panic, Mr Liu said. We believe this virus is controllable, is preventable, is curable. So we are confident that with the solid leadership of the central government of China, with the united people of China behind us, and with the support of the international community, we can beat this virus. At the end of January, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus an international public-health emergency because of the rising number of cases outside China. Let me be clear: this declaration is not a vote of no confidence in China, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, insisted. On the contrary, WHO continues to have confidence in Chinas capacity to control the outbreak. Additional reporting by PA The Indian Fed Cup team will fly to Dubai to participate in this year's competition, as the ITF has made the city a new host for the matches to be held from March 3 to 7. The ITF chose Dubai as a new venue by removing matches from China's Dongguan city due to the threat of a corona virus infection. These matches of the first Asia / Oceania group one were to be played from February 4 to 8. According to the ITF release, the Fed Cup matches will be held on the same court after the end of the ATP Dubai tournament. In which six countries - China, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Korea and Uzbekistan will make a place in the Fed Cup play-offs to be held in April. For your information, let us tell you that six teams will be in front of each other for two places of the Fed Cup Play-offs. Indian Fed Cup captain Vishal Uppal told PTI that playing in Dubai will not make any difference. But this will give Sania Mirza plenty of time to recover. Couple competition is also important. Ankita is playing well. Other members of the team will also get a chance to play some tournaments. Sania's calf injury emerged during the Australian Open, which doubted her participation. Uppal said that I think we have a good chance, but we have to do our best and present a tough challenge for every point, every game, every set and every match. Also Read: ISL-6: Tough competition between Chennai and Bengaluru today Ronaldo shows great performance in Uventus but team lost Naomi out in Fed Cup tournament, Serena Williams wins ISL: ATK reaches semifinal with Krishna's bang performance Dr Julian Boon could have had a life filled with innocent young maidens looking for their tall, dark and handsome beaux. But the grandson of Charles Boon, the co-founder of romantic publisher Mills & Boon, decided to forego a job in the family business for the antithesis of happy ever after. As one of Britains top forensic psychologists, his life is filled with crime. Hes come face to face with pure evil murderers, paedophiles and rapists. But for Dr Boon, the two directions his life could have taken are in essence two sides of the same coin: people and the way they behave. Im interested in personality, says Julian, 60, who after helping with cases including the Harold Shipman trial in 1999 became known as the real life Cracker, although hes nothing like as confrontational as Fitz, the criminal psychologist played on TV by Robbie Coltrane. Hes one of a panel of experts in a darkly fascinating new eight-part series exploring what creates a serial killer. Dr Julian Boon is one of Britains top forensic psychologists. He is one of a panel of experts in a new eight-part series exploring serial killers The interesting thing is who chooses to go the negative way and who doesnt, he says. How did Mother Teresa end up as she did, while Myra Hindley ended up as she did? Its a question he and other psychologists attempt to explain in Making A Monster. After turning down a job in the family firm Dr Boon studied psychology. His interest in forensic psychology the psychology of criminals was ignited when he read about Robert Ressler, the FBIs father of psychological profiling and the man who first came up with the term serial killer. I met Ressler and we became friends, says Julian. He really developed the idea of psychological profiling, which can assist the police by giving them an idea of the type of person theyre looking for. 'We can work out motivation and also what their personality type is likely to be, and that enables the police to work out the best way to interview them. Julian became known as the real life 'Cracker', although hes nothing like as confrontational as Fitz, the criminal psychologist played on TV by Robbie Coltrane (pictured in character) Julians first experience with the police came after hed taken up a lectureship at the University of Leicester, where he has since built up a forensic psychology department. 'There was a local case that had become a national story (he wont say which), but the police were baffled. I wrote to the police and said, I might be able to help you narrow down who might be doing this sort of crime, but I got nothing back for months and so I thought, Thats me told. In some ways Rose West and Aileen Wuornos had similar stories. Both were sexually abused by family members, both ended up going into prostitution. 'But while Wuornos killed men because she hated them, Rose West, along with her husband Fred, killed girls 'But then I got a call asking me to come in as they were pretty desperate, and I was able to help them capture the person responsible. 'From then on, whenever the police were flummoxed, theyd say, Should we get the shrink to have a look? In Making A Monster, Julian and some of his colleagues look at serial killers including Rose West, Levi Bellfield, who murdered Milly Dowler, John Wayne Gacy, who killed 33 men in the States in the 1970s, and Aileen Wuornos, who murdered seven men and whose story was made into the film Monster with Charlize Theron, trying to work out what motivated them and if there were any factors linking them. Its interesting that we have two females in there as they are rarely women, he says. In some ways Rose West and Aileen Wuornos had similar stories. Both were sexually abused by family members, both ended up going into prostitution. 'But while Wuornos killed men because she hated them, Rose West, along with her husband Fred, killed girls. The psychologies of the killers have some common themes running through them, he adds, but its just as interesting to see what makes each of them different. The series will look at the story of Aileen Wuornos, who murdered seven men and whose story was made into the film Monster with Charlize Theron. Pictured, Charlize as Aileen A lot of them had difficult backgrounds and that goes back to that thing of love and the job I could have done. 'The healthiest kind of love is an open love, loving kindness, that you get from your parents. 'A lot of them started life with no love but not all of them. I dont think just having a difficult background is the answer, because there are lots of people who are abused in childhood but dont go on to kill. Most serial killers are psychopaths. They have an absence of guilt and get gratification from what theyve done. 'Yet they cannot be regarded as mentally ill. Theyre not acting without an understanding of reality. 'These are people who know what theyre doing and what theyre getting out of it. Thats a benefit of exploring them in this show you see what makes them tick. Making A Monster, Monday, 9pm, Crime + Investigation channel (Sky 156, Virgin 209, BT 328, TalkTalk 328). Russia and OPEC have been colluding to keep the price of oil as high as possible. Both need oil to be well over $80 a barrel to buttress their economies or face political and economic stress that could eventually lead to the end of each countrys regimes. By James DiGeorgia, While both Saudi Arabia and Russias regimes are trying to murder their political enemies around the world, dismantle the post-World War II order and bring down the U.S. democracy, they have been impotent when it comes to manipulating the oil market. The regimes focus on creating a stable oil price to stay above $60 a barrel, which they both need to keep their economies above water, much less to cover their economies and to prevent revolts by their citizenry. They have been hesitant to cut their production of oil to bolster the price as the nightmarish world health emergency has developed in response to the Coronavirus that is hammering demand and the price for oil in China. They are now seeing a huge surplus build. They had some help in keeping oil above $50 a barrel thanks to the civil war in Libya that has shut down oil exports, but now that a possible deal among warring factions in Libya threatens to flood the world market with more oil supply that could drive oil down into the low US$40s. If the warring sides can reach an agreement in Cairo on Sunday, it will restore the oil output, and the re-introduction of supply will dwarf the tentative production cut that was proposed during the OPEC+ talks that took place this past week. The reality of $40 crude oil would threaten the survival of Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin. A failure to cut oil production by 2+ million barrels a day, and to then have production ratcheted it up as Libya resumes exports would turn whats already been a critically important test for the OPEC+ cartel into a supply nightmare. It could turn into a potentially insurmountable challenge to overcome and act as a catalyst for a nose-dive in the price of crude oil of as much as 15%. Bill Farren-Price, a director at consultant RS Energy Group. Said in a recent interview that If Libya can restart exports, it will further complicate the math for the dwindling number of OPEC+ countries able to implement credible output cuts. Russia and Saudi Arabia and the rest of OPEC+ have been considering in recent days simply making room for the additional barrels from other producers at a time when demand is suffering a major exogenous shock. The return of Libyan production as an exporting producer would come after the North African country has seen its oil production plunged to lowest in more than eight years. The alliance between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and countries, including Russia (OPEC+), has suffered the worst periods of the oil market in its three-year history. The Coronavirus has slammed and hammered at the heart of global oil demand growth, as a result of China locking down cities that are home to fifty million plus oil consumers and shutting a huge swathe of manufacturing throughout the second-largest economy n the world. Crude has already slumped about 20% in the past month, with U.S. prices dipping below $50 a barrel for the first time in more than a year. If oil prices bounce back soon, the budgets of entire nations from Saudi Arabia to Kazakhstan will suffer and may lead to civil unrest. Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and his economic advisors have been pushing for urgent action, asking for an emergency OPEC+ meeting that would agree on a substantial production cut. The cartel is already making significant supply reductions, withholding about 2.1 million barrels a day from the market to offset the U.S. shale boom. Vladimir Putin has been reluctant to make any further cuts to reduction production/exports because Russia is literally an economic basket case. Talks in Vienna this past week delivered over three days of intense negotiations delivered only a sliver of what the Saudis had wanted and what is needed to re-enforce the current world market price of oil. Foolish technical experts from the OPEC+ group stuck with their recommendation of a fresh cut of 600,000 barrels a day, barely a third of the drop in demand from Chinese refiners. The Russians and the rest of OPEC+, including Russia, agreed to set a date for an emergency meeting. However, Russia still hasnt given its approval of an exact date to hold this emergency meeting. OPEC+ couldnt even agree on an extension of the existing output and export cuts for nine months additional month; until the end of 2020. The interagency of Russia hasnt been solved. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak promise to respond within days as to whether his country will support the recommended OPEC+ production cut of 600,000 barrels, puts that paltry cut in doubt. A Libyan peace accord would put as much as an additional 1 million barrels a day of oil to the market. That production and supply again could drive oil prices lower next week even before Libya starts producing and exporting again. Amrita Sen, chief oil analyst at Energy Aspects Ltd. The uncertainty over both how Libya and the coronavirus unfold mean OPEC+ faces an extremely difficult. The resumption of Libyan production is by no means guaranteed. The internationally backed Tripoli government and General Khalifa Haftar, the military leader whos Libyan National Army controls the oil-rich east and south of the country and has been blockading crude exports since the beginning of January. The civil war in Libya has left more than 2,000 people dead and has created a proxy war between regional powers, including Russia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. The country is inherently unstable and has seen regular bouts of violence and disruption to oil supplies since its famous dictator Moammar Al Qaddafi died at the hands of his people in 2011. Eastern tribal leaders are disputing the unfair distribution of oil, United Nations Special Representative Ghassan Salame said at the talks in Switzerland. He expected them to give a list of demands before the distribution of oil revenues is discussed in Cairo on Sunday. The United Nations mission wants the oil to flow as soon as possible, he said. Citibanks oil analyst Ed Morse calls $60 crude oil A Wonderland and predicts it could fall to $47. The oil market has already been significantly weakened by the Coronavirus, which by some estimates, is the biggest demand shock since the 2008 to 2009 financial crisis. Ed Morse, the global head of commodities research at Citigroup Inc. in an interview with Bloomberg, agrees with the Saudi view that even if OPEC+ implements a 600,000 barrel-a-day cut, it wouldnt be enough to keep oil from falling to $47 from the current $55 market price. The Saudis are right, adding a surge of Libyan 1 million crude oil barrels a day to the world into that mix would be the recipe for an outright route in the price of oil. Paul Horsnell, head of commodities strategy at Standard Chartered, agrees with this conclusion telling Bloomberg If there were a Libya-return headline this minute, the market would likely take a hit It would certainly be bad timing. Russia and the rest of OPEC face the decision of cutting production to keep the current market price for crude oil at current levels or see its market price plunge to $38-$40 a barrel in the next 30 days. Russias President Putin may be counting on the Coronavirus crisis ending very quickly or maybe strategizing to keep the warring parties in Libya killing one another as an alternative way to prevent his country from joining the rest of OPEC+ from having to cut 2.1 to 3 million barrels of crude oil production. President Trump may think Putin is a genius and hold him as a credible world leader, but anyone who understands the state of the Russian economy and the mood of the Russian people knows the truth. Putin and his latest paramour could wind up hanging upside down dead and dying an agonizing death if the Russian economy gets any worse. Given a choice, Oakland voters would pick the current Coliseum site over over Howard Terminal to be the home of a new As ballpark, according to a new poll. The poll of 500 voters found 62% favored the Coliseum site, compared with 29% for the waterfront site at the Port of Oakland. The remaining 9% either didnt know or didnt care. The poll marks the first time voters have been offered a straight-up preference question between the two locations. Before this poll was taken, the only real numbers out there were based on the question of whether you want the As to stay or how you feel about Howard Terminal if its the only option, said Mike Jacob, vice president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and a member of the East Oakland Stadium Alliance, which commissioned the poll. The alliance is largely made up of maritime businesses and unions that oppose the planned 34,000-seat waterfront ballpark and adjacent hotel, housing and office space. Its members contend the stadium would be bad for business because it would hamper port operations and create a traffic nightmare. We wanted city leaders to see what voters think when given a choice, Jacob said. The poll was conducted by Frederick Polls from Jan. 12 to 18 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. The poll also appears aimed at countering a poll of 601 likely voters commissioned by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and conducted by FM3 Research four months ago that found 68% of likely voters supported a privately financed ballpark on the waterfront. A Coliseum comparison question was not included in that poll. We did not, FM3 pollster David Metz said. We presented the proposal that the As actually have on the table, including its location, the fact that the stadium itself would be privately financed, and that the needed infrastructure would be paid for by taxes generated from the development. So both polls could be right. It all depends on the question being asked. The new poll showing the preference for the Coliseum location also included several educational statements highlighting the potential infrastructure improvement costs and the possible negative impacts the development could have on the port. After hearing those statements about the Howard Terminal plan, support for the Coliseum site grew to 75%. In an email, As President Dave Kaval said, from our own poll results, Oakland voters overwhelming support a downtown ballpark, including one at Howard Terminal. Kaval said the chamber poll, and its show of support for the waterfront plan, was the best representation of public sentiment. Ultimately the choice will be up to the Oakland City Council, which may explain the new polls final question to voters. If an Oakland City Council member voted to spend hundreds of millions of public tax money to support building a new Oakland As ballpark at Howard Terminal, would you be more likely to vote for that council member or against them in the next election? The results: 76% would vote against the council member. Interesting to note, the poll didnt ask voters how they would react if their council member voted to use tax money for infrastructure improvements and development at the Coliseum site, which could also cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Its all in the question asked or not asked. Postseason: The San Francisco 49ers are throwing down big in little Santa Clara. The team is dropping more than $300,000 and bringing in some of the biggest political consultants in the Bay Area to help knock down a redistricting plan backed by the City Council, whose members have clashed with the 49ers, in the upcoming March election. At issue is how to best increase the chances for minority representation on the council. Measure C would divide the city into three districts with two council members each. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. But the Rev. Jethroe Moore II of the San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP, Victor Garza of La Raza Roundtable and former Assemblyman Paul Fong want a six-district plan, each with its own council member, and asked the 49ers for help. The team agreed. The remapping, which would not kick in for another two years, might also make it possible for the 49ers to help oust Mayor Lisa Gillmor and council members who have clashed over everything from the amount of rent the Niners pay on their 68,500-seat Levis Stadium to the citys 10 p.m. curfew on weeknight concerts. The 49ers are a private enterprise and they are entitled to make money, but not at the expense of the people of Santa Clara, Councilwoman and Niner critic Teresa ONeill said. Forty-Niners owner Jed York himself paid for a poll to gauge voters feelings on Measure C and the council that also asked voters how they felt about the concert curfew. The 49ers declined to release the poll results. The Niners have also enlisted longtime Peninsula political consultants Ed McGovern and Ace Smith, late of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris presidential campaign, to help defeat the Measure C. When you get groups like the NAACP asking for help, its easy to get involved, 49ers public affairs representative Rahul Chandhok said. The 49ers are displaying their civic largess at the state level as well. According to filings with the secretary of states office, the Niners contributed donations totaling $56,000 to 27 state legislators and legislative candidates in December, most of them from the Bay Area. The contributions ran anywhere from $800 to $3,000 its something the team does every year. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier You want her to text you as well, Billie? Reply Thread Link They did an interview together and I didnt get this creepy vibe at all but yikes. Reply Parent Thread Link No one asked, bro. Reply Thread Link The fact that grown adults are lauding Billie Eilish as a real artist and using her to tear down other (primarily female) artists is just... corny and embarrassing. Even more so when you know some of them probably had more organic come-ups than Billie herself. Reply Thread Link i can't imagine still dissing pop music in 2020 Reply Parent Thread Link They do this with every pop girl who looks atypical to the standard pop girl. This was Lorde 7 years ago. Reply Parent Thread Link True. Its especially embarrassing because Billie even said in her speech that Ariana inspired her etc. It veers into creepy the way some hold her up as some saviour, especially when its grown men doing so. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I remember an article, I think, in Rolling Stone magazine, the Foo Fighters were like this with Lorde calling her the saviour of pop music. Reply Parent Thread Link Agreed and it's especially disappointing coming from him but... men. Reply Parent Thread Link i can't believe the idea that every kind of music has its audience and that no kind will be universally loved by everyone is so groundbreaking tbh. the music conflict is as old as time... or as music? and it's annoying because it lacks substance. it's not about music, it's about the cultural aspects loosely associated with music so it's pretty much generational in nature i am actually very proud of my ability to say "this isn't meant for me" and move on Reply Parent Thread Link they're trying really hard to become relevant again. it's funny cuz it wasn't just long ago when people said green day was watered down faux punk rock music created for the masses. Reply Parent Thread Link yikes. Green Day needs a trap beat Reply Parent Thread Link Okay gen x ETA: The pure rock label there is especially hilarious given how very pop punk they are. I remember hearing about how the punk community disowned them because they decided to go commercial. I mean I like some of their songs but it super laced in pop arrangements than straight rock lol Edited at 2020-02-09 07:39 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link lol 100%. they're no different from bands like fall out boy. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link They delete the original tweet but Im happy they got their asses lit up over it Reply Parent Thread Link Please don't make it hard to be a fan Green Day. Reply Parent Thread Link No trap beats Dog whistle Reply Parent Thread Expand Link embarrassing. the level of try hard Reply Parent Thread Link How edgy of Green Day Reply Parent Thread Link nO tRaP BeAtS Reply Parent Thread Link they're too old for this shit Reply Parent Thread Link They're not even rock, they're as commercial pop as Ariana Grande. Except not relevant and not as pleasant to listen to. Reply Parent Thread Link You're a pop-punk band, shut the fuck up. Reply Parent Thread Link this is sad. Reply Parent Thread Link Um swedish songwriters are amazing.... Reply Parent Thread Expand Link They want the whole 14 year old fuck the system vibe. Reply Parent Thread Link I am so embarrassed for them and everyone who thinks rock music is dead. Reply Parent Thread Link embarrassing Edited at 2020-02-10 06:11 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Dude, shut the fuck up Reply Thread Link Lmao that billboard of theirs that says no features, no Swedish songwriters, no trap beats, 100% pure uncut rock Luigi has some competition for the title of king, I see. Reply Thread Link "swedish songwriters"? What does that even mean? And "trap beats"? I don't like trap but damn some people are really showing their colors with that genre's dominance Reply Parent Thread Link the part about swedish songwriters is bc a large portion of pop music is written or produced by swedish people, like max martin, shellback, rami yacoub, carl falk, etc so i guess theyre trying to say their music is special and not manufactured by swedes Reply Parent Thread Link Thanks for the opinions, middle aged man from Green Day!! !! Edited at 2020-02-09 07:23 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link ok I wondered why the hell Planet Fitness said they were releasing "Father of All..." album. I was going "That's a song...what?" Anyway - mumblecore by a pale girl is not any less fake than mumblepop by a blackface girl. Reply Thread Link Were too old to keep these mentalities Billie. Its especially eye-roll worthy when Billie E has said nothing but nice things about Ariana. Im kinda glad the newer generation havent been spouting this type of mentality all that compared to previous generations. Like its probably still there but its def not as prevalent compared to the past. Edited at 2020-02-09 07:23 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link i feel like older generations of musicians put too much emphasis on legacy acts and are constantly comparing new acts to old acts and females to females and its very telling of their age. the new generation just want bops and collabs and dgaf about how many awards an artist has but more about music they actually like to listen to. Edited at 2020-02-09 07:27 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah it's pretty much the "everything was better when I was a kid" mentality than you'll see in movies and music. " the new generation just want bops and collabs and dgaf about how many awards an artist has but more about music they actually like to listen to" I slightly disagree with the awards part cause maybe it's limited to the online communities but stans go hard on those awards records. They always want their fave to be the #1 untouchable. I remember with Beyonce and Britney stans on here lol. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, like Billie clearly adores Ariana and is a huge fan of her music. idk why BJ thought it would be a good idea to diss her. Reply Parent Thread Link After seeing their twitter post with that no features, no swedish writers, no trap beats sign, I'm over them, they can disappear from my sight like they've been for the last 6 to 8 years. Edited at 2020-02-09 07:26 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link yea that told me everything I needed to know about them. im not a fan, but im sure many of their Black fans are feeling sometype of way today. i still dont understand the swedish writers part tho lol Reply Parent Thread Link its a shot at max martin Reply Parent Thread Link Swedish songwriters is most likely referring to Max Martin, Shellback etc whove written several pop hits. Reply Parent Thread Link he was referring to Nils Sjoberg! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link c/p my comment from above but the part about swedish songwriters is bc a large portion of pop music is written or produced by swedish people, like max martin, shellback, rami yacoub, carl falk, etc so i guess theyre trying to say their music is special and not manufactured by swedes Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Majority of swedish songwriters (and other scandavians) are responsible for very well-known pop hits. most of britney, nsync, backstreet boys, ariana, taylor swift, and many more pop star albums you can find those swedes on the writing credits. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lol Reply Thread Link NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Billie Joe don't do this, please. Reply Thread Link unstan Reply Parent Thread Link 1. fuck him. 2. men are trash 3. fuck him 4. Finneas? why cant white ppl throw legit criticisms her way, like idk, blackface and mumbling? Reply Thread Link By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has begun to draw up maps of land in the occupied West Bank that will be annexed in accordance with U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday. 'We are already at the height of the process of mapping the area that, according to the Trump plan, will become part of the state of Israel. By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has begun to draw up maps of land in the occupied West Bank that will be annexed in accordance with U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday. "We are already at the height of the process of mapping the area that, according to the Trump plan, will become part of the state of Israel. It won't take too long," Netanyahu said at an election campaign rally in the Maale Adumim settlement. Netanyahu said the area would include all Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley - territory Israel has kept under military occupation since its capture in the 1967 Middle East war but which Palestinians want in a future state. "The only map that can be accepted as the map of Palestine is the map of the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital," said Nabil Abu Rdainah, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Prospects for annexations, which have already been widely condemned, are unclear. Israel will hold a national election on March 2 and Netanyahu, who is facing criminal corruption charges, is hoping to win a fifth term in office. He presently heads a caretaker government, whose legal authority to annex territory is still undecided by judicial authorities. Settlers make up part of Netanyahu's right-wing voter base and many members of his coalition cabinet view the West Bank as the biblical heartland of the Jewish people. Most countries consider Israeli settlements on land captured in war to be a violation of international law. Trump has changed U.S. policy to withdraw such objections. Palestinians say the settlements make a future state non-viable. Israel cites security needs as well as biblical and historical ties to the land on which they are built. Trump's plan envisages a two-state solution with Israel and a future Palestinian state living alongside each other, but it includes strict conditions that Palestinians reject. The blueprint gives Israel much of what it has long sought, including U.S. recognition of settlements and Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley. A redrawn, demilitarised Palestinian state would be subject to Israeli control over its security, and would receive tracts of desert in return for arable land settled by Israelis. Right after Trump presented the plan on Jan. 28, Netanyahu said his government would begin extending Israeli sovereignty to the settlements and the Jordan Valley within days. But Washington then appeared to put the breaks on that and Netanyahu has since faced pressure from settler leaders to annex territory despite any U.S. objections. [L8N29Z6EP] (Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by David Clarke) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested here in Babina area of the district as they did not have any valid documents, police said on Sunday. Jhansi Senior Superintendent of Police D Pradeep said, "As many as seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested during a routine checking in bus stand area of Babina on Friday." They were staying at a hotel near the bus stand and were not possessing any documents to stay in India, the SSP said. The arrested men belong to Dhaka, he claimed. "For some time, they were in the business of selling fish oil. During routine probe, no criminal cases have been found against them, but they have been booked under the Foreigners Act for illegally staying in India," Pradeep added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) REDDING, Calif. - On Feb 7 at approximately 3:50 p.m., it was reported to the Trinity County Sheriffs Office that Sheila Johnson had abducted her biological daughter, identified as Skye Greenway. The incident had occurred in the area of Weaverville, CA, and had been reported by Greenways lawful guardians, who held court-ordered relative paternal rights in regards to Greenway. Officials say during the initial investigation, it was discovered that Greenway had collaborated with Johnson in regards to incident, as Greenway had not wished to return to her lawful guardians. During the early morning hours of Feb 8, Johnson contacted the Trinity County Sheriffs Office and provided her location and that of Greenway. Shortly thereafter, Deputies with the Trinity County Sheriffs Office contacted both individuals in the area of Redding, CA. Both were in good health. Officials say interviews were conducted, during which time it was determined that additional follow-up in regards to the initial investigation, would have to take place. Trinity County Child Welfare Services was also contacted, during which time it was discovered that although Greenway is in a legal relative guardianship, Johnson still had the option of petitioning the courts for the full return of her parental rights. Officials say Trinity County Child Welfare Services established a safety plan with the legal guardians and Johnson, as it pertained to Greenway. An agreement was reached; during which time it was determined that for the time being, Greenway would remain with Johnson. Officials say no criminal charges are being sought at this time, although the matter remains under review. By Trend Today's elections were held in accordance with the legislation of Azerbaijan and the country's international obligations to ensure and comply with generally accepted standards, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, member of the observation mission of the CIS Parliamentary Assembly Alexander Bashkin said, Trend reports. Bashkin noted that observers from the CIS PA took part in the opening of one polling station, and then visited several other polling stations. "The polling stations had a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. No offenses were observed, no complaints were received. Voters did not complain either. I know Azerbaijans election law well and I see that all its requirements were strictly observed," Bashkin said. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, third from left, speaks during a pan-government meeting on response to the coronavirus outbreak at the Government Complex Seoul, Sunday. / Yonhap By Kang Seung-woo The government said Sunday it will send a third charter flight to evacuate the remaining Korean residents of the coronavirus-stricken Chinese city of Wuhan. This time, their spouses and children who hold Chinese passports will be allowed to board the plane, as opposed to the previous two flights. Currently, there are over 200 Koreans and their family members in the capital of Hubei Province, which has been locked down since Jan. 23 due to the raging epidemic. "The Chinese government recently notified us of its decision to allow Chinese family members of Korean nationals to travel to Korea on a government-chartered plane," Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo said in a briefing after a pan-government meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, at the Government Complex Seoul on responses to the virus outbreak. "Because of this, the government has decided to send another plane for Korean citizens who originally chose to stay with their family members." Park did not elaborate on a specific date, saying a plane will fly to Wuhan as soon as Seoul completes discussions over the evacuation plan with Beijing. Maize has a huge potential to replace production of rice in the region. Farmers are willing to change, but they need a viable option. In this context, maize is a credible option for crop diversification to prevent loss of groundwater, degradation of soil, loss of crop and increase biodiversity. This was stated by Suresh Kumar, chief principal secretary to chief minister of Punjab, who was chief guest at the two-day national seminar on Maize for Crop Diversification under Changing Climatic Scenario at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to mark the sixth Foundation Day of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana. The seminar began on Sunday. The seminar is being organised by the Maize Technologists Association of India (MATI), New Delhi, in collaboration with ICAR-IIMR and PAU . Nearly 150 delegates from across the country are attending the seminar. He stressed on taking steps to mitigate the factors of climate change affecting agriculture, which is a major driver for the economy of Punjab. There was a need to increase expenditure on research and development in agriculture for sustaining the economy, he added. The policy change was required to meet the market requirement and sustainability as, at present, there was more subsidy on rice cultivation than maize, he observed. PAU vice-chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon emphasised that research on new frontiers such as double haploid and GM crop needed to be strengthened for combating the upcoming challenges. Other factors such as mechanisation, micro-irrigation, water use efficiency, weed control and awareness among farmers about new technologies also needed focus for the faster adoption of maize cultivation, he added. World Food Prize Laureate Dr SK Vasal emphasised on single strategy and low-cost skilful innovations in maize for solving the complex problems. Dr BM Prasanna, director, Global Maize Programme, CIMMYT, who was special guest, said spring maize had tremendous opportunity in the Indo-Gangetic region. Dr Sujay Rakshit, director of ICAR-IIMR, highlighted that the institute had released three hybrids in addition to four hybrids, identified for release at the national level. The institute is moving aggressively to commercialise the released hybrids. The institute had also bagged five externally funded projects worth 19.6 crore and signed several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for maize hybrid seed production for taking technologies to farmers in 2019, he said. Dr Dhillon was conferred with the Dr NL Dhawan Lifetime Achievement Award by MATI. Five MoUs were also signed between IIMR and various organisations (NSC, NDDB, LPU, CDAC, AgriInnovate and CCS University) in the area of maize research and development. On the first day, four technical sessions were held in which eight lead lectures and 12 rapid fire presentations on maize research and development were presented. Ways to make an ever-popular New Year's resolution a reality Getting started on a healthy program can be easy with some professional help. As China reels under deadly coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping India's readiness to provide assistance to the country to deal with the situation. In a letter to Xi, Modi expressed solidarity with the president and people of China over the outbreak of the virus, official sources said. A total of 811 people have died of the coronavirus infection in China so far while the number of confirmed cases has gone up to 37,198, according to latest data released by Chinese authorities. Though the epicentre of the outbreak was Hubei province, the virus has spread to almost every province in China as well as around 25 countries in the world, forcing the World Health Organization to declare it a global emergency. In the letter to Xi, Modi offered India's assistance to China to deal with the challenge and also conveyed condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak, the sources said. The prime minister also conveyed to Xi his appreciation for facilitating evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from the Hubei province last week. A sizeable number of countries have evacuated their citizens from China and restricted movement of people and goods to and from China. India too has put restrictions on the movement of people to and from China as part of precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus. In an interview, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Wednesday said China is ready to work with India to strengthen communication and coordination, and to safeguard the health and safety of Indian citizens in China. Admitting that there could be a short-term impact of the epidemic on China's economy, he said the country's internal resilience is growing and it has ample resources and policy tools to cope with the economic volatility resulting from the outbreak. One night in 2013, Lt. Randy Rush says he showed up for his shift at the Harris County Jail and learned a mentally ill inmate had been found many hours earlier festering in a cell smeared with feces, littered with food trays and swarming with gnats. Rush says he grabbed a sergeant and went straight to the cell block only to find the inmate, Terry Goodwin, was still there in the squalid conditions. Ive never seen anything like this in my career, and Ive seen the worst of the worst, Rush told the Editorial Board recently. I commenced to ripping and tearing. I said guys, this aint going to happen. Were not going to allow this. And I will come down on anybody I find who hides or covers this up. Rush kept his word. When he felt higher-ups at the Harris County Sheriffs Office werent taking the episode seriously enough, he became a whistleblower and went to the media. Eventually, the horrific treatment led to terminations, suspensions, demotions for jail staff and a $400,000 settlement with Goodwin. Rushs willingness to do the right thing is one of the reasons we recommend him for sheriff in the Republican primary. Rush, 64, is a 40-year veteran of Harris County law enforcement, including 13 years in Precinct 4 and 28 years at the sheriffs office, where he has worked in nearly every bureau from patrol to internal affairs. Before his retirement in November, his duties as night watch commander in field operations required him to make scenes such as homicides and fatal traffic accidents, acting as a media liaison. As sheriff, Rush says hed be a go-getter, focusing on maintaining a safe jail that meets state standards. He also says hed reallocate resources, including eliminating some chiefs positions, to boost enforcement in two areas that plague Harris County but for which resources are vastly inferior to those of Houstons police department: human trafficking and DWI-related fatalities. To combat the latter, Rush says hed improve cooperation with other law enforcement agencies: Divided were failing, he says. People are dying. Rush faces Paul Day, a perennial candidate who also touts decades of law enforcement experience at the Houston Police Department and the sheriffs office, where hes currently a patrol deputy. A third candidate, Joe Danna, has garnered endorsements from many in the Republican establishment. He is a previous candidate for constable in Precinct 1 where officials confirm he was fired in 2012 from his job as a deputy constable for falsifying records showing he served a warrant he had not actually served. WASHINGTON - The Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Dion Waiters on Sunday, three days after acquiring him from the Miami Heat in a three-team trade also involving the Minnesota Timberwolves. Waiters had been suspended three times by the Heat this season, including a 10-game ban following a drug-related incident on a team plane. The Grizzlies also received forward Justise Winslow from Miami and centre Gorgui Dieng from Minnesota, while sending forwards Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill to the Heat. Waiters played only three games for Miami between his suspensions. His 10-game ban came in November following his decision to take cannabis-infused gummies while travelling with the team to Los Angeles, resulting in the need for emergency medical attention when the flight landed. He was also suspended for Miamis season opener after complaining about playing time, then for six games in December for continued violation of team policy. KEENE, N.H. - If youve been reading my coverage of the presidential race, you may have noticed that I pay particular attention to the music each candidate plays before a speech. In Donald Trumps case, the lineup is heavy on the Rolling Stones. He always wraps up with You Cant Always Get What You Want, as perceptive a political message as any rocker has ever proclaimed. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard likes to warm the audience up with the music of fellow Hawaiian surfer Jack Johnson. Billionaire climate obsessive Tom Steyer, for whom there always seems to be a bad moon rising, leans toward Creedence Clearwater Revival. Then theres Pete Buttigieg, the former South Bend mayor who has ascended to the top of the Democratic field. When I saw him address a standing-room-only crowd at Keene State College the other day, I couldnt help but notice that the sound system was playing a song with every bit as cynical a message about politics as that Stones song so beloved by Trump. It was Wont Get Fooled Again by the Who. The lyrics by Pete Townshend describe a revolution in which well be fighting in the streets. The result? Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. To put it another way: Regime-change wars rarely work out the way we want. You kill Saddam, you get ISIS. You kill Khadafy, you get Benghazi. And so on. Theres one candidate making that point in this primary, but it sure aint Mayor Pete. On this, as on just about every issue, the Rhodes scholar has been too clever by half, as the English like to say. Just two days ago in this same building I heard Tulsi Gabbard declare that our involvement in Afghanistan is costing us $4 billion a month and we should just get the hell out. (Check these poll numbers and ask yourself why Gabbard was kept out of the recent debate while rich-guy candidates Steyer and Andrew Yang were permitted to take part.) Bernie Sanders also argues we should just get out of the Mideast. But where does Buttigieg stand? In an earlier debate, just after President Trump withdrew a small number of troops from northern Syria, Gabbard demanded to know if Buttigieg would end U.S. involvement in the regime-change war there. Heres his reply: What we are doing -- or what we were doing in Syria was keeping our word. Part of what makes it possible for the United States to get people to put their lives on the line to back us up is the idea that we will back them up, too. When I was deployed, not just the Afghan National Army forces, but the janitors put their lives on the line just by working with U.S. forces. I would have a hard time today looking an Afghan civilian or soldier in the eye after what just happened over there. Buttigieg has also said he wants to end the war in Afghanistan. But when? Its hard to tell from his speech in Keene. Mayor Pete made a couple of remarks about foreign policy that could be interpreted in a number of ways. One was that when it comes to foreign wars, Americans should never be asked to go unless theres no real alternative. Another was an observation that My own life was changed by the orders to be sent to a foreign war issued by a decision made in the White House. Was Donald Trump in the White House when Mayor Pete was sent to Afghanistan? Nope. That was Barack Obama. Buttigieg describes that in some detail in his 2019 auto-hagiography Shortest Way Home: One Mayors Challenge and a Model for Americas Future. Heres what he says about his Afghanistan tour in 2014: That May, President Obama finally made his drawdown announcement after weeks of rumors: The American troop strength would fall to ninety-eight hundred by the end of 2014, to be cut in half the year after that, and then out. Its 2020 and were still bogged down in Afghanistan. But is pulling out after 19 years of war a real alternative? I defy anyone to discern the answer from Buttigiegs comments. He is among the slickest politicians Ive encountered, not just on foreign policy but on all issues. But Im a conservative. What do liberals think of the man who is emerging at the top of the Democratic presidential primary field? As it happens, Current Affairs ran an excellent analysis of Buttigieg when his book came out last year. In it, Nathan J. Robinson wrote, I dont trust the type of people likely to appear on 40 under 40 lists, the valedictorian-to-Harvard-to-Rhodes-Scholarship types who populate the American elite. I dont trust wunderkinds who become successful too early. Why? Because I am somewhat cynical about the United States meritocracy. Few people amass these kind of resumes if they are the type to openly challenge authority. That analysis works from a right-wing perspective as well. Even better, in fact. When Trump supporters rail against the swamp, this is exactly the sort of creature they envision. But the TV anchors love someone who can convey what sounds like genuine emotion in a sound bite that is devoid of any substance. And Democratic Party leaders need someone who will stop Sanders, a guy who goes after the Swamp from the left just as hard as Trump does from the right. I would warn my liberal friends not to expect too much from Buttigieg. Every liberal I know wants to end these endless wars. But will they really end if Mayor Pete becomes President Pete? Or does he just want to be the new boss? That was certainly the case with Obamas foreign policy. Make sure you dont get fooled again. BELOW - KEEP THIS SONG IN MIND IF YOU EXPECT PETE TO PROMOTE PEACE: Connecticut has led the way on one of the most important social issues of our time gun violence prevention. Commitment and courage is required for our state with the unique history as the cradle of the gun manufacturing industry and as the crucible of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012. Sadly, that same commitment and courage is lacking at the national level. The House of Representatives a year ago passed legislation for universal background checks for gun purchases a common sense measure that 90 percent of Americans support but Senate leadership refuses even to raise the issue for discussion. Two years ago after another horrific school shooting in Parkland, Fla. on Valentines Day that left 14 high school students and three staff dead President Donald Trump expressed support for stricter gun regulation. And then a NRA leader met with him and the support evaporated. Connecticut Treasurer Shawn Wooden believes states have to step up where the federal government wont and this week will introduce the Connecticut way to the National Association of State Treasurers. He will describe how to move the needle in a different way when the traditional levers of influence repeatedly are failing, he told the Hearst Connecticut Media Editorial Board in a meeting Friday. The strategy is to use the muscle of the states billions in investments to achieve social change. And to do it with a fiduciary responsibility. Woodens Responsible Gun Policy hinges on what he calls the three Ds of divestment, disclosure and doing business. Divestment. A thorough analysis of the civilian gun market indicated volatility, Wooden said, which could present risks for investors. The state reallocated $30 million worth of shares in firearm manufacturer securities. Part of that volatility is attributed to the liability lawsuit several families of Sandy Hook School victims brought against manufacturer Remington Arms Co. In November the Supreme Court denied Remingtons bid to block the suit. Disclosure. Financial institutions that want to do business with the state must disclose their gun safety policies. The state wont prescribe what the policies should be, but could reward them with incentives and investments. Doing business. The message to the marketplace is that Connecticut is serious in the pursuit, through novel means, of gun violence prevention. One consequence could be a surge in smart gun technology, which exists but has gained little traction from firearms manufacturers. The melding of values with rational financial decisions is powerful leverage. Just think what can be achieved if other states follow the same course. Rhode Island is interested, Wooden said, and we hope he will ignite the spark with other states this week. Critics might call him impatient or impulsive in starting without the support of other states, but weve all run out of patience, requiring this brand of boldness. We agree with Woodens assessment that the policy is good for business, good for society and good for the residents of Connecticut. Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley has gained extra votes in many areas in both Laois and Offaly according to tallies so far. Before 11am, the party's election director Cllr Aidan Mullins gave an update to the Leinster Express on the surge of support. "We are a third of the way through the tallies on boxes, with 66 opened out of about 200 and we reckon he is on about 5,470 votes," he said. The tally estimated quota is 13,000. "He is doing well in Offaly. We lost three councillors and TD Carol Nolan in the local elections so we had no public representatives in Offaly. The county has rallied and got the vote out," Cllr Mullins said. In Daingean alone in Offaly he got 126 first votes. "The vote is over 20% in Offaly for Brian Stanley. This is only early indicators from the tallies. The poll from last night (Irish Times showing a three way tie of 22% for Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein) is fairly accurate. He is looking at 20 to 25%," he said. "He is doing well in areas like Portlaoise as expected, but in other places too like Abbeyleix which would be normally a Fianna Fail area," said Gerry Quinn, Chair of the Sinn Fein cumann in Portlaoise. Can Parasite win best picture? Well find out tonight at the Academy Awards. Until then, one thing is certain: Parasite should win best picture. The film, set in South Korea and directed by Bong Joon Ho, became a sensation upon its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May and was released in the United States in October. Parasite" has already made history at the 2020 Oscars as the first South Korean film to be nominated for best picture. While no actors from the movie were nominated for Oscars (despite winning outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, a first for a film in a language besides English), the movie received a total of six Oscar nominations, including best director for Bong Joon Ho and a best original screenplay nod for Bong and Han Jin Won. If the film does win best picture, it will make history again as the first international feature film (formerly foreign language film) to triumph in the category. (Last year, Alfonso Cuarons Roma," set in Mexico City, won for foreign language film, best director and cinematography, but lost to Green Book" for best picture.) Bon Joon Ho, director of "Parasite," at the Oscar nominees luncheon in January.Valerie Macon | AFP via Getty Images Parasite, which won best foreign language film at the Golden Globes and best film not in the English language at the British Academy Film Awards, is expected to easily take the Oscar for international feature film. Thats probably more of a sure bet than Renee Zellweger winning best actress for Judy and Joaquin Phoenix winning best actor for Joker. At the Oscars, Parasite" is up against eight other films nominated for best picture: Ford V. Ferrari, The Irishman, Jojo Rabbit," Joker, Little Women, Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and 1917. In a year in which the Oscar nominations were again criticized for a lack of diversity, the South Korean film, which has drawn widespread critical acclaim, is the only best picture nominee that does not center white characters in its story. The film also refuses to stick to the confines of conventional genre expectations. Parasite is several movies wrapped into one. Come for the social and class critique, stay for the searing black comedy and jaw-dropping thriller. Easily worth double the ticket price. Song Kang Ho plays Ki-taek, the patriarch of the Kim family, underwater both financially and whenever it rains. The family manages to stay afloat by successfully infiltrating the wealthy Park family, job by job, until Ki-woo, the son, his sister Ki-jeong and mother Chung-sook are all working in the exquisitely designed home. The Kims all find their place in the Park household a driver, a housekeeper, a tutor for the familys teenage daughter, an art therapist for their young son. But its what they discover in the basement of the home that gives the story yet another layer. Bong Joon Hos previous films include the 2013 movie Snowpiercer," a sci-fi action film (which also starred Song Kang Ho, along with Tilda Swinton and Chris Evans) set on a train that travels around the world after an attempted global warming fix has destroyed most life on Earth. The film was adapted into a TV series starring Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs that will premiere May 31 on TNT. Bong, 50, also directed the 2009 thriller Mother and the 2006 horror film The Host. The South Korean director has a somewhat tenuous but notable connection to New Jersey. He name-checks Paramus in his 2017 film Okja." The backstory of that connection involves Harvey Weinstein. Okja," a Netflix movie, is about a girl and her beloved genetically engineered super-pig. The Bergen County town, known for its malls and overabundance of retail, is mentioned as the location of a slaughterhouse and underground laboratory owned by the company that created the super-pigs as a new food source. It is a place where terrible events transpire, a compound associated with death, greed and despair for the pigs who are doomed to perish at the hands of the corporation that manufactured them. Bong said he chose Paramus because thats where the Weinstein Company held a test screening of Snowpiercer. The director said Harvey Weinstein slashed slaughtered, if you will 25 minutes out of the two-hour film. However, when the full-length version tested better, Weinstein decided to go with the original cut. Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Colle's fracture is named after Abraham Colles, an Irish surgeon, who first described the condition. Another name for this fracture is the "Pouteau" fracture. It mostly results from a "slip and fall" on an outstretched hand. The fracture runs transversely just above the wrist joint and displays this distal end of the bone more dorsally giving the wrist the classical "dinner fork" deformity look. Usually the incidence goes up after the rains or after the first snow fall in winter when the roads are icy and slippery or. Typically, when people fall they try and prevent injury to their head or other parts of the body by putting their hands out to hit the ground first. A bad fall results in fracture of the wrist with bruise of the skin over it. As the bone is a living hard tissue it is supplied by blood vessels and nerves. This causes the fracture to be very painful. Although this fracture occurs in all age groups it tends to be more common in two age groups - the elderly people and in children. In Children the bones are soft and supple and hence tend to bend easily. Here the fracture is usually incomplete while in adults it is a complete fracture. These fractures are also seen in menopausal women with osteoporosis, in whom it is second only to vertebral fractures. Wrist arthritis can occur as a Colles fracture complication, either from cartilage injury, or from wear and tear in the joints after the fracture is healed. Carpel tunnel syndrome, characterized by numbness and tingling, may also set in after the fracture. Michelle Laflamme-Childs, appointed last month as executive director of New Mexico Arts, the states art agency, recalls in vivid detail a time in 2013 when she was presenting a slide show of artwork at the Ena Mitchell Senior Center in Lordsburg, a town of about 3,000 people in the southwest corner of the state. Back then, Laflamme-Childs had just taken over as program director for New Mexicos 1% for Art in Public Places Program. They had a few thousand dollars to buy art they would select from a pool of works, Laflamme-Childs said during a phone interview from Santa Fe. I was showing slides to the people who would make the decision, but it was a public meeting and the seniors started to stream in. Laflamme-Childs had hundreds of slides, and the Lordsburg senior citizens, delighted at what they were watching, wanted to see them all. It was a new experience for Laflamme-Childs, who had come to the public art program from management and marketing positions at the Santa Fe Art Institute, a private education facility that proclaims the power of art to change society. At the Art Institute, I was focused on art as a means of social justice, environmental responsibility and cultural freedom, she said. But that was an aha moment for me (at the senior center). Public art is a different animal. It has an affect on peoples everyday lives. It is not as much a push for social change. It is more of an every-single-day introduction of beauty and humanity into peoples lives. Rural focus The Lordsburg senior center obtained several pieces of art it could hang on its walls, and Laflamme-Childs came away from that encounter with a determination to devote as much of her time as possible to bringing art to small towns. That remains her mission as head of New Mexico Arts, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. New Mexico Arts administers the 1% public art program for the state and oversees other projects such as the Governors Awards for Excellence in the Arts, New Mexico Arts and Cultural Districts, New Mexico Art Trails, Folk Arts, arts grants and the Poetry Out Loud recitation competition for state high school students. I expect to really support the governor in focusing on our rural communities, Laflamme-Childs, 53, said. With a relatively small division, 15 when fully staffed, we are going to make the biggest impact we can across the state. Laflamme-Childs comes by her affection for small towns naturally. She grew up in North Adams, Massachusetts, which she described as a blue-collar, depressed mill town of about 15,000 people. But her childhood house was filled with art. There was art of all kinds on the wall, a lot of prints, a few original works, she said. There was an Ezra Pound poem in the bathroom. If (my parents) thought it was beautiful, we had it. Laflamme-Childs mother served as a community development director and also as a city councilwoman and was instrumental in the development in North Adams of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), one of the largest centers for contemporary visual art and performance art in the country. My mother recognized how important that would be in a small town, and it fueled in me a passion for supporting rural communities in states where much of the resources are in urban communities, Laflamme-Childs said. We have a lot of those communities in New Mexico, and I love them. They feel familiar. I want to be there and do exciting things. Right brain, left brain After earning a bachelors degree in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Laflamme-Childs moved to Santa Fe to do graduate work in St. Johns Colleges Great Books curriculum. The Mountain West was appealing to me, and when I found St. Johns I decided thats where I wanted to go, she said. I just wanted that sort of broad, deep, win-at-Trivial Pursuit kind of education. Laflamme-Childs said she is about as evenly divided between right brain and left brain as a person can get. She started off as a physics major at Massachusetts Amherst and her favorite reading at St. Johns was Euclid, the ancient mathematician known as the father of geometry. But she was drawn as a child to poetry, still writes it when she can and has self-published some of her work. I was inspired by E. E. Cummings, she said. That was the first time I saw poetry without real form or shape, poetry where you can just go crazy. My own poetry can be real out there. She discovered she had a gift for radio while voicing promotional spots for the Santa Fe Art Institute and has been working for more than 10 years as an on-air personality at KBAC 98.1 Radio Free Santa Fe, an adult album alternative station with an eclectic playlist. More recently she has taken on radio host jobs at 101.5 The Cat, Santa Fes Community Jazz Station; and at 107.5, Santa Fes Outlaw Country Station. You can hear me from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, she said. Im Michelle at KBAC, Che on The Cat and Michelle West on The Outlaw. Todays best country and yesterdays favorites. When I was a teenager, 45s (records) were still a thing. My favorite thing was to buy a record, go over to a friends house and share it. On radio, it feels like I get to do that with everybody. Heres this cool new thing I just heard. Getting it done Laflamme-Childs, who is married and the mother of two daughters, 19 and 13, intends to continue her radio work, write a poem whenever she gets a chance and fulfill her obligations as New Mexico Arts chief. Im passionate about working in our many diverse communities and creating access to arts opportunities for all New Mexicans, she said. I could not be more excited to do this work. CHESTER A number of motorists were caught in a drive-by shooting Sunday that left at least one man with a serious head wound, officials said. The wild scene unfolded at the intersection of Ninth and Flower streets just after 1:30 p.m.. Mark Campbell of Brookhaven was in his Kia Sportage, waiting at a traffic light to take three co-workers to work when the shooting started. Campell said he was headed north on Flower Street, in the left hand lane waiting for the light to change and a red car was in the right lane when suddenly a silver car raced between the two stopped cars and the gunfire started. One of the bullets pierced the back of Campbells Kia, injuring two of his passengers with minor wounds. Campbell said when the shooting started he just ducked down and hoped for the best. Police later said one of Campbells passengers, Lawann Smith, 40, sustained a gunshot wound to his shoulder area. Paramedics from Crozer Chester Medical Center treated Smith at the scene and transported him to CCMC, where he received further treatment. Smith was listed in good condition Sunday. A silver Nissan ended up across Ninth street where it came to a stop against the porch of a house. Campbell said the victim had obviously been shot in the head when medics from Crozer-Chester Medical Center arrived to rush him to the hospital. Police later identified that victim as 35-year-old Farad Ishmail. A release from Chester Police Captain James Chubb confirmed Ishmail had been shot in the head. The victim was transported to CCMC where he continued to receive advanced care. He was listed in critical condition Sunday. A third vehicle, described as a Chevy Trailblazer, was also stopped at the red light and waiting to proceed north on Flower Street. That vehicle was also struck by gun fire, but the occupant was not injured, police said. After the excitement Campbell described the scene to members of the press and his wife and daughter, whom he called following the shooting. I was in the army for 10 years and this was more intense than the live training exercises they had there, I just ducked my head and hoped for the best, said Campbell. It was very frightening. After the shooting, which occurred just after 1:30 p.m., police had Ninth Street closed as well as the off-ramp from the Commodore Barry bridge. Numerous shell casings were seen on Flowers street. The Nissan car the victim was in had New Jersey plates. Its back window was shattered. This is just crazy, it has to end. Someone to be firing shots so indiscriminately with no regard for others, Campbell lamented. There are no suspects under arrest and no motive in the shooting. Chester police continue to investigate. If anyone has any information regarding this case, they are urged to contact Chester Detective Brian Pot at 610-447-8431 or bpot302@chesterpolice.org. What do you do when a specially trained, police bloodhound catches an unknown scent and takes off? That is exactly what happened two years ago when a police K9 bloodhound named Texas caught a scent during a search for a missing man in Danbury, pulled away from his handler, and disappeared into the night. When we found Texas after searching for a few days we knew we couldnt allow something like this to happen again, mentioned Nicci Decrisantis, Cheshire resident, pet nutritionist, and owner of NorthPoint Pets & Co., formerly known as Thomaston Feed. Decrisantiss experience and familiarity with the state police K9 unit comes from family her father was a former Connecticut K9 handler. As a way of helping, Decrisantis has been donating special equipment to local and regional authorities, utilizing technology to track the dogs. Since the search for Texas, our relationship with the State K9 Unit has grown over the years and we try to buy and donate as many GPS tracking collars as we can get, she said. Decrisantis and the NorthPoint Pets & Co team were instrumental in helping reunite Texas and his handler, and they immediately began brainstorming ideas about what they could do to help make sure this problem never happens again. What a lot of people dont know is that the Connecticut State Police (CSP) K9 program doesnt receive any state funding, Decrisantis said. So we do what we can by holding fundraisers and things so we can get them the GPS collars, and any other supplies, they clearly need. When these working police dogs escape, the sense of urgency to find them is not only to get them back to work, but for their own safety as well. Unfortunately not everyone treats these dogs with the respect they deserve, Decrisantis added. If these dogs get into the wrong hands they could be seriously harmed or killed, which is why we need to find them as soon as possible. Besides being able to track the dogs if they go missing, which is luckily a rare occurrence, the collars have another, much more practical function. The really cool thing about these collars is that when the dogs go out, say for a search and rescue mission, the search locations can be easily mapped out, Decrisantis explained. The police department is then able to determine what areas have been searched and where the dogs still need to go. Decrisantis also described how other agencies, such as fire departments, can link up to the GPS collars as well, allowing for everyone to be on the same page whenever there is an emergency. Since Texas went missing, NorthPoint Pets & Co. has donated over a dozen Garmin GPS Collars to multiple state and municipal K9 teams, and hopes to continue this for years to come. These dogs are so smart and are able to do so much, Decrisantis noted. These collars are more to correct a human behavior than anything else. If you would like to donate to the Connecticut State Police K9 foundation, their information can be found here: https://www.cspk9foundation.com/ Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, February 9, 2020 16:27 701 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20636cf47 1 National Surabaya-Mayor-Tri-Rismaharini,surabaya,East-Java,Tri-Rismaharini,ITE-Law,defamation Free Surabaya Mayor Tri Risma Rismaharini has retracted a police report she had filed against Zikria Dzatil, a homemaker in Bogor, West Java, for allegedly comparing her to a frog in a Facebook post. Read also: Woman arrested, receives 'death threats' for Facebook post about Surabaya mayor The report was dropped on Friday after Zikria sent several apology letters to the mayor, said Surabaya administration legal head Ira Susilowati. As the perpetrator has apologized, the mayor has issued a letter to revoke the [defamation] report, Ira said on Saturday as quoted by kompas.com. Surabaya Police general crimes unit head Adj. Sr. Comr. Sudamiran said the police had received the letter and would proceed accordingly. Zikria was arrested on Jan. 31 for allegedly violating the contentious Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law by posting a photo of the mayor sitting on what appears to be a riverbank, calling her kodok betina (female frog). The arrest was based on Zikrias now-deactivated Facebook page, along with a screenshot of the controversial post, which was reported to the Surabaya Police on Jan. 21 by the Surabaya administration. Zikria has since expressed remorse over the post and asked for Rismas forgiveness. Risma previously acknowledged that she had personally filed a police report against Zikria, citing her parents dignity as a reason. If I am a frog, that means my mother is a frog, she said. (mfp) A member of a Chinese honor guard wears a face mask as he stands guard on Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Tuesday, Feb. 4. AP China's ruling Communist Party faced public anger and recrimination Friday over the death of a doctor who was threatened by the authorities after trying to sound the alarm about the new coronavirus back in December. The death toll, meanwhile, rose to over 720, and the number of people infected worldwide climbed past 34,400. Cruise ship passengers faced more woe as Japan reported 41 new cases on one quarantined vessel and turned away another. President Xi Jinping spoke with President Donald Trump and urged the U.S. to ''respond reasonably'' to the outbreak, echoing complaints that some countries are overreacting by restricting Chinese travelers. A look at the latest developments: Treatment of whistleblower doctor investigated Following an online uproar over the government's treatment of Dr. Li Wenliang, the Communist Party struck a conciliatory note, saying it was sending a team to ''fully investigate relevant issues raised by the public.'' Li, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist, contracted the virus while treating patients, and his death was confirmed early Friday. Li, one of eight medical professionals in Wuhan who tried to warn colleagues and others when the government did not, had said that police forced him to sign a statement admitting he spread false rumors. Even the staunchly pro-government Global Times newspaper said the whistleblowers' treatment was ''evidence of local authorities' incompetence to tackle a contagious and deadly virus.'' The episode has raised longstanding complaints that party officials lie about or cover up disease outbreaks, chemical spills, dangerous consumer products and financial fraud. Chinese citizens can be jailed on charges of rumor-mongering or "making trouble." Most of the deaths from the virus have been of older people with existing health problems, but disease specialists said Li's work eye doctors are very close to their patients during examinations may have subjected him to an extra-large dose of the virus that made his illness more severe. Cruise ship woes Japan confirmed 41 new cases of the virus on the quarantined Diamond Princess, adding to 20 escorted off the ship earlier. The nearly 3,700 passengers and crew still on board remain under 14-day quarantine. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said foreign passengers on another ship, Holland America's Westerdam, won't be allowed into Japan. He said suspected virus patients were on board. The ship, with more than 2,000 people, was near Okinawa and was seeking another port, said Overseas Travel Agency official Mie Matsubara. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 02/09/2020 ADVERTISEMENT [ Spoilers Warning: This report contains spoilers about Mike and Natalie's relationship and whether the couple was able to reconcile.] ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT So did Mike and Natalie end their relationship, or did they somehow reconcile? Is the couple still together now? ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. couple Mike Youngquist and Natalie Mordovtseva have seemed to be on the outs on the show's seventh season -- so did the couple end up resolving their issues and getting back together, and if so are they still together now?Mike, a 34-year-old from Sequim, Washington, and Natalie, a 35-year-old from Kyiv, Ukraine, are one of the couples starring on 's seventh season, which is nearing its end on TLC.Mike, who's from a small town of about 7,000 people, purchased a farm that had been in his family for years, and he admitted it was costly to keep the property up and maintain it.After dating around and not having anything stick, Mike was introduced to Natalie.Natalie is the best friend of Mike's good friend Matt. Matt and his wife, Svitlana from Ukraine, apparently asked Mike and Natalie to be godparents of their baby girl Pollyanna.Once Mike saw pictures of Natalie, he thought she was gorgeous. He also loved how she was so close to her mother.Mike learned Natalie rode horses, modeled and has obtained degrees in psychology and journalism."I was hesitant at first and thought why in the world would this woman possibly be interested in me?" Mike asked. "Not saying I'm not a catch, but you know."Mike and Natalie therefore began texting back and forth. A friendship blossomed and then Mike booked a flight to Ukraine so they could meet. They were both going through divorces at the time of their meeting.Mike was in shock when he met Natalie and said their first moments together were "amazing." He said she loves to test her limits with scubadiving, rockclimbing and snowboarding.Mike loved how Natalie seemed full of life and brought excitement to each and every day.Mike noted, however, they're opposites in a lot of ways. Natalie is a religious vegetarian, while Mike is a non-religious meat eater. He also explained Natalie is elegant while he's like "a big ogre." Mike said they were like Beauty and the Beast.A few months later, the pair met in Paris and Mike proposed marriage to Natalie.Although they had only spent two weeks together, Mike felt they were meant to be, and so he returned to the United States and began the K-1 visa process.When began filming, the couple was waiting for Natalie's visa to be approved.The couple had big issues to face besides their differences, however, as Natalie wanted to start a family right away, earlier than Mike would be ready to be a dad.Mike apparently had a lot of credit card debt that he had to get himself out of after buying a house and the expenses of Natalie's K-1 visa process. Mike therefore had to break the news to Natalie he wasn't exactly well off financially.Mike had yet to tell Natalie about his credit card debt because he feared she wouldn't want to move to Washington or marry him if she found out about it. Natalie also had her friends in her ear, reminding her that her ex had been wealthy.Natalie then had her K-1 visa interview and Mike had already purchased her a plane ticket to come to America, but then she broke the news her visa would be delayed. Natalie was told she must wait another six months.Mike wondered if there was something in Natalie's background preventing her from moving, but Natalie said all of her documents were "fine" and so it was weird she was not approved.In order to support Natalie and be by her side, Mike purchased a plane ticket in attempt to make his fiancee happy. It had been six months since their last reunion."Me going to Ukraine wasn't originally in the budget, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to get there. I love her and I want to see her," Mike said in a confessional.'s seventh season has since featured Mike and Natalie getting into a series of fights during Mike's short stay in Ukraine.Mike and Natalie first argued over a timeline of when to welcome children.Natalie wanted to get pregnant immediately -- during that very trip, actually -- but Mike wanted to hold off until her K-1 visa got approved and he could save more money to be in a better place financially."I really want a kid as soon as possible, but I think our main thing right now is to wait a little bit and get you to America first, so we can put our feet on the ground," Mike told Natalie."Wrong answer," Natalie insisted.The couple also butted heads when it came to their faith, or lack thereof.Natalie is a devout Christian who wants Mike to have similar beliefs so they'll be on the same page when they raise children, but Mike is an atheist who believes in "a higher civilization -- like aliens or something," but not in God.Natalie said she's afraid of people who don't believe in God because Christians follow certain rules in life, such as no cheating or lying. Mike said just because he didn't believe in God didn't mean he'd do any of those things.Mike didn't appreciate how Natalie was pushing her religion on him, and he felt judged."My life is all about faith, and I don't know if I want to marry Mike if he doesn't believe in God," Natalie told the cameras.The final straw, however, was when a producer asked Natalie if she loved Mike on-camera and she responded by sitting in silence.Natalie replied, "God it's hard. I think we have potential because he's a good guy and there are moments that are good."Natalie acknowledged her feelings could grow into love and it was okay that she wasn't sure."It would be a lie from my side to say I love him," Natalie confessed.But Mike appeared extremely upset, so he vented, "That's a f-cking wrap for me!" He seemed to be referring to the interview with producers as well as his relationship with Natalie.Natalie then returned the engagement ring Mike had given her that had once belonged to his mother.Mike and Natalie had reached a breaking point in their romance, and Mike had unfortunately run out of time and needed to return to the United States.Natalie realized she might have been at fault for the argument, so she tried to sweet talk Mike and make it up to him. But Mike was brokenhearted and didn't think Natalie was taking their relationship seriously.Mike still wanted Natalie to walk him to the gate once they were inside the airport, but she refused and just said, "Go," before leaving on her own.Once Mike returned to America, he admitted to producers the status of his relationship with Natalie was unknown -- but one thing was for sure: they were no longer engaged."What if Natalie were to say, 'Let's get back together,'" a producer asked Mike."It's just too early to tell right now, dude," Mike replied. "It feels like sh-t."Mike didn't know what was going to happen to his relationship at the time and whether it was really over.In the latest episode, Mike and Natalie weren't in the best place. Natalie was ignoring his phone calls, and Mike decided to meet with a lawyer to figure out how to proceed if his relationship didn't work out.Mike admitted he and Natalie had a falling out, so he wondered if he would still be responsible for Natalie if they didn't end up getting back together. He was also curious whether she could still come to America."Are you thinking of canceling the request for the fiance visa?" the lawyer Michelle asked.Mike hesitated in answering and then said, "I don't know."Michelle explained Mike could easily put a stop to the visa but he'd have to be really sure because if Mike ultimately changed his mind, he'd have to start the K-1 visa process from the beginning again.Mike said he was just trying to figure stuff out, and Michelle said since Mike couldn't find details on the status of Natalie's visa and documents were supposedly "classified," there could be something "pretty serious out there" he was unaware of.Michelle therefore advised Mike to factor that possibility into his grand plan.Michelle said this pending visa was actually advantageous for Mike because it afforded him some time to think.Michelle explained Mike should be careful because if Natalie's K-1 visa got approved and he and Natalie got married within 90 days, Natalie could apply for a Green Card and then, if granted, Mike would be financially responsible for her, potentially for the rest of Natalie's life.Mike didn't plan on making any rash decisions, and he said there was a lot he had to process.Mike and Natalie apparently worked out their issues because they were spotted filming in America recently!Mike and Natalie were spotted several times in January 2020, beginning with a sighting in which Mike was seen waiting at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with flowers in his hands and a camera crew nearby."[Mike] spotted at the airport last night, with flowers and cameras in tow. Could he be picking up Natalie?" the Instagram account Fraudedbytlc captioned a January 17 posting of a photo showing Mike at the airport.The next day, the Instagram account posted a photo of Mike and Natalie walking side-by-side at Seattle's historic Pike Place Market as a camera crew filmed them."Spotted! Film crew filming Mike in Seattle at Pike Place Market," Fraudedbytlc wrote alongside the image on January 18, confirming it was Natalie, Mike and what appeared to be a film crew.And then on January 19, the same Instagram account shared a photo that appears to show Natalie waiting with her luggage after she arrived Seattle-Tacoma International Airport."Natalie at SeaTac without [Mike]. But we saw him there too," the account wrote.And finally, a different Instagram account called 90dayfiancesavageedition2 uploaded a photo showing Natalie being filmed in a Seattle street with producers surrounding her on January 22, but Mike was not pictured.Given 's seventh season is nearing its end, Mike and Natalie's new stateside filming seems to indicate the couple will be appearing on an additional future season of or one of its spinoffs.Neither Mike or Natalie has posted about the other person on social media, but Natalie did upload a cute photo of the pair on December 21, 2019 with no caption.Want spoilers? Click here to visit our Spoilers webpage! Storm Ciara has been rocking planes landing at UK airports today, with disturbing footage showing them struggling to land. Britain's biggest storm in seven years has been hammering the country with 93mph winds. Gusts caused a plane to sway from side to side over the runway at Birmingham airport as it the wind stopped it landing smoothly on the tarmac. A clip showed the aircraft battling to reach the ground as the extreme weather delayed flights at home and abroad, leaving thousands stranded. One worried passenger could be heard saying 'I hope there's a runway soon' as she flew into Luton. Her video showed the wings of the plane being blown about in the winds as elsewhere in the country violent gusts brought down fences, walls and even buildings. A pilot struggled for control coming into London Heathrow as a witness recording the scene could be heard laughing in disbelief as he said: 'This is gnarly man.' As the plane struggles against the winds to lower itself, the rocking intensifies as it approaches the runway. The videos surfaced as hundreds of flights faced cancellation or delay both in Britain and on the continent. Manchester Airport recorded gusts of 86 miles per hour as the storm gathered pace across the country. Gatwick was the UK's worst affected airport as around 300 arrivals and departures were cancelled. A plane is pictured struggling to make a smooth landing in Birmingham as Storm Ciara batters the UK hitting thousands of flyers with delays and cancellations British Airways scrapped flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City, while Virgin Atlantic is running a reduced timetable. Flights are disrupted into and out of airports including the Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool hubs. Flights to and from major UK airports were cancelled and disrupted, including Qantas flight QF10, which returned to Heathrow after experiencing a suspected tailstrike during take-off. Engineers found no damage to the fuselage of the Boeing 747, but the flight to Perth was cancelled because of limits on the crew members' flying time, the airline said. A passenger on a flight from Florida said the plane's landing at Gatwick Airport on Sunday morning was aborted three times before finally landing on its fourth attempt. Keith McDowall, 90, from Islington in north London, said: 'I've never had anything quite like it. I admit I was scared. It (the plane) was veering around and it kept shaking. The pilot did a very good job to land it.' Flights are delayed arriving and leaving major European cities too, with Frankfurt Airport seeing 21 cancelled departures and a further 116 delays. Planes are being diverted as far as Germany after being unable to land at UK airports due to the dangerous weather conditions. It wasn't just modern transport that faced danger as Britain's biggest aviation museum was damaged at Duxford, amid fears that the force of the winds could tear off its roof and damage World War II planes stored at the Imperial War Museum site. A class teacher identified as Obiageli Mazi has been promoted to position of assistant headmistress by the executive governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum for her dedication to work. The promotion was announced by the executive chairman of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Shettima Kullima after his recommendation was approved by the governor. The class teacher was promoted during an inspection to access public institutions in the state on Friday where Borno Governor Zulum paid an unscheduled visit to Shehu Sanda Kyarimi 2 Primary School around 6:30am to see how the schools infrastructure could be improved. The governor discovered that Mazi who is a level 12 teacher was the only one who had resumed for duty while other teachers were not around. Mazi who is a native of Abia state has been teaching for 31 years. The Governor who could not hide his excitement and was impressed by her commitment to work rewarded the class teacher with a cash gift of N100,000. Yesterday, as early as 6:30 in the morning, I paid an unscheduled visit to Shehu Sanda Kyarimi 2 Primary School to see how we can improve the infrastructure therein and I met teacher, Mrs. Obliageri Mazi, an Igbo Christian from Abia State who served for 31 years in the Borno state. Although it was very early, I met none of the teachers and their pupils on ground but only her, Zulum said. Her gender, tribe, religion or state of origin does not surprise me but her passion, enthusiasm, dedication, commitment and above all patriotism do suprise me a lot. As a government, we are mightily proud of her! Zulum also directed Kullima to review Obiagelis position, her qualification (NCE) and recommend her promotion. Subsequently, she was recommended for promotion. Even though the woman was not a graduate, her 31 years teaching experience and commitment coupled with an executive order by the governor have earned her the promotion, Kullima was quoted to have said. Recall that the governor paid an unscheduled visit to some hospitals in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno in 2019 and did not meet any doctor on duty. The governor, who was reportedly shocked at the conduct of the doctors, was said to have visited the hospitals around 1am to inspect the condition of patients and the facilities. He reportedly expressed dissatisfaction at the poor service delivery to the patients he met at the states medical facilities. During his campaign, the governor had said he would not condone indiscipline, especially in the state civil service. WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW: [embedded content] Share this: By Express News Service CHENNAI: BJP national general secretary P Muralidhar Rao on Sunday said that DMK president MK Stalin will not become Chief Minister as he has been protesting only for Muslims of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Addressing a public meeting in Vadapalani he said, DMK is spreading false propaganda that BJP is serving only Hindus. It is not true. We implemented Mudra scheme in which crores of people were given loans to establish their own business irrespective of religion. Thirty-five crore people opened bank accounts and benefitted by Ujwala scheme. Under PMs housing scheme, crores of people belonging to different religions were benefited, he said. On DMK raising Sri Lankan Tamils issue, he said, Your party (DMK) was in power in the State and centre. But, you (DMK and Congress combine) killed lakhs of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking steps to empower Sri Lankan Tamils, he said. On DMK-led alliance protests against CAA, he said, Stalin is saying he is going to bring changes in CAA. Who is he to bring changes? Is he the Chief Minister? You cant become the Chief Minister and BJP will not allow you to become one. No Indian will be affected by CAA. Stalin is protesting only for Pakistan and Bangladesh Muslims as he does not know anything about CAA, Rao said. He highlighted dynasty politics in DMK and Congress. He stressed that BJP is the only party where even the last line cadre is able to become party president. It is day four of the RCMP's enforcement of an injunction order in northern B.C. to ensure that Coastal GasLink and its contractors can resume work in a disputed area of the pipeline route in the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en nation. Since Thursday, the RCMP have been moving in, kilometre-by-kilometre, camp-by-camp, down the Morice West Forest Service Road, to enforce the injunction against named Wet'suwet'en defendants and supporters. The forest service road begins at a turn off from Highway 16 in Houston, B.C. It twists and curves, forking off in different directions and is a roadway Coastal GasLink is depending on for construction work on a $6-billion, 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline that has received approval from the province. On Dec. 31, a B.C. Supreme Court judge issued an injunction against members of the Wet'suwet'en Nation blocking access to the pipeline project inside their traditional territory and empowered RCMP to enforce the injunction. First Nations and other organizers have been rallying in support of the hereditary chiefs across Canada holding solidarity protests, putting up roadblocks and blocking railways across the country while others grow increasingly frustrated with the people defying the injunction order and want to see the pipeline go ahead. On Sunday, police continued to maintain an exclusion zone checkpoint at the four-kilometre mark on the forest service road near Houston not allowing anyone except police and contractors to go through. CBC was allowed to cross the checkpoint with an escort but was prevented from going any further than the 44-kilometre mark on the road, where the Gidimt'en checkpoint has now been dismantled. Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and supporters have started gathering at the four-kilometre mark at the edge of the exclusion zone, waiting anxiously for news of what's happening further down the road. "You know, I never ever thought that we as We'tsuwe'ten people would ever be faced with such a crisis as we're facing today," said hereditary chief Kaliset. Story continues "Us elders, we've sat back and we've watched we support our young people with the work that they're doing. Today we're speaking out." While many have been showing up to stand in support of the hereditary chiefs in the territory and around B.C. there are others waiting to get back to work in the area. "We are extremely proud of the broad support we have across northern B.C., and that all 20 elected Indigenous communities have signed agreements with Coastal GasLink," said Coastal Gaslink President David Pfeiffer in an open letter earlier this week. Among those 20 agreements are five band councils in the Wet'suwet'en nation. However, the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs say those band councils are only responsible for the territory within their individual reserves because their authority comes only from the Indian Act. The hereditary chiefs who are the leaders of the nation's governance system in place before the imposition of the Indian Act assert authority over 22,000 square kilometres of the nation's traditional territory, an area recognized as unceded by the Supreme Court of Canada in a 1997 decision. More than 20 people arrested since Thursday By Saturday night, police had arrested a total of 21 people. Eleven of those people were arrested on Saturday at a site referred to as the warming centre, after police announced it had become part of an expanded exclusion zone. Police told the people at that warming centre on Friday night they have to leave the site by Saturday morning or face arrest for breaching the injunction. The Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs objected to people being removed from the area and the relationship between chiefs and the police was visibly strained on Saturday. "We've been fed a bunch of lies ever since we met you guys," hereditary chief Madeek told RCMP Chief Superintendent Dave Attfield in a heated phone conversation on Saturday when the chiefs were being kept out of their territory at a checkpoint marking a expanded exclusion zone. Chantelle Bellrichard/CBC News RCMP say the exclusion zone was expanded on Saturday based on the actions of people at the warming centre in recent days "that could possibly endanger those who travel the road, and a blockade of parked vehicles." CBC has asked the RCMP for clarification about what precisely an "exclusion zone" is and has yet to receive a response. Unist'ot'en next reoccupation site facing enforcement Much of Saturday's police activity involved police removing people from the warming centre area. As the injunction enforcement continues for the fourth day, there remains one main site where police have yet to take action the Unist'ot'en healing village. It's not clear how many people are staying there or what kind of obstacles stand in the way of Coastal GasLink and its contractors. Police said in a news release that members of the Indigenous Police Division and Division Liaison team approached Unist'ot'en "to facilitate conversation" on Saturday but said "the occupants of the Healing Centre declined to engage. Chantelle Bellrichard/CBC Social media posts and news reports from journalists embedded at the centre reported the police arrived by helicopter on Saturday and that people at Unist'ot'en did not engage in conversation with the police because they were holding a ceremony. There was little activity reported from the area by mid-afternoon on Sunday. CBC is unaware of what kind of enforcement actions might take place at Unist'ot'en, and when, but will be watching for developments throughout the day. With different parts of the world reeling from the outbreak of the coronavirus, a woman and man were arrested for allegedly running fake news portals and Facebook pages related to the coronavirus. According to reports, Hungarian police on February 8 said that they had put a stop to a fake news racket that reported on alleged coronavirus related deaths in the country. KRNNI launch an investigation In a statement, the Hungarian police said, "The Cybercrime Department of the National Bureau of Investigation of the Standby Police (KRNNI) has launched an investigation into unknown perpetrators of suspected public threats of crime. Web sites have been falsely reported to claim that more people were infected with the Chinese-born coronavirus in Hungary, and people were killed and killed in several Budapest railway stations." "Dozens of camouflages and fake Facebook pages" According to their official website, the police in a statement revealed, "dozens of "camouflages" and related Facebook pages were members of the same network, sharing articles about the subject of public opinion, but based on false claims. Content designed to disrupt public peace of mind has been labeled "click hunter" to reach as many as hundreds of thousands of users, according to the investigation. The goal of the site's editors was to spread the false news as much as they could expect to receive advertising revenue after a click". Read: WHO-led Coronavirus Probe Team To Leave For China On Monday Or Tuesday "On February 7, 2020, KR NNI staff conducted a concerted action to dismantle the network, carrying out research and seizing several IT assets. Investigators have questioned a man and a woman as suspects, who are defending themselves in the process." Read: Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, Nepal Donates 1 Lakh Masks To China Death toll increases in coronavirus related cases As per the latest updates, the novel Coronavirus has killed 811 people in China after the severely affected Hubei province reported 81 new fatalities on February 9. There are now more than 36,690 confirmed cases across China. The death toll has now breached the global number of deaths caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus, which killed 774 people in 2002-2003. Read: Coronavirus: Pune Man Back From Philippines Quarantined Read: 42 Being Monitored In Nagaland For Coronavirus A fourth case of the coronavirus has been identified in the UK. Chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said this morning that a further patient has tested positive for coronavirus in England. Meanwhile, a flight of evacuees from the virus epicentre in Wuhan has arrived in England this morning. Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP The death toll from a new coronavirus in mainland China crossed 800 on Sunday, surpassing the number of deaths from the 2002 to 2003 SARS outbreak. There have been more than 37,000 confirmed cases in China, according to official data, while the virus has spread to at least 27 other countries and regions. Prof Whitty said the latest infection was linked to France. The new case is a known contact of a previously confirmed UK case, and the virus was passed on in France," he said. Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. They successfully identified this individual and ensured the appropriate support was provided. The patient has been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at The Royal Free Hospital, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus." Commenting on the NHS capacity to deal with the diagnoses, he said: The NHS is extremely well prepared to manage these cases and treat them, and we are working quickly to identify any further contacts the patient has had. This patient followed NHS advice by self-isolating rather than going to A&E. A flight with more than 200 people on board, including some foreign nationals, arrived at RAF Brize Norton shortly before 7.30am on Sunday. Wuhan, China: Convention Centre turned into a hospital for Coronavirus 1 /16 Wuhan, China: Convention Centre turned into a hospital for Coronavirus The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center on February 4th.2020 in Wuhan.Hubei Province,China. Wuhan epidemic prevention headquarters started converting three existing venues, including a gymnasium and an exhibition center, into hospitals to receive patients infected with the novel Coronavirus Getty Images Reuters AP REUTERS AP Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images AP AP AP AP The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was the second and final flight to be chartered by the Governmen. It had British Government staff and military medics on board. The passengers on the charter flight have been taken to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. There they will be quarantined for 14 days. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the repatriation flight had brought back 105 British nationals and family members, as well as 95 European nationals and family members. A total of 13 staff and medics were also on board. while the ambulance service said the presence of the group in Milton Keynes would not present a risk to local people. Dismissing the allegations that the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram was neglected in the 2020 Kerala budget, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Sunday said crores of rupees have been allocated for the city and accused the Opposition, including the BJP, was spreading fake Surendran was speaking to reporters here against a campaign against the the state government, alleging "mistreatment" to the capital city in the state budget. "Since Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power, the city has been witnessing a lot of development projects. The BJP makes effective use of social media and have been spreading fake on budget allocation," Surendran said. He ridiculed the Opposition Congress-led UDF and said, "No one takes them seriously." Asked about lack of funds for the international airport here, Surendran said the government was waiting for the final decision on handing over the airport to Adani group. "The state government will allot more funds for the development of the airport if the Centre decides to hand over its operation to the state government instead of Adani group. "If it's given to Adani, why should we spend money on it," Surendran asked. The central government has already planned to privatise six airports in the country, including the one here, under the Airport Authority of India. Surendran said Rs 1,696 crore has been allotted for various projects in Thiruvananthapuram. "We have allotted Rs 350 crore for the Vizhinjam port. Travancore Titanium has been allotted Rs 21 crore, Rs 100 crore for developing Kattakada as a township. Trivandrum Spinning Mill, Kerala Automobiles, all have been allotted fund," he said. "Under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) over Rs 3,000 crore has been allotted for 98 projects in the district," Surendran said. He said Rs 544 crore has been set aside for drinking water projects and Rs 100 crore for IT parks. He further said Rs 450 crore has been earmarked for Tourism development in the district. The Congress and the BJP district units have been criticising the state government for the alleged "neglect" in the state budget. Yuva Morcha, the BJP's youth wing, had on Saturday taken out a protest march to the Secretariat here against the "neglect faced by Thiruvanathapuram" The state government increased all welfare pensions and allocated enhanced share for pro-women schemes in the budget. A total of 2.5 lakh new water connections, 1,000 cost-effective food courts providing meals at Rs 25, one lakh new houses/flats for homeless people by 2020-21 and 'she- lodge' enterprises in all cities were among the popular announcements in the budget presented with an introduction of the state's cash-strapped condition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend The voter turnout in the Azerbaijani parliamentary elections amounted to 47.81 percent (2,547,982 voters) out of 5,329,461 voters according to the final results, Farid Orujov, head of the Elections Information Center of the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC), told reporters on Feb. 10, Trend reports. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,461 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Pete Buttigieg has an elitism problem. The more he tries to prove that he is not an elitist, the more obvious it is to everyone that he is. The former South Bend mayor has been unconvincingly distancing himself from his plainly exceptional status even as it has enabled his rise to legitimate contender for the Democratic nomination for president. He doesnt have to do that. The results of the Iowa caucuses suggest that Buttigieg is gaining support because of his elitism and not in spite of it. Buttigieg appears to have won Iowa by generating more enthusiasm than expected across all demographics. He dominated among people who consider themselves somewhat liberal and tied Joe Biden in the race for moderates, according to entrance polls. Pete Buttigieg, at a watch party for the South Bend, Ind. mayor and presidential candidate, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. Buttigieg won rural farmers, he won Christians and he won people who like to sit in coffee shops and chat about health care policy. It is true that Iowa is an imperfect sample of American voters, but the people who caucused for Buttigieg were not fooled by who he is. Despite Buttigiegs emphasis on his South Bend roots, Iowans did not necessarily see him as one of them. They simply saw him as a viable contender for president. As Buttigieg moves on, Iowa presents a solution for his elitism dilemma. Buttigieg can embrace the reality that he is far more accomplished than the average person and trust that most people, even in the Midwest, will not hold that against him. The meaning of American Heartland Buttigiegs most recent elitism-induced gaffe came last week when he tweeted: In the face of unprecedented challenges, we need a president whose vision was shaped by the American Heartland rather than the ineffective Washington politics weve come to know and expect. This message did not play well for Buttigieg. Critics saw it as an attempt by Buttigieg to weaponize his Midwestern sense of place a tactic Vice President Mike Pence often deploys by extolling the virtues of his inherently real-American life experience over the apparently tainted values people accrue out on the coasts. Story continues Respectfully, where is the American Heartland located exactly in your mind as you write this tweet? Does it include Compton and other places like it? Because us folks from those places would like a president shaped by our vision too. Serious question. Would love an answer. Ava DuVernay (@ava) January 30, 2020 Filmmaker Ava DuVernay spoke for many when she replied: Respectfully, where is the American Heartland located exactly in your mind as you write this tweet? Does it include Compton and other places like it? Because us folks from those places would like a president shaped by our vision too. That interpretation is ungenerous and yet also fair. While any effort to explicate Buttigiegs tweet is certain to exceed the energy that went into drafting it, the thoughtlessness of the post does not invalidate the reactions that DuVernay and others felt. Instead, It also reveals the perils of Buttigiegs instinct to distance himself from his own well-publicized resume. Buttigieg can wipe out the weaker candidates: In New Hampshire primary, could Pete Buttigieg end Joe Bidens 50-year political career? Buttigieg (or one of his staff members) probably thought the American Heartland tweet would frame him as a down-to-earth Midwesterner who is focused on making life better for the typical working-class person ahead of the Iowa caucuses. Instead, Buttigieg signaled (unintentionally) that he considers the homogeneous Midwest to be a purer representation of America than places where people and ideas happen to be far more diverse. If it seems like Buttigieg has been disproportionately reprimanded for perpetuating a cultural divide that other politicians exploit at will, then that is because the them side of the split explains at least as much about who Buttigieg is as the us side. Think about it this way. When Pence pays tribute to the exceptionalism of Midwestern values, it is plausible that he is expressing a sincerely held belief rooted in his conservative, evangelical Christian worldview. When Buttigieg makes the same point, though, it comes across as inauthentic. Buttigieg has pursued education and employment around the world, presumably because he finds value in a diversity of perspectives. Given that experience, when Buttigieg suggests there is something fundamentally estimable about the Midwestern existence, he provokes skepticism about what he is really getting at. By pandering, Buttigieg is inviting nefarious interpretations of what kind of leader he wants to be. Buttigieg derangement syndrome Reasonable people can disagree over whether Buttigieg has the right experience to be president. But there is no denying he is more successful than 99% of Americans even if you exclude his so-far-so-good campaign for president. Buttigieg, who turned 38 last month, has achieved more than most people do in a lifetime. Pete Buttigieg campaigned at Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Iowa, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. The event is in advance of Monday's Iowa Democratic caucuses, the first event as the party chooses their nominee for president. And, yet, Buttigieg and his campaign want you to think its the other candidates who are elitist. Buttigieg communications adviser Lis Smith in December said rival candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren reflected the height of elitism because they support policies that would make college free for everyone. Buttigiegs position is that an emphasis on free college ignores the majority of people in his hometown who pursue either no, or different types of, education. We know what's coming: After acquittal, there are no guardrails. Brace for an unfettered, unstoppable Trump. In other words, one of the best-educated political candidates in America has positioned himself as a hero of trade schools. This is an example of why some people hate Buttigieg. If you are cringing at my use of the word hate, I assure you it is appropriate. Buttigiegs biography and moderate approach to policy and politics has enraged the most left-leaning Democrats, particularly young people who identify as socialists. Pete Buttigieg supporters at Northwest Jr. High School in Coralville, Iowa, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. The event is in advance of Monday's Iowa Democratic caucuses, the first event in the party's choosing of their nominee for president. The attacks against Buttigieg have become deeply personal. For example, Meagan Day, a writer for the far-left publication Jacobin, recently argued in a since-deleted tweet that Buttigiegs 2014 deployment as a Navy intelligence officer to Afghanistan, where he quite literally could have died, was a photo op orchestrated so youd take him seriously. This bizarre claim reflects the extent to which the Sanders-supporting left distrusts Buttigieg and considers him an enemy to their vision of the future. Pete Buttigieg, at a watch party for the South Bend, Ind. mayor and presidential candidate, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. Derek Robertson drilled deep in Politico and described why some on the left feel like Buttigieg is threatening to steal a moment they think belongs to them. Buttigieg is a young professional with an elite pedigree whos chosen to buy into the system as a reformer instead of attacking it as a revolutionary, Robertson writes. To a certain class of left-wing thought leaders, hes an unwelcome reminder of the squeaky-clean moderates with whom they once rubbed elbows. Theres that word again. Elite. No matter how much Buttigieg and his campaign want to wriggle out of that label, Buttigieg wears the word elite like a tattoo on his forehead. Denying it will not make critics like him more. But accepting it could clarify his case for why he is best choice for president. Buttigieg came close during a touching moment on stage Tuesday after some of the early Iowa results finally trickled in, showing Buttigieg in the lead. He showed emotion as he talked about what those unofficial results meant to him. It validates the idea that we can expand a coalition, not only unified around who it is were against, but around what it is were for, Buttigieg said while addressing supporters in New Hampshire. And it validates for a kid somewhere in the community, wondering if he belongs or she belongs, or they belong in their own family, that if you believe in yourself and your country theres a lot backing up that belief. That emphasis on validation is revealing. Buttigieg is encouraging people to keep believing in themselves, yes, but also in the very institutions that make up America. Buttigieg is not running for president wielding an anti-establishment sledgehammer. He is running because he sees a flawed and broken system that can be repaired. He has faith in the elites to take what is wrong with America and make it right. In fact, he believes he is the precise elite for the job. James Briggs is a metro columnist for the IndyStar, where this column originally appeared. Follow him on Twitter: @JamesEBriggs You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: After Iowa, Pete Buttigieg should stop trying to run from his elitism On Sunday afternoon, Aam Aadmi Party's CM candidate Arvind Kejriwal questioned Election commission about the delaying in the release of a poll turn out figures. Also, Aam Aadmi Party blamed EC, Party said EVMs were tempered and cited the proofs on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon, Aam Aadmi Partys CM candidate Arvind Kejriwal questioned Election commission about the delaying in the release of a poll turn out figures. He asked, what Election Commission is doing? Why they are not releasing the poll turn out figures even after a lot of time of the voting. After Delhi assembly elections Aam Aadmi Party blamed EC, Party said EVMs were tempered and cited the proofs on Saturday. Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh posted a video on his twitter account to prove the technical setting in the EVM machines. With the video post, Rajya Sabha MB asked if the reserve forces dont go with the EVM? Along with the video, he said that this man was caught illegally with the EVM machine in Babarpur assembly constituency after the polling by the nearby people, particularly at Saraswati Vidya Niketan School. He asked his followers to watch the video and read the caption. He requested Election commission to verify and check where the EVM was relocated because they were no counting centers nearby. The party has also raised the question of EVM during the Lok Sabha elections. There were several clues found that proved the technical disturbance in the EVM. Later in the evening party president, Arvind Kejriwal took a meeting with the senior party leaders and party strategists to ensure the security of the EVM machines. The counting of the voting will be done on February 11. Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling? https://t.co/ko1m5YqlSx Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 9, 2020 On the continuous blame on EVM, the BJP leader Manoj Tiwari said that all the exit polls were made up now the opposition is blaming EVM for the loss. He assured that Bhartiya Janta Party will win 48 seats in the National Capital. He asked his followers to save the tweet and asked AAP not to make excuses. For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Cork City Council is to spend up to 3.5m to hire a private company to carry out inspections of private rented dwellings in the city. The local authority has issued a tender seeking a provider to inspect private rental accommodations to ensure they are compliant with minimum standards set out in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019. The contract is for a two-year period with a possible extension for a period of up to 12 months with a maximum of three such extensions. It follows on from a doubling of the number of inspectors by the council from three to six last year as part of measures to improve the rate of inspection of private rented dwellings. The council noted that its administrative area grew nearly five times in size as a result of last years historic boundary extension which saw Cork City expand to include some area that were formerly under the control of Cork County Council including Ballincollig, Blarney and Glanmire. Figures published by a local authority watchdog, the National Oversight and Audit Commission, show that just 698 of 16,997 registered tenancies in the councils administrate area were inspected in 2018 an inspection rate of just 4.1%. Of those inspected, 80.4% were found to be non-compliant with standards for rental accommodation. Subsequently 139 of the properties became compliant with the regulations before the end of 2018. The regulations specify requirements in relation to a range of matters such as structural repair, absence of damp and rot, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, light and safety of gas and electrical supply. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the regulations, while local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the regulations. Under the Governments Rebuilding Irelands strategy for the rental sector, local authorities are required to introduce measures to increase inspection levels. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has set a target number for inspections by Cork City Council of 3,150 this year, rising to 4,200 in 2021 and every subsequent year up to 2024. Landlords whose rental accommodation are not compliant with the regulations are issued with an improvement letter which advises them of the works required to bring their building up to the required standards. Bidders have been advised by the Council that based on past experience approximately 85% of dwellings are found to be non-compliant on initial inspection. Any breaches are that considered to put the lives of the occupants in danger are required to be notified to the council immediately. When the stars descend on the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles for the Oscars on Feb. 9, it will be a new experience for many. Nominees like Cynthia Erivo and Florence Pugh are up for their first-ever Academy Awards. But others have been nominated time and time again. Leonardo DiCaprio, who is in the running this year for best actor for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, has been up for awards six times previously. (Hes won once, taking home a best actor trophy in 2016 for The Revenant.) Saoirse Ronan is only 25 but has been nominated four times, including in 2020 for playing the lead in Little Women. (Shes never won.) And then theres Al Pacino. The 79-year-old actor has been nominated for an Oscar nine times since 1973. But hes only won once. Al Pacino received his first Oscar nomination for The Godfather Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in The Godfather | CBS via Getty Images Pacino received his first Academy Award nomination in 1973. He was recognized in the best supporting actor category for playing Michael Corleone in The Godfather. That year, he competed against his co-stars James Caan and Robert Duvall, who were also nominated for their work in the film. But it was Joel Grey who went home with the trophy, winning for playing the M.C. in Cabaret. He was nominated four years in a row Pacinos 1973 Oscar nomination kicked off a four-year streak of nominations for the New York City native. He was nominated the next year for best actor for playing NYPD police officer Frank Serpico in Serpico. In 1975, he was nominated again for playing Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II (this time in the Best Actor category). And in 1976, he received the nod again in the best actor category for playing bank robber Sonny Wortzik in Dog Day Afternoon. Yet each year, he went home empty-handed. Pacino finally won an Oscar in 1993 Al Pacino | Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images for Turner After his string of Academy Award losses in the 1970s, Pacino wasnt up for a statuette again until 1980, when he received a best actor nomination for And Justice for All. He lost to Dustin Hoffman in Kramer vs. Kramer. Another chance at Oscar glory came in 1991, when Pacino was nominated for best supporting actor for playing Alphonse Big Boy Caprice in Dick Tracy. That year, he lost to his The Irishman co-star Joe Pesci, who won for playing Tommy DeVito in Martin Scorseses Goodfellas. Two years later, Pacino finally got his Oscar, when he won best actor for playing the cantankerous, blind Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman. But he could have gone home with a best supporting actor award as well, since he was also nominated that year for his role as a real estate salesman in Glengarry Glen Ross. Pacinos Oscar acceptance speech Pacino acknowledged his many Oscar losses in his acceptance speech. You broke my streak, he said. After thanking the other people involved in the film, he spoke about how fortunate he felt to be able to work as an actor. If youll indulge me for a minute Im just not used to this, so I had to write this down I had this thought, and I thought if I ever got up here I would say it. Ive been very lucky this is a gift, a great gift to me. I thank you all, really. Thank you. Will Pacino finally win his second Oscar at Sunday nights ceremony? Find out when the 92nd Academy Awards air live on ABC on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Herndon, VA, Feb. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) today announced the appointment of Greg Feldmann, President of Skyline Capital Strategies, an affiliate of Woods Rogers, PLC, as CIT GAP Funds Venture Partner. CIT GAP Funds and affiliated Virginia Founders Fund (VFF) are committed to identifying viable start-up investment opportunities in all parts of the Commonwealth. As a Venture Partner, Feldmann will provide outreach services to cultivate new and existing sources of deal flow and early-stage investment capital in the Roanoke-Blacksburg corridor, Southside Virginia, Lynchburg and Far Southwest Virginia. CIT recognizes the wealth of technology and strong entrepreneurial spirit of the Roanoke-Blacksburg corridor and adjacent geographies, said Tom Weithman, Managing Director of CIT GAP Funds. A critical part of harnessing those assets to create economic development benefit for the Commonwealth turns on mobilizing capital to drive development of emerging companies. Greg is a strategic thinker with the ability to translate plans into action. As a CIT GAP Funds Venture Partner, Greg will be a key factor in mobilizing capital from CIT and third-party sources within the region. In this role, Feldmann will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key deal flow sources in targeted geographies such as the Valleys Innovation Councils (VIC), Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council and RAMP Accelerator, Virginia Tech, the Launch Place, and technology groups and other entrepreneurial support organizations in Southside, Lynchburg and Far Southwest Virginia. Additionally, Feldmann will support the CIT GAP Funds and VFF investment team in preliminary screenings and investment decisions, encourage regional company participation in other CIT program offerings including Federal Funding Assistance Program and CRCF, and will refer companies for investment consideration by other regional funding sources. Feldmann will also support efforts of the recently formed Common Wealth Angels, an investor network with interest in early stage technology companies. Improving access to capital for area founders and entrepreneurs has been a lifelong passion of mine, added Feldmann. Initiating the Venture Partner program in our region demonstrates CITs commitment to stimulating technology start-ups throughout the state and recognizes the high potential of a growing innovation economy in our region. It will be a privilege to work with CIT and regional founders in this effort. Feldmann brings more than 30 years of experience serving in roles related to company growth mentoring, financial services, venture capital, strategic advisory, commercial and investment banking, and executive/board leadership positions in both public and private companies. During his career, Feldmann has served as President and CEO of three community banks including StellarOne Bank, First National Bank of Christiansburg, and Salem Bank & Trust. He is currently a board member of Carter Bank and Trust and The Launch Place. We are excited to have CIT further expand their impact in the Roanoke-Blacksburg region, said Kevin Bloomfield, one of the lead stakeholders of the Common Wealth Angels initiative. Greg is the perfect leader to fill this role. His deep experience in helping companies raise money will be invaluable to our efforts of further building out the capital ecosystem in our region. According to the 2019 CIT GAP Funds Impact Report, CIT GAP Funds has yielded four times their capital invested across Tech Fund Roadmap investments in cybersecurity, data analytics, enterprise software and deep tech sectors since its inception in 2005. To learn more, please visit www.citgapfunds.org. About CIT GAP Funds CIT GAP Funds makes seed-stage equity investments in Virginia-based technology, clean tech and life science companies with a high potential for achieving rapid growth and generating significant economic return for entrepreneurs, co-investors and the Commonwealth of Virginia. CIT GAP Funds investments are overseen by the CIT GAP Funds Investment Advisory Board (IAB). This independent, third-party panel has convened leading regional entrepreneurs, angel and strategic investors, and national venture capital firms in the interests of Virginias entrepreneurs. Membership has included New Enterprise Associates, Grotech Ventures, Harbert Venture Partners HIG Ventures, Edison Ventures, In-Q-Tel, Intersouth Partners, SJF Ventures, Carilion Health Systems, Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, and Alpha Natural Resources. For more information, please visit www.citgapfunds.org. About the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) Investing for Commonwealth Growth | CIT concentrates on the early commercialization and seed funding stages of innovation, helping innovators and tech entrepreneurs launch and grow new companies, create high paying jobs and accelerate economic growth throughout the entire state of Virginia. Founded in 1985, CIT accelerates next generation technologies and technology companies through commercialization, capital formation, market development initiatives, and expansion of broadband throughout Virginia. Our programs include | CIT GAP Funds | Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF) | Virginia Founders Fund | Broadband/Rural Broadband | Smart Communities | Cybersecurity | Unmanned Systems | SBIR/STTR Support (Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs) | University Partnerships | Startup Company Mentoring & Engagement. CITs CAGE Code is 1UP71. Contact: 2214 Rock Hill Road #600, Herndon, VA 20170 | 703.689.3000 | www.cit.org You can also follow CIT on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Attachments Mosaic images of Vladimir the Great and Princess Olga have been in St. Peter's Cathedral since 1989 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Elena visited the mosaic altar of Kyiv Prince Vladimir and Princess Olga in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The press service of the head of Ukrainian state this information. Mosaic images of Vladimir the Great and Princess Olga were created by Vatican masters at the expense of the Ukrainian community and Bishop of the Stamford Diocese of the UGCC Basil Losten. They have been kept in St. Peter's Basilica since 1989. The presidential couple also visited the grave of St. Peter the Apostle, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. As we reported before, Volodymyr Zelensky during an audience with Pope Francis invited the pontiff to Ukraine. Zelensky noted that people expect to see Pope in Ukraine. The President also noted the important role that the Holy See could play in bringing peace to Ukraine. "The main thing we talked about is peace. He even called me the "president of peace" - this is my image in Europe now," Zelensky said after the audience. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the government of Nigeria and Cross River State government of Governor Ben Ayade to ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja over the prolonged, arbitrary detention; unfair prosecution; persecution, and sham trial of journalist Agba Jalingo. Mr Jalingo, who is the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested on August 22 over a report alleging that Mr Ayade diverted N500 million belonging to the state. In the suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/10/2020 filed last week at the ECOWAS Court, SERAP is arguing that: The sole objective of the government of Nigeria and the Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade is to perpetually keep Agba Jalingo in arbitrary detention and to silence him simply for expressing critical views and carrying out his legitimate job as journalist. According to the suit: This is not the first time the government of Nigeria and the Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade have taken actions to intimidate, harass and suppress journalists through the instrumentality of trumped-up charges and use of overly broad and unjust laws, including section 24 of Nigerias Cybercrime Act, 2015, which provides for the offence of cyber-stalking. The suit filed on SERAPs behalf by its solicitor Kolawole Oluwadare, states: the government of Nigeria and Cross-River state government are using vague laws that give officials massive discretion to undermine human rights. They are punishing Agba Jalingo and other journalists and silencing them for their reporting, thereby undermining Nigerians right to information, to public participation, to open and democratic governance in the country. The suit reads in part: If freedom of expression and media freedom are to have true meaning in a democracy, these rights necessarily must include the freedom to criticize the government and its functionaries. Indeed, the idea of a democracy is that the people are encouraged to express their criticisms, even their wrong-headed criticisms, of elected government institutions, in the expectation that this process will improve the process of government. The harassment, intimidation, unfair prosecution and arbitrary detention of Agba Jalingo simply for exercising his human rights violate Nigerias international human rights obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which the country is a state party. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and full enjoyment of this right is central to achieving individual freedom and to developing democracy. It is not only the cornerstone of democracy, but indispensable to a thriving civil society In circumstances of public debate concerning public figures in the political domain and public institutions, the value placed by human rights treaties upon uninhibited expression is particularly high. The government of Nigeria and the Cross-River state government of governor Ben Ayade have via the charges of terrorism and treason and denial of bail to Agba Jalingo, violated and continued to breach his human rights. SERAP contends that Agba Jalingo is being unfairly prosecuted because of his reporting in his online news outlet, Cross River Watch, which alleged that the Cross Rivers State Governor diverted the sum of N500 Million, belonging to the Cross-River Micro Finance Bank. READ ALSO: On 22nd August 2019, the Nigeria Police, through its special anti-robbery squad arrested Agba Jalingo. On 23rd August 2019, Mr. Jalingo was transferred to a detention facility run by the anti-cult and anti-kidnapping police in Calabar, the capital of Nigerias southern Cross River state and was held there for days before his arraignment on 31st August, 2019. SERAP is seeking the following reliefs: 1. A DECLARATION that the actions by the government of Nigeria and the Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade to continue to arbitrarily detain and unfairly prosecute Agba Jalingo using the Cybercrimes Act, sections 41 & 59 of Nigerias Criminal Code Act and sections 1 & 17 (2)(a)&(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Amendment) Act, violate his human rights, as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 2. A DECLARATION that the arbitrary detention and unfair prosecution of Agba Jalingo by the government of Nigeria and the Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade is illegal and unlawful, as it amounts to breaches of Nigerian international obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and information and media freedom, guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 3. AN ORDER directing the government of Nigeria and the Cross-River state government of governor Ben Ayade to immediately and unconditionally release Agba Jalingo and drop all charges against him, consistent with Nigerias international human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 4. AN ORDER directing directing the government of Nigeria and the Cross-River state government of governor Ben Ayade and/or their agents to provide Agba Jalingo with effective remedies and reparation, including adequate compensation, restitution, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition 5. FOR SUCH FURTHER orders as the Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this suit. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit. Thai commandos forces have begun operations to take the Terminal 21 shopping mall where an armed soldier is holed up with as many as 16 hostages. Footage posted to social media show commando approaching the mall in the formation and dozens of people fleeing from the mall amid sounds of shooting. The 32-year-old's rampage has so far resulted in 20 deaths and 31 others injured in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima. Thai police urged all broadcasters covering the incident to stop live broadcasts from the scene of the operation to free hostages, which will soon begin, the broadcaster reported. Under Thai law, live broadcasts of police and military operations without permission of the command are prohibited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Debate continues to swirl around climate change, the environment and the future of energy. Hoping to offer a deep dive into the debate, the Permian Basin section, SEPM - Society for Sedimentary Geology - is hosting Lee Krystinik of Arlington for a lecture on the concerns and ways to find a pragmatic energy reality. His presentation is part of the society's Robert Read Distinguished Lecturer Series. Its planned for 6 p.m. March 5 at the Bush Convention Center. The public is invited to attend. Theres a misconception that the energy industry is not focused on climate or the environment, said Sandra Elliott, chapter president. We are, every day. We think about those issues more than people realize. Mike Raines, president-elect, said, Some basis of opinion is not based on reality. Its easy to get a window of a picture instead of the whole picture. He described Krystiniks approach as from the aspect that Im hearing things from both sides and I cant decide which is right. So, he attempts to take aspects from both sides of the question and mold them into a pragmatic approach, Raines said. Hopefully, by the end of his talk, both sides will be mad, Raines said. Want to go? Where: Bush Convention Center When: 6-9 p.m. March 5 Cost: $50 per person, $40 for full-time students See More Collapse Krystinik said his speech will have two main goals. First, to offer basic information without making a call, so the audience can make their own decisions from the data thats collected with funds from tax dollars, he said in a phone interview. Two, Im going to talk about whats known, what the assumptions are, what the policies are and what we should be doing. Krystinik stressed that he believes climate change is occurring and that mankind is contributing, but he takes a larger perspective on the issue. Most reports say the models have climate change in the 95th percentile; that means theres a 5 percent chance it will occur. If you use data over models, the data is much lower in probability -- in the 20th percentile. That doesnt say warming is not happening, or that were not part of the cause. It says its not happening as fast. With that, we have time to do a series of sensible things to address warming, Krystinik said. I say, whats changed and what hasnt? You hear a lot about hurricanes and fires, floods, windstorms, snow vortexes, weather quakes, he said. How much has really changed over time? Over 50 years? Over 100 years? He said media reports discuss how more frequent and intense hurricanes have become. But, he said, looking back over the last 140 years, there have been hurricane cycles that have been worse. He cited headlines about how the earth is warming. But, he said, over the last 65 million years, if you measure the temperatures, were about the coldest the earth has been in the last 50 (million) to 60 million years. He said that listening to reports about climate change, you think the world is coming to an end tomorrow. (But) the rate of change is tens of hundreds of years. With that, we can adapt and make sensible changes. Its a monumental task, Krystinik said. If we were to go ahead and say that when we get to 2050, the world would be clean and green. That would require new nuclear plants, costing $8 (billion) to $9 billion each, to be built every day of every week of every month of every year between now and 2050 to get there. If a person wanted to be carbon neutral, he said they would have to plant three trees a day every day to reach that goal. People say, OK, what do I do to cut down on the number of trees Id have to plant? he said. There are pragmatic, practical ways individuals, companies, industries and countries can address climate change without shattering economies, he said. Krystinik said he sets his thermostat at 49 degrees in the wintertime and uses a space heater for additional warmth and sets it at 80 to 82 degrees in the summer. Its not comfortable for a lot of people, but it makes a difference. Hanging clothes outside to dry instead of using a dryer would make a difference. Eliminating a flight between Texas and New York or Texas and San Francisco would be the equivalent of switching from a gasoline-powered car to an electric vehicle for a year -- two years if those flights were round-trip. Synthetic fabrics are responsible for 10 to 25 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. The oil and gas industry should commit to using the various technologies available to eliminate flaring, he said, such as micro-plants that convert natural gas to liquids. As for public policies, Id tell President Trump the sooner you shift the nation from coal to natural gas, youd cut our carbon footprint 50 percent by going to natural gas. I feel for the people who mine coal, but its two to four times the carbon footprint of natural gas. He said there are great oil- and gas-related jobs in traditional coal-mining states such as Pennsylvania and West Virginia, home to the Marcellus Shale gas play. Countries shifting from burning coal to natural gas would make a powerful impact, he said. That would be a challenge, he said, because many developing countries see coal as an energy source that they can use to lift their people out of poverty, even though coal is the worst fossil fuel for the environment. Its not our place to tell them they cant do that, he said. His ultimate goal is to balance both sides of the debate. Solar, wind, fusion, these are all things we should do, things I support, he said. But to rely only on them to supply all the energy we need now? If youre good with rolling blackouts and having your refrigerator or television run only one or two hours a day. I support research and development of improved alternative energy -- fusion, solar, wind, energy efficiency. But each piece has to be a pretty big darn big piece to have an impact. Labour activists have warned that any effort to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will lead to high levels of corruption in the country where the poor have to grease the palms of bureaucrats for obtaining the requisite documents. Socialist thinker Bapu Heddurshetti, who spoke at a workshop on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the National Population Register and the NRC on Sunday, noted that farmers would have to pay bribes for getting title deeds for their lands. In such a situation, if you bring a rule that questions the very citizenship of a person, it will push the entire country into corruption, he noted. According to Heddurshetti, voters ID, Aadhaar and other documents obtained with much struggle are riddled with errors. The difference in address and errors can lead to the denial of citizenship. It will not be surprising if government employees exploit such situations to make money. Throughout the world, lakhs of people have died in the name of religion and nation. Through the NRC, the government will drive a wedge between Hindus and Muslims, he said. Several speakers at the workshop, including AITUC state committee president H V Ananta Subbarao, stressed the need to preserve Indias inclusive culture which is rooted in the ideals like Vasudaiva Kutumbakam. As per the Constitution, India is a secular country. Therefore, it would be wrong to introduce a law based on religion. The government is, however, busy suppressing those raising a voice against its anti-constitutional moves, Subbarao said. It is hard to avoid the conclusion that Donald Trumps plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, agreed with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has more to do with both mens personal tribulations than representing a genuine attempt to bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Trump is in the middle of an impeachment trial while Netanyahu is a prime minister under indictment on corruption charges and is about to face his third election in a year. Aid workers in the field say they are unable to meet the needs of so many people. The Syrian governments offensive to take Idlib province has included air attacks on civilian neighbourhoods as well as fighting on the ground. The violence has forced thousands of people to flee north towards the Turkish border. Al Jazeeras Sinem Koseoglu visited a camp in Idlib, Syria, that is housing some of the displaced people. One man was arrested in connection with the violent anti-CAA protests at Old City area here on December 19, police said. According to police, Taahir had tried to attack police outposts in Old City area with petrol bombs during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in December last year. "In Ghantaghar protests, which are going on since January 17, Taahir has been calling up people to participate in the agitation," a police spokesperson said in a statement here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend The ongoing parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are also covered by Turkish TV channels, Trend reports on Feb. 9. The correspondent of the famous Turkish TV net channel informs about election process via live broadcast. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation started in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Secretariat Information Center of the Central Election Commission (CEC) will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. Some 5,329,460 voters will take part in the voting. Some 340,689 internally displaced people will vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers will observe the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls will be conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US), Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Hedgpeth, from Brandon, Fla., was described in the report as a critically missing/endangered person as well as a mental health consumer. The Secret Service took him into custody for making threats to do bodily harm and possession of a prohibited weapon. The sheathed knife on his left hip had a 3 inch blade, authorities said. Hedgpeth also wore an empty pistol holster on his right hip, police said. US-Irish actress Saoirse Ronan poses on the red carpet upon arrival at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 2, 2020. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) Saoirse Ronan's mother has spoken of the overwhelming pride she feels for daughter ahead of tonight's Oscars. It is the fourth time the actress has been nominated for an Academy Award, this time for her role as Jo March in director Greta Gerwig's adaptation of 'Little Women'. Monica Ronan travelled to the United States while dad Paul Ronan remains filming 'Fair City' in Ireland. Speaking to Independent.ie Monica Ronan said she had felt overwhelming pride since the day her daughter was born. "For a young 26 year old to be nominated four times for an Oscar is beyond believable," she said. "I've been proud of this kid since the day she was put in my arms, so Oscars and awards don't come close to the pride I have for her as young woman, she's my best pal and we've been on a journey together from day one". "We have the Barry's tea and the Tayto crisps, bring it on!" Saoirse Ronan is nominated amongst Hollywood A-listers Scarlett Johansson who appears in 'Marriage Story', Charlize Theron in 'Bombshell', Cynthia Erivo who stars in 'Harriet' and tipped-to-win Renee Zellweger in 'Judy'. Video of the Day Read More Unluckily for Ronan, she has already lost out for both the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice best actress awards to Zellweger. Ronan received her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the age of 12 for her role in 'Atonement' and is among one of the youngest to have been ever nominated for an Academy Award. She was then nominated in 2015 and 2017 for the Best Actress award in 'Brooklyn' and 'Lady Bird'. The 25-year-old actress will be supported by her mum and friends tomorrow night in Los Angeles. Following the Golden Globe win in 2018 for 'Lady Bird', mum Monica spoke to the Irish Independent of her immense pride for her daughter. "I am so happy for her, she said. "She's my best friend, my rock, we're a team and I couldn't be more proud of her achievements in life as a young woman. She makes me beam every day with pride. The deaths of the three Abdallah children and their cousin, mown down by an alleged drunk driver in Oatlands last weekend, has shocked the nation. What has shocked people even more, perhaps, was the astonishingly grace-filled response of the childrens mother, Leila Geagea Abdallah. The Abdallah children's mother, Leila, at the scene of the accident last Sunday. Credit:Edwina Pickles "I think in my heart to forgive him ... Im not going to hate him, because this is not who we are," she told reporters, unconsciously, perhaps, echoing New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns statement after the Christchurch mosque massacre. Forgiveness is one of the most fraught and painful human virtues. Some might claim it is not a virtue at all, that, once wronged, it is only just and right that we pursue those who have wronged us until we are avenged in some way. I hope I never have to endure a fraction of the Abdallah familys anguish. I cannot imagine losing one child, let alone three, or predict how I would react in such a scenario. I expect that there will be years of grief and excruciating work ahead for the parents and siblings of the slain children. To say that there have been big changes in the Canadian cannabis landscape in recent months would be a major understatement. Although Canada was expected to be a global marijuana pioneer given that it was the first industrialized country in the modern era to green-light recreational pot, a number of regulatory issues have stymied growth. As a result, most Canadian pot stocks continue to lose money, and many have needed to adjust their game plans, accordingly. Perhaps the magnitude of these changes is best served by comparing peak production estimates for Canada's top-tier growers in early June 2019 to what those peak output estimates look like in February 2020, inclusive of pending asset sales and construction project halts. Ranking Canada's top cannabis growers Back in June, I ranked Canada's growers by peak production, which looked like this: Aurora Cannabis NASDAQ:ACB) Canopy Growth NASDAQ:CGC) Aphria NASDAQ:APHA) CannTrust Holdings OTC:CNTTQ) The Green Organic Dutchman OTC:TGOD.F) HEXO: 150,000 kilos. Aleafia Health: 138,000 kilos. Zenabis Global: 131,300 kilos. Cronos Group: 117,500 kilos. OrganiGram Holdings: 113,000 kilos. Today, just eight months later, the top five Canadian marijuana growers by peak production have changed considerably: Canopy Growth: 500,000 to 550,000 kilos. Flowr Corp. OTC:FLWPF) Aphria: 255,000 kilos. Aurora Cannabis: Approximately 230,000 kilos. Aleafia Health: 129,500 kilos. In short, the previous projected leader has fallen to No. 4, a grower that wasn't even in the top 10 in June is likely to now be a core producer, and a number of major growers have fallen way down the list for a variety of reasons. What happened to previously top-tier growers? As you've probably noticed, Aurora Cannabis had one of the more notable descents among Canadian marijuana growers by peak production. This decline has to do with a combination of more accurately matching output with market demand, as well as conserving cash. Aurora Cannabis announced in November that it would immediately halt construction at its 1.62-million-square-foot Aurora Sun facility in Alberta, and its 1-million-square-foot Aurora Nordic 2 campus in Denmark. With the exception of utilizing 238,000 square feet of cultivation space at Aurora Sun, this effectively idles around 325,000 kilos of annual run-rate output. But that's not all for Aurora. It also recently put the 1-million-square-foot Exeter greenhouse up for sale. Exeter will need to be retrofitted to grow cannabis and is projected to yield 105,000 kilos at peak operating capacity. With these cultivation assets stripped from the equation, Aurora Cannabis only has the potential to produce around 230,000 kilos a year. As long as financing remains a concern, don't expect Aurora Cannabis to expand its output anytime soon. You're probably also wondering what on Earth happened to CannTrust and Green Organic Dutchman? As for TGOD, as Green Organic Dutchman is known, it was the first to announce a significant cutback in output to match Canada's subdued launch and supply problems. Instead of aiming for 219,000 kilos in peak output, TGOD's fiscal 2020 production is expected to target only 20,000 to 22,000 kilos for the year. Then there's CannTrust, which had its cultivation and sales licenses suspended by Health Canada in September. This follows an admission that the company had illegally grown weed in five unlicensed rooms over a period of six months between October 2018 and March 2019. With no guarantee that it regains its licenses, or is able to expand its outdoor cultivation assets, CannTrust's 200,000 to 300,000 kilos is a big zero for the moment. A number of other growers, including OrganiGram, HEXO, and Cronos, have also halted construction on expansion projects or repurposed existing space that had been used for cultivation. A select few growers have stood firm on production On the flipside, a small number of growers have held firm on their peak production estimates, or perhaps even increased their capacity. For example, you probably noted Flowr at No. 2, and you may not have even heard of the company before. As of June, Flowr was entirely focused on its Kelowna campus in British Columbia, which is capable of around 50,000 kilos of premium and ultra-premium cannabis products. It also envisioned another 300,000-plus square feet of outdoor and greenhouse grow adjacent to Kelowna. But none of this made it anything more than a mid-tier producer. What vaulted Flowr into the spotlight was its acquisition of Holigen last year, giving it ownership of the Aljustrel outdoor grow farm in Portugal, capable of up to 500,000 kilos of peak annual output. This added production makes Flowr a logical player in the burgeoning EU medical marijuana market. You'll also note that estimates for Canopy Growth and Aphria haven't changed since June. Canopy Growth tends to keep a very tight lid on its growth projections, so this has more to do with not getting any specific company updates on output than any direct commentary from management. Meanwhile, Aphria (finally) received its cultivation license for Aphria Diamond in November. This joint venture cultivation project should account for 140,000 kilos of Aphria's 255,000 kilos in peak annual output. Though it remains to be seen if all of this production is actually needed, Canopy Growth and Aphria appear to have dug in their heels as leading marijuana growers in Canada. She revealed this week that her biggest regret about her SKIMS shapewear line was not adding a 'pee hole.' Kim Kardashian looked as if she'd found a new clothing frustration as she showed off some extremely tight heels that wrapped all the way up her legs on Saturday. The 39-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star shared photos of herself in a stunning black outfit while rocking some hypnotizing images of her eye makeup. Tight squeeze: Kim Kardashian, 39, looked as if she'd found a new clothing frustration as she showed off some extremely tight heels that wrapped all the way up her legs on Saturday Kim was pictured seated in the photo set, which featured her in a short black Vivienne Westwood dress covered in zigzagging stripes. She put on a busty display in the dress, which featured a cut-out panel to highlight her cleavage. The 5ft3in reality star wore her raven tress parted down the middle and loosely crimped. She completed her monochrome look with a pair of open-toe Rene Caovilla stilettos with long snakelike strands that coiled around her legs and seemed to dig into her flesh. Back in black: Kim wore a short black Vivienne Westwood dress covered in zigzagging stripes. She put on a busty display in the dress, which had a cut-out over her cleavage Ouch: She completed her monochrome look with a pair of open-toe Rene Caovilla stilettos with long snakelike strands that coiled around her legs and seemed to dig into her flesh Kim posed for the photos on Thursday while visiting the UK, so she captioned her photos, 'London Town.' She was seen leaving the swanky restaurant Hakkasan, where she enjoyed dinner with her husband Kanye West and Burberry Chief Creative Officer Riccardo Tisci Earlier on Saturday, she gave her 159 million fans a closer look at her elegantly coiffed hair and impeccable makeup. The wife of Kanye West showed off her stunning gray eye shadow, long lashes and thick eyebrows. 'I was so inspired working with @nikki_makeup & @lukepluckrose,' she wrote. The experience seemed to have inspired her to take more fashion risks. 'This look really pushed me to want to try new looks this year! I love meeting super talented artists and getting a chance to work with them after admiring their work on Instagram.' All eyes on her: Earlier on Saturday, she gave her 159 million fans a closer look at her elegantly coiffed hair and impeccable makeup, including hypnotizing gray eyeshadow New style: 'This look really pushed me to want to try new looks this year! I love meeting super talented artists and getting a chance to work with them after admiring their work on Instagram,' she wrote In recent years, Kim has become a fashion icon and a muse for prominent designers, while also coming into her own as a fashion entrepreneur. A profile publish earlier this week in The New York Times delved into her shapewear company SKIMS, which she hoped would match Kanye's Yeezy and her sister Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics as her own $1 billion business. Kim hasn't revealed how successful SKIMS has been yet, but the profile did reference a TMZ report stating that the shapewear line made $2 million in the first few minutes it was available online. In comparison, Spanx earned $4 million dollars in its first year. Aspirations: A profile publish earlier this week in The New York Times delved into her shapewear company SKIMS, which she hoped would match Kanye's Yeezy and her sister Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics as her own $1 billion business Whoops! 'I wish we launched shapewear with a pee hole,' Kim reminisced. 'For the people who dont want to take it off and on all the time'; pictured Wednesday in New York City She expressed some humility about the popular product, lamenting the fact that there wasn't an easier way to go to the bathroom while wearing it. 'I wish we launched shapewear with a pee hole,' Kim said. 'For the people who dont want to take it off and on all the time.' Kim first revealed her second thoughts months earlier during an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. She played a game of Show Me Your Phone with the former SNL star, which required her to show her last Google search result. 'Oh my god you guys, this is so embarrassing!' she said, before revealing her search was, 'Is shapewear with a pee hole better?' The presidential Amnesty Programme at the weekend, empowered 96 of its beneficiaries who had acquired skills in four trade areas with starter packs to enable them commence their respective businesses. Various items including high capacity welding generators and accessories, cylinders, deep freezers, chairs and tables as well as bags of cement, among others, were given to the beneficiaries who had completed training in welding and fabrication, commodity shop management, building materials, and electrical/electronics. L-R- Mr. Murphy Ganagana, S.A media, representing Prof. Charles Dokubo, Niger Delta Amnesty Boss, presenting building materials(cement) empowerment trade to Eruru Lucky, during the Empowerment Programme to 98 Niger Delta Amnesty beneficiaries, held in Warri, on Thursday 6th of February 2020. Beneficiaries trained in welding and fabrication received complete equipment required to ply their trade, including a 250 Amps power-flex welding machine; 190/200amps start and weld generator, 25 ram welding cable, electrodes, welding helmet and gloves, among others, just as each of those empowered with building materials got 400 units of 50kg bags of cement, wheelbarrows, shovels, head pans, helmets, hoe, nose masks and 2.5hp Elemco generator. - L-R- Mr. Murphy Ganagana, S.A media, representing Prof. Charles Dokubo, Niger Delta Amnesty Boss, presenting Welding materials empowerment trade to James Onakedi, during the Empowerment Programme to 98 Niger Delta Amnesty beneficiaries, held in Warri, on Thursday 6th of February 2020. Besides the items, shops were also rented for each of the beneficiaries and business names registered for them. Provision was also made for their business cards, letterheads, invoices and other business tools during the empowerment exercise which held simultaneously at the Wellington Hotel, Warri, and neighbouring Osubi community in Delta State. L-R- Mr. Murphy Ganagana, S.A media, representing Prof. Charles Dokubo, Niger Delta Amnesty Boss, presenting materials empowerment trade to Ikolo Dennis, during the Empowerment Programme to 98 Niger Delta Amnesty beneficiaries, held in Warri, on Thursday 6th of February 2020. Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, assured that training and empowerment of beneficiaries will run concurrently this year to improve on the over 2000 beneficiaries empowered in less than two years of his assumption of office. Faces of some delegates for the collection of empowerment materials at the Empowerment Programme to 98 Niger Delta Amnesty beneficiaries, held in Warri, on Thursday 6th of February 2020. He said President Muhammadu Buhari was determined to turn around the situation in the Niger Delta through aggressive human capital and infrastructural development. We are working towards a situation where beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme would be empowered with the necessary tools to start business immediately they complete training. That way, they will not wait longer than necessary after training to engage in productive ventures and then fend for themselves. Set of building materials(cement) empowerment trade meant for delegates, during the Empowerment Programme to 98 Niger Delta Amnesty beneficiaries, held in Warri, on Thursday 6th of February He urged recipients of the starter packs to use the items judiciously rather than disposing them for immediate gains.MURPHY GANAGANA Special Assistant, Media 9thFebruary, 2020 Welding materials empowerment trade to be giving out to delegates, during the Empowerment Programme to 98 Niger Delta Amnesty beneficiaries, held in Warri, on Thursday 6th of February 2020. Provisions materials empowerment trade to be giving out to delegates, during the Empowerment Programme to 98 Niger Delta Amnesty beneficiaries, held in Warri, on Thursday 6th of February 2020. Building and electrical materials empowerment trade to be giving out to delegates, during the Empowerment Programme to 98 Niger Delta Amnesty beneficiaries, held in Warri, on Thursday 6th of February 2020. When he saw a suitcase floating on the Han River, the fishermans instincts told him it was not a good sign. But Nguyen Khanhs curiosity got the better of him and he steered the boat that he and his wife were sailing in towards the foot of the Tran Thi Ly Bridge in Da Nang City. It was 4 a.m. Friday. Khanh got the suitcase and opened it. His gut churned and he turned cold with fear. Inside were several parts of a human body. The terrified couple had no choice but to take the suitcase ashore and inform the authorities. The Da Nang Police got the information at around 7 a.m. Colonel Tran Muu, deputy director of the citys police department, took up the case. Quickly concluding that this was a murder case with the body dumped, he requested the crime branch to join the investigation because there was no head in the suitcase and the body had to be identified. Looking at the water flow when standing at the foot of the bridge, the colonel felt that the culprit could have thrown the suitcase from the Tuyen Son Bridge, a kilometer away. A team was sent by boat to search the area between the two bridges. They found a bag covered with tape. Inside was a human head and feet. Colonel Muu suspected that the victim was a Chinese woman. He ordered an autopsy and also had the citys immigration office work on ID verification. Soon after, the victim was identified as a Chinese woman named Bao DanPing, 30. Shed entered Vietnam on December 4 last year and was a frequent visitor at a casino in Ngu Hanh Son District. Police teams were then sent to stake out the house the victim had rented - 14 Truong Van Hien Street in the same district. At 11 a.m., they saw a man on a motorbike stopping in front of the house and rushing to the third floor. Their suspicions aroused, the police officers called superiors for further directions. Major general Vu Xuan Vien, director of the citys police department, gave the nod for police to detain the man. Half an hour later, the team raided the house and caught the man, Xiao Guiping, 27, a Chinese national. "Criminals usually have a look that betrays them," Colonel Muu said. At the police station, Guiping admitted to the crime, it stemmed from a quarrel with DanPing from whom hed borrowed money to gamble at the Crowne Plaza casino. Guiping is a native of Chinas Guizhou Province. He arrived in Vietnam on December 23 last year as a tourist, but his main aim was to gamble at the casino. In Da Nang, he moved into a rented house on Truong Van Hien Street with his Chinese girlfriend, a close friend of the victim, DanPing. On Learning that Guiping was good at gambling, DanPing decided to allow him to gamble with her money, the agreement being that they would split the proceeds or losses equally. On December 26, Guiping won $34,000 and the sum was split as agreed. On February 4 and 5, DanPing gave Guiping $61,000 to gamble, but he lost. Upset, DanPing demanded her entire money back, instead of splitting the loss equally, as agreed, Guiping told the police. Last Thursday afternoon, DanPing came to Guipings place and demanded the money and the ensuing dispute escalated to the point that Guiping ended up killing her. Police did not reveal how she was killed. After killing her, Guiping proceeded to cut her body in several parts, some of which he put in a suitcase. He carried it on a motorbike to Hoi An Town, some 30 km away. Unable to find a suitable place to dump the suitcase, he returned to Da Nang and threw it into the Han River at the Tran Thi Ly Bridge. The other body parts he put into a bag and dumped it into the river at Tuyen Son Bridge. Da Nang police have detained Guipings girlfriend as well. The two will be investigated and dealt with under Vietnamese regulations. "They will not be sent back to China for this," colonel Muu said. Da Nang authorities have rewarded the police department VND100 million ($4,300) for solving a murder case just hours after it happened. I raqs top Shiite cleric yesterday condemned recent deadly attacks on anti-government demonstrators and called out state security forces for not doing more to prevent violence in protest squares across the country. Eight demonstrators were killed this week in attacks on protest camps by supporters of the populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, including in the shrine city of Najaf home to Iraqs Shiite religious leadership. In his weekly sermon delivered by a representative, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani condemned the bloodshed as painful and unfortunate and said state security forces were indispensable to keeping the country from falling into the abyss of chaos. There is no justification for them to stop fulfilling their duties in this regard, or for anyone to stop them from doing so, Mr Al Sistani said. They must bear responsibility for maintaining security and stability, protecting peaceful protesters and their gathering places, revealing the identities of aggressors and infiltrators, and protecting the interests of citizens from the attacks of saboteurs. Earlier this week, Mr Al Sadr called on his supporters to ensure the reopening of schools, roads and government offices that had been shut by months of demonstrations. Nearly 490 people have been killed in protest-related violence since October, when rallies erupted in Baghdad and across the Shiite-majority south demanding an overhaul of the political elite. Security forces responded with tear gas, live rounds and even machine gun fire, which Mr Al Sistani had condemned in previous sermons. This week, demonstrators said they faced a new threat from supporters of Mr Al Sadr, who initally backed the protest movement but then threw his support behind the nomination of Mohammad Allawi as Iraqs new prime minister last weekend. Most protesters rejected twotime communications minister as too close to the political elite they had been demonstrating against for months. Whats the biggest worry these days for people managing companies, nonprofits and even government agencies? Chances are, its finding workers ones who care about what theyre doing and whos paying them. Thats the result of the record low jobless rate were seeing in 2020, well under 4 percent, the range where employees gain the upper hand in the job market. So if your employer is looking for people or maybe youre the owner one of the most effective claims you can make is that youre a Top Workplace. That means the Hearst Connecticut Media Top Workplaces awards. And 2020 isnt just another year for the contest sponsored by all of the Hearst newspapers, its the 10th year weve held the awards. Click here to see the 2019 winners and awards dinner Back in 2011, when we started Top Workplaces, we were barely out of the recession in Connecticut and companies needed an edge in the market. Laying claim as a Top Workplaces winner mattered in a different way, but it mattered. Now its even more crucial. Nominations are open for the 2020 competition. Were looking to honor the best places to work whether theyre privately owned companies, publicly traded corporations, subsidiaries, partnerships, nonprofits or government agencies. A company need not have its headquarters here to compete. The contest is open to any employer with 35 or more people in Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties. Recognition is given for small, midsize and large organizations, and the contest also rewards the best executives. Dont wait, nominations close Friday, March 13. Last year, Hearst Connecticut Media honored 50 employers from across the region. Its based on employee surveys and the cost to compete and win is zero. Last years highest award winners were: In the large employer category for companies with at least 400 people in the three counties, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties came in as No. 1, for the second year in a row. Among midsize employers with 125 to 399 local employees, United Rentals Inc., a global company based in Stamford, was the top finisher. In the small employer category, The Southfield Center for Development, a behavioral health care provider for children and teenagers in Darien and Wilton, won first place, among 33 companies on the Top Workplaces list. Three awards went to top-ranked leaders. They were Christopher Bogart, founder and executive director of The Southfield Center; Mark Curtis, founder and CEO of Splash Car Wash; and, at O&G Industries in Torrington, a trio of third-generation family members that run the giant construction firm: David Oneglia, Raymond Oneglia Jr. and Greg Oneglia. Watch this animated video about how Top Workplaces works. Ask any of these winners, or any past winners, whether their Top Workplaces designation matters. Ask David Lewis, CEO of OperationsInc, the human resources outsourcing firm and a 7-time winner. He knows the business. Or ask the creative folks at Basement Systems Inc., who have joined the list five times. Only one company, ICON International Inc., the corporate barter firm, has made the winners list all nine years. We can only hope they celebrate with us for the 10th time in September when we announce the awards. Hearst Connecticut Media Top Workplaces winners will be featured in the Connecticut Post, The News-Times of Danbury, Greenwich Time, The Stamford Advocate, The Norwalk Hour, New Haven Register and The Register Citizen of Torrington in September and will be highlighted on all of the associated websites. For complete coverage of last years winners, go to any of those media outlets websites and type /topworkplaces such as www.ctpost.com/topworkplaces. Energage , formerly known as WorkplaceDynamics, carries out the Top Workplaces surveys for more than 40 metro newspapers including some of the biggest. Last year, the company surveyed 2.7 million employees at more than 7,500 organizations. Employers can be nominated online at topworkplaces. com/hearstct or by calling 203-617-0727. dhaar@hearstmediact.com If this had happened to President Obama, a lot of people would have been in jail by now. So went President Trumps morning-after remarks, following the GOP-controlled Senates acquittal vote, the denouement of the Democrat-controlled Houses approval of two thin-gruel articles of impeachment. To say the president is defiant, that he is without remorse, understates the matter. In a midweek speech explaining her not-guilty vote, Senator Susan Collins (R., Maine) maintained that the president had learned his lesson. By weeks end, she sheepishly allowed that her assessment had been aspirational Collins aspiration, that is, not Trumps. The president would not pretend to be either sorry or grateful for his reprieve. This is a big part of what ardent Trump supporters love about their man. Alas, it is just as big a part of why the presidents approval numbers languish in the 40s when they ought to be in the 60s, with a humming economy, record low unemployment, and the nation at relative peace. President Clinton was not sorry either not really. As shown by his occasional outbursts in recent years, he internalized the storyline that he was the victim, not the villain, of the Lewinsky scandal that led to his impeachment. But 21 years ago, his peerless political instincts told him, a just-acquitted sitting president, that it was important to feign contrition. He apologized to the American people, conceding that his misdeeds were shameful and had put the country and the Congress through a painful ordeal. Clinton never gave an inch on the question of whether his actions had been impeachable. But he knew he should at least admit that they were wrong. Of course, the media-Democrat complex that saved Clinton acknowledges no such distinctions in Trumps case. As for the incumbent president, it is not in his DNA to admit anything. This, inevitably, is fuel for his oppositions hysterical claim that he is, and remains, a clear and present threat to the integrity of the 2020 election. If he will not acknowledge or cannot apprehend the wrong he has done, they say, why should anyone be confident that he wont do it again? Story continues Theres the rub. The president may or may not believe that his dealings with the Ukrainian government were perfect. But he is never going to make an admission that would instantly be reframed as a confession to the Democrats delusional version of what it all means. Nor is he going to dignify Washingtons two-tiered system, in which his venial sins draw the hellfire while his opponents transgressions are insulated from criticism, let alone expulsion. Lets see if we cant navigate between perfect and impeachable. What wrong did he do? Well, an American president should never encourage, much less pressure, a foreign government to investigate an American citizen for possible violations of that foreign countrys laws. Thats basic. In the matter of Ukraine, the American citizens in question included a top political rival of the president; that makes matters worse, but it is not the main point. We have a federal government, in large part, to protect Americans from foreign aggression and intimidation. And indeed, when an American citizen is harassed or arrested overseas, the State Department commonly intervenes on the Americans behalf, regardless of whether the American is guilty, to ensure that our citizens rights under foreign and international law are being respected. Notwithstanding the insistence of Trump defenders, it is no answer to say that the Bidens appear to have been involved in suspicious activities. That detail is relevant mainly because Democrats made it relevant: The presidents chief tormentor, Representative Adam Schiff (D., Calif.), falsely represented to the country that Trump coerced Ukraine to make up dirt about Joe Biden. That would have been materially worse than what Trump actually did. It was fair game, then, for the presidents defense to emphasize that there are obvious indicia of corrupt self-dealing by the Bidens, and that Schiff would not need to exaggerate Trumps misconduct if he had a viable impeachment case. All that said, though, if there were solid grounds to believe the Bidens broke any American laws, the FBI would be investigating and the presidents request for Ukrainian assistance would have been at the behest of the Trump Justice Department. That is not what happened. The Justice Department did not ask the president to intervene with Ukraine regarding the Bidens, and the FBI is being cagey about whether it has done, or been asked to do, any investigating. The fact that the president has the constitutional power to ask a foreign regime to investigate an American citizen, even if his Justice Department does not suspect that U.S. laws have been broken, does not mean it is appropriate for the president to do that. The Constitution gives presidents raw power to do all sorts of things they should not do. That does not mean the Bidens should be immune from criticism. Politicians write the laws so, unsurprisingly, a lot of the sleazy things they do are not illegal. But legal or not, Biden sleaze would be a legitimate campaign issue (if Biden were to win his partys nomination) the cashing in on political influence, the insouciance about conflicts of interest, Bidens bragging about his withholding of vital aid to extort Ukraine (while Democrats clutch their pearls over Trumps withholding of vital aid to extort Ukraine). Bottom line: Incumbent officials are not supposed to seek foreign law-enforcement assistance for domestic political purposes, only to aid ongoing American law-enforcement investigations. If DOJ had had a Biden probe, there would have been nothing wrong with Trumps asking Ukraine to assist. That happens all the time. Its why we have a mutual legal assistance treaty with Ukraine, as we do with many other countries. That, however, is very different from asking Ukraine to investigate Americans for violating Ukrainian law. Trump partisans counter that there is nothing wrong with a presidents demanding that corruption be rooted out by countries receiving U.S. foreign aid, and that Ukraine is one of the worlds most corrupt countries. Generally speaking, those things are true. In this specific case, however, the president did not make an overarching request that Ukraine investigate corruption. The Defense Department had already done that, as U.S. law requires. Instead, the president homed in on the Bidens, and the Bidens only. If, as the Trump defense says, the president is truly worried about Ukrainian corruption, why would he want to sic its notoriously corrupt law-enforcement system on anyone, much less an American? Wouldnt our government first want to be satisfied that Ukraine had cleaned up its own house? So, yes, this was far from perfect. Still, on these facts, for Democrats and Senator Mitt Romney (R., Utah) to treat what President Trump did as a hanging offense was ridiculous. Ukraines criminal-justice system is so infamously corrupt that Biden would not have been hurt even if there had been an investigation especially once it became clear that Trumps own Justice Department did not suspect Biden of violating American law. More to the point, Trump did not persist in the demand for a Ukrainian probe, and Ukraine got its defense aid. Schiffs suggestion that the brief, barely noticed delay in transmitting the aid caused harm of any kind to Ukraines self-defense was only slightly less laughable than his whopper that Trump somehow imperiled American national security. No matter how you judge the presidents intentions, nothing of consequence actually happened and that is what matters most. Regardless of whether Romney buys the Democrats sky is falling rhetoric, it is utter nonsense . . . just another verse in the sky is falling soundtrack they have been playing since November 8, 2016. And we havent even addressed the pot calling the kettle black problem. Do Democrats really think the president and his supporters, or any fair-minded Americans for that matter, are not going to notice that the how dare you invite foreign interference in our elections storyline has been concocted by the party that recruited a foreign spy to dig up high-level Russian-government dirt on Trump? Dirt that was often absurd on its face? Dirt that could easily have been discredited if the Obama-era FBI had chosen to investigate it, and yet was mendaciously supplied under oath to the FISA court again and again? Did Democrats figure wed all quietly abide their puling about foreign interference in our elections after the Obama administration collaborated with foreign intelligence services to run informants at Trump campaign officials . . . and then withheld from the FISA court the exculpatory evidence those contacts generated? Did Democrats think wed forget that even the now-sainted Fiona Hill acknowledges that Ukrainian officials labored to wound Trumps campaign? And that they did so while Democrats were collaborating with Kyiv to target Paul Manafort? Do Democrats suppose it has slipped our minds that they wove a collusion fairy tale against Trump out of unverifiable foreign-intelligence streams, and demanded the appointment of a special counsel to pursue the fairy tale even as it was palpably collapsing seven months after the Obama administration began seeking FISA court warrants under false pretenses? And obstruction? Were going to be lectured to about obstruction by the people who defended to the hilt Hillary Clintons private email server? You remember: The destruction of tens of thousands of emails despite congressional preservation demands, the hammers and Bleach Bit, the serial lying about not hoarding classified information and not withholding official-business emails from the State Department. The sealing and burial of the ClintonObama emails, and the studious purging of any reference to President Obama in the description of Clintons misconduct. Democrats may have suppressed their memory of the IRS scandal, the Benghazi scandal, and the Fast and Furious scandal the first involving abuse of power in order to interfere in the 2012 election; the last two involving cover-ups after American officials were killed. But rest assured, this convenient case of amnesia is not contagious. Whatever you think of Ukraine, it doesnt hold a candle to this record. Impeachment is a political remedy. It is not just a matter of what may be legally, ethically, or morally wrong; it is a matter of how a particular wrong stacks up against current norms. Sorry but Democrats do not get to blow up the norms and then tell us that President Trump has to be impeached and removed over a comparative trifle. More from National Review The House of Representatives last week announced that it has uncovered financial malpractices in some federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). The Green Chamber started the week vowing to shame MDAs that failed to submit their audit reports as due by law. Firstly, the House Committee on Finance said it uncovered over N65 billion unpaid revenue remittances from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Chairman of the committee, Abiodun Faleke, at a public hearing on Tuesday said the total expected revenue remittance from FAAN was N74.66 billion from 2014 to 2019, but only N9 billion was remitted. At another session of the House Committee on Public Accounts with the University of Ibadan, the bursar of the school, Michael Alatise, said the institution failed to submit an audit report since 2014 because the auditor hired for the exercise went blind. This did not go down well with the committee, headed by Oluwole Oke. It thus ordered a thorough investigation into the schools books. Next, the panel drilled the director-general of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside. Because Mr Peterside could not give satisfactory explanations on why the agency failed to submit its audited accounts to the Auditor-General of the Federation since 2014, the committee ordered a probe into the finances of the agency over the years. On security, the House dedicated the whole of Wednesday to meeting military and police chiefs whom they had earlier called for their resignation. Briefing journalists after the meeting which was held behind closed doors, Babajimi Benson, chairman of the House Committee on Defence, said insurgency has likely persisted in the country because foreign powers were backing the terrorists. Pentamaster International Limited (HKG:1665), which is in the semiconductor business, and is based in Malaysia, received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the SEHK over the last few months, increasing to HK$2.36 at one point, and dropping to the lows of HK$1.80. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Pentamaster International's current trading price of HK$1.88 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Pentamaster Internationals outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. View our latest analysis for Pentamaster International Is Pentamaster International still cheap? Good news, investors! Pentamaster International is still a bargain right now. My valuation model shows that the intrinsic value for the stock is HK$2.45, but it is currently trading at HK$1.88 on the share market, meaning that there is still an opportunity to buy now. Pentamaster Internationals share price also seems relatively stable compared to the rest of the market, as indicated by its low beta. If you believe the share price should eventually reach its true value, a low beta could suggest it is unlikely to rapidly do so anytime soon, and once its there, it may be hard to fall back down into an attractive buying range. What kind of growth will Pentamaster International generate? SEHK:1665 Past and Future Earnings, February 9th 2020 Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so lets also take a look at the company's future expectations. Pentamaster Internationals earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 49%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? Since 1665 is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With a positive outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as capital structure to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on 1665 for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its buoyant future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy 1665. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to make a well-informed buy. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Pentamaster International. You can find everything you need to know about Pentamaster International in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Pentamaster International, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. ST. PAUL A growing number of Minnesota law enforcement agencies have partnered with front door camera maker Ring in an arrangement that allows them to request home security footage for use in investigations. At last count, 13 local police and county sheriffs departments in Minnesota had joined forces with the company. More than 400 nationwide have done the same since the program launched in 2018. These partnerships offer the police a new way to interact with their communities. But for some, they raise questions about privacy. "Were in a highly technological era," Lt. Andy Galles of the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office said. "Criminals advance, we need to advance along with them." Founded in 2013, Ring is known for its line of motion-activated, smartphone-compatible home security cameras, which both resemble and function as doorbells. The company was acquired by e-commerce giant Amazon in 2018. ADVERTISEMENT Police that work with the company have only limited access to video recordings that Ring devices capture. According to its website, police cannot remotely activate a user's camera and monitor what it sees. Partnering agencies can only ask for footage from device users who live in a part of their jurisdictions where crime is being investigated. Footage requests are made through a software application that does not allow the police to target specific users. Each request includes a description of the incident under investigation and a corresponding case number, and can only ask for video captured between a specific span of time. Ring owners who accept the requests can choose which recordings to share with the police. Those who deny it can choose to indefinitely opt out of future requests. The company said that it does not provide the police with personal information on its customers unless they agree to a request, in which case it shares only their street and email addresses. Minnesota police officials said the partnerships provide them with access to new public safety tools. Others worry that they represent another step toward mass surveillance. University of Minnesota Law School professor JaneAnne Murray, who specializes in criminal law, said in an interview that the technology could potentially be misused to spy on ordinary people. "That capacity to aggregate individuals' movements is something that should give us pause and certainly would give the Supreme Court pause," Murray said. Detective Mike Passig admits that some Plymouth, Minn. residents had reservations about the city police department's arrangement with Ring when it became official in August. The department was the first in Minnesota to partner with the company. ADVERTISEMENT "People were thinking we had access to their cameras," he said. But since then, he said, the Plymouth police have made only made eight requests for footage. More handy, he said, has been Ring's companion social media app Neighbors. The self-described "new neighborhood watch," Neighbors is open to anyone regardless of whether they own a Ring device. Users appear as anonymous to police departments that use the app. Galles said the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office has found the social media app to be valuable as well. Like Facebook and Twitter, he said, it can be used to easily disseminate public safety information. Since partnering with Ring in October, Galles said, the sheriff's office has requested Ring footage only a handful of times. None of the requests produced anything of use to investigators, he said. Ring has said that it cannot force the police to destroy videos shared with them because of public records laws. Joel Bonstrom, a crime analyst with the city police in Edina, Minn., said that officials with access to Ring footage have to treat it "the same as any other evidence." Edina partnered with Ring beginning December, Bonstrom said, and police there have requested footage only twice since then. Two more Minnesota police departments joined up with the company in January. In many cases, police departments elect to approach Ring about potential partnerships on their own. In Edina, Bonstrom said, Ring came to the police first. ADVERTISEMENT Through a spokesperson, Ring declined to say how it chooses which departments to approach. In either case, Ring users receive phone notifications when their local police join Neighbors. Police officials stressed that Ring and the Neighbors app will not substitute traditional police work but supplement it. Passig said that he doubts technology will ever progress to a point where it replaces the need for in-person responses, which he said help to develop trust. "Youre never going to be able to replace the personal relationships that you form," he said. President Donald Trump took time out of his day Saturday to comment on a photo that had gone viral. The photo showed Trump walking across the south lawn of the White House with his hair swept back by the wind and appeared to show a very distinct tan line around the presidents face. Or was it a tan line at all? Some argued that maybe the stark contrast between the presidents orange hue and his very white skin bordering his hair may have been the result of poor makeup blending. The president, however, insisted it was none of those. Advertisement More Fake News, Trump wrote as he shared the black-and-white version of the photo. This was photoshopped, obviously, but the wind was strong and the hair looks good? Anything to demean! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @realDonaldTrump returns to the White House from Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by William Moon at the South Lawn of the White House on February 7, 2020 pic.twitter.com/n1a1Z93LrJ White House Photos (@photowhitehouse) February 7, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement The photo originated from the account @photowhitehouse, which is unverified and claims to be run by a photographer named William Moon. He describes himself as White House Correspondent, Journalist, Photographer, Poet and Pesco Vegetarian but isnt affiliated with the White House and isnt a member of the White House News Photographers Association. Moon posted two versions of the photo and insisted that it was never photoshopped although he used the Apple smartphones photo app to adjust the color of the picture. Moon appears to be a fan of Trump and his captions often lean toward the poetic. For the photo that went viral, Moon wrote that Trump was dancing with the sunset and strong winds when he walked to the Oval Office from the Marine One on the South Lawn. Advertisement Today, @realDonaldTrump was dancing with the sunset and strong winds when he walked to the Oval Office from the Marine One on the South Lawn.. Photo by William Moon in the White House on February 7, 2020 pic.twitter.com/GURvi4UeSO White House Photos (@photowhitehouse) February 8, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Wire service photos of the same scene also show what could be described as a tan line around the presidents face, although it is not as stark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump commented on the photo after many on social media used it as an opportunity to mock the president. Didnt Trudeau just get in trouble for this pic.twitter.com/v6QfCrL9vZ Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) February 8, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement The BBC reports: The government is examining whether to move the House of Lords out of London, the Conservative Party chairman has said. James Cleverly told Sky News the idea was among a range of options being considered to reconnect politics with voters outside of the capital. According to the Sunday Times, York and Birmingham have emerged as contenders to permanently host the upper chamber. As China reels under deadly coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping India's readiness to provide assistance to the country to deal with the situation. In a letter to Xi, Modi expressed solidarity with the president and people of China over the outbreak of the virus, official sources said. A total of 811 people have died of the coronavirus infection in China so far while the number of confirmed cases has gone up to 37,198, according to latest data released by Chinese authorities. Though the epicentre of the outbreak was Hubei province, the virus has spread to almost every province in China as well as around 25 countries in the world, forcing the World Health Organization to declare it a global emergency. In the letter to Xi, Modi offered India's assistance to China to deal with the challenge and also conveyed condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak, the sources said. The prime minister also conveyed to Xi his appreciation for facilitating evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from the Hubei province last week. A sizeable number of countries have evacuated their citizens from China and restricted movement of people and goods to and from China. India too has put restrictions on the movement of people to and from China as part of precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus. In an interview to PTI, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Wednesday said China is ready to work with India to strengthen communication and coordination, and to safeguard the health and safety of Indian citizens in China. Admitting that there could be a short-term impact of the epidemic on China's economy, he said the country's internal resilience is growing and it has ample resources and policy tools to cope with the economic volatility resulting from the outbreak. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An estimated 2,500 children and young adults in Illinois who had been in the custody of the states foster care system within the past year abruptly lost their health coverage Feb. 1. That was just one of many problems that occurred during the weekend when the state shifted some 19,000 former foster children into its privatized managed care health coverage system. Childrens advocacy groups warned that more problems may lie ahead as the state works to move nearly 17,000 current foster children into that same system. These are not glitches, these are major flaws, Danielle Gomez of the Cook County Public Guardians office told a state Senate panel. I am not sensationalizing the issue when I say that children will die as a result of the stubborn resolve to continue moving forward. Illinois began transitioning its Medicaid program from a traditional fee-for-service model to managed care in 2011. Under managed care, the state contracts with a number of private insurance companies and pays them a flat monthly fee for each patient they enroll. In turn, the companies, known as managed care organizations, or MCOs, are supposed to manage those patients care by making sure they have complete health screenings and regular checkups. MCOs also are supposed to coordinate care between the patients primary doctor and any specialists they need. Today, nearly all regular Medicaid recipients in Illinois are enrolled in a managed care plan. But there have been widespread reports of MCOs denying claims and delaying payments, often because their enrollment with the MCO wasnt completed correctly or the provider that a patient went to see wasnt in the MCOs network. But two groups the state did not immediately put under managed care were current and former foster care children, a population that includes victims of abuse and neglect, many of whom have highly complex physical, mental and behavioral health issues. State officials announced in 2017 that they intended to move those groups into managed care, but the official launch date was delayed several times. Finally, after extensive negotiations with ACLU attorneys, the state announced last month it had reached a deal: Former foster children would be shifted into managed care on Feb. 1, but current foster children would not be shifted into the new system until April 1. Since the launch of managed care for former foster children, Gomez said, she had learned of two cases in which an MCO refused to speak with parents about a childs health condition unless the child executed a power of attorney. These children were 9 and 2 years old, she said. Gomez said another parent of a 14-year-old girl tried to fill her daughters seizure medication, but the pharmacy refused and would not offer advice about where they could go to have it filled. Finally, another parent attempted to get a monthly supply of feeding tubes and supplies for her child and was told by the provider that her childs care was inactive as of Saturday and that it was not an isolated instance, but that all of the foster children who receives supplies from that agency were inactive now, she said. ACLU of Illinois attorney Heidi Dalenberg described the process of shifting current and former foster children into managed care as a herky-jerky journey for the entire state. I think its fair to say that theres been intense concerns since that time about the way that the rollout was going to proceed and whether or not children were going to continue to receive care in the way that they should when they need it from close-by practitioners, and in a way that makes it possible for their families to care for them in a comfortable way, she said. Unfortunately, thats not how things have played out. Both Dalenberg and Gomez urged lawmakers to halt the transition to managed care and to delay the rollout until the state is certain all the glitches have been fixed. Kristine Herman of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the agency that runs the state Medicaid program, described the deactivation of 2,500 children from the system as a glitch in a computer program that was quickly fixed. And she said the agency is working hard, along with the Department of Children and Family Services, the states foster care agency, to resolve other issues. There is nothing more important to us than getting this process right, she said. Vulnerable children and families in Illinois deserve quality health care with coordinated services and support. And all of us at HFS are committed to providing that level of care, and we truly believe the managed care plan that we have created will accomplish that goal. But Sen. David Koehler, a Peoria Democrat, said he was skeptical a managed care system would ever work. I dont doubt that all the staff and all the departments are really working hard to resolve this issue, he said. I think that the problem probably more lies with us as policymakers. You know, weve gone into a system that I dont think is really going to work. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from Bihar's Maoist-hit Munger district during a police raid, a senior officer said. Acting on a tip off, a joint team of the special task force (STF) of the Bihar Police and district-level officers, raided the house of one Uday Yadav in Satgharva village on Saturday night, and seized two rifles, three pistols, 56 cartridges of .315 bore, along with clothes, belts, blankets and medicines, Deputy Inspector General Manu Maharaj said. No one was, however, arrested, Maharaj said, adding that miscreants might have fled the spot during the raid. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Radio DJ Sara Cox's older brother has passed away suddenly at the age of 56. David Cox, 56, died at Whitehaven Hospital, Cumbria, on December 6 after suffering from an undiagnosed underlying heart condition. Sara and her family have been left 'shaken' by his death. David Cox, 56, (pictured) died on at Whitehaven Hospital, Cumbria, after suffering from an undiagnosed underlying heart condition on December 6 'He died so suddenly, Sara is absolutely heartbroken. 'The whole family has been really shaken by the death,' according to The Sun. The family held his funeral at St. George's Church in Chorley, Lancashire, on December 23. It was followed by a private ceremony at the Charnock Richard Crematorium. A funeral announcement in the Bolton News newspaper read: 'Beloved partner to Linda, a loving son, father, brother, uncle and dear friend to many. Sadly missed.' David's family has since set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Radio DJ Sara Cox has not made a public statement about her brother's death but sources say she has been left 'shaken' David's family has since set up a JustGiving.com page to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. They have so far raised 1,840 of their 5,000 target It reads: 'Thank you for visiting David's fundraising page. 'David passed away suddenly on December 6, 2019 due to an unknown underlying heart condition. 'The British Heart Foundation raises money to fund life saving medicines and research. 'We are therefore raising money in David's memory and donating it to this worthy cause.' They have so far raised 1,840 of their 5,000 target. Sara has not made a public statement about her brother's death. Two serving corps members in Kano, who met during their orientation program, have tied the knot in the most unusual way. The couple, Mohammed Alhaji Musa and Hauwa Yahaya Bagudu got married in their NYSC Khakis. A post on NYSC Official Forum reads; The ancient city of Kano stood still today when two serving Corps Members, Mohammed Alhaji. Musa and Hauwa Yahaya Bagudu exchanged marital vows. The new couple met at NYSC Kano State Orientation Camp in Kusallah Dam Karaye during the 2019 Batch A Orientation Course. Read Also: Nigerian Man Dies In Hotel After Sleeping With A Prostitute (Video) According to reports, NYSC Kano State Coordinator, Malam Baba Ladan, who led other NYSC Staff and Corps Members to the wedding reception which took place at Nigeria Air Force Base in Kano, commended the new couple for maintaining their relationship which blossomed into marriage. Ladan also hailed the couple for fulfilling one of the objectives of the NYSC Scheme which is to achieve national unity and integration. The Coordinator used the occasion to appeal to other Corps Members to build relationships that would bring good memories in the future. Aircrew from Bangladesh's national carrier Biman have refused to work on a flight aimed at repatriating citizens from virus-hit Chinese cities, forcing the government to scrap the evacuation plan. The South Asian nation last week evacuated 312 people, mostly students, from the epicentre of the deadly outbreak, and had planned a second flight for another 171 Bangladeshis. "We can't bring them because we can't send any flight," foreign minister A.K. Abdul Momen told reporters on Saturday. "No crew wants to go there. The crew who went there earlier don't want to go either." The outbreak, which has killed more than 800 people and infected tens of thousands across China, has spread to nearly more than two dozen other countries and sparked global concern. There have been no cases recorded in Bangladesh. The evacuees and aircrew who returned to Dhaka on February 1 are being quarantined for 14 days at a camp usually used for Haj pilgrims. Health officials say none have tested positive for the virus. The minister said the government was trying to charter a Chinese flight instead, but so far without success. Bangladeshis evacuated on a first flight from Wuhan are taken by bus to quarantine Lucknow, Feb 9 : Cocking a snook at the law against triple talaq, a tailor announced divorce to his wife inside a family court here by uttering 'talaq' thrice. The wife said that she was coming out of the family court on Friday after a hearing of a case when her husband said 'talaq' thrice and told her that she was no longer his wife. This is the fourth case of triple talaq in the city in the past 15 days. According to the FIR, Afroz Nisha, 30, was married to Abrar Ali in February 2012. Soon after marriage, Nisha alleged that she was harassed for dowry by her husband and in-laws. She finally walked out of the house in February 2016 and lodged an FIR at Mohanlalganj police station for dowry harassment and domestic violence. The case is since pending in a family court. Nisha said that on Friday, as they were leaving the courtroom, her husband gave her triple talaq. Abrar Ali, meanwhile, said, "I had gone to court and have got a date in March. I did not see my wife in court. The allegations made by her are false." Wazirganj SHO Deepak Dubey said, "We have lodged an FIR on the complaint of Nisha under sections of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 and will take steps accordingly." Celebrity chef George Calombaris' restaurant empire is reportedly on the brink of collapse seven months after an underpayment scandal rocked his company. A voluntary administrator could be appointed this week for Calombaris' Made Establishment business - with up to 500 jobs and 18 restaurants on the chopping block. The management of Made Establishment, which is backed by former Swisse CEO Radek Sali, will meet with creditors on Monday, reports The Herald Sun. Celebrity chef George Calombaris' restaurant empire is reportedly on the brink of collapse seven months after an underpayment scandal rocked his company Hellenic Republic Brunswick, a former flagship of Made Establishment, was transformed into vegan friendly eatery Crofter Made Establishment is headquartered in Mount Waverley in southeast Melbourne 'There are so many options on the table,' a source close to the company told the publication, adding it was too early to tell if the restaurants would be forced to close. Some employees were reportedly informed of the meeting in advance. The Melbourne based restaurant empire includes the Press Club, Gazi and Hellenic Republic. It is understood the options include selling some of the poorly performing restaurants and the deal would see creditors and staff paid in full. Calombaris' hospitality empire was revealed in July 2019 to have underpaid staff to the tune of $7.8 million. The wages scandal was uncovered and reported by staff of Mr Sali, who was brought into the business in 2016. Mr Sali, a member of the Australian Financial Review's Rich List, previously negotiated the sale of Swisse to a Hong Kong based company for $1.7 billion in one of the largest private business transactions in Australian history. The $7.8 million in wages and superannuation owed to staff by Made Establishment was backpaid in 2019. The Fair Work Ombudsman also hit the company with a $200,000 fine. At the time, Calombaris told the ABC's 7.30 program: 'We aren't closing our restaurants, we're here. 'And it's my job as their leader to keep pushing forward and keep speaking this message, not shying away from the mistake we made, but also acknowledging that we fixed it.' 'I won't forget that afternoon in 2017 when we sat there with my new business partners after we'd done a full audit for the business and discovered the underpayments.' Calombaris' hospitality empire was revealed in July 2019 to have underpaid staff to the tune of $7.8 million The celebrity chef begged the public to return to his restaurants after the bombshell underpayment revelations. The 41-year-old said he was too busy 'being creative' to realise his blunder in the interview with Leigh Sales. Daily Mail Australia previously reported in 2019 how the chef's restaurants were suffering with some diners refusing to go there after the wage scandal. The former Masterchef judge announced his decision to close his Melbourne restaurant Hellenic Republic after being caught underpaying staff millions. 'On December 31, 2019 we are farewelling Hellenic Republic Brunswick and transforming our beloved space into 'Crofter' with our new partner,' he wrote on Instagram. The restaurant will now be led by British chef Matt Wilkinson, who is transforming the once traditional Greek restaurant into a modern dining room focused on vegetarian-friendly fare. The chef, who earned a seven-figure salary on the Network 10 cooking show, has handed over four of his popular restaurants in the last six months of 2019. Hellenic Republic Kew was rebranded to Vita Ristorante, an Italian eatery The Press Club was closed in July after a successful 12-year stint and has since re-opened as Elektra under chef Reuben Davis Closing without fanfare, his once-proud Greek empire has since been turned into trendy Italian, Argentinian and European restaurants - all notably without Calombaris at the helm. Despite removing his name from the restaurants, which are led by new star chefs, they are still owned by his multi-million dollar MAdE Establishment empire. His award-winning Press Club restaurant in Melbourne was transformed into Elektra under Executive Chef Reuben Davis. The Hellenic Hotel in Williamstown has also been carefully re-branded into an Argentinian restaurant, Hotel Argentina, run by chef Dan Szwarc. Hotel Argentina opened earlier this month, and boasts an empanada bar, a wine cellar and a restaurant. Hellenic Republic in Kew will become an Italian restaurant called Vita, according to Good Food. The embattled chef is understood to be focusing on his last remaining Hellenic Republic branch in Brighton, as well as his Jimmy Grants chain and Gazi in central Melbourne. On Nov. 20, 2018, NETA in Northampton and Cultivate in Leicester made history by becoming the first legal marijuana dispensaries to open for recreational sales in Massachusetts. The year since has been one of triumphs and bumps for the nascent marijuana industry, with 33 open shops, millions of dollars in tax revenue and a burgeoning social equity program in addition to a bribery scandal and a federal investigation. The industry continues to roll out in what I think is an effective and controversy-free manner, said Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman. Its rolled out relatively incident-free, there has not been big rise in crime. Were licensing professional operators who are running professional businesses. Jim Borghesani, a cannabis consultant who was a leader in the fight to legalize marijuana, said he has not seen incidents of licensed stores selling to minors or an uptick in impaired driving, although state officials have not released a comprehensive analysis. What weve seen in Massachusetts is exactly what weve seen in other legal states, Borghesani said. A new industry that became a respected, job-making, tax-paying entity in the state. It hasnt resulted in any of the doomsday scenarios that prohibitionists so enthusiastically predicted. But at the same time, marijuana lobbyist Daniel Delaney said, there have been bumps. Its certainly been a year where all the problems of trying to operationalize an industry, as opposed to having to look right on paper, have made themselves apparent, Delaney said. Looking ahead, the industry has many more hurdles to overcome in 2020, from improving access for black and Latino entrepreneurs to rolling out the first licenses for home delivery companies to monitoring vaping-related illnesses. We recognize we have a long way to go, Hoffman said. Were in the early stages of rolling out the industry. First stores open and expand Some of the industrys accomplishments can be measured by the numbers. At the end of 2019, there were 33 recreational marijuana retailers and 22 cultivators allowed to commence operations. The industry conducted $437 million in sales from the day the first shops opened through Dec. 27. In the first year of recreational marijuana operations, the state collected $12.9 million in marijuana sales and excise taxes, and municipalities collected another $2.25 million. Just the fact that so many people who didnt have access before have access now is really the biggest success story in all of this, said NETA President Amanda Rositano. NETA employs 800 people. Its Brookline store serves around 2,500 people a day, with fewer customers in Northampton. Rositano said she has found that many customers are looking for relief from medical ailments. Its really telling to see so many people are coming into this industry to look for ways to ease their pain, she said. Cultivate in Leicester opened with customers waiting in line for five or six hours. As more stores have opened, the wait is now 45 minutes at peak times. The company has a chef with six full-time employees, and she is developing products as diverse as cannabis-infused olive oil, maple syrup and Ecuadorian chocolate. Most retail businesses licensed so far are medical marijuana dispensaries that also sell to recreational customers. A handful of economic empowerment applicants, from communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs, have also received licenses. The Cannabis Control Commissions relatively slow pace of licensing has angered business owners, who are leasing properties for months while waiting. Peter Bernard, president of the Massachusetts Grower Advocacy Council, said there are just a handful of newly licensed cultivators. Theyre waiting and bleeding money, Bernard said. Its not really fair to smaller growers. In the meantime, many dispensaries are capping the size of flower purchases because of limited supply. Some stores have also complained about the slow rate of product testing, with just two state-licensed testing labs. Hoffman said part of the reason for the slow pace is the need to ask many applicants for more information and the wait time for municipal approvals. But he said the commission is working on hiring staff and becoming more efficient. An expansion of the industry is planned for early 2020 when the commission starts accepting applications for delivery licenses, which will let companies deliver recreational marijuana from a licensed dispensary to someones home. An additional expansion to authorize marijuana cafes still needs legislative approval. Community reaction More communities are opening up to marijuana sales, as virtually all the temporary moratoria on recreational marijuana businesses have expired. Around 119 communities have permanently banned recreational marijuana businesses, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association. In Agawam, for example, where voters overwhelmingly voted to ban recreational marijuana businesses, City Council Vice President Cecilia Calabrese said there were quality of life concerns, and the opioid addiction crisis weighed heavily. It would send a mixed message if we allowed recreational sales in Agawam, meanwhile said as a community we need to address drug addiction, Calabrese said. Legal and legislative issues Last years most sensational moment came when Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia was arrested for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for letters of support for marijuana companies. More headlines could be coming from law enforcement, after news broke in November that a federal grand jury was investigating the host community agreements signed between multiple municipalities and marijuana companies. Host community agreements are also expected to be a priority for the state Legislature. State law today caps the fees communities can charge companies, but many host community agreements require additional fees or mandatory donations. The Cannabis Control Commission asked lawmakers for authority to require changes to host community agreements, but lawmakers have not yet acted. With the continued existence of the illicit market, lawmakers are also weighing a bill to create a new task force to crack down and impose civil fines on illegal marijuana businesses. Social equity One continuing challenge for commissioners is how to adhere to a legislative mandate requiring them to encourage members of communities disproportionately affected by marijuana enforcement to join the legal industry. The commission established a priority licensing category for economic empowerment applicants, but few so far have been able to open businesses. As of Dec. 19, 667 companies had completed applications, but only 22 were economic empowerment applicants. The most commonly cited problems are inability to raise startup capital and difficulties negotiating host community agreements. The Cannabis Control Commission started a social equity program to give technical assistance to social equity applicants, including racial minorities and people with drug convictions. There are 143 enrollees expected to complete the program by April. Federal issues Massachusetts marijuana entrepreneurs will also be keeping an eye on Congress in 2020, where the Democratic-controlled House passed the SAFE Banking Act to let banks provide traditional services to state-legal marijuana companies. Passage is less likely in the Republican-controlled Senate. Today, only a few banks in Massachusetts offer services to the industry, and banks cannot make loans. Customers generally cannot use credit cards at marijuana shops. State regulators will also continue to keep an eye on federal public health data, as federal agencies continue to investigate an outbreak of vaping-related illnesses. In late 2019, the Cannabis Control Commission quarantined most vaping products, a quarantine that partially lifted in December, amid new testing requirements. Its not easy being one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggars kids. The famous parents brought their 19 children into the spotlight via shows like 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On. And now, were keeping up with their adult kids and in-laws thanks to social media. Josh Duggars wife, Anna, has a very active Instagram presence. While her disgraced husband is well-known for his sexual abuse charges of the past (as well as his cheating scandals), she continues to post about her family for her followers. And a recent post of her son had one follower asking Anna if shed allow her kids to follow their dream career path despite the strict rules the Duggars grew up with. Heres what she said. Rumors suggest Josh Duggar controls his wife, Anna Anna Duggar and Josh Duggar pose during the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference | Kris Connor/Getty Images Were not completely sure what Josh and Anna Duggars marriage is like, but there are plenty of rumors to suggest things arent as happy as they appear. We know Josh and Anna have been married for over a decade, as they wed back in 2008. But Joshs scandals of the past have been tough on them both. In 2015, the media caught wind that Josh molested five young girls when he was a minor. And he also had multiple accounts on the cheating website Ashley Maddison. Aside from Joshs scandals, Annas followers have also shown concern for her wellbeing. Some reports claim since Josh is the man of the house, hes the one who controls where the money goes and what Annas allowed to wear. And he also might be the one who controls how often she posts to social media and what shes allowed to put online. Even if outsiders believe Anna is being controlled by Josh, she may not see it that way, though. We know the Duggars believe the man of the house is always the one in charge, and the women never seem to want this to change. None of the Duggars have attended college Anna Duggar posts about her six children a lot more often than she posts about Josh. And it has some followers wondering whether shell allow her family to live a more progressive lifestyle than the Duggars. We know Jim Bob and Michelles kids were all homeschooled and had strict rules regarding their dress code and dating life. And it appears Anna homeschools her children as well. However, college might be a different story. While none of the Duggars have actually attended college, some of Jim Bob and Michelles kids seem open to the idea. Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard have been quite vocal when it comes to college for their two young sons. When a Twitter follower asked Dillard if hed allow his kids to go to a university, Dillard replied, Absolutely! Anna Duggar told an Instagram follower shes allowing her kids to follow their dreams Anna Duggar posted a video of her 2-year-old son, Mason, to Instagram. And since the little boy is wearing a NASA suit, she commented on his big dreams in her caption. Mason is such an adorable little guy and he keeps us all entertained with his big dreams! Anna wrote. Mackynzie dressed him up in this little astronaut suit she wore back in 2012 when we visited the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. To that, her followers had questions. Will you let him follow his dreams, if in fact he does decide hed like to be an astronaut? one follower asked. To that, Anna responded, Absolutely! Since Josh and Anna seem to follow in Michelle and Jim Bobs footsteps, wed love to see them encouraging their kids to go out on a limb and attend college for a prestigious career. For now, it looks like the controversial couple will continue to homeschool. But perhaps public schooling is in the future down the line! Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Islamabad, Feb 9 : The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed a $6,472 fine on a TV channel for airing fake news about Prime Minister Imran Khan's salary raise, it was reported. During a hearing on Thursday, the Neo TV's management was asked to respond to the show cause notice issued to it around a week ago, Dawn news reported on Saturday. "The matter relates to airing of the news that the salary package of the prime minister has been enhanced during a talk show. However, a rebuttal was issued by the authority concerned," a Pemra official said on Friday, adding that when the channel did not pay heed to the rebuttal, a show cause notice was issued for airing fake news. The notice mentioned that the channel had violated the Code of Conduct 2015, and did not air the official denial. The TV channel management claimed during the hearing that the rebuttal was aired in the same talk show, but the argument was turned down by Pemra on the grounds that it was aired after the show-cause notice was issued. Meanwhile, a senior official of the regulator said that currently Pemra was only monitoring talk shows and news bulletins, but airing incorrect tickers too was a violation of the code and fell under the category of fake news. The regulatory body cannot monitor the tickers due to lack of human resources and technical capacity. "It is feared that if the monitoring of tickers starts, the violation cases could increase manifold," the official added. She is the ardent Corbynista whose vitriolic rant prompted broadcaster Iain Dale to storm off the set of Good Morning Britain last week. But for author and ex-public schoolgirl Grace Blakeley, it was confirmation of her status as the poster girl of the Labour Partys flawed policies. Mr Dale walked out of the studio on live TV as he accused her of closing him down during a discussion about the care of mentally ill teenager Jonty Bravery, who threw a child from the tenth floor of the Tate Modern in London. A former research fellow for Left-wing think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research, Miss Blakeley found fame in 2018 as an outspoken defender of Jeremy Corbyns leadership. Grace Blakeley is the ardent Corbynista whose vitriolic rant prompted broadcaster Iain Dale to storm off the set of Good Morning Britain last week Her pithy socialist rhetoric and liberal use of profanity have seen her amass 100,000 followers on Twitter, propelling the 26-year-old to social media pre-eminence. On polling day she uploaded a sultry selfie of herself posing in a bathroom mirror captioned: Vote Labour, get laid. Appointed economics commentator at Labours house magazine The New Statesman in January 2019, she left after just nine months and is now a staff writer at Tribune the socialist journal once edited by Michael Foot while also sitting on Labours National Policy Forum overseeing policy development. Her first book, entitled Stolen: How To Save The World From Financialisation, was panned for containing numerous errors that had to be corrected for its second edition. Forbes writer Frances Coppola wrote a damning review, asking: How on earth can someone write a book about financialisation without apparently even a rudimentary understanding of how banks work? Mr Dale walked out of the studio on live TV as he accused her of closing him down during a discussion about the care of mentally ill teenager Jonty Bravery, who threw a child from the tenth floor of the Tate Modern in London She said: My main aim for the book was for people to read a broadly Marxist take on economics and think I get this, even if they didnt agree. Her hard-Left views and remorseless criticisms of moderates inside the Labour Party have thus earned her the sobriquet Moet Marxist in place of the more traditional champagne socialist. She was educated at prestigious Home Counties boarding school Lord Wandsworth College, which costs 34,650 per year for a full-time senior boarder, before spending 12 months at The Sixth Form College in Farnborough. She is now a staff writer at Tribune the socialist journal once edited by Michael Foot while also sitting on Labours National Policy Forum overseeing policy development Miss Blakeley then followed in the footsteps of the then Labour Party leader Ed Miliband by reading philosophy, politics and economics at St Peters College, Oxford, and subsequently pursued a masters Degree in African Studies at nearby St Antonys College. While at Oxford, Miss Blakeley wrote and performed her own music, and a YouTube video of her playing her love song Tear Me To Pieces has attracted 37,000 views mainly from legions of adoring Corbynista fans. Her admirers wrote comments underneath such as: Power to the people! and Coming off listening to her talk about Breton Woods [sic] and now listening to this... Ive never been more attracted to someone. The final voter turnout in the Delhi polls was 62.59 per cent, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said in a press conference in the capital on Sunday evening. The press conference comes a day after voting for 70 seats of Delhi assembly were concluded and amidst allegations by the ruling party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), that the poll body was delaying the declaration of the final voting percentage. According to the ECs data for the polling conducted on Saturday, Delhi recorded 5 per cent less turnout than the previous Assembly elections in 2015. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Ballimaran in Chandni Chowk at 71.16 per cent. Lowest turnout, was recorded in Delhi Cantonment at 45.4 per cent, said Ranbir Singh, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer. The data by EC has been collected from 13,780 polling booths, Singh told the reporters. With speculations of EVM tampering rife, the poll body has also denied the need for re-polling in Delhi. ALSO WATCH | Exit polls predict AAPs comeback, BJP asks to wait till result day AAP had questioned the delay as suspicious and shocking while suggesting that the poll panel was perhaps waiting for a nod from the BJP, which rules at the Centre. Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling? Kejriwal tweeted. The voting ended at 6 pm on Saturday and the last voting percentage figure released by the commission came soon after and it stood at 61.46%. But the figure (voting percentage) is generally revised by the election commission later. Deputy Delhi Chief Minister Manish Sisodia suggested the delay was political. BJP leaders are giving the voter turnout figures and on the other hand the Election Commission has not been able to give the final voting percentage 24 hours after polling got over, Sisodia said in a tweet. EC is saying they are compiling data. Whats going on? Are you waiting for the BJP office to give you the final figure? Sisodia asked. Thats not all, another senior AAP leader, Sanjay Singh, alleged that a game is being played secretely. Exit polls forecast a comfortable majority for AAP with the BJP finishing a distant second. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal An oft-repeated complaint of Santa Fe foodsters goes something like this: Theres no good Asian restaurants in this city. There are a few familiar follow-ups to this not-so-bold statement. Someone might lament the 2016 closure of the beloved Mu Du Noodles, or the subsequent shuttering of Talin Market, with its popular weekly dumpling and ramen bar. Then, they might throw out a caveat, confessing that they are, however, stoked about the recently opened Mampuku Ramen. But the common sentiment is one of judgmental disappointment, especially if that person moved to Santa Fe from a larger city. There is little recognition of the fact that Asia is a gigantic and diverse continent, and that no one goes around saying anything equally sweeping like, Theres no good European food in this town. Let us open our hearts and minds, then, to two welcome recent developments: the Monday night Korean pop-up at Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery, and Tumbleroots new rest-of-week pan-Asian East Root food truck menu. On a snow-globed February evening, former Izmi Sushi chef-owner Brent Jung was a comforting presence in Tumbleroots cavernous dance-hall space on Agua Fria. He was busy turning out steaming bowls of what might well be the most flavorful tongkotsu ramen ($10) around, augmented by a silky soft-boiled egg, seaweed flakes and scallions, and a deep, complex broth. We paid an extra $3 for beautifully cooked slices of braised chashu pork belly and fought over the dregs of the bowl. In addition to a hefty $15 beef bulgogi plate of New York strip, rice and salad, the Monday Korean pop-up menu stars a variety of dumplings. The combo ($12) presents two each: we sampled chicken and tofu, kimchi and beef, and pork and shrimp. (A bright green vegetable dumpling is also on the menu.) Our favorite was the shrimp, with its wrapper cradling savory pork and a juicy whole jumbo shrimp with the tail peeking out. Jung said it was inspired by a recent trip to Seoul, where he photographed a one-shrimp dumpling and sent it to his mother. She was busy re-creating it by the time he got home. The beef-kimchi dumpling is fiery, while the chicken-tofu offers a milder, happy medium. Jung and his team, which includes his mom and brother, make all the fillings and wrappers from scratch, then steam and lightly pan-sear the dumplings for a bit of crispiness. Along with a side of crunchy-spicy red chile kimchi ($5), we relished Tumbleroots tart and gingery Moscow Mule ($9), featuring its own cane vodka and fresh-pressed grapefruit juice, and a pint of the houses light, refreshing American lager ($4). After Melissa Dominguez took the reins as executive chef last fall, she devised the East Root food truck menu as a complement to the venues pub fare. East Root items, which span the continent, are offered Tuesday through Saturday nights. (For winter, at least, the truck is simply parked in front and not an official walk-up destination; customers order off the menu inside.) The East Root menu incorporates many fusion touches: veggie spring rolls with avocado and sweet chili sauce ($10), tempura cod and fried green beans ($12), teriyaki grass-fed beef sliders with wasabi aioli ($13), gluten-free and vegan pad thai ($13), and fried brown rice with broccoli, spinach and chicken or tofu ($12). The pea-and-potato samosas ($8) have big curried flavor, even if the unwieldy potato chunks needed a finer dice; theyre served with a tongue-tingling chutney. We loved the tandoori chicken wings ($13), three regular-size, expansive wings coated with a piquant, bright yellow sauce that bore the signature undertang of Franks RedHot sauce. The chicken was served with slices of lemon and confusingly large strips of raw white onion. The $12 poke bowls sesame seed-sprinkled ahi tuna chunks may have been a bit mangled-looking, but the combo of nicely cooked brown rice, buttery avocado slices, pink sriracha mayo, and crunchy cucumber and carrot sticks melded harmoniously. Tumbleroots regular pub menu, available Tuesdays through Saturdays, has its loyalists two separate parties were overheard raving about the stuffed artichokes with goat cheese ($10), mint and lemon zest. The elk sausage and pretzel plate ($13) far surpasses most local pub fare. Burnished, tender chunks of sausage are lined up with pillows of salted pretzel bites alongside stone-ground mustard, a pile of cornichons and a melted Gruyere sauce. The cheesesteak sandwich ($13) features a bold but creamy horseradish with gooey melted provolone, roasted red peppers and thin beef slices served with a cup of green chile au jus to soften the chewy ciabatta roll. With its ample and spread-out seating, Tumbleroot might offer a more harmonious dining experience with table service. Currently, guests must order at one part of the bar, take a number, stand awkwardly to await their drinks, then find their way to a table. This can lead to logjams at the counter and a slower food arrival time particularly on pop-up Mondays, when its reasonable to want to order a few dumplings, and then maybe a couple more. But across the three menus, the food proves worth any extra wait time, bearing out the same from-scratch commitment and attention to detail that Tumbleroot has brought to its potables. The brewery-distillery is a group-friendly venue, with its vast parking lot, outdoor playground for families, busy concert calendar and array of communal seating. With that diverse clientele in mind, it makes sense for Tumbleroot to cater to as many different tastes as possible. Theyre doing a great job. Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery 3 stars overall 4 stars for Mondays Korean pop-up WHERE: 2791 Agua Fria St. PHONE: 505-780-5730, tumblerootbreweryanddistillery.com HOURS: 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 4 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday; 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Saturday; 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday Jadavpur University (JU) authorities will not allow Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president, Aishe Ghosh, to address its students on campus on February 14, five days before the students union elections in the three faculties of arts, science and engineering are to be held, officials said on Sunday. The event can take place outside the campus but permission will not be given for the programme on the campus, Rajat Ray, dean of students, said. Ghosh is scheduled to attend a series of events in Kolkata on February 13 and 14, including a march on the streets and two events on the campuses of JU and Presidency University (PU), for the first time since being elected as the president of JNUSU. Ghosh belongs to the Communist Party of India (Marxist)s student wing the Students Federation of India (SFI), which at present helms the PU students union and the arts faculty students union at JU. We still hope that permission will not be denied. We never invite anyone who is not a student. Ghose is a current student at JNU. In the previous years, too, our leaders from other states, who were students at that time, had come before the elections, said Debraj Debnath, a leader of SFI at JU. A member of the JU faculty said that the authoritys decision is an attempt to preempt any possible untoward incident, especially keeping in mind the trouble that the campus witnessed last September over union minister Babul Supriyos visit to the campus to attend an event organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the students wing of the BJP. ABVP is contesting the JU elections for the first time. In this traditional bastion of Left wing student politics, ABVPs presence has become visible over the past one year. In the autumn of 1987, Frank Fahey found himself in the crosshairs of Joe Biden, then a young senator from Delaware who unleashed an angry outburst at a small event early in his first run for president. At a home in western New Hampshire, Fahey figured he would ask a question about a brewing scandal for the future vice president about his academic record, but the stress of Bidens first presidential run which was already beleaguered by claims that he had plagiarised a speech on the campaign trail seemed to get the better of him. We just went to a house party and Biden was there because he was a candidate for the nomination, Fahey tells The Independent. And I asked him what I thought was just an innocent question and he pretty much knocked me off the wall. It was an flare-up caught on C-Span cameras, and spread throughout the country with pre-internet virality. Responding in a way that in 2020 seems remarkably Trumpian I think I probably have a much higher IQ than you do, I suspect Biden put one of the last nails in the coffin for his campaign, and dropped out of the race shortly after. But, some 33 years later, Fahey says that he is ready to vote for Biden during his third race. If anything, the mere fact that Biden was on the campaign trail so long ago when someone like Pete Buttigieg was kindergarten-age underscores an experience Fahey values deeply: I think he has had so much experience between his 36 years in the Senate and eight years as Obamas vice president. Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Jessica Canicosa, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, waits to greet caucus voters at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Hotel workers at the Bellagio in Las Vegas get to grips with voting papers during the Nevada caucuses AFP via Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A caricature of Bernie Sanders is projected on to a tree during a rally in Las Vegas EPA Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A woman waits to have a photo taken with Elizabeth Warren during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures The threat of coronavirus and other germ-borne illnesses was on some voters' minds at the Democratic caucuses in Henderson, Nevada Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Former vice-president Joe Biden takes a selfie with a voter in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada caucuses REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Amy Klobuchar changes her shoes backstage after giving a speech in Exeter, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A warmly-wrapped-up dog attends an Elizabeth Warren event at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Bernie Sanders, who romped to victory in New Hampshire against Hillary Clinton in 2016, talks to the media in Manchester Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden was hoping to improve on his poor showing in Iowa in the New Hampshire primary Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren, renowned for giving time to supporters for selfies, works the crowd at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden takes a selfie with a supporter and his child outside a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders quarrel after a confrontation in a TV debate in which Sanders claimed that Warren was not telling the truth about a conversation in which she claimed he had said a woman could not win the presidency on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Supporter Pat Provencher listens to Pete Buttigieg in Laconia, New Hampshire on 4 February Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire while awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren is presented with a balloon effigy of herself at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A Trump supporter rides past a rally for Amy Klobuchar in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A man holds up a sign criticising billionaires in the presidential race in front of Michael Bloomberg in Compton, Califronia. The former New York mayor skipped the first caucus in Iowa and instead campaigned in California on 3 February Reuters After four years with Donald Trump as president, undermining international alliances, Fahey thinks the next president needs to know what he or she is doing from day one: I think Biden can hit the ground running. I think he knows the people to get a good team of advisers around him, so I think he could make an outstanding president. With just two days until the New Hampshire primary, all signs point towards a disappointing third run for Biden, even as he has insisted that he could lose in both of the first two states in the primary season he came in fourth place in the Iowa caucuses last week and still mount a comeback in Nevada and South Carolina. Recommended Biden escalates attack on Buttigieg before tepid performance in NH In New Hampshire, Biden has been campaigning around the state, but doing his best to manage expectations as enthusiasm has seemed to shift away from him and towards candidates like Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar. On Friday night, early in the final debate in Manchester before voters head to the polls in the Granite State, Biden all but conceded defeat early. I took a hit in Iowa, he acknowledged, and Ill probably take it here. It was a statement that was realistic, given the polls. According to Real Clear Politics, Biden has seen his polling tank, and currently sits in third place behind Sanders and Buttigieg. Hes just a tad ahead of Warren in aggregates of Granite State polls, though her numbers have shown much less volatility as the former vice president has cratered. Fahey didnt seem to mind that Bidens polls might not look so great. But he was offended by the concession, just days before the primary, as volunteers across the state would have been gearing up to head out into 10F (-12C) weather to knock on doors for him, or spend their weekend making calls trying to boost his support. I know for a fact having talked to some today that its discouraging to hear him say something like that with his supporters still out there working hard on the phone and knocking on doors as they are, he says. On Saturday night, just a day after the debates, those volunteers and supporters didnt seem to show up to support the vice president, either. At the Mcintyre-Shaheen 100 Club fundraiser in Manchester, Bidens section of the SNHU arena was dwarfed by those of Warren, Klobuchar, Sanders and Buttigieg. Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Jessica Canicosa, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, waits to greet caucus voters at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Hotel workers at the Bellagio in Las Vegas get to grips with voting papers during the Nevada caucuses AFP via Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A caricature of Bernie Sanders is projected on to a tree during a rally in Las Vegas EPA Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A woman waits to have a photo taken with Elizabeth Warren during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures The threat of coronavirus and other germ-borne illnesses was on some voters' minds at the Democratic caucuses in Henderson, Nevada Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Former vice-president Joe Biden takes a selfie with a voter in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada caucuses REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Amy Klobuchar changes her shoes backstage after giving a speech in Exeter, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A warmly-wrapped-up dog attends an Elizabeth Warren event at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Bernie Sanders, who romped to victory in New Hampshire against Hillary Clinton in 2016, talks to the media in Manchester Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden was hoping to improve on his poor showing in Iowa in the New Hampshire primary Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren, renowned for giving time to supporters for selfies, works the crowd at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden takes a selfie with a supporter and his child outside a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders quarrel after a confrontation in a TV debate in which Sanders claimed that Warren was not telling the truth about a conversation in which she claimed he had said a woman could not win the presidency on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Supporter Pat Provencher listens to Pete Buttigieg in Laconia, New Hampshire on 4 February Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire while awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren is presented with a balloon effigy of herself at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A Trump supporter rides past a rally for Amy Klobuchar in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A man holds up a sign criticising billionaires in the presidential race in front of Michael Bloomberg in Compton, Califronia. The former New York mayor skipped the first caucus in Iowa and instead campaigned in California on 3 February Reuters And he failed to gain the kind of cross-supporter cheers that nearly every other candidate managed. Instead, Biden gave what has become a somewhat regular campaign speech. He asked aloud how there could be the poverty he said he saw that morning at a food drive in Manchester. He promised to restore the US to its former dignity. The crowd largely sat silent. When pressed, Fahey acknowledges he is not 100 per cent sure that Biden can win the nomination, or the election. He says he has never harboured a grudge against Biden for the 1987 outburst, and was actually planning on voting for him if he had the chance all those years ago. But he is worried about Bidens age, and how he might perform in a debate against Trump. Between [the Friday] debate, and some of the other debates weve held, I worry about him getting through all this and into the White House. So yeah, I have some reservations, says Fahey, who sees Klobuchar as his second best option. But I still believe he is the best man for the job. And I cant get away from that. Paul Tasong, MINEPAT Boss Twitter The Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Paul Tasong has announced the escape of Lekeaka Oliver aka Field Marshal, leader of the Lebialem-based Red Dragons armed group fighting to make of Cameroon's North West and South West Regions an independent country christened Ambazonia. Tasong, CPDM Campaign Leader for Lebialem was speaking following separatist claims that a convoy of 13 military trucks hired in Dschang, carrying Lebialem elites and electorate headed for Menji was hit by the Red Dragons Saturday, February 8, 2020. In a communique issued from Alou, where he says he is enjoying a quiet evening readying to vote in the February 9, 2020 twin municipal and legislative elections, Tasong said contrary to the information propagated by separatists, all candidates for the elections are safe and are where they will vote. Hear him: Two incoherent messages circulating on social media this evening claim that Lebialem is burning. One is signed by a certain Kemi Ashu and the other by The Eye Witness. I emphatically state that they are unfounded. The 31 candidate councillors of the Menji Council all returned to their electoral constituency after the mega rally we held in Nkongle on February 2, 2020 and have been carrying out door-to-door campaigns and town halls as planned. The CPDM Parliamentary candidate Hon Bernard Foju returned to Menji yesterday Friday, February 7 after participating in the giant rally chaired by the Prime Minister, Head of Government Chief Dr. Dion Ngute on Thursday, February 6, 2020 in Buea. All CPDM candidates for both elections are very safe and doing absolutely well health wise. I was informed by them this mid-afternoon that they heard three gunshots. Upon verification, I am reliably informed that a military convoy of 5 light trucks carrying military men was the target of the three gunshots. No military man was hurt but apparently the assailants sustained heavy injuries. I am by this communique, calling on all Lebialem people to manifest courage tomorrow and go out and vote massively. I insist that the so-called Field Marshal is an illusion. He has long escaped from Lebialem and is begging us to help him obtain a passport so he can leave the country. His brother, Christopher Anu has gone back to his alleluia church in Texas from where he is preaching death. The Red Dragons is a propaganda machine to divert our attention while they steal our wealth. We can no longer allow a family of highway robbers control our destiny. Lekeaka has broken into every credit union bank in Lebialem and stolen the savings of the entire population. His brother has swindled funds raised in America by his cohorts to burn down our beautiful CAMEROON. Their sister was arrested as FCFA 366 million of stolen money from Lebialem and the diaspora was traced to have landed in her bank account. They are confiscating the cocoa harvested by the hard working Lebialem farmers. The vote of tomorrow shall be a turning point for Lebialem. Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, with local councillor Seamas McGrattan, arrives to cast her vote in the Irish General Election at St. Joseph's School in Dublin. PA Photo. Niall Carson/PA Wire Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are neck and neck in terms of first preference votes in the General Election in the Republic, according to an exit poll. The poll results showed Fine Gael on 22.4%, Sinn Fein on 22.3% and Fianna Fail on 22.2%. The Ipsos MRBI exit poll, commissioned by RTE, Irish Times, TG4 and UCD, surveyed 5,000 respondents nationwide with a margin of error of 1.3%. A high early turnout was noted across the country on Saturday morning. Earlier President Michael D Higgins and the main political leaders cast their votes in one of the most unpredictable General Elections for years. President Higgins was accompanied by his wife Sabina at a Dublin polling station. Micheal Martin, the leader of main opposition party Fianna Fail, voted with his wife, daughter and two sons early on Saturday morning in Co Cork. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar is facing a difficult battle to hang on to power. He brought a box of Roses sweets for count staff at his polling station in west Dublin. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also cast her vote in the Irish capital on an "important" day. She said: "Today is the day that people are in charge and every single vote counts. "People have told us throughout this campaign that they want change, that they want a change in our presentation and they want a change in government, so I am saying to people please come out today and vote for a change. "Bring your family, your neighbours and friends and come down and use your vote - today is your day." Sinn Fein could challenge the 90-year duopoly of the state's two main parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and the process of forming a coalition Government could be challenging, opinion polls suggest. In the last major survey of the electorate before polling day, Sinn Fein was leading the popularity stakes on 25%, with Fianna Fail second on 23% and Mr Varadkar's party on 20%. If those levels of support are borne out when counting begins on Sunday, it would herald a major breakthrough for Sinn Fein south of the border. The odds would still be stacked against Ms McDonald leading the next government as Taoiseach since Sinn Fein only fielded 42 candidates in the race for the Dail parliament's 160 seats. No party is expected to reach the 80-seat threshold to enable it to govern on its own, and a coalition administration of some complexion is almost inevitable. Sinn Fein may be unable to find enough like-minded left-leaning allies to form a workable government. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have unequivocally ruled out any partnership with Sinn Fein. For either to change position on coalition partners would represent a major U-turn. If that case Sinn Fein would be unlikely to secure a place in the next government. Fianna Fail topped the opinion polls early in the campaign, and leader Mr Martin could yet emerge as the next Taoiseach. Mr Varadkar, meanwhile, will be hoping his administration's economic record and handling of the Brexit process will convince enough voters to renew his tenure in Government Buildings. Brexit did not feature prominently in a campaign dominated by domestic issues like spiralling rental prices, record-breaking homeless numbers, controversy over the state pension age and a struggling health service. There appears to be a mood for change and Sinn Fein could attract support from younger voters who want to end Fine Gael's nine years in power but are unwilling to trust Fianna Fail again after the financial crash that tarnished its last term of office. Big Horn County officials have lifted a lockdown that urged residents to lock their doors and stay inside after three inmates escaped the Big Horn County Detention Center on Friday night and are still unaccounted for. Big Horn County Undersheriff Eric Winburn said Saturday afternoon that the lockdown was lifted, however residents are still being told to make sure all keys are out of cars and doors are locked. The three escaped prisoners are not armed, the sheriff's office said, but are considered dangerous. Winburn said Saturday afternoon that law enforcement is still searching for the three men. He did not provide details on the incident. Big Horn County officials requested assistance Friday night after inmates in the county jail attempted to escape. No injuries have been reported. The three fugitives are Andrew Leroy Parham, a white male, 25, who is 6-foot, 4 inches and weighs 185 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes; Anthony James Castro, a Native American male, 34, who is 5-foot, 8 inches and weighs 189 pounds with black hair and brown eyes; and Stephen Paddy Ryan Caplett, a Native American male, 34, who is six feet tall, weighs 198 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Residents are warned not to approach the inmates and report any suspicious activity immediately by calling the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office at 406-665-9780. All other inmates were temporarily evacuated into school buses and are now back in their cells. Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder said that the inmates also caused some property damage. Linder said that the escaped inmates were last seen wearing grey and white striped uniforms. The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Billings Police Department, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs responded to the incident. In 2018, voters rejected a $12.3 million renovation and expansion project to solve safety concerns within the Big Horn County Detention Center. The Billings Gazette previously reported that the jail was built to hold 35 inmates, but holds as many as 50 or 60 at times. Linder said that a few businesses were told to close for the night after the inmates escaped. A few local casinos and gas stations that were still open at the time of the incident were also advised to shut down. Deanna DeVore owns a coffee shop called Mojoes in Hardin and said she didn't know about the jailbreak until after she opened Saturday morning. She continued with business as usual and even saw her regular customers. "My coffee drivers are die-hards," DeVore said as she served coffee to drive-thru customers Saturday morning. DeVore, who grew up in Hardin and has owned her shop for 12 years, said that she always feels safe in town. Although she's never used it, a small panic button is on-hand to notify the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office if needed. "Nothing really scares me," DeVore said. "We just get up and keep going." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 By Trend Chairman of the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov met with members of the TurkPA International Observation Mission on February 9, Trend reports on Feb. 9. While welcoming the guests, the CEC chairman informed them of the ongoing election process. The majority of political parties in the country are being represented in the elections, Panahov added. The elections are monitored by international and local observers. Webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations. Head of the Kazakh observation mission Berik Ospanov stated that the parliamentarians of the Turkic states are observing the elections. The guest thanked the CEC chairman for the warm reception despite his busy schedule. Ospanov said that the election process is being held smoothly. Then Panahov answered the guests' questions. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. Some 5,329,460 voters will take part in the voting, and 340,689 internally displaced people will vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are observing the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Iran said it "successfully" launched a satellite Sunday but failed to put it into orbit, in a blow to its space programme that the US alleges is a cover for missile development. The attempted launch of the Zafar -- "Victory" in Farsi -- comes days before the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and crucial parliamentary elections in Iran. Arch foes Iran and the United States have appeared to be on the brink of an all-out confrontation twice in the past seven months. Long-standing acrimony between Tehran and Washington was exacerbated in 2018 when US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from a deal that froze Iran's nuclear programme, before issuing new demands that Tehran curtail its development of ballistic missiles. Washington has also raised concerns in the past about Tehran's satellite programme, saying the launch of a carrier rocket in January 2019 amounted to a violation of limits on its ballistic missiles. Iran maintains it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, and says its aerospace activities are peaceful and comply with a UN Security Council resolution. On Sunday, it launched the Zafar satellite at 7:15 pm (1545 GMT) but it fell short of reaching orbit, the defence ministry said. A ministry spokesman said initially that the satellite was "successfully" launched and went "90 percent of the way", reaching an altitude of 540 kilometres (335 miles). "The Simorgh (rocket) successfully propelled the Zafar satellite into space," said Ahmad Hosseini of the ministry's space unit. "Unfortunately, in the final moments the carrier did not reach the required speed" to put it into orbit, he told state television. "God willing with improvements made in future launches this part of the mission will be done as well," he added. "We achieved most of the goals we had and data has been acquired, and in the near future, by analysing the data, we will take the next steps." Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi admitted in an English-language tweet soon after that the launch had "failed". "But We're UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites!" said Jahromi. Tweeting in Farsi, he added: "I would have liked to make you happy with #good_news but sometimes life does not go the way we want it." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted on Twitter, writing: "Iran failed to launch a satellite today. They also fail to send arms to Syria and Lebanon because we operate there all the time." Israel has carried out repeated strikes in Syria since its civil war erupted in 2011, mainly targeting government forces and their Iranian and Hezbollah allies. - 'New generation' - Iran on Sunday also unveiled a new a short-range ballistic missile and its "new generation" of engines designed to put satellites into space. The Revolutionary Guards' website said the Raad-500 missile was equipped with new Zoheir engines made of composite materials that make them lighter than previous steel models. It also unveiled Salman engines made of the same materials but with a "movable nozzle" for the delivery of satellites into space, allowing "manoeuvrability beyond the atmosphere". In January 2019, Tehran announced that its Payam -- "Message" in Farsi -- satellite had failed to reach orbit, after authorities said they launched it to collect data on the environment in Iran. The United States said the launch of the carrier rocket was a violation of a 2015 UN Security Council resolution endorsing the international accord on curbing Tehran's nuclear programme. Resolution 2231 called on Iran to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. - Cyber attacks - Tehran confirmed in September that an explosion had taken place at one of its satellite launch pads due to a technical fault, and slammed Trump for "gleefully" tweeting about it at the time. Trump said the US had nothing to do with what he called a "catastrophic accident" at Semnan Space Centre, also tweeting a high-resolution picture pointing to apparent damage at the site. Sunday's developments come at a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, after a January 3 US drone strike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iran retaliated days later by firing a wave of missiles at American troops stationed in Iraq. Its defence forces had been braced for US retaliation when they accidentally shot down a Ukraine International Airlines flight a few minutes after take-off from Tehran on January 8. Iran says its internet services have faced cyber attacks for the past two days, without elaborating on the source of the attack or the likely motives. The country's on-off space programme unsettles some Western nations as the technology used in space-bound rockets can also be used in ballistic missiles. The Islamic republic has successfully launched several satellites since February 2009. It has also sent monkeys, a turtle, mouse and worms into space. The first state school offering boarding to children as young as eight is set to open in September, in a bid to help families with two working parents. Wymondham College Prep School in Norfolk, which is being built at an estimated cost of 9million, will offer 450 places to boys and girls aged four to 11. Children aged over eight and in years 5 and 6 will be eligible to board in a purpose-built dormitory, Underwood Hall, which according to the school's prospectus, 'has been specifically designed with a family atmosphere to meet the needs of younger boarders.' Artist's impression of Wymondham College Prep School in Norfolk, which opens in September The new school, estimated to cost 9million, is set to take in 450 girls and boys aged four to 11 The prospectus adds: 'It will be staffed with specialist, experienced boarding staff.' The dorm, which comprises 32 bedrooms, will also feature 'teddy bears, tuckboxes, bedtime stories and Mabel, a Labrador, to cuddle,' The Sunday Times reports. While education at the state school is free, boarding fees 'will be in line with those at Wymondham College', a separate secondary state school located on the same site, which currently charges 11,000 a year for boarders. Wymondham College, described on its website as 'amongst the highest performing schools in the country' has its own headteacher, leadership team and governing body, but both schools will come under the administration of Sapientia Education Trust. Wymondham College Prep School will become the first state school in the UK to offer boarding In comparison, Brighton College charges 50,000 a year, while Eton's fees are 42,501 a year and Harrow are 41,775. Jonathan Taylor, chief executive of the Sapienta Education Trust, said the new school offers a solution to middle-class families unable to afford such fees and 'supports their working patterns', with many parents having to otherwise employ after-school care to look after their children. Lawmakers seeking to repeal Connecticuts religious exemption from vaccines delivered a strict opening salvo Friday a proposal that children who are not vaccinated on religious grounds be barred from attending public and private schools beginning next fall. In the first draft of the contentious bill, legislators call for unvaccinated children except those who abstain for medical reasons to be prohibited from attending school beginning in the 2020-21 year. Public Health Commissioner Renee Coleman-Mitchell had previously suggested the exemption be erased starting Oct. 21, 2021 a full year later to give parents time to adjust. But lawmakers are pressing for a tighter timetable. The consensus that has been reached to date is this is a growing problem and the trends are very troublesome, House Majority Leader Matthew Ritter, D-Hartford, said Friday. There are Republicans and Democrats who are united in the notion that Connecticut has to do something or else were going to wake up in three years and have 3,000, 4,000 or 5,000 more kids without vaccinations enrolled in the schools. In the bill, lawmakers also are directing the Department of Public Health to release school-by-school immunization data on an annual basis. Health Commissioner Renee Coleman-Mitchell published the school-level data for the first time last May. The initial round showed immunization rates for the 2017-18 year. Coleman-Mitchell initially declined to release a subsequent round of data - for the 2018-19 school year - but was overruled by Gov. Ned Lamont. Data for 2018-19 was released in October, showing there were 134 schools at which fewer than 95 percent of kindergarteners received a measles vaccination. The 95 percent threshold is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to maintain herd immunity. If passed by the General Assembly, the bill also would establish a board to examine Connecticuts vaccine program and advise the health commissioner. The group would have regular discussions with physicians who are in a position to grant medical exemptions. Were giving them pretty wide responsibility to look at things like educating practitioners, so [physicians] are in a better position to have communication with families, and then looking at outliers or other issues that may occur as a result of legislation, Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, a co-chair of the Public Health Committee, said Friday. Lawmakers who participated in a working group that offered input on the issue expressed frustration Friday at what they called a lack of transparency around the bill. Rep. Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said despite serving as a member of the group for months, he saw the bill for the first time on Friday. We had drafts in the working group, but that language was thrown out and we were later told there was all new language, he said. I think it really points to a major problem. Its very disconcerting that these elected officials are turning our open government process into a secret one. Thats why the public doesnt trust us. Brian Festa, a co-founder of CT Freedom Alliance, which opposes the plan, took issue with several of the bills mandates, including the annual release of school-level data. Festa had filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the disclosure of school-by-school immunization rates. In one fell swoop, this legislation would obliterate the religious liberties of hundreds of thousands of Connecticut schoolchildren, while simultaneously mandating the Department of Public Health to release confidential immunization information for every public and private school student in the state, he said. Lawmakers have scheduled a Feb. 19 public hearing on the bill at the states Legislative Office Building. Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Coronavirus death toll soars to 813, exceeds SARS fatalities Death toll from the coronavirus jumped to 813 on Sunday, overtaking the number of fatalities of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2002-03. During the SARS outbreak, which also originated in China, 774 people were killed globally over several months. Read full story here. P Parameswar, RSS ideologue from Kerala, dies at 93 The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghs (RSS) ideologue P Parameswar died early on Sunday. The Padma Vibhushan awardee and Padma Shri recipient from Kerala was 93 years old. Read full story here. Will wait for exact polls, says BJP as exit polls predict Arvind Kejriwals third term in Delhi After exits polls projected the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) winning big in the Delhi assembly elections, several BJP leaders pointed out these predictions have failed in the past and one should wait till February 11 for the results to be declared. Read full story here. Exit polls say CM Arvind Kejriwal, again; BJP may improve its 2015 tally As voting for the Delhi assembly elections ended on Saturday evening, five exit polls predicted a comfortable victory for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal with the party expected to win anything between 47 seats (Times Now-Ipsos poll), which was the lowest estimate, to 68 seats (India Today-Axis poll), which was the highest estimate, in the assembly of 70 members. Read full story here. Pakistan looks at passport-free entry for Indians to Kartarpur corridor Pakistan was looking at allowing Indian pilgrims a passport-free entry to the Kartarpur corridor in order to allow more visitors to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the countrys interior minister Ijaz Shah told its parliament, reports said on Saturday. Read full story here. On Amrita Singhs birthday, here is how Sara Ali Khan is a reflection of her mother Amrita Singh, who made her Bollywood debut with Rahul Rawails Betaab, was an immensely popular star in the 1980s. She has delivered a number of hits like Mard, Chameli Ki Shaadi, Naam and Khudgarz. Read full story here. Sarfaraz Khan: An Azad Maidan wunderkind comes of age Ranji Trophys most successful team has endured a poor season, failing to reach even the quarterfinals. Yet, as Mumbai always seem to do, theyve had at least one player do monumental things through the course of their curtailed season. Read full story here. Happy Chocolate Day 2020: Wishes, quotes and Messages to share with your loved ones The third day of Valentines week, February 9 is celebrated as Chocolate Day every year. Lovers exchange chocolates with each other and hope that it spreads the sweetness in their relationship. Read full story here. Dileep V Kumar By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dengue, Chikungunya, Kyasanur forest disease, West Nile Fever, H1N1, Nipah. And now novel coronavirus. For the past many years, Kerala has been facing the brunt of major epidemic prompting many to ask is the state turning out to be a hot spot of viral attacks? While some say that the state is becoming vulnerable to viral attacks including the ones that attain genetic variations, the health department say that states robust screening and surveillance mechanism is the reason for detecting these many viral diseases. The state is very much concerned about so many viral attacks. But we are not scared of detecting these cases. The states public health system is strong and is ready to accept the challenges. We have established a robust mechanism to screen viruses, said Dr Anish T S, Community Medicine Department, Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College. Unlike other states in the country, Kerala has established detection facilities for virus outbreaks, he said. Post-Nipah, the state has established outbreak monitoring units at all major hospitals and it has been stipulated that all fever cases should be screened. If a fever case is not diagnosed, samples including throat swab are collected and are subjected to multiplex polymerase chain reaction (multiplex PCR) analysis, he added. Since Keralites are spread across the globe, the state is well-connected to various parts of the world. This makes Kerala vulnerable to viral attacks. A large number of doctors and nurses from Kerala work in various countries. There are students who pursue medical courses abroad. These three categories face the occupational hazard of viral attacks, said Anish. He cited a case where a nurse working abroad had to seek treatment for the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). She contracted the viral disease while on the work. At the same time, the absence of BSL-3 or BSL-4 labs in the state is being pointed out to be a major handicap in the fight against viruses. BSL stand for biosafety level. At present, the state relies mainly on test results from labs of Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology and National Institute of Virus in Alappuzha. But they are BSL-2 labs. Considering the emerging viral attacks, Kerala needs BSL-3 lab like Manipal Institute of Virology or BSL-4 lab similar to that of NIV, Pune, said a health department official. Meanwhile, it is being pointed out that the Institute of Advanced Virology at Thonnakal, which is being readied to function from June, will have a BSL-3 lab. A major handicap with our health system is that we are yet to concentrate on research. Thorough research on viral outbreaks is yet to get attention in the state, said former health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan. Why is it called coronavirus? The name coronavirus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an the electron microscope, the image of the virus looks like a solar corona. Guidelines to tackle nCoV nCoV surveillance deals with three types of case definitions asymptomatic travellers, suspected ones and confirmed ones Asymptomatic travellers those who reached the state from nCoV-notified places are recommended with a strict home quarantine of 28 days with fever surveillance They are asked to remain shut in a room. For meeting their needs one member of the family is assigned That member is also not supposed to maintain close communication with the home isolated person The member should at least maintain a two-metre distance from the isolated person The health department follows up the home isolated cases two times a day. If needed they are also provided with medical assistance Suspected ones those with severe acute respiratory illness or those who had travelled to any of the nCoV-notified places 14 days before the onset of the symptom are admitted to the designated isolation ward in the identified hospital with ICU facility Suspected persons are discharged only if two recommended tests turn negative For confirmed cases, the treatment is for the complications caused by nCoV January 18 The department commences preventive and control measures. Alerts district medical offices to look out for persons with symptoms January 26 Department publishes guidelines on nCoV surveillance January 30 The first positive case in the country is confirmed in a medical student who was quarantined at the Thrissur General Hospital February 1 A revised guideline on nCoV surveillance is published February 2 The second positive case is reported from Alappuzha February 3 Kasaragod reports the third positive case. All three are Wuhan returnees. They are medical students there and are known to each other February 3 State declares nCoV a state-specific disaster. Health advisories are released for animal husbandry, education and tourism departments February 7 With no more new cases detected, the declaration is withdrawn Dublin: Ireland's three biggest political parties are likely to face a difficult process of forming a new government, with an exit poll suggesting they finished in a virtual dead heat in parliamentary elections. The survey conducted for national broadcaster RTE, the Irish Times, TG4 television and University College Dublin by pollster Ipsos MRBI said the Fine Gael party of Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein all got about 22 per cent of first preference votes. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar casts his vote in the Irish Election in Dublin, Ireland. Ireland has gone to the polls following Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's decision to call a snap election. Credit:Getty The exit poll was based on 5376 interviews conducted immediately after people voted at 250 polling stations. It has a margin of error of plus or minus one percentage point. Vote counting starts Sunday, and it could be Monday local time before the election's results are determined. Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday defended the Obama administrations decision to cooperate with Russia on areas of clear mutual interest, even as the West tries to punish Moscow for its actions in Ukraine. Biden said economic sanctions against Russia should remain until a peace accord with Ukraine can be put in place. He said the penalties and other attempts to retaliate against Russia are aimed not at forcing regime change, but at getting President Vladimir Putin to act more rationally. Bidens comments at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, come more than a year after Russia annexed Ukraines the Crimean Peninsula. Kyiv also accuses Moscow of arming and staffing separatist insurgencies in eastern Ukraine. President Barack Obama and Western allies have tried to inflict economic pain on Putin through multiple rounds of penalties. The leaders have also tried to isolate Putin by cutting Russia out of the Group of Eight, a high-profile partnership of world powers. Still, the U.S. and Europe have continued to work alongside Russia in the bid for a nuclear deal to block Irans nuclear program. Russias cooperation is also crucial to efforts to end Syrias civil war, given that Moscow is the largest benefactor of the government in Damascus. It makes sense to cooperate where theres a clear mutual interest as long as youre not being asked to back off, Biden said. Biden, who has been in frequent contact with Ukrainian leaders over the past year, said he believes Putin is practical and will push as far as he can in Ukraine. He urged the European Union to renew sanctions enacted last year and said U.S. penalties would stay in place. Low turnout reported in English-speaking regions, where separatist violence has displaced hundreds of thousands. Polls have closed in Cameroons long-delayed parliamentary and municipal elections, held for the first time in seven years amid security concerns and political division. Sundays polls witnessed a low turnout of voters in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest Regions, the epicentre of separatist violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. A clash occurred in Muyuka, a rebel stronghold in the Northwest Region, although fighting takes place almost daily in both English-speaking regions bordering Nigeria. There was also a shooting at Buea, the main town in Southwest region, and in Kuma in the same region, witnesses said. In the countrys French-speaking regions, voting proceeded normally. The elections were being held with a heavy military presence. For the opposition, if there is a low turnout, that means much of the same. Most of these elections that have happened under President Paul Biya have been called into question by the opposition, Al Jazeeras Nicolas Haque reported. Speaking from Douala, Cameroons biggest city and economic hub, Haque said there were no long queues outside the polling stations. The elections for the countrys legislature and local councils took place for the first time in seven years, after two postponements. Despite the delays, campaigning had been low-key. The ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (French acronym, RDPC) is widely expected to retain their majority in Parliament. The party in the outgoing legislature had 148 out of 180 seats. The RDPC supports Biya, one of the worlds oldest and longest-serving leaders, who has ruled the country for 37 of his 86 years. The main opposition party, the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) refused to field a single candidate after its leader, Maurice Kamto, who spent nine months in jail after his defeat in 2018 presidential elections and is now overseas, called for a boycott of the elections. Kamto says the security situation in the English-speaking region the Northwest and Southwest Regions makes it unable to have a credible election, said Al Jazeeras Nicolas Haque. The Social Democratic Front (SDF), the other major opposition party which currently has 18 seats, took part in Sundays vote, going back on a threat to snub it. City power Municipal elections also took place, something that has excited the most media interest given the seemingly inevitable outcome of the legislative vote. City chiefs will be gaining powers in accordance with measures taken in December to decentralise some authority out of Yaounde. The reforms have been triggered by the Anglophone crisis although they fall far short of meeting the separatists demands. Official results for both elections are expected within 20 days. Meeting the threat of the Wuhan coronavirus, 2019-nCov, will be a test case for the effective and widespread deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in fights against epidemic diseases. An AI was among the first agents to flag the new disease. AI is being used to mine data to identify and isolate potential carriers and victims, and to guesstimate the likely course of the disease. AI is also being used to try and generate vaccines, and to identify existing drugs, to combat the new virus. As of Friday (February 7, 2020) there were over 630 confirmed deaths and over 30,000 infections ... Cars have been swamped, roads cut and public transport badly impacted thanks to torrential rain that dumped 201 millimetres in one Gold Coast suburb and deposited as much as two years' worth of drinking water into the supply of a drought-stricken town further west. The Bureau of Meteorology was monitoring the situation closely as the threat of severe storms came and went throughout Sunday afternoon across a large swathe of land stretching from the Western Downs to Ipswich and the Scenic Rim. Police were begging drivers to avoid flooding as the RACQ reported more than half a dozen roads cut by flooding in Brisbane, along with several more on the Gold Coast and in the Southern Downs and Toowoomba. The town of Dalby, north-west of Brisbane, had been warned of potential flooding after heavy rainfall in the region but the flood risk was downgraded to minor after Myall Creek stabilised at 3.1 metres by 3pm. The Punjab government in Pakistan has moved the Lahore High Court against pre-arrest bail granted to Advocate Hassaan Niazi, nephew of Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with seven other lawyers by a trial court in Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) attack case. "The learned trial court has granted bail to the accused persons in a hasty manner without applying its judicial mind," said the government's appeal filed through prosecutor general of Punjab on Saturday. A group of more than 200 lawyers, who had an ongoing 'tussle' with the doctors of the PIC, had stormed the hospital on December 11, vandalised property and damaged dozens of vehicles. They also set ablaze a police van during their assault. At least 52 lawyers were arrested after the attack and presented before the court following the incident. The appeal, meanwhile, argued that the accused were involved in attacking the institute, torched a police van and also attacked policemen. It said, during the incident, some of the patients had lost their lives at the hospital because of the removal of their oxygen masks by the accused persons. The accused were involved in causing grievous damage to the hospital's property as well as expensive medical equipment, the appeal added. It further argued that the trial court while granting bail to the accused was bound to see tentative assessment, but it deeply appreciated the facts and evidence, which prejudiced the case of the prosecution. The Punjab government asked the LHC to set aside the bail granting order of the trial court for being against the law and facts of the case. The police had lodged two First Information Reports against more than 250 lawyers. The police made several attempts to arrest Niazi, after a viralled video showed him actively participating in the attack, but with futile attempts. Last month, a committee comprising senior lawyers and doctors reached reconciliation in a bid to end hostilities. However, it decided that cases pending before courts would be processed as per law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 55-year-old man was killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire at his home in Tral area of South Kashmirs Awantipora on Sunday evening. Police said that suspected terrorists barged into the house of Ghulam Nabi and opened fire. Around 7:50 pm, he was leaving his home when militants opened fire on his face with a pistol. By the time he reached the hospital, he was dead, said SP Awantipora, Tahir Saleem. The official said that the man was a contractor by profession and was not associated with any organisation. Normal life was affected in Kashmir on Sunday, with markets and business hit, in wake of the shutdown call by separatists to observe the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru who was hanged on February 9 in 2013. Those records are known as caucus math worksheets. The party only corrected discrepancies between the data as recorded on the worksheets and what was officially reported in public releases of the results. The party could not change even blatant miscalculations on the worksheets, according to a lawyer for the party, because they were a legal record and altering them would be a crime. The incorrect math on the Caucus Math Worksheets must not be changed to ensure the integrity of the process, wrote the party lawyer, Shayla McCormally, according to an email sent by Troy Price, the chairman of the party, to its central committee members. The lawyer said correcting the math would introduce personal opinion into the official record of results. Thanks to greater transparency in reporting the caucus results this year, outsiders were able to identify internal inconsistencies. The New York Times reported last week that some precincts, for example, had awarded more delegates to candidates than they were allotted. In addition, caucus captains for individual candidates photographed the worksheets in their precincts and shared them internally with their campaigns. Those photographs provided further examples of problems. The most blatant were errors in adding up votes for candidates, which take place in two rounds, and miscalculations when using a formula that translates raw votes to state delegate equivalents. But because the caucus chair and secretary of each precinct had certified the results on the worksheets, along with representatives of candidates, the documents could not be readjusted without violating election law, the state party lawyer said. It is the legal voting record of the caucus, like a ballot, Ms. McCormally wrote in her opinion. The seriousness of the record is made clear by the language at the bottom stating that any misrepresentation of the information is a crime. Therefore, any changes or tampering with the sheet could result in a claim of election interference or misconduct. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- China has full confidence and capability to win the battle against the coronavirus outbreak, Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Zhang Ping said on Friday, urging the international community to give more understanding and support to China's efforts to prevent and control the epidemic. "Chinese medical workers and all those who are fighting on the frontline in China against the novel coronavirus epidemic are making tremendous efforts in protecting people's life and health," Zhang said at a media conference at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, noting that nothing is more important than people's life and health. The Chinese government has taken the most comprehensive and strict prevention and control measures, many of which have far exceeded what the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Health Regulations required, Zhang said. "Since the outbreak, we have adopted an open, transparent and responsible approach and have notified the WHO and other countries of the epidemic, and shared the genome sequence of the coronavirus in a timely manner. We have maintained close communication and cooperation with relevant countries, including the United States," he added. "Infectious diseases are common challenges facing the international community, no country can stay immune on its own," Zhang noted. "In face of various public health challenges, only with the concerted efforts of the international community can we defeat the virus and safeguard the health of human beings." Zhang appreciated the empathy and support for the Chinese people from friends of all walks of life in his consular district. "The Chinese community, companies and even students have made generous donations to support China's fight against the epidemic," he continued. "We understand the reasonable and necessary quarantine measures taken by some countries in response to the epidemic. On the other hand, we also believe that it is necessary to follow the WHO's recommendations and make rational and science-based responses to the current situation, not to overreact," he said. The Chinese diplomat also stressed the need to guard against the spread of xenophobia and racial profiling of Chinese people or Asians amid the epidemic. "Reports on the recent occurrence of some of these actions and rhetoric and those ill-intended attacks on China's social system and groundless accusations against the Chinese government are disturbing," he said. "At present, epidemic prevention and control has come to a crucial stage. As the WHO director-general put it, this is the time for facts, not fear; this is the time for science, not rumors; this is the time for solidarity, not stigma," he said. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is due to offer his resignation when he turns 75 on April 8. Photo: Gerry Mooney Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has challenged the next government to deliver on election promises to tackle the countrys health crisis and address the scandalous failures of the healthcare system. On World Day of the Sick Dr Martin said, We have an obligation to keep our leaders to their words and he hoped that the many promises weve heard in these election days wont remain just empty words. Speaking at the Church of the Guardian Angels in Blackrock, Co Dublin where he blessed the sick and those who care for them, Archbishop Martin said Ireland is marked by a strange incongruence where despite the astonishing progress in medical science, so many aspects of our healthcare system are scandalous. He paid tribute to the quality of the countrys many extraordinary and dedicated doctors, nurses and carers but added, Our extraordinary doctors, nurses and carers feel so often let down by a system in which sick children and elderly are left waiting and exasperated. Exit polls following Saturdays vote showed that the most important issue for voters was health (32 per cent) followed by housing/homelessness (26pc). Read More On Sunday, Archbishop Martin lamented that we live at a time in which despite the progress of medical science, many of those who are sick suffer from a deep loneliness and an abandonment, a sense of being rejected and forgotten, that society simply passes them by and leaves them on their own. Ahead of the election Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin hit out at the permanent state of crisis of the health service, despite the hard work and dedication of doctors and nurses. He said an economy which assumes that every able-bodied man and woman will be part of the workforce is, by definition, an economy in which it is no longer possible, as it was in the past, for the elderly and the sick to be cared for at home. Most people in rural Ireland, he said, were aware of the pressure on primary care, with elderly GPs retiring and not being replaced. We dont need promises from politicians; what we need is evidence of joined up thinking, Dr Doran challenged. Fugitive leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, from his safe haven in London has threatened to deal with the Abia St... Fugitive leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, from his safe haven in London has threatened to deal with the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon should there be any killing on 14 February when his parents would be buried in Afaraukwu. In a message on Facebook, Kanu downgraded the commissioner and called him Inspector Okon. He wrote: If Inspector Okon and his commanders come to my fathers house to kill anyone on 14th February 2020 at my parents burial, we will hunt down their children, posting Okons photograph along. Kanus threat was the latest in the battle of wits between the security agents and Kanus followers in IPOB as the burial date of the parents gets nearer. Okon in an interview on 7 February warned IPOB members to steer clear of the burial. Do you think we will sit down here and allow IPOB to participate in the burial? Whoever thinks along that line is fooling himself. IPOB will dance during the burial and the police elephants will dance too. I have already reached out to the traditional prime minister of Afaraukwu (Nnamdi Kanus community) and told him that if they want the burial to go smoothly and for police to give them security, they should tell IPOB not to near the area not to talk of participating in the burial. If they fail to adhere to what weve told them, that means they do not want the burial to go on smoothly because we are going to scatter the place. IPOB is proscribed by the Federal Government. I, as the Commissioner of Police in Abia cannot sit here and allow any proscribed group to operate anywhere in this state. I am saying this again for emphasis that there is no way police will allow a proscribed group to participate in the burial of the King and Queen of Afaraukwu simply because they are the parents of their acclaimed leader, we will not allow that and we cannot take anything for granted in the face of abundant intelligence on threat by IPOB. If the burial committee writes to police to provide security during the burial, we will oblige them on the condition that they will guarantee us that IPOB will never, ever be part of the burial, IPOB will never get near there, in fact that IPOB will never, ever enter Umuahia. That police will not see any Biafra flag, IPOB insignia or IPOB member disguising as Jewish or Zionist Church members. Following the interview, Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC) issued its own warning asking the police to keep off the burial. President of OYC, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka warned that any move by the police to disrupt the event in Afaraukwu, Abia state would be resisted by his group. We in OYC see this tough talk and boastful outburst from the police boss in Abia as reopening the wounds of the Nigeria-Biafra war, which was declared no victor, no vanquished by the then Nigerian military government. Okons deadly outburst at this point, if not dragging Nigeria back to the repeat of the 1966 crisis, is capable of causing chaos and anarchy in the country. As worrisome and shameful as this could be at this hour, we are compelled to advise Mr Okon that no reasonable security agency launches or deploys a crime fighting system where there is no crime. Any move to disrupt the burial or launch Operation Elephant Dance by the Nigeria Police Force would be solely viewed as an act of conventional war against Ndigbo, and we must resist it with anything within our reach. Kanus kinsmen, expecting some trouble, have asked IPOB members to keep away from the burial. The Afaraukwu community in Umuahia North council area of Abia State last week Wednesday declared members of the Indigenous People of Biafra personae non gratae at the burial of the parents of Nnamdi Kanu, their founder. Kanus younger brother also echoed the warning. The burial of His Royal Highness Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and his wife, Ugoeze Meme Sally Kanu is slated for 14 February in their country home, Isiama Afaraukwu community in Umuahia local government area of Abia state. President General , Afaraukwu community, Chief Ikechukwu Ndubueze, who briefed the media on the preparations for the burial, said the community wants a peaceful burial for their late monarch and his wife. What we are doing is a traditional burial. The entire Afaraukwu community wants a peaceful burial. We have been meeting with the security agencies in the state. What we are doing is not an IPOB affair, we are only burying our late monarch and his wife. They should allow us bury our dead. Afaraukwu is a peaceful community, he said. Apart from the numerous airstrips built mainly by the Nigerian military and multinational oil companies, Nigeria has 31 airports out of which only 5 are functional for international travels. With the soaring number of licensed pilots, aeronautic engineers/technicians and cabin personnel who mostly manned local airlines, Nigeria is a destination for over 22 foreign carriers with a Bilateral Air Services Agreements with over 78 countries across the globe. Nigerians are considered some of the most widely traveled people around the world. The air transport subsector in Nigeria accounts for the second-highest share of modal contribution to transport output after the road sub-sector. In 2018, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that a total of 17.23 million passengers passed through Nigerian airports; with 12.79 and 4.43 million passengers flying through the domestic and international wings respectively. Although airports are Nigerias gateways, it is disheartening to note that several illicit activities, unprecedented extortion, and organized corrupt practices persist at an alarming rate. These practices have continuously soar unabated over the years. Airport officials and attendants, security personnel and touts (which have no stake in air business) continuously devise emerging techniques to dubiously extort unsuspecting passengers. There is no doubt that a racketeering syndicate exists in Nigerian airports especially in the international wings. Having used different domestic and international wings of Nigerian airports over the past couple of years for both local and international travels, I hereby write this opinion article to the unravel the fraudulent practices existing in the nations airports and to call the attention of relevant agencies into seeking redress, orderliness, and decorum. Oga, happy new year! What did you bring for me? You know you are my first passenger today, abeg, show me love. Oga, show me love These were the words of a check-in officer of the airline I used in my recent trip to the United States via Lagos Airport. Before handing over my boarding pass, she repeatedly demanded gratification from me with her facial expression indicating her gestures to be a normal routine. This never came as a surprise though, as I earlier witnessed a similar trend right from the entrance of the airport. Just as I sent in my luggage to be screened through the scanner at the airport entrance, I was asked by a retinue of security operatives to still open my luggage for manual search although no alarm was raised by the scanner. I later understand they mostly do this in order to extort money from unsuspecting passengers. Fortunately, for me, I met a Hausa speaking security personnel which I greeted in the Hausa language since I fluently speak Hausa as well. After exchanging pleasantries, the officer demanded to know my State of origin and Local government area, after which he asked me to go without any search. A writer previously reported how two Chinese nationals had their bags screened via the scanner at the airport entrance. I saw an official in a navy-blue shirt flagging the Chinese nationals for inspection. Some words were exchanged and money changed hands. The two were then allowed to pass through security. The same instance then happened to a Nigerian lady, but she refused to play ball with the official manning the scanner at the entrance, so her luggage was searched on the floor. Unlike airports in some countries that I have visited across Africa, Asia, Europe and America, Nigerian airports are always overcrowded with a needless number of security operatives. The agencies with personnel manning the airports are the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), State Security Services (SSS), Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS). Apart from these known security operatives, several individuals with no known identity operate within the airports. They appear to be kind and willing to assist passengers only to make spurious demands for gratifications and payments after voluntarily rendering their assistance to passengers. After refusing showing love to the check-in officer and the entrance security operatives, I met an officer of the SSS who spoke softly to me after going through my international passport. On noticing Akwanga as my place of birth as indicated in my international passport, she spent needless time reeling out stories on how she stayed and worked in Akwanga some years back. Finally, she also demanded for peanut (gratification) before returning my passport. With smiles on my face, I walked past her without a response. While using the Abuja airport in 2017, an immigration officer who voluntarily assisted me fill up an immigration form insisted that I give her some money. After much persuasion, I handed over a dollar bill to her. Surprisingly, she angrily demanded more after knowing fully well that I was a student. On my return for vacation through the same airport, my two big bags were not searched by the customs and NDLEA officials the moment I identified myself as a student. No be your type we dey look for were the words from one of the officials, presuming to get barely little or no gratifications or tips from me. Similarly, my interactions with several other passengers revealed that high demand for gratifications in the form of cash and/or other belongings are routine practices in our airports. A passenger told me how she constantly shared 500 naira notes to airport officials at each checkpoint. Several times foreigners were threatened to be sent back once they refuse to play along. Most passengers part ways with their money and belongings in order to evade security checks and shunt queues. This practice may further threaten our national security. Having mastered the art of extortion through lies, subtly cajole, intimidation, harassment, threats, persuasion, etc, airport officials, security personnel and airline assistants continuously give Nigeria a bad name. Any help rendered to passengers by airport officials is often accompanied by demands for payments or gratifications. Sadly, the phone numbers available to passengers urging them to report any act of corruption are always nonfunctional, they are either not connecting, switch off or not available. It is noteworthy to state that these master extortionists and beggars are mostly stationed at the international wings of Nigerian airports and they often target first-time and/or amateur travelers. It is so disheartening to also note that you have to settle or pay some individuals within the airports before you are allowed to charge your phone, get a comfortable chair/seat or even use the trolleys. Also, it has been previously reported that a number of check-in officers do rob people of their valuables, especially money if included as part of checked-in baggage without a secured lock. With the alarming and overbearing demand for gratifications in Nigerian airports, the earlier approved Executive Orders aimed at facilitating the ease of doing business in Nigeria is a mirage. The governments aim of saving time and cost and promoting transparency and efficiency in the business environment is long defeated by these sharp practices in Nigerias gateways. The fight against corruption should start from Nigerias gateways, the airports. The indiscipline airport officials constitute a grave threat and danger to Nigerias image, culture and business space. Also, Nigerian airports need no countless retinue of needless security operatives who themselves constitute a nuisance to the airport operations. There is a need for automation (as the case is in the United States) from the airports' entrance to the checks and boarding sections. This will reduce the number of airport officials, hence curtailing corruption. There is a need for a complete overhaul of the Nigerian airports operations. Reuben Rine is a public affairs commentator/analyst - [email protected] Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 11:38:59|Editor: Wang Yamei Video Player Close BANGKOK, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Thai National police chief Pol. Gen. Chakthip Chaijinda confirmed on Sunday that a soldier killer who killed at least 22 people in northeastern Thailand late Saturday had been shot dead by authorities. The 32-year-old gunman, identified as Sgt. Jakrapanth Thomma, killed at least 22 people, including six policemen of the Arintharat police commando unit, and wounded 42 others in the downtown area of Nakorn Ratchasima city, police said. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul pleaded for blood donation to save the more than 40 injured who were being treated in hospital. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be arriving at Nakorn Ratchasima on Sunday after the deadly shooting rampage. People seen wearing face masks along Orchard Road on 9 February 2020. (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore) SINGAPORE The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has revoked the work passes of four work pass holders and permanently banned them from working in Singapore for breaking the leave of absence (LOA) requirements put in place to control the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) situation. Between Tuesday (4 February) and Saturday, the four work pass holders were caught working at their workplaces during the period of their 14-day LOA, MOM said in a statement on Sunday. MOM has suspended the work pass privileges of six employers for two years for also breaching the LOA requirements. In addition, MOM has found two Permanent Residents (PRs) working at their workplaces during the period of their LOA. MOM will hold employers responsible for ensuring that those who need to be on LOA stay away from the workplace. MOM has been conducting regular random checks on work pass holders who have been placed on LOA through inspections, telephone or video calls. Employers are reminded that all work pass holders with recent travel history to mainland China are required to serve the LOA upon their arrival in Singapore. Employers and employees have a joint duty to ensure that the employee behaves responsibly during the leave of absence. MOM will not hesitate to revoke the work passes and withdraw work pass privileges against errant employers or employees. From 2359 hours, 8 February 2020, employers must obtain MOMs approval for all work pass holders with travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days, before they can enter or return to Singapore. During a visit to Tuas View Dormitory on Thursday, Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the multi-ministry taskforce on the novel coronavirus and National Development Minister, said employers whose employees are serving the LOA will get $100 a day for each affected worker both Singapore residents and work pass holders alike , on top of a waiver for foreign worker levy where applicable. Related stories Coronavirus: Family reunions on hold as more Singaporeans return from Wuhan Story continues Coronavirus: FairPrice sets purchasing limits on essential items Coronavirus: 7 new confirmed cases including taxi driver and private hire car driver, total at 40 Coronavirus: Grab to stop its popular ride-sharing GrabShare service from 9 Feb Coronavirus: Singapore mounts second evacuation flight from Wuhan Coronavirus: Fear can do more harm than the virus, says PM Lee Coronavirus: Discharged patient thought she caught the common flu Coronavirus: Singapore raises Dorscon response level to orange Coronavirus: 'Patient zero' linked to multiple infected cases at Grand Hyatt meeting not yet identified MOH Coronavirus: Don't shake hands, adopt alternative greetings, says Ministry of Health equitable and credible, demonstrating that he is in pursuit of a policy of contraction and counteraction of upcoming protests in Iran and is determined to purge rival faction elements from the parliament. He warned the rival factions elements who he described as gossiper of the Majlis (Irans parliament) elections and officials who called the elections, appointment. It was clear that Khamenei meant the regimes President Hassan Rouhani, who had recently called the appointments a threat to democracy and national sovereignty. Regardless of the threats by the Supreme Leader against the protests of the rival faction, what Khamenei uttered during the meeting clearly signaled his weakness in front of the angry and frustrated people, who are completely against the entire regime, with no difference between any of the factions. Begging for votes Among his remarks about the election, which is the main challenge of the day for the regime, was the invitation to the people to participate in the so-called election, which is highly anticipated: Someone may not like me, but if he likes Iran, he should come to the ballot box. The message that any listener receives from these words full of plea and supplication is a clear confession of peoples hatred and disgust against him and his regime. A vicious leader who, with deceit, tried to keep a straight face. A losing leader who begs and urges the people to warm up this repetitive and disgusting so-called election. This despicable request showed how much this regime needs such an act in this situation. A defanged criminal Khamenei, who is better informed than anyone about the slack of regimes shows such as the Friday prayers ceremonies, so-called elections to various marches, complained that some called the huge population of millions of people, several thousand people, and the mobility of several hundred people in the streets are named the people of Iran. And he hypocritically promised that the people would attend in a large crowd in the squares and streets at the events of the anniversary of the Iranian revolution in 1979 and the 40th-day mourning ceremony of Qassem Suleimani (the eliminated IRGC Quds Force commander). Khameneis appeal to the overt lies of the millions of people while he repeated it over and over in the months following the November uprising is ironically indicative of his extremely weak and fragile position. A situation that became more clarified during the uprising of January, with people and students tearing up his photos and that of his warmonger and strategic arm Qassem Suleimani and chanting slogans such as Suleimani is a murderer, and his Leader is a murderer too and Death to Khamenei and Death to the lying leader. In addition to the repetition of the protests in Iran, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Lebanese people, whose countries the mullahs regard as the strategic depth of their regime, is another aspect of this weak and fragile situation, which has forced him to repeat the million population in his lectures. Begging for security The vicious leader of the regime like the last days of the traitorous Shah who had confessed that he had heard the voice of the revolution, said: Well, there are plagues in the country, and they knew it too. These sanctions, in addition to the little failures that we do, have created problems for the people and the people have some complaints. While speaking about the honor of the regime, national power, national insight and national security, he immediately demanded: However, as the election is concerned, as the reputation of the regime is concerned, as the security of the state is on the desk, the people come to the scene, this represents the national determination, national power, and national insight. Khamenei who did not just cry in fear of the uprising and the security of his regime, surprisingly he remembered the beloved Iran and begged for votes while saying, Everyone who loves Iran, loves the security of his homeland and the honor of his homeland, and is seeking to solve problems, must attend the ballot box so that the Iranian national determination and power will re-emerge. Yes, this is the real situation of a blood loving dictator who begs for the votes of the people and the security of his regime at the end of its sovereignty, while knowing well that the oppressed people of Iran have long boycotted any of the regimes elections. And this time they will ridicule it more than ever. They have decided to permanently cleanse their homeland of the existence of the Velayat-e-Faqih (mullahs regime) and these ridiculous shows. SAIPA, MAPNA ink MOU for mass production of Iran's first electric car 02/09/20 Source: Tehran Times Iran's MAPNA Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the country's second-biggest auto-maker SAIPA Group for mass production of the country's first electric vehicle, IRIB reported. Based on the MOU, SAIPA Group and MAPNA will collaborate on the design, prototyping, testing, commercialization, and production of new electric vehicles, SAIPA Group's news portal reported. Electric Charging Station in Karaj, Iran In a visit to SAIPA's production lines on Wednesday, Abbas Aliabadi, the chairman and member of the board of directors at MAPNA Group, said MAPNA has long been pursuing a program for preparing necessary infrastructure for manufacturing electric cars and in this regard, the group plans to design and deliver the country's first electric car in collaboration with SAIPA Group. The production of electric cars will be very beneficial for people, in terms of both reducing environmental pollution and energy consumption, Aliabadi said. The official underlined MAPNA and SAIPA's cooperation as the first step in the production of electric cars in the country and said: By creating a bond between the two groups, we will use the knowledge and capabilities of both sides as well as new technologies available in this industry. High cost, an unpredictable market and lack of a supervisory body have been reported to be the main challenges hindering the production of electric cars in Iran, according to a recent study conducted by Majlis Research Center. Data collected from experts at Iran Khodro Company and SAIPA-Iran's first and second largest carmakers respectively-show that electric cars would cost two to three times more than ordinary cars. Despite the growing popularity of hybrids and EVs across the world, they have had a slow take-up in Iran as the needed infrastructures are yet to be developed. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) The FBI has confirmed one of their agents was involved in a shooting in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury neighborhood late Saturday night. The agent was off-duty - according to San Francisco police - at the time of the shooting, reported at about 11:34 p.m. in the 500 block of Ashbury Street, Sgt. Michael Andraychak said. FBI officials didn't confirm if the agent was on duty or not as of 6:30 a.m. Sunday. The agent wasn't identified. The man who was shot was taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, according to Andraychak. The federal agent wasn't injured. "The FBI takes any shooting incident involving our agents or task force members seriously. In accordance with FBI policy, the shooting incident is under investigation by the FBI's Inspection Division," FBI spokeswoman Katherine Zackel said. "The review process is thorough and objective, and is conducted as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances. As this investigation is ongoing, we cannot provide any additional information at this time." Neither Andraychak nor Zackel was able to confirm if the man shot was a suspect in a criminal investigation. The San Francisco Police Department's Homicide Detail is investigating the shooting. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police at (415) 575-4444, or can text tips to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). We'll use ROE to examine Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings Limited (HKG:1112), by way of a worked example. Over the last twelve months Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings has recorded a ROE of 22%. That means that for every HK$1 worth of shareholders' equity, it generated HK$0.22 in profit. See our latest analysis for Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings How Do I Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity Or for Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings: 22% = CN1.2b CN5.2b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.) Most know that net profit is the total earnings after all expenses, but the concept of shareholders' equity is a little more complicated. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company. What Does ROE Signify? ROE looks at the amount a company earns relative to the money it has kept within the business. The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, all else equal, investors should like a high ROE. That means it can be interesting to compare the ROE of different companies. Does Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings Have A Good Return On Equity? By comparing a company's ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings has a better ROE than the average (9.6%) in the Food industry. Story continues SEHK:1112 Past Revenue and Net Income, February 8th 2020 That's clearly a positive. In my book, a high ROE almost always warrants a closer look. For example you might check if insiders are buying shares. How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity? Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used. Combining Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings's Debt And Its 22% Return On Equity Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings clearly uses a significant amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 1.16. I think the ROE is impressive, but it would have been assisted by the use of debt. Debt increases risk and reduces options for the company in the future, so you generally want to see some good returns from using it. But It's Just One Metric Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. A self-appointed paedophile hunter has admitted wrecking a police cell by smearing his own excrement over the walls. Lurgan man Caolan Murray appeared via video-link as his solicitor told Craigavon Magistrates Court the 26-year-old was entering guilty pleas to all four of the charges against him. Murray (26) admitted using disorderly behaviour on the Old Portadown Road in Lurgan, assaulting a police constable and damaging a police car on Boxing Day last year. He also confessed to causing criminal damage to a police cell on December 27 by smearing excrement over the walls and door. Murrays solicitor asked for him to be freed on bail pending sentencing. But a police officer said he had objections to the self-styled paedo hunter being freed amid fears he would commit further offences, revealing that he has more than 30 previous criminal convictions including entries for causing damage, assault, assaulting police and disorderly behaviour. In November 2018, Murray, who is heavily involved in the Not One Nonce Can Escape (NI) Facebook group, was jailed for seven months for common assault and having a crossbow. The court heard Murray was involved in a so-called sting streamed live online on February 18, 2018. Four days later he confronted the same man at his home armed with a crossbow. In court last week, Murrays solicitor claimed his client has changed his ways and has sought help to address his addiction issues. Refusing to free Murray, however, District Judge Rosie Watters told the court that despite the submissions: I still think theres a risk of further offences being committed. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andrew Marszal (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States Sun, February 9, 2020 10:31 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20635f139 2 Entertainment The-Farewell,Spirit-Awards,film,film-awards,parasite Free Chinese-American film The Farewell delivered a rebuke to its Oscars snub at the Spirit Awards Saturday, as South Korea's Parasite added a final burst of momentum to its much-hyped Academy Award challenge. The awards, held on a beach outside Los Angeles a day before the Oscars, honor films with smaller budgets, and are often held up as an antidote to the Academy's more mainstream -- and less diverse -- tastes. The Farewell, about a family which reunites to visit a grandmother in China who doesn't know she's dying, won best picture, having missed out on any Oscars nominations. Lulu Wang, the film's director, told AFP that "so many people said nobody is going to want to see the film (because) it's not Chinese enough, it's not American enough." "For people to just see it as a family story, as a universal story, that's really meaningful." Wang was one of several acclaimed female directors who failed to win Oscars recognition, but said she was not surprised by her omission. "When you win an award it is given to you by a group of your peers. When I look at the Academy, and the makeup of the voting body of the Academy, they are not my peers," she said. "That is the biggest problem. If my peers were represented in the Academy voting body then they would be voting for films that represent their lives and their stories. "That's always how it is. So I'm not surprised by any of it." Academy membership is 84 percent white and 68 percent male. In the Spirit Awards's biggest shock, Jennifer Lopez missed out on best supporting actress for her turn as a wily stripper in Hustlers to Zhao Shuzhen, who plays the grandmother in The Farewell. Zhao was unable to travel from China due to the novel coronavirus outbreak gripping the country. Meanwhile Parasite, a rare crossover foreign language success that could become the first non-English film to win best picture at the Oscars in Hollywood on Sunday, won best international film. Director Bong Joon-ho said subtitles were no barrier for his dark comedy because its message about widening class inequality would resonate with "people living on Mars". "I didn't create this film to make a grand contribution to international cinema," said Bong. "The deeper you delve into what surrounds you, what is near you, the more universal and broader the story can become," he told journalists backstage. 'Douchebags' Brothers Josh and Benny Safdie won best director for their frenetic, anxiety-ridden thriller Uncut Gems, about a compulsive New York jeweler whose gambling addiction lands him in ever-deepening trouble. The film's star and audience favorite Adam Sandler won best actor, poking fun at his "quote unquote snub" at the Oscars, saying: "Let all those feather-haired douchebag... (actors) get their Oscars tomorrow night." Olivia Wilde, whose female-focused teen comedy Booksmart won best first feature, said she hoped the win could "inspire more ladies to get out there and direct." "The Film Independent Spirit Awards is so much cooler than the Oscars -- it's the daytime, we're on the beach, we recognize female directors," joked host Aubrey Plaza as the show opened in Santa Monica. Noah Baumbach won best screenplay for divorce tearjerker Marriage Story, which is also in the race for best picture at the Oscars -- as is his partner Greta Gerwig's Little Women. "Even though she made a movie too expensive for the Spirit Awards, she's no less independent than anyone here," Baumbach said. Renee Zellweger further cemented her Oscar frontrunner status by winning best actress for Judy. Best documentary went to American Factory, the first film from Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, about a US rust belt factory reopened by a Chinese billionaire. "Even though it's sort of sponsored by the Obamas, a lot of Republicans and people living in rural areas are watching it in the privacy of their homes," director Julia Reichert told AFP, citing Netflix data. "They might not tell their friends. But it's really happening. So that's really cool. We've got to get to those people because we're in an election year." A bill to enshrine the independence of Oregons public records advocate in law and end the governors role in hiring and firing the government transparency advocate is scheduled for a legislative hearing Monday morning. Thats an important sign the bill to end gubernatorial checks on openness may pass rather than die in the short session, which has tight deadlines for bills to move or else perish. Oregons Public Records Advisory Council pitched the idea of shielding the records advocate from the governors control last fall. It did so in the wake of news that Gov. Kate Browns top lawyer Misha Isaak told then-Public Records Advocate Ginger McCall that she reported to him and should vet any public records legislation, policy proposal or report with the governors office before releasing them. The states first and so far only permanent public records advocate, McCall, resigned in September. She accused the governors staff of pressuring her to take their side on public records matters but keep Browns involvement secret. The governors communications director initially called McCalls statements untrue, but the administration walked back the accusation after it emerged that McCall herself a lawyer had taken contemporaneous notes on her interactions with the governors lawyers. Senate Bill 1506 would hand the job of selecting and overseeing the public records advocate to the records council, a group of lawmakers and representatives from state and local government agencies, public employee unions, the general public, the secretary of state, the attorney general and the media. It would also explicitly allow the council to propose changes to state public records laws. The bill has the support of the Oregon Territory Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, some lawmakers and much of the public records council, which in October voted to pursue the law change. The governor appoints or has an indirect role in selecting nine of the thirteen members of the Public Records Advisory Council; the two lawmakers chosen by legislative leaders are non-voting members. We need someone in there whos insulated from daily politics, said Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, a supporter of the bill. A former journalist, Hass noted state politicians including other lawmakers were concerned about ensuring the advocates independence since the governor pushed to create the job in 2017. Nick Budnick, a reporter for The Portland Tribune and co-chair of the Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of Information Committee, said the group supports the bill because it would ensure a strong and independent advocate who can help resolve records disputes and educate government officials and records requesters about Oregons sunshine law. People talk about the cost of providing records, but they rarely talk about the benefits provided to our democracy, Budnick said. The Society of Professional Journalists has once again hired a lobbyist to advance journalists interests this short session, and Budnick said the group believes that if the Legislature does not take action to bolster the independence of the advocate, then the message it is sending is that the worst fears of Ginger McCall were true. At the time she said she would resign, McCall said the governors staff inappropriately pressured her to advance Browns public records policy goals, rather than independently pursuing policy in the public interest. The bill already faces significant opposition from the more than 200 city governments around the state, who are collectively represented by the League of Oregon Cities. Scott Winkels is a lobbyist for the cities. This feels very rushed to us, Winkels said Friday, and city officials do not believe lawmakers should change who hires and fires the public records advocate during a short legislative session, he said. Voters approved the short sessions a decade ago largely to address budget issues and other emergencies, but lawmakers nonetheless consistently bring up significant policy changes such as the cap-and-trade climate plan. City governments supported the creation of the public records advocate position in 2017 with the understanding that the governor would oversee the advocate, Winkels said. There was never general agreement on what the level of independence would be. State senators might also be reluctant to cede their role in selecting the public records advocate, since they have the power to give final approval to this and other appointments by the governor, Winkels said. I think there will be challenges in the Senate, he said. Emily Harris, a senior reporter and producer at Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and a member of the public records council, said its important for lawmakers to act this session to guarantee the public records advocates independence because the council is about to hire a new advocate. Members have repeatedly expressed concern that news reports about McCalls experience with Browns administration might discourage people from applying. Wed actually delayed making the hiring announcement until we could tell people who would apply what type of job theyre walking into, Harris said. Whats unique about this advocate position is if its structured correctly, they will be able to advance the common interest of people who request these records and respond to them, Harris said. Its so simple, make the advocate independent. People who want to comment on Senate Bill 1506 can email them to sggep.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Habitat loss, pesticide use and, surprisingly, artificial light are the three most serious threats endangering fireflies across the globe, raising the spectre of extinction for certain species and related impacts on biodiversity and ecotourism, according to a Tufts University-led team of biologists associated with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Fireflies belong to a widespread and economically important insect group, with more than 2,000 different species spread out across the globe. To better understand what threats are faced by fireflies, the team led by Sara Lewis, professor of biology at Tufts University, surveyed firefly experts around the world to size up the most prominent threats to survivial for their local species. Their perspective piece, published today in Bioscience, sounds a warning bell about the insects' future, highlighting specific threats and the vulnerability of different species across geographical regions. According to survey respondents, habitat loss is the most most critical threat to firefly survival in most geoographic regions, followed by light pollution and pesticide use. "Lots of wildlife species are declining because their habitat is shrinking," said Lewis "so it wasn't a huge surprise that habitat loss was considered the biggest threat. Some fireflies get hit especially hard when their habitat disappears because they need special conditions to complete their life cycle. For instance, one Malaysian firefly [Pteroptyx tener], famous for its synchronized flash displays, is a mangrove specialist." As reported in the article, previous work has revealed drastic declines in this species following conversion of their mangrove habitat to palm oil plantations and aquaculture farms. One surprising result that emerged from the survey was that, globally, light pollution was regarded as the second most serious threat to fireflies. Artificial light at night has grown exponentially during the last century. "In addition to disrupting natural biorhythms -- including our own -- light pollution really messes up firefly mating rituals," explained Avalon Owens, Ph.D. candidate in biology at Tufts and a co-author on the study. Many fireflies rely on bioluminescence to find and attract their mates, and previous work has shown that too much artificial light can interfere with these courtship exchanges. Switching to energy efficient, overly bright LEDs is not helping. "Brighter isn't necessarily better," says Owens. Firefly experts viewed the widespread agricultural use of pesticides as another key threat to firefly survival. Most insecticide exposure occurs during larval stages, because juvenile fireflies spend up to two years living below ground or under water. Insecticides such as organophosphates and neonicotinoids are designed to kill pests, yet they also have off-target effects on beneficial insects. While more research is needed, the evidence shows that many commonly used insecticides are harmful to fireflies. A few studies have quantified firefly population declines, such as those seen in the tourist-attracting synchronous fireflies of Malaysia, and the glowworm Lampyris noctiluca in England. And numerous anecdotal reports suggest that many other firefly species across a wide range of habitats have also suffered recent declines. "However," Lewis points out, "we really need better long-term data about firefly population trends -- this is a place where citizen science efforts like Massachusetts Audubon's Firefly Watch project can really help." The researchers also highlight risk factors that allow them to predict which species will be most vulnerable when faced with threats like habitat loss or light pollution. For instance, females of the Appalachian blue ghost firefly [Phausis reticulata] are flightless. "So when their habitat disappears, they can't just pick up and move somewhere else," explains co-author J. Michael Reed, professor of biology at Tufts. Yet the researchers remain optimistic about fireflies' future. "Here in the U.S., we're fortunate to have some robust species like the Big Dipper fireflies [Photinus pyralis]," notes Lewis. "Those guys can survive pretty much anywhere- and they're beautiful, too." By illuminating these threats and evaluating the conservation status of firefly species around the world, researchers aim to preserve the magical lights of fireflies for future generations to enjoy. "Our goal is to make this knowledge available for land managers, policy makers, and firefly fans everywhere," says co-author Sonny Wong of the Malaysian Nature Society. "We want to keep fireflies lighting up our nights for a long, long time." Were highlighting some of the activities Staten Island students are engaged in -- both inside and outside the classroom. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Inspired by the story of 11-year-old Drew Denmark, who was diagnosed with a rare disease and has autism, students at St. Ann School worked to raise awareness for the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation in his honor. Each year during Catholic Schools Week, St. Ann School in Dongan Hill works on a community project. And this year, school Principal Bernadette Ficchi wanted students to learn more about empathy. Every class had the opportunity to choose a charity, organization or individual they wanted to help, and seventh-grade teacher Renee DeVito came across Drews story on SILive.com with her class of 28 students. Drew is one of 1,800 people worldwide who have been diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), a genetic condition caused by the deletion of chromosome 22 or the mutation of the SHANK3 gene. Like others with PMS, Drew has severe cognitive disabilities and is non-verbal. My students watched the interview with Drew and his mom [on SILive.com], and they instantly connected with him. They unanimously agreed to focus on raising awareness for the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation in his honor, DeVito said. She said that students conducted research on the genetic disorder, spoke to the family and friends, and gathered sponsors for the in-house walkathon. Drew and his mom, Debra Papagni Denmark, were invited to the school for the walkathon. Papagni Denmark said she couldnt believe the amount of time, energy, dedication and love that went into the project. The kids made a video with photos of Drew and researched the syndrome, each child wrote essays, decorated their hallway with articles and PMS banner, she recalled. We sat in the front row and listened to the most amazing words. To say Im thankful doesnt even touch the way Im feeling." By the end of the project, students raised $2,351 for the foundation, DeVito said. My small class of 28 learned that they could make a big difference in the lives of others, DeVito said. I am incredibly proud of them. As part of our education column, In Class, we are highlighting some of the activities Staten Island students are engaged in -- both inside and outside the classroom. Heres a look at some additional recent education-related happenings. Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com. DIFFERENCE MAKERS St. Johns University hosted a dinner for the Difference Makers program on Jan. 29 at its Staten Island campus on Grymes Hill. Directed by Dr. Reisel, a professor of management at St. Johns University, the program brings students, professors and non-profit organizations together to address social issues on Staten Island. High school students learn a variety of topics -- such as childhood cancer, immigration, social enterprise design and how to serve their non-profit partners. To honor their hard work, the program holds a dinner at the end of January for a Certificate Ceremony to present students with medals of distinguished service. Principals Joseph Scarmato of Tottenville High School, David Cugini of Susan E. Wagner High School and Gregory Jaenicke of Curtis High School attended the event. Also attending as donors were the Staten Island Foundation, Con Edison and representatives from non-profits such as Central Family Life Center, City Harvest, Sunrise Day Camp, Childrens Aid and the American Friends of Cecilys Fund. MORE STORIES FROM THE IN CLASS EDUCATION COLUMN: FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. In the wave of protest music against the CAA and NRC, one song that takes its audience back to the divisive politics of Assam in 1961 and an almost forgotten incident. The music was vastly different from those of the previous performances that evening at the CIT Road ground in Calcutta. It was a song that re-energised the audience at the Carnival Against Fascism in January, which turned the protests against the new set of citizenship rules into a celebration of democracy and free speech. A music band that evening sang a Sylheti song it took a while for the eager, young attendees to swing to the lyrics that sounded familiar and yet so alien. In the audience, I saw filmmaker Ronny Sen, who has roots in Silchar, run to the front of the stage. Whale In The Pond, a young band comprising of Sourjyo, Shireen and Deep took the stage towards the end of a long evening and turned the spotlight to the arrival of a fast train and a 1961 incident in Assams Barak Valley region. Lets go back to that story. From the mid-1960s, Bengalis in Assam had risen in protest against the imposition of Assamese as the only official language of the state. For most Bengalis, including Sylheti speakers in the Barak Valley, the right to speak ones mother tongue being taken away in independent India was unacceptable. It was a natural reaction from a community that had just survived a violent Partition and had fought a language war in East Pakistan in 1951 against the imposition of Urdu as the only medium of instruction. The protests across Assam had by and large been peaceful. In May 1961, however, things took a different turn. Police fired indiscriminately without warning on a group of peaceful demonstrators squatting at a railway station in Silchar. The firing, said a commission of a group of eminent lawyers investigating the incident, was reckless, brutal and absolutely without any semblance of justification and in violation of police manuals. No emergency or contingency had arisen and there was no danger to public security or loss of life or property for which this extreme measure was taken, it added. Eleven people were killed in the firing. The song in Sylheti a language spoken by many Bengalis narrated this incident of police brutality at the Tarapur railway station in Assam. But only in the chorus. The centrepiece of song was the story of the arrival of a fast train. But Aaij Bhagle Kalke Amra Nai', which loosely translates to If We Run Today, We Wont Be Here Tomorrow, immediately took the clued-in back to the violent politics around language, identity and citizenship in Assam, the precursor to the present nationwide search for illegal migrants. The fears about Sylhet Sylheti not only took the audience back in time to the '60s, but it also reignited memories of a Sylhet when it was a district of an undivided India and a district unwanted by the Assamese. Before 1947, Assamese political leadership wanted the Bengali-speaking district of Sylhet to be partitioned out of an independent India to save their idea of a pure and homogenous upper-caste Assam. By then, Assam had already witnessed a Line System that allowed Muslim migrants from East Bengals Mymensingh and Rangpur districts to settle only in some demarcated areas. As historian Sujit Chaudhuri points out, Congress leader from Assam Gopinath Bordoloi told the British Cabinet Mission in 1946, Assam would be quite prepared to hand over Sylhet to Eastern Bengal. Chaudhuri writes, The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee in 1945, in its election manifesto, stated: Unless the province of Assam is organised on the basis of Assamese language and Assamese culture, the survival of the Assamese nationality and culture will become impossible. The inclusion of Bengali speaking Sylhet and Cachar and immigration or importation of lacs of Bengali settlers on wastelands has been threatening to destroy the distinctiveness of Assam and has, in practice, caused many disorders in its administration." These were the initial seeds of hatred against Bengalis and Muslims that was already translating into policy and would later evolve into targeted violence against the community. Between 1979 and 1985, the Assam agitation, an anti-foreigner agitation infamously went after Bengalis residing in the state. In 1983, according to some accounts, at least 3,000 Bengali speaking Muslims were killed during that agitation in Nellie. The Assam Accord was signed in 1985 and gave rise to a new set of citizenship rules. By that time, the Barak Valley, of which Silchar is a part, had already been at the centre of many fights about illegal migrants, Bengalis and Assamese language and culture. Slowly but surely it had also transformed itself into a catchment area for the polarising politics that drives the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India. Many people in the region had turned Bharatiya Janata Party supporters. Those who opposed were in the minority. When trying to find out more about the events at the Tarapur Railway station, I reached out to an eyewitness to the police firing. The person insisted on first knowing my position on the National Register of Citizens (NRC), that has already marked 1.9 million Indians as non-citizens and kept them in a dangerous limbo. My opposition to it turned out to be a big disappointment for her. That my family has roots in Mymensingh and Jessore districts in Bangladesh added to that disappointment. You should support the NRC, I was told. The dangerous politics of polarisation has coopted people who might have suffered during Partition and turned this place into a big catchment area for those who want to push NRC, National Population Register (NPR) and CAA. What was anti-Bengali at one point has now become anti-Muslim and this is in perfect coordination with the BJPs politics and divisive regional aspirations. The song in two time-spaces 2015, when the train arrives and so does the exercise of a National Register of Citizens update and 1961, when the shooting happens captures this co-option. Co-option of a Neglected Barak Valley Barak Valley, even though a part of Assam, for the longest time was neglected by its own state government according to its residents. Not anymore. There are proactive announcements of schemes and there is some development on the surface. This includes faster trains as well. There is a certain romanticism around infrastructure in the region and this is where the song talks about a train that arrives on a broad-gauge line at Tarapur after more than 50 years. As the song proceeds, it seems that a cloud of amnesia engulfs the lives of the residents of Silchar, many of whom are now supporters of the BJP waiting to see a fast train arriving at the station. The previous f---ing government took all our money all these years promising us broad-gauge lines and theyll get away with it, goes the translated lyrics. As the song proceeds, in the chorus, there is a constant reminder of the police brutality and the language war that this region witnessed in the '60s. They come to scare us with the sound of their guns. My blood freezes. But I wont let them take away my identity. No, I wont. With such lyrics, it connects to the citizenship politics and protests across India. Sourjyo, who wrote the song and is from Silchar, is direct about the politics of opportunism and Muslim hatred in Barak Valley. I saw friends I grew up with (and some members of my extended family as well) slowly turn into vocal supporters of the BJP, he says. On a bigger scale, the entirety of Silchar fell in love with Modi after they introduced broad-gauge railway lines. I really wanted to poke fun at that blind hero worship and the verses do deal with that. He points out the strange turn of events at the same railway station where people went to garland the first broad gauge train and thereby usher in the Modi lovefest, also witnessed perhaps Silchar's most historic event in 1961. So it just made sense for me to make the chorus about that and highlight the hypocrisy of a community which was othered 60 years ago and which resisted a rabid nativist government, to completely forget their own history and accept a rabid nativist govt 60 years later, now completely comfortable with the othering the Muslims. In 2019 general elections, the BJP won the Silchar Lok Sabha constituency. Its candidate received 52 percent of the votes cast. Sense the dangers from 1961 In 2017, in a road accident, musician Kalika Prasad Bhattacharya, the frontman of Dohar, a Bengali folk music group, died. An iconic folk musician from the Barak Valley, Bhattacharya sung songs in Sylheti, Assamese, and in any style and genre and captivated people from Assam, Bengal and Bangladesh. His magical music defied borders, defied the dirty divisive politics that has consumed this region and united people. In fact, in the '60s, during the language riots in Assam , it was Hemango Biswas and Bhupen Hazarika of the Indian Peoples Theatre Association, who travelled across the state with their music as bridge builder between communities. Whale In The Ponds Sylheti song remains in sharp contrast to Dohar or the music caravan of Biswas and Hazarika. It calls out the divisive politics of Assam and the BJP. At a time when India is fighting a citizenship battle and riding high on the anthems of protest by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Varun Grover, Moushumi Bhowmick, Imphal Talkies, and others, this Sylheti song reminds people about an event in history that those in the railway platform where it happened barely remember. The BJP in Assam has reopened a lot of old wounds. Who knows what might happen, adds Sourjyo. The song that evening remained an important intervention from a young band, reminding everyone of the damages of conflicts between communities. It was asking the audience to turn their face towards recent history and sense the dangers current politics posed. It threatens to permanently damage relations between people of two communities and it also marginalises other communities who are not part of this conversation in the region. The dangers are manifold, and perhaps even worse than what India is witnessing now with its drive to create a legal list and non-list of citizens. Arijit Sen is an independent journalist. He tweets at @senarijit Indonesian President Joko Widodo was formally welcomed by Australian Governor General David Hurley at the beginning of his state visit to Australia. Hurley hosted Widodo for the ceremonial welcome at the Governor General's residence in Canberra on Sunday. Widodo's visit was made days after Indonesia voted to approve a bilateral trade agreement with Australia. Under the deal exports between the two countries will largely be tariff-free. Widodo is scheduled to meet Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and address the country's parliament on Monday. Hyderabad: Students who appeared for the exams have been marked absent in the recently released results of undergraduate courses in about 477 colleges affiliated to Osmania University. After students protested the discrepancies, the university was compelled to release an updated result. Mr Kamal Suresh, PhD scholar and ABVP acti-vist, was one of the protesters, said, Several students were confused after seeing the absent remark in their mark-sheet when they have actually written the examination. We took the issue to the notice of the controller of examinations and registrar through protest and gave a representation. It has since been resolved. OU officials clarified that the results of about 1,600 students from four to five colleges were withheld as there was a confusion among the electives that they had registered. Those students have selected environmental studies instead of environmental science and computer fundamentals instead of basic computer skills during their registration. The examination branch thought of verifying the titles and then released it. Meanwhile, given the insistence by students, the university released the updated result late Saturday on night. The Chinese military surgeon who exposed the governments cover-up of the the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) epidemic in 2003 has been under de facto house arrest since last year, according to his friends and family. The fate of 88-year-old Dr Jiang Yanyong, a retired general in the Peoples Liberation Army, has been brought into the spotlight after a whistleblower doctor, Li Wenliang, who exposed the coronavirus epidemic, died last Friday at the age of 34. Since April last year, officials have cut off Jiangs contact with the outside world and restricted his movements after he wrote to the top leadership asking for a reassessment of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement, said a close friend, on condition of anonymity. His wife, Hua Zhongwei, confirmed he was confined to his home. He is not allowed to be in contact with people outside. He is at home. He has no means of communication [with outside], she said. His health is not good. He is not in a good mental state either. He is not very well. She said he suffered from pneumonia and was treated in hospital last year. I am sorry, it is not convenient to say more, she said. Jiang was treated in 301 military hospital in Beijing the hospital where he served for more than 60 years from April last year for more than a month, and was heavily guarded and banned from being visited by his family, his friend said. The doctor became agitated and was given medication, which led to severe memory loss, the friend said. Officias have restricted his movement since then. Another friend added: We havent seen him for a long time and cant contact him. We heard his brain has been severely affected. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 17:00:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- China has stepped up efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Here are the latest developments: -- Authorities on Sunday started to disinfect the city of Wuhan twice a day to beef up efforts in containing the outbreak of the novel strain of coronavirus. Wuhan is the epicenter of the virus outbreak in central China's Hubei Province. -- More medical teams are arriving in virus-hit Wuhan to help battle the epidemic. On Saturday night, 260 medical workers came to Wuhan from the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, bringing new medical equipment and supplies. A charter plane of Xiamen Airlines brought 264 medics from Xiamen City, in east China's Fujian Province, and authorities sent 132 medical staff by plane from Wuxi City, in the eastern Jiangsu Province. Chinese health authorities have dispatched a total of 11,921 medical personnels from across the country to Hubei Province to aid the fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia, according to the National Health Commission on Sunday. -- Trade unions in China have provided a financial aid of more than 20 million yuan (about 2.9 million U.S. dollars) to help Hubei Province battle the epidemic. The All-China Federation of Trade Unions also donated 200 tonnes of disinfectants and 20,000 masks. -- Chinese authorities have reassured producers of key medical supplies that the government would be the ultimate buyer in a move to encourage production to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak. Such products initially include test kits, medical goggles, medical protective gear and masks, as well as their raw materials, and the list will be adjusted with the development of the epidemic, according to a guideline jointly issued by several ministries. -- Authorities have begun closed-off management in some residential buildings in Huanggang, one of the cities worst hit by the epidemic in Hubei. The buildings include those hosting confirmed cases of infection, suspected cases, patients with fever and possible link to the virus, and those who had close contacts with infected patients. -- The National Health Commission Sunday said it received reports of 2,656 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 89 deaths on Saturday from 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The overall confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland had reached 37,198 by the end of Saturday and 811 people had died of the disease. -- A total of 2,649 patients infected with the novel coronavirus had been discharged from hospital after recovery by the end of Saturday, the commission announced Sunday. -- Central China's Hubei, the hardest-hit province, reported 2,147 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 81 new deaths on Saturday, local health authorities said Sunday. The figure is 694 less compared with the new confirmed cases reported in the previous day. -- The mortality rate of the virus in Hubei stood at 2.88 percent, with the city of Tianmen and Wuhan having the highest death rates at 5.08 percent and 4.06 percent, respectively. -- The newly-built Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan, the second in the city replicating Beijing's SARS treatment model, received on Saturday the first batch of patients infected with the virus. The two makeshift hospitals --Leishenshan (Thunder God Mountain) and Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain), together can accommodate 2,600 beds. -- China released an application guide to solicit research and development projects on rapid test kits for the novel coronavirus. The on-site quick testing equipment and reagents should be able to identify confirmed infection among suspected patients within 1.5 hours to help prevent and control the epidemic. Research institutes, universities and enterprises can submit applications to the Ministry of Science and Technology from Feb. 8 to 13. Charymyrat Purchekov has been appointed minister of energy in Turkmenistan, Trend reports referring to the presidential decree. At the same time, Purchekov has been dismissed from the post of deputy prime minister. The total volume of electricity generated in Turkmenistan is planned to be increased up to 33 billion kilowatt hours by 2024, which is almost 30 percent more than in 2018. Turkmenistan sells electricity to Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan. Ashgabat is also exploring the prospects for supplying electricity to other markets of Central Asia, South Asia, as well as the Caucasian countries. The election results are flowing in and it looks like the Irish political landscape is set to change dramatically. So lets look at what we have learned so far: This is a premium article Premium articles will soon be available only to Independent.ie subscribers. 1. Mary Lou McDonald for Tanaiste or Taoiseach? Sinn Fein are the big winners in the general election. The surge in support for a party, which was once the political front for the Provisional IRA, will see them pick up new seats right across the country. Mary Lou McDonald will see the majority of her 42 candidates elected and not just in towns and cities. Sinn Fein is taking seats in rural constituencies like Galway West and Roscommon-Galway. Sinn Fein is also expected to take a seat in Kildare South where their candidate Patricia Ryan spent most of the campaign abroad on holidays. On these figures, Ms McDonald might well insist on a rotating Taoiseach as a condition of going into power with Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. 2. Tough choices ahead for Micheal Martin Expand Close Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin addresses the media after casting his vote in Ireland's national election in Cork, Ireland, February 8, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin addresses the media after casting his vote in Ireland's national election in Cork, Ireland, February 8, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls The election was always billed as the Fianna Fail leaders last opportunity to become Taoiseach and now he has to figure out how to do that. Hes ruled out coalition with Sinn Fein and Fine Gael which hugely limits his options given the election results. He hoped he could form some kind of left of centre coalition with the Green Party and the Labour Party but both have not lived up to expectations. Fianna Fail TDs desperate for power may exert pressure on their party leader to reach an agreement with Sinn Fein or ask him to step aside and let someone else do the deal. 3. Older Fine Gael voters save Varadkars blushes Expand Close Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty. Photo: Frank McGrath / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty. Photo: Frank McGrath The party was bracing itself for a near historic election drubbing. But a solid performance by the Taoiseach in the final television debate and the backing of older voters has ensured the election wont be a wipe out for Fine Gael. Mr Varadkar will have less seats than his predecessor Enda Kenny had in 2016 which shows he is not the political saviour his party hoped he would be. The party is set to lose some very high-profile TDs such as Regina Doherty and Sean Kyne. And the Taoiseach didnt even top the poll in his own constituency of Dublin West. However, there will be very little between the parties once all votes are counted. Fine Gael are already in Government Buildings and Mr Varadkar will do his utmost to stay there. The first call to Ms McDonalds phone tomorrow could well be Mr Varadkar. 4. Small parties squeezed out by the Sinn Fein surge Expand Close Eamon Ryan. Photo: Collins Dublin, Gareth Chaney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eamon Ryan. Photo: Collins Dublin, Gareth Chaney So where is the Green wave? The party will certainly increase their seat count and may even hit double figures. But overall, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan will be disappointed that he did not tap into the climate change vote. If there even was one. However, the reality is most young voters were more concerned about moving out of their folks house than worrying about the environment. The Labour Party will also be disappointed that they still have not rehabilitated after their implosion in the 2016 General Election. Most of the partys outgoing TDs will struggle to hold their seats and new candidates are finding it hard to make an impression. The Social Democrats are set to benefit most from Sinn Fein transfers. The party may double the number of Dail seats they hold from two to four and could be a crucial voting block in government formation talks. 5. Its all about the housing crisis Expand Close Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy. Photo: Arthur Carron / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy. Photo: Arthur Carron According to the Ipsos/MRBIs exit poll the state of the countrys health services was the main issue for most voters after they cast their ballot. Almost one in three voters (32pc) said health the driver behind their vote. Housing was second at 26pc. However, housing was by far the dominant issue for younger voters who are the force behind Sinn Feins vote. Among 18-24 years olds 33pc named housing as the motivation behind their voter and among 25-34 year old it was a massive 38pc. Unsurprisingly, two in five (38pc) Sinn Fein voters named housing as their reasons for voting. This increased to three in five among Solidarity-People Before Profit voters. Housing was a far bigger issue for female (30pc) than male (22pc) voters. Economic Impact of Feb 14 Sino-US Tariff Cuts Expected to be Positive News Analysis The economic impacts from the first Sino-U.S. tariff cuts scheduled for Feb. 14 are expected to be positive for China and the United States, despite the continuing coronavirus outbreak, according to one expert. The Chinese regime has directed manufacturing facilities to begin reopening on Feb. 10 in order to benefit from the Sino-U.S. trade war truce tariff reductions scheduled for Feb. 14. Although Epoch Times business contacts report that about half of employees at major Chinese manufacturing facilities have still not returned, the growing supply chain parts shortage is expected to generate a big economic boost. Chinas Finance Ministry announced that the retaliatory 5 percent and 10 percent tariffs slapped on 1,717 U.S. goods in September would be cut by half on Feb. 14 in concert with the U.S. agreement to halve tariffs on many Chinese imports from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. The ministry stated: China will adjust its measures at the same time to alleviate economic and trade frictions and expand economic and trade co-operation. The ministry trumpeted that the move would boost market confidence, promote bilateral relations and help global economic growth. Although there will be challenges ramping back up trade due to the coronavirus outbreak, China manufacturing expert James Pinto told The Epoch Times that global supply chain parts availability is getting seriously depleted, especially in the automotive and electronics sectors. Pinto said that during the SARS outbreak in November 2002, foreign firms flew in their own doctors and quarantined workers in company dormitories; versus the current coronavirus outbreak happened during the Chinese New Year with about half of large factory workforces already headed home to rural communities. All Chinese workers are being paid during the Lunar New Year holiday and the government imposed extended week of vacation due to the coronavirus. But Pinto expects a production mini-boom with Chinese factories so desperate to fill customer orders they will offer workers overtime to lure them back from the countryside. Despite analyst doubts regarding China honoring its trade war truce commitment to increase imports from the United States by $200 billion, Pinto believes that it is in the Chinese Communist Partys interest to promote stability in the short-run. But he warns that as the infrastructure is built out over the next two years in lower-cost labor venues such as Vietnam, multi-national manufacturers will leave China in droves. Geopolitical Partners commented that China over the last two years sought to offset trade losses from the trade war by heavily investing to expand trade across its One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road Initiative). China now accounts for almost 36 percent of Russian exports, and about 20 percent of exports from its Central Asian neighbors including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; while China is the largest supplier of component parts widely used in their domestic industrial and energy sectors. It is important to Chinas economic future to preserve these trade relationships, despite the continuing coronavirus outbreak. The World Health Organizations Executive Board finished its five-day EB146 review of regional matters on Feb. 7 by praising the level of response by China to the coronavirus outbreak. But the WHO then asked its members for $675 million in emergency funding to prevent a global coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement Three people were arrested following an Antifa demonstration against a cancelled Ku Klux Klan rally in Oregon, as protesters vandalized a war memorial and threw concrete at police. The chaotic demonstration started in Lownsdale Square Park in Portland, after it was revealed the Ku Klux Klan was planning a white supremacist rally, Portland Tribune reports. The publication had previously reported that Steven Shane Howard - a former Imperial Wizard from North Mississippi - had announced the rally. However, Portland Police Bureau said the group - who they have not officially identified the KKK - cancelled the weekend rally around 11am that morning. Counter-protesters, including members of Antifa, rallied in Lownsdale Square Park in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday The group was reportedly there to protest a Ku Klux Klan rally, but still arrived after the KKK cancelled their event The cancellation did not stop counter-protesters, including Antifa members, from arriving at the park as planned. Effie Baum of PopMob, who organized counter-protest, said: 'We basically planned this knowing that it was most likely going to be a victory party, without a lot of "hurrah" before hand. 'We still have to show up, because the risk of not showing up is far greater.' Officers stayed on the outskirts of the event while it remained peaceful, but stepped in when members of the demonstration became antagonistic. 'Some people in the group began acting in a violent, threatening manner against attendees who were legally capturing photos and videos. Officers responded to address specific criminal acts,' authorities said in a statement. They say demonstrators began using metal-tipped umbrellas to job at civilians and chase them down the street, as well as using vandalizing nearby walls and a way memorial with spray paint. Some individuals used spray pain to vandalize and deface a war memorial in Lownsdale Square Park with anti-police rhetoric Photos shared by Portland authorities show messages that say 'All Cops are Bastards' and 'Kill Cops' Authorities are still searching for one of the vandals and has offered a $2,500 reward for information on their whereabouts The written messages included 'Punch Cops,' 'Kill Cops,' 'All Cops are Bastards,' and what appears to say 'F*** the KKK.' One of those individuals was eventually arrested by police after he was chased down by officers on bikes. At one point, authorities attempted to arrest a man who ran into the crowd. This led to a stand-off, chanting and the officers backing down, Portland Tribune reports. Surveillance footage captured the moment an Antifa member used spray paint to deface the war memorial The chaotic demonstration prompted a large response from Portland authorities, who said this caused them to limit their ability to respond to calls During the demonstration, protesters threw rocks, concrete, batons cans and food at officers at the scene. Protesters hold up a sign reading 'No KKK in PDX,' referring to Portland International Airport Individuals threw rocks, concrete, batons, cans and food at officers. At least two incendiary devices, believed to be flares, were thrown into the street as traffic drove by. The event lasted four hours, prompting authorities to respond with a large police presence which limited their ability to answer service calls citywide. Portland Fire and Rescue medics treated three victims for exposure to pepper spray. Video footage shows a man named Brandon Brown being poked with umbrellas before getting into a physical altercation with a group of counter protesters. He is eventually pepper sprayed by an unknown assailant. It is unclear what preceded the altercation. Live streamer Brandon Brown kicked out of demonstration by antifascist protesters. pic.twitter.com/YYk4Wy2GWe Shane Burley (@shane_burley1) February 8, 2020 Medics treated three people who were pepper-sprayed on Saturday, including a man who was poked by protesters with umbrellas Another person was injured when they were struck by a vehicle. They were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Mary Jean Dowell arrived at the protest to condemn President Donald Trump and the government, but was apparently shoved into the street and told to 'go home.' Dowell said: 'They're here to provoke a riot and I'm here to stop it. Unfortunately, this is an urban battle ground and I'm a retired soldier.' Some individuals at Lownsdale Square Park simply wanted to listen to a live band play, according to Oregon Live. Of the event, Chief Jami Resch said: 'I want to acknowledge the community members who came down to peacefully assemble and exercise their freedom of speech rights.' Dowell: 'They're here to provoke a riot and I'm here to stop it. Unfortunately, this is an urban battle ground and I'm a retired soldier' Police in riot gear arrest Brandon Farley (center) during the protest for misdemeanor charges 'Unfortunately, a group of people chose to engage in dangerous, illegal behavior. I appreciate the thoughtful, measured response by our officers and law enforcement partners. 'A small group's actions negatively impacted public safety of the entire city because resources had to be diverted to this event.' Authorities noted that freedom of speech and assembly are constitutionally protected regardless of speech or alignment with Portland values. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said Brandon Farley, 31, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and Heaven Davis, 19, was charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief. Willy Cannon, 25, was charged with a misdemeanor for abusing a memorial and a felony for criminal mischief. Police are offering a reward up to $2,500 for information on the suspect who vandalized the war memorial. (Pictured left to right) Willy Cannon, Brandon Farley and Heaven Davis were arrested by Portland police on Saturday following a counter-protest that included Antifa members The recent demonstration sparked outrage on social media, prompting the hashtag #AntifaTerrorists to trend on Twitter. 'Reminder that you don't need to kill people to be a terrorist,' one man said, adding the a screenshot of the definition of terrorist. He later added: 'Its crazy that twitter decided to push this hashtag to be pro-antifa #AntifaTerrorists. Im all for anti-fascism, Im not for unorganized violence against people who havent started any fights. Im also against antifa who fight Jews walking out of holocaust museums and reporters 'Glad to see #AntifaTerrorists trending. Maybe people have finally woken up to how evil that organization is,' another person said. The recent demonstration sparked outrage on social media, prompting the hashtag #AntifaTerrorists to trend on Twitter Several users condemned both the protest and the Antifa, with this man saying: 'Im all for anti-fascism, Im not for unorganized violence against people who havent started any fights' 'Glad to see #AntifaTerrorists trending. Maybe people have finally woken up to how evil that organization is,' one person wrote. Other social media users argued Antifa wasn't inherently criminal. 'The KKK has killed thousands, Antifa has killed 0, but only one of them is listed as a domestic terrorist group and its not the KKK #AntifaTerrorists.' One man said pointed out what he referred to as 'real domestic terrorists.' 'The real domestic terrorists,' he wrote. 'Charleston church shooting - 9 dead. El Paso shooting -22 dead. MAGA Bomber - 16 pipe bombs mailed (thwarted). Charlottesville car attack - 1 dead, 28 wounded. 3 White Nationalists Arrested plotting to murder protesters in VA, #AntifaTerrorists.' 'The KKK has killed thousands, Antifa has killed 0, but only one of them is listed as a domestic terrorist group and its not the KKK #AntifaTerrorists' One user listed separate incidents that he defined as 'the real domestic terrorists' Oregon emergency officials are warning residents in parts of Umatilla County that they should evacuate now if they can, as airlifts may be increasingly difficult in coming days. According to the East Oregonian, emergency officials are saying helicopters may not be able to reach people for weeks if they cant get out Saturday. Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency in Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties. The National Guard and county search and rescue officials evacuated 26 people Friday evening. The National Weather Service estimates parts of the northern Blue Mountains could see anywhere from 8-12 inches of snow Saturday. What can you do to help? The Red Cross Donations for the Pendleton flood can be made at redcross.org. Red Cross encourages cash donations so that they can use funds to get people what they need after assessments have been made. Community Action Program of East Central Oregon (CAPCO) CAPCO is a regional organization that will help evacuees secure housing and meet immediate food needs. Donate: Donations to help Pendleton evacuees secure long-term housing and food security can be made at http://www.capeco-works.org/donations.php -- Piper McDaniel and Andrew Theen Dhaka, Feb 9 : Failure to arrange a flight has forced the Bangladesh government to scrap its plans to evacuate the remaining 171 nationals from China amid the deadly novel coronavirus outbreak, it was reported. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen revealed the decision to the media after an event in Dhaka on Saturday, reports bdnews24. Earlier, Bangladesh evacuated 312 citizens and quarantined them in Dhaka on February 1. "We've spent much for those who want to return now, but still it's not possible," Momen said, citing that the pilots of the special Wuhan flight have been denied entry to other countries. Momen also said on Saturday that it would have been possible to evacuate the Bangladeshis if the government could manage a chartered Chinese plane. "China had agreed once as well. But they refused later. It's a sensitive matter. We can't send any flight. No crew member agrees to go there either. So, we've told them [stranded Bangladeshis] to wait," the Minister said. Some of the Bangladesh nationals studying at the Three Gorges University in Yichang, some 285 m from Wuhan, told bdnews24.com that a total of 172 Bangladeshi students have been stranded there. They complained of a shortage of food and drinking water due to the lockdown. But Momen denied the allegations saying the Chinese authorities were sending food and water properly on time to the 23 places where the Bangladeshis stay. The red carpet is all about being green and dressing responsibly now with Hollywood taking their efforts to reduce carbon footprints a notch higher this awards season. For the recently concluded 2020 BAFTAs, guests were invited to consider wearing a sustainable design or repeat an outfit theyd already worn before at the award ceremony. The Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice Awards galas all served plant-based menus, instead of steak dinners that are typical of celebrity-packed events. The Oscars too will be serving a 70 per cent plant-based menu this time. While sustainability is a widespread discussion in fashion, questions have been raised towards the greenism phenomena in the fashion industry. Speaking of the expected fashion tonight at the Oscars, a stylist predicts that this year will be a return to extravagance in terms of colour, shapes, sequins on the red carpet. Before the 1990s, several celebrities chose their red carpet dresses. Oscars fashion history is often remembered for the extraordinary and eccentric outfit choices that included torn denim, sequinned jumpsuits and even Indian headdresses on some actors. Also read: Oscars 2020: The much-coveted 24-karat gold-plated knight is worth only Rs 72 The New York Times asked in 2004, Does the glamour of the Golden Globes steal the scene from Oscar?, observing that the potential winners and nominees offered designers more opportunity to have their work featured on the red carpet. One of the most-talked-about red carpet gowns was the green Versace gown J.Lo wore to the Grammy Awards in 2000 (and was seen in again a short while ago, not to mention the debate about how Priyanka Chopra Jonas Ralph and Russo gown at the 2020 Grammys was inspired from Jennifer Lopezs look). Interestingly the red carpet has turned green on several notable occasions when stars shone in vintage or custom-made gowns that have a history of their own and a narrative attached to them. Heres our choice of the best from the red carpet, ranked according to the year of appearance. Marilyn Monroe, 1951: was never awarded or nominated for an Academy Award, but she managed to be a head-turner on the red carpet in 1951 when she was asked to present an award. The actress chose a black tulle dress with a deep neckline for the do. Audrey Hepburn, 1954: This exquisite gown made by Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn is all about style and elegance. The dress even has its own Wikipedia page! An icon on and off the screen, Audrey Hepburn often worked with the house of Givenchy for her red carpet appearances and her films. Audrey Hepburns little black dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy that shes seen wearing in the opening scene of the 1961 romantic comedy film Breakfast at Tiffanys is cited as one of the most iconic items of clothing in the history of twentieth-century fashion and probably the most famous little black dress (LBD) of all time. Elizabeth Taylor, 1961: The actress opted for a Dior dress that enhanced her slim waist for the 1961 Oscars when she won the Best Actress award for her role in A Venus in Mink. Also read| Oscars 2020: Lesser known interesting facts about the Academy Awards 2020 Barbra Streisand, 1969: Barbra Streisand took a slight detour for owning fashion on the Oscar red carpet in 1969. It was a trouser suit by Arnold Scaasi instead of a traditional gown that has been highly debated as both the best and worst outfit since. Whats more, the outfit turned out to be completely transparent which the actress later confessed that she had no idea the lights on stage would shine through. Farrah Fawcett, 1978: The actress gilded Stephen Burrows gown has spawned a million replicas for the disco set after it was first seen on her at the coveted awards ceremony. The same year, Goldie Hawn too exuded effortless glamour girl in a metallic wrap dress. Elizabeth Hurley, 1995: The model, actress and the quintessential Versace girl must have rained on everyones fashion parade that evening back in 1995 in a sparkling curve-hugging dress. Sharon Stone, 1998: The actors identified by her offbeat roles but she even chose to wear something entirely different at the 1998 Oscars. She walked down the Oscars red carpet in a lavender satin Vera Wang skirt with a mens button-down shirt. Halle Berry, 2002: She became the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress but her partially sheer floral gown by Elie Saab is one we love to look back on. Kate Hudson, 2003: Her champagne Atelier Versace gown is no less than the stuff Hollywood royalty is made of. Michelle Williams, 2006: In a saffron Vera Wang dress, Michelle Williams created one of the most memorable fashion moments. The actress had attended the ceremony with her then-boyfriend, the late Heath Ledger, who was nominated for his role in Brokeback Mountain. Reese Witherspoon, 2006: The actress chose the vintage route which proved to be a sartorial success on the red carpet. It was a vintage (1955) Christian Dior gown for the evening. Nicole Kidman, 2007: The actresss red Balenciaga gown was the style equivalent of businesswoman meets party girl with its bow draping from her neck into a train behind her. Marion Cotillard, 2008: French actress Marion Cotillard stood out in her Jean Paul Gaultier dress that looked as though it was made of fish scales. Penelope Cruz, 2009: The actress went vintage in a 1950 Pierre Balmain couture for her Oscars 2009 look. Anne Hathaway, 2011: The actors hosting gig with James Franco must not have gone down well in Oscars history but her Valentino dress from the fall 2002 couture collection surely became a talking point. Meryl Streep, 2012: The powerhouse talent had always stayed safe in the fashion department until 2012 when she wore a bold Lanvin number for the ceremony. She was awarded Best Actress for playing Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady that year. Michelle Williams, 2012: The cutesy peplum made a comeback on Michelle Williams red tulle Louis Vuitton gown. Angelina Jolie, 2012: If theres the one dress we will always remember from the Oscars red carpet, it will be this one Angelina Jolie wore that also spawned a million memes. Angeline Jolies Atelier Versace black gown with a thigh-high slit came to be called Angie leg since this appearance. Gwyneth Paltrow, 2012: Another trend that started the same night was Gwyneth Paltrows caped trend for Tom Ford. The dress gave way to popular looks since from cocktail dresses to outerwear. Jennifer Aniston, 2013: Jennifer Aniston presented an award in this crimson Valentino Haute Couture gown. Jennifer Lawrence, 2013: J Law signed up as the face of Dior in 2012 and the French brand has dressed this gifted actor for all important moments since, including this classy gown she wore for her Oscar 2013 win. Remember her graceful fall as she went up on stage to accept the award? Loved the confidence with which she owned this moment! Lupita Nyongo, 2015: A style icon in her own right, Lupita Nyongo wore a baby-blue Prada dress, followed by an intricate pearl-covered Calvin Klein Collection gown. Lady Gaga, 2016: Its difficult to not appreciate a sea of beautiful gowns on the Oscars red carpet but Lady Gaga has always done it differently. This Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit looked like an haute couture gown that Lady Gaga carried with much aplomb. In 2019 however, Lady Gaga channelled Audrey Hepburn in a custom, sculptural black gown by Alexander McQueen that she paired with a 128-carat Tiffany diamond necklace elbow-length black leather gloves. Her live performance with Bradley Cooper too became one of the talking points that year. The Oscars are not only about awarding great roles, hearing inspiring speeches or enjoying the musical presentations. Fashion, style and glamour is an important part of Hollywoods most important evening. The fascination with Oscar outfits is eventually what stays with us once the awards wrap up. Dressing for the Academy Awards is serious business because the choice of an Oscar-worthy dress is almost as imperative as an Oscar-worthy role. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON For Samar, 24, life has all been about survival. She was still a teenager seven years ago when, with the war in Syria raging, she decided to flee her country in the hope of a better future. She first sought refuge in Lebanon, then in Egypt and Turkey, before embarking on a dangerous sea journey on a rainy February night four years ago when she boarded a boat packed with children in a bid to reach Greeces shores. I wanted a better life and more freedom, says Samar, one of the more than 1.2 million people escaping conflict, hardship and persecution to have arrived in Europe via Greece over the past five years. But the shutting down of the Balkan borders and an EU-Turkey agreement have since trapped more than 100,000 people in Greece, with most languishing in poor living conditions. Samar is one of several women to be featured in Chrysalis, a striking portrait series by Greek visual artist and photographer Olga Stefatou that celebrates the individuality of female refugees and asylum seekers in Greece. In Chrysalis, Stefatou photographs women from Syria, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan inside a neoclassical building in Greeces capital, Athens. Clad in golden costumes made from emergency blankets, the women recount their distinct experiences, perilous journeys and aspirations for the future. From the start, it was crucial for me that the women are active participants in the process and express their own individuality, which is often either hidden behind the refugee label or oppressed due to cultural factors, Stefatou says. Her series of portraits and accompanying texts will be exhibited at the Fire Station contemporary art space in Qatars capital, Doha, from February 12 to 29, before being shown at Torontos Aga Khan Museum as part of the Sanctuary exhibition running from March 19 to August 23. Al Jazeera spoke to Stefatou about Chrysalis, the idea behind it and its reception. Chrysalis: Nargis, 27, from Afghanistan [Olga Stefatou/Al Jazeera] Al Jazeera: When did you decide to start the project and why? Olga Stefatou: I began shooting in early 2018 but I was working on the idea for six months prior. At the time, I used to work as a photojournalist covering the refugee crisis in Greece and became very aware of the various problems faced by refugees and the difficulties in exercising their rights. I did not feel that simply covering the crisis was enough so I began thinking about a personal project to express a different narrative closer to my own values. Al Jazeera: Can you provide a few details about the concept behind Chrysalis? How did you select the location and how did the idea of the dresses come about? Stefatou: My personal work has often focused on gender issues, so on this occasion I was keen to create a project aimed at offering a positive and playful experience, as well as presenting different aspects of these womens personality. The idea stemmed from a self-portrait I shot for another personal project, 2014s Relative Dating, in which I was running in a forest with a survival blanket in the form of a long golden skirt. Knowing that the blanket has been synonymous with the refugee crisis, I thought I could use this material to create bespoke dresses for the women, and this motivated me to begin putting together all the layers of the visual narrative I was interested in. Chrysalis portrait series: Elahe, 61, from Iran [Olga Stefatou/Al Jazeera] From the start, it was crucial for me that the women are active participants in the process and express their own individuality, which is often either hidden behind the refugee label or oppressed due to cultural factors. I decided to collaborate for the creation of the costumes with artist and designer Guram Chachanidze. We took into consideration the womens preferences and tried to reflect their personality with each dress. However, this is not a fashion project but a documentary-driven one. It took me a while to find the right location; I was looking for a place where the women would feel safe and comfortable to change clothes. Wael Habbal, a Syrian refugee whom I met on Lesbos island, introduced me to Communitism, a group running a beautiful neoclassical building in Athens. When I entered its blue room, I knew I had found the place I was looking for. The concept of the setting, the ceiling light, the different platforms and the Athenian background they all work metaphorically in the experience and the photographs. Al Jazeera: How easy was it to convince the women to participate and open up about their experiences? What were the challenges? Stefatou: Developing this project has been both challenging and a big learning process. Most of the women were excited to wear a dress created just for them but it was not easy to convince them to take part in the project. Chrysalis portrait series: Roaa, 27, from Iraq [Olga Stefatou/Al Jazeera] Most refugee women are vulnerable people who have experienced violence and have become suspicious of others after all they have suffered: unaccompanied minor girls, unmarried young women, single mothers and mothers with children who are waiting for an opportunity to leave Greece and head north to unite with their husbands. Some of the women in Chrysalis were not allowed by their husbands to take part, while others were not used to leaving the camp or the apartment they live in. All of them have consciously decided to seek change in their lives and are currently facing unimaginable difficulties such as inhumane living conditions, slow asylum processes, closed borders, aggression and poverty. I deeply admire their courage. Al Jazeera: What struck you the most during your contact with these women? Any particular moment you would like to share? Stefatou: The women who have so far participated in Chrysalis are powerful individuals who were ready to speak out and stand out despite all the risks. It is very inspiring when passion for life overpowers fear, when the intention to move forward conquers inner conflict. To this day, I try to stay in contact with them and help as much as I can. Chrysalis portrait series: Nazanin (not her real name), 27, from Afghanistan [Olga Stefatou/Al Jazeera] I was pleasantly surprised when the women used the project to express something very specific, like Maryam who wanted to express that her body belongs only to her. Leila had the tragic experience to witness the death of 15 people while they were crossing the Turkish-Greek border by boats. Narges wanted to forget the humiliating times she had in the Moria camp on Lesbos. Nanjanin, whose husband was calling her every five minutes to stop the photo shoot. I was concerned and would respect her decision if she had done so, but she wanted to continue until the end despite facing a lot of pressure. Also, Raha, a burn survivor who is an outstanding woman with a beautiful singing voice and artistic nature. Samar, a very clever woman who took full control of her life in a very young age. And also, 61-year-old Elahe who travelled alone all the way from Iran. Chrysalis portrait series: Mahboubeh, 33, from Iran [Olga Stefatou/Al Jazeera] Al Jazeera: Whats next for the project and you? Stefatou: Chrysalis will be exhibited at Doha Fire Station contemporary art space starting on February 12. Its next stop is Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. I want to continue working on this project for a little while and expand it with more women before concluding it. I feel responsible to present the womens stories in the best possible way as long as they trust me. I am also hoping to edit a short film with backstage footage from the shoot and the interviews. One of my next goals is to complete a photo book with my photographs and experiences from Myanmar, a project I have worked on for over 15 years. One of the most indelible images of the Holocaust shows American GIs escorting shocked and sobbing German civilians past piled skeletal bodies in a concentration camp. March them past the bodies. The General Election proved this is the best way to protect this gullible generation from the poison of Sinn Fein, the puppet party of the Provisional army council. Sinn Fein hates habeas corpus. It hates being asked about specific bodies. Stalin, too, feared that specific body, saying "one death is a tragedy, a million is a statistic". Luckily for Sinn Fein, our Pollyanna media is happy to talk to Sinn Fein about statistics, but reluctant to march the public past the bodies of IRA victims. During the 2011 presidential election, I criticised Sean O'Rourke's show for not confronting Martin McGuinness with IRA victims like Frank Hegarty and Patsy Gillespie. But when Miriam O'Callaghan, showing great courage did so, McGuinness dropped his mask and we saw his real face. Not a pretty sight. The pattern was repeated in this election. Sean O'Rourke's show was slow to catch up with the Breege Quinn story, while Bryan Dobson and Miriam O'Callaghan (again) put Sinn Fein on the spot. O'Rourke's panels reflected the flawed media consensus during the first fortnight of the campaign - that Sinn Fein can be treated like a normal party. For two weeks the talk panels were all smiles to Eoin O Broin and his statistics and sour to Micheal Martin for believing that excluding Sinn Fein was a moral issue. Last Monday night's Irish Times poll showing Sinn Fein ahead of Fianna Fail caused them to explode with premature ejaculations that FF and FG were toast. Chief among them was Fintan O'Toole who told us Sinn Fein could no longer be excluded from government. But earlier that evening Breege Quinn came before the Irish people, like Mary in Michelangelo's Pieta, metaphorically bearing the broken body of her son Paul, to share her story with Mary Wilson on Drivetime. Listening, you could almost feel the blows that smashed her beloved son's body. If it were a film, you'd turn your head away. Unlike many in the media, SF knew it was in bad trouble and activated two standard strategies for re-burying bodies. First, they hypocritically claimed the grim images evoked were hurting the families of the victims - when of course they were only hurting Sinn Fein. Second, SF got some media saps to swallow the whine that the sadistic murder was being used politically against SF. Which, of course, was precisely what Breege Quinn wanted politicians to do. Breege Quinn's heart is broken but she still forces her son's killers to look away. She forced many in the shamed media to look away, too. Like Fintan O'Toole they were caught by evolving events. Fintan O'Toole is one of the finest critics of this generation, but he is attracted by popular bandwagons - like beating up on the Brits about Brexit. Although a winner of the Orwell Prize, he seems blind to the fact that Orwell never once climbed on a consensus bandwagon but tried to block them. Last Monday night, presumably after he had seen the IT poll with the Sinn Fein surge, he wrote: "There can be no progressive government in Ireland without Sinn Fein." Progressive? Sinn Fein? Why would our leading public intellectual write these contradictory words? Probably because like most Irish liberal left intellectuals, O'Toole reserves "progressive" for trending issues rather than timeless issues. Like them, he is so busy calling out alleged Trump fascism abroad that he cannot seem to see proven Sinn Fein fascism at home. In my view, Sinn Fein, for all its socialist rhetoric, is really a right-wing nationalist party, with a proto-fascist future agenda. History does not repeat itself, but Sinn Fein shows striking similarities with some fascist parties of the 1930s. Let me list them. Sinn Fein is the only European party with an armed wing - marking us out as a rogue democracy. Sinn Fein persistently demonises a minority ethnic group - Northern Protestants. Sinn Fein agitates about "its" ethnic group in an adjoining region to stir up trouble in its own version of the Sudetenland. Sinn Fein promotes a martyrology around sectarian IRA killers akin to that around the Nazi thug, Horst Wessel. Sinn Fein peddles a heroic false narrative about its squalid terrorist past to seduce a younger generation. Fintan O'Toole is one of the few columnists who gives "permission" to lesser polemicists to throw shapes. Last Tuesday, the Sean O'Rourke panel, high on the nod from O'Toole, happily unaware of Bryan Dobson's impending interview with Mary Lou McDonald, never mentioned Breege Quinn. Instead they recited the evidence-free media mantra that excluding Sinn Fein from government had "backfired". Sean O'Rourke failed to ask these prattlers the logical question: "So why is Sinn Fein screaming in pain?" The panel's myopia was echoed as late as last Wednesday, in David Davin-Power's piece in the Irish Examiner arguing the case for SF inclusion: "Sinn Fein, it is true, is linked to those who have blood on their hands, and played a shameful role in prolonging a squalid conflict that blackened the name of this country for a generation. But that ended when Leo Varadkar was 15, and has little relevance for many of his generation." Really? Leo Varadkar was elected to the Dail in 2007, the year of the Paul Quinn murder. If he did not notice, Micheal Martin did. Davin-Power went on to take out some insurance, but not enough in my view. "That's not to say the party should not be held to account for those years, but those claiming that they make Sinn Fein unfit for office shouldn't expect to profit at the ballot box." Why should politicians not expect to profit from calling out murder? Because if they don't profit it means we have a morally dead electorate. Our citizens get small help from RTE. Despite Dobson and O'Callaghan's efforts, RTE's default reflex is to be soft on SF. Let's hope that Breege Quinn's story will prompt RTE to transmit BBC Spotlight's brilliant and balanced series on the Northern conflict. But Breege Quinn's story is a warning to RTE: there are more bodies ready to rise from the past - even if RTE don't allow me on air to point them out. Among them is Joseph Rafferty, murdered by the IRA in Dublin in 2005, when Mary Lou McDonald was already a seasoned Sinn Fein politician. Councillor Daithi Doolan of Sinn Fein promised the Rafferty family that Sinn Fein would follow up on the IRA suspect. So far they have heard nothing. Last Tuesday, Doolan tweeted a photo of Fintan O'Toole's "inclusion" article. He approvingly quoted O'Toole "there can be no progressive government in Ireland without Sinn Fein". Doolan added: "I'll just let that one hang there." It certainly left Fintan O'Toole hanging there. Time to give back the Orwell Prize? Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday offered prayers at Sarnath Buddhist Temple here during his visit to Varanasi. Rajapaksa had arrived in Varanasi earlier today. Security had been beefed up in the city ahead of his visit. Yesterday, the visiting dignitary had held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two sides focused on expanding cooperation over terrorism as well as promoting joint economic projects in the Island nation. On the morning of February 10, Rajapaksa will emplane for Bodh Gaya in Bihar -- where he will visit Mahabodhi Temple and Bodh Gaya Centre -- and later in the day to Tirupati, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Munjah Vitalis Fagha, Researcher in Comparative Politics Munjah Munjah Vitalis Fagha, Political Science Scholar and PhD Researcher at the Department of Political Science and Comparative Politics at the University of Buea has said democratic elections should be seen beyond mere symbolism. He took to Facebook Saturday, February 8, 2020 ahead of this Sundays Municipal and Legislative elections to observe that when elections are flawed, they corrode public trust and in severe cases can endanger democracy and even lead to conflict. He therefore cautions all political stakeholders to stick to the very basic tenets of democratic elections by ensuring that the will of the people is expressed and protected. His words: Whether we know it or not, believe it or not; let me just say it. Elections are central institutions of democratic representative government because in a democracy, the authority of the government derives solely from the consent of the governed. Democratic Elections are not merely symbolic. They are competitive, periodic, inclusive and definitive in which the chief decision-makers in a government are selected by citizens who enjoy the broad freedom to criticize government, publish their criticism and present alternatives. In a true democracy, leaders are simply the custodians of Political Power; the power ultimately rests with the people. The idea of electoral integrity implies that: All voters should have an equal opportunity to participate in public debate and cast their ballot; and all votes are counted equally and all candidates seeking election do so on a level playing field. Munjah, a researcher in the domain of comparative politics posits that: When citizens go to the polls and cast their votes, they aspire not only to elect their leaders, but to choose a direction for their nation. When elections are flawed, they corrode public trust and in severe cases can endanger democracy and even lead to conflict. Cameroonians nationwide are expected to vote in municipal and legislative elections this Sunday amid boycott calls from some opposition groupings like the Cameroon Renaissance Movement of Prof. Maurice Kamto as well as threats from separatists who want to stop the elections from taking place. Cameroon has deployed troops to the regions to ensure security before, during and after the elections. Administrative and security officials have taken turns to squash any fears that might have been in the minds of the population, assuring them of maximum security. Harold Drummond, a police Sergeant at Waynesboro, Georgia is reportedly hailed a hero after a video of him emerged in which he saves a 6-moth-old baby who couldnt breathe. The video was reportedly captured on his body camera in which AJ Sherrod, a six-month-old infant can be seen outside a Dollar General store when he suddenly stops breathing and is rescued by the officer in an honourable act. AJ reportedly suffers from respiratory issues and wasnt breathing when the said officer performed two-finger infant CPR on the boy. Drummond told the media that he was extremely nervous when he saw the baby that looked like his own son or the grandson. He further added that he would prefer to look down the barrel of the gun than to look down at a baby in distress, 'the situation was unimaginable' he added. Read Police Detain Puppy And His Owner For Shoplifting In Florida Read Hungarian Police Bust 'fake News' Racket Spreading False Information On Coronavirus The sergeant said it was hard for him sentimentally to rescue the baby Angel Collins, the mother of the infant told media that the family was headed to a children's hospital on January 18 when their son suddenly stopped breathing, so they pulled over outside the store to call 911. She stated that sergeant Drummond was in the right place at the right time and saved the baby. The sergeant informed the reporters that it was hard for him sentimentally to rescue the baby considering the infant wasnt breathing. A lot of people do not realize that the officers are humans, he added. In a separate incident last year, a police officer rescued a 19-months-old infant in Scottsville, Kentucky, who had reportedly suffered from a similar predicament when it stopped breathing. The family reportedly called the 911 and Scottsville Police Sgt. James Talbott jumped into action to save the baby Aiden by performing CPR on him. Aiden's mother, Misty King had thanked the officer in a post on social media for saving her sons life. Read Greek Police Arrest 7 Suspected Of Attacks On Migrants Read Bomb Planted On UK-bound Lorry To Cause Explosion On Brexit Day: Police Jeremy Corbyn's entrepreneur son Tommy is bouncing back after his hemp business went up in smoke, leaving debts of 100,000. The National Hemp Service was going to sell products such as clothes, made from a legal strain of cannabis, from a cafe in North London. But the business never opened and was liquidated after barely a year. Now I can reveal that just two months later, Tommy, 26, has returned to the commercial front line as director of a new enterprise called Dina Camden Limited with girlfriend Chloe Kerslake-Smith. The National Hemp Service was going to sell products such as clothes, made from a legal strain of cannabis, from a cafe in North London. Tommy pictured at Labour Conference, 2017 Documents filed at Companies House reveal that Corbyn junior and Kerslake-Smith were last month appointed directors of the new business, which somewhat vaguely is described as concentrating on 'retail sale in non-specialised stores'. The news will be of interest to Jeff Ditchfield, a campaigner for the legalisation of cannabis, who cashed in part of his pension to invest 30,000 in the National Hemp Service. His solicitors, Pinder Reaux & Associates, tell me: 'Our client's conversations with the liquidator have left him in no doubt that he is likely to have lost all the money he invested.' Mr Ditchfield blamed the liquidation on 'mismanagement by the directors'. Nige's cannon from Bannon Nigel Farage jetted to Washington last week as a Brexit hero, with a lunch thrown in his honour to celebrate the UK finally leaving the EU. Nigel Farage presented with a miniature cannon by Steve Bannon in Washington And the conspiracy theorists will delight in who gave the gushing toast shadowy former Trump guru Steve Bannon. He is pictured, above, presenting Nige with a model of a cannon from an American civil war battle in which soldiers from Virginia were horribly outnumbered, but eventually won. It became the sparkly symbol of Remainer revolt, but the story behind former Supreme Court president Lady Hale's infamous spider brooch, which she wore to berate Boris Johnson for proroguing Parliament, is much less glamorous. She tells The Oldie magazine it cost 12 from a branch of Cards Galore. Eyebrows have been raised over Amber Rudd's new job as a senior adviser at global spinmeisters Teneo as it's a rival to her brother Roland's PR firm Finsbury. Not that he has any problem getting access to bigwigs I hear he flew former Chancellor George Osborne to last month's World Economic Forum shindig at Davos on his private jet. Dominic Cummings's latest antics are causing a mixture of laughter and bafflement in Whitehall, with his latest ruse to stop hungry Government advisers being taken out for lunch by journalists proving difficult to police. Dominic Cummings's latest antics are causing a mixture of laughter and bafflement in Whitehall On Friday night, after he demanded to know who had accepted the hospitality of hacks, half a dozen sheepish hands went up. Clearly keen to do his part to protect the TV licence-fee payer, Dom smugly boasted that he had gone halves on his lunch with BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg last week and he will be checking others follow his admirable example. He lasted only 11 days in the White House after being a little too open with journalists, but former Trump spin doctor Anthony Scaramucci has cautioned Downing Street against its heavy-handed clampdown on the press. Speaking at the Ten Trinity Square Private Club on Wednesday, the Mooch warned: This war on the media is nonsensical youre not going to win. If youre trying to shut down the press and act Trumpian, it will backfire. You never get the benefit of the doubt from the press if youre in a full-on war. Quite. Questioning the "delay" by the Election Commission in giving the final voter turnout figure for Delhi Assembly polls, the Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday said it was suspicious and asked if the poll panel was waiting for the Bharatiya Janata Party office's nod. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it is "absolutely shocking" that the poll panel was not coming out with the figure several hours after polling got over. "Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?" Kejriwal tweeted. The last voting percentage given by the commission on Saturday night was 61.46 per cent. The voting in the national capital to elect a new government ended at 6 pm on Saturday. Hitting out at the Election Commission, Kejriwal's deputy and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia asked the poll panel if it was yet to receive the final voter turnout figure from the BJP office. "BJP leaders are giving the voter turnout figures and on the other hand the Election Commission has not been able to give the final voting percentage 24 hours after polling got over," Sisodia said in a tweet in Hindi. "EC is saying they are compiling data. What's going on? Are you waiting for the BJP office to give you the final figure?" Sisodia said. At a press conference, AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that "something is cooking" and "a game is being played secretely". "This is perhaps the first time in the 70-year-history of country that the Election Commission is not ready to release the final figure of voter turnout. The entire country and Delhi have been waiting for the polling percentage since yesterday," he said. Final polling figure of Lok Sabha elections is released on the same day, but in case of Delhi which has just 70 assembly constituencies, the poll panel is taking so much time to come out with the voter turnout percentage. It has been 24 hours but the poll panel is yet to release its official statement, Singh said, adding that EC should should tell why there has been so much delay. Exit polls for the Delhi assembly election on Saturday forecast a comfortable victory for the ruling AAP. The Times Now-Ipsos exit polls predicted that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will retain his chair with the AAP winning 44 seats against 26 for the BJP. The Republic-Jan ki Baat survey gave the AAP 48-61 seats and the BJP 9-21 seats. The TV9 Bharatvarsh-Cicero predicted 54 seats for the AAP, 15 for the BJP and one for the Congress. The AAP had scored an overwhelming victory in the 2015 polls, winning 67 seats and reducing the BJP to three. Congress had drawn a blank. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 14:24:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WUHAN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in central China's Hubei Province where the novel coronavirus broke out have issued 17 favorable policies to support the battle against the epidemic. The policies include tax reductions for companies in their charity work related to the epidemic, as well as for individual vegetable vendors. Non-profit organizations, villages and communities are also entitled to the tax reductions related to the fight against the virus. The government will give out subsidies to medical staff working on the front lines as well as staff working overtime in medical manufacturing companies. The subsidies will also go to vegetable growing companies, cooperatives, farmers, supermarkets and rural markets. The provincial government is encouraging medical manufacturers with subsidies to produce more medical supplies. Hubei Province reported 2,147 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 81 new deaths on Saturday, local health authorities said Sunday. Donald Trump's trade war with China. The brink of all-out military war with Iran. Now, the deadly coronavirus outbreak. Everywhere, it seems, the world has been engulfed in a prolonged stretch of uncertainty, rattling markets and battering stock prices. Not so for the producers of one metal: gold. "One of the few sectors where the outlook is good," says Jake Klein, the executive chairman of $6 billion gold miner Evolution Mining. "Whilst the level of geopolitical uncertainty and risk is somewhat unfortunate ... a lot of fund managers are starting to look at gold as a hedge in their portfolios." Evolution Mining executive chairman Jake Klein. Credit:Louise Kennerley Long considered a safe haven for value, gold tends to fare particularly well whenever investors are nervous and seek to pull back from risk. The price of the precious metal has lately been hovering around multi-year highs, gaining 20 per cent in 2019 to surpass $US1500 ($2240.94) an ounce. When priced in Australian dollars, it hit an all-time high earlier this year. Good news for Australia and the ASX which is home to a number of major gold miners, emerging gold miners and exploration companies. However, while the sector is thriving now, Klein is determined in his push not to be reliant on the chance of the gold price bull market persisting. Rather, he is steadfast in his years-long focus building Evolution into a "business that can grow through the cycle", maintaining discipline and a low cost base across a portfolio of high-quality, long-life assets. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday questioned anti-CAA protests by Muslims, stating that it is difficult to understand their agitation as the new law not meant for them. Praising the Centre for CAA, he said: "I do not understand why Muslims are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. CAA is not for the Muslims who were born here." Thackeray, who was addressing a mega rally here demanding the ouster of Pakistani-Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the country, asked: "To whom are you showing your strength?" He said the CAA law made in 1949 during the partition was different from the amended law. "I praised the government when they do good things like scrapping of Article 370, construction of Ram Mandir, implementation of CAA among others," Thackeray said. Earlier MNS posters stating 'Bangladeshis leave the country, otherwise, you will be driven out in MNS style' were seen at Panvel in Raigad district on February 4. The posters also featured MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his son Amit Thackeray, who was recently inducted into the party.Thackeray had earlier said: "There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but why should we shelter someone who has come from outside illegally. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has sought permission from and Jharkhand to auction about 70 million tonnes (MT) of fines or low-grade iron ore lying at its mines in the two states. Depending upon the Fe content, the iron ore can fetch a price of USD 40-45 a tonne to USD 62 a tonne, an expert said. About 70 MT of fines which was unable to use are lying at its mines in and Jharkhand, a source said. For steel making, fines can be used through beneficiation and pelletisation, and does not has enough beneficiation and pelletisation capacity. So, it is not possible for it to consume these low grade fines/ores for its steel plants. When asked since how long the mineral is lying with SAIL, the source said, "Fines have been accumulated from the starting of The company has requested to and Jharkhand governments to give permission to auction it (fines)." SAIL is positive about getting the permission, the source said adding the states will give the go-ahead as they will also get some portion of the income generated from the auction. The idea to auction the unused fines was mooted by the Steel Ministry, the person said. Commenting about prospective buyers of the iron ore, the source said, "Secondary steel players can buy it and those making pellets would be interested. Besides there are various steel makers who don't have mines, they can buy it and make metal," the source said. The country's largest steel maker, under the Ministry of Steel, has over 20 captive mines spread across Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three Lebanese soldiers killed in 'ambush': army Beirut, Feb 9 (AFP) Feb 09, 2020 Three Lebanese soldiers were killed and two others wounded Sunday in the northeast region of Hermel while pursuing a stolen vehicle, the army said, raising a previous toll. They had been giving chase when they were "ambushed and came under fire," it said. In an initial statement it said two soldiers had been shot dead, but later reported that a third had succumbed to his wounds. It said one gunman was also killed and the driver of the vehicle was arrested, without giving further details. It was a rare attack on the Lebanese army and the circumstances around it remain unclear. Hermel region is close to the border with Syria. Lebanon's prime minister Hassan Diab condemned the ambush, saying an attack on the army is an attack on all Lebanese. "What is required at this moment is to speed up the arrest of the attackers," he said, without identifying those responsible, in a statement carried by state-run National News agency. By Associated Press TEHRAN: An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, state television reported, the latest setback for a program the US claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program. The launch happened at 7:15 p.m. local time at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Irans Semnan province, some 230 kilometres (145 miles) southeast of Irans capital, Tehran. A Simorgh, or Phoenix, rocket couldn't put the Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit, however, due to a low speed, Iranian state TV reported. Stage-1 and stage-2 motors of the carrier functioned properly and the satellite was successfully detached from its carrier, but at the end of its path it did not reach the required speed for being put in the orbit, Defense Ministry space program spokesman Ahmad Hosseini told state TV. Hosseini still sought to portray the failure as a remarkable achievement for its space program. Previous Simorgh launches of the 80-ton satellite carrier suffered other failures. In the days leading up to the launch, Iranian officials had been promoting the mission, including the country's Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi. His quick rise through the Islamic Republics carefully managed political system already is generating speculation he could be a candidate for Irans 2021 presidential campaign. Jahromi acknowledged the unsuccessful launch in a tweet shortly after the news broke on state TV, comparing it to a few samples of US launch failures. But We're UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites! Jahromi tweeted in English, including a satellite emoji. He later tweeted in Farsi that sometimes life does not go the way we like it to go. He added: Please do not pay attention to fake news. The launch had been planned amid celebrations ahead of the February anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran routinely unveils technological achievements for its armed forces, its space program and its nuclear efforts during this time. Satellite images by Colorado-based Maxar Technologies obtained by The Associated Press showed the launch tower for the rocket bore massive images of the revolution's leader, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and the current Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran had spent just under 2 million euros to build the Zafar 1, Jahromi previously said. Officials planned for the satellite, whose name means victory in Farsi, to remain in orbit for 18 months before crashing back through the Earth's atmosphere and disintegrating. Sunday's failure came after two failed launches of the Payam and Doosti satellites last year, as well as a launchpad rocket explosion in August. A separate fire at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in February 2019 also killed three researchers, authorities said at the time. The rocket explosion in August drew even the attention of US President Donald Trump, who later tweeted what appeared to be a classified surveillance image of the launch failure. The three failures in a row raised suspicion of outside interference in Irans program, something Trump himself hinted at by tweeting that the US "was not involved in the catastrophic accident." Iran postponed the launch from Saturday, the same day the country faced a major cyberattack. The US alleges such satellite launches defy a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. American officials, as well as European nations, worry such launches could help Iran develop intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the White House did not immediately acknowledge the launch. Iran, which long has said it does not seek nuclear weapons, maintains its satellite launches and rocket tests do not have a military component. Tehran also says it hasnt violated the U.N. resolution as it only called upon Tehran not to conduct such tests. Western missile experts have also questioned the US contention that Iran's program could have a dual use for nuclear weapons. Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. The launch comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US since Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers in May 2018. Iran since has begun breaking terms of the deal limiting its enrichment of uranium. Meanwhile, a series of attacks across the Persian Gulf culminated with a US drone strike in Baghdad killing Iran's Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory ballistic missile strike by Iran on Iraqi bases housing American troops earlier this month. Iran also accidentally shot down a Ukrainian commercial airliner taking off from Tehran amid the tensions, killing all 176 people on board. 09.02.2020 LISTEN The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) agreed today to join forces and scale up efforts to tackle cervical cancer, a disease that kills over 310,000 women every year, particularly affecting those living with HIV in developing countries. In a Memorandum of Understanding signed at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, the two organizations pledged to increase collaboration, especially to help low- and middle- income countries where 85 per cent of annual cervical cancer deaths occur. Around 70 per cent of women who develop cervical cancer require radiotherapy to beat the disease. The IAEA helps countries use nuclear and radiation medicine to treat the disease and other types of cancer. The agreement foresees support to national programmes and the mobilization of resources to expand prevention, diagnosis and treatment services, training of health professionals, research and activities to raise awareness on the link between HIV and cervical cancer. According to UNAIDS, women living with HIV are five times more likely to develop invasive cervical cancer. Women infected with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) a major culprit behind the development of cervical cancer also face a double risk of acquiring HIV. Cervical cancer is one of those cancers that are perfectly treatable and curable if you live in Vienna, Buenos Aires, Rome or Paris, said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi at the opening of an IAEA event to mark World Cancer Day. If you happen to live in a country with limited access to radiotherapy it is something that can kill you. He added that the partnership with UNAIDS was very important to maximize efforts in the mission to help countries tackle cancer. Radiotherapy is a key tool to eliminate tumours and alleviate pain, but access to this vital and cost-effective treatment option is lacking in many countries. According to the IAEAs Directory of Radiotherapy Centres (DIRAC), one-third of low- and middle-income countries do not have adequate radiation medicine services to meet patient needs. In Africa alone, 28 countries do not currently have a single radiotherapy unit. "Like HIV, cervical cancer is a disease of health, gender and socio-economic inequalities for women and girls all over the world. Services must be expanded and integrated as an investment in the lives of women and girls and to uphold their right to health, said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. How is it fair that 90 per cent of girls in high-income countries have access to the human papillomavirus vaccine, yet in low- and middle-income countries just 10 per cent have access? The IAEA assists its Member States in combating a growing incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer. This includes support in resource mobilization, procurement of equipment, training of medical professionals, research and in carrying out quality assessments. About the IAEA The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serves as the world's foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established as an autonomous organization under the United Nations (UN) in 1957, the IAEA carries out programmes to maximize the useful contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Representative Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said Wednesday via Twitter he plans to file ethics charges against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for her ripping up President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech. In the announcement, Gaetz called Pelosi's choice to tear up the speech "beneath the dignity of the House, and a potential violation of law." Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has said the successful sale of a $3billion Eurobond during the recent roadshow will reflect in people's pockets because the government will be able to continue its flagship programs. Speaking on Newsfile, Saturday he said the implementation of these initiatives will subsequently create a society where there is social inclusiveness. This is not a government that is not aware of what the needs of the people are. And to be able to secure the future for transformation, we need human capital. Its so important and that's what the intervention is for, he said. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia since alleging that government has indirectly put some GH5.4 billion into the pockets of Ghanaians through various interventions, has received massive backlash with many still complaining of economic hardship. But backing the earlier assertion by the Vice President, Mr. Ofori-Atta explained that with the interjection of the 'Free Senior High School' and 'Planting For Food and Jobs' programmes, making the economy inclusive can be maintained and the people's pockets can be managed properly. So when I sit there looking at choices that one has to make and somebody says, 'well you don't have the money to do free SHS', I say I don't have a choice. The President wants that and every Ghanaian citizen deserves it to be able to be given a platform from which he or she can move. $3billion [Eurobond] to the market woman means that if your child is in school, the Free SHS programme will continue because we can continue to fund it. If you are worried about foreign currency, this helps with regards to stability, he added. He further reassured that, the Akufo-Addo led government will not overspend this election year despite Ghana's reputation for notoriously doing so in previous years. This according to him, is because structures such as the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2018 are being put to the test with his job on the line. We voluntarily did the FRA, so the 5% [limit on spending] I have to keep at it or I lose my job and I'm sanctioned and that's motivation enough. In 2017, we didn't go to market, in 2018 we went in July, 2019 we went in March/April and now we've come to February which means that we are really consolidating our foreign exchange reserves so that there's stability in there, the Minister said. myjoyonline The report also urged the state not to allow pumping for growth in one place and replenishment of aquifers elsewhere. In response, Robert Anderson, an attorney who represents builders, says CAP shortages are a threat to all water users, not just those served by the district. Already, surplus CAP water that the district used to buy when nobody else wanted it has gone away, but the district planned for that to happen, he said. As for limiting enrollment, there already are ways to do that, he said. You cant even join the district if you dont have 100 years worth of groundwater, he said. In Pinal County, the states groundwater models are already showing signs of limits to such growth. Second, if the district cant find enough renewable supplies, the state can reopen or revoke the districts 10-year operating plan, he said. Also, if there isnt enough renewable water, a development cant rely any more on membership in the district to keep its assured water supply status, he said. Some of Andersons comments are misleading, said Kathleen Ferris, a former ADWR director who co-authored the ASU report. Representatives of Bhutan participated in the meeting in an observer capacity as decided by the Royal Government of Bhutan. At a meeting on Saturday in the national capital, India along with two other neighbours Bangladesh and Nepal discussed a draft enabling memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed by the three countries for implementation of the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) MVA (Motor Vehicles Agreement). New Delhi: At a meeting on Saturday in the national capital, India along with two other neighbours Bangladesh and Nepal discussed a draft enabling memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed by the three countries for implementation of the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) MVA (Motor Vehicles Agreement). Bhutan will not join as of now pending the completion by Bhutan of its internal procedures for ratification of the BBIN MVA. But Bhutan which attended Saturdays meeting in New Delhi as an observer - has given its consent to the other three countries to go ahead. On Saturday, the MEA said, A meeting of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal on the BBIN MVA was held at New Delhi on February 8. Representatives of Bhutan participated in the meeting in an observer capacity as decided by the Royal Government of Bhutan earlier. The meeting was held to discuss the passenger and cargo protocols that are to give effect to the Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) for the regulation of passenger, personal and cargo vehicular traffic between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, signed on June 15, 2015. This is the first meeting of the group since their meeting in Bengaluru in January 2018, when the two protocols were last discussed. The MEA added, The delegations also discussed a draft enabling MOU to be signed by Bangladesh, India and Nepal for implementation of the BBIN MVA by the three countries, bearing in mind the consent provided by the Royal Government of Bhutan for the entry into force of the MVA among Bangladesh, India and Nepal, without obligation to Bhutan, pending the completion by Bhutan of its internal procedures for ratification of the BBIN MVA. The delegations of Bangladesh, India and Nepal agreed to consider expediting the finalisation of this MoU, expressing gratitude to Bhutan for offering its consent in this regard. The MEA also said, Delegations recalled commitments made at the highest political level for implementation of the BBIN MVA and the importance of trade, economic cooperation and people-to-people contact, through enhanced regional connectivity, including through facilitation of regional cross-border road transport. Delegations expressed satisfaction over progress made by each country in internal consultations with their stakeholders for the protocol for movement of passengers. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Ms W.M. writes: My son upgraded his Vodafone contract and was given the choice of paying 450 or adding this on to the contract. He paid 300 and assumed the balance would go on the contract, but the next month Vodafone charged him 325. They later agreed this was wrong but just offered a 10 goodwill gesture. Staff seem to have no idea how to sort this out. They cut off his phone for a couple of months, saying he owed 180. Then debt collectors demanded first 200, then 284. I paid, as they threatened us with bailiffs, but I still want to sort this out. Confusion: At Vodafone, 3 different people gave 3 different accounts of what had happened Your experience highlights why so many people hate having to call any customer service department. You told me that when you rang Vodafone, three different people gave you three different accounts of what had happened. Then you spent an hour listening to taped music while you waited to speak to a manager, only to be transferred back to one of the three people you spoke to earlier. Finally, staff said they were going home and would call you again, but of course they did not. And ominously perhaps, you told me that while Vodafone says all calls are recorded, it was unable to produce recordings you requested. Your son Jamie also tried. He emailed Vodafone and a month later received a letter asking him to call customer services within seven days or Vodafone would consider the matter closed. The letter took five days to arrive, giving Jamie just 48 hours to respond, after Vodafone itself took a month. Trying to get Vodafone to explain exactly what has happened has been like trying to knit spaghetti. Things began well, with Vodafone explaining that your son was behind with his payments, so should never have been offered an upgrade. The company admits that payment plans should have been organised both before and after the upgrade, but this was not done. It has offered to credit Jamie with 125 as a goodwill gesture because of this. As for the recorded calls, Vodafone told me it does keep them for six months, but it has not told me when it believes you requested copies. While I was going back and forth between you and Vodafone, Jamie received a fresh demand from Vodafone's debt collectors, this time for an eye-watering 1,238. Trying to get Vodafone to explain exactly what has happened has been like trying to knit spaghetti There was no explanation of how the figure was reached. During the period covered, Vodafone cut off Jamie's phone for about two months and also moved him on to a Pay As You Go scheme, potentially against the terms of the contract that its own debt collectors were trying to enforce. But I cannot be certain of this, because Vodafone would not produce any figures. The company kept telling me it tried repeatedly to phone Jamie to give him whatever figures he wanted, but without success. Equally repeatedly, you told me Jamie's phone showed no missed calls or messages. Meanwhile, the debt collectors kept up the pressure, despite admitting they had no analysis of the debt. Finally, while still refusing to give me a breakdown of the debt, Vodafone told me: 'We would like to offer to remove the outstanding amount due once the new handset has been returned.' And the debt collectors said they were dropping the claim. This looked like a real breakthrough, so I asked Vodafone to confirm that if Jamie handed back the phone, the whole 1,238 debt would be scrapped. No problem, Vodafone told me: 'We will clear the 1,238 debt if the customer calls us to discuss returning his handset.' This was great news for about an hour and a half. Then, out of the blue, Vodafone told me that you and Jamie had just filed a case with a private alternative dispute resolution firm. The firm would be starting from scratch with its enquiries, so Vodafone would be dealing with them and not with me. I am not sure what outcome could be better than an offer to scrap the entire debt, but whatever it is, I hope Jamie gets what he is after. My old energy provider owes me 233 why won't it pay? Ms P.K. writes: I switched from Together Energy to a different supplier and there is a credit balance due to me of 233 or 224 (I am being messed about over the exact sum). I have been chasing this refund for six months but have been fobbed off at every turn. Life's a gas: Mrs P.K. has been chasing a refund for six months but has been fobbed off at every turn Together Energy told me it is extremely sorry. When you contacted the company about switching supplier, it gave you an estimated bill, but industry rules mean a refund can only be provided once a final bill has been issued and not just an estimate. You did, in fact, give Together Energy a final, accurate meter reading. The company told me: 'A bill should have been produced, but unfortunately we failed to do this.' Well, it has now done it. You have a final bill, showing a credit of 232 in your favour and this has been paid to you. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. One of the first whistleblowers who warned the world about the Wuhan coronavirus has passed away. His action was commended and his death brought out anger and grief, over his death. The coronavirus doctor Li Wenliang took the Socratic Oath to his death bed in lieu of his selfless actions. Officials at the Wuhan Central Hospital reported the doctor's passing in the wee hours of Friday morning, February 7. Statements indicate that his actual condition was uncertain and that leaves more questions than answers. One thing to note is that hospital and government channels were unclear until his time of death. The cause of death of Dr. Li is the novel coronavirus. Despite numerous attempts to revive him, medical practitioners could no longer save him. Back in December, Dr. Li was accused of spreading rumors about coronavirus that was not rampant yet. He warned about another SARS-like outbreak that might occur in Wuhan, but it wasn't taken seriously and led to his detention. Wuhan officials downplayed it which now resulted into an outbreak. Efforts to stop what the doctor, relayed to the public even censured after his death is now different. Confusion and fear is now anger at the circumstances of the coronavirus doctor's death. Prior to the official announcement of his passing, some media sources have reported Li's death before Friday morning. But contradictory reports said he was not dead yet but in critical condition. Attempts to revive him were done, after that more confusion on social media. Although Dr. Li wanted to spread awareness about coronavirus, it killed him instead especially that he did not get the support of the government. Dr. Li was suspected carrying the virus in January 12 and got a positive result on February 1. The circumstances that led to his detention by officials, started in December when seven patients had symptoms similar to SARS virus. The WeChat source said the victims bought food at the seafood market, quarantined at the hospital he worked at. Soon after, the post was intercepted by Wuhan police and he was detained on unfounded rumors. Later, one victim died at the hands of the virus, along with 28,000 people infected, with a death toll of 560. When the coronavirus doctor dies, netizens were not pleased. The Chinese community expressed their anger social media as news of the doctor's death spread. Trending posts were asking for apologies to the doctor, for how he was treated. Others demand freedom of speech, but all posts were taken offline from Weibo. One post got 1.8 million hits saying, "I want freedom of speech" that was posted Friday morning online.The content of the post was addressed to the government, as netizens are undermining the state-wide censorship in China. All the posts were furious and question how the government is handling the affair. The central theme of the posts is about freedom of information and the right to free speech for the Chinese mainlanders especially. The death of the Dr. Li Wenliang, the coronavirus doctor, has lit a powder keg and it may not go away easily. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Belgian court acquits doctors of manslaughter for euthanizing 38-year-old female patient Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Three Belgian doctors who euthanized a patient that exhibited mental health problems were acquitted Friday on charges of manslaughter by poisoning. In what has been seen as an important test of the western European nation's euthanasia laws, a Belgian court acquitted the three doctors of manslaughter on Friday, Time magazine reported. Thirty-eight-year-old Tine Nys, a patient suffering a mental breakdown, was injected with a lethal dose to end her life in 2010. Joris Van Hove, the doctor who administered the lethal injection, Nys' former doctor Frank D, and psychiatrist Lieve Thienpont were all acquitted. The court case came about after the woman's family took legal action against the doctors, arguing that her death never should have occurred and that her mental state was not hopeless and further treatment was possible, the BBC reported. Nys had reportedly suffered serious psychiatric problems during her childhood and had previously attempted suicide when she was younger. Nys' family members said they think euthanasia should be permitted in some cases but want the law to be made more clear. The jury took eight hours to deliberate, ultimately reaching a not guilty verdict. Belgium is one of only two countries in the world that permits euthanasia for patients suffering from a mental illness. The verdict is not a shock to those who have tracked the trajectories of euthanasia laws. Such critics have insisted that euthanasia and assisted suicide laws inevitably loosen over time once they are codified, and that the principle of "dignified death" receives priority over any abuse or malfeasance by doctors. The Belgian verdict comes mere months after a similar ruling in the Netherlands in which a doctor was exonerated after ordering family members to physically restrain a woman who was fighting for her life during a physician-assisted death. Commenting on the result, Discovery Institute senior fellow Wesley Smith said on the blog of conservative publication National Review that the verdict was "disgusting but unsurprising." "After the Dutch and now Belgian refusals to convict, dont expect any other death doctors to ever be prosecuted no matter how far they seem to stray from legally accepted euthanasia practices," he said. Supposedly protective guidelines and so-called restrictions that advocates assert will guard against abuse are "useless veneer," he added. "Once medicalized killing becomes legal and societally accepted, death becomes the prime paradigm rather than protecting the lives of vulnerable people." The U.S. states that allow assisted suicide include: Maine, Vermont, New Jersey, Washington state, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, along with the District of Columbia. Montana does not have a state law on the books but the option is legal in the state following a state Supreme Court ruling. At Shaheen Bagh the site in New Delhi where anti-CAA protests have been going on for almost two months, demonstrators on Sunday pushed away barricades themselves to make way for a funeral procession. In a video, which has gone viral since morning, the protesters can be seen removing barricades to allow the funeral procession of a Hindu person to pass. The protesters, however, said that there was nothing unusual about the incident and it was done out of mutual respect. "We respect each other and by allowing the procession to pass through, we have not done anything unusual. We have allowed buses and ambulances also," Shaheen, one of the protesters told ANI here. The Shaheen Bagh area of Delhi had lately gained nationwide attention due to a continued anti-CAA sit-in by people, especially Muslim women against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Population Register and Register of Citizens. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend Israeli observers who monitored the voting during the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan positively assessed the election process, an international observer from Israel Roman Gurevich said, Trend reports. The Israeli observer said that the elections were transparent, and held in a democratic environment. Gurevich noted that Azerbaijani youth took an active part in the elections, according to observations made at six polling stations. "This is a very positive fact. During the election process, everyone was busy with their work and there were no offenses," Gurevich said. Another Israeli observer, Boris Grosman, said that Azerbaijan no longer needs international observers. "I think that Azerbaijan can already participate in other countries' elections as an observer. In such frosty weather, grandparents came to vote, taking their grandchildren with them. People participated in the elections with great enthusiasm," Grosman said. Grosman added that Israel loves and supports Azerbaijan, which will always be a fraternal and friendly country. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Theres no problem too small for Rep. Max Rose. Thats what dozens of his supporters told the Advance during his reelection campaign kick off on Saturday at the Vanderbilt. Hundreds of supporters wearing Max Rose shirts, stickers, and holding signs that read Max Rose Gets S#!@ Done and Max Rose for Congress packed out The Vanderbilt, which was adorned with American flags and blue and red lighting for the occasion. Rose took the stage and touted his accomplishments in Congress finalizing the East Shore seawall, lowering FEMA premiums, funding for the opioid crisis and the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, among others. When you do whats right, not whats just best for your party, we get [expletive] done, Rose said. But theres still work that needs to be done, he said. In regards to his republican opponent, current East Shore Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Rose said shes done nothing for her constituents. Despite being in office for 10 years, what has she done? Nothing, Rose yelled. She changes her convictions every time she runs for office. She represents everything we hate in politics, he continued. Malliotakis campaign spokesman Rob Ryan said, Congressman Rose needs to get his facts straight; long before he moved to Staten Island, Assemblywoman Malliotakis was fighting for her constituents, helping them as they recovered and rebuilt from Super Storm Sandy and long before Max Rose was elected, Nicole Malliotakis was fighting for the approval of the seawall and then delivered state funding for it. Max Rose simply doesnt want to talk about his disastrous record where he votes with Nancy Pelosi 98% of the time and then votes along with Jerry Nadler and Adam Schiff to impeach the president. Its plain to see, Max Rose is out of touch with the voters of South Brooklyn and Staten Island. Rose went on to say that the stakes are even higher now than when he won in 2018. We get things done by going to war with the establishment. I will only answer to Staten Island and South Brooklyn, he said. IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IT MATTERS TO MAX ROSE Max doesnt care if you are a Democrat or Republican. Hell, it doesnt matter if you vote for him or not --hes there for you, said John Moss, an Army veteran, before Rose took the stage. Moss told the crowd, If it matters to you, it matters to Max Rose. Rose helped Moss navigate the Department of Veterans Affairs and its hospital when Moss had lost all hope, he said. Rose was also introduced by Micelle Kunz, who lost her son Robert, to addiction. Kunz joined Rose during the State of the Union in 2019. He is a man of his word and I am proud to say that Congressman Max Rose is my friend, and he is a crusader in the fight against Substance Use Disorder. I have personally seen the remarkable changes that he is responsible for, and I applaud his continued efforts against combating addiction, Kunz said. Bob Ollis, veteran and father of fallen Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, introduced Rose to the crowd -- but not before sharing how Rose helped his family. He has never forgotten us, Ollis said. We had Republicans before Max and nothing go done. Listen to Max -- things are getting done now!" he exclaimed, urging all in the crowd to continue to support him in his reelection. HE GETS THINGS DONE FOR STATEN ISLAND Steve and Pat Higgins of West Brighton said they are big, big fans of Rose. Im very impressed with him, especially when it comes to Big Pharma, said Pat, a nurse. Politics aside, he gets things done for Staten Island, Steve said. Dozens of union members were there to support Rose as well. Rose is a politician who fights for transit and fights for unions, Nuch Stuto, member and board member of the Amalgamated Transit Union. During his speech, Rose told the energetic crowd that unions are the backbone of the country and he will continue to fight for them, citing the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), which passed this week in the House of Representatives. Judith Gold and Mary Peppito traveled from Manhattan to support Rose, a man who they said stands for what he believes in. Its tough to vote for impeachment in this climate but he did what he thought was right, Peppito said. Rose is aware of how Staten Island has been notoriously ignored, Gold said, adding, hes very issues-centered. Apranga APB (hereinafter the Company) hereby informs that the Supervision Service of the Bank of Lithuania (hereinafter the SSBL) has completed an investigation on the compliance of the Company's accounting and financial statements for 2018 with international accounting standards; and on the compliance of the Annual Report and Social Responsibility Report with the legislation (hereinafter the investigation). By the Decision of the Director of the Supervision Service of the Bank of Lithuania issued on 3 February 2020 No. 241-20 it was decided not to apply any enforcement measures to the Company. However, the SSBL's investigation has revealed some infringements which were recommended to be publicly disclosed: 1. Annual financial statements of the Company for the year 2018 do not comply with the requirements of paragraphs 50 and 51 of IAS 16 Property, plant and equipment and paragraphs 97 and 104 of IAS 38 Intangible assets because the useful life of non-current tangible and non-current intangible assets, that is fully depreciated and amortized but still in use, was set shorter than its utility; 2. Annual financial statements of the Company for the year 2018 do not comply with the requirements of paragraphs 55 and B21 of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers because the Company did not recognize refund asset and refund liability relating to the returns after the reporting period of sold goods to the customers; all income from the sale of goods were accounted without assessing the probability that some of goods may be returned after the end of the reporting period. Although the useful life of non-current tangible and non-current intangible assets, that is fully depreciated and amortized but still in use, was set shorter than its utility, the exact extent to which the Company's and the Group's costs have been increased in the prior period and the value of assets has been impaired cannot be determined. The Company did not consider that there was any significant influence. Already in 2019 the Company considered the irregularities that emerged during the investigation that was in progress and implemented the requirements of the IAS 16 and 38 in its financial statements for 2019. The Company intends to continue to comply consistently with the requirements of these standards. Story continues The Company believes that although it did not comply with paragraphs 55 and B21 of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, this did not have a material effect on the statements of comprehensive income or financial status. The company had been already decided to comply with the above-mentioned paragraphs of IFRS 15 before the commencement of the investigation. Requirements will be implemented in financial statements for 2019. The Company has taken measures and will implement other SSBL recommendations for proper disclosure of the information in its annual report for 2019. The SSBL also recommended disclosing that the current composition of the Management Board (without independent members) cannot ensure proper implementation of the provisions of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter - the LC) related to transactions with related party. As recommended by the SSBL, the Company will put its best effort to ensure compliance with the LC requirement as soon as it is reasonably possible, without waiting for the end of the term of the current Management Board. Rimantas Perveneckas Apranga Group General Director +370 5 2390801 In Parliament today: Bill to amend CVC and Delhi Police Special Act to be tabled today Delhi SI was stalked by her killer for three days India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 09: A 26-year-old sub-inspector (SI) of the Delhi Police allegedly committed suicide after shooting dead a woman SI, who was also his batchmate, near Rohini East Metro station in the national capital, officials said on Saturday. Preeti Ahlawat (26), a 2018-batch personnel, was shot dead on Friday night allegedly by Deepanshu Rathee, who later committed suicide near Murthal in Sonepath, police said. Ahlawat was posted at Patparganj Industrial Area police station. Delhi woman sub-inspector shot dead near Rohini East Metro station She was shot dead at around 9.30 pm when she was on her way home in Rohini Sector 8 from the Metro station, they said. Investigation has revealed that Rathee got the service revolver issued from Bhajanpura police station, where he was undergoing training. He had been stalking Ahlawat for the past three to four days to target her, a senior police official said. Police suspect that the SIs were in a relationship but they broke up around three months ago. However, it was learnt that Rathee was pressuring Ahlawat to be with him, the official said. Police are contacting the friends and colleagues of the deceased SIs to ascertain facts. Rathee was identified with the help of CCTV footage where he was seen following Ahlawat after she came out from the Metro station and shot her later on her head, he said. Three cartridges of 9mm were found from the spot, he said, adding after firing at her, Rathee walked towards his car which was parked in the same area. The mobile location of Rathee was traced to Murthal. On reaching there, police found his car in an isolated spot near Murthal at around 2 am and his body was found on the driver's seat with a revolver in the right hand, police said. Ahlawat, was living with her two batchmates in Rohini while Rathee's family lives in Sonepat and his father was retired from Haryana police, they added. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 9:25 [IST] Aviation regulator DGCA has stopped the pre-flight breathalyzer (BA) test for the aircrew operating out of Kerala's four airports during the next 15 days in the wake of the deadly novel coronavirus outbreak. The breathalyzer (BA) test measures whether a person is drunk or not. "The mandatory BA test for flight crew who are operating out of Kerala's airports has been stopped for the next 15 days in light of coronavirus situation," a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said. He, however, added that the crew working in flights departing from any one of Kerala's four airports - Calicut, Kannur, Trivandrum and Cochin - will compulsorily undergo post-flight BA tests at the next immediate city where they land. India has so far reported three novel coronavirus cases, all from Kerala. The Indians tested positive for the disease are students who recently returned from China's Wuhan city, the epicentre of the virus outbreak. The virus has spread rapidly since emerging late last year in China, killing more than 800 people in the mainland and infecting over 37,000. Cases have been reported in two dozen other countries. The DGCA had stated on Saturday that foreigners who have been to China on or after January 15 won't be allowed to enter India. The aviation regulator, in its circular to airlines on Saturday, reiterated that all visas issued to Chinese nationals before February 5 have been suspended. However, it clarified, "These visa restrictions will not apply to aircrew, who may be Chinese nationals or other foreign nationalities coming from China." Among the Indian airlines, IndiGo and Air India have suspended all their flights between the two countries. SpiceJet, however, continues to fly on the Delhi-Hong Kong route. On February 1 and February 2, Air India had conducted two special flights to Wuhan, evacuating 647 Indians and seven Maldivians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RTHK: Pompeo warns states over growing Beijing pressure Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday urged US governors to resist Chinese pressure to shun Taiwan as he warned that Beijing was increasingly taking its diplomatic battle to the local level. In an address to state leaders gathered in Washington, Pompeo said that President Trump's administration would step up communication with state and local governments about dealing with China. "Don't make separate individual deals and agreements with China that undermine our national policy," Pompeo urged. "I know none of you would do so intentionally. Let us help you make sure we're getting it right." Pompeo pointed to a threat last year sent to Mississippi's governor that China would cancel investment over his visit to Taiwan. He also cited a letter by a Chinese diplomat urging state governments not to congratulate Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on her re-election last month and a case in which a high school in Chicago withdrew an invitation to a Taiwanese representative to take part in a climate discussion. "It's one thing to pressure the secretary of state of the United States of America. It seems quite something else to go after a high school principal," Pompeo said. "It shows depth. It shows systemization. It shows intent," Pompeo said. "While these might seem like local matters to some, the cumulative effect is of enormous national importance and international significance," he said. The United States, like most countries, only recognizes Beijing but the Trump administration has been increasingly vocal in backing Taiwan's right to participate in international bodies and maintain diplomatic relations with other countries. Pompeo also warned of Chinese pressure on local leaders not to meet Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. And he voiced concern about US state governments' financial choices, saying that Florida's pension fund has invested in a company with ties to surveillance in Xinjiang, the northwestern region where China has detained more than one million Uighur and other Turkic-speaking Muslims. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2020-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Lindsey Graham took a hit at the press Sunday, claiming media outlets didn't scrutinize Joe and Hunter Biden enough for potential corruption in Ukraine. 'I just think the media's so in the tank over this issue, it makes me sick to my stomach,' Graham told CBS's Face the Nation, adding that the concerns about the Bidens are 'legitimate' and the media isn't 'taking it seriously.' Claims against the duo came in the midst of the impeachment proceedings, when Donald Trump urged his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate the Bidens business dealings there. Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has pledged to investigate the Bidens now that the president has been acquitted in his impeachment trial. Lindsey Graham slammed the media Sunday for not taking potential corruption in Ukraine by the Bidens seriously. 'I just think the media's so in the tank over this issue, it makes me sick to my stomach,' he told Face the Nation 'Nobody's investigating it. CBS hasn't sent one reporter,' Graham said. 'To Ukraine? Yes we did,' CBS News' Margaret Brennan (right) asserted. 'Yeah. I don't think you take it seriously,' he said Before the interview aired, Trump asserted that Graham start the investigations and not stop until D.C. is 'cleaned up' The South Carolina Republican specifically called out the network he was appearing on Sunday morning, claiming no one there was reporting on the issue. 'Nobody's investigating it,' Graham said of the media. 'CBS hasn't sent one reporter.' 'To Ukraine? Yes we did,' CBS News' Margaret Brennan asserted. 'Yeah. I don't think you take it seriously,' he said. Before the interview with the Trump-ally aired Sunday morning, Trump tweeted that the network would try to deter him from investigating the Bidens. 'DeFace the Nation will tell @LindseyGrahamSC that he must start up Judiciary and not stop until the job is done. Clean up D.C. now, last chance!' he demanded, using a nickname for the network's show. Hunter Biden accepted a board position with Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings in 2014 while his father was serving as vice president. And at one point Biden ousted a prosecutor that was investigating the company. Hunter stopped working there in 2019. Trump said he called Ukraine to make sure that the Bidens were not involved in any corruption situations in the Eastern European country, claiming it was his duty as president to weed that out. His call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, was reported by a whistle-blower and ultimately thrust the president into the impeachment proceedings. Hunter Biden (left) accepted a board position with a Ukrainian natural gas firm in 2014 while his father Joe Biden (right) was still vice president Trump maintains the call was 'perfect' and points often for lawmakers to read the transcript of the conversation. The president has called for the Bidens to testify in regards to their business in Ukraine. Democrats claimed in their impeachment investigation at the end of last year that Trump was attempting to interfere in the 2020 elections by harming political rival Joe Biden in requesting a probe into potential corruption. Trump was acquitted from the two articles abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in the Republican-majority Senate last week. - Julia Montes is set make a television comeback through a new project under ABS-CBN - It will be the first time that the actress will portray a role since her long hiatus in showbiz - Joross Gamboa, her fellow cast member on 24/7, was asked about their roles on the show - The prominent actor also commended the gorgeous celebrity for her acting prowess PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Joross Gamboa expressed his honest opinion about the new project of Julia Montes in the Kapamilya network. KAMI learned that the actress will be seen on national television again after a long hiatus on showbiz. She will become the lead star in the series entitled 24/7 which will reportedly be shown every Sunday. PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Joross initially gave an overview about his character and his relationship with the role of Julia in the said upcoming show. He also commended the award-winning actress for pulling off a stellar performance despite being out of the limelight for quite a while. Sa 24/7, medyo maiinis kayo in a way pero mahal ko yung bata pero hindi kami okay doon ni Julia, nag-aagawan kami sa custody ng bata, he quipped. Kahit siya parang hindi siya nag-adjust at all parang wala, nakapag-deliver agad siya ng maayos. Ang galing niya, he added. Watch the trailer of the said Kapamilya series: In a previous article by , Julia recently posted about her upcoming project in the Kapamilya network. Julia Montes is one of the most critically-acclaimed actresses in the Philippines. She recently spent quality time with her dad in Germany. POPULAR: Read more news about Julia Montes! Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts! Source: KAMI.com.gh They marched into the thriving black Tulsa neighbourhood on May 31, 1921, with shotguns and Molotov cocktails. Some wore masks, while others proudly showed their white faces. Over the next two days, the mob killed hundreds of African Americans, drove thousands more from homes and looted businesses before burning them to the ground. The rampage, known as the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, is among the worst incidents of racial violence in American history and for nearly a century leaders throughout Oklahoma seemed determined to ignore it. Now a reckoning is underway. This week, Tulsa officials announced plans to excavate a plot of land that they believe is a mass grave containing many of the victims. The digging is scheduled to begin in April. We are committed to exploring what happened in 1921 through a collective and transparent process, said Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. Filling gaps in our citys history, and providing healing and justice to our community. Racial terrorism was common in the segregated South, and Oklahoma was no exception. The Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit based in Alabama that focuses on criminal justice reform, has documented 36 lynchings in Tulsa County between 1877 and 1950 more than in any other county in the state. Greenwood was something of a rarity in its heyday, a neighbourhood founded after the Civil War that grew into a flourishing destination for blacks fleeing the Deep South just as an oil boom was getting underway. With its burgeoning black-owned businesses, it became nationally known as Black Wall Street. Greenwood epitomized black entrepreneurism in the face of Jim Crow, said Ricco Wright, a businessman and activist who has pressed local and state officials to address its grim history. It showcased black self-sufficiency and it showcased black excellence. He said his great-grandfather, a sharecropper outside Tulsa, would travel to Greenwood on the weekends to buy groceries and visit a doctor. But the success of Greenwood bred resentment in white Tulsa. The violence there began like so many other incidents of that era with rumours that a black man had tried to sexually assault a white woman, in this case inside an elevator. A 2001 report from a commission that studied the massacre concluded that most likely the man had tripped and bumped into the woman, who screamed and ran off. No matter the facts, as the news swirled, an armed mob assembled and stormed the neighbourhood. For 18 hours, whites ran through the streets, shooting black residents and torching homes, churches, a hospital and a library, littering the streets with charred family Bibles, rag dolls, quilts and photographs. Oklahoma officials initially put the death toll at 36, where it remained for decades. Only later did historians who studied the massacre arrive at the current estimate of 300. Some 9,000 black people were left homeless. The property damage was estimated at $1.8 million the equivalent of $26 million today. Nonetheless, the massacre remained a footnote in Oklahoma history. Many Americans only learned about it last fall with the release of HBOs superhero drama Watchmen, which focuses on race relations in Tulsa and includes a scene of the massacre. By then, city officials had already started to respond to Tulsa residents pushing for justice. Last June, the mayor created a committee to investigate the massacre and attempt to find where the victims were buried. Scientists located four potential sites using ground-penetrating radar and in December announced that anomalies at two of them indicated they could be mass graves. One site, which officials plan to excavate this spring, was within the Oaklawn Cemetery. No date has been set for excavation of the other site, which is nestled along the banks of the Arkansas River. If remains are unearthed, researchers could hone their estimate of the death toll and learn more about how people perished. Through DNA analysis, the remains could also be identified and traced to living descendants, who could then conduct proper burials. For many in Tulsas black community, news of the planned excavation was a welcome first step. Its no doubt long overdue, said Wright. Tulsa and Oklahoma has failed to really recognize the past until now. Karlos K. Hill, chair of the African and African American studies department at the University of Oklahoma, praised the news as a critical move toward honouring the victims and confronting a long avoided question: Are there mass graves? Its been a sore spot in the community and a sore sport in the state, Hill said. Think about all the death and destruction. And no one to this day not a single person has been held accountable. Its devastating, Hill said. Hopefully people in the community get the answers they deserve. But residents also made clear that justice would depend on more than finding remains. Nehemiah Frank, a Tulsa native who started the Black Wall Street Times, a digital media company focused on social justice issues, remembers hearing stories about the riots from his grandparents. Franks family once owned a shoe shine parlour in Greenwood, but they lost everything in the fires. Were talking about generations being set back because of this racist terror, Frank said. Sure, the excavations are, no doubt, a good thing and a step, but we should at this time be talking about reparations of some sort. One panelist chair remained empty Saturday morning at Daly Citys City Hall. Amid an emotional meeting to discuss the fate of the citys Seton Medical Center, the chair was a symbolic jab at the key player who didnt show up. The hall was near capacity as about 200 patients, hospital workers and local officials gathered in support of the hospital, which could face closure. Setons owner, Verity Health System, is bankrupt, and a deal to buy the hospital fell apart late last year. But the man missing in action was Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times and principal owner of Integrity Healthcare, the company that manages Verity. The company, which operates six hospitals in California, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018. Seton may soon be acquired by a new medical buyer. But with the hospital seated on valuable property, many were concerned that Seton could close altogether and its land sold for development. The purpose of this town hall meeting was to make sure that Verity hears loud and clear that the community will not tolerate a land grab, said San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa, whose district includes Seton Medical Center. And in fact, the community wants the hospital to stay. We want the emergency room to remain open. The Daly City council has passed a resolution to keep Seton and its surrounding land zoned for hospital use. In 2019, Strategic Global Management, an affiliate of health management company KPC Group, made a $610 million bid to buy four of Veritys six hospitals, but those negotiations broke down in December. The Saturday meeting came weeks after Verity announced it was closing St. Vincent Hospital in Los Angeles, one of the four hospitals Strategic Global Management had been set to purchase. Venus Messiah, a nurse who has worked at Seton for 30 years, attended Saturdays meeting in hopes of keeping the hospitals doors open. Messiah, 65, said she owes her life to the facility, where she was treated as a patient for gastrointestinal bleeding and pancreatitis. Im a survivor because of the (gastrointestinal) doctor, she said. If this hospital were not open, I would be dead. Prolonged uncertainty about the fate of the 300-bed hospital has worried local officials, who say their community would suffer greatly in its absence. The next closest acute care hospitals are San Francisco General Hospital, Kaiser in South San Francisco and Mills Peninsula in Burlingame, all of which would add critical driving time for patients in an emergency. Dr. Robert Perez, who oversees the hospitals physicians, served as a panelist at Saturdays meeting and offered the most hopeful news of the day: As he told The Chronicle in January, Seton may soon be acquired by Apollo Medical Holdings and AHMC Healthcare, a Southern California health management company. The 127-year-old hospital, which serves many low-income and elderly patients, is also Daly Citys largest employer, with 1,200 employees. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Dr. Mark M. Tsuchiyose, who works at Seton, blasted Soon-Shiong for his absence and broken promises to invest in the facility. Tsuchiyose recalled a community meeting with Soon-Shiong a few years ago, when Soon-Shiong vowed to pour millions and millions of dollars into Seton. In his time, how much money has he actually put into Seton? Tsuchiyose asked the audience rhetorically. Zero, several people replied. He actually took things away, Tsuchiyose said. Tsuchiyose wondered aloud what would become of those in need of emergency care, or the surrounding hospitals that would be overwhelmed with former Seton patients. Not knowing is very, very anxiety provoking, he said, adding that if it were possible for the owners to develop the land they could make $450 million. Everybody in this room, whatever power you have, we need to connect together and make sure it doesnt happen. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy Watching Nancy Pelosi and her gang of insolent quislings, it was hard not to think of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale "Rumpelstiltskin." Power, greed, deal-making, sacrifice of children, and petulant rage are a few of the themes of this fairy tale that aptly describe the current Democrat party. The fairy tale relates that a young woman must spin straw into gold thread because her father, a miller, foolishly boasted to the greedy king that she can. Clearly, this is an impossible task until a "strange little man" saves the day but at what cost? Constantly trying to keep up with the demands of the avaricious king, the miller's daughter accepts a bargain that entails giving up her newborn baby son if she cannot identify the "little man's" name. Through happenstance, she is able to counter the odious demand, and the now identified Rumpelstiltskin flies into a fit of rage. In fact, in "his anger he stamped with his right foot so hard that it went into the ground above his knee; then he seized his left foot with both his hands in such a fury that he split in two, and there was an end of him." So what does an ancient fairy tale have to do with Nancy Pelosi? For far too long, the Democrats have wheedled their way into American's lives with sly promises and sleight-of-hand maneuvers. Oh, a bone or two will be flung, but the depressed Baltimores, Detroits, and Clevelands never improve. A recreational center may be built, but illegals bearing deadly intentions and drugs will not be stopped as they destroy neighborhoods. Democrats with smug Cheshire cat smiles claim that all of G-d's children really matter but somehow are quite comfortable with schools that do not teach and present-day teacher unions concerned only with the acquisition of power, not the education of children. As Dennis Prager notes: The most obvious and, therefore, the one more and more Americans can resonate with is the near destruction of most American universities as places of learning. In the words of Harvard professor Steven Pinker an atheist and a liberal outside of the natural sciences and a few other disciplines (such as mathematics and business), 'universities are becoming laughing stocks of intolerance.' If you send your children to a university, you are endangering both their mind and their character. There is a real chance they will be more intolerant and more foolish after college than they were when they entered college. When you attend an American university, you are taught to have contempt for America and its founders, to prefer socialism to capitalism, to divide human beings by race and ethnicity. You are taught to shut down those who differ with you, not to debate them. And you are taught to place feelings over reason which is a guaranteed route to eventual evil. The Democrats are only too willing for Americans to surrender their children's souls to the miseducation and propaganda that describe far too many schools as Leftist indoctrination prevails. And, for the ladies in white, late-term abortion is truly caring for the lives of little ones! Recall that the Democrats sat on their hands as Trump introduced the miracle of a very premature baby who survived with the help of modern medicine. For generations, people have accepted the facile words of the Democrat Party that in order to get ahead, albeit meagerly, they must make a deal with the "strange little man" who allegedly cared, the consequences be damned. Hence, little by little, Americans gave up their liberties under the delusion that they would receive something of equal value in return. But alas, the stakes are even higher as the Democrat Party shreds the Bill of Rights and constitutional safeguards. Moreover, the introduction of the "New Way Forward" act is a horrifying revelation of the contempt and loathing the Democrat Party has for American sovereignty and safety of her citizens. H.R. 5383 seeks to deliberately flout American immigration law that is supposed to protect American life and property. It is stunning in its malevolence and acceptance of lawlessness. But it is only the latest manifestation because in 2013 in an interview with Telemundo, Pelosi said, "Our view of the law is that ... if somebody is here without sufficient documentation, that is not reason for deportation." Pelosi has always wished to pass a new law legalizing illegal aliens altogether. Enter the New Way Forward. Knowing that anti-American anti-Semites Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ocasio-Cortez are in favor of this act should give all Americans deep pause. In February 2018, Pelosi and House Democrats "introduced a bill to immediately restore voting rights to felons, and mandate automatic voter registration." Clearly, the Democrats would ignore the words of Bill McCollum, who in 2007 asserted: The campaign to automatically restore civil rights to nearly all felons upon release from prison, with no waiting period and no hearing to determine if those felons will go right back to a life of crime, is reckless and irresponsible. States have enacted laws to take away certain rights of those who commit crimes, reasoning that a person who breaks the law should not make the law. But it should be recalled that Pelosi has long had ties to communists and socialists whose sole aim is the subversion of America. Pelosi, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, continually operates by "demonizing and destroying" those who oppose her. She lied about Obamacare; she is comfortable with Islamic leaders who exhort anti-American beliefs; she "discounts the ideas of those who disagree with her regarding global warming"; she has "likened conservatives to Nazis"; and she has used her political influence to manipulate taxpayer money and enrich herself. I am actually grateful that Pelosi showed her genuine colors when she tore up President Trump's State of the Union address. First, it is an illegal act according to 18 U.S. Code 2071, but given that the Democrats cast the law aside when they see fit, this should surprise no one. But it should enlighten many who, heretofore, were not paying close attention. That she could shred the accomplishments of the Americans who were invited to the SOTU event is a continuing display of the contempt Democrats have for the people. I would say that in her wrath, Pelosi has shown America that she does not represent the people and that her party has nothing but disdain for American values and American lives. Ultimately, their overweening hubris and fury will consume them, much as it did Rumpelstiltskin of the past. It will be a fitting end as the Democratic Party immolates itself, taking its bossy termagant leader with it. Eileen can be contacted at middlemarch18@gmail.com. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. When Belfast native Robyn Peoples found out that her girlfriend had planned a romantic trip to Paris to see Ariana Grande perform, she knew she wanted to do something special. It was probably a good six months before [the trip] that I started thinking about it, when I got the ring and thought about when and where and how I would do it, Peoples, 26, says. Her partner Sharni Edwards had no idea that she would be engaged by the end of their holiday in May 2015. Robyn had had a lock engraved with our anniversary date on, says Edwards, who is from Brighton, on the south coast of England. She asked me to put it on one of the bridges, and when I turned around, she was down on one knee and she proposed. Nearly five years on, the couple are preparing for their Feb. 11 wedding in Carrickfergus, a town near Belfast. It will be the first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, following the passing of new legislation in October. Were so excited, were ecstatic and we just cant wait now, says Edwards, 27, adding that both brides plan to wear wedding dresses. We havent seen each others and were keeping it a secret until we walk down the aisle. Its a moment equal marriage campaigners in Northern Ireland have been anticipating for years, led by the Love Equality coalition of six organizations. The U.K. government introduced same-sex civil partnerships across Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 2005, giving couples in civil partnerships mostly the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples. From 2005 to 2017, 1,202 civil partnerships were registered according to the latest available figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Like every LGBT person, I grew up in a world where marriage was the recognized form of relationship, says John ODoherty, director of Northern Ireland LGBT charity The Rainbow Project, who entered into a civil partnership in 2018. When we get engaged, we ask our partners to marry us that is the language we have. We dont need a two-tier system of recognizing relationships, and the law should recognize everyone as being equal. Story continues New legislation finally aligns Northern Ireland with England, Scotland and Wales, where same-sex marriages have been legal since 2014. Northern Ireland has endured nearly three years of political paralysis, lacking its own functioning devolved government from March 2017 until just last month. In the absence of sitting lawmakers, decisions on issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion rights stalled, leading to lawmakers in the U.K. to introduce legislation to keep Northern Ireland running. In July 2019, U.K. lawmakers voted in an amendment requiring the British government to extend same-sex marriage rights to Northern Ireland if the region did not have a functioning government by Oct. 21 that year. That deadline passed, and beginning on Jan. 13, couples have been able to register their intent to marry. (No data on how many have signed up is currently available). And from next week, 28 days after registering, the first couple will be able to marry, although the new law means theres currently no way to have a faith-based ceremony in a church. We were definitely shocked when we learned wed be able to get married this year, says Peoples. Weve had everything booked for a civil partnership since last January, and it was just the biggest coincidence the law has changed, as were now getting married on our six year anniversary. Gay rights campaigners take part in a march through Belfast on July 1, 2017 to protest against the ban on same-sex marriage. | Paul FaithAFP via Getty Images The couple live in Belfast, where Peoples is a senior assistant in a care home and Edwards is a waitress, and first met on a night out in the city when Edwards was visiting her cousin. We instantly just clicked, says Peoples. After trying out long distance, then living together in Brighton, the pair moved back to Peoples hometown five years ago. This is where were going to build our family, says Peoples. It wouldnt have made much sense to get married in England, and then not have it be legally recognized here in Northern Ireland. A few years ago, many LGBT residents of Northern Ireland watched events south of the border with hope and frustration. The Republic of Ireland, which is a separate country and not part of the U.K., became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote in a historic referendum in May 2015. We couldnt comprehend then how people in the south could get married, and that people in the north couldnt, says Peoples. That same year, lawmakers in the Northern Ireland assembly voted in majority favor of same-sex marriage for the first time, but the motion was blocked by the socially conservative Democratic Unionist Party using a controversial veto power known as a petition of concern, which required the proposed change to the law to have a cross-party majority. Still, some felt progress was finally possible. That was the first time we got the majority of our politicians to support equal marriage, and that was a big marker of change for us, says ODoherty, adding that the norths Love Equality campaign has close links with the successful campaign in the south. Theres also been a shift in public opinion. In 2014, local polling put support for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland at 40%. During the referendum in the Republic of Ireland, this had increased to 68% according to Ipsos MORI, and opinion polling by Sky in 2019 suggested that 76% of people in Northern Ireland backed same-sex marriage. But ODoherty says theres still work left to do. While same-sex marriages are now legal, people already in same-sex civil partnerships cannot convert to marriages, and there are no provisions for people wishing to have a faith-based same sex marriage. Both issues are part of a public consultation that closes on Feb. 23, which invites members of the public to put forward their views for the government to consider before new regulations are introduced. Its wonderful to finally reach this point, but its a little bit bittersweet for me. Im in a civil partnership and were not able to get married yet, says ODoherty, who has campaigned for equal marriage with his partner since 2012. Love Equality also wants an opt-in process ensuring that people of faith have the right to celebrate same-sex marriage, but those who dont want to wont be required to do so. And while Love Equality is hosting public events this week to raise awareness about the consultation, campaigners are excited for the historic change theyve already achieved. When you see the light in [Sharni and Robyns] eyes that they can get married, it just shows what all the work was for, says ODoherty. Its down to the last minute touches now for Peoples and Edwards as they prepare to get married on Tuesday, with about 50 people attending the ceremony and 100 people attending the reception in a hotel. Their celebrations come with a sense of gratitude. If it wasnt for the people who fought for this, we wouldnt be able to get married next week, Edwards says. We want to say thank you to everyone that has made it possible for us to be equal, Peoples adds. Teachers of different universities deliberated on various facets of nationalism in relation to India and other nations at an international seminar organised by the Bodoland University. Speaking as one of the resource persons at the international seminar 'Reconfiguring Nationalism: Protest and Acquiescence', Dr Maya Tudor of the University of Oxford spoke on the need of an inclusive nationalism for a sustainable democracy, a release said on Sunday. Prof Saugata Bhaduri of Jawaharlal Nehru University invoked Tagore, Derrida, Kant and Seyla Ben Habib to explore the various models of nationalism, said the release about the three-day international seminar organised by the Department of English of Bodoland University at Kokrajhar in collaboration with Department of Political Science of Cotton University in Guwahati. Prof Susheel Kumar Sarma of University of Allahabad negotiated the real and the fictitious by referring to literary texts that underscore the very idea of nationalism, while Prof Pradip Kumar Patra of Bodoland University, gave an overall view on nationalism. The inaugural and technical sessions were held at Bodoland University Campus on February 6 and 7, the release said. The valedictory speech was delivered by Maureen Waters of McGill University, Canada, which was chaired by Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta of Gauhati University. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In SLUs new proposed curriculum, there are more required courses in written, oral and creative expression than are required in philosophy, theology and ethics. In my 25 years in higher education, including professional ethics education, I have never seen people stumble over the science or technology. We know how to get the science and technology right. Nor have I seen people stumble over speaking or writing well. Every professional learns these skills. People instead struggle with the more significant questions about the humanity of the decision to deploy the science or technology, whether it should be deployed at all, and, when deployed, when to turn it off. These kinds of questions are explored in ethics courses, which ought to be foundational in an undergraduate education, when the stakes are much lower. At one time, it was thought that Catholic universities generally, and Jesuit universities in particular, were much better equipped to form men and women for others than the far cheaper state university education that I received. I will admit up front that I do not believe everything that the government tells the general public. There have been too many documented occasions throughout the history of the nation where government did, in fact, mislead its citizens. Do you recall Daniel Ellsberg? His 1971 release of the Pentagon Papers proved that much of what the public was told about the Vietnam War for years was a lie. Every treaty signed by a president with a Native American tribe contained lies. Those weapons of mass destruction on which we were told Saddam Hussein had his finger on the trigger? They didnt exist. How about when Richard Nixon went on national television and declared that he was not a crook? Seems he was, after all. There are many more instances of lies by the government. One of the most notorious was the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male. This experiment was conducted over 40 years and its subjects, Black men, were never informed by researchers that they had the disease and were not treated for it. They were allowed to go blind or just die. I think all should be wary when our government releases information regarding health care matters. In the past decade, we have received news of various viral outbreaks in the United States. They have included the return of whooping cough, measles and Legionnaires disease, plus avian flu, SARS, ebola and the continued spread of HIV and AIDS. The newest outbreak, which just came barreling out of China, is Coronavirus. Dr. Li Wenliang, one of the first doctors to sound the alarm about the disease to Chinese officials, recently succumbed to it. Chinese officials were not happy about the doctors outspokenness regarding the disease, to say the least, and reportedly warned him to cease and desist. Then, he suddenly dies in a Chinese hospital. Where did all these diseases come from? What is the cause? If one believes what we are told, the avian flu made the jump in mutated form to humans from chickens; swine flu similarly started in pigs. What conditions have changed to seemingly expedite the proliferation of these diseases that have the potential to wipe out so many human beings? I am not skilled enough to answer these questions, but I have concerns and quite a few suspicions. There is a lot about this that I do not know, but here is something I do know: Laboratories in every so-called developed nation worldwide stockpile deadly infectious diseases. One U.S. site is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other locations in America are secret, protected by federal and World Health Organization bio-terrorism laws. The CDC reportedly keeps samples of deadly viruses in case of a bio-terrorism attack. If that were to occur, the samples could help vaccines to be developed and distributed quickly, but they might not be available to every potential victim. The unvaccinated would be out of luck and time. Accidents involving influenza, Ebola, and avian flu stockpiles have been reported. The CDCs own laboratory employees were exposed to anthrax a few years ago due to a mishap. Anthrax has been used as a weapon of war, and, shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, anthrax-tainted mailed letters infected 17 people and killed five. The bottom line is that all these viruses are deadly when released, accidentally or intentionally. I am giving serious thought to the premise that many of these incidents where a virus suddenly flares up, then disappears for a period of time before showing up again, are not solely acts of nature. Now, I have no proof of this, but what some credible sources are saying is certainly strange and frightening. In an outbreak that began in 2015 in South America, women bitten by mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus gave birth to children with microcephaly and other severe fetal brain and birth defects. Could this virus and others be engineered to only affect a specific population, gender, age group or blood type? Think about it. Milton W. Hinton Jr. is retired as director of equal opportunity for the Gloucester County government, and is past president of the Gloucester County Branch NAACP. Email: miltonw@imap.cc. Twitter: MiltonHintonJr@WritestheNation. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Veteran US actor Orson Bean, whose credits include Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman and Desperate Housewives, has died, aged 91. He was hit by a car in Los Angeles, authorities confirmed. The Los Angeles County coroners office confirmed his death was being investigated as a traffic-related fatality. Born in 1928 as Dallas Frederick Burrows, he picked the stage name Orson Bean because it sounded funny. He had six years on US panel show To Tell the Truth. He frequently made guest appearances on The Tonight Show with both Jack Paar and Johnny Carson plus Super Password and Match Game. Bean took a break from his career for a time in the 1970s when he dropped out and moved to Australia, where he lived a hippie lifestyle. But he returned to the US after a period as a self-described house-husband and resumed his career. In the 1990s, he played the shopkeeper Loren Bray on Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman. Other credits included Desperate Housewives, 7th Heaven, How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family. Film credits included Anatomy of a Murder, The Equalizer 2 and Being John Malkovich. He is survived by wife and actor Alley Mills (The Wonder Years, The Bold and the Beautiful). Source: AAP / Seven News, TMZ Tweeple were amazed as hospitals in China are using robots to deliver food and medicines to patients infected by the novel coronavirus which has killed 811 people so far. Taking to Twitter, a user posted a video in which robots are used to serve food and medicines in a hospital in China to the patients who were infected with coronavirus. A hospital in E Chinas Nanjing has put a virus-killing robot to work to combat #coronavirus. The smart robot can turn 360 degrees in tight places to conduct disinfection, keeping medics safe from cross infection. pic.twitter.com/0vNxGn7O9f People's Daily, China (@PDChina) February 7, 2020 Another user commented I am fascinated by the logistics of it all. Compressed construction - training for staff as to what goes where, configurations, maps. While another said cool job. Appreciating the designing of the robot, a user said with lights designed to sort of look like a friendly face With a Thumbs Up emoji, a user wrote Nice while another said, a Robot can help curb the spread of coronavirus. The robot that rolls up, ejects and inserts the food plate into the slot of the isolation ward can help curb the spread of coronavirus, said a user. Men and women of Australia. No federal statute, no decision by a distant monarch, no arbitrary determination to prevent disclosure should be allowed to compromise the public's right to know details of the most vexed moment in the country's history. Gough Whitlam, pictured in 1972, established the predecessor to the National Archives. Historian Jenny Hocking is seeking papers relating to his dismissal from office. Credit:George Lipman With apologies to former prime minister Gough Whitlam, these might approximate words he would use today to demand the unsealing of documents held by the National Archives that constitute the last significant piece in the puzzle of what actually took place in the lead-up to his dismissal on November 11, 1975 by then governor-general John Kerr. In light of last week's hearing by the High Court of Australia into an appeal against a lower court's refusal, via a split 2-1 decision, not to order the release of the Kerr documents, it is reasonable to ask this simple question. Why is the Australian public being deprived of its historical birthright in the form of a full accounting of what actually transpired in those fateful days leading up to the Whitlam dismissal and subsequently? The Kerr documents, sealed in the National Archives, might answer some of those questions. This includes what sort of consultation, if any, was held between Yarralumla and Buckingham Palace to forestall the possibility of Whitlam demanding the Queen sack Kerr before the latter had his opportunity to get in first. Representative Chip Roy (R-Texas) said this during a Fox News interview: When we're back in charge, we can have a vote, we can have a resolution that would seek to expunge the impeachment. I don't know if it will carry any legal weight but we can send a loud message when we come back in that this was a political partisan effort. President Trump agreed, characterizing his impeachment as "a total political hoax," adding that it should be erased. How might this be done now in a way that "carries legal weight"? There is enough material in four articles I have published in American Thinker here, here, here, and here to warrant petitioning the Supreme Court to void the two articles of impeachment against President Trump, clearing the way for their expungement from official House records. Below is an airtight logic chain. A methodical, step-by-step approach has the best chance of surviving the onslaught of objections that will be unleashed. Step 1: Impeachment implies indictment. Comment : The Framers could (should?) have used the term "indictment" instead of the term "impeachment" in Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution. Step 2: Indictment implies due process of law. Comment : The Fifth Amendment says so. Step 3: Due process of law implies procedural due process rights (PDPRs). Comment : The Supreme Court said so. Therefore, Step 4: Impeachment implies PDPRs. Comment : Derived from Steps 13 by a rule of logic called Hypothetical Syllogism applied several times. Step 5: House impeachment proceedings denied President Trump his constitutionally protected PDPRs. Comment : I argued this in my articles, as did President Trump's lawyers. Step 6: If impeachment implies PDPRs and House impeachment proceedings denied President Trump his constitutionally protected PDPRs, then House impeachment proceedings violated the Constitution. Comment : This seems to me a near tautology, but I will leave it to lawyers to defend it. Therefore, Step 7: House impeachment proceedings violated the Constitution. Comment : Derived from Steps 46 by Modus Ponens. Step 8: If House impeachment proceedings violated the Constitution, then the Supreme Court ought to rule that they did. Comment 1 : I will leave it to lawyers to argue that Supreme Court powers identified in Article III of the Constitution extend to impeachment proceedings. Comment 2 : I will leave it to lawyers to argue that the Supreme Court has an obligation to rule that House impeachment proceedings violated the Constitution as part of its Oath of Affirmation obligation to support and defend the Constitution. Therefore, Step 9: The Supreme Court ought to rule that House impeachment proceedings violated the Constitution. Comment : From Steps 7 and 8 by Modus Ponens. Step 10: If the Supreme Court rules that House impeachment proceedings violated the Constitution, then the Supreme Court ought to void the House's two articles of impeachment against President Trump. Comment : I will leave it to lawyers to argue that Supreme Court powers identified in Article III of the Constitution extend to voiding articles of impeachment. Therefore, Step 11: The Supreme Court ought to void the House's two articles of impeachment against President Trump. Comment : Derived from Steps 9 and 10 by Modus Ponens. Step 12: If the Supreme Court voids the House's two articles of impeachment against President Trump, then President Trump's lawyers are constitutionally entitled to have them expunged from official House records. Comment 1 : I will leave it to President Trump's lawyers to argue, perhaps before the Supreme Court again, that the Constitution allows this connection. Comment 2 : The lawyers can argue that nothing in the Constitution grants the party in political control of the House of Representatives absolute power to decide what is to be done with official House records. Therefore, Step 13: President Trump's lawyers are constitutionally entitled to have the two articles of impeachment against President Trump expunged from official House records. Comment : Derived from Steps 11 and 12 by Modus Ponens; QED. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. Officials from Gwangju's Buk-gu Office post a notice on a wall, Thursday, informing employees of the workplace nursery's temporary shutdown amid fears over the new coronavirus. / Yonhap By Jun Ji-hye Working parents, who send their children to daycare centers or kindergartens before beginning their work day, have met problems as an increasing number of childcare institutes have been closed amid public fears over the spread of the new coronavirus. Working couples have also appeared to become reluctant to hire babysitters due to concerns over human-to-human transmission of the virus that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Some couples said they had to temporarily leave their children with their parents as a last resort. The coronavirus claimed 86 lives during a one-day period ending Saturday morning, the biggest single-day increase to date, as the virus continues to takes its toll in China and other parts of the world. Among the new fatalities are a U.S. citizen in Wuhan, China the epicenter of the outbreak officials at the American Embassy in Beijing said Saturday. The embassy said that the 60-year-old American died February 6. A Japanese citizen is also reported to have died in Wuhan of viral pneumonia, likely caused by the corona virus, although that has not been confirmed. The United States says it offering up to $100 million to China and other countries affected by the deadly coronavirus to combat its spread, as the death toll rises in China to 722. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the announcement Friday, saying, "This commitment along with the hundreds of millions generously donated by the American private sector demonstrates strong U.S. leadership in response to the outbreak. Earlier Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinpings efforts to combat the coronavirus as Xi faced mounting domestic criticism following the virus-related death of a physician who issued an early warning about the outbreak. After a Friday telephone conversation with Xi, Trump praised Chinas response and said Xi was leading "what will be a very successful operation. Trump continued to applaud Xi on Twitter Friday, describing him as "strong, sharp and powerfully focused. "Great discipline is taking place in China, as President Xi strongly leads what will be a very successful operation. We are working closely with China to help!," Trump added. The death of a Chinese doctor who was censored by Communist Party authorities after warning of a new, then-unidentified virus in December has triggered an outpouring of anger online at party authorities for its tight control on information about the crisis. Police had accused Dr. Li Wenliang, who died Friday morning local time at Wuhan Central Hospital, of "spreading rumors online and "severely disrupting social order. However, Li was widely praised by many, including by China Center for Disease Control chief scientist Zeng Guang. "A hero who released information about Wuhans epidemic in the early stage, Dr. Li Wenliang is immortal, Zeng wrote on the Sina Weibo microblog page. The ruling Communist Partys Peoples Daily wrote on Twitter, "We deeply mourn the death of Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang. ... After all-effort rescue, Li passed away. In response to the uproar in China over the governments treatment of Li, the Communist Party announced Friday it would send a team to Wuhan to "fully investigate relevant issues raised by the public. Officials in China said the death toll on the mainland by the end of Friday was 723 while new cases jumped to 34,546. The death toll has now surpassed the number of deaths from the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak in China and Hong Kong. Chinese President Xi has declared a "people's war" on the coronavirus outbreak, as the death toll grows by the day. "The whole country has responded with all its strength to respond with the most thorough and strict prevention and control measures, starting a people's war for epidemic prevention and control," China's state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying. The World Health Organization said it is too early to confirm one Chinese official's belief that the outbreak is about to peak. There are more than 320 confirmed cases in at least 25 other countries, including one death in the Philippines the first outside of China -- and one death in Hong Kong. Three more new cases were confirmed by Japan aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, moored off Japan, raising the total to 64. The 3,700 passengers, who are confined aboard this ship, face a 14-day quarantine. Fourteen days is the virus' incubation period. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said foreign passengers on another ship carrying about 2,000 people will not be allowed to enter Japan. Abe said virus-infected passengers may be on board, while the operator of Holland Americas Westerdam denied anyone was infected. The ship is currently near Ishigaki, an island of Okinawa. About 3,600 passengers are stuck aboard another ship remains off the Hong Kong's coast, with three cases on board. Hong Kong has shut down nearly all land and sea border crossings with the Chinese mainland after more than 2,000 medical workers walked off the job earlier this week. The city announced it would quarantine arrivals from mainland China beginning Saturday. Taiwan announced Thursday it was banning all international cruise ships from docking at the island. Taiwan is also halting most flights between Taiwan and china, beginning Monday. All direct passenger and freight shipping between the island and China are also being suspended. A U.S. State Department-charted plane carrying Americans who evacuated from Wuhan landed Friday morning at a military base in Southern California. A second chartered plane with Americans on board landed at a military base in Northern California later Friday. The returning Americans, about 530 in all, are being quarantined for 14 days and watched for signs of the illness. The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency and is appealing for $675 million to fight the virus. WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Friday the world is experiencing a "chronic shortage of personal protective equipment, such as masks and gowns. Ghebreyesus said he was searching for potential solutions. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday expressed profound grief at the death of a girl child in an accident in Kushinagar. A taxi carrying school children got overturned in Kushinagar district on Saturday in which one girl child died. Yogi Adityanath prayed for the deceased and expressed condolences for the family of the deceased, the Information and Public Relations department of the government of Uttar Pradesh informed. The Chief Minister directed the district officials to provide for the optimum medical care for the injured in the accident. He also directed the administration to register an FIR against the taxi driver. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Monument, Colo., formerly Sioux City Elliott Marshall Benson, U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.), 61, of Monument, formerly Sioux City, seasoned veteran of General Motors and loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Jan. 29, 2020, in Monument. A service will be held in early Spring at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., where he will also be laid to rest. Please reach out to the family for more details if you would like to attend. He was born in Worthington, Minn., on April 30, 1958, to Roger Lansing Benson and Betheen Louise (Smith) Benson. He grew up in Sioux City, and graduated from East High School in 1976. Col. Elliott M. Bensons military journey began as a cadet at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. He entered active duty in May of 1980, after receiving his commission from USMA. After completing the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course and the Rotary Wing Aviator Course, he was assigned to the 503rd Aviation Battalion, 3rd Armored Division, Hanau, Germany, serving as Platoon Leader and Assistant S-4. Following the Air Defense Artillery Officer Advanced Course, the Aviation Maintenance Officer Course and the Aviation Maintenance Test Pilot Course, he served as Aviation Maintenance Officer for the Air Defense Center Aviation Detachment at Fort Bliss, Texas. As an aviator, Elliott flew the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, also known as the Huey. He left active duty in March of 1987, and joined an aviation regiment at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan. He held numerous command and staff positions in the Army Reserve. Command assignments included Company A, 3-158th Aviation Battalion; 1-339th Regiment (Infantry), 84th Division (Institutional Training); and 3rd Battle Training Group, 1st Brigade, 85th Division (Training Support). Staff and training assignments have included Aviation Training and Standardization Officer for the 123rd Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) and the 86th ARCOM; Observer/Controller for 1st Brigade, 85th Division (Training Support); and Combat Arms Branch Chief for 3rd Brigade, 75th Division (Battle Command Training). His military leadership culminated when he assumed command of 4th Brigade (Combat Service Support), 100th Division (Institutional Training) in November 2007. The brigade was reorganized and designated as 3rd Brigade (Ordnance), 94th Division (Force Sustainment) in October of 2008. 3rd Brigade consisted of five Ordnance CMF Battalions with a national training mission to produce trained and ready Ordnance Soldiers capable of performing their wartime mission to standard. He retired as a Colonel in 2010, after an illustrious 30-year Army career. He received a bachelors degree in engineering from USMA at West Point. He later attended Command and General Staff College, and ultimately earned a masters degree in strategic studies from the Army War College. In his civilian life, he obtained a masters degree in engineering science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Senior Army Aviator Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge. After developing a love for cars in his youth, Elliott pursued a civilian career in the automotive industry as a citizen-soldier. In the early 20th century, his grandfather owned the Benson Chevrolet dealership in Adrian, Minn., for over 40 years, so it was fitting when he joined General Motors in 1989. Elliott spent time in engineering, product management and marketing, supporting multiple Chevrolet and Pontiac vehicle platforms. He was especially proud of his work on the GM Mobility program, an initiative designed to help customers with adaptive equipment in new GM vehicles. He later joined the GM Fleet group helping to support state and local governments and corporate fleet customers procure and maintain vehicles. Elliotts accomplished career with GM spanned across five decades. Elliott met the love of his life, Kimberly, at the Fort Bliss Officers Club in El Paso, Texas on Sept. 19, 1980. They married seven months later on April 18, 1981, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Elliott spent nearly 40 years as a caring, dedicated and loving husband to Kimberly. They raised three children together. Elliott has been a devoted and supportive father to their kids, Bjorn, Bryce and Lindsay. His unwavering love, positivity, kindness, patience, humor, strength, work ethic and faith in God will live on in them forever. In 2017, Elliott became a grandfather for the first time. It was a role he was made for, and one he especially cherished. He will be deeply missed by his family. Elliott spent his life leading by example, always choosing the harder right, instead of the easier wrong. Hed pay an incredible amount of attention to detail but also revered the beautiful, simple things in life, and always maintained a clear perspective when it came to the big picture. His calm demeanor, perseverance, integrity and strong set of core values made him an exceptional leader in personal, military and civilian aspects of life. Elliott loved photography and enjoyed tending to his large camera collection, a passion he shared with his father and children. He was a dog lover, and animals seemed to gravitate toward his calming presence - he was an animal whisperer. Elliott never shied away from new experiences and cuisines and loved traveling the world and exploring its history with his wife by his side. He loved music, particularly The Beatles, and had an impressive record collection. He lived an active lifestyle, and enjoyed running and going on hikes with his family. Elliott is survived by his wife, Kimberly Benson; his children, Bjorn Benson, daughter-in-law Melissa, Bryce Benson and Lindsay Benson; his grandchildren, Griffin Benson and Adelyn Benson; his mother, Betheen Benson; his siblings, Craig Benson (Shellie), Jeffrey Benson (Leisa), Crystal Benson, Carolee Humes and Troy Benson; his brothers-in-law, Peter Hulsey and Bill Hulsey (Donna); and his 12 nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Roger Benson. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation on his behalf to the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity that meant a lot to him: https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/ElliottMBenson. Hundreds of people refused to let a snowstorm keep them from laying to rest a Colorado veteran who would have had no mourners. Clyde Baldwin served in the Air Force for 20 years from 1950 to 1970 -- a period that included the Korean and Vietnam wars, according to reports. He was 91. His funeral was Friday in Colorado Springs. The large crowd answered a call from a local VFW post requesting their attendance because Baldwin's only relative -- a sister in Oklahoma -- was unable to make it, Fox 21 Colorado Springs reported. Baldwin, a decorated staff sergeant in the Air Force, wasnt married and had no children. Weather conditions the way they were with people parked all the way out to Drennan and having to actually walk into the cemetery, its impressive to see that much support from the community, Robert Aholt told the station. Aholt belongs to the Colorado veteran group Patriot Guard Riders. Baldwins funeral with military honors was held at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said the state government will introduce an internship scheme for students of class 10 and 12 as well as those pursing graduation to brighten their employment prospects. Addressing a job fair organised by the Department of Labour and Employment Exchange at Gorakhpur University here, Adityanath said, under the scheme, students will be linked to various technical institutes and industries. "This year we are going to come up with an internship scheme. Each youth who will do internship for 6 months and one year will be given Rs 2,500 as honorarium every month," Adityanath said here. Of this, Rs 1,500 will be given by the central government and Rs 1,000 by the state government. After the completion of internship, the government will also help he youth in getting jobs and an HR cell will also be created for this," he added. The chief minister also said that the government has decided that 20 per cent girls will be compulsorily recruited in the police department in the state so that they can contribute towards the state's security. "Our effort is to open an ITI and skill development centre in each tehsil of the state which can give a platform to the youth for their skills," he said. Referring to the ongoing DefExpo 2020, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 5 in Lucknow, Adityanath said, "This expo was an opportunity to connect with the glorious moments of India's valour, and military history." "In this event, through their participation, the defence ministers, defence chiefs and ambassadors of 70 countries have proved that India will not remain an importer only, but also become an exporter in the field of defence," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several students from Delhi Universitys all-women Gargi College alleged they were sexually harassed by a group of outsiders during their annual college fest on Thursday. The testimonies, shared across social media platforms, also blamed the administration for inaction. A second-year undergraduate student, who alleged that she was sexually harassed by the group, said, Around 4pm, the main gate broke open and men started pouring in. We were stuck between a flood of men, who were catcalling, groping women and passing lewd comments. The ground emptied only around 9pm. We are all shocked. Eyewitnesses said the IDs and passes of male guests are generally checked, but this could not be done when the gates were broken open. When the gates broke open, hordes of men entered breaking barricades. We saw fake passes being sold outside the college as well. A rally was going on outside and men jumped in from that rally as well, said another undergraduate student, who was present at the spot. A third-year undergraduate student, requesting anonymity, said, My friend was hysterical and was crying when we went to the principal to complain about men entering the campus without checks. We told her that the harassment made us feel unsafe. The principal questioned why we ask for a fest or visit them if we felt unsafe. The administration said it has not received any formal complaint so far. No incident of this kind was reported to the administration. There were sufficient security arrangements and police, in uniform as well as plainclothes, were on duty. Commandos and bouncers, along with enough faculty and staff, were on duty, said principal Promila Kumar. Another second-year undergraduate student said, Colleges are not safe for women every year, during fests. Last year as well, many of my friends were harassed, but no action was taken against it. This year was worse. Ive received countless experiences of women that were groped, felt up, catcalled, teased, masturbated at, stalked till the metro station and their PGs. The security of hundreds of women was in danger and Im sure many of them would never want to attend such college fests again, myself included. The bouncers, the guards and the entire security detail did nothing to save the girls from the trauma they endured. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kainat Sarfaraz Kainat Sarfaraz covers education for Hindustan Times in Delhi. She also takes keen interest in reading and writing on the intersections of gender and other identities. ...view detail TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian rocket failed to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, state television reported, the latest setback for a program the U.S. claims helps Tehran advance its ballistic missile program. The launch happened at 7:15 p.m. local time at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Irans Semnan province, some 230 kilometres (145 miles) southeast of Irans capital, Tehran. A Simorgh, or Phoenix, rocket couldnt put the Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit, however, due to a low speed, Iranian state TV reported. Stage-1 and stage-2 motors of the carrier functioned properly and the satellite was successfully detached from its carrier, but at the end of its path it did not reach the required speed for being put in the orbit, Defence Ministry space program spokesman Ahmad Hosseini told state TV. Hosseini still sought to portray the failure as a remarkable achievement for its space program. Previous Simorgh launches of the 80-ton satellite carrier suffered other failures. In the days leading up to the launch, Iranian officials had been promoting the mission, including the countrys Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi. His quick rise through the Islamic Republics carefully managed political system already is generating speculation he could be a candidate for Irans 2021 presidential campaign. Jahromi acknowledged the unsuccessful launch in a tweet shortly after the news broke on state TV, comparing it to a few samples of US launch failures. But Were UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites! Jahromi tweeted in English, including a satellite emoji. He later tweeted in Farsi that sometimes life does not go the way we like it to go. He added: Please do not pay attention to fake news. The launch had been planned amid celebrations ahead of the February anniversary of Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran routinely unveils technological achievements for its armed forces, its space program and its nuclear efforts during this time. Satellite images by Colorado-based Maxar Technologies obtained by The Associated Press showed the launch tower for the rocket bore massive images of the revolutions leader, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and the current Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran had spent just under 2 million euros to build the Zafar 1, Jahromi previously said. Officials planned for the satellite, whose name means victory in Farsi, to remain in orbit for 18 months before crashing back through the Earths atmosphere and disintegrating. Sundays failure came after two failed launches of the Payam and Doosti satellites last year, as well as a launchpad rocket explosion in August. A separate fire at the Imam Khomeini Space Center in February 2019 also killed three researchers, authorities said at the time. The rocket explosion in August drew even the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump, who later tweeted what appeared to be a classified surveillance image of the launch failure. The three failures in a row raised suspicion of outside interference in Irans program, something Trump himself hinted at by tweeting that the U.S. was not involved in the catastrophic accident. Iran postponed the launch from Saturday, the same day the country faced a major cyberattack. The U.S. alleges such satellite launches defy a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iran to undertake no activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. American officials, as well as European nations, worry such launches could help Iran develop intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment and the White House did not immediately acknowledge the launch. Iran, which long has said it does not seek nuclear weapons, maintains its satellite launches and rocket tests do not have a military component. Tehran also says it hasnt violated the U.N. resolution as it only called upon Tehran not to conduct such tests. Western missile experts have also questioned the U.S. contention that Irans program could have a dual use for nuclear weapons. Over the past decade, Iran has sent several short-lived satellites into orbit and in 2013 launched a monkey into space. The launch comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. since Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers in May 2018. Iran since has begun breaking terms of the deal limiting its enrichment of uranium. Meanwhile, a series of attacks across the Persian Gulf culminated with a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad killing Irans Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani and a retaliatory ballistic missile strike by Iran on Iraqi bases housing American troops earlier this month. Iran also accidentally shot down a Ukrainian commercial airliner taking off from Tehran amid the tensions, killing all 176 people on board. Earlier Sunday, Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A 60-year-old US citizen diagnosed with the virus died on Thursday in Wuhan. The death toll from China's coronavirus outbreak soared to 722 on Saturday, including the first foreign victim, as Hong Kong imposed a mandatory quarantine on mainland arrivals to block the spread of an epidemic that has caused global panic. With 86 more people dying in mainland China - the highest one-day jump so far - the toll was closing in on the 774 killed worldwide during the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. A 60-year-old US citizen diagnosed with the virus died on Thursday in Wuhan, the city at the epicentre of the health emergency, according to the US embassy, which did not provide more details about the person. A Japanese man in his 60s with a suspected coronavirus infection also died in hospital in Wuhan, the Japanese foreign ministry said, adding that it was "difficult" to confirm if he had the illness. The only fatalities outside the mainland were a Chinese man in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong. Nearly 35,000 people have been infected by the new strain, which is believed to have emerged in a market selling wild animals in Wuhan last year before spreading across China. The epidemic has prompted the government to lock down cities home to tens of millions of people, as anger mounts over its handling of the crisis, especially after a whistleblowing doctor fell victim to the virus. Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, on a visit to quarantined Wuhan this week, instructed officials to take a "wartime" approach as they implement drastic measures that include combing the city for feverish residents. With panic spiralling around the globe - more than 320 cases have emerged in nearly 30 other countries - researchers were racing to find treatments and a vaccine to fight the virus. Hong Kong began enforcing a two-week quarantine for anyone arriving from mainland China, under threat of both fines and jail terms. Most people will be able to be quarantined at home or in hotels but they will face daily phone calls and spot checks. The financial hub has 25 confirmed cases with one patient who died earlier this week. The city has been on edge as the virus has revived memories of the SARS outbreak that killed 299 in the semi-autonomous city. Hong Kong officials hope the new measures will virtually halt the flow of people across the border while allowing the city to remain stocked with food and goods from the mainland. The SARS epidemic left profound psychological scars and saddled residents with a deep distrust of authorities in Beijing who initially covered up the outbreak. In the last week, Hong Kong has been hit by a wave of panic-buying with supermarket shelves frequently emptied of staple goods such as toilet paper, hand sanitiser, rice and pasta. The government has blamed unfounded rumours of shortages. Other governments around the world have hardened their defences, with several countries banning arrivals from China and advising their citizens to avoid travelling there. Major airlines have suspended flights to and from China. Asian cruise ships have become a focal point as dozens of cases have been confirmed on a vessel off Japan's coast. Sixty-four people aboard the Diamond Princess off Yokohama have tested positive and passengers aboard the cruise ship have been asked to stay inside their cabins to prevent new infections. Another cruise ship carrying a passenger suspected of infection with coronavirus will not be allowed to dock in southern Japan, the government said. In Hong Kong, 3,600 people were confined aboard the World Dream, where eight former passengers have tested positive for the virus. On the mainland, the death Friday of a Wuhan doctor who was reprimanded by police after he had sent messages warning about the virus back in December sparked a rare outpouring of grief and anger on social media. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist who contracted the disease while treating a patient, was eulogised as a "hero" while people on Twitter-like Weibo railed against "fat officials" and demanded "freedom of speech". Videos shared on Weibo showed a small group of people blowing whistles late Friday in front of a floral tribute to Li at Wuhan Central Hospital, where he died. As people across China fumed, the government expressed condolences and ordered an investigation. Wuhan's government will award Li's family 800,000 yuan ($114,000) in compensation covered by "work-related injury insurance", according to the official Xinhua news agency. Researchers, meanwhile, are scrambling to develop a drug to combat the virus. The US health department is working with pharmaceutical firm Regeneron to develop a treatment using a class of drug that has boosted survival rates among Ebola patients. Two weeks ago Chinese doctors confirmed they had been giving anti-HIV drugs to coronavirus patients in Beijing, based on a 2004 study published after the SARS outbreak that showed "favourable" responses. Scientists around the world are also working to develop a vaccine, which experts say could take months. REUTERS Pete Buttigieg is not good at talking about black people. This is not news to Pete Buttigieg, who has spent the last few months promising to do better on addressing issues affecting black folksonly to follow up those declarations with tweets about the "American heartland," the all-purpose signifier for salt-of-the-earth white people. You might think that on the verge of primaries in Nevada and South Carolina, two states with large populations of people of color, Buttigieg, coming off of his success in Iowa, would have been fully prepared on the debate stage Friday night in New Hampshire to discuss issues impacting black and brown communities. He was not. ABC News correspondent and debate moderator Linsey Davis started things off by noting that during Buttigiegs time as mayor, a black resident in South Bend, Indiana was four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white residenta disparity that worsened after he took office. Dems Run Scared from Trumpand Each Other The question could have provided Buttigieg with an opportunity to discuss his firing of South Bends first black police chief, who had recorded white officers using racist language, as well as Buttigiegs subsequent decision not to release those tapes. He could have taken the hit he was going to anyways, and acknowledged the ways in which his leadership had failed to recognize and adequately address structural and institutional racism in South Bend, and then talked about the work he has to dois currently struggling to doon matters of race. Instead, he tried to dodge the question, and, when pressed, suggested that the disparity was somehow connected to black-on-black crime and gang violence. Over marijuana arrests. In South Bend, Indiana. Its ironic that the answer came not long after Buttigieg, discussing the sympathetic treatment of white opiate addicts, noted that same understanding had been denied black victims of the crack epidemic in the 1990s. Ironic because his own answer sounded dated, like something a white politician wouldve said 30 years ago. It was also an especially tone-deaf answer from a candidate who has located his appeal in his youth, and the well of fresh, new ideas that come with it. He did quickly touch on the fact that we need to change in order for us to prevent violence and remove the effects of systemic racism, but it was too little too late. Story continues Buttigieg stood out for how poorly he did in discussing race, a testament to how much better somesomeof the other candidates fared on the topic as that exchange extended into a sustained conversation about issues of race and equity and justice, a long overdue recognition by Democrats that black votes matter. In one of the whitest states in the country, on a stage where six out of seven contenders were whitewith Julian Castro, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris having dropped out, and another white contender, Mike Bloomberg, looming offstagethe candidates spent nearly a third of the debate in what became an extended discussion about historical and contemporary racism and oppression, and how to address those problems now. (After ABC went to a commercial break, which they delayed to keep this conversation going, the candidates moved on to other topics and never returned.) Even a few years ago, racism in housing, criminal justice, health care, and education wouldve never have been discussed in a national forumand reparations for slavery would never have gotten a passing mention. The fact that the candidates spent nearly a third of their time on stage addressing those issues was a step forward. Only Andrew Yang, the sole person of color on the stage, gave an answer that landed as far from the mark as Buttigeig in what became an extended exchange between the candidates over civil rights and their appeals to voters of color. Refuting the idea that laws might be put in place help deal with racial inequities, Yang reverted to his primary talking point of universal basic income as panacea. You can't regulate away racism, Yang stated, before citing the writings of Martin Luther King, stating, he was championing... a guaranteed minimum income for all Americans of $1,000 a month or more that would end up reshaping our economy in communities of color, make it so that black net worth is not 10 percentage of white net worth in this country, which is the most important number of them all. It was an overly simplistic answer, however well-meaning. The racial wealth gap is just one aspect of the vast gulf separating blackness and whiteness in America. Even adjusting for income, there are massive divides in nearly outcome for white and black Americans in health care, life span, maternal mortality and home ownership. Yangs answer revealed a sort of half-baked understanding of how racism and discrimination work in mundane, everyday ways. An additional thousand dollars a month might aid black and brown families in numerous ways, but respectability politics cant fix racism, and UBI requires an additional package of initiatives that specifically address race-based discrimination. I have to give credit to Elizabeth Warrenwho just a day ago took the heat for an exodus of black women staffers from her Nevada campaignfor giving the best line on race of the night: Criminal justice should not be the only time we speak about race, she noted as she gave a nuanced response to the question of how to deal with racial disparities, concluding ultimately that We need to start having race-conscious laws. Housing, for example. I have a great housing plan to build more housing in America. But understand, it was the policy of the United States of America to discriminate against African-Americans and peopleany other people of colorfor buying homes until 1965. You can't just repeal that and say, OK, now everything is even. It's not. We need race conscious laws in education, in employment, in entrepreneurship to make this country a country of opportunity for everyone. Thats an answer only people who are apparently unfamiliar with the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act consider radical. Other candidates offered contributions that were notable for reasons both good and bad. Tom Steyer repeated his support for reparations and Joe Biden proposed that the answer here is to increase blacks to get into the teaching...there's a lot we can do. I've laid it all out. I dont know where to begin or end with that answer, and neither did he. No surprises there. The biggest takeaway? Race will likely become a bigger part of the conversation between the Democrats as the campaigns roll forward into states with far more people of color. That means theyll need to address issues impacting black and brown folks within the larger conversation, not treat their issues as something that can be confined to its own segment. And if Buttigieg wants to keep winning, following his fractional first place win over Bernie Sanders in Iowa, he still has lots of work to do on race, and not much time left to get to it. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Subhash Chandra N S By Express News Service KARWAR: A Karwar youth, who is working as a steward on the cruise liner Diamond Princess, which has been quarantined off the coast of Japan, desperately wants to return home and has sought the help of the Indian government. The cruise was on its way to Singapore and was scheduled to return to China. Abhishek of Padmanabhanagar in Karwar has been working on the cruise for the past six years. The vessel, with 3,700 passengers and crew members on board, was quarantined off a port near Yokohama, Tokyo, after over 50 of its passengers were found to have been affected with the Novel Coronavirus. Although Abhishek is not infected, he and the other unaffected passengers have been restrained from disembarking. Feeling trapped and scared, he contacted his parents back home to seek their help. Abhisheks worried parents Balakrishna Moger and Roopali have sought the help of the district administration to ensure the safe return of their son and submitted a memorandum at the Deputy Commissioners office. Abhishek had contacted us over phone appealing to save him. He does not want to die there, they said. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Japan issued a statement on Saturday saying, Indians onboard the Dream Princess cruise are safe and are getting good treatment. Their health status is being monitored constantly. No info from officials: Father The Indian Government is doing its best to help them and is in constant touch with the Government of Japan. Adequate medical aid, food, refreshments and water have been ensured to those on the cruise, the embassy statement added. Anil K Kaira, an officer at Indian embassy said, As a few cases tested positive for Novel Coronavirus, the ship has been quarantined since February 5 and will continue to remain so till February 20. All the passengers and crew members on board have to follow the health and safety regulations put in place by the Japanese Ministry of Health. However, there has been no response to the appeal by Abhisheks parents. When contacted, Balakrishna said, Barring the Uttara Kannada DC, who has told us not to panic, there has been no communication from any official or the Indian embassy in Japan. Harvard researcher Mutale Nkonde examines technology through the lens of whether it improves peoples lives. She is an expert on how technological systems impact communities of color and shes helped craft bills on deep fakes, biometric surveillance and algorithmic bias that have been introduced to Congress. As part of our ongoing Election 2020 series, we spoke with her about surveillance capitalism, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and whether anyone in the Democratic field stands out to her on privacy issues. The CCPA, signed into law in 2018, empowers California consumers to know when private companies collect, share or sell their data and to stop that sale if necessary. It applies to companies with annual gross revenue of more than $25 million or that possess information on 50,000 or more consumers. Powers: Do you think the U.S. does need to create a law to protect citizens privacy, particularly online or in digital environments? Related: Australian Government Eyes Business Benefits in New National Blockchain Roadmap Nkonde: I really like the California law because its so ambitious. Even if its eventually attacked by that legislature, youre starting from a really strong place. You never want to make something weak initially and then try to make it stronger because thats just not the way corporate lobbyists work. And so I personally really like that law but I definitely would be somebody that advocated for online protections, not just for adults but children too. Children are incredibly vulnerable online and, as the popularity of sites like TikTok explode, you run into situations where they have a pedophile problem, right? You want to be able to protect those vulnerable populations. I think it has to be in the form of a federal privacy law because tech knows no boundaries. So its great that we have the law in California but what happens if I live in Arizona? What happens if my router comes from New Jersey and I live in Pennsylvania and New Jersey has a privacy law and Pennsylvania doesnt? I can see situations like that happening in the future so it needs to be something that is federal and it needs to be something that is crafted by privacy experts and consumer protection experts not dictated by industry. For example, Google has talked about a moratorium on their facial recognition research and development. Which is huge because thats such a big part of what they see as their growth, but theyre not acting in the public interest and nor should they. They are a company and their job is to maximize shareholder value. So I feel like there has to be a different group of actors that look at these questions. Story continues Mutale Nkonde Do you think theres a situation in which companies maneuver to not comply with CCPA? Do you think the law should take a wider approach, because it leaves sectors of the economy untouched (like presidential campaigns)? Nkonde: It doesnt leave wide sectors of that economy untouched, mainly because we have no antitrust enforcement. The small players have been bought up by the larger players, and that has been the history of tech. Because we dont have mom and pop entities, its a nonfactor. But if we successfully pursue ani-trust enforcement, and you then start to see these players that ordinarily sell to Facebook or Amazon, no longer interested in selling, then it becomes dangerous. Now they may not be at the scale covered by CCPA and outside of the regulatory enforcement the law lays out. If antitrust is enacted it might stop small companies selling to the big three because they can be competitive. But then that creates this other problem where they might not have to be compliant. Related: New TRUMP Token Giving 62% Odds of US Presidents Reelection Do you think that antitrust is the best path forward for addressing the data dominance of Facebook and Google, or is it something else? Nkonde: I think antitrust is everything. I think its multipronged. I think we need to enact anti-legislation, because having complete market capture puts this into a situation where Google is giving us our health data as well as telling us how long itll take to get over a common cold as well as helping us charge our credit cards from our phones in public. Thats problematic, and its particularly egregious with Amazon where theyre able to give their businesses preferential listings on their website. And then if they see a company thats selling particularly well, they can just create a direct competitor and then promote their own company over a competitor. So that definitely has to happen. But its not the only way forward. I think that it needs to be in concert with privacy protections, in concert with consumer protections, and a whole framework that redistributes power from Silicon Valley and spreads it across the country. Is there a candidate in the Democratic primary or outside of that who is addressing these issues in a pointed way? Or is the conversation still a little bit disparate, because there are so many issues that were trying to tackle in this election? Nkonde: You have people like Congressman Ro Khanna in San Francisco, but hes working directly with the industry. You have Andrew Yang but, again, he is very industry-friendly, and thinks a universal basic income will clear this up. That way you can keep innovating and people will still have jobs. So I would say there is still a lack of a real person, outside of maybe New York Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. Shes not a national level candidate but shes critical of tech in the interest of regular people. You argue that digital literacy, or the idea of us being the agents of our own data, it leaves people out of this conversation entirely. Can you explain how? Nkonde: It leaves out poor people, people who are often people of color. It leaves women largely out of the conversation, rich and poor, just because were so underrepresented in decision-making in technology. It leaves out people with disabilities, who often dont even have the tools that they require to access online information the way you and I access it. And so when you think about all the groups that it leaves out, theyre actually larger than the people that it includes. Thats why I am so supportive of not just a policy response, but there has to be a way that we also have judges that are going to interpret the laws that we do have in a way thats favorable to the public interest. So were completely relying on the public sector. And in the case of something like California you see it being done beautifully where, ironically, California is home to Silicon Valley, yet in the state that you see the first facial recognition ban and a push for universal privacy. And thats something that I think the rest of the country, that people like you and I who are conversant in this space, should really take a good look at. Related Stories Albany Albany Roman Catholic Diocese Bishop Edward Scharfenberger said Saturday he has placed a priest who retired from active ministry in 2008 on administrative leave following allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in the 1960s and 70s. The Rev. Daniel Maher, 81, served as pastor of Holy Cross (now All Saints), Albany, from 1994 to 2008; pastor of Sacred Heart (now Immaculate Heart of Mary), Watervliet, from 1973 to 1994; associate pastor of St. Francis de Sales, West Albany (now Christ Our Light, Loudonville), from 1966 to 1973; associate pastor of St. Marys, Clinton Heights, from 1965 to 1966, and associate pastor of St. Teresa of Avila (now Mater Christi), Albany, from 1962 to 1965. Maher denies the allegations, according to the statement from the diocese. Scharfenbergers decision came after a preliminary investigation by the Diocesan Review Board, which recommended administrative leave pending the completion of the full investigation. While on leave, Maher is barred from officiating at sacraments, wearing clerical garb, or presenting himself as a priest. Maher, born in Ireland, was ordained there in 1962 and joined the Albany diocese a few months later. Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor were filed against Maher in 2003 and 2005, according to the diocese. The Diocesan Review Board found no reasonable grounds in both cases and Maher remained a priest in good standing, the diocese said. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. But in April 2018, a new allegation came in and it was forwarded to the District Attorney David Soares' Office per diocesan policy. Upon release of the case by the District Attorney's office in November 2019, it went to the Diocesan Review Board, which began its preliminary investigation in December and offered its recommendation for administrative leave by mid-January. The district attorney did not file charges -- the diocese has an agreement to wait to start its own investigation after the DA returns the case to it. In 2005, protestors had demonstrated for 17 Sundays in front of Holy Cross Church on Western Avenue, alleging abuse by Maher. The investigation will continue; when a decision has been reached, Maher will either be returned to ministry or added to the List of Offenders (www.rcda.org/offenders), depending on the findings. In its statement, the Albany diocese urged anyone who as a child was sexually abused by a Catholic priest or deacon to report the matter to a law enforcement agency or to the diocese. To report an incident of abuse or to seek help, contact the dioceses Assistance Coordinator, Frederick Jones, at (518) 453-6646 or by email at assistance.coordinator@rcda.org (Bloomberg Opinion) -- Just when OPEC needs all the agility it can muster in the face of an oil demand shock of uncertain severity and unknown duration, its bogged down in protracted negotiations and a 60-year-old mechanism for deciding output allocations thats far too cumbersome in a time of crisis. The 13 oil-exporting nations in the cartel, and their partners in whats called OPEC+, have to be able to react quickly to the rapidly-changing world around them. Instead, they are locked in a debate over whether they should even meet, and what they should agree on if they do. By the time they get answers to those questions, it may already be too late. A week ago Saudi Arabia, OPECs biggest producer, was pressing for meetings scheduled for March to be brought forward so everyone could agree on deeper output cuts to halt the slide in oil prices triggered by the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China. Russia, the largest of the wider groups non-OPEC members, was pushing back, arguing that more time was needed to assess its impact on oil demand. Since then, the cartels Joint Technical Committee met over three days and put forward a proposal to remove a further 600,000 barrels a day in the second quarter of the year. That proposal is still sitting on the table waiting for action. Russia said it would respond to the suggestion in days, but the world is still waiting. Oil ministers from the combined 23 countries have yet to agree if they will meet before March. As each day passes, there is less point in moving the gathering. But if the group doesnt act soon, it will find the decision taken out of its hands. Having floated the idea of further cuts they now need to deliver. Anything less will likely send prices down again. The thirst for oil in China, the worlds biggest crude importer, is drying up rapidly as the response to the virus outbreak has seen industry shuttered and travel restricted. Data intelligence firm Kpler notes that imports averaged about 8 million barrels a day in the week through Jan. 29, down 27% from the first half of the month. The Lunar New Year holiday may have contributed to that slowdown, but the virus has slashed demand by about 20%, according to people with inside knowledge of the countrys energy industry, and Chinas refiners have cut the amount of crude they are processing by at least 2 million barrels a day. Story continues Consultants have slashed forecasts for oil demand growth for China and for the world as a whole. Energy Aspects now see Chinas demand falling year on year in the current quarter and no increase at all in oil use worldwide. The three big oil forecasting agencies will publish their monthly outlooks this week. Demand projections are sure to be cut. If OPEC+ doesnt agree output cuts, China may force them upon it. Persian Gulf producers are currently taking nominations from buyers for the volumes they want in March. China seems to be pushing the flexibility of its term contracts to the hilt, seeking reduced volumes from all of its main suppliers. The four big Persian Gulf exporters could see requests from China down by 10%. That would cost them more than half a billion dollars a month at current oil prices of about $55 a barrel no wonder theyre in a panic. Their added worry is that there are other forces at work that could drive up the global supply of oil in the coming weeks. More than 1 million barrels a day of shut-in production from Libya could return rapidly if a United Nations conference in Cairo later today brokers a deal that allows the countrys ports to reopen. Meanwhile, OPECs attempt to talk oil prices higher isnt working. In early January, Brent was around $65 a barrel. By the final week of the month it was trading in a range between $58 and $60 a barrel as the group hemmed and hawed about bringing forward the March meeting. Last week, as the OPEC+ technical committee met but the prospect of a ministerial gathering receded, prices took another step down to between $54 and $57 a barrel. If China asks for less oil, or tensions in Libya ease, prices are likely take another tumble next week. The expansion of OPEC into OPEC+ has added a new layer of complexity to the decision-making process while contributing little in the way of real output cuts. Several non-OPEC members, including Mexico and Azerbaijan, are merely dressing up natural output declines as cuts, while others are ignoring their pledges. Russia remains a difficult friend, as my colleague David Fickling notes here. Wider membership is undermining the producer groups ability to respond quickly to crises like the coronavirus. Lets be honest, the only countries that really count in terms of being able to boost supply in times of shortage or being willing and able to cut production in a glut are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and (perhaps) Kuwait. A smaller, more focused group of countries whose actions can have a an immediate impact may serve as a better regulator of oil market balance than an expanding gaggle of small producers who add little but noise. To contact the author of this story: Julian Lee at jlee1627@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Melissa Pozsgay at mpozsgay@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Julian Lee is an oil strategist for Bloomberg. Previously he worked as a senior analyst at the Centre for Global Energy Studies. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at the Ravidas temple in Gorakhpur on Sunday on the occasion of the saint-poet's birth anniversary, a statement issued by the state government here said. "Every person should be inspired by the teachings of Sant Ravidas and imbibe the teachings for the welfare of the country," Adityanath said. He added that the state government was getting hostels built for the students belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The chief minister said his government was continuously working for the all-round development of every section of the society. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bronson Pont died in 2018. He was found slumped in his car and his death was considered to be a drug overdose. His parents believe otherwise. The horror of what happened, its torn us to pieces, Ms Pont said. How do we just forget about it? Its been a year and we havent even got to the point where we can start to grieve. Michael Pont is a former police officer with 12 years experience as a detective. I had confidence in the system to give us as many answers as possible. But we have been left in the cold with unanswered questions, he said. Bronson, who was academically gifted and had a loving upbringing, began dabbling in drugs at boarding school. It was the beginning of a lifelong battle with substance abuse that would flare in times of stress, especially after Bronson suffered a workplace injury in 2015. Bronson had no criminal history and was working as a boilermaker before he died. He shared his Ryde flat with his beloved cats and had been baptised at his new church. He struck up a relationship with Sarah** from rehabilitation. On a December weekend in 2018, the allure of taking the drug ice was too strong to resist for them both. By Monday evening, Sarah was craving another hit. When Bronson refused, they argued, she told police. Bronson took off in his car, leaving her alone outside his flat. Bronson had a big heart and was very loving, Sarah said. He believed in me even though there were times I found it hard to believe in myself. Bronson drove to Mowbray Road in Lane Cove, to a unit block encircled by gum trees and flowering jacarandas. One of the housing commission flats belonged to his friend, Shane King. Mr King told police Bronson had taken methadone and was very happy when he arrived. He said he asked Bronson to wait in the car while he walked to his girlfriends house to retrieve some belongings. The unit block where Bronson Pont's body was found. Credit:James Brickwood Mr King didnt make it home. He was taken into police custody following an argument with his girlfriend, although charges laid against him were dropped. Police officers drove to Mr Kings unit and searched for weapons, seizing two knives. Body camera footage captured Bronsons car in the car park. Mr King said he was dropped home by police at 5.40am and discovered Bronson smashed in the car. Bronson declined to come inside to sleep because he was about to leave now and go back home, Mr King said. Mr King said he awoke at 9.45am and saw Bronsons car still there. About 20 minutes later, he rang triple zero to report Bronson was unresponsive in the drivers seat. He tried resuscitation to no avail. In the following months, Mr King was charged with supplying small quantities of cannabis and methadone to Bronson, including in the hours before his death. Mr King pleaded guilty to the cannabis charge and will return to court next month as he fights the methadone charge. In a recorded interview with detectives, Mr King gave a different version of events about the morning of Bronsons death. He said he was dropped home by police at 7am, not 5.40am. Then you went upstairs? a detective asked. I went straight home, Mr King said. Went to bed and then woke up at 9.30 that ... next morning and then noticed him [Bronson] out the front. Police at the scene determined Bronson died from a drug overdose but could not find a needle. Officers noted a small quantity of blood smeared on Bronsons car, blood on his clothes and a small superficial neck injury. Bronsons bloodstained clothes were not seized. His car was left unlocked with bloodstains on it, in clear view of a public school, Ms Pont said. A police source told the Herald a car would usually be impounded if it was found blood-spattered and with a body inside. The parents of Bronson Pont say they have been "left in the cold" after his mysterious death. Credit:James Brickwood Bronsons father searched exhaustively for the car keys with Mr Kings help, but found nothing. Mr Pont said Mr King rang him shortly afterwards to say he had found the keys under a ledge. The circumstances baffled Bronsons parents. I do not believe the keys could have fallen naturally in this spot, Ms Pont said. Bronson was pedantic about his security, she said. The Ponts also raised concerns over the apparent 20-minute delay in an ambulance being called. When the Ponts visited Glebe morgue, they requested Bronsons neck scratch be forensically examined. It appears that never occurred when the autopsy was performed by a forensic pathologist with more than three decades experience. She concluded Bronson died from methadone and methamphetamine overdose. Coronary artery disease was deemed a contributing factor. She noted abrasions and bruises on Bronsons face, arms and legs, a neck scratch, possible nasal bleeding, an over-inflated right lung and vomit in the throat. Bronsons three tattoos were accurately recorded: stars, a spider web and a dragon. The report identified two further faded tattoos on his left hand and left shin. It was "entirely possible" that drugs played no role in the death of Bronson Pont, an external review of his autopsy said. A Facebook post tribute written by Bronson Pont for his grandfather. Bronson did not have tattoos on his left hand and left shin, according to his parents. The ghost tattoos sowed the seeds of doubt as to whether the family had been given Bronsons ashes. It was almost as bad as the day he died, Ms Pont said. I had the most horrendous nightmares of my son chopped up on the table and people not knowing what body part was what. The Department of Forensic Medicine commissioned an internal review and the coroners office ordered an external review. The internal review found the "bruises" were likely to instead be post-mortem lividity, in which gravity causes blood to settle in the lower body after death. It discounted any suggestion the autopsy was performed on the wrong body. The external review was performed by Professor Johan Duflou, a former director of the Department of Forensic Medicine. Professor Duflou alleged there were a number of errors in the autopsy report, including that Bronsons severe scoliosis should have been recorded if visible. Professor Duflou was unable to identify the two faded tattoos. He concluded that drug overdose with a possible contribution of natural disease was likely and it was reasonably possible this caused Bronsons death. However, it was also entirely possible that drugs played no role in the death on the basis of the toxicology. It is also my opinion that there is no indication that physical force played a role in the death, assuming any such act occurred, Professor Duflou wrote. Professor Duflou rejected the police theory that the neck scratch was a self-injection point, writing it would be a most unusual location of the body for intravenous administration of drugs. He determined the errors were either the result of incomplete, incorrect or misinterpreted information being provided at the early stages of the investigation, or are minor errors during the conduct of the autopsy which do not affect an assessment of the circumstances and cause of death. The comment was described as a "kick in the guts" by the Ponts. The errors are not minor as they all relate to what happened to our son, Mr Pont said, adding it was important to determine if the "faded tattoos" were misinterpreted signs of injury to the body. Ms Pont said it was ridiculous for police to suggest Bronson injected into the left side of his neck given he had no history of doing so and was left-hand dominant. The couple has received a letter written on behalf of Deputy State Coroner Magistrate Elizabeth Ryan, informing them Bronsons death was not suspicious on the balance of probabilities. Magistrate Ryan is satisfied that inflicted violence did not cause or contribute in any way to Mr Ponts death as a result of drug toxicity, the letter says, adding some of the circumstances surrounding Mr Ponts death cannot be explained. Those areas in the evidence which remain uncertain or inconsistent are unlikely to be clarified with further investigation, the letter says. Loading Mr Pont said: My belief is that the circumstances surrounding Bronsons death are suspicious. If the coroner is not responsible for explaining these matters at the inquest, then who is? NSW Police did not respond to a request for comment. Michael Symond, the executive director of NSW Health Pathologys Forensic and Analytical Science Service, said the service extended their sympathies to Bronson's family. "We recognise this has been an incredibly distressing time for them," he said. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) The African Union Peace and Security Council, which met the day before the summit of African Union summit opened in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Sunday, has proposed three concrete measures to be examine immediately to end the fighting in Libya and help end the crisis Thai officials have confirmed that the soldier who killed at least 21 and injured 31 others had been shot dead by the police inside a mall in northeastern Thailand. On Saturday, the shooter, angry over a financial dispute, killed two people and then went on a rampage in northeastern Thailand as he drove to a busy mall, international media reported. The shooter had been 'shot dead' On Sunday morning, Lieutenant General Thanya Kiatsarn, commander of Thailand's 2nd Army Region, reportedly announced that the shooter has been killed bringing an end to nearly 12-hour manhunt. According to Thai Police, the attacker was shot dead around 9 am local time on Sunday. Read: 21 Dead, 31 Hurt In Thai Mass Shooting; Gunman Hides In Mall Read: Thailand Health Minister Says 'kick Out Western Tourists' Not Wearing Masks The standoff began after the shooter started shooting at a military site and then at a shopping mall. Video taken outside the mall showed people diving for cover as shots rang out mid-afternoon Saturday. Many were killed outside the mall, some in cars, others while walking. Defence Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Kongcheep Tantrawanich said, Sgt Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma was responsible for the mass shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima, a hub for Thailands relatively poorer and rural northeastern region. Much of the shooting took place at Terminal 21 Korat, an airport-themed mall filled with colourful Lego sculptures, a merry-go-round and huge replicas of landmarks from around the world. Read: One-eyed Puppy Born In Thailand Is Being Dubbed As 'minion' Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: First Patient Cured In Thailand, Claims Health Minister Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said a doctor was shot while helping an injured person. A police officer also was killed, pushing the death toll to 21, Charnvirakul said. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the mall in small batches by police. We were scared and ran to hide in toilets, said Sumana Jeerawattanasuk, one of those rescued by police. She said seven or eight people hid in the same room as her. I am so glad. I was so scared of getting hurt, she said. Theres something cosmically perverse about the fact that a president whose reading habits, by all accounts, are practically nonexistent has inspired a deluge of about his tenure in the White House. A number of them are elaborate chronicles of bad behaviour, full of double-dealing and palace intrigue. The sources tend to be current or former White House staffers jostling for position and posterity, strategically leaking to journalists in order to cast themselves as noble custodians and their rivals as craven sycophants. Whatever you might learn from the relentless churn of the news cycle, like these suggest theres always more. Unmaking the Presidency, by Susan Hennessey and Benjamin Wittes, isnt just another compendium of insider gossip and bumbling treachery. The authors offer something more sobering, more analytical and, at this point, more revealing. This book situates Trumps tenure in the history of the executive branch, and shows how he is remaking the office itself in his own image. Ms Hennessey and Mr Wittes, who edit the blog Lawfare, argue that Mr Trump is pursuing a vision of the presidency thats all his own. Not that this vision requires much expenditure of effort on the presidents part; Trump, just by being Trump, elevates the expressive and personal dimensions of the office. This is the authors careful way of saying what they eventually conclude: that Mr Trump wants the executive to look more like an absolutist monarchy, with all of the glory and unfettered power that entails. The book isnt the work of bleeding-heart insurgents; the authors are national security pundits, and Ms Wittes is famously a friend and confidant to the former FBI director James Comey. In Unmaking the Presidency, the authors are earnest and methodical and the case they make is scarier for it. Presidents have always chafed at the limits of the executive, and some, as this book shows, have engaged in power-mongering. Richard Nixon and Watergate may be the most obvious and most flagrant example, but the authors offer more, including George Washington making secret land purchases, Ulysses Grant firing a special prosecutor and John F Kennedy appointing his brother Bobby as attorney general. For the most part, though, Ms Hennessey and Mr Wittes characterise earlier presidential overreach as small potatoes compared to the conflagrations of the last three years. What makes the current presidency truly unprecedented, they say, is how Mr Trump combines a seething vindictiveness with a total lack of interest in governing. The traditional presidency indeed, the structure of the Constitution, the authors observe, does not account for the presidents caring about something profoundly dumb. Mr Trumps antics are bound to exact a price in terms of his effectiveness, the authors write. The president behaves so impulsively, and speaks so outrageously, that some of his advisers have taken to removing papers from his desk so that he wont be tempted to act on them. The American public and foreign governments have been taught to disregard most of what he says. Instead of a credibility gap, the president presides over a credibility void. But traditional credibility doesnt matter to him. The authors say that the president is in it for the grand gesture and the cruel optics, like the swift proclamation of his first travel ban, which caused acute suffering but was hacked together so hastily and shoddily that it got tied up in the courts for more than a year. Trump wants to show his supporters, or fans, that hes acting decisively if anything, the pushback he gets from establishment institutions only serves to heighten the drama. Which is why the executive powers Mr Trump brags about the most are those that arent subject to legal wrangling or stringent oversight. Among the many phrases he likes to tweet repeatedly, the authors point to one absolute right as the most telling. I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, he tweeted in 2018. Ever since he discovered his pardoning powers, hes been dangling presidential pardons as incentives, like a lonely birthday boy promising some awesome goody bags. Unmaking the Presidency was going to press when the Ukraine scandal came to light, prompting Ms Hennessey and Mr Wittes to add a postscript explaining how Trumps attempt to pressure a foreign government to investigate his political rival is a grubby distillation of everything they write about in their book. But Mr Trumps brazenness and his insistent assertion of prerogative, the authors write, could teach us something by shining a klieg light on the shadowy corners of executive power. Where other presidents may have worn an uncomfortable mask of hypocrisy, paying lip service to lofty ideals of civic virtue, the current president doesnt even pretend to anything so high-minded. Whatever Trump is, they write, he is not a hypocrite. Trumps mask has been off from the beginning. An impeachment acquittal, this book warns, might give Americans a glimpse of what executive power looks like when the gloves come off, too. 2020 The New York Times News Service A couple of weeks out, Mobile World Congress organizer, the GSMA, has issued some fairly sweeping safeguards over growing concerns around the coronavirus. After a number of high profile back outs, including ZTE, LG, NVIDIA and Ericsson, the company issued a new list, including a ban of visitors originating from the Hubei province, whose capital Wuhan is believed to be the origin of the epidemic. Per GSMA CEO John Hoffman, All travelers from the Hubei province will not be permitted access to the event. All travelers who have been in China will need to demonstrate proof they have been outside of China 14 days prior to the event (passport stamp, health certificate). Temperature screening will be implemented. Attendees will need to self-certify they have not been in contact with anyone infected. More than 800 people have died from the virus, surpassing the 774 people who were killed by SARS circa 2002-2003. Hoffman adds that the organizer will be increasing a disinfectant program around the site and promoting a no handshake policy. As the organization notes, some 5,000-6,000 people from China attend the show each year, accounting for around 5-6 percent of visitors. The GSMA is clearly interested in addressing concerns over the virus while limiting further attendee or exhibitor erosion. The release quotes Catalan health minister Alba Verges, who notes, The Catalan health system is prepared to detect and treat coronavirus, to give the most appropriate response, and this must be clear to those attending MWC Barcelona." Airports are adding passenger screenings and taking other precautions to prevent a new virus from being spread by Chinese tourists going abroad. AP photo Aviation regulator DGCA has said that foreigners, who went to China on or after January 15, will not be allowed to enter India. "Foreigners who have been to China on or after January 15, 2020, are not allowed to enter India from any air, land or seaport including India-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Bangladesh or Indo-Myanmar land borders," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said in a circular. The decision comes when the toll due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus rose to 813 in China on Sunday. The circular, issued on Saturday, also reiterated that all visas as well as e-visas issued to Chinese nationals before February 5 have been suspended with immediate effect. "No Chinese national, as well as other foreigners presently in China, are allowed to travel to India on existing Regular (sticker) visa or e-visa, which they hold (issued prior to Feb 05, 2020). In case of compelling reasons to travel to India, such persons may get in touch with Embassy in Beijing or Consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou for new visas," the circular said. However, the visa restrictions are not applicable to the aircrew, who may either be Chinese nationals or other foreign nationalities coming from China. Amid a rising pneumonia scare caused due to the virus outbreak, Indigo and Air India have temporarily suspended flight operations in and around China. The deaths due to 2019-nCoV a deadly virus that traces its origin in the local seafood market of Wuhan, capital of Hubei province in central China has surpassed the toll from the SARS epidemic of 2002-3. Viral pneumonia caused by the highly contagious and life-threatening virus started in the middle of December and has spread to nearly 23 countries across the globe including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, India, and the United States. Many countries have also restricted their citizens from travelling to mainland China and also set up health camps at airports to screen passengers arriving from the East Asian country in the wake of the pneumonia outbreak. Death toll from the coronavirus jumped to 813 on Sunday, overtaking the number of fatalities of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2002-03. During the SARS outbreak, which also originated in China, 774 people were killed globally over several months. In the past one month, coronavirus had claimed one life each in the Philippines and Hong Kong, with the first death being reported from the outbreak epicentre of Wuhan, capital of the worst-hit Hubei province, on January 11. The virus was first reported in the city in December. In Hubei province alone, the death toll is put at 780 by provincial health officials. The number of infected in China have gone up to 37,198. A total of 2,649 patients infected with the virus were discharged from hospital after recovery by Saturday, the health authorities announced Sunday. Wuhan and more than a dozen other cities in the province have been under lockdown for more than two weeks now, severely restricting the movement of tens of millions of people. In the wake of millions returning to their places of work after Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday this week. The return has so far been staggered as the government extended holidays and directed offices to be shut, or implemented the work-from-home policy in many places. A 60-year-old US citizen, diagnosed with coronavirus, died at Jinyintan Hospital in Chinas Wuhan, a US embassy spokesperson in Beijing told US media. A Japanese man, also in his 60s, died in Wuhan on Saturday after battling severe pneumonia. Though his cause of death is suspected to be NCP, no definitive conclusion has been reached yet, Chinese state media, quoting the Japanese foreign ministry, said. At least 17 foreigners are under quarantine and treatment for the disease in China. More than one lakh retailers across the country will be hit by a three-fold hike in duty, according to toy importers who went on strike on Saturday. In the Union Budget for financial year 2020-21, the government proposed to raise the import duty applicable to toys from 20 per cent to 60 per cent, saying that the step would support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and promote local manufacturing. Protesting against the move, the toy wholesalers of the city went on a one-day strike, contending that the import duty hike will result in the closure of businesses and a spurt in unemployment. "The 200 per cent import duty hike is a rude shock for the toy industry. It cannot be absorbed by the market as it will make the goods unaffordable for the masses." "We seek immediate rollback to the previous rate of 20 per cent. We are protesting with a token one-day shutdown today (Saturday)," West Bengal Exim Association joint secretary Mohit Banthia said. The wholesale market on Canning Street in the city wore a deserted look due to the strike. The toy importers and retailers will attempt to meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her visit to the city on Sunday, Mr Banthia said. The country imports toys worth around Rs 2,500 crore annually, of which 75 per cent are from China, officials said. Of the Rs 2,500 crore worth of imports, Kolkata's share is Rs 130 crore, they added. The Wisconsin Dairy and Beef Well-being Conference will be held Feb. 21 in conjunction with the Wisconsin Cattlemans Association Winter Conference at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. It will feature industry-leading professionals addressing animal well-being topics of concern to Wisconsins dairy and beef industries. This conference promises to offer opportunities for farmers, agriculture professionals, and farm workers. The Chinese Lunar New Year is always supposed to be a special family reunion occasion. However, its bound to be different and difficult this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, which was largely reported a week prior to the Chinese Lunar New Year. What made it more pertinent to me was that the virus originated in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, where I was born and brought up. Decision to go back The news I read in the first place didnt provide sufficient information and made the situation look controllable. As time went on, we received a range of different warnings concerning the disease. Some said that it was similar to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes), a respiratory disease that China had gone through in 2003. It will be controlled soon based on previous experiences that had been successful. Some said that the actual situation in Wuhan was much more severe than the news reported. Its better for people not to go to Wuhan or Hubei now. With various speculations floating in the air, the decision of going back to Hubei was unexpectedly tough. Intellectually, I know its safer in Beijing than in Hubei. However, the uncertainty of the situation made me worry about my family even more. Its hard for me to stay in Beijing alone and wait in anxiety. Finally, I resolved to go back home as planned. A night train Unfortunately, the situation went in a completely opposite direction than most of the people had anticipated. The amount of patients and infected areas were expanding each day, and Hubei was always on top of the list. Where are you travelling to? asked the taxi driver on our way to the railway station. Hubei, I answered him briefly. I heard the situation there is very serious, said the driver. There was a long silence after that as I didnt know how to reply. Almost everyone in the railway station wore a face mask. I became even more uneasy, for I was heading to the province where most people were fleeing from. It was a night train and I had to wear my mask during sleep. The elastic bands made my ears painful due to long wear. However, I dared not remove it since it was my only protection against the virus, even though I had no clue how effective it would be. Considering the massive traffic on the train, every cough and sneeze made me nervous and doubt if that person was a contagious patient. Even though I was spared from the disease temporarily, nevertheless, the suspicion and fear that came along with it tormented me inside, which could be relieved only by prayer. Some afterthoughts The following day after my arrival, 22 patients were reported to be infected in Xiaogan, the city I travelled to is 46 miles apart from Wuhan. Local government blocked the city on that day in case of further infection. I thought to myself that I could be one of the infected patients! What if I am found infected and confront the risk of death? A human being is truly vulnerable and insignificant before disease and death. It made me ponder on death seriously for the first time. The more I think about it, the more I recognize the preciousness of my life and every breath that I take. As a creature, there are tons of things that I have no idea of, among which is when will my life be taken away. There is no doubt that God is the only One who knows the answer. What is left for me is the responsibility to live. To follow Jesus example and lead a life that counts for Him. May Gods mercy be with China and rescue this land from the disease soon. May God humble China as a whole and produce fruit in keeping with repentance. May Gods people continually witness His glory in such situations and live out the most for Christ. Delhi Polices Cyber Crime Branch has sent a notice to Harish Gahlot, brother of a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, to join the investigation on February 10, Monday, in connection with the recovery of 58 cartons of liquor in Najafgarh on February 7, a day before Delhi assembly elections, said news agency ANI. The Crime Branch had arrested two people and seized cartons of illegal liquor stored in a truck from their possession in the Najafgarh area on Friday. A senior Delhi Police officer had announced the recovery of a total of 99,210 litres of illicit liquor along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition and drugs on Friday. We have seized 99,210-litres illicit liquor and 774 kg drugs, and 504 illegal arms and 730 ammunitions; 7458 licensed weapons deposited, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Sharat Kumar Sinha had said. The value of the total haul made till January 30 was Rs 45.16 crores since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force on January 6, poll officials had claimed. This includes over Rs 7 crores in cash, more than 1 crore worth liquor, over Rs 5 crores worth drugs and narcotics, more than Rs 28 crores worth precious metals, and over Rs 1.70 crore of other items and freebies during the period, read a statement from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The CEOs office also said that 323 FIRs were registered under the Arms Act and 347 people have been arrested. San Antonio residents have one more chance to speak about the citys homeless issue, whether it is to report a problem or offer a solution. The final public forum on homelessness will be Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 101 of Palo Alto Colleges Ozuna Library, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. Over the past two weeks, HomeBase, a California company hired by the City Council to create a Homeless Strategic Plan, has hosted four public forums on homelessness, asking residents for input, concerns and experiences with the issue in San Antonio. On ExpressNews.com: Encampments among topics tackled in third public forum on homelessness in San Antonio If we dont know whats not working, then how are we going to address it? Morjoriee White, the homeless administrator for the citys Department of Human Services, said at one of the forums. The city has seen a growing need to reformat its outdated homelessness plan, which was created in 2005. During the 2019 Point-in-Time Count, conducted on a single night in January by the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, the homeless population was tallied at 2,872 people. The count this year took place Jan. 23. Results are pending. Although in 2019 the overall homeless population decreased slightly, by 6 percent from 2018, it also revealed that the number of homeless families increased by 18 percent. There also has been an increase in the amount of complaints about homeless encampments. Since 2017, nearly 500 encampments have been cleared by the city at a cost of more than $1.7 million. On ExpressNews.com: The worst its been clearing San Antonio homeless encampments no easy task Patrick Wigmore, the deputy managing director of HomeBase, said encampments are one of the main concerns brought up by residents at the forums. Wigmore said HomeBase also has heard from residents who are appreciative to hear the current work occurring by programs across San Antonio. He said officials also were able to share the complexity of ending homelessness. HomeBase is using feedback gathered at the forums as part of its research in developing the Homeless Strategic Plan. More than 200 people have attended the forums. HomeBase also has conducted fieldwork, talked with stakeholders, learned about programs, gone to shelters and met with city and Bexar County officials. HomeBase staffers have been visiting in San Antonio since November. That strategic plan is expected to be presented to the City Council in April. sara.cline@express-news.net Bhubaneswar, Feb 9 : At least nine people were electrocuted to death and about 25 were injured on Sunday when a bus caught fire after coming in contact with an overhead power transmission line in Odisha''s Ganjam district on Sunday, police said. The accident took place near Nandarajpur under the Golanthara police limits of Ganjam district. Expressing his condolences over the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased. He also announced free medical treatment to the injured, said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The passengers were on their way to attend an engagement ceremony when the bus came in contact with an 11 KV power transmission line. Berhampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Pinak Mishra said the injured have been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. Five of the injured were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Transport Minister Padmanabh Behera said that an inquiry would be conducted into the incident and action would be taken accordingly. Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi condoled the deaths in the mishap. Pradhan also sought a thorough probe into the tragedy. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. IANS cd/bc The family of a Sunbury grandfather shot outside his home in the early hours of Saturday morning say they fear for their safety with a masked gunman and his accomplice still on the run. Sunbury kebab shop owner Yusuf Kucukbas, 56, was shot in the leg as he returned home from a family friends wedding just after 1am. On Sunday morning, his son-in-law, who also lives at the Belleview Drive home but did not want to give his name, said the family was shaken and frightened that the gunman was still after his father-in-law. Sunbury kebab shop owner Yusef Kucukbas. Credit:Suppled The man was home on Saturday morning when he heard the gunshots. By Trend Launching of Irans Zafar satellite into space has been postponed, Murtaza Barari, Chairman of Iranian Space Agency (ISA) said in an interview to Irans Fars News Agency, Trend reports. The reason of postponing is the proceeding with caution and avoiding any undue haste. There is no any problem for positioning of Zafar satellite at an orbital distance of 530 kilometers, Barari said. Zafar satellite has been tested by Iranian experts over the past 4 months. On February 3, Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, announced that the Zafar satellite will be sent to space this week. In addition, less than 2 million euro was spent on the manufacturing of Zafar 1 and Zafar 2 satellites. The cost of the satellite is more than 10 million euro. The average life of the satellite is 2.5 years. The weight of the Iranian Zafar satellite is 113 kilogram. The launching of satellite into space is aimed at updating maps, as there are changes at Iran's oil reserves, agriculture, forests and lakes. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during the III Hemispheric Ministerial Conference of Fight Against Terrorism, in Bogota on Jan. 20, 2020. (Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images) Pompeo Warns US Governors About Chinese Influence At a meeting of governors of U.S. states and territories, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned about Chinas influence seeping into local politics. Its [China] assessed our vulnerabilities, and its decided to exploit our freedoms to gain advantage over us at the federal level, the state level, and the local level, Pompeo said during a Feb. 8 speech at the National Governors Association meeting held in Washington. Competition with China is not just a federal issue, Pompeo said. Its happening in your states, with consequences for our foreign policy. Among several examples he gave of such efforts by Beijing, Chinas Consul General in New York City sent a letter last month to the speaker of the legislature in an unnamed state. Quoting from the letter, Pompeo said the Chinese diplomat urged U.S. officials to avoid engaging in any official contact with Taiwan, such as sending congratulatory messages to the electeds or inviting officials in Taiwan to visit the United States. Pompeo said the letter illustrated a Chinese diplomat suggesting that an elected U.S. official shouldnt exercise his right to freedom of speech. China considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be united with the mainland, with military force if necessary. In order to diminish Taiwans standing as a sovereign state, Beijing has criticized foreign governments for being friendly with Taiwanese government officials, and has blocked the island from joining international organizations such as the World Health Organization. The United States, meanwhile, is Taiwans chief ally. After President Tsai Ing-wen won reelection in a landslide victory in January, Pompeo and dozens of U.S. lawmakers sent congratulatory messages. Taiwans Vice President-elect William Lai visited the United States from Feb. 3 to 8; he took part in the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Feb. 6. Pompeo also said a Chinese regime-backed think tank in Beijing produced an assessment report last year, ranking U.S. governors as friendly, hardline, or ambiguous in terms of their attitudes toward China. He urged state officials to be on their guard: Competition with China is happening inside of your state, and it affects our capacity to perform Americas vital national security functions. As an example, Pompeo pointed out that the Florida Retirement System, one of the largest public pension funds in the United States, is a major investor of Hikvision, a Chinese manufacturer of surveillance equipment that supplies gear to Chinese authorities in Xinjiang for monitoring Muslim minorities. In addition, Californias pension funds have invested in companies that supply Chinas military, according to Pompeo, though he didnt identify the firms. In October 2018, the U.S. government blacklisted 20 Chinese public security bureaus and eight Chinese companiesincluding Hikvisionfor contributing to human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Following the blacklist, a spokesperson with Florida Retirement System told Reuters that it was working with external money managers to meet all regulatory requirements. Pompeo also warned governors about the Chinese regimes efforts to influence the U.S. education system. Chinese Communist Party officials, too, are cultivating relationships with county school board members and local politiciansoften through what are known as sister cities programs, Pompeo said. A number of major American cities, such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and Washington have such partnership programs with Chinese cities. China has established Confucius Institutes at U.S. colleges, in addition to 519 Confucius Classrooms set up at U.S. schools ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade. In recent months, following U.S. officials warnings that such institutes engage in academic censorship, many colleges have shut the Confucius Institutes. Schools in 25 states are in the process or already have halted these programs after conducting internal reviews, Pompeo said. Dont lose sight of the competition from China thats already present in your state. Lets all rise to the occasion and protect our security, our economy; indeed, all that we hold dear, all of those freedoms, he concluded. BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday accused Congress and BJP leaders of never honouring saint-poet Ravidas during their tenure and indulging in "theatrics" now by visiting temples to realise their vested interests. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's remarks come on a day when Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi is in Varanasi to offer prayers to Guru Ravidas on the occasion of his birth anniversary. "Congress, BJP and other parties did not give any respect or honour to Sant Guru Ravidas during their tenure. But, after being out of power, they are indulging in various theatrics to realise their vested interests by visiting temples and other places," Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi. In another tweet, she said, "The BSP, on the other hand, has been the only party, which during its government, gave respect to him at various levels, which the opposition parties are trying to put an end to. This is highly condemnable." Ravidas Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, is being celebrated across the country on Sunday. Guru Ravidas was a 14th-century saint and founder of the Bhakti movement in North India. Lakhs of people converge at Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir in Varanasi to celebrate his anniversary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: The parliamentary elections are held transparently and at a high level in Azerbaijan, Member of the CIS observation mission, First Deputy Chairman of the Oliy Majlis (Senate) of Uzbekistan Sodik Safayev told reporters. Safayev is monitoring the election process at the second polling station in the 29th Sabail constituency, Trend reports on Feb. 9. All conditions have been created for voting at the polling stations, Safayev added. "Members of the observation mission will be at the polling stations throughout the day. The parliamentary elections are an important event in the life of the country and people are participating in the voting process very actively." The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Gattellari received more jail time after a jury found him guilty of trying to extort money from Medich, using the services of now-convicted murderers Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara. He still protests his innocence in this matter. In October 2010, 13 months after McGurk was shot in front of his nine-year-old-son, police arrested Gattellari, his sidekick Senad Kaminic, as well as the two men responsible for the actual shooting: Haissam Safetli, then 45, and his 19-year-old accomplice Christopher Estephan. Millionaire property developer Ron Medich was found guilty of the murder of Michael McGurk in 2018. Credit:AAP Other corrupt activities Gattellari conducted for Medich included a string of insurance frauds. Medich and racing partner Samba paid $350,000 for a horse that turned out to be a dud. Gattellari organised for a trainer at Warwick Farm to make up glowing reports about the horses potential. It then had an accident at a spelling farm and was taken to an equine centre where it was eventually put down. Samba was not happy about $25,000 in vet bills prior to the horse being euthanised. The horse shouldve been f--king killed to start with, Samba complained. Next time, why dont you do it yourself Les, youre so bloody smart, said Gattellari. As well as organising to get rid of a Mercedes-Benz so that Medich and Gattellaris company could make an insurance claim, Gattellari also claims that he conspired with Medich to arrange the theft of more than $300,000 worth of wine from Medichs house. Medich received a hefty insurance payout. Trainer Les Samba was fatally shot in Melbourne's Middle Park in February 2011. And if they hadnt been busted for the murder, Medichs million-dollar boat would probably have gone up next, said Gattellari. These matters were included in the lengthy statement he gave to police. I think they wanted him for murder, I dont think they were interested in anything else, he said. Gattellari also explained to police that Medich was involved in laundering money for Samba, who had significant underworld connections. Les would bring in the cash and Ron would do the cleaning for him, he said. Samba had serious drug charges against him dropped and was then investigated by the National Crime Authority over $1.2 million in unexplained income. In 2002, Samba declared bankruptcy rather than pay tax on the disputed income. At Medichs trial it was revealed that Samba had provided Medich with the cash used to pay Safetli for the McGurk murder. Samba was shot dead in Melbourne on the night of February 27, 2011. His murder remains unsolved. Before his death, Samba was an extremely worried man. Gattellari said Samba had hidden $4 million in cash in the safe of a Victorian underworld figure. The money had been seized by police and Samba was desperate to get it back as the money wasnt his. He said that Samba flew to Sydney to see if he could find someone who could claim the money was theirs. Gattellari said that Medich couldnt do it because he was already in a shitfight with his wife, Odetta, about money. Gattellari was about to provide an associate to claim the money when Samba mentioned there was a small hitch - there were also drugs found in the safe. Samba never did get the money back. Gattellari is still furious that he received a longer sentence than Safetli, who received $300,000 in cash for the murder and another $100,000 for the intimidation of the victims widow, Kimberley McGurk. Haissam Safetli was arrested in 2010 for his role in the murder of Michael McGurk. Credit:Vanda Carson He got six months less jail time than me, and this was the guy that did the actual shooting, he fumed. Not only did Safetli shoot McGurk in front of his son, he received a lesser sentence after nominating the teenager as the killer. Safetlis brother Bassam didnt do any jail time at all. Bassam was the brains between the two brothers. Haissam was an imbecile, a loud-mouthed narcissist who wanted the world to think he was something. Bass was calm, cool and collected. There would have been no murder without him. What did he get? A six-month suspended sentence! Gattellari was set to give evidence at Bassam's trial when he pleaded guilty. When Gattellari heard the younger Safetli would not do jail time, he was incensed. Honest to god, if I had any faith in justice it went right down the toilet. Bassam Safelti pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to murder. Credit:Ben Rushton Gattellari says jail is a living hell especially as a Crown witness, where you are locked in your cell for up to 22 hours a day. For nine years he didnt see a tree. While most of the prison officers were decent people, Gattellari named one corrupt officer who was enabling contraband to be smuggled in to favoured prisoners. There was a black market trade in all manner of things including the sale of methadone. Some addicts on the methadone program would take the medication, spew it up, catch it in a container and sell it on to someone else, he said. Gattellari wants more done to rehabilitate criminals. Unless they were in for violent crimes, Gattellari said young first offenders should only have six-month sentences because those first months are the worst and you never want to go back to jail. After six months, they get twisted, they get torn, they get bent and they become criminals because of where they are. He also wanted the opportunity to apologise to Kimberley McGurk and her family. I'm totally and completely sorry for my involvement in the whole sordid affair. He said Michael McGurk could have been the worst bloke in the world but he had a mother, he had a wife, and he had children and those are the people I hurt most. Kimberley McGurk, wife of murdered Michael McGurk, leaves a Sydney court during the murder trial of Ron Medich in 2017. Credit:Daniel Munoz As for Medich, who wasnt jailed until 2018, Gattellari penned a letter to his former friend while stewing in jail in 2012. Iraq PM-designate must form independent cabinet or face 'hell': cleric advisor Baghdad, Feb 9 (AFP) Feb 09, 2020 Iraq's incoming prime minister will face "hell" and be removed within days if he includes members of the political elite in his cabinet, a top aide to cleric Moqtada Sadr has warned. Premier-designate Mohammad Allawi has until March 2 to form a new cabinet, to be put to the protest-rocked country's parliament for a vote of confidence. Thousands of anti-government demonstrators have already rejected his nomination as prime minister. Sadr, a former militia leader with millions of devoted followers across the country, first backed the rallies but split with the movement by endorsing Allawi last week. Kadhem Issawi, a senior advisor to Sadr, insisted the new cabinet must not include members of the political elite -- particularly Shiite military groups like the powerful Hashed al-Shaabi network, which rivals Sadr. "If Sayyed (Lord) Moqtada hears that Allawi has granted a ministry to any side, specifically the Shiite armed factions, Iraq will turn into hell for him and will topple him in just three days," Issawi told a gathering including an AFP journalist late Saturday. Sadr even rejected the appointment of members of his own movement to the government, Issawi said. He said Sadr's supporters would be willing to encircle Baghdad's Green Zone, the high-security enclave housing government offices and foreign embassies, to ensure a non-partisan cabinet gets a vote of confidence. Sadr has a long-standing rivalry with the Hashed, formed to fight the Islamic State group in 2014, as many of its members defected from his own movement. In 2018, the cleric's Saeroon parliamentary bloc joined forces with the Hashed's political arm Fatah to form a shaky alliance that brought Adel Abdel Mahdi to the premiership. But the partnership frayed, and two months after popular protests demanding government change erupted in October, Abdel Mahdi stepped down. On February 1, Iraq's bitterly divided political parties named Allawi as a successor but in private, government and security sources have expressed scepticism he will get his cabinet through the deeply-divided parliament. Sadr immediately endorsed Allawi's nomination as a "good step" but Issawi appeared to soften Sadrist support. "We haven't adopted Allawi. We just said we wouldn't veto him," he said. Sadr has faced growing criticism by young anti-government demonstrators for a dizzying series of tweets recently in which he backed, then abandoned, then re-endorsed protests. The cleric's supporters, usually identified in protest squares by their blue caps, have raided rival demonstrators and the ensuing violence has left eight anti-government activists dead over the last week. Issawi said Sadr still backed the rallies but alleged that drug use and other "moral" problems had tainted them. "We're against the protests being cleared out. We support their continuation but think they should be cleaned," he said. Issawi also laid down another red line: Sadr himself, who has a cult-like following in parts of Iraq. "They want to insult the symbolism and holiness of Sayyed Moqtada? Impossible," Issawi said. The aviation regulator - Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on Sunday, issued a statement saying that the foreigners, who went to China on or after January 15, will not be allowed to enter India. This came after the death toll for the coronavirus outbreak cases increased to 813 in China. The circular, issued on Saturday, also reiterated that all visas, as well as e-visas issued to Chinese nationals before February 5, have been suspended with immediate effect. DGCAs statement on foreign nationals "Foreigners who have been to China on or after January 15, 2020, are not allowed to enter India from any air, land or seaport including India-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Bangladesh or Indo-Myanmar land borders," the DGCA said in a circular. Read: After DGCA notice for FDTL violations, GoAir conducting daily audit of pilots' roster: Puri "No Chinese national, as well as other foreigners presently in China, are allowed to travel to India on existing Regular (sticker) visa or e-visa, which they hold (issued prior to Feb 05, 2020). In case of compelling reasons to travel to India, such persons may get in touch with Embassy in Beijing or Consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou for new visas," the circular said. Read: Coronavirus: DGCA restricts entry of foreigners in India who visited China post-Jan 14 Restrictions not applicable to aircrew The DGCA further states that the restrictions mentioned in the statement are not applicable to the aircrew. The aircrew members could either be Chinese nationals or other foreign nationalities coming from China. The airlines, Indigo and Air India have also suspended their operations, temporarily in and around China. This comes amidst the rising pneumonia scare caused due to the virus outbreak. Read: Coronavirus: DGCA suspends pre-flight alcohol test at Kerala airports The death toll for n-Coronavirus has surpassed the tolls from the SARS epidemic of 2002-03. The origin of the virus has been linked to the local seafood market of Wuhan, which is the capital of Hubei province in central China. The virus outbreak began in the middle of December and it has spread to nearly 23 countries. Few of the countries currently affected by the virus include Singapore, Thailand, Japan, India, and the United States. Amidst the scare, many countries have restricted their citizens from travelling to mainland China. Few countries have also set up health camps at airports to screen the passengers arriving from the East Asian countries. Read: DGCA issues advisory to airlines for implementation of 'Vishaka Guidelines' Biden said last year that while he made a bad judgment in voting for the war resolution, he opposed the effort as soon as Bush launched the invasion, and I was outspoken as much as anyone at all in the Congress and the administration. Blinken later told The Posts Fact Checker that Biden misspoke by saying that he declared his opposition to the war immediately. https://www.aish.com/f/p/Jewish-Summer-Camps-Incredible-Lasting-Impact.html Sending kids to Jewish summer camp fosters a love of being Jewish throughout their lives. Judaism is caught, not taught at Jewish summer camp." Thats how Rivkie Cherrick, the Assistant Director of Camp Nageela, a Jewish summer camp in Ingleside, Illinois, describes the magical experience of Jewish summer camp. "Surrounded by Jewish peers, campers experience Jewish moments - Shabbat, prayer, songs and most importantly Jewish community. For many campers, Jewish summer camps offer kids their single most intensive opportunity to experience Jewish life. We all understand that kids today seem to be busier than ever before. This creates challenges for Jewish life: as much as many of us would like to prioritize Jewish holiday and social celebrations, for many of us, all too often hectic schedules during the school year get in the way. I want to celebrate Shabbat dinner each week, a friend recently explained to me, but my kids schedules are jam-packed and there just doesnt seem to be any time. For many kids Jewish camp is the one and only time that they are in a fully immersive Jewish experience. Jewish summer camp is a powerful antidote to the sidelining of Jewish life during our kids busy school year. It's the one time all year when Jewish rituals and the rhythm of Jewish life can envelop our kids, without competing with a host of other priorities. Most campers attend public school. So Jewish camp is the one and only time that they are in a fully immersive Jewish experience, Rivkie explains. Finding Jewish friends teaches kids that its normal to be Jewish and to live a Jewish lifestyle. For some campers, the Jewish community at camp evolves into a lifelong group of friends. Author Rachel Mann met her husband at Jewish camp, and has many friends who met their spouses at Jewish summer camp as well. While she grew up in a strongly Jewish identified home, Rachel credits Jewish camp with offering her a vision of a different kind of Judaism, one where she could see herself helping to build her community. Camp offers a joyous, living Judaism that makes Jewish ritual feel current and relevant to young people. (Rachel was so influenced by her years at Jewish summer camp that in 2016 she wrote the novel On Blackberry Hill, about a Jewish girl who connects with her late mother through attending the same Jewish camp that she did. Her touching tale won the 2016 National Jewish Book Award for Young Adult Literature.) Jen Koplow, Assistant Director of Camp Moshava, a Jewish overnight camp in Wild Rose, Wisconsin, echoes the power of living Jewish life in camp. At Moshava Wild Rose...our informal Jewish education is interwoven into everything we do. From night activities to theme days, our kids connect to their Judaism in a very different way than during the school year. For Jewish kids who dont live in Jewish areas, attending summer camp can provide their first taste of what its like to live in a more Jewish environment. Sarah Wolfinsohn Gryka, a Chicago-area math teacher, recalls that Jewish summer camp changed her life by showing her what life in a Jewish community looked like. Jewish summer camp helped implant a love of Shabbat and created a place where I, as a Jew in public school in a very Christian town, belonged. Camp created a strong Jewish foundation that helped me identify as a Jew and be proud to be Jewish. Sending our kids to Jewish summer camp is often the single greatest gift we can give our kids to ensure their commitment to Jewish life. Kira Sirote, a software engineer and religious scholar living in Israel, grew up in the Soviet Union and had never experienced Jewish life before she went away to Jewish summer camp in the United States. That was my first full Shabbos, she recalls now, decades later. After four weeks of camp, I decided this was how I want to raise my children. I was eleven years old. And the song we sang at camp on Friday night, Good Shabbos, Good Shabbos', my granddaughter sings that now. According to numerous academic studies, sending our kids to Jewish summer camp (and other Jewish summer programs) is often the single greatest gift we can give our kids to ensure their commitment to Jewish life. Jewish adults who attended Jewish summer camp as a child are whopping 55% more likely today to feel very emotionally attached to Israel, compared with their Jewish peers who did not attend Jewish summer camp. Jewish adults who went to Jewish camp are 37% more likely than their non-camp-attending peers to light Shabbat candles regularly. Jewish adults who attended Jewish camp are 45% more likely to attend synagogue at least once a month, and are 30% more likely to have donated to their local Jewish Federation within the past year. Jews with Jewish camp experience are more than a quarter more likely to belong to a synagogue, and 31% more likely to say they feel pride in being Jewish. Given all these benefits of choosing Jewish camp for our kids, you might think that most Jewish families would choose Jewish camp. After all, with all the concerns about the crisis in Jewish continuity and the sky-high intermarriage rate, heres one simple action we can take to help instill a strong Jewish identity and love in our kids. Yet only a tiny minority of Jewish families choose Jewish summer camp: about 10% of American Jews. Its time to re-think that figure. Increasingly, a number of initiatives aim to help families make Jewish summer camp a reality, aiding with the cost of summer camp. One example is the Foundation for Jewish Camp One Happy Camper initiative, which helps families defray the cost of Jewish summer camp. By sending our kids to a Jewish camp, we can equip them with the tools to build Jewish communities for themselves and prepare them for a lifetime of stronger identification with and love of Jewish life. Hyderabad: The Centres recent move to amend the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objec-tionable Advertisements Act, 1954), to control wrongful advertising of products claiming medicinal or/and cosmetic outcomes by imposing fines of up to Rs 50 lakh (as well as jail terms of up to five years), has been welcomed across the city. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry proposed a draft amendment to the Remedies Act, against magic remedies and drugs promoting fair skin, preventing premature ageing and graying, and increasing brain capacity among others. In the draft Bill, advertisements of medicines and products purported to cure any of the 78 diseases or disorders, listed under the Act will be prohibited. Beauty product companies seek endorsement by movie stars or beauty queens and create a false sense of beauty. Manipulation and misinformation is everywhere even health products are not spared, said medical practitioner Murli K. Basically most South Indians have dark skin and dark hair. These traits or features are a product of a complex mix of genetic, nutritional and other environmental factors. There is no single gene that determines a persons height or the colour and texture of his or her skin and hair. Dr S.R. Sukumar, a skincare specialist, warned of adverse effects of using fairness and other dubious skin care products. These products have steroids which cause more harm than good. Prolonged usage can cause skin atrophy (death of skin). The companies are exploiting gullible people, and most people fall prey to these advertisements. This is a good move by the government. This Act will stop the misguiding of the general public. The Ministry said the amendment is being made in order to keep pace with changing times and technology. It has been decided to solicit suggestions/comments/objections from the public/ stakeholders with regard to the draft Bill. They may be forwarded within 45 days from the issue of this notice. Panaji: Opposing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) didn`t mean opposing Hinduism, said Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary, on Sunday. "Hindu is not the BJP, and to oppose the BJP is not opposing Hindu. That`s mere politics. The BJP should not be confused with the idea of Hindu," Joshi said responding to a question if Hindus were emerging as enemies of Hindus in the current environment in the country. Addressing a two-day conference `Vishwaguru Bharat - an RSS perspective` near Panaji, Joshi also said without Hindutva the country would be just yet another piece of land. Contrary to the popular refrain that India "would be" a Hindu rashtra (nation) in the years to come, Joshi said he believed the country was a Hindu rashtra and the RSS was there to strengthen it everyday. Stating that Hindutva is integral to the identity of India, Joshi, during a question-answer session that followed his address, said, "If Hindutva is removed then only a piece of land will remain. It`s Hindutva that makes this a Hindu rashtra." Commenting on the conversion of Hindus to other religious faiths in the country, the senior RSS leader said perhaps the time had come to make conversion a "punishable offence". Stating that the RSS is open to people of all religions who want to work for Hindus and for Bharat, he said, "Anyone who wants to work for Hindus, for Bharat, is welcome. We promise him/her a respected place. But no different status or place will be offered." Joshi also said there was a need for better awareness about the Constitution and that citizens be made aware of both their rights and as well as duties. "India will not grow as a nation if its citizens are informed of rights under the Constitution alone. Citizens will also need to inculcate and be made aware of their responsibilities," he said. An important and ongoing priority for Baystate Health is preparing for the future healthcare needs of the communities we serve and beyond. One of the biggest challenges we face is the growing shortage of nurses and physicians. There are multiple initiatives, both state-wide and within our organization that have been developed to address these shortages. For example, secretary Rosalin Acosta, of the state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, and I co-chair the Massachusetts Healthcare Collaborative, commissioned by the governor. Our work is to mitigate the economic impact of an anticipated shortage of 40,000 healthcare workers in the state over the next five years. Our focus is on workforce development programs for nursing, mental health workers and home health aides. At Baystate Health we have been anticipating these challenges and have implemented programs locally to help address them. As long ago as 2006, Baystate Health recognized the opportunity for local students to learn about healthcare careers. One of our oldest and perhaps most impactful programs is the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership. Student-centered, this partnership provides educational enrichment and medical experiences for high school students, primarily from the Springfield Public Schools, to encourage an interest in academic paths in the healthcare field. The program provides hospital-based learning including observation experiences as well as work-based learning to help them prepare for potential internship or employment opportunities. As students progress through the program, they receive more individualized attention and their participation is tailored to their interests. Not only does the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership present career options, it also assists with the pursuit of those options. A good number of the students become first-generation college graduates and go on to advanced education and careers. Over 115 of the partnerships students have been employed by Baystate. A secondary benefit to the program, but no less important, is the partnership provides opportunities for our employees to mentor students and positively impact the future of young people in our community. In 2019, the Baystate Springfield Educational Partnership program continued its annual tradition of awarding 17 former participants $25,000 in scholarships to support their pursuit of undergraduate and graduate education, bringing the total Baystate scholarships awarded to date to more than $695,000. This program is an investment in our community. It fosters an environment of mentoring and empowerment that prepares the youth in our communities for a career in healthcare and higher education. Two of our newest initiatives include being the western campus of UMass Medical School known as UMMS-Baystate overseeing the Population-Based Urban & Rural Community Health (PURCH) track, as well as an apprenticeship program under the auspices of the state Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Baystate Healths apprenticeship programs provide 150 hours of technical instruction and at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning. Many of Baystates apprenticeships are competency based; participants must demonstrate required skills to advance. Participants are paid while learning and begin productively contributing almost immediately. As a registered apprentice, participants receive a credential for completing the apprenticeship just as they would in a traditional trade. Three programs are currently offered (technical training for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, pharmacy and sleep studies), and they have 17 apprentices currently participating. The pharmacy and sleep studies programs have the distinction of being the first healthcare competency-based apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts. Additionally, two new programs are being implemented one for medical interpreters and one for cardiac monitor technicians. The UMMS-Baystate PURCH track, with a special educational and experiential focus on healthcare disparities and population health, welcomed its inaugural class in 2017. The track augments the traditional MD curriculum emphasizing population health, patient-centered, community-based care and innovative, immersive learning experiences. Students learn about health issues common to our urban and rural populations and come to understand the complex interwoven social and environmental factors that affect them. The majority of students are Massachusetts natives and the hope is these clinicians will remain in the commonwealth for their advanced training and practice. Student feedback from the program has been overwhelmingly positive. All of these programs help individuals pursue healthcare careers, while filling the pool of local healthcare talent with young and diverse candidates. Many of the students who participate in job mentoring, job training and educational programs at Baystate Health either stay with the organization, go on to advanced training, or return after completing further education. The relationships these students build with our highly engaged staff incent them to return to Baystate after pursuing additional education, and they often stay with the institution for the preponderance of their career. Dr. Mark A. Keroack is president and CEO of Baystate Health. To learn more about Baystate Health, its services and programs, go online to baystatehealth.org. Proscribed 122mm artillery systems and 120mm mortars were used. De-escalation has been reported in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, as Russia-led troops mounted three attacks on Ukrainian army positions on Saturday, February 8. The enemy used proscribed 122mm artillery systems and 120mm mortars along with grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns, and other types of weapons, to shell Ukrainian Joint Forces' positions, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on Sunday, February 9. Read alsoOSCE SMM: Recent developments in eastern Ukraine positive, but full implementation of ceasefire required Since Sunday midnight, Russia's hybrid military forces have already fired ten 82mm mortars to attack Ukrainian defenders of the village of Lebedynske. No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported since Saturday morning. As UNIAN reported earlier, the JFO HQ reported six attacks in Donbas on February 7. KABUL Two U.S. soldiers were killed and six wounded in an insider attack in eastern Afghanistans Nangarhar province late Saturday when an Afghan dressed in an army uniform opened fire, the U.S. military said. Afghanistans defense ministry said one Afghan soldier was also killed in the assault. A member of Nangarhars provincial council, Ajmal Omer, told the Associated Press that the gunman was killed. There have been numerous attacks by Afghan national army soldiers on their allied partners during 18 years of Americas protracted war in Afghanistan. Six U.S. service members have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of 2020, including the two who died Saturday Sgt. Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, and Sgt. Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28. Last year, 22 U.S. service personnel died in combat. An Afghan defense ministry official, who requested anonymity, said the shooter was an Afghan soldier who had argued with U.S. forces before opening fire. He was not a Taliban infiltrator, the official said. In a statement, the U.S. military said an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time. Last July, two U.S. service members were killed by an Afghan soldier in Kandahar province. The shooter was wounded and arrested. In September, three U.S. military personnel were wounded when an member of the Afghan Civil Order Police fired on a military convoy, also in Kandahar. Saturdays attack came as Washington has sought to find an end to the war in Afghanistan. Washingtons peace envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, has been meeting with Taliban representatives in Qatar in recent weeks, seeking an agreement to reduce hostilities to get a peace deal signed. Rahim Faiez and Kathy Gannon are Associated Press writers. A British Airways flight has likely broken the fastest-ever subsonic New York to London crossing time after reaching speeds of more than 800mph. Passenger plane records over the Atlantic tumbled overnight on Saturday and Sunday as Storm Ciara hurtled towards Britain on the back of a 200mph jet stream. According to Flightradar24, an online flight tracking service, a British Airways Boeing 747 departing JFK airport on Saturday reached Heathrow in 4 hours 56 minutes shortly after 11.20pm. It was just a minute faster than a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350 flight which landed at Heathrow moments later, and three minutes quicker than another Virgin plane which arrived at 5.12am this morning. Flights travelling in the opposite direction were taking more than two and a half hours longer. Storm Ciara batters UK Show all 75 1 /75 Storm Ciara batters UK Storm Ciara batters UK A Toyota car in a sinkhole which appeared overnight in Hatch Road, Brentwood, in the aftermath of Storm Ciara PA Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse Dozens of domestic and international flights have been cancelled as Storm Ciara is set to batter the UK and Ireland with heavy rain and winds of more than 80 miles per hour AFP via Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Large waves and sea spray caused by Storm Ciara hit vehicles being driven along the seafront in Newhaven Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria PA Storm Ciara batters UK A flooded street is seen after Storm Ciara downpour in Hebden Bridge The Afghan Rug Shop via Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded houses in Mytholmroyd AFP via Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK Firefighters rescuing a person from a car in a flooded street in Blackpool South Shore Fire Station/PA Storm Ciara batters UK A sign nearly submerged on the coast in Bosham, Sussex PA Storm Ciara batters UK Newly constructed flood defenses on the River Calder by Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire AFP/Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Flooding on the coast in Bosham, Sussex PA Storm Ciara batters UK Storm Ciara has also hit areas across Europe. Rescuers work on the A2 motorway in Marly, northern France, after a truck was tipped over in the early morning AFP via Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash into the wall at Newhaven in East Sussex, as Storm Ciara hits the UK PA Storm Ciara batters UK A man looks at debris and damage at his home in Mytholmroyd AFP via Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK Flood water rushes down a street past houses in Mytholmroyd, northern England AFP via Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK Flood water surrounds cars parked outside a flooded Co-Op shop in Mytholmroyd AFP via Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK People enjoy leaning into the wind as Storm Ciara arrives in West Bay Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse AFP via Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Workmen clear up after tree fell on speed camera and damaged it on The Meadway in Tilehurst, Reading PA Storm Ciara batters UK Part of Bridge House Guest House and Sonia's Bistro in Hawick collapsing into the fast-flowing River Teviot as Storm Ciara battered Scotland with high winds and heavy rain Ryan McGee/PA Storm Ciara batters UK Damage to Bridge House Guest House and Sonia's Bistro Rob Tait/PA Storm Ciara batters UK A flooded car in Mytholmroyd AFP via Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash against the harbour wall in Porthcawl Getty Storm Ciara batters UK A fan arrives in the heavy rain for the Premier League match at Bramall Lane ahead of Sheffield United's Premier League game against Bournemouth PA Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria PA Storm Ciara batters UK A fallen tree in the Longlevens area of Gloucester Rod Minchin/PA Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria PA Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria PA Storm Ciara batters UK A fan arrives in the heavy rain for the Premier League match at Bramall Lane PA Storm Ciara batters UK The river Tweed bursts its banks in the Scottish Border Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Cars make their way through floodwaters as Storm Ciara hits in Accrington EPA Storm Ciara batters UK Poor weather conditions at Bramall Lane Action Images via Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK People walk along the debris-covered promenade after waves broke across it at hight tide, in Blackpool AFP via Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK A trampoline on the railwayline between Sevenoat and Orpington Network Rail Kent and Sussex/PA Storm Ciara batters UK Fans arrives in the heavy rain for the Premier League match at Bramall Lane PA Storm Ciara batters UK High water levels in Hawes, North Yorkshire bezberesford/PA Storm Ciara batters UK Combination photo showing a crane at a building site in Worthing, West Sussex, which is rotating on its own in the wind PA Storm Ciara batters UK Manchester City's match against West Ham has been called off due to the extreme weather Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria PA Storm Ciara batters UK Waves hitting the Cobb in Lyme Regis Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded pitch at Bramall Lane Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash against the breakwater during Storm Ciara at Wimereux, France Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK The river Tweed busts its banks in the Scottish Borders Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Sheep cut off by a flooding River Tweed in The Scottish Borders Getty Storm Ciara batters UK A lifeboat passes white cliffs, as Storm Ciara hits Newhaven AP Storm Ciara batters UK People walk on the Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam, The Netherlands EPA Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash into the wall at Porthleven in Cornwall PA Storm Ciara batters UK A woman holds a hand rail to steady herself as she walks along the harbour wall in Polperro, south west England AFP via Getty Storm Ciara batters UK People walk along the promenade as waves in break in a stormy sea alongside the lighthouse in New Brighton, north west England AFP via Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Traffic passes through water on the A66 near Bowes in County Durham PA Storm Ciara batters UK Cladding lies on the ground after falling from the Copthorne Hotel next to the Bramall Lane Action Images via Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK Damage to one of the stands at Wisbech Town Football Club in Cambridgeshire PA Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash into the wall at Newhaven PA Storm Ciara batters UK A fallen tree crushed a car in Wigan vickigregson/PA Storm Ciara batters UK A man walks with a child and a dog on a dike against strong wind during the storm Ciara in Harlingen, The Netherlands ANP/AFP via Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash over the harbour wall by a lighthouse as Storm Ciara hits Newhaven AP Storm Ciara batters UK Onlookers watch the storm-churned waters at Newhaven PA Storm Ciara batters UK Police attending the scene of a fallen tree blocking Furze Platt Road, Maidenhead PA Storm Ciara batters UK People get blown by the wind as waves crash over the harbour wall as Storm Ciara hits Newhaven AP Storm Ciara batters UK A motorcycle parked in a flooded street in Mytholmroyd AFP via Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK Large waves and sea spray caused by Storm Ciara hit vehicles being driven along the seafront in Newhaven REUTERS Storm Ciara batters UK Tree on the Motorway 0411, Brussels to Luxembourg in Bierge, Belgium EPA Storm Ciara batters UK Body boarders ride the stormy waves at Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire as Storm Ciara approaches the Welsh coastline Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK Waves crash against wind turbines at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK People walking alone Salthill promenade in County Galway as Ireland and the UK brace for Storm Ciara PA Storm Ciara batters UK Construction workers begin the process of dismantling steps at Galway's South Park after organisers of the opening ceremony to mark Galway's year as European Capital of Culture cancelled the ceremony due to bad weather with Storm Ciara due to arrive later on Saturday PA Storm Ciara batters UK A fallen tree on power lines in Newborough near Peterborough PA Storm Ciara batters UK Geese take advantage of the conditions as floodwater fills the streets of Hebden Bridge AFP via Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK People walking their dogs on Salthill promenade PA Storm Ciara batters UK Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill County Galway being battered by waves PA Storm Ciara batters UK A body boarder rides the stormy waves at Broad Haven Reuters Storm Ciara batters UK The river Tweed floods in the Scottish Borders Getty Images Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria PA Storm Ciara batters UK A woman walks through floodwater in Bosham, Sussex PA Storm Ciara batters UK Flooded houses in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire after the River Calder burst its banks AFP/Getty Storm Ciara batters UK Flooding on the road through Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire AFP/Getty BA and Virgin smashed the previous New York to London record held by Norwegian, which reached London Gatwick from JFK in 5 hours 13 minutes in January 2018. The average travel time between New York and London is around 6 hours 13 minutes. The BA flight reached its peak ground speed of 825mph at the eastern edge of Newfoundland at about 35,000ft, according to Flightradar24's tracking tool. British Airways flight hits 717kts (825mph) over Atlantic (Flightradar24) A BA spokesperson told The Independent: "We always prioritise safety over speed records, but our highly trained pilots made the most of the conditions to get customers back to London well ahead of time." Despite helping flights speed across the Atlantic, Storm Ciara, the UK's worst storm in seven years, has led to drastic cuts in travel services. Hundreds of flights, trains, and ferry services have been cancelled, with rail passengers warned not to travel on Sunday because Ciara will bring flying debris. The flow rate at Heathrow airport has been reduced, with commensurate cancellations. The Independent calculates at least 25,000 passengers have been hit by cancellations to and from Heathrow. BAs passengers are worst affected. The airline has cancelled at least 140 flights to and from Heathrow, including nine long-haul round-trips. It has also grounded services to Dallas-Fort Worth, Dubai, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Philadelphia, San Diego and Vancouver. The move will affect about 5,000 passengers. The fastest ever transatlantic flight time by a passenger plane was made by Concorde when the supersonic aircraft was in service. The record-breaking flight from New York to London occurred on 7 February, 1996, when it crossed the ocean in 2 hours 53 minutes, according to BA. Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, said the planetary climate change emergency was contributing to the increased frequency of record-breaking transatlantic flights. "The eastbound transatlantic flight time record has been broken three times in the past five years. It is the jet stream in the atmosphere that is getting faster not the planes themselves," Mr Williams told The Independent. "As climate change continues to exert its grip on the jet stream, our studies have shown that twice as many flights will experience very fast eastbound crossings in the years to come." Moroccos Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the largest opposition group in the parliament, voted for Abdellatif Ouahbi as new Secretary General succeeding to Abdelhakim Benchamach, Speaker of the House of Advisors. Ouahbi, a prominent lawyer, was elected unanimousy by members of the partys national council at the end of its fourth congress held in El Jadida this weekend. The congress was marred by clashes between supporters of different candidates in a heated electoral race. However, Abdellatif Ouahbi was the favorite of this election after another outstanding member of the party and former Minister of Health, Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, announced early Sunday morning, his withdrawal from the race. So, Ouahbi was elected to lead the party for the next five years. Former mayor of Marrakech, Fatima Zahra El Mansouri was re-elected head of the national council for a five-year term. Outgoing Benchamach who withdrew from elections had said at the opening of the congress that the party was founded to counter the wave of political Islam. However, his successor has not ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the PJD Islamists in the future. Abu Dhabi Airports has partnered with Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) to begin preparing the required 17,000 employees to operate the new Midfield Airport Terminal at Abu Dhabi Airport. The programme is supported by a campaign designed to capture the imagination of the airport community, ensuring employees of all airport organisations are familiarised, inducted and trained (FIT) to operate the new facility. The digital launch of the My Terminal Complex (MyTC) campaign has commenced with a popup website communicating vital information about the Midfield Terminal to employees. The user-friendly website reflects the diversity of cultures found amongst airport employees and is available in English, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu. This will help employees from all departments across Abu Dhabi Airports, stakeholders and EAG become familiar with the key activities and work streams at the Midfield Terminal, while also generating excitement and spreading awareness of the new terminal. Bryan Thompson, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: We are delighted to be working in partnership with Etihad Aviation Group to familiarise our employees with the incredible infrastructure and capability of the Midfield Terminal FIT program and its campaign MyTC are instrumental aspects of our operational readiness and airport transfer activities, and will ensure our smooth transition to, and efficient operation of the Midfield Terminal upon its opening. Tony Douglas, chief executive officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said: We are looking forward to commencing operations at the state-of-the-art Midfield Terminal, and initiatives such as the FIT program and its campaign MyTC are crucial to preparing our employees for work in the new terminal and to enabling their efficient use of its cutting-edge technologies. We are pleased to have collaborated with Abu Dhabi Airports, and we will be continuing to work closely together as the new terminal enters its final stages of testing and fit out. The internal website for employees of Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Aviation Group went live on February 5 and was specially designed for access via smartphones and tablets. - TradeArabia News Service Heavy rain could cause landslips and bring down trees in fire-hit towns in East Gippsland, with some areas expected to get as much as 80 millimetres on Monday. Most areas in the region are expected to receive between 20 millimetres to 50 millimetres of rain, including Mallacoota, Cann River, Chandlers Creek and Combienbar. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain in East Gippsland. Credit:Bureau of Meteorology But the Bureau of Meteorology has warned some areas could get as much as 80 millimetres with flash flooding predicted, especially in the high country near the NSW border. The rain, which will be heaviest in the afternoon, is part of the extreme system that has stretched down the entire NSW coastline and brought heavy flooding to Sydney. The number of deaths by Coronavirus epidemic has officially exceeded the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus after 81 new fatalities were reported on Sunday taking the death toll to 811. The SARS virus had killed over 774 people globally between 2002-2003. The number of confirmed cases across China has crossed 37,000. Hubei province's health commission confirmed another 2,147 new cases in its daily update. Chinese health authorities said it received reports of 2,656 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 89 deaths on Saturday from 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Xinhua reported. On Saturday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the number of cases reported from China is "stabilising" -- but cautioned that it was too early to say if the virus has peaked. Dr Tedros Adhanom, Director-General of WHO in a press statement said that facts were more important than fear stressing that access to accurate information could help save lives. He said, "While the 2019nCoV virus spreads, misinformation makes the job of our heroic health workers even harder. It is diverting the attention of decision-makers. And it causes confusion and spreads fear to the general public." The two confirmed fatalities outside mainland China is the death of a Chinese national in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong. In India, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in a press statement on February 8 said that universal screening for all flights from Singapore and Thailand besides Hong Kong and China is already ongoing at earmarked aero-bridges. It was informed that out of the 1449 samples that were tested as many as 1446 samples were found negative except for the three samples which had tested positive from Kerala. (With agency inputs) The central government had banned the export of all types of masks last month in view of the growing threat of the corono virus. At the same time, the government has removed surgical masks and gloves from the list of banned export items. The government had immediately banned the export of masks as well as clothing and equipment required for personal protection. Actually, these masks protect the person from microparticles spread in the air. For your information, let us tell you that after the Coronavirus outbreak in China, the government took this step due to the possibility of increased demand for such products in the country. More than 700 people have died in China due to the deadly coronavirus. Demand for such products has increased due to the outbreak of Coronavirus. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notification states, 'Free to export items like surgical masks / disposable masks and all gloves except NBR gloves Form is being allowed. It also said that the export ban on security masks like the N-95 masks, which are necessary for personal safety, will continue for the present. The death toll in China due to Coronavirus has increased to 811, while 37,198 cases have been confirmed. The virus, which originated from the Wuhan city of China in December last year, has spread to many countries of the world. About 10 cases of corona virus have been confirmed in 14 countries of the world. It has 7 cases in United Arab Emirates, 6 in Canada, 3 cases including 1 death in Philippines, 3 cases in United Kingdom, India and Italy. All three cases have been reported in India in Kerala. All three had returned from China. Apart from this, 2 cases have been reported in Russia and one each in Belgium, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Spain, Cambodia and Finland. Also Read: Congress attacks Yogi government, says 'Commission should be made for farmers immediately' Mayawati slams Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on her visit to Ravidas temple Delhi: Half of the population cast their vote Once again Kejriwal will become CM: Akhilesh Yadav Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 17:02:30|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close Yi Junfeng measures the body temperature of a quarantined patient at a fever clinic of Hunan People's Hospital in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Feb. 7, 2020. Amid the current novel coronavirus outbreak, 22-year-old male nurse Yi Junfeng has volunteered to join the battle against the epidemic. After a series of professional trainings, he now works as a front-line fever clinic nurse at Hunan People's Hospital in Changsha. Yi believes that a male nurse has comparative advantages in terms of physical strength and etc, and can play an important role in combating contagious diseases such as the novel coronavirus pneumonia. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo) Better listening skills by all parties involved would be more productive for improving communications in a sincere effort to develop collaborative coalitions that will support the continued progress of education in Florence schools. No superintendent or school board can please everyone. When they placate one set of parents, they invariably make another set angry. Unless someone has better ideas, then the board and community should give OMalley an opportunity to implement needed progressive programs, whether the concept is borrowed from a successful school district in New Jersey or in Mississippi. It was ironic, and probably embarrassing, to the legislature and the Department of Education, that the House Education Committee had to invite the state superintendent from Mississippi, usually the perennial bottom of the national rankings in education, to explain how they excelled in results with their early childhood education programs when Mississippi and South Carolina began their respective programs at the same time seven years ago. It now appears prudent that the legislature should invest more funding for higher-quality pre-K programs. About 60 Zimbabwean refugees have lost their battle to remain in neighboring Botswana. The host government rejected their appeal against repatriation. The refugees are reluctant to return to Zimbabwe, citing political persecution. Most of the refugees fled to Botswana following the often-violent 2008 presidential election in Zimbabwe. Some opposition supporters were killed during that campaign, while others were beaten and left homeless. Botswana granted asylum to the fleeing opposition supporters a decade ago. However, in 2017, the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), in collaboration with the two governments, deemed the situation in Zimbabwe safe for the refugees' return. Some of the 700 Zimbabwean refugees were repatriated in December, with at least 367 expected to return this month. But some had requested to remain in Botswana or be repatriated to a third country. Standard Weza says he cannot return home because he fears for his life. "They might claim that Zimbabwe has improved politically whatsoever, but where we come from, where we have been active doing these things [politics], where we were tortured, there is nothing that has improved. We do communicate with the UNHCR office in Harare and the government, but they do not go to the rural or urban centers, where we come from," he said. Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activist Wasu Chibi is equally concerned about his safety once he returns home. He does not trust Zimbabwe's long-ruling ZANU-PF party. "What we are saying is not a mystery but reality," he said. "Those people who know ZANU-PF since 1980, they will believe what I am saying. ZANU-PF has made a lot of people disappear, ZANU-PF has killed a lot of people, so we are not an exception to that. Some of us are likely to face treason charges." Zimbabwe's ambassador to Botswana, Batiraishe Mukonoweshuro, argues there is no reason for fear. "Yes, there are a lot of misconceptions when people are in Dukwi [refugee camp] because they have not been home for a long time," he said. "There are fears that I have not been home for 10 years, will I be accepted back? Will I find people there? Maybe we will be incarcerated. Those with their crimes, feared that may be the law will immediately take its course." In rejecting the refugees' request to remain at the Dukwi Refugee Camp, the Botswana government said there was no longer a need for continued international protection for the migrants. Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it might be obvious that you need to consider debt, when you think about how risky any given stock is, because too much debt can sink a company. We note that China Isotope & Radiation Corporation (HKG:1763) does have debt on its balance sheet. But the real question is whether this debt is making the company risky. When Is Debt Dangerous? Debt is a tool to help businesses grow, but if a business is incapable of paying off its lenders, then it exists at their mercy. If things get really bad, the lenders can take control of the business. However, a more common (but still painful) scenario is that it has to raise new equity capital at a low price, thus permanently diluting shareholders. Of course, plenty of companies use debt to fund growth, without any negative consequences. The first step when considering a company's debt levels is to consider its cash and debt together. See our latest analysis for China Isotope & Radiation What Is China Isotope & Radiation's Debt? You can click the graphic below for the historical numbers, but it shows that as of June 2019 China Isotope & Radiation had CN249.4m of debt, an increase on CN150.0m, over one year. However, its balance sheet shows it holds CN2.33b in cash, so it actually has CN2.08b net cash. SEHK:1763 Historical Debt, February 9th 2020 A Look At China Isotope & Radiation's Liabilities The latest balance sheet data shows that China Isotope & Radiation had liabilities of CN2.45b due within a year, and liabilities of CN361.8m falling due after that. On the other hand, it had cash of CN2.33b and CN1.95b worth of receivables due within a year. So it can boast CN1.47b more liquid assets than total liabilities. This excess liquidity suggests that China Isotope & Radiation is taking a careful approach to debt. Given it has easily adequate short term liquidity, we don't think it will have any issues with its lenders. Simply put, the fact that China Isotope & Radiation has more cash than debt is arguably a good indication that it can manage its debt safely. Story continues The good news is that China Isotope & Radiation has increased its EBIT by 6.9% over twelve months, which should ease any concerns about debt repayment. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine China Isotope & Radiation's ability to maintain a healthy balance sheet going forward. So if you want to see what the professionals think, you might find this free report on analyst profit forecasts to be interesting. Finally, while the tax-man may adore accounting profits, lenders only accept cold hard cash. China Isotope & Radiation may have net cash on the balance sheet, but it is still interesting to look at how well the business converts its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, because that will influence both its need for, and its capacity to manage debt. Over the last three years, China Isotope & Radiation reported free cash flow worth 6.4% of its EBIT, which is really quite low. For us, cash conversion that low sparks a little paranoia about is ability to extinguish debt. Summing up While it is always sensible to investigate a company's debt, in this case China Isotope & Radiation has CN2.08b in net cash and a decent-looking balance sheet. And it also grew its EBIT by 6.9% over the last year. So we don't think China Isotope & Radiation's use of debt is risky. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. Be aware that China Isotope & Radiation is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 1 of those makes us a bit uncomfortable... If, after all that, you're more interested in a fast growing company with a rock-solid balance sheet, then check out our list of net cash growth stocks without delay. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Wisconsins role as a critical battleground state in the 2020 presidential election has already garnered it plenty of attention, with several visits from President Donald Trump and Julys Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. Whats almost certain to follow the barrage of media and political attention is a surge in pollsters seeking to better understand voter behavior and predict the results of an election in a state they notoriously got wrong in 2016. Wisconsin is no less a swing state than Ohio, said UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden, who has developed a new battleground state polling project in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania through his Elections Research Center. I think that makes it completely reasonable that we would try to invest in a little more polling infrastructure here. While national groups often drop into the state to conduct polling during major elections, Burden said Wisconsin has relied on the Marquette Law School Poll for consistent and accurate polling to gauge how Wisconsin voters are thinking about politics. Burden is seeking to address the dearth of polling by rolling out a new statewide poll, which is sponsored by the Wisconsin State Journal. The first of three polls this year is scheduled to be released this month, with additional polls conducted before the DNC and in the lead-up to the November general election. Pollsters who are researchers know the more polls the better, said UW-Madison political science professor Kathy Cramer. Because each poll is an estimate. Polling in Wisconsin Wisconsin has long been a difficult state to predict with razor-thin margins in major elections. Trump won the state by less than one percentage point in 2016. Obama won the state by healthy margins, but in 2004, Democrat John Kerry narrowly won the state by a third of a percentage point. And in 2000, Democrat Al Gore won Wisconsin by less than a quarter of a point. Purple is a longstanding color for us, said Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette poll, which released its first results in January 2012. But despite Wisconsins history of close elections, public polling has been uneven. Wisconsins polling history goes back several decades to the St. Norbert College Wisconsin Survey, one of the first consistent statewide polls in Wisconsin. Wendy Scattergood, a St. Norbert College political science professor who has conducted the poll since 2001, said it was unique at the time for its role in polling statewide about important policy issues. In 2014, the poll was listed by politics website FiveThirtyEight.com as the 31st best poll in the nation and the best poll in Wisconsin. The polls founder, Dave Wegge, said he started doing regular statewide polling at St. Norbert College in 1984 after conducting pre-election surveys for the Racine Journal Times. The poll gained traction after showing Republican Tommy Thompson with a lead over then Democratic Gov. Tony Earl in the 1986 gubernatorial race, an outcome that seemed unlikely at the time. Thompson went on to win the 1986 election and became the longest-serving governor in Wisconsin history. While the St. Norbert College poll has conducted pre-election surveys, Wegge said the overarching goal was to ask Wisconsinites about policy issues. We were really unique in the fact that we were this small liberal arts school in Wisconsin, and we were getting a lot of national attention, Wegge said. There were literally a handful of small private colleges that were doing this kind of work. In 2016, Wegge stepped out of the role. Around that time it lost its partnership with Wisconsin Public Radio and in recent years has not published results consistently. Scattergood said she plans to move away from predicting elections with a possible spring poll focused on policy issues. Another statewide public poll that gained traction was UW-Madisons Badger Poll, which ran from 2002 to 2011. The poll asked both about elections and public policy issues. Cramer, who became nationally known for her 2016 book, The Politics of Resentment, which highlights Wisconsins stark urban/rural divide, served as the polls director. She said her involvement in the poll led her to work on the book. Public opinion exists out there in peoples everyday lives, Cramer said. I need to get off campus and invite myself into peoples conversations. Cramer traveled around the state talking with rural residents. She said the poll was phased out after funding for it dried up and the polls became more expensive to conduct due to the increasing difficulty of getting people to respond, a common challenge for todays pollsters. As the Badger Poll was ending, Franklin was launching the Marquette poll, which has consistently gauged public opinion since the 2012 recall elections. It immediately gained credibility for predicting the margin of Gov. Scott Walkers victory over Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. By 2012, other polling organizations had either scaled back or ended, Franklin said. We were obviously in a considerable political state at that point. It was a point at which we were reliant on national organizations that would drop in. Challenges to polling Accurate public polling has only gotten more difficult over the years, as more people switch from land lines to cell phones and avoid unknown phone numbers that could be potential scammers. Cell phones are typically more expensive for pollsters to reach. The decline in participation in polls conducted over the phone live by interviewers still the industry gold standard cant be underestimated. Franklin said he achieved a response rate of 75% in his first national telephone poll in 1988. That rate dropped to 2% in his latest Marquette poll, which is still within industry standards. The low response rates havent appeared to affect accuracy as polls have proved to be slightly more accurate than in the early 2000s. Democrats and Republicans despise scam calls, Franklin said. Its truly a bipartisan hatred for scam callers. While many surveys, such as the Marquette poll, continue with live phone interviews, Scattergood said the industry is increasingly relying on polls conducted online to make up for plummeting response rates via phone. The UW-Madison Elections Research Centers poll will be conducted by YouGov, which has done polls for The Economist and CBS News among others. It differs in methodology from live-caller, random-digit-dialing polls such as the Marquette poll. Those polls select phone numbers to call from a target population containing all possible phone numbers, which have an equal probability of selection. Instead, YouGov starts with a large group of people who are compensated to take surveys and then samples from them to produce a sample who are representative of the population based on U.S. Census data. If youre contracting with these companies that have these absolutely enormous online panels, they really arent that different in the results, Scattergood said. They are getting more accurate. They are looking more like the telephone surveys. True probability samples offered by phone surveys are still preferred, but online surveys can both address ongoing difficulties in reaching respondents, as well as reducing the need to weight the results for demographics as heavily as telephone surveys do. Both the Marquette poll and St. Norbert College poll have received A/B ratings from FiveThirtyEight.com, which analyzes and aggregates public opinion surveys. YouGov has received a B- rating. Learning from 2016 Polling has generally improved in accuracy over the past couple of decades; however, pollsters are still scratching their heads from the inability of most Wisconsin polls to adequately capture support for Trump, despite predicting the vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton and the national popular vote correctly. The last Marquette poll before the 2016 election, for example, showed 46% of Wisconsin likely voters supporting Clinton and 40% supporting Trump, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. Trump ended up winning the state with about 47% support, while Clinton got about 46%. Since 2016, Franklin said accounting for respondents education level has become more important among pollsters because white voters without a college degree are increasingly voting for Republicans. Another reason for the 2016 miss was undecided voters breaking for Trump late in the final weeks of the campaign, possibly propelling him over the finish line. Franklin said pollsters this year may be wise to seek out more definitive answers from undecided voters. Theres evidence that there are some methodological improvements that will help, but are not magic bullets, Franklin said. Scattergood and Cramer emphasized that polls simply have limitations because they are a snapshot in time. We have to really take them with a grain of salt, Cramer said. Theres just a lot of uncertainty. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 It was such a huge royal scandal when Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles' affair went public. At that time, the Prince of Wales was still married to Princess Diana. The affair led to the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1996. After the Princess of Wales' death, the heir to the throne and Camilla decided to get married and became the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall in 2005. However, according to royal biographer Christopher Wilson, Camilla never intended to have anything serious with the Prince. In the 2017 Channel 4 documentary "The Royal House of Windsor," it was revealed that Camilla was quite content being just his mistress. "Camilla saw life as Charles' mistress as a bit of fun and a thing that would never be made public and would continue for as long as she was sexually active," the royal expert said, "I don't think there was ever any ambition on her part to advance herself to become the wife of the Prince of Wales." It was also reported that Camilla only wanted the "excitement and fun" and have never intended to take Princess Diana's place or become part of the royal family. Camilla, a Changed Woman? Since their marriage, however, the two have stayed loyal to each other and Camilla is reported to have been a great source of strength and support for her husband. According to royal author Penny Junor who spoke to Hello Magazine, She has seen a tremendous change in Prince Charles over the past couple of years, and she thanks Camilla for that. "He used to be quite a depressed character. He was earnest and didn't laugh a lot," Junor continued. "But Camilla snapped him out of that, and she has completely transformed him." Because of Camilla, Prince Charles is reportedly "a much happier man" and "has so much more confidence these days." Not Suitable Partners Initially, Camilla Parker-Bowles was not a suitable wife for Prince Charles. Their love story did not even start with their affair even though the two were married to other people before. The two first met and fell in love when Prince Charles was only 24 years old. At that time, Camilla was not considered "an appropriate bride" by The Firm. When Prince Charles joined the navy, Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973. The Prince was reportedly left devastated and talked to his uncle, Lord Mountbatten, about his broken heart. By 1978, Prince Charles and Camilla resumed their relationship, but this time, in secret, because she was married and had two children already. When Prince Charles was engaged to Princess Diana, the two broke up again. However, by the time 1986 rolled around, Prince Charles and Camilla once again started sleeping together. In Junor's 2018 book "The Duchess: Camilla Parker Bowles and the Love Affair that Rocked the Crown," Michael Peat -- who was Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales -- had specific instructions from the royal family to break them up. "This is certainly how the people in St. James' Palace who worked with Peat during those first few months viewed the situation," the writer wrote, as many thought it was unsuitable that Charles would marry a divorcee. Unluckily for the royal family, the Prince of Wales never gave up on Camilla "no matter what." The private secretary reportedly kept changing tactics, but in the end, he became the loudest advocate of their marriage. Our columnist Johnathan Hoffman says that a proposed ban of gun-shows at the Pima County Fairgrounds is using a common scare tactic: the gun show loophole. "This is not an assault on the first or second amendment; it is an assault on both." LINCOLN Its application time for one of the biggest youth agriculture outreach events in the state the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute. NAYI brings together high school juniors and seniors to learn more about Nebraska agriculture, network with agriculture leaders and discover the many careers available in agriculture, according to a press release. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. NAYI will be July 6-10 at the University of Nebraska-Lincolns East Campus. Approximately 200 students attend each year. Applications for NAYI are available at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi and must be submitted online. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending have until April 15 to apply. With networking, career development, and leadership activities, NAYI is a creative and fun way to engage a whole new generation of people working in the ag industry, said NDA Director Steve Wellman. If you know high school juniors or seniors with an interest in agriculture, be sure to encourage them to apply to NAYI before the April 15 deadline. Its a one-of-a-kind opportunity. Two children have been confirmed dead after a fire outbreak that destroyed the building they were in at Donoso in the Ejisu Juabeng municipality on the evening of Friday, February 7. The burnt bodies of the children were recovered by fire service personnel who arrived to fight the fire. The deceased comprised a boy, aged four-years-old, and a girl who was two-years-old. The fire, at a six-bedroom apartment, started around 6:30 pm on the day, the fire service have said. According to preliminary investigations, the blaze is believed to have started in one of the bedrooms from the ceiling. A distress call was made to the Fire Service personnel at 7:31 pm, following which it took them 20 minutes to get to the scene. The Ashanti Region Public Relations Officer for the Service, Assistant Divisional Officer 1 Desmond Ackah, told Citi News it took personnel about 50 minutes to bring the fire under control. There was little we could do, because of the rapid spread and the intensity of the blaze, to salvage anything from such an incident, he noted. The personnel were, however, able to protect adjoining structures from the fire. ADO1 Ackah bemoaned that fact personnel could have been on the scene earlier if a call to them had been made quicker. He also noted that damaged bridge in the community-made their journey longer. We could have just used about five minutes to get to the fire scene but for a bridge that has been damaged for more than a year now within the Donaso community so we had to use an alternate route that took about 21 minutes. As investigations continue, the service is suspecting an electrical fault as the cause of the fire. Our investigation points to the fact that barely some weeks ago, they had electrical challenges and therefore they sought the services of an electrician, ADO1 Ackah said. ---citinewsroom The third week of testimony in the double murder trial of Jeremy Christian begins Monday. Days after prosecutors rested their case, Christians attorneys will start to mount a defense. Christian is accused of killing Ricky Best, 53, and Taliesin Namkai-Meche, 23, and wounding Micah Fletcher, then 21, on May 26, 2017, on a Green Line train as it pulled into the Hollywood Transit Center in Northeast Portland. Hes charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree attempted murder in the stabbings. He also is charged with second-degree intimidation for allegedly targeting two teens on the train with slurs, as well as another woman in an encounter a day earlier. The trial continues Monday at 9 a.m. Heres what happened last week. Prosecutors highlight Christians own words after stabbings Its still unclear whether Christian will take the stand in his own defense, but his words after the stabbing featured prominently last week as the prosecution made its case. Prosecutors played lengthy audio and video recordings of Christian in the hours after his arrest. On Monday, in the trials fifth day, prosecutors played 37 minutes of video of Christian ranting while in custody during a medical check-up and his ride to the Multnomah County Detention Center in the back of a police cruiser. Christian shouted Just stabbed a bunch of (expletives) in the neck; Tell me what the (expletive) to do in my country ... you get stabbed in the neck" and Thats right, this is a hate crime. ... Hope they all die." Later, prosecutors played a video that showed Christian in a holding cell in the Multnomah County Justice Center. As he screamed and banged against the door, he told homicide Detective Michele Michaels he had also wanted to stab an African American woman who exchanged words with him on the MAX a day before the killings. Prosecutors also offered jurors a window into Christians thoughts in January 2018, about seven months after the attack. Over defense attorneys objections, prosecutors played for the jury a recorded jail phone call between Christian and a friend. In the conversation, Christian said he got in an altercation" with Namkai-Meche because he stuck a phone right in my face. Christian blamed Namkai-Meches aunt, because she had been on the phone with her nephew a moment before and suggested he record Christian ranting. Basically, his aunt sent him to his death," Christian said. Christian also mocked Fletcher in the recording, calling him a wannabe social justice warrior who was having an autistic tantrum when he intervened right after Christian threw Namkai-Meches phone to the train floor. Fletcher takes stand In about 2 1/2 hours of highly anticipated testimony on the sixth day of Christians murder trial, Fletcher, the only survivor of the attack, explained what he said and did in the moments leading up to the stabbings. Defense attorneys indicated as the trial opened that they would seek to portray Fletcher as an aggressor. Fletcher, dressed in a black suit, black shirt and striped tie with a scar on his neck clearly visible above his collar, answered all the questions in a calm, considered voice, even as he described his frustrations that day and his outrage over Christians words. Fletcher testified that he got involved because he has strong feelings about bigoted beliefs and wanted to divert attention away from the targets of Christians rants and to himself. Fletcher explained that after initially confronting Christian, he backed off and even turned his back to Christian at one point. But moments later, after Christian threw or slapped down Namkai-Meches phone, Fletcher said he felt compelled to intervene again. After the two exchanged shoves, Fletcher said he pushed Christian toward the door, and Christian responded by stabbing him with a 4-inch folding knife in his right hand. Fletcher said he thought hed been punched before he noticed blood on his shirt. Fletcher testified that he believed he was going to die. In my mind, thats a given, Fletcher said. During cross-examination, defense attorney Dean Smith attempted to pick apart Fletchers judgment for stepping forward and trying to get Christian to get off the train. Smith criticized Fletcher for using harsh language and raising his voice at Christian. It probably wasnt in my opinion at the time the best way to de-escalate a situation, Fletcher said. Because it was loud. And thats not necessarily de-escalative. Prosecution rests Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday, after questioning a total of 40 witnesses in seven days. The trial wasnt held Thursday and Friday because Christians defense lawyers hadnt prepared to start their case this week. The judge noted that some defense witnesses are scheduled to fly into Portland by Monday, when the defense will start. Stay informed -- The Oregonian/OregonLive Don McCoy is the president of the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is dedicated to serving the Business Community in the Fulshear-Katy Area as well as the Tri-County Region. Under McCoys leadership the chamber has grown to more than 650 members and is one of the fastest growing chambers in the state. In addition to numerous rope cuttings and social events, the chamber meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Parkway Fellowship church at 27043 FM 1093 in Richmond. The chamber started out as the Fulshear-Area Chamber of Commerce. Why and how did you integrate Katy into the chamber? We kept having several people ask if they could join our chamber and thought they couldnt because they were in a Katy postal zip code or ETJ. FM 1463 basically divides Fulshear proper and Katy zip codes. We also have Fulshear businesses that have a Richmond postal code. We did a survey of members and found over a third were in the Katy postal zip code. In order to make all who valued what our chamber does and feel included precipitated adding Katy to our name. Today we have members from Rosenberg to the Cayman Islands. How did you become president of the chamber? Back in 2013, I moved back to the Houston area from Dallas to be closer to family. I left a producing, directing and acting career and really didnt know what was in store for me as I moved back. Late 2013, I was introduced to the then-Fulshear Economic Development Director Cheryl Stalinsky. She mentioned that she and some business owners were trying to form a chamber of commerce and needed to find the right person who can sell the chamber and lead in its growth. My brother, Captain Mike McCoy of the Fulshear Police Department, happened to be with me at this brief encounter and suggested that Ms. Stalinsky consider me. Within a couple of weeks I was interviewed by the business owners or the first board, and after that interview, they offered me the position. I was thrilled to have this opportunity to be part of something from the start. I have never backed away from a challenge. Now, six years later, we are over 650 members, and I love coming to the office every day. No other position allows one to use all the creativity they can muster to promote, sell, entertain and grow the community. In talking to local business owners, what are some of the biggest challenges they discuss? What does the chamber do to address these challenges? Some of the biggest challenges are workforce needs. With the growth of the Fulshear-Katy area there are many service and retail sector jobs that need to be filled. In addition, companies in the booming economy are looking for a qualified workforce as well. The chamber is partnering with local high schools and universities along with entrepreneurial centers to promote and fill these needs. Other challenges: we find many business behind the curve when it comes to technology, social media and marketing in todays fast-paced electronic world. At the chamber we have many programs and technologies that help relieve that burden. In the end, we want to be Connectors of influencers and leaders, Catalyst for business growth and Champions for a stronger community. Related: Navy SEAL from Osama bin Laden raid to speak at chamber of commerce meeting I know youre really proud of the chamber website. Whats unique about it? What are some of the ways you see it helping local businesses? We are proud of our website (www.fulshearkaty.com) as resource for all, not just businesses, but for the public as well. We are always looking for ways to improve our website and ways to communicate to everyone. In that realm, we will be reorganizing our website this year to be even more efficient. We are also proud of our chamber app, which has so much to offer as well. Our website and app offer calendars, directories and information that local business can capitalize on immediately. The focus of the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce is business, obviously, but Ive also found that theres a significant social element to it. Chamber members have a lot of fun together. Would you say thats a correct assessment? And if so, why do you think that is? Yes, there is a huge social element, and we do have a lot of fun. Business does not have to be boring. I like to think of our chamber as really a family that works, studies and plays together. The only way to explain it is to have you come to one meeting and feel the vibe. I love that everyone in our chamber seeks out everyone in the chamber not only for advice and referrals but for social interaction, which I believe is essential to doing great business. As my friend Jack Warkenthien says, Its not about ROI, its about ROR Return on Relationships, and we have that in abundance. Why it is this way: simply it starts with us here at the chamber. Amy Norvell and Rachel Durham and myself laugh every day and love what we do. You can have fun and do business at the same time. When you do, people want to be a part of that. You always have a different speaker at each monthly meeting. Sometimes its a business owner. Sometimes its a religious leader. This month youve got a Navy SEAL coming to speak. How do you choose these speakers, and why do you draw from such a broad scope? We draw a broad scope really in an effort to please everyone or to offer someone a viewpoint they have never heard before. I have to say, we are just very lucky to be introduced and to meet hundreds of fascinating people. Everyone has a story to share that will benefit someone else in some way. So it is a matter of keeping your eyes and ears open for that speaker to invite when you are out and about. You never know who you will meet tomorrow or even today. Life is a gift, fulfill it daily. Morning Report: Get the top stories on HoustonChronicle.com sent directly to your inbox Youve mentioned that there are some exciting things on the horizon for the chamber. Can you share some of those? Some at this time I really cant. But we are very excited to use our creativity daily to bring anything and everything that will benefit our members and our community at large. Be on the lookout for our new website soon. Also, keep an eye on our calendar of events as we continue to bring the best. How did you come to own a three-legged husky? Ahh ...Wyatt. Wyatt is a rescue husky I got from Special Pals. Seems Wyatt had gotten away from his previous owner and was homeless for over five months. Well, he got hit by a car and was taken to Special Pals. Special Pals is a no-kill shelter in Katy, and they found the owner via a chip. When they called the owner (a breeder) they didnt want to pay for the surgery to have his front right leg removed and gave permission to put him down. Very sad. Well, Special Pals wasnt going to do that, so they proceeded with the surgery. A couple of weeks after surgery, Wyatt was put in the Special Pals calendar with first responders. He happened to be Mr. August with the Fulshear Police Department where Wyatt met my brother Mike, or Captain McCoy. My brother owner of two rescue dogs called me and said, You have got to see this dog. He also said, He has a great personality and if you dont adopt him, I will. I said, Cool, lets go for a visit. Immediately after meeting Wyatt, I said, I love this dog. Wyatt is now part of our family, healthy and loved by literally everyone in my neighborhood, not to mention everyone he meets. He is a special friend, and if you are perhaps looking for a pet, check out Special Pals. Oh also, if you would like a Husky Pillow this spring, filled with genuine husky hair, give me a call, I have plenty. claire.goodman@chron.com Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Their movie, their way." That simple, four-word phrase perhaps best sums up what the Winnipeg Film Group wants to give local filmmakers the ability to execute their creative vision in the method and mode they most desire, without compromising one iota. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS An analogue camera. Its also the phrase Greg Klymkiw WFGs executive director kept returning to in a lengthy conversation about the myriad ways the non-profit, artist-run organization helps independent filmmakers turn their minds machinations into motion pictures. Klymkiw says the WFG and its space on the third floor of Artspace in the heart of the Exchange District is "the heart and soul of independent filmmaking" and has been since it was established nearly 50 years ago. "At the Winnipeg Film Group, filmmakers are first. I keep hammering it home. Their movies, their way. Your movie, your way. Independent visions and independence here is so important to this place," Klymkiw avers. "Thats the hallmark of independent filmmaking." MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Technical manager Dylan Baillie looks at frames of film. Klymkiw says what makes the WFG unique, "not just in Canada, but worldwide," is its focus on four main areas: production, training, distribution and exhibition. "If you want to make your own movies, theres only one game in town, pretty much. Thats to make movies with the Film Group." "When this was founded in 1974 there was nothing in Winnipeg. There was nothing!" Klymkiw explains. "You couldnt get equipment, unless you maybe went to the National Film Board but then you had to listen to them tell you how to make your movie." The WFG does everything from facilitate workshops and educational programs that teach high-schoolers the basics to suss out spots around the globe where films produced by their members can be shown. Its no secret making a movie can be an expensive endeavour. It requires gear such as cameras, lenses, lights, tripods and rigs, not to mention spaces such as studios and editing suites and computers equipped with editing software such as Final Cut and Adobe Premiere Pro. While buying all that is a non-starter for most especially for fledgling filmmakers on shoestring budgets members can rent everything they need through the WFG for modest prices. "We have all the means here to be able to shoot (a film), cut it, and deliver it. Anything they need to make their film is here," Klymkiw says. That even includes cameras that still use gasp! actual film and editing flatbeds to cut film on. The equipment must be used for the renters own project. Its part of WFGs mandate to not rent out to commercial projects, technical and equipment manager Dylan Baillie says. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Technical manager Dylan Baillie demonstrates an analogue editing machine. "No one will ever say Can I come in and get a camera? and I have to say Oh, sorry. The Hallmark movie is using that camera," Baillie says. Klymkiw and Baillie recently received a booking inquiry they rejected even though the applicant was a WFG member after they found out the person was doing a "gun-for-hire" job. "Anyone who is renting here, they need to have complete artistic control," Klymkiw says. "Its their film." The WFG has between 200 and 250 members, Klymkiw estimates, including celebrated Winnipeg cinematographer Guy Maddin. Klymkiw and Maddin are longtime friends and collaborators, in fact. Klymkiw who has been the WFGs executive director for a little more than three years but got his start in filmmaking through the group decades ago produced Maddins first three films: Tales from the Gimli Hospital, Archangel, and Careful. Posters of those films adorn his offices wall. "The early films were all done through the Film Group," Klymkiw says. "We actually rented equipment from here and shot scenes in that little studio over there that we call the Black Lodge," (neither Klymkiw nor Baillie knew if the name is a reference to David Lynchs Twin Peaks or if it was called as such before the cult-classic mystery-horror series graced ABCs airwaves in 1990.) 'To be able to come here to an artist-run centre where we are so focused on creativity and breaking the mould and doing things differently, I feel like I get to give back to the community' WFG's technical and equipment manager Dylan Baillie Speaking of Lynch, Klymkiws a lover of his 1977 experimental horror film Eraserhead, and played it every Friday and Saturday at midnight for two years when he programmed cult films at a theatre called The Festival, which stood at the corner of Arlington Street and Sargent Avenue. "Id never seen anything like it," he says of the movie in which a factory worker in a post-apocalyptic society has to care for a hideous mutant baby. "It was completely insane." Klymkiw says theres nothing under the movie sun he hasnt done. He spent time in the 1980s on the corporate side as a film buyer, where he secured big Hollywood flicks such as Eddie Murphy action-comedy Beverly Hills Cop for small-town theatres in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario so they could show them first-run. He also spent 14 years in Toronto at the Canadian Film Centre as a mentor and teacher. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Film reels. "I just always loved movies and I couldnt imagine a life doing anything else," he says. The WFG has training initiatives for all levels of filmmakers, but Klymkiw says hes "taken a particular interest in the new generation of filmmakers," pointing to a basic filmmaking workshop for high-school students as an example. "Whats important to me is for people who are interested in making films at that early age, I want them to have the tools they need to make those films. Their films, their way "Working with a lot of these young filmmakers is to give them what those rules are so they can work through them, but then also break them and bring their own crazy, nutty visions to the work." Baillie is one such young filmmaker who got his start at the WFG. He was into movies but his high school, St. Johns, didnt offer any programs. He found an ad for Quantum a basic course on the floor one day and managed to get in despite the class being at capacity. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Film Group space in Winnipeg on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. At Quantum, the then-14-year-old learned the basics of script writing, camera operation, lighting, sound mixing and editing and shot his first film. "At the end of the course, we showed the movie at Cinematheque (Artspaces first-floor theatre.) I never would have gotten to do that without the film group." Baillie later attended a WFG summer camp, got his first camcorder his parents bought it for him using Air Miles and started filming his friends bands. As his passion grew and he wanted more than an "Air Miles camera," he bought a membership with the WFG. "It was insane," he says of suddenly having access to professional equipment, adding the access gave him the freedom to experiment, make mistakes and improve. Cinematheque, Winnipegs home of cool movies The fourth pillar of the Winnipeg Film Group is exhibition, and thats where Cinematheque comes in. The near-100 seat auditorium on the first floor of Artspace is a huge asset for the Film Group on a number of levels, Klymkiw says, primarily because having such a space allows them to premiere and show members films. click to read more The fourth pillar of the Winnipeg Film Group is exhibition, and thats where Cinematheque comes in. The near-100 seat auditorium on the first floor of Artspace is a huge asset for the Film Group on a number of levels, Klymkiw says, primarily because having such a space allows them to premiere and show members films. Cinematheque also attracts those looking to catch films local, Canadian, independent, foreign and classic mainstream theatres have opted not to show. Dave Barber, Cinematheques senior programmer, recently brought in the Safdie Brothers ferocious crime-thriller Uncut Gems (starring Adam Sandler), and Bong Joon-hos feted Korean offering Parasite. Klymkiw says Cinematheques programming hearkens back to a bygone era in which Winnipeg was a huge, huge, market for really cool movies and had so many independent theatres recalling long-shuttered, but not forgotten, venues such as the Starland, Deluxe, original Metropolitan and others. Independent theatres, by and large, dont exist in the city anymore. Its really corporate (now,) Klymkiw rues. Cinematheque is the only game in town for people who want to see cool movies, Klymkiw says. Weve got great projection equipment, a great sound system were always selling out, too, thats the thing. Were selling out! Its ridiculous. Some of the stuff were playing here is going through the roof. Cinematheque offers all sorts of other events, such as Restoration Tuesdays where they show old films in their perfectly-restored glory and the ever-popular Saturday morning All-You-Can-Eat-Cereal Cartoon parties where attendees can binge on sugary cereals and watch retro cartoons just like they did when they were kids (they can even show up in their pyjamas if they wish.) Cinematheque is doing so well Klymkiws biggest wish is to have two or three more screens. He calls getting those a long-term goal. Close Now 25, Baillee has held the technical and equipment manager position for four years and hes the one teaching high schoolers. "To be able to come here to an artist-run centre where we are so focused on creativity and breaking the mould and doing things differently, I feel like I get to give back to the community," he says. Theres tremendous value in the connections made between WFG members, regardless of skill level, as filmmaking is extremely and inherently collaborative. "People dont only learn from myself or other senior filmmakers here I actually find that filmmakers who discover each other in a lot of our workshops, they actually end up collaborating on films," Klymkiw says. "Whats really important is for people to discover each other and learn from each other and work with each other." For Sara Bulloch, the WFGs been just that: a place to meet fellow filmmakers. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A lighting survival kit at the Winnipeg Film Group space. Five years ago, she was studying business but wanted to get more involved in the film industry. She turned to the WFG, volunteering and taking workshops. "Volunteering was a great way to get to know the local film community and opportunities out there," she says. Bullochs made leaps in the industry since then. Shes participated in their 48 Hours Film Contests where participants must write, shoot, edit and score an original short in just two days and won best cinematography last year for a short she wrote and directed entitled Hot Dog Guy. She also helps co-ordinate events for the WFG-initiated Womxns Film & Video Network. Also a WFG board member, Bulloch has truly benefitted from the connections it can provide. She is currently an editor with Farpoint Films and first met co-owner John Barnard at a group event. "Ive learned a lot from awesome people," she says. Of course, its one thing to make a film, but another thing entirely to get people to see it. Thats why the WFG takes care of distribution and exhibition, too. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Klymkiw was in charge of marketing and distribution at the WFG. "My thought at the time was Look at all these people making cool films is there a way to treat these films like real movies?" he explains. He recalls a time where they took a bunch of "crazy" Winnipeg short films and compiled them into a feature-length flick. They called it Tales from the Winnipeg Film Group, in homage to Maddins Tales from the Gimli Hospital. It played theatrically all over the U.S. "A lot of our films over the years have been acclaimed and screened all over the world," Klymkiw says. WFGs distribution staff is responsible for marketing a sizeable catalogue of members films to film festivals, art galleries and museums. Helping Winnipeggers turn their cinematic dreams into reality and getting their passion projects showcased worldwide makes Klymkiw feel the WFG is on the right track. "It is really all about people finding a home to express their independent visions," Klymkiw sums up. "I think thats one of the great things about a place like the Winnipeg Film Group. I honestly believe theres nothing like this place in the world, and here it is in Winnipeg. I think thats a really special thing." Saoradh parade in west Belfast. General view of the Saoradh parade, organised by dissident republicans on the Falls Road in west Belfast. The sister of an IRA killer who took his own life in a police cell has been charged over a dissident show of strength in Belfast. Lorna Brady is among seven hardline republicans accused of playing roles in the New IRA-linked terror display and of wearing military-style clothing in a march on the Falls Road. The 45-year-old made headlines last month at the inquest into the 2009 death of her brother John Brady. The court heard that John Brady, who received a life sentence in 1991 for murdering a reserve police officer, was found dead in a room at Strand Road PSNI station in Derry by solicitor John Finucane, now the Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast. A coroner later ruled the Strabane man took his own life, but Lorna Brady told the hearing: "That's not true, definitely not. John was the last person that would take his own life. "His mindset was one of absolute positivity. That (suicide) was unbelievable (and) not in his nature. He was such an upbeat person." Ms Brady, who acts as the Strabane spokeswoman for the New IRA's political wing Saoradh, is the only woman facing charges connected to the terror display. Also accused of wearing clothing and acting in way likely to arouse suspicion of being a member of a proscribed organisation are prominent Derry dissidents Mark Canning (43), Barry Millar (35) and Emmet McSheffrey (20). Expand Close Lorna Brady holds a photograph of her late brother, John Brady, during the protest outside Strand Road PSNI Station. Photo Lorcan Doherty / Presseye.com / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lorna Brady holds a photograph of her late brother, John Brady, during the protest outside Strand Road PSNI Station. Photo Lorcan Doherty / Presseye.com So too is leading Cookstown dissident Conor Casey, a good friend of John Brady. Casey (right) was convicted of picking up shell casings from weapons used to fire shots over his dead pal's coffin. The 48-year-old previously served a 14-year prison sentence after being caught with a 200lb Real IRA car bomb in Co Armagh. Others charged with taking part in the show of strength are Denis Eamon Devlin (54), from Marian Park in Strabane, and James Anthony Kelly (59), with an address at Chamberlain Street in Derry city. The seven were allegedly filmed at an Easter 1916 commemoration wearing berets, sunglasses, mesh scarves, camouflage jackets and trousers, military belts, gloves and combat boots. cbarnes@sundaylife.co.uk A general election surge in support for Sinn Fein, once the political wing of the IRA, on Sunday upset Ireland's traditional two-party grip on power. Irish officials were counting votes following Saturday's polls with an exit poll forecasting Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's incumbent Fine Gael party facing a three-way dead heat. The Ipsos MRBI survey of around 5,000 voters predicted that centre-right rivals Fine Gael and Fianna Fail and leftists Sinn Fein had each received 22 per cent of first preference votes. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have traditionally taken turns in power. In Dublin's main count centre, staff unsealed and emptied black ballot boxes onto ranks of tables as party members anxiously looked on. Ireland uses a single transferable vote system to elect multiple deputies from each of the 39 constituencies, meaning the rounds of counting could take at least two days. Due to the transfers, a likely seat forecast cannot be extrapolated from the first preference votes exit poll. - Main parties 'in denial' - Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald arrived at the count centre to a huge fanfare from supporters. "This is changing the shape of an old Irish politics. This is not a transient thing, this is just the beginning," she told reporters. In the last election in 2016, Sinn Fein got 13.8 percent of the vote. McDonald said the two other main parties were "still in a state of denial, they're still not listening to what the people have said". The 50-year-old said she ideally wanted "a government with no Fianna Fail or no Fine Gael in it" and had made contact with smaller parties, but added: "I will talk to and listen to everybody." Sinn Fein did not field enough candidates to form a majority government. Earlier, security intervened to calm the mood after Sinn Fein supporters sang a chorus glorifying the early IRA's fight for independence from Britain. Sinn Fein were the political wing of the now-defunct Irish Republican Army paramilitary group. "This is not just a change election -- it has changed Irish elections themselves for the foreseeable future," wrote columnist Fintan O'Toole in The Irish Times newspaper. "For a huge chunk of voters, change is being seen as something that comes from outside the system." Sinn Fein was "once inextricable from the IRA" and considered a "pariah" he said, but younger voters in particular were drawn by their promise of addressing income inequality. - Coalition prospects - The Ipsos MRBI exit poll put Fine Gael on 22.4 percent, Sinn Fein on 22.3 percent and Fianna Fail on 22.2 percent. The Greens were next on 7.9 percent and Labour on 4.6 percent. They could play a role in coalition-forming. Notably, the exit poll put Sinn Fein comfortably ahead with voters aged 18-24 and 25-34, with support at 32 percent in each age bracket. The survey has an estimated margin of error of 1.3 percent. The 3.3 million-strong electorate was voting for some 159 seats in the Dail, the Republic of Ireland's lower house of parliament. Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O Laoghaire was the first deputy returned, in the city of Cork. Even once the make-up of the new chamber emerges, it could take much longer to cobble together a government. Following Ireland's 2016 election it took 70 days before a new minority coalition government was formed under Fine Gael. During this year's election campaign, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail both ruled out working with Sinn Fein, citing the party's past IRA links. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin also said he would not back Fine Gael in a "grand coalition". - PM's Brexit focus backfires - Varadkar, 41, became Ireland's prime minister in June 2017 on taking over the Fine Gael leadership from Enda Kenny, who led the party into power in 2011. He plumped for an early election after successfully helping to broker a deal cushioning Britain's EU exit on January 31 by avoiding a hard border with Northern Ireland. Varadkar's campaign was focused on Brexit -- but did not seem to land with voters more concerned with domestic issues. In the exit poll, just one percent said Brexit was the key factor in how they voted. Health ranked on 32 percent whilst housing and homelessness was on 26 percent. At the time of Biswass murder, Sarkar was the BJP district president of Nadia. Ranaghat BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar was questioned for around four hours Saturday by the criminal investigation department (CID) of the West Bengal police in connection with the murder of Trinamul Congress MLA of Krishnaganj, Satyajit Biswas, in Nadia last year. (Photo: File I Representational) Kolkata: Ranaghat BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar was questioned for around four hours Saturday by the criminal investigation department (CID) of the West Bengal police in connection with the murder of Trinamul Congress MLA of Krishnaganj, Satyajit Biswas, in Nadia last year. Sarkar, who is one of the accused in the murder case, appeared at the CID headquarters at Bhawani Bhavan in the city around 12.15 pm after getting summons from the state detective agency. However, he was allowed to leave after his statement was recorded by a CID team. The BJP MP may be summoned again Sunday. According to sources, the BJP MP was asked his whereabouts at the time Biswas was shot dead by a youth during the inauguration of a Saraswati puja at Hanskhali in the evening of February 9, 2019. I came here to extend my cooperation in the probe on the instructions of the Calcutta high court. I cooperated also, Sarkar said later. At the time of Biswass murder, Sarkar was the BJP district president of Nadia. On January 24 this year, the high court granted anticipatory bail to Sarkar after he prayed for relief. The toll from rare clashes in a part of ethnically-mixed southern Kazakhstan has risen to 10 dead, officials said Sunday with signs that tensions had eased since the violence flared two days ago. Deputy Interior Minister Aleksei Kalaichidi told reporters the toll was ten dead from Friday's unrest in the Jambyl region, which saw many flee over the border to Kyrgyzstan. Authorities had previously said eight people died. Kalaichidi said 39 people were still receiving treatment in Kazakh hospitals on Sunday. He did not say whether the higher toll resulted from people dying of their wounds. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Saturday the violence had been quelled. The violence has sparked concern among authorities who portray the country as a beacon of stability and inter-ethnic harmony. The conflict is widely believed to have pitted titular Kazakhs against minority Dungans, but authorities did not confirm this. Kalaichidi said five police officers were injured in the clashes including three from gunshot wounds. "I want to note that the police did not use weapons," he said. The initial brawl involved about 70 people before involving at least 300 villagers, the authorities said. Kalaichidi blamed the escalation on "provocateurs and eyewitnesses, who filmed the incident on video and then sent it with various comments via social networks." "This led to the escalation of the conflict and the involvement in it of residents from nearby settlements," he said. Media in Kyrgyzstan reported that up to 4,000 people crossed the border from oil-rich Kazakhstan into the poorer republic on Saturday, mostly ethnic minority Dungans. An AFP correspondent saw around a thousand people queing to leave the country at a single border crossing late on Saturday evening. An AFP journalist who visited Masanchi -- one of the villages where clashes took place -- said few people were out walking on streets lined by smouldering houses as fire crews put out the remaining fires on Saturday. Some residents could be seen gathering belongings from houses partly destroyed by fire as they prepared to leave the village, which is under the guard of police and security forces. Majority-Muslim Kazakhstan's authoritarian leadership prides itself on guaranteeing inter-ethnic harmony in a country where the foreign ministry says "over 100 ethnic groups are living in peace." The Dungans are a Muslim people who live in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and northwestern China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab talks during an interview with Reuters at British Embassy in Tokyo, Japan By Tim Kelly TOKYO (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he wants to begin talks with Japan within weeks to conclude a trade deal this year, after a meeting with Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi, who asked Britain to drop European Union food import restrictions imposed after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. "The aspiration will be to do it by the end of the year. We can certainly begin it earlier than Spring," Raab told Reuters in an interview. "Japan is right up there in the list of priorities partly because of the size of the market, but also Japan is an absolute central country in the Indo Pacific region," he added. Motegi, who said Japan also wanted a rapid conclusion of trade talks, met Raab in Tokyo during his first overseas trip following Britain's departure from the EU, and as it negotiates its future relationship with Brussels and begins free trade talks with other major economies including the United States and Japan. While in the EU, Britain was part of a comprehensive trade deal with Japan that last year began reducing tariffs across a raft of products, including Japanese autos. Britain's hurry to tie up new trade agreements could be to Japan's advantage, as it seeks to secure better terms. Motegi said he had asked Raab at their meeting to lift import restrictions on Japanese food and other products that were imposed by Brussels after the nuclear accident at Fukushima in 2011. The EU eased those import regulations last year, but still insists on inspections and certificates of origin for some Japanese produce, including seafood. "Obviously anything that affects food, health and safety standards we would want to look at very carefully. We understand the Japanese concern about this and it will be science led," Raab told Reuters when asked whether the Britain would agree to Motegi's request. Raab also sought to ease Japanese concern that the EU exit could result in trade friction with the rest of Europe. Japanese manufacturers such as Nissan Motor Co built plants in Britain because it offered a convenient gateway to the EU. Story continues There is, Raab predicted, enough political will in both the EU and Britain to conclude a deal that will decide their future relationship before a transition period finishes at the end of the year. "We have too much in common, too much at stake for politics to trump the mutual economic self interest. On both sides we've got a chance now to focus on the positives in the relationship," he said. Raab, who traveled to Japan from Australia, will stop in Singapore and Malaysia before returning to London. (Reporting by Tim Kelly and Sam Nussey; Editing by Stephen Coates) Storyful An affable deer created somewhat of a buzz in a neighborhood near Salt Lake City, Utah, he regularly visited over the holiday period.The deer, nicknamed Cooper by local residents, has been playing with children in the neighborhood of Herriman and was even spotted posing for photos, reports said.Herriman resident Angelica Lujan recorded footage of the tame deer interacting with her children outside of her home on South Rowell Drive.Speaking to KSTU, a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources representative said despite the deers friendly attitude, the best thing for the animal is for people to leave him alone.People dont realize these beautiful, cute deer can be aggressive as they get older. Weve had times in the past where these friendly deer, they do get aggressive, said Scott Root, Conservation Outreach Manager, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.Weve had kids hurt at bus stops. Bad things happen when we feed deer in a residential area, Root added. Credit: Angelica Lujan via Storyful Aleksandra Markovic walked down the aisle with Ivan Sarakula on Sunday's episode of Married At First Sight. But two very important people were missing from her big day - her mother and father. As she prepared to marry a stranger, the 32-year-old broke down in tears, explaining that her traditional family do not agree with her decision to appear on the show. Sad day: On Sunday's episode of Married At First Sight, Aleksandra Markovic (pictured) broke down after her traditional parents refused to attend her wedding to Ivan Sarakula 'I do call on my mum, every day. It doesn't matter what we are talking about. Not having her there is going to be really hard,' she said, tears welling. She continued: 'I chose to do this experiment on my own. I seek so much approval from my parents my whole life, And this was one thing taking a risk on love and happiness I'm taking it into my own hands. 'And just going screw you all I am going to this for myself. I got love tattooed on me, and I believe I deserve to find someone who will value love just as much as I do'. Upset: 'I do call on my mum, every day. It doesn't matter what we are talking about. Not having her there is going to be really hard,' she said, tears welling Once Aleks married Ivan, 30, she again felt the absence of her mum and dad, especially when Ivan became annoyed at his own, who did attend the nuptials. Ivan, a real estate agent from Sydney, became enraged when his mother embarrassed him by singing at the couple's reception. Aleks quickly got him back in line by explaining that she wished her own family would have done the same for her. Not happy mum! Ivan, a real estate agent from Sydney, became enraged when his mother Joanne (pictured) embarrassed him by singing at the couple's reception Aleks got him back in line: 'Your parents are here. Count your blessings. I've been in tears every single day because my parents aren't here. I would love for my mum to do that,' she said Happy! Despite Alexandra's sorrow, she and Ivan had a spark, and the pair, who work in the same industry and both come from Eastern European backgrounds, got along well 'Your parents are here. Count your blessings. I've been in tears every single day because my parents aren't here. I would love for my mum to do that,' she told him. Speaking to camera, the Perth-based real estate agent added: 'They're here to support him. I wasn't lucky enough to have that. He should be happy about that'. Despite Alexandra's sorrow, she and Ivan had a spark, and the pair, who work in the same industry and both come from European backgrounds, got along like a house on fire, with Aleks saying Ivan, 'is the male version of me'. Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7.30pm on Nine PARIS (Reuters) - Top seed Gael Monfils captured his third title at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier on Sunday with a clinical 7-5 6-3 win over Canada's Vasek Pospisil in the final. The 33-year-old, who also lifted the trophy in 2010 and 2014, saved all four break points he faced and converted two out of four to secure the win and match compatriot Richard Gasquet's haul of three titles. He also improved his head-to-head record against Pospisil to 6-0 en route to the ninth title of his career, although his task became easier after the world number 132 took a tumble and appeared be hampered by a leg injury. Monfils became the eighth French champion in 10 editions of the ATP 250 event and the world number nine will head to Rotterdam to defend his title next week full of confidence. It was a disappointing day for 29-year-old Pospisil, who was looking to capture a first ATP title in his second final, having returned to form following back surgery in January 2019. (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond) A four-year-old boy has died from the flu after his mother reportedly treated him with advice offered by members of an anti-vaccine Facebook group, according to reports. Last week, Geneva Montoya, from Pueblo, Colorado, sought advice from the Facebook group "Stop Mandatory Vaccination" after two of her four children had been diagnosed with the flu, according to NBC News. Although the youngest child, Najee, had not yet been diagnosed, he had a 102-degree fever and had a seizure when Ms Montoya told the group that the doctor had prescribed Tamiflu, an antiviral medication to treat the flu, but I did not pick it up. I am in desperate need of help with what to do for my pore (sic) kiddos! the post reads, according to a screenshot. Ms Montoya concluded the post asking the groups more than 144,000 members what she could give the children to help the fever or the symptoms subside. According to NBC News, members of the group suggested she try breast milk and thyme and elderberry, which are not medically recommended treatments for the flu. Perfect, Ill try that, the mother responded, according to the outlet. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed the child died from the flu and told NBC News that it did not have records showing whether the boy had been vaccinated. The death is the second paediatric flu death in Colorado this season, the department said in a statement. Following the four-year-olds death, his father Najee Jackson Sr explained what happened to his son and spoke out in defence of his family. His heart stopped, he told Fox31. He wasnt breathing. They got his heart going back at the hospital in Pueblo. The child, who tested positive for Influenza B and Paraflu, was later declared brain dead and taken off life support, according to a GoFundMe page set up by Ms Montoya. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has donated money for me son Najee! an update posted Thursday read. It is my deepest sorrow to inform those of you that dont already know that my son has been taken off of life support and has passed. Myself and all those who love Najee are devastated and broken. Story continues Regarding criticisms over the familys association with the anti-vaxx Facebook group, Mr Jackson said: I dont look at none of it. The negative comments - keep to yourself because at the end of the day, whats important is that each one of these parents goes home and kisses their kids. In a statement to KKTV, Ms Montoya said: "I'm hurting so bad right now and so is his dad and brothers. Our whole family is hurting and it feels like we failed him because we did what we had to do, but did not comment on whether the child was vaccinated. According to Mr Jackson, his wife and the couples three other sons, including a 10-month-old whose symptoms required hospitalisation, are still battling the flu. The four-year-old's death comes after a survey from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) found that 59 per cent of parents said that their child has missed a flu shot at least once due to misinformation or a misunderstanding. From 1 October 2019 through 1 February 2020, there have been anywhere from 12,000 to 30,000 deaths from the flu in the US, according to estimates from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read more Major flu treatment advance 'could save thousands of lives' Reddy dared Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to prove in what way the Citizenship Amendment Act was against the 130 crore population of India Hyderabad: Half of Bangladesh's population will leave that country if Indian citizenship was promised to them, Union minister G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday. Speaking at Santh Ravidas Jayanthi celebrations in Hyderabad, Reddy dared Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to prove in what way the Citizenship Amendment Act was against the 130 crore population of India. "Half of Bangladesh will be empty (vacant) if India offers citizenship to them (Bangladeshis). Half of Bangladeshis will come over to India if citizenship is promised (to them). Who will take responsibility? KCR? or Rahul Gandhi?," he asked. "They seek citizenship for infiltrators. The Government of India is ready to review the CAA if it has one word against anyone of the 130 crore citizens, but not for Pakistani or Bangladeshi Muslims," Reddy said. Noting that CAA was brought in on humanitarian grounds for certain persecuted communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, he said some political parties were demanding that citizenship be given to Muslims of those countries also. Taking a dig at TRS and its 'friendly party' AIMIM, Reddy alleged that the former was indulging in vote bank politics. "I am requesting the TRS party. I am requesting the chief minister (KCR). I am challenging the chief minister to prove if any one person out of 130 crore citizens of this country were affected by the Citizenship Amendment Act," the Union Minister of State for Home said. Asserting that refugees and infiltrators should not be treated alike, he claimed that parties such as Congress were seeking citizenship for infiltrators, who came from Bangladesh and Pakistan. According to him, some refugees have been staying in India for the past 40 years without any facilities and documents such as voter Id, Aadhar or ration card. Parvez Sultan By NEW DELHI: The resentment of Muslims against the narrative of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) weaved around nationalism and Hindutva and subsequent provocative statement by its leaders was palpable as the citizenry came out to vote on Saturday. They made it apparent and gave a thumbs down to the contour of the campaign laid out by the saffron outfit. Majority of Muslim voters seems to have voted for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who had shifted to Congress in Lok Sabha polls last year as they believed that the grand old party was capable of defeating divisive politics at the national level. Khawar Ali, a young professional from Okhla, said a few of traditional Congress sympathizers were till recently contemplating to make a choice but Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) cleared all their doubts. With the series of protests including the one at Shaheen Bagh against CAA taking center stage in BJP campaign, political mobilisation took place in the community to disapprove the politics of hate. It became easier to pick our candidates. Division of votes would have given advantage to people, who were inciting hatred, he said. Consolidation of Muslim votes has also raised the concern of BJP leadership. Mohammad Burhanuddin, a resident of the Walled City, however, had a different opinion. He said that there was no question of returning to Congress as incumbent government had left no stone unturned to make our life more comfortable. People who dont have resources are getting free water and power. We have better schools and health facilities now. What else do we need? I believe that the government has performed and deserves another term, he said. Conventionally, the community in the national capital has always voted for the Congress. After 2013 and in subsequent elections, the Congress bastions shifted to AAP. Azhar Khan, who works as an agent for a insurance company, said messages were circulated among community WhatsApp group to vote en bloc to AAP to defeat communal forces. For us, till a couple of weeks ago, the elections were just another opportunity to chose a government. But scenario changed after Shaheen Bagh. It became a fight for our rights and identity, said Khan, who is the voter of Okhla seat. Contradicting Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Assembly Speaker, CP Joshi has said that the Government of India has passed the Citizenship Amendment Act and State government has to implement it as under the Constitution, citizenship is a subject of the Centre, not of the State. "Under the Constitution, citizenship is a subject of the Centre and not of the State," said Joshi at the annual award distribution ceremony of Mira Girls College in Udaipur February 7. "State governments can make laws only on the subjects of the concurrent list like the Center made the law under the Motor Vehicle Act. The region of the state will not implement it, but the law is that if the central government has made a law in the corporate subject, no state can make a law against it," he added. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has repeatedly declared that CAA and NRC will not be implemented in the State. Protests have been going on in various parts of the country against the newly amended citizenship law since December last year. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and if they entered India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ALTON Saturday was like a fairy tale for a number of area young women who received glamorous clothing, beautiful transformations, with dashing young men awaiting their arrival at the ball. The Cinderella Affair in downtown Alton prepared the young women for Saturday evenings Alton High School Air Force JROTC Military Ball. The ladies chose from a selection of loaned formal dresses and received free makeovers, hair styling and nail treatments to prepare them for the big night. There were no fairy godmothers present. But the volunteers who dressed and prepped the ball-goers worked their own magic for the appreciative recipients. I feel a little bit like a fairy godmother, and my makeup brush is definitely my wand, said 20-year-old Gabi Ramirez of Moro, a volunteer makeup artist. Several years ago I heard about people donating the dresses, and I heard they did hair and makeup too. And I love doing makeup, so I decided to try it out. Ramirez said making the ball-goers feel beautiful was her way of paying her own good fortune forward. Ive never had to worry about what they worry about when I was younger. I was able to buy dresses and do my own makeup and get my hair done, Ramirez said. Now I am providing that for them, and they get to have this opportunity, and it makes me feel so good. All of the young women receiving dresses and makeovers also volunteered to help their fellow dance attendees, which made them feel doubly blessed. Theyre putting in so much work just for us, and I love everything about helping people, said 16-year-old Emileigh Swarringin of Alton. It makes me feel really good about myself, and I will feel so much better tonight because I had all of this help. Its going to be magical. Fifteen-year-old Naomi Fader of Alton was also looking forward to a magical evening. It really does feel like a fairy tale, Fader said. And these people are fairy godmothers, very much so. Kiersten Cunningham, a 15-year-old Alton resident, said she was nervous and excited at the same time as she was having her nails done. It will be fun hanging out with my friends tonight and learning how to help people today, she said. The Military Ball that Cinderella Affair participants attended is an annual event held at Alton High School for student participants the Air Force JROTC, or Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps. The JROTC is a military regulated high school program designed to train students in leadership roles and to motivate young people to become better American citizens. The clothing and services provided on Saturday were made possible by public donations to the Cinderella Affair. Wanda Lucas of Bunker Hill is in her eighth year of coordinating the event. I kind of adopted my local high school, and it seemed like girls always needed a dress or shoes, or a guy needed a suit for school dances, Lucas said. One year a dozen girls needed help, so I invited them all to my house because I figured if they needed a dress and shoes, they would probably like to have their makeup, nails and hair done, she said. So I asked a makeup artist and a beautician, and I asked the girls moms to join us. It was hit, she said. We all had a blast, and thats when I realized we had something. Lucas said that, with new evening gowns costing several hundred dollars or more, many local kids think they cant go to formal school dances. The Cinderella Affair gives them an opportunity they might not otherwise have, and organizers occasionally experience magic of their own. So many people donate to us and some we dont even know their names, Lucas said. We keep a rack outside of my home and sometimes Ill wake up and there will be dresses out on the rack. Its an almost indescribable feeling, she said. It makes you feel amazing. For more information, visit Cinderella-Affair on Facebook. Five people were injured in Maharashtra's Jalna district after a hyena went on an attacking spree in several villages on Saturday morning, a forest department official said. The injured hail from Pimpalgaon Kolte, Talegaon, Khandala and Deulgaon villages in Bhokardhan tehsil of Jalna, some 90 kilometres from here, and have been admitted in a government hospital in Aurangabad, Forest Officer Shrikant Itlod told PTI. "From the footprints, we have confirmed it was a hyena that caused the injuries. The animal has now moved into the jungle nearby and forest teams have been activated to ensure it is trapped if it ventures into residential areas again," Itlod informed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Badung, Bali Sun, February 9, 2020 15:45 701 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20636b901 1 World Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,cap-go-meh,Lunar-New-Year,Chinese-New-Year,Chinese-tourists,tourists,denpasar,Bali-Airport,Ngurah-Rai-International-Airport,coronavirus,wuhan,China Free A flight chartered by the Chinese Consulate-General picked up 61 Chinese nationals from Balis Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday to bring them back to Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China. The tourists, comprising 49 adults and 12 children, had been stranded in Bali since Wednesday following the Indonesian governments decision to temporarily halt all flights to and from mainland China. Read also: Thousands of Chinese tourists stranded in Bali as govt halts flights to and from China "The China Consulate General said it had picked up its residents today because they want to celebrate Cap Go Meh [15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar] in their home country, Ngurah Rai Airport general manager Herry Sikado said on Saturday. The flight took off from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport at 2:11 p.m. local time, having arrived in Bali from Guangzhou at 12.20 p.m. In an attempt to prevent the new coronavirus from spreading, tight procedures were implemented before and after the flight took off. Airport management prepared an isolated parking area for the plane, located as far as possible from the main terminal. None of the flight crew were allowed to get off the plane during take-off preparations. And before takeoff, a joint team consisting of the flight crew and a medical team sprayed disinfectant throughout the aircraft, the cockpit crew and baggage area. The passengers were also required to undergo a medical checkup in a designated area. All passengers were healthy during their stay in Bali. Before they boarded the plane, the medical team checked their temperatures, which were normal, Herry said. (dpk) KYODO NEWS - Feb 8, 2020 - 23:37 | Japan, World, All Japan plans to discuss how to proceed with a high-speed railway project in India employing Japan's shinkansen technology after its estimate found a budget shortfall of some 500 billion yen ($4.56 billion), a source close to the matter said Saturday. The cost for the project connecting around 500 kilometers between Mumbai and Ahmedabad rose from the previous budget of 980 billion rupees ($14.68 billion) after India called for building a reinforced elevated bridge and using shield machines for excavations, the source said. The shortage is the latest setback for the iconic project in Japan-India partnership after the commercial operation was pushed back by five years from originally scheduled 2023 following a site acquisition delay. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi plan to discuss the matter at a summit. The two leaders agreed in December 2015 on the introduction of the bullet train technology to India, which would be the country's first high-speed railway project. Under the agreement, Japan pledged to provide loans of up to about 1.46 trillion yen for the railway construction led by Indian companies. Japan International Consultants for Transportations Co., a subsidiary of East Japan Railway Co., has taken part in the project to help provide trains, while the parent company looks to offer maintenance and driver training services. Abe had to postpone a three-day trip to India in December after a curfew was imposed in Guwahati in the state of Assam following the violent protests over legislation that gives citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The Japanese premier was slated to meet Modi there and take up the railway cost issue. Related coverage: New train route eyed between Haneda airport and Tokyo Disney resorts Japan Railway turning to AI to combat problems with snow "Hokutosei" sleeper train to be revived in Hokkaido as guesthouse Allentown police are investigating a nightclub brawl that left a 36-year-old man with three stab wounds. The victim arrived at an area hospital at about 5 a.m. Sunday, said Allentown Police Assistant Chief Steve Vangelo. Vangelo said at the same time, officers were called to a large fight in progress at nearby View Lounge, 1101 Hamilton St. Witnesses, he said, reported fighting in all areas of the building, including the nightclubs stairwells. Investigators connected the stabbing of the man to that brawl, Vangelo said. His injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. A suspect was not in custody Sunday afternoon, Vangelo said. The incident remains under investigation by the Allentown Police Department. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. At least eight people were killed in clashes in Iraqs southern city of Najaf yesterday after supporters of populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed an anti-government protest camp, medical and security sources said. The medical sources said at least 20 more were wounded in the violence but did not provide further details. The security sources said that supporters of Sadr, known as blue hats for the blue caps they often wear, had tried to clear the area of anti-government protesters, who in turn tried to stop them. Fights broke out between both groups, the blue hats threw petrol bombs at protester tents and live gunfire rang out shortly afterwards, wounding and killing eight people, they said. Iraqs designated Prime Minister Mohammed Allawi, who was tasked last week with forming a new government, condemned the violence and called on Twitter on the outgoing cabinet which is acting in a caretaker capacity to protect protesters. Sadr, who supported Allawis candidacy in an agreement with Iran-backed parties that dominate Iraqs government and state institutions, has at different times both supported and abandoned Iraqi protesters who demand a removal of the entire ruling elite. EVANSVILLE, Ind. Federal prosecutors have indicted 17 people with ties to a motorcycle club on charges alleging that they operated a drug ring in Indiana and Kentucky. The indictments announced Thursday by U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler allege that some of defendants are members of the Grim Reapers Motorcycle Club or associates of that Evansville group. Prosecutors said they believe Evansville residents Gary Wayne Forston, 39, and Jason Wilson, 42, were the ringleaders of a drug operation that allegedly distributed methamphetamine in Evansville and nearby communities. Forston is the Grim Reapers' president and was previously indicted on weapons charges after a November raid on the club. Minkler said officials had seized 23 guns, $35,000 in cash and 10 pounds of meth that has an estimated street value of more than $250,000. Most of the defendants were allegedly mid-level distributors who are accused of selling drugs to lower-level drug dealers or directly to users, the Evansville Courier & Press reported. The indictments are the culmination of a six-month, multi-agency investigation which included federal, state and local law enforcement. Victoria Police and Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton have been cleared by a WorkSafe Victoria investigation over claims the force failed to protect employees from a senior officer accused of repeatedly bullying colleagues. A complaint to Victoria's workplace watchdog in August 2019 accused Mr Ashton of ignoring the recommendations of a report into the alleged conduct of former superintendent Dean Stevenson in 2012. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton: cleared over a claim he failed to protect members from bullying. Credit:AAP Mr Ashton, who was then deputy commissioner, ordered a new probe that allowed the former high-ranking officer to remain in the job, according to a complaint by former officer David Bishop, who was an alleged victim of Mr Stevenson. Mr Stevenson was later promoted to the rank of commander but resigned last year after he was accused of bullying at least five other officers, which prompted the force to undertake an occupational health and safety risk assessment of his conduct. The 2020 Academy Awards is facing backlash after ABC rejected an ad for postpartum products for being 'too graphic', raising ire from the likes of Busy Philipps and Elizabeth Banks. Postpartum product brand Frida Mom released an ad to Instagram on Friday which it claimed was unjustly banned from airing during ABC's Oscars broadcast on Sunday. They slammed the Oscars for failing new mothers and for placing 'feminine hygiene' in the same category as guns and violence as a banned subject. The 60-second ad shows a new mother being woken up by her baby and then struggling with pain to go to the toilet as she changes her mesh underwear. Busy Philipps was among the celebs to post their support for Frida Mom over the ad Frida Mom posted their rejected ad to Instagram on Friday and criticized the Academy Awards for placing them in the same category as guns and violence in banning them 'The ad you're about to watch was rejected by ABC & the Oscars from airing during this year's award show. It's not 'violent, political' or sexual in nature,' Frida Mom wrote in their post. 'Our ad is not 'religious or lewd' and does not portray 'guns or ammunition'. 'Feminine hygiene & hemorrhoid relief' are also banned subjects. It's just a new mom, home with her baby and her new body for the first time. 'Yet it was rejected. And we wonder why new moms feel unprepared. So spray it forward and share this video with every new mom. She deserves to be prepared' they concluded. The ad starts showing a new mom struggling to get out out bed in pain as her baby cries The ad then shows her postpartum stomach and mesh underwear as she goes to the bathroom She is shown changing her mesh underwear and lining it against postpartum bleeding It advertised Frida Mom's postpartum products which they claim will make this easier as they try to prepare new moms for the issues that come in the 'fourth trimester' of pregnancy The video post was introduced with a brief explanation of why the Academy told Frida Mom that the ad was not acceptable for the awards ceremony before showing the full clip of a mother struggling out of bed and hobbling to the bathroom to change her underwear and treat her postpartum issues with a plastic bottle filled with water. The ad ends with the line 'Postpartum recovery doesn't have to be this hard' as Frida Mom advertise their postpartum products. The company claims that it attempts to show the reality of life postpartum to prepare new moms for what's in store in the period often referred to as the 'fourth trimester'. The woman is seen changing her underwear and her stomach is shown but it has no nudity. Yet according to Frida Mom, the Academy rejected the clip because it is 'too graphic with partial nudity and product demonstration'. 'Frida Mom's mission is to ensure women know what's going to happen to their bodies postpartum and prepare them,' the company argued in a statement. The ad was banned for airing during the 92nd Academy Awards this Sunday evening Elizabeth Banks commended Busy Philipps for speaking out on the rejected postpartum ad The company's announcement about the rejected ad was met with a wave of online support with actress Busy Philipps adding her voice to the disgust that the Academy refused to allow it on air. 'I legit teared up when I just watched it,' Philipps wrote as she reposted the video, claiming that erectile dysfunction is not given the same treatment as feminine hygiene and that she was tired of women being 'rejected by the gatekeepers of media'. 'Partially because this is clearly an ad made by women who have been there and get it and partially because I DO believe so strongly that the more we can NORMALIZE A WOMAN'S BODILY EXPERIENCE IN MEDIA, the better off our culture and society will be. AND YES THAT MEANS ADS TOO,' Philips continued. 'You probably don't even flinch when an Erectile Disfunction ad comes on but THIS AD IS REJECTED?! I think this is an incredible piece of advertising that accurately represents something millions of women know intimately. 'And I'm so f-----g sick of living in a society where the act of simply BEING A WOMAN is rejected by the gatekeepers of media. Well. Shame on them and NOT on us for simply being human women.' Actress Busy Philipps voiced her support for Frida Mom after their ad was rejected Actresses Elizabeth Banks and Michelle Monaghan applauded Busy Philipps' post In 2018, Chrissy Teigan was commended for sharing a picture in postpartum underwear Actress Elizabeth Banks commented 'Bravo Busy' while Michelle Monaghan added 'this is so important'. This is not the first time that Frida Mom has faced rejected ads. In 2018, their billboards which used the tagline 'Your V*gina Will Thank you' were banned everywhere but New York. In 2018, Chrissy Teigan was commended for showing off her postpartum underwear on Instagram and highlighting the realities of life with a newborn for her 17 million followers. The 92nd Academy Awards will air on ABC on Sunday at 8pm. President Trump on Sunday blamed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo for two separate shootings of police officers in the Bronx hours earlier. An NYPD lieutenant was shot in the arm inside a precinct early Sunday morning and another officer was ambushed while sitting in a patrol car on Saturday evening. Surveillance video from Sunday morning shows the suspect stroll into the 41st precinct in the Bronx and fire at officers who run to investigate the sound of the gunshot before 8am. On Saturday, a cop was shot by a gunman who opened fire on their SUV in the street. Investigators believe the two shootings are linked. The president tweeted on Sunday: I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYCs Finest are. Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor, stand away (water thrown at them) regulations, and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault. Stop this now! Tim O'Brien, a Trump biographer and former journalist who now serves as an adviser to Michael Bloomberg's presidential campaign, tweeted in response: 'Translation: I grew up in a mansion in Queens and then lived in a Caesars Palace-style aerie several hundred feet above Fifth Avenue. Real New Yorkers have always considered me to be a con man and a cartoon character.' Last year, Trump took aim at de Blasio after several videotaped instances of passersby dousing New York police officers with water went viral on social media. President Trump on Sunday blamed New York's Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, and New York City's Democratic mayor, Bill de Blasio, for shootings of police officers in the Bronx over the weekend I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYCs Finest are, the president tweeted on Sunday Tim O'Brien, a Trump biographer and former journalist who now serves as an adviser to Michael Bloomberg's presidential campaign, tweeted in response: 'Translation: I grew up in a mansion in Queens and then lived in a Caesars Palace-style aerie several hundred feet above Fifth Avenue.' Trump was reacting to news out of New York, where an NYPD cop was shot in the arm inside a police station on Sunday morning. It was the second police-involved shooting in the Bronx in just 12 hours In July, after three men were arrested for spraying officers with water in separate incidents in Harlem and Brooklyn, Trump tweeted: We love our Law Enforcement Officers all around this great Country. What took place in NYC with water being tossed on NYPD officers was a total disgrace. It is time for @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio to STAND UP for those who protect our lives and serve us all so well.' In an earlier shooting on Saturday night, a gunman shot a police officer who was sitting inside a patrol car. The suspect (pictured) fled the scene Trump added: 'What took place was completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Bill de Blasio should act immediately!' The president has also done battle publicly with Cuomo. On Saturday, he branded the Democratic governor stupid after Cuomo cancelled a meeting with him. The swipe is the latest in a fight over immigration policy between Trump and Democratic leaders in his former home state over immigration policy. The president tweeted that Cuomo had cancelled on him at the last minute. He went on to say that New York was 'very hard to work with'. 'So stupid. All they do is sue me all the time!' he wrote. New York lawmakers are planning to sue the Department of Homeland Security over a ban on state residents applying to or renewing trusted traveler programs including Global Entry in response to a new law that could give illegal immigrants driving licenses. The ban will affect at least 175,000 residents enrolled in the programs and about 30,000 commercial truck drivers who make crossings into the US from Canada. Anti-police sentiment has been building in the city as locals accused the NYPD of harassing subway riders who are unable to pay fares. Last week, hundreds of protesters shouted slogans denouncing the police in Grand Central Terminal. Anti-police sentiment has been building in the city as locals accused the NYPD of harassing subway riders who are unable to pay fares. Last week, hundreds of protesters shouted slogans denouncing the police in Grand Central Terminal. Besides the action at Grand Central, protesters also vandalized station walls across the city and glued machines where commuters need to swipe their train cards to access turnstiles. Protesters also put up locks on station doors, allowing multiple people access to train platforms without having to pay the $2.75 fare. Last year, Trump slammed the mayor after several instances of police officers being doused with water by locals went viral on social media In July, after three men were arrested for spraying officers with water in separate incidents in Harlem and Brooklyn, Trump tweeted: We love our Law Enforcement Officers all around this great Country.' The president tweeted in July: It is time for @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio to STAND UP for those who protect our lives and serve us all so well.' Officers in New York were put on high alert over the weekend after two officers were shot in separate incidents. Police believe Robert Williams - a man arrested on murder charges in 1992 and 2002 - is responsible for the shootings. Footage from Sunday shows the suspect sneaking up behind officers after firing at the lieutenant positioned at the front desk. Staff inside the station are seen quickly subduing the male wearing blue jeans, an orange and black jacket and beanie hat. He ducks for cover as they respond to his attack. The suspect lays face down on the floor before approximately a dozen officers rush over to detain him. He was reportedly in custody shortly before 8am. Commissioner Dermot Shea said the suspect - who is seen in this image holding a gun - shot at the officer multiple times while he sat in his patrol car An NYPD cop is expected to survive after being shot in his patrol van in the Bronx on Saturday Man is seen raising his gun and firing on cps in security camera footage First responders were seen taking the victim out of the station on a stretcher and senior law enforcement officials warned people to avoid the Southern Blvd & Longwood Ave as they blocked off the area and stopped local trains. The officer was expected to survive, reports said on Sunday morning. Cops had launched a hunt for a man after on Saturday, an NYPD cop was shot at during what was being called an assassination attempt. It was caught on surveillance camera. Two uniformed officers were sitting in a locked police van with emergency lights activated when a man is seen approaching them. Commissioner Dermot Shea said the suspect started a conversation with the officers about 8.30pm on Saturday. Police believe the man asked the officers for directions before pulling out a gun 'without provocation,' the commissioner said. An officer shot at 906 Simpson St in the Bronx New York on Saturday, February 8, 2020 The suspect (pictured) was caught on camera walking away from the scene of the shooting, which police say was unprovoked NYPD issued a warning to avoid the area as helicopter is called in to search for the suspect Cuomo condemned the 'heinous' attacks on those who serve the city. 'Horrified by the multiple attacks on officers in the Bronx,' New York Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted. 'NY's law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These attacks are heinous. Those responsible will be brought to justice & held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.' Speaking at the hospital where the officer shot in the patrol car was receiving treatment, de Blasio condemned an attempt to assassinate police officers. 'There's just too much hatred out there right now,' the mayor said. An NYPD cop is expected to survive after being shot in his patrol car in the Bronx on Saturday Police are advising to stay away from the area. Emergency vehicles are still in the area. The shooting and the aftermath were captured by several people on the Citizen app The six-year-veteran cop was grazed on the chin and neck after the suspect fire off multiple rounds into the van without provocation. The victim is said to have been sitting in the marked patrol van with a partner when they were approached by a man looking for directions from the passenger side of the vehicle. When they rolled down their window, witnesses say both cops noticed the man was holding a gun and attempted to escape by hitting the gas and attempting to drive away, New York Daily News reports. The man fired multiple shots, striking the officer behind the wheel in the chin and neck. Shea said the bullets narrowly missed the officer's carotid artery. The shooting happened outside 906 Simpson Street in the Bronx, New York, on Saturday Police have offered a $12,500 reward for information that could identify the suspect 'He is lucky to be alive,' Shea said. 'He is expected to make a full recovery and it is a miracle.' Neither officer returned fire. The shooting happened near the junction of East 163 and Barretto streets, where the officers were stationed because of recent drug activity and violence, Shea said. The officer's partner drove him to a hospital nearby. Bhopal: BJP MLA Narayan Tripathy, who had taken his party by surprise by backing a bill tabled by the treasury bench in the state assembly recently, on Sunday stirred a political row by demanding a separate Vindhyachal state, carved out Madhya Pradesh. The rebel BJP legislator told reporters here that Vindhyachal region in Madhya Pradesh has been neglected by successive governments in the state leading to backwardness of the area. He said development of the region could be ensured if it was made a separate state. Chhattisgarh, carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000, was a backward region when it was part of undivided MP. Chhattisgarh has witnessed development in all fields after it was made a separate state, he said. He was talking to reporters on the sideline of a meeting of Vindhyachal council here where he took part. Mr Tripathy said he would place his demand in the ensuing budget session of the state assembly and also write letters to chief minister Kamal Nath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to draw their attention to the demand. I would appeal to leaders of all political parties from Vindhyachal to join a common platform to demand for separate state of Vindhyachal and build a movement for it, he added. State ministers P.C. Sharma and Kamlesh Patel besides senior BJP leader and former minister Viswas Sarang also attended the meeting. Mr Patel however slammed Mr Tripathy for demanding a separate Vindhyachal state saying that the region has witnessed development along with other areas of the state. He dismissed the charges that Vindhyachal has been neglected by successive government in the state, saying There is absolutely no basis in the allegation. Opposition BJP however refused to react to Mr Tripathys demand, saying that The statement (by Mr Tripathy) does not merit reaction. Sources described Mr Tripathys statement as publicity stunt aimed at catching media attention. He is no longer taken seriously either by BJP or Congress, a senior Congress leader here said. Mr Tripathy had stirred hornets nest last when he supported a bill tabled by the treasury bench in the state assembly and dared his party to initiate action against him for this. He however a few weeks later made a U-turn saying that he was and would be with BJP. We're at the eve of the announcement of Samsung's 11th generation Galaxy S - the Galaxy S20. This is a very important product launch for Samsung as it's the first Galaxy S phone in the new decade (hence the jump from 10 to 20) and a phone that will be faced with a slowing market that's nonetheless full of capable competitors. Not to mention that the new Galaxy S trio will carry Samsung's banner into battle until the Galaxy Note arrives in the fall. So let's put the big Galaxy S line in perspective with this infographic courtesy of gadgetsdeck. It goes through the Galaxy S from June of 2010 all the way through to the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ and Galaxy S20 Ultra that will take the stage on February 11. It's a neatly laid out list of the Galaxy S phones through the years along with their key specs and advancements. We've done our own walkthrough of the Galaxy S lineup leading up to the Galaxy S9 - part 1 and 2 - which we'll update in time to add the newer members. Meanwhile feel free to hit the comments sections with your favorite moments of the Galaxy S history. Source All exit polls on Saturday were unanimous in their prediction that Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is all set to romp home with a second consecutive victory, prompting words of caution and triggering confidence from political leaders. The five exit polls projected AAPs win by a two-thirds majority as the predictions differed only in terms of the margin of victory. The exit polls predicted chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is expected to win anything between 47 seats to 68 seats in the assembly of 70 members. Also Watch | Exit polls predict AAPs comeback, BJP asks to wait till result day Most polls expected the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to improve its performance from the last assembly elections in 2015, when it won just three seats. All the five exit polls predicted little will change for the Congress, which was in power between 1998 and 2013 but drew a blank in the last assembly polls in 2015. The Congress, they suggested, would come a distant third either failing to secure any seat, according to two polls, or, at best, winning three seats (ABP News-CVoter). The numbers The India Today-Axis poll showed that the AAP would win anywhere between 59 and 68 seats, and gave the BJP between two to 11 seats. The Congress would not win any seat, the poll said. According to its regional break-up of the city, the AAP got 9-10 seats in east Delhi, 9-10 in south Delhi, 9-10 seats in New Delhi, 7-9 seats in north-east Delhi, 9-10 seats in Chandni Chowk, 7-9 in north-west Delhi, and 9-10 seats in west Delhi. Among other surveys, the ABP-C Voter poll gave 49-63 seats to AAP and 5-19 seats to the BJP; the Republic-Jan ki Baat poll gave AAP 48-61 seats and BJP 9-21; the Times Now-Ipsos poll gave AAP 47 and BJP 23 seats, and the News X-Neta poll gave 53-57 seats to AAP and 11-17 seats to the BJP. What they did Leaders of the AAP and BJP went into a huddle in the evening after the exit poll prediction to assess and plan ways out for the next two days till results are declared on February 11. Kejriwal held a meeting with political campaign strategist Prashant Kishor and party leaders Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia to analyse the partys constituency-wise performance and its preparedness for counting day. The AAP has deployed about 150 volunteers to ensure the safety of the EVMs, which are kept in 30 strong rooms across the city. In Babarpur constituency, we found an officer had wrongly kept an EVM with him. We are going to complain to the election commission. To ensure there is no malpractice, we are deputing all our candidates and sitting MLAs to man each and every strong room in Delhi, said Sanjay Singh, AAP senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP. BJP chief JP Nadda also called a meeting of all seven members of Parliament from Delhi and senior party leaders. Delhi election in-charge and Union ministers Prakash Javadekar, Hardeep Singh Puri, Nityanand Rai, BJP organisational general secretary BL Santhosh and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari attended the meeting. Congress also went into a huddle to discuss its strategy and plan the partys future course. Who said what Almost all BJP leaders rejected the exit polls. The first to do so was the president of the BJPs Delhi unit, Manoj Tiwari who said exit poll results would be proven wrong. All exit polls will fall flat. Save this tweet of mine. The BJP will form the government in Delhi by winning 48 seats. Kindly do not blame the EVMs {electronic voting machines} and look for alternate excuses. Tiwari tweeted in Hindi. Earlier in the day, Tiwari talked about his sixth sense that told him that the BJP would edge out Kejriwal and form the government with at least 50 seats. He later said his party will 48 seats in the 70-member assembly. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said his party will wait for the exact polls and stressed that the BJP will come to power. There will be a huge difference in exit polls and the final results. We will wait for exact polls. Exit polls had failed in May elections (17th Lok Sabha polls) as well, Javadekar was quoted as saying by ANI. We have seen ground reality and we have got a good response. We will come into power on February 11, he added. Shyam Jaju, Delhi BJP in-charge, also said the same thing. Exit polls have proved to be wrong in the past. This time, too, the result will surprise everyone, he said. BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi too expressed confidence her party will perform well and also claimed that Arvind Kejriwal will not retain his assembly seat. Exit polls have taken the analysis of two booths per assembly constituency. This analysis is based just on 0.12 or 0.15% considering that there are over 13,000 booths. Second, this analysis is based till 4 or 5pm after which 11 to 15% votes have been polled, she said, according to ANI. So, we think that our voter comes out of home after lunch. So, these exit polls do not include that 11-15 per cent votes, she said. Lekhi also pointed out to the exit polls during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Exit polls are not the exact poll. I want to give an example that in 2019 the exit polls were giving 220 seats to the NDA whereas the BJP alone won 303 seats. I am sure the BJP will perform well, she said. Several other BJP leaders have also rejected the exit polls. Deputy chief minister and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia congratulated all AAP workers for their hard work, and said the election is a proof of our strong and selfless relationship. Voting ended! Hearty congratulations to all the activists. All worked from early morning to late night and some worked for 24 hours in the last days This election is proof of how selfless and strong our relationship is. We are winning by a huge margin, Sisodia tweeted in Hindi. Congress partys national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that exit polls are only indicators, and there are several instances where these have horribly gone wrong. In Haryana, one exit poll was giving us two seats but we ended up winning 31 seats there. You can never truly know what the voter is thinking, he said. Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra said, All exit polls are going to fail. BJP will not get even 20 seats and Kejriwal is not going to form a govt in Delhi. Im hoping Congress is going to do much better than what exit polls are showing. Let us wait till the results are out. To counting day now The Election Commission said the turnout was 61.7%a provisional figure subject to change when the final figures will be released on Sunday. In the last assembly polls, there was a voter turnout of 67%. The votes will be counted on February 11 when it will be clear whether the AAP can repeat its landslide victory in 2015 when it bagged 67 seats in the 70-member House. https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Top-5-Reasons-to-Learn-Hebrew.html Why you should sign up to Aish Academys just-launched online Hebrew Ulpan course. Every Jew can and should learn Hebrew. In honor the launch of Aish Academys new Hebrew Ulpan course, here are the top 5 reasons to learn Hebrew: 1. Hebrew is the building blocks of Creation. Imagine a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen that produces water; a small change adding a second another oxygen molecule produces hydrogen peroxide. So too, in the metaphysical world: the 22 Hebrew letters are the building blocks of Creation. Betzalel's ability to construct the Mishkan (Tabernacle), the forerunner of the Temple, came through understanding how God combined Hebrew letters to create the world. The Talmud says that Adam named the animals by identifying their essence. For example, the word chamor (donkey) is the same root as chomer (physicality) because a donkey is notable for hauling physical loads. As a description of the metaphysical reality, Hebrew is steeped in deeper meaning, whereas conventional languages are arbitrary, with no inherent meaning in the words or letters. For example, Man is named Adam because he was created from dust of the earth (adama), the source of potential growth. Compare this to the Hebrew word for animal, "beheima" which is a contraction of two Hebrew words, "bah" (in it) and "mah" (what) meaning the essence of an animal is already in it; it will physically grow but it has already reached its spiritual potential. 2. Hebrew is the language of the Bible, Siddur, and Jewish study. The Torah is written in Hebrew, and learning Hebrew opens access to thousands of years of historical and philosophical texts. Translations can never fully express the nuance of the original. To fully participate in Jewish prayer, rituals and Torah study, there is no more authentic and satisfying way than in the original language. In fact, many of the schismatic religions that emerged from Judaism are riddled with mistaken translations of the original Hebrew. 3. Hebrew is key to Jewish identity. Hebrew is a special, holy language, as we say in the holiday prayers: "v'romam'tanu m'kol ha'lishonot" God elevated the Jewish people above other languages. Hebrew is the national language of the Jewish people spoken by Abraham, Moses, and King David. Furthermore, the prophet Zephaniah (3:9) predicts that in the future, Hebrew will become the primary global language. Unlike English, which is read from left-to-right, Hebrew is read from right-to-left. Hebrew expresses a particular mentality, and sometimes Western concepts are backwards when viewed from a Torah perspective. That is why Deuteronomy 11:19 instructs us to teach Torah to our children and speak to them. Rashi explains that Hebrew is such a core element of Jewish identity that every child should be taught to speak Hebrew; otherwise it is in some respect like burying the child. 4. Hebrew is the language of Israel today. After the destruction of the Second Holy Temple in 70 CE, the Jewish people were exiled around the world and Hebrew basically ceased to be a spoken language in everyday life. Once Jews began returning to the Holy Land in the 19th century, Hebrew became revived as a spoken language, and today is the primary language of nearly half of the Jewish people worldwide. This may represent the only time in history that an ancient language has been resurrected for modern use, symbolizing the eternal nature of the Jewish people. Learning Hebrew opens a window into the culture and values of Israeli society. Far beyond hummus and falafel, there is no better way to connect to Israel than by learning its language. 5. Hebrew is at the root of Americas founding. America's first institutions of higher learning, including Harvard and Princeton, made Bible study and Hebrew part of the required curriculum. The Yale seal depicts the Hebrew words "Urim V'Tumim," an item worn in the Holy Temple. The seals of both Columbia University and Dartmouth feature the Hebrew name of God. So popular was the Hebrew language in the 18th century that several students at Yale delivered their commencement orations in Hebrew. Americas founding fathers were steeped in the study of Hebrew, quoting the Bible more than any other document. At one point, the founding fathers seriously considered designating Hebrew as America's official language. In learning Hebrew, English-speakers have a good head-start. Since Israelis love to travel, and because Israeli is a technologically advanced country, modern Hebrew incorporates many loan words from English. Additionally, many English words derive from the Hebrew original, for example: regular (ragil), giraffe (oref neck), igloo (igool circle), albino (lavan white), sapphire (sappir), couple (kaful double), havoc (hafech opposite), idea (yidea knowledge), organization (irgun), etc. Hebrew is at the heart of Jewish life, and unites Jews from all corners of the world. Give your Jewish identity and Torah literacy a boost by registering now for the Hebrew Ulpan at Aish Academy. The Aish Academy Hebrew Ulpan course is taught by Rabbi Shlomo Eitan. Rabbi Eitan is an internationally recognized linguistics expert and has developed a proven method to teach Hebrew. Unlike other Hebrew language courses, Rabbi Eitan focuses on the structure of the language and through small incremental steps, youll master the fundamentals of Hebrew. Click here to find out more about Aish Academy's Online Hebrew Ulpan Course. From Teaching american history: I have had but one idea for the last three years to present to the American people, and the phraseology in which I clothe it is the old abolition phraseology. I am for the immediate, unconditional, and universal enfranchisement of the black man, in every State in the Union. [Loud applause.] Without this, his liberty is a mockery; without this, you might as well almost retain the old name of slavery for his condition; for in fact, if he is not the slave of the individual master, he is the slave of society, and holds his liberty as a privilege, not as a right. He is at the mercy of the mob, and has no means of protecting himself. It may be objected, however, that this pressing of the Negros right to suffrage is premature. Let us have slavery abolished, it may be said, let us have labor organized, and then, in the natural course of events, the right of suffrage will be extended to the Negro. I do not agree with this. The constitution of the human mind is such, that if it once disregards the conviction forced upon it by a revelation of truth, it requires the exercise of a higher power to produce the same conviction afterwards. The American people are now in tears. The Shenandoah has run bloodthe best blood of the North. All around Richmond, the blood of New England and of the North has been shedof your sons, your brothers and your fathers. We all feel, in the existence of this Rebellion, that judgments terrible, wide-spread, far-reaching, overwhelming, are abroad in the land; and we feel, in view of these judgments, just now, a disposition to learn righteousness. This is the hour. Our streets are in mourning, tears are falling at every fireside, and under the chastisement of this Rebellion we have almost come up to the point of conceding this great, this all-important right of suffrage. I fear that if we fail to do it now, if abolitionists fail to press it now, we may not see, for centuries to come, the same disposition that exists at this moment. [Applause.] Hence, I say, now is the time to press this right. More here. (Note: Throughout February, at least one post will honor The Black History Month. This years theme is African Americans and the Vote. Readers are encouraged to send in their suggestions) Jacksonville will be the first stop on an eight-city tour of Lincoln, the Great Communicator, a theatrical-style program that combines live period music with conversation and narrative to explore Abraham Lincolns personal and political communication. The performance will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in Illinois Colleges Sibert Theatre. "Stop Trying to Destroy Me and My Family": Writes Iranian American Businessman from Tehran's Evin Prison 02/09/20 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Siamak Namazi Asks Judiciary Chief to Stop Authorities from Blocking "Granted" Temporary Leave Siamak Namazi www.freenamazis.org #FreeTheNamazis February 8, 2020 - In a letter from Evin Prison in Tehran where he has been held since October 2015, Iranian American businessman Siamak Namazi asked Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi why his requests for furlough have been repeatedly denied while those around him continue to be allowed to go on temporary leave. "For the past four years, while enduring punishment for a crime I did not commit, I have been trying to restore my rights with the help of almighty God within the laws of our beloved country," wrote Namazi in a letter that was published in Persian on February 7, 2020, by the Ghanoon Telegram messaging app channel. "Four years and four months have passed without a break... Meanwhile I have witnessed the brother of a senior state official being given furlough just hours after being put into prison," he added. Namazi is serving a 10-year prison sentence on trumped-up "espionage" charges. His elderly father Baquer Namazi, an Iranian American former UNICEF official, was also sentenced to 10 years after traveling to the country to see his son but was eventually allowed to go on restricted medical leave due to life-threatening heart problems. The Namazi family recently told NRP that Baquer is not allowed to leave the country. Baquer Namazi Furlough, temporary leave typically granted to prisoners in Iran for a variety of familial, holiday, and medical reasons, is routinely denied to political prisoners and prisoners held in politically sensitive cases as a form of additional punishment. At least 11 dual and foreign nationals who were arrested by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or the Intelligence Ministry are currently imprisoned in the country. Iranian authorities pressure prisoners and their families to keep their stories secret, so that number could be higher. Following is a translation of Namazi's letter by the Center for Human Rights in Iran: Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Dr. Ebrahim Raisi Greetings, I, Siamak Namazi, who sincerely believe in my innocence, have been accused of cooperation with the enemy U.S. government against the Islamic Republic in an extra-judicial process and unfairly condemned to 10 years in prison by Judge [Abolqasem] Salavati, whose sentence was upheld by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court. For the past four years, while enduring punishment for a crime I did not commit, I have been trying to restore my rights with the help of almighty God within the laws of our beloved country. I have witnessed certain individuals being granted all kinds of pardons, temporary releases and furloughs even before they were eligible under the law. Therefore I hope I, too, will be treated with mercy and be able to enjoy the minimum of rights granted to prisoners, such as going on furlough after serving more than a third of my sentence. Four years and four months have passed without a break and meanwhile I have observed all the laws and displayed good behavior, as all the prison authorities will attest. It is my request and expectation to be granted furlough for a few weeks, as I am deserving of it. This would create an opportunity to repair my poor mental and physical state and allow me to help my 83-year-old father recover from a life-threatening illness and rectify my family's deplorable situation. I should note that after a year of submitting numerous furlough requests, on August 23 - that is more than five months ago - I was told that approval had finally been granted. However, after the submission of bail set by the assistant prosecutor, suddenly and without explanation, the amount was tripled and even when that was presented with the help of relatives, the authorities, without any reason, are still refusing to grant furlough. Meanwhile I have witnessed the brother of a senior state official being given furlough just hours after being put into prison. In conclusion I ask that you issue an order to the authorities to stop trying to destroy me and my family and observe the laws concerning security prisoners and recognize my rights. Respectfully Siamak Namazi Evin Prison BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The final statement of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be made public in April, Member of the PACE observation mission, co-rapporteur of the PACE Monitoring Committee on Azerbaijan Stefan Schennach told Trend. We are short-term observers, Schennach said. The PACE observer delegation was here two weeks ago for pre-election mission. We wanted to go to Samakhi, but it was impossible due to weather conditions. We observed the elections in different areas, member of the PACE observation mission said. We have been in Nardaran and now we are on the way to Sumgayit; then we will go to other polling stations. We observed that in the afternoon people were coming to the polling stations. In the morning there were fewer voters, as the weather is terrible. But now, I am in the polling station and there are a lot of people. Tomorrow in the afternoon there will be a press conference of OSCE, PACE observers, Schennach said. The final statement of PACE will be in April. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. The CEC Secretariat Information Center will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. - A funny photo resembling Sarkodie and Ofori Amponsah has surfaced online - The photo is an artwork used for an advert for a barbering salon - A close look at the photo shows that the painter wanted to paint Sarkodie but he ended up with one looking like the two musicians Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana A painted photo looking like Sarkodie and at the same time like Ofori Amponsah, has hit the internet. This photo has been used for the signboard of a barbering salon somewhere in Accra. The name of the salon is Gods time is the best barbering salon. Ghanaian barber makes funny-looking photo resembling Sarkodie and Ofori Amponsah Source: Original READ ALSO: Good innovation: Nana Ama McBrown throws weight behind man selling Hisense coconut From the look of things, the owner of the shop must be a stanch Sarkodie fan, and so, desired to have him on his signboard. The photo is sure to crack the ribs of social media users who would have to decide on their own if the photo is Sarkodie or Ofori Amponsah. READ ALSO: Fans raise concern over Nana Ama McBrowns husbands pose with Becca in new photo Meanwhile, the Highest rapper has been in the news recently following his trip abroad with his daughter Titi. Sarkodie and Titi flew on first-class to London for vacation. Others said he had gone there for business. In the publication by YEN.com.gh, Titi was captured dancing on the flight indicating that she was having so much fun as the only child and daughter of Ghanas Highest rapper. Ofori Amponsah, on the other hand, trended in the news for some time after he claimed that he caught his wife and his best friend having an affair. He quit music to become a pastor, however, it seems Amponsah is back on the music scene again. READ ALSO: Samini buys his 16-year-old daughter iPhone 11 pro max on her birthday Mathew Anim Cudjoe showered with money after Hearts - Kotoko game in Accra | #Yencomgh Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh La troisieme seance parlementaire de lannee 2020 aura une senteur de Saint Valentin avec la reprise des debats sur la motion de Tania Diolle qui avait debute le 3 fevrier 2020 ua meme lieu. 1. Announcements 2. Papers 3. Question 4. Motion The Honourable Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity That all the business on todays Order Paper be exempted from the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order 10. 5. Statements by Ministers 6. Motion The Honourable Fourth Member for Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes (Mrs M. A. T. Diolle) That an Address be presented to the President of the Republic of Mauritius in the following terms We, the Members of the Mauritius National Assembly, here assembled, beg leave to offer our thanks to the President of the Republic of Mauritius for the Presentation of the Government Programme 2020-2024 on the occasion of the Opening of the First Session of the Seventh National Assembly. (Resumption of Debate) Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Boris Johnson has revived plans to build a 20 billion bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland with engineers looking to copy the link between Sweden and Denmark which featured in a hit 'Scandi noir' crime drama. The Prime Minister, who is keen to sanction a series of grand infrastructure projects as a legacy of his rule, is about to receive the results of a feasibility study into the construction of a combined bridge and tunnel connection at the narrowest, 20-mile gap between Northern Ireland and the British mainland. One version of the plan would be modelled on the Oresund Bridge, which runs for five miles from the Swedish coast near Malmo to an artificial island in the middle of the Oresund Strait. Boris Johnson has revived plans to build a 20 billion bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland with engineers looking to copy the link between Sweden and Denmark which featured in a hit 'Scandi noir' crime drama It then turns into a 2.5-mile tunnel to the Danish island of Amager, near Copenhagen. The Oresund crossing was the setting for The Bridge, a popular BBC series starring Sofia Helin and Killing Eve actor Kim Bodnia as detectives investigating a gruesome murder. Mr Johnson has refused to be dissuaded against the project by warnings about spiralling costs for a project that might be seen to take inspiration from the feats of the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The bridge would be most likely to run between Portpatrick in Scotland and Larne in County Antrim, and engineers are understood to have come up with the idea of a bridge-tunnel split as a way of dealing with Beaufort's Dyke, the UK's largest offshore dump site for conventional and chemical munitions after the Second World War. It lies seven miles off Portpatrick and the Ministry of Defence estimates there are a million tons of munitions at the bottom of the deep trench, including 14,500 tons of 5in artillery rockets filled with phosgene gas, in addition to two tons of concrete-encased metal drums filled with radioactive waste which was dumped there during the 1950s. Under one version of Mr Johnson's plan, the bridge would run from the Scottish coast over the trench, before becoming a tunnel for the final stretch to Northern Ireland. The Oresund crossing was the setting for The Bridge, a popular BBC series starring Sofia Helin and Killing Eve actor Kim Bodnia as detectives investigating a gruesome murder Local geography might dictate that two artificial islands would be needed to span the North Channel. Although Mr Johnson's critics have described the idea as 'pie in the sky' and a waste of public money, the Prime Minister believes that it would ease the strain on air routes between the mainland and Northern Ireland and would help to cement the Union. At 20 miles, it would still be dwarfed by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge-tunnel system, which traverses 30 miles of water. The structure spanning the greatest expanse of open sea is the 22.4-mile Hangzhou Bay Bridge in China. The world's longest bridge of all, again in China, is the 102-mile Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge on the Beijing-Shanghai railway. Mr Johnson is this week expected to give the go-ahead to the UK's most high-profile infrastructure project, the HS2 rail link, and is under pressure to approve the expansion of Heathrow Airport, despite his long-stated opposition. But he is also keen to kickstart smaller projects further bridges, 500,000 new houses, the reversal of cuts to rail branch lines, and fleets of new electric 'Boris buses' in parts of the country currently poorly served by public transport. The world's longest bridge of all, again in China, is the 102-mile Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge on the Beijing-Shanghai railway Plans for a link between Scotland and Northern Ireland go back to 1869, when the Irish engineer Luke Livingston Macassey said it would 'tend to the consolidation of empire, so greatly desired by all lovers of order and prosperity'. The Scottish government has expressed scepticism about the idea, citing 'an obvious number of practical obstacles and challenges' and the need for 'a robust assessment of the costs or benefits of such a project'. Work on the Oresund Bridge started in 1995 and was completed five years later. It now carries more than 60,000 travellers daily, with a four-lane road on the upper deck and two train tracks on the lower level. A No 10 source said that Mr Johnson was keen to promote major infrastructure projects and to 'advance the cause of cementing the Union', but was waiting to see the feasibility assessment results. David Abel's 50th wedding anniversary luxury cruise began with him eating his fill and enjoying the sights of East Asia. It's ending with him quarantined in his cabin aboard the Diamond Princess for two extra weeks, eating a "lettuce sandwich with some chicken inside" and watching 20 infected people escorted off the ship, heading for hospitals for treatment of a new virus. Abel is among hundreds of passengers on two cruise ships - in Japan and Hong Kong - caught in the drama and fear about the little-understood virus that just emerged in December. Tests are still pending on some passengers and crew who have symptoms or had contact with infected people. "It's not going to be a luxury cruise; it's going to be like a floating prison," Abel said on Facebook from the ship in the port of Yokohama, outside Tokyo. As Japanese officials loaded the ship with supplies Thursday to make the quarantine as bearable as possible, passengers took to social media to highlight small kindnesses by the crew and to complain about dwindling medicine, the quality of the food and the inability to exercise or even leave their cabins. Their photos and videos showed the vessel that once had 3,711 passengers and crew is now a ghost ship, deserted reception areas, swimming pools and hallways. Babies on the Hong Kong ship were reportedly running out of diapers and milk. "I think for many passengers, it's going to be absolute boredom," Abel said in a separate interview. He considers himself lucky that he has a cabin with a balcony. "The people I feel really sorry for are those with inside cabins who've got no natural light, no fresh air. It's going to be pretty grim for them for two weeks." Grim is one way to describe the virus and the fear it's created. China counts more than 28,000 cases and it's spread to more than 20 countries. Still, fear has spread faster than the disease. Masks and hand sanitiser are sold out in many areas of Seoul, Tokyo and Bangkok. Health workers are striking in Hong Kong and anti-Chinese discrimination has been seen across Asia. Taiwan has banned international cruise ships. On the Diamond Princess, there were signs people were trying to make the best of a bad situation. Yardley Wong, a passenger from Hong Kong traveling with her husband, son and her parents, said on Twitter that the crew gave her son playing cards, coloring pens and other gifts "to kill off boredom." Australians Paul and Coralie Williamson said their cabin was smaller than a motel room and they had heard complaints from others about not having medication, or enough information. But, after 34 years of marriage, Coralie Williamson said: "If I'm going be stuck in a room with anyone, I would rather it be Paul than anyone else." "So it's OK. We will need to go for a long walk on the beach when we get home," she told Australian Broadcasting Corp. People posted photos of breakfast, a bowl of fruit salad, boiled eggs, juice and a croissant. One passenger celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary got a "happy anniversary" card from the ship staff. "We're here for a long haul. I think it is going to get a little bit testing, obviously. But I don't know. What do we do? We couldn't jump out of the boat; that's a bit cold," Jacqui Fidrmuc from the city of Cairns told Australia's Nine Network. Japanese health officials told reporters that a medical team and supplies were being sent to the ship. At the port where the ship dropped off infected patients and loaded up food and supplies, a person in a hazmat bodysuit entered the ship carrying two boxes labeled "thermometers." On the ship quarantined in Hong Kong, its more than 3,600 passengers and crew were being screened because three passengers on a previous voyage had the virus. Hong Kong officials said they would try to track down 5,000 people who took previous voyages on the World Dream. Hong Kong lawmaker Jeremy Tan said a woman on board called him Wednesday night to say she and some other mothers were running out of milk powder and diapers for their babies. He said he believed there were five or more babies on the ship, and that he delivered the essentials to authorities. Life on the Diamond Princessin Yokohama, Abel said, "has changed beyond recognition to what you would call a luxury cruise." One meal was just a glass of orange juice, a yogurt and a bit of melon. Another was a "lettuce sandwich with some chicken inside" and a dessert. When masked crew members hand over and pick up the trays of food, he said, "it's very brief. There's no physical contact apart from touching the tray." Even though the sick people have been taken off the boat, there was still unease. "We've been breathing the same air as those that have been removed," Abel said. "How do we cope with it?" Abel asked on Facebook. "We can either be creative and thinking positive things or we can be dragging ourselves down into the gutter. I certainly won't be doing that." Elsewhere, on dry land, a 60-year-old American and a Japanese man, also in his 60s,, yesterday became the first confirmed non-Chinese deaths in the coronavirus outbreak, as millions of Chinese began returning home after a Lunar New Year break that was extended to try to contain the outbreak. While the vast majority of cases have been in China, the virus has spread to some two dozen countries abroad, including five British nationals infected in the same chalet at a ski resort in Contamines-Montjoie near Mont Blanc in the Haute-Savoie region of the Alps, health officials said. An Oklahoma bus driver reportedly sent a disturbing note to a seventh-grade student expressing an interest in them spending time together. The Cheyenne Middle School student had the letter in his backpack on Friday, his mother told KFOR. Images of the letter, that was written in blue ink, show some of what the man wrote to the student. An Oklahoma bus driver reportedly sent this disturbing note to a seventh-grade student expressing his interest in spending time together 'For some time, I've been wanting to talk to you about spending time together... Maybe with some other friends of yours? What do you think?' one sentence says 'I'm writing this note to you because as you know when school is out, there's really no time to talk, just a quick hug,' the note reads. 'For some time, I've been wanting to talk to you about spending time together... Maybe with some other friends of yours? What do you think?' another sentence says. Toward the end of the letter, the man wrote: 'I really want to be friends with you and every once in a while, hang out together to play, talk, etc. 'Yes! I am a grown up, but I like friendship with kids like you. Tell me what you think, no pressure though.' The boy's mother, who did not wish to be identified, told KFOR that the bus driver 'wants to be chummy with my kid'. 'He wants to do things that are unthinkable with my kid,' she added. She then recalled how she found it strange that the same bus driver asked her son for a hug earlier in the school year. After reporting the note to school officials, the man was taken off that bus route. Edmond School District also said that the driver is no longer employed by the district. Toward the end of the letter, the man wrote: 'I really want to be friends with you and every once in a while, hang out together to play, talk, etc. 'Yes! I am a grown up, but I like friendship with kids like you. Tell me what you think, no pressure though' Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta's new Montreal trade office will be just one part of a renewed push in the coming months to strengthen ties and find common ground with Quebec. "We need to understand that Quebec has a very strong preoccupation with environmental issues, and we need to communicate in those terms," Kenney said in an interview from Washington, D.C. "The job of our representative will be do that on a full-time basis," Kenney said. "I myself will be visiting Quebec more often." "I think one of failures around Energy East (pipeline project) was there was no Alberta leadership advocating in Quebec, so we don't want to make that mistake a second time." The Quebec office was announced last week by Kenney while he was in Montreal on an eastern tour that also took him to Washington, D.C., to meet with senior government and business leaders. He said while the new office will be in the business hub of Montreal, the representative will be spending a lot of time in Quebec City to build relationships with the government of Premier Francois Legault. "We'll be making an announcement [on the office] I hope in the next couple of months," said Kenney. "We have somebody that has agreed to the position [and] is perfectly qualified for this: an Albertan who is originally from Quebec, fluent in French and an expert in our issues." The Energy East pipeline project, which would have taken Alberta crude through central Canada to ports and refineries in New Brunswick, was abandoned in 2017. Quebec had opposed the line through its boundaries on environmental grounds. Alberta's relationship with Quebec has been edgy given that Kenney has questioned Quebec's benefiting from billions of dollars in equalization payments that grow from oil profits generated in Alberta while simultaneously opposing pipeline projects that help Alberta build that wealth. But he said Alberta recognizes Quebec's concerns and is determined to work with them, especially given Legault is open to Quebec boosting exports of liquefied natural gas using feedstock from Alberta. Story continues "Premier Legault is taking a bold stance in favour of LNG exports out of Quebec, and I want to help reinforce the green message around LNG exports and the many points of co-operation we have," said Kenney. The Energy East line was abandoned by Trans Canada while then-premier Rachel Notley's government was in charge in Alberta. Earlier this week, Notley, now official Opposition Leader, told reporters she made frequent trips to Quebec as premier to build support for the project. Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press Notley said she wants to hear more details and costs on Kenney's proposed Quebec office but said it needs to be about building bridges and not burning them. She said Kenney has not helped Alberta by making bellicose statements in the past and challenging Quebec's viewpoint on energy and equalization. "The issue is less about having an office (in Quebec), and more about perhaps not attacking every single, solitary person every time they suggest they have a different view," said Notley. In Washington, Kenney held a series of meetings and spoke with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Greg Bernhardt, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. He was also part of a Canadian delegation of premiers and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Todd Korol/The Canadian Press Kenney said he worked to overcome concerns with the Keystone XL line, which now has a presidential permit and would take more Alberta oil to terminals and refineries on the Gulf Coast. He said Keystone XL is one of a number of pipeline projects facing some resistance, along with the Line 3 replacement project and Line 5 in the U.S. upper Midwest. "We're facing a lot of friction and even hostility," said Kenney, but said the message from the U.S. government and Congress is encouraging. "We're getting a sympathetic ear. Washington understands national security. It's a bipartisan preoccupation, and they understand that energy security is a key part of that. "There are some voices against Canadian energy here, but I think they're really at the margins." The murder took place in an apartment on Ivy Street in Buffalo, New York An 18-year-old woman has been charged with murder in the second degree after a man was beaten to death with a metal object. Evelyn Soto, from Buffalo, New York, allegedly killed 23-year-old Luis Alicea last autumn inside an apartment. Erie County district attorney John Flynn said Ms Soto had been arraigned before a county court judge and charged with one count of murder in the second degree. It is alleged that on Monday, 28 October, 2019, the defendant killed 23-year-old Luis Alicea inside an apartment on Ivy Street in the City of Buffalo by beating him with a metal object, said the county district attorneys office. The victim died at the scene, it added. Police were called to the apartment at about 9.30am that day to a report of a dead body, according to local newspaper The Buffalo News. Ms Soto and Alicea were reportedly in a domestic relationship but it was not immediately clear if they had been living together. The suspect faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the crime. She is due to return to court in March for a pre-trial conference and remains held without bail. By Trend Russian and Turkish officials have reached a decision on Saturday to continue negotiation over Syrias Idlib in the coming week, the Turkish Foreign Ministry told reporters on Saturday, Trend reports citing TASS. "At the talks, the delegations discussed the situation in Idlib. In focus were the steps that are likely to be taken to ensure truce on the ground and to promote the political process. A decision was taken to continue the talks next week," the foreign ministry said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Would have been good if PM Modi suggested any 'aasan' for unemployed youngsters: Akhilesh India pti-PTI Barabanki/Bahraich, Feb 09: Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent 'surya namaskar' remarks, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said it would be good for the unemployed youngsters of the country if the PM could suggest any 'aasan' (yoga posture) to them. Speaking to reporters in Barabanki on his way to Bahraich, Yadav said, 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about increasing the number of 'surya namaskar' for strengthening his back. It would have been good if he could suggest a similar 'aasan' to unemployed youngsters. Unemployment is rising in the country. The prime minister does not have any time to think over it. At least he could suggest an 'aasan'.' On February 6, Modi took repeated digs at opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi of the Congress, whom he dubbed as a 'tubelight', saying it took him 30-40 minutes to respond to his speech in the Lok Sabha. Without naming Gandhi, the prime minister, in his reply to the discussion on the presidential address, referred to the Congress leader's reported comments about 'youngsters beating up Modi with sticks over the lack of jobs', and said he would increase the number of 'surya namaskar' so that his back could bear the sticks. 'In 70 years, no Congress leader has become self-sufficient. I heard one leader's manifesto yesterday. He said 'Modi will be beaten up with sticks in six months'. I can imagine that it is not an easy job, so six months will be needed for preparations. 'In these six months, I will do more surya namaskar so that my back is ready for the beating.... I have been subjected to abuses in the last 20 years, I will make myself gaali-proof as also danda-proof,' Modi had said. Referring to the exit polls for the just-concluded Delhi Assembly election which have predicted a victory for the AAP, Yadav said, 'The residents of Delhi have rejected the politics of the BJP, which is full of hatred. The BJP, which has suffered defeats in a number of states, will not be able to open its account in the Delhi Assembly election and the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal will once again become the chief minister.' On a proposal to rename Basti, a district in eastern Uttar Pradesh, he said, 'This government is an expert only in changing names. The leaders and workers of the SP will inform people about the reality of the BJP.' 'The public wants good ambulances, better facilities, fair price to farmers for their produce, but the BJP government has completely failed on these counts,' the SP chief added. Speaking to reporters in Bahraich, Yadav said, 'The exit polls for the Delhi Assembly election show that the public has rejected the BJP's politics of casteism, communalism and hatred. The voters of Delhi have given importance to the politics of development and voted for real issues, instead of terrorism and Pakistan. 'I hope that in the coming days, wherever elections are held, people will vote on issues. The (Delhi) poll results on February 11 will see the BJP suffering a historic defeat.' The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister reiterated that the SP was completely against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). 'The BJP is working with a sense of vengeance and harassing even those who are commenting on the social media. The SP is seeing this and such people are being identified. Once we form the government (in Uttar Pradesh), these people will be given a befitting reply, though we will not harass anyone.' Mitt Romney voted guilty on Article One in the impeachment sham. The Salt Lake Tribune has the story: "I swore an oath before God to apply impartial justice. And, as you know, I'm a very religious person. I take that very seriously," Romney, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told The Salt Lake Tribune ahead of his vote. "And so I looked at the evidence in a very unbiased manner and concluded that that the president had done as was alleged that he did ask a foreign government to interfere in the election, that he did pressure that government by withholding aid. "That's as egregious an assault on the Constitution of our country," he added, "as I can imagine that a president might make." Were it not for Mitt Romney, the American Republic would collapse! He's the only one who stood his ground on Article One. He's the only one who listened to his faith standards and opposed his own caucus. He heard the defense counsel demolish the two articles, yet he's the only one who maintained his sense of correct thinking. Only he had clarity of insight and profile in courage to vote his religious convictions. And now he is the hero of the clear-thinking left. Nonsense. Everyone but Mitt could see that this partisan impeachment sham was orchestrated by the radical left just to get the president. The president of Ukraine and others in his administration said they did not feel any pressure from Trump. And they got the money from the U.S. government after the Ukrainian president promised to root out corruption. During the July 25, 2019 phone call, the American president asked the Ukrainian president to investigate Biden's son for corruption. The president: The other thing, There's a lot of talk about Biden's son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the Attorney General would be great. Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it ... It sounds horrible to me. Trump's last sentence in that section clearly reveals that he was concerned about the legality and propriety of Biden's action. V.P. Biden's conduct to stop the prosecution really was horrible, particularly when we now find out that Biden acted as the president described. There is no mention of political advantage for Trump, who was right all along. At the time, Hunter Biden, who was not running for the presidency or any other office and could not harm V.P. Biden, did act inappropriately. If your own brother or son is misbehaving, and you're a public figure, then your public opponent can make use of this misbehavior. So what? That's politics. And then it is more than politics. Biden's son really was a member of the board of a corrupt company. Asking for him to be investigated is not an impeachable offense, by any stretch of the imagination. It does not rise to "bribery, treason, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." Just the opposite. The president was following his executive duties to root out corruption. Consider, in contrast, the Obama administration, which really did use its power to receive personal monetary benefits. Mitt couldn't even defeat a flagging, weak president with an anemic economy. But Mitt was out of touch with his electorate, just as he was out of touch with them now and the Senate GOP caucus on his misguided vote. It's ludicrous for Romney to claim the moral high ground when he is so blinded that he cannot see what everyone else does: the impeachment process was a partisan hit job motivated out of hatred, built on rules-breaking and hearsay evidence and a whistleblower who is in some way allied with Adam Schiff. Impeachment itself was a national joke, and Mitt just got smeared by it. Mitt is actually morally blind, not heroic, and Trump was right in his phone call. Now let's watch in November the Dems lose the House and the party be demolished, and Schiff and Nadler (and others) be impeached, while Trump stands on the top of rubble, triumphant the very man the Dems hate passionately. The poetic justice will be sweet. James Arlandson's website is renewal-theology.com, where he has posted What Are Signs and Wonders and Miracles?, and When Did Jesus 'Become' the Son of God? and Who Were the 'Sons of God' in Genesis? (hint: not angels). Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. SANTA FE MURALS ARE ABOUT JUSTICE by IRIS KELTZ The now-defaced murals pasted on an adobe wall in Santa Fe have created a firestorm within and without the Jewish community. Collected from various news sources, the poignant images are familiar. Ive seen them before a group of armed Israeli soldiers surrounding a blindfolded teenage boy, so terrified he wet his pants; a 14-year old boy throwing a rock at a tank. A cameraman working for French television caught the image of a father shielding his 12-year-old son from oncoming bullets from Israeli soldiers. Moments later, the boy lay dead on his fathers lap. In 2014, when images about Palestinian human rights first appeared on that adobe wall, they were to protest the Israeli siege in Gaza. To argue, as some have, that the iconic images may have been altered, avoids the issue the systematic and ongoing abuse of Palestinian children and civilians. These murals are not anti-Israel, or pro-Palestinian, or anti-Semitic. They are a reminder of mans inhumanity to man. Rabbi Levertov of the Santa Fe Chabad is understandably upset by these images. So am I. I grew up with stories and pictures of Jews being treated as subhumans in Nazi Germany. Seventy-five years after the Holocaust, I am horrified by mans continued inhumanity. While members of the Jewish community may be divided politically on the issue of Palestine and Israel, every Jew in my community believes in the righteousness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Signed in 1948 as a response to horrors committed during WW II, it affirms fundamental human rights, the dignity and worth of every human. Remi, a Navajo artist who created the Santa Fe murals, learned about the parallel histories between Palestinians and Native Americans stolen land, broken treaties, harsh treatment by an army. In 1914, Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel said: there is a country which happens to be called Palestine, a country without a people, and, on the other hand, there exists the Jewish people with no country. However, Palestine already had over 600,000 people, including Muslims, Christians and a Jewish minority. The land was not empty. Palestinians are experiencing a settler movement similar to U.S. westward expansion based on the belief in Manifest Destiny. Last fall, a congressional delegation that included U.S. Debra Rep. Haaland of New Mexico traveled to the Occupied West Bank to witness the occupation. Hopefully, this group will now support HR 2407, promoting human rights for Palestinian children living under Israeli military occupation. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat from Minnesota, prohibits U.S. tax dollars from being used to torture and abuse children. It applies to all countries, including Israel, where there is overwhelming evidence of torture and abuse of Palestinian children. Israel receives more U.S. tax dollars than any other country in the world, almost $4 billion annually. The funds are allocated without U.S. oversight as to how the money is spent. Although Santa Feans for Justice in Palestine (SFJP) is responsible for the Santa Fe murals, they are flanked by Jewish Voice for Peace Abq, Veterans for Peace, American Friends Service Committee, Defense of Children International and others. Members of the Red Nation, a Native group based in Albuquerque, have traveled to Palestine and came home very committed to speaking out. Jeff Haas, a main spokesperson and organizer for SFJP and a Jew himself, is practicing the highest tenets of Judaism: Justice, justice, justice, shall you pursue. In the face of injustice, silence is not an option. Keltz is author of the books Unexpected Bride in the Promised Land: Journeys in Palestine and Israel and Scrapbook of a Taos Hippie. MURALS BACK ANTI-SEMITISM, HATE By TODD GOLDBLUM & BARBARA EINHORN We would like to please outline and explain why the murals on Old Pecos Trail violate Santa Fe Municipal Code against inciteful propaganda. First of all, they are hateful and propagate the age-old anti-Semitic blood libel. For centuries, Jews have been accused of the most outrageous crimes, including killing children. This was a favorite of the Nazi regime Jews were dehumanized, demonized and portrayed as committing the most despicable violent acts. There is a striking resemblance with one of the Santa Fe murals. The Israeli soldier pointing the weapon at the children is a Jew, as are nearly all Israeli soldiers. He represents the worlds only Jewish state, Israel. And he is pointing his weapon at defenseless children. Really? Israeli soldiers gunning down innocent children? This is a blood libel portrait that Hitler would be proud of. This is so outrageous when one considers the facts of the conflict. The Israel Defense Force has the strictest ethical and moral conduct of any army in the world, with painstaking measures to protect innocent civilians. Flyers are distributed and text messages are sent to Palestinian civilians when Israel defends herself against military installations in Gaza. This is because Hamas uses innocent women and children as human shields. And any bullet fired by the IDF that is unlawful requires a formal investigation. So what happens when the anti-Semitic blood libel claim is made against Jews? History has shown that violence and murder of Jews almost always follows. Our grandparents left Russia because our community was being systematically murdered (pogroms). The world currently is experiencing a huge rise in anti-Semitism and Santa Fe is contributing to the hate with these murals. They need to be removed. Todd Goldblum and Barbara Einhorn live in Albuquerque. A locally-produced true crime series, Wrongly Released: Free to Kill is coming to the C+I channel, Hosted and narrated by Peter Stefanovic. The two part series highlights the failings of the Australian justice system that allowed two men who had already been convicted for violent crimes free to roam the streets, and ultimately led to the deaths of three innocent women. Jim Buchan, Foxtel Group General Manager, Factual, said: Our latest CI commission illuminates an important alarming issue stemming from within our legal system that continues to reoccur in Australia. A problem that has huge ramifications where criminals are re-released time and again on parole only to go on escalating their crimes in harming women and their families who will pay the ultimate price. These cases are tragic yet sadly are similar to those that continue to be reported in news stories from around the nation. We thank Peter Stefanovic as well as SKY News for their support. The series is produced by Title Role. Sisters Laura and Colleen Irwin were brutally stabbed to death in their home in Melbournes western suburbs by parolee William Watkins. Following the murders, Watkins went on the run, eventually being shot and killed by a WA Police Officer. Sarah Cafferkey was killed by Steven Hunter a man who had already murdered and served 13 years in jail and who was released to kill again. Sarahs death, just weeks after the brutal murder of Jill Meagher, helped start a tidal wave of pressure on the justice system that led to lasting reform and real change. Featuring emotional interviews from friends and relatives of the victims, along with insightful analysis by legal experts involved in both cases, the series shines an uncomfortable light on a justice system and asks how it failed the public and why? Thursday February 27th at 7:30pm on Crime + Investigation Syrian refugees have been grappling the freezing winters in exile. As temperatures continue to fall in Lebanon, a video of a refugee pleading for bread in the Arsal camp of the Middle Eastern country. The misery of the millions of displaced Syrian refugees was brought to light through a video of a woman wailing for bread in temperature below -10 degrees Celcius. We need bread ...we need bread Syrian refugees pleading for help as sub zero temperatures hit Arsal camp in Lebanon. Tents made of aluminum sheets can barely store heat. -10c/ 14F today: pic.twitter.com/LYpLCL8Pp2 Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) February 8, 2020 READ| US-Iran tensions: Israel, China, Russia pick sides; here's how rest of the world reacted In Lebanon's Arsal, Lebanese Forces have been forcing the Syrian refugees to comply with the rarely enforced housing codes. This move, effectively required those in exile to bring down the hard roofs and walls, thus restricting their shelter to tents and leaving them in harsh weather. The Syrian refugees were given time until July 1 last year to comply with the housing codes. The deadline was followed by a crackdown by the Lebanese Armed Forces, who knocked down the shelters of about 20 Syrian refugees. The order said that the shelters of the Syrian refugees built on agricultural land in Arsal came with strict permits including--plastic sheets, canvas or timber beams for upper roofs, the interior wall can be only a thin plywood and cement foundations were asked to be removed. According to international reports, the demolition order came at the time of a surged anti-refugee political rhetoric. Syrian Refugees Lebanon has hosted over 1.5 million Syrian refugees fleeing the bloody Bashar al-Assad regime. According to a UNHCR report, Syria accounts for the worlds largest number of forcibly displaced people, with 5.6 million Syrian refugees dislodged. The report states that most Syrian refugees have sought refuge in five neighbouring countries--Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and Lebanon. Since the war that broke out in 2011, over half the country's population has been forced to flee their homes. The UNHRC report said, "Inside Syria, one in four schools have been damaged, destroyed or used for shelter." With no peace in sight, Syria remains at the peak of the world refugee crisis in the world. READ| Trump's son-in-law allowed Saudi Crown Prince MBS to arrest Khashoggi READ| ISIS unhindered by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death; financial network intact: Pentagon An artist's impression of the airport rail link station. Credit:Melbourne Airport Melbourne Airport has called on the state government to reject a multi-billion airport rail plan that uses existing tracks, arguing that a dedicated tunnel from the city to Sunshine was a once-in-a-generation opportunity that ensured western suburbs commuters were not short-changed. The state and federal governments have each pledged $5 billion to building the airport rail project but are yet to agree on the exact form the project will take. The Andrews government insists it is considering all options but The Sunday Age reported it appeared to be leaning towards a cheaper alternative that would put trains onto congested tracks between the city and Sunshine and enter the CBD through the new $11 billion Metro Tunnel. A government spokeswoman said all options would allow for increased train services on every train line in Melbourne's west. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and if they entered India on or before 31 December, 2014. Udaipur (Rajasthan): Contradicting Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Assembly Speaker, CP Joshi has said that the Government of India has passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the state government is bound to implement it as per the Constitution. "Under the Constitution, citizenship is a subject of the Centre and not of the state," said Joshi at the annual award distribution ceremony of Mira Girls College in Udaipur on 7 February. "State governments can make laws only on the subjects of the concurrent list like the Center made the law under the Motor Vehicle Act. The region of the state will not implement it, but the law is that if the central government has made a law in the corporate subject, no state can make a law against it," he added. However, chief minister Ashok Gehlot has repeatedly declared that CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC) will not be implemented in the state. Protests have been going on in various parts of the country against the newly amended citizenship law since December, 2019. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and if they entered India on or before 31 December, 2014. ALBANY, Ore. -- Police in Albany are hoping a BottleDrop fundraiser can help save some injured pets. Officials say they run into injured animals at least 5 to 6 times a month, and with no funds for emergency vet bills, putting down the animal is sometimes the only option. To avoid putting the animal down, officers started a fundraiser with Oregon BottleDrop. Residents can grab blue bags at the Albany police station, then drop off the bags once they are filled with cans and bottles to the BottleDrop on Santiam highway. All the money raised will go directly to helping the injured animals. The actor has finalised a film that will go on floors by April so that 2020 doesnt draw a blank for him. Hrithik Roshan has finalised a movie that will go on the floors by April. Sources close to the actor confirmed that he has greenlit a project that will be made and released this year so that 2020 does not draw a blank for him. We had told you in these very pages earlier that Hrithik was having closed-door sessions along with his well-wisher Madhu Mantena; watching multiple films from the south to see which one could be remade, and also reading and discussing scripts that were offered to him. Hrithik likes a person like a sounding board who he can bounce his ideas off and get an honest response from. Madhu, whose company also handles Hrithiks work, has been functioning just like that to get the Super 30 and WAR actor choose his next subject, and now they have arrived at a film idea which will go on the floors in over two months to enable Hrithik to prepare to play the character, says our source. The actor has refused quite a few offers now, including the remake of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers from Farah Khan. Sanskriti Media A Nigerian man identified as Masiba has narrated how his wife left him for a man she claimed sexually abused her five years ago. Sharing his story, Mr Masiba pointed out that he no longer has a family as his wife has moved in with the other man. According to him, the son they had together turned out to be from the man who she has moved in with READ ALSO Actress Kemi Stone Arrested By A Married Man After Sex Romp (Video) Masiba also pointed out that his wife had been dating the man right under his nose before she finally fled to him. See Post Here: A couple have spent more than 250,000 for cosmetic procedures to transform themselves into their idols - a K-pop star and a 'living doll'. Oli London, 30, and Angelique 'Frenchy' Morgan, 44, have gone under the knife 24 times between them in a bid to alter their appearances so that Mr London can look like a Korean boy band musician and Ms Morgan can look like a 'life-size anime doll'. The couple, who live in the UK capital and have more than 200,000 Instagram followers between them, have spent quarter of a million pounds on surgeries ranging from chin chiselling to skin whitening and even one procedure that alters the shape of the eye region. Mr London is so obsessed with his K-pop idol Park Ji-min, from boy band BTS, that he even married a cardboard cutout of him in Las Vegas - a move that initially made Ms Morgan jealous, but the pair say they now 'share' the effigy. Scroll down for video Oli London, 30, and Frenchy Morgan, 44, have gone under the knife 24 times between them The couple, pictured before their surgical sprees, have spent quarter of a million pounds on surgeries ranging from chin chiselling to skin whitening 'Some people might be put off by our surgery but we receive tremendous amounts of both interest and criticism online,' Ms Morgan said Oli London and Angelique 'Frenchy' Morgan outside the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, in Las Vegas, Nevada, after his wedding to a carboard cutout of BTS star Jimin Mr London said he has been having surgery since 2013, when he decided he wanted to look like Park Ji-min from the Korean boyband BTS (pictured) K-pop mega fan Mr London brought his full-size cutout of Park Ji-min to Nevada in January for a ceremony in front of an Elvis Presley impersonator at Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. 'It was such an emotional ceremony. I felt very emotional,' he told DailyMail.com in an exclusive video of the wedding. 'Jimin is my idol. I've spent a lot of money on surgery to look like him, and now I've actually married him.' Mr London is undergoing what he calls a 'complete make-over' - which so far includes five nose jobs costing more than 40,000 and even a 5,000 blepharoplasty, which alters the eye region. He has had chin bone contouring and reduction in an attempt to make his face shape smaller and similar to that of his idol's. Ms Morgan said: 'I'm on my third breast enlargement surgery, currently at 800CC and I've had multiple nose jobs, permanent lip enlargement and botox and fillers too' Mr London has had what he calls a 'complete make-over' - including five nose jobs costing more than 40,000 alone (pictured: Mr London after one of his surgeries) Mr London and Ms Morgan - who is originally from Paris - confess they have an unusual relationship, in the main driven by their extreme obsession to change their appearance continuously. They top up with botox every three weeks as well as having regular 'vampire facials' and skin whitening. In an Instagram post last month, Mr London revealed he had undergone 'skin whitening injections' to 'help my skin look more Korean'. Mr London said: 'I've been having surgery since 2013, when I decided I wanted to look like Park Ji-min from the Korean boyband BTS, travelling all over the world to Korea, to Poland, to China to get it done. Mr London, 30, who lives in the UK capital, is pictured early on into his K-pop obsession Mr London, pictured after his surgeries, said: 'I love the plastic look, and that's why I clicked so well with Frenchy - she's had loads of boob jobs and botox' 'But the obsession with plastic surgery hasn't made the relationship harder - it's made it stronger,' Ms Morgan said Look of love: Mr London said getting married to the cutout was the 'happiest day' of his life 'I love the plastic look, and that's why I clicked so well with Frenchy - she's had loads of boob jobs and botox. 'She understood my love for changing my appearance, to make myself look like a K-pop star, and she is always talking about her boobs and how she wants to look more like an anime doll. 'I truly love her looking plastic, it turns me on and I have no regrets about the amount of money we've spent on it. 'In addition to the nose jobs, I've had liposuction, Mandible Angle Reduction, to change the shape of my lower face, breast reduction to make me completely flat, Areola Correction, Blepharoplasty where I modified my eyelids and an eyebrow lift.' Ms Morgan and Mr London are pictured above in their younger days before multiple surgeries Mr London has had chin bone contouring and reduction in an attempt to make his face shape smaller and similar to that of his idols Ms Morgan said: 'I don't think we will ever have enough of plastic surgery - some surgeons have turned him down from having more but he loves getting it done. 'But the obsession with plastic surgery hasn't made the relationship harder - it's made it stronger. 'I love getting it done too, and I bonded with Oli in 2018 over posting some pictures of Jimin, who I am in love with, and then suddenly Oli started bombarding me with messages saying he was also in love with Jimin. 'Instantly we hit it off and exchanged numbers and started talking for hours on the phone - we have a magical connection. 'I'm on my third breast enlargement surgery, currently at 800CC and I've had multiple nose jobs, permanent lip enlargement and botox and fillers too. Mr London is so obsessed with his Korean pop star idol, that he even married a cardboard cutout of Jimin in Las Vegas (both pictured after the ceremony) Mr London has undergone five Rhinoplasties - in Korea (2013), China (2015), Poland (2016), Armenia (2018) and again in Korea with 5 Tip and Alar Plasties (2019) - costing 40,000 Mr London and Ms Morgan - who is originally from Paris - confess they have an unusual relationship, in the main driven by their extreme obsession to change their appearance continuously 'I was jealous when Oli married the cutout last year, but we share it now, and I'm even heading to Korea, to further my own dream of looking like a living doll. 'Some people might be put off by our surgery but we receive tremendous amounts of both interest and criticism online. 'We're both very open-minded, loving and understanding of each other and our relationship is an open one. 'We're soul mates and made for each other, but Oli does gets jealous of other guys looking at me and when I meet up with guys regularly for fun. 'We'll continue having surgery, and hopefully one day we'll look identical to our idols!' Prince William and Kate Middleton had to sit through Brad Pitt's joke about Prince Harry leaving the royal family during his acceptance speech at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTAs). Many barbs were made about Prince Harry stepping down from his royal role and at Prince Andrew -- which the pair seemed to keep a good attitude about as the show went on. Witnesses reported seeing Prince William chewing gum and Kate tapping her foot. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were subjected to a few quips about the royal family. The BAFTAs were held at London's Royal Albert Hall Sunday night. The affair is Britain's equivalent of the Oscars. Aside from being the fourth consecutive year, the British royal couple has attended, it is also William's 10th anniversary as BAFTA's president. Prince William is the royal patron of the BAFTA, so he was in attendance at the awards show with Kate Middleton. The royal couple were awkwardly laughing after Margot Robbie joked about Megxit during an acceptance speech. Host Rebel Wilson was reportedly the most out of the line by referencing both Prince Andrew and Prince Harry in her opening monologue. She said, "It is really great to be here at the Royal Andrew... uh, Royal Harry, no, at this royal palace place." Prince William and Kate had smiles on their faces, but they still seemed a bit tense. Also Read: Prince Harry and Prince William Enstranged? Rift Commence as Younger Brother Leaves Royal Family Quips were made on Prince Andrew's scandal and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step back as "senior members." The royal pair were seated in the front row when stars including Brad Pitt (who was not present) and Rebel Wilson poked fun at Megxit and Prince Andrew. Margot Robbie accepted Brad Pitt's Best Supporting Actor award for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, reading the acceptance speech he wrote. Towards the end, she said, "He says he is going to name this Harry because he is really excited about bringing it back to the States." According to UK media commentator Neil Sean, "William is a huge supporter of films and spoke openly in his speech about the lack of diversity at the awards." Kate was obviously in hysterics, but William's grin looked quite pained. The jokes were not met with the smiling faces that people saw on the final edited version of the show. The broadcast was allegedly altered in some way. Rebel Wilson chose to poke fun at a much more serious royal scandal: Prince Andrew's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walked the red carpet of the show. The ceremony took place at the Royal Albert Hall which was a famous landmark. According to UK commentator Neal Sean, "A mole also told me that to ensure that the royals are not embarrassed or made fun of again at such a prestigious event like this one... they will have a 'moral clause' inserted into their acceptance agreement ensuring that due reverence is given to the royal couple who gave their time and support to such a wonderful celebration of film and is respected." Related Article: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Working With Kim Kardashian's Endorsement Company? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The HSE has begun delivering personal protection packs to GPs as part of coronavirus preparation measures in Ireland. The health authority's chief executive Paul Reid tweeted that the first of the packs for GPs were ready to roll from Monday. It will take between a week to 10 days for the health authority to distribute the packs to around 4,500 different sites. The packs include a gown, gloves, mask and goggles to be worn by doctors if a patient who may have the virus comes in to see them. Meanwhile, a 4th person has tested positive for coronavirus in Britain. England's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, said the patient had been transferred to a specialist centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London. We are now using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible spread of the virus, said Prof Whitty. He said the patient followed advice from the National Health Service by self-isolating rather than going to a hospital emergency department. First of the GP #Coronavirus Packs ready to roll from tomorrow. Well done to our procurement team in @HSELive pic.twitter.com/9Oiyr5zgPM Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) February 9, 2020 Mr Reid has sought clarification from the Department of Health on the policies that would apply on both sides of the border if cases occurred in Ireland. The HSE is anxious to know the arrangements that would be made in areas where cross-border co-operation in health is well-established. Many of the symptoms of coronavirus can be treated. The type of treatment will be based on the patient's clinical condition. According to the HSE, what is known so far is the majority of cases have had a mild illness. More severe symptoms have occurred in 20% of cases and those who have died have mostly been in the older age groups and those with underlying chronic conditions. A consultant in infectious diseases has outlined three possible scenarios for Ireland in dealing with a potential outbreak. Prof Sam McConkey said in the best-case scenario, between 50 and 200 suspected cases of coronavirus would be promptly detected and isolated. Should one or two patients test positive, Ireland is well prepared to care for them in isolation until they recover, he wrote in a Sunday newspaper. In a situation where the suspected case numbers ere small and the virus detected and diagnosed quickly, there would be no real risk to the population. However, Ireland could be hit with the equivalent of another flu season, and he was concerned about the ability of the health service to cope with the extra pressure. There is no doubt that it would put untold pressure on our already overcrowded hospital emergency rooms. The worst possible outcome would be if the spread of the virus in Ireland mimics that of China, infecting up to 20% of the population. In most cases, patients would experience mild symptoms like that of the flu a fever cough, runny nose and a headache. However, a small number might experience significant symptoms and require specialised medical care, such as oxygen therapy. This scenario would be the most disruptive of all and likely to cause a temporary halt to typical daily life for Irish people as we attempt to corral the spread of the virus," he warned. Pesticides, he said that day last October. Hidden beneath a few sacks of grain were 12,000 pounds of the pesticide emamectin benzoate. With a street value of more than $2 million, the illegal pesticides, produced in China and then smuggled across the Paraguay border, were twice as powerful as whats allowed in Brazil. The driver had planned to take them 700 miles to the north, police said, where a man known as Pit Bull would take the delivery. Iranian state television reports that Iran on February 9 failed in an attempt to launch an Iranian-made Zafar satellite into the Earth's orbit. Ahmad Hosseini, a spokesman for the Iranian Defense Ministry's space program, told state TV that "the Zafar satellite did not reach orbit as planned" because it did not reach the necessary speed. It is at least the third failed satellite launch by Iran since the start of 2019 in a program that Washington claims is helping Tehran to advance its ballistic-missile program. Reports said the rocket that attempted to carry the satellite into a low orbit around the Earth was a two-stage, liquid-fueled Iranian rocket known as a Simorgh space-launch vehicle. The launch took place from the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Irans Semnan Province, about 230 kilometers southeast of Tehran. Stage-1 and stage-2 motors of the carrier functioned properly and the satellite was successfully detached from its carrier, but at the end of its path it did not reach the required speed for being put in the orbit, Hosseini told state TV. Hosseini still sought to portray the failure as a remarkable achievement for Iran's space program. The report comes hours after an Iranian cabinet minister announced the launch plan, which coincided with the anniversary of a key event in the country's Islamic revolution four decades ago. Reports on February 8 suggested the launch had been postponed indefinitely. But Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said early on February 9 that "the Zafar satellite" would be placed in orbit later on the same day. "Beginning countdown to launch #Zafar_Satellite in the next few hours... In the Name of God," Jahromi later tweeted. U.S. officials, who have pursued a "maximum pressure" policy toward Iran since Washington exited a major nuclear deal in 2018 that exchanged curbs on Iran's nuclear program for sanctions relief, have suggested Tehran's satellite program is part of a program of ballistic-missile development and that the technology could deliver nuclear warheads. Iran rejects that accusation. Also on February 9, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that it had developed new short-range ballistic missiles propelled by a "new generation" of "Zoheir" engines that are designed to put satellites into orbit. IRGC commander Major General Hossein Salami unveiled the missile and engines aside the head of the IRGC's aerospace branch and said the lighter composite materials and a "movable nozzle" were part of "complicated achievements" that are "our key to entering space," AFP reported. Iranian claims of new weapons can be difficult to confirm and have sometimes proven misleading in the past. The head of Iran's national space agency, Morteza Barari, pledged on February 1 that the country would soon launch the Zafar (Victory in Farsi) satellite. He said the 113-kilogram satellite would be carried by a Simorgh rocket 530 kilometers above the Earth and that it would make 15 orbits a day. On February 8, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for further strengthening of Iran's defenses, saying that "in order to impede war and put an end to the threats, one has to become strong," according to Iranian state Press TV. The supreme leader, who holds the final say on religious and political affairs, meets with senior members of the Iranian air force on February 8 every year to mark key military defections during the country's 1979 revolution to overthrow the U.S.-backed Shah. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered at least two aerial attacks on senior Iranian military leaders last month. In one, an air strike near Baghdad's international airport killed Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, along with a senior commander of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia and several other people. Iran responded with missile strikes on Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops on January 8, reportedly injuring around 64 troops with what was described as "mild traumatic brain injury." Iranian forces also shot down a Ukrainian passenger airliner after takeoff from Tehran airport while air defenses were on high alert on January 8, killing all 176 people on board the Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737. Tehran has gradually stepped back from its own commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and said earlier this month that it no longer considered itself bound by it. Last week, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell met with senior Iranian officials including President Hassan Rohani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran aimed at lowering tensions over Iran's nuclear program. Borrell said in January that he had consulted the countries still in the accord -- which also include Russia and China -- and that all were determined to save the JCPOA. Barari, who is chief of the Iranian Space Agency, said manufacturing of the Zafar satellite "began three years ago with the participation of 80 Iranian scientists," adding that it was designed to remain operational for "more than 18 months." He called it "a new step for our country" and said the satellite's primary mission would be to collect imagery to study earthquakes, prevent natural disasters, and develop agricultural resources. Iran reportedly hopes to construct five more satellites by March 2021. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and Press TV New Delhi [India], Feb 9 (ANI): Congress Rajya Sabha MP KTS Tulsi has said that his party sacrificed itself for the Aam Aadmi Party by preventing the split of votes, which would have resulted in the BJP's victory in the Delhi assembly polls. Commenting on the exit polls predicting a poor performance of the Congress in Delhi assembly polls, Tulsi told ANI: "It is a good lesson for the BJP. Those doing the of hatred have been rebuffed roundly. The Congress seems to have made a sacrifice for preventing the split of votes, which would have been resulted in the BJP's victory." "There are agitations all around the country. One needs to understand that you cannot undo history. No country has ever been able to make millions of the country to leave. One should understand the humanitarian crisis the CAA is creating," he said. Most of the exit polls have predicted AAP's victory in the Delhi Assembly polls. "If the Congress had also equally applied force in the campaign, it would have resulted in BJP's win. It may be a tactical move, but I don't know. Media people suggest there was an informal understanding to prevent splitting up of votes," Tulsi said. If the AAP wins, it will be a third straight defeat for the BJP after Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The counting of votes will be done on Feb 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Robert Conrad, who played an Old West update on James Bond in the hit 1960s TV series Wild Wild West, died Saturday at 84. The actor died of heart failure at his Malibu home, according to family spokesperson Jeff Ballard. 'He lived a wonderfully long life and while the family is saddened by his passing, he will live forever in their hearts,' Ballard said. Television star: Robert Conrad, who played an Old West update on James Bond in the hit 1960s TV series Wild Wild West, died Saturday at 84; pictured in 2013 After a brief career in film, Conrad was put under contract by Warner Bros. Television, and most of his most popular work was for the small screen. His first major success was on the detective series Hawaiian Eye, on which he starred as the half-Hawaiian private investigator Tom Lopaka. Conrad's most popular series was Wild Wild West, which creator Michael Garrisoin envisioned as 'James Bond on horseback.' He starred as the secret service agent James West, who worked with the inventor and master of disguises Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin), to protect President Ulysses S. Grant and the United States Government. Humble beginnings: Conrad's first success was on the detective series Hawaiian Eye, which he starred on shortly after launching his TV career; still from Wild Wild West Zeitgeist: Conrad's most popular series was Wild Wild West, which creator Michael Garrisoin envisioned as 'James Bond on horseback' The series departed from traditional Western shows and featured science fiction elements with its futuristic gadgets and fantastical villains. Wild Wild West was popular with viewers, but was violent for television of the mid-to-late 1960s. Conrad performed most of his own stunts on the series, and he even choreographed the fights with stuntman Whitey Hughes. Toward the end of the third season, he suffered a serious injury resulting in a fractured skull and a concussion, which delayed production while he recuperated. Following the political upheaval of 1968 and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, members of Congress amped up their criticism of violent TV. Wild Wild West was a victim of network appeasement, and CBS canceled the show toward the end of its fourth season, despite it still commanding strong ratings. Top secret: He starred as the secret service agent James West, who worked with the inventor and master of disguises Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin), to protect President Ulysses S. Grant and the United States Government Bloody screen: Wild Wild West was popular with viewers but was canceled after four seasons when Congress began cracking down on violent television; still from Young Dillinger Following its cancellation, Conrad starred in a number of short-lived legal and crime dramas, before finding success again with the WWII-era series Baa Baa Black Sheep. He played the real-life fighter pilot Major Greg 'Pappy' Boyington in the show, which ran from 19761978 and was retitled Black Sheep Squadron in syndication. Conrad was also featured on multiple episodes of Mission: Impossible, as well as The D.A., 77 Sunset Strip, Columbo, Adam-12, Maverick, and the miniseries Centennial. In later years, he played a humorous supporting turn in the Christmas comedy Jingle All The Way alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad. Conrad later starred on the WWII flier series Baa Baa Black Sheep, and he was featured on episodes of Mission: Impossible, The D.A., 77 Sunset Strip and Columbo He was born in 1935 in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a delivery truck driver after dropping out of high school at 15; still from Glory Days Conrad was born March 1, 1935 in Chicago. He dropped out of high school at age 15 to load and drive delivery trucks. Following his theater studies at Northwestern University, he met the actor Nick Adams when the two visited James Dean's grave in Fairmount, Indiana. With Adams' encouragement, Conrad moved out west to California further his acting career. Special meeting: Conrad moved to California to pursue acting after he met the actor Nick Adams at James Dean's grave in Fairmount, Indiana; pictured in 2013 During his early years, he split his time between acting and singing. Conrad was married to Joan Kenlay from 19521977, with whom he shared five children. Following their amicable divorce, he remarried to LaVelda Ione Fann, with whom he had three more children. Conrad pleaded no contest to drunken driving after crashing his jaguar into a car driven by 26-year-old Kevin Burnett, who died two years later. The crash left Conrad with a partially paralyzed left side In 2003, Conrad crashed his jaguar into 26-year-old Kevin Burnett's car near his home in Northern California's Alpine County. Both survived but suffered serious injuries, and Conrad was convicted of drunken driving after he pleaded no contest. Burnett died two years after the crash. Conrad's left side was partially paralyzed as the result of nerve damage from the crash. It might make for unpleasant reading, but millions of euro worth of nitrogen is being wasted on Irish farms each year. With just a 20pc of soil in optimum condition to utilise the nitrogen applied to it, farmers are seeing this valuable input literally wash down the drain or escape into the atmosphere. However, with pressure ramping up on agriculture to raise its game on emissions, cleaning up our act in this area is can no longer be kicked down the road. As Teagasc researcher David Wall explained in stark terms to farmers at the National Sheep Conference last week, "if we maintain our stock, which are the lifeblood of our rural economy and farming systems, we have to tackle the other side of the pie - the other 40pc of agri emissions that come from nitrogen by and large". Despite shooting up in recent years on the back of dairy expansion, nitrogen use on Irish farms had been static since the 1980s. However, over the same period sales of other critical nutrients such as P and K and lime fell dramatically. "An awful lot of damage was done to soil fertility on farms over that period," Wall told farmers. Looking at how much nitrogen is actually utilised on Irish farms, he said: "A lot of people wouldn't believe me if I said that it's probably in the region of just 25pc across all grassland." So just a quarter of the nitrogen we put into the system is actually recovered in an end product - milk or meat. Such a shocking statistic demands immediate action, Wall stressed, pointing out that improving nitrogen efficiency would keep more money in farmers' pockets, grow more grass and reduce emissions. A reduction in N fertiliser of 10kg/ha by implementing key changes on farm will reduce farm emissions by 1pc and improve income by 10/ha. Lime According to Wall, lime is where every farmer should start, describing it as the "foundation of soil fertility" and critical to making nutrients such as nitrogen work as they should. "We have acidic soils and high rainfall, particularly in the west of the country," he said. Expand Close There is a shortfall of lime application / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp There is a shortfall of lime application Maintaining grassland soils within the optimum pH range of 6.3 creates a suitable environment for micro-organisms and earthworms to thrive and break down plant residues, animal manures and organic matter. This helps to release stored soil nutrients such as N, P, K, sulphur (S) and micro-nutrients for plant uptake. For example, grassland soils receiving regular lime applications have been shown to release up to 80kg/ha additional N compared to soils with low soil pH. "If we compare nitrogen to fuel in a car," Wall explained, "lime, P and K are like engine oil. "We cannot utilise the fuel without having the fertility right." P and K Optimising soil P and K fertility across the field is important on all farms that use moderate to high levels of N fertiliser. "Where soil P and K fertiliser is low the efficiency with which grass can uptake and recover fertiliser N is drastically reduced," Wall said. He added that in soils low in P, more than 15pc of the N applied is potentially wasted as it is not recovered by the grassland. Low-emissions slurry spreading Another important part of the nitrogen use puzzle is slurry and manure management, Wall said, stressing that farmers need to recover more nutrients out of this vital resource. He said the answer lies in low-emission spreading, which maximises the nitrogen use efficiency of slurry. Expand Close The umbilical slurry spreading charge rate is guided at 150.00/hour plus VAT. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The umbilical slurry spreading charge rate is guided at 150.00/hour plus VAT. "The problem with the splash plate is basically a surface area issue. Farmers are covering the whole surface with slurry," he said. "On a dry and sunny day the sun bakes off the nitrogen and it goes up in the air. In the worst-case scenario, 90-95pc of the nitrogen is gone. We can do better. "Using either the trailing shoe or dribble bar improves the efficiency of N within slurry by around 3 units of N per 1,000 gal compared to using splash-plate." Soil Test Soil testing is a no-brainer, according to Wall. He warned that if farmers don't have a soil analysis for their whole farm they were "shooting in the dark". "A soil test is cheap as chips. It lasts for four years and costs about 1/ac. If we think about a tonne of CAN fertiliser at 250/t or 18.6.12 at upwards of 400" He said it doesn't make sense that farmers would make a decision to spread fertiliser at 400/t without being prepared to spend 1 to have the information from a soil test. Protected urea is a cost-effective way to boost N use efficiency When selecting which nitrogen fertiliser to use, the common practice until recently on Irish farms was to use urea in the spring and CAN in the summer. "Farmers have been using urea in wet weather and converting over to CAN in dryer conditions," Teagasc researcher David Wall explained. Despite these efforts the system has not fully prevented losses both in terms of leaching and emissions to the atmosphere, Wall said, noting that farmers now need to look at another nitrogen fertiliser option. Expand Close They don't come cheap, but fertiliser programmes to address soil fertility issues are not complicated / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp They don't come cheap, but fertiliser programmes to address soil fertility issues are not complicated Recent research at Teagasc Johnstown Castle found that protected urea had 71pc lower greenhouse gas emissions than CAN and 79pc lower ammonia-N emissions than regular urea. Protected urea has the same granule as normal urea - the only difference is that a protection in the form of an inhibitor has been added to the granule. This reduces ammonia-N gas emissions from the urea, which means that more of the fertiliser N is available for grass growth. Trails found that protected urea produced the same amount of grass as CAN and has higher N use efficiency than normal urea due to reduced ammonia emissions. Suitable Protected urea is also suitable for spreading throughout the whole grazing season. The Government wants farmers to dramatically increase the use of the product in the coming years. Wall explained that at present protected urea comes as straight N (46pc) or in a compound with potash and/or sulphur. "This is the second big year out of the blocks for protected urea," he said, conceding that a lot of merchants didn't have a plentiful supply of the product last year. "They had it in the spring and then it was gone. It was a test year." However, he also assured farmers that from his communications with the fertiliser companies, it is his understanding that it will be available through the entirety of this year. "There is straight nitrogen 46pc N, so farmers don't need to bring as much home with them. They need to remember they are bringing more nitrogen home with each load," he said. "The product does what it says on the tin. It retains nitrogen in the soil for the plant uptake." Protected urea costs around 0.95 per N/kg; CAN is costing around 1.05 per N/kg based on current fertiliser N prices. We knew it was a huge step for us to take, Matt said. I had been thinking about it for a while, and I had a boss who made it a point to try to help people who wanted to make the next step. He made it seem as if this could be obtainable. So we sold just about everything we owned for the down payment, he said. The store we bought had been struggling, so we were both focused on making it a success, which meant making sure we were part of that community. That experience taught us a lot mostly because we made a lot of mistakes along the way, Mary added, laughing. I would usually work nights, and he would work the days. That was when we really learned that this isnt a job its a lifestyle. After a seven-year stint in Nebraska, the Baldwins decided to move to Oklahoma to be closer to family and bought a store in Okmulgee. Today, the couple owns McDonalds in Muskogee, Henrietta, Checotah, Okemah and McAlester. Each community is very important to us, Matt Baldwin said. Weve always thought of ourselves as small-town business people because in essence this a mom-and-pop operation. "What I really admired about Senator Sanders and still do is his consistency and willingness to say exactly what he believes," Buttigieg said. "It doesn't mean I agree with him. I didn't agree with him on everything then and don't agree with him on everything now. . . . And I think everybody left, right and center ought to come into the public square making the case for what we think is right." File Photo: City health official conduct monitoring and testing for African Swine Fever at a backyard piggery in Manila on September 17, 2019. (Photo: MARIA TAN/AFP via Getty Images) MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines confirmed on Sunday that African swine fever infections had spread in the south of the country, which accounts for nearly a third of the nation's 12.8 million pig herd. Additional cases have also been identified in some northern provinces, the Department of Agriculture said. The world's 10th-largest pork consumer and seventh-biggest pork importer reported its first-ever African swine fever outbreaks in September 2019 in some backyard farms near the capital Manila on the northern island of Luzon. But a week ago, the agricultural department said samples from pigs in the southern province of Davao Occidental had tested positive for the highly contagious disease, which kills pigs but is not harmful to humans. On Sunday, the department said 407 pigs had been culled in two villages, with a swine population of 2,398, in Davao City on the southern island of Mindanao. The island had a swine herd of around 3.7 million as of Jan. 1, government data shows, or 29% of the country's total. Agriculture Secretary William Dar had consulted Mindanao government officials and hog industry leaders to effectively manage and contain the outbreak, the department said in a statement. The Davao Occidental outbreak may have been triggered by food waste from pork products from Indonesia, or food brought home by residents from disease-hit areas in Luzon, the agricultural department said. More cases have recently been reported in some Luzon provinces, including Pangasinan, which was among the areas hit last year, and in Kalinga and Benguet provinces. Dar has said pork smuggled from China, where millions of pigs have been culled because of the disease, could be behind the first outbreak in the Philippines. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Neil Fullick) Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A bill that would scrap a waiting period for settlement agreements involving New Mexico state agencies or state officials to be made public is advancing at the Roundhouse. The Senate voted 38-0 on Saturday to approve the legislation, Senate Bill 64, which would also remove an existing penalty for those who break confidentiality provisions. This years proposal has moved forward after revelations that officials in former Gov. Susana Martinezs administration approved legal settlements with lengthy gag orders during the final weeks of 2018, Martinezs final year in office. We have to legislate to bad behaviors, said Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, during Saturdays floor debate. There are those individuals that find a way to get around these things. State law currently requires that settlement records be kept confidential for at least 180 days but gives several other time periods for release, such as when a case is closed, or when the statute of limitations for such claims has expired. That 180-day waiting period would be eliminated under the bill approved Saturday. Instead, it calls for settlement agreements to be made available to the public once theyre signed by the parties involved or upon a final judgement resolving the claims, whatever comes first. Under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration, the state General Services Department started publicly listing settlement agreements last summer. But the bill would not mandate such public disclosure, meaning the practice could be discontinued in the future. I think its very important that taxpayers know how the states business is done, General Services Secretary Ken Ortiz told reporters after Saturdays vote. Meanwhile, some senators said they were outraged by the secret settlement agreements approved by former Risk Management Division officials under the Martinez administration. There was a fraud perpetrated on New Mexico taxpayers at the end of the last administration, said Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. The worst part of all this is they tried to hide it. A special audit commissioned last year by State Auditor Brian Colons office identified $2.7 million in fast-tracked legal settlements that were kept secret under confidentiality agreements. Colons office forwarded the findings to the state Attorney Generals Office and the 1st Judicial District Attorneys Office in Santa Fe for review, but no formal actions have been taken by prosecutors to date. Settlements identified by the state Auditors Office included roughly $2 million in agreements that resolved gender and age discrimination complaints along with retaliation claims that had been filed against then-State Police Chief Pete Kassetas and other top Martinez administration officials. Kassetas, who retired at the end of 2018, has criticized the settlements, saying the charges against him were unfounded and that internal investigations cleared him. Martinez has also said she was not involved in the settlement agreements. The bill approved Saturday is co-sponsored by Rep. Linda Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, Rue and others. It now advances to the House with less than two weeks left in the 30-day legislative session. Two versions of the same letter supposedly written in 1945 by Jawaharlal Nehru to British PM Clement Atlee are floating about on Facebook. The letter talks about a "war criminal" called Subhas Chandra Bose who had been allowed to "enter" Russia, and notes that this was "treachery" on the part of Stalin, who was a British ally in World War 2. I say two versions of the same letter because one of them should clearly have been edited (even 'Jawaharlal' was wrongly spelt). Clearly, someone had a go and produced a second iteration, which is devoid of those mistakes but manages to incorporate a howler in a small Bengali foreword! The reaction to the recent release of the Bose files by Mamata Banerjee underlines what an emotional chord Netaji's name strikes in Bengal. It is somewhat enmeshed, unjustifiably perhaps, with a feeling of Bengali victimhood. What is noteworthy is that the name is being celebrated by legions outside the eastern state. And this is being done by people who had never quite taken to other distinguished personalities from Bengal. Satyajit Ray for them was more of a "Bengali phenomenon" rather than Indian, a man who had "usurped fame" by "selling India's poverty" across the world (in fact a Bengali author called Pramathanath Bishi had written about this long before Nargis Dutt institutionalised this thinking). As for Tagore, a retired judge of the Supreme Court is being able to get away with calling him a "stooge of the British". This about a man who certainly saw the beneficial aspect of British rule in India. In the essay 'Kalantar' (Within the Age), written in 1933, he sees Indian society throughout the ages as a static one which received its first jolt after the coming of the British, who brought with them the dynamism of European civilisation. He calls the British "representatives of the soul of Europe", praises their restlessness, scientific endeavour, etc. Yet in the same essay he turns a bitter critic: "Today the main pride of British administration is concerning law and order In this huge country there is little to take care of education and health everything is sunk in the huge body of law and order " He gets angrier still when he writes: "Gradually it was proved the torch of European civilisation was not to show light to the world of non-relatives but to set fire to it." In the essay "Crisis of Civilization" the poet says: "By a turn in the fortune's wheel, the English will have to leave their Indian empire. But what India is it leaving? What godless heap of garbage? When centuries of the tradition of administration dry up, what mire of bed shall carry this intolerable fruitlessness?" All this does not sound like a stooge of the British. Why aren't there howls of protest on Facebook? The reason is probably this: The admiration being exhibited by some for Bose is actually a weapon to run down Nehru, and thereby debunk secularism and open the floodgates for majoritarianism and minority bashing. Praise for Bose--decidedly praiseworthy to most in Bengal and many outside the state--is a Trojan horse for targeting India's first prime minister, and all that he stood for, and the clan that followed in his footsteps and members of which currently head the principal opposition party. No point doubting if the letter on the social media was a forged one. What matters is the spirit of campaign rather than the truth! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Her romance to TV wife Amanda Micallef will be short-lived on Married At First Sight. But Tash Herz looked a million miles from heartbreak during a trip to a Gold Coast beach last month - four months after filming her TV wedding. The bartender, 31, looked as happy as ever as she flaunted her incredible figure in a red bikini in the summer sunshine. Moving on! MAFS star Tash Herz (pictured) looked a million miles from heartbreak during a trip to the Gold Coast last month She couldn't wipe the grin off her face as she played in the ocean, wearing a slinky red two piece which showed off her washboard and never-ending pins to perfection. The heavily-tattooed brunette sported minimal makeup to show off her natural beauty, and wore her long locks with a gentle beach wave. It's no surprise that Tash had a smile on her face, as she was recently spotted sharing a passionate kiss with her new girlfriend, Madison Hewitt. It's believed that the pair didn't start dating until recently, after Tash had called it quits with strength trainer Amanda. Stunner: The heavily inked barmaid was positively glowing as she walked up the beach in the Gold Coast, leaving little to the imagination in the slinky bikini Sizzling: The brunette - who was recently seen kissing new girlfriend Madison Hewitt - sported minimal make-up to show off her natural beauty, and wore her long locks with a gentle beach wave Honest: Tash appeared in high spirits, despite her weeping in front of the nation during emotional scenes on her MAFS honeymoon All smiles! The 31-year-old bartender couldn't wipe the grin off her face as she played in the ocean, wearing a slinky red two piece which showed off her washboard and never-ending pins Tash and Amanda tied the knot on Tuesday's episode of MAFS, and at first they appeared to be a perfect match. But while on their honeymoon, Amanda complained about their lack of intimacy and Tash confessed that she wasn't attracted to 34-year-old brunette. The tattooed bombshell also failed to show up to a planned meeting with Amanda by the pool and instead decided to meditate in her hotel room. Peachy! The stunning bartender then turned around to reveal her pert derriere Heart isn't in it: While on her honeymoon on MAFS, Tash confessed that she wasn't attracted to 34-year-old Amanda 'I needed a bit of time by myself. I was acting a certain way at the wedding but now I'm not attracted to her,' Tash told producers. Three hours later, she finally showed up to meet a sunburned, irritated Amanda and opened up a book rather than engaging in conversation with her new wife. 'We're supposed to be building a relationship! Don't sit there and read your book by the pool!' she raged. 'I needed a bit of time by myself. I was acting a certain way at the wedding but now I'm not attracted to her,' Tash told producers when asked about their relationship 'We're here to get to know each other. This is not what I was expecting at all!' Finally cracking under the frustration, she stormed off. 'I'm annoyed. I didn't come on a honeymoon to spend it on my own. She's just being distant... and it's throwing me off,' she said. Heart isn't in it: Tash and Amanda Micallef (left) have since split since the show aired SALT LAKE CITY - Officials have re-opened the only road in and out of a Utah ski area east of Salt Lake City that had been closed for days due to multiple avalanches. Alta Ski Area visitors and employees were required to stay indoors until Saturday, before Little Cottonwood Canyon reopened to traffic. The Alta and Snowbird resorts had been closed since Wednesday and the rest of the canyon since Thursday. We get this much snow a lot, said Alta employee Gretchen Wolf. Its just the way the storm came in and the way the weather was created unstable circumstances. At least three natural avalanches slid across the road on Friday morning, officials said. Alta spokeswoman Andria Huskinson said the resort reopened Saturday to foot traffic before the road opened that afternoon, allowing people who were stuck to take advantage of the small crowds on the slopes. Visitor Kathy Ogsbury of Denver said shes missed at least three flights home. Weve been eating a lot, reading books, more eating, a little drinking, she told KSL-TV. We had fun. Now wed like to get out. Huskinson said she doesnt remember the last time the lodge was locked down for two days. John Gleason, spokesman for the Utah Department of Transportation, told The Deseret News the road was covered in places that hadnt seen an avalanche in more than a decade. The cruise ship Diamond Princess is docked at Yokohama Port, near Tokyo, on Feb. 7, 2020. (Sadayuki Goto/Kyodo News via AP) 70 People on Quarantined Cruise Ship Confirmed to Have Coronavirus: Officials More than a dozen American cases confirmed on the Diamond Princess Seventy people, including more than a dozen Americans, on board a quarantined cruise ship held off the coast of Japan have tested positive for novel coronavirus, according to Japanese officials on Sunday. The health ministry confirmed that one American woman in her 70s, who also lives in Hong Kong, tested positive for the virus, reported NHK and Kyodo. According to a tally from NBC News, that brings the total number of American cases on the Diamond Princess ship to 14 while other reports said 13 Americans have been infected. Officials said Sunday that 70 overall cases have been confirmed on the ship after six more coronavirus patients, including the elderly American woman, were confirmed. The five other cases involved crew members, which include a Ukrainian man in his 20s, three Filipino men in their 40s, and a Filipino woman in her 20s, according to NHK. The six were taken to the hospital, the ministry told the broadcaster, but they added that none are seriously ill. More than 3,700 people are on board the ship, which is operated by Carnival-owned Princess Cruises. The cruise ship Diamond Princess is seen at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 7, 2020. (Reuters/Kim Kyung-Hoon) Officers in protective gear carry luggage cases after people who were transferred from cruise ship Diamond Princess, arrive at a maritime police base in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan on Feb. 5, 2020. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters) The Diamond Princess left Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Jan. 20 before an 80-year-old man disembarked in Hong Kong. He later tested positive for coronavirus, prompting the Japanese health ministry to place a quarantine on the ship. Amid fears that the virus will spread further outside of China, where it is believed to have originated, several cruise ships have been placed under quarantine over the past month. The World Dream ship was quarantined last week after officials learned that it had carried infected passengers. Before that, in Italy, a Costa Cruises ship was locked down after a Chinese woman had signs of a fever, but health officials later determined she had the flu, not the new coronavirus. On Sunday, World Dream passengers were able to get off the vessel at Hong Kongs Kai Tek Cruise Terminal, according to a statement provided to USA Today. Another ship, Holland Americas MS Westerdam, was denied entry in Guam, Japan, and the Philippines as fears over the coronavirus continue to grow. Japans prime minister, Shinzo Abe, told reporters last week that he received a report that one person on the vessel was suspected of having the coronavirus, which Holland America denied in a statement. We can confirm that we have received preliminary approval for a port of disembarkation next week, Holland America spokesman Erik Elvejord told the paper in an update on Saturday. He didnt name the location. However, before we receive final confirmation, we are required to do a complete passport review of all guests and crew in order to ensure that no one has traveled in mainland China in the past 14 days, his statement continued. We know that our guests are anxious for a port confirmation, as are we. Meanwhile, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship was held off the coast of Bayonne, New Jersey, over the weekend. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed Saturday night that four Chinese passengers who were tested didnt have coronavirus. 'Ive lost a lot in my lifetime, like many of you have,' he said. 'But Ill be damned if Im going to stand by and lose this election to this man' Biden talked about his loses in life, turning it to an attack on President Trump Sanders got in a dig by reminding the crowd it 'appears' he won Iowa by 6,000 votes over Buttigieg Buttigieg had become a target among other Democrats Most of the major Democratic candidates spoke to a party event in Manchester on Saturday night - three days before the state primary contest And he criticized Bernie Sanders for dividing Americans with talk of 'revolution Pete Buttigieg struck back at this Democratic rivals' attacks on him Bernie Sanders supporters booed rival presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and denounced the former South Bend mayor as 'Wall Street Pete' during a speech in Manchester, New Hampshire, just days before the first-in-the-nation primary. Buttigieg struck back at Sanders and the other candidates, during a party event Saturday night, criticizing the senator from Vermont for dividing Americans. He also said Joe Biden's 'familiar playbook' can't defeat Donald Trump . Tensions in the presidential primary have skyrocketed after the uncertainty produced in the wake of Iowa's caucus debacle and the failure of any of the contenders to capture the party's imagination. Dems fear a repeat of 2016, when a wounded Hillary Clinton emerged from a bitter primary and was unable to defeat Donald Trump. Buttigieg, who took the lead in the latest New Hampshire poll, has become a target for the rest of the Democratic field after his strong showing in the Iowa caucuses, which still haven't released official results. Pete Buttigieg struck back at this Democratic rivals' attacks on him Joe Biden has criticized Buttigieg's lack of experience Bernie Sanders has criticized wealthy donors to Buttigieg's campaign His rivals are questioning his experience, a line of attack he directly tackled Saturday night at the McIntyre-Shaheen One Hundred Dinner in Manchester, a traditional gathering of party faithful ahead of Tuesday's primary. 'I know some of you asking what business does a South Bend mayor have seeking the highest office in land,' he told the about 8,000 Democrats in attendance. But he argued that South Bend, the city where he was mayor, was 'more like Manchester, New Hampshire which is the point.' 'My belief in America is not the product of my age, it's the product of my experience,' he said to cheers from the crowd. Buttigieg, who at 38 is the youngest candidate in the field and who has never held national office, has been attacked by Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar for that lack of experience and by Bernie Sanders for the wealthy donors to his campaign. Biden released a vicious attack ad on Saturday, comparing his experience as vice president to Buttigieg's time as mayor, and Sanders' released his own video blasting Buttigieg's wealthy supporters. Buttigieg fought back at Saturday's Democratic cattle call - not mentioning his rivals by name but his meaning clear in his remarks. 'With a president this disruptive we cannot run the risk of trying to defeat a fundamentally new challenge by relying on the familiar playbook from before,' he said in a veiled attack on Biden. And he got in a hit at Sanders, saying: 'With a president this divisive, we cannot risk dividing Americans future further, saying that you must either be for revolution or you must be for the status quo.' Sanders supporters in the SNHU Arena shouted 'Wall Street Pete' at him in return. Most of the major Democratic candidates spoke to the crowd - Michael Bloomberg did not appear - and brought in supporters to cheer them on. Sections of the arena were marked by candidate signs and colored lights. Sanders' supporters had signs lit up with his name; Elizabeth Warren supporters had flashing LED lights that changed colors in sync; and Buttigieg supporters had green glow stick bracelets. Most of the Democratic presidential candidates - Elizabeth Warren is seen on stage - spoke at the McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner in Manchester Amy Klobuchar has also attacked Buttigieg for his lack of experience Sanders' supporters were the most vocal during the night. The Vermont senator, who has turned up his attacks on Buttigieg after both of them claimed victory in the wake of Iowa's chaotic contest, didn't directly attack his rival in his remarks. Instead he noted that 'we assume we won Iowa' by 6,000 votes. His words earned him cheers from his section of supporters and ramped up Buttigieg's section of support, who yelled back 'Boot-Edge-Edge. Boot-Edge-Edge. Boot-Edge-Edge.' Sanders made an appeal for party unity. I know no matter who wins the Democratic nomination we are going to come together to defeat the most danger president in the history of country,' he said. But he noted his victory in the 2016 New Hampshire primary - amid a bitter battle between himself and Clinton - telling the crowd to join him to 'complete the revolution.' I want to thank New Hampshire that helped me being the political revolution four years ago and now is the time to complete that revolution,' he said. Meanwhile, Biden appeared to have the smallest section of supporters in the arena. The former vice president spoke after Buttigieg and kept his attacks reserved for President Trump instead of his fellow Democrats. Biden spoke movingly of the people he had met as he campaigned in New Hampshire - a little boy who wanted to know how his family could buy insulin and a girl afraid of shootings in her school. He then recounted his own losses in life: his first wife and daughter to a car accident and his son Beau to cancer. 'Ive lost a lot in my lifetime, like many of you have,' he said before pivoting to hit Trump. 'But Ill be damned if Im going to stand by and lose this election to this man.' The crowd roared at his biggest applause line of the night, earning him a standing ovation. Actor Micheal J. Fox stands as he is announced during the Democratic Party's 61st Annual McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club dinner; Fox was in the state campaigning for Buttigieg Andrew Yang salutes the crowd Biden started his remarks with a compliment of New Hampshire and a dig at Iowa, where he placed fourth in the unofficial results after problems with an app the party developed to count caucus results turned the state's contest up on its head. 'You know how to run elections. You know how to run primaries!' he told the crowd. Earlier Saturday Biden had upped his attacks on Buttigieg. 'I do believe we're a party at risk if we nominate someone who's never held an office higher than mayor of South Bend, Indiana,' he told a crowd at the Rex Theatre in Manchester Saturday afternoon. And at an event later in the day he said of Buttigieg, 'This guy's not a Barack Obama.' And his new ad, which put the two candidates' records side-by-side, and was tougher on Buttigieg than the digs Biden deployed onstage. The campaign has been pushing the ad on social media, where it's racked up $2.7 million views on Twitter and 69,000 views on Facebook. While Biden helped get the Affordable Care Act passed giving healthcare to 20 million Americans, the ad boasted, Buttigieg 'installed decorative lights under bridges giving citizens of South Bend colorfully illuminated rivers.' And while Biden saved the auto industry after the 2008 crash, the spot said, Buttigieg 'revitalized the sidewalks of downtown South Bend by laying out decorative brick.' The attacks came as Buttigieg overtook Sanders in a Suffolk University tracking poll of New Hampshire Democratic voters. Friday's poll results showed Buttigieg at 25% and Sanders at 24%, within the margin of error. Warren was third with 14% and Biden finished fourth with 11%, the poll showed. The other candidates were in single digits with 7% of voters undecided. Buttigieg came under attack at Friday night's debate: The seven candidates participating in Friday night's debate (from left) are Andrew Yang, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer Biden shrugged off those results. 'Look, the reports of our death are premature,' he told a field office of volunteers Saturday afternoon. At Friday's debate, Buttigieg, who declared himself the victor in Iowa in the wake of its caucus debacle, took the hits that come with front runner status. Biden and Klobuchar questioned whether he had the capacity to successfully face off with Trump, questioning whether he has the experience to lead the nation. Buttigieg, who served two terms as mayor of South Bend, a city with a population of 100,000, said the Washington insider experience of some of his rivals was no longer what was needed, and it was time to 'turn the page' on the old Washington politics. 'I freely admit that if you're looking for the person with the most years of Washington establishment experience under their belt, you've got your candidate, and of course it's not me,' he said. Klobuchar hit back claiming that 'it is easy to go after Washington, because that's a popular thing to do. It is much harder ... to lead and much harder to take those difficult positions'. Then she dug into the fresh-faced Buttigieg: 'Because I think this going after every single thing that people do because it's popular to say and makes you look like a cool newcomer, I just I don't think that's what people want right now. We have a newcomer in the White House, and look where it got us. I think having some experience is a good thing.' More than 1000 yoga teachers/instructors/trainers from Mysuru teaching yoga in China, are also reportedly stuck in the virus-hit country as flights from China have been stopped, according to Mr. Srihari, founder of GSS Yogic Research Foundation. Mysuru: With the Coronavirus threat looming large and Mysuru, the international yoga capital, having several foreigners including those from China taking up short-term yoga courses at over 500 centres in the city, health department officials are taking no chances and are asking foreigners to postpone their return journey to their respective countries especially to China. More than 1000 yoga teachers/instructors/trainers from Mysuru teaching yoga in China, are also reportedly stuck in the virus-hit country as flights from China have been stopped, according to Mr. Srihari, founder of GSS Yogic Research Foundation. However, according to sources, a team of over 25 yoga teachers from Mysuru who were teaching yoga in China, returned to their hometown early this month. As many as 120 foreign students including those from China are studying in Mysuru and have being asked by officers of the health department to postpone their visit to their respective countries. With three Corono virus cases confirmed in neighbouring Kerala, students from Kerala who are pursuing nursing and medical education courses here have also been asked to postpone their journey to their homes in Kerala. All the foreign students studying in University of Mysuru, and those learning yoga in Mysuru are asymptomatic so far. Still, two places have been being identified to isolate and treat patients in case we detect any positive case, Mysuru district surveillance officer, Dr Shashidhar said. Of the 104 samples sent for tests, the reports of 83 samples have arrived and they tested negative for the virus. So far 14,153 passengers have been screened at Kempegowda International airport in Bengaluru. As many as 138 travellers from Corona affected countries have been identified and 130 are under home isolation. Four Chinese travellers have left the country and four are admitted to selected isolation hospitals, according to a health bulletin. Did you know that Donald Trumps approval rating in Nigeria is around 60 percent? I didnt. But thats what the Pew Research Center found in a January survey, and according to Nigerian journalist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, this has been Trumps consistent level of approval in Nigeria. Why do Nigerians like Trump? Nwaubani says its because they appreciate his tough talk, candor, and resilience. Nigerians also like the fact that hes pro-religion and entertaining. Will 15 percent of American black voters feel the same way in November? If so, Trumps reelection seems highly probable. What about Trumps labeling African nations shit holes? This seems to be an example of the candor Nigerians appreciate, political correctness apparently not having infected that country: Many Africans agree [with Trumps assessment]. Ask the multitudes risking death by drowning to escape to Europe. In 2017, the bodies of 26 Nigerian young women and girls were recovered from the Mediterranean Sea, following their attempt to reach Europe in a rubber boat. Out of 181,000 migrants who arrived by sea in Italy from Libya in 2016, about 11,000 women and 3,000 children traveling alone were from Nigeria, according to the United Nations. . . . 45 percent of Nigerian adults said they planned to move to another country in the next five years the highest percentage of any nation surveyed. On reporting trips between 2016 and 2018 to Edo state in the south, the origin of most Nigerians crossing the Mediterranean, I came across villages where the majority of the youth had left for Europe, and the people who remained were mostly elderly. (Emphasis added) But what about the travel ban Trump recently imposed on Nigeria? Nwaubani says that Nigerians dont like it, but they understand it: International media reports on the travel ban have described Nigeria with glittering phrases: Its Africas largest economy with a booming tech ecosystem, whose migrants are among the most educated and successful immigrants in the United States. But it is also a greatly diverse country that has produced the Boko Haram terrorist group, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and now parades as its West Africa arm; the Underwear Bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who tried to detonate explosives hidden in his underwear on a flight headed to Detroit on Christmas Day in 2009; and the crowds that poured into the streets of northern Nigeria (a mostly Muslim region) to celebrate the attacks on the twin towers in New York on Sept. 11, 2001. I was chatting with a group of people in Abuja recently, and every one of us agreed that it would be unwise for Trump to pretend that threats from northern Nigeria dont exist. He needs to protect Americans from Nigerians whom even we Nigerians need to be protected from. But Trump would surely have been accused of amplifying the fissures in our country if he had banned travelers from only a particular region, we conceded. And so we all must suffer for the transgressions of some. (Emphasis added) As depicted by Nwaubani, Nigerians have considerably more sense than American liberals and a significant number of American judges. Nigerians are likely to blame their government, not Trump, for the travel ban: Multiple local media reports have said that the Trump administration tried for more than a year to work with the Nigerian government to upgrade our countrys information-sharing procedures and avoid the ban. But Nigeria failed to meet the minimum security requirements for verifying travelers identities and singling out those who may pose a national security threat. (Emphasis added) Nwaubani doesnt mention Nigerias reputation as the home of world class scammers, a phenomenon brilliantly portrayed in the film Nigerian Prince (written and directed by a Nigerian-American filmmaker). Its possible that Nigerians like Trumps ability to make a buck creatively. This may be part of what Nwaubani is getting at in her snarky concluding passage: Shopee, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, has come out on top as the most positively discussed e-commerce platform in Vietnam. Shopee remains the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia. (Photo Courtesy Shopee Vietnam According to the YouGov 2019 Buzz Rankings, Shopee clinched third place in Vietnam. Shopee is also recognised alongside top international brands with a seventh place position in the Global Brand Buzz Rankings. BrandIndex is the authoritative measure of brand perception. Unlike any other brand intelligence services, BrandIndex continuously measures public perception of thousands of brands across dozens of sectors. YouGov BrandIndex measures the public perception of brands on a daily basis across a range of measures. They interview thousands of consumers every day, yielding over 2.5 million interviews a year. BrandIndex operates at national and international levels, allowing users to track brand perception in just one country, compare across multiple countries, or monitor a global picture. Shopee recently concluded a successful 2019 that reinforced its status as the number one platform in Vietnam and the region. The company is the number one shopping app in Southeast Asia and Taiwan by monthly active users. About 80 million items sold during the Shopee 12.12 birthday sale. Over 1 billion plays have been recorded on Shopees wide range of in-app games./.vna 2019: prosperous year for Vietnams e-commerce, fintech firms Start-up activities are growing fast despite the slowdown of the global economy. The gap between Vietnam and the two regional leading countries, Indonesia and Singapore, has narrowed. Andrianakis claimed Puig met the girl when she was 17, but believed she was 18 He admitted he started courting the teenager online in the lead up to his death Puig's lawyer Stephen Andrianakis said his client planned to plead not guilty The former assistant ALP state secretary was due to appear in court in April He was found hours before a newspaper planned to publish accusations The Labor lobbyist was charged with child sex and porn offences from 2019 Andres Puig, 44, was found dead in his East Melbourne home on Friday night A Labor Party powerbroker who killed himself after learning his child sex charges were about to be made public admitted he was involved with a 16-year-old girl. Andres Puig, 44, was found dead in his Melbourne home on Friday night hours after finding out The Australian planned to publish he was charged with child sex offences. The newspaper was set to reveal the influential lobbyist was charged with producing and possessing child pornography and other child sex offences. The former assistant ALP state secretary was due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on April 16. Andres Puig, 44, was found dead in his East Melbourne home on Friday night hours after finding out The Australian planned to print that he was charged with child sex offences The offences allegedly took place in 2019 and Puig was on bail at the time of his death. In a bombshell development, Puig's lawyer Stephen Andrianakis claimed his client intended to plead not guilty, but admitted he courted the teenage girl online before his suicide, The Australian reported. Mr Andrianakis claimed Puig's encounter with the girl was 'entirely consensual'. He said that despite wooing the girl when she was just 16 - and subsequently meeting with her when she was 17 - Puig believed she was 18. Mr Andrianakis also claimed the girl's dating profile said she was 18. The teenager's side of the story hasn't been released. In a bombshell development, Puig's lawyer claimed said his client planned to plead not guilty, but admitted he had started courting the teenage girl online in the lead up to his suicide 'There were also photos taken consensually. My instructions are that none of (these) were shared with any third party by Mr Puig,' Mr Andrianakis said in a statement. 'Mr Puig voluntarily provided to the investigators the password to his phone and gave computers to the investigators. 'The allegations were denied and the charges were to be vigorously denied.' Footscray police charged the 44-year-old over offences allegedly committed last year. The Australian reported that he was released on bail following heightened investigations in October. Victorian Police confirmed Mr Puig's death in a media release. 'Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a man in East Melbourne on Friday night,' the release said. 'The man was located deceased in his Powlett Street home shortly before 6.30pm. The death is not being treated as suspicious.' The former Victorian ALP assistant state secretary rose through political ranks before building the Civic Group consultancy firm before leaving the lobbying company in October 2019. An anonymous source said 'theres no coincidence he disappeared from public life at this time'. 'Its the same time the investigation ramped up.' SANE Helpline: 1800 18 72 63 Lifeline: 131 114 The incident, the students of Gargi College say, took place a few days ago during Day 3 of the annual festival 'Reverie'. Several students of Gargi College, a premier all-women institute in Delhi, alleged that a large group of men barged into their campus on Thursday and molested them during an annual fest. The incident, the students say, occurred a few days ago during day 3 of the annual festival 'Reverie'. A group of drunken men reportedly entered the college affiliated to Delhi University, and harassed the students. "Girls were groped, locked in washrooms, stalked to the nearby Green Park metro, cat-called, eve-teased and misbehaved with during the festival," one student put up on a blog. The blog added: "The men were allegedly shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans that made us presume they had 'Hindutva/BJP' affiliation. We don't know how true this is as those who witnessed the episode are scared to come forward." The students have planned a protest in the college on Monday. Many students on the page, 'speakupgargi', blamed the college union and the administration for "failing" to protect students and even demanded the resignation of the principal. India Today has quoted a student of the college as saying in a social media post, "There were drunk, middle-aged men harassing us, molesting us and masturbating at us... I was groped thrice by a group of men inside that crowd and when I screamed they laughed..." The Indian Express quoted Sundaram Thakur, president of the students union, as saying each student was given a pass so that they could bring a companion, male or female. "However, a huge crowd gathered at the gate that evening. They began pushing in such a way the gate broke Over 200 outsiders broke into the college without passes," she said. The report quoted acting principal Promila Kumar as saying that no complaint has been filed. She also said that there was an area in the campus that was only meant for female students and added, "If they were outside that, it was their personal choice." The police also said they have not received any PCR or other complaint in the matter either from the students or the college authorities. Responding to the incident, the All India Mahila Congress said on Twitter: This cycle of violence and molestation of girls by a right winged group is becoming far too common. The worst offenders of a religion are usually the ones screaming God's name during violence#GargiCollege https://t.co/ltFsyfyuFX All India Mahila Congress (@MahilaCongress) February 9, 2020 With inputs from PTI The laboratory test report of the student who is currently in the isolation ward at the Government Medical College Hospital Thrissur medical college here tested negative for novel coronavirus infection (nCoV). The body fluid sample of the student, which was sent for testing at the Alappuzha unit of the Insitute of Virology (NIV), returned negative a medical bulletin said. If the next test also comes out negative, she will be discharged from the hospital. Yesterday, another sample was sent for testing, the result of which is yet to arrive. Meanwhile, two more people were arrested for spreading misinformation in connection with Coronavirus by the Thrissur police. The arrested, both natives of Thrissur, have been identified as Bipesh and Pradosh. Thrissur east police station has registered a case against the duo, Investigation officer, Sub Inspector Vimodh confirmed it to ANI over phone. A state disaster status was declared in Kerala after 72 people returned to the state from Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus in China. Out of these three tested positive in preliminary testing of nCoV. Kerala withdrew the state disaster status later on Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dan Enea joined us for Newstalk this Sunday, February 9th, to talk about trying to form a new organization here locally to pay tribute to people's Italian heritage. They are working on getting a Sons and Daughters of Italy Chapter up and running here in the Mohawk Valley. There was a chapter in Utica but it disbanded years ago. There will be a free informational meeting on Sunday, February 9th, at Francesca's in Ilion at noon. Its open to members in Utica and the valley. The head Grand Lodge from New York City is coming up to speak at the meeting. You can join them and officials from the NY Grand Lodge of the Sons & Daughters of Italy as they discuss how they can create the new Mohawk Valley Chapter! The officials want to know how anxious this group is to start their new club and to give back to the community, Meetings will be once a month with very inexpensive dues. All nationalities are welcome. The Sons of Italy Foundation is a private institution established in 1959. It has given nearly 63 million to scholarships, medical research, cultural preservation, disaster relief and other causes. At the end of January, French emergency services found the body of a man in a hotel room close to the train station in the northern city of Lille, mutilated with scores of stab wounds. The man was Imran Aliev, 44, originally from Russia's restive northern Caucasus region of Chechnya but who had lived for the last few years in Belgium. He had gained a following as a video blogger at times critical of the Chechen leadership under its strongman ruler Ramzan Kadyrov. Suspicion immediately emerged that the killing was a political assassination and could be the latest in a series of suspected moves against troublesome figures living in exile in Europe critical of the Kremlin or Russia's regional leaders. Sources close to the investigation told AFP in Lille that the murder bore the hallmarks of having a political motive. But caution has also been urged due to the lack of clear evidence so far and the complexity of Aliev himself, who was prone to unpredictable and vulgar outbursts on his YouTube and Facebook video channels, where he went by the pseudonym of Mansur Stariy. - Travelled with killer? - Aliev had arrived in Lille from neighbouring Belgium on the night of January 29 to January 30 along with another man who was also travelling on a Russian passport. They both checked into a room in a hotel in the square in front of the Lille-Flandres train station. The emergency services entered the room around 1030 GMT on January 30 and discovered Aliev's body. The source close to the investigation said that the crime scene was marked by extreme savagery and Aliev had 100 stab wounds. A knife was found in the room. A prominent exiled Chechen blogger based in Europe who goes by the name of Tumso Abdurakhmanov swiftly wrote on his Telegram channel he believed the killer had flown to Spain from Russia, then moved on to Berlin, before going to Belgium by train on January 20. The men then spent a week in Belgium before travelling together with Aliev to Lille, where he allegedly murdered his companion. Abdurakhmanov claimed that the man, whom he even identified by name, then returned to Russia and is now safely back in Chechnya. - Asylum in Belgium - Aliev's video blogs, usually in Chechen language rather than Russian, were marked by strong diatribes against Kadyrov who stands accused by rights groups of using a personal militia to attack opponents. But according to the Caucasian Knot Russian-language news site, Aliev's comments were often vulgar, expletive-ridden and also inconsistent. In one video, rather than criticising Kadyrov he had even sworn an oath of allegiance to him. According to the source close to the investigation, Aliev had obtained the status of a political refugee in Belgium at the end of 2012 after making a second request for asylum -- a first request in 2011 had not succeeded. Refugee status was granted to all his family, including his wife. He has several children born between 2002 and 2008. The source said that Aliev has the profile of a figure who is violent and aggressive. Nonetheless, he was never the subject of a criminal conviction in Belgium, although he did spend several months in prison in 2015 for making threats and carrying a banned weapon, another source close to the investigation said. - 'Political motivation' - Lille prosecutors have opened an investigation against "X" for murder. Such investigations against "X" are opened in France when prosecutors believe the crime was pre-meditated but don't yet know by who. Lille police are carrying out the investigation and no arrest has been made yet. The murder "bears all the characteristics of having a political motivation" but "it is wise to be prudent", said a source close to the investigation. "Many people could have wanted him," added another source. Attention on the case in Lille has been magnified by a row between Germany and Russia over the killing of the former Chechen rebel commander in a Berlin park in late 2019. Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian national, was shot twice in the head at close range in Kleiner Tiergarten park on August 23, allegedly by a Russian man who was arrested shortly afterwards. President Vladimir Putin has vowed to help Germany with the investigation but has described Khangoshvili as a "fighter, very cruel and bloody" who had taken part in separatist activities and also been involved in blasts on the Moscow metro. Pete Buttigieg responded to attacks from Joe Biden on Sunday, claiming that no one running for president is going to give a repeat of Barack Obama's presidency. Buttigieg, 38, admitted to CNN's State of the Union Sunday morning that he isn't Obama, and said no other candidates in the primary race, including Biden, 77, is either. Biden attacked Buttigieg's inexperience during a campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon. 'I do believe we're a party at risk if we nominate someone who's never held an office higher than mayor of South Bend, Indiana,' the former vice president told a crowd gathered at the Rex Theatre. During a press gaggle with reporters later in the day at his Manchester field office, Biden was asked about the criticism Obama received when he was running for president in 2008. 'This guy's not a Barack Obama,' Biden responded. 'Well he's right. I'm not,' Buttigieg admitted to CNN's Jake Tapper of Biden's comments. 'And neither is he.' Pete Buttigieg responded to an attack from Joe Biden claiming he isn't Barack Obama. 'Well he's right. I'm not. And neither is he,' the 38-year-old candidate said during an interview with CNN's State of the Union Sunday morning Biden took several shots at Buttigieg over the last few days after coming in fourth place in the Iowa caucuses. He specifically has criticized what he says is Buttigieg's lack of experience the same sort of attacks Obama faced when he was running for president in 2008 During an interview with ABC that aired Sunday, Biden was asked if he thinks Buttigieg has a 'race problem.' He said no, but added: 'He hasn't been able to unify the black community' When Barack Obama was running for president in 2008, he was also criticized for his inexperience. He was just 47 when he was inaugurated 'Neither is any of us running for president,' he continued. 'And, this isn't 2008, it's 2020. And we are in a new moment calling for a different kind of leadership. But we are facing the most disruptive president in modern history. And I don't think the same playbook that helped us get here is going to work against him.' Biden continued his attacks against the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana in a rare television interview with ABC's This Week. He specifically called out Buttigieg for being unable to unite the black community. 'He hasn't been able to unify the black community,' Biden told ABC's George Stephanopoulos in a pre-recorded interview that aired Sunday morning. 'In order to win, George, you're going to have to win states like Pennsylvania, you're going to have to be able to win Florida. You're going to have to be able to win a lot of places that, in fact, have very diverse populations. And so the assertion that he's ready across the board I don't see it. I haven't seen it yet,' Biden continued in the pre-recorded interview, hitting at what he calls Buttigieg's lack of experience. Buttigieg served two terms as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, but chose not to run for reelection for a third term as he continued on the presidential campaign trail. When Biden was asked if he was insinuating that Buttigieg has a 'race problem,' Biden said, 'no.' The youngest Democratic candidate has struggled to gain support among the black community, and has come under criticism for firing the first-ever black police chief of South Bend in 2012 a move he has called his 'first serious mistake as mayor.' Biden released an attack while on the campaign trail in New Hampshire that took hits at Buttigieg's lack of experience and brought up the demotion of the police chief. The ad also made his strides as mayor seem insignificant compared to what Biden had accomplished as a senator for more than three decades and as Obama's No. 2 for eight years. The recent increase in attacks against Buttigieg came as he emerged the winner in Iowa with 26.2 per cent compared to Sanders' 26.1 per cent. An official winner has still not been called, but Buttigieg and Sanders have both declared they are the victors 'Well you know, it's a typical political attack,' Buttigieg said in response. 'And it's too bad because, you know, so many communities communities like mine in South Bend we know that we might look small to the perspective of Washington. But to us, it's what's going on in Washington that looks so small and small-minded. And, you know, communities whether they're my size or rural communities, or even neighborhoods in our biggest cities that feel completely left behind are frustrated with being made into a punch line by Washington politicians,' he said. Attention has been thrust onto Buttigieg after the former no-name candidate rose to prominence in the primary race and won the Iowa caucuses with 26.2 per cent. Although an official winner has not yet been declared nearly a week after the caucuses were held, with 100 per cent of precincts reporting, Buttigieg is just .1 percentage point ahead of the second place candidate: Bernie Sanders. Sanders, however, has declared he is the victor in Iowa because he earned the most amount of votes from caucusgoers. The increased attacks on Buttigieg also follow a new New Hampshire poll that show him in winning in the first primary election state as well. AnitaB.org CEO Brenda Wilkerson is trying a different approach to diversity in Silicon Valley. Brenda Wilkerson is disappointed with Silicon Valley's repeated diversity failures, and says time is running out. Nearly two years ago, the former computer programmer and entrepreneur took the CEO role at AnitaB.org, a non-profit organization named after famed computer scientist Anita Borg and dedicated to advancing women in technology roles. She's now pushing the 23-year-old organization toward a "moonshot" goal of reaching a 50/50 female-male gender split in the tech industry by the year 2025. In the process, Wilkerson is gunning for a more aggressive approach, knocking on companies' doors harder and, at times, even shaming them. She hopes that with some tough love and a soft entry point, Silicon Valley can get to a place where it eventually won't need AnitaB.org any more. Wilkerson's efforts come as companies like Facebook, Google and Apple struggle to attract and retain diverse talent since first releasing their diversity numbers five years go. These companies are still made up of mostly white and Asian men despite millions of dollars in investments. Year after year, annual diversity reports boast an increase in hiring underrepresented minorities and yet retention either falls or stays the same. In the last year, even Congress grilled tech executives including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the company's spotty track record on diversity and its effect on products. Wilkerson's 50/50 goal, which she admits may be too ambitious for Silicon Valley, is a matter of "life or death," she said. Wilkerson says she wanted to be a doctor until she went through medical training and learned that most pharmaceuticals and procedures were not tested on women, which could end up causing pain and dangerous side effects. The state of tech rings eerily similar to her. "That's an algorithm now." For instance, Wilkerson fears self-driving cars' algorithms may be unable to detect people of color if the people who are testing them aren't considering all prospective users. The U.S. alone will become "minority white" by the year 2045, according to Census figures. She pointed to an incident involving Google's face-tracking technology, where contractors reportedly deceived people of color into taking facial scans to train its facial detection technology for its latest Pixel smartphone. Google has since suspended the testing. "It's abominable," Wilkerson said. "It's just another example that screams for diversity because there weren't enough people on that team who didn't think this was wrong. When we are designing products that are going to impact a diverse population, it (diversity) shouldn't be this 'initiative' it should be the secret sauce." It's not enough to hire one diversity officer AnitaBorg's annual Top Companies for Women Technologists report, which tracks data including racial and ethnic diversity, diverse hiring, retention, pay and policies, is widely known in the industry as the most comprehensive report and serves as a benchmark of the technical workforce. More than 70 companies participated in its 2019 report, including Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and Salesforce. But not all companies have cooperated. In 2019, Apple, Facebook and Google declined to provide data to AnitaB.org, although they publish some diversity data on their own. Google, which is an AnitaB.org partner, declined to give a reason as to why it didn't participate in its report, while Apple and Facebook didn't respond to requests for comment. Several major Silicon Valley companies also have seen a high turnover rate in roles devoted to increasing diversity. In 2019, Airbnb, Google, Dropbox, Stubhub, Twilio and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative all lost their chief diversity officers -- most of whom had been in their positions for less than two years. Apple's former chief diversity officer Denise Young left the company in 2017 after only six months. Uber's first chief diversity officer Bernard Coleman held the top role for about a year before the company brought on a new diversity chief Bo Young Lee. "They hire this one chief diversity officer, give them no power, and don't include them in the rest of the processes, so it's not going to work," Wilkerson said. "You can hire a bunch of folks but if you don't understand equity, you're not going to keep them." AnitaB.org CEO Brenda Wilkerson speaks on a panel with Dr. Jackie Bouvier Copeland at the 2019 Grace Hopper conference. Wilkerson said that for one of her presentations in staff training, she used an example of Silicon Valley executives who photoshopped women into their group photo last summer. Venture capital firms are even more "behind the curve," Wilkerson said, adding that AnitaB.org is extending its reach to the smaller firms this time around. Adding to the challenge, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which required organizations to report employee pay by race, ethnicity, and gender under the Obama administration, doesn't do so anymore. That makes companies less willing to hand over their pay data, which Wilkerson said is necessary for determining workplace equity. "Companies are feeling like change is more painful because they're already making plenty of money," she said. "And that's part of the challenge that we face as an organization trying to make a change." Looking in the mirror Before Wilkerson set out the organization's new goals, she had to give her own 113-person staff a hard look, which meant identifying stagnant areas and going "back to basics," she said. "I remember one of the first questions I asked folks when I first came on board, was about [how] the word 'diversity' was getting thrown around a lot, so I said 'define diversity,'" she said. "There was this sort of shocked silence and a lot of stuttering from people." Accomplished computer scientist Anita Borg founded the non-profit organization, originally known as the Institute for Women and Technology, in 1997 on the famed Xerox PARC research campus in Palo Alto, California, with the aim of increasing the representation of women in technical fields. By then, Borg had already made major strides in advancing computer operating systems and worked for several computer companies. Her work on inclusion stemmed back to as far as 1987 when she created an email list for women working in the "systems" field, which grew to span thousands of members globally. Despite its storied history, AnitaB.org had become stale, Wilkerson said. After a year-long exam, she discovered that the organization, which is tasked with helping partners become more diverse, was not diverse itself. "Just like the companies that we were tasked with supporting, I think we were comfortable with our lack of diversity," she said. "We had to get uncomfortable." AnitaB.org CEO Brenda Wilkerson speaking with student and conference attendee. The organization has also faced criticism around its massive annual Grace Hopper conference, the country's largest conference for women technologists. The group allowed tech company Palantir to sponsor the event despite its work for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Critics including former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao signed an online petition asking the organization to drop Palantir, which it eventually did. On social media, some people criticized Grace Hopper for being an "elitist" conference. Wilkerson said she received complaints that handicapped stalls didn't have the correct signage and a complaint that the carpet was too thick for those in wheelchairs to transport themselves. "It's valid feedback especially if people were there for the first time," Wilkerson said. "I feel like we got past that four-year barrier that was sort of elitist so if they're still experiencing it in pockets, I want to know about it." 'Messy but important' To reach its ambitious goals for the industry, AnitaB.org under Wilkerson is taking a more hands-on approach. That includes diving deeper into demographic data and switching up venues to have embarrassing discussions. "What we used to say is 'here's your data' and we'd have a big meeting where we'd say, 'this paragraph means this,'" she said. "We're now going a step deeper and saying, 'let's meet one-on-one and talk about what this means within your specific group and historical trends through the years.'" Wilkerson is also strongly recommending to executives that chief diversity officers report directly to the CEO, which has been a contentious topic for tech companies who insist on placing them inside the human resources department. Reporting to HR limits diversity officers' power because they don't report directly to the company's top decision-makers, Wilkerson and other diversity advocates argue. "This is the tension, and this is the work," she said about attempting to reprogram existing systems and mindsets. "It can be messy but it is important." Wilkerson also demands companies only send C-level executives to high-level meetings. "These companies want to be involved, but sometimes who they send is a lower-level person who has no decision impact, which is often a symptom of really what's going on in their organization," she said. "If you want to be included in this high-level meeting, I need you to send a high-level person and sometimes that flips the switch." AnitaB.org CEO Brenda Wilkerson interviews Yamilee Toussaint Beach, Founder and CEO of STEM From Dance, at the organization's 2019 Grace Hopper conference. ConocoPhillips Company (NYSE:COP) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in 3 days time. You will need to purchase shares before the 13th of February to receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 2nd of March. ConocoPhillips's next dividend payment will be US$0.42 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of US$1.68 to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that ConocoPhillips has a trailing yield of 2.9% on the current share price of $57.99. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing. Check out our latest analysis for ConocoPhillips Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. ConocoPhillips has a low and conservative payout ratio of just 21% of its income after tax. A useful secondary check can be to evaluate whether ConocoPhillips generated enough free cash flow to afford its dividend. It distributed 34% of its free cash flow as dividends, a comfortable payout level for most companies. It's positive to see that ConocoPhillips's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. NYSE:COP Historical Dividend Yield, February 9th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Stocks in companies that generate sustainable earnings growth often make the best dividend prospects, as it is easier to lift the dividend when earnings are rising. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. With that in mind, we're encouraged by the steady growth at ConocoPhillips, with earnings per share up 6.8% on average over the last five years. The company is retaining more than half of its earnings within the business, and it has been growing earnings at a decent rate. Organisations that reinvest heavily in themselves typically get stronger over time, which can bring attractive benefits such as stronger earnings and dividends. Story continues Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. ConocoPhillips has seen its dividend decline 1.1% per annum on average over the past ten years, which is not great to see. The Bottom Line From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid ConocoPhillips? Earnings per share growth has been growing somewhat, and ConocoPhillips is paying out less than half its earnings and cash flow as dividends. This is interesting for a few reasons, as it suggests management may be reinvesting heavily in the business, but it also provides room to increase the dividend in time. We would prefer to see earnings growing faster, but the best dividend stocks over the long term typically combine significant earnings per share growth with a low payout ratio, and ConocoPhillips is halfway there. There's a lot to like about ConocoPhillips, and we would prioritise taking a closer look at it. Ever wonder what the future holds for ConocoPhillips? See what the 14 analysts we track are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow If you're in the market for dividend stocks, we recommend checking our list of top dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. BEIJING Chinas virus death toll rose by 89 on Sunday to 811, passing the number of fatalities in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic, but fewer new cases were reported in a possible sign its spread may be slowing as other nations stepped up efforts to block the disease. Some 2,656 new virus cases were reported in the 24 hours ending at midnight Saturday, most of them in the central province of Hubei, where the first patients fell sick in December. That was down by about 20% from the 3,399 new cases reported in the previous 24-hour period. That means the joint control mechanism of different regions and the strict prevention and control measures have worked, a spokesman for the National Health Commission, Mi Feng, said at a news conference. Also Sunday, new cases were reported in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, the U.K. and Spain. More than 360 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China. Dramatic reductions in the pace of the diseases spread should begin this month if containment works, said Dr. Ian Lipkin, director of Columbia Universitys Center for Infection and Immunity. He assisted the World Health Organization and Chinese authorities during the outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. Warmer weather will reduce the viruss ability to spread and bring people out of enclosed spaces where it is transmitted more easily, Lipkin said in an online news conference. However, he said, if new cases spike as people return to work after the Lunar New Year holiday, which was extended to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, then well know were in trouble. The new U.K. case was the nations fourth, while Spain reported its second, as European authorities sought to contain the spread of the virus by tracking down people who came into contact with those infected. Both of the new cases were acquired during trips to France, officials said. The new U.K. case is a known contact of a previously confirmed case there, the countrys Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said, adding that experts continue to work hard tracing patient contacts. In Spain, authorities were working to identify everyone who came into contact with a British man whose case was detected in Mallorca, a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean Sea, Spains National Microbiology Center said. The fatality toll passed the 774 people believed to have died of SARS, another viral outbreak that originated in China. The total of 37,198 confirmed cases of the new virus vastly exceeds the 8,098 sickened by SARS. The latest developments: JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, VIETNAM, MALAYSIA, SPAIN REPORT NEW CASES Japan reported six more cases among 3,700 passengers and crew aboard the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, bringing the number of infections on the vessel to 69. The new cases are an American passenger in her 70s and five crew members four Filipinos and a Ukrainian. South Korea reported a new case in a 73-year-old woman whose relatives visited Guangdong province in southern China, raising its total to 27. The family members, a 51-year-old South Korean man and a 37-year-old Chinese woman, were confirmed infected later Sunday. Vietnam reported its 14th case. The Health Ministry said she is a 55-year-old woman in Vinh Phuc province, northwest of Hanoi, where six earlier patients were found to be infected. Malaysia reported its 17th case. The 65-year-old womans son-in-law was diagnosed earlier with the virus. Spain confirmed its second case in Mallorca, a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean. The first case was a German tourist diagnosed a week ago in the Canary Islands off northwest Africa. HONG KONG RELEASES QUARANTINED CRUISE SHIP The 1,800 passengers and 1,800 crew members of the cruise ship Dream World were released from quarantine after Hong Kong authorities said tests of the crew found no infections. The ship was isolated after eight mainland Chinese passengers were diagnosed with the disease last month. Port official Leung Yiu-hon said some passengers with symptoms tested negative but there was no need to test all of them because they had no contact with the infected Chinese passengers. Meanwhile, Hong Kong began enforcing a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from mainland China. The territorys chief executive, Carrie Lam, has refused demands by some hospital workers and others to seal the border completely. DOCTORS MOTHER WANTS EXPLANATION The mother of a physician who died last week in Wuhan said in a video released Sunday she wants an explanation from authorities who reprimanded him for warning about the virus in December. The death of Li Wenliang, 34, prompted an outpouring of public anger at Wuhan officials. Some postings left on his microblog account said officials should face consequences for mistreating Li. My child was summoned by the Wuhan Police Bureau at midnight. He was asked to sign an admonishment notice, Lu Shuyun said in the video distributed by Pear Video, an online broadcast platform. We wont give up if they dont give us an explanation. The video shows flowers in her home with a note that says, Hero is immortal. Thank you. WUHAN OPENS NEW HOSPITAL, FARMERS PROMISED SUPPORT A 1,500-bed hospital built in two weeks in Wuhan, the city of 11 million people at the center of the outbreak, accepted its first patients on Saturday, the government announced. Another 1,000-bed hospital built in 10 days opened last week. The government of the surrounding province of Hubei it will pay subsidies to farmers, other food producers and supermarkets and give tax breaks to companies that donate to anti-virus work, the official Xinhua News Agency said. It said overtime for employees of companies making medical supplies will be subsidized. Chinas leaders are trying to keep food flowing to crowded cities despite anti-disease controls and to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access to Wuhan and nearby cities was cut off. Two more flights from Wuhan carrying American citizens, permanent residents and close relatives landed in the United States, the State Department said. A spokesman said more than 800 Americans have been evacuated from Wuhan. A plane landed Sunday in Britain carrying 200 people from Wuhan. Officials said Britains second evacuation flight carried 105 British nationals and 95 citizens of other European countries and family members. The passengers will be quarantined at a hotel for 14 days. Dozens of repatriated Brazilians, some waving small Brazilian flags, landed Sunday morning at an airbase in the state of Goias, where they will spend the next 18 days in quarantine. A charter flight carrying Filipinos from Wuhan arrived in the Philippines. The 29 adults and one infant will be quarantined for 14 days. Elsewhere in China, the industrial metropolis of Chongqing in the southwest told residential communities to close their gates and check visitors for fever. The government said the spread of the virus through family gatherings had been reported in Chongqing but gave no details. FRANCE CLOSES SCHOOLS, ITALIAN STUDENTS RETURNING FROM CHINA TOLD TO STAY HOME France closed two schools and tried to reassure vacationers in the Alps after five Britons contracted the virus at a ski resort. France stepped up a travel alert, recommending against all visits to China except for imperative reasons. Italy recommended students returning from China stay home from school for two weeks after the government reported three cases. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SENDING EXPERTS The WHO director-general said it will send experts to China starting Monday or Tuesday. Asked whether that will include members of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus replied, We hope so. ___ Associated Press writers Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Yves Dam Van in Hanoi, Vietnam; Yuri Kayegama in Tokyo and Barry Hatton in Lisbon contributed to this report. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A fight at a house party in the 300 block of Richard Terrace SE escalated when shots were fired Saturday night, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. Police officers responded to the out of control party shortly after 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, Sgt. John Wittkowski said. Police say they believe a fight started inside during the party and then moved outside. During the outside altercation a vehicle pulled up and two men got out and fired multiple rounds into the air, Wittkowski said. He said the male suspects got back into the car and fled. There were no injuries reported. Police found shell casings but do not know what kind of firearm was used. Police are still searching for the suspects but do not have a description of the suspects or the vehicle at this time. Also on MLive: One dead in snowmobile accident in Montcalm County Kalamazoo resident shot by home intruder Dad who lost family in devastating fire buoyed by faith Single mother-of-two Sara Faizi from Afghanistan faced a dead end when she arrived in Bulgaria in 2018: the former bank branch operations manager needed a job but neither spoke the local language nor had any contacts. An energetic Bulgarian, Iva Gumnishka, 25, and her social enterprise Humans In The Loop (HITL) lent her a hand, linking Faizi to work created by the booming machine learning and artificial intelligence industry. "Before I couldn't take any job because I had to take care of the kids. Now I can work from home and the job is easy," Faizi said. The 31-year-old is among an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 refugees -- mostly from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria -- who have settled over the past five years in Bulgaria, the EU's poorest member where state aid for them is almost non-existent. The work for HITL is project-based and requires only a computer and Internet connection. It includes the collection, sorting and categorisation of various types of images and data necessary to power algorithms essential to AI technology, Gumnishka told AFP in her enterprise's tiny office and classroom in Sofia. The data is then used for products ranging from augmented reality games to smart drones, CCTV face recognition, or even self-driving cars for clients from around the world, she added. HITL grew out of the English and digital skills classes that the Bulgarian started giving to a handful of refugees in Sofia two years ago in a bid to help them find work as freelancers. Gumnishka then decided to tap this "very specific niche" to directly link refugees to work from start-ups in Europe and the US that did not require any particular skills or knowledge of the language. It was also a market that was set to grow, she said. - 'Had to Google it' - Having no technical background herself, she remembered with a smile an early conversation with a client asking her if the company was able to provide a certain AI-related task. "I answered: 'Yes' and then had to Google it to find out what it was," said Gumnishka, who studied human rights at Columbia University in New York before returning to Bulgaria. But she has become an expert on the work since then, often personally training her team that grew to include about 100 refugees in Sofia within a year and a half. As the volume of work from clients expanded, Gumnishka decided it would be even more beneficial to send work directly to conflict-affected regions. HITL teamed up with Roia, a non-profit organisation training young people in Syria and Syrian refugees in Turkey, and WorkWell, which organises various digital courses for refugees and other vulnerable people in Iraq. Together, the three organisations have so far trained and employed on various projects 150 people in Syria, Turkey and Iraq, mostly refugees, women and youngsters. "The best thing about working on projects is that it isn't tiring and you can work anywhere at any time," Syrian refugee Shyar Qader Ali, who lives with his family in a camp in Iraq, said in comments emailed by WorkWell. The 21-year-old earned enough money as freelancer to start a small business in his camp fixing mobile phones. - 'Ethical rewards' - Roia CEO Khaled Shaaban said the HITL projects have opened up new employment prospects for youngsters, whose only other options were jobs on the black market or working for donors or armed groups. "The biggest challenge now is to secure more clients. We don't want donations, we want people to hire us," Shaaban said. What of the possibility that a vulnerable workforce might be taken advantage of through this form of insecure work? WorkWell figures emailed to AFP showed that 76 workers made approximately $12,500 (11,200 euros) from completing seven projects between May and December 2019. Qader Ali was among the most active, earning $1,300 on his last project. Back in Sofia, Gumnishka insisted she never used the fact that HITL works with refugees as a selling point to clients and added that the high quality of the work ensured that all workers would be ethically rewarded. "We mostly insist that these people are really very well prepared and trained, that they work in small dedicated teams, that they have supervisors working with them, so our quality that we provide to our clients is the most important thing," she said. The leader of Fianna Fail has failed to rule out entering government with Sinn Fein in the Republic after a general election that's set to transform the political landscape. As video emerged of a triumphant Sinn Fein TD Dessie Ellis and supporters singing rebel song Come Out Ye Black And Tans at the election count in the RDS, unionists expressed their concerns about the prospect of Sinn Fein being in government on both sides of the border. Sinn Fein is set to significantly increase its number of seats in the Dail after it topped the polls across the country when first preferences were added up. Arriving at his count centre in Cork, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin would not rule out working with Sinn Fein or Fine Gael, having definitively refused to countenance either as coalition partners during the campaign. Mr Martin, who said his party looked like being on course to win the most seats, was repeatedly pressed to restate his opposition to a potential Sinn Fein partnership. While insisting there were "significant incompatibility" issues in terms of policy, he did not dismiss the suggestion outright. "Our policies, our positions and principles haven't changed overnight or in 24 hours," he said. Read More Campaigners for victims of IRA terrorism reacted with dismay at the surge in support for Sinn Fein in the polls. Kenny Donaldson, spokesman for Innocent Victims United, said IRA terror victims would be "depressed and marginalised" by the election outcome. "The level of increased support Sinn Fein has experienced in the Republic is substantial and it would be wrong for us to dismiss the strong mandate that they have secured. "However, tonight there are very many innocent victims/survivors of Provisional IRA terrorism who are feeling depressed and further marginalised." Kenneth Worton (24) was shot dead alongside nine other Protestant workmen after the minibus they were in was stopped by the IRA near Whitecross in Co Armagh on January 5, 1976. On Sunday night his brother Colin said he was "flabbergasted" by the level of support that Sinn Fein had received. Expand Close Colin Worton, brother of IRA victim Kenneth / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Colin Worton, brother of IRA victim Kenneth "It's very daunting, to say the least. It's only a few months ago that they were trailing in the polls," he said. "What has changed? What has caused the surge in Sinn Fein support? I don't understand it. "Flabbergasted would be the word. "I think Sinn Fein is the only party that, no matter what they do, it does them no harm. "It's very worrying, from a unionist point of view, they there are getting the level of support that they are getting," Mr Worton said. Read More Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken felt it heralded a worrying time for residents of the Republic. "The results of yesterday's election in the Irish Republic show a fracturing of the traditional FF/FG 'duopoly'," he said. "That there appears to be no party large enough to command the support for a majority government will face the Irish electorate with the choice between another, potentially inconclusive election, or a coalition government between a centre-Right party, heavily leaning on international banking and foreign direct investment from USA, and a hard-Left party, with a less than transparent relationship with its violent past, and whose economic and social policy influences are those of Venezuela and Cuba. "Our neighbours are living in interesting, if worrying, times." TUV leader Jim Allister said the Sinn Fein advance should give unionist leaders "cause for thought". Expand Close TUV leader Jim Allister / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp TUV leader Jim Allister "In the Republic's election Leo Varadkar is reaping what he sowed," he said. "By insisting Sinn Fein was fit for government in Northern Ireland, and must be included, he validated and sanitised the party of the IRA. "Likewise, by the DUP making Sinn Fein's elevation into Stormont government possible, they short-sightedly endorsed them as a party fit for government. Now Ireland, north and south, is blighted with their growth. 'Moving forward', wasn't that the DUP slogan? "Sadly, it is those they partnered into government that are on the move, singing IRA songs. The correlation is obvious. "The only comfort is that a triumphalist Sinn Fein in the Republic gives unionists even more reason to be opposed to an all-Ireland, but it should give the lead party of unionism cause for thought." A DUP spokesman said on Sunday night: "We note the election results so far in the Republic of Ireland. "When a government is formed, we will work constructively with it on matters of mutual concern." Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said Irish voters have registered a "step change" in politics. Speaking to RTE, Mr Adams said: "There has been a realignment of politics across this island." He added: "This is one big step change." For Bachelor in Paradise fans, Dylan Barbour and Hannah Godwin are the last couple standing from their season. Though their friends Dean Unglert and Caelynn Miller-Keyes are still together, Barbour and Godwin remain the only couple who got engaged on the past season of the show who are still engaged. The pair are seemingly happy as clams these days, but their road to a proposal wasnt exactly an easy one. Hannah Godwin and Dylan Barbour | Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Lancome x Vogue Their journey on Bachelor in Paradise When Barbour arrived to Paradise, he immediately set his sights on Godwin. He made it very clear that he had no interest in dating around and took every opportunity to express that to the model. While Godwin had a strong connection with Barbour, she had established a connection with another Bachelor in Paradise cast member, Blake Hortsmann, prior to arriving on the set of the show. Godwin went back and forth over the two, angering quite a few fans in the process, but ultimately she chose Barbour. The two dated exclusively for the remainder of Paradise, and ultimately, Barbour proposed to Godwin after just a few short weeks. Dylan Barbour and Hannah Godwin talk about their wedding The happy couples bond seems to have only increased in the months since the proposal. They have traveled together to places like Paris and are building a life with one another. Though they dont live together just yet (Godwin resides in Los Angeles while Barbour stays in San Diego) they each commute and do overnight visits to spend as much time together as possible. Though they talk about a future, their wedding, and their kids at length, they dont seem to be in any rush to do any of those things. The engaged couple celebrates Godwins birthday Recently, the engaged couple traveled to The Maldives to celebrate Godwins 25th birthday. Happy birthday to my best friend and future baby mama, Godwin captioned a photo of them that he posted to his Instagram page. Godwin has been documenting the trip on Instagram as well. On February 5, 2020, she posted a series of photos and videos to her feed. Good morning to everyone here except my sunburn, she captioned her post. Fans on Instagram are shocked to see Godwins ring Almost immediately, the photos racked up likes and comments and fans rushed to tell Barbour and Godwin how cute they were together. But, Godwins engagement ring seemed to catch the eyes of fans even though the Bachelor in Paradise alum is scarcely seen without it. IS THAT A RING, one person wrote. HOLDDDD ONNNN IS THAT A RIIING!? another Instagram user questioned. I saw that yet another person added. While some people were freaking out about the ring, others began questioning if they were engaged. Barbour tolls fans who think he proposed again Are you engaged?!? one fan questioned. Theyre engaged!!! another fan declared tagging a friend. Seeing the commotion theyd somehow caused, Barbour took the opportunity to prove, once more, that he is the king of trolling. Im confused why does everyone think I just proposed lol, he wrote. Fans, alongside Godwin, were quick to respond to Barbour with appropriate humor. Hahah because she showed her ring right in the beginning of the video but [they] clearly didnt watch paradise, one person wrote. Because it looks like a BIP set up for a proposal. But we know better. another fan added. Six months later, and the news of Barbour and Godwins engagement is still breaking news to some. If anything, this gives the happy couple yet another reason to celebrate. Facebook warns of hit to Oculus production from cornonavirus Oculus Quest all-in-one VR device is shown in an undated photo (Reuters) - Facebook Inc said on Friday production of its Oculus virtual reality headset would be hit by the recent cornonavirus outbreak, which has weighed on businesses dependent on Chinese supply lines. Earlier in January, the world's largest social media network started restricting its employees from traveling to China, in the face of rising death toll from the flu-like virus. "Due to the coronavirus we began taking additional safety precautions, which has compounded this issue and is why we expect additional impact on production," a Facebook spokesperson told Reuters. Facebook unveiled Oculus Quest, which comes with touch controllers and does not need a PC to operate, in September 2018 at $399. "Oculus Quest was already in high demand and back-ordered in several regions," the spokesperson said. (Reporting by Amal S in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila) German luxury carmaker Audi is gearing up to become a service provider as well, offering a host of premium lifestyle services to its customers in India, according to a top official of the firm. The company, under its 2025 strategy of focussing on customer centricity besides enhancing product portfolio and sales and service network in the Indian market, is working to develop further on the concierge services that it offers to its car buyers. "We are a car company at this point of time at least, moving forward obviously from a car company we will probably become a service provider. That's the way to go...," Audi India Head Balbir Singh Dhillon told PTI. Elaborating on the plan, he said at present there are around 75,000 Audi owners in India who have purchased car priced above Rs 30-40 lakh and the data of these customers will help it devise ways to further interact with them and offer what they want. "So when we move from a carmaker to a service provider there are so many things in your life as an Audi customer which you need on a day-to-day basis. We are evaluating, working on how do we reach your home more than by just selling the car and providing aftersales services," he said. For instance, Dhillon said through the concierge services available on the company's app, an Audi owner can seek help in booking a restaurant, ordering a bouquet, or even plan to watch mega sporting events like Wimbledon. "It is an extension of the services that we are offering slowly...Basically from car to personal lifestyle that you need. For instance let's say you need to buy a very exclusive clothing, we may suggest you where do you stitch your clothing. These are all services which are offered as of now as a gesture of goodwill but this could become a profit centre for the time to come," he said. Luxury accessories that the company sells to Audi customers, "in the times to come could be co-branded with another brand", he said adding, these are the new territories which the company will experiment with. Dhillon further said,"At this point of time where we will reach in three to five years, I don't know but are we going in that direction? Answer is yes. It is little bit unknown waters." When asked how far the company has progressed in this front, Dhillon said Audi will have to do a lot of experimentations. "We will have to work with a lot of partners, who potentially may not be car companies, but anything and everything which is in and around car...There are discussions with a couple of partners." He also said the company will have "customer clinic to also understand, as we don't want to do things that customers don't like, where we will not only ask about the car but also about their needs, habits, their lifestyle and how do we reach them more, what else do they expect from us, as manufacturers in the next three to five years time."Dhillon further said,"You need to engage with them to find the answers. It is the beginning of it, maybe from a year and half from now we would be in a better position to answer this question when we would have tried some more things. We have just started. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Americans have also seen that, despite the intense pessimism and even disillusionment that many feel about politics, a political party still can show moral courage regardless of the political costs. The Democrats were told constantly that impeachment would hurt them in November. Mr. Trump himself has boasted that it will, and whats more he has relished the chance to claim exoneration and to take a victory lap at the same time as Democratic hopefuls began duking it out in earnest in the primaries. The Democrats knew all this, and whats more, they knew they faced an uphill battle: Thats what the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds Senate majority to convict imposes from the beginning. Opinion Debate Will the Democrats face a midterm wipeout? Mark Penn and Andrew Stein write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. write that "only a broader course correction to the center will give Democrats a fighting chance in 2022" and beyond. Matthew Continetti writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. writes that time and again, the biggest obstacle to a red wave hasnt been the Democratic Party. Its been the Republican Party. Ezra Klein speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. speaks to David Shor, who discusses his fear that Democrats face electoral catastrophe unless they shift their messaging. Michelle Cottle examines two primary contests that will shake the parties well beyond the states in play. But they still did the right thing. They called out impropriety so glaring that it could not be suffered in silence. And they reminded all of us that a political party can pursue whats right over whats expedient and so can a lone politician, as Senator Mitt Romney showed. Americans saw on vivid display another form of courage: the incredible bravery of public servants who testified before the House of Representatives, the nation and the world people like Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and Dr. Fiona Hill. They did so despite the gag orders issued by Mr. Trump to disobey Congress. They did so knowing theyd face death threats. They did so not knowing whether their testimony would yield the presidents impeachment or removal. And they spoke up because they believed in truth as an end in itself. Thats a reminder, in our disinformation-fueled times, that candor is a value we must recover. And its a lesson for the American people that those who serve our government by working long hours for little pay and even less glory arent the deep state that Mr. Trump denounces but, instead, patriots. Americans also received a lesson in the critical importance of whistle-blowers in holding our government to account. The role of whistle-blowers is as old as the government itself, dating back to the Continental Congress. But never has their necessity been put on display as clearly as when a courageous whistle-blower filed the complaint that, ultimately, led to the exposure of Mr. Trumps Ukraine extortion bid. BRIDGEPORT Two early morning stabbings in the city Saturday landed two victims in the hospital, according to police. The first occurred around 2 a.m. Bridgeport police were alerted by staff at St. Vincents Medical Center that a female stabbing victim had been dropped off at the emergency department by a private vehicle. Officers responded to the hospital and interviewed the victim, who told them the stabbing happened in the 600 block of Brooklawn Avenue. As of Saturday afternoon, no update was available on the victims condition. About an hour after the first stabbing, at 3:05 p.m., Bridgeport police received a call about a male stabbing victim this time from staff at Bridgeport Hospital. The male victim showed up in the emergency department with non-life-threatening stab wounds, police said. Officers were again dispatched to the hospital and talked to the victim, who told them the stabbing happened in the 1400 block of Boston Avenue. Police continue to investigate both incidents. Anyone with information is asked to call the Bridgeport police tip line at 203-576-TIPS. MANCHESTER, N.H. - The two top finishers in last week's Iowa caucuses, 40 years apart in age and representing opposite ends of the Democratic Party's ideological spectrum, are heading for a showdown in Tuesday's primary here - each taking increasingly aggressive swipes at the other. But there is an unusual twist to the new rivalry between Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg. The senator from Vermont and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, are not fighting to win over the same pool of New Hampshire voters, though many likely to vote here remain undecided. Rather, according to strategists in both campaigns, each is trying to energize his supporters by vowing to block the other from winning the Democratic nomination - with Sanders, the democratic socialist, portraying Buttigieg as a captive to his billionaire donors, and the more centrist Buttigieg railing against Sanders as a "my way or the highway" leftist. That effort burst into full view Sunday, when the candidates hopscotched across the snow-covered state. At a canvass launch in Plymouth, Sanders accused Buttigieg of being in the pocket of his wealthy donors. "Our views are different," Sanders said, repeating an argument he has made frequently in recent days. "Pete has raised campaign contributions from over 40 billionaires," he said, adding that those donors are drawn to Buttigieg precisely because he will not, in Sanders's view, take on "the corporate elite." Buttigieg, meanwhile, continued to paint Sanders as divisive. "I respect Senator Sanders, but when I hear this message go out that you're either for revolution or you've got to be for the status quo, that's a vision of the country that doesn't have room for most of us," Buttigieg said. At another event Sunday, he pushed his usual critique further, calling Medicare-for-all irresponsible. "As long as we're willing to have some common sense here, we can deliver the biggest change to American health care in a half-century," Buttigieg said But what we could do without is a plan so expensive that Senator Sanders himself freely admits he has no idea how it's supposed to be paid for." The growing friction between Sanders and Buttigieg comes as both are taking fire from other rivals, who are scrambling to finish in the top three in New Hampshire. Former vice president Joe Biden, who finished far behind in Iowa and has slipped in New Hampshire polls, has been attacking Sanders as too liberal and Buttigieg as too untested to beat President Donald Trump. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., likewise has questioned both men on similar fronts. But strategists say Tuesday's election could largely come down to how Sanders and Buttigieg play off each other. "Sanders is kind of solidifying his lead among the progressive wing of the Democratic Party," said Andrew Smith, director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. And Buttigieg, coming from the opposite direction, has become the "second choice for everybody," Smith added. "He's the acceptable candidate across the board." The rivalry has been months in the making, in part due to the extreme contrasts between the two. Sanders, 78, would be the oldest U.S. president in history; Buttigieg, 38, would be the youngest. Sanders would be the most liberal nominee in decades; Buttigieg would mark a return to a pragmatic approach more typical of recent nominees. Sanders has galvanized young people and the working class, including nonwhite voters, but has struggled to win over people over 50; Buttigieg appeals to older and more affluent white voters, as well as some in rural areas; but he has struggled badly with nonwhite voters. "I don't hear people that are saying they've winnowed it down to those two," said Jim Demers, a longtime New Hampshire Democratic strategist supporting Biden. The outcome in New Hampshire could have a significant effect on the presidential contest moving forward, potentially breaking their effective tie in Iowa and shaping the way voters view the candidates in the next two nominating contests: Nevada and South Carolina. That is reflected in the disdain their supporters feel for one another. At a Saturday night dinner, Buttigieg criticized Sanders, saying, "When the president is this divisive, we cannot risk dividing Americans further, saying that you must either be for a revolution or you must be for the status quo." "Let's make room for everybody in this movement," he added. Sanders's followers in the audience booed and chanted: "Wall Street Pete!" When Sanders spoke later, he told the crowd he was excited to have won the most votes in the Iowa caucuses, prompting a roar from his supporters. "Our campaign is off to a great start. We are pleased, we are excited that we won in Iowa the popular vote, by 6,000 votes," declared Sanders, referring to one of several tallies in the caucuses, which Iowa Democratic leaders were still examining. His words didn't sit well in the Buttigieg section. Rows of Buttigieg supporters rose as Sanders declared himself the victor. "Boot-edge-edge!" they chanted, enthusiastically hoisting "Pete" signs. Sanders decisively defeated Hillary Clinton here four years ago, and polls show he has remained popular, even if his level of support has slumped far below what it was when he was the sole anti-establishment option. Buttigieg has tried to counter Sanders' familiarity with post-Iowa momentum, drawing large crowds and marquee endorsements. The Iowa results have added to the grating nature of the competition. Both candidates have claimed victory (a winner has not been officially declared, but Buttigieg held a narrow delegate lead even as Sanders won the popular vote). In the aftermath, some prominent Sanders supporters have, without presenting clear evidence, made speculative claims tying problems with the vote count to Buttigieg. Longtime Democratic operatives in New Hampshire said that what happened in Iowa has become muddled in the minds of many local Democrats. And the state's contrarian tendencies, coupled with ability of independent voters to cast ballots in the primary, adds even more uncertainty to the ordering here. But it's clear the Buttigieg and Sanders campaigns view each other as targets more than they did before. At Friday night's debate, Buttigieg railed against "a politics that says, if you don't go all the way to the edge, it doesn't count, a politics that says it's my way or the highway." "Are you talking about Senator Sanders?" a moderator asked him. "Yes," replied Buttigieg. "Because we've got to bring as many people as we can into this process." Sanders presented a competing view of how to foster unity and defeat Trump. "The way you bring people together is by presenting an agenda that works for the working people of this country, not for the billionaire class," continuing a line of attack he started in the morning when he read news headlines about Buttigieg at a breakfast event. Some Sanders campaign officials were thrilled with the newly aggressive posture. His aides have been seeking to amplify his arguments. And some of them feel there is another benefit to confronting Buttigieg - his voters might flee to Biden or Klobuchar, splitting up support in the party's centrist wing. "He certainly has consolidated the corporatist lane at this point," said Sanders senior adviser Jeff Weaver, speaking of Buttigieg. "If there's an exchange between a progressive vision and a corporatist vision, the progressive vision is going to win out." Buttigieg's aides have also been aggressive, if not always as direct. "We have exactly one shot to beat Donald Trump. We're not going to do it by overreaching. We're not going to do it by division," Buttigieg's deputy campaign manager Hari Sevugan said on a call with supporters Wednesday night. "We need Pete to be the nominee." Even before this week, tensions between Buttigieg and Sanders were rising. Many of Buttigieg's harshest critics - the protesters who interrupt his events to critique his handling of race and climate - are Sanders supporters. Some members of the South Bend Chapter of Black Lives Matter, who followed Buttigieg around the country to protest racial inequity in his city, are also leaders in the local chapter of Our Revolution, a pro-Sanders group. The audiences the two candidates tend to draw on the campaign trail are different. Sanders tends to attract youthful, raucous crowds. They roar his name, rail against the establishment, and cheer on high-profile surrogates doing the same. Often, they share stories of economic suffering. Attendees at Buttigieg events are older and largely white. They applaud politely. They cheer him when he suggests his movement is open to everyone, particularly when he argues for reaching out to dispirited Republicans. Some Sanders advisers earlier had privately welcomed the rise of Buttigieg, reasoning that there was much less overlap between their sets of voters than there was between supporters of Buttigieg and two other Sanders rivals - Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. They figured Buttigieg's ascent would not come at Sanders' expense, which some of them feared would be the case with a Biden or Warren surge. But now, Sanders and his team are increasingly focused on trying to finish ahead of Buttigieg to blunt his gains and avoid being overshadowed by a fresher option. Buttigieg, meanwhile, has made Sanders a focal point of his fundraising emails to supporters. "Can you make a donation today to help us take on Bernie in New Hampshire? He's got one of the most well-funded organizations in politics and has been building his email list for years," said one his campaign sent this past week. There is one unexpected layer to the Sanders-Buttigieg story. Long before they were presidential rivals, Buttigieg won an essay contest in 2000 as a teenager with a piece critical of compromising centrist politicians - and praising Sanders for his commitment to unifying. Some Sanders supporters have used the essay as ammunition against Buttigieg on social media. It came up again last week when a questioner at a CNN town hall asked Buttigieg whether he had become an example of what he had once condemned. "What I really admired about Senator Sanders - and still do - is his consistency and willingness to say exactly what he believes," Buttigieg said. "It doesn't mean I agree with him. I didn't agree with him on everything then and don't agree with him on everything now. ... And I think everybody, left, right, and center, ought to come into the public square making the case for what we think is right." CALGARY - Chaz Smith has seen some homeless people have to make the heartbreaking decision of having a warm bed for a night or staying outside with their furry friends. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Melissa David, of Parachutes for Pets and her dogs Hudson and Charlie are trying to raise money for a homeless shelter that will allow pets and are seen in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh CALGARY - Chaz Smith has seen some homeless people have to make the heartbreaking decision of having a warm bed for a night or staying outside with their furry friends. "We don't have any pet-friendly shelters in Calgary, so when these people experiencing homelessness realize that, they either move on to different cities or, unfortunately, they have to get rid of their pets," says Smith, executive director of Be The Change YYC, a downtown Calgary homeless outreach team. "I just worked with a client this winter in Calgary when we had that crazy storm that hit and it was -36 C. She was living in her vehicle because she had her dog and for her mental health she did not want to give up that dog." Smith said his team was able to get the woman and her dog into housing. But there need to be other options for those living on the streets with pets, he says. "When you're experiencing homelessness, the last thing you want is to give up the natural supports that you have and pets, of course, are that." There are homeless shelters in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal that allow residents to keep their animals with them. The lack of such a shelter in Calgary, along with an increasing number of abandoned and neglected pets in the city, caught the attention of Melissa David. David started a charity called Parachutes for Pets, which provides subsidized pet care for low-income residents. Now she's hoping to raise $30,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to open a pet-friendly homeless shelter. "We need to be able to do something about this," she says. David, surrounded by her three dogs, says it's easy to empathize with homeless people who have to choose between staying in a shelter or being with their animals. "It would be horrible. I couldn't do it. I definitely would be on the streets if I had to choose." If enough money is raised, she plans to open a 25-bed shelter with space for expansion. If successful, it might also accommodate domestic violence victims who are afraid to leave their animals behind. John Rook is managing director of The Mustard Seed street ministry, which operates a 370-bed homeless shelter in Calgary. He wants to work with David to make her idea happen. He says many of the city's homeless have mental-health issues or have fallen on hard times and pets provide emotional support. "We have dozens and dozens of people who show up with pets," he says. "We did have a woman who came to the shelter and she had three cats. And we couldn't accommodate the cats, so she slept in her car in our parking lot with the cats." Rook says when he toured a shelter run by the Fred Victor Centre in Toronto, he saw a woman in a room with her cat sleeping at the foot of her bed. The same thing should be available for the homeless in Calgary, he says. "They love their animal as part of their family. It's absolutely critical that people be allowed to keep their animals." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020 Follow @BillGraveland on Twitter Haiti - News : Zapping... Coronavirus February 9 Global Balance Sunday February 9, 2020, the number of people infected worldwide (laboratory confirmed cases) amounted to 37,590 people, an increase of 2,645 cases (785 fewer than the 3,430 registered the previous day, i.e. a slowdown of 22.9%; 814 dead deaths (+ 12.3%) or 89 more than the day before (725 dead) but less than the increase of the previous day (+ 13.6%) and 2.902 people healed, ie 576 people (+ 24.8%) more than the day before (1.665) and 3.56 times more healing than death compared to 3.2 times the day before. According to several experts, the epidemic could be near its peak. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29977-haiti-news-zapping.html Too many hours of lessons for students Maxime Meberas, Director of Secondary Education while welcoming the willingness of school directors to apply the instructions of the Ministry for the redesigned school calendar, this week warned certain schools which apply the minimum skills program, which teaches for 9 hours a day in addition to the courses on weekends, which may have a negative impact on students, as they may not have enough time to assimilate the lessons, whether fundamental or secondary. He asked to stick to the redesigned school calendar and to the minimum skills programs which provide for 6 hours of teaching per day. First water pumping station in Canaan The National Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) with the American Agency for International Development (USAID - Haiti) and the American Red Cross inaugurated this week the first water pumping station in Canaan. Guyteau Edouard the Director of DINEPA, indicated that his institution had set up a partnership with entrepreneurs in the region for better water distribution. The network will supply 15 private reservoirs which will be responsible for the sale of water. SHAA criticizes the Government Friday, the Haitian Society for Helping the Blind (SHAA) gave a conference-debate on the sidelines of the official white cane day around the use of this tool. Former Secretary of State for the Integration of People with Disabilities Michel Pean, SHAA Coordinator, criticizes the Government for not doing anything to adapt the environment to the blind and deplores that the sidewalks are not passable for non-sighted and that the drivers of vehicles ignore the functioning of the white cane, thus complicating the circulation of the blind. Ten-year Education Plan, last phase In partnership with the International Institute for Educational Planning, the National Technical Committee, responsible for finalizing the Ten-year Education and Training Plan (PDEF), organized a four-day workshop (February 4-7) in ordr to continue the work of finalizing the PDEF. This is the second and last phase of the work leading to the complete revision of this public policy document intended to guide the main lines of action in education in Haiti for the next ten years. See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-27388-icihaiti-education-experts-from-cambridge-education-on-a-mission-support-in-haiti.html Order of the parade of musical floats As part of the National Carnival 2020 of Port-au-Prince (February 23, 24 and 25, 2020), this 4th Sunday of pre-carnival activities in Port-au-Prince, the musical floats will parade in the following order : Dj Winner & Aide Laza, Chaloska, Colmix, Dj CashCash, Tapaje, Tonymix, Chawolen, Valmix, Bmmix, Dj Fanfan. HL/ HaitiLibre 200 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A new CBS News poll found that just 39% of New Hampshire Democratic voters have made up their minds less than 48 before the primary. Via CBS News: Only 39% of likely voters say theyve definitely made up their minds, and only 59% are enthusiastic about their favored candidate. No matter which candidates draw the most attention, it does appear that Sanders and Buttigieg are both in position to get delegates. Based on our latest CBS News Battleground Tracker poll, our baseline estimate of the contest has Sanders at 29% support among likely voters (up two points from January) while Buttigieg is at 25% having gained 12 points since then. Many of Buttigiegs recent gains come at the expense of Joe Biden, who is now at 12%. Elizabeth Warren is in front of Biden with 17%, and Amy Klobuchar just behind him at 10%. Buttigieg is the surging candidate. Sanders has the firmest base of support, but the message that most New Hampshire Democrats are sending is that none of these candidates are really firing them up. There has been a lot of talk about Bidens struggles, but Sen. Sanders has yet to perform to his 2016 levels. His campaign thought that he could win the nomination with a third of the vote, but so far, Sanders has yet to hit even those benchmarks. Democratic voters have shown little interest in the primary process. The overwhelming consensus is that they want to get a nominee and get on to the business of beating Trump. The 2020 primary has the look and feel of a joyless slog. Democrats badly want rid of Trump, but most of them arent overly thrilled with any of their options, so far, which means that voters could be increasingly receptive to a candidate like Mike Bloomberg. New Hampshire likely provides little clarity or decisiveness as the primary will move on to Nevada and South Carolina. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Nike transitions its brand in Latin America. The US distributor has reached an agreement with two local strategic distributors to sell its business in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. The economic terms of the operation have yet to be disclosed. Grupo Axo will be in charge of the distribution in the three Spanish-speaking countries, while Grupo SBF will assume control of Nikes business in Brazil. The US company has indicated in a statement that this transition will be more profitable, capital efficient and value accretive business mode. Currently, Axo has the exclusive distribution of thirty brands in Mexico, and Chile, and specializes in the segment of fashion and premium sports. The group already works with Nike in Mexico, where it manages five of its stores. Meanwhile, SBF distributes the Centauro brand in 209 stores, which is the largest omnichannel retailer of sporting goods in Latin America, according to Nikes report. Nike sells its business in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil to two local distributors Consequently to this transaction, during the third quarter of its fiscal year, which runs from June to May, Nike will NIKE will classify the assets and liabilities of the entities to be sold as held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and will recognize a one-time, non-recurring charge related to foreign exchange of approximately $425 million. Nike ended its first six months of its fiscal year 2020 with a revenue of 21.1 billion dollars, up 9%. Net profit, on the other hand, shot up 28%, up to 2.5 billion dollars, boosted by China and by the direct consumer offensive initiated two years ago. Shannen Doherty is accusing insurer State Farm of causing her 'enormous emotional distress' by publishing her personal information and making 'false claims' about her smoking habits. The 48-year-old Charmed actress - who this week revealed she is battling stage IV cancer - is embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the company over repairs to her Los Angeles home, left damaged by a 2018 wildfire. Doherty has received a total of $1.1million from State Farm to pay for repairs to the property. However, she claims the damage costs are closer to $4million. The star said the blaze left harmful soot, char and ash particles on the property, which the company did not adequately remove and which could possibly exacerbate her illness. However, the insurance giant accused Doherty of trying to 'garner sympathy' and suggested in court documents that the star continued to smoke cigarettes after receiving her latest cancer diagnosis last February. Now, Doherty is hitting back, filing a new declaration in her court case against State Farm on Friday, which has been obtained by Fox News, accusing the company of lying and toying with her public image. Shannen Doherty is accusing insurer State Farm of causing her 'enormous emotional distress' by publishing her personal information and making 'false claims' about her smoking habits A photograph of Doherty's Los Angeles property included in a deposition by State Farm, which was filed in court on Wednesday 'Predictably, false claims about me were included among State Farm's improper disclosures, including the baseless assessment by State Farm's expert that I had been smoking until March 2019,' Doherty's declaration reads. 'To be clear, I have not been a cigarette smoker since my initial cancer diagnosis in 2015.' The star then took aim at the insurance giant for publishing details about her home's address, saying in the declaration: 'The public disclosure of this information has caused me enormous emotional distress. With my home address made available in such a public way (i.e. at the same time as my public health disclosures) I fear for the safety of me and my family.' Doherty continued: 'It was obviously very difficult for me to publicly disclose my cancer relapse. It is outrageous that State Farm responded by attempting to smear me by disclosing speculation from its expert about my tobacco abuse, which speculation was beyond his expertise and which was apparently based on his misreading or misunderstanding of my highly confidential medical records which are protected by a court order'. Doherty is hitting back, filing a new declaration in her court case against State Farm on Friday, which has been obtained by Fox News, accusing the company of lying and toying with her public image Doherty this week revealed she is battling stage IV cancer. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2015 Doherty was responding to claims made in an initial deposition by a State Farm industrial hygienist, Brian P. Daly, which was filed last week. Daly said there was no damage to the house when he examined it in December last year. He further claimed to have seen medical records which showed Doherty smoking. 'COPD was confirmed. COPD, is more often than not, by my experience caused by cigarette smoking. And the medical records would suggest that as of March this year, your client still smokes cigarettes. 'That's relevant... because, apparently, your client continues to participate in an activity that promoted COPD. And of course that's not a good idea,' he said in the December 2019 deposition. In fact, Daly said that if she did carry out any home repairs, it would become more dangerous because there would be more dust. Doherty's attorney however said the soot, char and ash that was at issue and making it unsafe for her to live there was 'microscopic' and not visible to the expert's eye. The exterior of the home is pictured in a photograph taken by State Farm last December. Doherty's attorney says the soot, char and ash is 'microscopic' and not visible to the eye Doherty claimed that the damage to her home and personal belongings totaled around $4million Doherty's attorney furiously denied that she smoked until March last year, telling DailyMail.com it was 'absolutely false.' They also questioned the credibility of the expert and called him a 'hired gun'. 'The photos were taken 13 months after the fire and after extensive repairs and cleaning by Shannen. 'Much of the dispute relates to microscopic contamination not visible to the eye. 'The original experts engaged by Shannen and State Farm closer to the time of the fire both found the highest measurable levels of soot, char and ash contamination in nearly every spot examined. 'So-called 'expert,' Daly, is merely a hired gun who only gives opinions for insurance companies exclusively,' Devin McRae told DailyMail.com. Doherty revealed this week that she is battling cancer for the second time. She was diagnosed with it first in 2015 then went into remission in 2017. It came back last year and she hid it until having to make it public this week before the State Farm trial exposed it. He added that the company was guilty of 'victim blaming', saying: 'It's tactless victim blaming. TMZ quotes State Farm as accusing Doherty ofusing her cancer diagnosis to try to garner sympathy at trial. It said she 'improperly claims she is entitled to have her entire home rebuilt at a cost of $2.7 million because she has breast cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 'In fact, the first sentence of [Shannen's] memorandum ... reveals [her] plan at trial to garner sympathy by her contention that State Farm must rebuild her entire house.' The insurance company did not respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries on Wednesday. Doherty revealed this week that she is battling cancer for the second time. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 before going into remission in 2017. It came back last year and she hid it until having to make it public this week before the State Farm trial exposed it. New Delhi: Just a day after the national capital voted for the formation of the new government, AAP MP Sanjay Singh questioned the Election Commission for not releasing the exact voting percentage on the same day. Singh said even in Lok Sabha elections the Election Commission had released the voting percentage on the same day then why was it delayed in the Delhi assembly election. Hinting at some conspiracy, Singh questioned the EC, ''How much time it takes to release the voting percentage of 70 seats?'' and further demanded a reply to his question. Singh has earlier released a video in his twitter handle where he had claimed that an election official was carrying the reserve with him which should have been sent along with the EVM machines. He wrote, '' Does the reserve not go with EVM? People caught hold of EVM in Saraswati Vidya Niketan School of Babarpur Legislative Assembly @ECISVEEP'' In his second video, a bus carrying EVM was seen standing in the middle of the road and Singh said that it is a clear proof that EVM was mishandled and where being taken down in between the road. He expressed shock over the incident and said, ''how can anyone do that?'' Sanjay Singh asserted that he himself monitored voting in every single Vidhan Sabha seat and demanded the EC to come forward and answer about the mishandling of the EVM machines. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal was also surprised over the late release of voting percentage and said, "Absolutely shocking what the EC is doing. Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?" After the exit polls result Singh expressed confidence that his party under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal will retain power in the national capital with a majority. The AAP leader added that the citizens of Delhi have given an answer to those who were trying to spread hatred and violence across the national capital. The voting in the national capital ended at 6 pm on Saturday(February 8), however, due to long queues at some booths, more time was given so that those in line can exercise their rights. The last voting percentage released by the EC was at 61.85%. Officers in protective gear enter the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where 10 more people were tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, to transfer a patient to the hospital after the ship arrived at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan February 7, 2020. Kim Kyung-Hoon | Reuters The coverage on this live blog has ended but for up-to-the-minute coverage on the coronavirus, visit the live blog from CNBC's Asia-Pacific team. All times below are in Eastern Standard Time. Total confirmed cases: 37,592 Total deaths: At least 813 4:25 pm: 14 Americans test positive aboard cruise ship Fourteen Americans, including a woman from Oregon, that were on the Diamond Princess cruise have tested positive for coronavirus. Princess Cruises said in a statement that guests on Diamond Princess will receive refunds for their fares and will not be charged for incidental expenses incurred while on the ship. The company also said that it is giving the guests a future cruise credit equal to the fare for this trip. The Carnival-owned company on Tuesday put the 3,700 passengers and crew members on the ship in quarantine when it reached Japan. The move was required by the Japanese ministry of health. 4:15 pm: Amazon backs out of Barcelona conference Amazon has backed out of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month, a spokesperson for Amazon Web Services confirmed to CNBC. "Due to the outbreak and continued concerns about novel coronavirus, Amazon will withdraw from exhibiting and participating in Mobile World Congress 2020, scheduled for Feb. 24-27 in Barcelona, Spain," the company said in a statement. CORRECTION: This entry has been updated to correct the name of the Mobile World Congress. 3:35 pm: WHO sending advance team to China The World Health Organization is sending an advance team to China for an international mission, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Tweet Dr. Bruce Aylward, who is part of the advance team, previously served as a special representative for the WHO in the Ebola response effort from 2014 to 2016, according to the WHO website. 9:55 am: Toy company CEO says Chinese toy factory to be closed for another week The CEO of MGA Entertainment told The Wall Street Journal that a large toy factory in China will remain closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. "The coronavirus is not solely China's problem," Isaac Larian told the Journal. "It will impact the global economy." MGA Entertainment sells several popular toy lines, including L.O.L. Dolls. 8:55 am: Chinese officials say they are not blocking Foxconn plant from reopening The Shenzhen city government said it has not blocked Foxconn from resuming production, according to Reuters. Foxconn is a key supplier for Apple. Officials in the southeastern Chinese city said Foxconn's production could resume once inspections were complete, according to Reuters. The Nikkei Business Daily previously reported that Chinese officials were blocking the plant from restarting. Foxconn said it is following the guidance of Chinese authorities on when to reopen its stalled plants in the country. "The operation schedules for our facilities in China follow the recommendations of the local governments, and we have not received any requests from our customers on the need to resume production earlier," Foxconn said in a statement. 6:28 am: China pledges more than $10 billion to fight virus All levels of China's government have allocated a total of 71.85 billion yuan ($10.26 billion) to fight the fast-spreading coronavirus, which has now killed more than 800 people and infected more than 37,000, the Finance Ministry said Sunday. The funds will reportedly go toward helping citizens afford treatment, the ministry's website said. Chinese health officials have warned of medical equipment shortages as hospitals in the country come under heavy strain and face resources constraints amid the mounting volume of cases. 5:57 am: UK confirms fourth coronavirus case U.K. health authorities announced the country's fourth confirmed case of coronavirus, and said it was believed to have been contracted from another British citizen sickened with the disease in France. "The patient has been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at The Royal Free Hospital, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus," England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty said in a statement. 4 am: China announces closure of Hebei schools until March 1 Pennridge to vote on one textbook; further review on other one Additional reporting by Greg Murphy A huge media scrum was poised at the main entrance to the Simmonscourt complex ahead of the arrival of Mary Lou McDonald. They had been waiting at the Royal Dublin Society building in the capital for almost two hours when the Sinn Fein president was whisked in on a wave of cheering and clapping from her supporters shortly after 3.30pm. Flanked by Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and Dublin Bay North candidate Denise Mitchell, the 50-year-old Dublin woman addressed the worlds media from the RDS. Mary Lou McDonald is met by a huge media scrum as she arrives at the RDS count centre.#GE2020 pic.twitter.com/yzSqiEx3Kr Aisling Ennis (@aislingrosennis) February 9, 2020 Mrs McDonald, who marks two years as Sinn Fein president on Monday, was asked if the result marked a revolution in Irish politics. She replied: Yes, you could call it that for sure. The swarm of journalists, photographers and party supporters followed her every move as she made her way throughout the count centre. Mary Lou McDonald awaits her own result (Niall Carson/PA) After polling just 8.02% of first-preference votes when she first contested a general election in 2002 and failing to win the seat, Mrs McDonald has top the poll in 2020 with 11,223 votes. Sinn Fein supporters erupted into cheers as she was elected as the first TD in the Dublin Central constituency. Tears filled the party presidents eyes as she hugged and kissed family members, friends and party members. The surprise of her success was palpable as she embraced ardent Sinn Fein voters and took selfies with young supporters. The moment Mary Lou McDonald tops the poll in Dublin Central with 11,223 votes. pic.twitter.com/ZTieTAbpl9 Cate McCurry (@CateMcCurry) February 9, 2020 She denied suggestions the surge in people backing her party was down to protest votes. This is certainly an election that is historic in proportions. This is changing the shape and mould of Irish politics, she added. This is not a transient thing this is just the beginning. Minutes after she was elected back into the Dail, Mrs McDonald had made her way out of the RDS to visit other Dublin count centres to continue the celebration of Sinn Feins success story. Medical workers at an isolation area (Source: VNA) The 55-year-old female patient is a neighbour of a worker in Son Loi commune, Binh Xuyen district, northern Vinh Phuc province, who had been tested positive for the virus after coming back home from a training course in Chinas Wuhan city. The newly-detected patient paid a visit to the infected workers home on January 28 during the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. She is among those who had close contact with the confirmed patient and has been closely monitored since then by the provincial disease control centre. She showed symptoms of fever, headache and sniveling on February 4. She was then brought to a clinic in Binh Xuyen district, Vinh Phuc province, for quarantine, check-up and treatment. Her sample was tested positive for the virus by the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. She is now in stable health conditions at the local clinic. By 11:00 on February 9, a total of 759 cases had samples tested in Vietnam and 14 of them positive for nCoV, including nine in Vinh Phuc province. A vast transportation lockdown meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus in China is forcing many North Korean refugees to suspend their escape to freedom. That is leaving many would-be defectors stranded in a country that has long sent them back home to certain punishment. If you can't find any reason why you should stop eating red meat, now you have one. A new analysis published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, on nearly 30,000 people found a three to seven percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death for people who ate two servings of red meat and processed meat each week, according to an article by CNN. Small may it seem, but the impact looms large when the amount of intake extrapolated to a population level. One serving of processed meat is equivalent to two slices of bacon, two small sausages or one hot dog. Meanwhile, one serving of unprocessed red meat equaled to four ounces of red meat or poultry, or three ounces of fish. Prior to the release of the analysis, a controversial meta-analysis claimed red and processed meat have no adverse health impact so there is no need to reduce the intake. "Everyone interpreted that it was OK to eat red meat, but I don't think that is what the science supports," Norrina Allen, associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the senior study author, said in a statement. "It's a small difference, but it's worth trying to reduce red meat and processed meat like pepperoni, bologna and deli meats," Allen said. She added, there are prior research associating red and processed meat with other major health risks such as cancer. Meanwhile, Gunter Kuhnle, a professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom who was not involved in the study, said in a statement that it is important to consider the risks on a population level. "With about one million people being diagnosed with heart disease every year, even a small reduction in absolute risk can have a considerable effect and reduce the number of people suffering," he added. Kevin McConway, a retired professor from Open University who wasn't part of the research team, said that perspective plays an important role in why the findings differed so much from last fall's report saying red meat is fine to eat. "How can the conclusions from two large-scale studies be so different? Well, it isn't because the statistical findings were different," McConway said in a statement. "The researchers on the new study are taking a public health perspective; they note that people can choose to eat less meat, and if they do so and the relationship between meat eating and disease risk is indeed causal," he said, "then fewer people would have heart attacks and strokes, and on average people would live a bit longer." The study also found that for every intake of two servings of poultry per week, there is four percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the study didn't ask if the chicken was skinless, fried or breaded, thus, findings are not clear enough for any recommendation about safe levels of poultry intake, according to researchers. The researchers further stressed that people should avoid fried foods, including chicken and fish, because deep fat-frying can contribute trans-fatty acids, and fried fish intake has been positively linked to chronic diseases. Lead study author Victor Zhong, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University, said in a statement that the bottomline of the study is, anyone concerned about their heart health or risk for cancer or other diseases, should limit their intake of red and processed meats. "Our study shows the link to cardiovascular disease and mortality was robust," Zhong said. "Modifying intake of these animal protein foods may be an important strategy to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death at a population level." There was no association for eating fish, except for fried fish, the study found. For those who still doubt whether red and processed meat pose health risks, the best thing to do is to limit your intake regardless. Four rare mountain gorillas 'killed by lightning' in Uganda Kampala, Feb 9 (AFP) Feb 09, 2020 Four endangered mountain gorillas, including three adult females, have been killed by an apparent lightning strike in a Ugandan national park, a conservation group has said. A post-mortem examination has been performed on the four, including a male infant, who died on February 3 in Mgahinga National Park in southwest Uganda. "Based on the gross lesions from the post-mortem... the tentative cause of death for all four individuals is likely to be electrocution by lightning," the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) said in a statement Saturday, although laboratory confirmation will take two to three weeks. The four were members of a group of 17 known as the Hirwa family which had crossed into the Mgahinga National Park in August last year from Volcanoes National Park in neighbouring Rwanda. "This was extremely sad," GVTC executive secretary Andrew Seguya told the BBC. "The potential of the three females for their contribution to the population was immense." The other 13 members of the group had been found. In 2008, there were estimated to be only 680 of the great apes left but thanks to conservation efforts and anti-poaching patrols, their population has grown to more than 1,000. Due to these efforts, in 2018 the mountain gorilla, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, was moved from "critically endangered" to "endangered" on the IUCN's "Red List" of threatened species. Covering the northern slopes of three volcanoes, Mgahinga National Park is part of the Virunga massif shared with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The massif is one of the most important conservation sites in the world and one of only two places where mountain gorillas are found. ANN ARBOR, MI -- First responders are looking to spend time and build relationships with local families on an ice rink next month. The Ann Arbor Police and Fire departments will host an ice-skating event March 7 at Veterans Memorial Park in Ann Arbor. The Skate with a Hero event begins at 6 p.m. in the Pool and Ice Arena at 2150 Jackson Avenue, with free admission and $3 skate rental. Sgt. Corey Mills of the Ann Arbor Police Departments Community Engagement Unit, said families can look forward to getting to know officers out of uniform." Hopefully, the interaction between the police and fire (departments) with the community outside of having to call 911 will be beneficial, he said. Ann Arbor first responders are pursuing a goal of hosting more community engagement events this year, Mills said. Building community relationships is vital to how we do our job nowadays, he said. We see far too often where departments dont have relationships with the community and how thats negatively impacted not only the police department, but the community. Mills hopes kids and adults will come out and skate, no matter their skill level. On the basis of the input received from the Central Intelligence Agencies, the Crime Branch of Mumbai Police on Sunday arrested a person in possession of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 23,86,000 at Mumbai Airport here. The accused was traveling from Dubai to Mumbai and is a resident of Kalwa in Thane district near Mumbai. "During the investigation, the arrested person revealed that the notes were smuggled from Pakistan via Dubai route, and were to be used for anti-India activities," according to Police. Further investigation in the case is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Its standing room only in a Calgary convention centre when Ontario Premier Doug Ford rushes in from stage right to be ushered onto the platform by United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney with a high-five and a hearty backslap before the two thrust their clasped hands skyward and the crowd cheers. The anti-carbon-tax rally in fall of 2018 was perhaps the peak of what, once upon a time, was dubbed the bromance of Ford and Kenney, when they marched arm in arm against the Liberals in defence of provincial jurisdiction and the imposition of a federal carbon tax. Back then, the newly elected populist leader of Ontario and the former federal politician whod gone west to champion Alberta Kenney would become premier in April 2019 were the vanguard of a cross-provincial conservative movement going full tilt against Justin Trudeau in Ottawa ahead of last years federal vote. But as reality sets in after that election, times are a-changing. It looked for a while like one of those hot spring flings. They were very, very close and couldnt leave each others company, said conservative columnist and commentator Tim Powers. But now it looks like summer, fall and winter have set in. After Andrew Scheer and the Conservative party failed to take down Trudeau, who won a minority government in October, political analysts say Ford and Kenney now must focus on the problems at home and look at working with the federal government. The realities of running a province are creeping in, Powers said. That means the close political alliance may be starting to take a back seat to the demands of two very different jurisdictions that have their own problems to deal with. Both of them are not as high in the polls as they once were. Theyve been in office a little longer than they once were ... Being cuddly cosy and kissy maybe isnt the best strategy for the moment. Part of it, he added, is that the constant railing against Trudeau has been dialed back the Trudeau pinata has been taken down, at least for now as both provincial leaders realize that maintaining a cordial relationship with Ottawa is required to get a lot of their own work done. It may have been an unlikely match. Ford was a populist, riding a wave of anti-establishment support all the way to Queens Park in 2018, while some see Kenney as an establishment Conservative, who spent many years in Ottawa as an MP before swapping out suits for jeans to campaign for premier across Alberta in a dark blue pickup. But according to one former Ontario Progressive Conservative staffer, the bromance a term Postmedia reported that Kenney used himself at the national Conservative convention in 2018 was more than just politically expedient for the two premiers. They really balanced themselves out with Doug being that more regular, for lack of a better term, for the people kind of politician, versus Jason who has that significant career experience I think something there clicked, said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. It did genuinely seem like there was a positive relationship between the two, not just a political narrative. In the beginning, Ford and Kenney deployed similar-looking policies. They both tied post-secondary funding to performance, and asked universities to conform to the Chicago Principles, a set of controversial free speech guidelines. Both provinces relaxed liquor laws and both declared themselves open for business after being elected. Of course, they also both scrapped their respective consumer carbon programs, had a federal carbon tax imposed on them at the beginning of this year and are challenging the federal tax in court. University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young says pulling from the same playbook is a staple in the modern conservative movement, with organizations like the Manning Centre, a non-profit aimed at bolstering conservatives, influencing political operatives. Despite all they have in common, their political futures seem to be diverging, she said. Young says Ford must try to capture moderates in the centre of the political spectrum at home and Kenney will have to deal with a separatist movement on his right, which could prove dangerous for him in the next provincial election. For Kenney, the real challenge in the next election is keeping from having a Wexit party that is siphoning off 20 per cent of his vote. At the outset of their mandates they looked at each others notes, she said, but as priorities for getting re-elected become more visible in their respective jurisdictions, that will change. Along with the re-election of the Liberals came an eruption of western angst in Canada. Saskatchewan and Alberta have significant blocks of the population considering separating from the country (around a quarter each). Ford, along with his fellow conservative premiers in the East, Manitobas Brian Pallister and New Brunswicks Blaine Higgs, isnt likely to cosy up to Kenney if he continues flirting with separatists, according to Young. Politicians like having solidarity with each other, but fundamentally, they like getting elected, she said. So Kenney may have to find a way to keep the Wexiteers onside if he wants his United Conservative Party to win another election. Too many separatist votes could go elsewhere and allow another party to drive up the middle. Already, Kenney has struck a Fair Deal Panel to look at ways Alberta could get more autonomy in the country, including a provincial police force and an Alberta Pension Plan. The premier has also spoken about holding a referendum on the Canadian Constitution and writing the concept of equalization payments out of it. The federal Conservative party is also undergoing an identity crisis, says Lori Williams, a policy studies professor at Mount Royal University. Since Scheer announced he was stepping down, prominent Conservatives like former Nova Scotia MP Peter MacKay and current Ontario MP Erin OToole have put their names forward to lead the party. Williams said the leadership race, which is set to conclude in June, has underscored divisions in the party along regional, ideological and linguistic lines. Much will depend on the outcome of that contest when conservatives consider a cross-provincial alliance of premiers trying once again to take down the Liberal government, said Williams. We dont have a Conservative leader whos really effective in Opposition in Ottawa, and each of the provincial leaders are advocating for their own interests, she said. Powers, the conservative strategist, says Kenney and Ford are both likely taking a wait-and-see approach to the Conservative leadership race. Although the two are friendly and able to work together, theres always competition in politics: Everyone wants to be seen as the big leader, the big dog, so to speak. In the absence of a federal Conservative leader, Kenney is probably the biggest conservative voice on the block, he said. Kenney wanted Rona Ambrose to run, but now that shes decided not to, he doesnt have a natural pony in this race. Still, Kenney will be an important ally for any future Conservative leader, given the partys evergreen popularity in Alberta. Williams also said that voters signalled in polling throughout the last federal election campaign that they wanted both provincial and federal governments to address big problems affecting all Canadians, like the economy and climate change. Kenney and Ford will have to work hand in hand with Trudeau to accomplish their goals, like getting pipelines built and having viable plans for the environment, she said. (Voters) dont care about the disputes, the differences between levels of government or between parties, she said. They care about finding solutions to the problems theyre facing on a day-to-day basis. The division between the Alberta and Ontario premiers may be somewhat personal now, too, going beyond the simple need to get re-elected. During the election, the federal Conservatives asked Ford to stay away from the campaign trail because he was seen as a liability with his support tanking in Ontario a province where the federal party desperately needed seats. Meanwhile, Kenney attended Conservative events and stumped for Scheer. The Alberta premier is known for his ability to drum up support during elections, a reputation stemming from his time as a federal MP under Stephen Harper. Ford loyalists told the Star in October that the snub cut deep for the Ontario premier, who had to watch as Kenney strolled through his stomping grounds supporting Scheer on the campaign trail. But the two provinces still have some common ground. Both likely still want Trudeau out of power and the courts are still dealing with both provinces challenging the federal carbon tax. As you get further into your mandate, theres greater propensity to go your own way, said Young. Governing becomes more reactive ... economically, Ontario and Alberta are in very different places. With files from Robert Benzie Read more about: Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday backed Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi's comment on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying that the Congress leader has said the right thing. "The Assembly Speaker has said the right thing. This (CAA) is passed by Parliament and signed by the President of India. So, the States will have to implement it. He has stated a legal fact," Meghwal said while speaking to ANI. Recently Joshi said the Government of India has passed the Citizenship Amendment Act and the State government has to implement it as under the Constitution, citizenship is a subject of the Centre, and not of the State. "State governments can make laws only on the subjects of the Concurrent List like the Centre makes the law under the Motor Vehicle Act," he had said. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has repeatedly said that CAA and NRC will not be implemented in the State. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wildly varied and masterfully played, Saturdays Springfield Symphony concert was perhaps the most interesting program of the Orchestras entire season. Not one, but two guest artists were featured. Denis Bouriakov, principal flutist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, played Leonard Bernsteins Halil and Emmanuel Ceysson, principal harpist at the Metropolitan Opera, played Alberto Ginasteras Concerto for Harp and Debussys Sacred and Profane Dances. The pair collaborated in the concerts centerpiece, Mozarts Concerto for Flute and Harp, K. 299. The evening began with a further episode in the Orchestras year-long tribute to Beethoven, celebrating the 250th anniversary of his birth. Maestro Kevin Rhodes led the SSO in Music for a Ballet on Horseback, a suite of jolly songs and dances written on commission when the composer was 21. Debussys Sacred and Profane Dances followed, introducing the audience of 1,493 to the masterful playing of harpist Emmanuel Ceysson. In his pre-concert remarks, Maestro Rhodes recalled conducting a ballet in Paris with Ceysson in the orchestra, and being immediately enthralled by the young mans command of the instrument. I didnt know a harp could sound like that! Rhodes said. Indeed, the range of color, articulation, and volume at Ceyssons fingertips was astonishing, from feathery filigree to percussive, full-throated plucking. The SSO strings provided lush sonic atmospheres to contain Ceyssons elegant melodies and gestures. Flutist Bouriakov brought a brilliant, pearly tone to bear in the Mozart. The duo pursued a nimble, mischievous conversation, deftly supported and abetted by Rhodes and the SSO. The concerts second half left began with an arresting performance of Bernsteins Halil, written in 1980-81 in memory of Israeli flutist Yadin Tennenbaum, who was killed in the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Rhodes set the piece up with a poignant introduction, describing Tennenbaums distinguished military service, and quoting Bernsteins program note about the spirit and substance of the piece. Bouriakov gave a heartfelt performance, negotiating extreme demands on his instrument with apparent ease and grace. Rhodes wove an intricate rhythmic web beneath and around the flute, maintaining scrupulous precision in a vast percussion battery and compliment of strings. Ceysson returned to the stage to play the Ginastera Harp Concerto, amazing the audience even further with his virtuosic dexterity. Every appearance of both soloists won a standing ovation on Saturday, and Rhodes and his colleagues in the orchestra delivered a fascinating array of substantial and rarely heard repertory gems an example of symphonic programming and execution at its finest. Bouriakov and Ceysson rewarded the final standing ovation with a lovely encore of Glucks elegant Melodie. As you may already know, Social Security is our nation's most important social program. Each month, more than 64 million benefit payments are sent out to eligible recipients, many of whom are senior citizens. Of these eligible beneficiaries, over 22 million are pulled out of poverty as a direct result of this guaranteed payout. But what you might not realize is just how small your Social Security payout will actually be. According to the Social Security Administration, the average retired workers will see the program replace only 40% of their working wages. In other words, it's not meant to be relied upon as a primary source of income. But it's being leaned on as a major income source by many current retirees. These cities will allow you to stretch your Social Security income Although there are a number of factors that bear significance in determining what you'll take home from Social Security (including your earnings history, work history, full retirement age, and claiming age), the city you call home can also favorably or unfavorably affect your finances. According to Kiplinger, the following 10 cities all offer a cost of living that, at minimum, is 16.4% below the national average. Harlingen, Texas (24.2% below the national average) McAllen, Texas (22.6% below) Kalamazoo, Michigan (20.4% below) Memphis, Tennessee (19.4% below) Knoxville, Tennessee (18.3% below) Conway, Arkansas (18.1% below) Wichita Falls, Texas (17.7% below) Joplin, Missouri (17.7% below) Sherman, Texas (16.6% below) Hattiesburg, Mississippi (16.4% below) One very simple reason these 10 cities offer a considerably lower cost of living is that their median household incomes are well below the national average. In general, core expenditures, such as housing or rental costs, are derived from a combination of median earnings for taxpayers of a city, as well as economic opportunity for those workers. For retired workers receiving a Social Security benefit, economic opportunity isn't nearly as important as housing or rental affordability. In every instance above, these cities come in well below the median U.S. household income of $57,562 and a median U.S. home value of $193,500. In fact, Harlingen, Kalamazoo, Memphis, and Conway all have median home values that are near or below half of the national average. Affordability shouldn't be the only factor But it should be noted that affordability, while arguably important for the 62% of retired workers currently generating at least 50% of their monthly income from Social Security, isn't the only consideration to be made. For example, in addition to the federal government taxing a portion of Social Security benefits for individuals and couples earning over select income thresholds, 13 states also tax Social Security benefits to some varied degree. Of the 10 cities represented above, residents choosing Joplin could be in for a surprise: Missouri is one of the 13 states to tax Social Security benefits, albeit it has some of the most generous exemptions of this group. In Missouri, individuals will need more than $85,000 in adjusted gross income (AGI) and couples will need over $100,000 in AGI before owing state tax on their benefits. Nevertheless, the point is that certain lower-cost states, such as Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, do have applicable taxes on Social Security benefits, and that could mean seniors keep less of their income. Other factors to consider here are the intangibles beyond just cost. Moving to more affordable cities might mean moving away from family or friends. It could also mean moving toward more dangerous parts of the country. For instance, a couple of these cities have been hit by large tornadoes within the past two decades. Retired workers also have to realize that, no matter where they choose to call home, the purchasing power of their Social Security income is bound to decline over time. That's because the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is geared to track the spending habits of (you guessed it) urban and clerical workers. These workers aren't usually seniors, and they aren't collecting a Social Security benefit, meaning the costs that matter most to seniors aren't being properly factored into the cost-of-living adjustment. As a result, they are liable to see their purchasing power decline over time, no matter where they live. According to The Senior Citizens League, the purchasing power of Social Security dollars has declined by 18% over the past decade for seniors, and fallen 33% since 2000. Moving to a city with a low cost of living can help your Social Security dollars go further, but there are other factors that will need plenty of consideration as well. Almost a dozen solar farms in western Victoria and NSW have had output deliberately cut or start dates delayed because of poor grid capacity. Last September, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) abruptly slashed the output of five solar farms - four in Victoria and one near Broken Hill in NSW - to half their nominated capacity of just shy of 350 megawatts. Gannawarra Solar Farm in western Victoria, was one of the plants to have its output cut in half in September 2019 by AEMO. In addition, as many as six other projects in Victoria or southern NSW have been told by AEMO to wait nine months or more before they can be connected to the grid, an industry executive said. A senior official at a separate investment group confirmed similar numbers of delays. "AEMO approved all of these new generation connections and the generators only apparent crime - for which they are now being severely economically punished - is that they followed through on Connection Agreement contracts approved by AEMO," said the executive, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid being penalised for speaking out. New Delhi: An Indian soldier was killed and three others were injured as Pakistan violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district along the Line of Control on Saturday (February 9). According to a defence official, the Pakistani Army resorted to unprovoked firing of small arms and mortar shelling on the forward villages and post along the Line of Control in the Poonch district. The Pakistani troops initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation at around 3.45 pm on Saturday by firing small arms and mortar shells along the Line of Control (LoC) in Degwar sector of Poonch, killing the Indian soldier, read a defence statement. Indian Army mounted an effective retaliation and cross-border firing between the two sides was underway when the last report was received, the statement added. Mayank Tiwari By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The growing thirst for premium foreign liquor in the city is encouraging illegal business wherein bootleggers are conniving with frequent foreign flyers, travellers and travel agents to get duty-free liquor from airports, which is later being sold illegally at a higher price to foreign liquor connoisseurs in the city. The officials of the Excise Department are worried over this trend, claiming that the illegal business is denting their coffers. In the last one month, the Prohibition and Excise Department officials have busted three groups involved in such illegal trade of imported liquor in the city. According to reports, since the start of this year, the Excise Department officials have seized around 250 bottles of imported premium liquor in the city. On January 30, more than 170 bottles of premium foreign liquor worth `18 lakh being sold illegally in the city was seized from a travel agent.More cases this year The department that used to bust only around 10 such cases in a year earlier has busted three such cases in just over a month this year. Most of the finer labels come from Malaysia This is causing a huge loss to the State exchequer. A bottle which one would buy at a duty-free store is being sold by illegal traders in the city for more than two or three times the price, depending on the amount a buyer is ready to pay, said an official of the Prohibition and Excise Department.The rumrunners are bringing in expensive liquor brands like Johnnie Walker, Blue Label or Royal Salute through foreign travellers and are selling them at a higher price to connoisseurs. If this continues, it will cause loss to the exchequer. It would be helpful if the proposal, for reducing the number of foreign liquor bottles that one can buy from the duty-free shops from two to one, gets the green signal, the official said. The excise official added that most such flyers who bring in foreign liquor to the city are flying in from Malaysia. City in high spirits In the last one month, the Prohibition and Excise Department officials have busted three groups involved in illegal sale of imported liquor in the city which has led to the State facing huge losses Vietnamese authorities are striving to support enterprises and farmers to limit the impacts on import and export activities brought about by the new coronavirus crisis. Border trade has been seriously curtailed in recent days due to the uncertain nature of the coronavirus spread After an emergency meeting of the leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on January 31, the MARD sent an official dispatch to key areas producing agricultural items. All localities now have to review the structure of fruit products according to specific details such as season and plant type. We have also asked leading processing enterprises to increase purchasing, preliminary processing, and storage, Nguyen Quoc Toan, director of the MARDs Agricultural Processing and Marketing Department told VIR. According to Toan, early next week, the ministry will work with supermarket systems to boost domestic consumption. We will also propose that the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) work with the Vietnam Logistics Business Association to promote the warehouse systems of these businesses, especially cold storage, to share farmers difficulties, he said. As a unit keeping a close watch on the development of the coronavirus, the Agency of Foreign Trade under the MoIT has been asking local businesses to think of different kinds of shipments to utilise for agricultural exports to China. The agency informed that border gates in Pingxiang of Guangxi province, which borders the northern province of Lang Son in Vietnam, would close until February 8, except for the Friendship Pass which would open on February 3, to prevent the epidemic from spreading. Traffic as well as cross-border transportation of goods between Vietnam and China might be affected, said an agency representative. We will keep providing updates on the epidemic and its impacts on import-export activities. But enterprises must also regularly discuss with their partners in China to remain updated on any changes to the epidemic while continuously seeking for new markets. Over the last few days, dozens of farming households in Binh Tan district in the southern province of Vinh Long have been fidgety over the halt of border trade due to the coronavirus outbreak. Our partners from China have already stopped buying purple sweet potatoes because of the outbreak, and they cannot confirm when they will start trading again, said Son Van Luan, chairman of Ngoc Thanh Agricultural Service Co-operative in the districts Thanh Trung commune. Binh Tan district is the biggest area planting purple sweet potatoes, which are exported to China. Luan said that normally his co-operatives export dozens of tonnes of the products to China each day. This makes us worried because this product is not a favourite in the domestic market, he said. Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Hong Thu, director of Chanh Thu Co., Ltd., specialising in the export and import of fruit, said that a lot of the products, especially dragon fruit, have been returned to Hanoi. We are suffering huge losses with a large inventory. We need the support of the government, and other businesses and partners to overcome our difficulties, she said. Vina T&T Group is also among the companies impacted by the epidemic. All trade activities of agricultural products like fruit and vegetables with short preservation time have been ceased. Moreover, their price has also dropped. Nguyen Dinh Tung, CEO of Vina T&T Group, said that the price of red dragon fruit has dropped from VND40,000 ($1.70) per kilogramme before Lunar New Year to VND4,000 (17 US cents) per kg now. Dragon fruit can only be preserved for a short duration, so we have to sell them as quickly as possible. Additionally, the price of mango, rambutan, durian, jackfruit, which can be preserved for less than 15 days, has also dropped sharply. Only fruits with a longer preservation time are not affected because they can be put into cold storage until the border gates open, said Tung. He also expressed worries that the plan for the border gates to re-open on February 9 could change because of the further spread of coronavirus. The disease is also impacting the European and North American markets because people from those areas stop travelling and shopping, thus affecting the consumption of numerous goods. Talking with VIR, Toan from the Agricultural Processing and Marketing Department said that state management agencies and the local agricultural departments have been asked to closely monitor the situation in each key district and locality. The spirit is not one of rescuing but of sharing to ensure the markets future and this is an opportunity for businesses to improve their capacity, focus on processing, and strengthen links between farmers and purchasing businesses, he added. Nguyen Quoc Toan - Director, Agricultural Processing and Marketing Department The Chinese government lengthened the Lunar New Year holiday until February 2, while many Chinese enterprises let workers have days off until the middle of the first month in the lunar calendar. People are being prevented from entering typically crowded places like restaurants, so the food demand has decreased. Wholesale markets in China like those in Chiang-nan or Yunnan and along the border, the popular way of trade between Vietnam and Guangxi, will be closed until February 8 so trade will be limited until then. This has led to the fact that some Chinese agricultural importers that provide for Wuhan city, like Hong Tai Yang which imports 40 per cent of dragon fruit from the southern province of Long An, have cancelled orders of about 300 containers, equal to 6,000 tonnes. It is expected that about over 21,500 tonnes of dragon fruit will be harvested until February 8, 54,000 tonnes for the period from February 8 to 28, and 10,000 tonnes in early March. International border gates will operate normally from February 3 which means that goods can be exported to China but the wholesale markets are not open until February 8, which will create a bottleneck. This is why we will focus on diversifying markets. In mid-February, a delegation will go to Dubai to deploy activities to expand the market. It is forecast that the local supply situation of dragon fruit will be in difficulty. Besides this, the cold storage system in some key localities, particularly in the south, is not sufficient enough. Long An has 154 preliminary processing and packing facilities but the cold storage system only handles about 12,000 tonnes. In the long term, we will restructure crops to ensure reasonability. The disease was unforeseeable but farmers must adapt to it. We should ask them to be calm in co-operating with localities and enterprises to avoid being forced to sell goods at a cheap price. Besides this, we would like to suggest that farmers sign contracts with collectors or buyers so that if the disease occurs, they will get their support, thus preventing big losses. VIR Huong Hao More people shopping online due to coronavirus To cope with the threat of coronavirus, many in Ha Noi are choosing to shop online or order food at home instead of facing crowds at brick and mortar stores and restaurants. NAKHON RATCHASIMA, ThailandA soldier angry over a property deal gone sour killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 in a rampage that spanned four locations in and around the northeastern Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima before he was shot dead early Sunday. Most of the victims were at the citys Terminal 21 shopping center, where the shooter held out against an overnight siege with an assault rifle and ammunition stolen from his army base. Police named him as 32-year-old soldier Jakrapanth Thomma. He initially posted written messages on Facebook during the attack before his account was shut down by the company. It was a personal conflictover a house deal, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters on Sunday from Nakhon Ratchasima after traveling there to meet wounded survivors. Prayuth added that the conflict was with a relative of the soldiers commanding officer. Hundreds of shoppers fled the mall in groups crouching low, and the police and army launched several rescues during the more than 12-hour standoff, with armed forces at one point emerging at a run carrying small children. It was frightening because I could hear the occasional gunshotwe waited a long time for the police to come and help us, many hours, said Suvanarat Jirattanasakul, 27, her voice trembling. Another survivor told local Amarin TV that the shooter was aiming for the heads and said his colleague died on the scene. He was shooting everywhere and his shots were very precise, said the man, identified as Diaw. At a morgue in Nakhon Ratchasima, the family of 13-year-old Ratchanon Karnchanamethee sobbed as they identified his body. Hes my only son. He hasnt even had dinner, said his father, Natthawut Karnchanamethee. I allowed him to do anything he wanted to. I never set expectations for him. I only wanted him to be a good person. The provinces governor, Wichien Chantaranochai, on Sunday night said a total of 29 people had been killed and 57 were wounded. Also known by the historical name Korat, Nakhon Ratchasima has a population of about 250,000. It is close to a national park popular for its wild elephants but the relatively poor northeastern region is one of the less visited areas for Thailands tens of millions of tourists. Stolen Arsenal CCTV footage from inside the mall posted on social media showed the gunman dressed in black and wearing a mask, his gun slung over his shoulder with no sign of other people around. According to local media, Jakrapanth worked at an army base close to Nakhon Ratchasima, which is about 250 km (155 miles) from the capital Bangkok. He was a sharp shooter and took many special courses on carrying out attacks, including planning ambushes, army sources said. Thai media reported he often posted photos of weapons on social media. The killings began at around 3 p.m. (0800 GMT) on Saturday when the soldier opened fire in a house before moving to an army camp and then driving to the mall in a stolen Humvee. The soldiers commanding officer was one of the people reported killed before the soldier moved on to the shopping mall and began shooting. At some point during the day, the soldier raided the army camps weapons storage to arm himself, said Lt. General Thanya Kiatsarn, Commander of the Second Area Command. He attacked the guard to the weapon arsenal, who later died, and he stole an official jeep and an HK33 gun and an amount of ammunition to do what he did, Thanya said. Spend the Money in Hell Hours before he began shooting on Saturday, Jakrapanth had posted on his Facebook account denouncing greedy people. Rich from cheating. Taking advantage of other people. Do they think they can spend the money in hell? read one post in Thai. He later posted written updates during the attack. Death is inevitable for everyone, he wrote. Later, he complained about his fingers cramping and asked Should I give up? before the account was no longer available. Hours after the mall siege began, Facebook said it had removed the suspects account. There is no place on Facebook for people who commit this kind of atrocity, nor do we allow people to praise or support this attack, a Facebook representative said in a statement. Major shootings are rare in the Southeast Asian country other than in the far south, where a decades-old insurgency persists. By Panu Wongcha-um Express News Service By NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged visiting Sri Lankan premier Mahinda Rajapaksa to empower the minority Tamil community in the island nation and fulfil their aspirations for justice, respect, and equality.We held a discussion with an open mind on issues relating to reconciliation in Sri Lanka. I am confident that the government of Sri Lanka will fulfil the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace, and respect within a United Sri Lanka, Modi said at a joint press briefing. He told the visiting delegation that implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, which safeguards the rights of the Tamil community, was necessary to take the reconciliation process forward. The two leaders spoke on a variety of topics ranging from mutual defence partnership and joint anti-terror programmes to cooperation on development and in solving fishermens issues. During talks, Rajapaksa expressed Lankas gratitude to India for helping the country in its fight against terrorism. India is our closest neighbour and a long-standing friend. The close historical links have provided a solid foundation to our ties, Rajapaksa said.In the wake of last years Easter Day bombings in Colombo, New Delhi had announced financial assistance of $50 million to help the island nation in its fight against terrorism. Rajapaksas visit to India is being closely watched by foreign policy specialists. During his term as president between 2005 and 2016, Lanka grew closer to China.Rajapaksa, like his brother President Gotabaya, chose India to be the destination for his first foreign tour after assuming power in November. Rajapaksa meets Kovind Rajapaksa also called on Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and President Ram Nath Kovind. He will leave for Varanasi on Sunday and then proceed to Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Tirupati before departing for Colombo An adorable cross-eyed cat has captured the hearts of social media users thanks to his gloriously goofy expressions. Three-year-old Belarus, from San Francisco, has an eye condition called 'strabismus,' which causes him to be cross-eyed, but thankfully it is not painful and does not impair his vision. It also gives him his unique appearance that has proved irresistible to his 257,000 Instagram followers. His owner Rachel, who rescued him from a local shelter, told Bored Panda she fell in love with the curious and playful feline the moment she saw him. Since finding her own pet, Rachel has kept supporting the shelter, raising $4,000 through several campaigns. Three-year-old Belarus, from San Francisco, has an eye condition called 'strabismus,' which causes him to be cross-eyed, but thankfully it is not painful and does not impair his vision. Photos of his adorably goofy expression have won the hearts of 257,000 Instagram followers The cat's condition, called 'strabismus,' causes him to look cross-eyed, however, it is not painful and doesn't impair his vision. Pictured, Belarus relaxes at home The cat's owner Rachel said she fell in love with him the moment she saw him at a shelter in 2018. Pictured, Belarus shows off his fetching checked tie at home in San Francisco How could you resist that face? Rachel adopted Belarus from a shelter almost two years ago, when he was one. Pictured, Belarus tries to get attention while Rachel's on her laptop The bathroom (pictured) is Belarus' favourite place in Rachel's house, even if the water is running The cat melts hearts on Instagram where Rachel shares pictures and funny videos of the fluffy pet. Pictured, Belarus is particularly adorable in a kitty shark costume Rachel said that Belarus was a very playful and curious cat, as well as a little bit of a troublemaker. Pictured, Belarus appears fascinated by his own paw Belarus relaxes over the side of a sofa in his owner Rachel's San Francisco home Belarus has a strong fan club and his owner even created sweaters, tops and t-shirts with his face. Pictured, modelling one of the products Rachel explained she still was funding money for the shelter where she adopted her pet. Pictured, Belarus at home, relaxing on Rachel's bed Rachel said she had raised $4,000 (3,029) for the shelter through several charity events in 2019. Pictured, Belarus poses for a close-up Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-10 05:46:35|Editor: yan Video Player Close PRAGUE, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Republic is bracing for gale-force winds that could cause severe damage from Sunday evening until Monday evening, warned the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Transport on Sunday. The ministry has set up a coordinating group and has railway workers, firefighters, road workers, air traffic controllers, transmission system operators and power plant operators on alert. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMU) issued extreme danger warnings for Bohemia and parts of Moravia and Silesia. The strongest winds will likely be on Monday. Meteorologists forecast the winds, part of Storm Ciara (Sabine) due to hit much of Central Europe, will reach destructive speeds in most of the affected areas and could reach hurricane force in mountainous regions. Several flights to and from Vaclav Havel Airport Prague have been canceled. Before pounding on the European continent, Storm Ciara slammed Britain on Sunday as gale winds and heavy rain triggered tornado warnings and blackouts, shut highway and grounded flights. The global gene therapy market is expected to reach $13 billion by 2024 as new treatment options target cancers and other diseases. Now, a team of scientists from Purdue University and other research institutions around the world have come together to better understand the growing number of worldwide patented innovations available for gene therapy treatment. They specifically focus on nonviral methods, which use synthetic or natural compounds or physical forces to deliver materials generally less toxic than their viral counterparts into the therapy treatments. "The possibility of using nonviral vectors for gene therapy represents one of the most interesting and intriguing fields of gene therapy research," said Marxa Figueiredo, an associate professor of basic medical sciences in Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine, who helped lead the research team and works with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization to patent her technologies related to health. "This is an innovative method for identifying the technological routes used by universities and companies across the world and uncovering emerging trends for different gene therapy sectors." The scientists used big data, patent and clinical data mining to identify technological trends for the gene therapy field. The team's work is presented in the Feb. 7 edition of Nature Biotechnology. They envision that their analysis will help guide future developments for gene therapy. This work brought together investigators from across the globe in a joint effort to use new databases and methods to better understand the trends of the gene therapy field in respect to nonviral vectors. Dimas Covas, coordinator of the Center for Cell-based Therapy, affiliated with the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil, lent his extensive experience in cell therapy. Aglaia Athanassiadou, Virginia Picanco-Castro and Figueiredo contributed their extensive experience on nonviral vectors for gene therapy. Cristiano Pereira and Geciane Porto brought their expertise in economics and business administration to the analyses. Each contribution was fundamental to achieving a new way to identify technological trends in this field. This work brought together investigators from very diverse disciplines to create a different perspective of the gene therapy field. Our groups continue to work individually or in collaboration to generate and patent new vectors to help fill the needs of this re-emerging field of nonviral gene therapy." Marxa Figueiredo, associate professor of basic medical sciences in Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine Nirmala Sitharaman announced this on Sunday after she met top industrialists in Kolkata about her Budget. Kolkata: The Narendra Modi government is planning to reduce the GST rate rationalisation frequency to once a year, from the existing trend of every three months, to end the uncertainty faced by industry and the government. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced this on Sunday after she met top industrialists in Kolkata about her Budget. Calling upon all states to raise their concerns through their finance ministers at the GST Council, she also claimed to have laid the foundation of India becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025 in her Budget. Rejecting West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees complaint that her state had ben deprived in the Budget, Ms Sitharaman argued her focus was on the nations economic growth, and not on which state got what. On the GST rate rationalisation, Ms Sitharaman said: We have discussed it in the GST Council. We literally proposed to the GST Council to consider a situation where we would do any rate rationlisation, increase or decrease, once a year alone and not every three months. We will do it because if the rate change happens in every three months, both business and government will remain uncertain. She went on: In GST when you have a certain level of rate, periodical change leads to a inversion problem like refund issues. Therefore, when suddenly one products rate of taxation is brought down, a whole lot of ripple effects is created. With the ripple effect, either refunds get affected or businesses cannot plan how much they have to keep aside for taxation in the whole year. The finance minister added: Similarly, the government, both state and Central, is not able to make an assessment of what it will earn through GST yearly. So rate cuts or increases every three months, when the GST Council meets, are periodically bringing in a certain level of uncertainty. The businesses do not understand and they cannot (assess) how much it is going to hit them. The government cannot make an assessment of how much revenue generation is going to happen in view of the constant change of rates every three months, the finance minister said. Reaching out to the states to raise their grievances at the GST Council, Ms Sitharaman said the Centre alone cannot take a call on any issue if states dont say anything when the businesses are located in their jurisdiction. The state ministers should voice the same concern in the GST Council. Its a federal structure, in which the GST Council has healthy relations with all state ministers. They can discuss freely and take a call. It is healthier if the states come through their ministers to voice all their concerns, she added. Photo credit: Kypros - Getty Images From Cosmopolitan There are a whole host of different laws abroad, which as a British tourist you may be ignorant to, and which could land you in trouble with the law if you're not clued up. That was recently the case for one woman during her visit to the island of Maafushi, in the Maldives: she has been captured on video being roughly handled by a group of police officers. In the video she can clearly be seen wearing a bikini and is repeatedly heard saying (in a British accent), "You are sexually assaulting me." In the tough-to-watch footage, the blonde woman is grabbed by three different men in police uniforms, while another man attempts to cover her with a towel or sarong. A press statement released by local police confirmed that she was arrested on 6 February at approximately 5.48pm for being "inappropriately clad" and "inebriated" while walking along a main road of the island. A dress code as outlined on local website, Maafushi Dive, states that guests must dress modestly "outside of tourist resorts as a sign of respect to the community" and explains that "Maafushi has made special arrangements with the lsland Council for tourists to sunbathe in bikinis [only] on the private tourist beach". Maafushi rashu therey bikini laigen tourist eh hingan massakai kurumun fuluhunaai rayyithun naseyhai dhee ekan nuhuhtumun baaruge beynun koh hayyaru kohfi. Ithuru mauloomaath: https://t.co/BzfpqEJUqs pic.twitter.com/QTf250LHXF #MvCrisis (@MvCrisis) February 6, 2020 Following circulation of the footage, the Maldives Police Service Commissioner, Mohamed Hameed, tweeted about the arrest in question, admitting that it had been "badly handled". His statement reads: "Incident in Maafushi in which our officers restrained a female tourist seems to be badly handled. I apologise to the tourist & the public for this. The challenge I have taken up is to professionalise the police service & we are working on that. This matter is being investigated." The woman was released without charge later that evening. Story continues The press statement in full says: "On 6th of February 2020 at approximately 17:48hrs, the local police on the island of Maafushi received a complaint from a member of public that a female tourist, who was inappropriately clad and alleged to have been inebriated, was walking along the island's main road. Tourists, on local islands are requested to respect the community's cultural sensitivities and local regulations by restricting the wearing of swimwear to certain areas of the island where local communities live. Three officers approached the tourist and requested her to comply with local regulations. However, she refused to comply and showed resistance. She was detained and taken to Maafushi Police station. She was released from the station at approximately 19:10hrs that evening without any charges. Maldives Police Services sincerely apologizes to the tourist and the public for the regretful manner in which this incident took place. A full inquiry has been initiated to ensure that disproportionate measures are not implemented in such situations and assures the public and the family that action will be taken against any violations following the findings of the inquiry. A team of Professional Standard Command of the Maldives Police Service was dispatched to Maafushi last night and is expected to report to the Commissioner on its findings in the next two days. The safety and security of our country including both residents and visitors alike are of paramount importance to us. Which is why we would like to remind the many visitors who come to our country to be mindful of local sensitivities when visiting inhabited islands." Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. SIGN UP Follow Jennifer on Instagram and Twitter You Might Also Like The huge ape gently stoops to offer help. This is the moment a huge orangutan reaches down into a snake-filled river to offer a helping hand to a warden he hopes to rescue. The touching image appears to show the great ape leaning down to assist the man, who is chest-deep in the treacherous waters. The photograph was taken in a conservation forest area in Borneo where orangutans are protected from hunters. The orangutan offers a warden a helping hand out of snake-filled waters. Anil Prabhakar was out trekking with his friends while on safari when he spotted the man who works as part of the protective project in the river. He later discovered he was clearing away snakes to guard the orangutans, until the inquisitive ape approached him. But the amateur photographer revealed the worker refused the orangutans hand as wild animals can be unpredictable. Anil, from Indonesia, said: "Someone told him there was a snake in the river. The warden went there and cleared the bushes. Pri-mates. The orangutan holds out his hand to help the man in the water. "An orangutan came to the banks and was watching what he was doing. He then came closer and gave his hand. "The warden just moved away. I asked him why later and he said: 'It's a wild animal, not one we are familiar with'. "But they are to protect them." READ MORE ON YAHOO NEWS UK: Phillip Schofield comes out as gay: This Morning host's statement in full Shamima Begum loses first stage of appeal over the revoking of her British citizenship Brit honeymooner on board quarantined cruise ship confirmed as having coronavirus The worker pictured in the photos is part of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded in 1991. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- The silver anniversary edition of Gulfood will herald a new era of sector transformation and build on the Dubai events 25-year legacy as an on-point trend tracker and robust business facilitator, according to its exhibitor line-up ahead of event later this month in Dubai. The event will run from February 16 to 20 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Leading food company JBS, the largest animal protein producer in the world, says Gulfood continues to be an important access platform in developing flourishing relations with partners and distributors, as well as serving as a springboard to introduce new products and food solutions into the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. Marcos Delorenzo, director of marketing and new business at Seara Mena, said: It is a very relevant fair for JBS due to its ability to serve a strategic region for our business. Visitors to our stand can expect very interesting product launches in line with the latest industry trends and the changing needs of regional consumers. Gulf-based food industry heavyweight Truebell, a leading importer, wholesaler, distributor and exporter with more than 60 brands in its portfolio, is leveraging Gulfood 2020 as part of a strategy to tap into an expanding food industry in Saudi Arabia. With the GCCs largest country expected to benefit from approximately $59 billion of investment by 2021, according to the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Truebell plans to expand its exclusive distribution of key brands within the Kingdom. Bhushant J Gandhi, divisional manager of retail and food service, Truebell, said: Trends have evolved in line with Saudi Arabias changing demographics, increased disposable incomes and maturing food preferences with demand for varied food stuff, organic ingredients and healthy food products expanding well beyond the most popular and recognisable local brands. As a result, we are working to align current and future supplies with this developing trend, he said. With growing consumer preferences for healthy food products, the total consumption of organic, gourmet and health products within Saudi Arabia topped $27 billion in 2019, according to Sagia. With 29 million residents 50 per cent of which are under the age of 25 Saudi Arabia has the largest population in the GCC and arguably the population most susceptible to Western consumer food trends, explained Gandhi. Saudi consumers are becoming more health conscious than ever and probiotics, whether in supplement format or in food and beverages, are becoming increasingly popular due to the health benefits linked to them. As more operators look to expand their footprint within the Kingdom, local Saudi producers are also looking to build their export potential. Saudi Arabias burgeoning food industry will be out in force at Gulfood 2020 with a national pavilion mounted by the Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA). Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co, one of Saudi Arabias largest beverage producers, is aiming to grow its regional market share by promoting its constant consumer-led initiative: healthy and tasty beverages in consumer-friendly, handy and environmental-friendly Tetra Pak packs that come in different sizes and formats for everyone. The focus on no-sugar-added beverages in our unique flavours is part of our continuous pursuit of innovation and product development with the aim of meeting consumer needs and the latest market developments, Ghassan Majdali, deputy chief commercial officer marketing, Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Gulfood has always been a launch platform which grabs the attention of the global industry so its ideal for the new roll-out. And while the Gulfood 2020 looks to welcome back scores of its regular national pavilions many of which have recorded substantial growth over the years this years showcase will welcome Afghanistan back to the industrys production arena. More than 25 Afghani agribusiness producers are exhibiting in a dedicated national pavilion promoting products including saffron, dried fruits, nuts, grains and wild harvested herbs, spices and medicinal crops including liquorice, cumin, basil, carraway and fennel seeds. Andrew Philip, technical advisor for the Afghanistan Pavilion, said: Our Gulfood 2020 pavilion will re-introduce Afghanistan to all markets and remind the industry that prior to decades of conflict, Afghani almonds, pomegranates, pistachios, raisins, and apricots were high-demand products across Central and South Asia. Philip added that the food sector post-2001 has seen high-value fruit and nut production rebound and Afghan Agribusinesses are now re-establishing markets in Dubai and all over the world. Afghanistan can showcase products that have been grown and sourced for generations and supplied to the region. Key sector openings are even more applicable now in the health food and organic food sectors, added Philip. The re-emerging fortunes of Afghanistans food trade is one of a number of trends Gulfood is well-renowned for tracking and highlighting. For almost three decades the show has become a weathervane to the changing face of consumer tastes, emerging markets and sectors, new technology and innovative products and flavours. From its Dubai base, the show has tracked the fortunes of the F&B industry far and wide and helped shift regional countries from import- dependent to increasingly important export players. Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president, exhibitions and events, DWTC, said: The industry, the market and the show have developed in tandem and growth has been dramatic. The shows demand consistently outstrips space availability. Yet DWTC is nothing if not innovative and we can assure visitors and exhibitors that we will continue to closely monitor the industry and respond to and reflect trends, he added. For its silver edition, Gulfoods knowledge forum will also tackle pressing issues and imminent industry opportunities under the show theme Rethinking Food. We are engaging the industrys leading experts to assess what needs to be done differently in the F&B industry across five core pillars: technological advancements, government and policy-making, marketing practices, lifestyle and markets including developing economies, explained LohMirmand. For exhibitors, they would be hard-pressed to find a forum where they can increase their margins by connecting with competitive suppliers of cutting-edge product innovations, as well as household name brands. They will unearth business opportunities from leading companies and visitors, who are hungry to keep up with emerging trends and source new and innovative products, she added. TradeArabia News Service Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra on Sunday emphasised that the police has to be fair, prompt and win the trust of people by transparency, honesty and accountability. Addressing the annual conference of SPs and Commandants of APBn and IRBn at police headquarters here, he complimented the state police for desirable changes in its interface, leadership and coordination in the recent past. The governor also praised the force for its recent successful operations. He stressed on better coordination between the police and other security forces stationed in the state to reinforce the confidence among the people on them. He advised the police personnel to recall the ideal and vision of the force, when in doubt and help the poor and weak. Cautioning on vulnerability of boys, girls and women in the orphanages and shelter homes, the governor advised the police personnel to take suo moto action and carry out proper checking. He advised the SPs to take due cognizance of the heinous crimes and initiate appropriate remedial measures. "The police personnel must be positive in their approach and maintain peace and tranquillity within their jurisdiction," he stressed. The governor said the most important person in the police force is the constable in the beat. The constable should be properly trained, empowered, enabled, motivated and made responsible to ensure safe, secure and developed society. The governor further said that science has given many types of equipment for policing but it can never replace the constable and therefore they must be strengthened. Appreciating the state government for the transfer and posting policy in the education department, the governor suggested the police department to review 'Home Police Station' postings, which he termed as practicable, possible and will be in public interest. Reiterating the special power of the Governor under Article 371 (h), Dr Mishra said that he has special responsibility with respect to law and other in the state. He stressed on the need for transparent recruitment, effective training, police reforms in equipment, weapon and communication means, conducive political ambience and rank, command and control integration. He also suggested for synergy of effort amongst the security forces and promoting Good Police work. The governor suggested for remedial measures, to control insurgency in a democratic setup, which includes, good developmental policies and programmes, work opportunities and job creation. State Director General of Police R P Upadhyaya briefed the governor about the two-day conference of SPs and COs on the occasion. SPs from all the districts and police headquarters and commandants of Arunachal Pradesh Police Battalions and Indian Reserve Battalions were present on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Now that the Senate has voted to clear President Trump of impeachment charges, any judgment of his conduct will be left up to the voters, as fellow Republicans argued it should be. That is, until Trump leaves office, and loses the immunity from criminal prosecution that presidents are granted by Justice Department policy. As Trumps lawyers repeatedly pointed out, the two articles of impeachment approved by the Democratic-controlled House, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, did not expressly accuse him of crimes. But his alleged dealings with Ukraines president withholding $391 million in military aid, and the promise of a White House meeting to coerce Ukraine into investigating political rival Joe Biden and his son contain elements of several established federal crimes: Extortion: Obtaining money, property or something of value by threat or intimidation. Soliciting a bribe: As a public official, corruptly demanding, seeking or agreeing to accept anything of value in exchange for the performance of an official act. Foreign campaign assistance: Soliciting, accepting or receiving a contribution or donation of a thing of value from a foreign citizen in connection with an election. The Government Accountability Office has already found that Trumps Office of Management and Budget acted illegally by withholding the Ukraine funding because of his own policy priorities. That law, passed in 1974 to restrict the presidents authority to block funding approved by Congress, carries no criminal penalties. But extortion, bribery and seeking foreign campaign aid are all felonies punishable by imprisonment up to 15 years, for bribery. Under statutes of limitations, each of them can be prosecuted as much as five years after the events took place. And, unlike an ordinary trial, a presidents vindication from impeachment charges in the Senate does not create a constitutional barrier to future criminal charges for the same conduct. It wasnt a criminal trial, Stanford law Professor Robert Weisberg said. There is no double jeopardy. The Constitution also specifies that a president who has been impeached, and even one who is later convicted and removed by the Senate, shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial judgment and punishment, according to law. Some scholars oppose such prosecutions, including Frank O. Bowman, a University of Missouri law professor and author of the 2019 book High Crimes and Misdemeanors: A History of Impeachment for the Age of Trump. I could be persuaded otherwise given sufficiently egregious facts, but as a general matter it is a terrible idea for the winners of elections to prosecute the losers they have unseated, he said. That way lies a banana republic. Harvard law Professor Mark Tushnet agreed, for the most part. We dont want follow-on presidents to be able to go after their predecessors (as happens too often elsewhere), he wrote. But that danger wouldnt arise, he said, if state prosecutors charged an ex-president with acts of local wrongdoing. A federal criminal case would almost certainly focus on Trumps July 25 phone call and other interactions with Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, the centerpiece of the impeachment proceedings. House managers accused Trump of abusing the powers of his office by withholding vital military funding from Ukraine to pressure Zelensky into investigating Biden and his son, Hunter, who became a board member of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was vice president. Trump released the $391 million to Ukraine in September, shortly after an unidentified whistle-blower reported the presidents conduct. While Trump maintains his goal was rooting out corruption in Ukraine, several legal analysts said his actions could fit the definition of extortion, soliciting a bribe, or seeking an unlawful foreign political contribution. The evidence of corrupt intent here is vastly stronger than you would see in the vast run of political corruption cases, said David Sklansky, a Stanford criminal law professor and former federal prosecutor. I think most federal prosecutors would view it as a very strong case against someone else. UC Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky said, I think that there is a strong argument that it was the crime of extortion. Hadar Aviram, a law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco, agreed with those assessments, but said Trumps defenders would question whether the president was acting with a corrupt intent Republicans would say ... hes trying to root out corruption and whether investigations of the Bidens were a thing of value, a required element in each of the crimes. The value of clandestine political assistance was an issue in Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation of a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower in New York between campaign officials, including Donald Trump Jr., and a Russian attorney who had promised damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Mueller said he decided not to file charges over the incident because it wasnt clear how much the information was worth, or whether the participants knew they were breaking the law. Weisberg, co-director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center, said he wasnt sure that the aid Trump was seeking from Ukraine would fit the bribery or extortion laws. It takes a bit of creative reasoning to say a benefit to Trumps election, harming Biden, is a thing of value, he said. But Sklansky, his Stanford colleague, said courts have ruled that a thing of value can be something intangible, like political aid. And in comparison to the information the Russian lawyer allegedly offered about Hillary Clinton, he said, Trump was reportedly seeking a criminal investigation of the Bidens in Ukraine, which would give prosecutors a stronger argument. Some of Trumps efforts to fend off impeachment could also come in for scrutiny, such as his efforts to raise campaign funds for Republican senators who supported him. Any other American who offered cash to the jury would go to prison for felony bribery, Richard Painter, former chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, said on Twitter. The president, meanwhile, has already declared that he holds the trump card, so to speak: the constitutional authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States. As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong? Trump tweeted in June 2018, while Mueller was conducting his investigation. Legal scholars are divided. Tushnet said his tentative view is that the president could pardon himself for federal crimes, though not for state charges. But Rick Pildes, a constitutional law professor at New York University, said a self-pardoning power would mean the criminal law would not apply to the president, ever, something the Constitutions drafters could not have intended. And on Aug. 5, 1974, Mary Lawton, in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel under President Richard Nixon, issued a memorandum saying the president lacked authority to pardon himself, under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case. Nixon, facing impeachment, resigned four days later. A month afterward, he was pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford, for any crimes he may have committed while in office. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko London: In handing contracts to a friend without any tender just days after her elevation to being the Commonwealth's most powerful official, Patricia Scotland has done Australian taxpayers a tremendous service. At last, the people who for decades have faithfully funded this organisation are getting an overdue glimpse into how it is run. And it's not a pretty picture. Baroness Scotland with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Credit:PA Australia's financial contribution to the Commonwealth Secretariat, the overarching body that operates from a former royal palace just down the road from Buckingham Palace, is relatively small compared to the cost of Canberra's bureaucracy. Or what was splashed out on sporting grants to help win the last federal election. But over the seven financial years to 2017-18, the Australian government has paid more than $100 million. That is serious money, and the people in London who dispense it should not expect to operate free from scrutiny. By Amol N. Sinha Throughout his campaign and administration, President Trump has used fear and xenophobia against immigrants for political gain. Indeed, that was a major theme of his rally in Wildwood last month and, more recently, during his State of the Union address to Congress. Some New Jersey politicians have followed in Trumps footsteps by demonizing immigrants including those in the very communities they represent for political expedience. Its not just rhetoric. It tears families apart and threatens peoples lives. And its not just about whats happening at the southern border - it hits home. Recently, these politicians and the Trump Administration have criticized New Jerseys Immigrant Trust Directive, a common-sense policy issued by Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, claiming that it makes our communities less safe. They couldnt be further from the truth the Immigrant Trust Directive, in addition to making New Jersey fairer and more just, also makes us safer. The directive is a critical tool for local law enforcement and civil liberties alike. By separating local police activities from federal immigration enforcement in most cases, it reassures people that routine police interaction will not lead to deportation or family separation, and it protects local law enforcements ability to focus its limited resources on duties that truly improve public safety. It also protects against unconstitutional detention and reduces the risk of racial profiling. Because of the directive, our states law enforcement officers are beginning to build trust with immigrant communities the trust we all need to live in safety and with dignity. Thats why the ACLU of New Jersey is defending it. Late last year, Cape May and Ocean counties filed lawsuits challenging the Trust Directive, and the Trump Administration and a national anti-immigrant hate group have now filed briefs attacking it. In December, we filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the directive. We wrote this brief on behalf of our organization and two dozen community-based partner organizations. Our organizational partners are dedicated to fighting for New Jersey parents, youth, women, and immigrant communities. They are advocates, people of faith, law enforcement professionals, and survivors of detention, imprisonment, and domestic violence. While these organizations have diverse views on many topics, all agree that the Immigrant Trust Directive makes our state stronger and safer. They also agree with the multitude of police throughout the state that separating state and local law enforcement from federal immigration enforcement helps our communities. The aim of a police investigation is to sort out facts and get closer to the truth in a criminal case, not to enforce immigration laws. If a survivor or witness to a crime fears that interacting with a local police or sheriffs officer may lead to the separation of their family through deportation theyre much less likely to come forward. Trump and his supporters routinely attempt to frame immigrants as violent criminals. But, immigration status cannot and does not determine risk to public safety. The Immigrant Trust Directive is about treating all our neighbors with the humanity, dignity, and rights they deserve, and it is about public safety. It was written with immigrant community members, advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors in mind, and all parties were consulted throughout the process. Thats the reason law enforcement flanked Attorney General Grewal when he announced the directive, sending a powerful message: this policy makes law enforcement more effective and our communities safer. Local politicians who seek to divide us have followed Trumps lead and exploited individual tragedies to demonize all immigrants. They stoke our fears of the unthinkable and manipulate the truth to justify violations of our rights and to make all of us less safe. Anyone with a heart feels grief upon learning of a violent tragedy. We all want to prevent anyone from going through that torment. What opponents of the Trust Directive fail to realize, however, is that police actually have much better tools to prevent such crimes when people feel comfortable coming forward with information. The Trust Directive is about actual public safety, while its opponents focus on scapegoating all immigrants for political gain. In these polarizing political times, when we cant trust the federal government to protect civil rights and liberties, we need states to take up that mantle and lead with policies that unify us. New Jersey is a state of immigrants, and our immigrant population is only growing. More than one in five of us was born outside the United States. We have the third largest proportion of immigrants, and were one of the most diverse states in the country. For law enforcement to do justice, they must honor their duty to serve and protect all New Jerseyans, regardless of immigration status. They must work to keep families together rather than tearing them apart. The Immigrant Trust Directive is a tool that gets us closer to realizing our full potential as a fair and welcoming state. Amol N. Sinha is a civil rights lawyer and the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. (Image credit: Stephane Corvaja/ESA) The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter, a spacecraft designed to observe the sun in incredible, scorching detail, launched to our star on Feb. 9, 2020, on a mission to try and solve some solar mysteries. The spacecraft will launch atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 11:03 p.m. EST (0403 GMT on Feb. 10). Full story: Solar Orbiter launches on historic mission to study the sun's poles A U.S. soldier stands guard at Kandahar Air base in Afghanistan on Jan. 23, 2018. (Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images) 2 US Service Members Killed, 6 Others Injured in Afghanistan Two U.S. service members were killed and six others injured when an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on them, the U.S. military said on Saturday. The incident, which took place in Nangarhar province, occurred after a combined U.S. and Afghan force was returning from a key-leader engagement, Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time, Leggett added. Mubariz Khadem, a senior security official in Nangarhar, said the clashes took place between U.S. and Afghan forces. Insider attacks, often known as green-on-blue attacks, have been a regular feature of the conflict in Afghanistan, although their frequency has diminished in recent years. A senior Afghan defense official said it was not clear whether the incident was a result of clashes between Afghan and foreign forces or whether hardline Islamic extremists were responsible for the attack. We are not ruling any possibility out but we are not calling it an insider attack, Taliban attack, or green-on-blue at this stage, said the official who requested anonymity. Taliban sources were not immediately available to comment. Sohrab Qaderi, a provincial council member in Nangarhar, said clashes happened between the Afghan army and foreign forces in the Shirzad district on Saturday afternoon. He said members of the Afghan forces had been operating in the area since last month, and foreign forces were also in the district to defend against Taliban attacks. It seems that clashes happened between Afghan and foreign forces during a raid or maybe there was a tactical mistake, said Qaderi. Investigations of past rogue attacks had uncovered many reasons for so called green-on-blue shootings, including frustration with the 18-year war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and other extremist Islamic groups. About 14,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Afghanistan as part of the U.S.-led NATO mission to train, assist, and advise Afghan forces and to carry out counter-terrorism operations. U.S. diplomats have been talking with the Taliban for months to agree a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces in exchange for security guarantees. Despite talks between the United States and the Taliban to end the war, violence in the country has not ebbed. By Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Ahmad Sultan Aside from other unstated allowances that Nigerian federal lawmakers have allocated to themselves, a total of 268 billion has been earmarked for the National Assembly in this years budget. This figure covers the legislatures 128 billion recurrent expenditure; 100 billion Zonal Intervention/Constituency Projects; 1 billion for constitution review; 37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex; and N2billion for the construction of National Assembly Library. An analysis of the budget shows that approximately half of all that Nigeria plans to spend on health this year (463.7 billion) will go to the National Assembly. This means that for every 2 spent on Nigerians healthcare, 1 goes to the National Assembly. It also means that the National Assembly gets about one-third of the total budget of the Ministry of Education (706.8 billion). This is the same for the ministry of works and housing which has a 343.5 billion budget. But the legislators budget is about twice the money budgetted for each of the ministries of agriculture (183.1 billion), power (134.9 billion) and transport (134 billion) will go to the legislature. National Assembly against health Analysis of the 2020 budget by BudgIT shows that a total of 463.7 billion (4.37 per cent of this years budget) is meant for health. It means about 2,300 (or 6 per day) is all that has been budgeted for each of the 200 million Nigerians for everything medical in 2020. Statutorily, the health sector should get more. Nigeria is a signatory to the 2001 Abuja Declaration, an agreement made by Nigeria and 19 other African countries in Abuja, Nigerias capital, to commit 15 per cent of federal budgets to healthcare. While Botswana, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Togo and Zambia have all met the Abuja target, the closest Nigeria has come was the 5.95 per cent of 2012. Nonetheless, further examination of this years allocation to health shows that 73 per cent of the 336.6 billion is for recurrent expenditure as against the 59.9 billion for capital projects. And while these amounts are subject to the finance ministrys discretionary releases, only the Basic Health Care Funds, BHCF (44.5 billion), and the 22.7 billion for GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations), both statutory payments, have certainty of being released. National Assembly against education The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Education for All Global Monitoring Report recommended in 2015 that between 15 and 20 per cent of government spending through national budgets should be for education in developing countries. But the countrys 706.8 billion which is almost about thrice the NASS budget allocation to the sector is a paltry 6.6 per cent of this years budget. With the recommended target not met, 69 per cent (490.3 billion) of the amount earmarked to the sector is for settling bills, paying of salaries and so on. READ ALSO: That aside, a significant cut of the capital spending of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which stands at 84.7 billion, is for a flurry of controversial projects that have the stamps of lawmakers on them. The ministry of education will get statutory transfer of 131.7 billion. This is split between the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Commission Funds (N111.7billion) and University Fund pegged at 20 billion. That total is just N3.7billion more than the N128billion statutory allocation to the National Assembly. National Assembly against agriculture The National Assemblys budget is also double that of the ministry of agriculture and rural development. Agriculture gets 183.1 billion, no fraction of which contains statutory funds. By earmarking this, which is 1.7 per cent of a total budget 10.6 trillion, Nigeria again flouted the Maputo Declaration it signed in Mozambique in 2003 that it should give 10 per cent of its budget to agriculture. Were the 10 per cent agreement fulfilled, 1 trillion would be for agriculture this year. Nigeria has never complied with the terms of the declaration, two decades on. Although unlike education and health, recurrent expenditure takes only 32 per cent (58.7 billion) of agricultures budget. The ministrys 124.4 billion capital allocation has a slew of projects, some of which are for capacity-building programmes that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has said are impossible to track and always ended in the pockets of federal lawmakers. For instance, the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), rather than see to the mitigation of post-harvest loss of crops in Nigeria, would construct ICT centres and provide equipment in selected secondary schools in Lagos, under the guise of constituency projects. It would repeat this same project three times this year, all at a total cost of 768 billion first for 255 million, then 256 million and 257 million. National Assembly against works and housing Like agriculture, this ministry will spend 92 per cent of its budget on capital projects (315.6 billion), as against 28 billion for recurrent expenditure. With its total allocation pegged at 343.5 billion, PREMIUM TIMES has found that FERMA, an agency under the works ministry, will get less to maintain federal roads when compared with the 37 billion to be used to renovate the National Assembly complex. Both Godiya Akwashiki and Benjamin Kalu, respective spokespersons of both the Upper and Lower Chambers, on multiple occasions, declined to comment on this. But Bamidele Salam, a member of the House Committee on Works, said in an interview: I feel this is unjustifiable in any way. Also, due to shortage of funds accruing to the ministry, it plans to build only 2383 homes, although the country needs to build 700,000 homes per year to bridge its 17 million housing deficit, as estimated by the World Bank. Advertisements National Assembly against transport The transport ministry has a total budget of 134 billion, a large chunk 121.4 billion of which goes to capital projects. Only 12.6 billion (9 per cent) is for its recurrent expenditure. Scaling this with NASS budget shows that not only will the ministry get exactly half of what the National Assembly will get, it has no allocation for statutory payments. National Assembly against power In the face of incessant collapse of the national grid, and various administrations failed promises to bring stable electricity to the country, 134.9 billion is what the government intends to use to try and solve the challenges of power in the country this year. Of this, 129.1 billion (96 per cent) is for capital spending. As it is for transport, apart from its budget being almost half of that of the NASS, the power ministry too has no statutory funds to its name. NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand As mourning began for the victims of Thailands worst mass shooting, the country counted its losses: a mother shot dead at the wheel of her car as her son sat beside her, a 13-year-old student gunned down as he was riding his motorcycle home and more than two dozen other people. Authorities said the attack was carried out by a single gunman a disgruntled soldier who opened fire on strangers before he was fatally shot Sunday at a shopping mall. Another 58 people were wounded. The dead were mourned Sunday night in Nakhon Ratchasima, a hub in Thailands rural northeastern region. More than 1,000 people turned up for the vigil led by Buddhist monks. They lit candles and prayed and chanted in the town square. Officials said the gunman was angry over a financial dispute with his commanding officer. He made Col. Anantarote Krasae his first victim before stealing guns from an army camp and heading to the mall, shooting wildly along the way at people inside and outside the building. The attacker was identified as Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma, who holed himself up in the Terminal 21 Korat, an airport-themed mall. After most mall employees and shoppers were evacuated, a joint police and military team hunted him down and killed him. This incident was unprecedented in Thailand, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said as he gave a casualty count after visiting victims in hospitals. By the end of the day, the toll had risen to 29 people killed. The carnage surpassed Thailands last major attack on civilians, a 2015 bombing at Bangkoks Erawan Shrine that was allegedly carried out by human traffickers who killed 20. I hope this is the only one and the last incident and that it never happens again. No one wants this to happen. It could be because of this persons mental health in this particular moment, Prayuth said. Video taken outside the mall showed people diving for cover as shots rang out. Many were killed outside the mall, some in cars and others while walking. Survivors and victims families gathered during the day at the citys hospitals, where they recounted their ordeals. High school student Nachote Chotiklang said he was in his mothers car as she passed the gunmans vehicle. The assailant got out of the car and fired into the window. At that, I ducked down and didnt do anything until I felt that car hit something. It hit a tree. When asked what happened to her mom, Nachote shook his head. She was killed. Preeyapa T. Khunsong and Tassanee Vejpongsa are Associated Press writers. An emotional incident has come to the light which revealed a mother of a two-year-old girl fighting for toddler stranded in coronavirus hit Wuhan in China, as per reports. Amelia Pan lives in Canada and her two-year-old daughter Cerena is stranded far away in Chinas Hubei province, which is the epicentre of deadly coronavirus outbreak. According to the reports, the two-year-old is being taken care of by a distant relative after the girls father and grand-parents fell ill. READ: Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 811 In China, Exceeds SARS Fatalities Mother puts effort to get back Cerena Pan has been reportedly putting efforts to get her daughter onto an evacuation flight back to Canada since a long time but it has been a very complicated process. According to Pan, Cerena's father has been diagnosed with the virus so he cannot accompany her home on the flight, and Cerena also had a high fever so she needed to undergo medical checks to make sure that she was not infected. Cerena has been admitted to a Chinese hospital separated from her father and being looked after by a cousin of his who agreed to be in the hospital with the child. Pan said that her daughter is less than 3 and cannot take care of herself and also needs a lot of help from the adults. READ: WHO-led Coronavirus Probe Team To Leave For China On Monday Or Tuesday Cerena's paternal grandfather reportedly caught the virus and died and is grandmother is also infected. It began on January 17 when Pan's husband, Wei Ye, received a call from his sister back home in the Chinese city of Yingshan, near Wuhan. She said that their father was close to death because of complications from cancer. The family did not realise the danger of the virus and the next day Ye jetted off to China with his daughter to be with his father. Pan stayed behind in Canada. Later, Pan was reportedly informed that her father-in-law was infected with the coronavirus. The next morning, she was told that Ye, and his mother, had a fever. Soon after, it was confirmed Pans husband and mother-in-law had coronavirus and they were hospitalized. Cerena was left in the care of a neighbour. Pan confirmed that she is in touch with the Canadian authorities to get Cerena back in an evacuation flight that is supposed to leave on Monday. READ: Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, Nepal Donates 1 Lakh Masks To China READ: Coronavirus: Pune Man Back From Philippines Quarantined A woman was killed and three others injured after a pick-up van carrying them collided head-on with a truck in Bihar's Begusarai district on Sunday morning, police said. The incident happened on NH 28 near Malti village under the jurisdiction of Phulwariya police station of the district, the police said. While the pick-up van was carrying the passengers to Simariya from Madhubani, the truck was travelling to Samastipur from Simariya, a police officer said, adding that the driver of the truck fled the spot with the vehicle. All the passengers of the vehicle were going to Simariya to take a holy dip in the River Ganges on the occasion of 'Maghi Purnima', the Station House Officer (SHO) of Phulwariya police station, Jyoti Kumar, said. The deceased has been identified as 55-year-old Sujan Devi and she was a resident of Madhubani, the SHO said, adding, the injured persons were admitted to Ghriti Jiwan Hospital in Begusarai. The body has been sent to Begusarai Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination, the SHO said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Azerbaijanis cast their ballots in early parliamentary elections on February 9 -- and some apparently cast multiple ballots. Along with irregularities such as ballot-box stuffing and so-called carousel voting at multiple stations, there were also reports of independent observers being harassed or expelled. Sometimes, it takes an unexpected headline story with perceived crisis-level impacts to get the worlds collective attention and action on an important matter.This point has been made (and repeated) many times by well-known people in various ways and circumstances across different generations.Remember the line: A crisis is a terrible thing to waste, from Rahm Emanuel and Paul Romer? Or, "If You Have a Lemon, Make a Lemonade," from Julius Rosenwald and Dale Carnegie?Well no matter how you slice it, the Iowa Democratic caucus mobile computer application (app) that was placed into action this past week qualifies as a lemon.So how can we make lemonade out of this Iowa caucus app debacle situation?Putting the politics, conspiracy theories, election ramifications and inevitable finger-pointing exercises aside, what happened to cause such an issue? Equally important, what didnt happen? Another related question for all of us includes: What is the true cost when an app fails?Online retailers have precise models that can analyze revenue loss down to the seconds when an app crashes. Fast food chains can tally lost sales. Marketing and PR firms can quantify brand damage impact from clunky design. Even app hacks and identity theft costs can be quantified after a security incident.But in the case of this Iowa caucus app, we may not know the answer to that cost question for years, due to huge number of ramifications and possible future outcomes. Some are even wondering if the Iowa caucuses will ever be the same or maintain the first in the nation status in the 2024 elections.But backing up a bit, NPR reported in January that the Iowa's Democratic Party was confident in the new app and also the backup processes in place for the February caucuses. Security was a top concern.Troy Price, the chairman of the state party said, We as the party have taken this very seriously, and we know how important it is for us to make sure that our process is secure and that we protect the integrity of the process. However, on Feb. 4, the AP reported that the caucus app that was supposed to speed up reporting was blamed for delays that left results unknown for many hours.Glitches with a new mobile app Monday caused confusion, and some caucus organizers were forced to call in results for the state party to record manually, introducing delays and the possibility of human error. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price said the delays were not the result of a breach and party systems were secure.On Feb. 5, NBC News reported , The smartphone app that caused a significant delay in reporting Iowa caucus results suffered from technical and design flaws and appeared to have been rushed into use, according to cybersecurity experts who examined a version of the app that was made public.The app became the subject of widespread scrutiny after the Iowa Democratic Party said problems with reporting the caucus results were due partly to "coding issues" with the app , which was being used for the first time.The app was supposed to be the "preferred" method for caucus chairs to submit results, but only about a quarter did so, said Gerard Niemira, the CEO of Shadow Inc., which developed the app for the Iowa Democratic Party. The majority of chairs opted to call in, jamming understaffed hotlines. On Feb. 6, NBC News reported that, The Iowa Democratic caucus results are rife with potential errors and inconsistencies that could affect the outcome of the electionThe apparent mistakes spotted in at least dozens of the state's 1,711 precincts call into question the accuracy of the outcome of Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus, which was held Monday night. On Feb. 7, NPR reported that after the Iowa app problems, Nevada Democrats will not use the app for their caucuses In this New York Times opinion piece called, The App That Broke the Iowa Caucus Charlie Warzel called this episode a massive failure in the Democrats' attempt to win the Internet to beat Trump.But I want (to try) to take politics out of this discussion. Yes, the context of the Democratic caucuses in Iowa is political at the core with all the world watching election results closely. Nevertheless, despite the stage that was set for the bad app publicity, there are certainly potential lessons learned for all of us if we want to learn them. TechCrunch reported this: 'Honestly, there is no need to attribute conspiracy or call shenanigans on what happened with the new app during the Iowa caucuses, Dan McFall, chief executive at app testing company Mobile Labs, told me in an email. Its a tale that we have seen with our enterprise customers for years: A new application was pushed hard to a specific high profile deadline. Mobility is much harder than people realize, so initial release was likely delayed, and to make the deadline, they cut the process of comprehensive testing and then chaos ensues.Others say it was concern for security and a late a late patch that caused the chaos. This quote is from theThe reporting app that is getting a large share of the blame for the chaos surrounding Monday's Democratic caucus results was working until the national party required the installation of a security patch less than 48 hours before the first-in-the-nation contest, a recent member of the Iowa Democratic Central Committee said Thursday.The update is believed by some Iowa Democratic Party staffers to be the reason for a mismatch between the apps coding and the state partys computerized verification system that caused omissions in the results, said John McCormally, a former state Democratic staffer who was a member of the party's central committee until last year. Doug Jacobson, director of the Iowa State University Information Assurance Center, reviewed the app Thursday at the request of theHe said he believes a link that Iowa Democrats provided to caucus officials to download the smartphone app was on a site that had low security and was vulnerable to tampering. And he said instructions provided to users to help them troubleshoot problems were poorly written and hard to follow, setting the stage for various possible cascading failures.Others say a lack of training and group testing was to blame for the problems. The volunteers running the caucuses were not trained on how to use the new app that powered the entire process. The app wasn't included in the chair training that everyone was required to take," Zach Simonson, the Democratic Party chair in Wapello County, told The New York Times Training and technology experts agreed that not training people during a technology transition is almost always a fatal error. Corinne Jones, president of CJC Human Resource Services, said that skipping the training step during a transition is an expensive mistake."One more: wrote this article with a variety of concerns about Shadow, the company that built the app.No doubt, 99.9 percent of public- and private-sector app launch situations do not get nearly this amount of attention and Monday morning QB analysis. The global impact and one-of-a-kind interest in the Iowa Democratic caucuses in 2020 were so much higher than we typically see for governments or businesses.It (at least initially) appears that a strong concern for security led to last-minute patches that caused quality issues thatundermined the wider app functionality. As we have repeated numerous times in this blog, people, process and technology must be addressed from start to finish throughout the life cycle of any app development and deployment.And this reality cuts two ways. One would think that with so much at stake, all of these basic app development and security testing steps would have been double and triple-checked in Iowa. But it did not happen with the needed level of expertise.The sad truth is that various rollout problems occur more often than most people realize in government and business app development and rollout situations all over the world. Despite some critics who claim that an app was not even needed in this situation to count Iowa caucus votes, almost everyone wants an app for that, just as in this State Farm commercial.I hope this Iowa caucus app becomes a case study we can all learn from. The lessons from this failure can offer lemonade if public and private sector executives take notice and modify their app development processes to ensure quality is job #1 in all phases of the app life cycle (from design to upgraded versions). Vox reported that experts are worried the Iowa debacle could threaten the legitimacy of the entire election process:No, this Iowa caucus app failure situation was not the "Cyber 9/11" or "Cyber Pearl Harbor," which many have predicted in some cybersecurity circles. Most technology and security pros don't even consider it a cyberincident.Rather, it was an event that virtually no one expected, and fear of cyberincidents from 2016 events may have actually influenced the problems created or perhaps not. Regardless, it was a set of massive mistakes that included some combination of people, process and technology failures with significant ramifications that go far beyond the $60K that was paid for the app development.One irony is that a lack of testing and training for the app not only created performance issues and quality-control issues for the caucus reporting processes (by some accounts), but it also undermined the faith in wider election security in other states even though security was a major focus in the app development in the first place.Meanwhile, there are thousands of other apps being developed, tested and deployed globally in the public and private sector this year. Some impact personal safety, human lives, emergency management, sensitive data and more. Other apps do not, but could provide a backdoor to more critical apps or data. Regardless, tech executives and development teams should take note of mistakes made in this situation.Will CEOs, CIOs and CSOs do anything differently based upon what theyve read and learned from this Iowa app situation? I am not suggesting that all apps need the same level of review, but surely experts knew the importance of what was at stake in these Iowa caucuses.Will anything change in other essential business app rollouts?One final thought: At the urging of a friend, I recently watched the HBO mini-series called(The series is simply amazing and well worth watching.) Despite the horrific Chernobyl events and lives lost, thankfully, some change did occur as a result. When the story ends, the other nuclear reactors in Russia are fixed, and processes and training of staff improved, along with overall safety of their nuclear power plants.Although nowhere near as consequential as Chernobyl, I expect someone, somewhere, is already discussing the movie script/rights for this Iowa Democratic caucus app story. I expect to see more people, process and technology details emerging about what happened with the app well before the 2024 elections.But the initial question remains: What will we (CxOs, tech pros, government staff, business people, app developers, code testers, investors and cyber experts) learn and do differently as a result of what just happened with the Iowa Democratic caucus app? Above San Ramon, on Rocky Ridge atop Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, theres a rock wall where you might envision a hunter from 5,000 years ago hiding with a bow and arrow to ambush a deer. Its my favorite spot on Earth, said James Benney, one of a small group of explorers-historians who try to imagine the Bay Area as it was in the ancient days. You can sit and watch the sunset across the bay, the hills glowing in front of you. In these moments, Benney said he could visualize life among the ancients. I appreciate the fact that they had this culture here that worked for 10,000 years, Benney said. Across the East Bay hills and throughout much of the Bay Area, Benney and his group have found rock walls, formations and alignments, many that could date to ancient times. Our mission is to explore, discover, educate, protect, said Richard DeGraffenreid, who often teams up with Benney to explore Bay Area parks to locate ancient, historical structures. We enjoy discovering a world inhabited by our local Native Americans. Some of the walls and rock formations have less far-reaching origins. Spanish ranchers built many as property boundaries, they said. Chinese laborers built others when they cleared rocks to convert lands for agricultural or ranching use. At a ridge at Sunol Regional Wilderness, what looks like a rock fortress could have been an outlaws hideout from the 1850s, DeGraffenreid said. Many sites are a mystery, they agreed. If only these rocks could talk, is a saying shared by people curious about Bay Area history and its roots. Here are some of the more significant finds: Berkeley Mystery Wall, Tilden Regional Park: What some call the Berkeley Mystery Wall is located on the ridge above Tilden Regional Park. At first sight, it looks as if its purpose could have been for ranching or as a property boundary. A closer look reveals a crudely stacked alignment. There is nothing European or Chinese about the construction, Benney said. You look at it and you wonder, Who did it? How much work did it take? Why did they do it? Stone Corral, Morgan Territory: We believe this was an important Native American ceremonial site, Benney said, because further exploration found a likely village site and year-round spring in the area. Walpert Ridge rectangle, Garin Regional Park: On the ridge here, rocks are positioned to form a rectangle on a west-facing slope, visible for miles. The wall is not sufficient to contain ranch animals. With views across the South Bay, perhaps it was of ceremonial use, Benney said. His group explored the area, and from a distance, scanning property that was off-limits, found a rock alignment that was connected to a possible ancient village site. Clayton Ranch wall: At Clayton Ranch, a nature preserve on the north side of Mount Diablo, a stacked alignment of rock extends for a few hundred yards, and includes a square enclosure. This one is a real mind-bender, Benney said. The enclosure is obviously not corralling anything. What is it? We have no idea. Why would a western rancher take the time to build it, and if they did, for what? Sunol fortress, Sunol Regional Wilderness: Along a subridge above the Alameda Creek canyon, they found a series of rock enclosures with short, wide walls out of rocks. It looks like a hideout for a bandit during the Gold Rush, DeGraffenreid said. The rocks were put together like pieces of a puzzle, he said, which showed a rare skill for historic walls and likely dates to a more recent past than many other rock formations. Levin walls, Ed Levin County Park: Several extended rock alignments, likely are boundary markers for historic ranchers, DeGraffenreid and several other historians believe. Sierra Vista squiggly: In a mind-boggling find at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve above west San Jose, rocks are set in an extended squiggly formation, as Benney calls it, and has confounded all who have seen it. What possible purpose was this squiggly? Benney asked. Someone made this squiggly wall for a reason. We just dont know who or why. It looks real old. From what we can discern, theres no connection to Europeans, Spanish or Chinese. Sunol circles: Stone circles, rock alignments and cairns found in the interior of Sunol Regional Wilderness, are likely ancient prayer sites, Benney said. Montaras rock throne: On the west-facing flank of Montara Mountain at McNee Ranch, State Park Ranger Chet Bardo found a rock throne to take in a view of the Pacific Ocean. I go up there and take it all in, and think about those who came before, Bardo said. Benney said that he, too, has sat on that rock. I try to imagine what it was like to sit here 5,000 years ago, he said. Benney lamented that few Bay Area residents have a sense of the ancient culture that preceded them. He suggested that park districts, schools and communities highlight and teach the history of the Bay Areas first civilization. They should see what they are missing, Benney said. If people appreciated these sites, they would protect them. A long-standing dream of Benney, DeGraffenreid, researcher Robert Bardell and others would be to create a Volvon National Park in the East Bay hills to educate the public and identify and protect the sites. The new park, a vision more than a formal proposal, would connect parks, open space and watershed lands. Information is available at www.eastbayhillpeople.com. Some 200 years ago, the Bay Area was populated with 10,000 or more people, DeGraffenreid said. The Volvon tribe ruled Mount Diablo, a sacred peak for all who could see it, Benney said. Their shamans and medicine women were important to all the tribes that came to Mount Diablo to pray, and conduct ceremonies, rituals and trade.. The more we see out there, we keep finding growing evidence that these people were highly sophisticated. They had a culture, a society, a civilization. An appreciation for that is lacking in the Bay Area. Tom Stienstra is The San Francisco Chronicles outdoors writer. Email: tstienstra@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @StienstraTom This is moment a hotel collapsed into raging flood water as Storm Ciara unleashed her wrath across the country and wreaked travel havoc with 93mph gales. The Bridge House Guest House in Hawick, Scotland, was taped off at around 9.30am by emergency services after water began travelling up the embankment. Fire crews rushed to the scene after the water smashed into the building. Footage shows the exterior of the Scottish Borders hotel crashing into the torrents below, this morning. A large section of the guest house is seen tumbling into the murky water as Storm Ciara batters UK with more than 90mph winds and heavy rain. A kitchen and former stairway, lined with paintings, is revealed inside the subsiding building. The hotel was evacuated and no injuries were reported, Police Scotland told the Mirror. Bridge House Guest House in Hawick, Scotland, collapses into water as Storm Ciara batters UK with more than 90mph winds and heavy rain. The inside of the hotel can be seen from the above picture Hotel guests and staff were seen spilling on to the street as chiefs evacuated it. The building's foundations were partially washed away in the swollen River Teviot. An eyewitness, who was due to stay overnight at the guest house, was advised that his reservation was cancelled due to fears of the hotel's collapse. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) issued multiple warnings for the Borders after Britain's biggest storm in seven years swept into Scotland. A large section of the guest house is seen tumbling into the murky water and reveals a kitchen. It comes as Storm Ciara's wrath saw 140 flights cancelled and 214 flood warnings in place, today Around 900 properties were without power after the storm affected supplies in Mull and Lochearnhead in Perthshire. Passengers are being advised to check before travelling by several rail companies in Scotland and the United Kingdom, and to defer their plans until tomorrow. Violent winds helped crumble the Scottish hotel into the swollen River Teviot, earlier today. In Scotland, officials put in place a 40mph speed limit on the Queensferry Crossing, and ferry services were also cancelled Hundreds of tourists were left stranded as nearly 200 flights into and out of European airports were cancelled as Britain's biggest storm in seven years swept into Scotland, with snow predicted for tomorrow. A 40mph speed limit was put in place on the Queensferry Crossing, Scotland, and ferry services were also cancelled after a weather warning for gusts of up to 75mph was issued by the Met Office. Massive waves pound the harbour wall during the UK's biggest storm in seven years, in Saltcoats, Scotland, earlier today The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings for today (far left), and has also said that ice and snow are on the way for some parts of the country on Monday (middle) and Tuesday (far right) British Airways cancelled around 140 flights due to take-off and landing restrictions and Virgin Atlantic grounded a dozen long-haul departures. The storm wreaked havoc and saw a total of 214 flood warnings in place demanding immediate actions, with 177 alerts also suggesting that flooding is possible. Avanti, which runs services on the line from Scotland, northwest England and the West Midlands to London Euston, Tweeted: 'Journey times will be DOUBLED, please avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.' The CPI(M) on Sunday demanded that the government "lifts the veil" from the redevelopment plan for the Central Vista in Delhi, and said such a historical project should not be rushed. According to the plan, the government would redevelop the 3 km-stretch of the Central Vista spanning from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate with the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry saying that the entire project will be completed by 2024. On September 2 last year, the Centre had floated a request for proposal for the "development or redevelopment of Parliament Building, Common Central Secretariat and Central Vista." "The Politburo of the CPI(M) calls upon the BJP government to lift the veil from the proposed project of redevelopment of the Central Vista in Delhi. Apart from the citizens, it is the Parliament that will get most affected. "It is therefore imperative that the government discusses the details of the project in the ongoing budget session of Parliament. Such a historical and important proposal should not be rushed through," a statement from the party said. It said the Centre must know that the land in consideration for the Central Vista belongs to the people, and the government is just the custodian. "The Supreme Court has already laid it down in the 2G spectrum allocation case the precise definition of natural resources and the limits to the manner of government intervention. The government therefore cannot unilaterally decide on the project," the CPI(M) said. The Delhi Development Authority conducted a two-day public hearing on February 6 and 7 where a large number of urban planners, environmentalists and other sections of the society participated. The CPI(M) said there is a general and genuine concern of the citizens that the Central Vista project has been designed in an "ambiguous and hidden" manner. "It is the responsibility of the government to provide certain facts to Parliament and the public before going any further with the project," it said. The list of information that the CPI(M) demanded that the government provides to Parliament, included a list of "all buildings intended to be demolished in Central Delhi and in the vicinity of the Central Vista, list of new buildings to be built in Central Delhi and in the vicinity of the Central Vista, total cost of the entire project and its year-wise outlay". The party also sought to know the time which would be needed to reconstruct the Central Vista, the list of changes proposed to the Master Plan for the reconstruction and the total area that will be affected by the proposal. It also demanded to know whether environment impact assessment study has been carried out for the proposed project by an independent authority. "The re-development proposed for the construction of the Central Vista can not violate the existing master plan of Delhi without completing due processes provided by law. There is no information in the public domain about how the construction of the Central Vista will impact the heritage area of Delhi. "The CPI(M) demands that the government puts the project on hold and first discuss it in the Parliament as it concerns the reconstruction, redevelopment and expansion of the Parliament building which is unique to Delhi, country's capital," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Submit Concord, N.H. For Democrats, this was supposed be a moment to begin easing three years of built-up of anxieties. Instead, the launch of the 2020 presidential primary has left the party deeply unsettled and President Donald Trump gleeful about the chaos. Party leaders are on edge over embarrassing technical issues that marred last week's Iowa caucuses, as well as lower than expected turnout in the leadoff state. Front-runners Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg face questions about their long-term political viability, while some supporters of the two leading women left in the race Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota are raising alarms about what they view as persistent sexism. "It's a hard start," said Laura Keeler, a 35-year-old from Concord Indeed, it's far from the 2020 launchpad most Democrats envisioned as they eagerly anticipated their opportunity to take on Trump. The turbulent start to this election year has also crystallized the challenges confronting Democrats in trying to mount a formidable challenge to an incumbent backed by an energized and united Republican Party and fortified by a soaring economy. "We're capable of shooting ourselves in the foot," warned Jim Hodges, an ex-South Carolina governor who supports former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 race. Hodges is among those who predict that Sanders, a Vermont senator who is a self-described democratic socialist, would be a weak general election candidate. With one primary contest complete and the second scheduled for Tuesday in New Hampshire, some sorting of the Democratic field has begun. Though The Associated Press has been unable to declare a winner in last Monday's Iowa caucuses, Sanders and Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, Ind., emerged in an effective tie. Biden, the longtime national front-runner, finished a distant fourth in Iowa. He's now facing a money crunch, a staff shakeup and a looming challenge from billionaire Michael Bloomberg. The former New York City mayor isn't competing in the early states, but he is spending hundreds of millions of dollars in later contests. Sandwiched in between is Warren, who finished third in Iowa and is struggling for a breakout moment. Some Democrats argue that she's been discounted prematurely, and suggest sexism is at play. "We're going to decide after one night in which she placed third, and a strong third, we're going to decide there are four candidates left, one of whom finished fourth and one of whom wasn't even running in Iowa," said Christina Reynolds, vice president of communications at Emily's List. "It is sadly not surprising because unfortunately it's happened way too much in this campaign." Even with the technical glitches and delayed results, Iowa does appear to have rewarded Sanders and Buttigieg with a burst of momentum heading into New Hampshire. Both, however, face questions about their viability. Some party leaders privately view Sanders as a risky nominee in swing states, and for House and Senate candidates in places such as Colorado and Arizona. Sanders is attuned to that concern and has made an appeal for party unity a central part of his pitch in recent weeks. Buttigieg, the youngest candidate in the race at 38, has made a compelling case for generational change, but there are questions about his experience and his appeal to minority voters who are the backbone of the Democratic Party. He struggled in Friday's debate when challenged on the incarceration rates for black residents of South Bend, where he was mayor for eight years. It's the highest electoral office he's held. New Hampshire is the next chance for Sanders and Buttigieg to project strength. Expectations are particularly high for Sanders, who won the state by more than 20 percentage points in 2016 over Hillary Clinton, the eventual nominee. Sanders struggled in the later, more diverse states, and has spent the past four years courting voters and community leaders in those places in hopes of avoiding a repeat. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The prominence of Iowa and New Hampshire has long been criticized by Democrats who argue that two small and predominantly white states set the tone for the nominating contest. That criticism skyrocketed after last week's caucus failures. But no Democrat has become the nominee without winning at least one of the first two states since Bill Clinton in 1992. Biden is all but conceding that he will have to follow that same path if he is to become the nominee. After a disappointing fourth place finish in Iowa, Biden said in Friday's debate that he expects to take a hit in New Hampshire as well. After the Iowa debacle, Bloomberg's team announced plans to double the $300 million it already has spent on television advertisements, and campaign strategists are signaling that they expect Biden to crater in the coming weeks. "I don't think that, quite frankly, anyone that has not won one of those two states, other than Mike, will go on to be the nominee," said Kevin Sheekey, Bloomberg's campaign manager. Bloomberg is courting Biden donors for support, not money as well as moderate lawmakers who worry that Sanders or another liberal would put their House seats in swing districts at risk. In the past week, Bloomberg's team announced endorsements from New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who was also being pursued by Biden, and Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens. Both flipped Republican-held House seats in 2018. Bloomberg's eye-popping ad spending has caught the attention of Trump, who is closely following the Democratic race. The president regularly quizzes advisers about the strengths and weaknesses of his possible opponents, according to aides. For now, he's relishing what he views as a deeply flawed Democratic field and a political terrain that appears to be shifting in his favor. Heres something crazy to chew on the Cowboys trading Dak Prescott and signing Tom Brady to replace him. Its possible, according to former Cowboys star wide receiver Michael Irvin, who isnt exactly a well-established, reliable source of news ... so take this all with a grain of salt. Irvin brought up the possibility of a Prescott trade and Brady signing during an interview last week with Boston radio station WEEI. Irvin said he heard about this from very significant people during Super Bowl week in Miami, though he didnt specify who those people are. Heres some clarification from Irvin: I never said Jerry or anyone in the organization said this to me. It was NOT anyone with the @dallascowboys https://t.co/PYeHW6FNIw Michael Irvin (@michaelirvin88) February 9, 2020 Introducing Giants Extra: Sign up for a free trial now. Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text directly with reporters Prescott and Brady are pending free agents, so the Cowboys would have to franchise tag Prescott in order to trade him. And the team trading for Prescott (the Raiders? the Chargers?) would almost certainly need to have a long-term contract arrangement ready to go. Of course, its not a lock that the Cowboys could sign Brady to replace Prescott. (There are clearly a lot of moving parts here.) Brady, presuming he even leaves New England, is going to have options ... like the Raiders and Chargers. Would he deem the Cowboys the best option? Signing Brady would certainly be an all-in move for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who turns 78 in October and obviously isnt getting any younger, as he chases another Super Bowl title. And as with re-signing Prescott, signing Brady wouldnt be cheap for Jones. But hed be able to get some draft-pick(s) value in return for Prescott, with that tag-and-trade. Jones is nothing if not bold, so you cant fully rule out this Prescott/Brady scenario, even though it would require a lot of things lining up, in order for it to actually happen. Get Giants text messages from reporters: Cut through the clutter of social media and text directly with the Giants beat writers. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now for a free trial. NFL analyst Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. PARIS, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Two schools near a French ski resort where five Britons have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus will be shut next week as authorities try to determine with whom those infected had been in contact, a regional health official said. Eleven Britons, including the five who tested positive for the virus, are being examined in local hospitals. The group of 11 includes a nine-year-old child who recently spent time in a school in Contamines - a mountain village of which he was a also resident - as well as in another establishment where he attended French lessons, regional health official Jean-Yves Grall told a televised news conference. There were three children in all among the group of 11, and one has contracted the virus, Grall said. It was not immediately clear whether the nine-year-old in question had tested positive. (Reporting by Sarah White; editing by David Evans) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 17:35:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close XINING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- In the snow-covered Mongolian Autonomous County of Henan, a loudspeaker blasts out slogans in Chinese and Tibetan from a silver van slowly passing on the street: "To fight against the coronavirus, it is important to remember not to take off your masks when going out, and wash your hands frequently!" The county is in northwest China's Qinghai Province. Situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it has an average altitude of 3,600 meters above sea level. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, local authorities have enhanced the promotion of protection and prevention. "Me and 14 other volunteers have spent four hours every day doing promotion in both Chinese and Tibetan since Jan. 28," said county publicity official Tsering Gonpo. "So far we have given out more than 6,500 free medical masks and more than 20,000 pamphlets." "Guarding public health is our responsibility," said Tsering Gonpo. The local government has issued a letter to the public cautioning them about the epidemic while also reminding people how to avoid infections. The promotion has extended to vegetable markets, drugstores and even the houses of local herdsmen living deep in the grassland. To make the knowledge catchy and easy to understand, authorities created a three-verse doggerel based on local dialects and traditions. Do Gekyap, 56, lives in a small town in the county. Each day, he watches a Tibetan language news program on the local satellite television in real-time. The host of the program constantly tells the audience how to wear masks and how to wash their hands properly. "It is important to wear masks when we go out, and we need to form the good habit of handwashing," Do Gekyap said. Do Gekyap said he has been praying every day for the epidemic to end as soon as possible. "I hope that the patients will recover soon," he said. Amdo Satellite TV of Qinghai Broadcast Television is the only satellite TV service in China broadcasting in Amdo, a dialect of the Tibetan language. Since the virus outbreak, it has presented more than 270 related news items and shown more than 20 promotional videos about the virus. Its public account created 31 short videos on Chinese short-video sharing app Douyin, or TikTok, drawing more than 1.5 million clicks. "What we do is accurately translate the primetime news from the state and provincial TV and broadcast them in real-time," said Tenzin Tso, deputy head of the TV station. "We also show the latest government notices about disease prevention and control in the Tibetan language." Such bilingual promotion is spreading to countless households on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. "Many farmers and herdsmen can access such information on their mobile phones," said Tashi Dondrup, who edited the Tibetan version of a book on preventing the virus infection and protecting public health. "New forms of media have effectively spread the news." The book was based on the one compiled by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "The Tibetan version of the book was released on Feb. 2 in an electronic format and received a lot of views on WeChat and Douyin," Tashi Dondrup said. "It makes great sense to do bilingual promotion," said Feng Lingzhi, with the research center of Tibetan Buddhism in Qinghai Province. "It will help raise people's awareness against the coronavirus in Tibetan areas." This year, the international community will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the allied victory over the Third Reich. This date is extremely important for the entire civilized world, which suffered huge human and material losses. In fact, everything regarding World War II is of particular value to Russia's President Vladimir Putin. During his visit to Israel, he once again emphasized the need to preserve the memory of all victims of the War. There are various points of view explaining the Kremlins motivation. Liberal thinkers see Putin's emphasis as a tool he uses for manipulating Russia's population by offering an agenda of the past, instead of specific programs to improve the social and economic situation in the country. As for conservatives, they emphasize the moral side of the issue because the state is obliged to protect the legacy of victory as more than 20 million citizens died for it. In fact, Putin's careful and scrupulous attitude toward this topic can be explained by a complex of objective and subjective reasons. Firstly, there is an ideological aspect. The history of the Russian state is full of continuous wars of various forms and scales: from the struggle against the Tatar-Mongol yoke to the confrontation with the French Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte. Textbooks on Russian history pay attention to each of the military conflicts. This is done for one goal - to ensure the patriotic education of the following generations. The Great Patriotic War has special ideological value, playing a central role in the formation of national identity. The concept of Putinism assumes that the preservation of the country's territorial integrity (where more than 190 peoples of different origin, religion, and mentality live) is possible only if there is this solid historical memory of a common victory over Nazism. In other words, Russian citizens should be proud that regardless of narrow ethnic, religious and political convictions, their ancestors sacrificed their lives to destroy the global threat. Secondly, it is soft power. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, sixteen separate independent republics arose. For objective reasons (economy, security), some of them began to focus on Moscow (for example, Belarus and Armenia). Others (Georgia and Ukraine) headed for political, economic, military and civilizational integration with the West. Unlike the United States and European countries, Russia does not have an attractive model of soft power. For this reason, its entire strategy of keeping the former Soviet republics in its sphere of influence is based on the classic stick and carrot tool. A stick is the use of raw materials or military-technical dependence, and a carrot is loans (as a rule, they are given free of charge) and discounts on weapons and energy (oil and gas). In the struggle for the minds and hearts, the only non-resource-based mechanism is the common historical past, where victory in the Great Patriotic War takes the central place. Moscow actively supports events dedicated to commemorative events. For example, the Immortal Regiment when people with portraits of their relatives who died in the War go out on multi-million marches. The Kremlin also supports distributing the ribbon of Saint George that have been considered a symbol of victory since the days of the Russian Empire. The Kremlin reacts very nervously to any attempts of various post-Soviet countries to revise the Soviet stage of their history, including the elimination of monuments, renaming of streets and squares, heroization of personalities who, according to Moscow, fought against the USSR (there is strongly negative attitude towards the Ukrainian Stepan Bandera). It is also crucial for Putin to lobby this issue internationally. In addition to the personal moral side (his father took part in the War, and his older brother died in infancy in besieged Leningrad), World War II has a geopolitical significance for Putin. He is trying to convince the leaders of the great powers that breaking the balance of power in the world always leads to such tragic consequences as the War of 1939-1945. As an example, Putin emphasizes the pragmatism and wisdom of the leaders of the USA, the USSR, and Great Britain. Despite all the ideological contradictions, they managed to build the system of international relations that allowed the great powers to compete without crossing the red lines. Den Kalmyk, Ph.D., was a senior lecturer at Yale University and Oxford University. Image credit: Kremlin.ru // CC BY-SA 4.0 THIRTY Filipinos, including one infant, arrived at Clark Air Base from the virus-stricken city of Wuhan in China Sunday, February 9. The repatriates were immediately brought to the Athletes' Village in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac for the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the repatriates were brought home on board a chartered plane that landed at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base Sunday morning. A 10-member repatriation team accompanied them. The team included two representatives of the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai, three personnel of the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs (OUMWA), and five medical team members from the Department of Health (DOH). The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Beijing and the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai facilitated the operation. "This past week, two representatives from the Consulate General in Shanghai had to hurdle several border provinces clearances along their arduous two-day land travel to Wuhan City to coordinate with the Filipino community and the Foreign Affairs Office in Hubei province," the DFA said. Wuhan, the epicenter of a respiratory disease outbreak caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is in Hubei. The Philippine government had called on Filipinos in Hubei who wish to be repatriated to coordinate with embassy officials. The team from the DFA office in Manila flew into Wuhan Saturday night. (SunStar Philippines from PR) Roughly two dozen countries around the world have taken precautionary measures to stem the spread of the new coronavirus as the death toll continues to rise. Accounts emerging from China suggest that many more people in the country are dying of the disease than officially reported. Scientists continue to probe the origin of the virus. Refresh for updates. This page has updates from Feb. 9. For updates from Feb. 10, click here. 9 Family Members in Hong Kong Infected Nine members of a Hong Kong family have been infected with the novel coronavirus after sharing a hotpot meal at a restaurant last month, officials confirmed. Hong Kong health officials said Sunday that they ate the meal in late January. A 24-year-old man and his 91-year-old grandmother were confirmed to have the virus first, followed by the mans parents, cousins, and aunts, according to the New York Times and the South China Morning Post. The family was part of a gathering of 19 people who had the hot pot, which is a Chinese cooking method in which people add meat, vegetables, and other ingredients to a simmering pot of broth. They had gathered at the Lento Party Room in Kwun Tong on Jan. 19, said Chuang Shuk-Kwan, a Hong Kong health official, in a press conference. Most of the people who ate the meal showed no symptoms or minor ones, Chuang said. Were facing major difficulties in isolating the suspected cases and tracing those who had close contact with the confirmed patients, Chuang said in the Morning Posts report. Two relatives from mainland China attended the dinner before leaving Hong Kong last month. They are both seeking medical attention. Japan: 70 Coronavirus Cases on Cruise Ship Japans health ministry confirmed 70 coronavirus cases on Diamond Princess ship, which is being held in medical isolation off the coast of Yokohama. That includes one American woman in her 70s, who also lives in Hong Kong, who tested positive for the virus, reported NHK and Kyodo. The five other cases involved crew members, which include a Ukrainian man in his 20s, three Filipino men in their 40s, and a Filipino woman in her 20s, according to NHK. Reports have said that with the latest update, more than a dozen Americans who traveled on the cruise have been infected with the virus. The six people were taken to the hospital, the ministry told the broadcaster, but they added that none are seriously ill. More than 3,700 people are on board the ship, which is operated by Carnival-owned Princess Cruises. Schools in Hubei Province Will Not Reopen Until March Chinese state-run media Peoples Net reported on Sunday that all schools in Hubei Province, where large numbers have been infected, will be closed until at least March 1, citing the local education bureau. According to Taiwans government-run broadcaster Radio Taiwan International, at least 20 provinces and cities in Chinaincluding Shanghai, Chongqing, Shandong, Anhui, and Zhejianghave postponed school openings until the end of February or early March. Passengers and Crews on the World Dream Cruise Ship in Hong Kong Free to Go Hong Kongs Department of Health has lifted a quarantine on the World Dream cruise ship on Sunday, after all 1,814 crew members abroad tested negative for the coronavirus. Eight mainland Chinese passengers were infected during the cruises previous voyage. Hong Kong authorities thus ordered the crew members to be tested for the virus. The ship arrived in Hong Kong on Feb. 5 and was subsequently placed in quarantine. There were 1,800 passengers abroad the ship. Spain Reports One New Case Spains National Centre for Microbiology announced on Sunday that a British national has tested positive for the virus, according to Reuters. The Briton, his wife, and two daughters were taken into observation by authorities in the Spanish island of Mallorca after they came into contact with a French national infected with the virus. The other three family members have tested negative. Currently, Spain has two confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Miami Chinese New Year Festival Canceled A Chinese New Year Festival in Miami was canceled over coronavirus fears, said organizers. Due to the worldwide concerns regarding 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and our concern for the welfare and benefit of all our visitors, vendors, exhibitors, and sponsors, the 2020 Festival Committee has canceled the 2020 Chinese New Year Festival, organizers posted on Facebook. In order to stand with our global family throughout Asia we regret to announce that the 2020 Chinese New Year Festival has been canceled, organizers wrote on their website. We will be back in 2021 to celebrate the Year of the Ox. Foxconn to Resume Production Apple supplier Foxconn will resume operations after inspections are completed, according to the local government in Shenzhen, China, where the firm is based. Reuters reported that Chinese regime officials in Shenzhen, located near Hong Kong, will not block plans by Foxconn to resume. There have been reports that the company was blocked by Chinese officials amid the outbreak of coronavirus. South Korea Has 27 Confirmed Cases The Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on the evening of Feb. 9 that the country has two new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 27. The two new patients are family members of a 73-year-old female South Korean who had tested positive for the virus. One patient is a 51-year-old Korean male who visited southern Chinas Guangdong Province from November to Jan. 31. The other is a 37-year-old Korean female who also visited Guangdong around the same time period. Hong Kong Has 29 Confirmed Cases Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the territorys Communicable Disease Branch at the Centre for Health Protection, announced three more confirmed cases on Feb. 9, bringing the total to 29. Two of the new patients are a 24-year-old man and his grandmother. The man had a fever and cough on Jan. 30 and tested positive for the virus on Feb. 9. The new patients are among 19 people who took part in a family Barbecue in Hong Kong on Jan. 26 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Aside from the man and his grandmother, nine others who were at that Barbecue are also ill. Two among the 19 are from Guangdong Province in mainland China; one tested negative for the virus while the other is awaiting diagnostic results. The other new case involves a 70-year-old living in Ngau Chi Wan village, who did not travel outside of Hong Kong in the past two weeks. Taiwan and Malaysia Report New Cases Taiwans Centers for Disease Control announced Feb. 9 one new case of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total on the island to 18. The new patient, a man in his 20s, is the son of a couple who had earlier tested positive for the virus. The couple in their 50s tested positive on Feb. 6. According to Taiwanese media reports, the son and his parents recently took a trip to Italy, and had a stopover in Hong Kong before returning to Taiwan on Feb. 1. Meanwhile, a 67-year-old Chinese female tourist from Wuhan has tested positive for the virus in Malaysia, reported local newspaper The Star, according to a Feb. 8 announcement by the countrys health ministry. Currently, Malaysia has 16 confirmed cases of coronavirus, involving 12 Chinese nationals and four Malaysians. Chinas National Health Commission Gives Novel Coronavirus Temporary Name Chinas National Health Commission in a press conference on Saturday announced that it is assigning the novel coronavirus the temporary name of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia, or NCP for short. Chinese Officials Warn Coronavirus Spreading by Airborne Transmission Chinese health officials said at a press conference in Shanghai on Saturday that they have identified aerosols as one of the transmission routes for the deadly novel coronavirus. Officials cautioned family members of infected individuals to wear masks and keep a distance of at least one meter from the patient. The announcement came after Guangdong authorities discovered genetic material from the virus on the doorknob of a patients home. Jiang Rongmeng, an expert from Chinas top health oversight agency, the National Health Commission (NHC), recently said that current scientific data suggests that the new virus can survive on surfaces for several hours to up to five days. Researchers added during the press conference that they are now questioning whether the pathogen can spread through tainted food and water. Chinas NHC also announced that that is was assigning the virus the temporary name of novel coronavirus pneumonia, or NCP for short. Read more here. We Live in Fear Every Day: Wuhans Health Workers Prepare for the Worst Qinqin, a hospital worker in coronavirus epicenter Wuhan and single mother of an eight-year-old boy, tells The Epoch Times she has written a will in case anything happens to her as she works with her colleagues to fight off a mystery virus that has brought her city to a standstill. About 70 frontline medical workers at Qinqins hospital have contracted the virus, she said. One of her colleagues, a man just over 30 years old, collapsed on the ground while working on Feb. 5. He later tested positive for the coronavirus. Read more here. Singapore, South Korea Report New Cases Singapores Ministry of Health announced that as of 12 p.m. local time on Feb. 8, there were 40 confirmed cases of coronavirus, after the confirmation of seven additional cases in the island city. None of the seven new patientssix Singapore citizens and one permanent citizenhad a recent travel history to China. One patient, a 51-year-old male Singapore citizen, had traveled to Malaysia from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2. He began having symptoms of coronavirus on Jan. 29 and tested positive on Feb. 8. Another patient, a 40-year-old female Singapore citizen, had previously come in close contact with confirmed cases 19 and 20, and was subsequently placed under home quarantine on Feb. 4. She was tested positive three days later. The Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Feb. 9 one additional case of the novel coronavirus, bringing the national total to 25. The new patient, a 73-year-old female Korean, visited southern Chinas Guangdong Province from November 2019 to Jan. 31. New Jersey Clears 4 Suspected Cases New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced on Feb. 8 that all four passengers from the cruise ship docked in Bayonne have tested negative for coronavirus. After the evaluation at the hospital, the Center for Disease Control permitted the four individuals who arrived Friday via a cruise ship to be discharged, Murphy said in a statement. All four passengers from the cruise ship docked in Bayonne tested negative for novel coronavirus. New Jersey currently has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and the risk to residents remains low. For more information on novel coronavirus visit: https://t.co/XoWMvzv6Rv pic.twitter.com/iEVHJaskpR Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 9, 2020 The Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Anthem of the Seas, docked in Bayonne on Feb. 7. After screening, 23 were cleared but four were sent to a nearby hospital for further testing. Murphy added: New Jersey currently has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and the risk to residents remains low. For updates from Feb. 8, click here. From The Epoch Times A 26-year-old man from Pune in Maharashtra, who recently returned from Philippines via Hong Kong and Singapore, was on Saturday evening admitted in the quarantine facility Pune: A 26-year-old man from Pune in Maharashtra, who recently returned from Philippines via Hong Kong and Singapore, was on Saturday evening admitted in the quarantine facility for suspected novel Coronavirus infection. The man developed symptoms like bodyache and weakness on 7 February, an official of the civic-run Naidu Hospital informed. "New admission after 7:00 pm. 26/m Pune resident who had stayed in Philippines for 28 days and transit at Hong Kong and Singapore before his arrival in India on 2/2/2020," reads a message sent to PTI by the official. Since 18 January, a total of 35 patients were admitted to isolation wards at hospitals in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar and a few other cities. Samples of 30 of these patients tested negative for the virus, while reports of five others were yet to be received from Pune-based National Institute of Virology, an official statement had said. Of the total 18,084 passengers screened at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai since 18 January, a total of 140 passengers had returned from the coronavirus-hit areas. No confirmed case of coronavirus infection has been found in Maharashtra. A gang of illegal immigrants have been caught trying to flee the United Kingdom over fears about how they will be treated after Brexit. The 33 runaways were found on Monday hiding in a lorry in Calais, France by shocked border force guards after clambering aboard at Dover. But despite their efforts to escape the country, 31 of the group 27 men and four women are now back in the UK and being held in immigration centres. Under a reciprocal agreement, France is able to return asylum seekers who are facing criminal charges in the UK or who have already applied for asylum here. The 33 runaways were found on Monday hiding in a lorry in Calais, France (file image) by shocked border force guards after clambering aboard at Dover Chris Hobbs, a former special branch officer in border control with the Metropolitan Police, said the incident was 'highly unusual' Their attempt was described as 'very rare' by police and charity workers. Ordinarily, illegal immigrants are caught trying to get into the UK - and on Friday last week a record 102 migrants attempted to cross the English Channel. But in this 'highly unusual' move, these illegal immigrants were desperate to leave the UK as 'they were worried their rights would be curtailed' after Brexit. A source told the Sunday People: 'They were found in a lorry and told security that they were leaving because they feared how they would be treated post-Brexit.' The group had sneaked on to a container truck which then boarded a Danish-owned DFDS ferry from Dover. They were caught after the lorry was stopped at a checkpoint in Calais after leaving the boat. Chris Hobbs, a former special branch officer in border control with the Metropolitan Police, said: 'This is highly unusual. 'It could be that they think the asylum regime is going to be harsher once we leave the EU.' The group had sneaked on to a container truck which then boarded a Danish-owned DFDS ferry from Dover (pictured, file image) But despite this group's attempts to leave the UK, British border force officers are battling to keep borders secure amid increased attempts to get into the country. Five inflatable boats carrying individuals claiming to be from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria were picked up by Border Force on Friday. Nine of the migrants managed to get to a beach in Kent where they were detained by police. The 102 migrants - who included seven children - are believed to be a new record for a single day. The crossings come after 90 people were picked up on Thursday and as the UK braces for winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain when Storm Ciara hits this weekend. A Border Force boat returns to Dover, Kent, carrying people thought to be migrants on Friday A 'boatload' of suspected migrants were arrested by police after landing on Mermaid Beach in Folkestone, Kent on Friday. A spokesperson for Kent Police told MailOnline the group had been handed over to the Home Office Across the Channel, French authorities also detained 'around 30 people'. The English Channel is the world's busiest shipping lane, with 500 to 600 ships passing through the narrow strait every day. Hundreds have already crossed this year, despite Home Secretary Priti Patel promising a clampdown on crossings just months ago. Millions of pounds have been pumped into security measures to stop migrants getting into Britain, including drones and coastline patrols. At least 180 migrants tried to cross from the continent to Britain between January 20 and January 26, according to figures from UK and French authorities, despite repeated official warnings about the dangers of making the trip in small boats. Washington: Two US service members were killed and six others injured when an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on them, the US military said on Saturday. The incident, which took place in Nangarhar province, occurred after a combined US and Afghan force was returning from a "key-leader engagement," Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement. A man waves an Afghan flag during Independence Day celebrations in Kabul, Afghanistan in August last year. Credit:AP "We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time," Leggett added. Last July, two US service members were killed by an Afghan soldier in the southern Kandahar province. The shooter was wounded and arrested. In September, three US military personnel were wounded when an member of the Afghan Civil Order Police fired on a military convoy, also in Kandahar. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Telecommunications firm MTN Group, said it would invest $1.6 billion in Nigeria after it resolved a legal case with the government. In a statement issued late on Wednesday, the company said it planned a capital investment program of $1.6 billion, or roughly 580 billion naira, over three years in its network and operations in Nigeria. Earlier this month, Nigeria's attorney general said he had withdrawn a $2 billion tax demand against MTN. (Reporting Olivia Kumwenda in Johannesburg, writing by Libby George; editing by David Evans) Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his righteous anger at the Poles for having failed to celebrate their liberation by the Soviet forces at the end of the Second World War. Symbolically, he anchored his narrative on Auschwitz. This is not only the most recognizable of all German Nazi death installations, but happens to be the pivot of worldwide Holocaust commemorations at Yad Vashem in Israel. Yet, Putins claims about the liberation are plainly wrong. A Soviet wartime camera operator captured a heart-wrenching scene at Auschwitz on Jan. 27, 1945. A group of children pushes rather boisterously between two rows of barbed wires toward freedom. Most of the little ones, if not all, are Jewish. They were victims of SS Dr. Josef Mengeles infamous experiments, which included horror-tests on twins. Among their chaperones, walking them out to freedom, we see a few Red Army men. However, most adults accompanying the twins are women: some wear the unmistakable garb of Catholic nuns In this video, you can see them at the 45 second point; and in a lengthier version at 48:33; another one starts with the children and a glimpse of the nuns, and then shows the nuns again at 9:32). Aside perhaps for serving to boost the false image of a religiously tolerant Uncle Joe Stalin, the presence of the nuns in a Soviet propaganda film should be baffling. On a second thought, however, it is a clear, if inadvertent, proof that the Red Army was completely unprepared for what awaited its soldiers at Auschwitz. The secret police, the dreaded NKVD, knew the gory secret of the extermination camp, but it failed to brief the regular troops what they were about to encounter. The SS guards left earlier. By Jan. 21, the Germans had herded all prisoners who could drag themselves along and chased them westward. The remnant of the inmates consisted of human wrecks on the threshold of death. They could not be forced to walk, and, as their deaths were judged imminent, the SS did not bother to murder them. To liberate means to bring liberty. Stalin had no such intentions. Indeed, the Soviet dictator brought death, destruction, and, then, slavery to any place unfortunate enough to have fallen to the Red Army. One can shrug and conclude that the Germans and their satellites and collaborators had it coming: Bulgaria, Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and others in central and eastern Europe. However, the United States did not enslave France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, and Denmark, nations that to varying extents rallied to the banner of the Third Reich. Arguably, more western and northern Europeans perished fighting in the ranks of the Waffen-SS for Germany than in the underground against it. What about Poland? Poland was the first to fight. It resisted at home and abroad, on land, sea, and in the air. It sustained the highest ratio of casualties of the Allied countries: about 6 million citizens perished, including 3 million Polish Jews, and 11 million were deported, displaced, or otherwise lost their domiciles. Poland could have collaborated with the totalitarians but it refused to. It had a non-aggression treaty with the USSR in 1932, and a similar one with Germany of 1934. Both wooed the Poles, but Warsaw firmly turned Berlin and Moscow down, no matter how hard either Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany tried to secure the Polish participation on either side. Paradoxically, Polands stubborn inflexibility paved the way to rapprochement by the National Socialists and Communists. When Hitler and Stalin signed their own non-aggression pact on August 23, 1939, that was the green light for the Second World War. They jointly attacked and partitioned Poland in September 1939. And then they quarreled. Hitlers armies invaded Stalins realm on June 20, 1941. The United States and Great Britain recognized belatedly that having Beelzebub destroy Mephistopheles comes at a price: the Kremlins Prince of Darkness spread his brand of totalitarianism across the eastern part of Europe, which Allied leaders blessed at Yalta. This is a pretty straightforward story and it should be airtight. Unfortunately, the story is largely unknown. In contrast, the Soviet story, however, which historian Norman Davies once dubbed The Allied scheme of history is well-known. It has been around for decades. Simply, it is war-time Soviet mendacity boosted by Allied propaganda about Uncle Joe Stalin. To drive his point home, Putin has revived war-time Soviet narrative about the alleged Polish fascists and anti-Semites, Polish collaborators of Hitler, Polish participants in the Holocaust, and other such canards. The master of the Kremlins job is made easier because since the Second World War Stalins disinformation construct has ensconced itself in Western imagination. For years, familiar variations of Stalins propaganda has oozed from the pages of The New York Times and other media outlets. They are ubiquitous in Americas subconscious and its intelligentsias so-called store of knowledge. More, they are treated as holy verities, unquestioned. However uncomfortable Putin makes the Left feel about other things, such as LGBT, as far as the Second World War the Russian leader suavely feeds into the prejudices in the West that were originally planted by Moscow over 75 years ago to besmirch the Poles. This was Stalins greatest coup in his quest for an alibi for having enslaved the Wests greatest war-time Ally: Poland. At the same time, in a sick Orwellian twist, Stalin convinced everyone that he actually liberated her. All Putin has to do is repeat the same story. And he does so with a gusto and an apparent success. Much of it is for domestic consumption. Anti-Polonism fuses with anti-Catholicism and that always boost ones popularity in post-Orthodox Russia. But the message is also for the West. It continues to disinform in a Komintern-sanctified fashion to disparage Poland and the Poles, in particular the Catholic ones. Consider Auschwitz. To deflect the attention from his own crimes, Stalin purveyed a lie about 4 million victims of the camp. In fact, 1.5 million died, including 1.3 Jews, most of them gassed at the nearby Birkenau death chambers. But there were also some 75,000 Polish Catholic victims. How many in the West have heard of that? How many know that Auschwitz was first created as a concentration camp for Polish Christian political prisoners in 1940? How many are familiar with Captain Witold Pilecki, whose ideal was to imitate Christ, and who, on a reconnaissance mission from the underground, volunteered to be arrested by the German police to be brought to Auschwitz, set up a secret resistance organization in the camp, escaped after two years, and then was the first to inform the world about this atrocity, including the extermination of the Jewish people? Who understands that St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, a Franciscan, willingly chose to die in the place of another prisoner slated to be executed by the SS? How many people in the West have heard about the conversion of Auschwitz to a Communist concentration camp after 1945? Probably even fewer than have spotted the Catholic nuns at Auschwitz in the 1945 Communist propaganda documentary. Before we can claim anyone has liberated us, we must remember that, first and foremost, only The Truth Shall Set Us Free. And the Truth will hurt because it usually entails ripping apart our existing prejudices. That includes the story of Auschwitz, pace Vladimir Putin. Marek Chodakiewicz is a professor and historian. Image credit: AFP shareable screen shot via YouTube Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 22:01:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's fast-growing aviation industry is playing its part in facilitating the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak. China's civil aviation authorities are active in directing and coordinating the country's airliners and aviation enterprises to join efforts in fighting against the virus, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Chinese aviation companies are bringing advantages in fast and high-quality transportation, as well as the expanding fleet and networks. They are active in carrying medical personnel, bringing back stranded Chinese back home from overseas and deliver emergency supplies to the virus-hit regions. As of Feb. 8, a total of 13 Chinese airliners had sent 72 flights in emergency missions of carrying more than 9,500 medical personnel and 370 tonnes of supplies to support Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in central China's Hubei Province. The country's major civil aviation players are injecting larger airplanes and adding new routes to ensure the in-time transport of medical team and emergency supplies. On Feb. 7, Air China, the country's flagship carrier, sent 668 medical personnel and 28 tonnes of emergency medical supplies with two charter flights to Wuhan. SF Airlines, China's largest air cargo carrier, added multiple domestic and international routes and put into service all models of its all-cargo freighters in response to diversified emergency air transport demands. The country's burgeoning general aviation sector is also playing unique roles in fighting against the epidemic, thanks to the diversified functions of general aviation vehicles including helicopters, unmanned vehicles and small-and-medium general airplanes. Various general aviation vehicles demonstrated their skills in delivering emergency supplies, conducting aerial patrol, spraying disinfectant, and carrying out public education, among others. The general aviation branch of China Air Transport Association asked its member enterprises to make the most of advantages of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in remote-control and flexible flight. In Hangzhou of east China's Zhejiang Province, UAVs are patrolling over densely-populated communities, reminding citizens to keep physical protection and conducting the automatic body temperature detection. In Lanzhou of northwest China's Gansu Province, the UAVs are conducting disinfection in hospitals, office buildings, communities and public places, greatly saving the labor and contributing to the epidemic prevention. Buffeted by growing ennui over rising house prices, particularly among young voters, Leo Varadkar, the Indian-origin prime minister of Ireland and his party Fine Gael were facing a stiff challenge as counting of votes began on Sunday after the February 8 election. An exit poll commissioned by Irish national broadcasters RTE and TG4, The Irish Times and University College Dublin, suggested that Fine Gael was on track to secure 22.4% of first preference votes, closely followed by Sinn Fein (22.3%) and Fianna Fail (22.2%). An exit poll in Ireland comes with more than usual caution, because its elections are held under the proportional representation voting system, in which voters write 1 opposite their first choice candidate, 2 against their second, 3 for their third choice, and so on. The exit poll was released after voting was confined to the first preference votes. Final results will be known later in the week, when talks between contending parties are expected to last days or weeks, before a coalition government is formed. However, indications from counting booths suggest a remarkable performance by Sinn Fein, the political wing of the Irish Republic Army during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. It has attracted many young voters, who have little memory of the violence and terrorism. Sinn Fein is likely to emerge as the king-maker, if not the single largest party, since it fielded only 42 candidates. There are 515 candidates in 39 constituencies and 160 members of parliament. The outgoing speaker, Sean O Fearghail, has been automatically re-elected, which means the majority mark for the 159-member parliament is 80. Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have committed themselves not to enter into a coalition with Sinn Fein, but there are already reports of Sinn fein being contacted by rival parties. Sinn Fein is the second largest party in Northern Ireland, but it has never posed a challenge to the two main parties in Ireland: Fine Gael and Fiana Fail. To that extent, the expected tied result is seen as a major shift in Irelands electoral politics. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Phillip Schofields eldest daughter yesterday revealed her pride at her fathers decision to come out as gay. Molly, 27, wrote on Instagram: Love you always, so proud of you. Her words accompanied a picture of her with her father, her mother Stephanie and her younger sister Ruby, 24, while on a family holiday in Portugal. The Mail on Sunday has learned that Fridays announcement followed a frenzied 24 hours for ITV, during which a carefully orchestrated plan was put in motion to ensure his coming out went without a hitch. Rumours have circulated within the showbusiness world that the announcement may have been prompted by an approach to Schofield from a media organisation. This was said to have led to discussions between the TV presenter, his representatives, ITV head of daytime Emma Gormley and This Morning editor Martin Frizell. It is understood those present were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent damaging leaks. Supportive: Phillip Schofield's daughter Molly, 27, has taken to Instagram to throw her support behind her dad after he came out as gay on Friday. Rumours have circulated within the showbusiness world that the announcement may have been prompted by an approach to Schofield from a media organisation. On Thursday morning, Frizell, a workaholic, was notably absent from the daily ideas meeting he usually leads. Production executives began to suspect something was afoot and later overnight staff were told to cancel a number of guests booked to appear on the following mornings programme, due to be presented by Friday hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes. She is said to have a particularly close relationship with the This Morning presenter and last year began working as his agent. Schofield last night admitted he had known that he was gay for a while, but said it wasnt something he had considered when he married wife Steph in 1993. In an interview with the Sun on Sunday, the This Morning host said: I admit I was perhaps a bit naive. But when we got married it was a joyous time and it wasnt a consideration in my head... Tough times: Sharing the post with her 44,500 followers, the talent manager penned: 'Love you always, so proud of you', while tagging her dad over a picture of the duo alongside her mum Steph and her sister Ruby, 24. It is understood those present 24 hours before the announcement were asked to sign non- disclosure agreements to prevent damaging leaks I was confused by what it was. I thought maybe I was bisexual. But over time I realised and started coming to terms with it. And I realised I had to be honest with myself. During his television revelation on Friday, Schofield, 57, paid tribute to his family, saying: My family have held me close. They have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion. Happy days: Speaking about telling his daughters, he said: 'It wasn't easy [telling my daughters]. But they are so amazing in their love and support. They jumped up and gave me a hug, a big hug, a long hug' He told the Sun on Sunday it was too early to say if he and his wife will remain married. It has taken me a long time to get here. I am not rushing to get to any other place, he said. He declined to say if he was in a relationship with a man, or had been in the past, adding: Steph and I have agreed to keep our private life private. But it was when Frizell, husband of former GMTV host Fiona Phillips, arrived from his home in Wandsworth, South-West London, earlier than normal at 6.45am on Friday and looking tired that This Mornings behind-the-scenes team guessed they were in for a different kind of day. It is understood Frizell had toiled until the early hours ensuring that Schofields Instagram and Twitter posts announcing his coming out issued to coincide with his televised revelation were word perfect. He also worked on the interview with Schofield that co-presenter Holly Willoughby was preparing to conduct, post announcement. The only other party who knew of the plans except Schofields family was the 30,000-per-month crisis management firm Phil Hall Associates who he instructed to work on his behalf three months ago when allegations of bullying by Schofield which he angrily denied began to circulate. Frizells next job was to call Langsford and Holmes, who according to close friends were expecting their once-a-week presenting slot to be no different from any other. They were let into the circle of trust just after 7am via their mobiles as they travelled to work. An hour and a half later, staff were said to be stunned when Willoughby and Schofield unexpectedly arrived in the studios. Schofield went on to make his announcement, and then the two This Morning pairings embraced on camera. For the first time in a career that has spanned more than three decades, golden boy of television Schofield has in recent months seen his name tarnished by accusations of being difficult to work with. There were rumours of a fall-out with Willoughby, while Ms Langsford reportedly made an official complaint against him. ITV denied all claims. Tomorrow though, ITV staff are expecting a ratings boost when Schofield and Willoughby return to their presenting duties. Additional reporting by Greg Murphy Met Eireann has issued an orange wind warning for parts of the west and north tomorrow as strong winds associated with Storm Ciara are forecast to continue into tomorrow. Very strong westerly winds are forecast in coastal areas with mean speeds of 65-80km/h and gusts generally between 110km/h and 130km/h will affect Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry. The warning said that a combination of spring tides and high seas would result in a significant risk of coastal flooding. It is valid from 6am until 8pm tomorrow. Snow and ice expected to impact road conditions All road users are being warned to prepare for snow and icy conditions this week, after a weekend of high winds and lashing rain. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said that as well as snow there is a significant risk of icy patches, causing treacherous driving conditions. Snowfall accumulations are expected to affect the west and north of the country, particularly on higher ground, but snow is possible at lower levels into Tuesday. The RSA is advising motorists to remove all snow from their vehicles before starting a journey. Drivers need to slow down in snow and icy conditions and be on guard to the potential danger caused by hailstones. If you encounter hailstones, reduce your speed, without breaking if possible. Warn other drivers by using your hazard warning lights, the RSA advises. Driving slowly in a high gear will help your tyres maintain grip even as your tyres move over the compacted pellets of snow. Met Eireann has issued a yellow snow/ice warning for Ireland for Monday and Tuesday. Colder air from Canada began to spread across the country as Storm Ciara moved away bringing scattered wintry showers on Sunday night. While the snow showers may develop anywhere in the country they will occur chiefly in parts of the west and north, with some accumulations possible. Some disruption to travel is possible, particularly over higher routes, Met Eireann warned. The windy conditions that the country has experienced over the last few days will persist and, coupled with the colder air, it will feel bitterly cold, with the significant wind chill. Meanwhile, there were power outages, flooded roads and fallen trees across Ireland in the wake of Storm Ciara. An estimated 10,000 homes, farms and businesses were left without power at the height of the storm. Counties in the west and south, including Co Waterford, Clare and Galway, were among the worst affected. The opening ceremony of Galway's year as European Capital of Culture on Saturday was cancelled due to weather conditions. The fire lighting spectacle had been expected to draw thousands of spectators. Organisers said the decision had been made in the interests of public safety. Passengers using Cork Airport were advised to check the status of their flight as some cancellations and delays occurred across their networks. However, a spokesperson said that Cork Airport itself remained fully operational throughout the storm. CLEVELAND, Ohio The Shanghai office of Cleveland-based Jergens, Inc. has been eerily silent for about two weeks after government measures there, aimed at curtailing the novel coronavirus, caused commerce in many parts of China to slow. Phones dont ring at your order desk, said Jack Schron, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the manufacturing company headquartered in the Collinwood neighborhood. Sales and support staff have been told that they have to work from home. Even if we get orders, we cant fill them. We dont have warehouse operations. But Schron isnt alarmed yet. He is more concerned about the next few weeks. Business is usually slow during the Chinese New Year holiday, which the government extended until Sunday, Feb. 9, in hopes of containing the new virus spread. Schron, like most with business interests in China, will be waiting to see how long it takes for things to return to normal. The potential for Ohio residents to suffer economic impacts from coronavirus probably far outweighs any health risks. Because of globalization, many Ohio companies rely on China, either for products or sales. If the Chinese economy is impaired long enough, Ohios economy could suffer too. Many companies operating in Ohio, including those in the auto industry, rely on parts from China for products produced here. Others, like Jergens, which makes clamping and work-holding systems and precision electric screwdrivers, export to China. Jergens setup its Shanghai office, which has nearly 20 employees, to sell products made at its Cleveland and Chicago plants. Ohio received about $13 billion in Chinese imports in 2018, more than from any country, according to the Ohio Development Services Agency. These included industrial machinery, vehicle parts and apparel. Ohio sent $3.6 billion in exports to China in 2018, including transportation equipment, chemical and agricultural products, according to the Office of the United State Trade Representative. Ohio only exported more to Canada and Mexico. If coronavirus impacts Chinas economy for a month or more, there is a good chance Ohios economy could be affected, said Oded Shenkar, a global business management professor and expert on China at The Ohio State Universitys Fisher College of Business. Ohio is the 11th largest importing state, which adds to its vulnerability. The Chinese economy is a substantial part of the global economy, 17% or so, he said. If it slows down considerably, it's a huge disruption, sooner or later, to everyone. Should Chinas slowdown continue until the end of February, global Gross Domestic Product could be reduced by 0.8% in the first quarter, according to an analysis by IHS Markit. This economic impact would be greater than with the SARS outbreak in 2003, when China had the worlds sixth largest economy, the analysis found. Now, it ranks second. Since then, more of the U.S. auto supply chain has shifted to China, said Susan Helper, a professor at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and an expert on the globalization of supply chains. Often small components, such as sensors, are made abroad. Their absence is great enough to shut down Ohio auto production, she said. Ten, and even five years, ago we made a lot of those products here, Helper said. Then the work moved to China. The U.S. doesnt now have the capacity, in the short term, to tool up and start making those things again. Wuhan, the center of the coronavirus outbreak, is home to many auto plants, including those making parts used in the U.S. General Motors has a plant there. Wednesday, GM Mary Barra described things at the plant as being a very fluid situation, during an investor conference, according to CNN.com Ford Motor Co. has operations in China, but not in Wuhan. We are monitoring the situation very closely. At this time, our plants are operating as scheduled, said a Ford spokeswoman in an email. Shifting production from China to countries such as Vietnam or Cambodia isnt feasible because they probably cant handle the volume, OSUs Shenkar said. He said many Ohio businesses that rely on products from China probably wont be able to go long before needing new shipments because of the popularity of Just in Time inventory, a strategy of receiving goods as they are needed. Schron doesnt want to experience any economic fallout from coronavirus, but he said Jergens could probably weather it. The company doesnt rely on parts from China for production, which Schron said could give Jergens an advantage over competitors, should coronavirus impact increase. Also, China isnt Jergens only market. We have plenty of market in the United States and plenty of market in India, but ignoring the market in China wouldnt be right, he said. There are more than a billion people, and they can buy an awful lot of product. Even Ohio companies more dependent on trade with China are being attentive, but not anxious about, coronavirus impact, says Jamie Karl, a managing director at the Ohio Manufacturers Association. Anytime there is uncertainty with a market of that size, there is reason for concern, he wrote in an email. As of now, the only notable impacts weve heard from members are those concerning business travel to China. However, should the situation deteriorate, it will affect Ohio companies using Chinese inputs, as well as those selling to Chinese customers and this would have a noticeably negative effect on Ohios overall manufacturing economy. We are continuing to monitor the situation. Pierre David, a professor at Baldwin Wallace University School of Business and an international logistics expert, said U.S. companies have tended to be guarded in their reactions to coronavirus, an approach that could have economic implications. He used the example of airlines halting flights between the U.S. and China. Also, he knows of Ohio companies stopping shipments from China, fearing that they could be contaminated by coronavirus, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is likely very low risk of spreading coronavirus in this manner. They are acting very, very cautiously, David said. A company cannot be faulted for having too strong of a reaction, but they could easily be faulted if they didnt react soon enough, early enough or broadly enough. Though many companies may risk financial woes because of coronavirus, some will profit. These could include those making face masks, hand sanitizers and other products people perceive as helping prevent the spread of the virus. Akron-based GOJO, which makes Purell hand sanitizer, is among them. We believe we are in a strong supply position and are working with our customers to ensure they have the products they need, wrote a GOJO spokeswoman in an email. The Food and Drug Administration recently issued the company a warning, however, saying that it had made unsubstantiated claims about the product possibly lessening the potential for infection from flu and other illnesses. Jergens Schron said not relying on Chinese-made components may work in his companys favor as manufacturers, who do, may not be able to meet demand. Its going to actually open up an opportunity for us if coronavirus continues for months and months, he said. Read more: Ohios minimum wage ranks near bottom among states with rates higher than federal minimum Janitors union says Sherwin-Williams shouldnt get public funding for new HQ, worries about lost jobs Spectrum hiring for 70 customer-service jobs in Garfield Heights Ohio unemployment rate 4.2% for December; state gained 9,800 jobs Labor union membership down in Ohio, U.S. in 2019: Labor Department ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday he is seeking a seat for Canada on the powerful United Nations Security Council because it is where the world's most pressing issues are debated. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday he is seeking a seat for Canada on the powerful United Nations Security Council because it is where the world's most pressing issues are debated. Trudeau spent his second full day in Africa at a working lunch with some Ethiopian female business owners and in one-on-one meetings with leaders from Nigeria, Somalia, Mauritius and Madagascar. He attended a formal dinner for the African Union summit Saturday night, after meeting with five others and delivering two speeches on the margins of the summit. While Trudeau said this trip is aimed at moving Canada's relationship with Africa to new heights, including more economic partnerships and business ties, he acknowledged Canada's campaign for one of the 10 non-permanent seats on the Security Council is one of the reasons for the visit. Canada is up against Norway and Ireland for two spots on the council in a vote that will take place in June. There are 54 African members of the United Nations, more than one-fourth of the potential votes for the Security Council's seats. Canada lost its bid for a seat in 2010, partly due to lacklustre African support. "The UN Security Council is a place where the biggest issues facing our world are debated, discussed and advanced," Trudeau said. "Having a Canadian voice at that table is important for Canadians but also for countries around the world who share our values, who share our concerns, who share our perspective on the world." But not all African nations are on the same page as Canada on at least one issue: human rights. Trudeau has been noticeably quiet or vague about the matter on this trip so far, said Alice Musabende, a Canadian doctoral student in international relations specializing in Africa's international relations. She said she thinks it's because he didn't want to upset any leaders as he is campaigning for their votes. "I think this whole trip really was prepared as a way to not put human rights and good governance front and centre of these discussions," said Musabende. Trudeau said Canadians are used to seeing him talk about human rights "wherever we go around the world" and Africa was no different. "In all of my conversations with every leader we've talked about human rights," Trudeau said. But he did not do it publicly. Other than one mention of "LGBTQ issues", Trudeau didn't list human rights as something to discuss in any of the brief photo opportunities he held before all nine one-on-one meeting with African leaders over the last two days. He did meet with some whose governments have been criticized by international groups like Amnesty International for their human rights records, including the leaders of Rwanda and Egypt. Rwandan President Paul Kagame changed the constitution to allow him to run for more terms in office, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's government has been criticized for arbitrarily detaining people, torture and extrajudicial killings. Canadian engineer Yasser Albaz has been detained in Cairo for a year after he was arrested at the airport at the end of a business trip. He has not been charged with anything. Trudeau said he raised the case with el-Sisi in their private meeting. Musabende said African leaders will surely welcome the economic partnerships, climate change co-operation and women's empowerment programs Trudeau talked about constantly but she said those can't happen without human rights being on the table. "If you're going there and you're going to be partnering with an entire continent where you still have some presidents who are changing, in a constitutional way, their terms to stay in power, or you talking with people who have abused human rights of their citizens and you are Canada, pretty much the flag bearer of human rights, how do you not say who you are and what you really stand for," she said. Trudeau and his cabinet ministers repeatedly said over the weekend that they believe their partnerships and relationships with Africa are stronger than ever and that their government has been working hard to make them even better over the last four years. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Trudeau pointed to investments in peacekeeping and peace building, and said almost half Canada's spending on development goes to sub-Saharan Africa. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, who is in Africa with Trudeau, said thus far the leaders he has spoken to believe Canada embodies the same values about climate change, multilateralism, and economic security they do. "So far, I must say what I've heard from African leaders is that they certainly welcome Canada on the Security Council," he said. Antoine Chevrier, Canada's ambassador in Ethiopia, said he thinks this trip has sent a positive message to African leaders about how serious Canada is about stronger ties. He pointed specifically to the large trade delegation with more than 20 Canadian business owners along, as well as having the prime minister at the helm. "I think the trip has made a huge difference in firming up and building on the very strong and existing partnerships," he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. coronavirus UK Leon Neal/Getty Images A fourth person in the UK has tested positive for the coronavirus, said the UK's chief medical officer on Sunday. Professor Chris Whitty said the person had become infected with the virus after coming into contact with a known carrier of the illness in France. Earlier, Spanish medical authorities said that a British man has tested positive for the illness, while three members of his family tested negative. The coronavirus is now more deadly than the SARS epidemic that swept from China in the early 2000s, and has killed 813 people in total. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. A person has tested positive in the UK for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the country to four, said the UK's top medical officer on Sunday. Professor Chris Whitty, the UK's chief medical officer, said the new case had been been infected by coming into contact with a known carrier of the virus in France. "Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. They successfully identified this individual and ensured the appropriate support was provided. Related: This Animation Shows How Far Your Sneeze Can Travel "The patient has been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at The Royal Free Hospital [Camden, London], and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus." No other information was released about the new case. It comes as 200 people on board the UK's last evacuation flight from Wuhan, China, where the illness originated, arrived at RAF Brize Norton airport on Sunday. They were taken to a conference centre in Milton Keynes, where they will be held in quarantine for 14 days. Earlier, a British man in Majorca tested positive for the illness, said Spanish medical authorities. He was part of a family of four who had been tested, and he also caught the virus after coming into contact with a person infected with the illness in France. Story continues Two of the UK cases are Chinese nationas, who are being treated in a hospital in Newcastle, in northeastern England. A third is a man who stopped at a ski resort in France before returning to the UK from Singapore. A family of five who he came into contact with in France have all tested positive for the illness. The coronavirus has now killed 813 people, making it deadlier than the SARS, or acute respiratory syndrome, epidemic, which originated in China in the early 2000s, killing 774. Experts though say that the rate of fatalities from the coronavirus epidemic is lower than that from SARS. Business Insider The rush to invest in wind energy to take advantage of the Government's pricing incentives could lead to overloading of the national grid in a repeat of the solar scenario, experts warn. A wind power plant in Bac Lieu Province. The Government announced a feed-in tariff (FiT) in 2011 for wind energy of VND1,770 per kWh (7.8 US cents) and a power purchase agreement (PPA) duration of 20 years. In 2018 it raised the FiT to VND1,928 (8.7 cents) for onshore wind projects and VND2,223 (9.8 cents) for offshore projects. The rates apply to grid-connected power plants with commercial operations before November 1, 2021. According to the National Load Dispatch Center (A0), nine wind power plants with a total capacity of 353MW were built before the Government raised the FiT. Since the increase, plants with thousands of megawatts of capacity have signed PPAs and have been added to the countrys wind power plans, it said. According to a report by the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), besides the nine plants that have begun commercial operations, it has also signed PPAs with 31 other plants with a total capacity of 1,645 MW that are under construction. Besides, 59 others with a total capacity of around 2,700 MW have been included in the zoning plans for wind energy for the period up to 2025. More than 100 other projects have sought approval. The proposed plants are mainly in Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Tra Vinh, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Quang Tri, and Phu Yen provinces. The AO warned that with many wind power plants going on stream this year the national grid and transmission system could be overloaded in Tra Vinh, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan. A well-known renewable energy expert, who did not want to be named, said investing in wind power to enjoy pricing incentives is risky. The preferential rate for wind power only applies to grid-connected plants beginning commercial operations before November 1, 2021, and many investors are racing against time to start operations, but a wind power plant cannot be built as quickly as a solar power plant, he explained. To get a feasibility report, an investor must have wind measurement data for at least 12 months. When there is the wind data, an investor can design a plant. Besides, sourcing wind power equipment is quite difficult. It is usually bought from Sweden, Germany, the US, or China. Suppliers only manufacture after receiving orders. Citing the example of solar farms, he warned that if many wind power plants are built in any place before November 2021, the grid there would surely be overloaded and they would have to operate below capacity. Bui Van Thinh, chairman of the Binh Thuan Wind Power Association, told Hai Quan (Customs) newspaper, Operating below their capacity will cause wind power investors to suffer losses. VNS A solution for solar power development Vietnam has offered a very high price for solar power to attract investment in this energy segment, but the country now has to recalculate the pricing to ensure sustainable development for this renewable energy. (Bloomberg) -- Terms of Trade is a daily newsletter that untangles a world threatened by trade wars. Sign up here. Germanys economy minister says the European Union is in need of closer collaboration and more effective decision making. The principle of unanimity is much more often a crippling millstone than it is a safeguard against individual member states being outvoted, Peter Altmaier told newspaper Bild am Sonntag in an interview. After the first stage of Brexit and given global trade disputes, the EU should consider giving new weight to the principle of majority voting. I am in favor of majority decisions at European level on practically all political issues, Altmaier said. If a state has major problems, it can submit its concerns to the European Council -- the principle of unanimity still applies there. With the U.S. moving away from being a global mediator and becoming a party to many disputes, Europe must take greater care of its own security concerns, Altmaier added. Cooperation inside the EU is still far from being as close as it should be, he said, referring not only to foreign and security policy but also human rights. After the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi Altmaier said he would have preferred a common European position regarding weapon exports to the country. To contact the reporter on this story: Alexander Kell in Frankfurt at akell@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Daniel Schaefer at dschaefer36@bloomberg.net, Sara Marley, Michael Hunter For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. But in mid-December he was caught drink-driving and on his phone in Surry Hills In March last year De Angelis was placed on an intensive corrections order De Angelis promised the judge he would give up alcohol and drugs for two years A millionaire pub baron who attacked his then-girlfriend after she found a sex tape of him and another woman has avoided punishment for breaching his parole conditions thanks to a Corrective Services bungle. Phillip De Angelis, 39, the nephew of publican Arthur Laundy, pleaded guilty to five counts of domestic violence against socialite Nellie Tilley, 53, in 2015 and 2016. De Angelis promised the judge he would give up alcohol and drugs for two years. In March last year, De Angelis was placed on an intensive corrections order and was to undergo testing of illicit substances and alcohol. But in mid-December last year he was caught drink-driving in Sydney's Surry Hills while using his phone. Despite the obvious breach of his intensive corrections order, Corrective Services didn't notify the State Parole Board until January 31. In December Phillip De Angelis, 39, was caught drink-driving in Sydney's Surry Hills while using his phone. But despite the obvious breach of his intensive corrections order, Corrective Services didn't notify the State Parole Board know until January 31 During his 2018 trial, it was revealed during an argument Ms Tilley (left) uncovered a sex tape of DeAngelis (right) and another woman The blunder was only brought to the Board's attention when The Daily Telegraph asked why De Angelis had gotten away with the breach. 'While Corrections policy required that a breach report be submitted soon after the offence, this did not occur, and the staff involved have been counselled to ensure this does not happen again,' a spokeswoman said on Sunday. 'Otherwise, the offender's supervision was strictly in accordance with policy. 'Corrective Services NSW on Friday 31 January lodged a breach report with the State Parole Authority after a 39-year-old offender failed to comply with the conditions of his Intensive Corrections Order.' Phillip De Angelis and socialite Nellie Tilley were in an 18-month relationship before he was charged with assaulting Ms Tilley and an AVO was taken out against him De Angelis could have potentially gone to jail as punishment for breaching the conditions of an intensive corrections order. His drink driving incident in December, when he recorded a reading of .086, is the third time he has been caught drunk behind the wheel. The courts let him off with a slap on the wrist in 2013 after he was charged with supplying cocaine of a small indictable quantity. His conditions for being let off without a conviction were that he not use drugs and go to rehab. De Angelis avoided jail time and was sentenced to 18 months' home detention for his attacks on Ms Tilley. But he appealed the magistrate's decision, and was only ordered to perform just one day of community service per week. He was also required to refrain from using drugs and alcohol until September 2020. The De Angelis family own hotels across Sydney, while their relatives the Laundy family - who include Bachelorette winner Stu Laundy - are among the country's richest pub barons. Community Corrections said the baron should be allowed to stay a free man and instead have the matter dealt with after he is sentenced in March for the drink driving and using his phone while driving charges. The De Angelis family own hotels across Sydney, while their relatives the Laundy family - who include Bachelorette winner Stu Laundy - are among the countries richest pub barons. Pictured: Phillip De Angelis The matter will come before the parole authority on Monday. During his 2018 trial, it was revealed during an argument Ms Tilley uncovered a sex tape of DeAngelis and another woman. In that incident, after dinner at a restaurant in the exclusive suburb of Double Bay, De Angelis accused Ms Tilley of being unfaithful before asking to see her text messages. After denying her boyfriend's request, according to the court documents the socialite 'became suspicious' and in return took his phone, before locking herself in the bathroom and scanning through it. According to the court documents, while looking through De Angelis' phone she saw a homemade sex tape showing him having sex with a different woman. Hearing the sound of the video playing from the bathroom, the court heard that De Angelis pleaded with Ms Tilley to stop watching - before smashing down the door, entering the room and grabbing the phone out of her hand, forcefully pushing her in the process. De Angelis avoided jail time and was sentenced to 18 months' home detention for his attacks on socialite Nellie Tilley The death toll in China's coronavirus outbreak jumped to 813 on Sunday, surpassing global fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic, even as Chinese officials said the cases of infection have started dropping for the first time after weeks of sharp rise. With 91 more people dying, most in Hubei province, the novel coronavirus death toll is now higher than the 774 people killed worldwide by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic that started in southern China. China's National Health Commission in its daily report on Sunday said 2,656 new confirmed cases were reported, taking the total number of people infected with the deadly virus in 31 provincial-level regions in China to 37,287. The commission said China's new confirmed cases of coronavirus pneumonia outside Hubei Province, the ground zero of the epidemic, have been dropping for the five consecutive days. A total of 509 new confirmed cases were reported on Saturday outside Hubei, about 42.8 percent lower than the number reported on Monday, Mi Feng, spokesperson of the NHC was quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency on Sunday. The numbers of new confirmed cases in these provinces during the past days were 890 (Monday), 731 (Tuesday), 707 (Wednesday), 696 (Thursday) and 558 (Friday). "It shows that the joint prevention and control mechanism incorporating different regions in the country, as well as strict management, are taking effect," Mi said. As per the data released by the commission, the confirmed cases in Hubei showed a drop perhaps for the first time since the virulent virus emerged in the province in December. On Saturday, Hubei reported 2,147 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection, the commission said. The figure is 694 less compared with the new confirmed cases reported in the previous day, it said. Hubei's capital Wuhan reported 1,379 new infections and 63 new deaths, and the cities of Xiaogan and Huanggang reported 123 and 100 new confirmed cases, respectively, according to the provincial health commission. Hubei alone reported 27,100 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection, with 780 deaths and 5,247 cases in severe or critical condition. Also, 1,439 patients have been discharged from the hospital after recovery, it said. On Saturday, an American woman and a Japanese man became the first foreigners to have died from the new coronavirus in China. The only fatalities outside the mainland have been a Chinese man in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong. Several countries have banned arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights. So far 316 cases have been reported from about 26 countries including India where three people in Kerala who returned from Wuhan contracted the virus. Japan has the highest number of 96 cases, followed by Singapore 40 and Thailand 32. Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday that the UN health agency will send an international mission to China as it received a response from Beijing. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the team leader will leave early next week with the rest of the experts to follow. The UN health agency said the number of cases of the coronavirus in China is "stabilising", which is a "good news". It, however, cautioned that it was too early to make any predictions about whether the virus might have peaked. "There has been a stabilisation in the number of cases reported from Hubei," Michael Ryan, head of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme said at a briefing in Geneva. "We're in a four-day stable period where the number of reported cases hasn't advanced. That's good news and may reflect the impact of the control measures that have been put in place," Ryan was quoted as saying. But he added that it was "very early to make any predictions". Ghebreyesus said the trend was "not really accelerating" but advised "caution". The WHO officials have said that less than two percent of those affected by coronavirus have died. An initial analysis of 17,000 coronavirus infections in mainland China shows that 82 percent of the cases are classified as mild and 15 percent as severe, and that three percent of patients have developed critical symptoms, Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead of the WHO told the media on Friday in Geneva. As per the data obtained from Chinese authorities showed that two per cent or less than two per cent of reported cases have resulted in deaths, she said. We know that individuals who are at an advanced age are at a higher likelihood of dying, we know that underlying conditions make people more at risk, Kerkhove said. Chinese official media has accused the world of overreaction to coronavirus with travel bans and flight cancellations. The number of people infected outside of China is less than one percent the number in China. But that hard-earned result is nothing in the eyes of some, who always have an axe to grind when it comes to China," an editorial in state-run China Daily on Sunday said. Although the death rate dropped from 2.1 percent to below 2 percent late last week, after the growth in the number of people infected outside of Hubei province, the centre of the epidemic, decelerated five days in a row, the continuing epidemic has simply provided them with fresh ammunition with which to target China," it said. (Image Credit- PTI) Elgin is aiming to deliver 500MW of solar projects in Ireland. (stock image) Elgin Energy, a solar energy developer, has said that it plans to spend up to 400m developing solar farms in Ireland over the next five years. The company, which has been in Ireland since 2015, has a pipeline of about 500 megawatts (MW) of projects that it hopes to deliver into the energy system by the mid-2020s. The 500MW of solar projects will provide enough clean electricity to power more than 140,000 homes, 220,000 electric vehicles annually and offset 275,000 tonnes of carbon per year. Ronan Kilduff, managing director of Elgin Energy in Ireland, said that it was important Ireland developed a mix of renewable power projects and did not just focus on wind. "We can't just keep delivering wind," he said. "In this new decarbonised energy environment, it has to be a portfolio approach, which is wind, solar and storage. "That portfolio approach will deliver the new energy economy. We are focused on solar and don't work with any other technology. "In terms of continuing investment in Ireland, we are continuing to develop projects. We are continuing to take the view that delivers projects for the 2030 targets." Kilduff said he does not expect any of the projects to be grid-connected until 2022. Elgin entered the Irish market in anticipation of a renewable energy subsidy scheme being introduced. In June of this year, the first auction of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme is scheduled to take place. The scheme invites renewable electricity projects to bid for capacity and receive a guaranteed price for electricity they generate. Solar will be afforded a 10pc carve-out in the first auction. Kilduff said Elgin Energy had several projects that were eligible for this scheme. Elgin is aiming to participate in the upcoming round with about 80MW worth of projects, representing an investment of up to 60m. Kilduff added that the money the company uses to develop solar farms in Ireland would be coming from investors such as utility companies or pension funds. He said he was talking to these investors on a "monthly basis" for all the projects across Ireland, the UK and Australia - including with Danish utility Orsted and senior investment funds like Blackrock. Last month, Elgin closed its fourth fundraising round for 4.7m (5.5m) in partnership with Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland. The funding was obtained from Irish investors and will provide capital to complete the development of 250MW of solar projects in the UK. The fundraising round was the second successful raise completed in partnership with Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland. The first round with Cantor Fitzgerald was closed in June 2019 and raised 4.3m (5m). Kilduff is planning another funding round for UK projects. It is planning to raise another 5m through Cantor Fitzgerald's Ireland channels before the summer. "Ireland is the only market we are participating in an auction," he said. "That's huge. The market is maturing; we need to move beyond subsidy. "We were in this subsidy-driven piece, but we now are competing head-on with fossil fuels." Elgin Energy has delivered operational solar farms across the UK with an output of more than 230MW. This portfolio includes Scotland's largest operational solar farm and Bann Road in Northern Ireland, which has a capacity of 46MW. As of 2020, Elgin Energy has successfully obtained planning permission for 650MW across 55 projects. A further two gigawatts worth of projects are at late stages of development across the UK, Ireland and Australia. By ANI MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday warned those agitating against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by saying that "stones will be answered with stones and sword with swords". "Those who are bringing out rallies across the country (against CAA/NRC), I want to tell them that today they have seen rallies being answered with a rally. Similarly, stones will be answered with stones and swords with swords," said Thackeray addressing a mega rally here demanding the ouster of Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the country. READ HERE | Raj Thackeray leads MNS' mega procession, questions Indian Muslims protesting against CAA He questioned anti-CAA protests by Muslims, stating that it is difficult to understand their agitation as the new law not meant for them.Praising the Centre for CAA, he said: "I do not understand why Muslims are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. CAA is not for the Muslims who were born here." "I praised the government when they do good things like scrapping Article 370, construction of Ram Mandir, implementation of CAA among others," Thackeray said. Continuing his tirade against Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants, the MNS chief said: "Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants should be thrown out of India. Our country is a 'dharamshala' (a charitable accommodation for travellers) or what? The rules in the US and Europe are very strict against illegal immigrants. If someone does not have a passport is either deported or put in jail. We too are not responsible for everyone," he said. Citing an incident where a Bangladeshi Muslim man married a Marathi woman, he said: "I heard this news that a Bangladeshi is living under a Marathi identity and has also married a Marathi girl. Wherever Marathi Muslim lives, nothing unpleasant has happened." He said if Centre is serious about the CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC) then it should implement it strictly. Calling Pakistan a country of terrorism, he said: "The 9/11 terror attack mastermind Osama Bin Laden was in Pakistan. Many blasts have happened in our country and we all know who was behind all these blasts. Dawood Ibrahim was behind Mumbai 1993 blasts, he is protected by Pakistan. They (protestors) are saying bring the Muslims also from these countries, I ask why?" He said Hindus are being targeted in Islamic countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Thackeray assured that poor Hindus and Dalits, who do not have proper documents will not be targetted under CAA. "People say that Hindus and Dalits do not have papers. But no one is asking for their papers," he said. Claiming that no other country gives "as much independence" to people as India does, he suggested that "Indian Muslims, Marathi Muslims, nation-loving Muslims have to be careful from all anti-social elements". He added a freehand should be given to police to make Maharashtra a zero crime state. Photo: The Canadian Press New York City police officers stand at the scene of a police involved shooting outside the 41st precinct, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A gunman is in custody after he ambushed police officers in the Bronx twice in 12 hours, wounding two in attacks that ignited outrage from officials who blamed the violence on an atmosphere of anti-police rhetoric. The man, whose name was not immediately released, was captured after he walked into a police station in the Bronx and started shooting early Sunday, hitting a lieutenant in the arm and narrowly missing other police personnel before he ran out of bullets, lay down and tossed his pistol, police said. That attack came just hours after the same man approached a patrol van in the same part of the Bronx and fired at two officers inside, wounding one, police said. Despite multiple shots fired in both incidents, nobody was killed and all are expected to recover, police said. "It is only by the grace of God and the heroic actions of those inside the building that took him into custody that we are not talking about police officers murdered inside a New York City police precinct, New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a press conference Sunday. Shea called the gunman a coward" and said he had a lengthy criminal history, including a 2002 shooting and carjacking in which he also fired a gun at police officers. Shea said the man was paroled from prison in 2017 after an attempted murder conviction. The commissioner also lashed out at criminal justice reform activists who have held demonstrations against excessive force by police in recent months, including a large protest in Grand Central Terminal. He suggested that the protests helped create an anti-police environment. These things are not unrelated. We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently, Shea said. Words matter. And words affect people's behaviour. Shea didn't offer any evidence that the gunman in this weekend's attacks knew of those protests or was influenced by them. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who won office partly on a promise to reform overly aggressive policing of minority communities, also suggested that while police had a right to protest, anti-police sentiment had gotten out of hand. This was an attempt to assassinate police officers. We need to use that word, the Democratic mayor said Sunday. Two security camera videos, posted on social media, captured the shooting inside the headquarters of the 41st Precinct, which happened shortly before 8 a.m. In one of them, the gunman is seen sauntering into the precinct lobby, before briefly disappearing off screen. Police said the lieutenant who was shot returned fire, but didn't hit the gunman. Then, the gunman rushed into a side room and fired at two people there, including a civilian employee, as they fled. He then retreated to the lobby and dove to the floor. In another video from a different angle, an officer in the precinct lobby is seen reacting to the first gunshot. Officers converge, pointing their guns, and the gunman's pistol is seen sliding away from him across the floor. The shooting inside the precinct headquarters came just hours after another attack in the same section of the Bronx, involving the same suspect. Two officers narrowly escaped with their lives when a gunman fired into their patrol van just before 8:30 p.m Saturday. The two uniformed officers, partners for eight years and friends since middle school, were sitting in their van with emergency lights activated when a man approached them and engaged them in conversation, Shea said. The man asked the officers for directions, then pulled out a gun without provocation, the commissioner said. The man fired multiple shots, grazing the officer behind the wheel in the chin and neck, and narrowly missing an artery. Neither officer returned fire. The officer's partner drove him to a hospital nearby and he is expected to be released for the hospital Sunday. He is lucky to be alive," Shea said. He is expected to make a full recovery and it is a miracle. The attacks recalled other unprovoked assaults on police officers sitting in their patrol vehicles. In 2017, a gunman killed Officer Miosotis Familia as she sat in her patrol vehicle in the Bronx. In 2014, two officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, were shot dead in their patrol car in Brooklyn by a man upset about recent police killings of unarmed black men. The killings of Ramos and Liu had also followed large street protests and some officers blamed de Blasio for expressing solidarity with the demonstrations, and turned their backs on the Democrat at the funerals. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a tweet Sunday he was horrified by the multiple attacks on police. NY's law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These attacks are heinous." President Donald Trump immediately used the shootings to assail New Yorks Democratic mayor and governor. I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYCs Finest are. Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor, stand away (water thrown at them) regulations, and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault. Stop this now! he tweeted. A hardliner Iranian politician and a senior member of Revolutionary Guard commander has said that after the killing of Qassem Soleimani, Iran was after an excuse to attack Israel, which he said was involved in the killing of the Qods Force commander. Mohsen Rezai (Rezaee), who is the Secretary of the Islamic Republic Discernment Council told the Lebanese Al Mayadeen television, Have no doubt that we would have flatten Tel Aviv for sure. Al Mayadeen is close to the Lebanese Hezbollah supported by the Islamic republic of Iran. Rezai in his interview also accused Israel of informing the United States about Soleimanis flight from Damascus to Baghdad on January 2-3 and played a role in his targeted killing as he arrived at the airport. Soleimani was killed by a U.S. drone just after midnight January 3, when his convoy was moving out of the Baghdad international airport. Rezai said Iran was ready to hit back at Tel Aviv, if the United States conducted another attack. Iran vowed revenge immediately after Soleimanis death and five days later launched ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops. Rezai was a commander during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, who later became chief commander of the IRGC, and has tried to get elected as president without success. She praises Bandts "clear" communication skills and his ability to talk to everyone from policy experts to schoolchildren. The partys other co-deputy, Nick McKim, stresses Bandts intelligence: "He's a very deep thinker about politics [and] outstanding in his capacity to get across detailed policy." Greens leader Adam Bandt, left, with Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud during Question Time on Wednesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Independent Andrew Wilkie, who has sat with Bandt on the crossbench since 2010, is also a big fan. He says the former deputy to both Christine Milne and Di Natale is "a leader for the times". Sydney University senior lecturer in Australian politics Stewart Jackson expects Bandt to put climate change even more to the fore of the Greens' activities and take advantage of the increased public attention on the issue after a summer of devastating fires. "The policies haven't changed [but] the emphasis is going to change," said Jackson, a former national convener of the Greens. Jackson also notes Bandt has a different presentation style than Di Natale, "with a little bit of fire in the belly". Bandts direct communication style may be praised by his colleagues but it is not always as well received in other quarters. After the Greens leaders' first press conference, Sydney breakfast show host Alan Jones said Bandt was a "master" of "hate speech". Labor was also unimpressed, with Victorian MP Tim Watts observing: "This sort of hectoring, lecturing, sometimes abusive model of public advocacy, it just doesnt work in the Australian community." Initial Liberal thinking is that the leadership switch is good news for their party, particularly in the blue ribbon Melbourne seats of Higgins and Kooyong, which came under threat from the Greens in 2019. "No one was happier - other than Adam Bandt - at his election as Greens leader than the Liberal Party this week," Victorian Liberal senator James Paterson told Sky News. "For all of Richard Di Natale's faults, he is the soft, cuddly version of the Greens and Adam Bandt is the hard-edged left-wing version of the Greens. And I don't think it's going to go down very well in the community, and it's particularly not going to go down in those areas where the Greens were making some gains in those kind of leafy suburbs of our big cities." Labor MPs have played down the impact on the leadership change, with Labor left Victorian MP Andrew Giles saying "our focus is on doing our job, not on anyone else". Cuddlier?: Senator Richard Di Natale embraces his children Luca and Ben and his wife Lucy Quarterman after announcing his resignation as Greens leader on Monday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen When asked about his presentation style, Bandt is nonplussed. "Look, I'm passionate. And I believe these things. And I've believed in social justice and looking after the planet since I was a kid." Bandt, 47, went to his first demonstration in high school when a nuclear-powered warship pulled into the ports in Fremantle where he was growing up. He also tracks his interest in politics back to his father, the first person in his family to go to university, where he did a social work degree. Bandt, who briefly joined the ALP in his youth, makes no secret of the fact that he wants to see the Coalition voted out at the next election and the Greens to come away with the balance of power in both houses. All six of the party's senators up for re-election in 2019 were returned, and the Greens captured 10.4 per cent of lower house first preferences - a slight increase on 2016. Nevertheless, much-hyped conquests in Kooyong and Higgins and Labor seats such as Macnamara failed to materialise. Despite great expectations, Bandt remains the partys only lower house MP. Loading Two years out from the next federal election, election analyst Kevin Bonham cautions that "the Greens need a lot of luck" when it comes to securing the balance of power. In the lower house, he noted, they would be relying on the fact that neither party would get a majority. He also wonders, "Where are they going to get the [extra] seats?" In the Senate, Bonham said the Greens could pick up between one and three extra spots, but this does not necessarily mean anything in terms of the balance of power. "I feel that, when the Greens publicly campaign on 'we want the balance of power' openly, that can scare voters a bit." Bandt has not put a number yet on the extra seats he thinks his party could win. He said the party should "campaign where we could win seats", adding there was nothing "earth-shattering" about this assessment. "I think closer to the next election we might have a better idea about what those seats are." Di Natale's resignation comes right as the country grapples with a catastrophic bushfire season and heightened community anxiety about climate change. But the outgoing leader insisted it was the "right time" for the party to change leaders. "The more I thought about it, the more I thought it was really important that we give someone a good opportunity to launch into the next election and particularly at the moment, when it's so critical to hold this shocking government to account for their failure on fires," the outgoing leader said. While Greens colleagues and members have been very understanding of Di Natale's decision to retire for family reasons, some were disappointed about the timing. Since 2017, the Greens have been actively debating whether to let party members directly elect the leader, with a range of views about what model could be adopted. Some members, such as NSW senator Mehreen Faruqi, have expressed frustration that the partys national conference is due to make a decision on the issue in May (and Di Natales resignation has seen another leadership vote by the party room). For his part, Bandt favours a mixed model where members and MPs get a vote and sees "no reason" why the issue wont be resolved by May (although other Greens sources say the issue could easily drag on longer). Leadership positions are automatically spilled after elections, so if the party does change its method of electing leaders, Bandt could face a membership vote within two years. His more pressing challenge, however, will be to capitalise on the increased focus on climate change. The member for Melbourne said the biggest risk for the Greens was the Morrison governments "greenwashing campaign". People rallying outside Parliament House on Tuesday listen to new Greens leader Adam Bandt speak. 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On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. By Trend There is a lot of enthusiasm to elect a new and energetic parliament in Azerbaijan, Mitch Silberman, observer from Los Angeles, state of California (US), told Trend. We are very honored to be here and to observe this great countrys election, the observer added. There is a lot of enthusiasm to elect a new and energetic parliament to help modernize this great country. And we are very honored to be a part of it, to observe and watch people do the right thing for the country and for their future. Everything is well organized and everything is on time, Silberman added. "So far there are not any problems," he said. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. Some 5,329,460 voters will take part in the voting, and 340,689 internally displaced people will vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are observing the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls will be conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz According to authorities, shooters motive was resentment due to dishonest real estate transaction Open source Police special forces eliminated the Thai soldier Jakrapant Tomma, who fired at a shopping center in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima. According to Reuters, citing a statement by Prime Minister Prayut Chanoch, Tomma killed 26 people and injured at least 52 people. According to the Prime Minister, the shooter was motivated by resentment because of, in his opinion, a real estate transaction. As previously reported, the attacker broadcast his actions on Facebook. He published a selfie with guns and wrote about how tired he was of shooting at his victims. After a few seconds, Facebook deleted the page of military Jakrapant Tomm and all the content related to his shooting. As we reported before, on February 8, a soldier opened fire on people in a shopping center in Thailand. 17 people were killed, 16 were held hostage. There is a masked suspect, named by police as Sergeant Major Jakrapanth Thomma, still believed to be holed up inside the Terminal 21 mall. 21 people have been injured, a police spokesman has said. As of 11 pm local time, security forces attempted to help those still stuck inside the mall to escape. Every career official will tell you its not just chilling but frightening, said Fernando Cutz, who served on the NSC as a senior adviser to then-national security adviser H.R. McMaster before they both left in 2018. Youre seeing things happen in an unprecedented way that even Nixon didnt do. . . . The broader message to career officials is that you cant speak up. Even if you see something illegal, something unethical, you cant speak up. Thats the message the president wants to send. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sonia Elks (Reuters) London, United Kingdom Sun, February 9, 2020 12:01 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2063607a1 2 People Syria,Oscars-2020,doctor,Women,The-Cave,documentary,film,Amani-Ballour,Academy-awards Free A female Syrian doctor who ran an underground hospital in a besieged rebel stronghold says she hopes an Oscar-nominated documentary showing her work will encourage other women and girls to demand equal treatment with men. Amani Ballour, 32, is seen facing bombardments and shortages of food and medicine while also challenging sexist attitudes in The Cave, which is shortlisted for best documentary feature at this year's Academy Awards. "I hope it will inspire women to change their situation," Ballour told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone ahead of the awards ceremony on Sunday. "Young girls need to ... hear about their rights to know they can do everything they want." Ballour grew up in eastern Ghouta, just outside Damascus. She originally hoped to become an engineer, but was overruled by her family, who said it was an unsuitable career for a women but agreed that she could become a doctor. Having completed her general medical studies, she abandoned her training in pediatrics to treat the injured in rebel-held eastern Ghouta during a five-year siege. As medical facilities faced constant bombardments by the Syrian army and their allies, doctors were forced to move underground for safety and created the subterranean hospital known as The Cave, where Ballour worked from 2013. The pediatrics specialist was just 29 when colleagues elected her to run the hospital and had to contend with widespread sexism as well as danger and shortages of essential supplies. The film shows one man telling her a man would do a better job, and women belong at home with their families. "Of course that makes me angry," said Ballour of those who questioned whether she was up to the job. "I wanted to prove that women can do more." Read also: 'Joker' leads Oscar nods with 11 as women, minorities miss out Inspiration The film's director Feras Fayyad said he was inspired by seeing how Ballour and her fellow female medics fought to reclaim their rights in the hospital. Ballour agreed to work with him on the condition that filming never compromised care for patients. "Our main goal from this film was to tell the truth because we thought at the time that no one will survive," she said. But she had no idea that she was to be the main subject of the film and was initially upset that it did not focus more on the suffering on the children she treated. "I asked him where are my children; the children who lost their legs, who lost their hands?" she said, adding that Fayyad convinced her much of the footage was too traumatic and that her story helped to show the wider struggles of Syrian people. While the film does not shy from the terrors of the constant attacks and the injured, it shows how Ballour used her role to try to help other women. "I tried to encourage the women, to tell the young girls that you can be important," she said. "When I was a young girl no one told me I could be a doctor or an important thing ... all the people around me said you will get married and have children." Ballour finally had to flee to Turkey in 2018 when the Syrian government regained control of the region and the hospital was shut down. From there, she campaigns on women's rights and is working to raise funds for the Al Amal fund created in her honour, which will support female leaders in war zones and offer education for young women from Syria and other conflicts. Whether or not the film takes the Oscar, her experience shows that attitudes can be changed, with some of the men who criticised her later acknowledging she had done a good job. "Why can't a woman decide for herself and do what she wants to do?" she says in the film. "Let them say what they want, but I want to change this image." boeing cst 100 starliner spaceship nasa commercial crew program ccp illustration rendering launch orbit landing 4 Boeing A NASA safety panel revealed on Thursday that it is investigating a potentially "catastrophic" software error that occurred during a crucial test flight of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, a spaceship designed to carry astronauts. NASA administrators said software errors were "only symptoms" of deeper problems with Boeing's coding and possibly the company's overall culture. Two journalists said Boeing downplayed or denied the software error when asked about it. NASA is launching a broader investigation into Boeing's software integration and verification processes. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. NASA is investigating a previously undisclosed software issue that arose during Boeing's test flight of a spacecraft designed to shuttle astronauts to and from the International Space Station. The Boeing spaceship, called the CST-100 Starliner, is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which asked private companies to develop new astronaut-ready spacecraft. Boeing and SpaceX came out on top in the competition, and the two companies are now racing to launch their first astronauts into space. But during a crucial orbital flight test in December, a clock software error (it was set 11 hours ahead) led Boeing's Starliner to initiate a phase of the mission it had not yet reached. That caused the spaceship to burn through 25% of its fuel, so Boeing had to skip docking with the space station the primary goal of the mission to save the Starliner from total failure. Now, NASA has revealed a second software issue with the Starliner, which ground controllers had to fix in the middle of that test flight. In a call with reporters on Friday, Boeing and NASA officials said the error could have caused a collision between two units of the spacecraft: the crew module and the service module. If Boeing hadn't corrected the software error mid-flight, a collision could have sent the crew module tumbling or significantly damaged its protective heat shield. That might have led to "catastrophic spacecraft failure," Paul Hill, a member of NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, said at a meeting on Thursday, according to SpaceNews. Story continues Before that meeting, neither NASA nor Boeing had publicly disclosed the error. No astronauts were onboard for the test flight, but the error has prompted NASA to launch a larger investigation into Boeing's coding and culture. Symptoms of a deeper problem boeing cst 100 starliner spaceship nasa commercial crew program ccp illustration rendering launch orbit landing 5 Boeing Boeing said it found the second issue after the first error with the clock, since that prompted engineers to review the spaceship's code while it was flying. If they hadn't caught the second error, it could have caused the wrong thrusters to fire just before the spacecraft re-entered Earth's atmosphere. That's the point when the crew module separates from the service module. Boeing and NASA officials said that incorrect thruster-firing could have bounced the service module back toward the crew model, potentially causing a crash. "Nothing good can come from those two spacecraft bumping," Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing's space program, said in the call. Following the failure of Boeing's test flight, NASA convened a team to examine the issues that occurred. "They are likely only symptoms. They are not the real problem," Doug Loverro, a NASA associate administrator, said in the Friday call. The heart of the problem, the NASA investigators found, is several coding defects that Boeing's testing team didn't catch before flight. "We want to understand what the culture is at Boeing that may have led to that," Loverro said. The team is still investigating some other intermittent issues that disrupted communications between the spacecraft and ground control as well. "Software defects, particularly in complex spacecraft code, are not unexpected. However, there were numerous instances where the Boeing software quality processes either should have or could have uncovered the defects," NASA press officer Marie Lewis wrote in a blog post on Friday. 2 journalists say Boeing downplayed or denied the glitch commercial crew astronauts spacesuit test cst 100 starliner boeing 42755325691_2bdf288b4f_o Boeing Ars Technica reported that a source had tipped the publication off to the second Starliner software error in mid-January. But when reporter Eric Berger reached out to Boeing about it, he said, a company spokesperson "downplayed the gravity of the situation." "According to the source, Boeing patched a software code error just two hours before the vehicle reentered Earth's atmosphere. Had the error not been caught, the source said, proper thrusters would not open during the reentry process, and the vehicle would have been lost," Berger wrote. But the Boeing spokesperson, he said, told him that the software patch "had nothing to do with Crew Module reentry." Chris Gebhardt, of NASASpaceflight.com, said on Twitter that he'd faced a similar situation: Boeing and NASA had denied a second software issue altogether when he inquired. NASA administrators on Friday defended themselves and Boeing for not discussing the second error while the investigation was ongoing. "Had we had the discussion back then, we probably would've gotten it wrong. I think it's not that we were not revealing something," Loverro said. "We didn't want to speculate on that at the time." This failed orbital flight test was not the first time that Boeing has come under fire for a software glitch with catastrophic consequences. On Thursday, Bloomberg reported that the company uncovered yet another software error in its 737 Max airplanes, which have been grounded since March 2019. Software errors caused the plane to crash twice in five months, killing 346 people. An 'even broader' assessment of Boeing's software practices cst 100 starliner construction boeing 40344798004_b13216d6f6_k Boeing The NASA safety panel called for a broad assessment of how Boeing integrates, verifies, and tests its software. "The panel has a larger concern with the rigor of Boeing's verification processes," Hill said. "Further, with confidence at risk for a spacecraft that is intended to carry humans in space, the panel recommends an even broader Boeing assessment of, and corrective actions in, Boeing's [systems engineering and integration] processes and verification testing." NASA appears to be following this recommendation. Lewis said NASA has asked its independent investigation team to do "a more in-depth analysis as to why the anomalies occurred, including an analysis of whether the issues were indicative of weak internal software processes or failure in applying those processes." Citing "potential for systemic issues," panel chair Patricia Sanders said Thursday that the investigation will be similar to an internal safety review the agency did after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk smoked marijuana during a podcast recording. Part of that investigation will involve reviewing all of the Starliner's software, which is comprised of roughly 1 million lines of code, officials said. "Our NASA oversight was insufficient. That's obvious," Loverro said. "And I think that's good learning for us." Boeing and NASA declined to say whether Starliner will re-do the orbital flight test. In an earnings report released January 29, Boeing included $410 million expense to cover a potential second uncrewed flight. SpaceX's orbital flight test, meanwhile, went smoothly. The company is expected to launch its first astronauts probably the first people ever to fly commercial spacecraft, given likely delays for Boeing in the coming months. "The Commercial Crew program is broader than a single provider, and that's intentional," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said. "We have two providers, SpaceX and Boeing, that are going to take American astronauts to the International Space Station." Dave Mosher contributed reporting. Read the original article on Business Insider The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu, has described as 'embarrassing' a statement signed and issued by Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong. The former AG issued a statement denying claims that the late President John Evans Atta Mills and Former President, John Dramani Mahama were involved in the recently released Airbus bribery scandal. According to the release, the Approved Judgement of the Crown Court of Southwark, approving the DPA (Deferred Prosecution Agreement) between Airbus and the UK Serious Fraud Office does not allege that any payment was made by Airbus to any Ghanaian Government Official. It is, therefore, gross distortion (for the) media to conclude that officials of the Ghana Government between 2009 and 2015 were bribed or paid any commissions by Airbus for the acquisition of the Casa C-295 aircraft. However, John Boadu thinks the above comments are "so embarrassing; how did you know no money has been paid? Sometimes it is the height of naivety" He was speaking on Peace FM morning show 'Kokrokoo' Listen to him in the video below Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video DES MOINES At a brief training the Sunday before the Iowa caucuses, Iowa Democratic Party officials told the volunteers tasked with staffing a telephone hotline system to arrive Monday morning with books, puzzles and games they were unlikely to be busy for hours. But throughout the day and into the night, the phones rang almost constantly in the so-called boiler room, where about 50 phone stations had been set up in a security-encased call center at the downtown Des Moines Iowa Events Center. On the other end of the phone lines were dozens of precinct leaders and county party chairs from across the state who could not download or log into a new cell phone app designed to allow easy tabulation and transmission of caucus night results. The volunteers tasked with helping the local leaders said they had never seen the app, nor had they been trained to use it. Iowa Democrats inside the room later described the chaos to the Des Moines Register, accounts that were bolstered by publicly available information from party officials, campaigns and candidates. But the clear problems did not trigger a change in strategy from the organizations tasked with ensuring the 2020 Iowa caucuses ran smoothly. Instead, officials with the party tightened communication from their centralized location and forged ahead with a plan that relied almost entirely on the functionality of a cell phone app that, hours before most Iowans would caucus, was already showing signs of collapse. Party officials would not publicly acknowledge any problems until hours later. A full tally of the caucus results would not be available for days. And the future of Iowas prized first-in-the-nation caucuses hangs in the balance as party leaders sort through the aftermath. "The failures of this are larger than any one person," one Iowa Democrat said. "These failures were systemic." 11 a.m. The set-up inside the Iowa Democratic Partys Caucus Day headquarters prevented easy communication among those involved. The boiler room sequestered those taking phone calls. Another room had been set up nearby for important political figures. And a strategy room acted as a command center. Story continues Few people had access to more than one room. So as calls piled up, it was unclear to those inside the boiler room whether party leaders located elsewhere were aware of the problems. The app, which was not complete until "pretty close to caucus time" and party chairman Troy Price had never tried to use, had not yet collapsed, but precinct leaders were having problems accessing it. The app had been layered with security precautions, requiring both a PIN and precinct ID, that were among the features confusing many users. Volunteers entered the day expecting to answer phone calls from Iowans looking for their caucus locations. They were armed only with an FAQ page related to the app. Soon, a backlog of calls developed inside the boiler room as volunteers struggled to answer questions related to the app and as precinct leader after precinct leader said they would instead plan to call in results later that night, after their caucus. The volunteers answering phones had no official directive for how to adjust their plans as a result of the meltdown. The first caucus in Iowa a satellite location in Ottumwa kicked off at noon that day. Others were scattered throughout the afternoon. Fifteen Wapello County-area Democrats came to satellite-caucus on Feb. 3, 2020 at the UFCW Local 230 Union in Ottumwa. Upon first alignment, 14 caucusgoers stood for Democratic presidential candidates U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and one for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. 5 p.m. About 40 people had arrived by 5 p.m. to staff the phones. Its busy and its hard and its not a lot of fun, but its not chaos, one volunteer said. Still, most calls focused on the app, as precinct chairs tried to log in and download it. Paper signs hung from the wall of the room listing categories of phone calls. They included things like, chairperson not present, delegate misallocation, and where is my caucus location? Each had a handful of tally marks beneath the corresponding heading. But volunteers said there were between 75 and 100 tally marks noted under the headline, the app isnt working. Our initial instructions were if someone was having problems with the app to tell them to just call in their results, another volunteer said. 7 p.m. The vast majority of precincts convened their caucuses at 7 p.m. in Iowa nearly 1,700 precincts across the state. Each precinct would need to report results back to the state party. With county party chairs already publicly critiquing the app, many precinct leaders said they planned to report their results through the hotline no matter what. Sean Bagniewski is Democratic chair in Polk County, home to Des Moines and surrounding suburbs, which make up roughly 20% of the state's caucus precincts. He said he told his precinct leaders to abandon the app and use the phones. "At that point, it should have been clear to every person we were going to be taking almost all of these 1,700 reports over the phone," one volunteer said. As the calls came in, volunteers had begun taking down results on paper forms and passing them into the strategy room, which had morphed into a makeshift data entry center. One person who was in the room said the "system they created involved taking the data and compiling it through Google Docs. People sat in clusters with their laptops papers piling up around them. Boxes were labeled new results for those that needed to be added, and another still f---ed for those that had problems with the math, the person said. Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Yang supporters rally support while University of Iowa students caucus, Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City, Iowa. 8:30 p.m. Around 8:30 p.m., a few results had begun to flow into the public reporting system. Some of the larger precincts across the state were still wrapping up. Yet on cable television stations, which had hyped the caucus results live from Iowa for days, pundits already had started to speculate forcefully that something had gone wrong behind the scenes. "I just think the idea of the caucus has failed to reach the viability threshold," Van Jones said on CNN. "This is starting to feel like a real debacle." Those inside the boiler room knew something had gone wrong. About 60 people were staffing phones, but the incoming calls had reached an avalanche by 9 p.m. It didn't subside until hours later. It was hell, said one volunteer. The volunteers were getting complaints and pranks, including some from supporters of Republican President Donald Trump. Other callers tried to report fake results after the ID and PIN numbers from some precincts were posted in photos on Twitter. Many more callers were journalists seeking information. "On Caucus Day, the Iowa Democratic Party experienced an unusually high volume of inbound phone calls to its caucus hotline, including supporters of President Trump," Mandy McClure, communications director for the party, said in a statement to the Des Moines Register later. "The unexplained, and at times hostile, calls contributed to the delay in the Iowa Democratic Partys collection of results, but in no way affected the integrity of information gathered or the accuracy of data sets reported." Iowa state auditor Rob Sand was among those answering phone calls in the boiler room. "It just became very clear that members of the public in general had started calling," he said. "One call would be someone screaming at me that CNN was screaming about the results," said a different volunteer. "And then the next call would be somebody actually calling in the results. Or journalists were phone banking the phone bank. So we couldnt talk to precinct captains because CNN was having their entire staff f---ing phone bank us." Some were friendly Iowans seeking to give the call center volunteers a boost. "We had, every so often, the sweet calls from someone asking, Hows it going? Im thinking of you guys," said one volunteer. "But it was like, Get off the phone!" When precinct leaders did get through, some were hung up upon. Shawn Sebastian, a Story County precinct leader, was live on CNN with Wolf Blitzer as he waited on hold with the call center. He was still live when someone from the call center connected to him and, apparently impatient while waiting for him to transfer over, hung up. Oh my god@shawnsebastian, a Story County precinct captain, had been on hold with the Iowa Democratic Party for over an hour trying to report results. CNN had him on to talk about the process. While on air, he got off hold. Before he could get back to the call, IA Dems hung up pic.twitter.com/oIs7dC5buq jordan (@JordanUhl) February 4, 2020 Others reported results with numbers that didnt add up properly, volunteers said. The non-working app was designed to ensure the caucus math was correct and awarded the correct number of delegates. 10 p.m. Just before 10 p.m., McClure, the Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman, issued the partys first public statement of the night. "The integrity of the results is paramount," she said. "We have experienced a delay in the results due to quality checks and the fact that the IDP is reporting out three data sets for the first time. What we know right now is that around 25% of precincts have reported, and early data indicates turnout is on pace for 2016." The statement did not indicate how severe the delay was likely to be. But about 20 minutes later, a call went out to Iowa Democrats frantically seeking extra volunteers for the boiler room, said one volunteer who got the call. As the incoming calls began to slow, volunteers were put to work making outgoing calls to try to track down missing data from precincts that had not yet reported their results. Though the process was chaotic, it mirrored what happens in most presidential caucus years, those involved said. An Iowa Democratic Party statement early Thursday also confirmed that practice. Democrats in the room divvied up assignments based on where they had personal connections and began calling local elected officials, friends and county chairs, asking for the results data. Other times, they asked those friends to knock on the doors of precinct leaders who still owed the party data. Meanwhile, McClure had issued a second public statement about 10:30 p.m. acknowledging a depth of problems that had not yet been conveyed to those in the boiler room. "We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results," she said in a statement. "In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report. This is simply a reporting issue, the app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion. The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results." "Nobody was communicating theres this massive math issue from the other room that will take days to resolve," said one volunteer. For the first time, the Iowa Democratic Party released not only state delegate results but also the number of supporters each candidate had in first and second alignments. The three figures meant more reporting required from volunteer precinct officials and more ways for the public to check the calculations. Inside the strategy room, data entry continued as the hour grew later. "At that point, were already tired and miserable," said a person in the room. "I am certain that between the 15 people that were entering results between 11 p.m. caucus night and noon the next day when we did not go to bed that there are human errors that happened in the reporting of those results. Because of course there were. Do I think that (the results) are greatly affected? No. But I dont think they are 100% accurate, and they will never be." The Iowa Democratic Party headquarters on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Des Moines. Party officials continue to work on announcing the results of last nights first in the nation Caucus. 1 a.m. Tuesday Multiple Iowa Democrats inside and outside the boiler room complained the party did not disseminate talking points or respond to offers of assistance on a communications front. "They let the national media say for 12 hours straight that this is the end of the Iowa caucuses," said one Iowa Democratic operative. "They didnt allow us to even have a response." Price, the Iowa party chair, had yet to weigh in on the unfolding situation. A news release was issued at 12:52 a.m. that Price would address the media on a phone call eight minutes later. "At this point, the IDP is manually verifying all precinct results, he said. We expect to have numbers to report later today. We are validating every piece of data we have within that paper trail and it is taking longer than expected to ensure we are eventually able to report results with full confidence." The statement took Price fewer than two minutes to read. "Well be in touch soon," he said, quickly hanging up the phone without taking questions. Epilogue Soon would translate into 15 hours. Price did not address the public again until just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, when he said the first batch of results would flow shortly. It took until late Thursday for the party to declare it had released a full tally from Monday's caucuses. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg held a two-delegate lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a finish the Associated Press declared too close to call. Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa caucus 2020: Inside the Democrats' call center as chaos grew Extending his support to the new citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday warned of giving a "befitting reply" to rallies being held against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the NRC. IMAGE: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray addresses his party workers, after a march from Marine Drive to Azad Maidan, demanding eviction of illegal (Muslim) immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh staying in India, in Mumbai. Photograph: Kunal Patil/PTI Photo In the afternoon, the MNS took out a huge march from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan in south Mumbai demanding eviction of illegal Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators from the country. The morcha was culminated at Azad Maidan. Addressing the gathering of thousands of MNS activists at the Maidan, Thackeray said, "henceforth a stone will be answered with a stone and a sword with a sword". The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief himself joined the "mahamorcha" (mega march) on foot from Hindu Gymkhana to Metro Junction, a distance of about one km. His wife Sharmila and son Amit also participated in the programme. "Today, anti-CAA and anti-NRC protests were given a befitting reply with this protest rally of the MNS. But let me warn you, next time morchas will be answered with morchas. And if you continue with your drama, stones will be answered with stones and swords with swords," he said. IMAGE: MNS chief Raj Thackeray along with workers participates in a march from Marine Drive to Azad Maidan. Photograph: Kunal Patil/PTI Photo Thackeray also wondered "opposition" of Muslims to the Citizenship Amendment Act and the NRC. "I don't understand why Muslims are protesting against the CAA and the NRC. Who is going to evict those who are living in India since their birth?" he asked. "To whom are you (anti-CAA and anti-NRC protesters) trying to show your power, and why?" he said. IMAGE: Thackeray demanded the ouster of Pakistani-Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the country. Photograph: Kunal Patil/PTI Photo Thackeray blamed the ongoing protests against the CAA and the NRC on the "lack of proper understanding" of the issues. "The CAA gives citizenship to those Hindus who have faced religious atrocities in neighbouring countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and migrated to India)," he said. "Do you (illegal immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh) consider my county a 'dharmashala' (charity shelter)?" Thackeray questionned while speaking on the NRC. IMAGE: MNS workers participate in a march from Marine Drive to Azad Maidan. Photograph: Kunal Patil/PTI Photo He also wondered whether the Union government enacted the CAA as a "ploy to divert the attention of people from the poor financial situation prevailing in the country". Thackeray appealed to the Central government to give a "free hand to the police for 48 hours to evict infiltrators from Mumbai". There may have been divine intervention when Fr Ray Kelly danced a charleston with his new partner, Giulia Dotta. Whether it was a miracle or no, the parish priest from Oldcastle, Co Meath, got the loudest cheers on Dancing with the Stars on RTE One on Saturday night. The pair danced to National Express by Divine Comedy and Fr Ray, dressed as a bus conductor, put his heart and soul into it. Competition judge Brian Redmond had expected the priest to be on the bus back to Oldcastle weeks ago. The fact remains that you are still here and I am quite happy that you are still here, he said. Don't get carried away because there was still lots of stuff missing. There wasn't much swivel. And we had one lift; it was quite a small lift. But he could almost go as far as saying he enjoyed it. It was the "sweetest charleston" said judge, Loraine Barry. Judge Julian Benson believed they may have witnessed a miracle. "I think we got some form of divine intervention tonight because you danced a very good charleston," said Julian. Fr Ray scored 14 from the judges, his highest score yet. Brian Dowling and Kai Widdrington, and Lottie Ryan and Emily Barker took to the floor as same-sex professional and celebrity dance partner - a first for the dance series, both in Ireland and Britain. Loraine thought that the ladies did it best, and in heels too! They performed a high energy charleston to Woman Up by Meghan Trainer. There was lots of great dancing here. Overall, I thought it was a very high-powered routine, she said. Lottie scored 26 from the judges. Brian and Kai, wearing matching suits, danced the quickstep to Take That's Out of Our Heads. Julian described it as a loud and proud quickstep. It didn't matter that I was watching two men, I was just watching the dancing," he said. Brian scored 23 from the judges. There were no eliminations and the popular show returns to its usual Sunday night slot next week. Professor Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education has presented Mathematical sets to 2,085 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidate in the Agona East District to enable them prepare for the examination. Speaking at the presentation, Prof Yankah said the rationale behind the presentation was to assist candidates to pass the subjects of science, mathematics and English language excellently. He noted that literacy rate in the district was low and government has taken the issue up to provide adequate infrastructure for both basic and secondary levels to enhance teaching and learning. He stated that when the ruling government took over the administration of the country, Agona East scored 20 percent in the 2016/2017 academic year BECE and 44 percent in 2018, which was not encouraging. Mr. Yankah who is also the Parliamentary Candidate for Agona East Constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) expressed the hope that the 2019 score when released would be better than the previous years. He assured that 2020 BECE results would be more encouraging because adequate preparations were being made to ensure that the candidates passed with better grades. Prof Yankah said government was committed and would put more measures in place to inspire BECE candidates to excel from 2020 and beyond. The Minister of State said there were massive construction of classroom blocks and dormitories at Swedru, Nsaba Presbyterian Senior High Schools and Kwanyako Senior High/ Technical School to improve education. He called on the BECE candidates to take greatest advantage of the introduction of free Senior High School (SHS) programme to enable more children to gain access to SHS. Prof Yankah stated that many Ghanaians were denied access to Secondary education due to lack of poor financial backgrounds of their parents and guardians but government under President Akufo-Addo has provided them the opportunity. Mr Dennis Armah-Frempong, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Agona East praised Prof Yankah for the gesture. He said the District Assembly had paid for the mock examination for BECE candidates to prepare adequately towards the examination for them to get quality passes. The DCE urged the candidates to study hard because the greatest opportunity awaited them, as the Assembly was also committed to support students. He said government had decentralized the scholarships for tertiary students, saying, this was the first time in the history of Ghanas education policy to cover students whose parents were predominantly farmers. The Minister of State was accompanied by Madam Mary Quaye, Nsaba circuit Supervisor of GES, Mr Ato Ntsiful Circuit Supervisor for Agona Asafo and other Constituency executives of the ruling government. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Moroccos Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita renewed on Sunday in Addis Ababa, his countrys firm attachment to the United Nations as the exclusive framework for finding a solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue. This regional conflict is in the hands of the UN which remains the sole framework for finding a solution to this dispute in line with international legality, stressed Mr. Bourita in a statement to the media after the opening ceremony of the 33rd Summit of the African Union (AU). He recalled, in this regard, the speech made by chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat who reaffirmed the exclusivity of the United Nations as a framework in seeking a realistic, pragmatic and lasting political solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue. In 2018, the AU summit convened in Nouakchott and adopted decision 693, which clearly states that the Sahara issue should be tackled only within the UN framework barring the road to adversaries of Moroccos territorial integrity within the African Union who sought to create a parallel mechanism. In this connection, King Mohammed VI said, in his 2019 State of the Nation speech, Morocco remains resolutely and earnestly committed to the political process (for the settlement of the Sahara issue), under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations Organization. Morocco has always been clear in its fundamental convictions, underlined the Monarch, affirming that the way to achieve the desired settlement can be none other than through Moroccan full sovereignty and within the framework of the autonomy initiative, supported by the international community. Everything You Need to Know About Social Security Benefits Social Security forms an important part of most people's retirement plans, but the program itself does much more than just that. In a nutshell, Social Security is designed to support disabled and retired workers and their families by providing a guaranteed source of lifetime income for those who meet certain criteria. Here's a closer look at how the program works, the different types of Social Security benefits available, and what you can expect when you're ready to claim benefits. How Social Security works Social Security is a government program that collects taxes from working Americans and distributes these funds to qualifying disabled workers, retirees, and their families to help them remain financially secure. A worker typically must earn 40 credits to qualify for Social Security, though if they die or are disabled young, they may qualify with fewer credits. A credit in 2022 is defined as $1,470 in earned income, and you may earn up to four credits per year. You may claim Social Security based on your own work record, if you've earned enough credits, or you may be eligible to claim spousal benefits based on your current or ex-spouse's work record if this amount is larger than what you're entitled to on your own. Dependent children and other family members may also qualify for family benefits in certain circumstances. When you're ready to apply for Social Security, you must fill out an application online or at your local Social Security Administration office. A government representative will verify the information in your application to determine if you qualify and then you'll begin receiving monthly checks. Types of Social Security benefits There are three main types of Social Security benefits: Retirement benefits Disability benefits Survivors benefits Retirement benefits Social Security retirement benefits are for workers 62 and older who have earned at least 40 credits. The size of your benefit checks depends on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) over your 35 highest-earning years, and the age at which you begin benefits. You must wait until your full retirement age (FRA) to claim your standard benefit based on your AIME. Your FRA is 66 if you were born between 1943 and 1954, then it rises by two months every year thereafter until it reaches 67 for those born in 1960 or later. Be Aware Claiming benefits before your full retirement age (FRA) reduces your checks. If you begin claiming at 62, you'll get only 70% of your standard benefit if your FRA is 67 or 75% if your FRA is 66. Every month you delay benefits increases your checks slightly until you reach the maximum benefit at 70. This is 124% of your standard benefit if your FRA is 67 or 132% if your FRA is 66. Receiving Social Security benefits under your FRA could cause you to lose some of that money back to the government if your income is high enough. The Social Security Earnings Test withholds $1 from your checks for every $2 you earn above $19,560 in 2022 if you will be under your FRA all year. If you'll reach your FRA in 2022, it'll take $1 for every $3 you earn over $51,960 if you reach this amount before your FRA. Once you're past your FRA, the government recalculates your benefit to include the amount it withheld. Certain family members can claim benefits on your work record if doing so would give them more money than they're eligible for on their own work record. Eligible family members include: Spouses Ex-spouses, if the marriage lasted for at least 10 years and they have not remarried Children under 18, or up to 19 if still enrolled in high school Children of any age who were disabled before 22 -- that is, not earning more than $1,260 per month in 2020, having a medical condition that results in severe functional limitations and that is expected to last 12 months or longer or result in death Spouses and ex-spouses must be at least 62 in order to claim benefits, and spouses and children must wait for the worker to begin claiming benefits themselves before they can claim family benefits on their record. Disability benefits Social Security disability benefits are available to adults 18 or older who are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You may still be eligible even if you haven't earned 40 credits, depending upon your age at the time of your disability. Your benefit is determined by your average lifetime earnings, so individuals who earned more while they were working will receive larger disability checks. You must provide the government with information about your work history and your medical condition, including relevant supporting documents, when you apply. The Social Security Administration will review your case to decide if you are eligible. If it rules in your favor, you'll receive disability checks for as long as your disability lasts or the rest of your life, depending on the condition. If it rules against you, you may request a reconsideration or appeal to an administrative law judge. Family members may be able to claim benefits on a disabled workers work record if they are: A spouse 62 or older or of any age if caring for a disabled workers disabled child or child 16 or younger Ex-spouses who were married to the disabled worker for at least 10 years and have not remarried if they meet the same criteria as spouses Unmarried children up to 18, or 19 if still attending high school Children of any age who were disabled before 22 Survivors benefits Survivors benefits are benefits for the family members of deceased workers who qualified for Social Security. Did you know? The amount of the survivors benefit depends on the deceased worker's average income, adjusted for inflation, and their relationship to the deceased. Surviving spouses who are 60 or older (50 or older if disabled) may claim survivors benefits, as can surviving spouses of any age if they are caring for the deceased worker's child who is under 16 or disabled. The same rules apply for ex-spouses as long as they were married to the deceased worker for at least 10 years and have not remarried. The deceased worker's children under 18, or up to 19 if still enrolled in high school, are eligible for benefits, as are disabled children of any age if they were disabled before 22. Parents of the deceased worker may also qualify for benefits if the deceased was providing 50% or more of their financial support before they died. In addition to these benefits, the surviving spouse or children may be eligible for a one-time death benefit of $255. Related Retirement Topics Retirement Income Strategies Learn about how to increase your income in retirement. IRAs How Individual Retirement Accounts can fit into your retirement plan. 401(k) Understand the advantages of this type of workplace plan. Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed How to save for retirement when you're your own boss. A British woman was arrested on a non-resort island of Maafusi in the Maldives for wearing a bikini, international media reported. Cecilia Jastrzembska who had previously featured on shows like the First Date and Ninja Warrior UK was arrested on 6 February on the non-resort island of Maafushi, part of the Kaafu atoll in the Indian Ocean nation. 'You are sexually assaulting me.' A video of the incident has surfaced on the internet. The clip shows the 26-year-old struggling against three police officers who reportedly, 'manhandled' her. According to media reports, one out of them also tried to cover her up with a beach towel. The clip also shows the young woman yelling, 'You are sexually assaulting me.' Read: From Bikini To A Simple Kurta, Sara Ali Khan's Travel Fashion Is All Things Pretty Read: Aparshakti Khurana Has An Apt Reply When Quizzed About Choosing Between Career And Family The woman was detained at Maafushi Police Station and later released without charge. Following the release, Maldives Police Service Commissioner Mohamed Hameed took to twitter and made a public apology. Incident in Maafushi in which our officers restrained a female tourist seems to be badly handled. I apologise to the tourist & the public for this. The challenge I have taken up is to professionalise the police service & we are working on that. This matter is being investigated. Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) February 6, 2020 According to media reports, it is not illegal to wear bikinis on the island but is strictly prohibited in all areas other than holiday resorts. The United Kingdoms Foreign Office has advised travellers that 'local laws reflect the fact that the Maldives is an Islamic country' and added that they should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of their actions to ensure that they dont offend anyone. It further said the dress is generally informal but you should be sensitive to local dress standards when visiting non-resort islands. Nudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including on resort islands. Read: France Confirms Five British Nationals Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus Read: Selena Gomez And Taylor Swift's Gorgeous Bikini Looks; See Pics MATAMOROS, Mexico On the morning of New Years Eve, I watched a woman, who stood ankle-deep in the Rio Grande, washing clothes or as they call it on this side of the border, the Rio Bravo. Bravo means fierce in this context: A few paces from where this Salvadoran asylum seeker was doing the days laundry, the current had swept a father and his infant daughter to their deaths last June. The river was the perfect metaphor for the refugee camp that has sprung up along its banks. Peaceful on the surface, with terrifying currents underneath. This woman was one of the nearly 60,000 asylum seekers returned to Mexico to wait for months for their hearings in this notoriously dangerous cartel zone . And as President Donald Trump trumpets his success in ending what he calls catch and release the time-honored practice of allowing carefully vetted asylum seekers to remain with their sponsors in the U.S. as they wait for their hearings I reflect on 17 days in January that I spent with women asylum seekers and some of the other victims of his Remain in Mexico policy, the so-called Migrant Protection Protocols. These MPP returnees wait for hearings in Mexico. I interviewed many of those families, along with some of the doctors, teachers, lawyers, religious sisters and other volunteers whod crossed the border to serve them. I was there to report on the issue for several publications, and I wanted to know what it was like there in Matamoros, and why theyd made the decision to come the volunteers, as well as those they served. In Matamoros alone, between 2,500 and 3,000 individuals now live in a tent camp on the riverbank. Most are families with children. Similar encampments have appeared in other crime-ridden cities across the border. MPP returnees have reported at least 201 cases of kidnapping or attempted kidnapping of children and at least 816 reports of violence, including murder, torture, rape and kidnapping during the year that the policy has been in place. Across the street from the tent camp, an abandoned tourism kiosk flutters with the posters of missing people, and the words of their loved ones desperate to find them. Meanwhile, children play in the camps corridors, their parents gathering firewood, washing clothes, hanging them to dry on flowering bougainvillea bushes. Cooking on the elaborate ovens theyve fashioned from the mud; picking up trash, sweeping packed dirt corridors between tents. Estela and her friend, 11 and 12, told me with startling clarity of the brutal crimes that drove their families from their homes. One saw a cousin hacked to pieces with a machete. The other narrowly escaped death when extortionists burned her familys house down for not paying their protection payment. (I use a pseudonym here because girls and young women are at particular risk from cartels.) I talked to Jose Inocente and his wife Esperanza (last names withheld). Jose had a welding shop in El Salvador until gangsters demanded exorbitant protection payments. When he protested, they said theyd be coming for his two sons. He grabbed his family and fled. A single mother from Honduras was terrified when her 13-year-old son came home with his face bloodied and bruised. The gangs told him he had two choices: join them, or die. She packed what she could carry, loaded Evan and his little brother on a bus and headed north. I would have done the same. The stories go on and on. I heard dozens. Not from the violent criminals Trump likes to reference; but rather, their victims. But why should we in the United States be responsible for their problems? There are some strong reasons, and they go back generations. A review of U.S. policy in Latin America going back to my great-grandparents time reveals decision after decision at the highest levels of Democratic as well as Republican administrations that relentlessly brewed corruption, violence and chaos throughout the region. But lets just start with the 1980s, when nearly a million families from El Salvador and Guatemala, fleeing the U.S.-sponsored death squads in those countries, came to the U.S. seeking asylum. Our government supported the dictatorships and death squads throughout Central America that sent them here. Yet fewer than 3 percent of Salvadoran and Guatemalan asylum claims were accepted in those years. Many asylum seekers and their children stayed in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants. Fast forward to the early 90s, when my daughter was Estelas age. The children of those very same undocumented Salvadorans who had been denied asylum were easy prey for the terrifying Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, and other gangs, who got their start in Los Angeles and recruited them heavily. U.S. law enforcement agencies efforts to break up the gangs by deporting its leaders ended up backfiring, spreading them like a plague across Central America and bringing conflict into the U.S. Today my daughter is grown, with children of her own. I am a grandmother. And as I sat with these new asylum seekers, many of them the age of my daughter, I heard their pleas for a chance at a life for their children, far from the modern death squads who stalk their homes. And I realized: The violent thugs Trump is so fond of referencing are the children of our own neglect and they are preying on thousands of families, including those now stranded at the border. Among the questions that haunt me: What would have happened to the boys recruited by Mara Salvatrucha if their families had received asylum? If instead of living in the shadows as undocumented immigrants, their parents had had a real chance at the American Dream they risked so much to achieve? And what will happen to Estela and her friends if their families are denied asylum which, under the current system, is likely? Just 187 of the 59,241 or fewer than three-tenths of 1 percent of the asylum seekers sent back under the year-old MPP program had been approved as of the end of December, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University. Before passage of the MPP, most of these families would have awaited their hearings in relatives homes in the U.S. We know that nearly all would have followed the legal process meticulously. According to TRAC, 9 out of 10 asylum seekers on the U.S. side attend 100 percent of their hearings. Among those with legal representation, its 99 percent. That rate drops to half among those sent back to Mexico, reflecting the challenges they face: lack of legal representation; high violent victimization rates; and a failure to receive court notices are a few of the reasons cited. Their cases are closed in absentia. My last day in Matamoros I saw Estela, who ran and embraced me, whispering into my ear: Take me home with you. Then I could live in a house, and go to school. If we are truly concerned about the threat of violence from abroad, lets look at its root causes. Lets consider the cradle of violence that we are creating by offering a city-sized serving of red meat to the cartel sharks circling the asylum seeker camps along the border. A recent report by Human Rights Watch found 138 cases of Salvadorans who, since 2013, were killed after deportation. If we dont provide these families with the safety that is their right as asylum seekers, our own children, as well as theirs, will have to live with a more dangerous world. Barnett is an independent writer and founder of The Esperanza Project, which provides ongoing coverage of immigration, environmental and other human rights issues in the Americas. A Houston Chronicle editor spoke with and confirmed the named sources in this story. She is an heiress who's always preened to perfection. And, Nicky Hilton, 36, displayed a hint of her washboard abs in a cut-out floral maxi dress as she led the stars at Maison de Mode's Sustainable Style Awards presented by Aveda at 1 Hotel West Hollywood on Friday. The mother-of-two looked ready for spring in her floaty yellow, pink and green frock, which featured short chiffon cape sleeves and a high-low hemline. Pretty: Nicky Hilton, 36, led the stars at Maison de Mode's Sustainable Style Awards presented by Aveda at 1 Hotel West Hollywood on Friday The heiress' frock boasted a ruched body with a small cut-out section which allowed her washboard abs to be on display. The pretty blonde wore her medium-length hair down in soft waves with a pretty braid adding a unique twist to her look. For make-up, she opted to play up her blue eyes with bronze shades and brought out her lips with a pop of pink. The mother-of-two boosted her height in embellished heeled sandals and accessorised with a smattering of delicate silver jewellery. Gorgeous: The mother-of-two displayed a hint of her washboard abs in a cut-out floral maxi dress which featured short chiffon cape sleeves Glam: Karolina Kurkova, 35, slipped into a lime green midi dress with a coordinating belt highlighting her slim waist Wow! Nikki Reed, 31, looked sensational in a crushed velvet metallic maxi skirt and a plunging gold bodysuit Beauty: The Twilight actress kept her make-up to a minimum and styled her brunette locks into an effortlessly chic up-do Standing out: Margherita Missoni and Jennifer Missoni opted for colourful ensembles The evening saw sustainable leaders come together to celebrate sustainability within the fashion industry. And heavyweights within the world of fashion turned out to show their support. Members of high-power families such as The Hiltons, The Rothschilds, The Hearsts, and of course The Missonis all put in an appearance. Sublime: Marsai Martin, 15, stole the show in a breathtaking blue gown Fabulous: Amber Valletta, 46, turned heads in a white one-shouldered gown while Amanda Hearst, 36, looked regal in green Newlyweds: The hieress oozed glamour in her strapless dress as she cosied up to her husband Joachim Rnning, 47 Since 2015, Nicky has been wed to husband James Rothschild, 35. The couple are parents to two young fashion-loving daughters, Teddy, two, and Lily Grace, three. Prior to their union, Nicky was wed to ex-husband Todd Meister for less than three months in 2004. Polished: Amanda styled her blonde locks into glamorous vintage waves Stylish: Lydia Hearst, 35, slipped into a textured blue maxi dress for the occasion Edgy: Chris Hardwick, 48, opted for a smart-casual look by wearing a T-shirt beneath his suit Fashionista: Maye Musk, 71, wore a Missoni gown for the event Loved-up: Kathy Hilton and Richard Hilton stepped out together for the glamorous event In a previous interview with People, the star spoke of just how much her daughters enjoy her designer wardrobe. 'They are definitely going into my closet, taking all the shoes down, trying them on. They're into shoes and bags,' she began. 'I had to hide them all the way at the top because they were ripping them down, and all the crystals come off,' she noted. The most notorious fake letter in American politics entered the history books on a snowy New Hampshire day in 1972. Published by the arch-conservative Manchester Union Leader less than two weeks before the New Hampshire primary, the letter alleged that Sen. Edmund Muskie, D-Maine, then the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination to run against President Richard Nixon, had condoned and laughed about use of the derogatory term "Canuck" to describe French-speaking Canadians. Muskie responded to the "Canuck letter" with a display of anger that undermined - and he thought ultimately doomed - his bid for the presidency. It turned out, however, that he had good reason to be outraged. Before the year was out, The Washington Post revealed that the letter was penned as part of a dirty-tricks campaign. It was organized not by Russian operatives but by Nixon's Committee to Re-Elect the President and included the bugging of Democratic national headquarters at the Watergate apartment complex. Mailed with a Deerfield Beach, Florida, postmark and written in a childish hand, the letter claimed that an aide made a disparaging reference to "Cannocks" within earshot of Muskie when the candidate appeared at a local drug-treatment center. When the letter writer, who identified himself as Paul Morrison, asked for an explanation of the term, Muskie supposedly laughed and answered: "Come to New England and see." "We have always known that Sen. Muskie was a hypocrite," the Union Leader declared in an accompanying editorial, "but we never expected to have it so clearly revealed." The allegation, if true, was potentially explosive. New Hampshire included a large Francophone population whose support would be vital if Muskie hoped to get more than 50 percent of the vote in the March 7 primary to fend off an energetic challenge from Sen. George McGovern, D-S.D. Muskie advisers thought the prominent display of the Canuck letter in the Union Leader threatened their candidate's chances of reaching that goal, according to James M. Naughton in the New York Times. Phony missives have been a staple of American political skulduggery since the days of George Washington. But none had the immediate, incendiary effect of the Canuck letter. On Feb. 26, two days after the letter and editorial appeared, an enraged, bareheaded Muskie addressed a crowd of journalists and supporters outside the offices of the Union Leader. As the snow fell, he denounced William Loeb, the newspaper's publisher, as a "gutless coward" for publishing the letter and a separate, unflattering item about Jane Muskie, the senator's wife. "That letter is a lie," Muskie declared, Naughton reported in the Times. As he stood outside the newspaper office, Muskie may have cried - The Washington Post's David S. Broder reported that tears were "streaming down his face." Naughton wrote that Muskie at one point "broke into tears," while other accounts made no mention of crying by the candidate. In the years that followed, Muskie insisted he did not cry and that it was melting snow, not tears, that reporters saw on his face. Recounting the scene in the Washington Monthly 15 years later, Broder wrote "it is unclear whether Muskie did cry." While accounts differed about whether - or how copiously - Muskie wept, there was no doubt about his fury. "The 60 to 70 newsmen and supporters huddled in the snowstorm to hear the senator's speech watched with surprise as the normally disciplined Muskie let his anger and his frustration show," Broder wrote. Questions about the authenticity of the letter emerged almost immediately. Although Loeb hinted to Broder that he had been in touch with its author, Broder reported that there was no Paul Morrison listed in the Deerfield Beach telephone book. Witnesses who were present with Muskie at the treatment center denied hearing anyone use the word "Canuck." And Muskie, whose father was a Polish immigrant, said ethnic slurs of any kind were abhorrent to him. Muskie was particularly indignant about the newspaper's focus on his wife, Broder wrote. "Muskie's shoulder shook, and he rubbed his face hard. 'A good woman ...,' he managed to say, and then the tears, mingled with the melting snow on his head, stopped him again. For 20 seconds, the crowd stood silent, as Muskie seemed unable to go on. At that point, Louis [Jalbert], an old friend from Maine, shouted out, 'Who's with Muskie?' and the crowd cheered long enough for the senator to compose himself." The public display of anger came as a surprise to many who regarded the lanky Muskie, Hubert Humphrey's vice-presidential running mate in 1968, as a voice of reason in the highly charged politics of the era. On the eve of the 1970 congressional elections, appearing after a taped speech by Nixon, Muskie delivered well-regarded remarks to a nationwide audience. While Nixon's "extraordinarily poor telecast" showed the president "at his shrillest," Muskie appeared "quiet" and "self-possessed," according to presidential campaign historian Theodore White. Muskie was often described as "Lincolnesque," but the senator also had a temper. While campaigning in New Hampshire in early February, according to Broder, Muskie on several occasions angrily accused high school students of being McGovern provocateurs. Muskie loathed the media, and insiders on the Muskie campaign worried about his "tendency to emotional outburst," White wrote. The stakes were high for Muskie in New Hampshire. No one doubted he would win the primary - the question was, by how much? "The accepted benchmarks are these: Muskie will be doing well if he gets the 65 percent of the Democratic vote he was credited with having in a January poll commissioned by the Boston Globe," Broder wrote on Feb. 13. "He will be hurt if he slips below 50 percent and wins not by a majority but by a plurality." Broder noted that New Hampshire college students had turned out in force to campaign for McGovern. As the primary approached, signs of eroding support multiplied. On March 4, David Nyhan wrote in the Globe that Muskie's campaign displayed "the weariness of the long-distance front runner" and that campaign aides were predicting their candidate would win with less than 50 percent of the vote. On March 5, the Globe published a poll showing Muskie's support at 42 percent. In the end, Muskie won the primary with 46 percent of the vote - better than the Globe's poll but far below earlier projections. His campaign never recovered from its New Hampshire showing, and he withdrew from the race on April 27. Muskie later blamed his outburst in Manchester on exhaustion caused by cross-country campaigning. But he acknowledged to White that the display of anger proved too much to overcome. "It changed people's minds about me, of what kind of guy I was," Muskie said. "They were looking for a strong, steady man, and here I was, weak." The Canuck letter receded from the headlines but returned in the fall as The Post's investigation of the Watergate scandal picked up steam. On Oct. 10, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein reported that the Watergate bugging "stemmed from a massive campaign of political spying and sabotage" conducted by the Nixon campaign. "Law enforcement sources said that probably the best example of the sabotage" was the Canuck letter, the story said. But it was only the tip of the iceberg. "During their Watergate investigation, federal agents established that hundreds of thousands of dollars in Nixon campaign contributions had been set aside to pay for an extensive undercover campaign aimed at discrediting individual Democratic presidential candidates and disrupting their campaigns," the reporters wrote. The story said White House aide Ken. W. Clawson admitted conversationally to Post reporter Marilyn Berger that he wrote the Canuck letter but subsequently denied doing so and claimed he had been misunderstood when asked about the conversation. Muskie suspected his White House bid had been targeted. "Our campaign was constantly plagued by leaks and disruptions and fabrications," the senator said in an interview The Post published Oct. 13, "but we could never pinpoint who was doing it." He said he assumed the Nixon campaign was behind the sabotage but offered no evidence to back up the claim, nor was he willing to assess the damage it caused. But he was less reticent about the fake letter he denounced in Manchester. "The Canuck letter," Muskie conceded, "definitely hurt us." A group of youths and women had gathered at the Riyan Hotel junction, Mallepally, at around 10 pm on Saturday to protest against the CAA and the central government's policies. Hyderabad: The Hyderabad city police detained overnight a number of protesters, including women and two minors, who had participated in a flash protest against the CAA-NPR-NRC on Saturday night at Mallepally. They were held in a stadium and released only at about 8.30 am on Sunday. A group of youths and women had gathered at the Riyan Hotel junction, Mallepally, at around 10 pm on Saturday to protest against the CAA and the central government's policies. Senior police officers rushed to the spot with a large contingent of police personnel from various branches. The police bundled the protesters into a police van and took them away. There were 19 youths and 12 women. The police claimed that other protesters pelted stones at the van. The van took the protestors to the Goshamahal police stadium. The women were later shifted to the Central Crime Station (CCS). The Commissioner's Task Force West Zone also detained Mohammed Mubashiruddin Khurram, senior reporter of a local Urdu daily. He was released after 14 hours. The Habeebnagar police has registered a case against 18 youths and 10 women, including Shiba Minai and Khalida Parveen under Sections 147, 341, 353, 188 r/w 149 of the India Penal Code and the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act. The detainees complained that some of the young men who were detained during the protest at Mallepally, were beaten by the police in the van and in custody. A few were locked up and interrogated. Ms Minai says they were detained without pre-detention warning. Though women were shifted to CCS, the men were kept in the Goshamahal Stadium without basic facilities. "We understand that the cops are doing their job, but it is also their duty to safeguard the citizens. They have to understand the feelings of the society and our uneasiness," she said. Parents of minor students alleged that their wards were beaten by the police at the Task Force Office. They complained that the police did not inform them about the detention that night (as required by law) and informed them only next morning. They also complained that the police warned them that if their children participate in protests in future, they will communicate with their institution and "your children will be debarred". The police also said, according to the parents, that "if you allow the children to participate in such protests, they will join terror groups in the future". The Hyderabad City Police has been criticised for its heavy-handed handling of the protests over the CAA, NPR and NRC. Advocate Mahboob Ali Mohammed said the detention of people at Mallepally, as reported, showed the impulsive eagerness of the Hyderabad police, and infringed on the constitutional rights of peaceful protest granted to all citizens. Moreover, the detention of women after sunset and before sunrise is against section 46 (4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the guidelines of the Supreme Court, and the beating of minors as alleged is totally wrong. Police counselling parents that their wards will turn into extremists if they protest is an unnecessary and unwanted piece of officiousness. He said the detention of a senior journalist without sharing the arrest details and whereabouts is against the D K Basu Arrest Guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India. The police should promptly consider the recent Telangana High Court order to allow women to protest against NRC, CAA by providing a peaceful location for them to do so and which would not stop traffic and business. Dr Lubna Sarwath, state general secretary, Socialist Party (India), Hyderabad, and Maqbool Mateen, president, United Citizens' Forum, reacting to the incident criticised the action of the police but appreciated the police allowing medicines for the detained journalist Mubashshiruddin Khurram during his illegal detention. They condemned indiscriminate detentions of peaceful protesters and the journalist. "We urge the Hyderabad police to discharge their duties impartially, as per the law, as they are bound to under oath. They are bound to enable and protect. It is disheartening to hear of a senior reputed journalist being picked up when he was discharging his democratic journalistic duties. We do not want the public to lose faith in the police and we want to strengthen the friendly bond between police and public," said Ms Sarwath. Mr Mateen said the police is on the wrong side of the law if they identify and address any person based on their religion and not as a citizen. The police is on the wrong side of the law if they selectively enable a pro CAA meeting at Quli Qutub Shah stadium and on the other hand denounce anti CAA protests and reject protest permission applications. "We call on Hyderabad Police to give adequate protection to democratically conduct peaceful appeal-protests and enable their smooth conduct so that we protect freedom and liberty for this generation and future generations of India," he said. Ah, the Oscars red carpet. The ne plus ultra of awards season carpets. The most formal, most glamorous, most ogled, analyzed, criticized and branded carpet of them all. The one that attracts the most eyeballs and thus has the most money riding on it in terms of marketing budgets and contract riders that say this celebrity has to wear that designer because they have a formal brand ambassador relationship with the company. This is, after all, the carpet that turned Lady Gaga into a 21st-century version of Grace Kelly? In black satin, opera gloves and up-do. Heres what happened on the carpet this time around. The stars showed up in their Oscars best. Greta Gerwig, the director of Little Women, and Noah Baumbach, the director of Marriage Story, appeared together. Mr. Baumbach, who is Ms. Gerwigs partner and who writes with her, gushed over her, as has become his custom. Shes made me a better person and a better writer, he said. When we write together, Im always trying to impress her. I write better because I work at it harder because I want her to be impressed. A special office set up in Sri Lanka to determine the status of all persons who went missing during the brutal civil war against the LTTE has asked affected families to verify a provisional list of names prepared by it. The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) statement comes after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last month called for a probe into the disappearances of over 20,000 people in the country's brutal civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels. Families of the missing and disappeared are encouraged to contact the OMP to ensure that the information concerning their missing or disappeared loved ones is included in the provisional list, the OMP said in a statement. If information does not appear or in case of inaccuracy, family members are requested to assist the OMP in updating the information, it added. The OMP, since its inception in February 2018, has compiled information on missing persons using three methods of information gathering -- complaints directly received by the OMP, complaints received or forwarded to the government and data provided by the armed forces. The OMP's provisional list of missing persons is subject to a process of verification. The office was set up as part of the UN Human Rights Council's reconciliation moves, which had called for accountability in alleged war crimes committed during the armed conflict. The OMP was mandated to establish the fate of persons who went missing or disappeared in connection with the armed conflict. A government panel appointed in 2013 to probe the missing persons said over 20,000 had disappeared due to the armed conflict. Last month, President Rajapaksa had said some 20,000 people who disappeared during the country's brutal civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels over a decade ago are "dead", while calling for related investigations in order to pay compensation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday he is seeking a seat for Canada on the powerful United Nations Security Council because it is where the worlds most pressing issues are debated. Trudeau spent his second full day in Africa at a working lunch with some Ethiopian female business owners and in one-on-one meetings with leaders from Nigeria, Somalia, Mauritius and Madagascar. He attended a formal dinner for the African Union summit Saturday night, after meeting with five others and delivering two speeches on the margins of the summit. While Trudeau said this trip is aimed at moving Canadas relationship with Africa to new heights, including more economic partnerships and business ties, he acknowledged Canadas campaign for one of the 10 non-permanent seats on the Security Council is one of the reasons for the visit. Canada is up against Norway and Ireland for two spots on the council in a vote that will take place in June. There are 54 African members of the United Nations, more than one-fourth of the potential votes for the Security Councils seats. Canada lost its bid for a seat in 2010, partly due to lacklustre African support. The UN Security Council is a place where the biggest issues facing our world are debated, discussed and advanced, Trudeau said. Having a Canadian voice at that table is important for Canadians but also for countries around the world who share our values, who share our concerns, who share our perspective on the world. But not all African nations are on the same page as Canada on at least one issue: human rights. Trudeau has been noticeably quiet or vague about the matter on this trip so far, said Alice Musabende, a Canadian doctoral student in international relations specializing in Africas international relations. She said she thinks its because he didnt want to upset any leaders as he is campaigning for their votes. I think this whole trip really was prepared as a way to not put human rights and good governance front and centre of these discussions, said Musabende. Trudeau said Canadians are used to seeing him talk about human rights wherever we go around the world and Africa was no different. In all of my conversations with every leader weve talked about human rights, Trudeau said. But he did not do it publicly. Other than one mention of LGBTQ issues, Trudeau didnt list human rights as something to discuss in any of the brief photo opportunities he held before all nine one-on-one meeting with African leaders over the last two days. He did meet with some whose governments have been criticized by international groups like Amnesty International for their human rights records, including the leaders of Rwanda and Egypt. Rwandan President Paul Kagame changed the constitution to allow him to run for more terms in office, while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisis government has been criticized for arbitrarily detaining people, torture and extrajudicial killings. Canadian engineer Yasser Albaz has been detained in Cairo for a year after he was arrested at the airport at the end of a business trip. He has not been charged with anything. Trudeau said he raised the case with el-Sisi in their private meeting. Musabende said African leaders will surely welcome the economic partnerships, climate change co-operation and womens empowerment programs Trudeau talked about constantly but she said those cant happen without human rights being on the table. If youre going there and youre going to be partnering with an entire continent where you still have some presidents who are changing, in a constitutional way, their terms to stay in power, or you talking with people who have abused human rights of their citizens and you are Canada, pretty much the flag bearer of human rights, how do you not say who you are and what you really stand for, she said. Trudeau and his cabinet ministers repeatedly said over the weekend that they believe their partnerships and relationships with Africa are stronger than ever and that their government has been working hard to make them even better over the last four years. Trudeau pointed to investments in peacekeeping and peace building, and said almost half Canadas spending on development goes to sub-Saharan Africa. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, who is in Africa with Trudeau, said thus far the leaders he has spoken to believe Canada embodies the same values about climate change, multilateralism, and economic security they do. So far, I must say what Ive heard from African leaders is that they certainly welcome Canada on the Security Council, he said. Antoine Chevrier, Canadas ambassador in Ethiopia, said he thinks this trip has sent a positive message to African leaders about how serious Canada is about stronger ties. He pointed specifically to the large trade delegation with more than 20 Canadian business owners along, as well as having the prime minister at the helm. I think the trip has made a huge difference in firming up and building on the very strong and existing partnerships, he said. Read more about: If you need any proof about how little Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez knows about economics, take a look at who she cited as her maven in arguing for a four-day work week, always looking out for that "unwilling to work" constituency: According to Fox News: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Boston University, had to correct herself Saturday evening after mixing up two "very different" economists during a lengthy Instagram discussion. "UGGGH TYPO, the freshman congresswoman wrote after confusing John Maynard Keynes, an early 20th-century British economist who theorized that government spending was linked to economic growth, with Milton Friedman, a free-market American economist and 1976 Nobel Prize winner, according to The Washington Examiner. Ocasio-Cortez mistakenly combined their names into "Milton Keynes." I was just reading today about how in 1930, famed economist Milton Keynes predicted that by 2030 GDP and technology would have advanced so much that it would allow everyday people to work as little as FIFTEEN HOURS a week and provide for their families, Ocasio-Cortez said while discussing the benefits of a four-day workweek with her Instagram followers. Which is not the kind of "typo" you make when you're an economics major and cite economists with household names. It's the kind of mistake you make when you're "unwilling to work." And surprise surprise, she'd like us all to work like she does, and cut it to four days a week. Maybe it's just a confederation of stupidities, but it's weird stuff because it's also the name of a top-100 city in the United Kingdom. It almost looks like a Freudian slip. Power Line's John Hinderaker points out that the city's name was in the news recently because it's being used as a quarantine center for British citizens who've been exposed to the coronavirus. Maybe that was what was on her mind, it's possible, but color me dubious she actually reads up on such measures abroad. It's also a city that's pretty close to Oxford, a university town that's full of far-leftists of the Jeremy Corbyn stripe. Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, a British county that abuts Oxfordshire and is driving distance to the university, making it home to more than a few lefty Oxford professors, although the county has conservative members of parliament. The only reason I know this is that I remember that from having gone to Oxford as a student for a year. Could Ocasio-Cortez have a link to that socialist bunch? Maybe. I'm keeping my antennae up on that one. A third possibility is that Milton Keynes is a state-planned community, not as bad as some of them, but it's not utterly farfetched to think she might have heard of and admired the place for that. Except that she's really, really lazy, same as Bernie Sanders, who got booted from his hippie commune in he 1970s for sheer sloth. That makes that last possibility a pretty unlikely one. She does, after all, not just chase business out of her district to keep the locals on the dole, her green new deal actually champions those who are "unwilling to work." It's obvious she was one of those when she somehow scarfed up that economics degree from Boston University, whose economics program was last ranked by U.S. News & World Report at a respectable but not "tippy top" as she says, #23 in the nation. Freudian slip or not, Ocasio-Cortez has shown a consistent ignorance of economics that's well worse than even the average non-economics major. John Hinderaker over at Power Line points out that even her knowledge of Keynes is a disaster - citing Keynes, perhaps she didn't realize that Keynes was a big fan of income inequality. Here is a credible economist's assessment of her from last year, and it's devastating. In "The Economic Illiteracy of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez," published in Quillette, Jonathan Church writes: First, her Green New Deal, which appears to be inspired by the highly-risky, nonsensical ideas of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT, which I have written about here). Instead of focusing on entitlement reform and addressing the demographics and rising health care costs which lie at the root of Americas looming debt crisis, the Green New Deal would spend the U.S. into oblivion, likely beyond anything that could have been imagined when President Reagans critics blamed his supply-side fiscal policies for increasing Americas debt load (as a percentage of GDP) during the 1980s. Second, she demonstrated her F-grade economic literacy when tweeting about tax incentives and her opposition to Amazons attempt to establish offices in Long Island City. She subsequently claimed, If were willing to give away $3 billion for this deal, we could invest those $3 billion in our district ourselves if we wanted to, as if the $3 billion were a giveaway from funds already available in the tax coffers, rather than $3 billion that would go back in tax incentivesonly after we were getting the jobs and getting the revenue, as New York City mayor Bill de Blasio (and fellow progressive) explained during an interview with NBCs Meet the Press. Third, in one high-profile PBS interview last year, she claimed that unemployment in America is low because everyone has two jobs and people are working 60, 70, 80 hours a week. She was subsequently chastened by Politifact, which pointed out that [f]ewer than one in 20 employed Americans holds a second job of any type, and the people who might be working as much as 70 or 80 hours a week represent a tiny fraction of that tiny fraction. Moreover, [w]hen[the government] determines the unemployment rate, a person is counted as employed as long as they have at least one job (i.e. the U.S. government does not double-count jobs when people with multiple jobs report being employed). Its not just that she often gets facts wrong, or that her pie-in-the-sky idealism convinces her to take seriously MMTs cavalier attitude about budget deficits. These can be expected from a political neophyte, and perhaps even forgiven. More astonishing is that her views garner so much attention on matters of economic significance despite how transparently her remarks make her sound as if shes never taken an economics course. It all raises questions about just how she got that Boston University economics degree at all. To date, she only made errors in her economics talk, and hasn't said anything to date to suggest she has the slightest understanding of economics. The economics she cites are pure barstool regurgitations. We know now why she never landed an economics job after college - imagine someone this ignorant in a job interview for an economist position --- not just at a Wall Street firm or academia, but even at some Sorosian NGO. It wouldn't happen. Ocasio-Cortez's knowledge is actually less than zero. In a ridiculous defense of Ocasio-Cortez's academic prowess published by Snopes, the apologist cites Ocasio-Cortez's academic award, which was a Latino-based award. Could that be the indicator of how she got through college? It sounds like maybe she played the affirmative action rackets, not just to get the undeserved economics award but possibly to get the grades to pass college. It goes to show that she's not utterly without merit though: The one contribution to economics she has made is in that soft spot she has for those "unwilling to work." Perhaps that was the basis of her economic credential then. Maybe Milton Keynes can give it to her. Barcelona has hosted the world final of Roca's express design competition, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals defined by United Nations The awards ceremony, presided over by Xavier Marcet, Councilor of Tourism and Creative Industries and Xavier Torras, Roca Brand Communication Director, was held at the Salo de Cent of the Barcelona City Council BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The winners of the 13 editions of the Roca One Day Design Challenge, Roca's express design competition, which were held in 12 countries in 2019, came together last month in Barcelona, a benchmark in design, to celebrate the first edition of the Master Design Challenge, with the support of the BCD (Barcelona Centre de Disseny) and the collaboration of the We Are Water Foundation. The awards ceremony, presided over by Xavier Marcet, Councilor of Tourism and Creative Industries, and Xavier Torras, Roca Brand Communication Director and Director of the We Are Water Foundation was held on Wednesday, 22nd January at the Salo de Cent of the Barcelona City Council, after two days of activities carried out by contestants in different spaces of the city of Barcelona. Xavier Torraspointed out that, "As director of the We Are Water Foundation, I also try to analyze the projects by bearing in mind the Sustainable Development Goals and we are really proud to say that all submitted projects have aligned with some of them, thus showing the awareness these future designers have of global problems. Likewise, Xavier Marcet highlighted that, "Barcelona is especially sensitive to any initiative that drives responsible creativity and this is exactly what Roca's competition does." The briefing faced by contestants challenged them to propose a new type of basin with an additional functionality that provided value to the product. Ahmad Alkattan, from Heriott-Watt University in Dubai, EAU, won the award to the winner among winners, a group made up of 22 participants from the 12 countries where the competition has been held. His project proposes a mobile basin that facilitates basic hygiene without having to move. Featuring wheels and two water tanks (fresh and grey), it can be operated with the mobile phone. Isabel Pintado, Regional Managing Director at Wilson Associates, pointed out that "the project changes the static concept of bathroom products, incorporating a moving piece that can be used even outside the bathroom space." Apart from the global award, during the ceremony other prizes were presented to the best projects carried out during the different activities and workshops attended by contestants in these three days in Barcelona: Award to the best sketch; Award to the best presentation; Award to the best concept: Ahmad Alkattan , United Arab Emirates . , . Award to the best render: Desislava Petrova and Liliya Ivanova , Bulgaria . and , . Award to the best Materials project: Wioleta Pertyinia, Poland Aleksei Lukianov , Russia , Rita Yang , Australia , Funi Di , China , Award to the best architecture photography Miguel Angel Fernandez, Spain Award to the best IOT project Fellicia Amanda , Indonesia , Aresha Suraya, Malaysia Alicia Simon, Spain Miguel Angel Fernandez, Spain The consuls of some of the participating countries, such as Poland, Argentina, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria and China have also attended the ceremony to support the young talent of their countries. The international jury also attended the ceremony. The members of the jury have been Joao Bessa, designer and founder of BESSA; Josep Congost, Design and Innovation Director at Roca; Kenneth Koh, founder of Quarters Architects; Isabel Pintado, Regional Managing Director at Wilson Associates; Vladimir Pirozhkov, president of the 'Astra Rossa' industrial design and innovation center; Isabel Roig, general director of BCD (Barcelona Centro de Diseno); and Xavier Torras, Roca Brand Communication Director, who have assessed the proposals, as well as the experts who have run the workshops: Nicanor Garcia, architect and photographer specializing in architecture and travel; Robert D. Thompson, engineer and industrial designer, scientific director at MaterFad; Guillem Camprodon, Research Director at Fab Lab Barcelona. Roca, leading brand in the production, design and distribution of products for the bathroom space, organizes these initiatives to provide visibility to young talent. Roca One Day Design Challenge was first held in 2012 and since then its international expansion has increased over the years. The competition challenges young architecture and design students and professionals to create original and innovative products for the bathroom space in just one day. About Roca Roca is a company engaged in the design, manufacturing and commercialization of products for the bathroom space, floor and wall tiles for architecture, building and interior design. More than one hundred years after its establishment, the company has over 24,245 employees, 82 production plants and is present in more than 170 markets on all five continents. www.roca.es About Roca One Day Design Challenge Roca One Day Design Challenge is a design competition organized by Roca, which takes place annually in different cities around the world. Design and architecture students and professionals under the age of 30 are challenged to create original and innovative products related to the bathroom space in just one day. With the aim of supporting and providing visibility to young talents, the members of the jury are renowned professionals of every country who value the originality, creativity and feasibility of the ideas presented in a 9-hour time limit. The first edition of the competition took place in Spain in 2012, and since then it has not stopped its expansion. In 2019 the competition was held in 13 cities in different countries: Buenos Aires (Argentina),Melbourne (Australia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Katowice (Poland), Sofia (Bulgaria), Lisbon (Portugal), Moscow (Russia), Shanghai (China), Muscat (Oman), Barcelona and Madrid (Spain) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). www.onedaydesignchallenge.net About the Sustainable Development Goals The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it's important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030. www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ About Barcelona Design Centre (BCD) Barcelona Design Centre (BCD) is a private non-profit foundation with over 45 years of experience in the promotion of design in companies, institutions and society as a whole. BCD leads activities to foster innovation, creative talent and the projection of Barcelona's design to the world. Its mission is to promote design as a transformation tool for competitiveness, sustainability and the improvement of the quality of life of people, promoting Barcelona as an international benchmark in design. It leads the Cluster Diseno en Cataluna and is a member of the World Design Weeks network through the Barcelona Design Week. www.bcd.es Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1087780/Roca_Winner_Master_Design_Challenge.jpg For more information: Carla Martinez +34-670-858-248 cmartinez@ulled.com The Queen has requested Harry and Meghan attend the annual Commonwealth Service with the rest of the royals next month. Government representatives of the 53 member nations will gather at Westminster Abbey for the one-hour event on the afternoon of March 9. For the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it will be wrapped into a wider whistle stop schedule which will mark their final duties on the Family frontline. At last year's event, Meghan was heavily pregnant with now nine-month Archie, who will fly with his parents from Canada for their engagements, the Sunday Times reports. Harry and Meghan attend the 2019 Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, which they have been invited to return to next month Next month's Commonwealth Day ceremony will likely see the Duke and Duchess reunite with William and Kate. When they were pictured smiling together at the 2019 event, the group were known as the Fab Four - a nickname which has since evaporated The Queen leaves the Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey on March 11, 2019 Her Majesty's invitation will see the couple press pause on their new pared-back lifestyle which has allowed them to profit their royal fame. On Thursday night they were keynote speakers at a star-studded JP Morgan conference which wealth experts believe could have netted them up to $1million. Friends have told the newspaper the Queen is 'remarkably relaxed' and 'unfazed' by the couple's money-making ventures. Ronn Torossian, CEO of New York-based firm 5W Public Relations, said he expects the couple to have made between $500,000 and $1million (387,000 and 775,000) from the appearance. He told Dailymail.com: 'One would imagine they flew privately from Canada to Miami, had a hotel suite, and hair and makeup artist, which could cost $100,000 (77,000) to $250,000 (193,000) in expenses. 'Harry and Meghan will be the highest-paid speakers that exist on the corporate market.' A last year's event, which always falls on the second Monday in March, Harry and Meghan were seated beside Prince Andrew, who has since also peeled back from royal duties But royal courtiers are still in negotiations about how Harry and Meghan will be able to profit from the Sussex brand in the future, with any blueprint subject to an annual review in spring 2021. Next month's Commonwealth Day ceremony will likely see the Duke and Duchess reunite with William and Kate, with whom they are rumoured to have fallen out. When they were pictured smiling together at the 2019 event, the group were known as the Fab Four - a nickname which has since evaporated after the Sussexes severed professional ties by pulling out of the Kensington Palace household and their joint charitable foundation. A last year's event, which always falls on the second Monday in March, Harry and Meghan were seated beside Prince Andrew, who has since also peeled back from royal duties following a car-crash Newsnight interview about his paedophile friend Jeffrey Epstein. Buckingham Palace refused to confirm Her Majesty had asked the Duke and Duchess to attend the Commonwealth Service. Two U.S. service members were killed Saturday after a firefight broke out in Afghanistan, officials tell CBS News. A government official in eastern Afghanistan told CBS News the incident occurred in the Sherzad district of eastern Nangarhar province. "Upon completing a key-leader engagement at the district center, current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun," U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) spokesman Colonel Sonny Leggett said. Six other American soldiers were wounded, according to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. They also said an Afghan National Army soldier was killed and three others were wounded. "Incidents such as this fail to have negative effects on the friendship and spirit of cooperation and between the ANDSF [Afghan National Defense and Security Forces] and U.S. Military forces," the Ministry of Defense said in a statement. "We will continue our fight against terrorism together." The Pentagon on Sunday identified the service members who were killed as Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, and Antonio Rey Rodriguez, also 28. Gutierrez was from San Antonio, Texas, and Rodriguez was from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Both were posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant 1st class. "We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time," the statement added. "The incident is under investigation." combo-rodriguez-gutierrez (L) Sergeant 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico; (R) Sergeant 1st Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas. Department of Defense It's estimated there are more than 10,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. In President Trump's State of the Union speech Tuesday, he said the U.S. is "working to finally end America's longest war and bring our troops back home." Mr. Trump said "peace talks are underway," and he said it is not the "function" of the U.S. military "to serve other nations as law enforcement agencies." Story continues Easter Island's famous moai statues slowly fading away How an Oklahoma woman learned to fly like an eagle in Mongolia What lies at the bottom of one of the deepest holes ever dug by man? American media personalities Kylie Jenner, Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian attended close friend Malika Haqq's bear-themed Baby Shower. According to People magazine, Malika who is an American actor and also one of Khloe's best friend is expecting her first child, a baby boy in the coming month. Yesterday, Khloe, Kylie with their momager Kris went to the celebration. The baby shower was decked out in teddy bears and bear-like colours including bear ears for guests, a five-tiered bear cake, moss bear statues as well as a brown and white balloon archway. During the event, Malika who was completely surprised also gave an emotional speech and couldn't control her tears while thanking everybody who was present. Haqq also disclosed the identity of her baby's father as she said, "Whether you brought me lunch or called me or texted me... I'm incredibly thankful to Odis Flores for my little boy." Best friend Khloe even documented the baby shower showing off the lavish decorations and food selections at the party. Beauty mogul Kylie Jenner also shared a few moments from the day on her social media. "The most beautiful baby shower for the most beautiful pregnant woman inside & out!," read the caption of the post shared on her Instagram. Daughter Kylie uploaded a picture of her mom and wrote 'mama bear' on the same. Kris Jenner sported a white and gold long sleeve dress with tall cream boots and bear ears. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 8,000 people have signed a petition defending Franklin Graham's tour of the UK this summer. The petition was launched on CitizenGo by Voice for Justice UK, a Christian campaign group that shares Graham's traditional view of marriage and sexuality. It follows the cancellation of his evangelistic events by all seven of the venues that had been booked for the tour, among them the Glasgow Hydro, ACC Liverpool and ICC Wales. The venues pulled out after coming under pressure from LGBT+ campaigners. Accusing protesters of waging a "campaign of vilification", the petition asks the UK Government to investigate Graham's "bullying opponents for hate crimes". "Ideologues intent on imposing their rebranded views on society are increasingly trying to drive Christians out of the public arena," it reads. "In a democratic society committed to the rule of law, how can these venomous and intimidatory tactics that drive out someone who has done no wrong, and who hasn't broken the law ever be acceptable? "How is it possible that those attacking Mr Graham should be allowed to be so intolerant and bigoted, categorically refusing the right of Bible-believing Christians to defend their faith?" It goes on to call on the Government to uphold Article 9 of the Human Rights Act 1998, protecting the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and to manifest these beliefs in public. It adds that religion and belief form one of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. "We call for Mr Graham's bullying opponents to be investigated for hate crimes, and for Her Majesty's Government to defend the right of Christians to practise and manifest their belief without intimidation or pressure," the petition concludes. Graham has said his tour will go ahead despite the cancellations and that he is considering legal action. Police arrested a man who they say crashed his car into an empty car in a parking lot, landing on the hood of that vehicle, then pointed a gun at people who had witnessed the incident. The Portland Police Bureau said in a statement Sunday that officers responded to a call of suspicious circumstances" in the 9200 block of Southeast Foster Road at 2:06 a.m. Sunday morning. As they were responding, the officers got a call from an off-duty officer who was in the area and could see a person threatening people with a gun, according to the statement. The man attempted to flee onto a nearby pedestrian path, police said, and when officers stopped him at Southeast 96th Avenue and Harold Street, he would not cooperate and started to walk away. A police dog caught and held the man. Police said they recovered a gun in the area. Shabar U. Johnson, 22, of Portland, was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm and menacing and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. Police said they are still investigating to discover if more charges are appropriate. They are asking anyone who witnessed the vehicle being driven before, during or after the crash to contact Officer Jason Reando, at jason.reando@portlandoregon.gov and refer to case number 20-45614. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Around 100 inmates from Yerawada Central Jail in Pune are now a part of the international business community. In the past 15 months, more than 30,000 pairs of footwear, manufactured by the inmates, were exported to the United State of America (USA) and many European countries, helping them achieve a turnover of 2 crore in the financial year 2018-19. Working under the brand name Inmate, the inmates, mostly convicts, are now hoping that their revenue for the financial year 2019-2020 touches 8 crore, said Divej Mehta, the director of Tergus Works Private Limited, the firm that exports the footwear. Yogesh Desai, deputy inspector of general (DIG), Pune, said that the demand for products manufactured by jail inmates has witnessed a surge in recent months, and the inmates have been working round-the-clock to meet the demands. From the traditional Kolhapuri chappals to sandals, the inmates design and manufacture different types of footwear. The prison department aims to rehabilitate the inmates. With time, the trends change and we trying to imbibe modern culture. Citizens have a perception that inmates break huge stones for their daily earnings, but that is an old practise now. The footwear market is a blooming industry. The inmates design the footwear as the firm only provides them with raw materials, machineries and looks after the export, said Desai, adding that the unit where the inmates work was earlier used for stitching clothes and making leather shoes for prison department officers and Rajasthan Police. However, as the demand was too low, authorities decided to close it and start a unit entirely dedicated to footwear. According to UT Pawar, superintendent of police, Yerawada Central Jail, the inmates will also be handed over experience certificates. Most of the inmates working in the unit are convicts who have at least more than five years to complete their sentence. They first undergo a training and after starting work in the unit, are paid daily wages as per the jail manual. Inmates will be given a certificate of experience so that once they are released, it will help them get employed, said Pawar. While the proposal to start the unit was accepted by the prison department in 2013, Inmate as a brand was launched on April 1, 2018, by Mehta. While pursuing his MBA degree in Singapore, Mehta, whose family is running a business for the past five decades, decided to work with jail inmates to rehabilitate them. In the past three years, we have empowered more than 250 inmates at Yerawada as well as in Puzhal Central Prison, Chennai, said Mehta. Human rights groups have strongly criticized Italy for extending a deal with Libya that facilitates the return of migrants to detention centers, where these migrants say torture and rape are commonplace. The EU has sent hundreds of millions of dollars to Libya to boost its coastguard capabilities Bollywood's romance with misogyny has been the most enduring affair for the longest time. The fact that filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga thinks slapping a woman in Kabir Singh was an expression of 'true love', was another instance on how Bollywood has normalised and glorified casual and everyday sexism for audiences. But then, there are other filmmakers like Anubhav Sinha who are making films like Thappad to bring about a change in society. Amid this, Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan who is known for playing roles that have ruthless dose or undertones of misogyny, recently gave a statement that proved he is no different in real life. AFP When he was asked about comparisons with Ayushmann Khurrana, he was quoted as saying in an interview, "It happens that Ayushmann does films about men with defects, while I do films about women with defects." AFP Ayushmann Khurrana who is hailed as middle-class super hero is trying to normalise subjects that are otherwise considered a taboo with every film he does. And Kartik Aaryan, thinks he (Ayushmann) is essaying roles of men with defects. This hasn't gone down well with the audiences. Not only that, his misogynistic remark that his films women have "defects" has also led to anger on social media. So much so, that people want to "punch him" for his statement. All this time @ayushmannk did such movies to remove the stereotypes. #KartikAaryan in one go calls those characters "men with defects". But that wasn't enough, misogynist that he is, says his movies are about "women with defects". National crush, this guy, women, wake up! https://t.co/uboxKeiq54 Vipra Dubey (@VipraDubey) February 8, 2020 Just here to say that Kartik Aaryan is a misogynistic, homophobic and bigoted piece of shit. solidarity to tiny people (@LazynLameNerd) February 8, 2020 SHUT THE FUCK UP. SHUT THE FUCK UP. KARTIK AARYAN I'LL FLOOR YOU FUCKER https://t.co/2ZZykxcKG0 akshita (@leftatcornelia) February 8, 2020 kartik aaryan is the reason im a lesbian mania (@sarvajanikdaddy) February 8, 2020 Kartik Aaryan is popular for playing roles that have sexist undertones. He shot to fame with the Pyaar Ka Punchnama monologue in which he is ranting against manipulative women. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety was no different. His last release Pati Patni Aur Woh had also become the eye of the storm for a joke on marital sex. February's full moon is the 'snow' or 'storm' moon in the native American lunar calendar, and it lit up a storm-battered stage and trapeze line for Galway 2020s opening ceremony at the weekend. Although Storm Ciara forced cancellation of the open-air event, EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan lifted spirits with a rousing speech at the formal handover of the European Capital of Culture title. Addressing hundreds of organisers, volunteers and artists within the warm confines of the Galmont Hotel, Mr Hogan noted that on his work travels from Helsinki to the Azores and from the Hague to Athens, Galway is often mentioned as a beautiful Irish city of culture and creativity... But I must admit that my native city of Kilkenny is often mentioned in such terms, he said, to laughter. Kilkenny was one of the three sister cities", along with Wexford and Waterford, that bid against Limerick and Galway for the 2020 European capital of culture title. Big Phil is happy because he doesnt have to use the Welly Wardrobe, quipped one local artist, referring to the wellingtons which had been organised in Galways West district for late night clubbers. Public safety had been the overriding concern in the decision to cancel the event in Claddaghs South Park, due to the orange weather warning issued by Met Eireann. Up to 40,000 people had been expected to attend the fire and flame display by British company Wonder Works, with involvement by 500 community participants. At the indoor opening, Galway 2020 chairman Arthur Lappin pledged that the Galway phoenix would fly again, and acknowledged how gutted everyone felt. Galway 2020 chief executive Patricia Philbin said that while the event licence could not cover a rescheduling, elements of the opening ceremony may be incorporated in the programme later in the year. Ms Philbin said insurance costs may cover some of the cost, and noted the fire tour events in six county towns over the preceding week had been a great success. Artistic director, Helen Marriage, paid tribute to the many voices, musicians, drummers, chanters and volunteers who were due to participate, with her voice breaking as she expressed her deep sadness: It has been suggested to me to start a crowdfunding campaign..so you are all in the firing line." Galways St Nicholass collegiate church marked its 700th anniversary yesterday, and the 2020 programme has already begun with sculptor John Behan RHAs exhibition, entitled Migrants, opened by President Higgins in the Kenny Gallery. A number of free events on the Imbolc or Spring section include the Hope it Rains project, and Finnish artist Kari Kolas illumination of Lough na Fooey in mid March. Branar Theatres much-anticipated production, Sruth na Teanga, for children and their adults opens in Galway Airport, Carnmore, on March 2. A limited number of tickets at 30 are available for tonights National Concert Hall Imagining Ireland concert, curated by Sinead Gleeson, with Radie Peat, Lisa ONeill and Zambian-Irish rapper Denise Chaila among others at the Black Box Theatre. Galway city councillors are to consider an application for 2.5m in additional funding for Galway 2020 today. Last month, courageous parents of a fifth-grader at a Hamden elementary school brought forward a troubling story. Their childs social studies teacher, searching for a lesson plan that could be used to educate and engage the class about the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, selected a 20-year-old role play exercise produced by Scholastic Inc, one of the largest for-profit curriculum publishers in the country. The play exercise itself was abysmal riddled with inaccurate representations of the trade rooted in long-standing and deeply flawed American tradition of romanticizing slavery as relatively benign. Worse still, the couples child was one of two black students in the play cast as slaves, implicitly (even if unintendedly) associating blackness and black identity with enslaveability. Thanks to the parents intervention, the play was never performed. District administrators were quick to blame the teachers use of an unauthorized curricular resource, suggesting that if the teacher had simply made use of an approved curriculum, all would be fine. But as the students mother, Carmen Parker, pointed out in a deeply insightful and empathetic plea to a board committee, blaming the teacher alone hides the culpability of a system that is clearly broken. Parker and many others at the meeting (including one of us) called on the board to address the ways teachers are trained and supported to effectively educate their students. As parents of children in Hamden public schools (one of us is also a parent at the school where this incident took place) who work in the field of anti-racist education and social justice, we could not agree more. In fact, many of us have voiced these concerns to both local school leaders and district administrators for years. Parents plea for a culturally rich and historically accurate curricula have fallen on deaf ears for far too long. This is not a problem unique to Hamden. School districts across the country at every grade level and subject area continue to draw on antiquated, culturally damaging and often inaccurate curricula that leave all students deprived. These approaches, often rooted in perceptions of racial colorblindness and neutrality, diminish our capacity to ethically educate young people in the ways they deserve. It does not have to be this way. Across Connecticut, there are many examples of teachers, teacher educators and students pointing the way to a different future, in which classrooms become rich and compelling places to engage with questions of difference and power. At dozens of high schools like Metropolitan Business Academy in New Haven, teachers and students are developing new approaches to learning history, literature and civics that do not resort to racial colorblindness. Educators with groups like the Akomawt Educational Initiative and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum work with teachers to understand the histories and contemporary life of indigenous groups in the place we now call Connecticut. While teacher education programs have an uneven record in training new educators to teach around race and racism, colleagues at Southern Connecticut State University and elsewhere have made these commitments a central part of their work. Programs like the Yale New Haven Teachers Institute, the Gilder Lehrman Center and the Connecticut Council for Social Studies have long engaged teachers in developing new curricula. Faculty at UConn have created resources to more accurately teach histories of immigration and community formation across the state. And countless individual teachers, dissatisfied with the curricula they are assigned, take time from their already busy schedules to develop new (and responsibly developed) lesson plans and pedagogy in history, literature, science and math to better meet the needs of their students. Students, who were at the forefront of a recent legislative effort to make African American and Latinx studies a required part of the curriculum at every Connecticut public high school, have also dared us to understand teaching and learning as dynamic and evolving rather than timeless and static. They have also demanded that every teacher responsible for this required elective receive training in bias and cultural sensitivity. The challenge now in Hamden and across the state is to provide teachers and schools the resources, support and guidance they need to transform their curriculum and teaching. Rather than the top-down approaches to professional development used by most districts, we can pilot peer-driven models in which educators train and support one another in curricular development. Collective bargaining agreements can be amended to incentivize and support new opportunities for professional development. Digital platforms can be created to give teachers and students easy access to the leading work done by peers in their subject areas. If teachers are connected with the best and most creative work underway across the state, they wont have to turn to the inaccurate and failed lesson plans like the one at the heart of the Hamden debacle. As the saying goes, we are the ones we have been waiting for. Daniel Martinez HoSang is associate professor of ethnicity, race, and migration at Yale. Rashanda McCollum is executive director of Students for Educational Justice in New Haven. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 14:55:18|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close JINAN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A man in eastern China's Shandong Province confirmed with the novel coronavirus infection has been put under police investigation for holding back his prior travel and contact, which led to the quarantine of 68 medical workers and 49 others. The case was recently brought up by the provincial department of public security at a press conference on epidemic prevention and control. "The man was charged for allegedly committing the crime of jeopardizing public security in a dangerous manner," said an official with the department. Similar cases were found in other places, which severely hampered the efforts of the governments and the people in fighting the disease. A woman in Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province tried to conceal that she had lived in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, and had close contact with 77 people after her return to her hometown. The 64-year-old woman, surnamed Liu, died of novel coronavirus pneumonia on Saturday shortly after her infection was confirmed, authorities said. Liu and her family kept denying having lived in Wuhan until Thursday, after her health deteriorated. Before that, she went to see a dentist and visited the hospital, potentially spreading the virus to scores of poeple. Local authorities have placed all close contacts in quarantine, although the contacts currently tested negative of the virus. Chinese police have strengthened investigation into such cases to curb the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, regulations were issued in many places to criminalize such acts as well as others including manufacturing and marketing fake medical equipment and supplies, spreading rumors, and illegal wildlife hunting and trade. Legal experts believe that during this critical period of epidemic prevention and control, China's local governments are tightening strings on the fight against the epidemic in accordance with the law, providing law-based support to win the battle. The National Health Commission Sunday said it received reports of 2,656 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection on Saturday from 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, bringing the overall confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland to 37,198 by the end of Saturday. The whole nation is taking action. In Shanghai, those who violate quarantine or conceal coronavirus symptoms, a travel history in key virus-hit regions or a history of contact with confirmed and suspected patients will not only be subject to legal liabilities in accordance with the law, but be blacklisted on Shanghai's credit information platform. Experts said that linking the concealment of coronavirus symptoms with personal credit records will pressure individuals into cooperation in special times. "These regulations can ensure that all measures in the prevention and control of the epidemic are brought in line with the rule of law and in good order," said Hu Changlong, a professor with the Law School of Shandong University. In addition to strict law enforcement, local governments in China have published compilations of legal provisions concerning virus prevention and control, popularizing relevant legal knowledge. Greater uncertainty to the anti-virus campaign lies ahead with a larger flow of personnel as the resumption of work and the new school semester is about to start. Under such circumstances, legislation, law enforcement and legal knowledge education are expected to play a more important role, analysts said. All the law-based solutions indicate the Chinese government's determination and confidence in winning this battle against the epidemic, Hu noted. Franklin Graham surprised by backlash over UK evangelistic tour Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Evangelist Franklin Graham has said in a media interview that hes surprised to see all the confirmed venues in the United Kingdom pulling out due to his views on homosexuality, even as his supporters have started an online petition calling it bullying and a hate crime. I have been surprised I'm not coming to speak against anybody and I dont name any groups of people, Graham, the son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, told Christian Today, based in the U.K., in an interview. Im coming to tell people how they can have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Graham plans to tour the U.K. with eight stops starting in May, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which he heads, says more than 1,800 churches across the United Kingdom are cooperating with it to share the Gospel in multiple cities this spring. Currently, he and his team are searching for other venues after all the original locations canceled despite having signed contracts and received deposits. What he's most concerned about is the stifling of free speech for churches. "... If we don't stand up for the right to free speech and freedom of religion, there are lots of churches in this country that meet in public who are at risk," he told Christian Today. "They could be kicked out, they could be forced to go somewhere else, just because of their faith. "We haven't broken any laws and I think it's important for the church that we resolve this matter so that it protects them," he said of possibly pursuing legal action. This isn't the first time the evangelist met opposition from LGBT groups. In 2018, bus ads for his 2018 evangelistic festival were pulled following outcry from LGBT groups. Graham believes that the need for preaching the Gospel in the U.K. is "greater than ever." He wants people to know that we are all sinners and our sins separate us from God. And unless we confess our sins and repent, and believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have no hope. The only hope that we have is through Christ, he continued. And so, I'm coming to tell the people of the U.K. how they can have a relationship with God through faith in His Son, and I want people to know what steps we have to take in order to have that relationship. I'm certainly not here to speak against anyone. I'm here to speak for everyone. However, he added, some people dont want to hear that they are sinners. They think that this is hateful and angry speech. It's not. In love, I want to warn people and tell them the steps they need to take to have a right relationship with God, and how they can be sure their sins are forgiven. Jesus, he continued, is the only one to have paid the debt of sin. Graham recently wrote to the U.K.s LGBTQ community, explaining his stand. It is said by some that I am coming to the UK to bring hateful speech to your community. This is just not true. I am coming to share the Gospel, which is the Good News that God loves the people of the UK, and that Jesus Christ came to this earth to save us from our sins, he wrote on his Facebook page. The rub, I think, comes in whether God defines homosexuality as sin. The answer is yes. But God goes even further than that, to say that we are all sinnersmyself included. The Bible says that every human being is guilty of sin and in need of forgiveness and cleansing. The penalty of sin is spiritual deathseparation from God for eternity. In the interview, Graham was also asked about his public support of President Donald Trump, another issue that has caused some to oppose the evangelists tour. I certainly dont support the president in everything he says or does, he explained. I did not campaign for him and Im not campaigning for him now. But if the president does something good for the American people, I certainly will try to support him the best I can. He pointed out that Trump stands for the right to life and defends religious freedom. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 people have signed a petition on CitizenGo launched by Voice for Justice UK, a Christian group that advocates the traditional view of marriage and sexuality defending Grahams tour of the U.K. Graham planned a four-month evangelistic tour of the UK, in hopes of sparking a Revival similar to that spearheaded by his father Billy Graham, in the 1950s, reads the petition, calling for Mr Grahams bullying opponents to be investigated for hate crimes, and for Her Majestys Government to defend the right of Christians to practise and manifest their belief without intimidation or pressure. Graham also wrote a letter to his supporters earlier, urging prayers that God will keep the doors open for him to preach the Gospel in the U.K. For the last two years we have been preparing to go to the United Kingdom and take the Gospel to eight different cities starting in Scotland, going down to Wales, and finishing up in London, he wrote. As we move closer to these events in late May and June, we are experiencing opposition from LGBTQ activists who want to stop this Gospel work. This small but vocal minority is pressuring venues to back out of our contracts because I have said that God defines homosexuality as sin. Several venues have already told us that they are cancelling. Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 4 days. Investors can purchase shares before the 14th of February in order to be eligible for this dividend, which will be paid on the 5th of March. Alaska Air Group's upcoming dividend is US$0.38 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$1.50 per share to shareholders. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, Alaska Air Group has a trailing yield of approximately 2.3% on its current stock price of $63.96. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. As a result, readers should always check whether Alaska Air Group has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. View our latest analysis for Alaska Air Group Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Alaska Air Group has a low and conservative payout ratio of just 22% of its income after tax. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. NYSE:ALK Historical Dividend Yield, February 9th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with consistently growing earnings per share generally make the best dividend stocks, as they usually find it easier to grow dividends per share. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. With that in mind, we're encouraged by the steady growth at Alaska Air Group, with earnings per share up 6.9% on average over the last five years. Earnings per share have been growing at a decent rate, and the company is retaining more than three-quarters of its earnings in the business. If profits are reinvested effectively, this could be a bullish combination for future earnings and dividends. Story continues The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. In the last seven years, Alaska Air Group has lifted its dividend by approximately 21% a year on average. It's encouraging to see the company lifting dividends while earnings are growing, suggesting at least some corporate interest in rewarding shareholders. The Bottom Line Has Alaska Air Group got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? Alaska Air Group has seen its earnings per share grow slowly in recent years, and the company reinvests more than half of its profits in the business, which generally bodes well for its future prospects. We think this is a pretty attractive combination, and would be interested in investigating Alaska Air Group more closely. Wondering what the future holds for Alaska Air Group? See what the 12 analysts we track are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow We wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see, though. Here's a list of interesting dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Police have shot at a man who allegedly charged at officers with a machete in Frankston. Police were called to Ashleigh Avenue and found the man, believed to be aged in his 30s, just before 9pm on Sunday. The man then allegedly charged at the officers with what is believed to be a machete. One of the officers responded by shooting at the man, but he was not hit. Police then capsicum sprayed and arrested the man, who was taken to hospital for assessment. A day after voting in Delhi Assembly elections, the Congress on Sunday rubbished the exit poll results, most of which predicted little or no change in the party's fortunes from 2015 polls, saying the result on February 11 will "surprise everyone". Almost all exit polls predicted little change in the fortunes of the Congress, which had ruled the city between 1998 and 2013 but drew a blank in the 2015 polls. "Let others celebrate the exit poll results. I am confident that the results on February 11 will startle everyone," chief spokesperson of Delhi Congress Mukesh Sharma said. The party's Delhi unit president Subhash Chopra told reporters that all his party candidates contested with full strength. "There are at least 20 candidates of the Congress who were involved in keen triangular contests. We reject the exit poll results." Congress contested the Delhi Assembly polls in alliance with the Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD). It fielded candidates on 66 seats leaving four for the RJD. "We fielded the best candidates on all seats, campaigned sincerely and are positive of good performance," said Sharma who himself contested from Vikaspuri seat. If Congress sources are to be believed, the party hopes to win some seats provided the minorities voters chose it over the AAP. "There are nearly 10 seats that Congress has a good chance of winning. However, it will depend on how the minorities voters cast their votes," they said. The final voter turnout in the Delhi polls was 62.59 per cent, down from 67.47 per cent in 2015 assembly election, with exit polls predicting an easy win for AAP, which sought to retain power on development plank, against the BJP that ran an aggressive campaign centred around the issues of anti-CAA protests and nationalism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the birth anniversary of saint-poet Ravidas, BJP president J P Nadda said on Sunday the party is committed to constructing a grand Ravidas temple in Delhi and asserted that every party worker will follow the path shown by the saint for an united society. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had demolished the temple in Tughlakabad area on August 10 on the orders of the Supreme Court, triggering protests by Dalits in the national capital and some states. Paying homage to Saint Ravidas at the party office, Nadda said the great saint preached to end evil practices prevalent in the society. Underlining that BJP's work every worker will follow the path shown by him for unity of the society, Nadda said the party committed to the construction of grand Ravidas temple in the national capital. He further said BJP-led governments across the country are also following the philosophy of Ravidas, and working for development of all sections of the society. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Newsfrom Japan Tanegashima, Kagoshima Pref., Feb. 9 (Jiji Press)--Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. <7011> successfully launched an intelligence-gathering optical satellite of the government on an H-2A rocket on Sunday. The H-2A Launch Vehicle No. 41 blasted off from the Tanegashima Space Center in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima at 10:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. GMT). The satellite subsequently entered the planned orbit. It was the 35th consecutive successful launch of an H-2A rocket, raising the launch success rate to 97.6 pct. Mitsubishi Heavy initially planned to launch the rocket on Nov. 28 but postponed it due to the discovery of leaks from the ground piping to supply nitrogen gas for air conditioning in the rocket. Operated by the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center, the satellite is the latest in a series of de facto spy satellites introduced after North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile over the Japanese archipelago in 1998. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] IDLIB As a light rain poured down in the early hours of the morning, vehicles carrying displaced people made their way amid clouds of fog along the road from Idlib to the Syrian-Turkish border. They fled the cities of Idlib province, Arihah and the surrounding countryside as the military offensive of Bashar al-Assad's regime forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, southeast of Idlib province continued. Stacks of essential necessities brought by the displaced from their homes blankets, mattresses, clothes and electrical tools packed the backs of vehicles. The jammed roads forced cars to move slowly. Loaded vehicles headed to areas adjacent to the Syrian-Turkish border, as empty vehicles headed south toward Idlib and the neighboring towns to carry others. Syrian regime forces continue their progress in Idlib province despite repeated Turkish warnings. On the evening of Feb. 6, regime forces took control of Saraqeb 17 kilometers (10 miles) east of Idlib city. Turkey had set up four military points in and around Saraqeb in the face of regime advances. The regimes control of Saraqeb will test Turkey's seriousness about resorting to a military option, as Saraqeb is strategically located on an important junction of the Aleppo-Damascus M5 highway and the Aleppo-Latakia M4 highway. 15 kilometers separate the regime forces from the complete control of the Aleppo-Damascus M5 highway. On Feb. 9, the regime forces took control of the towns and hills overlooking the M5 road, most notably the towns of Al-Eis (21 km south of the city of Aleppo) and Al-Zorba (15 km south Aleppo). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the Syrian regime forces until the end of February to withdraw behind Turkish observation points in northern Syria. If the Syrian regime will not retreat from Turkish observation posts in Idlib in February, Turkey itself will be obliged to make this happen, Erdogan said in a speech before the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara on Feb. 5. Turkeys air and land forces will move freely in all operation areas [in Syria] and in Idlib, and they will conduct operations if needed, he added. Turkish threats to the Syrian regime are not reassuring to the residents of Idlib city amid round-the-clock sounds of explosions and shelling coming from the frontlines between the regime and the opposition forces, especially after regime forces took control of al-Nayrab Feb. 4 only 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Idlib city. Residents have grown even more concerned after Idlib city was subjected to regime airstrikes Feb. 6 that killed eight people, including a medic. All around the streets of Idlib, a city of 400,000 people, most residents seem to be packing their bags and stacking their belongings into vehicles in preparation for leaving. Before leaving in a taxi loaded with furniture, Hassan al-Sabouh, 37, told Al-Monitor, This is the second time within a month that I find myself forced into displacement. I was displaced from Maaret al-Numan, 40 kilometers south of Idlib city, two weeks before the regime forces entered it Jan. 28, and here I am leaving again as regime forces approach Idlib. Sabouh added, I will now head to the Turkish border, near the town of Atma, in the hope of finding a house or a tent there. At a time when the Turkish border is still closed, the displaced go mainly to the towns and camps adjacent to the Syrian-Turkish border, in addition to the areas of Afrin and northern Aleppo, controlled by the Turkish-backed opposition. During Al-Monitors tour, many displaced people seemed to have stayed overnight in their cars on the edge of the roads, or inside mosques or schools. Only a few were fortunate to find a house for rent in the border areas. According to Syrias Response Coordination Group, 350,000 people were displaced from Idlib province between Jan. 16 and Feb. 4, some of whom were displaced several times as a result of the Syrian regime's military offensive. Idlib province has been the last destination for civilians and opposition fighters who refused to live within areas controlled by the Syrian regime in various parts of the country. They have been displaced to Idlib province within separate so-called reconciliation deals. The current population in opposition-held areas in Idlib province is estimated at 3.6 million people 1.7 million of whom are displaced. As the opposition's control areas recede, the remaining areas do not seem capable of accommodating such a large number of displaced people. Abdallah al-Suwaid, the emergency response official in the Molham Team for volunteers, told Al-Monitor, We are working with several organizations to provide temporary shelters for the displaced. They contain large tents for collective housing as a quick solution. He added, Despite all efforts, the displacement movement is several times greater than the capabilities of humanitarian organizations, and we can only accommodate a small portion. The residents of Idlib are betting on Turkish diplomatic efforts to stop the ground attack of regime forces, especially after the opposition factions counterattacks failed to recover the sites they lost in eastern Idlib the most recent of which was the Feb. 6 attack on al-Nayrab. Although the oppositions Free Syrian Army sent reinforcements to Idlib on Dec. 30, opposition forces could not maintain their strongholds in eastern Idlib. It appears Russian air cover is a decisive factor in favor of the regime forces during the battles; in addition to the heavy airstrikes, it monitors the movement of opposition fighters and their vehicles through reconnaissance planes. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented 13,625 airstrikes by Russian and Syrian warplanes on Idlib province in January. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Feb. 6 that his country was waiting for Russia to put an end to the escalating regime attacks on Idlib, adding, We expect a Russian delegation. After the delegation, our President Erdogan and Russian President [Vladimir] Putin will meet if there is a need. Our main aim is to stop conflicts. As per the Election Commission (EC), the voter turnout for Delhi polls held on February 8 was 62.59 percent, Delhi CEO Ranbir Singh said at a press conference on February 9. Singh added that the voter turnout in the 2015 Assembly polls had been 67.12 percent. As per EC, the highest turnout (71.6 percent) was recorded in Ballimaran constituency while the lowest with 45.4 percent was the Delhi Cantonment constituency. The male-female ratio was fairly balanced as 62.62 percent male voters and 62.55 percent female voters cast their votes on February 8. Following the polling in the national capital, exit polls on February 8 predicted that this election would come as an easy win for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The AAP's election campaign this time revolved around development- healthcare, education, and other such issues, as opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that ran an aggressive campaign centred around the issues of anti-CAA protests and nationalism. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said it is 'absolutely shocking' that the poll panel was not releasing the figure several hours after polling got over. "Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?" Kejriwal tweeted. A school resource officer is being blasted by students at North Miami Senior High School after cellphone video captured her shouting profanities and threatening students. She was being unprofessional. She couldve handled it in a better way, one student said. The now viral cellphone video begins after students say school resource officers broke up a fight Friday at the high school. A slew of profanities are indeed heard in the video -- some coming from students, but most coming from the officer. It doesnt f***ing matter. Get the f*** away from me, the officer says as she restrains a student. She then uses the same expletives to say shell shoot them all while grabbing her gun holster. The unnamed officer does not actually remove the gun from the holster. Students having seen the video and heard the threatening words have a lot to say about it. I believe theyre supposed to help us feel safe, not endangered, one student said. When I saw the second video, I was like, OK, shes just arresting him, and then when she pulled him to the side and then she put her hand on her gun, I kind of felt scared for the kid because what if she actually pulled it out and shot (him), another student said. With all of the police brutality going on, you never know what these police officers could be thinking about. On February 9, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated the head of state on the victory of the New Azerbaijan Party, headed by President Ilham Aliyev, at the parliamentary elections and wished the new parliament success in its activities. President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the attention and congratulations. The heads of state expressed their confidence that the friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey will continue successfully developing in all areas. The presidents made a decision to continue new contacts in the near future. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz CLEVELAND, Ohio It was 1969. The world was still reeling from the assassinations of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy the year before. Cleveland was picking up the pieces from the riot-torn Hough and Glenville neighborhoods. African American college students had a lot on their minds, but nowhere to express it. Cleveland State University student Ron Kisner, a business administration major (CSU did not have a journalism school then), heard the call, and, along with other students, he made his way to CSUs boardroom and it was not long before the Vindicator was born. The paper, now a multicultural magazine, is celebrating 50 years. The first paper hit the stands on Jan. 31, 1970. The name Vindicator was chosen to reflect a students right to express themselves freely. So a group of students from the Society for African American Unity made some demands, said Kisner, founder of the publication. We led a protest that took us to the university presidents office. Here we were, students sitting in his conference room like we were negotiating a labor contract, he said with a chuckle. We had 10 demands, for then CSU president Dr. Harold Enarsonand they included a black homecoming queen, establishing a Black Studies program (that celebrated 50 years last year) , a black student on the Board of Trustees, sanction African American Greek fraternities and sororities, and pushed for stronger efforts to recruit more black students. Back then, CSUs student body was about 13,000, only 300 were black. The last demand was for a newspaper. We needed a place for minority students to speak openly about issues that affect them and their communities. The Cauldron was publishing, but it was not dealing with black student issues. We wanted our voices heard all over CSU. We didnt get the student on the board though. The task of running a paper proved to be more than what Kisner had envisioned. But soon the paper had a columnist, reporters, photographers, ad people and designers. Their first office was in a corner on the top floor of Mather Hall. Funding was not easy to get from the student affairs committee, but it eventually happened. On the cover of the first edition was a story about the Martin Luther King Community House in Cleveland being in disrepair. On the inside of the eight-page paper was a story titled The Black Church in Changing Times, written by Kisner. That edition was the prototype of what was to come in future editions. The masthead included a clenched fist with the motto, We wish to plead our own cause. 8 Cleveland State's Vindicator marking 50 years Though the free publication still exists, its no longer an African American newspaper. Since the late 1990s, it has been a multicultural magazine. Today, while strolling the halls of CSU, you cant miss the glossy, colorful 43-page publication its become. Editor Tyisha Blade, a senior, has led the magazine since 2017. But she gleefully lets you know that shell be graduating in May and will be training her successor soon. The transition from being a newspaper for 25 years into a magazine was a challenge, according to Blade. The whole transition was done slowly over time. It no longer has a staff of reporters as in the old days. Writers come from students who bring story ideas to pitch meetings. There are editors who get scholarships for their work on the magazine. In the mid-1990s, it started to slowly transition into a magazine, Blade said. But by the end of the decade, it became a multicultural publication. Its now all-inclusive. It represents the CSU student body. All are welcome to write for us. Some of the issues that were prevalent then are still important today with students. But there are also other pressing issues college students deal with. Among them are transgender issues, gay rights, bullying and sexual assault, Blade said. Those are the concerns that make it important to be multicultural. It allows my friends of different ethnic groups to lend a voice, too, she said. Kisner said hes not knocking the magazines new path and understands we are living in a much different world from 1970. I still believe, though, we need a place for the African American voice at these universities, Kisner said, who retired from the Cleveland School District last Feb. The black voice is especially important now. That voice can easily get overshadowed by the other voices you hear. The magazines next-door neighbor is CSUs newspaper the Cauldron, inside the colleges Student Center. Though its more inclusive than it was 50 years ago, the Cauldron has more structured writing. The Vindicator is more free-form and subjective, Blade said. The future of college newspapers causes Blade to pause. I love print. I love holding a magazine in my hand, she said. I just love the process. If you give someone a magazine or newspaper, its something they can display. We now publish three per semester. Its up to the students to keep it relevant and in turn people will want to see it continuing. The Vindicator: Cleveland State Universitys Multi-Cultural magazine Publishes: February, March, April, October, November and December. Website: thevindi.com Free. Staff: Editor-in-Chief Tyisha Blade Managing Editor Imani Stephens Art Director Alexia Carcelli Assistant Art Director Kyra Wells Multimedia Manager Max Torres Online Content Editor Vince McIntosh Arts Editor Joscelyn Ervin Culture Editor Briana Oldham Features Editor Brenda Castaneda Yupanqui Copy Editor Kevin Coleman Social Editor Dorothy Zhao Beauty and Wellness Editor Megan Baranuk Distribution Coordinator Katheryn Lewis (CNN) -- A United States citizen died from the coronavirus in the Chinese city of Wuhan, embassy officials said Saturday, marking the first known American death from the outbreak that has killed hundreds. The patient was age 60, and died at a local hospital Thursday, the US Embassy in Beijing said. It declined to disclose more details out of respect for the family's privacy. The coronavirus emerged in Wuhan in December, and has killed 724 people worldwide, mostly in China, where it has trapped residents at home and paralyzed the world's second biggest economy. Outside mainland China, it has raced across continents, infecting tens of thousands in 27 countries and territories. The US citizen's death was reported hours after the evacuation of hundreds of Americans from Wuhan in two flights Friday in what a State Department official described as likely the last chartered flights. After evacuees arrived in the US, five people housed at the Travis Air Force Base in Northern California were hospitalized with symptoms of coronavirus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. They were taken to an undisclosed hospital with a fever and are in isolation as they undergo more tests. The passengers evacuated are quarantined at several other bases, including Eppley Airfield in Omaha. The first evacuation flight on January 29 had 200 Americans who are quarantined at the March Air Reserve Base in Southern California. On Wednesday, two more flights out of Wuhan arrived with a total of 350 passengers. They were quarantined at Travis and the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Everyone evacuated will be subject to a 14-day federally mandated quarantine. Those who show symptoms will be taken to area hospitals for isolation and treatment. Thousands quarantined on cruise ships Passengers are not just trapped at home and in military bases. Four people on a cruise ship that was docked in New Jersey were taken to a hospital to be evaluated for coronavirus, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement Friday. Twenty-three other passengers aboard the Anthem of the Seas were evaluated and cleared at the Bayonne port near New York City, Murphy said. A pair of relatives had become ill, a CDC spokesperson said Friday, and health officials decided to test all four family members in an abundance of caution. The family has been to mainland China but not to Hubei province, where Wuhan is located. They had not been in China since January 26, Royal Caribbean said. Passengers had been on the ship for 12 days, traveling through the Caribbean. They disembarked Friday. "None of the four guests being tested by CDC showed any clinical signs or symptoms of coronavirus," Royal Caribbean said in a statement Friday, adding that one of them tested positive onboard for the flu. On Saturday, Royal Caribbean said it was awaiting test results from the CDC to decide if passengers on its next voyage will be able to board. Because of the high volume of testing being done by the CDC, results won't be available for another day or two, Royal Caribbean said. The ship was originally scheduled to embark Friday but was delayed first until Saturday. On Saturday, the cruise line pushed departure back to at least Monday. As a result of the outbreak, two US-based cruiselines are forbidding people with Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passports from boarding. More than 7,300 people are being quarantined on two cruise ships docked in Hong Kong and Japan over concerns they were inadvertently exposed to the coronavirus by infected passengers. At least 64 people from all over the world have tested positive for coronavirus on the cruise ship docked in Japan, including 13 Americans. To cope with the threat of coronavirus, many in Ha Noi are choosing to shop online or order food at home instead of facing crowds at brick and mortar stores and restaurants. Nguyen Thi Sinh closes her chao suon (pork rib porridge) stall on Doi Can Street. Sinh has welcomed less customers since the outbreak. Nguyen Thi Sinh, who owns a chao suon (pork rib porridge) stall on Doi Can Street says: I have sold much less recently, as people dont want to go out and have chao suon in the street anymore. Many of Sinhs customers are students from schools nearby, but they are off for another week because of the epidemic. Sinhs business used to be so good that she never wanted to sell online. Now she tells Viet Nam News: I am thinking of working with the food delivery services such as Now, Grab or GoViet. Though I must pay them at least 20 per cent, but at least I will have more customers. Nguyen Van Chi, GoViet Communications Manager, said the firm received nearly 900,000 food orders through the GoFood platform, an increase of 120 per cent over the last Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Chi said: "Food delivery can meet the demand of both customers and restaurants, as well as our food providers in the peak holiday season and at any time they need us. Nguyen Thanh Quyen, owner of a restaurant on Kim Lien Street, says: I sell food online and also buy food online. I dont want to risk it in such a crisis. I can pay more to be safer. On her Facebook page, Quyen posted that others should make an "intelligent choice" by ordering food from her and get it delivered within a minute". Selling food like liver pate, ca kho (caramelised fish) and xoi (sticky rice), Quyen told Viet Nam News: After Tet, my sales are often much lower as people resume buying their own food after the long holiday. This time, I am earning double. According to a retail expert, at this time of the year, top products include pharmaceuticals, personal hygiene items, home care and food. Lotte Marts SpeedL experienced more orders than normal, forcing them to notify customers, saying: Sorry for the slower delivery than usual. We have many more orders this time. On its website, Big C Supermarket encouraged its customers to call to order if they dont want to go the supermarket during the epidemic. A representative told Viet Nam News: We are working with partners to have enough cleaning liquid, soaps, nutritional supplements and food. We are also shipping masks from the south to serve the increasing demand from Ha Noi. However, e-commerce and online shops are struggling due to the closure of borders and restrictions placed on trade, especially with China. Davitrans, a delivery firm specialising in buying and shipping goods from China to Ha Noi via border gates in the provinces of Lang Son, Lao Cai and Quang Ninh, have been unable to complete transactions. The firm's staff told Viet Nam News: "There are a lot of orders to ship goods from China to Viet Nam that we cannot meet." They instead started looking for sources from other countries and territories, such as Japan, South Korea and Europe, while waiting for Chinese trade to resume. E-commerce platforms like Tiki, Lazada and Shopee, which sell goods from China, are affected as well. Orders from Chinese shops have not been delivered. Waiting on three orders from Chinese shops she made before Tet, Nguyen Minh Ngoc has not yet received any of the products. She said: "Maybe by the time I get my winter coat, it is already summer in Ha Noi. But I know there is no other solution." VNS Disturbing Newport Beach Find Like 'Breaking Bad' on Oregon Coast Published 02/08/2020 at 6:50 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Newport, Oregon) It was like a scene out of Breaking Bad on the central Oregon coast Saturday: an illegal dump on a beach near Newport that was not only disturbingly unsightly but possibly chemically dangerous. Among the bags of semi-burned garbage were loads of meth-making materials. (All photos courtesy Charlie Plybon). Newports Charlie Plybon is the Oregon Policy Manager for the Surfrider Foundation, a group that works to forward environmental stewardship and legislation. A morning stroll on a nearby beach yielded a pile that had a repugnant story to tell. This was not brought in by the days raging king tides, although Plybon did find plenty of such material on the beach. Went down to my local beach access to photograph the Oregon King Tide but was greeted with loads of debris, some unrecognizable and from a distance but most was clearly from around here - including a mound of dumped trash, 8 feet high, bagged and partially burned and covered with driftwood, Plybon said. Plybon said there were about 20 or 30 black trash bags filled with all sorts of garbage, and with the driftwood on top someone had set it all afire. Apparently, he surmised, the tide had put it out. Plybon gathered a couple of volunteers and called Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), who eventually arrived later in the day to haul the trash away. In the meantime, however, they made some disturbing discoveries. Many of the fixings for methamphetamine were found (bleach bottles, butane, lye, etc.), Plybon said. Yeah, I couldnt stop thinking about Breaking Bad during all this. Cause that meth stuff is toxic. Among the photos Plybon posted on Facebook Saturday was of a prescription bottle of antidepressants with the name of the patient still visible (which Oregon Coast Beach Connection wont publish as this is now a criminal investigation). Also inside the bags were mail items, but Plybon could not tell if it was for the same individual. Plybon and OPRD alerted Oregon State Police to the illegal materials and provided all evidence. OPRD hauled away the garbage and sent it to the dump, which weighed the mess in at a whopping 1590 pounds. Plybon also found a fishing buoy, lots of sundry plastic items, and in a particularly nasty bit of irony he found a bottle of dishwashing liquid that touted its ability to help wildlife. Plybon was incensed by the finds. After all, his work with talking to the Oregon Legislature was a big factor in keeping the Jordan Cove LNG project from going forward on the southern Oregon coast. Now hes got his eye on this issue. Illegal dumping has become one of the worst problems along the coast in rural areas, he said. And for our lawmakers, this kind of crap should be enforced. This kind of dumping is considered a misdemeanor and should be a felony. See you in a Salem. Plybon said king tides also dumped enormous amounts of microplastics at Otter Rocks beaches again, saying they looked like last years incident. Newports chapter of Surfrider will be holding a cleanup of the areas beaches on February 15 at 11 a.m. These are held largely because of recent tidal events like this. Volunteers will meet in the parking lot at Agate Beach State Recreation Site next to the Best Western Hotel in Newport. Bags and rubber gloves will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own. See https://newport.surfrider.org. More photos of the dump below: Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Washington, Feb 10 : The US Department of Defence has confirmed that two US soldiers were killed after an attack on a joint US-Afghan military operation in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province on Saturday. "Both soldiers died February 8, 2020 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, as a result of wounds sustained while engaged in combat operations," said the Pentagon in a statement released on Sunday, adding that the incident is under investigation, Xinhua reported. Both soldiers were assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), according to the statement. US media reported Saturday that a firefight had taken place between Afghan and American soldiers in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province earlier in the day, leading to fatalities on both sides. The US military described the Saturday incident in a separate statement, saying "an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time". Citing an Afghan Defence Ministry official, US media reported Sunday that the shooter was not a Taliban infiltrator but an Afghan soldier who had argued with the US forces before opening fire. Six US service members have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of 2020. The incident came days after US President Donald Trump said in his State of the Union address that the US military was making progress in Afghanistan and peace talks with the Taliban militant group were underway. Peace talks between the United States and the Taliban began last year but have been interrupted at least twice after Taliban attacks on US military personnel in September and December of last year. The US maintains roughly 13,000 troops in Afghanistan, which mostly provide training missions to local Afghan forces while conducting counterterrorism operations. The war in Afghanistan is the longest one in US history. The death toll of US service members has surpassed 2,400 since the country invaded Afghanistan in 2001. (CNN) Women who have general anesthesia during C-sections are significantly more likely to experience severe post-partum depression resulting in hospitalization, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm, according to a study published last week. That might be because general anesthesia can delay breastfeeding and skin-to-skin interaction between the mother and infant, and often results in more acute and persistent pain after childbirth, researchers from Columbia University explained. "These situations are often coupled with a new mother's dissatisfaction with anesthesia in general, and can lead to negative mental health outcomes," said Jean Guglielminotti, lead author and an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Columbia, in a news release. The study, published in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia, is the first to examine how specific types of anesthesia for cesarean delivery affect the risk of postpartum depression. General anesthesia increased odds of postpartum depression The researchers used hospital discharge records of cesarean delivery cases from New York state hospitals between 2006 and 2013. Out of the 428,304 cases they examined, 34,356 women -- or 8% -- received general anesthesia during delivery. General anesthesia induces sleep, meaning that mothers won't be able to see, feel or remember anything during childbirth. It also prevents them from being able to see their child immediately after birth. The study found that 1,158 of the women who received general anesthesia, or about 3%, experienced severe postpartum depression that required hospitalization. Women who had general anesthesia were also 54% more likely to experience postpartum depression and 91% more likely to have thoughts about suicide or self-harm, compared to those who had regional anesthesia such as spinal blocks or epidurals. Women who had general anesthesia during C-sections were also older, and more often non-white and on Medicaid or Medicare, compared to those who had regional anesthesia, the study said. The authors caution that their findings don't necessarily mean that general anesthesia causes postpartum depression. "We don't want people to believe that general anesthesia is always bad," Guglielminotti told CNN. "It can be good in some situations, when you require an emergency C-section. What we're saying is that general anesthesia is not always good, and when it can [it should] be avoided." General anesthesia is rarely used General anesthesia for cesarean delivery is not the norm in North America. Fewer than 5 out of every 100 C-sections in the US are done with general anesthesia, according to the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology. When general anesthesia is used, it's typically in emergency C-sections or in cases when typical numbing anesthesia like spinal blocks or epidurals cannot be used, says Grace Lim, director of obstetric anesthesiology at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh. Emergency cesareans are more likely to be needed for babies who are pre-term or sick in some way, or for mothers with certain health problems, which Lim says could explain the increased odds of postpartum depression. "Thus, the nature of the emergency delivery, rather than the general anesthetic itself, may be the real reason why these women end up with higher odds of depression," she wrote in an email to CNN. About one in nine women nationally experience symptoms of postpartum depression, according to CDC research. The authors say more studies are needed Though researchers and medical experts have not previously studied the link between general anesthesia in C-sections and harmful psychological outcomes, other studies have examined the link between C-sections and postpartum depression. A 2019 study from the United Kingdom found that first-time mothers who have emergency C-sections are 15% more likely to experience postnatal depression, and a 2017 analysis of previous research suggested that C-sections and emergency C-sections increase the risk of postpartum depression. Another study from 2018 found that epidurals, which reduce the pain experienced during labor, were linked to a reduced risk of postpartum depression, although its authors cautioned that other factors might play a larger role. Because the Columbia University study is the first of its kind, Guglielminotti said that there needed to be more research to confirm the link between general anesthesia during cesarean deliveries and postpartum depression. Since the researchers used administrative hospital records instead of clinical data, they don't know the exact reasons that general anesthesia was used in the cases they studied. Lim said it is difficult to capture all of the reasons a patient may need general anesthesia based only on administrative data, rather than a more complete health record. The authors also noted that they might have underestimated the actual instances of postpartum depression, because their study identified cases of postpartum depression based on delivery hospitalization and hospital readmission. The data did not include outpatient visits or emergency department visits. Additionally, since the study only looked at cesarean deliveries in New York state, the authors noted that their findings may not apply to cases in other states. The Cabarrus County Branch of the NAACP invites all people of good faith to join them at 6 p.m. The all-inclusive, all-welcoming group meets at the First Missionary Baptist Church fellowship hall, 192 Tournament Drive SW, Concord. Call Amos at 704-560-1877. Come in out of the cold and join the Cabarrus County Retired Nurses for lunch. The meeting will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Golden Corral in Concord. Lifetree Cafe is a conversation cafe where everyone is welcome to join meaningful conversations that explore life and faith. Join us at 6:30 p.m. as we celebrate our second anniversary. Special refreshments will be served. This weeks topic, Modern Romance That Crazy Thing Called Love, will be from 7-8 p.m. The cafe is at 113 First St., Kannapolis (next to the Gem Theatre). For more information, email lifetreekannapolis@gmail.com or go to Facebook Lifetree Cafe Kannapolis, and @Meet Up. The federal government requires many students who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to verify the information included on the FAFSA. The students requiring verification are chosen by the U.S. Department of Education. Used to apply for most federal and many state student aid programs, the FAFSA asks detailed questions about the income and financial resources of students. The parents of dependent students must also provide that information. Students are considered dependent if they are undergraduates under 24 years old, not married, have no dependents, are not veterans, or were not orphans or wards of the court until age 19. The college or an agency working with the school will let students know if their information is being verified. Students and parents need to take this process seriously, according to KHEAA. Students chosen for verification cannot receive their financial aid until they complete the verification process. As soon as they are contacted, they should provide any information that is required. Putting it off will only lead to frustration if the process isnt finished when classes are ready to start. If students who have been asked for verification decide not to attend a college, they should let the college know so it will stop requesting information. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 General view of the Al Khaleej Sugar Refinery in Jebel Ali in Dubai By Maha El Dahan and Nafisa Eltahir DUBAI (Reuters) - Dubai's Al Khaleej Sugar, which operates the world's largest port-based refinery of the sweetener, said on Sunday it had been operating at full capacity since late December after a "bad" 2019. "The changes came only after Christmas, prior to Christmas we were status quo and all what we are seeing today is a reflection of the Thai shortage of raws," Jamal al-Ghurair, managing director of Al Khaleej, told reporters at a briefing ahead of a three-day industry conference in Dubai. Thailand's sugar production in the 2019/20 crop year is likely to fall 28% from a year earlier to a nine-year low of 10.5 million tonnes, as drought curtails cane supplies. The lower production is expected to limit exports from the world's second-biggest exporter and support global prices. Ghurair said though the shortage in the Thai crop helped white sugar premiums pick up, he saw global demand as largely unchanged, adding that it was difficult to predict how long white premiums would stay favourable. "I don't see any trigger from demand side." Al Khaleej is exporting its white sugar to "all the usual markets" with demand from East Africa and the Red Sea staying the same, Ghurair said. The refinery is also continuing to export to Saudi Arabia, with close to a third of sales going to the kingdom. Competition from India created an unfair situation in the sugar market for 2019 because of government incentives, Ghurair said. India, the world's biggest sugar producer, approved a subsidy last year to help cash-strapped mills export a surplus. "India is strong competition and because of the subsidy it is not a fair market," he said. The view for 2020 depends on the Indian subsidy decision, he said. Al Khaleej's Egyptian unit Canal Sugar's plans for a sugar beet plant were on track with construction "in full swing", Ghurair said. Story continues Canal Sugar's beet factory, designed to be the world's biggest, is being built in Egypt's west Minya and production is expected to reach full capacity in 2022, with half production starting in 2021. The west Minya project aims to produce 900,000 tonnes of beet sugar a year at an estimated cost of $1 billion. Ghurair said he saw beet being more competitive to cane for sugar production, with a more favourable cost of production, especially in countries with short water supply. "The next 5 million tonnes of extra capacity (globally) will come from beet not from cane," he said. (Reporting By Maha El Dahan and Nafisa Eltahir; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Alex Richardson) BLANTYRE (Reuters) - Malawis President Peter Mutharika and the countrys electoral commission have formally filed an appeal against a court ruling that overturned Mutharikas narrow election victory last year. Earlier this week, the Constitutional Court annulled the vote held last May that returned Mutharika to power as president. It cited widespread, systematic and grave irregularities, which included results sheets with sections blotted out or altered with correction fluid. I can confirm that the court has received both appeals by first respondent (the president) and second respondent (electoral commission), High Court Registrar Agnes Patemba told Reuters on Friday. Mutharika had denounced the ruling as a serious subversion of justice, an attack on our democratic systems and an attempt to undermine the will of the people. The electoral commission argues that the judgment was based on several issues that were not raised in the original petitions by main opposition party leader Lazarus Chakwera and estranged Vice President Saulos Chilima. Mutharika, president since 2014, won the election with a 38.57% share of the vote, with Chakwera getting 35.41% and Chilima, who had formed his own party, with 20.24%. Mutharika, a 79-year-old former law professor, has managed to rein in rising prices of basic goods and improve roads and other infrastructure. However, critics accuse him of cronyism and failing to tackle graft in the southern African nation, which is frequently beset by droughts and depends heavily on foreign aid. Reporting by Frank Phiri; Editing by Pravin Char [February 09, 2020] Notice on The 25th China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair ZHONGSHAN, China, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Guzhen Lighting Expo Co., Ltd. continues to closely monitor the developments of the Novel Coronavirus which first emerged from Wuhan, China in December of 2019. The safety of the customers and the staff is always their top priority. As such, precautions and safety measures as recommended by the local Departments of Health in Guangdong and China as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) seriously are being taken. As the Organizer of The 25th China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair (hereinafter Guzhen Lighting Fair), scheduled on Ma 18th 21st 2020, in Guzhen Town, Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, Guzhen Lighting Fair will closely be in line with the efforts by the Chinese Government to control and limit the spread of this infectious disease and continues to monitor the developing situation and remains in close communication with the relevant local government bodies and other key stakeholders. Once confirmed, the schedule of the 25th Guzhen Lighting Fair will be announced, and Guzhen Lighting Fair will assist you in any arrangements. Guzhen Lighting Fair wishes to thank each and every customer and greatly appreciates their patience and understanding. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/notice-on-the-25th-china-guzhen-international-lighting-fair-301001575.html SOURCE China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair 09.02.2020 LISTEN Introduction In the last episode (episode 1) of this article, we learnt that the Supreme Court had directed in the case of Kwadjoga Adra V. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) & 5 Others that public servants whose organizations are not mentioned under article 94 (3) (b) of the Constitution are free to participate in partisan political activities including contesting in political party primaries. In this second and final episode, we have turned attention to other public service organizations mentioned under article 94 (3) (b) of the Constitution with special focus on Civil and Local Government servants. Again, we will spin on the Supreme Courts (SCs) interpretational decision in the matter. Can Workers Of The Civil Service and Local Government Service Participate In Partisan Political Activities? In re Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOSSAG) v. The Attorney-General & 2 Others, the SC decided that Civil Servants, workers of the Local Government Service and other Public Services mentioned under article 94 (3) (b) of the Constitution cannot participate in partisan political activities including but not limited to contesting for primaries. Article 94 (3) (b) of the Constitution stipulates, A person shall not be eligible to be a Member of Parliament if he is a member of the Police Service, the Prisons Service, the Armed Forces, the Judicial Service, the Legal Service, the Civil Service, the Audit Service, the Parliamentary Service, the Statistical Service, the Fire Service, the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service, the Immigration Service, or the Internal Revenue Service. (Writ No. : J1/16/2016) The SCs decision in this case [Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOSSAG) v. The Attorney-General & 2 Others] is dated 14th June, 2017. The facts are that the Head of Civil Service issued a letter dated 19th October, 2015 to remind all Civil Servants through their Chief Directors and Heads of Departments that persons holding Civil Service positions are barred from participating in partisan political activities including the following: Attending political rallies Wearing party paraphernalia Subjecting ones self to party vetting Holding party membership card and Standing for party primaries etc. The said letter made reference to the provisions of the Civil Service Code of Conduct (issued on 1st November, 1999), section 12(1) (b), (c) and (e) of which read as follows: 12. (1) The Constitution of Ghana confers rights on all citizens of Ghana, including Civil Servants to join any political party or association of their choice. However, by virtue of the traditional role of the Civil Service to serve the Government of the day loyally, and to maintain the confidence of any future Administration, a Civil Servant may not: Accept any office paid or unpaid, permanent or temporary, in any political party or organization; Declare himself openly as a registered member of a political party or association; Indicate publicly his support for any party, candidate or policy Make speeches or join in demonstrations in favour of any political person, party, or propaganda Engage in activities which are likely to involve him in political controversy. (2) Notwithstanding, a Civil Servant is entitled to his views in political matters, and if so qualified, may vote at elections. In tandem with the foregoing directive and by a letter dated 23rd September, 2015, one Alexander Hedidor, an Assistant Director at the Prestea-Huni Valley District Assembly was interdicted by the Local Government Service. Alexander Hedidor was a member of the plaintiff (CLOSSAG). The interdiction emanated from the fact that Alexander Hedidor was involving himself in overt party politics when he filed his nomination to contest the Suaman Constituency Parliamentary primaries, on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Alexander Hedidors employers considered his filing for such a nomination as a parliamentary candidate on the ticket of the NDC as an act contrariwise to the provisions of the Code of Conduct of the Local Government Service since the NDC is a political party. Consequently, by a writ filed on 29th of April, 2016 the plaintiff (CLOSSAG), pursuant to Article 2(1) and 130(1) of the Constitution, invoked the jurisdiction of the SC for various reliefs. Among other things, the plaintiff (CLOSSAG) sought for: A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of article 12(2), article 21(3), article 21(1) (a) and (d), article 35(6)(d), article 55(1), (2) and (10) and article 284 of the Constitution, 1992, a member of the Civil Service has a right to contest for elections for political party office and to hold political party office whilst still a member of the Civil Service. A declaration that the provisions of the code of conduct for members of the Civil Service enacted by the Council of the Civil Service and/or any other authority barring a member of the Civil Service from engaging in political party activities is unconstitutional. Held: The SC decided that on a true and proper interpretation of the Constitution, Civil Servants or Local Government employees have a right to join any political party of their choice. However, such persons do not have the right to participate overtly in political party activities whilst still a member of the Civil Service or Local Government Service. Therefore, a member of the Civil Service or Local Government Service does not have a right to contest for elections for political party office or hold political party office whilst still a member of the Civil Service or Local Government Service. They can only do so after their resignation from the Civil Service or Local Government Service. Discussion Let us recall cardinal our question. Can Public Servants participate in partisan political activities while still holding office in the Public Services? The SCs ruling in the CLOSSAG-Alexander Hedidor case answered our question in the negative, stating that Public Servants referred to as Civil Servants and Local Government Servants are constitutionally precluded from engaging in overt partisan politics while holding office as public servants. It means that members or employees of or Public Servants working in the Public Services mentioned under article 94 (3) (b) of the Constitution do not have the right to remain in office as Public Servants and be involved in overt partisan politics including contesting in primaries as Alexander Hedidor intended to do. In 2019, the Public Services Commission (PSC) on 8th August, 2019 issued a circular No. AB677/678/01 and directed inter alia that public servants who intend to engage in partisan politics of any form should first resign their positions as public servants. The PSC further directed that Governing Boards and Councils of MDAs should ensure adherence to the directive and enforce it. This directive applies to CLOSSAG members and other public servants who come under article 94 (3) (b) of the Constitution due to their employment contracts. On the basis of the fact that the Police Service is mentioned under article 94 (3) (b) of the Constitution for example, we witnessed the voluntary retirement of Police Superintendent Peter Lanchere Tuubo from the Police Service in 2019. Detective Corporal John Evans Ayerakwa-Kumordzi of the Akropong District Command also resigned from the Police Service in 2019. The two officers acted so when both of them decided to contest Parliamentary primaries on the tickets of the NDC. Much as the PSC generic directive applies to the article 94 (3) (b) public servants, it flies in the face the Supreme Courts decision in re Kwadjoga Adra that non-article 94 (3) (b) public officers have the right to do politics while still holding offices in the Public Services they work for. Conclusion Judging from various articles of the Constitution especially articles 190 (1) and 94 (3) (b) and the interpretational decisions of the SC in the Kwadjoga Adra case as well as the CLOSSAG-Hedidor case, it is obvious that some Public Servants can take part in active partisan politics while still holding office as Public Servants. However, those barred by the provisions of article 94 (3) (b) cannot do so. Until the relevant provisions of the Constitution relating to the subject matter are reviewed, no person or organization like the PSC has the right to give a counter and a generic directive as if all the public servants are the same per the SCs decisions in the matter. Giving such a counter directive amounts to high crime per article 2 (4) of the Constitution. We are in 2020, an election year in Ghana so it is advised that the PSC should review its circular under reference for appropriate rendition so that both the PSC and non-article 94 (3) (b) CEOs and frontline managers do not act ultra vires in the face of the SCs decision in re Kwadjoga Adra. The SC decision in Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOSSAG) v. The Attorney-General & 2 Others does not apply to all public servants. For example, workers of the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service are not bound by this SC decision. CEOs of these organizations must therefore tread cautiously in any attempt to enforce the PSC directive. In fact, they should not enforce it at all because doing so will amount to an illegality in the form of contempt of Court. As to the true meaning of contempt of court in Ghana case law, one may want to read the ruling In Re Effiduase Stool Affairs (No.2); Republic V. Numapau, President of the National House of Chiefs and Others, Exparte Ameyaw II (No2) 1998-99 SCGLR 639. ~Asante Sana ~ Author: Philip Afeti Korto. Email: [email protected] Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot on Sunday condoled the death of Naik Rajeev Singh Shekhawat who was killed in heavy shelling along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. Shekhawat (36) belonged to Jaipur district. "I salute braveheart Naik Rajeev Singh Shekhawat of Luhakana Khurd, Rajasthan, who made the supreme sacrifice on the Line of control in Punch. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. We all are with them in this most difficult time and pray that they find strength," Gehlot said on his Twitter handle. Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, in a tweet, paid tribute to the martyred soldier and prayed for his family members to have courage to bear the pain. In a statement, Soldiers Welfare Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said the entire country will remember the sacrifice of Shekhawat and the state government stands with the aggrieved family members at this tough time. In the incident on Saturday, three others were injured as the Pakistan army violated the ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing of small arms and mortar shelling along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A few years ago, walking though the immutable Taos Pueblo, I came across a bumper sticker on an 800-year-old adobe wall that kind of put the land we are privileged to call home in fresh perspective. 1492-1992: 500 years of tourism it said. It reminded me how old this country really is, that Santa Fe was here long before Plymouth, that there is a very long, sometimes hidden history that nevertheless shapes us dwellers of the West. And to know and honor that complete history, I think, is to better know who we are now. To know where weve truly been is essential to figuring out where were going. I remembered that bumper sticker when I heard that the state Legislature is contemplating a plan to do away with Columbus Day. I assume this is because, for many Native Americans, Columbus Day celebrates the European expansion that led to the extermination of much of their culture. But weirdly, the state isnt thinking of replacing Columbus Day with a day that honors the cultural contributions of Native Americans to Colorados history instead. House Bill 1031 is sponsored by Rep. Adrienne Benavidez, D-Denver/Adams County. Colorado Politics reporter Marianne Goodland tells us it's Benavidez's third try at striking Columbus Day as a state legal holiday. In 2018, she tried to make Election Day a state holiday and get rid of Columbus Day. In 2019, Benavidez wanted Colorado Day, traditionally Aug. 1, named the state legal holiday instead of Columbus. Last week, she sought to have Columbus Day renamed in honor of Frances X. Cabrini, also known as Mother Cabrini, an Italian native who came to Colorado in 1901 and operated the Queen of Heaven orphanage in Denver as well as a summer camp for girls on Lookout Mountain near Golden that is now the home of the Mother Cabrini Shrine. That idea has passed out of committee and is now headed for the House floor for a vote. If the Legislature is determined to replace Columbus Day, why not consider the obvious: Native American Day? Its rather astonishing that we dont already have a national day to honor the first Americans in this country, given that 500 some tribes have lived here for hundreds of years before Europeans did. Its even more astonishing that Colorado doesnt have some sort of day to recognize the first Americans, since so much of their history is rooted right here. This is the land of Mesa Verde, the native home of the Ute Mountain Utes and Southern Utes, the site of the Sand Creek Massacre. In addition to the Utes, the original inhabitants of the area that is now Colorado include the Apache, the Arapaho, the Cheyenne, the Pueblo tribes, and the Shoshone. Other tribes whose territory sometimes extended into Colorado included the Comanche, the Kiowa and the Navajo. And Native Americans are still very much a presence in Colorados present. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in the southwest corner of the state occupies 575,000 contiguous acres, which span into New Mexico and Utah. The Southern Ute control a checkerboard reservation of 307,838 acres south and east of Durango. Colorado would be far from the first state to declare a Native American day. Native American Day is a holiday already celebrated in five states across the United States in lieu of Columbus Day. In 1968, Gov. Ronald Reagan of California signed a resolution calling for a holiday called American Indian Day, to be held the fourth Friday in September. In 1998, the California Assembly declared Native American Day as an official state holiday. Nevada also celebrates Native America Day on the fourth Friday of September, while in South Dakota and Wisconsin, it falls on the second Monday of October. The state of Tennessee observes a similar American Indian Day each year on the fourth Monday of September. Many cities in Colorado have already forged ahead and done what the state hasnt, passing ordinances declaring their own Indigenous Peoples day Denver, Durango and Boulder. Other cities around the country have declared Indigenous Peoples days as well. And some of these are celebrated in conjunction with Columbus Day. No matter how we feel about Columbus Day, its time for Colorado to pay proper respect to the history of its first people, and shine a better light on some of the earliest Coloradans who have been misrepresented in our history books. By doing so, we might bring some of our own hidden history out of hiding, and recognize a whole different set of American founders that have been far too long forgotten. When the Native American Museum opened in Washington, DC, a few years ago, over 500 tribes sent representatives from as far away as Alaska to march in a huge parade right down Constitution Avenue to mark the opening. I went down and they let me and my young children and thousands of other Washingtonians walk with them, and I gotta tell you, being part of that rich, colorful pageant of pride and dancing and drumming and living history made me feel more deeply American than ever. King Mohammed VI addressed a verbal message to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The message was conveyed to the Palestinian leader Saturday in Amman by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who reaffirmed during the audience Moroccos unwavering support to the Palestinian cause. The Royal message is part of the ongoing dialogue between the two heads of State on the Palestinian question in the light of the latest developments, Bourita told MAP correspondent in Amman. The audience, that was attended by Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat, was also an opportunity to reaffirm the Kingdoms positions, as expressed recently, and to coordinate the steps and approaches to come, Bourita said. In a related development, Head of the Moroccan Government Saad Eddine El Othmani said that Moroccos position on the Deal of the Century stems from the constant values of the Kingdom. The position of the Moroccan government regarding the Deal of the Century is based on the constant values of the Kingdom, King, government and people in dealing with the Palestinian issue and supporting the Palestinian people to recover their rights, notably the establishment of the Palestinian State with Al-Quds Ash-Sharif as its capital and the rejection of all attempts to Judaize Al-Quds (), El Otmani said Saturday in a statement to MAP. This position was expressed by the Foreign Ministry and reaffirmed during the emergency session of the Arab League ministerial council and the extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), El Otmani stressed. The meetings, held after President Trump unveiled his peace plan, dubbed the Deal of the Century, have both rejected the plan and reaffirmed support to the Palestinians right to statehood. El Othmani insisted that Moroccos position is clear and unswerving and warned against any outbidding, misinterpretation and misunderstanding or any attempt to create confusion about this position. Authorities cited proceedings of internal party meetings and social media influence of NC leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah and "pro-separatist" stand of Mehbooba Mufti for booking them under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA). The 49-year-old Omar and the 60-year-old Mehbooba Mufti had been under preventive detention since August 5 last year, when the Centre announced abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution granting Jammu and Kashmir special status and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir. They were booked under the PSA on the night of February 6, barely a few hours before their preventive detention was to end. According to rules, preventive detention can be extended beyond six months only if an advisory board, constituted two weeks before the completion of the 180-day period, recommends for that. However, no such board was constituted and the Jammu and Kashmir administration was left with two choices -- either to release them or slap the PSA. The three-page dossier against Omar cited some internal meetings of the National Conference in July in which he is alleged to have said that there was a need for mobilising support so that the Centre will not be able to carry out its plans for abrogation of special status of the state. The police have also cited that Omar, who was a minister of state for external affairs as well as commerce and industries in the union government and former chief minister, was very active on social media, a platform which has the potential for mobilizing the youth. Restrictions have been put on communication links since August 5. These were subsequently eased. Internet is functional at a few places through leased lines. Mobile internet facility has been made functional but with a speed of 2G with special instructions that it would not be used to access social media sites. However, the police have not specifically mentioned any of Omar's social media posts in the dossier. "To the people of Kashmir, we don't know what is in store for us.......stay safe and above all please stay calm," was the last few tweets of Omar before he was taken to Hari Nivas for preventive detention. Mehbooba has been slapped with the PSA for her remarks which included challenging accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India in case the Article 370 was abrogated. The statements of the former chief minister, whose party PDP was an ally of the BJP till June 2018, on security forces killing militants was also made a part of the PSA dossier against her. Her support to the Jamaat-e-Islamia group of Jammu and Kashmir after it was declared as a banned organisation by the Centre under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) also figures in the dossier. Omar's father, Farooq Abdullah, who is a five-time chief minister and currently a member of Lok Sabha, was booked in September last year under the PSA, a law which was enacted by his father Sheikh Abdullah in 1978 to fight timber smugglers in the state as they would easily get away with minimal detention those days. Sheikh Abdullah brought the Act as a deterrent against timber smugglers as it provided a jail term, without a trial, for up to two years. However, this Act came in handy for the police and security forces during the early 1990s when militancy erupted in the state. After the then Union home minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed enforced the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the state in 1990, authorities used the PSA to detain people. The Act was amended in 2012 and some of its stricter provisions were relaxed. After the amendment, period up to which a first-time offender or individual can be put in detention without trial was reduced from two years to three months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Freedom Ride achieves its deepest impact not via such twists of plot, however, but from its characters reactions to them. When the future Freedom Riders rehearse what a confrontation on a bus might be like, the opera shows us how deeply they suffer at the thought of encountering not only violence but humiliation. When the church bombing leads to a characters death, the doomed Freedom Rider expresses neither sorrow nor hate in her last moments of life but faith in a higher power. When a Jewish character explains to his black comrades why hes becoming a Freedom Rider, his aria subtly evokes his familys tragic past in Europe one reason, among many, that young people became Freedom Riders. Photo credit: Bettmann - Getty Images From Esquire It was 2015 and fake news was a still-mostly-undetected virus spreading through social media. In September, a particularly absurd story made the rounds on Facebook: BERMUDA TRIANGLE: SHIP REAPPEARS 90 YEARS AFTER GOING MISSING read the headline from WorldNewsDailyReport.com, accompanied by a photo of a rusty boat floating off the coast of Cuba. The story, which claimed Cuban authorities had intercepted the ship which had somehow been floating around undetected for a century, was shared thousands of times on Facebook, reaching hundreds of thousands of users, according to social monitoring platform CrowdTangle. Photo credit: WorldNewsDailyReport.com The story claimed the ghost ship was the S.S. Cotopaxi, a real coal ship that went missing on November 29, 1925 while traveling from Charleston to Havana with 3,800 tons of coal and 32 passengers. The disappearance contributed to the enduring myth of the Bermuda Trianglethe section of the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico blamed for dozens of disappearances. (In Steven Spielbergs 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the Cotopaxi somehow winds up in the Gobi Desertperfectly in tactafter going missing in the Bermuda Triangle.) The mystery of the Cotopaxi has been one of the more famous Bermuda Triangle tales even though its only appearances since 1925 have been fictional. But as that 2015 story spread across the Internet, one man knew exactly where the S.S. Cotopaxi was. The ship had been, it turns out, hiding in plain site the whole time. As the World News Daily Report sailed across the Internet, marine biologist Michael Barnette was sent the link. People were forwarding that story to me and I'm just like, 'No, the wreck is right there. It's there! Barnette tells me. As far as the Bermuda Triangle, I actually loathe the subject because I think it's complete nonsense. I just ... I don't think there's any factual basis for it. I think it's just pop culture. Story continues Photo credit: Columbia Pictures That's when I had my first inclination try to set the record straight. Just seeing all the tabloid-esque stories about [the Cotopaxi], and then how many people were buying into it. World News Daily has since added a disclaimer at the bottom of its homepage which reads: World News Daily Report assumes all responsibility for the satirical nature of its articles and for the fictional nature of their content. All characters appearing in the articles in this websiteeven those based on real peopleare entirely fictional and any resemblance between them and any person, living, dead or undead, is purely a miracle. But according to an archived version of the site, no such disclaimer was posted in 2015. So the ridiculous story found easy legs online. So much so, in fact, that the Associated Press issued a bulletin about the ship in 2018 after the story appeared on sites Online Newsfeed and The Readers File! The AP story reads, A steamer ship that disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle more than 90 years ago remains missing despite claims that the Cuban authorities intercepted the ship. (The reporter bylined on the original World News Daily story didn't respond to a request for comment.) The thing is, Barnette knew exactly where the Cotopaxi was. Photo credit: Science Channel Hed seen the Cotopaxi on a scuba diving trip back in 2010 or so. He knew the Cotopaxi was off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida, and had been known for decades as "Bear Wreck." For years, recreational divers had floated by the remains, thinking it was one of many unidentified shipwrecks laying at the bottom of the ocean. There's not a lot of other wrecks of this type in the area. So, I thought it would be relatively easy to identify. And it really actually was, says Barnette, who wrote about his finding in the 2013 book Encyclopedia of Florida Shipwrecks, Volume I: Atlantic Coast. But it hadnt gotten much attentioncertainly not as much attention as the spooky ghost ship in the fake news story. Suddenly, in late January 2020, the Cotopaxi started making headlines again, with media outlets like CBS News, Popular Mechanics, and Newsweek writing about it. Barnette partnered up with the Science Channel to document his discovery on the new series Shipwreck Secrets, which premieres on February 9. So, finally, his discovery from a decade ago is getting its due. In the doc, Barnette heads back out to the dive site, where the remnants of the Cotopaxi are mostly buried under heavy sand, 100 feet below the surface. And on land, British historian Guy Walters combs through the archives of Lloyds of London, the ships insurance brokers; old news clips; and a lawsuit brought by the relatives of the crew, claiming the ship was unseaworthy. The lawsuit had particularly valuable information: coordinates confirming Barnettes findings, proving the heap of buried ship known as "Bear Wreck" is, in fact, the Cotopaxi. Though from watching the doc, youd think Barnette was stumbling across the Cotopaxi for the first time when hed actually found it in 2010, it completes the story in a satisfying way. Barnette connects with the son of the captain of the Cotopaxi, providing the family some measure of closure for the first time in a century. The boat and its passengers didn't vanish into the thin air of the Bermuda Triangle. It had sent distress signals during a storm, which likely led to its sinking due to hatch covers which were in terrible conditions, according to the lawsuit. A lot of times there's numerous shipwreck accidents or a missing aircraft and the Bermuda Triangle kills a story. That's not the storythat's an excuse, right? No one really wants to look for it. And then you say, Oh, it's lost in Bermuda triangle, Barnette says. "But, in actuality, there are very real circumstances that led to these sinkings or disappearances. And without actually finding the wreck, you won't actually know the real cause and the real drama. The real story is what happened to the crew, the passengers. So yeah, it's very satisfying to be able to put a real explanation to what happened. You Might Also Like By Express News Service CHENNAI: A 37-year old man was asphyxiated to death when he was cleaning a septic tank in a private school at Tiruverkadu on Saturday. Police said Balamurugan, Pradeep, Jagan and Karthi were hired by the institution to clean the tank. Around 6.30 pm, the men had pumped out sewage. Later, they got into the tank to clean it. Balamurugan inhaled poisonous gas and fell unconscious, a police official said. The other three managed to get out of the tank and informed fire service. Balamurugan was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead. A few years ago, I praised contemporary South Korean film making. The two movies I found most worth mentioning were (1) The Age of Shadows, a police/espionage thriller set in World War II during the Japanese occupation and (2) The Merciless, a cross between The Departed and White Heat with a little bit of Pulp Fiction thrown in at the beginning. Now, the American filmgoing public is in on the secret. Parasite, a black comedy about the class divide (I think), is a big hit here. It has been nominated for major awards, including for an Oscar as best picture. Its the first South Korean film so nominated. Parasite is also up for five additional Oscars. Scott wrote about Parasite here. I found more merit in the film than Scott did. However, I dont think its nearly as good as the two South Korean films mentioned above, or as good as a number of other such imports Ive seen. However, Parasite confirms the technical virtuosity of South Korean cinema. As Scott said, this is an extremely well-made film. Parasite has already won a number of international awards and, as I said, has been nominated for an Oscar in the category of best picture. In addition, the cast won the Screen Actors Guild award for best ensemble, a first for any foreign-language film. However, no member of the cast has been nominated for an Oscar. This has some of the usual suspects talking about discrimination against actors of Asian descent. This article in the Washington Post complains that only a handful of such actors have ever won an Oscar. One of them is the British actor Ben Kingsley, whose father was of Indian descent. He won best actor for his performance in Gandhi. I cant speak to claims of past discrimination in the recognition of Asian actors at the Academy Awards. However, with regard to Parasite any suggestion of discrimination seems silly. First, if the powers that be wanted to discriminate, I doubt they would have nominated the movie for six Oscars including best picture. Second, the actors in Parasite speak Korean, not English, in the film. How does one evaluate in a fine-tuned way the quality of acting in a language one doesnt understand? There are at least eight significant parts in Parasite. I couldnt begin to say which of these performances is the best. In fact, I couldnt say which ones were in the top three. The folks who judge acting professionally can, I assume, make a better run at evaluating foreign language actors than I can. But I doubt that they can make the fine distinctions that would be required reliably to compare members of the Parasite ensemble to one another, never mind to the years top performances in English. Asian actors and actors of Asian descent may have a valid beef against their past treatment by Hollywood and by those who give out awards. If one goes back far enough in time, Im pretty sure they do. But there is no valid beef when it comes to Parasite. Last year, China-Africa trade was around $200 billion, mostly in oil, iron, copper and other raw commodities, he said. There are already indications that the Chinese economy will grow at less than 5 percent this year, which means demand from China will be substantially reduced. If the outbreak is prolonged, you will see the impacts very clearly in Africa. The Lion King (Credit: Disney) Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney, has personally apologised to a school in Berkeley, California, after it received a fine for screening the remake of The Lion King for a fundraising event. The elementary school was billed $250 for showing the film without the correct permissions by Disney's licensing company, a fair-sized chunk of the $800 it raised for the PTA. Read more: Future of Star Wars on TV for now, says Disney boss Iger tweeted an apology to Emerson Elementary, and also said that he would be making a donation to its fundraising initiative. Our company @WaltDisneyCo apologizes to the Emerson Elementary School PTA and I will personally donate to their fund raising initiative. Robert Iger (@RobertIger) February 6, 2020 CNN reported the news of the school receiving the fine, after it bought a physical copy of the 2019 CGI remake of the animated classic and showed it at the 'parents night out' fundraiser. One of the dads bought the movie at Best Buy, PTA president David Rose told CNN. He owned it. We literally had no idea we were breaking any rules. Not long after the event, the school was contacted by licensing firm Movie Licensing USA, which enforces such matters for Disney and other film companies. Bob Iger (Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images) Any time movies are shown without the proper license, copyright law is violated and the entity showing the movie can be fined by the studios, read the statement from the company. Read more: Elton John was disappointed with the Lion King remake If a movie is shown for any entertainment reason even in the classroom, it is required by law that the school obtains a Public Performance license. Movie Licensing USA said it had been alerted to the breach of copyright, but did not say how. Russia and Belarus will continue talks on oil supplies, a senior Kremlin official said, after a meeting between their leaders on Friday failed to resolve a politically charged dispute. As Reuters reports, Russian oil flows to Belarus have dwindled to a trickle since Jan. 1 after the two countries failed to agree on supply terms for 2020. Oil exports via Belarus to Europe have so far been stable. Speaking on the sidelines of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, Dmitry Kozak said Russia would supply Belarus with natural gas this year under the same terms as it did in 2019. The talks have been positive. We agreed to continue consultations... on the fine-tuning of the integration mechanism, Kozak, who serves as deputy head of Russias presidential administration, told reporters. The oil row comes against the background of a wider dispute over an agreement to integrate their economies and political systems, signed back in 1999 by Lukashenko and then Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Moscow has continued to push the plan, but Minsk has since resisted the idea of closer ties with Russia, fearing a complete takeover by the Kremlin. Following the stoppage on Jan.1, Russia partially resumed its oil flows to Belarus on Jan. 4, thanks to supplies from Mikhail Gutseriyevs Safmar Group (SFIN.MM). There have been no requests from other Russian oil firms to supply oil to Belarus via pipelines this month. Safmar will remain the sole Russian oil supplier to Belarus this month, traders told Reuters on Wednesday. Safmar group companies Russneft and Neftisa plan to supply around 450,000 tonnes of oil to Belarus refineries in February, the groups spokeswoman told Reuters, with around 100,000 tonnes of that to be delivered by rail, she added. This is still not enough to feed the two main refineries in Belarus, which normally process around 1.5 million tonnes of oil monthly. In 2019, Russia supplied 18 million tonnes of oil to Belarus. Kozak said on Friday the Russian government will facilitate talks between Russian oil companies and their Belarusian counterparts. NEW YORK A gunman went on a rampage against the police in the Bronx, officials said on Sunday, carrying out brazen attacks against officers in a patrol van and a precinct station house that left two wounded and the department shaken. Local officials called the shootings assassination attempts. The suspect was arrested at the 41st Precinct station house after he had walked in just before 8 a.m. and began firing, hitting one officer and injuring another, police officials said. The shooting at the station house, which serves the Hunts Point neighborhood, occurred about 12 hours after an attack Saturday night on police officers who were sitting in a marked patrol vehicle. We are confident that he is the same person who attempted to assassinate our police officers last night, the commissioner, Dermot F. Shea, said at a news conference on Sunday. Police said they were questioning a woman in connection to the shootings, but said she was not a suspect. The injuries to the officers were not life threatening. They were taken to area hospitals. An attack on a police officer is an attack on all of us, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday. Its an attack on a democratic society, a decent society. Shea said that in Sundays shooting, the man entered the station house, pulled out a gun and started firing multiple rounds toward the desk area. Then he walked into an area beside the desk, and fired multiple rounds at police officers. A male lieutenant was shot in the upper left arm, the commissioner said. Videos of the attack that appeared on social media show a man entering the station house, shooting a gun and then voluntarily laying on the ground and sliding his weapon to police officers, who then apprehended him. This coward immediately laid down, but only after he ran out of bullets, Shea said. In the first shooting, the officer, who was not identified, was sitting in the drivers seat when he was hit in the chin and neck, near the carotid artery, Shea said Saturday night. Its a miracle we are not here under worse circumstances, he said. The first shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. at Barretto and East 163rd streets. Two uniformed officers, who were assigned to the 41st Precinct, were in the police van when a man approached and asked for directions, Shea said. Without provocation, the man pulls out a gun, he said. Multiple shots were fired at the van. Officers did not return fire, the commissioner said. The motive for the shooting was unknown. The commissioner said the officers had been posted in the neighborhood because there had been reports of drug dealing and shootings there recently. The officer who was shot, an eight-year veteran of the police force, was treated at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx. The other officer escaped injury. The commissioner said the unprovoked shooting evoked memories of other attacks on the police over the years, including the killings of two Brooklyn officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. This harkens back to some very bad times, he said. In 2014, the two officers were sitting in their patrol car when they were shot at point-blank range and killed during an ambush. The suspect then turned the gun on himself, dying by suicide, authorities said. In 1988, a police officer was shot while he sat alone in his patrol car guarding the home of a man who had testified in a drug case. On Saturday, the National Fraternal Order of Police, which calls itself the largest police union in the country, denounced the earlier shooting in the Bronx. Attacks on law enforcement are becoming more and more prevalent, the union wrote on Twitter. Our heroes are finding themselves under fire simply because of the uniform they wear! This madness must stop! De Blasio said at the news conference: There is just too much hatred out there right now. There is too much hatred in general, and there is too much hatred being directed at our officers. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. By ANI LUCKNOW: People from the transgender community on Sunday took out a march here to express solidarity with the women protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the city's iconic Clock Tower in Hussainabad. Raising slogans against the government and the new law, protestors voiced their dissent against the law. They were also holding national flags and placards that read, "Spread love not hatred". Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police NN Choudhary said police have increased the security around the protest site as large number of people gather near Clock Tower. He asserted that Section 144 is in force and any sit-in demonstration should be done with police permission. "People performing peacefully will not be disturbed. However, strict action will be taken against those who disturb the peace," he added. The newly enacted law is facing stiff opposition across the country with some states including Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Punjab refusing to implement the law in their respective states. Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab have passed resolutions against the recently amended law in their legilsative Assemblies. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Nigerian Ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, has criticised people who are saying not much has been done to tackle insecurity. In an article posted on his Facebook wall and website, Adesina described those saying not much has been done to tackle insecurity as having short memories. In the article titled Insecurity: What Buhari has done, and is doing, Adesina highlighted the efforts made by the Buharis regime in the fight against insecurity. According to him, the Nigerian military was in tatters, ill-equipped, ill-trained, and ill-motivated before Buhari came. Adesina added, But at Eagle Square, where he took the oath of office on that memorable day, the brand new President gave a directive. The command centre of the Boko Haram war should move to Maiduguri, in Borno State, which was the epicenter of the insurgency. Pronto, the Service Chiefs moved, and the country was saved. Boko Haram got flushed out of Abuja, North-central, North-west, Yobe, Adamawa, and got circumscribed in Sambisa Forest. Soon, their last stand, Camp Zero fell, and since then, they have been scattered like sheep without a shepherd. They mingled with the civilian population, from where they launch cowardly atavistic attacks. They became degraded, but just like a scorched snake, not beheaded yet, they still retain the capacity for evil. But can you compare what is, with what used to be? Not at all. But some people have short memories. They say not much is being done to tackle insecurity by the Buhari government. Really? Admittedly, many more frontiers of insecurity have been opened: banditry, kidnapping for ransom, communal clashes, farmers/herders clashes, and many others. But the baby that says the mother will not sleep, he too will not snooze at all. Adeshina expressed the commitment of the retired general to fighting insecurity in the country, saying that Buhari met the country in disarray. He cautioned those planning to set up a regional security outfit to do so within the confines of the law. He added, If there was efficiency, why is there a proliferation of regional security outfits; Amotekun in the South-West, Shege-Ka-Fasa in the North, and with other parts of the country warming up to set up their own? Good question. Security is a collective responsibility. It is a collaboration between the government and the people, and those who heap all the blame on government, for political capital, are missing the point. The people must be involved in securing their communities and country but within the bounds of the law. Yes, securing Nigeria is a task that must be done, and is being done. The work continues. None of the 91 people being quarantined at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland have shown signs of the novel coronavirus since their arrival Friday, according to U.S. Rep. Will Hurd who tweeted out an update Saturday afternoon. If anyone gets over a 100-degree fever they are taken for further medical evaluation, and that has not happened, Hurd said, who was at Lackland to receive an update on the situation. The evacuees will be quarantined for 14 days at the Gateway Inn on base. That's believed to be the maximum incubation period of the virus. Families are allowed to stay in rooms together and have access to medical staff 24 hours a day. None of those individuals have shown signs of the coronavirus before they came here and they are being checked multiple times a day, Hurd said. Lackland is one of four bases in the U.S. housing 1,000 people who were evacuated from Wuhan, China, the center of an epidemic that has infected more than 34,000 people globally. The death toll has surpassed 700, including the first American, who officials reported on Saturday had died while in a hospital in China. On ExpressNews.com: Dozens of coronavirus evacuees from China arrive in San Antonio The evacuees at Lackland initially flew to Travis AFB in California Friday, where they were screened for signs of illness. Jason McDonald, a CDC spokesman, said four of the 201 passengers who landed at Travis early Friday were being held in isolation at hospitals after showing possible symptoms. The 91 evacuees in San Antonio have been issued a federal quarantine order, a legal document that prevents them from leaving until they are medically cleared. They are being cared for by trained contractors and guarded by federal marshals who patrol the fenced perimeter of the Gateway Inn. Now Playing: Capt. Jennifer McQuiston, a veterinarian who is deputy director, CDCs Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, talks about coronavirus. A CDC spokeswoman is with her. Video: San Antonio Express-News This quarantine is an unprecedented step, Hurd said. It hasnt been done in 60 years. Last time it was done during smallpox. This is an extraordinary measure taken in order to protect public safety. Those who come in contact with the evacuees are outfitted in personal protective gear gowns, gloves, masks, and respirators. They are responsible for the evacuees' food, housekeeping, and laundry needs. Federal officials have said that no one else on the base will have contact with the evacuees. The people in quarantine undergo temperature screens twice daily. Anyone with a fever of 100.4 degrees or above, or other signs of illness, such as coughing, sneezing or shortness of breath will then undergo further medical evaluations. People suspected of having coronavirus will be transported to a local hospital by emergency medical service providers. Federal and San Antonio public health officials have repeatedly declined to identify which hospitals would receive patients in that event. The reason they were brought to Lackland, here in San Antonio, is the medical system of San Antonio, Hurd said. A dozen cases have been reported in the U.S.: Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington and Wisconsin, including two instances of local transmission. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials have continued to stress that the risk of the general public contracting coronavirus is low. If you have been to China in the last 14 days and you show any signs of the flu or you have an elevated temperature go see a doctor, Hurd said. And dont go to China until the Chinese government sorts out this epidemic. There was a time when taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers in Mumbai were the informal city guides, trusted to safely take commuters from one destination to another and, at the same time, regale the interested ones with tales historical or factual or apocryphal of the localities, streets, houses and notable people who lived there. It was a fine way to become friends with the city. In a crunch, they knew the short-cuts to get from one point to another. The language they spoke in did not really matter. In the 1980s, Sikh taxi drivers could introduce this city to migrants and tourists in a way that trained guides could not match. Many culinary treasures on the streets of Mumbai were discovered with generous help from Maharashtrian auto drivers whose opinions on vada pavs in the suburbs did not make it to food guides. The language hardly mattered, their knowledge of the citys roads, their commitment to the job did. Over the decades, the trades passed on into the hands of migrant men from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. They knew less about the citys streets than their passengers, they knew next to nothing about the city itself. It mattered that they refused fares on a whim, that they did not know the city, or did not have the background checks to make passengers feel safe. The fact that they did not know Marathi or spoke only in Hindi was secondary, if at all. In reviving the debate over the language that taxi and auto drivers must know, and making Marathi an essential condition to obtain permits, the state transport minister and Shiv Sena veteran Diwakar Raote took the focus away from the set of core issues that now plagues the trade: safety, assured rides and affordable rates. Predictably, his decision that knowledge of Marathi is an essential condition to get an autorickshaw permit has been challenged in the Bombay high court. Read:Marathi must for taxi permit: Maharashtra In its defence, the state government offered two rationalisations. First, that the law requiring permit-holders/drivers to have a working knowledge of Marathi is an old one from 1988 which means the Congress had introduced parochialism in permits. And second, that 70% of the 7,843 taxi permits issued last year were to applicants who did not speak Marathi and were mostly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis took pains to point out. The worrying part was that nearly 27,000 applications were received, showing the desperation in the job market. As with the opportunist ban on slaughter and sale of meat during the Jain festival of Paryushan earlier this month, the controversy over taxi and auto drivers knowing Marathi is a needless one. Indeed, the statute on both these date back to Congress governments. Yet the fact is that those governments did not ratchet up the sentiments on the issues or turn them into matters of community and regional pride. Therein lies the rub. The Fadnavis government appears to cherry pick laws and rules that intentionally provoke sectarian and parochial sentiments, and turn them into a high-decibel, emotional debate. The knowledge of local language is an inclusive and constructive principle in itself. But, as with such issues, this is best left to the individuals personal domain. When the government enacts laws or digs up old ones to bring this into the realm where it interacts with the individuals permits, licences, jobs, houses, and so on it unnecessarily raises the stakes and ruptures social cohesiveness. Besides, if the issue is that migrants to Mumbai must know Marathi, why limit the requirement to taxi and auto permit applicants, or selectively to other professions? Here, the agenda is laid bare: the move is essentially against the low-income and less-educated migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The drivers knowledge of the city and driving skills, more than of Marathi, would help improve this vital line of citys transport. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON You are here: World Flash Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Sunday that a shooting rampage in northeastern Thailand has left 27 people dead, including the gunman, and 57 others injured. The premier updated the latest death toll in the deadly mass shooting outside a hospital of northeastern Nakorn Ratchasima city, where a frenzied soldier opened fire at shoppers at a shopping mall late Saturday. Voters scared off in Cameroon: A surge of violence derailed voting in Cameroon's English-speaking regions because residents were afraid to cast ballots in legislative and municipal elections after militant separatists kidnapped at least 120 candidates and threatened violence in the past two weeks. About half of them were released, but the separatists warned people not to vote. Residents in the two regions said suspected separatists chopped off the fingers of at least 12 people caught with voter cards in the weeks leading up to the elections. The Department of Health and Social Care has sold medical data of millions of NHS patients to American drugs companies after falsely saying the information would be anonymous, experts have claimed. NHS figures claim that patient data which is sold for huge amounts of money for research can be linked back to individual medical records via GP surgeries. The officials have told the Observer there is evidence that it is already being done by certain companies who have found individuals that have medical histories of particular interest. NHS figures claim that patient data which is sold for huge amounts of money for research can be linked back to individual medical records via GP surgeries. Stock picture NHS officials have voiced their concerns because they believe the public is being misled even though the DHSC has insisted it only sells information after ensuring complete anonymity of patients. The Observer revealed the government raised 10million in 2018 by giving licences to organisations across the world that wanted access to the supposedly anonymous data. If a patient doesn't want their data used for research, they must actively 'opt out' of the system. Because NHS data is one of the largest organisations of its kind, its data is highly sought after. NHS officials have voiced their concerns because they believe the public is being misled even though the DHSC has insisted it only sells information after ensuring complete anonymity of patients Washington is already after unrestricted access to the UK's 55million health records, which are estimated to have a value of 10billion a year. Getting as much UK medical data is a top priority for the US drugs industry, according to leaked details of meetings between trade officials from the two countries. The DHSC is under an increasing amount of pressure to tighten controls to protect patient privacy. When asked by the Observer whether it was right to say that patient data was anonymous, Professor Eerke Boiten, director of the Cyber Technology Institute at De Montfort University in Leicester, said: 'The answer is no, it is not anonymous. 'If it is rich medical data about individuals then the richer that data is, the easier it is for people who are experts to reconstruct it and re-identify individuals.' The DHSC is under an increasing amount of pressure to tighten controls to protect patient privacy. Stock picture Mr Boiten believes that more thought should be put into controlling the sale of data to stop it being sold on to companies with huge information stores. He added: 'If Google, for instance, were to use this data and end up finding a cure for cancer, and then sold it back to the NHS for huge sums of money, then I think we could say we had missed a trick.' A coordinator of a company called medConfidential, which campaigns for health data privacy, said the public was being betrayed. Phil Booth said: 'The unique combination of medical events that makes individuals health data so ripe for exploitation is precisely what makes it so identifiable. Your medical record is like a fingerprint of your whole life.' He argued that patients have a right to know who is using their data and in what way. Until December, the Clinical Practice Research Datalink claimed on its website that data made available for research was anonymous. After the Observer's investigation, the wording was changed to say that data had been 'anonymised' - meaning that only some measures had been taken to unidentify it, Mr Booth added: 'The law now recognises that one of the most common methods of anonymisation the use of pseudonyms to obscure some bits of information means that data is still identifiable. 'Indeed, the information commissioner herself says it must be considered personal data.' The Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program in the US, which uses DHSC data, says on its website: 'Anonymized information from the CPRD on demographics, outpatient visits, hospitalizations and prescriptions dispensed is available to [our] researchers. 'Validation of diagnoses, reports of diagnostic tests and anonymized notes from hospitalizations and referrals can be obtained from the general practitioner upon request.' This suggests that the data isn't truly anonymous because it should be impossible to get an individual patient's medical notes. Google Australia will start meeting Australian publishers to discuss a voluntary code of conduct that will govern how revenue is shared and how content is accessed. This week the technology giant will meet with Nine Entertaiment, publisher of this masthead, and News Corp separately to discuss their proposed process for discussion and engagement on the code. Google is meeting with local publishers about its new approach to the Australian media landscape. Credit:ROB HOMER The discussions come two months after the Morrision government responded to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's digital platforms report, giving technology giants Google and Facebook the chance to work on a voluntary code of conduct to oversee commercial arrangements. Google, which sent its proposal to the ACCC proposal two weeks ago, will then host a roundtable with a number of other publishers. By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/02/08 If you've ever gone to a touristy location at the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea, you've probably noticed that picture-taking is strictly prohibited and that soldiers may confiscate your camera. With its opening setpiece "Red Family" presents the extremely implausible hypothetical situation in which such regulations might matter. Basically, that some apparently typical tourists are actually North Korean spies. Advertisement The intriguing premise of "Red Family" takes a turn for the worse as soon as they get home. Behind closed doors the titular spy family behaves in an outrageously stereotypical manner that would have seemed goofy even back in 2013. For a sense of perspective, mainstream movies like "Secretly and Greatly", "Commitment", and "Spy" all had similar premises and were released around the same time. Yet in all of these movies the deep cover spies were capable of cheerful casual banter with one another. Seung-hye (played by Kim Yoo-mi), by contrast, is constantly barking out orders in a very vicious tone of voice. Later revelations that Seung-hye is not as competent as she looks only serve to make her hard-boiled attitude look even more ridiculous in retrospect. The disproportionate misery the spy family wallows in really just makes them seem poorly suited to their chosen profession, which begs the question of why they're in South Korea to begin with. These one-note performances are contrasted ironically with the dysfunctional normal South Korean family that lives next door. They're basically situation comedy characters, the wife in particular coming up with zany schemes that inevitably go horribly wrong. Though well-worn these characters do at least feel real, and when they're threatened by loan sharks the stakes are significantly stronger than the spy family's very abstract ethical conflicts within the backdrop of unironic admiration of South Korean culture. The way "Red Family" uncritically buys into right-wing framing about North Koreans was also rather odd. The mainstream movies I mentioned before all had significant criticisms of domestic South Korean culture, yet the spy family admires the normal one even as the latter proves helpless in the face of explicit capitalism centered problems. A dinner sequence wherein the two families discuss relations between North Korea and South Korea is similarly shallow, with the secret spy family making effective criticisms of South Korea's reunification policy yet still conceding to vague South Korean talking points as if they had never conceived such ideas before. But worse than that are the various assassination missions. As far as I know even far right-wingers don't allege that North Korean fifth columnists assassinate random defectors. A lot of them do kill themselves because they're unable adapt to South Korea's often alienating capitalist culture. While this is beyond the scope of "Red Family" that's kind of my point. The movie has aged horribly and no aspect of it can be used to meaningfully discuss the cultural distance between North Korea and South Korea in the present day or even back when it was made. It might as well be a stage play, particularly given the uninteresting cinematography. Review by William Schwartz ___________ "Red Family" is directed by Lee Ju-hyoung, and features Kim Yoo-mi, Jung Woo, Son Byung-ho, Park Si-woo, Park Byung-eun, Kang Eun-jin. Release date in Korea: 2013/11/06. Understandably, there is bitterness. But its not just directed toward the murderer and the circumstances surrounding his actions. They still feel resentment because the family had to find out through television that notifications of the dead would take place at Aurora University many hours after the shooting. They also cant understand why the media seemed to get preferential treatment over the family at the community vigil held on that frigid Sunday after the murders. And there is no love lost for the politicians who came out of the woodwork, offering up condolences as a means of pushing agendas. The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says by 2023 the North will only support candidates with genuine commitment to deal with its problems and political will to meet the regions aspirations. This is contained in a statement by the Convener, NEF, Ango Abdullahi in Zaria, Kaduna State on Sunday. He said: The forum has observed that political manoeuvres around the 2023 elections are targeting the North as a region available for exploitation. We want to make it clear that people of the North will be very careful in committing to persons seeking their support on the basis of their region or wealth. The North knows its interest and will stand together to elect only persons who meet the standards and interests of the people of the North. No politicians should assume they are entitled to our support unless they show a clear understanding and a commitment to deal with our problems and meet our aspirations. On national security, Mr Abdullahi called for the injection of higher level of competence, integrity and accountability in the manner Nigerian security agencies deal with security challenges. We appeal to our religious leaders and fellow citizens not to fall into the trap of insurgents to set us up against each other. We condemn the tactic of targeting Christians and publicising their executions by an insurgency seeking to exploit our different faiths. We also condemn the murder of thousands of Muslims and Christians in communities which the insurgency has made permanent target in the last decade. These are times when we must unite and resist a common enemy as well as demand that our leaders protect us all as Nigerians, he advised. According to him, the forum supports the idea of improving the policing capacity of the nation, emphasising that all initiatives to improve public safety must be accommodated within the law. He recommended the adoption of a more vigorous and inclusive process which would result in the creation of acceptable frameworks and confidence among all communities with respect to policing strategy. The Convener said the forum extended its hand at any group willing to discuss this important matter, assuring that it would utilise its entire assets to collaborate with other groups to achieve an understanding on the way forward. We advise government to exercise higher levels of restraint and responsibility in the manner they respond to the challenges of improving our security and safety. (NAN) Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > Sri Lanka: Gotabaya plunges into true Gotabayaism Gotas Goons is now a popular phrase in Sri Lanka. This is not surprising, because Sri Lankas newly elected President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, does not believe in wasting time to get into action. Let us talk about a recent manifestation of this Gotabaya dictum. In early December, as journalist Maduka, who was recently transferred to the Lake House Media Department (the Lake House group of media is Sri Lankas largest media group owned by the government), was attacked by trade union members of the Gotabaya Government. In his statement to his employers seeking an inquiry into the incident, a number of activists of the trade union entered the Resa newspapers (one of the groups newspapers) editorial department and took him out by force and assaulted him and left before threatening him not to go back to his office again. This intimidating incident happened after the journalist had already resigned from his job and was present in his office as his contract of service required him to do so. He is a heart patient and the incident has affected him badly. He is since under treatment. Why was he assaulted? He is one of the many journalists who have regularly exposed Gotabaya Rajapaksa and has been marked for retribution in good time. That time has now come with Rajapaksa as the new Sri Lankan President. It is not for nothing that scores of independent and critical journalists have fled the country following Gotabayas victory. The flight of policemen who were investigating various corruption and murder and assault cases against the Rajapaksa brothers, including the former President and present Prime Minister Mahinda, was only widely anticipated. As many as 700 of these policemen have been barred from overseas travel by Gotabaya in one of his first acts as the President. He has publicly stated that these men will be prosecuted for institutiong and pursuing false cases against him and other Rajapaksas.To his chagrin, the leading investigator, Nishantha Silva, managed to flee to Switzerland before the new President was elected and could have laid his hand on him. He was soon sought to be followed by another key investigator but he was detained on the eve of his departure to Europe. The rest of the team are now kept back and being watched by the police under Gotabayas instruction. The environment of fear was clamped down on the nation even before the presidential election was held when author Lasantha Wijeratne was attacked in his home in Galle town in the south. The four attackers broke into the house at pre-dawn hours when darkness prevailed and assaulted him right on his bed. Before escaping, they also smashed the furniture. It was not difficult to fathom why Wijeratne was attacked. He had just published a book titled Wasteful Development and Corruption, analysing the much-criticised development spree that was the hallmark of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime (2005-15) and of which the Rajapaksas are still boastful. After the publication of the book, the author presented it to Sajith Premadasa, the presidential candidate of the then ruling party, the United National Party (UNP). Since his ascendance to the office, similar incidents have been further reported. But the most serious event was the one involving a Sri Lankan employee of the Swiss embassy in Colombo. One evening as the woman left office and was on her way home, she was attacked and abducted by unknown persons and taken to a place where the men snatched her cellphone, which contained confidential information on Sri Lanka and did not return it. She was then let off with a warning. The embassy took up the case with all seriousness since it involved the violation of diplomatic immunity. The Swiss Foreign Ministry issued a stern protest note to the Sri Lankan Government, demanding justice. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa assured that his government would be taking a serious look at the allegation but demanded that the said victim would have to make a statement to the government. The embassy refused, saying that the victim was not fit to face any interrogation as her health was deteriorating in the aftermath of the incident. Since then an unprecedented tussle has broken out between the two sides. The government has gone to court demanding that the woman appear before the court, which the embassy, backed by its government, immediately declined to concur with. The court thereafter has issued an order to the embassy to produce the woman before it but the embassy has again refused to do so. The tussle between the Sri Lankan Government and the court and the Swiss embassy and the government seems to be far from a conclusion. The latters hands have been strengthened right from the beginning by the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission, still being manned by the previous regimes nominees, which is persistent in its demand that the incident must be properly investigated and the attackers and their backers be identified and prosecuted. Why is the Gotabaya Government so rattled by the information contained in the employees cellphone? It is already established that the sensitive data contained in the phone pertain to various detected facts and statistics about the rampant illegel and criminal acts committed during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime when Gotabaya was the Defence Secretary and presided over the armed forces, the civil police and the investigating agencies. These were unearthed by a plethora of cases launched by the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremasinghe Government immediately after its victory in the January 2015 presidential election. The Swiss embassy appears to have obtained these data from the then government. As international attention has clearly reverted to Sri Lanka in the wake of Gotabaya Rajapaksas presidencys instant attack on the media and independent analysis, the President took the initiative to paper over the ugly expose of his real intentions. In a display of half-truths and hidden implications, he delivered a seemingly pious sermon to the Sri Lankan media house chiefs on December 12, advising them not to fear governmental reprisal and to ensure that their writings do not tarnish the fair image of the country, its development efforts and anti-corruption drive. A statement issued by his office said, (The) people of this country elected me to the office of the President with great expectations. Enhancing the efficiency of politicians and public officials, elimination of corruption and the economc development are some of the priorities among them. As such I expect the fullest support and cooperation of the media towards achieving these objectives. It is little wonder that this thinly veiled warning to the media was not lost on its intended target. Victor Ivan, one of the most renowned Sri Lankan journalists who have always fought for media freedom, was sceptical. He told The Hindu (December 13, 2019), There is no doubt that there is a big fear factor now. A lot of journalists, who merely covered and followed issues as part of their job, now feel threatened under the new government. The previous government, although foolish, was relatively much better for media freedom. The fear factor for the Sri Lankan media emanates from its experience during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime when the hatchet man was Gotabaya, now at the helm of national affairs. The Reporters Without Borders, the press freedom advocacy group, reported that at least 14 journalists were murdered during 2005-15 (with Mahinda Rajapaksa in office). In 2017, when the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told a magistrates court in Colombo about top-secret death squads reportedly linked to the defence establishment, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former Defence Secretary under his brother, squarely blamed the changes (since the Sirisena-Wickremasinghe government was in power). The CIDs submission pertained in November to the alleged assassination of the well-known newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunga in January 2009. Since November last, at least one newspaper website was raided, while two other on-line journalists were questioned (questioning by the CID has been traditionally sufficiently rigorous to put the fear of God in any atheists mind). An editor of a Vavuniya-based Tamil newspaper was also questioned in November over the publication of LTTE-related photographs. For all one knows, Gotabayas ostensible attempt to reassure that press freedom is assured under his rule has managed to turn into a cynical laugh of an elected dictator. Apratim Mukarji is an analyst of South and Central Asian affairs and has recently authored Annihilating the Demons of Sri Lanka : An Unfinished Story. 09.02.2020 LISTEN Known to be the brain behind the change of name from Trans Volta Togoland to Volta Region, Ferdinand Koblavi Dra Goka was a Ghanaian teacher and politician, who legitimately can be regarded as one of the best political figures in the First Republic. Mr. Goka was born on the 7th day of November 1919 at Mafi Anfoe in the present-day Volta region. He started his formal education at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (E. P. C.) Middle School in Hohoe where he obtained his Cambridge School Certificate in 1941. His next step in climbing the academic ladder was to study at the Akropong Presbyterian Training College from 1943 to 1944. He proceeded to the Ewe Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Ho and qualified as a catechist at the end of his study at Ho. His early career was as a pupil-teacher in 1934 at Mafi Anfoe, his hometown. In January 1946, after obtaining his teacher's Certificate A, he took an appointment at the Keta Presbyterian Middle School. He left the classroom in June 1948 and took office as the Assistant Education Secretary of the Anlo-Tongu District Education Committee. Mr. Goka went ahead to contest in the 1954 general elections in his pursuit to represent the people of Central Tongu in Ghana's Legislature. He contested and won the election on the ticket of Nkrumah's Convention People's Party and was in the same year appointed the Ministerial Secretary for the Ministry of Health. In June 1959, he was made the Regional Commissioner for the Volta Region. When Ghana became a republic on 1st July 1960, he became the Minister for Trade. On 8th May 1961, he became the second person in the history of Ghana to head the Ministry of Finance; he took over from Mr. Kormla Agbeli Gbedemah, Nkrumah's former left-hand man. Nkrumah's choice of Ewes to head certain sensitive ministries and departments in his government was believed to be due to the way the traditions and customs of the Ewes made them trustworthy, hardworking and very loyal. Later that year, the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Finance were merged and Mr. Goka once again headed the newly merged ministry; he became the Minister for Trade and Finance on 1 October 1961. He worked in that capacity until he was replaced by Kwesi Amoako Atta in 1964. All this while, he was still a Member of Parliament, a position he held from 1954 till the overthrow of Nkrumah's government in a CIA planned coup on 24th February 1966. He retired from active politics after the coup. Under the Commissions of Enquiry Act, 1964 (Act 250) and N.L.C Investigation and Forfeiture of Assets Decree 72, the government appointed the Jiagge Commission to enquire into the assets of specified persons who served under the ousted Nkrumah regime. Mr. Goka happened to be one of those persons. In May 1969, Reports of the Jiagge Commission accused Mr. Goka of financial misconduct during the Nkrumah regime. The government of the day accepted the Jiagge Report and in that regard intended to confiscate some properties owned by Mr. Goka. His Mawuli House at Adidome and a new commercial building also at Adidome, which were valued at 13, 160 at the time, were to be confiscated. He died in 2007 at the age of 93 and was buried on 14th July 2007 at Mafi Anfoe, his hometown. He is regarded as the greatest son of Mafiland. Whistleblower sends warning against autocratic rule The death of the doctor who sounded an early alarm on the new coronavirus speaks volumes about the Chinese authorities' poor initial reaction to the viral outbreak and the communist leadership's preoccupation with its grip on power. The Chinese government should be held accountable for his death because it suppressed his warning. Dr. Li Wenliang, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist, died of a pneumonia-like illness Friday. It is sad to see him become a victim of the virus, against which he issued an early warning Dec. 30. It is all the more frustrating because his death could have been prevented if the health authorities in the Chinese central city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, had not ignored his warning. That's why social media users in China hailed Li as a hero, triggering an outpouring of grief and anger over his death. Even state broadcaster CCTV called him a "whistleblower" on the new strain of the coronavirus. An editor of the Global Times, a government-backed newspaper, said that Wuhan owes him an apology. Li deserves praise for his courage as a whistleblower and his responsibility as a doctor. He wrote in a social media post that he saw a test sample suggesting the occurrence of a coronavirus similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which claimed around 800 lives in China and other countries between 2002 and 2003. At that time, the Chinese government invited criticism for refusing to disclose relevant information about SARS in a transparent manner, and failing to contain the epidemic in the early stages. Similar things have happened this time for the novel coronavirus which is believed to have originated in a seafood wet market selling exotic animal flesh in Wuhan. Li recommended medical workers to use protective equipment when treating patients. Regrettably, however, the local authorities reprimanded him for "rumor-mongering." Police forced him to sign a statement admitting to spreading "illegal and false" information which allegedly "disrupted the social order." The Chinese authorities are apparently more interested in maintaining social stability and consolidating one-party rule than ensuring public health. They were hell bent on hiding the outbreak and downplaying the risk of its rapid spread in early January in order not to create social unrest. What they should fear the most is not nonexistent false information, but the actual deadly virus outbreak. Beijing has promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Li. It should go all-out to confirm if the local authorities abused their power to suppress his voice against the emergence of the virus. Most of all, the communist leadership under President Xi Jinping must realize that it cannot achieve the "Chinese Dream" only through surveillance and control of the people. It should make efforts to guarantee basic human rights, including freedom of speech, and establish a transparent and democratic system. Chinese people and its leaders should keep in mind what Li said in an interview with media while undergoing treatment. "I think there should be more than one voice in a healthy society, and I don't approve of using public power for excessive interference," he said. His remarks could be seen as a warning against the autocratic rule of the Communist Party of China. A photo of Li lying on a hospital bed wearing an oxygen respirator and holding his ID card is going viral online. His death should not be in vain and hopefully will lead to changes for a healthy society in China. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Asserting that the government was keeping a continuous vigil on the passengers coming to the state from abroad in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Special Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) KS Jawahar Reddy has said six samples sent to the laboratory tested negative for the virus. In a medical bulletin released here on Saturday, he said as many as 74 travellers from coronavirus-affected countries were identified to have landed in the state till Saturday. While 73 of them are under home isolation, one completed the 28th day of the isolation at a hospital. Stating that isolation wards have been set up in the government general hospitals and district hospitals, he appealed those coming from abroad to the state to remain in home isolation for 28 days. In case of facing signs such as fever, cough and respiratory problems, such persons can contact the nearby hospitals. Toll free numbers 0866 2410978, 1100, 1902 Yes, noncitizens may be able to collect benefits on the earnings record of a divorced spouse. The eligibility rules can differ depending on whether the person claiming benefits lives in the United States. If you are lawfully present in the United States Broadly speaking, lawfully present means someone who has a green card, legal temporary residency or permission to be in the country under some form of protected status for example, asylum seekers and refugees. In these cases, the basic criteria to get divorced-spouse benefits are the same as for a U.S. citizen: You are at least 62 years old. You have not remarried. The marriage lasted at least 10 years. Your former spouse qualifies for Social Security retirement or disability benefits. If your ex is eligible for Social Security but has not yet claimed his or her benefits, you must meet an additional standard: You have to have been divorced for at least two years. If you are a foreign national living abroad You may face additional requirements, depending on where you live. If you are a citizen or, in most cases, a legal resident of a country with which the United States has an international Social Security agreement, you have no extra hurdles. You need meet only the standard requirements listed above to draw ex-spousal benefits. As of December 2021, the United States has such agreements with 30 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. The roster is subject to change; you'll find an up-to-date list at the Social Security website. Citizens of most other countries must meet a U.S. residency test to collect divorced-spouse benefits. Along with meeting the standard criteria, you must have: lived in the United States for at least five years, and been in the marriage in question during that period. This residency requirement has two exceptions. It does not apply and you may still qualify for ex-spouse benefits if: You became eligible for benefits before Jan. 1, 1985, or Your claim is based on marriage to someone who died during active U.S. military service or from a service-related injury or illness. If you don't meet any of those conditions, in most cases Social Security will stop ex-spouse payments once you've been outside of the United States for six months. Payments may resume if you return and when you've been back in the country for a full calendar month. For additional information, consult the Social Security publication Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States , or contact the Social Security Administration. You also can use Social Security's online screening tool for international payments to determine if you qualify. Keep in mind Wherever you live, ex-spouse benefits range from 32.5 percent to 50 percent of your former mate's primary insurance amount the monthly benefit he or she is entitled to at full retirement age (66 and 2 months for someone born in 1955, 66 and 4 months for someone born in 1956, and gradually rising to 67 for those born in 1960 and later). The percentage depends on your age when you claim them. Cheesy Pan Pizza with Turkey Sausage How to make airy pan pizza crust: This no-knead pizza dough is super easy to make, and with its overnight rest in the refrigerator, it has tons of flavor. First, you mix flour, salt, water, and yeast in a large bowl with a dough whisk, your hands, or a spatula. Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough rest for five minutes. Next, do stretch and folds from all four "sides" of the dough and cover the dough for five minutes. Repeat the stretch and folds three more times, every five minutes, and then cover the dough in the bowl and let rise for 40 minutes at room temperature. After that, move the dough to the refrigerator for 12 to 72 hours. What is "Stretch and Fold?" "Stretch and Fold" is where you take a side of a dough ball, pull it toward you, and fold it over the top of the dough. It helps develop the gluten as well as air in the dough. Cheesy Pan Pizza with Turkey Sausage Cheesy Pan Pizza with Turkey Sausage Print With Image Without Image Yield: 6 servings Author: Karen Kerr This cheesy pan pizza with turkey sausage begins with a light and airy thick crust which is topped with lots of mozzarella cheese, cooked turkey sausage, and a little bit of marinara sauce, and then baked in a cast iron pan for an extra crispy crust. ingredients: For the Dough 2 cups (240 grams) unbleached all purpose flour (I prefer King Arthur) 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast 3/4 cup lukewarm (90 degrees) water 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided For the Topping 6 ounces thinly sliced mozzarella cheese, torn into pieces. 1/3 cup marinara sauce 3 ounces fully cooked turkey sausage slices instructions: How to cook Cheesy Pan Pizza with Turkey Sausage Add the flour, salt, yeast, water, and a tablespoon of the olive oil into a large bowl. Mix everything together with your hands or a dough whisk until the dough comes together. Cover the dough and let it rest for five minutes. Stretch and fold the dough 5 times, every five minutes. Cover and let rise for 40 minutes. Move the dough to the refrigerator and let it continue to rise for 12 to 72 hours. When you are ready to make the pizza, oil a 10 inch cast iron frying pan with 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it into the pan and turn it to coat both sides with the oil. Gently dimple the dough with your fingertips to spread it to fill the pan. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise for 2 hours at room temperature. Heat the oven to 450 degrees F with one rack at the bottom of the oven and one rack at the top. Cover the dough, all the way to the edges, with 3/4 of the cheese. Dollop the cheese with the sauce and add the sausage slices. Top with the rest of the cheese. Bake the pizza on the bottom rack for 20 minutes. Move the pizza to the top rack and bake for 2 to 4 minutes, until the top is browned to your liking. Remove the pizza from the oven and cool in the pan for about a minute and then move the pizza to a wire rack. Cut the pizza with kitchen shears and serve. Calories 251.69 Fat (grams) 8.83 Sat. Fat (grams) 1.82 Carbs (grams) 33.12 Fiber (grams) 1.48 Net carbs 31.64 Sugar (grams) 0.88 Protein (grams) 9.08 Sodium (milligrams) 454.00 Cholesterol (grams) 17.07 https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2020/02/cheesy-pan-pizza-with-turkey-sausage.html Karen's Kitchen Stories pizza, pan pizza Pizza American, Italian Did you make this recipe? Tag @KarensKitchenStories on instagram and hashtag it #KarensKitchenStories Created using The Recipes Generator This recipe was adapted from This recipe was adapted from King Arthur Flour. They declared this recipe as the recipe of the year for 2020, so naturally, I had to try it! This cheesy pan pizza with turkey sausage begins with a light and airy yet thick crust which is topped with lots of mozzarella cheese, cooked turkey sausage, and a little bit of marinara sauce, and then baked in a cast iron pan for an extra crispy crust.Because the cheese goes all the way to the edge of the dough, just like with Detroit pizza , each slice of pizza is crispy from edge to edge. To ensure that the dough does not get soggy, you place most of the cheese on the dough first, then a few dollops of sauce, and finally more cheese.Unlike a Chicago-style pizza, this pan pizza is light on toppings (except for the cheese of course). If you are adding any extras, such as meats or veggies, use a light hand so that the cheese shines and the airy crust is not weighed down.This crust on this pizza is sort of a cross between grandma pizza and focaccia About three hours before you are ready to bake the pizza, remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it into an oiled cast iron pan. If you don't have a 10 inch cast iron pan, you can substitute a cake pan or an oven proof skillet.Gently dimple the dough with your fingertips so that it spreads out over the width of the pan. Once you have coaxed the dough over the pan, cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise for about 2 hours.At this point, the dough is ready to top with cheesy deliciousness.I used sliced mozzarella cheese on this pizza, which I tore into pieces and laid over the risen dough right up to the edges.You can also use grated mozzarella cheese if you prefer.For the cast iron pan, I used the lid from my 3 quart Lodge multi-cooker, the same pan I often use to bake bread. It's just the right size.This pizza recipe is fabulous for beginners. Don't be intimidated!One of my favorite things about this pizza is that you can use kitchen shears to cut the pizza into slices. I didn't believe it until I tried it, but it's pretty much the best method for slicing this pizza.Some of my blogger friends, hosted by Hezzi-Ds Books and Cooks , have pulled together pizza recipes for National Pizza Day.I'm excited to check out everyone's pizzas!Check out all the other great National Pizza Day Recipes:This cheesy pan pizza, with a light and airy crust, is loaded with crispy cheese. It's so delicious and so much easier to make than you might expect. JCB driver Harvinder Singh, aka Baboo, 48, who was killed in a building collapse in Punjabs Kharar on Saturday, had died of suffocation, the postmortem report revealed on Sunday. Hired by the contractor, he was excavating the earth when he accidentally hit the foundation of the adjoining realty firm building in Kharar, leading to the collapse around 12:30pm. Trapped under the debris along with the machine, he kept communicating with the rescue workers for nearly seven hours. Its suspected he breathed his last around 7:30pm. His body was recovered around 10pm. According to the autopsy report, a slab fell on Harvinders chest, making it difficult for him to breathe. It led to his death, said Surinder Singh, senior medical officer (SMO), Kharar civil hospital. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) official, who was part of the rescue operation, had said on Saturday that Harvinders head got stuck between two pillars, which had made it difficult to rescue him and later bring out his body. Harvinders nephew Satwinder Singh, who was present at the hospital, said: We came to know about the incident through a local, after which rushed to the spot. Belonging to Morinda, Harvinder is survived by his wife and three daughters. After the postmortem, his body was handed over to the family for last rites. Rescued men stable Meanwhile, Harjit Singh, who was rescued from under the debris after eight hours of the building collapse, suffered just minor injuries on the chest and foot. I have got a new lease of life, said the 24-year-old, who lives in Gharuan and works as a salesman with the realty firm Now, admitted at the Kharar civil hospital, he said he was not able to make any movement and even had issues in breathing while remaining stuck in a spot under the debris. He is eagerly awaiting to return home to his wife. Prem Bahadur, who is from Nepal and works as a peon, was rescued along with Harjits namesake within the first half an hour of the collapse. When you are coming out alive from such a deadly situation, how can you not say that it is a rebirth, he said, thanking the Almighty, even as he suffered a fracture in his right arm. Both are stable and recovering, said the SMO. They will be discharged within a few days. Harjits namesake, who too was rushed to the Kharar hospital on Saturday, was discharged the same day. "I am glad that India was partitioned" or else the Muslim League would not have allowed the country to function and there would have been more "Direct Action Days", Congress veteran K Natwar Singh said here on Sunday. The former foreign minister was speaking at the launch of Rajya Sabha MP MJ Akbar's new book "Gandhi's Hinduism: The Struggle Against Jinnah's Islam". It was released by former president Pranab Mukherjee at his residence. "In my view I am glad India was partitioned. Because if India had not been partitioned we would have had Direct Action Days -- the first we had during Jinnah's (Muhammad Ali) lifetime was on August 16 (1946) when thousands of Hindus were killed in Kolkata (then Calcutta), and of course then the retaliation took place in Bihar where thousands of Muslims were killed. "Also, it could have been impossible for the simple reason that the Muslim League wouldn't have allowed the country to function," he said. The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had called on Muslims to engage in direct action in support of the creation of a separate nation. On August 16, 1946, also known as the 1946 Calcutta Killings or Direct Action Day, communal riots erupted between Muslims and Hindus in Calcutta in Bengal province of what was then the British India. To buttress his point on Muslim League, Singh gave the example of the Interim Government of India, formed on September 2, 1946, and how the Muslim League first declined to join the cabinet of the council's vice-president Jawaharlal Nehru, and later became part of it only to "turn down" all its proposals. "Therefore you can imagine this on a larger scale, if India was not partitioned, the Muslim league would have made things very very difficult for us to function. Also, the government situation (then) would have worsened by the week," he explained. Singh described Gandhi and Jinnah as two very "great" and "difficult" persons. "It would have been impossible to live with them. Because Gandhiji standards were very high and Jinnah's temperament was so abrasive that I certainly wouldn't have got on with him," the 88-year-old said, adding that he must be the only one in the audience who saw Gandhi in flesh and blood. He was of the view that it was Gandhi who pampered Jinnah on the persuasion of India's last Governor General C. Rajagopalachari. "In many ways, and it is my judgement, that Gandhiji pampered Jinnah. In 1944, Gandhi visited Jinnah's house in Malabar Hill 17 times. But not once did Jinnah return his visits. "Now why Gandhiji went there? I know because Shri C. Rajagopalachari ji pursued him to do so. "Jinnah was a member of the Congress for many many years, but when Gandhi came on the scene ... Jinnah temperamentally didn't fit in with his programme of non-cooperation and gradually parted ways. In 1928 the real parting took place. That is when Jinnah went to London to become a lawyer because he thought of a political future for himself," he said. Akbar's book was praised by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who was present at the event. According to former president Pranab Mukherjee, it was a "well-written" and "deeply researched" work that could become an important reference to analyze the history of partition. "It (the book) very clearly demonstrates the essential spiritual secularism that Mahatama ji stood for and the divisive and the utilitarian colour that Jinnah gave to religion only to secure political ends. "Also, it chronicles how Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress stood as a firm rock against the partition of the country till the very end," he said. The book, published by Bloomsbury, claims to analyse both the ideology and the personality of those who shaped the fate of the region, and spells out the blunders, lapses and conscious chicanery that permeated the politics of seven explosive years between 1940 and 1947. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 27-year-old man has been arrested in Odisha's Jajpur district for allegedly uploading obscene photographs of his former girlfriend on the social media, police said on Sunday. The accused, a resident of Kantigadia-Malandapur village, was arrested on Saturday based on a complaint lodged by a 23-year-old woman with Panikoili police station, an officer said. As per the complaint, the woman had met the accused last year, following which they got into a relationship, during which he had allegedly clicked several obscene photographs of her, the officer said. "During the preliminary probe, it has come to fore that the accused had lent money to the complainant's family. In January, he had asked the woman to pay back the money, after which she started avoiding him. Later, she entered into a relationship with another man," said Ajay Kumar Jena, inspector-in-charge of Panikoili police station. Enraged over the development, the accused then posted her photographs on the social media last week and also shared them with her relatives, he said. A case under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act has been registered against the accused, the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend A number of Kazakh-Iranian joint projects in Kazakhstan are currently at the various stages of implementation, the majority of them accounting for agriculture, a representative of Kazakhstans Ministry of Trade and Integration told Trend. According to the official, Kazakhstan and Iran have time after time confirmed their interest in development of mutual trade relations. Parties are also successfully cooperating within the framework of various international and regional organizations. "Talking the investment relations between the countries, Iran is among the main investors of Kazakhstan. Over the period from 2005 to 2018, gross inflow of direct foreign investments from Iran to Kazakhstans economy amounted to $123 million," the official said. Trade turnover between countries amounted to $333.8 million during 11 months of 2019, which is 28.8 percent less than during the same period of 2018 ($468.9 million). "Kazakhstan export to Iran during the reporting period decreased by 31.8 percent and equaled $263 million. The main goods exported from Kazakhstan to Iran are agricultural goods of vegetable and animal nature, mineral resources," the official said. He also noted that the decrease of export to Iran can be explained by export decrease of the following goods: flat unalloyed steel, wheat, and rapeseeds. "At the same time, the export increase of fresh, frozen beef, rapeseed oil, sheep, ferrous metal waste and scrap is also observed," the official said. Kazakhstans import from Iran amounted to $70.8 million during 11 months of 2019, which is 15.1 percent less than during the same period of last year. The main goods imported from Iran to Kazakhstan are mineral resources and fruit. "Decrease of import can be explained by import decrease of nuts, fresh apples, equipment for food items and beverages manufacturing, as well as processed stone," the official said. At the same time, import increase of cement, onions, garlic, carpets is also observed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz After suffering a defeat at the hands of Verona, Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri said their opponents attacked them with 'heart and dedication'. "Right now, we have a difference in performance between home games and away games, today we knew already that it would be difficult, and it was because they attacked us with heart and dedication, and that we would suffer," the club's official website quoted Sarri as saying. Verona secured a 2-1 win over Juventus in Serie A on Sunday. Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal from his side and with this goal, he became the first Juventus player to score in 10 consecutive Serie A matches. Sarri said they must understand that winning is not a foregone conclusion. "We coped well initially, and then after hitting post twice we took the lead. We must understand that winning is not a foregone conclusion, it's difficult to do so and there must be no dips in focus. We train in the right way and we must be able to unleash our full potential in games, because this will be a campaign that is fought point by point," he said. Juventus are currently at the top of Serie A standings with 54 points from 23 matches. The side will next take on Milan on Friday in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Property tax hike crucial for market stabilization By Lee Min-hyung Korea's capital market has a very eccentric structure with a heavy reliance on the real estate. People from all walks of life here are into real estate investments in Seoul. In contrast, equity markets are deemed "very risky" sources of investment here, which is not the case in most developed countries, such as the United States. The perception, which has lasted for decades, does not appear likely to be shaken in the near future, as housing prices in Seoul and major satellite cities have skyrocketed in recent years despite the nation's prolonged economic slowdown. From the perspective of the government, the nationwide boom of the real estate market is considered "evil" getting in the way of monetary liquidity in the capital market. The Moon Jae-in administration, which took power in May 2017, has declared an "all-out war" against real estate speculation and demonstrated confidence that it could stabilize housing prices in the speculation-ridden capital area with strong regulations. But the ambitious pledge ended up with a sharp rise in almost all apartment prices in Seoul. As the housing bubble is showing no signs of abating, the government is on track to introduce much tighter and broader regulations to normalize the market, in a move to divert the capital flow into more constructive sectors, such as the stock market. But real estate experts here and abroad shared the same view that the current "regulations-cure-all" approach will not be able to calm the overheated market. They urged the government to immediately drop its current approach, which has failed to generate outcomes for the past two years, and reform the real estate taxation system. The experts urged the government to follow market logic and minimize regulations unless it wants further distortions in the market. Reasonable tax system Of note is the real estate tax system in the U.S. where the equity market is the major source of capital inflow from the private sector. Experts argued that a shift in the real estate tax system here is crucial to change the "real estate-first" mindset of Korean investors. Specifically, one noteworthy difference in the real estate markets between the two countries comes from property tax, they said. "The U.S. government levies a considerable amount of property taxes, with those who purchase a house worth about 500 million won paying almost 5 million won, or 1 percent of the housing price annually, as a property tax," Sung Choi, a real estate agent based in Oregon, the U.S., said in an email interview. But under the same standard of comparison, the Korean government imposes only about 1.1 million won for the homeowner's annual property tax. The expert called for the Korean government to raise the tax further, as this will pose a financial burden to potential buyers and drive down their appetite for investment in the housing market. The Moon Jae-in administration, however, is seeking to introduce stronger and more diverse sets of regulations under the blind belief that they are the most effective means to curb soaring housing prices. "A widespread perception in the U.S. is that purchasing multiple homes for investment is not easy due to the relatively high property tax," he said. Investors in the U.S. can generate stable sources of return by investing their capital in the equity market, but this is not the case in Korea, he said. This is because a number of U.S. firms offer stable dividend returns to investors on each month, quarter or year, according to Choi. "But the Korean stock market is not as stable as that in the U.S., so most capital from private investors in Korea goes to the real estate market and has created this abnormal housing market," he said. "It is important for the Korean government to set a real estate policy in a longer-term perspective," the expert said. "In the U.S., it is natural for those who prepare for retirement to invest their capital in stocks guaranteeing stable returns, but Korean people never do so under the perception that stock investment is something that should be least desired," he said. Kwon Dae-jung, a professor of real estate studies at Myongji University, said controlling housing prices with regulations is a very risky idea, as this goes against the market logic of supply and demand. Also, few other countries intervene in the real estate market by introducing such multiple and specific regulatory packages, according to the expert. "The U.S. government minimizes its intervention into the real estate market, and adopts flexible regulation by simply controlling loans from time to time," he said. "The U.S. authority never introduces unnecessary and unreasonable regulations simply because there is a surge in housing prices in some specific areas." "Things are no different in other major developed nations," he said. "It is hard to find countries seeking to control housing prices with regulatory measures like Korea." Some countries, such as Singapore, regulate the market, as they do not acknowledge private ownership in the housing market, but this is just an exception, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Kampala, Uganda Sun, February 9, 2020 14:36 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206368a19 2 Environment uganda,gorilla,Africa,lightning-strike,Rwanda Free Four endangered mountain gorillas, including three adult females, have been killed by an apparent lightning strike in a Ugandan national park, a conservation group has said. A post-mortem examination has been performed on the four, including a male infant, who died on February 3 in Mgahinga National Park in southwest Uganda. "Based on the gross lesions from the post-mortem... the tentative cause of death for all four individuals is likely to be electrocution by lightning," the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) said in a statement Saturday, although laboratory confirmation will take two to three weeks. The four were members of a group of 17 known as the Hirwa family which had crossed into the Mgahinga National Park in August last year from Volcanoes National Park in neighboring Rwanda. "This was extremely sad," GVTC executive secretary Andrew Seguya told the BBC. "The potential of the three females for their contribution to the population was immense." Read also: 'Another day in the office': Gorillas pose for ranger's selfie The other 13 members of the group had been found. In 2008, there were estimated to be only 680 of the great apes left but thanks to conservation efforts and anti-poaching patrols, their population has grown to more than 1,000. Due to these efforts, in 2018 the mountain gorilla, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, was moved from "critically endangered" to "endangered" on the IUCN's "Red List" of threatened species. Covering the northern slopes of three volcanoes, Mgahinga National Park is part of the Virunga massif shared with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The massif is one of the most important conservation sites in the world and one of only two places where mountain gorillas are found. The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and other organisations took out a 'Mashal Juloos' protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) here on Saturday evening. "It is a part of the non-violent and democratic protest against CAA," said a protester. "The imposition of CAA is against the secular character of the country and is an anti- move. Giving citizenship to the illegal foreigners by violating the preamble is unconstitutional," he added. Protests have been going on in various parts of the country against the newly amended citizenship law since December last year. The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and if they entered India on or before December 31, 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) - Kisses Delavin recently made noise on social media because of her new project - She is set to become a part of the popular GMA-7 series entitled Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko - She will work with some prominent Kapuso celebrities such as Sanya Lopez and Gil Cuerva - The first episode of the series that feature Kisses will be shown this Sunday, February 9 PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Kisses Delavin is set to become a part of a popular television show in the Kapuso network. KAMI learned that the information was announced in the midst of the rumor that the actress will already transfer to the said channel. PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! In a recent report on Unang Balita, it was revealed that the gorgeous celebrity will portray a sirena role in Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko. She will appear in the four-episode series starting February 9, 2020. Kisses will work with Jeric Gonzales, Gil Cuerva, and Sanya Lopez in her first drama series under GMA-7. In a previous article by , Kisses belied the speculation on social media that she will already transfer to the Kapuso network. Kisses Delavin is a popular and gorgeous actress in the Philippines. She rose to fame after being hailed as the second big placer in the previous edition of Pinoy Big Brother. POPULAR: Read more news about Kisses Delavin! Please like and share our Facebook posts to support KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinion about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts! Source: KAMI.com.gh Raj Thackeray has lent support to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in his public rally in Mumbai on Sunday and questioned those opposing the legislation that aims to expedite Indian citizenship to the minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. He is also demanding the expulsion of Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators from the country. I dont understand why the Muslims who were protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act, were doing so. CAA is not for the Muslims who were born here, said the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief in a reference to protests against the amended citizenship act, which are mostly led by Muslims, across the country. To whom are you showing your strength? Raj asked at the Azad Maidan, where thousands of party workers have gathered to witness the firebrand leader, who is trying to rejuvenate the party by returning to a hardline Hindutva ideology under a new flag. WATCH | Mumbai: Amid CAA debate, Raj Thackerays MNS marches against illegal migrants Before arriving for the march that started from the Hindu Gymkhana in South Mumbai, Thackeray visited Siddhivinayak temple earlier today. The MNS has dubbed the infiltrators from Pakistan and Bangladesh as country enemies and asked he Hindus to stay alert at all times. In the last few days in the run-up to the Sunday march, he has been demanding the exit of the infiltrators from the country. This Morcha (front or rally) is a befitting answer to those who have been staging morchas, Raj said, in what appeared to be a reference to agitations held against NRC, NPR, and CAA. While Mixed signals on CAA and NRC have come out from the Maharasthra government, Raj Thackerays stand was unambiguous. Raj Thackerays cousin Uddhav Thackeray, the chief of right-wing party Shiv Sena is now the Maharashtra chief minister running the government in alliance with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), prompting many to surmise that coalition compulsions may lead to some dilution in Senas hardline Hindutva, creating space for others like Raj to fill. Scores of MNS workers raised slogans in the favour of NRC at the march. According to a press note issued by the Maharashtra police yesterday, additional 600 police personnel have been deployed for the rally apart from the routine deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Riot Control Police. Drones and CCTV cameras have also been deployed to keep a watch on the gathering. A Rochester-based nonprofit power provider plans to produce 80 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030. The Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency provides electricity to 18 city-owned utilities , mostly in the southern and central parts of the state, including Rochester, Austin, Owatonna and Mora. Currently the agency gets much of its power from the coal-fired Sherco 3 power plant in Becker, Minn. SMMPA owns a 41 percent stake in the generating unit. But Sherco 3s majority owner, Xcel Energy, announced last year it intends to retire the plant in 2030. SMMPA expects all its outstanding debt on the unit will be paid off in 2027. With the declining costs of wind and solar, SMMPA spokesperson Chris Schoenherr said it makes sense to replace most of that coal-fired electricity with renewables. ADVERTISEMENT "It will probably be an equal mix of wind and solar. We may have to add a little gas generation, but primarily wind and solar," he said. The plan would result in a 90 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from 2005 levels. SMMPA currently obtains a little over 20 percent of its power from renewable sources, Schoenherr said. It also gets carbon-free electricity from hydropower projects. The power agency won't have to replace all the electricity it will lose from Sherco in 10 years. Two of its biggest member utilities, Rochester and Austin, plan to go out on their own a decade from now. Rochester has set a goal to get 100 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030. Xcel has pledged to generate 100 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050. But SMMPA isnt yet ready to make that commitment, Schoenherr said. "While we are optimistic that technological breakthroughs are on the horizon, (but) the cost of achieving the last 10-20 percent reduction in carbon emissions in the power sector is currently projected to be prohibitively high with todays technology," said Dave Geschwind, executive director and CEO, in a statement. "We believe society will need to evaluate whether further reductions beyond 80 percent in this sector are the most economical and practical path to deep carbon reductions economy-wide." In November 2019, SMMPA announced plans to build an electric vehicle charging network to connect its member communities. The agency sees "range anxiety," where drivers are unwilling to drive long distances for fear of not having a place to charge their vehicle, as being one of the biggest barriers to more widespread adoption of EVs. ADVERTISEMENT SMMPA is in the process of identifying sites to locate the fast chargers, Schoenherr said. This story originally appeared at: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/02/07/rochester-based-power-provider-pledges-80-percent-carbon-free-10-years of story Questions or requests? Contact MPR News editor Meg Martin at newspartners@mpr.org 2019 Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved. Grand Canyon Conservancy has appointed Teresa Gavigan as Board Chair, and Mitchell Walker as Vice Chair of the organization. Gavigan, an attorney specializing in labor and employment law, and Walker, an executive vice president of commercial lending, will be joined by five new board members: Randall Brown, Awenate Cobbina, Deborah M. Gage, Stan Sutherland and Merl E. Waschler. GCCs volunteer board is comprised of 18 business and community leaders from all over the United States who commit their time and expertise. Members of the board share a passion and dedication to preserve and protect Grand Canyon National Park for present and future generations. GCC continues to diversify our board to reflect the changing demographics of those visiting Grand Canyon National Park, Theresa McMullan, chief executive officer of GCC, said. Our new board members professional backgrounds and passionate commitment to the Grand Canyon will bring insightful perspectives to our already strong leadership foundation. The new board members include individuals from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas and, among others, Flagstaff--where Stan Sutherland represents the board. Sutherland spent four years as a high school physics teacher before going to law school. He then became an attorney in the Solicitors Office at the U.S. Department of the Interior, followed by a position in the law department of S.C. Johnson & Son, where he retired as Deputy General Counsel in 2004. Stan has served on several nonprofit boards in Flagstaff, including Theatrikos Theatre Company, where he has also acted and directed. He holds a B.S. in physics from the University of Illinois, and M.S. in physics from Purdue University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Stan has backpacked rim-to-rim and to Clear Creek, and he and his artist wife Dawn have completed two 10-day river trips through the canyon. About Grand Canyon Conservancy: Grand Canyon Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, raising private funds, operating retail shops within the park, and providing premier guided educational programs about the natural and cultural history of the region. Our supporters fund projects including trails and historic building preservation, educational programs for the public, and the protection of wildlife and their natural habitat. Grand Canyon Conservancy inspires people to protect and enhance Grand Canyon National Park for present and future generations. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Video-sharing application TikTok is building an Australian office, commencing its search for a number of key executives in the last couple of weeks. The platform, which is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, is recruiting an Australian head of content and operations, a head of communications and a local lead for advertising. TikTok has been downloaded more than 1 billion times and has 500 million monthly users. Credit:Alamy TikTok is also searching for a local member of its monetisation integrity team, which will help the company build an advertising safety policy system. Nine roles are currently being advertised. The search by TikTok follows industry speculation last year the brand would look to grow its presence in the Australian market. Last year there were reports representatives from China had been scouting the local market to drive creators to the platform, but those who have worked with TikTok said there was no local operation. When I got up on Friday morning, there was a nice email in my box from a man named Scott. Well, sort of nice. Scott appreciated last weeks column, which struck him as profound and thought-provoking; but he is not a fan and he avoids my column because of my extreme bias against President Donald Trump. If I could be more even-handed, perhaps more people would read me, he suggested, including me. Sign up to get Colins newsletter delivered to your inbox, for free I get this a lot, although most of the time people are not as nice as Scott. I wrote back, thanking him for his nice words and then adding that I always find comments such as his puzzling: I regard Trump as the most corrupt president since Harding. (This is not an extreme or unusual view of him.) I regard him as more destructive of our civic norms than any president since Andrew Johnson. (Also not a particularly niche view.) Why in the world would I be even-handed about him? Scott probably has a job and/or a set of duties that would have made it inconvenient for him to spend 62 minutes as I did Thursday watching the president address a White House East Room packed with toadies, grinning cowards and people Trump has broken to his will. Unsurprisingly, the unscripted performance was full of lies, insults, profanity and relitigation of the 2016 election. What stood out a little more was his inability to stay with a single thought for more than 60 seconds. To call this presentation rambling would vastly overstate its coherence. It was like watching a housefly try to tell its life story through interpretive dance. If it had been a competency hearing, it would have ended with Trump as a ward of the state. I watched this verbal explosion on Fox News while it also played nearby by on a screen tuned to CNN. I was sitting in a newsroom of Connecticut Public Radio, where the East Room rant also aired live, preempting my show. Im sure somebody said because somebody always does Why are we carrying this? Its a persistent question. Jay Rosen of NYU is probably the most important press critic in America today, and he regularly points out that its a mistake a betrayal of mission, even to air Trump speeches and rallies because it amounts to broadcasting falsehoods at such volume and velocity that we will never manage to set the record straight. Rosen has also long argued that networks should not invite people such as Kellyanne Conway to speak on the air because she doesnt provide reliable information and openly announced, from the jump, a strategy of alternative facts. Its an argument that, at every moment, feels enormously persuasive and demonstrably wrong; and that paradox is mirrored in what the public tells the press. Half of American thinks we created Trump, and the other half thinks we treat him like the Prince of Darkness. Theyre both right, which is why I spend a lot of time thinking I no longer know how to do my job. Look, it was never a simple job, but it went something like this: Tell what you know and say what you think. Be prepared to buttress what you say with verifiable facts. But when we do that, Scott and many other people perceive extreme bias. Scott, by the way, said he didnt vote for Trump. Thats not the issue for him. Hed just like to see people like me move a little closer to the center. Maybe split the difference once in a while. Be a little more fair. Scott, you will be horrified to learn that some of the big thinkers of American journalism Rosen, Margaret Sullivan of the Washington Post, John Harris of Politico and David Leonhart of The New York Times have begun to use the term centrist bias. Centrist bias can be summed up in a line George Carlin used at the time of the O.J. Simpson murder trial. I dont like to judge. Maybe she really had it coming. Centrist bias is the assumption that each side of an argument begins with an equal claim on the truth. Sometimes thats just not true. Lets take a simple example from this week. In his State of the Union address, Trump said, Ive also made an ironclad pledge to American families: We will also protect patients with pre-existing conditions. Perhaps it is true that Trump has made such a pledge, but its certainly not true that he intends to keep it. The Affordable Care Act is Americas first and only meaningful effort to protect the health insurance of patients with pre-existing conditions. Trump has done everything in his power to undo the ACA in Congress and in the courts. He has never proposed an alternative that would continue those protections. So it would not be fair to treat this as a statement that somehow had a 50 percent chance of being true. Its a lie, and a whopper at that. Its saying up when you really mean down. Its an attempt to mislead the public about the presidents past actions and future plans. I can hear the opposing chorus. But Hillary ... But Obama ... But all politicians. And here is where the case against centrist bias gets a little trickier. Its true that politicians regularly lie and shade the truth. But its not true that opponents of Trump do it as much as he does. The Washington Posts fact-checking operation tracks Trumps lies and misleading claims and the rate at which he repeats them. As of Jan. 19, they had documented 16,241. So, yes, all politicians lie, but to claim that Trump is no different from his peers is like equating a dusting of snow with full-on white-out blizzard conditions. Of course, Rosen would say Ive made an additional mistake by treating statements emitted by the Trump administration as high priority news and as facts that need to be checked. He says the press should mainly report the truth about an issue such as health care: Whats really happening should be the meat and bread of the sandwich. A false claim about the issue repeated again and again by the same person, even if that person is the president is at best a shriveled bit of pickle in the sandwich. Its not important. In a way, Scott, you and Rosen agree. People like me spend way too much time dwelling on the lies and the damage of the Trump era. Even when were negative, were still dancing to his tune. We should ignore him and just tell you the truth. It sounds so easy when I put it that way. Colin McEnroes column appears every Sunday, his newsletter comes out every Thursday and you can hear his radio show every weekday on WNPR 90.5. Email him at colin@ctpublic.org. Sign up for his newsletter at http://bit.ly/colinmcenroe. This year, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve and expand the Western and Central Massachusetts workforce to meet the changing demands of the economy. How we choose to meet this challenge will determine the course of our regions future. Our assets are considerable: world-class, innovative employers and institutions of higher education; effective workforce development boards; dedicated community organizations; and eager workers looking for better career paths that will provide their families with economic dignity and security. Success will hinge on every one of these individuals and groups fulfilling their promise. That includes me, and I have committed to pursuing this goal with the full weight of my position as chairman of House Ways & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over many workforce development programs. There may be no better chance at workforce investment in our lifetimes: The United States is in the midst of its longest-ever economic recovery, now in its 11th year. Jobs numbers have climbed for about 115 consecutive months. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, its lowest point in half a century. Wages are rising. In times like these, employers have to invest a lot more effort than usual in workforce development, and workers can see that the effort involved in education and training will very likely pay off for them. Everyones interests are aligned. And that is fortunate because the challenge is steep: The nature of todays work is changing so quickly that good workers may repeatedly find their skill sets out of date and in need of renewing over the course of their careers. Take manufacturing, for example. For the past 50 years, the percentage of the countrys income earned from manufacturing has held steady, but it has become so much more automated and efficient that a third of manufacturing jobs have disappeared since 1990. In 1980, it took 25 workers to generate $1 million in manufacturing output. Today it takes five, with much different skills than their predecessors had. Our region is incredibly fortunate to be home to employers who are succeeding in this more competitive environment. Here in Massachusetts, manufacturing accounts for about a 10th of our economy, and it is a highly advanced industry. Machine shop employers throughout the Pioneer Valley have shared with me their concerns about finding qualified and skilled workers to meet their growth targets. State and local partners are conducting an extensive effort to find candidates with potential and train them for those roles all of which are backed by federal policies that support the workers, the employers and the entities carrying out the training. Opening up opportunities like these is at the core of my work chairing the House Ways & Means Committee. Last June, our committee passed H.R. 3300, the Economic Mobility Act, to expand the workforce and help low-income families remain in the workplace. My legislation strengthened the Earned Income Tax Credit for single taxpayers without children, ensuring that federal taxes dont pull working individuals incomes below the poverty line. And because parents who cant find and afford quality child care cant work, our committee voted to extend child tax credits, expand access to the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and increase federal investment in affordable child care. Knowing that our regions healthcare providers are struggling to find good workers, my committee also recently approved legislation to grow the Health Profession Opportunity Grant program and bring it to Massachusetts to help parents currently left out of the workforce train for in-demand health careers with a future. To make sure workers can quickly transition into new jobs after being displaced, the Ways & Means Committee has also increased funding for the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program, which gives unemployed workers tools and assistance to find new jobs. Our committee is also taking on the challenge of keeping parents, family caregivers and people with serious illnesses in the workforce using paid family and medical leave. Looking to the coming year, I plan to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move a large infrastructure package, including a workforce development title. In the current tight labor market, any major increase in infrastructure will require investment in the workforce needed to construct, operate and maintain it. Among other priorities, I also hope to dedicate committee effort this year to ensuring that our higher education tax incentives still effectively support the changing profile of higher education students and the labor market they enter upon completion. This year offers us a chance to imagine the future Western and Central Massachusetts workforce wed like to see. Bringing it to fruition will take dedicated effort from all of us, and Im eager to work with you to build it. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, is the congressman from the 1st Congressional District of Massachusetts and chairs the House Ways & Means Committee. You can learn more about the congressman and his work online at neal.house.gov. His district office in Springfield is located at 300 State St., Suite 200, 413-785-0325. The SC has not given Kashmiris the right to use the Internet though it made some pious noises about this in January. Indias Supreme Court suo moto (on its own) wants to hear the matter of an infant dying after being brought to the Shaheen Bagh protests. It is also separately hearing on Monday, February 10, the matter of the protests obstructing traffic. The SC has not heard the matter where 25 protesters have been killed (I would say murdered) by the police. The SC has not heard the matter where the government of UP has illegally begun to confiscate without process the property of protesters against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The SC has not intervened in the matter of children being interrogated multiple times by police in Bidar because of a school play critical of Narendra Modi. The SC has not heard the matter of Kashmiri leaders being locked up without charge or trial. The SC has not given Kashmiris the right to use the Internet though it made some pious noises about this in January. The SC has not stayed the CAA though the judges were told that there is a danger that this has created serious turmoil and unrest. The SC has not given justice to 1,000 people in Assams concentration camps, who are jailed without crime, families separated with no way and no mechanism of getting out. The SC has not intervened when the Narendra Modi government announced this week that all non-Muslims in these camps would be freed. Only the Muslims would remain in jail. The SC has not heard the issue of when the Muslims among the 19 lakh people not included in Assams National Register of Citizens will get the chance to prove their citizenship. The SC has not heard the matter of the serious irregularities in how the Assam NRC was conducted. These include the BJP governments extension of two-year contracts to those workers who declared the maximum people illegal, and the SC hasnt heard the cases of those people who were declared foreigners because of spelling mistakes and differing dates in their documents. The Supreme Court has taken away the land on which the Babri Masjid stood and given it to those who broke the mosque down. But it has not enforced the trials of those accused of breaking it. L.K. Advanis case is still going on. He is in his 90s and the case is now almost three decades old. The NRC and the NPR have been illegally linked together but the SC has not heard that matter or thought it important to list. I could go on with this list but I will stop here. The fact is that the Supreme Court of India is perceived as being biased and prejudiced against the Muslims of India. It shows in its conduct and what it chooses to hear and what it chooses to not hear. In ordinary times this would not be too much of a matter of concern. But at a time when the world is aghast at what India is doing to its own people, when millions of people are on the street to fight for survival, and in the fact of a government that is ideological and openly prejudiced, it is dangerous for the SC also to continue on its majoritarianism. The reputation of India as a rule of law country where minorities are protected has been thoroughly shredded by Mr Modi and this government. It is unthinkable that a majority of the members of Europes Parliament would propose a resolution condemning an Indian law. But that is what foreign minister S. Jaishankar will have to face when he goes to Brussels in a few days time. It is unthinkable that the United States Congress would have 59 legislators supporting a resolution demanding that India release Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and return the Internet to the Kashmiris, but that is also what has happened. Because they have taken on everything that interested them, Indias SC judges have had to be increased from eight judges in 1950 to 31 in 2008. Today there are 33. The Supreme Court is composed of one bench of the Chief Justices Court of three judges and 13 or 14 benches of two judges in 13 or 14 courtrooms sitting regularly day after day. In no Supreme Court of other jurisdictions are there benches of 13 courts of two judges each as the Indian Supreme Court now has. The US Supreme Court, on which Indias court is modelled, has only one bench of 12. But is there any justice that is coming out of all these benches? The answer to this question should come from the people that the state is brutalising today. Do the Muslims of India think that they are receiving justice from their nation and particularly from the Supreme Court? I cannot speak on their behalf but if I had to guess, my answer would be a very firm no. Mayor Pete Buttigieg from South Bend, Indiana (L); Former Vice President Joe Biden (R) Associated Press, Reuters Joe Biden released a scathing attack ad on Pete Buttigieg that made fun of the mayor's comparatively small accomplishments in South Bend, Indiana, as opposed to Biden's influence on national policy. The former Vice President's digital director tweeted that the ad, which pointed out Buttigieg's "disappearing pets" initiatives and sidewalk revitalization, had more views than South Bend residents. Buttigieg's team quickly responded that "South Bend residents [...] don't think their lives are a Washington politician's punchline," and attacked Biden's current stance in the primary race. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Joe Bidens' campaign released a snarky attack ad about Pete Buttigieg and his accomplishments as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, as compared to the former Vice President's record on national policy. Related Video: How Networks Treat Debates Like Reality TV "Both Vice President Biden and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg have taken on tough fights," the ad voiceover says. "Under threat of a nuclear Iran, Joe Biden helped to negotiate the Iran deal. And under threat of disappearing pets, Buttigieg negotiated lighter licensing regulations on pet chip scanners. Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) February 8, 2020 The ad also compared Biden's role in passing the Affordable Care Act to Buttigieg installing decorative lights under bridges, along with Biden's passage and implementation of the Recovery Act to Buttigieg revitalizing sidewalks. It also targeted Buttigieg's highly-criticized record on race in South Bend. "When public pressure mounted against him, former Mayor Pete fired the first African American Police Chief of South Bend," the ad says. "And then he forced out the African American fire chief too." Biden's digital director captioned the ad "This video now has more views than the population of South Bend." Story continues Buttigieg's team quickly responded with a rebuttal that bashed the ad's focus on big government. "While Washington politics trivializes what goes on in communities like South Bend, South Bend residents who now have better jobs, rising income, and new life in their city don't think their lives are a Washington politician's punchline," the Buttigieg response reads. It also appears to criticize Biden's loss to Buttigieg in the Iowa caucus, saying "The Vice President's decision to run this ad speaks more to where he currently stands in this race than it does about Pete's perspective as a mayor and veteran." Business Insider Cops are investigating a vicious fistfight which ended with threats being made to burn down the home of an innocent woman. At the centre of the brawl was Gerard Devlin Jnr, whose father Gerard Devlin Snr was stabbed to death during a gang attack in 2006. His clash with another male on the Falls Road in west Belfast was filmed by onlookers, with footage posted online going viral. Thousands of internet users have viewed the clip that shows a shirtless Devlin coming off worst in the fight with his taller opponent. As they are pulled apart outside McEnaney's Bar, Devlin threatens to burn down his rival's mother's home. He is recorded saying: "I'm going to burn it tonight," with the other male shouting: "Don't be threatening my ma's house." Sources who provided Sunday Life with the fight footage claimed Gerard Devlin Jnr is "out of control". Expand Close Devlin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Devlin This is the third time in four months that the 30-year-old has been caught on camera brawling in west Belfast. Last month he was involved in a daylight punch-up with his father's killer Francisco Notarantonio (32) on the Falls Road. Footage appears to show Notarantonio being the aggressor, with witnesses telling how he jumped out of a van to confront Devlin who was walking with his partner and children. At the end of last year, Devlin was recorded brawling outside a bookies at the top of the Whiterock Road with a man wielding a crutch and whose foot was in plaster. "Hardly a week goes by without young Gerard Devlin getting into a fight, he's out of control," said a witness to his latest scrap. Locals say that any sympathy the community has for Devlin (right) due to the horrific fatal stabbing of his dad is quickly eroding because of his frequent bursts of violence. Expand Close Devlin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Devlin "People have always given him a by-ball because of what happened to his da, most people in west Belfast genuinely felt sorry for him because he was only a wee lad when it happened," added our source. "But young Devlin is throwing that back in everyone's faces by constantly getting into punch-ups in the middle of the Falls Road. "He needs to knock it on the head before either he, or someone else, is killed." Gerard Devlin Jnr's life went off the rails after his father's knife killing and he was jailed for stealing the 5,700 life savings of an elderly woman from west Belfast. After being freed from prison he appeared to settle down. However his involvement in three recent public fistfights, online footage of which has been viewed thousands of times, would indicate that is not the case. The San Francisco 49ers are throwing down big in little Santa Clara. The team is dropping more than $300,000 and bringing in some of the biggest political consultants in the Bay Area to help knock down a redistricting plan backed by the City Council, whose members have clashed with the 49ers, in the upcoming March election. At issue is how to best increase the chances for minority representation on the council. Measure C would divide the city into three districts with two council members each. But the Rev. Jethroe Moore II of the San Jose-Silicon Valley NAACP, Victor Garza of La Raza Roundtable and former state Assemblyman Paul Fong want a six-district plan, each with its own council member, and asked the 49ers for help. The team agreed. The remapping, which would not kick in for another two years, might also make it possible for the 49ers to help oust Mayor Lisa Gillmor and council members who have clashed over everything from the amount of rent the Niners pay on their 68,500-seat Levis Stadium to the citys 10 p.m. curfew on weeknight concerts. The 49ers are a private enterprise and they are entitled to make money, but not at the expense of the people of Santa Clara, Councilwoman and Niner critic Teresa ONeill said. Forty-niners owner Jed York himself paid for a poll to gauge voters feelings on Measure C and the council that also asked voters how they felt about the concert curfew. The 49ers declined to release the poll results. The Niners have also enlisted longtime Peninsula political consultants Ed McGovern and Ace Smith, late of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris presidential campaign, to help defeat the Measure C. When you get groups like the NAACP asking for help, its easy to get involved, 49ers public affairs representative Rahul Chandhok said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The 49ers are displaying their civic largess at the state level as well. According to filings with the Secretary of States Office, the Niners contributed donations totaling $56,000 to 27 state legislators and legislative candidates in December, most of them from the Bay Area. The contributions ran anywhere from $800 to $3,000 its something the team does every year. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phil Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KGO-TV morning and evening news and can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier A leading member of the Pakistan Taliban has escaped custody more than two years after surrendering to authorities, a senior security official said Sunday. The confirmation comes days after Ehsanullah Ehsan -- the former spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- released an audio message claiming he had escaped detention and was now in Turkey. A senior security source told AFP Ehsan was "one of our major assets in identifying and later tracking down militants". The source was unable to confirm claims that Ehsan was in Turkey, or provide details of how he escaped. Ehsan was infamous for issuing chilling claims following TTP attacks and has been linked to some of the country?s most bloody attacks -- including the bombing at a park in Lahore during Easter 2016, and the targeting of education activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. Ehsan surrendered to authorities in 2017 and later gave high-profile interviews on Pakistani television, angering many in the country who believed he was being pampered by authorities after years of helping lead the bloody insurgency. Pakistani security officials argued, however, that he had supplied valuable intelligence in the fight against militants. Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade, with thousands of civilians and security personnel dying in extremist attacks, especially after the TTP began their campaign of violence in 2007. Overall levels of extremist-linked violence have dropped dramatically last year, with 2019 seeing the fewest deaths since 2007 when TTP was formed. Analysts have credited the fall to military offensives against the Taliban in the tribal areas of North Waziristan and Khyber where they were headquartered, as well as operations in the country's largest city of Karachi. In 2018, the TTP was further degraded after a US strike in Afghanistan killed their leader, Maulana Fazlullah. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan (left) and with fellow TTP member Adnan Rasheed in Shabtoi, South Waziristan, in 2013 It factored in downside risks from a potential escalation in the IranUS faceoff, the impeachment of the US president, and others. The novel coronavirus out of Wuhan is a black swan: An epidemic centred in China wasnt part of any mainstream risk-modelling. As of now, its being assumed that global growth will remain positive but there will be slowdown caused by the disruptions of dealing ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli has apologised to fans for posting a video to Snapchat appearing to mock an Asian man in relation to the coronavirus outbreak. Alli posted the video on Saturday, where he appeared to film a man of Asian descent, along with the caption 'Corona whatttttt, please listen with volume.' He then posted an apology video on Chinese social media site Weibo, saying that it's not a subject that should be joked about. Tottenham star Dele Alli posted an insensitive video to Snapchat regarding coronavirus In the video he appeared to mock an Asian man and then snapped a picture of some handwash Alli has since taken the video down, and posted an apology video to social media site Weibo In the original video, Alli could be seen wearing a mask, while also appearing to feign a look of concern on his face. The next part of the Snapchat story showed a bottle of handwash, accompanied by the caption: 'This virus gunna have to be quicker than that to catch me og.' It sparked outrage, with some branding his behaviour as racist. The deadly outbreak of coronavirus in the city of Wuhan in China last month has caused travel restrictions, with almost 35,000 cases diagnosed around the world so far and over 700 deaths. Alli said he had let himself and the club down, and offered his love to those affected in China 'Just wanted to apologise for the video I posted on Snapchat yesterday,' Alli said in the video. 'It wasn't funny. I realised that immediately and took it down. 'I let myself down and the club. I don't want you guys to have that impression of me. 'It isn't something that should be joked about. Sending all my love and thoughts and prayers for everyone in China.' Tottenham are currently on their winter break before heading to Aston Villa for their next Premier League game on February 16. B rits are set to be battered by heavy rain and winds of more than 80mph as Storm Ciara sweeps over the UK. Airlines have cancelled dozens of domestic and international flights, with rail firms urging passengers not to travel, as severe weather warnings come into force across the country. The Met Office issued a danger to life amber alert for most of England and Wales, with a yellow weather warning in place for the whole country between 8am and 9pm. Between 50 and 70mm of rain is expected in the worst hit areas, with up to 100mm in isolated parts of the Scottish highlands. Network Rail and train operators in England warned passengers against rail travel on Sunday, saying significant travel disruption is expected. Several rail firms announced they will operate reduced timetables amid speed restrictions due to strong gusts. Meanwhile, Heathrow Airport said it had taken the joint decision with its airline partners to "consolidate" Sunday's flight schedule in a bid to minimise the number of flights cancelled. British Airways said it would offer flexible rebooking options for all customers on domestic and European flights flying to and from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London City on Sunday. Virgin Atlantic has also posted a number of cancelled flights on its website. Met Office Meteorologist Marco Petagna said the country would see its strongest gusts since 2013. He told the Standard: In terms of wind speed, these really will be the most extreme conditions weve seen in seven years. The last time we saw speeds in the mid-70s across swathes of the UK was on October 28, 2013. Thats why we have amber wind warnings in place for most of England and Wales. The alert warns that flying debris could lead to injuries or danger to life, with damage to buildings possible as well as power cuts and likely travel disruption. Storm Ciara batters UK and Ireland - In pictures 1 /46 Storm Ciara batters UK and Ireland - In pictures Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse on the south coast of England AFP via Getty Images A Toyota car in a sinkhole which appeared overnight in Hatch Road, Brentwood, in the aftermath of Storm Ciara, which hit the country Sunday PA A woman tries to protect herself from the high winds and rain in Sheffield AFP via Getty Images Body boarders ride the stormy waves at Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain as Storm Ciara approaches the Welsh coastline Reuters A downed crushing a car in Wigan. PA The ball hits the back of the net as Sunday League football continues on Clapham Common in south London as Storm Ciara hits large parts of Britain Reuters Cars drive through floodwater as hurricane-force winds and rain affected the country's transport network leading to disruptions and prompting warnings of power cuts and a risk to life in Manchester Reuters PA A flooded car is pictured in Mytholmroyd AFP via Getty Images PA Flooded houses in Mytholmroyd, northern England AFP via Getty Images A man enters a house on a flooded street in Mytholmroyd, northern England AFP via Getty Images Floods ripped through the town of Mytholmroyd, northern England AFP via Getty Images PA PA Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland PA Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland PA People sit in their cars to watch as they waves crash over the wall at Newhaven Harbour AFP via Getty Images Sheep cut off by a flooding River Tweed Getty Images A house cut off by flood waters near the river Tweed Getty Images Staff struggle to hold onto a centre circle cover ahead of the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round match at Broadwood Stadium, Glasgow PA The RNLI Nehaven lifeboat is seen beyond waves as they crash into the sea wall at Newhaven Harbour AFP via Getty Images Fans arrive in the heavy rain for the Premier League match at Bramall Lane between Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth PA A fan arrives in the heavy rain for the Premier League match at Bramall Lane between Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth PA Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland PA Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland PA High water levels in Hawes, North Yorkshire. PA A trampoline has blown onto the railway line between Sevenoaks and Orpington PA High water levels in Hawes, North Yorkshire. PA South Shore Fire Station handout photo of firefighters rescuing a person from a car in a flooded street in Blackpool. PA Huge waves are battering the south coast Getty Images People walk along the promenade as waves in break in a stormy sea alongside the lighthouse in New Brighton AFP via Getty Images Flooding in Hawes, North Yorkshire. PA Sandbags are place the entrance to Coco Cafe Salthill. PA Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill Co. Galway is battered by waves as Ireland and the UK brace for Storm Ciara. PA Gusts of up to 70mph have already hit the west coast of Scotland, with hail and wet snow falling on the Western Isles. At midnight on Sunday, the yellow warning for wind came into force, extending to all of the UK for 24 hours. Warnings for rain also now apply to Northern Ireland, south-west Scotland, the north of England and much of Wales. Winds of 50-60mph are expected widely across inland areas as the storm passes over the UK, reaching 80mph in coastal areas particularly in south-east England and northern Scotland. Strong gusts have the power to damage overhead electric wires and tracks due to debris or trees falling on the tracks, meaning travel disruption could continue into Monday morning. Storm Ciara was named by the Met Office on Wednesday and is moving eastwards across the UK and Ireland. In January, Storm Brendan swept across Britain, sparking power cuts and travel disruption across swathes of the country. Explain the countys role in helping the entire community deal with the dramatic growth of the last 12-15 years. Where are areas that the county can help other taxing entities which dont have the financial flexibility of the county? Midland County is growing! I know that is stating the obvious. But when you start looking at the numbers, that growth is nothing short of staggering. Since 2005, the United States increased by 35 million people an increase of 11 percent. The great state of Texas grown 27 percent during the same time. During that same timeframe in Midland County, more than 50,000 new residents have called Midland County home a whopping 42 percent increase over the past 15 years. With population growth that substantial comes substantial challenges. Infrastructure and services by all local taxing entities have been stretched (and in some cases broken) by these sustained challenges. I say sustained because after 15 years, it is difficult to call them new anymore. Each entity has met these challenges with successes and disappointments. Some of those disappointments have been self-inflicted. Others were simply the different agencies being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of additional responsibilities. Lastly, results have come up short due to lock of cooperation between the taxing entities. Midland County, during this new millennium has especially worked as a lone wolf in dealing with infrastructure and public safety issues. The recent (2018) election and administration of Judge (not king) Terry Johnson is leading to a greater cooperative spirit with the city, water district and others. We hope that our new city council, led by Mayor Patrick Payton, will continue this cooperation that former Mayor Jerry Morales was willing to take part in. But Commissioner Scott Ramsey and the other remnants of the Bradford Cabal have needed to be pulled along as opposed to showing forward-thinking leadership. Examples of this Johnson-led cooperation include: $950,000 given to the fire department for use in more remote areas of the county; along with the $1 million gift to the city of Midland toward the building and operations of a new animal shelter. I mention these two examples because: No. 1 they are recent -- and more importantly, No. 2 they are focused. Focused, targeted, ear-marked cooperative spending between taxing entities must be prioritized. We must enter interlocal agreements to be able to create shared service projects, to be efficient and find cost saving ways to perform government task in a way that is deserved by all in Midland County. But we cant just give money away, we must set benchmarks and standards into those agreements that will make sure we stick to the fiscally responsible leadership that we as taxpayers expect and require. Lining up the county and city road schedules and working together to leverage the railroads and state of Texas is one example. Another is not being afraid of competing for federal and state monies that we send into Austin and Washington D.C. and never fight to get back to our county where the money comes from. Midland is an economic giant in this country and state, and it is time we stop funding the agendas of other places and use our federal and state tax dollars at home where we deserve it to be spent. Transparent, responsible, focused planning and spending across the gamut of issues from local leadership is what the citizens of Midland County deserve. Midland County has the unique ability and opportunity to be the leader in this arena of cooperation, but not without forward-thinking leadership on the Commissioners Court not forward to the next election, but to the next generation. I am Leonard Dumire, and I am the next step in giving Midland County the responsible, transparent, cooperative leadership we all deserve. Vote Dumire for Midland County commissioner, Precinct 1 during early voting Feb. 18-28 or on Election Day, March 3. Femi Fani-Kayode has once again cleared the air over the statement made by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in an interview o... Femi Fani-Kayode has once again cleared the air over the statement made by Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in an interview on Channels TV two years ago. Fani-Kayode was compelled to give a reaction after the video went viral on Sunday with many reports claiming the allegation was recent. In the interview, Amaechi had said Fani-Kayode ran away with N2 billion given to him by the Rivers State government to fix a deplorable Port Harcourt Airport runway. Amaechi alleged that former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, handed the money to Fani-Kayode. Odili was governor of oil-rich Rivers State from 1999 to 2007, while Fani-Kayode served as Culture and Tourism Minister; and Aviation Minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2006 to 2007. Those who shared in the corruption (of the past) are busy dancing about it. Fani-Kayode, when he was Minister of Aviation, Dr. Peter Odilis government gave him N2 billion to fix the runway. Its not there in the records of Aviation. Im the minister of Transportation, I have that record. Its not there, Amaechi said. He went away with the N2 billion. These are statements of fact. Amaechi insisted that as Rivers Governor from 2007 to 2015, he was privy to the records before he became a federal minister. The runway was closed for two years and Fani-Kayode left with the money. Is that the kind of character I will speak to? We are not on the same level, Amaechi added. Reacting to the video and Amaechis statement, Fani Kayode noted that the video of the interview trending on social media was recorded two years ago. Fani-Kayode, however, stated that the airport was re-built and fully paid for by him when he was Minister of Aviation. Those who falsely asserted on @channelstv two years ago that I did not build the runway and that I ran away with the 3 billion naira that was used to build it are sick. We settled that matter in a debate on @channelstv two years ago. The runway at Port Harcourt Int. Airport was re-built & fully paid for by me when I was Min. of Aviation. If anyone has any doubts about that, they should ask Julius Berger who were the contractors. The runway was commissioned & the airport opened shortly after we left office, Fani-Kayode wrote on Twitter. Watch this: ...Those who falsely asserted on @channelstv two years ago that I did not build the runway and that I ran away with the 3 billion naira that was used to build it are sick. We settled that matter in a debate on @channelstv two years ago.Watch this: https://t.co/8wHO2uiqD4 February 9, 2020 The former aviation minister went further to share his response to the allegation on Channels TV in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 00:51:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LAGOS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's central bank has pumped 218.41 million U.S. dollars and 18 million Chinese yuan (about 2.57 million U.S. dollars) respectively into the financial system, an official said Saturday. This was in continuation of the bank's intervention in the inter-bank foreign exchange market, Isaac Okorafor, spokesperson for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said in a statement reaching Xinhua. He said the intervention, like in previous exercises, was for requests in the agricultural and raw materials sectors, adding that the Chinese Yuan on the other hand, was for Renminbi-denominated letters of credit. Okorafor expressed satisfaction over the stability of the foreign exchange market which, according to him, was largely due to sustained intervention by the apex bank. He assured that the CBN management would remain committed to ensuring that all the sectors of the forex market continued to enjoy access to the needed foreign exchange. According to him, this is to ensure that the stability in the foreign exchange market will continue to attract investors. The apex bank was on Tuesday offered authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market the sum of 100 million dollars, while the Small and Medium Enterprises and the invisible s segments each received the sum of 55 million dollars. Enditem A man carrying a knife was arrested outside the White House after he told a U.S. Secret Service officer that he was there to kill the president, police said. Roger Hedgpeth, 25, was arrested Saturday afternoon on a charge of making threats to do bodily harm, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Hedgpeth approached a Secret Service officer who was patrolling outside the White House and said he was there to assassinate President Donald Trump and I have a knife to do it with, according to a police report obtained by The Associated Press. Police found a 3 1/2-inch knife in a sheath on his left hip, and Hedgpeth also had an empty pistol holster on his right hip, authorities said. Hedgpeth was taken into custody and brought to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, police said. Officers also impounded his vehicle. A telephone number listed for Hedgpeth in public records rang unanswered on Sunday. It wasnt immediately clear where he lives or whether he had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf. What has been the area of local law enforcement most impacted by recent growth and what plans do you have to contend with that? I believe the growth that we have seen in the last few years has affected all law enforcement agencies in West Texas in many ways. We are all having issues with recruiting and retaining law enforcement personnel in areas of patrol, dispatch, civilian positions and detention personnel. It is difficult for our law enforcement agencies to compete with the elevated salaries the oilfield-related industries are currently offering. We must examine ways to entice people to apply with our agencies. I believe we must look outside the typical law enforcement box and offer incentives that in the past we would not consider. We must soften some of our policies on facial hair, visible tattoos, allowing on duty time to work out and a more comfortable relaxed uniform for daily wear. We must work to find ways within our agencies to attract folks and then treat them well enough that they do not want to leave. It is important to offer ongoing advanced training courses, educational incentives and a healthy work environment letting employees have a say-so in areas like work schedules when possible. Sheriffs offices in West Texas are typically impacted by the growth in many areas of jail operations. Our jails area seeing overcrowding issues, folks incarcerated with mental health issues and retention of jail staff. I believe we must start a dialog with the mental health professionals in the area, our prosecutors and the courts in order to find ways to move folks through the system in a timely manner. We must ensure folks with mental health issues receive the treatment they need and not incarcerated for lack of anything else to do with them. Our detention officers have a difficult job; we must offer them the same training and incentives that we would offer an officer on patrol. These folks are a vital part of the department. If a detention officer would like to attend the police academy, we should offer that opportunity. A jail deputy should have the opportunity to transfer to patrol in a reasonable amount of time. I do not believe we can deal with the overcrowding by building a new jail or adding onto the existing facility. I believe we would have great difficulty finding adequate work force to fill the added positions that the Jail Commission would require. The growth has been an issue for patrol officers. Midland County has a minimum staffing of three officers on patrol, but there are times we have two deputies on patrol. This is not safe for the officers or the community. Midland County is more than 900 square miles; we must exam how we have officers deployed throughout the department. Potentially, officers from other divisions may be re-assigned to patrol. Many agencies have gone to 12-hour shifts. This puts more officers on patrol without having to hire additional personnel. This shift appeals to officers by giving them every other weekend off and typically, officers only would work 14 days a month. I would work to increase the number of officers on patrol without having to hire additional personnel. Law enforcement personnel do not work in this profession for the money, but they desire decent working conditions/schedules, adequate equipment to do the job safely and to be treated fairly this includes the promotional process. When elected sheriff, I will be committed to working with the Commissioners Court and the Sheriffs Office staff in order to find ways to ensure staffing levels are for both our officers and the community. I will work to maintain both the Jail and Patrol Divisions without costing the taxpayers of Midland County additional money. She often opts for quirky ensembles when gracing the red carpet. And Australian beauty Naomi Watts didn't disappoint on Saturday, as she attended the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California. The 51-year-old actress turned heads on Saturday in a vibrant pink frock that draped over her svelte frame. Style icon! Australian beauty Naomi Watts stunned as she attended the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California on Saturday However, it was her choice of footwear that really caught eyes. The King Kong actress teamed her feminine look with a pair of $2640 white Chanel sock boots with a black toe cap and slight heel. She complemented her dress with a bright red Chanel bag, and draped an oversized blazer over her gown to pose up a storm for the cameras. Noami's choppy bob was slightly waved and pinned back on one side. Unusual! But it was her choice of footwear that really caught eyes, with the King Kong actress teaming her look with a pair of white Chanel sock boots with a black toe cap and slight heel With her hair out of her face, Naomi was able to show off her enviably clear and youthful complexion. She kept things minimal on her already gorgeous visage, opting for only a sweep of makeup to accentuate her striking features. The blonde beauty is a proud mother-of-two, who shares sons Sasha, 12, and Kai, 10, with her ex-partner, X-men star Liev Schreiber, 52. Gorgeous: Naomi kept things minimal on her already gorgeous visage, opting for only a sweep of make-up to accentuate her striking features All smiles! Naomi appeared in very high spirits as she met up with some of the attendees at the star-studded bash. Pictured with Laura Dern (left) Good terms: The blonde beauty is a proud mother-of-two, who shares sons Sasha, 12, and Kai, 10, with her ex-partner, X-men star Liev Schreiber, 52. All pictured in 2016 Despite her breakup from ex-partner Liev, the former couple have remained on friendly terms and are committed to co-parenting their children. Naomi recently spent the Christmas holidays Down Under with her two children, but returned to Los Angeles last month for the Golden Globes. She has since been romantically linked to her Gypsy co-star Billy Crudup, while Liev is rumored to be dating Miss South Dakota, Taylor Niesen, 26. (Newser) Saturday Night Live skipped over President Trump's impeachment acquittal and the debacle in Iowa and headed straight for the bright lights of the Democratic debate stage in New Hampshire for its Cold Open. Jason Sudeikis returned as Joe Biden, declaring that "losing Iowa was a real kick in the nuts," but that his numbers, like himself, would soon "sneak up" behind you and "kiss you on the neck." Said Larry David's Bernie Sanders: "I still cant believe all this mess happened in Iowa because of an app. Hey. I have an idea for an app. Its called No Apps! You show up to your polling place, take a number like you do at the butcher. You walk up to the counter and say to the guy, give me a pound of whatever's about to go bad." Meanwhile, Colin Jost's Pete Buttigieg tried to get #WhiteObama trending. Highlights in the gallery. RuPaul guest-hosted, while Justin Bieber was musical guest. (Read more Saturday Night Live stories.) BAKU -- An exit poll in Azerbaijan's February 9 parliamentary elections suggests President Ilham Aliyev's ruling New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has increased its share by four seats in the single-chamber legislature and only one opposition candidate has won a seat. The exit poll conducted by the U.S.-based firm Arthur J. Finkelstein & Associates suggests YAP won a total of 69 seats in the 125-seat parliament. The YAP had 65 seats in the outgoing parliament, the Milli Majlis. The exit poll also suggests that Azerbaijan's nominally independent candidates, most of whom support the policies of the YAP, won 41 seats in the elections. Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission approved Finkelstein to conduct the exit poll, which it has done in previous votes as well. It was not immediately clear who funded the exit survey by the U.S.-based pollster. According to the exit poll, the only opposition candidate expected to make it into the next parliament is Erkin Gadirli of the Republican Alternative Civic Movement (REAL). Aliyev's YAP declared victory during the early morning hours of February 10. A statement on the party's website said: "Exit poll results make us think that New Azerbaijan got a majority of votes." Hikmet Hacizade, a Baku-based political analyst and democracy advocate, told RFE/RL that, if the ruling YAP is challenged by even a handful of the nominally independent lawmakers in the new parliament, it will be a change from the previous assembly. "In the outgoing parliament, no one spoke up," Hacizade said. "Actually, there was nobody from the opposition [in the previous parliament.]" He says it will be "a blessing" if "there are just five people in the [new] parliament who speak independently and have the heart to speak up." He also said that lawmakers will bear shame if they were elected as independent candidates but "do nothing" in the new parliament." The snap election was called by Aliyev in December 2019. The ballot was boycotted by some opposition parties in protest over limitations on access to media and the right to peaceably assemble. Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission (CEC) said turnout was 47.81 percent of eligible voters with more than 2.5 million people casting ballots. The official turnout for the last parliamentary elections in 2015 was 55.7 percent. Reports of irregularities included multiple voting, interrupted video feeds at polling stations, and hindrance or abuse of independent observers. Critics have cast serious doubt on hopes of genuine reforms that might strengthen the country's long-beleaguered opposition. WATCH: Azerbaijani Voters Go To The Polls Instead, critics say, Aliyev and his allies are seeking a way to ensure a line of succession that began with Aliyev's father, a Soviet-era KGB leader and Politburo member who passed the presidency to his son shortly before his death nearly two decades ago. Isa Gambar, former head of Azerbaijan's opposition Musavat party, told RFE/RL in Baku on February 9 that there was "excessive passivity" among voters with "few who came to vote." Gambar says he expects that "nothing has changed" between the outgoing parliament and the newly elected legislature. "A majority of the members of the so-called parliament that dissolved itself are being reappointed as deputies," Gambar told RFE/RL. "Such a parliament will further deepen the already existing political crisis in the country and will increase the political instability that is already taking place." The February 9 elections originally were scheduled for November until they were moved forward by nine months in December 2019, when Aliyev signed a decree to dissolve the existing parliament. Aliyevs YAP said the composition of the legislature needed to be changed in order to carry out Aliyevs "reform" program. His reform plan follows several high-profile changes in the government and his administration near the end of last year that included the appointment of 62-year-old economist Ali Asadov as prime minister. Critics say the partys hope for a change in the composition of parliament suggests Aliyevs party may be trying to clear the way for Aliyevs wife, First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, to take over the presidency at a later date. Parliamentary powers are limited in Azerbaijan. Most political power in the Caucasus nation is concentrated in the hands of the presidency. The post of prime minister in Azerbaijan has long been held by a close ally of Aliyev, who took over the presidency in 2003 after his father ruled the country the previous 10 years. Aliyev -- who was reelected in 2008, 2013, and 2018 -- was able to consolidate his power through a 2009 referendum that abolished the countrys two-term presidential limit and a 2016 referendum that lengthened presidential terms to seven years. According to the CEC, some 5.3 million voters were eligible to cast ballots on February 9. Initial official results are expected to be announced in the early morning hours of February 10. Carousel Voting Minor complaints were already trickling in within hours of the opening of polling stations. Some independent observers said they saw instances of carousel voting -- when people visit multiple polling stations -- and people casting multiple ballots at once. One candidate reported seeing an ambulance ferrying voters to multiple polling stations. One election monitor working for a candidate said he was beaten and thrown out of a polling station he was attempting to observe. Other election monitors said they were being prevented from entering polling stations or were ordered to remain in certain locations. The Institute for Democratic Initiatives shared several videos of people interfering with observers seeking to record at polling stations. Cameras were being blocked at some of the 1,000 or so voting locations with live video feeds. One candidate, activist and blogger Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service that he was initially prevented from voting at a Baku polling station and was told he hadn't registered properly. But an election official later said access to the polling station was being limited ahead of President Aliyev's arrival there to vote. Apparent power outages meanwhile cut the lights for more than half an hour at some polling stations in Suraxani and Hovsan, northeast of the capital. WATCH: Stuffed Ballot Boxes And Carousels: Azerbaijan Votes Again Under Scrutiny Election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have noted that the number of registered voters in more than half of the 125 constituencies deviated by more than what the Election Code allows. "A difference of approximately 2 million persists between the number of registered voters as per CEC data and the number of citizens of voting age according to the State Statistics Committee, the OSCE Election Observation Mission (ODIHR) said in a January 29 preelection report from Baku. Voters who had not yet registered were allowed to do so on election day if they provided proof of residency in Azerbaijan. Election officials registered 1,637 candidates who had applied by the January 10 deadline. A total of 19 political parties fielded 272 of the candidates. They included 123 candidates from the ruling YAP, followed by 25 from the opposition Musavat party, and 21 from the opposition Party of Hope (UMID). A total of 81 lawmakers, about two-thirds of the outgoing parliament, were seeking reelection. Istanbul-based Azerbaijani political commentator and contributor to RFE/RL Arzu Geybullayeva said the elections would be different from previous parliamentary votes because of the emergence of new "genuine candidates" who were running as independents or who had joined forces under a new political bloc called Movement. Movement, which was formed in December after the early elections were announced, brings together human rights activists, rights lawyers, election observes, bloggers, feminists, youth activists, and politicians. Poor Democratic Record Since Azerbaijan declared independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991, its elections have repeatedly been deemed as falling short of democratic standards by international observers from the OSCE and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). OSCE observers say Azerbaijan conducts its elections "within a restrictive environment and under laws that curtail fundamental rights and freedoms." Independent media have also been stifled economically or closed by force, as was the case with the Baku bureau of RFE/RLs Azerbaijani Service in December 2014. The Paris-based media rights group Reporters Without Borders says Aliyev has waged "a relentless war" against his media critics, with journalists and bloggers being "jailed on absurd grounds if they do not first yield to harassment, beatings, blackmail, or bribes." OSCE observers say most media in Azerbaijan have avoided covering the candidates, parties, and political issues during the official campaign period to avoid being accused of violating a stifling "equal coverage" rule in the Election Code. Remember Aunt Cookie, who desperately needs a kidney from Tammy, but lied to her about knowing she existed and let her grow up in the foster system even though she could have taken custody of her? Well, she's back to claim said kidney. Christy's on her way to see Tammy before she goes into surgery when she locks eyes with a handsome guy on a gurney being wheeled in the other direction. And maybe it's fate and Christy's just found her soulmate. Or maybe she's just crazy. Anyways, she puts off chasing love so she can see Tammy off to her surgery with the rest of the girls, who rally around her and manage to say ALL THE WRONG things. Despite them, Tammy's ready to roll. The sooner she gets the surgery over with the sooner she can cut ties with Cookie for good. Of course, the two conveniently end up parked in gurneys next to each other outside of the operation room. Thankfully, the surgery goes well and we next see Tammy getting ready to leave the hospital. Bonnie and Christy are supposed to be taking her home but Christy's wandering the halls of the hospital trying to find her tall, dark, and handsome mystery man. (She's not having much luck.) So, Tammy decides to go and say one last goodbye to Cookie while they wait for Christy. When Tammy tells Cookie she's stopped by to say goodbye for good, Cookie tries to convince her not to cut ties, still wanting to make up for her lie. When Cookie begins telling Tammy about her mother, Tammy decides maybe she should give her a second chance, if only because she's her only link to her mother. At their next meeting, Tammy tells the girls Cookie wants to take them all out to dinner to celebrate. Bonnie's still suspicious of her (but not so suspicious she doesn't agree to go when she hears it's a steakhouse.). Jill, on the other hand, encourages her to forge a relationship with Cookie, saying she'd give anything to have a link to her own deceased mother, who died when she was sixteen. At the steakhouse, Cookie downs a glass of wine in a hot second. Even though Wendy assures them all a little bit of wine won't hurt Cookie, Bonnie still's not happy, and tells Tammy's that she's concerned that Cookie's treating her new kidney "like a freshman at Arizona State." Everyone assures Bonnie she's overreacting, but her suspicion is aroused even more when she goes to use the bathroom (where Cookie supposedly is) and looks out the window to see Cookie puffing away at a cigarette ("like first grade Bonnie waiting for the school bus"). Although Tammy's bothered, she doesn't feel it's her place to say something, which pisses Bonnie off. Tammy tells Bonnie she needs to get over her issues with Cookie, as Tammy's chosen to forgive her. After failing to get Wendy to give her the information on the mystery man, Christy heads back to the hospital, done up for a hot date and ready to roam the halls until she finds the future love of her life. She even tries to get his information by bribing various nurses with omelets, but unsurprisingly, they're not falling for it. Back at home, Bonnie reluctantly tries to put her issues with Cookie aside and has her and Tammy over. When the reminder on Cookie's phone telling her to take her anti-rejection meds comes up and Cookie casually disregards it after realizing she left them at the hotel, Tammy finally says something and tells Cookie she's worried for her health. Bonnie takes this as an opportunity to launch into her many issues with Cookie and Cookie begins to storm out. However, she's overcome with pain before she can get out the door. At the hospital, they find out that Cookie is indeed rejecting the kidney due to not taking care of herself. However, the doctors are confident that they can up her meds and still turn things around. Tammy tells Cookie that she's angry at her for being so reckless with her health, as she's come to care about her and doesn't want her to just up and die. Cookie apologizes and admits that she's never really had to think about anyone other than herself, but she's come to care for Tammy also. She says she'll take better care of herself and promises Tammy she's going to stick around town for a while so the two can make up for the lost time. While Tammy's with Cookie, Bonnie spots Christy roaming the halls trying to catch her man. Christy's about ready to give up when she finally sees him being wheeled down the hall and he starts to slowly wave at her. Except, he's not actually waving to her. He's waving to his two kids and his husband, who quickly go around her and up to him. Yeah, not only is Christy's "soulmate" married and gay, he doesn't seem to speak any English! Well, she tried. The next day, Tammy and Bonnie go back to the hospital to pick up Cookie, where Wendy tells them she checked herself out and went back to Santa Fe. Tammy's heartbroken at being let down by Cookie again, but Bonnie's there to comfort her. At their next meeting, Tammy doesn't want to share, but Bonnie does. Bonnie speaks of being the one who often didn't keep her promises and assures Tammy that it's never the fought of the one let down by them. -Random Thoughts: -Best lines go to Tammy, when talking about recovering from surgery - "Who knew pain pills could also be used for pain?" and Bonnie, when discussing Christy's childhood - "Christy and I were kind of like Thelma and Louise. If Louise was six and Thelma was always drunk and forgetting where she put Louise." Were you surprised that Cookie ran off again? Let me know below. Edie Falco is a master of the tough exterior: The mob boss's wife in "The Sopranos." The drug-addicted ER nurse in "Nurse Jackie." And now, in her new CBS series, "Tommy," the jaw-busting, gay, first female chief of the LAPD. But in person, Falco comes across as a big softy whose human and fur family her son, Anderson, 15, daughter, Macy, 11, and two rescue dogs outranks her Emmy-heavy career. Calling at noon on the dot from her West Village home ("I'm a nerd like that," she said), Falco rattled off 10 things she can't fathom living without and pondered a few growing pains. These are edited excerpts from the conversation. 1. CNN: I turned on CNN on 9/11, and I don't think I've turned it off. I've been in some state of high alert internally. The way things are right now, I certainly don't trust that the government has my back in the way that I used to. So I feel like I just need to stay on top of what's happening and be sure I'm prepared for storms, missile launches, floods, whatever. They are my celebrities, John Berman, Alisyn Camerota, Jake Tapper. If I saw them on the street, I'd get all googly-eyed. 2. Joni Mitchell: I have been listening to her since I was a little kid. My mom (Judith Anderson) used to do community theater, and I used to go with her all the time, and it was tech, and they were setting up the lights, and they were playing Joni Mitchell in the background. And I thought, who the heck can sing like this? And that was the beginning of a lifelong love affair. 3. Elena Ferrante's books: I became obsessed with "My Brilliant Friend" and all those (other Neapolitan novels). Female friendships are so interesting and complicated, and she really seemed to get all the complexities of relationships with girls that are fraught and deep and toxic and nourishing. I'd never seen it depicted in a way that I recognized quite as accurately. 4. Washington Square Park dog run: My first love was my dog Marley, a yellow Lab/white shepherd mix. When I was living on my own and I didn't have kids, it was just she and I, and she grew up in the dog run. Nobody's unhappy in there. Everybody's laughing, smiling and looking at the dogs together. It's unfettered by the loneliness that people can feel in New York. Now I have two dogs: Sami, a Brussels griffon who was a mommy in a puppy mill until they busted the puppy mill, and Niko, a border collie mix, another rescue dog. Rescuing animals is very important to me. 5. Village Vanguard: I was very, very close to my dad (Frank Falco). I lost him a couple of years ago and it's still not easy. He was a huge jazz fan, and he and I had gone there a bunch of times together, and they are experiences that loom large still. We saw Billy Eckstine there a thousand years ago, and my dad was just in heaven. 6. Outsider Art Fair: It's a little bit like independent films. When it started out, (the artists) were real outsiders. But now as they've become more popular, maybe they're not quite outsiders anymore. Some of them were mentally ill, some of them were incarcerated, and they made art without rules. And I find it profoundly moving. Many years ago, I fell in love with a painting by Terry Turrell, and I bought it. I'm almost embarrassed, but I have probably 15 pieces of art that he's made. It gets my heart rate going when I see a new piece of work of his. 7. ABC Carpet & Home: Who doesn't want to live there? It really feels more like a museum than a store. The sensory of the experience of walking through that door, if there was ever a use for the word delightful ... because I am just delighted. The colors, the smells, the feel of the fabrics, the crazy design of the place. Every bunch of years I will give myself a little shopping spree to get a new blanket or bedspread or rug. Everything in there is the way I wish my house looked. 8. John Golden Theater: My first Broadway show, "Side Man," was there 150,000 years ago (actually, in 1999), and it holds a very special place. I would walk to work and giggle to myself every frigging day, like, "Are you kidding me?" The excitement of having a career that just felt absolutely unattainable for a lot of years. I will never not be that sort of awkward girl from Long Island wondering what I'm going to do with my life. And I still have moments where I can't believe that I get to do the stuff that I do. 9. Kadampa Meditation Center: I have been a student of Buddhism for about 25 years. And I have had one main teacher, Kadam Morten Clausen, who has run this center for all those years, and a very, very wise man at a time when that's not easy to come by. Of all the seeking that I've done, I landed at Buddhism and I never have stopped being able to feed from it. It helps me enjoy my life, to learn how to live better, how to be kind to other people. These principles, there's a reason they've been around so long. 10. My dad's sculptures: They were all around my house growing up. And when he passed away and I started going through the house, there was so much more artwork that I didn't even know about. He was left-handed, and so he was doing a sculpture of his left hand with his right hand. And then he had it cast in bronze. So I'm sitting next to a sculpture of my dad's hand, which is very, very meaningful to me. Fine Gael will be relieved at the shock exit poll for the election but also expects to lose Dail seats in parts of the country, party chairman Martin Heydon has told the Irish Examiner. Speaking in the wake of the Read More: Counting has begun around the country in what is now expected to be a seismic shift in the political landscape, with Sinn Fein expected to match the support of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. The poll, which has the Read More: Speaking to the Irish Examiner this morning, Mr Heydon said: It reflects what we felt in the last week, after a very difficult campaign that people were coming back to us, particularly after the last leaders' debate on Tuesday night. Martin Heydon Obviously this is going to be a difficult day on these numbers, we are still going to lose some colleagues. But considering what was being predicted over the three or four weeks of the campaign, the fact that weeks ago we were three or four points behind Fianna Fail in a poll, this is a better scenario for us and significant loss for Fianna Fail from that position of strength. With the current predictions from the RTE/Irish Times exit poll, Fine Gael could lose second seats in rural areas, while Fianna Fail is unlikely to break through in Dublin. However, Sinn Fein will pick up second seats in a number of constituencies and its surplus votes will likely help other left wing candidates get elected during the counts. Asked about how the parties would form a government, once counted finishes, Mr Heydon added: This will take time. Fine Gael has clearly set out a strong manifesto with our objectives in that and that will be our starting point to talk to everybody. As the Taoiseach has said, we are open to talking to all sides, with the exception of Sinn Fein. Hyderabad: Former press secretary to the Prime Minister and author Sanjaya Baru, has contended that the narrative of Rising India is under serious threat. Baru was delivering a lecture on The Rule of Law, economy and ease of business here on Sunday. He blamed both the judiciary and the political executive for the slowdown of the countrys economy. Both, he said, had contributed to the erosion of Rule of Law. Baru talked about how pendency of cases was one of the biggest worries that citizens and corporates have to reckon with. He noted that India spends less than a per cent of its Budget on judiciary. Against this backdrop, it is disconcerting to see that the 2020-21 Budget has reduced funds for judicial and legal infrastructure, he said and also blamed excessive litigation and capability to draft transparent and efficient rules. On the cases pending in various High Courts, he said, It should worry policy makers that the worst performing states, with some exceptions, are also the poorest. The senior journalist noted that one of the major causes for the decline of investments in India was the legal process and verdicts. While we talk about foreign investments coming to India, we forget about investments by Indians and their talent that is fleeing the country, he added. Baru also noted that even Chief Justice of the Supreme Court SA Bobde is aware of how Indian companies preferred to go for arbitration proceedings in Singapore or London, over settlements in the country. Baru also threw shade at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for renegotiating or abrogating contracts and delaying ongoing projects. Comparing it to the retrospective tax move by the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, he said it was an example of the rise in political risk in investing in India. A trained economist, Baru recalled his youth while talking about economic models of India and other countries. There was a time when the countries of tomorrow were considered Brazil and Argentina. But their growth plateaued, he said. Talking on the Rising India model, he said that until a few years ago, the world believed India was catching up with China. Today, that idea is under threat. Now, we have to decide on whether we want to pursue the Latin America way or the East Asian way, he said. Manama Under the patronage of Shaikh Salman bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Chairman of Real Estate Regulatory Authority and President of Survey and Land Registration Bureau, the real estate community in the Kingdom is all set to mark the opening of Bahrain Real Estate Investment Exhibition 2020 for the third year. The exhibition is the first of its kind real estate showcase that gathers elite Bahraini sponsors and exhibitors of property developers, managers and brokers. It comes in line with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 to encourage non-oil economic sectors to grow. Aseel Al Mohandes, Exhibition Chairman and Founder of Expressions PR and Events, the event organiser, said: "The idea behind Bahrain Real Estate Investment Exhibition emerged five years ago as a result to the robust growth in real estate demand in Bahrain. She added: The exhibition bridges the gap between supply and demand in the residential and commercial real estate market and will serve as an annual platform to meet the seller and the buyer under one roof." The exhibition has received wide interest and support from Shaikh Salman, who expressed the importance of real estate events. It is also organised in strategic partnership with Tamkeen and supported by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority and the Survey and Land Registration Bureau. Moreover, key property developers are sponsoring the event starting with Diyar Al Muharraq and Eagle Hills Diyar, the prime sponsor, Naseej, the signature sponsor, with new project launches and exciting offers. Last year, the exhibition recorded over 30,000 visitors from Bahrain and neighbouring countries. "BREIX20 promotes a culture of property investment, and aim to attract and facilitate GCC property investments in the Bahraini market; showcase existing and future properties at competitive prices; and create a periodic event where real estate investors and professionals can meet and interact. HARTFORD, Conn.Offering profound insights and astute observations are all in a days work for Deborah and Lansing Burns, a brand strategist and former English teacher, respectively, and the couples review of Shen Yun Performing Arts during Hartford, Connecticuts opening performance on Feb. 8, 2020, was no exception. [Shen Yun] was phenomenal, Lansing began, It exceeded my expectations. The colorful costumes, the beautiful, well, the detail in all the costumes. The backdrops, the sets were magnificent, the way they interacted. The computer graphics and the dance, and I just, the storytelling. I learned more about Chinese culture than I think Id ever learned just by watching this show. The couple attended Shen Yun at The Bushnell at The William H. Mortensen Hall. New York-based Shen Yun indeed holds many aspects of performing arts and stagecraft that audience members around the world applaud and appreciate. The Burnses commented on almost all of them: couture costumes; a patented, digital backdrop that lets the dancers characters defy gravity; and storytelling dances told through the highly-expressive, technically challenging, and ancient art form known as classical Chinese dance. Shen Yun also employs a unique orchestra comprised of Western and Eastern instruments and combines all of these elements to carry out its mission of reviving traditional Chinese culture that was once almost lost, and sharing it with the world. Outstanding, Deborah began. I was extremely impressed. [Shen Yun] was beautifully and expertly choreographed. I learned an enormous amount as well about the culture. And I was very happy to see so much pride. I think theres a tremendous amount of camaraderie and pride, and people were very, very happy and ecstatic, actually, I could tell in some of the dances, they were ecstatic to be part of this. And I think particularly since this is an expression of Chinese culture, I think its, the more we can spread the word and really understand the nature of Chinese culture, the better. I think we all need to understand each other better in general. Shen Yuns artists draw on Chinese cultures most essential elementits spiritualityas inspiration for their art, including for the legends they portray on stage, and even for their everyday lives. For millennia, Chinese people have revered the divine and passed down a legend that the Creator will one day return to earth for all mankind. Shen Yun depicts this legend in its performance as well as other divine beings and ancient legends. But it doesnt leave out modern times. A few of Shen Yuns roughly 20 vignettes show scenes of real events taking place in China today, namely, a persecution against spiritual believers by the Chinese Communist Party, which is part of a violent, decades-long campaign to wipe out traditional Chinese culture. Understanding True Chinese Culture Deborah said that Shen Yun gave her insight into true Chinese culture. Not only the interpretations of what they were dancing to, but I think also, as Lansing said, the backdrop really put it in perspective. So we really understood what really was going on, and why, and how these dancers and these performers actually chose to work to change that and to bring us an understanding and an insight on [the] culture we may never have had before, she said. Shen Yuns storytelling dances about persecution depict the inspiring way that many spiritual followers overcome the CCPs brutality with compassion, perseverance, and faith. Followers of Falun Dafa are among the most targeted in the persecution. Falun Dafa is an ancient meditation practice that teaches truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance as well as meditation and is a method of spiritual development that Shen Yuns artists themselves follow. For Lansing, these stories resonated with him and inspired hope. I found it impressive that the stories of how modern culture has eradicated some of the old traditions, by the influence of government and politics of today, trying to suppress not only certain ethnic groups but the history thats going behind all these stories. I thought that that was pretty courageous in spite of, you know, the current political situation thats happening in China right now. I think that there is a resurgence of looking towards the past and as well as a brighter future, less government control, you know if I could be so bold as to say that. And more freedom of expression, and thats always a good thing, he said. He added that he feels that Shen Yun is a great way of exposing Chinese culture to Americans. We need to understand each other better. Deborah agreed. Shen Yun Performing Arts curtain call at The Bushnell, The William H. Mortensen Hall, in Hartford, Conn, on Feb. 8, 2020. (Edward Dye/The Epoch Times) Honoring the Divine The divinely-inspired culture in the performance elicited deep observations from the couple. [Shen Yuns divine culture] is the relationship between the divine and the secular on Earth. I think its, we can always benefit from broadening our spiritual life, Lansing said. Absolutely, I totally agree with Lansing in that I noticed that there was such an honor and admiration of the divine, and that we were also, throughout this performance, honoring the divine within each other. And I think thats something that really can be showcased throughout not only Chinese culture but all cultures across the globe. If we really honor and recognize each others divinity, the more productive, creative, supportive and loving we can be as a people in general, Deborah said. Deborah added that she thinks Shen Yun artists pursuit of Falun Dafas three principles is beautiful, thats absolutely awesome. And we absolutely support whatever expression youre from in terms of your nature, your history or your heritage. I think spirituality is universal, she said. The business consultant also had words of gratitude to share with Shen Yuns local organizers and the artists themselves. All the best and I wish you continued success. This is really, really impressive. So, thank you very much. It was a wonderful experience, really enjoyed it immensely. With reporting by NTD Television and Brett Featherstone. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. Airlines, it's fair to say, are going through a rough time. On top of the environmental backlash led by 17-year-old activist Greta Thunberg and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, domestic carrier Flybe has had to seek a highly controversial Government bailout and taxpayers funded the biggest ever peacetime repatriation of Britons when Thomas Cook went bust last autumn. But despite these very public troubles for the industry, Wizz Air boss Jozsef Varadi is convinced air travel's heyday is far from over. In fact, the 54-year-old Hungarian says air travel can and must play a big part in the future of global business and leisure. The key is bosses waking up to rapidly changing attitudes among climate-conscious passengers by cleaning up their act. Tough: Wizz Air boss Jozsef Varadi says airlines should not be bailed out Varadi, who grew up in Hungary when it was controlled by the Soviets, has an extremely clear vision on what that should mean in practice. And it has nothing to do with the sort of overbearing state interference on air travel so often advocated by eco-warriors. 'We need to look at how the whole industry operates in terms of technology and our processes to create something that is much more efficient,' he explains. The first step, he says, is improving air traffic control to minimise the amount of time airplanes spend in the sky. 'Air navigation is a huge problem and that should be better managed,' he says. 'You come to Heathrow and almost without exception you will be put on hold [in the air]. And while you are circling around, you are burning fuel. So why can't that be better coordinated? 'And often air traffic controllers go on strike. Then we get rerouted, keeping the airplane in the air for up to half an hour extra. It just doesn't make any sense and you are just polluting the environment for nothing.' The second step and perhaps most controversial would be an all-out ban on business-class seats for short trips. Either that or punitive taxes to make them prohibitively expensive, says Varadi. 'Why the hell do you have to fly business class for one hour or two hours in Europe?' he says. 'When you are on business class, your footprint is going to be two or three times larger than economy class. I would just simply ban that.' And finally, he thinks the industry must start ploughing money into new technology. Flying high: Jozsef Varadi says Wizz Air is one of the greenest airlines because it has young, fuel-efficient airplanes The holy grail for air travel would be electric engines for planes. It may seem like a long way off, but Varadi is confident it's on the horizon. 'We need to keep challenging ourselves as an industry, and push ourselves to find new technologies to reduce that [environmental] impact,' he adds. All of these efforts would be underpinned by new environmental standards for airlines. Varadi says there is currently no way to compare airlines' environmental performance. 'I would welcome an initiative where you label airlines, so you know as a consumer what choice you are making,' he says. He says Wizz Air a low-cost challenger to Ryanair is one of the greenest airlines because it has young, fuel-efficient airplanes. 'I want to make the claim that we have the lowest environmental impact. But we need some measurements to make that claim transparent to the market and consumers.' Varadi's view on climate change also reflects his disdain for the more established airlines which he says have older, more polluting planes and out-of-date technology. He strongly believes these companies should be allowed to go out of business to make room for younger rivals. So was it wrong for the UK Government to step in to save regional airline Flybe? Varadi doesn't mince his words. 'If an airline is not fit to compete, and is not fit to cover its financial obligations, that airline has to go out of business,' he says. 'It is a mistake by governments to intervene and unfortunately we are seeing more of that the UK Government bailing out Flybe, the German government bailing out Condor. The market is a very strong force and it can sort things out. If you are an efficient player, then you are going to win, and if you are an inefficient player, you are going to go out of business.' Varadi co-founded Wizz Air in 2003 and has built it into a FTSE 250 company flying 40 million customers a year, of which 10 million come from the UK. It made profits of 247 million on revenues of 2 billion last year and surpassed Ryanair as the airline with the lowest operating costs in Europe. Varadi's attack on the Flybe bailout is even more significant given his past. After he left as chief executive of state-owned Malev Hungarian Airlines to set up Wizz Air, his former company went bust. Varadi says the collapse of Malev was for the best. 'Four hours after Malev went bust, its rivals had put on more flights than had been lost by the collapse. This is how quickly the market reacts,' he says. 'Back then, Budapest airport had eight million passengers a year now it is pushing 20 million. The country benefited because the industry grew faster.' Varadi's staunch support for the powers of free market capitalism is personal. His father was thrown in jail for rising up against the Communists in the Hungarian revolution of 1956 and then received a lifetime ban on working in professional jobs. He says: 'My family had a tough life, and their circumstances were bad because of this. We had food to eat, but we had no luxuries in life. I didn't get on an airplane until I was 26.' But, he laughs, he's been catching up ever since. Your browser does not support the audio element. Preparations are being wrapped up at a 300-bed makeshift hospital branch in the Ho Chi Minh City suburbs so that the facility will be ready for the treatment of novel coronavirus patients next week. The municipal Department of Health previously announced the establishment of two branches of a makeshift hospital, which is estimated to cost US$11 million, to treat novel coronavirus patients when there is a sudden surge in the number of infections. Military officers are mobilized to provide assistance at the makeshift hospital in Cu Chi District. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre The first branch is located at the military school of the citys Military Command in Cu Chi District, around 30km to the northwest of the city center. It will boast 300 beds, including 20 intensive care beds. The second branch is being constructed in Nha Be District, about 23km to the south of the city center. It will feature 200 beds, including at least 10 intensive care beds. Preparations are being finalized at the hospital. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre As the branch in Cu Chi is scheduled to be put into operation on Monday, many people and military officers have been mobilized to complete the final phases of the preparation. The districts power company has also tasked 50 employees with ensuring sufficient power supply for the infirmary. Beds are brought to the makeshift hospital in Cu Chi District on February 8, 2020. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre According to Tang Chi Thuong, deputy director of the municipal health department, the hospital will operate its 100 beds in the first week. The other 200 beds will be ready in the second week, Thuong elaborated. Medical supplies and devices are transported to the infirmary. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre The novel coronavirus, which first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, has killed 813 people and infected more than 37,550 globally as of Sunday. Vietnam has so far confirmed 13 cases of the virus, including ten Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. Among them, one Chinese and two Vietnamese had fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital as of Thursday. They were all treated for free. Utility poles are planted to ensure sufficient power supply for the hospital. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre Military officers are mobilized to provide assistance at the makeshift hospital in Cu Chi District. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre Inside one of the rooms of the makeshift hospital. Photo: Ngoc Hien / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! 09.02.2020 LISTEN A lady who goes on a first date must know 'coyness'.That is when you meet the lady with a huge pocket and you would love to offer her anything and she would insist on taking only water or just a bottle of some fizzy drink. Then you would say you have met someone who isn't meeting you to make you regret ever deciding to meet her for the first time. Unfortunately, many people are uncultured. A lot of people in this society are just bad guests. They come to your outdoor eating programme and they take more than they can actually eat on their plates. When other guests haven't been served, they are looking for packs to take some servings home. We live like we are really hungry here; and every opportunity we get to eat free foods, we see an opportunity to pack away to stock for some bad days coming. We would eat without considering how the different food servings we put in our mouths at one time would affect our health. A true story is told about a single lady who joined her friends on a bus for a weekend job in another region. This is a salary worker and she is going on a weekend job for an extra income. On reaching their destination, the lady sent a message to a social media male friend that she was in town. The guy was glad to meet her social media friend for the first time and he chose a popular place to meet the lady. The next day after their meeting, the lady was on her assigned weekend job and started feeling feverish. She started vomiting and passing frequent stools. Her friends got worried and hurried her to the nearby clinic. The clinic admitted her for the night. On recovery, she told her story to one of her friends. She finally met a guy she had been communicating with on social media. She was impressed on seeing the guy. The guy looked ' loaded' but he wouldn't buy her anything valuable or give her the money. So she took advantage of the opportunity to order for anything in sight to eat, and the guy without hesitation paid. This lady found herself in critical ill health the next day because she saw an opportunity to eat everything in sight at the cost of a total stranger; without thinking. I must say most people you would like to go out on a date with having the mindset of this lady. People just feel that they have a right to have what you have the moment you try to be nice with them. Even if you give them, they feel you haven't given them enough. It is difficult being nice here to the random person. You never know what he/she is thinking. More than a decade ago, I was walking on the street of Accra where young women make a living on the street. A ' young street hawker ' asked me for something early in the morning as I was walking to my workplace. Out of impulse, I pulled out GH1. from my wallet for her. Just as I turned to go, she said behind me in Akan ' So with this your big shoe, you can only give me GH1.' Most people that expect us to be nice to them are ingrates. In this love week, guests should be good guests. Appreciate people's effort to make you feel special. Remember nobody owes you a thing. In fact, it is a blessing to give than to receive. If you can't give, at least be appreciative of those who share the little they have with you. Be a good guest at that fanciful place you are invited to. Exhibit some ' coyness'. Order foods and drinks with sense. You are not the one paying. At least, don't make it obvious you have been starving all your life or you are some starved person rescued from a war zone. It is a first date for Christ Sake. It is not a party. Paul Zowonu Accra #talkingblues #Valantine blues 8/02/2020:11:51 Contact: [email protected] Afghan officials on the ground in Ghazni said they will be able to retain the territory because of how their forces are being reorganized small outposts are being combined to make larger checkpoints that are easier to defend. One such outpost, Baqawal, just five miles northwest of Ghazni city, was built in September after the surrounding area was retaken from the Taliban. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.9 Trend: Elections to the Azerbaijani parliament of the sixth convocation kicked off Feb.9, Trend reports. Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov declared that the polling stations are open from 08:00 (GMT +4) for voting. The Information Center of the Secretariat of the Central Election Commission (CEC) will inform about the voting process and provide preliminary data at 10:00, 12:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00. As many as 1,314 candidates (21 percent being female and 79 percent being male candidates) were registered for the snap parliamentary elections. Around 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were nominated individually and 11 were from initiative groups. A total of 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country throughout the day. About 5 329 460 voters will take part in the voting. As many as 340,689 internally displaced persons will vote in 573 precincts. Around 883 international and 77,790 local observers will observe the voting process. Of the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls will be conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US), Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Can the black comedy "Parasite" win South Korea its first Oscar ever? Will Laura Dern become the first in her acting family to nab an Oscar statuette? Here's a look at some interesting facts and trivia ahead of the 92nd Academy Awards being held Sunday in Hollywood: - 'Parasite' aims big - "Parasite" already made history when it became the first South Korean film nominated for best international feature film as well as for best picture and best director. The dark comedic thriller, which has taken the awards circuit by storm, is tipped to win as best foreign-language film, but it also could make history by becoming the first non-English-language production to win for best picture. - All in the family - Dern, nominated for a best supporting actress award for "Marriage Story," comes from Hollywood royalty. While dad Bruce and mom Diane Ladd are no strangers to the Oscars, Laura would be the first in her family to actually win the award. In 1992, Dern and Ladd became the first mother-daughter duo to receive Oscar nominations for work on the same film -- "Rambling Rose." Ladd was nominated two other times. Bruce Dern has earned two Oscar nods during his decades-long career -- in 1979 for "Coming Home" and in 2014 for "Nebraska." Dern, who was also nominated twice before this year, starred in two major releases in 2019 -- "Marriage Story" and the Academy Award contender "Little Women." The only Oscar winner in history whose parents both also won Oscars is Liza Minnelli, who won for best actress in 1973 for "Cabaret." Her mother Judy Garland -- the subject of an Oscar-nominated film this year ("Judy") -- received a special juvenile award in 1940, the year after "The Wizard of Oz" was released. Her father Vincente Minnelli won best director for "Gigi" in 1959. - Uncle Oscar? - Hollywood lore has it that the Academy Award was nicknamed Oscar after Academy librarian Margaret Herrick -- who eventually became executive director -- saw the trophy for the first time and thought it looked like her uncle Oscar. Hollywood legend Bette Davis allegedly claimed she had nicknamed the award as it reminded her of her first husband, musician Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr, but later withdrew that claim, according to IMDB. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially adopted the nickname in 1939. - Heavy prize - The Oscar statuette is solid bronze and plated in 24-karat gold. It stands 13.5 inches (34 centimeters) tall and weighs 8.5 pounds (3.8 kilograms). It takes three months for Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry in New York to manufacture a batch of 50 statuettes. More than 3,140 statuettes have been handed out since 1929. The trophy represents a knight holding a crusader's sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes that refer to the five original branches of the Academy -- actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers. - Record nominations - With 52 nominations, composer John Williams holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for a living person, and second only to Walt Disney at 59. His nomination this year is for best original score for the latest "Star Wars" film, "Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker." Williams celebrated his 88th birthday on Saturday. - A whopping $44 million - The glitziest Hollywood film award comes with a steep price tag of $44 million for the ceremony, according to the financial site WalletHub. That includes $400 for each Oscar statuette and $24,700 for the 16,500-square-foot red carpet. Hollywood's A-listers will be on the red carpet for the Oscars on February 9, 2020 South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, who directed "Parasite," could make history at the Oscars with any victories for his black comedy thriller US actress Laura Dern -- the favorite to win the Oscar for best supporting actress for "Marriage Story" -- is the daughter of actor Bruce Dern and actress Diane Ladd Several stories still circulate in Hollywood about how the Academy Award was nicknamed Oscar Each Oscar statuette is solid bronze and plated in 24-karat gold Conductor John Williams has the most Oscar nominations of any living person with 52 Staging the Oscars ceremony costs a whopping $44 million, according to financial site WalletHub Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent "surya namaskar" remarks, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said it would be good for the unemployed youngsters of the country if the PM could suggest any "aasan" (yoga posture) to them. Speaking to reporters in Barabanki on his way to Bahraich, Yadav said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about increasing the number of 'surya namaskar' for strengthening his back. It would have been good if he could suggest a similar 'aasan' to unemployed youngsters. Unemployment is rising in the country. The prime minister does not have any time to think over it. At least he could suggest an 'aasan'." On February 6, Modi took repeated digs at opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi of the Congress, whom he dubbed as a "tubelight", saying it took him 30-40 minutes to respond to his speech in the Lok Sabha. Without naming Gandhi, the prime minister, in his reply to the discussion on the presidential address, referred to the Congress leader's reported comments about "youngsters beating up Modi with sticks over the lack of jobs", and said he would increase the number of "surya namaskar" so that his back could bear the sticks. "In 70 years, no Congress leader has become self-sufficient. I heard one leader's manifesto yesterday. He said 'Modi will be beaten up with sticks in six months'. I can imagine that it is not an easy job, so six months will be needed for preparations. "In these six months, I will do more surya namaskar so that my back is ready for the beating.... I have been subjected to abuses in the last 20 years, I will make myself gaali-proof as also danda-proof," Modi had said. Referring to the exit polls for the just-concluded Delhi Assembly election which have predicted a victory for the AAP, Yadav said, "The residents of Delhi have rejected the of the BJP, which is full of hatred. The BJP, which has suffered defeats in a number of states, will not be able to open its account in the Delhi Assembly election and the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal will once again become the chief minister." On a proposal to rename Basti, a district in eastern Uttar Pradesh, he said, "This government is an expert only in changing names. The leaders and workers of the SP will inform people about the reality of the BJP.""The public wants good ambulances, better facilities, fair price to farmers for their produce, but the BJP government has completely failed on these counts," the SP chief added. Speaking to reporters in Bahraich, Yadav said, "The exit polls for the Delhi Assembly election show that the public has rejected the BJP's of casteism, communalism and hatred. The voters of Delhi have given importance to the of development and voted for real issues, instead of terrorism and Pakistan. "I hope that in the coming days, wherever elections are held, people will vote on issues. The (Delhi) poll results on February 11 will see the BJP suffering a historic defeat." The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister reiterated that the SP was completely against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). "The BJP is working with a sense of vengeance and harassing even those who are commenting on the social media. The SP is seeing this and such people are being identified. Once we form the government (in Uttar Pradesh), these people will be given a befitting reply, though we will not harass anyone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The question of safety, however, goes beyond securing public spaces or the use of technology to achieve this mandate. In early December, the Hyderabad police gave 14 tips to women that they should follow while travelling to ensure their own security. Among them are technologised safety mechanisms like the Hawk Eye, Telangana Polices mobile application, that could help police locate a person in distress. (Representational Image) Not very long after the law did its duty, as Cyberabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar maintained post his officers retaliatory fire resulting in the deaths of four persons accused of raping and murdering a woman, the question of assuring the safety of Indian women and others remains an open one. In early December, the Hyderabad police gave 14 tips to women that they should follow while travelling to ensure their own security. Among them are technologised safety mechanisms like the Hawk Eye, Telangana Polices mobile application, that could help police locate a person in distress. The question of safety, however, goes beyond securing public spaces or the use of technology to achieve this mandate. This is not just because the police rarely addresses challenges to the security of women and children that inhere within the confines of the family. It is also because contemporary forms of living, say in gated communities, complicate our understanding of the public (outside) and private (home) spaces. In a doubling of meaning, gated communities are public (i) because their operations and rules of governance must comply with the laws of the land, and (ii) the common spaces within the community are publicly accessible for all residents. Apartment complexes are private in the sense that they (i) may frame rules for their general functioning through associations and control who can access them and on what conditions and (ii) individuals own housing units in the community. In recent times, these enclaves of smart and secure living, have doubled up their efforts in guaranteeing their own security by combining services of security companies and technologised solutions, in addition to closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring, like mandating the use of apps that enable residents to auto-approve access of vendors, delivery persons, household helps, other workers and visitors to their respective houses. The apps work by building facial repositories of workers available to perform different types of labour, and makes it possible for residents to rate their work, make smaller groups to discuss issues related to their helps, mark their attendance, and record payments made to them. The apps also enable creating a directory of phone numbers of residents themselves, post notifications about festival and cultural events to be organised in the community and such other happy things that are important markers of a communistic self. Lest residents worry about the theft of their data, app makers usually sign a non-disclosure agreement with apartment managements assuring that their data would not be shared by third parties. However, app makers do not mandate that the users of their data, apartment managements that frame general rules of everyday governance in the first instance, give similar assurances to persons on whom these technologies would be used. Therefore, what we have is a large inventory of unconsented database of persons, with no principles of oversight about how the data might be used. It should surprise no one that this dataset maps onto class to begin with, but can easily be used to create lists along religious or caste lines to engender enclaves of exclusion and/or align them with purported concerns of national security. With this, let me move to discussing how technology impinges on relations of gender. A leading gatekeeping app tells us that it can not only provide all the assistance one might need to find domestic helps, but its algorithmic calculations can also predict when a help might take a day off. With caricatured figures of women standing next to their tall mobiles on the web page of the app about domestic helps, the assumption is that the app is every middle-class womans friend. It would be helpful here to think how technology aids in recreating and deepening distrustful relationships between women (employers) and women (workers), thereby perpetuating existing class narratives of labours disinclination to work. Might I also add, the app exposes, inadvertently so, how women are collaborators in the exploitation of other women. Let me explain with an example. The app allows an employer to see that a domestic help has entered the apartment complex. In the eventuality of the help not turning up for work, while being present in the complex, an employer can mark down attendance, without having to have monthly debate, the app tells us, over the number of absent days. This would have been helpful if the worker, too, could keep a record of the number of days she worked in a house and payments to her were mandated to be paid through the apps portal. Since this is not the case, there is nothing preventing an employer from getting work done and not paying her help. Thus the app principally works towards securing the employer against any charges of non-payment of dues to a domestic help. Since it is women of the house who engage with domestic helps, given division of labour inside most familial units, there is some merit in thinking how middle-class women become complicit in exploiting other women and are not, therefore, pure victims of some universalised patriarchy. The one-way rating of helps, for helps cannot rate their employers or give any feedback, can easily work towards ensuring that a persons chances of finding alternative employment are compromised by a vindictive employer. Smaller WhatsApp groups among women of an apartment community that routinely focus on a helps performance reinforce and aggravate the dehumanising effects of gatekeeping apps. The CCTVs assist in ensuring that workers engaged in the maintenance of the premises and domestic helps take service elevators and not those meant for residents enabling, therefore, a unique system of apartheid unlikely to stand up in any court of law. But, then, who will take the managements of gated communities to court? Surely, not the already-precariously-placed labour! A generalised and rhetorical question like are women safe in the city? therefore needs further interrogation about what assumptions exist about who is threatening which women. Technological innovations, then, even if they are about securing spaces, cement existing hierarchies and create newer avenues for violence and exploitation. KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Friday sought to clarify comments he made on bribery allegations linked to AirAsia Group. A statement from Mahathir's office said he had not intended to describe the alleged bribery as offset payments and that it would be up to investigators to determine the matter. "In answering to questions by the press, he pointed out that it is normal for the government to request offset to benefit from big purchases," the statement said. Offset is a common industrial practice in which in return for buying equipment from a foreign supplier, the buyer requests the deal provide support for the domestic economy by, for example, sourcing or manufacturing components locally. "He did not say that AirAsia was benefiting from this normal practice. He said only that if the money goes to individuals that it becomes a bribe. If it is not for personal benefit then it is not a bribe in his view," the statement said. The allegations were revealed last week as part of a record $4 billion settlement Airbus agreed with France, Britain and the United States. Prosecutors said the company had bribed public officials and hidden payments as part of a pattern of worldwide corruption. AirAsia, the region's biggest budget airline, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. AirAsia co-founders Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun have, however, relinquished their executive roles for at least two months while the allegations are investigated by the company and Malaysian authorities. AirAsia runs an all-Airbus fleet of 274 planes and is the world's biggest customer of the A321neo single-aisle aircraft. AirAsia shares closed 6.5% higher on Friday while those of AirAsia X were up 3.9%. (Reporting by Liz Lee. Editing by Jane Merriman) Three Republicans and two Democrats are running in primary elections for the open District 5 seat on the State Board of Education, a 15-member panel that makes crucial and often controversial decisions on what gets taught at public schools. Ken Mercer of San Antonio, a conservative Republican, is not seeking reelection after holding the seat for 14 years. The board defines curriculum standards for the public schools, and its debates sometimes track national culture war issues along party lines. The District 5 candidates positions this year generally reflect that division. Mercer himself has said he doubts the existence of climate change, favors teaching creationism and believes the U.S. Constitution does not provide for separation of church and state. Early voting begins Feb. 18 for the March 3 primaries. The winners in each party will face each other in the Nov. 3 general election. The district stretches from rural Southeast Bexar County through much of the North Side of San Antonio, taking in the cities of Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills and Olmos Park, and extends all the way to San Saba, including part of Austin. It has consistently voted for Republicans but now is seen as competitive because a tiny majority of its voters chose Hillary Clinton for president in 2016, according to Texas Legislative Council data. Mercer has endorsed Lani Popp, 60, a Republican candidate who works for the Northside Independent School District as a speech pathologist. Also seeking the GOP nomination is Inga Cotton, 43, founder and executive director of San Antonio Charter Moms, and Robert Morrow, 55, a self-employed investor considered an extremist provocateur who nevertheless briefly led the Travis County Republican Party. Asked about a 2018 argument that embroiled the state board, Popp told the Express-News editorial board last month that slavery was a major, but not the only, cause of the Civil War. Many people fought in the South, not for slavery but for economic reasons, Popp said. The South was still an agrarian society, and so I think maybe thats part of the secession. There was already a difference in the lifestyles of the people. Cotton said its important for the state to give guidance, but individual districts and schools should have some flexibility in choosing which curriculum materials to use. Required Reading: Get San Antonio education news sent directly to your inbox Trying to be super specific at the state level about how exactly the Civil War should be taught, I dont think thats a useful exercise, she said. I think its important that students come away from a lesson on the Civil War understanding that there were different interests on different sides, that obviously slavery was a central issue. Popp and Cotton said evolution, creationism and intelligent design should all be allowed in the science curriculum. Popp said she personally believes in creationism. Theres some flaws in evolution, she said. I think it would be smart to present that, too. ...Its not irrefutable. Cotton said students should be taught evolution because genetics and medical science are based on it. If a school wants to supplement that and teach creationism in addition to that, I think thats part of that school expressing their culture, Cotton said. On a curriculum topic the state board is to debate and revise this year, Cotton said parents should be able to opt out of sex education for their children, but said offering the information is important for public health. Teen pregnancies can have a big impact on peoples future life, Cotton said. Its very hard to lift yourself out of poverty if you have an unplanned teen pregnancy. Popp said she wants students to know about sexually transmitted infections, but ultimately parents have the right to decide how permissive to be about their childrens sexual activity. Were walking on a very shaky ridge when were telling kids how to have sex instead of the health behind it, and to the extent that were telling them, how graphic we are and how early we start, Popp said. If a neighbor cant show your kid pictures of people having sex, even drawings of people having sex, why are schools doing that? On ExpressNews.com: State Board of Education member takes job with charter school The State Board of Education has the authority to veto new charter schools, a decision that became contentious last year when The San Antonio Preparatory Charter School applied to open on the Northeast Side. The charter won a narrow vote after a board argument over which neighborhoods need charter schools. Cotton said charters sometimes open in neighborhoods with high-performing schools because most of the interested families live there. Those charters arent as economically diverse as they should be because they cant bus people in from other parts of the city, so the Legislature could appropriate transportation money for charters to make the system more equitable, she said. Popp, who works at Kuentz Elementary in Helotes, said shes seen children leave for charters because theyre being bullied, or they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and want smaller classes. There are kids who go to charter schools for a lot of reasons, Popp said. Its a parent choice, just like home schooling is and private school is. Popp has five grown children. She said they went to public and private schools. Three are now teachers at traditional public schools, while another teaches at a co-op in the Hill Country. Cottons children go to Great Hearts Monte Vista, a charter school. Morrow, who Republicans were able to oust in 2016 as the partys Travis County chairman because he had announced he was running for president, said in a recent interview that he wanted to cut public education funding and teach every student the false notion that then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson killed President John F. Kennedy. In the Democratic primary, Rebecca Bell-Metereau, 70, a film professor at Texas State University, faces Letti Bresnahan, 60, manager of continuing medical education at UT Health San Antonio. This is Bell-Metereaus fourth time running for the seat. Four years ago, she came within four percentage points of beating Mercer. Bresnahan hasnt run for the state board before. She served on North East ISDs board of trustees for eight years, including stints as vice president and president. Bell-Metereau said Texas idea of age-appropriate sex education differs from much of the industrialized world. We need to start much earlier, she said. Some girls are starting their periods when theyre eight or nine, and we need to really have a serious sex ed curriculum and lower our teen pregnancy rate. Bresnahan said she supported comprehensive, factual, age-appropriate sex ed and noted her children started with maturation films in the fourth or fifth grade. Bell-Metereau also said students need to be educated about global warming, adding, If we dont do something about it within the next ten years, we may be looking at the end of life as we know it.. On ExpressNews.com: State Board rejects attempt to remove creationism from curriculum Both Democrats said the state needs to step up scrutiny of charter schools. Bresnahan said the states funding of traditional and charter schools can be inefficient, and she criticized charters that are managed for the benefit of for-profit companies, calling them less transparent. If the needs of the community are being met in that area (where a charter wants to locate), I would seriously consider vetoing that charter, Bresnahan said. Both candidates praised the state boards recent addition of ethnic studies courses and proposed more, citing significant Asian-American and Muslim populations in parts of the state. Theres no German who doesnt know about the history of fascism in Germany, and weve got a history of slavery, Bell-Metereau said. Weve got a history of colonialism. ...History shouldnt be like cheerleading. Bresnahan voted against changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School when she was North East ISD board president. Trustees changed the name two years later, when she was off the board. Bresnahan said she was reluctant to go against the superintendent, who favored keeping the name. I saw both sides of the story, I really did, she said. I think we just werent ready yet. Bell-Metereaus two grown daughters started out in Montessori school, then switched to and graduated from public schools in San Marcos. All three of Bresnahans grown children attended and graduated from public schools. Alia Malik covers several school districts and the Alamo Colleges District in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | amalik@express-news.net | Twitter: @AliaAtSAEN Alia Malik covers several school districts and the Alamo Colleges District in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | amalik@express-news.net | Twitter: @AliaAtSAEN Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marina Depetris and Marine Pennetier (Reuters) Les Contamines-Montjoie and Paris, France Sun, February 9, 2020 06:36 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2063596f2 2 World coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,health-concerns,health-issues,ski-resorts,Alpine Free Five British nationals including a child have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus at a French mountain village, and health officials said they were checking who else might have been exposed, including at local schools. In total, 11 people, including the five who tested positive, have been hospitalized in southeastern France and were being examined, the French health ministry said on Saturday, adding that none were in serious condition. The group of Britons included holidaymakers and a family currently residing in the Alpine village and ski resort, Les Contamines-Montjoie. They shared neighboring apartments in a chalet and temporarily hosted a British man believed to have contracted the virus at a business congress in Singapore before his short visit to France in late January, the ministry added. Two schools would be shut next week for checks, regional health official Jean-Yves Grall said, after it emerged that the nine-year-old who tested positive had attended lessons and French classes in different establishments. Two other children were also part of the group of 11 now in hospital in the cities of Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Grenoble, and they had been schooled in the area too, according to Etienne Jacquet, mayor of Les Contamines-Montjoie. Some parents in the village, nestled in the mountains close to the Mont Blanc peak and the Swiss city of Geneva, said on Saturday they had received little information so far and were being cautious. "Our children were meant to go to a concert tonight, we took the decision not to take them to not expose other people," said Beatrice Louvier, adding that her 10-year-old daughter was in the same classroom as one of the three British children. The cases coincide with one of the busiest periods of the ski season for area resorts, as schools in the Paris region begin mid-term holidays. British schools are also on half-term break later this month. Health officials said they were trying to determine who had come into prolonged and close contact with the British group. Several tourists who had just arrived in Les Contamines-Montjoui brushed off the risks and said they would see through their holidays. "The percentage chance of getting infected is not really high," said Frenchman Stanislas Des Courtis, who was visiting with his two teenage sons. "The ski area is big, and there are not so many places where (people) can gather here all together." But local resident Catherine Davout, who helps manage flat rentals in the area, said she had already had several cancellations. The new cases emerged after authorities began to retrace the travels of a British man who has been confirmed by Britain to have contracted the virus, French health officials said. They had formed "a cluster, a grouping around one original case", according to Health Minister Agnes Buzyn, who identified the person as a Briton who had returned from Singapore and stayed in France between Jan. 24 and 28. The French government said Singaporean authorities were looking into a business congress that took place in a hotel there on Jan. 20-23 and was attended by 94 foreigners, including the British man at the center of the Alpine cases. As of Saturday, Singapore had 40 cases of the virus. Of the 11 total cases in France, earlier ones include an 80-year-old Chinese man in a serious condition, while the others have shown signs of improvement, according to medical officials. The epidemic began in Wuhan in China and the vast majority of cases have been in China. By Hugh Bleemer Community Relations Manager, The Hickman Balance disorders are among the most common reasons that older adults seek help from a doctor. One in three Americans over age 65 will fall every year according to parentgiving.com. A balance disorder is a disturbance that causes you to feel unsteady, lightheaded or as if you or the room is spinning. Balance disorders can be due to a disturbance in the inner ear, but they can also be caused by visual problems, skeletal problems or nerve problems, says Lawrence Meiteles, MD, medical director of The Balance Center of Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt. Kisco, NY. The 5 most common balance problems are: 1) Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) According to The National Institute of Health (NIH), BPPV is one of the most common types of balance disorders. Few people have probably heard of it, but keep an eye out for it. Its primary symptom is intense vertigo when moving your head. 2) Menieres Disease This is a condition in which the fluid inside the labyrinth (the part of the inner ear responsible for balance) increases. Menieres Disease affects both balance and hearing. Symptoms include vertigo, hearing loss that comes and goes, a roaring sound and a sensation of fullness in the ears. 3) Labyrinthitis When the inner ear becomes infected or inflamed, such as from a viral upper respiratory infection (e.g. flu), the result can be vertigo or loss of balance. 4) Other Health Conditions Certain health issues can also result in balance problems. Some types of tumors can affect balance. In addition, long term medical conditions that impact the nervous system can affect balance. Some examples are Parkinsons Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, circulation problems, arthritis in the neck and Alzheimers Disease. 5) Ramsey Hunt Syndrome While rarer than the diseases mentioned above, Ramsey Hunt Syndrome occurs when the shingles virus has attacked the vestibular nerve in the ear, one of the most important nerves related to balance. Those who suffer from occasional issues with balance should not rush to diagnose themselves. Besides the above listed conditions, there are many other causes for balance issues such as, side effects from medications. The ability to balance decreases with age, but losing your balance is not a normal part of aging. Most balance disorders can be treated, and many falls can be prevented. If you or someone you know is dealing with consistent balance disorder, contact a medical professional for assistance. Promoting Senior Wellness is provided by The Hickman, a Quaker-affiliated licensed personal care home in West Chester. This column was written by Hugh Bleemer, Community Relations Manager. Some Republican senators urged the White House not to fire to EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland because they believed it looked bad doing so right after the Senate impeachment trial. Senators Martha McSally of Arizona, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Susan Collins of Maine were some of the politicians who recommended Sondland leave on his own terms, it was reported. Sondland testified against President Donald Trump last year but the leader was acquitted on both counts Thursday. The New York Times reported on Saturday that Republicans tried to stop Trump from firing Sondland and Sunday sources told CNN that they had noted it would be unnecessary as Sondland was already in talks with senior officials about making an exit. Some Republican senators urged the White House not to fire to EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland. They reportedly believed it looked bad right after the Senate impeachment trial Senators (left to right) Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, Ron Johnson, and Martha McSally were some of the politicians who recommended Sondland leave on his own terms CNN reports that Trump and Sondland's close relationship fell apart over the impeachment. Sources claim the diplomat 'effectively had Trump on speed-dial previously but they haven't spoken since Sondland appeared before Congress in the House trial where Trump was impeached. A person close to the situation also said Sondland had been removed from his duties of overseeing the Ukraine before he was fired on Friday. But a top Trump advisor who remained anonymous told CNN that the ousting of Sondland and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman - the top Ukraine expert at the National Security Council was to send a message out that siding against POTUS wouldn't be tolerated. Vindman testified at Trump's impeachment inquiry on November 19, while Sondland delivered his damning testimony the following day. The adviser called it 'flushing out the pipes,' and told CNN 'it was necessary'. They had noted it would be unnecessary as Sondland was already in talks with senior officials about making an exit. Gordon Sondland was fired on Friday after he testified in the impeachment inquiry (pictured) Sondland released a statement on Friday night which read: 'I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately'. The statement continued: 'I am grateful to President Trump for having given me the opportunity to serve, to Secretary Pompeo for his consistent support, and to the exceptional and dedicated professionals at the U.S. Mission to the European Union. 'I am proud of our accomplishments. Our work here has been the highlight of my career.' Sondland told lawmakers there was a 'quid pro quo' at play in U.S. policy toward the Ukraine. The ambassador, who Trump put in charge of relations with the Ukraine, said it was his understanding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request for a White House meeting with Trump was contingent upon his opening investigations into the Bidens and the 2016 election. Sondland said he was not told why U.S. aid to the Ukraine was put on hold but said he guessed that was part of the 'quid pro quo.' Republicans point out the Ukraine did get the aid although Democrats argue that happened only after it was revealed Trump was holding it up. Trump responded by claiming he 'barely knows' Sondland. The bombshell announcement came just hours after Trump fired Vindman from the National Security Council after the Army officer testified against him during the impeachment inquiry. Vindman oversaw American policy on the Ukraine in his role on the NSC. Vindman was escorted out of the building and told his services were no longer needed, CNN reported. A top Trump advisor who remained anonymous told CNN that the ousting of Sondland and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (pictured)- the top Ukraine expert at the National Security Council was to send a message out that siding against POTUS wouldn't be tolerated On Saturday, Trump defended the firing of Vindman, who testified in the House impeachment inquiry. 'Fake News @CNN & MSDNC keep talking about Lt. Col. Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was,' Trump wrote in a tweet on Saturday morning, purposely conflating MSNBC with the Democratic National Committee. 'Actually, I dont know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I dont believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly, & was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information,' he continued. 'In other words, OUT,' Trump concluded. He is spending the weekend at the White House after dramatically firing Vindman and EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland on Friday. Vindman's attorney fired back in a statement, saying: 'The president this morning made a series of obviously false statements concerning Lieutenant Colonel Vindman; the conflict with the clear personnel record and the entirety of the impeachment record of which the President is well aware.' 'While the most powerful man in the world continues his campaign of intimidation, while too many entrusted with political office continue to remain silent, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military,' continued the statement from attorney David Pressman, a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner. Earlier in the day, Vindman's attorney, David Pressman, released a statement about his client's firing from the White House. 'Today, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President'. 'He does so having spoken publicly once, and only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress.' He indicated Vindman was fired for his testimony to the House. 'There is no question in the mind of any American why this man's job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House,' Pressman said. Vindman's twin brother Yevgeny Vindman, a National Security Council attorney, walked off the White House grounds alongside him. He was also fired. Earlier in the day, the president did not deny the reports of Alexander Vindman's imminent dismissal. 'I'm not happy with him. Am I supposed to be happy with him? I'm not,' he said to reporters at the White House on Friday who asked him about Vindman. Vindman, a Ukrainian immigrant whose father brought his family to the United States from the former Soviet Union, testified in the House impeachment inquiry after receiving a subpoena from Congress. Vindman was the first White House aide who was on the July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to testify in the inquiry. Dressed in his full Army dress uniform, he told lawmakers that he believed Trump acted 'improper' on the call. At the time of the call, Vindman reported his concerns that President Trump asked Zelensky to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden, particularly Hunter's work for the Ukrainian gas company Burisma. 'I was concerned by the call. I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. Government's support of Ukraine. I realized that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the Bidens and Burisma, it would likely be interpreted as a partisan play which would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing the bipartisan support it has thus far maintained. This would all undermine U.S. national security,' he told House investigators. Additionally, White House aides are now reportedly weighing to remove or reassign other officials who testified. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. The cool thing that we have going for us is we set this precedent that were not tied to a category or vertical, Whaley said. We did the Jesus shoes and everyone knows us for that, and then we shut it down. We will never do it again. People are like, Wait, why wouldnt you double down on that, you would have made so much money! But thats not why were here. Lisa is two years old. She often gets uneasy--shaking and sweating--especially in the morning. She vomits and refuses to eat. Her mother, Karoline, knows she has to act before Lisa starts to deteriorate. To avoid convulsions and loss of consciousness, Karoline desperately tries to give Lisa sugar-rich drinks but has to proceed with energy gel applications on Lisa's chin and today, also an intramuscular glucagon injection. Lisa improves, but it takes hours before she wants to eat and drink normally again. -It's because of the accelerated fat burn, explains Yazeid Alhaidan, PhD. Alhaidan has spent three years trying to understand the genetic background of IKH in children like Lisa. Looking for genetic explanations -Lisa's sugar deposits are somehow ineffective, so a normal night's fasting after high physical activity the day before can be enough to provoke low blood glucose (sugar) and toxic substances like acetone because of accelerated fat burn, Yazeid Alhaidan explains. -And then she gets nausea and vomits. This will not stop until she burns sugar again and her fat-burn ketones have been eliminated, and this can take several hours. Idiopathic ketotic hypoglycemia (IKH) is often relatively mild and may remain undiagnosed. Luckily it often disappears with age. But severe variants, sometimes affecting several family members, have prompted the research team at the Complex Hypoglycemia Center, Odense University Hospital, Denmark, to dive more deeply into potential new genetic explanations for this disease. Previously unknown causes of low blood sugar -We have identified four novel genes that appear to explain the IKH in at least four families, Alhaidan continues. -I searched in all 22,000 genes in the human genome and was lucky to be able to pinpoint mutations in NCOR1, IGF2BP1, SGLT2, and NEK11 in four families with IKH. These genes are related in different ways to glucose metabolism and may well be previously unknown causes of low blood sugar. Known genetic causes were identified in four other families while no mutations were found in nine families. First step towards new drugs -Every gene involved in glucose metabolism and low blood sugar is of high interest for diabetes research, says Henrik Thybo Christesen, professor in pediatric endocrinology and leader of the Complex Hypoglycemia Center. To understand the genetics in children like Lisa may be the first step in designing a novel drug against diabetes. -In type 2 diabetes, you want to lower the blood sugar. If you can design a drug that acts like the mutation in patients like Lisa, you may have a successful treatment, provided the blood sugar doesn't get too low and the side effects are acceptable, explains Professor Christesen. More studies needed Molecular biologist and associate professor Klaus Brusgaard, who has led the study,calls for caution. Although the mutations in the four novel genes seem to be severe and potentially disease-causing, more studies are needed to show their exact functional significance. -If other researchers can find mutations in the same genes in other patients, this will also be helpful. Until then, we can only call them candidate genes. Our study may be the first of many to identify novel genetic explanations for IKH--which may also end up being split into many specific diseases. And each novel disease may have its own treatment. That's what we call precision medicine, Dr Brusgaard explains. Facts: The study was published February 7, 2020 in the journal Scientific Reports, http://www. nature. com/ articles/ s41598-020-58845-3. The Complex Hypoglycemia Center at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, is a national and international center for multidisciplinary treatment and research in complex hypoglycemia, including congenital hyperinsulinism, ketotic hypoglycemia, and insulinoma. The research continues in work by postdoc Yazeid Alhaidan and two PhD students, along with international collaborations. Related family organizations include Ketotic Hypoglycemia International and Congenital Hyperinsulinism International. Note: The patient Lisa and her mother Karoline have been anonymized. ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- Former Vice President Joe Biden intensified his warning to Democrats that nominating Sen. Bernie Sanders could lead to a stinging defeat in November, but he vowed to "work like hell" to help elect the Vermont senator if that's who wins the party's nomination. Biden, facing the possibility of yet another disappointing finish in this week's New Hampshire primary, and coming off what he described as a "gut punch" by placing fourth in the Iowa caucuses, insisted that he is not "writing off the state," despite his overt attempt at Friday night's debate to downplay expectations for his performance. "When you're running against two people who are neighboring senators, you know the deal," Biden said at the debate, co-hosted by ABC News and WMUR-TV at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. "Bernie won here, the neighboring senator, by 20 points last time. So I, I think, it is an uphill fight. But I think it's a fight we'll do well in." Since heading to the Granite State ahead of Tuesday's primary, Biden continued his pointed attacks on former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, noting his lack of experience and paltry support within the African American community, and on Sanders, for calling himself a "Democratic Socialist." 'It's gonna go all the way down the line': Biden on Sanders' down ballot effect Following a debate that featured numerous confrontations between Biden and Sanders over health care, foreign policy and electability, Biden again warned that nominating the self-avowed socialist is too risky. "I think it's gonna be incredibly more difficult. I'm not gonna say we -- look, if I don't get the nomination and Bernie gets it, I'm gonna work like hell for him. But I tell you what, it's a bigger uphill climb, running as a senator or a congressperson or as a governor on a ticket that calls itself a Democratic socialist ticket," Biden told ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos in an exclusive interview. Biden, as he has done during recent stump speeches, argued that nominating Sanders would force Democrats up and down the ballot to cope with the potential downside of being associated with "a socialist," a label President Donald Trump could attack and exploit. "It's gonna go all the way down the line. That's what's gonna happen. You gonna win in North Carolina? You gonna win in Pennsylvania? You gonna win in those states? In the Midwest?" Biden continued. "I didn't put the label on Bernie. Bernie calls himself a Democratic socialist." Biden on Buttigieg: 'Barack Obama was a different story' Biden also continued to criticize Buttigieg, telling Stephanopoulos that although he liked the former mayor, he wasn't sure whether the 38-year-old had enough experience for the nation's top job. "Pete Buttigieg has been nothing more -- he's a good guy, I like him and he's a smart guy -- but he's been the mayor of a city smaller than the city we're in now," Biden said. "And so what has he done? What has -- who has -- he pulled together? Does he know any of the foreign leaders?" Biden stressed his criticism wasn't an offensive tactic, rather defensive, following Buttigieg's assertion that the former vice president is simply using the "same Washington playbook" against Trump leading up to the 2020 election. "Let's get somethin' straight here," Biden continued. "I didn't attack Pete. Pete's been attacking me. He's been saying the reason we're in the problem we're in now is because of the recent past. That's eight years of Obama and me. I don't get that. I don't understand that. And I think he has completely misunderstood or misrepresented my record." When pressed by Stephanopoulos about his previous assessment in 2007 that then-senator Barack Obama didn't have the experience needed to be president, Biden pushed back on any comparison of Obama to Buttigieg. "I mean, Barack Obama was a different story. Barack Obama came from a large state, he was a United States senator and he had run before," Biden said. "He had a clear vision of what he thought the world should look like, and so on. ... It's a very different situation." Trump's acquital was 'the worst thing' Biden, reacting to the Senate's decision earlier this week to acquit Trump on charges that he abused his power and obstructed Congress' investigation into whether or not he pressured Ukraine's president to open an investigation into Biden and the 2016 election, said he worried the verdict has only emboldened the president. "The worst thing that happened was acquitting Trump, when they acknowledged that he interfered," Biden said. "... to try to get a foreign power to say something negative about me or my son. The foreign leader wouldn't do it. ... And so look what's happened. I'm worried this guy's got just a free pass now on anybody." Despite his own personal frustration over Trump's attacks on his family, particularly his son, Hunter, Biden said he can't allow his "anger" to get in the way of his campaign message. "I can't let my anger overcome the desire, the need to have to unite, heal this country," Biden said." I've gotta move beyond me, beyond my family, because this is about your families. It's about everybody else's family. Not mine." Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-CDC via AP, File In this illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The government has made plans to release urgent funds to the research community to study the spread of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Two more cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in British Columbia, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control. CTV News reports the cases, which brings B.C.'s total number of cases to four, had been previously reported as presumptive cases on Thursday. On Saturday, the BC CDC updated those cases confirmed by the National Microbiology Lab. The latest coronavirus patients are visitors from China's Hubei province and have been staying with a B.C. woman who was identified as the province's second coronavirus patient. Provincial health officials said on Thursday that they are "quite confident" the woman caught the coronavirus from one of her visitors. The two people whose cases have been confirmed as a man and a woman in their 30s. The three cases and all close contacts remain in isolation, according to B.C.'s Ministry of Health. At a press conference on Thursday, B.C.'s chief health officer, Bonnie Henry, dismissed speculation that the B.C. woman could have been infected while her visitors were asymptomatic. She said the suspected source of the infection had been suffering "relatively mild" symptoms and had not sought medical attention. In a statement on Thursday, Health Minister Adrian Dix called for tolerance and for British Columbians to come together to help one another. Health officials continue to stress that the best way to prevent respiratory illnesses is to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cough or sneeze into your elbow sleeve, dispose of tissues properly and stay home if you are sick. If residents think they may have been exposed to the coronavirus or are experiencing symptoms, they can call 811 for health information. - With files from CTV News Vancouver Mahatma Gandhi fought for the unity of India for every moment of his public life and never accepted that the country could be divided on religious lines, former President Pranab Mukherjee said here on Sunday. Gandhijis whole life was dedicated to Hindu-Muslim unity... Gandhiji is not just the father of our nation, he was also the maker of our nation... he was the moral vector to guide our action by the measure by which we are judged, Mukherjee said at the launch of veteran journalist M J Akbars new book Gandhis Hinduism - The Struggle Against Jinnahs Islam that chronicles the endgame that led to the partition of the subcontinent in 1947 and the creation of Pakistan. Noting that communal unity and harmony is the bedrock of Indias strength and the key to its glorious future, Mukherjee said Gandhi believed in the intrinsic power of Hinduism of assimilation, evaluation and adaptation, as it was inclusive and offered space for the presence of people from every faith. Gandhiji had declared that no faith could be in danger in India because India had always been the homeland for every faith, Mukherjee said. To this end, the book strongly emphases the fact that Gandhiji fought for the unity of India for every moment of his public life, rejecting the conventional explanation that partition would be a solution to the communal problem (created by the British), noting at a prayer meeting a month before Partition that this would lead to a conflict between India and Pakistan, Mukherjee said. He believed Pakistan would hurt Muslims more than they appreciated. He thought (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah was suffering from an illusion when he imagined that an unnatural division of India could bring either happiness or prosperity to Pakistan, Mukherjee maintained. This was a view shared by Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, a stalwart of the freedom movement, who issued a statement that he had come to the conclusion that Pakistan is harmful not only for India as a whole but for Muslims in particular, Mukherjee said, quoting from the book. Gandhi wanted Indias unity at any price and Jinnah wanted partition at any cost, he added. Cameroon votes Sunday in polls overshadowed both by separatist violence, which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and a partial opposition boycott. Elections for the central African countrys legislature and local councils are taking place for the first time in seven years, after two postponements. Despite the delays, campaigning has been low key. In the capital Yaounde, the few banners put up by the ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (RDPC in its French initials) are barely more numerous than posters calling on people to pick up their litter. The RDPC supports President Paul Biya, one of the worlds oldest and longest-serving leaders, who has ruled with a steely fist for 37 of his 86 years. The main opposition party, the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) is refusing to field a single candidate. Its leader, Maurice Kamto, spent nine months in jail after his defeat in 2018 presidential elections and is now abroad. We could have had a few seats in parliament and some town councillors, but how would that enable us to influence events in Cameroon? Kamto said in an interview with AFP in Paris last month. I would have voted for the MRC but on Sunday Im going to stay at home, a young Yaounde voter, who gave his name as Xavier, told AFP. The boycott will all but guarantee a crushing victory for the RDPC, which in the outgoing legislature had 148 out of 180 seats. Wheres the opposition? was the whimsical question aired by a local RDPC chief, Augustin Tsafack, on the sidelines of a party rally in Yaounde. The other large opposition party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), which currently has 18 seats, will take part in Sundays vote, going back on a threat to snub it. Violence Cameroon is struggling with two conflicts. In two English-speaking regions in the west, the armed forces are battling separatists who want to secede from the majority French-speaking country. The 28-month conflict has claimed more than 3,000 lives and caused more than 700,000 people to flee, according to tolls compiled by NGOs. Story continues How can the state guarantee security for elections in the anglophone regions, given that some towns are now inaccessible by road? an independent observer from one of these regions asked at a meeting of the electoral commission in Yaounde on Wednesday. The SDF traditionally draws much of its support from the anglophone regions but now fears that it has been outflanked by the radicalsand says its candidates there have come under attack. Similar worries are being voiced for the safety of polling stations in Cameroons Far North region, which has been battered by Boko Haram jihadists crossing from Nigeria. The government on Friday announced that all of Cameroons borders would be closed until Monday, and shops and drink outlets had to close on polling day. City power Municipal elections will also take place, something that has excited most media interest given the seemingly inevitable outcome of legislative vote. Some cities, including Douala, the countrys economic hub, could swing to the opposition, according to some forecasts. City chiefs are to gain powers under measures taken in December to decentralise some authority out of Yaounde. The reforms have been triggered by the anglophone crisis although they fall far short of meeting the separatists demands. The stakes (on Sunday) are local, said Stephane Akoa, a researcher at the Paul Ango Ela think tank in Yaounde. Things are going to change, he said. Mayors who arent ready will pay the price. (AFP) The Pennsylvania Equine Coalition on Sunday staged a rally to buck Gov. Tom Wolfs recent proposal to gut a program that benefits racing and instead use the money to help students with college tuition. The criticism from the industry and its supporters isnt over the governors desire to help college students. But rather, they say the move to take $204 million from a $250-million fund would result in the end of horse racing in Pennsylvania by eviscerating the primary funding source for the purses and breeder incentives that serve as the lifeblood of the industry, according to Pete Peterson, executive director of the coalition. Sundays rally from noon to 3 p.m. at the Equistar Farm in Annville, was planned to fight back, and raise awareness of the consequences of Wolfs proposal. In rolling out the idea last week, Wolf said during his budget address: Lets bet on our kids instead of bankrolling race horse owners. The legislature would need to approve the transfer of the public dollars going to purse winnings, and redirect them to this scholarship program. The rally featured several people involved in the horse racing industry, including breeders, veterinarians, farmers, horse racing association leadership and Pennsylvania legislators. As an added bonus, legendary Pennsylvania-bred racehorse Smarty Jones was there, among other horses. The Wolf administration anticipates the program would help at least 25,000 students annually pay their tuition and related costs after other financial aid sources are deducted. The catch is for every year, up to six years, that a student receives need-based assistance, they must remain in the commonwealth or the scholarship converts to a loan. But Peterson said losing the fund would devastate an industry that provides $1.6 billion in economic impact and supports 16,000 or more jobs in agriculture, manufacturing , construction, retail and hospitality industries. Newly elected Sen. Dave Arnold, R-Lebanon, said the Republican-led Legislature is deeply troubled about the impact of proposed cuts to the Race Horse Development fund. The good news, Arnold said, was that the budget proposal was just that: a proposal. There is plenty of work to still be done, Arnold said. READ: With 4 homicides, Harrisburg sees its deadliest start in years Los Angeles, Feb 9 : With the 92nd annual Academy Awards less than 24 hours away, the anticipation about who will take home a gold statuette is high. Many feel "1917" winning the Best Film is a foregone conclusion, as is Joaquin Phoenix's taking home Best Actor for "Joker" and Renee Zellweger's scooping up the Best Actress trophy for "Judy". Most pundits are also confident Sam Mendes will win Best Director for "1917", Brad Pitt will walk away with Best Supporting Actor for "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" and Laura Dern will be Best Supporting Actress for "Marriage Story". The Korean film "Parasite", it is being widely touted, will win Best Foreign Film on the starry night. Have the Oscars indeed become that predictable, so much so that winners can be 'declared' weeks before the event? Most industry watchers would attribute the trait to the series of big-ticket awards ceremonies that have started enjoying the global spotlight over the past decade, in an age of information overload. Academy Awards ceremonies in recent years have tended to repeat the results we have seen at such events, particularly the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. Most punters have hedged their bets about this year's winners based on the results at these awards. When it comes to Hollywood, however, there can always be scope for surprises. Filmmaker Todd Phillips' "Joker", an original story about superhero Batman's biggest enemy Joker, leads the Oscar nominations with 11 nods, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Sam Mendes' World War drama "1917", Quentin Tarantino's ode to Los Angeles "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood", and Martin Scorsese's mob epic "The Irishman" follow close behind with 10 nods each. Those films, along with "Ford v Ferrari", "Jojo Rabbit", "Little Women", "Marriage Story" and "Parasite" will compete for Best Picture. Female filmmakers were entirely shut out of the Best Director race. Along with Phillips, the nominees in the category include Scorsese for "The Irishman," Mendes for "1917", Tarantino for "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" and Bong Joon Ho for "Parasite". According to forbes.com, "1917", which collected the Golden Globe for Best Drama and the BAFTA for Best Film, is the favourite for a big win, including Best Picture and Best Director. Inspired by the stories that Oscar-winning director Mendes' grandfather told him, "1917" is about two young Lance Corporals, Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) during the First World War, who are given an almost impossible mission. Racing against time, they must deliver a message deep inside enemy territory. The message is important to stop their own men -- including Blake's brother -- from walking into a death trap. Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite", which tells the story about greed and class discrimination which threatens the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan, is expected to sneak in and win big. In the acting race, Joaquin Phoenix's transformation into a mentally unstable loner and failed comedian Arthur Fleck in "Joker" is expected to get him an Oscar. He has won a Golden Globe and BAFTA this year for the movie. Renee Zellweger is also said to be a big winner of the night for her film "Judy". Meanwhile, Laura Dern of "Marriage Story" and Brad Pitt of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" are set to clinch the supporting titles. It is believed that filmmaker Taika Waititi will pick up the honour in the Adapated Screenplay category for "JoJo Rabbit", about a lonely German boy named Jojo and how his world view changes when he finds out that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. "Toy Story 4" is expected to pick up an Oscar in the Animated Feature category. Hildur Guonadottir might pick up in Original Score, while song "I'm gonna love me again" from "Rocketman" might also win. Tome will tell if the Oscars will follow the Globes and the BAFTAs this year, too, or spring a few new winners. The awards ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on February 9, and will air in India on February 10. Latest updates on Oscars 2020 -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has again ruled out any kind of a coalition with Sinn Fein, saying you cant force a coalition any more than you can force a marriage. Speaking at the count centre in Dublin West, Mr Varadkar was commenting following a difficult day for his party which is expected to lose up to a dozen seats. Mr Varadkar had to suffer the ignominy by becoming the first Taoiseach in history not to top the poll in his constituency and he failed to get elected on 1st count in Dublin West, coming behind Sinn Fein's Paul Donnolly who was ahead of the Taoiseach by 4,000 votes. Responding, Mary Lou McDonald said the two other major parties, which up until this point have ruled out doing a deal with Sinn Fein, are "in a state of denial" and are still not listening to the public. She said Saturday's poll represented significant change and she will now be working to form a Government. "I want us to have ideally a Government with no Fianna Fail or no Fine Gael in it. I have started the contact with other parties to explore over the next few days whether or not that is a possibility. "We've been in touch with the Greens, with the Social Democrats with People Before Profit and there are others. Like I said throughout the campaign, and I meant it when I said it, we need change we need a new government, the best outcome is a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail so that's the first thing that I want to test whether or not that is possible. "I also have consistently said that I will talk to and listen to everybody. I think that's what grown ups do. I think that's what democracy demands." Hitting out at Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar who have both repeatedly ruled out going into power with Sinn Fein, she said: "I do not accept the exclusion or talk of excluding our party - a party that represents almost a quarter of the electorate, I think this is fundamentally undemocratic." McDonald who comfortably topped the poll in Dublin Central added: "The extraordinary thing is that it seems that the political establishment, and by that I mean Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are still in a state of denial, and they're still not listening to what the people have said and I want us to have a government for the people." Integrated facilities management firm Embassy Services is eyeing USD 500 million (around Rs 3,500 crore) of topline in the next five years, on the back of rising demand for third-party service providers by enterprises, a senior company official said. Facilities management (FM) is a professional management discipline focused on efficient and effective delivery of support services to organisations. "The company began its operations as a facilities management services provider for Embassy Group's residential and commercial portfolio. Over the period, we have evolved and we are now offering services to other enterprises as well," company's CEO and Managing Director Pradeep Lala told PTI. According to industry estimates, the FM market in India is expected to grow at around 17 per cent to cross USD 19 billion mark in next five years. "There is a lot of scope not just in the commercial office space segment but also in the industrial and warehousing sectors. Apart from this, real estate developers are also engaging with FM services providers for complete maintenance of their projects. This gives us confidence of achieving USD 500 million of topline by 2025," he said. Founded in 1995, ESPL delivers end to end, integrated facility management and property management services to over 150 customers across 70 million sqft across the country. ESPL's current revenue stands at USD 200 million and is present in 14 cities. "By 2025, we plan to expand our presence to 30 cities covering a total of 200 million sqft of space," Lala added. ESPL manages facilities for some of the most reputed brands in BFSI, IT, engineering, manufacturing, consulting, research, e-commerce, healthcare, retail, telecom and technology. Lala further said the company will continue to invest in its manpower services business segment 'TCFM' for hiring talented professionals to take care of facilities and assets of its customers. "The facility management market is in its growing stage. Adoption of disruptive technologies such as IoT and analytics, and robots and drones in the facility management area has changed the landscape of the business," he said. TCFM has a manpower of 7,000 trained personnel which it plans to increase to 50,000 by 2025.He, however, did not divulge how much the company would be investing for this. "The TCFM business has a revenue of Rs 150 crore, which we expect to go up to Rs 1,000 crore by 2025," Lala added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first time I decided I was going to get lip filler was after a friend of mine sent a photo of Kendall Jenner to a group chat on Instagram. It didn't take long for a flurry of messages to come in commenting on her lips. To me, they were plush and perfect; to my friends, they were "too much." "Can't people just be happy with how they look and be natural?" one friend asked. I suddenly felt defensive over a celebrity I never met - one who, for the record, has never confirmed nor denied getting lip filler before. To be fair, I've contemplated what my lips might look like with the help of injectables for years, but it wasn't until I found myself arguing for the supermodel and her decisions did I realize, maybe it's finally time to try them. A week later, I booked my appointment with Melissa Doft, M.D., a plastic surgeon in New York City. Although I, and Dr. Doft, suggest doing research before choosing the physician for your injectables, mine was a unique case. Dr. Doft is the woman responsible for my breast reduction surgery in 2018. As far as bedside manner goes, Dr. Doft has the best, so trusting her with my lips was a no-brainer. Now, it's officially been a month since first getting my lip filler and, well, I'm definitely on the bandwagon. I'm not recommending anyone get the cosmetic treatment because, frankly, you don't need them, but boy did I want them - and it was totally worth it. Just in case you are curious, Dr. Doft answered every question you need to know before getting lip injections, ahead. Then keep clicking for my personal take on the process (spoiler: I have a hot tip to reduce bruising). What Are Lip Fillers? "Most doctors in the US use hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to help plump or define the lips," said Dr. Doft. "Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that is able to absorb 1,000 times its weight in water leading to a hydrating and plumping effect." Story continues If the ingredient sounds familiar, it should; it's a naturally occurring molecule in your skin, which also makes it well-tolerable so you don't have to worry about allergic reactions. Hyaluronic acid, in a few different forms, is the standard for lip injections with several brands being FDA-approved, like Restylane Silk and Juvederm. As far as knowing which brand is right for you, your doctor will use their discretion to choose. "I favor smaller particle hyaluronic acid fillers, like Juvaderm, Vobella, Restalyne Refyne, or Belatero," Dr. Doft explained. " The smaller particle size allows me to inject closer to the surface of the lip to create definition." She adds that smaller particles are less likely to create bumps in the patient's lips (more on that later). How Should I Prepare For My Lip Filler Appointment? Luckily, there's not a whole lot you have to do to prepare for the actual appointment. However, Dr. Doft had one suggestion: "I ask patients to avoid medicines that can increase bruising for one week [before their appointment]." (Think: aspirin, Motrin, Advil, and Ibuprofen.) If you take fish oil supplements or vitamins, consider avoiding those for a week, too, to avoid bruising. Are Lip Injections Painful? Pain is subjective and usually dependent on your personal tolerance, but most people will say getting lip injections is an uncomfortable process. After all, it is a needle going into your lips. In some cases, most people find the process more painful after the fact during the week-long recovery due to soreness and swelling. With 1 million nerves in your lip, the potential to feel some discomfort is real; however Dr. Doft said she applies a very strong topical numbing cream onto the lips beforehand to reduce the pain. How Long Do Lip Fillers Last? Lip fillers can last from six to 12 months. Dr. Doft noted that most of her patients return every six months, but that she tends to inject less volume at the second appointment (and so on) for a more natural appearance. Can Lip Filler Be Removed? Yes, you can remove lip filler. (Kylie Jenner has done it before.) Dr. Doft said that it's a matter of dissolving the hyaluronic acid, which for the record, is temporary to begin with, with an enzyme called hyaluronidase. This also has to be injected into your lips in order for the filler to be "removed." The lips are well innervated, so getting lip filler removed isn't necessarily a fun experience. Some people with high thresholds for pain consider it incredibly uncomfortable, but again, this is all subjective. What Should I Expect the Day After Getting Lip Injections? "The down time is related to swelling and bruising," Dr. Doft said. "Most patients find they experience swelling during the first three to seven days." Bruising can occur, too, but usually resolves within a week. While Dr. Doft assured me that most patients don't need an anti-inflammatory post-injections, she does recommend eating pineapple or taking Arnica montana - both can reduce bruising. Additionally, lips will feel a little tender and hard after the injections, but as the hyaluronic acid absorbs water the lips will soften and feel normal again. How To Find the Right Doctor Research and consultations are key. "Look at the physician and make sure that they have a similar aesthetic to yours," Dr. Doft suggested, adding that many physicians have before and after photos or reviews online that you can check out. While Instagram is a new way to find a doctor for you, it's still important to book an in-person consultation before committing to your decision. Another helpful tip is asking a friend. If you know someone who has lip injections you admire, consider asking them for a recommendation. Just be sure that whoever you do choose is a medical professional and not an unlicensed person at a medispa you found on Groupon. How Much Does Lip Filler Cost? According to Dr. Doft, the cost depends on the amount of filler injected and, often, who is injecting them. "Doctors will often charge more than nurses or physician assistants, but the type of filler can also affect cost," she said. "Most physicians up charge for only the brand Voluma, which is used for the cheeks and not the lips." The price is also regionally dependent, so in New York lip injections can cost anywhere between $500 to $1,000. Go anywhere else in the country and it'll be about the same price, likely never exceeding $2,000. The Urban Institute has a new paper seeking better ways to identify high schools that are producing positive outcomes for historically underserved students. Using data from Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia, they find that, school quality is not a monolith. Schools that see gains on one metric do not necessarily see gains across other metrics. They find that test score gains and college enrollment rates have a correlation of just 0.13. They conclude, schools that are good at raising test scores are not necessarily the same schools that are good at preparing students to enroll in college. This is a topic near and dear to my heart. Back in 2015, I published a similar paper looking at the overlap of high school metrics in Tennessee. The traditional metrics that states use to assess high school qualitytest scores and graduation ratesare insufficient to answer the harder questions of whether high schools are preparing students to be successful in college or careers. Guest post by Chad Aldeman Watertown, NY (13601) Today Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 8F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy early with partial clearing expected late. Low around 5F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. luismmolina/iStock(MANCHESTER, N.H.) -- Less than 24 hours since she stepped off the ABC News/WMUR Democratic debate stage in Manchester, New Hampshire, Sen. Amy Klobuchars presidential campaign announced they had their most successful post-debate fundraising haul, pulling in a total of $2 million. The money coming in during the three days before the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, as the campaign looks beyond the Granite State, is critical, especially as her opponents bring in tens of millions of dollars quarter to quarter. "With proven grassroots support, Amy continues to outperform expectations and punch above her weight," campaign manager Justin Buoen said in a statement. "Following her debate performance, weve raised $2 million and have seen an outpouring of donations from all 50 states which will allow us to compete in New Hampshire and beyond." Debates have proven to be money makers for the Minnesota senator. In the hour after the ABC News debate concluded, the Klobuchar campaign tweeted they had raised $1 million. Following the MSNBC debate in December, Klobuchar also raised $1 million. And following the October debate hosted by CNN, Klobuchars campaign announced they had raised $1.1 million in the 24 hours following the debate. Just moments after the campaigns announcement, Klobuchar told an at-capacity crowd in Durham, that she was still running in the race without the money to match some of her opponents. "Let's surprise everyone and win the right way, with the right ideas, the boldest ideas, the best ideas, the way to put them into action instead of the biggest bank account or the loudest voice in the room," Klobuchar said as she wrapped her remarks. "We already have that in the White House." Klobuchar was much more direct in her jabs at her opponents Friday night. In fact, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl even called the debate "her best." "She's taking on her opponents, making contrasts, but also clearly articulating the case for her candidacy," Karl said. One of the ways she created that contrast, going after former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigiegs popularity, comparing it to President Donald Trump's in 2016. "It is much harder to lead and much harder to take those difficult positions, because I think this going after every single thing that people do because it's popular to say and makes you look like a cool newcomer," she said. "I don't think that's what people want right now. We have a newcomer in the white house and look where it got us. I think having some experience is a good thing." She didnt hold back pointing out the ideological divides between herself and her Senate colleague Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., either, saying that she thinks the country needs someone who "actually brings people with her instead of shutting them out." She was responding to a question of whether or not anyone on stage was nervous about having a Democratic Socialist at the top of the ticket. Klobuchar came in fifth last Monday in Iowa, according to the Iowa Democratic Party, which shows she still has an uphill climb in New Hampshire and beyond. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Questioning the "delay" by the EC in giving the final voter turnout figure for Delhi Assembly polls, the AAP on Sunday said it was suspicious and asked if the poll panel was waiting for BJP office's nod. "Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?" Kejriwal tweeted at around 4 pm as there was no final word on the turnout by the Election Commission. Hitting out at the Election Commission, Kejriwal's deputy and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia asked the poll panel if it was yet to receive the final voter turnout figure from the BJP office. "BJP leaders are giving the voter turnout figures and on the other hand the Election Commission has not been able to give the final voting percentage 24 hours after polling got over," Sisodia said in a tweet in Hindi. "EC is saying they are compiling data. What's going on? Are you waiting for the BJP office to give you the final figure?" Sisodia said. Late in the evening, the Election Commission announced the final voting percentage in the Delhi polls as 62.59 per cent and said there was no "delay" as the returning officers were busy with scrutiny of data throughout the night to ensure its accuracy. At a press conference earlier, AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that "something is cooking" and "a game is being played secretely". "This is perhaps the first time in the 70-year-history of country that the Election Commission is not ready to release the final figure of voter turnout. The entire country and Delhi have been waiting for the polling percentage since yesterday," he said. Final polling figure of Lok Sabha elections is released on the same day, but in case of Delhi which has just 70 assembly constituencies, the poll panel is taking so much time to come out with the voter turnout percentage. It has been 24 hours but the poll panel is yet to release its official statement, Singh said, adding that EC should should tell why there has been so much delay. Exit polls for the Delhi assembly election on Saturday forecast a comfortable victory for the ruling AAP. The Times Now-Ipsos exit polls predicted that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will retain his chair with the AAP winning 44 seats against 26 for the BJP. The Republic-Jan ki Baat survey gave the AAP 48-61 seats and the BJP 9-21 seats. The TV9 Bharatvarsh-Cicero predicted 54 seats for the AAP, 15 for the BJP and one for the Congress. The AAP had scored an overwhelming victory in the 2015 polls, winning 67 seats and reducing the BJP to three. Congress had drawn a blank. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Channel Seven's new cooking show Plate of Origin seems to be causing quite the stir - and it hasn't even aired yet. Earlier this week, it was revealed the upcoming series has hit another hurdle. According to Facebook, Seven casting agents are looking for last-minute talent. Casting call! Channel Seven's Plate of Origin is on the hunt for a Lebanese team to appear on the upcoming production. Pictured, left to right, Gary Mehigan, Manu Feildel, Matt Preston The highly-anticipated cooking program is on the hunt for a Lebanese team to appear on the upcoming production. 'I am working on a new cooking show for Channel 7 and my bosses have just announced they are disappointed that there isn't a Lebanese team,' a casting agent wrote. 'It is rather last minute but I would love to find a Lebanese team to represent the Lebanon and Lebanese community.' Last-minute: 'I am working on a new cooking show for Channel 7 and my bosses have just announced they are disappointed that there isn't a Lebanese team,' a casting agent wrote In January, TV Tonight claimed two of the show's hosts, former MasterChef judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan, hit a contractual snag. 'For contractual reasons, Seven is now unable to publicly associate Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan with the new show,' the industry website stated. Indeed, Matt and Gary have not been named or pictured in Seven's online casting call for Plate of Origin, and are instead referred to as 'two of the worlds biggest food superstars'. Setback: Seven is reportedly unable to publicly associate Matt Preston (middle) and Gary Mehigan (left) with Plate Of Origin due to 'contractual issues' with Channel 10. Also pictured: George Calombaris (right) The only host mentioned by name and pictured in the casting call is Manu Feildel. It is believed Matt and Gary's absence stems from a non-compete clause in the pair's contracts with their former employer Channel 10. Despite the setback, TV Tonight reports that Matt and Gary will still appear on the show as previously announced at Seven's Upfronts last year. This follows reports network bosses were second-guessing the show's unfortunate acronym - 'POO'. By PTI CHENNAI: DMK President MK Stalin on Sunday urged the AIADMK government to not allow the National Population Register drive in Tamil Nadu, saying any move to go ahead with it would invite "stern opposition" from the people. He also renewed DMK's demand for an anti-CAA resolution in the state assembly and said only such a move would be an "atonement" for supporting the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament. Writing to party cadres, Stalin said the AIADMK government should not allow the National Population Register exercise in Tamil Nadu under any circumstances. "If the government attempted to do it to fulfil the objective of the BJP government at the Centre, I would like to caution that it will invite strong opposition from the people," he said. ALSO READ: DMK terms PSA 'draconian,' demands release of Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti He urged the government to take steps for passing the resolution against Citizenship Amendment Act during the budget session, commencing on February 14. Thanking his party workers and cadres of alliance parties for 'active' participation in the "one crore signature campaign" against the CAA, NPR and National Register of Citizens (NRC), he said as 'expected', it has turned into a people's movement and so far it has seen over two crore signatures. On February 2, Stalin launched the campaign of the DMK- led alliance which comprise among others the Congress. It is expected to be completed soon and the signatures are to be submitted to President Ram Nath Kovind. The DMK chief, who is also the leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu, said the battle against the CAA will be taken forward if the Centre failed to reconsider its stand even after seeing the response to its signature campaign. ALSO READ: Kolkata Municipal Corporation puts Aadhaar drive on hold after anti-NPR protests According to the Home Ministry, the NPR is a register of usual residents of the country. A usual resident is defined for the purposes of NPR as a person who has resided in a local area for the past six months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next six months or more. It's objective is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars. The government has defended NPR, saying it was being updated to allow the rightful beneficiaries get the benefit of welfare schemes. Another person has tested positive for coronavirus in England, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to four. The latest patient diagnosed had come into contact with a previously confirmed UK case and is being treated at the Royal Free Hospital in London, chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said. The new case comes after another plane carrying British citizens evacuated from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan landed in Oxfordshire. The flight, with more than 200 people on board, including some foreign nationals, arrived at RAF Brize Norton shortly before 7.30am on Sunday. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was the second and final flight to be chartered by the Government and had British Government staff and military medics on board. A passenger gives a peace sign as coaches carrying the coronavirus evacuees arrive at Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, in Milton Keynes (Aaron Chown/PA) As the death toll in China from the virus rose to 811, Prof Whitty said: A further patient has tested positive for novel coronavirus in England, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to four. The new case is a known contact of a previously confirmed UK case, and the virus was passed on in France. Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. They successfully identified this individual and ensured the appropriate support was provided. The patient has been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at The Royal Free Hospital, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus. Update on #coronavirus: A further patient in England has tested positive for coronavirus bringing the total number of cases in the UK to four. The individual acquired the virus in France. Full statement from Professor Chris Whitty, @CMO_England: https://t.co/mzuctI3Dst pic.twitter.com/kxXsBiP3UH Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) February 9, 2020 The NHS is extremely well prepared to manage these cases and treat them, and we are working quickly to identify any further contacts the patient has had. Story continues This patient followed NHS advice by self-isolating rather than going to A&E. For the latest advice visit gov.uk/coronavirus. As of 2pm on Sunday, the Department of Health said a total of 795 tests were concluded in the UK, with four testing positive and 791 confirmed negative. The latest confirmed case comes not long after five Britons tested positive for coronavirus in France. The four adults and a nine-year-old child were diagnosed after they came into contact with a British national who had recently returned from Singapore, the French health ministry said. The five British nationals, who are not in a serious condition, were staying in the Alpine resort area of Contamines-Montjoie near Mont Blanc. French officials said the British national who was in Singapore returned on January 24 and stayed for four days in the area in eastern France, before returning to England on January 28. (PA Graphics) The five Britons whose diagnosis was confirmed, as well as six compatriots with whom they had close contact, were taken to hospitals on Friday night in Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Grenoble. The chalet where they were staying housed a British family that lives in Contamines and another British family who were on holiday. The ill child lives in Contamines and attends a local school, and took French classes at another local school, regional officials told a news conference on Saturday. It is understood the third case confirmed in the UK is a man who caught the illness in Singapore. He is reported to be a middle-aged British man and is understood to be the first UK national to contract the disease. He is thought to have been diagnosed in Brighton and was transferred to St Thomas Hospital in London, where there is an infectious diseases unit, on Thursday afternoon. Two other patients who had recently travelled from China are being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle. One is a student at the University of York, while the other is a family member. The death toll in China from the coronavirus now at 811 surpasses SARS fatalities in the 2002-2003 outbreak. The fourth UK case was confirmed not long after a British man in Majorca tested positive for coronavirus. His wife and two daughters tested negative, the government in the Balearic Islands said. The passengers on the charter flight have been taken to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they will be quarantined for 14 days. Staff outside Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes (Aaron Chown/PA) Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the repatriation flight had brought back 105 British nationals and family members, as well as 95 European nationals and family members. The ambulance service said the presence of the group in Milton Keynes would not present a risk to local people. The first group of Britons who returned on a flight last month are continuing their quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital, Merseyside. Elsewhere, British honeymooner Alan Steele, who was transferred from the cruise liner Diamond Princess to hospital in Japan with coronavirus was said to be feeling well and in good spirits. Staff on the Diamond Princess cruise ship (@daxa_tw/PA) Mr Steele, from Wolverhampton, was moved to hospital on Friday while his wife Wendy remained on board the ship. The liner had been isolated in the port of Yokohama before going back out to sea, with 61 people taken to hospital after testing positive for the virus. The West Bengal Pollution Control Board has signed a memorandum of understanding with IIT-Delhi scientists to manage air quality in eight polluted cities using real-time satellite data. This is the first such instance when real-time satellite data would be used for round-the-clock air quality management by any state pollution control board. Till date satellite data have been used by scientists for research, the findings of which have often been used by various state pollution control boards for air quality management. But this is for the first time that real-time satellite data would be used for air quality management in cities on a day-to-day basis, said Sagnik Dey, coordinator of Center of Excellence for Research on Clean Air (CERCA) and associate professor at Centre for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS) at Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has listed all eight cities -- Kolkata, Howrah, Durgapur, Raniganj, Asansol, Haldia and Barrackpore among 122 non-attainment cities. These cities do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and need to focus attention on multiple fronts to deal with high air pollution. We have signed a MoU with the IIT Delhi. For the first time a GIS-based air quality management system would be used. Initially we would start with Kolkata but later we plan to include all eight cities in phases. We are also coming with a separate set up (a GIS laboratory) for this, said Kalyan Rudra, WBPCB chairman. Senior WBPCB officials said that satellite data would be used to identify hotspots in these cities, major sources of pollution including crop-burning, trans-boundary movement of pollutants including those coming from Bangladesh, identify peak pollution periods and manage air quality round-the-clock. Satellite data would be also used to identify encroachment in the wetlands and garbage dumping. Trained WBPCB officials would identify sources of pollution using real time satellite data. Once the sources are identified, civic bodies and other government agencies will be tasked to verify them and take immediate action. Once actions are taken on the ground, real time satellite data and data from low cost sensors would be used to measure if there is a dip in pollution levels after the mitigating actions. In another first, our staff would be trained by the CERCA-scientists so that they are equipped to carry out this job. This would help to reduce dependency on any third party for air quality management, as we would have dedicated trained staff and a set up, said a senior WBPCB official. The memorandum assumes significance as the Union environment ministry in January 2019 had launched the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) with an aim to cut the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 particles by at least 20% in the next five years, with 2017 as the base year for comparison. We are now getting higher resolution satellite data and the processing time has also come down drastically. So this is a very good use of satellite data, which were primarily used for trend analysis till date. It also shows the future forward for such collaborations between pollution control boards and academic institutions for effective air quality management, said SN Tripathi, head of the civil engineering department at IIT-Kanpur and an expert member (steering committee) of NCAP. Thailand A gunman described as a soldier angry over a financial dispute killed two people and then went on a far bloodier rampage Saturday in northeastern Thailand, shooting as he drove to a busy mall where shoppers fled in terror. At least 21 people were killed in all, 31 were injured and others were believed to be still inside the building as more gunshots rang out early Sunday. Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Kongcheep Tantrawanich said Sgt. Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma was behind the attack in Nakhon Ratchasima, a hub for Thailand's relatively poorer and rural northeastern region. Much of the shooting took place at Terminal 21 Korat, an airport-themed mall filled with colorful Lego sculptures, a merry-go-round and huge replicas of landmarks from around the world. Video taken outside the mall showed people diving for cover as shots rang out mid-afternoon Saturday. Many were killed outside the mall, some in cars, others while walking. Nattaya Nganiem and her family had just finished eating and were driving away when she heard gunfire. "First I saw a woman run out from the mall hysterically," said Nattaya, who shot video of the scene on her phone. "Then a motorcycle rider in front of her just ran and left his motorcycle there." Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said a doctor was shot while helping an injured person. A police officer also was killed, pushing the death toll to 21, Anutin said. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the mall in small batches by police while they searched for the gunman. "We were scared and ran to hide in toilets," said Sumana Jeerawattanasuk, one of those rescued by police. She said seven or eight people hid in the same room as her. "I am so glad. I was so scared of getting hurt," she said. Shortly before midnight, police announced they had secured the above-ground portion of the mall, but were still searching for the shooter. Anutin said there were no more bodies left inside, but added, "we don't know whether there are any additional injuries or deaths or not." Some shoppers remained trapped in the mall. "We are worried for those who are still trapped inside. Some still couldn't come out," Lt. Col. Poonsap Prasertsak, a senior police commander for the region, said early Sunday morning. He told reporters police were in touch with some of those still trapped. "We told them to stay calm, stay still and keep their heads down," he said. Gunfire could be heard coming from the mall around 3 a.m. as ambulances were brought closer to the scene, but reporters were kept away and no announcements were forthcoming. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. A police officer contacted by phone in Nakhon Ratchasima, about 155 miles northeast of Bangkok, said the gunman initially killed another soldier and a woman, and wounded a third person, apparently over a land dispute. Defense Ministry spokesman Kongcheep told Thai media the first person killed was the commanding officer of the 22nd Ammunition Battalion, in which the suspect also served. He said the gunman had fired at others at his base and took guns and ammunition before fleeing in an army Humvee. City and neighborhood police officers, who asked not to be identified, said the man fired shots as he drove to the mall. Thai Rath television aired mall security camera footage showing a man with what appeared to be an assault rifle. The man believed to be the gunman appears to have posted updates to his Facebook page during the rampage. "No one can escape death," read one post. Another asked, "Should I give up?" In a later post, he wrote, "I have stopped already." A photo circulated on social media that appeared to be taken from the Facebook page shows a man wearing a green camouflaged military helmet while a fireball and black smoke rage behind him. Jakrapanth's profile picture shows him in a mask and dressed in military-style fatigues and armed with a pistol. The Facebook page was made inaccessible after the shooting began. Terminal 21 Korat, a multi-level glass and steel mall is designed to resemble an airport terminal, complete with a mock control tower and departure gates. A large model passenger jet dangles from wires beside one of the main escalators. For the first time in its 20-year history, the same brewery claimed peoples choice awards for both categories at the the Bistros annual Double IPA and Triple IPA Festival Saturday. This is the first time this has happened, announced Cynthia Kralj, co-owner of the Bistro in Hayward. This is a great brewery we know and love: Slice Beer Co. Slice Beer Co., helmed by brewer and Moonraker Brewing expat Zack Frasher, has been around less than a year in Sacramento-area Lincoln, Calif., but nevertheless bested beers like Pliny the Younger from Russian River to claim both coveted medals. During the event, more than a dozen judges blind-graded the 100 or so entries to the festival, awarding six beers medals (full results below). Additionally, festival attendees which this year numbered around 1,000 people each voted on their favorite beer of the day, crowning Slice across two categories in the process. Theres a ton of good beer here, Frasher told SFGATE after the wins. We didnt medal in the judging competition its tough to judge 100+ hoppy beers but to get that support from people, it means a lot, especially in both beer [categories]. Slice was just one of the 50 or so carefully selected breweries who attended and competed in this iconic California competition, established by the Bistro owner Vic Kralj. Its come a long way since Kralj initially imagined the festival in 2000. The double IPA, let alone the triple IPA, was an anomaly. It wasnt an official style at the Great American Beer Festival (and wouldnt be until 2003), and curious brewers were only beginning to experiment with the extremely hoppy style. Nevertheless, Kralj noticed that some local breweries, like Marin Brewing and (now-defunct) Potrero Brewing had their own versions of the beer. So he called up his friend Vinnie Cilurzo, co-founder of a new brewery called Russian River Brewing Company, and asked him if he might like to brew a double IPA for a tap takeover as well. Cilurzo accepted, and brought with him an experimental 8% beer he called Pliny the Elder. The first year, Kralj says he had 12 beers on tap, which drew in so many people he knew he was onto something special. One fan of that years event had a suggestion for the following year. [Haywards] city manager said craft beer is getting so popular, Kralj remembers. He said why dont you throw a beer festival on Main Street? The next year, the Bistro fenced off a portion of the street outside the bar and threw the first official Double and Triple IPA Festival. It was a hit; Kralj says even in those first years, 250-350 craft beer fans came out to taste beers from breweries Kralj hand-selected to pour. These days, the event draws more than 1,000 drinkers. Because of the festivals notoriety in the industry, it can be tough for brewers to even get their beers in the running to compete, Kralj says. Its an invitational, because if I opened it up to all brewers, Id have 400 there," Kralj explains. Its through the industry and the people I know, but when I hear about a brewery killing it, Ill invite them. If theres a brewery thats been in it for years and its never made it to the final [judging] table, I have to cut them. The judges are similarly hand-selected; theyre a mix of certified beer judges, Cicerones and other industry professionals whove undergone extensive training to detect off-flavors and aberrations from the style. For 2020s event, there were 16 that blind-judged the competition, including veteran beer writer Steve Shapiro, BJCP judge Nathan Smith and Petes Wicked Ales Pete Slosberg. Over the years, some breweries have medaled in the judged categories often, like Revision, Russian River, El Segundo and Kern River. But never has the same brewery won peoples choice for both audience voted categories until this year. Here at Saturdays festival, at the onset of San Francisco Beer Week a celebration Kralj also helped found Frasher seems a bit shocked to accept both medals. Im happy and [feel] fortunate, he says. Its been a ton of work and I appreciate the support. To get peoples choice from both categories is amazing. Its awesome. Winners at the 20th Annual Double and Triple IPA Festival: Triple IPA winners: 1st - Heretic Brewing, Evil3 2nd - Beachwood Brewing, Hops of Fury 3rd - Ghostwood Beer Co., Clearly Dangerous Double IPA winners: 1st - Kern River Brewing, Double Chuuurch 2nd - Revision Brewing, Revision DIPA 3rd - Riip Beer Co., Gimpier McGee Peoples Choice Double IPA: Slice Beer Co., Doobie Snacks Peoples Choice Triple IPA: Slice Beer Co., Wombo San Francisco Beer Week begins Friday, February 7 and runs through February 16, 2020. For more San Francisco Beer Week coverage: The craft breweries opening in 2020 that will change the Bay Areas beer scene How these siblings turned a tragedy into one of the East Bay's most popular craft breweries Plinywatch 2020: Where you might find Russian River's Pliny the Younger in SF and Oakland SF Beer Week announces its five one-time-only collaboration beers for 2020 Alyssa Pereira is an SFGate digital editor. Email: alyssa.pereira@sfgate.com | Twitter: @alyspereira Muzaffarnagar: BJP MLA Vikram Saini has offered to re-settle 25 Pakistani Hindu refugee families in Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar district to counter the anti-CAA propaganda. The Kawal village was the focal point of the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots. The BJP MLA has said he would facilitate the settlement of 25 Pakistani Hindu refugees in Kawal village in Muzaffarnagar and has already given financial aid to five of them. Five of the refugees, who had come to India after allegedly facing religious persecution in Pakistan, met the Khatauli BJP MLA Vikram Saini here on Saturday. Saini told reporters that he gave five of them Rs 5,000 each as aid and also promised them that he will facilitate their resettlement in Kawal village. Saini, the BJP MLA from Khatauli, who also faces an attempt-to-murder charge in the 2013 riots case, said, "I want to do this in the national interest. The 25 families include seven who are already living in Muzaffarnagar. I want five bighas where these families can be settled. If such land cannot be found, I will donate my own land. We are planning to build two-bedroom houses with a toilet for them." With thousands displaced in the riots, including from Kawal, Muslims are concentrated in ghettos in the village. They mostly work as farm labourers or run small shops. Three youths were killed in Kawal village after an eve-teasing incident after which riots broke out in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas, claiming 60 lives and displacing over 50,000 people, mainly Muslims. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo left Ghana on Saturday, February 8, 2020, to attend the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, which is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting of the Heads of State will take place from February 9-10, 2020, on the theme, Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africas Development. He was accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway MP; Minister for Interior, Hon. Ambrose Dery; and officials of the Presidency and the Foreign Ministry. The President will return to Ghana on Monday, February 10, 2020, and in his absence, the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, shall, in accordance with Article 60(8) of the Constitution, act in his stead. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Britain's economy grew at its slowest rate last year since the financial crisis a decade ago, figures are expected to show this week. Official results are tipped to reveal a 1.3 per cent rise in GDP for the year the lowest since 2009. Economists believe the economy ground to a halt in the final three months of the year after posting growth of 0.3 per cent between July and September. Hard slog: Experts think the economy has improved since the Tories' Election success in December The poor performance has been put down to stockpiling ahead of the second Brexit deadline of October 31. Companies then used up the stock rather than ordering more, hitting demand in November and December. It is also thought families were put off shopping by bad weather, hitting high street sales. But experts think the economy has improved since the Tories' Election success in December. Ruth Gregory of Capital Economics said: 'Evidence suggests that the economy has rebounded strongly at the start of this year.' Married At First Sight's Aleksandra Markovic revealed her hair transformation last month, ahead of her debut on Nine's social experiment. The 26-year-old real estate agent looked like a whole new woman as she arrived at Sydney Airport from Perth on January 14, days before filming the reunion episodes. Aleksandra, whose wedding to Ivan Sarakula took place in early September, had dark hair throughout filming, but is believed to have dyed her hair blonde in December. Hot stuff! Married At First Sight 's Aleksandra Markovic revealed her hair transformation last month, ahead of her debut on Nine's social experiment Daily Mail Australia understands that MAFS participants are contractually obliged to keep their hair the same colour for continuity reasons throughout production, which includes the reunion episodes. Upon her arrival at the airport, Aleks flaunted her toned figure in black leggings and a white crop top, and slung a beige tote over her left shoulder. She was notably wearing her wedding ring, which suggests that she was still dating Ivan, 30, at the time of filming the MAFS reunion. Bombshell! Aleksandra, whose wedding to Ivan Sarakula took place in early September, had dark hair throughout filming, but is believed to have dyed her hair blonde in December New look! The 26-year-old real estate agent looked like a whole new woman as she arrived at Sydney Airport from Perth on January 14, days before filming the reunion episodes During Sunday's episode of Married At First Sight, Aleks married Ivan in Sydney, but admitted that she initially had her doubts about her groom. 'He's so opposite to what I generally go for, it's crazy. I never really go for light coloured hair, a clean shaven face or someone skinny,' she said. 'But he's got this beautiful smile, and he's so comfortable. I feel at ease when I am standing next to him. He seems like a really nice person.' Did their marriage work out? Aleks was notably wearing her wedding ring, which suggests that she was still dating Ivan at the time of filming the MAFS reunion Breaking the rules! Daily Mail Australia understands that MAFS participants are contractually obliged to keep their hair the same colour for continuity reasons throughout production, which includes the reunion episodes. Pictured: Aleks on her wedding day After the ceremony, an emotional Aleks admitted that her parents were 'quite traditional with old school morals' and had refused to attend her televised wedding. 'They still love and support me - they just can't be here today,' she added. Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine Ara: The police on Saturday (February 8) filed a chargesheet against absconding Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Arun Yadav, accused of raping a minor girl at his residence in Patna. The charge sheet has been filed by the police before the special POCSO court in Ara against the RJD lawmaker. Special public prosecutor Saroj Kumari said the chargesheet against Yadav has been filed under Indian Penal Code sections relating to human trafficking and sexual assault besides those of Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. Special POCSO judge Rakesh Kumar Singh posted the matter for further hearing on February 10 and issued notices to the Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and the secretary of the state assembly to ensure that the legislator appears on that date, she said. Apart from the RJD leader, the victim had accused a few others too in the case. In the meantime, a video featuring victim sharing her ordeal went viral on social media in September 2019, following which the police recorded her statement once again before the magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC on court's order. It is to be noted that the victim had failed to name the MLA in her first statement to police. However, in the second statement, she named the RJD MLA from Sandesh, Arun Yadav. The girl had alleged that she was taken to the RJD MLA's house in Patna where she was sexually assaulted. On July 18, she escaped from there and narrated her ordeal to her family members. Yadav has been on the run ever since his name cropped up in a sex racket which was busted in September 2019. Poor girls from the districts were allegedly lured by some locals, including a woman, with the promise of getting them a job and pushed into flesh trade. Torrential rain has wreaked havoc on Sydney's roads and public transport, as train tracks in the Blue Mountains are torn apart by a landslide. Trains on the Central Coast-Newcastle line have been suspended in both directions between Hornsby and Morriset. Transport New South Wales arranged emergency replacement buses taking stranded passengers north from Hornsby. The wild weather caused a two-metre landslide on train tracks in Leura, cutting the Blue Mountains train line. In nearby Blackheath, a tree fell on overhead wiring on the train track. The wild weather caused a two-metre landslide on train tracks in Leura, cutting the Blue Mountains train line The landslide exposed the train tracks, cancelling services on the Blue Mountains train line The wiring damage has cancelled services between Katoomba and Mount Victoria The wiring damage saw services between Katoomba and Mount Victoria cancelled. Replacement buses and train services from Katoomba to Sydney have been provided but with major delays expected. Ferries between Manly and Circular Quay have been cancelled due to large swells in Sydney Harbour. Palm Beach ferries to the Central Coast were also not running on Sunday. Meanwhile in the city, four people were rushed to hospital after their taxi was crushed by a falling tree in the CBD at around 1.30pm. The entire tree landed across the whole road opposite Hyde Park. Five bridges across the Hawkesbury River are closed - Richmond, Springwood Road in Anges Banks, Bridge Street in Windsor, Sackville Road in Sackville Ferry, and River Road in Webbs Creek. That means massive detours for anyone trying to get to towns east or northeast of Sydney, or into the city from the other side of the river. Essentially everything between the M1 north and Penrith is closed. Four people were rushed to hospital after their taxi was crushed by a falling tree in the CBD at around 1.30pm The entire tree landed across the whole road opposite Hyde Park Train stations have been turned to ferry wharves, including at Narrabri station on the New South Wales North West Slopes A man in Tempe, Sydney, wades through calf-deep water to reach his car, which will almost be flooded once he opens the door Roads are closed across Sydney due to flooding, including Milperra Road in Milperra, and parts of Oxford Falls Road and Wakehurst Road, an important back road around Sydney's northern beaches. Trains at Central Station have been affected by urgent repairs, with the Sydney rail network experiencing lengthy delays and early terminations of usual patterns. Photographs from Narrabri in rural NSW show the train station looking more like a ferry wharf on Sunday morning after days of downpour. The NSW State Emergency Service has responded to 40 calls for flood rescues while NSW Police has received hundreds of calls for help. 'This wet and windy weather is really wreaking havoc on our roads today, with paramedics responding to five car accidents every hour since Friday night,' NSW Ambulance spokesman Giles Buchanan said. 'We've responded to multiple trees that had fallen onto cars, trees into houses and units, and people trapped in cars in floodwaters.' Utility company Ausgrid says more than 70,000 customers have lost electricity across Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle. Endeavour Energy says a further 26,000 customers are without power in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands regions. Sydney battered by rain - what you need to know Flood warnings for Manning and Gloucester rivers, the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo rivers, and the Orara River Waves at up to 14m in Sydney with average swells of 6m along the coast Five bridges closed across the Hawesbury River - everything from Penrith to the M1 north Four injured when tree fell on car in the Sydney CBD 80,000 without power across Sydney and surrounds Sydney Harbour ferries cancelled Advertisement The Bureau of Meteorology says the deluge could cause 'life-threatening flash flooding' in the Hunter region, the Central Coast, greater Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains. The last time Sydney and the state's coast had as much rainfall was mid-2016. 'But we've surpassed those figures and you have to go back as far back as 1998 to see totals like we'll get,' a bureau spokeswoman said. NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Karen Webb urged drivers to take caution and avoid floodwaters. 'There are currently hundreds of calls for assistance, including trees, boulders or power poles down onto cars and homes, and across roads, as well as power outages and localised flooding impacting various roads and traffic lights,' she said. 'I'm disappointed that I need to remind people to act responsibly and not to take risks in these types of conditions, especially when around floodwaters.' Parched dams around Sydney, including the major Warragamba Dam, are swelling to their highest levels in years. Two American troops were killed and six others wounded in an attack in eastern Afghanistan late Saturday, the US military has said. "Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun," US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Sonny Leggett said in a statement on Sunday. Leggett had earlier confirmed that US and Afghan forces had come under "direct fire" in Nangarhar province. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) False: NIA official part of Pulwama attack probe had not submitted dubious bills Top Lashkar commander gunned down with two more terrorists in Pulwama J&K: Civilian shot dead by terrorists in Pulwamas Tral area India pti-PTI Srinagar, Feb 09: Terrorists on Sunday shot dead a civilian in Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Ghulam Nabi Mir (55), a contractor by profession, was shot at by militants outside his house at Tral Payeen around 7.30 pm, the officials said. Mir was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival, they said. No militant outfit has so far claimed the responsibility for the killing. The attack comes on the seventh death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The authorities had snapped 2G mobile internet services in Kashmir in the morning as a precautionary measure to prevent any law-and-order situation. The services were restored in the evening. Market places were also shut and public and private transport remained off the roads following a Hurriyat Conference's call for a bandh on Sunday and Monday. Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed on the streets of Srinagar, which bore a deserted look. Authorities put up barbed wires and barricades at various parts of the city to avert any kind of violent protests. WASHINGTON - When the computers of the city of Lodi, Calif., got hit by a ransomware attack last April, the strike disabled phone lines, forced police officers to write reports by hand and prevented workers from sending out utility bills. City officials refused to pay the ransom of 75 bitcoins - about $400,000 - and instead turned to their cyber insurance company, which sent in a legal team and security experts to investigate and help return the system to normal. "It took a lot of our energy and ended up consuming a great deal of time," recalled City Manager Steve Schwabauer. "We ultimately filed a claim of about $250,000, and it's not fully closed yet." State legislators later gave Lodi, a city of about 67,000, a half-million-dollar grant to upgrade cybersecurity. As cybercriminals increase their attacks against local governments - hundreds of municipalities and county agencies were hit in the past two years - some states are helping cities and counties better protect themselves. ADVERTISEMENT States have offered election cybersecurity, responses to ransomware attacks that take computer systems hostage, training and other programs, according to a recent report by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. "It's the right thing to do," said Meredith Ward, the latter group's policy and research director. "Cybersecurity is a team sport. States and local government and the private sector all have a role to play." But while 65% of states report that they provide some cybersecurity services to local governments, the scope varies widely. And other states aren't doing anything to help, saying they don't have jurisdiction over local governments or they lack money to spare. "It's very hard for most local governments," said Alan Shark, executive director of the Public Technology Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that provides training and other support to local government information technology executives. "They lack the resources to adequately protect themselves. Yesterday's fixes don't work today. The cybercriminals are encouraged." But Shark said more states are starting to assist local governments in restoring their systems. The states committed to collaboration are on the right track, the report by the governors' and IT chiefs' groups found. Among them: - Illinois created a program that helps local election officials improve their cybersecurity readiness and conduct risk assessments. It hired IT specialists to help local election offices beef up their security. ADVERTISEMENT - Iowa is using a federal grant to offer counties cybersecurity vulnerability scanning and to pay for hardware and anti-malware tools. It also is piloting cyber projects with schools, cities and hospitals. - North Carolina developed a partnership with the state's National Guard and emergency management division to help local governments, school systems and community colleges recover data compromised during a cyberattack and provide training to help prevent future incidents. - Pennsylvania partnered with the county commissioners' statewide association to provide security awareness training and phishing exercises for all 150,000 county and state employees and contractors. Phishing victims unwittingly click on emailed links designed to get personal information, such as passwords. "It's about working outside your comfort zone and forging relationships," said Erik Avakian, Pennsylvania's chief information security officer. "We think this is really the path forward for all states. It's something they should be looking at." Cybersecurity remains a serious issue for state governments, as sophisticated hackers and cybercriminals are constantly scanning computer networks looking for vulnerabilities. Those networks contain information such as Social Security numbers, birth certificates, bank account details and credit card numbers of millions of individuals and businesses. But it's especially hard for local governments. Just last month, for example, a small school district near Austin, Texas, with 9,600 students, disclosed that it had lost $2 million in a phishing email scam. Local governments saw a spike in cyberattacks in 2019, and experts say it doesn't look like they're going to abate any time soon. In the past 24 months, at least 370 cyber incidents affecting local governments and public safety agencies were publicly reported in 47 states, according to Aubrey Larson, a marketing manager at SecuLore Solutions, a Maryland-based cybersecurity company. That's a 150% hike over the previous two-year period, she said. ADVERTISEMENT In fact, the majority of publicized ransomware attacks in the United States last year targeted local governments, according to the report by the governors' and state IT officers' associations. Cities and counties provide essential services to residents and need access to their data to function effectively. Ransomware hijacks government computer systems and holds them hostage until their victims pay a ransom or restore the system on their own. In October, the FBI issued a public service announcement, saying state and local governments "have been particularly visible targets for ransomware attacks." Those attacks can be devastating. Democratic New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell declared a state of emergency in December after a ransomware attack hobbled the city. Officials had to shut down more than 4,000 computers and close municipal courthouses. The attack has cost the city at least $7 million. Nearly two dozen Texas cities were targeted in a ransomware attack in August that led Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to order a "Level 2 Escalated Response," which is just one level below the emergency management division's highest alert. The state led the response and helped the cities restore their systems. And Baltimore was hit by a ransomware attack in May that crippled thousands of computers and left workers unable to access online accounts and payment systems for weeks. City officials transferred $6 million from a parks and recreation fund to pay for cyber protections. In total, restorations and repairs cost $18 million. Preventing and responding to attacks can be complicated when efforts involve jurisdictions that generally operate independently of one another. "Some cyber incidents are truly becoming emergencies. (State and local IT officials) shouldn't be exchanging business cards at that point," said Maggie Brunner, cybersecurity program director for the national governors' group. " They should be doing it ahead of time. We'd love to see state CIOs know every single local IT director." In Pennsylvania, IT security chief Avakian said his agency held quarterly meetings with county IT officials to build relationships and find out about their cybersecurity needs. "The fact that we've cracked this nut across jurisdictional boundaries is significant," Avakian said. Because of the collaboration, he said, the state was able to buy licenses for the phishing training exercise in bulk. The larger number of users lowered the cost per unit and saved the state and its 67 counties a considerable amount of money. He wouldn't say how much. "Now that we've done this, more people want to come onboard - school districts, cities," Avakian said. "It's kind of taken off." Michael Sage, chief information officer for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, called the cyber training and relationship the counties have developed with the commonwealth "a fantastic effort." "It has bolstered awareness and helped the counties understand where the threats are coming from, so they can stay vigilant," Sage said. "The more we can collaborate and share, the better off we're going to be." While some states have provided help, others have "little or no engagement with local governments," when it comes to cybersecurity, according to the report by the governors' and state IT officials' groups, though the report didn't list the states that are uninvolved. That needs to change, they say. "Cybersecurity is not just an 'IT problem' anymore," the report said. "It is a critical business risk, homeland security and public safety threat, voter confidence issue and economic development opportunity." But there are impediments, said Ward, of the state IT officials' group. "Sometimes, states will say, 'We don't have jurisdiction to help local governments. That's not our swim lane,'" she said. "Or localities will say, 'We're good, and we don't need your help.'" And Ward said some states say they don't have the money to help local governments with cybersecurity. "They'll say, 'We're just trying to keep our head above water ourselves.'" The report recommended that states overcome those obstacles by building relationships with municipal leagues and county associations and raising awareness by holding cyber summits. States also should explore ways to save money by consulting local governments during the cyber contract planning process. "You don't need to have jurisdictional permission nor money to pick up the phone and call someone and build a relationship," Ward said. "That's something anyone can do." --- (c)2020 Stateline.org Visit Stateline.org at www.stateline.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. He went from the cobbles of Albert Square to a major Hollywood career. And it looks like Ben Hardy is also recently loved-up as he was seen going for a romantic stroll with actress Olivia Cooke in London on Saturday. The actor, 29, stars alongside Olivia, 26, in the upcoming film Pixie and it seems the pair have hit it off as they looked cosy during their outing in the capital. Out and about: Ben Hardy, 29, looked loved-up as he was seen going for a romantic stroll with actress Olivia Cooke, 26, in London on Saturday The pair began their day with a trip to a local cafe for breakfast before they went for a stroll in the park. Holding hands, the couple appeared to be enjoying the break taking view in the park before carrying on their walk in the city. Ben cut a casual figure for the day, donning a navy turtle neck jumper along with a pair of grey trousers. Wrapping up for the frosty weather with a dark jacket while he also wore a black belt and dark boots. Cosy: Ben stars alongside Olivia in the upcoming film Pixie and it seems the pair have hit it off Wearing a pair of rounded sunglasses, the Bohemian Rhapsody star completed his look for the day with a blue beanie hat. Olivia nailed casual chic for the outing as she donned a tan knee-length coat which she paired with a matching oversized scarf. The star wore a dark top with black slim-fitting jeans and a pair of dark green shoes. Letting her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders, Olivia completed her look for the day with sunglasses and a black handbag. Intimate: The former EastEnders actor and the Vanity Fair star looked cosy on their outing in the capital Scenes: The pair enjoyed a stroll in the park on their outing where they enjoyed the breathtaking view Laid back: Ben cut a casual figure for the day, donning a navy turtle neck jumper along with a pair of grey trousers Outfit: Wrapping up for the frosty weather with a dark jacket while he also wore a black belt and dark boots Loved-up: Ben and Olivia looked in good spirits as they held hands during their stroll Career: Olivia is arguably best known for her role as Emma Decody in the drama Bates Motel Show: Olivia, who is from Oldham, is also known her turn as Becky Sharp in the miniseries Vanity Fair Style: Olivia nailed casual chic for the outing as she donned a tan knee-length coat The actress is arguably best known for her role as Emma Decody in the drama Bates Motel as well as her turn as Becky Sharp in the miniseries Vanity Fair. Ben and Olivia are appearing alongside each other in the upcoming comedy thriller Pixie, where Olivia plays the title role. The film follows a woman and two men who find themselves on the run in the Irish countryside after a heist goes wrong. The flick, which began filming in Northern Ireland last August, also stars Alec Baldwin, Colm Meaney and comedy Dylan Moran. Accessory: The Bates Motel star added to her look by donning a matching oversized scarf Casual: The star wore a dark top with black slim-fitting jeans and let her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders Low-key: Olivia completed her look for the day with a pair of sunglasses and dark shoes Co-stars: Ben and Olivia are appearing alongside each other in the upcoming comedy thriller Pixie, where Olivia plays the title role Plot: The film follows a woman and two men who find themselves on the run in the Irish countryside after a heist goes wrong Cast: The flick, which began filming in Northern Ireland last August, also stars Alec Baldwin, Colm Meaney and comedy Dylan Moran Day date: Ben and Olivia stopped off in a cafe where they grabbed a bite to eat Romantic: The pair looked every inch the stylish couple as they wrapped their arms around each other Ben became known to audiences for his role as Peter Beale in EastEnders which he played from 2013 to 2015. He made his film debut in X-Men: Apocalypse in 2016, playing winged mutant Archangel. The star has also made appearances in other big films including Mary Shelley, Only The Brave and The Woman In White. Meanwhile, his character Peter had a tumultuous time in Albert Square in the last couple of years, most notably with his sister Lucy being murdered by their brother Bobby. Peter left the Square for a new life in New Zealand, with his ex Lauren Branning eventually joining him with their son Louie. Early days: Ben became known to audiences for his role as Peter Beale in EastEnders which he played from 2013 to 2015 Blockbuster: He made his film debut in X-Men: Apocalypse in 2016, playing winged mutant Archangel Roles: The star has also made appearances in other big films including Mary Shelley, Only The Brave and The Woman In White Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > Hinduism Respects Diversity by Sharad Rajimwale When we notice that an attempt is being made these days by certain dour, orthodox forces, imagining themselves in the role of the exclusive voice of Hindu culture and religion, to enforce a uniform, homogenizing interpretation of it and using it as a clout to browbeat others, it is natural to feel that a macabre distortion is being introduced somewhere in manufac-turing this line of thinking and peddling it as the soul of Hindu way of life. Not only, one feels, is truth being made subservient to the campaign of promoting preposterous notions and ideologies, but the true essence of the develop-ment of Hindu philosophy as fundamentally a respecter of diversity is being cruelly neglected or overlooked, or just cudgeled into silence. In cluttering together the ritualistic noise, glitter of iconic trinkets, holy cow and holy Ganges feelings, and elevating hoodlums to sainthood as steps towards building a Hindu India, a clamorous crowd of unthinking fanatics and one dimensional ideas is being mobilized to kill the liberal-democratic ways of apprehending realities, as well as the very broad spirit of catholicity that went into shaping Hinduism from the early days. Hinduism is wholly free from the strange obsession of the Semitic faiths that acceptance of a particular religious metaphysic is necessary for salvation, and non-acceptance thereof a heinous sin meriting eternal punishment in hell. Here and there outbursts of sectarian fanaticism are found recorded in the literature of the Hindus, which indicate the first efforts of the conflicts of the different groups brought together into one fold; but the main note of Hinduism is one of respect and goodwill for other creeds. This observation made by Dr S. Radha-krishnan in his Upton Lectures delivered at Manchester College, Oxford in 1926, and later published in book form as The Hindu Way of Life, seeks to highlight the accommodative character of Hinduism or what Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru preferred to call the Indian way of life. One needs only to cast ones eyes on the developments taking place in the hoary past, the many ways in which multiple events brought with them diverse manifestations of cultural and religious viewpoints, systems of ideas and life, often disharmonious, to see how the life in this sub-continent was already clearing the space for plurality of faiths and belief systems. What keeps us wondering is that these streams co-existed and flourished without much apparent problem. While, for instance, a hedonistic perception that life is a thing to be enjoyed and lived to the full without worrying about souls salvation or the life beyond this, grew among certain sections in 600 BC, there also existed very stern orders of the followers of tenets and injunctions of Buddhism with emphasis on self-discipline that ran counter to atheistic materialism. The development of ascetic and mystical doctrines, represented by Buddhism and Jainism, indicates, as B.L. Basham puts it, a reaction of the warrior clan to the pretensions of Brahmans and to the sterility of the sacrificial cult. (Basham, 2004) As the history progressed, our society incorporated these and many other philosophies as well as social institutions which grew on them creating a fabric of plurality which became its foundation. This, with the passage of time, also became the main driving force and a dominant viewpoint. It was unavoidable for almost every single faith and belief system to come in contact with other systems and participate in some or other way in its perception of life and mans relation with it. The exlusivism of other faiths could not gain much ground. However, it cannot be denied that there arose from time to time circumstances of hostile reaction involving attempts to destroy one system of ideas by the other in fits of intolerance. It is not just foreign invaders who can be blamed for destruction on a large scale, but illiberal sections within the society often showed highly belligerent approach in dealing with the growing influence of other sections. Yet essentially, the expansion of broad-minded tolerance as the core understanding and guiding principle was never severely hampered. Today, however, there can be seen new challenges confronting our society. Its heterogeneous character is made to be seen as a warp that needs to be corrected, and syncretism is considered inimical to the orthodox Hindu way of life. This predominantly absolutist ideology sees Hinduism as a homogeneous system that must sanitise its house from time to time against invasion of other faiths. Purity being the basic concept of its working, its practitioners deny any kind of adaptation or inclusiveness. We must remember that such conservatism itself offered fertile ground for spawning all forms of social and cultural distortions that through its unchecked growth came to choke the vital sources of spiritual energy in an era that saw an upsurge of reformist movements. Social and national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda waged a relentless war against attempts to deny the liberal character of Hindu perception that tried to narrow it down to a straightjacket system of oppression and regression. In a letter written to Raja Piyari Mohan Mukherjee from New York on November, 1894 Swami Vivekananda argues, I am thoroughly convinced that no individual or nation can live by holding itself apart from the community of others, and whenever such attempt has been made under false ideas of greatness, policy or holinessthe result has been disastrous to the secluding one. To my mind, the one great cause of the downfall and the degeneration of India was the building of a wall of customwhose foundation was hatred of othersround the nature and the real aim of which in ancient times was to prevent Hindus from coming in contact with the surrounding Buddhist notions.... We are the object lessons of the violation of that law which our ancestors were the first discoverer and discriminator. Give and take is the law, and if India wants to raise herself once more, it is absolutely necessary that she brings out her treasures and throws them broadest among the nations of the earth, and in return be ready to receive others have to give her. Expansion is life, contraction is death. Love is life and hatred is death. We commenced to die the day we began to hate other races, and nothing can prevent our death unless we come back to expansion which is life. Love is the keyword in Vivekanandas philosophy of Hindu thought from which flows the notion of non-violence, another central ideal in the Hindu view of life. Later on, Mahatma Gandhi turned these twin concepts into fundamental tenets of his own philosophy and applied them to solving formidable political problems of his time. He went on ceaselessly writing and lecturing on the importance of cultivating love, tolerance and making non-violent ways of resistance the tools in the general fight against injustice and oppression throughout his life. India, with its ancient religions, has much to give, and the bond of unity between us can best be fostered by whole-hearted sympathy and appreciation of each others form of religion. A greater toleration on this important question would mean a wider charity in our everyday relations, and the existing misunderstandings would be swept away. (Guha, 2013) This vision emerges from the understanding of Indian culture as comprising several cultures, which, whatever the circumstances of their arrival and development, found a place alongside other pre-existing cultures in this land of infinite diversity. Resilience and Elasticity In the very nature of Hindu philosophy there exist resilience and elasticity to accommodate and not the rigidity to reject. Rigidity comes from the position which regards religion as resulting from some kind of revelation beyond which it is heresy to go, as the word of God is considered the final truth. On the other hand, Indian people, a collection of various race types, developed a theosophy which set the adherents on the path of exploration of knowledge as a never ending quest. The core philosophy of Hinduism is the search for truth, not the specific path taken. A quote from the Vedas that summarizes the Hindu perspective on God is, Truth is one. The wise call it by various names. (Internet) It would be pertinent to quote Dr S. Radhakrishnan in this context, God, the central reality affirmed by all religions, is the continual evolver of the faiths in which men find themselves. Besides, experience proves that attempt at a very rapid progress from one set of rules to a higher one does not lead to advance but abrogation... Hinduism does not believe in bringing about a mechanical uniformity of belief and worship by a forcible elimination of all that is not in agreement with a particular creed. It does not believe in the statutory methods of salvation. Its scheme of salvation is not limited to those who hold a particular view of Gods nature and worship. Such an exclusive absolutism is inconsistent with an all-loving universal God. It is not fair to God or man to assume that one people are the chosen of God, their religion occupies a central place in the religious development of mankind, and that others should borrow from them or suffer spiritual destitution. (Radhakrishnan, 1949) Dr. Radhakrishnan for the most part elaborates the basic attribute of wider charity (Gandhis expression) that came to act as the spirit behind its growth, lending it strength to live and let others live which even other polytheistic religions rarely possessed. Bearing in mind this great truth, Hinduism developed an attitude of comprehensive charity instead of a fanatic faith in an inflexible creed. It accepted the multiplicity of aboriginal gods and other which originated most of them outside the Aryan tradition and justified them all. It brought together into one whole all believers in God. Many sects preferring many different beliefs live within Hindu fold. Heresy-hunting, the favourite game of many religions, is singularly absent in Hinduism. (Radhakrishnan, 1949) Vedic philosophy made it clear for itself that Divination of Godhead, the impulse towards perfection (Sri Aurobindo, 2005) and a constantly evolving consciousness in humankind trace the path of God, Light, Freedom, Immortality. Instead of setting limits to its vision of divinity, it set out to emphasize the paramount importance of transcending the limits of mortal preoccupation which our earthly life burdens us with. This is how Sri Aurobindo presents it in his ethereally transparent style, To know, possess and be the divine being in an animal and egoistic consciousness, to convert our twilit or obscure physical mentality into the plenary supramental illumination, to build peace and self-existent bliss where there is only a stress on transitory satisfactions besieged by physical pain and emotional suffering, to establish an infinite freedom in a world which presents itself as a group of mechanical necessities, to discover and realize the immortal life in a body subjected to death and constant mutationthis offered to us as the manifestation of God in Matter and the goal of Nature in her terrestrial evolution. (Sri Aurobindo, 2005) It was an attempt to free the religious consciousness from the mortal limits and provide it a dynamism which abhorred fixed vision of life, nature and cosmos. In meditating upon natures enormous and mysterious world its seers were able to perceive the flaws and imperfections in human life (by life they often meant inner spiritual life) that frequently satisfied itself with utilitarian and unillumined compromise. The key word in Sri Aurobindos philosophy is Freedom. Having made dynamism its principal tenet, this nascent, rapidly growing Vedic vision laid the foundation of a theology which saw harmony in everything, made a close study of Natures systems and drew the conclusion that harmony among humans is the essential pre-requisite for positive growth, all Nature seeks harmony, life and matter in their own sphere as much as mind in the arrangement of its perceptions. (Sri Aurobindo, 2005) Perhaps it was this open-minded approach to enriching ones inner life that made the early Hindu culture tolerant towards other systems of thought and life styles. The Aryans came into contact with the indigenous cultures and accepted changes in their modes of life by incorporating many of the cultural elements of the vanquished people. Indo-Aryans and Dravidians have merged millennia ago to form the roots of Hinduism and sustain the continuity of Indian historical traditions till the present day. (Parpola, 2015) This continuity of traditions suggests basically inclusive character of that broad faith known as Hinduism and made it more resilient. Though formal animal sacrifices of the Vedic period gradually disappeared, a new type of bloody sacrifice, almost certainly adopted from the non-Aryan aboriginals, became popular in the Middle Ages. Such rites rarely, if ever, took place in Vaishnavite shrines, but some Saivites and many devotees of Durga adopted the new type of sacrifice. The ritual slaughter of animals was justified by the doctrine that the soul of the victim went straight to heaven, but it was not approved by the best minds of the times... writes A.L. Basham as one of the several instances of the Aryan culture accommodating various conceptual systems and religious practices from those whom they conquered but could not obliterate. What is notable in this colourful growth of society is that within Hindu fold itself there emerged different sects which wished to evolve independently and identified themselves as separate from others. Four major denominations are Vaishnavism, Saivism, Shaktism, Smartists, based on particular deities at the centre of their traditions; ... they do not deny other concepts of the divine or deity, and often celebrated the other as henotheistic equivalent. (Internet) This kind of poly-centrism, as Julius J. Lipner terms it, makes it a religion of religions, each proliferating independently, unhampered. Dr Pradip Bhattacharya remarks in his review of Lipners book, Hindus: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, Religious synods laying down dogmas are precluded by the ancient banyan tree model forming a varied network that is micro-cosmically multi-centred yet macrocosmically one with an ever expanding tracery of aerial roots. Not the written word but that which has been seen, heard, and spoken is considered the authoritative communication. Dharma and Religion It is perhaps because of this multilayered character of Hinduism that the concept of heresy didnt grow and allowed contrary paths of thought and patterns of social life to thrive side by side. To quote Bhattacharya again, there was no formal device to ostracize people for rejecting a particular dharma, though untouchability as a restrictive and repressive system was the outgrowth of the dominance of a conservative system and continues to haunt our minds and behaviour even today. Religion has always played central role in shaping up various human activities, from arts, literature, to architecture, social codes, politics, and so on. But dharma in Indian society meant more than just what we understand by religion, as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru observes in The Discovery of India. Dharma is a common thread in the Indic traditions that expands the conventional term religion to include ethics, spiritual path, duty, law and cosmic order. In Hinduism, dharma is simultaneously the eternal order that rules the universe and the duty or law that governs ones life. (Internet) This rather extended sense of ones religion sets the stage for an inclusive perception of its role and basic functions. In the words of Pandit Nehru, It is from the root word dhr which means to hold together; it is the inmost constitution of a thing, the law of its inner being. It is an ethical concept which includes the moral code, righteousness and the whole range of mans duties and responsibilities. Arya dharma would include all the faiths (Vedic and non-Vedic) that originated in India; it was used by the Buddhists and Jains as well as those who accepted the Vedas. Buddha always called his way to salvation the Aryan Path. (Nehru. 1982) Different scholars and national leaders interpreted the sense of Hinduism or what being a Hindu means in different ways. Democratic minds, at one end like Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru, saw in it room for accommodating new markers and features with changing times, selectively rejecting regressive and conservative formations that put impedi-ments to social progress. Light of Hope To the western minds, in the early years of the twentieth century, hedged in with the fear of looming wars, instability of political orders and endemic economic depression, Rabindranath Tagores cosmogonic wisdom and universalism became the essence of Hindu point of view and appeared to show the way out of the morass. This was perhaps the reason behind Gitanjalis sudden popularity in the West. It showed them a new glimmer of hope and solution. For the bruised and confused hearts Sri Aurobindos rejection of the prevalent sense of Hindu religion that appeared to have got buried under meaningless rites and rituals and sundry paraphernalia of deities, was akin to clearing a path to true liberation that had become clogged with dirt and dross. To him self-realisation is a necessary condition for self improvement. These divergent paths bore different names and identities, yet they comprised many branches of one Hindu philosophy. The Hindu method of religious reform is essentially democratic. It allows each group to get to the truth through its own tradition by means of discipline of mind and morals. Each group has its own historic tradition, and assimilation of it is the condition of its growth of spirit. Even the savage clings to the superstitions obstinately and faithfully. For him his views are live forces... As the Hindu inquirer cast his eyes over the world, he saw that they were all conditioned by the social structure in which their fellows lived. History has made them what they are, and they cannot be made different all of a sudden... Every community has inalienable rights which others should respect... To despise other peoples gods is to despise them, for they and their gods are adapted to each other. (Radhakrishnan, 1949) Though conflicts and clashes have been part of the social history in this country, force did not become central to the methods of conversion of non-believers to ones faith, for there existed no such thing as the concept of non-believer and conversion. That left the followers of one creed freedom to move to another or modify their own doctrines without fear of losing their heads The Hindu method of religious reforms helps to bring about a change not in the name, but in the content. While we are allowed to retain the same name, we are encouraged to deepen its significance... When a new cult is accepted by Hinduism, the name is retained though a refinement of the content is effected.... Hinduism absorbs everything that enters into it, magic or animism, and raises it to a higher level (Radhakrishnan, 1949) Scholars like Dr S. Radhakrishnan, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Romila Thapar, Irfan Habib, Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya, and many others point out that many non-Aryan deities and sacraments found their way into Aryan pantheon over a long period of time. Besides, there are materialists of different hues such as Lokayatikas, Kapalikas, rationalists and so on, who are essentially this-worldly and rejected supernatural ideologies. (Abigail Turner, Lauck Vernici, 2018) They have been subjected to severe criticism by all those who reject materialism as a serious philosophy, but they form the mosaic that is Hinduism. They kept flourishing and then disintegrated into more schools of thought with a freedom that few challenged. We need not emphasise here that how on different levels, such as racial composition, enormous linguistic diversity,, stunningly multifarious literally output and artistic wealth India presents a unique example in world history. The arrival of other faiths like Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism and the separate growth of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and so on, further contributed to building of Indias heterogeneous society and strengthened its quality of comprehensive charity and capacity to accommodate. This synthesis continues to mark our ways of life and thinking. Any attempt to undo it is too puny and antithetical to Indias syncretic grain to succeed. Unfortunately deliberate attempts are being made in recent times to uphold narrow, constrictive and conservative values in the name of Hindutva revivalism by the ruling elites of the country and an atmosphere of terror and insecurity is being created among minorities, denying the basically broad-minded, catholic life view of Hinduism. Such an attempt and its forcible imposition is not only an insult to the central teachings of Hindu theology but also an outright rejection of the contribution of great thinker-visionaries like Pandit Nehru, Dr. S. Radhakrisnan, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Rabindra-nath Tagore, and numerous other crusaders for peace and harmony. When we see Swami Vivekanandas name being used as a front and embraced with crude pomposity by the Hindutva brigade most of whose energy is spent in spreading communal hatred, abusive tirades and breaking society into embattled communities of different faiths, one thing that comes to the fore most prominently is the gruesome irony of the antithetical viewpoints that the Hindutva prophets and Swami Vivekananda represent. What would the BJP-RSS ideologues say to these ringing words of Swamiji, ... if anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction of the others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written in spite of resistance: Help and not fight, Assimilation and not Destruction, Harmony and Peace and not Dissension. (From the Concluding Speech in 1893 World Parliament of Religions). While Swamiji was trying to bring out the true essence of Hinduism, the present peddlers of Hindutva extremism are out to destroy that very essence by misrepresenting it as threatened by other minority faiths and must therefore take up arms to wipe the enemies off the face of the motherland! Swami Vivekanandas mission was focused on creating a world-wide following for Hinduism by making it more accommodating and friendly to other belief systems and transforming it into a World Religion. In a letter reportedly sent by Swamiji to Muhammad Sarfaraz Husain of Naini Tal on June 10, 1898, it was written: We want to lead mankind to the place where there is neither the Vedas nor the Bible nor Koran; yet this has to be done by harmonizing the Vedas, the Bible, and the Koran. Mankind ought to be taught that religions are but varied expressions of the Religion which is Oneness, so that each may choose the faith that suits him best. (Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol 6, Epistles 2nd serieshttps://www.en.m.wikisource.org/wiki) That is why every open discussion, every conference, every seminar is belaboured and disrupted by the storm troopers of Hindutva forces. True Hinduism can barely be tolerated by them who swear by Hindu ethics! References 1. Radhakrishnan, Dr. S., The Hindu View of Life, New York, George Allen and Unwin Ltd. 1949. 2. Basham, A.L., The Wonder that was India, London, Picador, Macmillan Ltd. 2004. 3. Letters of Swami Vivekananda, Calcutta, Advaita Ashrama, 1995. 4. Guha, Ramachandra, Gandhi Before India, New Delhi, Penguin Books, 2013. 5. https://lcps.org 6. Aurobindo, Sri, The Life Divine, Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Trust, 2005. 7. Parpola, Asko, The Roots of Hinduism, The Early Aryans and the Indus Civilization, London, Oxford University Press, 2015. 8. https://en.m.wikipedia.org 9. Lipner, Julius J., Hindus: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, London, Routledge, 2009. 10. Nehru, Jawaharlal, The Discovery of India, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 1982. 11. https://www.youthkiawaz.com 12. The Banyan Tree, Not Oak: Polycentric Hinduism by Dr Pradip Bhattacharya, https://www.boloji.com>articles 13. What is Dharma, Embodied Philosophy, 2019, https://www.virdharmma.org. 14. Lokayat/CarvakaIndian Materialism by Abigail Turner, Lauck Vernici https:// www.icp.utim.edu/indmat. The author is a Professor of English at the Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Five persons with symptoms of coronavirus were rushed to hospital after they arrived in Pakistan from a flight from China, according to a media report on Sunday. The suspected patients were on the Air China flight carrying 177 passengers, which landed in Islamabad on Friday, The Express Tribune reported quoting airport officials. The five passengers were segregated as their body temperatures registered above normal during thermal scanning at the airport, the paper said. The suspected cases include four local people and a Chinese national. They were shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for tests. The death toll in China due to novel coronavirus epidemic rose to 811, while the confirmed cases jumped to over 37,000, the National Health Commission announced on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HANOVER, N.H. There is some disagreement on whether the post-debate glow of Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota should be called Klomentum or a Klobucharge, but whatever the terminology she had it Saturday afternoon. On the Democratic debate stage the previous evening, Ms. Klobuchar had made a pitch for herself as a fresh face and had criticized former Mayor Pete Buttigieg as a cool newcomer. She had also enjoyed herself. We had so much fun at that debate last night, she said. I felt I had a home-field advantage because it was in an ice arena. That was a rosier post-debate analysis than her rival Senator Elizabeth Warren offered of her own performance, where one of her most memorable lines we cannot just say criminal justice is the only time we want to talk about race didnt come until later in the evening. The elementary school librarian and mother of three killed in a Silverton house fire Friday night was an outstanding educator who cared very deeply about the success and well-being of each and every one of her students, the Lakewood schools superintendent said in a letter that will go out to parents Monday. Lakewood schools Superintendent Laura Winters said in a statement Saturday that Sara Trahey, a media specialist at the Ella G. Clarke School, died in a fire at her home Friday. The Ocean County Prosecutors Office said it is investigating a Friday night fire that left one woman dead but has not released her name. Authorities responded to a report of a fire in the Silverton section of Toms River to find a home fully engulfed with flames beginning to spread to nearby residences. Three children and an adult escaped, but a womans body was found in the home after the fire was extinguished, according to the prosecutors office. The statement from Winters says Trahey leaves behind three children, ages 2, 7 and 9, and her husband, Jeff. As of Saturday evening, a GoFundMe campaign established for Traheys family had raised more than $24,000 from 308 individual donors. Sara was loved and respected in the community, and her death has left a hole in our hearts and lives, the GoFundMe page says. Crisis counselors will be available for students and staff throughout the week, Winters said. NJ Advance Media reporter Joe Atmonavage contributed to this report. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Canada is standing by in case China asks for more help as it grapples with the novel coronavirus outbreak that originated there, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday, noting that the virus continues to pose little threat in this country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois-Philippe Champagne speaks to reporters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Canada is standing by in case China asks for more help as it grapples with the novel coronavirus outbreak that originated there, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday, noting that the virus continues to pose little threat in this country. Trudeau said Canada has already responded to China's request for medical equipment, including face masks and other protective gear, as the infection rate and death toll from the virus continues to climb. "We are going to continue to work with them to ensure that they have the resources to contain this virus," he told a news conference near the end of his three-day visit to Ethiopia. "We recognize it is a difficult and uncertain time for them and for everyone around the world but as an international community we do have to continue to work together and we're there to help." Most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, but the respiratory illness can be deadly in some people. More than 37,000 have been sickened worldwide and more than 800 have died, with the death toll now higher than that of the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003. Two deaths thus far occurred in patients outside of China, one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines. Seven cases of novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Canada. An update from the Public Health Agency of Canada says four cases are in British Columbia and three are in Ontario. "The measures we have taken on as recommended by the World Health Organization and our own chief medical officer are effective until now," Trudeau said. "We continue to monitor the situation internationally, work with our partners, particularly the WHO, to make sure that everything we're doing is consistent with what needs to happen to keep Canadians safe." The virus originated in Wuhan, China's fifth biggest city, and more than 70 per cent of the confirmed cases worldwide were diagnosed in patients in that country. China took extraordinary measures to try to keep the virus from spreading, including quarantining entire cities such as Wuhan. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, who is with Trudeau in Africa, said a second plane left Trenton, Ont., very early Sunday morning to bring home more Canadians who have asked to return from China. The flight is headed first to Hong Kong where it will have to wait before going into Wuhan. Chinese authorities are giving foreign nations small time openings in which to land and fly out with their citizens. "The plane would be leaving (China) on the 10th of February, bringing back the last group of Canadians who want to be repatriated on the 11th," Champagne said. There are 236 Canadians waiting to board the plane from a city that has been under quarantine for weeks as Chinese authorities try to contain the virus's spread, Canadian officials said Sunday. A first planeload of Canadians arrived at an Ontario military base last Friday, carrying 176 people, including two members of the rapid deployment team, said Champagne. A second group that travelled to Canada on a U.S. flight brought the total of repatriated Canadians to 213, he said. Those evacuees are being kept at CFB Trenton for 14 days to make sure they don't get sick and start spreading the germs across the country. However, eight Canadian Forces medical staff who accompanied the evacuees from China were released from quarantine Sunday. Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, said in a statement that she's assessed each member of the medical staff and concluded they are not at risk of exposure to the virus. They did not spend time in Wuhan, followed appropriate infection prevention and control protocols including the use of personal protective equipment and did not have unprotected contact with the passengers who were flown to Canada, Tam said. Of the 213 evacuees still in quarantine at CFB Trenton, Tam said none have exhibited any symptoms of the virus. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Under the Quarantine Act, Tam has the discretion to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether to shorten the quarantine period based on an assessment of the risk of harm to public health. The federal government is also monitoring the well-being of 285 Canadians quarantined on two cruise ships off the coast of Japan and Hong Kong. There are seven Canadians with confirmed cases of the coronavirus contracted aboard one of the ships, which is docked in the port city of Yokohama, just outside Tokyo. Those patients have been taken to Japanese hospitals for treatment and monitoring. Champagne said he'd spoken to the head of the cruise line earlier in the day. "I wanted to make sure that we're all linked up," he said. "I wanted to make sure we're all there for the families, for the people who are there." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. The Portland cement has since been removed from most of the structure. Only the east tower remains. The old stuff will be replaced with new coats of traditional lime-washed plaster mixed with cactus juice, which allows the walls to breathe and release moisture. Fickle funding has delayed tower work Funding issues have delayed the roughly $3 million project for years, but a grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places will help finally get the work off the ground. Patronato San Xavier was one of 13 congregations and nonprofits nationwide, and the first in Arizona, selected by the fund in 2018. The grant requires a two-to-one match, so Patronato will have to raise $500,000 of its own to get the full $250,000. Were confident that well be able to reach that matching amount and then some, Green said. This has been a project that weve been trying to create capacity for, and several sources of funding have vanished before our eyes. At least two US and nine Afghan troops were killed and several more injured in a 'deadly shootout' with members of the US-partnered Afghan army, Newsweek reports. Reports first came from the US military on Saturday afternoon that American and Afghan military personnel were fired on while conducting an operation in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province. Newsweek now reports that two US troops and nine Afghan troops were killed in a shootout between US soldiers and soldiers in the allied Afghan forces. The New York Times has also reported that the deaths came in a 'deadly shootout between Afghan and American soldiers during a joint exercise'. It is not clear whether the ambush was conducted by a member or members of the Taliban who had infiltrated the Afghan army or if it was the result of an argument between US and Afghan troops. US soldier walks past burning trucks at the scene of a suicide attack at the Afghan-Pakistan border crossing in Nangarhar province, where two US soldiers may have died on Saturday US soldiers and an Afghan police officer take a break whilst on patrol near Kandahar Airfield on June 3, 2014, where US forces work alongside Afghan troops to clear the Taliban The attack happened in the Nangarhar province in Afghanistan on Saturday, February 8 The 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group and members of the allied Afghan Special Operations Forces were conducting key leader engagement in the eastern Nangarhar province on Saturday when the attack came. The operation is to help the Afghan government clear the area of Taliban and insurgent forces. A US official told Newsweek that there were two US fatalities in the attack, which is being classified as 'green-on-blue.' A 'green-on-blue' attack is one in which a member or members of the Afghan army fire upon their allies in the US army. The New York Times has also reported that the incident was 'a deadly shootout between Afghan and American soldiers during a joint exercise'. Mubariz Khadem, a senior security official in Nangarhar, told the Times that the clashes took place between U.S. and Afghan forces and casualties were feared. In figures differing from Newsweek, The Times, quoting two Afghan officials, reported that five or six American soldiers and six Afghan soldiers were killed. The newspaper also quoted a U.S. military official saying there were at least six American casualties and confirmed that there were fatalities without saying how many. A tweet from 7th Special Forces group confirmed that soldiers were killed or injured in the incident and that the families of the deceased and wounded were being notified. US military spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett said in a statement that both Afghan and US personnel were 'engaged by direct firing' as Newsweek reports two US fatalities US military spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett said in a statement that both Afghan and US personnel were 'engaged by direct firing'. 'We are assessing the situation,' Leggett said, without saying whether there were any casualties. No other official details were made available. Early unverified claims by the Taliban indicated at least five dead US soldiers. A senior Afghan defence official told Reuters it was not clear whether the incident was a result of clashes between Afghan and foreign forces or whether hardline Islamist militants were responsible for the attack. 'We are not ruling any possibility out but we are not calling it an insider attack, Taliban attack, or 'green-on-blue' at this stage,' said the official who requested anonymity. Since the American invasion of Afghanistan, Taliban infiltrators have been a recurring problem in the Afghan Army. The Taliban and the Islamic State group affiliate both operate in eastern Nangarhar province were the attack took place. A US flag is seen at a military post in July 2018 in Deh Bala district of Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan, where there were two unconfirmed US fatalities on Saturday Locals look on as in 2013 a US Army soldier patrols the streets of Wazir Bazaar in the province of Nangarhar, the province where a deadly attack on US troops took place on Saturday This past December, 23 Afghan soldiers were killed when a Taliban infiltrator opened fire on his colleagues at a base in Ghazni Province in eastern Afghanistan. The incident on Saturday comes as Washington seeks to find an end to Afghanistan's 18-year war, America's longest. Washington's peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been meeting with Taliban representatives in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar in recent weeks. He's seeking an agreement to reduce hostilities to get a peace deal signed that would start negotiations among Afghans on both sides of the conflict. In his State of the Union Address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump referenced the peace talks, saying US soldiers were not meant to serve as 'law enforcement agencies' for other nations. 'In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our war fighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress, and peace talks are now underway,' he said. A leading serviced office space provider has recruited a Russian seamstress living in Direct Provision as part of their green initiative. Olga Voytenko, who has turned her hobby into a business, will be in Glandore's Cork offices next week to show how a stitch in time saves the environment. The event is part of Glandore's aim to achieve an eco-friendly workspace for its members. Using Olga's expertise, they hope to encourage members to have their clothes repaired or altered instead of throwing them out and giving in to fast fashion. Olga, who has been living in direct provision in Cork for three years, opened her business in the heart of the city last December. One of four businessmen who supported her was John Dennehy, chairman and founder of Zartis and a member of Glandore. Mr Dennehy recommended Olga to Glandore who support female entrepreneurs and they were delighted to hire her. Olga will carry out small touch-up jobs when she visits the Cork offices next Wednesday. Clothes needing more detailed work will be taken back to her sewing studio on Patrick's Hill and returned to members in about four to five days. Glandore is intent on creating a greener working environment in its offices in Cork, Dublin and Belfast. Head of marketing at Glandore, Henry Daly, said all of their nine buildings use renewable energy and their Cork offices are already plastic-free. The availability of the seamstress is the latest addition to the perks enjoyed by Glandore's members. They already enjoy visits to their offices from a barber and a hairdresser. An arrangement can also be made for a fitness instructor and a masseuse to pop by. Olga can help members keep their clothes looking smart. It is all about supporting local business and trying to champion sustainability. "We are encouraging everyone to have a look at their clothes before throwing them out and buying something new. Olga will help show members that there is still plenty of life left in them, said Mr Daly. Sales manager at Glandore, Danielle Healy, said: We are fully committed to supporting female entrepreneurs and small businesses through our partner programme, so this connection with Olga is very welcome." Olga, who lives in the Kinsale Road direct provision centre with her daughter, said she is delighted to be asked to be involved in Glandore's latest green initiative: It will certainly help my business." Olga learned to sew from a young age both at home and at school. Her grandmother was her first teacher and she had two aunts who sewed and repaired clothes. I have big ideas. I'd like a few studios in Cork and maybe some in other cities too." Olga's business idea was one of a number considered by the generous businessman. She was given a loan and will pay it back when her business became profitable so other refugees or asylum seekers can be helped to establish a business. Experts say order that all victims be cremated quickly without a funeral is unnecessary and adds to families grief. Sichuan, China Orders issued by Chinas top health authority for the swift cremation of the remains of coronavirus victims at facilities near the hospitals where they died appear to be an overreaction and unnecessary to curb the transmission of the disease, top epidemiologists have said. The February 2 notice from the countrys National Health Commission requires hospitals to notify funeral parlours of the death along with family members, but also states the procedure can be completed even if the family of the deceased does not agree. According to the NHC cremation order: If family members of an nCoV-2019 patient refuse to show up for the procedure or refuse to comply, and medical institutions, cremation parlors have failed to persuade them to do so, then the body can be cremated with the medical institutions signature, and public security authorities overseeing the area must carry out their relevant work accordingly. The order also prohibits funeral ceremonies for those who have died from the virus, potentially cutting off the grieving process and any religious ceremony for families and entire communities who are mourning the loss of their loved ones, and there is little sign such an arrangement is even necessary. There is no evidence to suggest that the coronavirus can spread during preparations of the body for burial, Ronald St John, former director-general of the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Public Health Agency of Canada who managed Canadas response to the 2003 SARS outbreak, told Al Jazeera. That is not the case for Ebola, where much care has to be taken with the disposal of the body, St John said. There may be a practical element for this decision, [meaning] cremation is fast and takes up less space than standard burial if large numbers of deaths might occur. As of Sunday, at least 811 people in mainland China have died from the virus, with most of them in Hubei province where the outbreak is thought to have originated in December and where understaffed hospitals have been overburdened by known and suspected cases. The risk for droplet transmission from a dead body is extremely low, Dr Hagai Levine, professor of epidemiology with expertise in outbreak investigation, at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Public Health in Jerusalem, told Al Jazeera. There is a long history of fear from dead bodies during epidemics. Data gaps It is also a problem, according to epidemiologists, that both those known to have died of the coronavirus and those who have died from pneumonia but have not been not confirmed to have contracted the virus, are being cremated. These actions are leaving major gaps in the investigation data even though it has been over a month since China first notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak. We still dont know even the basic descriptive epidemiological data such as distribution of cases and deaths by age, sex and risk factors, as well as presentation and proportion of various clinical symptoms and signs, Levine said. We need more reports of professional outbreak investigations and descriptive epidemiology from China in order to establish key factors such as mode of transmission and incubation period, he added. More and better epidemiological investigations or better reports are urgently needed in order to inform evidence-based response. When reached on Sunday, a representative of the NHCs publicity department said only faxed questions with the official stamp from Al Jazeera would be accepted and that officers could not respond to questions over the phone. The death of medical whistle-blower Dr Li Wenliang triggered anger across China and people left tributes at his hospital. The families of the more than 800 people who have now died from the virus have been told their loved ones must be cremated and there can be no funeral [Shi Zhi/EPA] A WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said the agency does not have special recommendations regarding dealing with remains for victims of the 2019-nCoV. We recommend following national and hospital guidelines for management of dead bodies for infectious diseases, Jasarevic said in an emailed statement. The cremation order has also come under fire amid posts on Chinese social media of family members who never agreed to have relatives cremated, only found out after the fact, or could not stop bodies from being transported for cremation. Most of these posts appear to be getting censored as authorities ramp up scrutiny of online messaging about the order. One prominent post about the emotional and physical toll the epidemic was taking on a funeral parlour worker in Wuhan working nearly 24 hours a day under extreme pressure was removed within a day of it appearing. Dignity in death Reached by phone on Thursday to discuss the current situation, a worker from the Wuchang Funeral Parlour only responded that the government has solved the problems before hanging up. It is especially concerning that there are so many reports of people dying and [being] quickly cremated but not having been tested, as their deaths may not have been recorded as official victims of the 2019-nCov virus which may be relevant for future compensation as well as global virus tracking and their family members not properly scanned, treated, or supported, Frances Eve, deputy director of research at Chinese Human Rights Defenders, told Al Jazeera. Everyone who has died from the coronavirus is a person who had a life, family, and friends. The victims of this crisis deserve dignity in their death, Eve said. Faith organisations understand the Chinese government is under tremendous pressures, particularly in the hardest-hit areas of Hubei. They do, however, also hope authorities can find a middle ground that could allow for proper observance for families, as has been done even with more virulent diseases such as Ebola. The directives may be necessary to be implemented, but the authorities should be encouraged to apply it in a dignified and sensitive manner both to the deceased and the grieving family [and] friends, Manoj Kurian, a doctor and coordinator at the World Council of Churches told Al Jazeera. The concerned officials may need assistance from social workers and traditional and religious persons who are knowledgeable about these practices, Kurian said. From the experiences [with] the Ebola outbreak, it is evident that a consultative process in approaching and practising burials [or] cremations in a dignified and respectful manner, without compromising the public health, will ultimately help curb the outbreak. For past Ebola outbreaks, where up to 20 percent of new infections were the result of the burial process, the WHO issued specific protocol regarding burial and how to preserve customs, religious practices and respect for those who had died. Ultimately this is about the authorities having all the controland the people affected having no say in anythingwhich is the way Chinese society sadly functions under the [Communist Party of China], Maya Wang, a senior researcher with Human Rights Watch in Hong Kong told Al Jazeera. Additional reporting assistance provided by Jonathan Zhong A seven-and-a-half-year-old cocker spaniel has undergone a pacemaker implant surgery that veterinary surgeons claim to be the first in India, as per reports. A pediatric pacemaker was imported and implanted in the female dog named Khushi who had suffered a complete heart block that led to her heart rate plummeting to 20 beats per minute as against the normal 60-120. Dr Bhanu Dev Sharma, an interventional cardiologist for small animals at Max Vets Hospital, Greater Kailash, said that her heart was not able to perform impulses necessary for normal cardiac functioning. READ: South Africa: Dog Swallows Owner's Engagement Ring, See X-ray Dog developed complete heart block He added that the amount of blood that circulates to the heart had reduced significantly. Sharma said that according to her owners, Khushi was a lazy dog. He also added that during an emergency ear operation in February last year, she had collapsed but the surgeons managed to revive her. Once she recovered from her ear surgery, doctors examined her and a ECG showed that she has a complete heart block. The four-legged creature was operated on December 15 and the pacemaker was implanted after a one-and-a-half-hour-long surgery. READ: Hundreds Of Dogs Dash For Westminster Agility Title Dog accidentally swallows ring Meanwhile, Pepper, a dog from South Africa accidentally swallowed a Pretoria womans engagement ring which was revealed in an X-ray, according to the reports. Pepper was admitted to the Valley Farm Animal Hospital, where the ring was recovered out of his body and the hospital posted his picture on the Facebook page narrating the incident. The dog, that looks exceedingly guilty about his actions, can be seen squatting in the picture with a sullen face. The caption explained that Pepper was ingested a medicine to puke, so the doctors could recover the ring out of his body. It read, "My name is Pepper. Do I look a little nauseous? That's because the vet has just given me something to make me vomit! Not because the vet is a meanie but because I ate my Mom's engagement ring!!! Don't ask! It seemed like a good idea at the time!!" the caption said. READ: Court Fight Over Lost Dog Survives After Dogs Owner Dies READ: Puppy In Crime: Deputies Take Man, Dog Into Custody In Theft (with inputs from agencies) The mission is bigger than any one person. Marina Salandy-Brown has employed that self-sacrificial task-focused approach to successfully create the most influential modern literary movement in the Caribbean: the Bocas Lit Fest. In 11 short years Salandy-Brown, as founder and president of the Bocas Lit Fest, has brought together the best and brightest of Caribbean literature for the annual celebration, the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, sparking a literary renaissance of sorts in the region. New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has created a 'device' that will detect their boats and warn them by sending them messages to prevent deep-sea Indian fishermen from crossing the international maritime border with Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Naval officers have informed a committee of Parliament in this regard. Sonia became Rajesh after gender change, then did this work... The committee had submitted its report in Parliament recently. According to the report, naval officers told the Standing Committee on Defense, "Our international shipping border is adjacent to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. All those boats are fitted with automatic detection system (AIS) which is more than 20 meters high. However, some mischievous elements cross the international maritime boundary line. These are the same people who use boats less than 20 meters in height." New twist in RJD meeting, due to resentment these veteran leaders did not participate Officials said that, therefore, the Indian Navy has taken a new initiative with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). It states that ISRO has now developed a module under which a transponder system has been developed which helps in locating the position and location of those boats, as well as sending them alert in this regard. Jharkhand: Impact of changing power clearly seen, big change related to former CM Sinn Fein councillor for Louth, Antoin Watters says that hard work after a disappointing local election last year has played its part in the partys success in the general election. Speaking to the Democrat in the count centre in Carnbeg Hotel, Cllr Watters added that he was delighted with the turnout. We didnt have a great local election, so I suppose, thinking of a General Election coming up, we always had the doubt. We worked hard, we have a good team of counsellors there who are constantly working representing their constituency. He added: So, look, were always going to be back on the ground after a win or a loss, so were always going to be there. Thats why the work paid off and we have two TDs to show for it. Reflecting on the day so far, Cllr Watters said described it as a great day. Im delighted with the turnout and the support that we got, especially in the North Louth area. Were working very hard over the last 20 years to build this seat and the profile we have out there. So look were delighted. A lot of hard work went in, a lot of country roads and everything covered. He added: We were on the ground, we hit it hard and look, absolutely delighted and I have to say Imelda and Ruairi here are two great TDs to be representing us in the Dail. So, look, very excited for the future and the next coming months, its very good. Looking at the local issues that Cllr Watters wants to tackle, underfunding for rural areas is a major problem. Look, for me, in the rural constituency, theres a lot of issues. Underfunding in the North Louth area. We are constantly giving out about the quality of the roads. Me, myself, you are paying contributions for building new houses and its not going towards improving infrastructure around you. A lot of people that were talking around the doors are of the same opinion that we need more investment in rural Ireland because people deserve it, everyone deserves it. Improved communications infrastructure is another issue, Sinn Fein will look to tackle. Broadband is a massive issue. It is something that I will be sitting down with Ruairi in the coming weeks and months to start our plan for what we can do for the North Louth area because, at the end of the day, we deserve these services. Were paying enough for, through taxation, to get these services there. So its very important that we get them. So look, theres a lot of things to be done and were looking forward to it. Israel's supreme court on Sunday overturned a decision by the country's elections body to disqualify an Arab lawmaker from running in March elections after accusations she supported "terrorists". The central elections committee in January invalidated the candidacy of Heba Yazbak, a member of the Arab Joint List. Yazbak is a member of the Arab nationalist group Balad and has been in the Knesset since last April's polls. A petition alleged she supported armed struggle against Israel and had praised militants who killed Israelis. Yazbak was targeted in particular over a Facebook post in support of Samir Kantar, a member of the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah who was convicted of murdering three Israelis, including a four-year-old girl, in 1979. "There was no 'critical mass' of formal evidence to justify disqualifying her," said the supreme court, which took into account "remorse" expressed by Yazbak. Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party had joined forces with the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu in the petition to disqualify Yazbak. The two parties seek the disqualification of parties which challenge the Jewish character of Israel or which support armed opposition to the Jewish state. "Those who want Heba in the opposition and not in government must vote only for Likud," the Likud party wrote on Twitter after the court's decision was announced. Israel's top court barred two members of the extreme-right party Jewish Power from running in the September 2019 elections over "incitement to racism." The March 2 polls are Israel's third in less than a year, after national polls in April and September failed to yield a governing coalition. Netanyahu's right wing Likud party was deadlocked with centrist Benny Gantz's Blue and White party in both the 2019 elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (For the latest China news, Please follow People's Daily on Twitter and Facebook Half of Bangladesh's population will leave that country if Indian citizenship was promised to them, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday. Speaking at Santh Ravidas jayanthi celebrations here, Reddy dared Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to prove in what way the Citizenship Amendment Act was against the 130 crore population of India. "Half of Bangladesh will be empty (vacant) if India offers citizenship to them (Bangladeshis). Half of Bangladeshis will come over to India if citizenship is promised (to them). Who will take responsibility? KCR? or Rahul Gandhi?," he asked. "They seek citizenship for infiltrators. The Government of India is ready to review the CAA..," Reddy said. Noting that CAA was brought in on humanitarian grounds for certain persecuted communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, he said some political parties were demanding that citizenship be given to Muslims of those countries also. Taking a dig at TRS and its 'friendly party' AIMIM, Reddy alleged that the former was indulging in vote bank politics. "I am requesting the TRS party. I am requesting the Chief Minister (KCR). I am challenging the Chief Minister to prove if any one person out of 130 crore citizens of this country were affected by the Citizenship Amendment Act," the Union Minister of State for Home said. Asserting that refugees and infiltrators should not be treated alike, he claimed that parties such as Congress were seeking citizenship for infiltrators, who came from Bangladesh and Pakistan. According to him, some refugees have been staying in India for the past 40 years without any facilities and documents such as voter id, Aadhar or ration card. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pete Buttigieg often asks people at his rallies to picture the day when the sun comes up and Donald Trumps not the president. Its how Buttigieg explains that he represents a new direction for the country. At 38, he is not only the youngest remaining candidate in the race, he would also be the nations first openly gay president. But representing a new direction doesnt necessarily mean the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., is charting a more progressive course. In some ways, hes advocating policies that are more conservative than what is in place now in California. Buttigieg is trying to squeeze into a tight political window in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination not as far left as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders or Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and yet not quite as far in the other direction as former Vice President Joe Biden. Heres what would be in store for California under a Buttigieg presidency if he got everything on his wish list: Health care: Californians could keep their private health insurance if Buttigieg were elected. He supports Medicare for All, but more as an idea than an actual policy goal. For now, he backs Medicare for All Who Want It. It would automatically enroll uninsured people in the government-administered health care program, while allowing people who have private insurance to buy into the plan if they wished. It is essentially what Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar call a public option, but with different branding. The plan allows Buttigieg to dodge an attack President Trump previewed during his State of the Union address. Medicare for All, Trump said, would be a socialist takeover of our health care system, wiping out the private health insurance plans of 180 million Americans. These public option plans are trying to tap into the enthusiasm for Medicare for All and the idea that you could join Medicare and save money but avoid that political land mine of taking away peoples insurance, said Larry Levitt, who studies the candidates health plans as executive vice president for health policy for the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank in San Francisco. The foundations polling shows more Democrats and left-leaning independent voters support making incremental changes to the Affordable Care Act than replacing it with a Medicare for All plan. Buttigieg would cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare. And he would increase Affordable Care Act subsidies for middle-income Americans. Finances, taxes: Californias wealthiest residents and corporations would pay more under a Buttigieg administration, but not as much as they would if Warren or Sanders were president. Like most Democratic candidates, Buttigieg wants to roll back the tax cuts that Trump signed into law in 2017, which would mean pushing the corporate tax rate back to 35% from its current 21%. While Warren wants a 2% annual tax on people with more than $50 million in wealth and an additional 1% tax on those with more than $1 billion, Buttigieg would tax the rich in a different way. He would raise capital gains rates for the top 1% of income earners and apply Social Security taxes to the top 2% of earners. He would also institute a 0.1% financial transactions tax. Environment: Again, Buttigieg is setting more modest goals than what some of his competitors suggest and what California has put in place or set in motion. He proposes a realistic plan to become a net-zero emissions society no later than 2050. In 2018, then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law mandating that California rely on zero-emission energy sources for its electricity by 2045. How we cover the candidates The Chronicle is examining how California would look if the major Democratic presidential candidates were elected and could implement their top policy priorities. Candidates' positions are taken from their websites, their campaign comments, and in some cases legislation they have sponsored in office. Today's installment is on former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Here are the other installments in this series: Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren. All of The Chronicle's 2020 campaign coverage is found at sfchronicle.com/politics. See More Collapse Buttigieg is one of two remaining top Democratic candidates the other is Andrew Yang who back a carbon tax, in which the government charges a fixed amount for every ton of carbon dioxide a company releases into the atmosphere. There would be no limit to what a company could emit, but there would be a financial incentive to cut pollution. Buttigieg would distribute the money raised to low- and middle-income Americans. Instead of a carbon tax, California uses a cap-and-trade system, which sets annual limits on how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases industries can emit. Companies can either buy credits for every ton of gas they produce or cut their emissions. Buttigieg would spend $1.5 trillion to combat climate change, which is close to what Warren and Biden propose but a lot less than the $16 trillion that Sanders wants from Washington. Buttigiegs plan includes $250 billion for a clean energy bank that would fund local green projects in low-income communities. Education: Buttigieg has a different philosophy from Warren and Sanders when it comes to offering free public college tuition: He thinks there should be income limits for those who would benefit. Families that earn up to $100,000 a year would pay no public college tuition under a Buttigieg administration. Families earning $100,000 to $150,000 would pay a reduced tuition on a sliding scale. Many California students already pay no tuition. University of California undergraduates whose families earn $80,000 or less annually can attend school tuition-free; one-third of undergraduates qualify. In the California State University system, the threshold is $70,000; 63% of students qualify. California already offers free tuition for the first two years of community college for first-time students who attend full time. Instead of canceling student debt, as Warren and Sanders propose, Buttigieg wants to increase Pell Grants to low-income students so they can spend it on food, housing and books to help them stay in school. A September survey of 15,000 students by the California Student Aid Commission found that two-thirds said they didnt have a stable source of food and housing. Immigration: Buttigieg said that in his first 100 days in office, he would propose legislation offering a path to citizenship for undocumented residents. He would also extend temporary protection for those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are temporarily protected from being deported. California is home to 223,000 of them. He would also expand their ability to receive Pell Grants for education. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli Bangladesh fast bowler Abu Jayed has been given an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second day of the first Test against Pakistan here. Jayed was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match." In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Jayed, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 23rd over of Pakistan's innings. Jayed, after dismissing Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, celebrated too close to the batsman, which could have provoked an aggressive response from Azhar. Jayed admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and as such there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Nigel Llong and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Marais Erasmus and fourth official Shozab Raza levelled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Many black women were activists and womens suffrage movement leaders. Through public speaking, prolific writing and developing organizations dedicated to racial and and gender equality, they fought for equal rights and dignity for all. Among the black women who were activists during Reconstruction were the five Rollins sisters of South Carolina, who fought for female voting rights; Maria Stewart, an outspoken abolitionist before the Civil War and suffragist once it ended; and Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first black woman in North America to edit and publish a newspaper, one of the first black female lawyers in the country and an advocate for granting women the right to vote. Gaborone (Botswana), 8 February 2020 (SPS) - Saharawi Ambassador to Botswana and Permanent Representative to SADC, Mr. Malainin Mohamed, presented Today his governments condolences to H.E. Ambassador. Mohamed Sidiye, High Commissioner of Kenya to Botswana, on the occasion of the passing away of the late former President of Kenya, Daniel Arap Moi, who passed away last February the 4th. Visiting the High Commission of Kenya in Gaborone to sign on the Condolences Book, the Saharawi Ambassador expressed his and his governments deep sadness about the great loss of a great son of Africa, and a Kenyan leader who led the country during a sensitive period of its history. The High Commissioner of Kenya, H.E. Ambassador. Mohamed Sidiye, presented to his Saharawi guest a detailed biography of the late President Daniel Arab Moi, stating his many good qualities and services to the country. He stressed in particular the personal characters of the late President, who was well famous about his modesty, straightforwardness and high spirit of nationalism. On his side, the Saharawi Ambassador stressed that the Saharawi people will always remember that their young state, the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, was first admitted in the early 1980ies as a full-fledged Member of the OAU under the Chairmanship of Danielle Arap Moi, in a period when the Moroccan occupation of parts of Western Sahara was strong and dishonorably supported by old colonial powers. He further recalled that it was also under the leadership of Arap Moi, and that of Kenya, that the African leaders joined force to push towards the resolution of the last conflict of decolonization in Africa, leading to the adoption by the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, meeting in its Nineteenth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa from 6 to 12 June 1983, of resolution AHG/Res. 104 (XIX) on Western Sahara, which formed the basis for the UN brokered peace plan later in 1991. (SPS) 062/SPS/SADREMBW BJP National President JP Nadda pays tributes to saint Ravi Das on Ravi Das Jayanti. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday slammed BJP and Congress over celebrating Ravi Das Jayanti. Calling it a drama she criticised both the parties for using Image Source: IANS News BJP National President JP Nadda pays tributes to saint Ravi Das on Ravi Das Jayanti. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday slammed BJP and Congress over celebrating Ravi Das Jayanti. Calling it a drama she criticised both the parties for using Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, Feb 9 : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday slammed the BJP and the Congress over celebrating Ravidas Jayanti. Calling it a drama she criticised both the parties for using the name of iconic poet and saint as per their convenience. Mayawati's comment came in the wake of Saturday's exit polls that predict setbacks for the BJP as well as the Congress in Delhi Assembly polls. Taking to Twitter, the BSP supremo wrote: "The Congress, the BJP and other parties don't respect Guru Ravidas. When they are in power, especially in UP, they do drama of visiting temples but as soon as they go out of power they forget everything. Be careful of their selfish motives." Referring to her party's rule in Uttar Pradesh, she said: "Whereas the BSP is the only party that during its government gave full respect to him but these parties want to discontinue it too. It is condemnable." On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP national president J.P. Nadda along with other leaders across the nation paid tributes to Ravidas on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi had also offered prayers at the Sri Guru Ravidas Janamsthan Mandir, Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi. She also took "Guru ka Langar" on the occasion of Sant Ravidas Jayanti. Latest updates on Gandhi Jayanti 2019 Iran comes under cyber-attack again, a massive offensive brought down a large portion of the Iranian access to the Internet. Iran infrastructures are under attack, a massive cyberattack brought down a large portion of the Iranian access to the Internet, according to the experts the national connectivity fell to 75%. The N etBlocks internet observatory, which tracks disruptions and shutdowns, observed yesterday (February 8, 2019) a massive outage of the countrys connectivity to the Internet Confirmed: Internet partially shut down #Iran from 11:45 a.m. local time (08:15 UTC); real-time network data show national connectivity fall to 75% after authorities reportedly activated "Digital Fortress" isolation mechanism; incident ongoing https://t.co/Qb8bxYUT71 pic.twitter.com/bsETg1Sfxb NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) February 8, 2020 According to NetBlock, the connectivity issue was observed after the Iranian Government has deployed the Digital Fortress (also known as D DEZHFA/Dejfa) which is the national cyber shield. Network data from the NetBlocks internet observatory confirm extensive disruption to telecommunication networks in Iran on the morning of Saturday, 8 February 2020 lasting several hours. reads a post published by NetBlocks . Network data show a distinct fall in connectivity with several of Irans leading network operators from approximately 11:45 a.m. local time (08:15 UTC) affecting cellular and fixed-line operators. Partial recovery was observed one hour after the initial shutdown but other networks returned some seven hours after the incident onset. National connectivity fell to a low point of 75% of ordinary levels for a period during the morning. In December 2019, the Iranian telecommunications minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, announced that the Islamic Republic had recently thwarted a highly organized cyber attack targeting its government infrastructure. In October 2019, addressing the Munich Security Conference (MSC) Cyber Security Summit in Qatar, Azari Jahromi said his countrys cybersecurity project codenamed Digital Fortress (Dejfa) deterred 33 million cyberattacks in 2018. According to the experts, the Internet outage suffered yesterday by Iran had impacted some network operators. ICT ministry officials confirmed that the Digital Fortress system repelled a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. Technical data confirm that networks were disabled while the countrys infrastructures were under attack. A spokesperson for Irans Telecommunication Infrastructure Company, confirmed via Twitter that a DDoS attack had been normalized with the intervention of the Dzhafa Shield. #CyberAttack at 11:44 local time disrupted internet services in #Iran for an hour. The distributed denial-of-service (#DDoS) attack was repelled by Irans Digital Fortress (Dejfa in Persian): ICT ministry official. https://t.co/MCxkpngeC2 Khosro Kalbasi (@KhosroKalbasi) February 8, 2020 While NetBlocks pointed out that the observation is consistent with a targeted disruption, the Financial Tribune revealed that there is no evidence that the attack was launched by a nation-state actor. No sign of state sponsorship of the attack has been detected yet. Bonabi told Financial Tribune. The attacks sources and destinations were highly distributed. Spoofed source IPs from East Asia and North America were used in the DDoS attack, Iran has faced multiple network disruptions in recent months, in some caused the problems were caused by internal factors. In December Iran telecommunications minister announced that for the second time in a week it has foiled a cyber attack against its infrastructure. In N ovember 2019, after the announcement of the government to cut fuel subsidies, p rotests erupted in Iran and the authorities blocked access to the internet to p revent the spreading of news, videos, and images online. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs Iran, hacking) A life-size statue of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was damaged by unidentified persons in Hazaribag, around 90 kilometer from capital Ranchi, police said on Sunday. The statue, set up at Kumhar Toli under ward-24 of Hazaribag city, was found broken with its right hand, holding a stick, completely detached from the frame. A police team is probing the incident. Hazaribags Katkamdag police station in-charge Gautam Kumar said, We visited the place on Sunday and began our investigation. Prima facie, it seems the statue was damaged by unsocial elements. However, anything concrete can only be said after the investigation gets completed. This is the second incident in the last 15 years of the Mahatmas statue getting damaged here. Irate local residents demanded the immediate arrest of the persons involved in the act. President of Mahatma Gandhi Smarak Vikash Nyas (MGSVN) president Manoj Verma said the incident took place on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, but they learned about it only on Saturday evening. We informed the Sadar police station on Saturday evening. But the police visited the place on Sunday, Verma said. He said lock of one of the three gates leading to the statue was found broken. First two gates are locked, while the lock of the third gate was broken, he said. A platform in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi was made on February 2, 1948, at Kumhar Toli and Gandhi Smarak (memorial) was established. Gandhis urn was brought here from Delhi later and since then, Gandhi birth and death anniversary are observed here every year. Verma said they started erecting a statue on the platform in 2005, which was opposed by some people, who damaged the statue then. With the help of the local administration, the statue was resurrected, added Verma. He alleged that land mafias were trying to grab the land. Hands of land mafias in damaging the statue cannot be ignored, he said. Verma said some unidentified persons had earmarked 27 decimals of land for limestone dust. This indicates that land mafias are trying to grab this land, he said. (UPDATE: Deebo, police dog stabbed in the head, is one of the family, chief says) SAGINAW, MI -- A 48-year-old man was killed by police after he stabbed a K-9 police dog in the head, officials confirmed Sunday. Saginaw police were called to the 600 block of Sheridan Avenue for an incident around 8 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. A neighbor had called 911 to report a disturbance. Saginaw police Chief Bob Ruth said officers were called to the location for neighbor trouble, which eventually evolved into a domestic situation that evolved into a hostage situation. The hostage, an adult male, was rescued by officers from home, Ruth said. The 48-year-old man, whose name has not been released, was armed with a knife. One of our K-9s, which essentially to me is a K-9 police officer, Deebo, was injured, said Ruth. "Deebo was stabbed in the head." Thats when officers fired shots inside the home that led to the mans death, Ruth said. Its not clear at this time how many officers fired shot. All of the events unfolded in a timeframe of 15-20 minutes before the incident became grave, Ruth said. Police have been called out to the same home on a previous occasion, the chief added, but Ruth was not able to provide additional information. The investigation has been turned over to the Michigan State Police. Michigan State Police Lt. Jim Lang said the man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The police dog was rushed to a local vet hospital and is expected to survive. Investigators and crime lab personnel were still on the scene as of 1 p.m. Sunday. The on-scene investigation is expected to last most of the day and people were asked to avoid the area. We would like everybody to give your thoughts and prayers to Deebo so that he has hopefully a good safe recovery in the future from his injuries, said Ruth. The police department has five K-9s, Ruth said, calling them one of the family. Deebo is there to protect the officers, he said. Deebo ends up getting injured just like an officer. Any time somebody is injured gravely like that, with a knife put in your head, its a pretty grave incident." Comes after reports she was miserable in the UK and was having anxiety attacks Meghan, who lived in Toronto while filming Suits, has felt a 'tremendous shift' Source told People that the Duchess feels 'so much less stressed' in Canada The Duchess of Sussex felt 'a tremendous shift' after stepping back from royal life and is 'so much less stressed' since returning to live in Canada, a source has told People magazine. Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, are currently living in a 10 million Vancouver Island mansion as they plan their new life outside of The Firm, having stepped back from royal duties in January. A source told People magazine: 'It was just this tremendous shift when Meghan returned to Canada [after their announcement]. You could tell that she felt so much less stressed.' It comes after reports Meghan was miserable in the UK and had been suffering from anxiety attacks about her future. Meghan Markle, 38, has felt a 'tremendous shift' after leaving the royal family and has felt 'so much less stressed' since returning to Canada, a source has told People magazine The Duchess openly admitted to struggling with life in the royal family months before she and Prince Harry announced their decision to quit The Firm. Meghan herself admitted to struggling after the birth of Archie, and a friend recently told DailyMail.com she was 'miserable in the UK' and 'wasnt sleeping well and started having anxiety attacks about her future.' While speaking of media scrutiny in an ITV interview that aired in October, the Duchess said: 'Not many people have asked if I'm okay... It's a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.' She added: 'Look, any woman especially when they are pregnant you're really vulnerable and so that was made really challenging, and then when you have a newborn you know' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are believed to be settling into life in Canada, and feel 'so much less stressed' after their announcement (pictured, on their last royal public engagement in the UK in January) When asked if things had been a struggle for her, an upset Meghan replied: 'Yes.' They are said to be 'loving' their life in Canada now they have made their decision to step back from royal duty. The couple are believed to be enjoying taking long walks and doing yoga, while Meghan has been cooking as they adjust to life in Canada. Meghan admitted she was struggling with life in the royal family during the explosive ITV documentary 'Harry and Meghan: An African Journey' in October Last month, photographs showed the Duchess carrying her son as she walked through a park near the enormous mansion while wrangling her black Labrador Oz and beagle Guy. The Duchess was visibly enjoying walking in picturesque Horth Hill Park during her stay on Vancouver Island. She and Harry took a hike there on New Year's Day, before he flew back to London to sort out the details of their split from the Royal Family. The couple are currently residing at the 10 million mansion on Vancouver Island and are said to be enjoying life in Canada It is now expected they will spend most of their time in North America, meaning Archie will have little contact with his cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis or his aunt and uncle, Kate and William. Meghan quit her role in the US legal drama Suits in 2017 after becoming engaged to the Duke of Sussex and joining the Royal Family as a working member. But the couple have since stepped back as senior royals as they 'work to become financially independent'. Companies wary of what an infectious outbreak could do to their workforce and bottom line are revisiting contingency plans as the new coronavirus continues to spread. Marie-Helene Primeau of the Montreal-based risk management company Premier Continuum says shes spent recent days fielding questions from several firms seeking guidance on what to do if the rapidly spreading illness that originated in China threatens the health of employees and customers. Everyones looking at their state of readiness, says Primeau, whose company provides training and advice to a range of firms including banks, insurance companies, government agencies and those in manufacturing. Theyre actively revisiting the plans, but theyre not necessarily stockpiling masks. Health officials in Canada have repeatedly stressed that the risk to public health remains low. Seven cases have been identified in Canada, while worldwide, the illness known as 2019-nCoV has sickened more than 37,000 people and killed more than 800, nearly all in China. Nevertheless, Canadians are being urged to remain vigilant against infection, with medical experts reminding the public were still in the throes of flu season and that good hygiene is advised wash hands frequently, cough and sneeze into tissue or your upper sleeve, and dont touch your face. Disaster management expert Amin Mawani says workers and managers alike should take this time to combat misinformation, repeat hygiene tips, be clear on sick leave policies and prepare for the possibility of mass absenteeism. If an outbreak hits, employers should encourage unwell workers to stay home, Mawani says, but a key step to mitigating an outbreaks impact is to keep people from getting sick in the first place. You cant buy traditional insurance in a sense, but you can prepare for it by spending some money planning for it and stockpiling certain things masks and whatever else you might need, says Mawani, academic director of the health industry management program at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto. A possible outbreak has critics refocused on provincial sick day allowances in Ontario, where the Progressive Conservative government offers most workers three days of unpaid leave each year and allows bosses to demand a doctors note. Health-care workers say that can make it hard for some to stay home when necessary, and if sick people work in high-risk settings such as food services, long-term care facilities or childcare spaces the impact can be significant. A lack of paid sick days results in children and adults transmitting infections at school and work, exacerbating contagion throughout the province, the group Decent Work and Health Network warn in an open letter to Premier Doug Ford. Mawani agreed employers should consider whether theyre prepared to ease sick day restrictions if the virus strikes staff, noting hardline policies also threaten morale and loyalty. Workers should also consider coming up with their own protective measures, he adds. In some ways employees can take the initiative, they can say: Look, I can easily do this at home, or I can do this on the weekend. Why do I need to come in tomorrow? he says. And employers should be willing to listen during this phase so even if (workers) dont start working from home now (the company) can have plans ready. John Yamniuk of the Toronto-based consulting firm DRI Canada says there are ways to limit person-to-person infection at the office, even those with open layouts, communal spaces, and shoulder-to-shoulder computer stations: Is there room to leave a vacant spot between workers? Is there an unused meeting room that can be transformed into an alternate work space? If youre in a call centre environment, (think about) providing extra cleaning services, providing individual headsets for folks so theyre not sharing keyboards or things like that, adds Yamniuk, based in Calgary. Primeaus advice includes making sure contact information for staff and partners are up-to-date. She also encourages managers to run through a tabletop exercise in which each person discusses their role during an emergency and all agree on how best to respond to various scenarios. And dont assume you can just rely on a temp agency if a lot of people call in sick, she adds, because you cant guarantee availability or loyalty. Temporary backup was something that was brought up when we were talking about the (H1N1) pandemic 10 years ago but the thing is that those individuals will also be sick as well, she says. Its more (about) focusing on whats key. Whats urgent to perform? What are the critical activities, rather than calling upon a temp. Bean was on his way to meet his wife, who was ushering the show at the Pacific Resident Theatre in LA, when he was hit by two cars while crossing the street. The theatre canceled its performance. Bean, a veteran actor-comedian, had just written a new play and was beginning rehearsals at the Ruskin Theatre Group in Santa Monica. He was so full of life at 91, [producer Sara] Newman said, adding that he often greeted colleagues with a new joke usually raunchy and always had kind words for them. Los Angeles Times Tokyo government recommended a New Transit Yurikamome which is an automated transit service linking the Tokyo bay waterfront area. The entire length of the line is 14.7km, connecting 16 stations. The name of Yurikamome comes from the seagull found in Tokyo Bay, which is the official prefectural bird. There are great views of the futuristic skyscrapers and Tokyo Bay and many tourist spots along the way. "Four points can be given as a feature of the operation of Yurikamome. The first point is safety. It runs on a dedicated elevated road, so there is no fear of traffic accidents. The second point is mobility. With rubber tires on, it is easy to drive along roads with many curves because the cars are small," Souta Maeda of Yurikamome said. "The third point is the low pollution. As it is powered by electricity, there is no exhaust gas and little vibration or noise. The fourth and final point is automation. We use advanced computer theory to automate station work, especially when it comes to driving a vehicle," Maeda added. All-around platform automatic door for safety and camera monitoring, emergency stop buttons and intercom make services at platform automated. Yurikamome runs with the rubber tires and control devices powered by electricity. Workers check the looseness of each device to drive safely. "Yurikamome operates automatically, but behind the scenes, many employees work every day to maintain and inspect vehicles and facilities. We are committed to the safety of our customers first. When you come along the line for sightseeing, we would like you to come and enjoy the pleasant ride of Yurikamome and the view of the bay area from the window. All the employees are looking forward to welcoming visitors at Yurikamome," Maeda added. Highly secure, mobile and environmentally conscious new transit system Yurikamome carries many people comfortably. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Government has deliberately covered up the level of greenhouse gases pumped out by more than three million new vehicles sold in the UK over nearly two years. Ministers ordered car manufacturers and dealers to give consumers false information about the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by all new vehicles, including supposedly environmentally friendly hybrids. Astonishingly, CO2 emissions are on average 20-25 per cent higher than customers are being told when buying popular vehicles including Hondas, BMWs, Volkswagens and Fords. Astonishingly, CO2 emissions are on average 20-25 per cent higher than customers are being told when buying popular vehicles In some cases, they are much higher. Someone buying a 1.8 litre Toyota Corolla hybrid judged by What Car? magazine as the best hybrid of 2020 would currently be told that the vehicle emits 76g of CO2 per kilometre. In fact, the true figure is 101g/km a whopping 33 per cent more. A Mail on Sunday investigation has established that some car dealers have a database of the true emission figures but were instructed by the Government not to publicise them. Last night, Andy McDonald, Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary, accused the Government of 'intentionally misleading the public over vehicle emissions'. 'Consumers ought to be able to make informed choices to reduce their impact on the climate and it is outrageous that the Government is working against them.' The secret figures will only be revealed to the public on April 6 when car tax on new vehicles will suddenly jump. The rise is predicted to give the Treasury an annual 200 million windfall. The controversy is linked to a new system for testing the emissions and fuel economy of cars that is meant to be more representative of 'real-world' driving conditions. Since September 1, 2018, all new cars have had to conform to the so-called Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). This replaced a discredited test that had been used since the 1980s called the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Experts say NEDC produced CO2 results that were 40 per cent lower than the actual greenhouse gases being emitted. The controversy is linked to a new system for testing the emissions and fuel economy of cars that is meant to be more representative of 'real-world' driving conditions Car manufacturers and dealers were told to publish the fuel economy figures measured in miles-per-gallon from the new tests in their sales brochures, websites and showrooms from January 2019. But they were banned from publishing the new, higher CO2 figures. Instead, they were ordered to continue using the grossly inaccurate NEDC figures. Guidance seen by the MoS from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), an agency of the Department for Transport (DfT), from November 2018 said that 'only NEDC CO2 figures will be used on labels and within advertising prior to April 6, 2020'. Retailers were advised to include a disclaimer that the CO2 figures were derived from the 'outgoing test cycle' and that there is a 'new test'. It, however, failed to make clear that the results would be significantly different. It means that someone wanting to buy a 1.8 litre Toyota Prius hybrid would currently be told that the vehicle's CO2 emission is 75g/km. In fact, the updated figure, which will be made public after April 6, is 25 per cent higher at 94g/km. The Government has attempted to justify the cover-up by claiming that publishing the true figures would have been confusing for motorists. This is because until April, car taxes which are linked to CO2 emissions will be based on the false emission figures. But last night the car industry described the policy as 'bizarre' and said they had wanted to be more open with the public. Last night, Andy McDonald, Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary, accused the Government of 'intentionally misleading the public over vehicle emissions' Jenny Bates, of Friends Of The Earth, said the cover-up was a 'betrayal of those trying to take emissions into account when choosing a car'. Edmund King, of the AA, said: 'Car showrooms are following complex Government guidelines on what to display. Drivers care about the environment and many may be in for a big shock having bought a car displaying the old figures only to find the CO2 output is 25 per cent higher than stated.' The Mail on Sunday last week visited seven car showrooms and in each one was quoted the lower NEDC emission figures. Mike Hawes, of the Society of Motor Manufacturers And Traders, said: 'Manufacturers are not, bizarrely, allowed by law to display WLTP-derived figures in UK showrooms or advertising until April this is not what the industry wanted.' Toyota said that while Government regulations prevent it from using WLTP figures in its brochures, staff have been told the figures so they can 'inform customers'. Its website says that CO2 figures are 'subject to change for new vehicles registered after April 1'. The DfT said: 'The new emissions testing regime from April 2020 provides a closer representation of 'real-world' fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, allowing consumers to make more informed decisions.' Photo credit: Getty Images/NMNH Photo Services From Town & Country We will all (or is this just me?) be focused on red carpet Oscar jewelry choices on Sunday. But how did those diamonds and emeralds and the odd tourmaline end up being a Ryan Seacrest question in the first place? It was Katharine Hepburn. Harry Winston helped. Hepburn wore fifteen 17th-century emeralds and 374 diamonds on the red carpet in 1947 in the form of a necklace Harry Winston let her borrow for the evening. It was an historic piece, one that is now on exhibit at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. They call it the Spanish Inquisition necklace though no one knows exactly why; it has nothing to do with that chapter in history. But it did perhaps at one point belong to Spanish royalty. The fifteen prized Colombian emeralds were shipped back to Spain by conquistadors; they were cut and polished in India; and before Harry Winston owned it, the necklace belonged to the Maharajah of Indore. (Winston toured the piece in its famous Court of Jewels traveling exhibition of rare jewels, including the Hope Diamond, in the early 1950s and sold the Spanish necklace to Pittsburghs Cora Hubbard Williams in 1955. She bequeathed it to the Smithsonian in 1972.) Photo credit: NMNH Photo Services Hepburn in a rare, museum-worthy necklace would certainly make news, and Instagram feeds, todayhistoric jewels like Lady Gagas Tiffany Diamond last year, or 2000s Hillary Swank in a nineteenth century diamond Asprey bib that once belonged to Queen Victorias daughters, tend to do thatbut in the 1940s, Winstons loan to Hepburn signaled a seismic shift in the relationship between Hollywood and jewelry. The idea of the jewelry loan to a celebrity for a red carpet appearance, now standard practice and the cornerstone of an industry, was a novel one then. And Harry Winston, who pioneered red carpet jewelry loans with this emerald necklace and with jewelry for actress Jennifer Jones's appearance at the 1944 Oscars, is still at it. Now, when a Winston piece appears, you have some jewelry trivia to share. You Might Also Like The accounting watchdog has been urged to investigate KPMG over a 58m accounting scandal at Ted Baker. The fashion retailer previously warned it had overestimated stock by up to 25m. But this figure rose to 58m last month after an independent review by accountants at Deloitte. Probe: Critics said the blunder raised 'serious questions' for KPMG, which has audited Ted Baker's books since 2001 Critics said the blunder raised 'serious questions' for KPMG, which has audited Ted Baker's books since 2001. Both Prem Sikka a professor of accounting at Sheffield University who advised MPs on audit reform and House of Commons business committee chairman Rachel Reeves called on the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to investigate. Reeves said: 'Serious questions need to be answered about how a huge hole in Ted Baker's balance sheet emerged just months after the auditors signed off the accounts.' Sikka added: 'This is not simply a small error. KPMG had a duty to verify and query the inventory.' The FRC, Ted Baker and KPMG declined to comment. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders told a rally in New Hampshire on Saturday that he needed their support to win Tuesday's primary. Coming off a good showing in the Iowa caucuses, Sanders told the crowd that New Hampshire could give him the momentum to win future states and possibly put him on the path to the Democratic Presidential nomination. "If we win here in New Hampshire and with your help, I think we can win. It'll make it easier for us to win in Nevada and in South Carolina and in California. It will make it easier for us to win the Democratic nomination," Sanders told supporters in Rochester, New Hampshire. "We are going to change national priorities. We understand that education is one of the most important things a civilized society can do. What we want to do is attract the best and brightest young people to become teachers. To say with pride that they are so excited about having an impact on the lives of thousands of people, young people, during their career. And that is why we're going to move forward so that no teacher in America makes less than sixty thousand dollars a year," he said. HARTFORD, Conn.Some of Connecticuts most accomplished and ambitious residents attended Shen Yun Performing Arts in the state capital on Feb. 8, 2020. Catherine Szerszen is a former high school principal, former dancer, an aspiring actress, and Ms. Senior Universe Ireland 2019. She praised the classical Chinese dance company for giving her an experience shell never forget. The performance was breathtaking, Szerszen said. [Shen Yun] is an experience of a lifetime. I would encourage anyone to come and see it. You get so absorbed in the music, in the color, and the art. And the music is so perfect that youd swear it was taped rather than a live performance. You can tell that the dancers are very dedicated to what they do and that they had an innate talent that they share with the audience in a beautiful way. The 71-year-old who also holds the title of Ms. Universe Senior America 2016 and is a clinical social worker attended the performance at The Bushnell at The William H. Mortensen Hall in Hartford that evening. New York-based Shen Yun has taken on the mission of reviving Chinas traditional culture, including its innate spiritual beliefs. Through original musical compositions and highly-expressive classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun seeks to transport audience members to ancient China, to mythical and celestial realms, and even to modern-day China, where spiritual believers are using the power of compassion and faith to overcome ongoing persecution. Szerszen was very grateful to the artists of Shen Yun for putting so much into the revival of the culture because she senses its importance at a time when so many people are slipping away from their heritage and traditions. I think [reviving Chinese culture] is very important. It is very important not only for the people who live there but its more important for our young people because our young people seem to be straying from all cultures. So to be able to reintroduce that with our young people is the gift and the legacy that we as the older generation give to our children. So this production is extremely important to reintroduce them to their history, to reintroduce everyone to the fine history of China. And to see the dedication of these wonderful dancers who have gone and chased their dream and their art, and left their country, but for a very special reason: to share with others. So Im very thankful that they have done something like this, and feel so blessed to have seen this wonderful performance this evening, she said. Shen Yun cannot perform in China today due to a campaign to eradicate traditional Chinese culture and spirituality being carried out by the Chinese Communist Party. Many of Shen Yuns artists fled the communists brutality to seek artistic and religious freedom outside China, in the United States. The veteran performer continued to describe her impression of the shows artistry before addressing its themes of spirit and the rewards of living a principled lifestyle. The colors are breathtaking. The precision is immeasurable. Ive ever seen anything like it. So its quite an experience Im so glad that we didnt miss it. Im 71 and Ive never been here and this, to me, was the just an opportunity of a lifetime. My husband gave it to me as a Christmas gift, but its a gift that will keep on giving for the rest of my life. [I was] very drawn, very drawn into it, into the storylines, into the performance. It really becomes an experience where you feel like youre living the experience. Because the actors and the dancers execute everything with such precision and such drama that it pulls you in. Im an extremely religious person. And I believe that everyone has a spirit inside them, and whatever you pursue as far as your God or the person that you worship, or the thing that you worship should be valued and cultivated. So the fact that [Shen Yuns artists] have introduced this, I immediately connected with it, and immediately connected with the fact that were here for a purpose, but that life goes on after this world, and thats what Im walking away with this evening. A legend about the Creator is part of Shen Yuns line up of roughly 20 short vignettes. Along with the depiction, Shen Yun passes on the ancient Chinese peoples belief that good is rewarded and evil is punished by heaven. For me, the whole feeling of compassion and empathy and finding your soul is very, very important, Szerszen said. With reporting by NTD Television and Brett Featherstone. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. As many as 21,023 travellers have been screened for coronavirus at Mumbai Airport till Sunday out of which 151 came from areas affected by the virus, claim Public Health Department, Maharashtra. "36 symptomatic travellers have been isolated, out of which samples of 31 have been tested negative," it informed. The Public Health Department also informed that passengers on board a cargo ship that was headed from Singapore to a port in Sindhudurg district of the state were scanned for the virus. "Three days back a cargo ship from Singapore arrived at Redi minor port in Sindhudurg district. There were 22 crew members on this cargo ship. Out of these 22 members, 10 were from China. This cargo ship and all the crew members were medically examined at Mumbai port and after finding everybody asymptomatic the cargo ship was allowed to leave Mumbai port for Redi, Sindhudurg," the department stated in a release. As per guidelines from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Union government, all travellers coming from Wuhan city of China are being isolated and tested for Corona whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Keep it simple. Keep it real. Keep it creative. That is the Berkshire Brewing Co. recipe for success that has kept business hopping for 25 years. Simplicity comes from brewing ales and lagers fresh in small batches. Keeping it real means all of Berkshires beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized and contain no chemical additives or preservatives. Creativity is manifested by producing a broad range of year-round and seasonal ales and lagers and frequent brewers specials. Gary A. Bogoff, president and CEO of Berkshire Brewing, chose Deerfield for the business established in 1994, because, he says, new businesses were warmly welcomed. Former Franklin County Chamber of Commerce executive director Ann Hamilton went out of her way to extend her interest in us and help us find a location in Franklin County, he says. Today, at Berkshire Brewings brewery at 12 Railroad St., there are usually about 20 beers on tap, including pale ales, porters, stouts, bitters and Scotch ales. There is a taproom inside the brewery, and hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. Bogoff enjoys talking with customers in the taproom, bringing smiles to their faces and hearing how they like the beers the company crafts. The brewing industry has changed significantly since he began his business, he says. Back then, there were less than 500 breweries in the country and now there are more than 7,500. Massachusetts had maybe 10 25 years ago but now has more than 200, with more than 30 new ones in the planning stages, he adds. That means the pie is getting smaller, and everybody has to work harder to maintain, Bogoff says. Plus, Americans are drinking less beer, but better beer, Bogoff notes. The days of the 30-pack are disappearing, he says. Many beer drinkers would rather spend $10 to $20 for a four-pack and enjoy it more than consuming more beer at a lower price, according to Bogoff, who says, We feel beer should be an affordable luxury for the consumer. Berkshire Brewings 22-ounce bottles of beer sell for about $5. Berkshire products can be found in retail stores throughout New England, and Bogoff hopes to begin marketing it in New York later this year. As he looked ahead, Bogoff says the companys can market is beginning to solidify. Berkshire recently installed a state-of-the-art canning line, which has been a tremendous asset. Berkshire Brewing has more than 50 employees mostly full time and they recognize the importance of caring for the environment. The company recycles aluminum from cans and provides local farms with used barley. Ive always liked beer as a beverage, Bogoff says, appreciating that he makes a living doing something he enjoys. Tours of Berkshire Brewing are offered on Saturdays at 1 p.m. For more information about the company, call 413-665-6600 or visit the companys website, berkshire-brewing.com. The total number of confirmed cases grew to 37,198 in mainland China China reported that the total number of deaths in the country has reached 811 that's 89 more deaths than a day earlier. The National Health Commission said on its website that 2,656 new cases were confirmed. This brings the total number to 37,198 in mainland China, CNBC said. At the same time, a total of 2,649 people were discharged from hospitals after recovery. At the end of Saturday, 6,188 patients in mainland China were in serious condition. Read alsoWHO warns coronavirus hasn't peaked Meanwhile, China's National Health Commission urged medical professionals to make "reasonable use" of protection gear and warned against their "excessive and disorderly use," according to a Reuters translation. The World Health Organization has warned against the hoarding of such gear, which includes masks, gowns and gloves, and said there could be a chronic shortage. In late January, UNICEF sent a six-tonne shipment of respiratory masks and protective suits to health workers in China to help protect them. Hedwig the owl rescued after getting stuck under flyover on A483 This article is old - Published: Saturday, Feb 8th, 2020 An owl had to be rescued twice from the bypass today. Late this afternoon traffic officers were called to reports than an owl had become stuck in the middle of the northbound A483, where it had got stuck. North Wales Police, Traffic Wales Officers as well as the RSPCA attended the incident. The owl then became stuck under a flyover. Just before 6pm Traffic Wales said The owl is now safely with The RSPCA. Were glad that hell be warm and cosy indoors during the storm! PC Thomas Hough tweet-twooed us to say, What a hoot!! Had to assist RSPCA and Traffic Wales with the rescue of an Owl on the central reservation on the A483, safe to say he was recovered safely and weve nicknamed him Hedwig for you Harry Potter fans. #WhatAHoot @Wrexham (For those who use Facebook, the top picture is a mock up, is not to scale as we do not think it was a giant owl the size of a bridge.) PM Modi to inaugurate 11 new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu on Jan 12 PM Modi pitches for implementation of Tamil reconciliation process by Sri Lanka India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 09: India has sought devolution of powers by the Sri Lankan government to the minority Tamils in the island nation and hoped that their aspirations for equality, justice and respect will be fulfilled as per provisions of the country's Constitution. After wide-ranging talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the issue was discussed with an "open mind" and hoped that the Tamil reconciliation process would be taken forward by Colombo. The two leaders also deliberated on a raft of key issues like bolstering anti-terror cooperation, expansion of trade and investment ties, implementation of joint projects in Sri Lanka and resolving the long-festering fishermen issue with a "humane approach". Lankan PM Rajapaksa to visit India from Friday; trade, defence, maritime talks on agenda In his comments, Rajapaksa thanked Modi for his government's 'neighbourhood first policy' and the priority he attaches to ties with Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa's five-day visit to India assumes significance as his tenure as Sri Lanka's president from 2005 to 2016 saw expansion of China's footprints in the Indian Ocean island nation, triggering concerns in India. Noting that India has been a "trusted partner" in Sri Lanka's development, Modi said stability, security and prosperity in the island nation is important for India as well as for the entire Indian Ocean region. On the long-pending Tamil issue, Modi said it will be necessary to implement the 13th amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution. The 13th amendment provides for devolution of power to Tamil community in the neighbouring country. "We held a discussion with an open mind on issues relating to reconciliation in Sri Lanka. I am confident that the government of Sri Lanka will fulfil the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace, and respect within a United Sri Lanka," Modi said. "It will be necessary to implement the 13th amendment of (Sri Lankan) Constitution and take forward the reconciliation process at the same time," he said. As Sri Lanka tightens norms on Madrasas, why it is time to take a look at the ones in India India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13th amendment which was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987 which envisaged devolution of powers to the Tamils. Calling terrorism a major threat facing the region, Modi mentioned about the 'Easter Day terror attacks' in Sri Lanka last year and asserted that both countries will expand cooperation to deal with the challenge. "We both countries have fought this problem firmly. There were painful and barbaric terrorist attacks on Easter Day in Sri Lanka in April last year. "These attacks were not only a blow to Sri Lanka, but also to humanity. In our talks, we discussed furthering our anti-terror cooperation," Modi said. Rajapaksa said a part of the discussions centred around ensuring security for both the countries, and expressed gratitude to India for helping his country in countering terrorism. "India is our closest neighbour and long-standing friend. The close historical links have provided solid foundation to our ties," Rajapaksa said. Referring to the fishermen issue, Modi said both sides have decided to adopt a humanitarian approach in dealing with it. "We also discussed the fishermen issue. It directly affects the livelihood of the people of both countries. Therefore, we agreed to continue to adopt a constructive and humanitarian approach in dealing with the issue," he said. The prime minister said the history of Indo-Lanka relationship has been woven with countless threads like culture, religion, art and language. "Whether it is security or economy or social progress, our past and our future in every field are interlinked." India had announced a financial assistance of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka, including USD 50 million to fight terrorism, during the visit of the country's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in November. "We deliberated on joint economic projects in Sri Lanka as well as to enhance trade and investment relations. We also discussed ways to deepen people-to-people contact, promote tourism and improving connectivity," Modi said. Rajapaksa, elder brother of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, arrived here on Friday on a five-day visit, his first overseas tour after being appointed as prime minister of the island nation in November last year. After his official engagement in Delhi, Mahinda Rajapaksa will travel to Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya and Tirupati. In the morning, the Sri Lankan prime minister was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the Sri Lankan prime minister. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 8:21 [IST] In this handout photo provided by Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Indian nationals who were airlifted from coronavirus-hit Hubei province of Chinas Wuhan, play carrom inside a quarantine facility set by up ITBP at Chhawla area of New Delhi on Sunday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed solidarity with China in the wake of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak that has left over 800 people dead (811 as of Sunday evening) and over 37,000 infected in that country. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mr. Modi offered Indias assistance in tackling the 2019-nCoV outbreak. He also thanked Mr. Xi for facilitating the evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from Chinas Hubei province. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed solidarity with Chinese President and the people of China over the outbreak of n-coronavirus in China. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, PM offered Indias assistance to face the challenge. PM offered condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak. PM also conveyed appreciation for the facilitation provided by the Government of China for evacuation of Indian citizens from Hubei province, a source said. However, no details of the assistance offered was available as of now. Sources said the Indian embassy in Beijing will follow up with the Chinese foreign office and work out things if China desires any help. Meanwhile, in India universal screening for all flights from Singapore and Thailand, besides Hong Kong and China, is ongoing at the earmarked aerobridges. The screening of passengers is going on at 21 airports, international seaports and land border crossings. The Union health ministry has said that so far 1,818 flights and 1,97,192 passengers have been screened at 21 airports across the country. In Kerala, 1,510 samples have been tested, of which three that tested positive are undergoing treatment in the state. We are extending all possible support to the states/UTs in order to combat the situation arising due to novel coronavirus. As on date, 9,452 persons are presently under community surveillance in 32 states/UTs. The containment and prevention activities are being taken up on utmost priority. All the states are continually strengthening their rapid response teams to counter any eventuality, the health ministry said in a statement. The number of confirmed infections in Chinas coronavirus outbreak has reached 37,198, with more than 2,600 new cases reported, the National Health Commission of China said Sunday. In its daily update, the commission said there had been 89 new deaths from the virus with 81 in the hardest-hit Hubei province, and the rest in other regions bringing the national toll to 811. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the death of RSS veteran P Parameswaran, describing him as a towering intellectual who nurtured institutions of eminence. Parameswaran, one of the senior-most 'pracharaks' of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and former leader of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh, died on Sunday. He was 91. "Deeply saddened by the demise of shri Parameswaran ji, a prolific writer, researcher & founder-director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendram," Naidu said on Twitter. The vice president said Parameswaranwas an embodiment of Indian thought and philosophy. Modi saidParameswaran was a proud and dedicated son of India. "His was a life devoted to India's cultural awakening, spiritual regeneration and serving the poorest of the poor. Parameswaran Ji's thoughts were prolific and his writings were outstanding. He was indomitable," the prime minister tweeted. An institution builder, Parameswaran nurtured eminent institutions such as the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram, Vivekananda Kendra and others. "I am fortunate to have interacted with him many times. He was a towering intellectual. Anguished by his demise. Om Shanti," Modi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Our Divisions Copyright 2021-22 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. The advent of the coronavirus is having a big effect on the Chinese stock market , with a huge sell-off that is valued at half a trillion dollars for the biggest companies. This is compounded by the coronavirus that is reaching epidemic proportions. But there are safeguards to prevent problems that were established when the Chinese stock market bubble crashed in 2015. The Chinese government prevented further crashing with a plan, a state-owned finance company bought up several trillion yuan to raise already dropping prices. There is no indication if China will have another problem with their stock markets. The Shanghai Composite dropped by 8%, and ended at 1.3% better ion Tuesday. Similar gains where the same with Shenzhen stocks. With the increasing death toll of the coronavirus getting worse, parts of China are not accessible and there are no more flights in or out since the Wuhan outbreak. Companies with factories will be affected in their production. The market meltdown in 2015 led to a huge downturn, and the Chinese economy was slow. Shanghai stocks had lost part of their value by then. Saving off an economic downturn, billions were lent to brokerage firms to buy the necessary stocks while the Central Huijin Investment dove into stocks to keep everything afloat. All these were necessary steps to keep the Chinese stock market floating with an intervention fund. This prompted officials to allay public fears of impending economic collapse. Yet, the market got better, and the Shanghai stock market was restored by February 2016. The CSF and Central Huijin Investment are the backers national teams to keep the economy afloat and keep stocks stable when needed. Coronavirus threats are hitting the marker bad and the national teams might be needed once again. The government is ready to step in anytime when needed. Their central bank will lend billions to keep the economy afloat. Short term bonds will be bought to keep the bank lending going despite the problems caused by the epidemic. These are parallel to the way things went in 2015, and the response is the same with the semi ban or short selling, to prevent sliding prices in the market. Indicators show that short selling was one of the causes of the market crash. Financial analysts are expecting immediate action of China's response to the tedious situation as the same in 2015. Conservative opinions suggest that using them would be best when the coronavirus epidemic is at its worst. Any sooner, will not be advised commented market analysts. Whatever China has in reserve might not be substantial, not so much is a general opinion. Continuing coronavirus scares will not be easily determined when it will end, and the effect on markets as well. Losses in the Chinese stock market are not good, adding the uncertainty with the coronavirus that is bound to hit China hard. With short-term selling over, what is next is when the virus fears will end. In reference to the SARS virus outbreak, this is small to what the coronavirus has done and the uncertainty for China. By this time, with China's economy under lockdown, it might be a different outcome compared to SARS. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Storyful Birds swarmed over a Texas parking lot on January 8, perching on the cars in a scene worthy of Alfred Hitchcock.The unnerving sight was captured by Kenna Mitchell outside the Stonebriar Mall in Frisco.The footage shows birds perched atop parked cars, while others circle above in the foggy evening sky.We went to Stonebriar Mall just after dusk and the entrance by the Cheesecake Factory was overrun with thousands of birds, she told Storyful.These grackles were perched on cars, in the trees, and swarms were everywhere you looked. Other people in the lot were just amazed at the sheer number of birds, Mitchell said.Very loud and very gross, but still quite a site to see! Definitely in need of a car wash now! she added. Credit: Kenna Mitchell via Storyful Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a public gathering ahead of the 41st anniversary of the Islamic revolution, in Tehran DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said the Islamic Republic should become strong enough to confront enemies' plots, state TV reported on Saturday. "We should become so strong to be able to put an end to our enemies' plots ... their plots against the Iranian nation are doomed to fail," state TV quoted Khamenei as saying in a meeting with commanders and staff of the country's Air Force. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; editing by David Evans) Courage is one of those heavyweight words, like obscenity. Paraphrasing a former Supreme Court justices take on the latter: We generally know it when we see it. I believe I might have gotten a glimpse of courage, or what it might have looked like 100 years ago during the Great War, thanks to the mud, guts and blood that came gushing forth during a recent viewing of Sam Mendes exceptional, heartbreaking film 1917. In this piece, the taste of war, and the price, come across as all too real. Brilliantly shot by cinematographer Roger Deakins, 1917 tells the story of two young British soldiers who are sent across the trench and stench of the Western Front, and litter of dead horses, to deliver a message that might save the lives of thousands. Chances are, as one lieutenant reminds them, they wont make it. As I watched that movie, battling my own vertigo all the way, I considered the thought that sometimes we need to be reminded of what courage looks like. I was reminded of it again this week, as the Senate took its final votes to acquit President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. I was reminded in stands taken and votes cast in favor by two men, in particular: Sen. Mitt Romney, Republican from Utah, who described Trumps conduct as grievously wrong, and Sen. Doug Jones, Democrat from Alabama, who will now almost certainly lose his seat in that red state come fall. Standing up against your peers Trump, in his ever so thuggish way, has already taken to punishing impeachment witnesses and verbally attacking Romney for being the only principled Republican to break ranks, and indeed the first U.S. senator in history to vote to convict a president from his own party. I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability, believing that my country expected it of me, said Romney, who voted to convict only on the abuse of power charge. Story continues As for Jones, he was a hero long before he took an oath to serve in what was once known as the most deliberative parliamentary body in the world, and long before he cast his votes to convict Trump on both charges. Indeed, while serving as a U.S. attorney in Alabama in the late 1990s, Jones brought to justice two white men, Ku Klux Klan members Thomas Edwin Blanton and Bobby Frank Cherry, for their roles in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham that killed four little black girls. Wiping out the weaker candidates: In New Hampshire primary, could Pete Buttigieg end Joe Bidens 50-year political career? Jones has looked straight into the eye of pure evil, without blinking, so we know something of his heart. Senators are elected to make tough choices, Jones said. We are required to study the facts of each issue before us and exercise our independent judgment in keeping with the oaths we take. Later, in his own speech on the Senate floor, Jones said Trumps actions were more than simply inappropriate. They were an abuse of power. Two other moderate Democrats, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, also stuck to their principles and voted to convict, despite possible political repercussions back home. So yes, before we close this chapter in history, let us preserve the names for posterity: Romney, Jones, Manchin and Sinema. Three Democrats, one Republican. When everything was on the line, they voted their conscience, placing principle over political convenience, putting institution over personal welfare. They stood up for the best ideals this nation can offer, and in so doing have reminded us, once more, what courage looks like. Bruce Lowry is the opinion editor for NorthJersey.com, where this column originally appeared. Twitter: @brucelowry21 You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Impeachment: Romney, red-state Democrats risk their seats, reputation Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has said it will talk with the US on the case of local Minh Phu seafood firm, which was accused of tax evasion in the US. Minh Phu is one of the leading seafood firms in Viet Nam. It is currently accused of tax evasion in the US. Photo cafef.vn Before Tet (Lunar New Year), media reported that the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had launched an investigation into whether MSeafood, a US division of Minh Phu Seafood, violated US trade laws by evading anti-dumping taxes on frozen warmwater shrimp from India. A report on undercurrentnews.com on January 16 said the CBP had sent a letter to MSeafood Corporation, located in Fountain Valley, California, regarding the initiation of the investigation and interim measures. On Thursday, MoIT said it has reported the case to the Prime Minister and also told the shrimp firm to clarify and provide all the information needed. MoIT said, together with other relevant ministries and departments, it will talk with the US side about the issue. MoIT said it will fight against commercial fraud, including origin fraud, however, it will do its best to protect local aquaculture firms if they are not involved in such activities. Minh Phu said it was a pity that CBP applied the sanctions against the firm before letting it have a chance to provide Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Enforcement Committee (AHSTE) with data and tell them directly the issues they accused the firm for. Chairman of Minh Phu Le Van Quang said: "We will always cooperate with CBP even though their decision with us was so unfair and based on biased information, in a letter sent to the State Securities Committee. Quang said Minh Phu has assigned lawyers in Viet Nam and in the US to actively work with CBP to provide them with the correct data so that they can give the correct decision. Minh Phu confirmed they had not imported frozen shrimp from India to export to the US. Last year, Minh Phu Seafoods total production was down 9.05 per cent on-year to 59,500 tonnes. Total exports were 57,700 tonnes, worth US$643 million. The figures were down 14.69 per cent and 14.25 per cent on-year, respectively. In the US market, the company recorded a 19.57 per cent annual drop in its exports, which retreated to $246 million. Minh Phu Seafood shares (UPCoM: MPC) dropped another 0.9 per cent on Friday morning at VND21,500 ($0.97) per share. Its shares tumbled more than about 10 per cent after the investigation was reported. VNS Minh Phu Seafood shares fall on investigation of tax evasion Minh Phu Seafood Corp shares fell for a second day after the company confirmed it would co-operate with the US investigation into whether the Vietnamese firm had evaded anti-dumping taxes or not. EDMONTON - Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta's new Montreal trade office will be just one part of a renewed push in the coming months to strengthen ties and find common ground with Quebec. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. EDMONTON - Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta's new Montreal trade office will be just one part of a renewed push in the coming months to strengthen ties and find common ground with Quebec. "We need to understand that Quebec has a very strong preoccupation with environmental issues, and we need to communicate in those terms," Kenney said in an interview from Washington, D.C. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney speaks to the media Tuesday, February 4, 2020 in Montreal. Kenney says Alberta's new Montreal trade office will be just one part of a renewed push in the coming months to strengthen ties and find common ground with Quebec.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz "The job of our representative will be do that on a full-time basis. "I myself will be visiting Quebec more often. "I think one of failures around Energy East (pipeline project) was there was no Alberta leadership advocating in Quebec, so we don't want to make that mistake a second time." The Quebec office was announced last week by Kenney while he was in Montreal on an eastern tour that also took him to Washington, D.C., to meet with senior government and business leaders. He said while the new office will be in the business hub of Montreal, the representative will be spending a lot of time in Quebec City to build relationships with the government of Premier Francois Legault. "We'll be making an announcement (on the office) I hope in the next couple of months," said Kenney. "We have somebody that has agreed to the position (and) is perfectly qualified for this: an Albertan who is originally from Quebec, fluent in French and an expert in our issues." The Energy East pipeline project, which would have taken Alberta crude through central Canada to ports and refineries in New Brunswick, was abandoned in 2017. Quebec had opposed the line through its boundaries on environmental grounds. Alberta's relationship with Quebec has been edgy given that Kenney has questioned Quebec's benefiting from billions of dollars in equalization payments that grow from oil profits generated in Alberta while simultaneously opposing pipeline projects that help Alberta build that wealth. But he said Alberta recognizes Quebec's concerns and is determined to work with them, especially given Legault is open to Quebec boosting exports of liquefied natural gas using feedstock from Alberta. "Premier Legault is taking a bold stance in favour of LNG exports out of Quebec, and I want to help reinforce the green message around LNG exports and the many points of co-operation we have," said Kenney. The Energy East line was abandoned by Trans Canada while then-premier Rachel Notley's government was in charge in Alberta. Earlier this week, Notley, now official Opposition Leader, told reporters she made frequent trips to Quebec as premier to build support for the project. Notley said she wants to hear more details and costs on Kenney's proposed Quebec office but said it needs to be about building bridges and not burning them. She said Kenney has not helped Alberta by making bellicose statements in the past and challenging Quebec's viewpoint on energy and equalization. "The issue is less about having an office (in Quebec), and more about perhaps not attacking every single, solitary person every time they suggest they have a different view," said Notley. In Washington, Kenney held a series of meetings and spoke with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Greg Bernhardt, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. He was also part of a Canadian delegation of premiers and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Kenney said he worked to overcome concerns with the Keystone XL line, which now has a presidential permit and would take more Alberta oil to terminals and refineries on the Gulf Coast. He said Keystone XL is one of a number of pipeline projects facing some resistance, along with the Line 3 replacement project and Line 5 in the U.S. upper Midwest. "We're facing a lot of friction and even hostility," said Kenney, but said the message from the U.S. government and Congress is encouraging. "We're getting a sympathetic ear. "Washington understands national security. It's a bipartisan preoccupation, and they understand that energy security is a key part of that. "There are some voices against Canadian energy here, but I think they're really at the margins." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Huseyn Safarov - Trend: The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will unveil an initial assessment of the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan on Feb. 10, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission Peter Tejler (Sweden) said. The mission opened on January 6, Tejler added, Trend reports on Feb. 9. We have a core team here in Baku, the head of the mission said. We are 12, now we are a few more, because it is election day. We started with 12 members, and then we had local national staff, roughly 25. A week later long-term observers came. We have 13 teams all over the country, Tejler said. A few days ago short term observers came. In addition, we also have parliamentarians, roughly 80 parliamentarians, also present in country. We are in the process on assessing, the head of the mission said. The first assessment will be made tomorrow at the press-conference in the afternoon. It is important to understand that we do follow the process before election day, during election day and after election day. There are things happening afterwards and also at night, Tejler said. Today you have voting, then you have counting, and then tabulation of 125 constituency of election commissions. The short-term observers and parliamentarians will leave a few days after the election day and the core team and long-term observers will stay, the head of the mission added. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. The CEC Secretariat Information Center will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are observing the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Striking a stylish pose in her pink Flamenco dress, the young and precocious Anya Taylor-Joy looks at ease in front of the camera, a place where she fully intended to remain. Now on the verge of major stardom in the title role in the latest film adaptation of Jane Austens Emma, Anya was just five when she was filmed telling her mother that she was going to be an actress. Two years later she was asking her parents for an agent. The childhood photograph, exclusively published here, was taken in Buenos Aires, where the Miami-born actress lived as a child. Soon after, the family moved to Britain. A natural: Actress Anya Taylor-Joy looks at ease in front of the camera (pictured left), just 18 years before she was cast for the adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma But despite her early ambition, Anya had to wait until she was 16 before she could step into the limelight. While on a shopping trip to Harrods, she was spotted by Sarah Doukas, the founder of Storm Models and the woman who similarly discovered Kate Moss. Anya embarked on a catwalk career, then broke into the film business in 2015 in the horror movie The Witch. Recurring TV roles in Atlantis and Peaky Blinders followed. But it is her portrayal of Emma Woodhouse, the aristocratic matchmaker, that is set to propel the 23-year-old to greater stardom when the film opens on Friday. Blessed with a photographic memory that means she has to read a script only once to know her lines, she has already been cast in both The New Mutants, the 13th and final instalment of the X-Men series, and Last Night In Soho, a 1960s-set psychological horror film featuring Matt Smith due out later this year. Fitting: Anya is photographed looking the part in a title role in the new adaptation of Emma. The 23-year-old actress is to shine her portrayal of Emma Woodhouse She also boasts an ability to deliver perfect accents, helped by her nomadic early life. I grew up in lots of different places. Belonging to all of them, you also belong to none of them, she once said. I was born in Miami to a Scottish-Argentinian father and a African-Spanish-English mother, and then we moved straight away to Argentina Then we moved to London. But when her father, who gave up his career as an investment banker to become a powerboat racer, moved the family to the UK, Anya refused to speak English for two years. I didnt learn English because I was stubborn and I wanted to go home, she said. The youngest of six children, Anya, 23, was also bullied at her elite West London private school. I was too English to be Argentine, too Argentine to be English, too American to be anything, she said. The kids just didnt understand me. Now her success is the greatest revenge. (Natural News) Americans have been criticized for waiting until chaos hits before they take pre-disaster planning seriously, but theyre not the only ones: Residents of Hong Kong are doing the same thing ahead of the arrival of coronavirus throughout the Asian financial hub. As The South China Morning Post reports, Hong Kong residents have flooded stores and emptied shelves in recent days with no end in sight, as the virus continues spreading throughout the country: Hong Kong supermarkets are struggling to restock shelves as a buying frenzy continues amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak, with some shoppers urging the government to try to restore the publics confidence. Those looking for cleaning supplies, tissue paper and dry goods again found only empty shelves in stores across the city on Friday as supermarkets waited on supplies. The paper noted further that people who are looking for real food have been reduced to buying candies and confectionaries because of shortages that store managers and city officials said would not happen. Some store managers said they were expecting to be restocked by the weekend with rice and other traditional fare. But theres no end in sight to the spread of the coronavirus, either, so its safe to say that food shortages will very likely become a common occurrence in the coming days and weeks. One worker at a ParknShop supermarket told the SCMP that normally the store was restocked with rice four times a week, but that now seemed unlikely. But whether there will be supply, we are not sure yet, the employee said. Bottled water, frozen dumplings, biscuits, wafers, chocolate and other common foods were scarce at the very least, and downright missing from most markets. At another store, Market Place by Jasons, told reporters staff restocked six large trolleys worth of toilet paper, but were sold out within hours Thursday night. Once people found out the store had toilet paper, they mobbed the place. People immediately swarmed in, you couldnt even get to the shelf, one store assistant said. What comes next is pandemonium Searching for food and supplies has become nearly a full-time job for many as they have spent days scouring for needed items, the SCMP reported. In addition to being worried about the spread of coronavirus, Hong Kong residents are also fearful of new border restrictions that will choke off resupplies. This, ahead of mandatory quarantines pertaining to everyone who had arrived from mainland China ahead of the weekend. And theres this to consider as well: As more Chinese are quarantined so the government can contain the virus, there will be fewer workers to fill the factories, which will lead to fewer supplies being manufactured and, hence, fewer being delivered to the marketplace. The problem will only exacerbate as the virus continues to creep across the mainland, sickening tens of thousands and killing hundreds. In addition to shortages of toilet paper and tissues, stores have run out of hand sanitizers necessary to help prevent the spread of the virus and personal hygiene products. Some stores that do continue to stock these items are placing limits on the number of them that customers can purchase (like two). Other products that are sold out include sanitary towels, shower gel, cleaning products and food items. Even canned goods are running low, the SCMP said. Some Hong Kong residents are urging people to calm down but they admit its difficult to do given the fact that they have lost faith in the government to both control the virus and to keep supply chains intact. Because what comes next is worse: Pandemonium. At this rate, soon it wont just be panic buying. People will start robbing each other, said Chow, a woman in her 50s who runs a shop selling prayer materials in Sham Shui Po. Sources include: SCMP.com NaturalNews.com RACINE COUNTY The Mount Pleasant Tourism Commission has agreed to contribute toward an effort designed to attract employment talent from northern Illinois to Racine County. The commission voted unanimously to contribute $24,500 toward Racine County Economic Development Corp.s Explore and Take Root programming. Explore and Take Root is part of RCEDCs larger Greater Racine County Talent Recruitment Initiative which has been building for about the past two years. Kate Walker, RCEDCs full-time talent recruitment specialist, explained the plan, which included launching the website greaterracinecounty.com. The next steps involve four events. The first will be three familiarization tours this spring two east and one west of Interstate 94 for real estate brokers, human resources and talent acquisition professionals and the new GRC ambassador team. First impressions are critical to converting visitors to residents, RCEDC wrote in a memorandum for the Tourism Commission. It is critical and we equip those who engage early and often with prospective talent with the tools to share the Racine County story. Walker said she wants many tour participants. Then the first event for nonresidents will be for interns of companies including SC Johnson, CNH Industrial, Twin Disc and Modine Manufacturing. Theyre here for the summer for their positions, Walker said, but a lot of them dont have the opportunity to learn about the community. So, were going to share many of the highlights and amenities as well as put them in front of other young professionals that live here that can share their stories as to why they live here. And also for them to meet each other. The event will be held during an afternoon in May. Explore and Take Root Explore and Take Root is based on Vermonts successful Stay to Stay program which is designed to convert tourists into residents. The first of two Explore and Take Root events will be held during a weekend in June, inviting 20 skilled health care professionals from northern Illinois. They will be provided with Amtrak tickets to the Hiawatha station (RCEDC will look for corporate sponsors), Uber vouchers, tours and networking activities. The weekend will include tours of famous Racine-area Frank Lloyd Wright architecture as well as hospitals and health care facilities where they will have an opportunity to meet staff and hiring managers to learn about open positions. There will also be social events including a bonfire at North Beach, and more. Just all the things that are really fun that happen here already just making sure that they get to experience it, said Walker, who explained that $24,500 was needed to fill out her budget for talent attraction this year. Explore and Take Root will target certain professions within health care, those identified by a Manpower survey as most needed, such as registered nurses, Walker said. The goal of Explore and Take Root, she said, is: To get them to move here to work here. And were starting small. ... We know its going to take time. A very similar event, in the fall, will focus on attracting talent in the manufacturing/STEM (science, technology, engineering and manufacturing) fields. RCEDC will specifically look for people who already have the skills and credentials to plug right in to companies here and are ages 22 to 39, Walker said. Were going to do an application process, she said. We want to know people have an intention to come here and learn more not just an opportunity to get an assisted weekend in a different place. Throughout the GRC talent recruitment effort, RCEDC has and plans to continue to work with NEWwaukee, Milwaukees successful version of this effort. Commissions contribution Tourism Commission Chairman Rob Richardson said the thinking in contributing toward RCEDCs talent recruitment program is that it will help connect nonresidents to this county. At times, those people will be staying in hotels or motels for a period of time. And the vast majority of those beds are in the Village of Mount Pleasant, which collects room taxes and keeps a portion of them. (By the villages contract with the county visitors bureau, Real Racine, Mount Pleasant will pay that organization the lesser of $725,000 or 75% of the room tax it gathers. If it gathers over $800,000 in room tax revenue, the visitors bureau will get an additional $25,000.) Now that Mount Pleasant has extended-stay hotels, Richardson said, professionals who come to Racine County might stay for weeks or months. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The shape of Ireland's next government remains uncertain after a historic General Election saw Sinn Fein crash the long-standing domination of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. While counting will continue through Monday, and the final results remain a way off, it is clear Ireland now has three big players on its political stage. In a remarkable result, Sinn Fein emerged as the most popular party in the country, securing the most first preference votes and topping the polls in the vast majority of constituencies across the state. The party received 24.5 per cent of the vote share, Fianna Fail got 22.2 per cent and Fine Gael 20.9 per cent. Despite that, Fianna Fail remains best placed to secure the most seats, primarily due to Sinn Fein's failure to field enough candidates to capitalise on its unexpected surge at the polls. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, next to his partner Matthew Barrett, has admitted Ireland now has a three-party system Mr Varadkar is trailing a Sinn Fein candidate who topped the poll in his constituency in West Dublin Of the three, Fine Gael looks like being the big loser, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's party set to ship several seats. None of the three will come close to securing enough seats to achieve a majority in the Dail parliament, so thoughts have already turned to the potential make up of a coalition administration. Smaller parties such as the Greens, Labour, the Social Democrats and Solidarity/People Before Profit, and a sizeable number of independent TDs, may all be courted as the main parties seek junior coalition partners. On Sunday, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin declined the opportunity to repeat his pre-election pledge never to do business with Sinn Fein. Though he later cautioned observers not to 'jump the gun' in interpreting his remarks as a signal an alliance with the party was in the offing. Mr Varadkar was more unequivocal in his response, making clear his party's stance on not dealing with Sinn Fein was unchanged. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said she was willing to talk to all political leaders but expressed a desire to lead a coalition made up of left-leaning parties, without any input from Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, which are both centre-right in outlook. While it remains unclear whether it will ultimately be part of any future coalition, Sinn Fein's performance has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through Ireland's political establishment. The party has been left to rue its decision to run significantly fewer candidates than its two main rivals, 42 compared to Fianna Fail's 84 and Fine Gael's 82. That will see a significant number of Sinn Fein surplus votes being transferred to other parties in the proportional representation contest. It is a shakedown that could benefit Sinn Fein indirectly, if its surpluses boost the numbers of potential left wing partners in government. At his count centre in Cork on Sunday, Mr Martin would not rule out working with Sinn Fein or Fine Gael, having definitively refused to countenance either as coalition partners during the campaign. The Fianna Fail leader, who acknowledged his party looked like being on course to win the most seats, was repeatedly pressed to restate his opposition to a potential Sinn Fein partnership. Mr Varadkar has predicted Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein would finish with roughly 40 seats each and the business of constructing an administration would be difficult Leo Varadkar looks at a sheet of paper with the breakdown of votes, as counting continues in his constituency of Dublin West While insisting there were 'significant incompatibility' issues in terms of policy, he did not dismiss the suggestion outright. But he added: 'Our policies, our positions and principles haven't changed overnight or in 24 hours.' In a result emblematic of the Sinn Fein surge, the first seat declared in the election was the party's Donnchadh O Laoghaire, who topped the poll in Cork South Central ahead of Mr Martin. Mr Varadkar was also outpolled by a Sinn Fein candidate in Dublin West, Paul Donnelly, with the Taoiseach only getting over the line after the fifth round of counting. The Fine Gael leader, whose party is predicting a seat total in the 'mid to high 30s' having entered the campaign with 47, said he would not be speaking to Mrs McDonald with a view to forming a coalition. 'My view on this is exactly what I have said during the campaign and what I said during the campaign and what my party said during the campaign wasn't a tactic or a strategy, it was what we honestly believed and for us coalition with Sinn Fein is not an option,' he said. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald celebrates with her supporters after winning her seat Irish republican Sinn Fein party leader Mary Lou McDonald (centre) celebrates with her supporters after she takes the Dublin Central constituency If parties do ultimately stick to their pre-election pledges then it would be extremely difficult for any of the three to form a stable government. On Sunday, Mrs McDonald branded talk of excluding her party as 'undemocratic'. She said she had been in touch with the Greens, Social Democrats and People Before Profit to discuss the prospect of them joining her party in government. 'It's been an election about change,' she said. 'The extraordinary thing is that it seems that the political establishment, and by that I mean Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, are in a state of denial. 'They are still not listening to what the people have said. 'I want us to have a government for the people. I want us to have ideally a government with no Fianna Fail or Fine Gael in it. 'I have started the contact with other parties to explore over the next days whether that is a possibility.' The results have yet to be finalised but the Taoiseach admitted it seemed Ireland now had a three-party system Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Phibblestown Community Centre in Dublin speaking with supporters where counting is underway Asked if the result marked a revolution in Irish politics, Mrs McDonald replied: 'Yes, you could call it that for sure.' The uncertainty created by the results has even thrown up the possibility of another General Election. There are 160 seats in the Dail parliament. The speaker is automatically re-elected, leaving 159 seats up for grabs and 80 the magic number for a majority. Mr Varadkar's last government, a minority Fine Gael-led administration that included several independent TDs, was sustained in power through a historic confidence and supply arrangement with Fianna Fail. That landmark pact between two parties founded from opposing sides of Ireland's civil war of the 1920s took 70 days to negotiate following the inconclusive 2016 general election. A new confidence and supply deal cannot be ruled out, potentially a reverse of the last one, with Fine Gael supporting a Fianna Fail-led minority. The fractured vote could even force Ireland's two traditional political superpowers to contemplate the once unthinkable, a grand coalition in government together. Brexit did not feature prominently in an election campaign which was instead dominated by domestic issues like spiralling rental prices, record-breaking homeless numbers, controversy over the state pension age and a struggling health service. SAN FRANCISCO Amazon is quietly canceling its Nazis. Over the past 18 months, the retailer has removed two books by David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan, as well as several titles by George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi Party. Amazon has also prohibited volumes like The Ruling Elite: The Zionist Seizure of World Power and A History of Central Banking and the Enslavement of Mankind. While few may lament the disappearance of these hate-filled books, the increasing number of banished titles has set off concern among some of the third-party booksellers who stock Amazons vast virtual shelves. Amazon, they said, seems to operate under vague or nonexistent rules. Amazon reserves the right to determine whether content provides an acceptable experience, said one recent removal notice that the company sent to a bookseller. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been roiled in recent years by controversies that pit freedom of speech against offensive content. Amazon has largely escaped this debate. But with millions of third-party merchants supplying much of what Amazon sells to tens of millions of customers, that ability to maintain a low profile may be reaching its end. Ultra-left silliness Boy O Boy but Friday was a banner day for the ultra-lefties on the Opinion page of The Montana Standard. First up was the Guest View by Heather White. Writing about Global Warming (aka Climate Change) she states that she is an environmentalist trained to use scientific facts and figures to convince people to protect the planet. Then goes on to quote the International Panel on Climate Change that we only have a decade left to reverse the dramatic effects of global warming. I guess she hasnt yet read that the earth has been undergoing these climate changes every 100,000 years or so for the past 3 million years, caused basically by perturbations in Earths orbit via interactions with the planet Jupiter, the second biggest gorilla in our solar system (Richard Alley, The Two Mile Time Machine, 2000). But this time its going be different, right? Then theres The rule of fear by Kathy Belke of Stevensville, bashing Republican senators for not hearing more testimony and reviewing more documents in the trial phase of President Trumps phony impeachment effort by the Democrats. I thought all that was supposed to be done in the House phase by those genius leaders Adam Schiff and Jerry Nadler. Why should we expect our Senate to continue their charade of an impeachment investigation? She says we voters will have to decide come November. Shes right, and I hope she doesnt have a stroke over the results. But the real kicker was James C. Nelsons piece Senates sorry example, inferring that the Senate didnt actually try all articles of impeachment. The house only brought two. What else did he have in mind? After reading all his picky points, I thought his concerns applied more to Speaker Pelosi and the House investigations than the Senate. The truth is Democratic leadership still cannot accept that Trump beat Hillary in 2016. They cannot accept that Trump has been our president now going on 4 years, and has accomplished miraculous things for America. Everything for securing our borders to dumping hordes of mind-numbing Obama-era regulations to improving employment for all Americans to making possible a stock market that has been surging since his election. No, what I find sorry is that Mr. Nelson was once a justice on Montanas Supreme Court, and, after reading his little diatribe, I find that worrisome too. Andy Johnson, Butte Love 8 Funny 6 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 Express News Service By NEW DELHI: At least 10 exit polls have projected the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to retain power in the national capital, indicating a third consecutive term for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to improve its tally but things look bleak for the Congress. The average of the 10 exit polls shows the AAP is likely to get 50 seats, the BJP 14 and the Congress a mere one. In 2015, the AAP managed an unprecedented brute majority, winning 67 of the total 70 seats, reducing the BJP to three and the Congress to zero. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari Axis gave the maximum seats to the AAP, with the upper range at 68 seats while Times Now and India TV gave the ruling party in Delhi the least with 44 seats. As for the BJP, the maximum was projected by Sudarshan News at 28 seats while Axis gave it only two seats, less than its current tally. Reacting to the exit polls, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia lauded party workers for their hard work. How selfless and strong is the relationship of all of us, this election is the proof of this. We are winning by a huge margin, he tweeted. The BJP put up a brave face. All these exit polls will fail. BJP will form a government by taking 48 seats in Delhi. Please do not find an excuse to blame EVMs now, tweeted Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari. Many observers termed this assembly election the most divisive, with the BJP leading a high voltage campaign on nationalism and targeting anti-CAA protesters at Shaheen Bagh, where women have led the protest for nearly two months now. The AAP contested on issues such as free water, subsidised power, free bus travel for women and education. They seemed to have worked with a large section of the electorate. The Kejriwal-led party had hired political strategist Prashant Kishor ahead of the elections to bolster its campaign. The BJPs campaign was mainly led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who took out roadshows, rallies and went door to door. The party also roped in high profile party leaders such as UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The campaign by the Congress, that ruled Delhi for 15 years under former CM Sheila Dikshit, never seemed to take off. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the party would wait for the results on February 11. New Delhi: Raj Thackeray's party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will hold a huge rally in South Mumbai today after defeating them in successive elections. This rally will be against the infiltrators of Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is being told that through this rally, MNS chief Raj Thackeray will once again try to advance his party by furthering the politics of Hindutva. The way MNS is constantly facing defeat, after that, through the politics of Hindutva, Raj Thackeray will again try to build the party. JD(U) MLC Javed Iqbal Ansari meets RJD chief Lalu Prasad in Ranchi A march will be taken out before the rally which will begin with the Hindu Gymkhana Club, headed by Raj Thackeray. After which Raj Thackeray will address a rally at Azad Maidan. Party spokesman Sandeep Deshpande said that a large number of people will gather at this rally. People are fed up with Bangladeshi and Pakistani intruders, people want these intruders to leave the country under any circumstances. We are getting good support from the people and a large number of people will gather in the huge rally to be held today. Mehbooba Mufti faces serious allegations, adopts soft attitude towards terrorists Recently the MNS started a campaign against the infiltrators, MNS demanded that they must be expelled from the country, describing these people as intruders of the country. Political analysts believe that this rally will be successful, but it will not benefit MNS. BJP will certainly support this rally. Political analyst Hemant Desai has said that the issue of infiltrators from Bangladesh and Pakistan is not a big issue in the state, so there is no special enthusiasm among people about this issue. P. Chidambaram attack on the Modi government regarding the sinking economy, advises this Wrexham Glyndwr University celebrates further rise in Stonewall rankings This article is old - Published: Sunday, Feb 9th, 2020 Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys dedication to promote inclusivity and diversity has been reflected in an increase of 60 places in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. The university is now placed at 180th place from a total of 550 organisations in the index, which is acknowledged as a benchmark for employers to measure their progress towards lesbian, gay, bi and trans+ inclusion in the workplace. The Stonewall index is used by the charity and the university to assess the progress the university is making towards LGBT+ inclusion. The HR team submit evidence annually to Stonewall and have used the responses to assess where improvements were needed, resulting in the institution rising a total of 235 places in two years. Wrexham Glyndwr University has a dedicated LGBT+ Staff Network and LGBT+ Student Society who work together to inform change, update policies, raise awareness and strive to create a fully inclusive environment for all staff, students and visitors. Alison Bloomfield, the universitys organisational development and diversity manager said: Over the last two years, university staff and students have worked towards making our environment more inclusive, including reviewing and updating our policies and procedures and providing our staff with rainbow lanyards to enable them to show their support to our LGBT+ community. The university has a dedicated LGBT+ staff network and student society and staff and students can access dedicated, personal and confidential support. We have forged links with local groups and other organisations across the region and we will continue to work with them to help develop the support we offer further. We are delighted to have the work we have undertaken recognised by Stonewall and we intend to build upon the work we have completed going forward, supporting our staff, students and community. Anyone who has taken a river barge tour downtown has seen the fig tree that grows out of the limestone wall not far from the Esquire Tavern. Its long been a part of the drivers spiel. Now the tree, one of the most memorable curiosities on the River Walk, is being cut down in the name of progress. It isnt historically significant. It doesnt have a name like the nearby Ben Milam Bald Cypress, from which the famed fighter for Texas independence was killed by a sniper. But do an online search, and youll find plenty of photos of smiling tourists posing in front of the gnarly, multitrunked tree, which emerges from the wall about 3 to 4 feet above ground level like an angry hydra. Shows that regardless of your circumstances, you can thrive! reads one caption. And tourists often do a double take when they see it. Its more a point of interest than a landmark, said Go Rio Cruises training manager Alex Alonso, who writes the script that barge drivers recite. Little kids love it. They want to know if they can build a treehouse in it. Until two years ago, the building where the tree lives housed the restaurant Bella on the River; before that, it was Delores del Rio. That building and those on either side along East Commerce between South St. Marys and the river have been home to payday loan shops, check cashing and convenience stores, even a hot dog stand. ENTER TO WIN: Four tickets to Morgan Wallen at the San Antonio Stock & Rodeo Show The block is now being razed and will be replaced by the 16-story Floodgate luxury residential tower. As the buildings come down, so, too, will the tree. Experts who examined the tree declared that it was not salvageable. It could, however, have a second life. Weve taken some cuttings and hope to make it a part of the new buildings landscaping, said Keller Henderson, developer of the Floodgate project. Maybe someday therell be fig tree 2.0. The removal should be completed this week. Unfortunately for those who might want to make one last visit, the sidewalk where the tree is located is closed because of the construction. The only place to see it is from the opposite bank. If you do, you wont actually be looking at the original tree in the wall. That tree was a box elder that, legend has it, somehow found purchase in a crack in the wall when a seed or a branch lodged there during a flood. But no one knows exactly when this happened. Henderson said that in doing his research, he came across some old, undated photos. None of them showed a tree growing out of the wall, he said. When the box elder started dying, someone planted a fig tree in the wall to support it, Alonso said. Now the box elder is gone and only the fig tree is left, he said. Having a tree growing out of his restaurant wall was surprisingly unproblematic for David Snyder, who, from 2011 to 2018, owned Bella on the River. (Since moving to street level, Snyders restaurant is now known as Bella on Houston.) It was like they say in the Mastercard commercial: priceless, Snyder said. Everybody recognized it, everybody remembered it. Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini Distraught over repeated bullying at school, a nine-year-old girl in Shillong has developed a mobile application which would enable a person to anonymously report such incidents to the authorities. Meaidaibahun Majaw, a Class 4 student, said she had taken it upon herself to find a solution to the menace, after it started taking a toll on her well-being. "I experienced bullying in school since nursery. It affected me. I hated it so much that I was always on the lookout for a solution. No other child should have to go through the same," Majaw told PTI. The app, which would soon be available on Google Play, allows victims, who did not want to reveal identities, to report their bullies to teachers, guardians, and friends. "Users can provide details of the incidents, including the name of the bully, and send the messages to individuals concerned. This allows the authorities to take necessary actions," Majaw explained. Her efforts have been appreciated by state education minister Lakmen Rymbui, who said that that the girl would grow up to be a responsible citizen. "I wish Meai the best in her endeavour to fight social ills. She will be a responsible citizen. I congratulate her parents, too, for guiding her," Rymbui added. A 2017 survey conducted by The Teacher Foundation, in association Wipro Applying Thought in Schools (WATIS), found that 42 per cent kids in India are bullied in schools. Recounting her experiences, the nine-year-old said that a group of students had once ganged up against her and asked other classmates to boycott her. "One of them had stamped my feet," she said, insisting that some of her friends, too, had faced similar predicaments at one point or the other. Dasumarlin Majaw, her mother, said that the girl had enrolled in an app-development course in September last year, and learned the skills within a few months. "She would attend classes for an hour every day. Before we knew, Meai had come up with 40 apps," Dasumarlin, who runs at resort at Tyrna in East Khasi Hills, told PTI. Majaw was hopeful that she would be among the young coding experts from India to have earned a scholarship for travelling to the Silicon Valley to meet investors. "I have built another app, which would help customers at our resort at Tyrna to place food orders without human intervention. There are several other apps that I am working on... Hopefully, experts will take note of my work," the girl added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) They were staying at a hotel near the bus stand and were not possessing any documents to stay in India Jhansi: Seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in Babina area of Jhansi as they did not have any valid documents, police said on Sunday. Jhansi Senior Superintendent of Police D Pradeep said, "As many as seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested during a routine checking in bus stand area of Babina on Friday." They were staying at a hotel near the bus stand and were not possessing any documents to stay in India, the SSP said. The arrested men belong to Dhaka, he claimed. "For some time, they were in the business of selling fish oil. During routine probe, no criminal cases have been found against them, but they have been booked under the Foreigners Act for illegally staying in India," Pradeep added. As corruption scandals worm through the establishment Democratic Party, Gov. J.B. Pritzker finds himself with new and unexpected leverage. He can push for meaningful ethics reform in Illinois government by removing the barricades his own partys leaders erected in the past. Those Democrats are wounded. He is not. So will he lead on real reform? Restoring the publics trust is of paramount importance, Pritzker said during the State of the State address while his two chamber leaders House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Don Harmon stood at the dais behind him. Lets not let the well-connected and well-protected work the system while the interests of ordinary citizens are forgotten. There is too much that needs to be accomplished to lift up all the people of Illinois. That effort starts with drawing a fair map of legislative districts after this years federal census. It could happen through constitutional change. Pritzker said as a candidate for governor he supported amending the Illinois Constitution to take the process out of the hands of lawmakers: We should amend the constitution to create an independent commission to draw legislative maps. More recently, he said he would not sign into law an unfair map. But thats not as strong a position as his call for an amendment. It gives him wiggle room to backtrack. Who defines unfair? Party leaders who insisted the last map was fair? If Pritzker is serious about confronting a scourge that has been plaguing our political system for far too long, as he said in his speech, he needs to lead the way on establishing an independent process to draw districts. Allowing legislators to keep manipulating their own boundary lines may be legal, but its conflicted and corrupt. Heres a recap of what happened 10 years ago: Following the release of U.S. Census Bureau numbers, Speaker Madigan and then-Senate President John Cullerton began the process of drawing new boundaries for 118 House districts, which would fold into 59 Senate districts. They also redrew the boundaries of federal congressional districts. Madigan set up a secret Springfield office with highly restricted access. To draw a map friendly to Democrats, his mapmakers drew legislative districts that included incumbents homes and offices, their churches, their schools, their social circles anywhere they could count on loyal support. Then they carved up Republican-leaning areas to dilute their potency. They even sliced out potential political opponents. In one congressional race, they protected U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs, by drawing a potential primary election opponent into a different district so he couldnt challenge the incumbent. The mapmakers used a highly technical, computer-driven process to ensure their control over the legislature. Lawmakers were allowed into the map room on a one-by-one basis and were warned not to discuss it publicly. Gov. Pat Quinn signed that gerrymandered map into law. It worked to Democrats advantage. In both the House and Senate they eventually gained super-majorities. Hows that working out, Illinois? Voters revolted and tried to get remap reform on the ballot by collecting more than 500,000 signatures. But Madigans top attorney filed a lawsuit and blocked the push for a constitutional amendment. We hope Gov. Pritzker grasps the ultimate slap to Illinois citizens that disqualification process entailed. We hope the governor understands the corruption the current process breeds. No map can be truly fair when its so wholly driven by partisan politics. Former state Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, is part of a coalition reviving a citizen-driven petition process. Its an uphill battle. But he says the group learned from the Illinois Supreme Courts ruling last time and is fashioning a clean, straightforward amendment that would force bipartisan cooperation on map-drawing. His group could use a reform-minded, ethics-driven governor to elevate the charge. It would be a chance for Pritzker not only to deliver for Illinois citizens, and keep his campaign promise, but also to build a lasting legacy on true ethics reform. His opportunity grows with each indictment of another lawmaker. Chicago Tribune The Gang was not all here. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The endless uncertainty over the results of the Iowa caucuses has partially obscured one outcome that is not in dispute: Turnout was disappointing. To be clear, the number of people caucusing was not down from the last competitive event in 2016, which drew 171,517 Democrats. Turnout this time around was 176,436. But it did not come even close to the 239,000 who caucused in 2008. And that was an unwelcome surprise to those who thought the large field, the evidently close race, and above all, Democratic enthusiasm about the prospect of beating Trump, would combine to produce a bumper crop of caucusgoers. But no dice. There are interpretations for this phenomenon that are relatively comforting for Democrats, as Iowa Starting Line observes: Megan Suhr, the former chair of the Marion County Democrats, wasnt surprised when her caucus site saw lower turnout than 2016. She expected the result. She knocked doors before the caucuses and said she mostly encountered people who said they would vote for whoever the nominee is in November. There were a lot of different reasons and explanations, Suhr said. There were also a lot of people who said theyd been watching all the hearings and they were watching the trial, and to them, whoever the caucus-goers decided, whoever came out of the primaries, was who they were going to support in the fall. A similarly benign explanation is found in the unusually high number of undecided voters most polls of Iowa were showing. In a primary, an undecided voter can carry doubts right into the booth and quietly make a private decision. At a caucus like Iowas, you must quite literally go sit or stand with supporters of a candidate. If youre not sure, its hardly irrational to stay home, even if you are 100 percent sure to vote in November. But there are, of course, darker interpretations, such as the one David Axelrod who knows Iowa very well told the Daily Beast: As a citizen, am I worried about it? Yeah. Especially after the explosive turnout of 17 and 18, said David Axelrod, who helped spearhead the historic Barack Obama Iowa caucus win in 2008. There are more benign explanations, like it is a caucus and the candidates were in Washington and not there to stir up the turnout. But there is another possibility, which is that people just felt dispirited. Thats a danger for Democrats. The Trump effort is infused with cynicism. And propagating cynicism can be a powerful tactic if youre trying to depress an opponents turnout. That is a big concern, he added, that a dispirited electorate, beaten and burnt out, just walks away. Its notable, too, that turnout varied by the nature of the precinct: 2020 Iowa Democratic Caucus attendance vs. 2016... Five most college-educated counties: Dallas (Des Moines burbs): +38% Johnson (Iowa City): +9% Polk (Des Moines): +7% Story (Ames): +1% Linn (Cedar Rapids): +1% Everywhere else: -6% Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) February 7, 2020 This would reinforce an interpretation that Trump is turning some rural areas of Iowa deeper red than in the past. And that in turn is particularly concerning news to the campaign of Bernie Sanders, whose electability argument all along has been that his populist appeal will bring back some of the white working-class voters lost to Trump in 2016. Theres not much evidence of that part of Iowa responding to Bernie 2020; his support was heavily concentrated among younger voters in cities. Then again, he could boast that he had boosted youth turnout, well above 2016 levels and even beating the Obama-fueled 2008 caucuses. The peculiar nature of Iowa and its arcane processes makes long-term projections based on turnout in the caucuses questionable. But whether it has anything to do with Iowa or not, New Hampshire has now lowered its earlier very high turnout estimates for its primary on February 11 from 500,000 to 425,000. That would still represent the highest turnout level ever in an election involving an incumbent president. But it does not reflect the vision many once had of Democrats and independents and ex-Republicans mobbing the polls to choose a champion to drive the evil king from the throne in Washington. Given how excited the MAGA hordes seem to be, that needs to change if not during the primaries, then in November. Washington: US President Donald Trump wants a 21 per cent cut in foreign aid and slashing to social safety-net programs in his $US4.8 trillion ($7.1 trillion) budget proposal for fiscal 2021, according to senior administration officials. The budget would spend money to fund infrastructure projects and defence, but also raise funds by targeting $US2 trillion in savings from mandatory spending programs in the United States. It assumes revenues around $US3.7 trillion. The Trump proposal would massively cut foreign aid. Credit:AP Trump, a Republican, sought in his budget proposal last year to slash foreign aid but faced steep resistance from Congress and did not prevail. The president's latest blueprint for administration spending proposals to be presented on Monday (US time) is unlikely to be passed by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, particularly in an election year. A man who said he wanted to "assassinate" Donald Trump has been arrested outside the White House, police have said. Roger Hedgpeth, 25, was taken into custody on Saturday afternoon after telling a Secret Service agent that he was there to kill the president. He told the agent: "I have a knife to do it with." Police found a three-and-a-half inch blade in a sheath on his left hip and an empty gun holster on his right hip, according to a Metropolitan Police Department report seen by the Associated Press. Mr Hedgpeth was then arrested and taken for a mental health assessment at a local hospital. His vehicle was impounded. It was not immediately clear where he was from or whether he had a lawyer to comment on his behalf. Associated Press This article is for investors who would like to improve their understanding of price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll show how you can use Guangdong Land Holdings Limited's (HKG:124) P/E ratio to inform your assessment of the investment opportunity. What is Guangdong Land Holdings's P/E ratio? Well, based on the last twelve months it is 16.18. In other words, at today's prices, investors are paying HK$16.18 for every HK$1 in prior year profit. View our latest analysis for Guangdong Land Holdings How Do You Calculate A P/E Ratio? The formula for price to earnings is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for Guangdong Land Holdings: P/E of 16.18 = HKD1.21 HKD0.07 (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. That isn't a good or a bad thing on its own, but a high P/E means that buyers have a higher opinion of the business's prospects, relative to stocks with a lower P/E. How Does Guangdong Land Holdings's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? We can get an indication of market expectations by looking at the P/E ratio. You can see in the image below that the average P/E (6.5) for companies in the real estate industry is lower than Guangdong Land Holdings's P/E. SEHK:124 Price Estimation Relative to Market, February 9th 2020 Guangdong Land Holdings's P/E tells us that market participants think the company will perform better than its industry peers, going forward. The market is optimistic about the future, but that doesn't guarantee future growth. So investors should always consider the P/E ratio alongside other factors, such as whether company directors have been buying shares. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Probably the most important factor in determining what P/E a company trades on is the earnings growth. When earnings grow, the 'E' increases, over time. That means unless the share price increases, the P/E will reduce in a few years. And as that P/E ratio drops, the company will look cheap, unless its share price increases. Story continues Guangdong Land Holdings increased earnings per share by an impressive 14% over the last twelve months. In contrast, EPS has decreased by 7.9%, annually, over 5 years. Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits Don't forget that the P/E ratio considers market capitalization. So it won't reflect the advantage of cash, or disadvantage of debt. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future) by investing in growth. That means taking on debt (or spending its cash). Such spending might be good or bad, overall, but the key point here is that you need to look at debt to understand the P/E ratio in context. So What Does Guangdong Land Holdings's Balance Sheet Tell Us? Guangdong Land Holdings has net debt worth 74% of its market capitalization. If you want to compare its P/E ratio to other companies, you should absolutely keep in mind it has significant borrowings. The Verdict On Guangdong Land Holdings's P/E Ratio Guangdong Land Holdings's P/E is 16.2 which is above average (10.0) in its market. It's good to see the recent earnings growth, although we note the company uses debt already. It seems the market believes growth will continue, judging by the P/E ratio. Investors have an opportunity when market expectations about a stock are wrong. People often underestimate remarkable growth -- so investors can make money when fast growth is not fully appreciated. So this free visual report on analyst forecasts could hold the key to an excellent investment decision. But note: Guangdong Land Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20). If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. The Lagos State Government has denied a rumour that some Chinese living in the state have been diagnosed with coronavirus. The state commissioner of health, Akin Abayomi, on his Twitter handle @ProfAkinAbayomi, debunked the rumour on Sunday. He said the alleged claims of coronavirus in suspected persons of Chinese descent living in Gowon estate, Alimosoho local government area of Lagos are untrue. Mr Abayomi said investigations by the surveillance and biosecurity unit of his ministry found no street or close named Osoba within Gowon Estate as reported in the WhatsApp message that carried the rumour. He said the search team led by Odufuwa Alimosoho, Oni Okunola, Abdusalam Akindele, Akinfolarin Baruwa and a community informant did not find any such address in the estate. Nigeria is yet to report any suspected or confirmed case of the killer disease. Coronavirus outbreak originated from Wuhan, Hubei Province of China, and has since spread to over 25 countries and recorded over 800 deaths and 37, 000 confirmed cases. While no case has been reported in Africa, Nigeria has been on high alert for the disease as it has been identified as one of the African countries with a high risk of contracting the disease. This is due to the large numbers of Chinese living in the country and the high level of international trade between Nigeria and China. This has also increased the chances of fake alert of the disease. This alert is the second debunked by the Lagos state government within the last seven days. Fake news As of Saturday, the rumour was circulating on WhatsApp of people of Chinese descent suspected to be infected with coronavirus living at Osoba Close in Gowon Estate in Lagos. These Chinese newly returned from Wuhan in China and are treating themselves of symptoms similar to that of a Coronavirus patient in Gowon Estate, Egbeda. Kindly advise and forward to any of your family members or relations to avoid going near any shop, office or business where Chinese people are gathered at this time around Gowon Estate and Egbeda environs, the false claim stated. Investigation ongoing Mr Abayomi said that the information was being investigated. Using all available intelligence from the key community members (Ward locals, councillors, motorbike riders, market women, bartenders), programmatic implementation maps and Google maps), major streets in Gowon Estate were thoroughly searched. We will continue our investigation today, 9 February, with full cooperation from the DPO of the Nigerian Police Force in Gowon Estate, through the intervention of the chairman, Mosan Okunola LCDA, who has promised to reinforce our surveillance team. Mr Abayomi said while the investigation was ongoing, the ministry had increased surveillance on hotels and other resort centres in Lagos. We also call on Lagosians not to engage in circulating false news of diseases outbreaks. This is considered a serious offence with biosecurity implications He warned that anyone found to be engaging in such misinformation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Feb 6 (Reuters) - The first battery-grade nickel and cobalt project in Indonesia using high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) technology could start commissioning in the second half of 2020, consultancy firm CRU Group said on Thursday. The project, a joint venture between Indonesia's Harita Group and China's mining firm Ningbo Lygend on Obi island, will have an annual capacity to produce 36,000 tonnes in nickel content and 4,400 tonnes in cobalt content in the first phase, CRU said in a report. HPAL has a troubled history of operational problems and slow ramp-ups, but several Chinese investors had plans to use the technology in Indonesia to make nickel and cobalt materials for batteries used in electric vehicles. "Previous several HPAL projects have experienced huge cost overruns and severe delays. If this project is successful, other investors may follow suit to meet the increasing demand from the battery sector," said CRU analyst Daniel Chen. The CRU report said the project could start production of qualified products in early 2021. Ningbo Lygend and Harita Group were not available for comment. PT Halmahera Persada Lygend, as the joint venture is called, is one of at least three HPAL projects led by Chinese investors in Indonesia, the world's biggest producer of nickel ore. Chinese battery firm GEM Co Ltd had expected to start trial production of its battery nickel plant with Chinese stainless steel giant Tsingshan in August 2020, its president had told Reuters last year. But industry sources told Reuters the GEM project is likely to start in 2021 at the earliest. The other Tsingshan project is with Zhejiang Huayou , China's top cobalt maker, which could start production in 2021, its president had told Reuters, in line with the industry's expectations. CRU estimates around 5% of nickel demand came from the battery sector in 2019, but that will rise to 23.7% by 2030 and 33% by 2040. (Reporting by Mai Nguyen in Hanoi; Additional reporting by Tom Daly in Beijing; Editing by Maju Samuel) By ANI NEW DELHI: A day after the exit polls predicted that the ruling AAP will return to power with an impressive victory in the Delhi assembly election, senior Congress leader PC Chacko, on being asked about possibility of Congress-AAP alliance, on Sunday said that every decision depends on the outcome of elections result of which he is sure that it will be different from that of the exit poll. Speaking to ANI, Chacko said, "It (Congress-AAP alliance) depends on the election results which will come on February 11. There is no point in guessing. Once the outcome is there then only we can think about it or discuss it. It is too early now." ALSO READ: Kejriwal will return to power with majority in Delhi, says Sanjay Singh Meanwhile, he expressed the utmost confidence that the prediction of the exit polls is wrong. He said, "The Delhi assembly elections exit poll has predicted that the Congress will be seen to be reduced to zero. However, the exit poll results are not always correct as was visible during the election results in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. I think Congress is likely to do better than what surveys predict." He continued, "If the poll prediction can be perfect then we don't need an election. We have faced such exit polls in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. I am not denying that these conclusions may not be always right but I feel that this exit poll may not be very correct. Congress is likely to do better than what these surveys are saying. I am not saying that we will get a majority but our position may be better." ALSO READ: Manoj Tiwari rejects exit poll results, claims BJP will win 48 seats in Delhi Responding to Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari's claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win 48 seats in the national capital, Chacko said, "The BJP won seven parliamentary seats, which means more than 50 per cent votes, in the last Lok Sabha election then why is Manoj Tiwari saying that the party will win 48 seats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was campaigning, Home Minister Amit Shah was doing roadshows, 200 MPs were deputed to stay in jhuggis and money was being spent like water. However, the BJP is still commenting that out of 70 they will get 40 seats. This means that BJP is going down and they are admitting that. Manoj Tiwari's claim is an admission of the weakness of BJP." The exit polls have predicted that AAP will win a two-thirds majority with some giving it a three-fourth majority in the 70-member assembly. They predicted that Congress will continue its dismal show in the national capital. The counting of votes will be on February 11. DOHA Centre for Aviation, together with award-winning Qatar Airways, have renewed their commitment to the Doha Declaration, this year citing sustainability as the key focus. The second iteration has been penned off the back of the 2020 CAPA Qatar Aviation, Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit in Doha, Qatar on 5-6 February. The maiden Doha Declaration was announced following the sell-out inaugural CAPA Qatar Aviation, Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit held in 2019, and called into question the modern-day relevance of the global aviation principals outlined in the Chicago Convention, released more than 75 years ago. The original manifesto addressed liberation of the skies, market access, sustainability and active engagement in aeropolitical discussion at the highest level, and urged aviation stakeholders around the world to join in support of the business of freedom. Based on the critical discussions held at this years Summit, CAPA and Qatar Airways have zeroed in on the growing impact of sustainability on the industry. Doha Declaration of 2020 Travel and tourism, within a liberal regulatory framework, are essential for global connectivity and socio-economic development. One in 20 new jobs is created in this industry. However, in the face of climate change, it is essential for the industry to engage collectively to reduce the level of emissions. The aviation and travel industries recognise there are no single one-size-fits-all solution to the environmental challenges the world is confronted by today. To secure environmental sustainability for future generations, it is recommended that urgent action should be taken by: Airlines; a) To work actively with manufacturers and fuel suppliers to explore all avenues for emission reduction, including but not limited to using and developing alternative fuels, and ensuring efficient operational processes. b) To promote a clear and coherent industry message to assure the public that effective measures are being taken. c) To cooperate with and encourage airports to play an active and integral role in improving operational efficiencies. Governments (unilaterally and multilaterally); a) To consult actively with industry to complement industry action while minimising the regulatory temptation to impose additional taxes in the form of charges and fees. b) Whenever taxes are imposed, these should be transparently allocated to activities that will serve to reduce the industrys impact on the environment. c) To achieve a reduction in carbon emissions by improving the effectiveness of air traffic management. Urgent steps should be made in every jurisdiction to achieve rapid improvements in that direction. Other stakeholders; a) Travellers should be provided with clear, reputable, and globally-acceptable means of off-setting their carbon footprint. b) Leading education institutions together with the aviation industry should work to define and develop appropriate data and skills both technical and non-technical with the ultimate goal to support the development of a strong and effective cohort of aviation environment professionals, and promote equal accessibility to leadership positions. Commenting on the Declaration, CAPA Centre for Aviation Chairman Emeritus, Peter Harbison said: Now is a critical time for our global industry. The Doha Declaration continues to evolve based on the state of liberalisation in the aviation industry. This insight is driven by the discussion during the CAPA Qatar Aviation, Aeropolitical and Regulation Summit, which demonstrates just how important it is to have platforms for open discussion with global aviation leaders, to help remove barriers to progress and drive the industry towards an open marketplace. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, commenting on the declaration, said: I wholeheartedly endorse the second iteration of the Doha Declaration. The Doha Declaration is a reflection of the last two days of productive discussions and reflects the need for all stakeholders in the aviation industry to work together to develop the solutions for todays and tomorrows challenges. Supported by Qatar Airways, the 2020 CAPA Qatar Aviation, Aeropolitical and Regulatory Summit provided a pivotal platform to continue the discussion on open skies, aviation access and regulation among the most influential and esteemed leaders in the industry. With over 280 industry leaders in attendance, including a stellar line up of speakers that guided the premier discourse on open skies, aviation access, regulation and sustainability. Speakers included: Qatar Airways Group CEO, H.E. Akbar Al Baker; IATA Director General & CEO, Alexandre de Juniac; IAG CEO, Willie Walsh; RwandAir CEO, Yvonne Manzi Makolo; European Commission Director General Mobility and Transport, Henrik Hololei; African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Secretary General, Abderahmane Berthe; European Parliament Coordinator for Transport and Tourism, Jose Ramon Bauza Diaz; and AACO Secretary General, Abdul Wahab Teffaha, were also joined by a number of other C-level executives from airports, government, industry bodies, academics and other industry leaders. Related Frances consumer watchdog said yesterday that Apple had agreed to pay 25 million euros ($27.4 million) for failing to tell iPhone users that software updates could slow down older devices. The scandal erupted in December 2017, when the US tech giant admitted that its most recent iOS software was slowing the performance of older telephones whose battery life was deteriorating. Critics accused the firm of surreptitiously forcing users to buy phones sooner than necessary, and the outcry forced Apple to upgrade its software and offer steep discounts on battery replacements. French prosecutors opened an inquiry in January 2018 at the request of the Halt Planned Obsolescence (HOP) association. IPhone owners were not informed that installing iOS updates (10.2.1 and 11.2) could slow down their devices, the DGCCRF anti-fraud agency said in a statement. This is a historic victory against scandalous ready-torubbish practices, for consumers as well as the environment, HOP co-founders Laetitia Vasseur and Samuel Sauvage said, adding that they will consider filing claims for additional damages for iPhone clients. Apple said it welcomed the accord with the DGCCRF, which will allow it to avoid a potentially embarrassing public trial. Our goal has always been to create secure products appreciated by our clients, and making iPhones that last as long as possible is an important part of Apple didnt tell buyers that updates could slow down their iPhone that. Heavy rains lashed Australia's East Coast on Sunday. While the fires helped put out some major remaining wildfires, they also caused widespread flash floods. According to reports, the rain extinguished the Currowan fire just south of Sydney, late on Saturday. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons hopes the rains will move inland. Rains bring respite from fires The Curran fire which burned for 74 days, reportedly destroyed 312 homes and razed 5,000 square kilometres of land and was finally put out thanks to the rains. There are still some major wildfires inland that have burned for months. Fitzsimmons also said goodbye to 21 American and 21 Canadian firefighters who will be heading back after having helped Australian Rural Fire Services tackle the bushfires. Joined Minister @DavidElliottMP and US & Can Consul Generals Sharon Hudson-Dean and Angela Bogdan this morning to thank and farewell another 42 fire fighting specialists who have assisted us in NSW for the last 6 weeks. Thank you all again for your support and expertise #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/jk1PTpyA0D Shane Fitzsimmons (@RFSCommissioner) February 8, 2020 Also heading home a few days early, thanks to some welcome rainfall, are some of our New Zealand colleagues. These 21 fire fighters have been working on #NSWRFS trucks at the Jinden Fire SE of Queanbeyan. Thanks for the chat this morning and thanks again all for your assistance. pic.twitter.com/jl71gYjbu7 Shane Fitzsimmons (@RFSCommissioner) February 8, 2020 So nice listening to rain falling last night & driving with windscreen wipers on for a change this morning. @BOM_NSW indicates continued rain this next week & importantly, falls across our fire areas which will be so welcomed by our farmers, fire fighters & all affected. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/gJ3aFRQlzF Shane Fitzsimmons (@RFSCommissioner) February 6, 2020 Severe weather warnings have also been issued in Australia along most of the New South Wales coast and parts of Queensland to the north. According to reports, there is expected to be heavy rain, abnormally high tides and damaging surf forecast. Read: Cyclone Damien Approaches Towards Australia's West Coast With Devastating Winds Read: Australia Presented With ICC Women's Championship Trophy Severe #Weather Warning updated to cover the entire coast. Heavy rain, damaging winds, abnormally high tides & damaging surf bring dangerous conditions to many locations overnight, tomorrow & Monday. Full details: https://t.co/RrYKnuyGZJ @NSWSES StormSafe:https://t.co/Sp8dH43RhH pic.twitter.com/O6SEfOpVkM Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) February 8, 2020 Read: India's Batting Finally Fires As Team Outplays Australia To Stay Alive In Tri-series Read: Women's Triangular T20 Series: India Beat Australia By Seven Wickets In 5th Match In what could be termed as a heartwarming act of humanity, the protesters at Shaheen Bagh opened the road at the protest venue, letting a Hindu funeral procession pass smoothly. In a video, which has gone viral since morning, the protesters can be seen removing barricades for the funeral procession of a Hindu person to pass. The protesters, however, said that there was nothing unusual about the incident and it was done out of mutual respect. Twitter Speaking on the issue, a protester said, "We respect each other and by allowing the procession to pass through, we have not done anything unusual. We have allowed buses and ambulances also." The gesture won several hearts even on social media. Delhi: Protestors allowed a funeral procession to pass through a road in Shaheen Bagh, earlier today. Shaheen, a protestor says "We respect each other and by allowing the procession to pass through, we have not done anything unusual. We have allowed buses&ambulances also". pic.twitter.com/kChuzRIAQW ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2020 #ShaheenBagh protestors allowed Hindu funeral to pass without passport and Visa. India should put out an official statement in appreciation to #ShaheenBagh government https://t.co/lvuWEQdpTe Ninda Turtle (@NindaTurtles) February 9, 2020 Shaheen Bagh protesters open up barricades to let a Hindu funeral procession pass. Please show it to the anti nationals who call Shaheen baghis anti nationals.#Protest pic.twitter.com/l5ktaXzV3a Rofl Sinha (@RoflSinha) February 9, 2020 Protesters at #ShaheenBagh promptly remove the barricades to allow a Hindu funeral procession to pass through peacefully. Humanity knows no boundaries#CAA_NRCProtestspic.twitter.com/AiaST5PRn6 Rofl Republic (@i_theindian) February 9, 2020 Even as politicians are making controversial statements against the women of Shaheen Bagh at the protest sight, the enthusiasm remains the same. The area had lately gained nationwide attention due to a continued anti-CAA sit-in by people, especially Muslim women against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Population Register and National Register of Citizens. Investigations revealed that Vara Prasad started the scam after overhearing two persons discussing the 2BHK fake allotment letter scam. Hyderabad: Six gang members who cheated 170 people by collecting money after promising them houses under the state governments double bedroom scheme were arrested by Cyberabad police on Saturday. The police recovered Rs 1.11 crore and gold ornaments from the gang. The police identified the accused as Velisetty Venkata Sathya Krishna Vara Prasad, Aduri Murali Krishna Murthy, Pal-akollu Srinivas Rao, Aela Laxmi, Nagalla Krishna Rao and K. Srinivas. The racket was unravelled by a complaint lodged by one of the victims, Ms Busaraju Lalitha. She told the Dundigal police that she had paid the gang Rs 1.6 lakh but was not allotted a 2BHK house as promised. The police booked a case and investigated it for more than a month before carrying out the arrests. Cyberabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said that one of the accused, Aela Laxmi, runs a tiffin centre. She used to lure the customers who came to the eatery by showing fake allotment documents of 2BHK house. If anyone believed it, she used to ask them to pay `1.5 lakh each and then introduce them to the other agents. Mr Sajjanar said the gang had collected Rs 2.25 crore from 170 persons. Investigations revealed that Vara Prasad started the scam after overhearing two persons discussing the 2BHK fake allotment letter scam. He learnt the process to make documents, Mr Sajjanar said. He said Vara Prasad had built a house for himself with the loot. By Eric M. Johnson LYNNWOOD, Wash By Eric M. Johnson LYNNWOOD, Wash. (Reuters) - Boeing Co suppliers are shedding jobs and capacity to cope with a halt in 737 MAX output, but while that staves off chaos, aerospace executives worry the industry might be unable to ramp factories quickly enough when the plane wins approval to fly again. Boeing, struggling to restore public confidence and recover from the biggest crisis since its founding in 1916, has halted production of the once fast-selling 737 MAX, which was grounded in March following two deadly crashes. As a result, industrial heavyweights like fuselage maker Spirit Aerosystems have already laid off workers. Spirit on Friday slashed its quarterly dividend and said it would receive $225 million from Boeing before April to support production. Now a cluster of other crucial companies small and big that forge metal, assemble and paint 737 MAX winglets, and build data systems have followed suit with no indication that Boeing will offer a lifeline, people familiar with the matter said. Losing payments and workers in a tight labor market heaps pressure on Boeing's U.S.-dominated 737 MAX supply chain, which involves hundreds of suppliers of more than half of the roughly 400,000 parts for each 737 built in the Seattle-area. "One of the main questions is how much capacity will be lost in the supply chain by the time production resumes at significant rates," said an industry executive with knowledge of Boeing's industrial network. Such concerns dominated the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance conference north of Seattle this week, where some executives vented frustration over what they called Boeing's lack of financial support. One executive from a supplier that derives a quarter of its business from the MAX said Boeing has treated his company like "a commodity" in a "transactional" relationship. He predicted Boeing would let some suppliers fail. The executives spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity. Relations had already been strained following a longstanding tug of war over profits. Boeing is pushing suppliers to cut prices or give up part of the lucrative after-sales market for parts and repairs, the focus of its own competing services unit. "We are working closely with (suppliers) to manage risk, address hardships, and ensure their ability to support a resumption of production," Boeing spokesman Bernard Choi said. Much depends on how quickly Boeing resumes output. Haunted by the experience of McDonnell Douglas, which it absorbed in 1997, Boeing would not want to wait too long before biting European rival Airbus SE's heels and regaining a roughly equal share of deliveries. But it must avoid swamping airlines and overstretching suppliers by raising output too far, too soon. Mooted scenarios include a gradual return to the pre-grounding rate of 52 single-aisles monthly in 2022, with plans to boost production higher in 2023 - a four-year delay. Boeing declined to comment on production forecasts. "We need a strong supply chain - we need great partners," Boeing supply chain director Simone Berger told the conference. Worries extend beyond the 737 MAX. A sales drop linked to the 787 production rate drop has forced Marlborough, Massachusetts-based Web Industries to consider delaying by at least a year a new 75,000-square-foot carbon-fiber processing plant, an industry source said. Web Industries spokesman Bob Giuliano said plant construction continues at a pace that parallels the ramp-up of Boeing's all-new 777X, and has nothing to do with 787 production. Damage to Boeing's supply chain gives Airbus little to celebrate. Not only does it share some suppliers with Boeing, it would also feel the ripple effect of any significant industry damage, especially if exacerbated by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, experts say. Joe Marcheschi, Airbus' head of procurement for North America, said the biggest worries were less diversified companies lower down the supply chain, such as castings and forgings. "That's where it's going to hurt," Marcheschi said. "It just takes one. They are building one critical product and unfortunately they are the single point of failure in the whole supply chain." (Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Lynnwood, Washington; Additional reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Richard Chang) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Kolkata, Feb 9 : The NDA government is in favour of a continuous engagement with the industry and business, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here on Sunday. Interacting with trade and industry representatives, she said the budget presented by her in Lok Sabha on February 1 had several features related to the tax administration like faceless appeals which would become a reality with the aid of new technology. "The broad message apparent (in the budget) is that the government wants continuous engagement with industry and business. And my presence here is not in response to what is happening inside (country) and outside," the minister said. Sitharaman said the government was ready to set up ATMs in tea-growing regions. "I know the number of ATMs is minuscule in the tea-growing regions. The government is ready to set up such facilities in these areas," she said responding to a query from Tea Board chairman P.K. Bezbaruah, about the problem of cashless wage payments in such regions of Assam and West Bengal due to the paucity of ATMs. UP: Police to deliver FIRs at doorsteps of lockdown violators Nawazuddin Siddiqui arrives in Budhana for Eid, placed under 14-day home quarantine Court orders salary of cop to be stopped for non-appearance in SP leaders murder case India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Muzaffarnagar, Feb 09: A special court in Meerut has ordered police to stop disbursing the salary of a sub-inspector for not appearing in court in connection with Samajwadi Party leader Muzaffar Rana's murder case. Sub-inspector Deepak Malik is the investigating officer in the case and has not appeared in court to record his statement till now despite repeated issuing of warrants. Apart from halting salary payment, special court judge Pankej Mishra on Friday also issued another arrest warrant against Malik asking him to be produced before it on February 19. Go to Pakistan: Meerut SP caught on video threatening anti-CAA protesters According to public prosecutor Sirajuddin Alvi, former Bahujan Samaj Party MP Kadir Rana, his brother ex-MLA Noor Saleem Rana among others are facing trial in the murder case. SP leader Muzaffar Rana was shot dead during local body elections at a polling station here on October 28, 2006. Later, the case was shifted to the Meerut court from Muzaffarnagar by the Allahabad High Court in 2007 after a plea by the victim's family. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 9:33 [IST] Emergency services across NSW are likely facing another busy day as authorities warn of potentially life-threatening flash flooding and torrential rainfall in parts of the state. A State Emergency Service spokesman told AAP on Sunday six flood rescues had been performed in the Grafton area overnight. One family was rescued by the Rural Fire Service via helicopter after flood waters cut them off leaving them isolated in a car. The focus for Sunday will be the Illawarra region, the spokesman said. The Bureau of Meteorology on Saturday expected rains to intensify overnight and through Sunday after some stations in northern NSW recorded more than 300mm within 48 hours. A severe weather warning is in place on Sunday morning for heavy rain, damaging winds, abnormally high tides and damaging surf for the entire coast from the Northern Rivers region to the South Coast. The bureau said in a statement there was "potential for periods of very heavy (torrential) rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding" in the Hunter region, including the Central Coast, as well as the greater Sydney, Illawarra and eastern parts of the Central Tablelands districts, including the Blue Mountains. Cudgera Creek, in NSW's north east, recorded 320 millimetres of rain in the period between 9am on Saturday and 4am on Sunday. In the same period Tweed Heads recorded 235mm, Comboyne Public School recorded 189mm, Wentworth Falls recorded 155mm, and Ballina recorded 140mm. The wet weather has kept the SES busy, with the organisation responding to 3253 calls for help across the state since just after 4.30pm on Tuesday. Overnight volunteers responded to 535 jobs including 250 in greater Sydney and 231 in the state's north. The rain radar over Sydney and the NSW coast on Sunday at 10.18am AEDT. Source: Bureau of Meteorology Volunteers have responded to at least 26 flood rescues, mostly involving motorists who drove into floodwaters. The SES on Saturday night urged residents across this region, as well as Sydney and the South Coast to prepare for heavy rain and potential flooding as a coastal trough causing rain and windy conditions continues moving south into the night and throughout Sunday. Story continues NSW SES commissioner Carlene York urged those in low-lying areas to plan ahead. "Now is the time to plan how you will protect your family and property from flood," Ms York said in a statement. "Never drive, ride or walk through floodwaters. It's too dangerous - and you never know how deep the floodwaters are, the condition of the road or how fast the water is flowing. "Please keep clear of drains, creeks and causeways and if you are in a flood-prone area avoid parking vehicles in low-lying areas." BoM has issued minor flood warnings for the Bellinger River, Hastings River, Georges River, Tuggerah Lake, Paroo River, Weir River and the Cooks River. A minor to moderate flood warning is also in place for the Manning and Gloucester rivers, the Hawkesbury, Nepean and Colo rivers, the Orara River, and a moderate flood warning for the Macintyre River. An initial minor flood warning is in place for the Tweed River, Wallis Lake and the Camden Haven River. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Following the November protests in Iran, more than 12,000 protesters were detained by security forces and special units and transferred to various prisons. The arrests continued in the following days, and a large number of participants in the mourning ceremony held 40 days later were arrested by security forces in various cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Shiraz, Behbahan, Tabriz, Mahshahr, Javanrood, Qale Hassan Khan and other areas. At the 40th-day ceremony of Pooya Bakhtiari in Behesht-e-Sakineh cemetery of Karaj, a number of civil activists and journalists attending the event were arrested by security forces. Pouya Bakhtiari was shot and killed by security forces in Karajs Mehrshahr District on 16 November 2019. The Special Forces used helicopters and Anti-riot Police Water Cannon Truck to arrest and control the participants. Manouchehr Bakhtiari and Nahid Shirpisheh, Pouya Bakhtiaris parents, were also arrested on 23 December, three days before the 40th-day ceremony of their child, along with other family members, in their home in Karaj by Ministry of Intelligence officials. Irans judiciary has so far provided no statistics on the number of deaths and the detainees. Despite the authorities utter silence over the number of detainees and the deaths, reports from various sources suggest that at least 15 of those detained have so far died under torture by security officials. The families of the killed under torture have reported that the bodies of their family members have clear signs of beatings and torture. Silence and ignorance of the numbers and situation of detainees and the death toll of the November uprising are the new impetus for the authorities to put more pressure on the detainees. The judicial authorities have refused to provide any figures for the number of the detainees and deaths, to give the executioners a free hand to exert any physical or psychological pressure on the detainees. The families of those detained during the nationwide protests have not received any information about the status of their loved ones at the judicial centers. Officials have made it clear to them: We can hold them at any time that we want in prison even 10 years or execute them, you dont have the right to object. The bodies of some of the detainees were found in various places a few days after their arrest, and some of them committed suicide shortly after being released from prison because of mental and physical pressure. Nader Rezai Abataf, a detainee in Kermanshah, died in prison under torture. The lifeless bodies of Hashem Moradi, Ershad Rahmanian and Khaled Rashidi, who were detained in the November protests in Javanrood, were found days after their arrests on the outskirts of Javanrood. Hamid Nazari, who was arrested during the November protests, died of a stroke 24 hours after his release. His family has insisted he had no heart diseases and that he had been given drugs in prison. Sajjad Ismaili, a 27-year-old resident of West Ivan in Ilam province, was arrested on 16 November by the intelligence agency. The lifeless body of Sajjad was handed over to his family on 30 November 2019. Morad Ali Hosseini was arrested in Ghaleh Hassan Khan in western Tehran in November, and police announced to his family in January that his body had been found in Baghe Shahriar. Halima Samiri was arrested during the November protests in Abadan and was found dead in front of her home a few days later; relatives have claimed that the signs of beatings were visible on her body. Kaveh Visani, from the Khamesan village-Kamyaran restrict, who was arrested in November by security forces in Sanandaj, died under torture. The body was found in Babariz on the outskirts of Sanandaj on 6 December 2019, with traces of torture and bruises. Hamid Sheikhani was arrested and tortured by security forces on the first day of November protests in the Taleghani town of Bandar Abbas and died because of this too. Qasim Bavi, one of the detainees of the November protests in Ahvaz who suffered from mental disorders as a result of torture at the time of his arrest, committed suicide a few days after his release under severe psychological pressure. Siamak Momeni was transferred on 25 January to a hospital from Tehrans Grand Prison after a suicide attempt because of a 10-year sentence. Once again, the Iranian authorities and the Supreme leader committed an inhumane crime and while brutally torturing the prisoners, they killed them in the hope of spreading fear in society to prevent any further protests. It is important and necessary that the families of the victims and the people highlight these crimes to stop this regime. The landmark Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership has been in force for more than a year now, influencing the trade activities of member economies. The CPTPP offers vast chances for Vietnamese enterprises to boost exports to member countries of the agreement Senior economist Nguyen Mai digs into its impacts on the local economy and how benefits can be maximised for the sake of Vietnams sustainable development in the forthcoming years. Unlike the countrys engagement with the World Trade Organization and other free trade agreements (FTAs), Vietnam is one of the co-founders of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), participating in compiling the historic agreement, thus enabling the country to hold the initiative in the negotiation process to protect the national interests in relations with other member countries. As a lower medium-income nation, Vietnam is entitled to benefit from several specific incentives under the CPTPP. Senior economist Nguyen Mai When carrying out investment and trade transactions with developed nations joining the CPTPP such as Australia, Canada, Japan, or Singapore, Vietnam will be encountering multiple challenges in goods exchange, foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, foreign exchange and monetary market, while governance capacity, production management, and market research of local firms remains limited compared to their counterparts in CPTPP member countries. The deal has set forth high requirements on business transparency and intellectual property rights, as well as featured cohesive and binding mechanisms on dispute settlement. For instance, the requirement on opening up the domestic market to goods and services from CPTPP member countries would put pressure on Vietnamese goods and services on home turf. Without good quality and competitive pricing, the threat that local firms could lose ground to the hands of foreign players in the home market is eminent. The CPTPP also brings fresh opportunities for local businesses to broaden import and export markets, choosing potential business partners and searching investment opportunities in other member countries by virtue of removing 95 per cent of customs duties in a vast market with around 500 million in population, holding 12.9 per cent of global GDP and 14.9 per cent of global trade transactions. The agreement mandates high requirements on the regulatory system and state management, requiring stakeholder economies to carry out institutional reforms following international standards, boost competitiveness, simplify procedures, mobilise and ensure the best use of domestic resources, and take advantage of external sources particularly in customs, e-commerce, government procurement, intellectual property, investment, market access, principles of origin, and non-tariff measures. A recent survey by renowned HSBC showed that about 63 per cent of local companies believe the CPTPP has a positive impact on their business operations, whereas 46 per cent of 1,150 surveyed businesses based in CPTPP member countries expressed expectations for positive benefits from joining it. The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (Vitas) maintained that with zero per cent tariffs, the deal would help the local textile and apparel industry grab a bigger piece of the pie in several markets currently facing high tariffs such as Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The CPTPP comprises of opportunities for local footwear businesses to bolster export to potential markets in Mexico, Canada, and Peru too. With Japan a major market for Vietnamese-made leather and footwear items and handbags with an average annual growth rate of 20-35 per cent such growth could be higher than the current level with the CPTPP now making its mark. Sectors making inroads The deal enables Vietnam to attract FDI from other member nations, particularly with whom the country has yet to sign FTAs like Canada and Mexico as the agreement aims to boost trade that closely attaches to investment. With the CPTPP, Vietnam benefits from more opportunities to court investment from other tech-intensive business partners like the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Germany, to boost its charm in the eyes of international investors. Besides that, it also brings strong prospects for Vietnamese businesses, particularly major economic groups, to push for business opportunities in the markets of other member states. The Ministry of Industry and Trade statistics showed that Vietnam has registered upbeat growth in export to several CPTPP markets. Along with this, the country counted $3.86 billion from exports to Canada, showing a 28.2 per cent jump, reaping $2.84 billion in export from Mexico, up 26.8 per cent, reaching nearly $1 billion from Chile, up 20.5 per cent, and posting $350 million from Peru, up 40 per cent, compared to 2018. Vietnams export surplus to all markets touched $11.2 billion in 2019, in which the export surplus to CPTPP countries approximated $4 billion. The textile and garment sector is expected to catch rosy export numbers thanks to tax incentives from the CPTPP, yet the reality has not quite gone as forecast yet. Last year, the sector raked in $39 billion in total export value only, down $21 billion against the projected figure. Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vitas, said that the sectors biggest challenge is associated with input materials. Until present, we still need to import more than half of all material sources. Meanwhile, the planning scheme on developing local material areas is left open, he remarked. Le Tien Truong, general director of state-run conglomerate Vinatex, acknowledged the reality that textile and apparel exports have yet to fully tap the opportunities from the CPTPP compared to other sectors such as agriculture, which benefits from easier principles on origin, as in fact the yarn-forward principle is also the sectors bottleneck. The Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso) also reported that the sector earned $21.5 billion in total export value last year, up 10 per cent on-year and ranking second worldwide. The Lefaso noted that they took initiative for about 70 per cent of materials in the production of average items and 50 per cent of materials in the production of above-average products (about 90 per cent of paper packaging, 80 per cent of shoe soles, 60 per cent of accessories, and 50 per cent of leather). Locally-made materials are generally good in quality, on par with export standards, and mostly come from foreign-invested enterprises. The landmark agreement has also laid the groundwork for Vietnams leather and footwear industry to break into potential markets in America such as Mexico and Canada. As for FDI attraction, by the end of last year, nine countries who are CPTPP members (except Peru) had pumped into Vietnam about $123 billion in total committed capital, equal nearly 37 per cent of total FDI volume. Disbursed FDI volume reached $20.38 billion last year, up 6.7 per cent on-year, while mergers and acquisitions value touched $15.47 billion, a 56.4 per cent jump compared to similar period in 2018, accounting for 40.7 per cent of total registered capital, reflecting Vietnams deeper integration into international community. How to maximise benefits The first year of implementing the CPTPP showcases the agreements enormous potential which must be more effectively tapped in the upcoming period, simultaneously pointing out issues that must soon be settled besides the Party and the states guidance related to regulatory perfection, reform of national administration, and creating a conducive investment and business environment. The first issue is that businesses must bolster capacity to access the export market through gripping new rules of thumb, getting to know trade and investment laws, and business culture and practices in CPTPP member countries with whom they have not had trade relations in the past. Aside with state support, businesses themselves must change business mindsets to adapt to new circumstances, and be flexible in approaching opportunities and building up quality human resources a decisive factor on the journey to foray into this huge potential market. Second, due regard must be paid to the principles of product origin. To enjoy more benefits under the CPTPP, footwear and textile apparel industries must work out material development planning to replace imports in which the state introduces policies to stimulate investment from private sector and foreign investment to quickly establish industrial parks catered for specific products. Third, it is important to beef up effective co-operation between businesses and banks in shaping up product supply chains. Businesses need to scale up efforts, besides support from state management agencies in information provision and regulatory issues, and banks through capital provision and support in settlement. Next are market surveys the Achilles heel of both local businesses and state management bodies. It is commonplace that businesses often pay undue regard to human and financial investments for survey of market and their investment and business partners, meanwhile large global groups when doing business with local firms often start with market surveys at both micro and macro levels. To ensure effective implementation of the CPTPP and other FTAs, the government needs to provide human and financial support for firms, research institutes, and ministries to focus on surveying several major markets. Lastly, pushing up investment and trade promotion is crucial and must come with an innovative mindset besides using traditional forms such as holding workshops at home and abroad. It is time to focus investment on key markets and key partners, including CPTPP member countries, to create tangible changes in co-operative ties with each specific partner. VIR Nguyen Mai VN exporters can only take advantage of CPTPP with preparation Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Chile are countries that Viet Nam has bilateral or multilateral FTAs with. Police have apologised after arresting a bikini-clad British tourist in the Maldives saying the ordeal was badly handled. Footage emerged of at least three officers arresting the woman who is screaming in a British accent, You are sexually assaulting me while police struggle to handcuff her and cover her with a towel. The arrest happened on the island of Maafushi in the Kaafu Atoll. Maldives Police Service Commissioner Mohamed Hameed issued the apology on Twitter, adding the matter was being investigated. The video of the arrest circulated on social media and the woman can be heard yelling, 'You are sexually assaulting me.' Source: PA Incident in Maafushi in which our officers restrained a female tourist seems to be badly handled, the tweet says. I apologise to the tourist and the public for this. The challenge I have taken up is to professionalise the police service and we are working on that. Commissioner Hameed then retweeted a press statement issued by the Maldives Police Service, which reveals officers responded to the incident after receiving a complaint from a member of the public about the female tourist who was inappropriately clad and alleged to have been inebriated. Tourists on local island are requested to respect the communitys cultural sensitivities and local regulations by restricting the wearing of swimwear to certain areas of the island where local communities live, the statement reads. The statement alleges the woman refused to comply with local regulations when the three officers approached her, further alleging she showed resistance. Incident in Maafushi in which our officers restrained a female tourist seems to be badly handled. I apologise to the tourist & the public for this. The challenge I have taken up is to professionalise the police service & we are working on that. This matter is being investigated. Mohamed Hameed (@M_Hameedh) February 6, 2020 The statement confirms the ordeal happened about 5.45pm (local time) and the woman was detained at Maafushi Police Station, where she was released at 7.10pm that night without being charged. Story continues The statement also apologises to the tourist and the public for the regretful manner in which this incident took place, explaining how the police would move forward to ensure a similar incident did not happen again. A full inquiry has been initiated to ensure that disproportionate measures are not implemented in such situations and assure the public and thee family that action will be taken against any violations following the findings of the inquiry. Press Statement: PMC/2020/05 regarding the incident that occurred between a tourist and police at Maafushi island on 6th of February 2020.#MPSPressStatement#FuluhungeNoosBayaan#MPSNoosBayaan pic.twitter.com/JWpy35emUj Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) February 7, 2020 On Twitter, one man who shared the video said tourists need to be informed about local customs surrounding swimsuits, saying bikinis are only permitted on the resort island beaches. In response to the police commissioners statement, one person said it was up to the tourism industry to regulate. The Government of Maldives Ministry of Tourism has also issued a statement regarding the arrest, echoing the polices statement, labelling the conduct of local police as unprofessional. It is important that all foreign guests visiting the country comply with the local rules and regulations and respect the cultural sensitivities of the country, the statement reads. Ministrys Press Release regarding incidents on 4th and 6th February 2020 pic.twitter.com/DGka1Llo0c Ministry of Tourism (@MoTmv) February 7, 2020 The Ministry considers the safety and security of tourists to be of the highest priority and will take all the steps necessary to combat any acts that threaten the security and welfare of tourists and members of the public. Local news service Raajje.mv reported while Maafushi was a popular tourist location, wearing bikinis was "strictly prohibited" on local islands. It is, however, permitted in holiday resorts. With AAP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. BEIJING - Mainland China has reported another rise in cases of the new virus after a sharp decline the previous day, while the number of deaths grow by 97 to 908, with at least two more outside the country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/2/2020 (702 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Passengers from the cruise ship "World Dream" docked at Kai Tak cruise terminal, gesture in Hong Kong, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. The cruise ship "World Dream" with approximately 1,800 passengers remained quarantined in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour on Saturday. Several passengers from mainland China on a previous World Dream cruise were found to have the new coronavirus on returning home. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) BEIJING - Mainland China has reported another rise in cases of the new virus after a sharp decline the previous day, while the number of deaths grow by 97 to 908, with at least two more outside the country. On Monday, China's health ministry said another 3,062 cases had been reported over the previous 24 hours, raising the Chinese mainland's total to 40,171. Earlier, France closed two schools after five British visitors contracted the virus at a ski resort. Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam reported one new case each. Meanwhile, the mother of a physician who died last week in the hardest-hit city of Wuhan said she wants an explanation from authorities who reprimanded her son for warning about the virus. Monday's rise was a turnaround from a significant reduction in new cases reported Sunday, 2,656, down by about 20% from the 3,399 new cases reported in the previous 24-hour period. That had prompted optimism that the joint control mechanism of different regions and the strict prevention and control measures have worked, in the words of a spokesman for the National Health Commission, Mi Feng. A Chinese families wearing masks ride on a tricycle on a street in Beijing, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. The number of confirmed cases of the new virus has risen again in China on Saturday as the ruling Communist Party faced anger and recriminations from the public over the death of a doctor who was threatened by police after trying to sound the alarm about the disease over a month ago. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Also Sunday, new cases were reported in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, the U.K. and Spain. More than 360 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China. Dramatic reductions in the pace of the disease's spread should begin this month if containment works, Dr. Ian Lipkin, director of Columbia Universitys Center for Infection and Immunity, said in an online news conference on Sunday. He assisted the World Health Organization and Chinese authorities during the outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. Warmer weather will reduce the virus's ability to spread and bring people out of enclosed spaces where it is transmitted more easily, Lipkin said. However, he said, if new cases spike as people return to work after the Lunar New Year holiday, which was extended to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, then well know were in trouble." The new U.K. case was the nation's fourth, while Spain reported its second, as European authorities sought to contain the spread of the virus by tracking down people who came into contact with those infected. Both of the new cases were acquired during trips to France, officials said. The new U.K. case is a known contact of a previously confirmed case there, the countrys Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said, adding that experts "continue to work hard tracing patient contacts." In this Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, photo, workers in protective suits ride on a truck carrying medical supplies into Huoshenshan temporary hospital built for patients who diagnosed with 2019-nCoV in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province. The number of confirmed cases of the new virus has risen again in China on Saturday as the ruling Communist Party faced anger and recriminations from the public over the death of a doctor who was threatened by police after trying to sound the alarm about the disease over a month ago. (Chinatopix via AP) In Spain, authorities were working to identify everyone who came into contact with a British man whose case was detected in Mallorca, a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean Sea, Spain's National Microbiology Center said. The fatality toll has passed the 774 people believed to have died of SARS, another viral outbreak that originated in China. The total of 37,198 confirmed cases of the new virus vastly exceeds the 8,098 sickened by SARS. Japan reported six more cases among 3,700 passengers and crew aboard the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, bringing the number of infections on the vessel to 69. The new cases are an American passenger in her 70s and five crew members four Filipinos and a Ukrainian. South Korea reported a new case in a 73-year-old woman whose relatives visited Guangdong province in southern China, raising its total to 27. The family members, a 51-year-old South Korean man and a 37-year-old Chinese woman, were confirmed infected later Sunday. Vietnam reported its 14th case. The Health Ministry said she is a 55-year-old woman in Vinh Phuc province, northwest of Hanoi, where six earlier patients were found to be infected. Malaysia reported its 17th case. The 65-year-old woman's son-in-law was diagnosed earlier with the virus. People wearing protective face masks ride a public bus in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. China's death toll from the new virus outbreak has risen to over 800, surpassing the number of fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic, as other governments stepped up efforts to block the disease. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) Spain confirmed its second case in Mallorca, a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean. The first case was a German tourist diagnosed a week ago in the Canary Islands off northwest Africa. The 1,800 passengers and 1,800 crew members of the cruise ship Dream World were released from quarantine after Hong Kong authorities said tests of the crew found no infections. The ship was isolated after eight mainland Chinese passengers were diagnosed with the disease last month. Port official Leung Yiu-hon said some passengers with symptoms tested negative but there was no need to test all of them because they had no contact with the infected Chinese passengers. Meanwhile, Hong Kong began enforcing a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from mainland China. The territory's chief executive, Carrie Lam, has refused demands by some hospital workers and others to seal the border completely. The mother of a physician who died last week in Wuhan said in a video released Sunday she wants an explanation from authorities who reprimanded him for warning about the virus in December. A child cries as he waits in line to board a plane for Beijing at the airport in Hong Kong on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. China's virus death toll rose above 800, passing the number of fatalities in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic, but fewer new cases were reported in a possible sign its spread may be slowing as other nations step up efforts to block the disease (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) The death of Li Wenliang, 34, prompted an outpouring of public anger at Wuhan officials. Some postings left on his microblog account said officials should face consequences for mistreating Li. My child was summoned by the Wuhan Police Bureau at midnight. He was asked to sign an admonishment notice," Lu Shuyun said in the video distributed by Pear Video, an online broadcast platform. "We wont give up if they dont give us an explanation. The video shows flowers in her home with a note that says, Hero is immortal. Thank you. A 1,500-bed hospital built in two weeks in Wuhan, the city of 11 million people at the centre of the outbreak, accepted its first patients on Saturday, the government announced. Another 1,000-bed hospital built in 10 days opened last week. The government of the surrounding province of Hubei it will pay subsidies to farmers, other food producers and supermarkets and give tax breaks to companies that donate to anti-virus work, the official Xinhua News Agency said. It said overtime for employees of companies making medical supplies will be subsidized. China's leaders are trying to keep food flowing to crowded cities despite anti-disease controls and to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access to Wuhan and nearby cities was cut off. Two more flights from Wuhan carrying American citizens, permanent residents and close relatives landed in the United States, the State Department said. A spokesman said more than 800 Americans have been evacuated from Wuhan. A plane landed Sunday in Britain carrying 200 people from Wuhan. Officials said Britain's second evacuation flight carried 105 British nationals and 95 citizens of other European countries and family members. The passengers will be quarantined at a hotel for 14 days. Dozens of repatriated Brazilians, some waving small Brazilian flags, landed Sunday morning at an airbase in the state of Goias, where they will spend the next 18 days in quarantine. A charter flight carrying Filipinos from Wuhan arrived in the Philippines. The 29 adults and one infant will be quarantined for 14 days. Elsewhere in China, the industrial metropolis of Chongqing in the southwest told residential communities to close their gates and check visitors for fever. The government said the spread of the virus through family gatherings had been reported in Chongqing but gave no details. France closed two schools and tried to reassure vacationers in the Alps after five Britons contracted the virus at a ski resort. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. France stepped up a travel alert, recommending against all visits to China except for imperative reasons. Italy recommended students returning from China stay home from school for two weeks after the government reported three cases. The WHO director-general said it will send experts to China starting Monday or Tuesday. Asked whether that will include members of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus replied, "We hope so." ___ Associated Press writers Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Yves Dam Van in Hanoi, Vietnam; Yuri Kayegama in Tokyo and Barry Hatton in Lisbon contributed to this report. TORONTO - Canadian police are investigating a mother's complaint that her former spouse has failed to obey a court order to return their four-year-old son to Canada. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Elizabeth De Swart poses at her apartment in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh TORONTO - Canadian police are investigating a mother's complaint that her former spouse has failed to obey a court order to return their four-year-old son to Canada. The investigation into Oscar Maillard marks a stark turnaround in a complex legal saga that previously saw his ex-spouse of 10 years, Elizabeth (Liz) De Swart, jailed briefly for her own failure to take the couple's Calgary-born son back to Spain. Det. David Keagan, who heads up international child-abduction cases for the Calgary police, said Maillard's failure to abide by the order from Alberta's top court was under active investigation by his service, the RCMP, Global Affairs and foreign partner agencies. "I can confirm that, yes, we are investigating a criminal complaint of child abduction," Keagan told The Canadian Press. "We've attempted to speak with the suspect to see what the issue is if there's a lack of understanding or just an outright refusal to comply." The see-saw battle between Maillard and De Swart underlines the legally and emotionally fraught difficulties of child-custody disputes that cross international borders. De Swart, 38, says she decided to flee an increasingly abusive relationship and return with their son to Calgary from Europe, where they had moved in November 2018. Maillard, 35, has denied any abuse. He says the family left Canada to pursue a shared dream of living abroad and that De Swart spirited their son away while he was at work in Africa. Maillard, who was working as a health and safety officer in Chad, turned to the Alberta courts under the Hague Convention on international child abductions, which relies on determining a child's "habitual residence" in deciding which country the minor should be in. Although the boy had spent almost his entire life in Calgary, a Court of Queen's Bench justice sided with Maillard on July 2, 2019. Justice Barbara Romaine ruled the child was habitually resident in Spain a country he had lived in for less than two months. The judge would not grant a stay of her order pending an appeal, De Swart says, and gave her just four days to take him to Alicante, Spain. Romaine issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for De Swart on July 10. In her first media interview since then, De Swart said it was "absolutely shattering" that the judicial system initially failed her so badly. "Did (Romaine) really think I was going to let my son go? Nobody wants to be separated from their child," De Swart said, choking back tears. "He needs his mom. I just feel he was taken away from me for no reason." Instead of obeying the order, De Swart headed to The Netherlands, where she has relatives, in hopes Dutch authorities would intervene in her favour. They refused. After police knocked on her grandmother's door, De Swart turned her son over to his father on July 24, 2019, in the southern city of Breda, and came back to Canada. On her arrival, Calgary police arrested De Swart under a warrant Romaine had issued for failing to comply with the court order. She was released the following day, but the civil contempt case against her is ongoing. "I felt criminalized," says De Swart, who does management consulting. "Never in my life did I ever expect to be in this situation." In December, the Alberta Court of Appeal set aside Romaine's orders. It found the "connections that this child has known in his young life are primarily in Alberta." The appellate court ordered Maillard to return the boy to Canada. Maillard has not complied. For the moment, police have listed the Calgary-born child as a missing person in Canada, Keagan said. De Swart has had a few Skype chats with her son since she left him in The Netherlands. Now, she says, she no longer gets any response from her ex and does not know where they are. "I'm just trying to get through each day and hopefully have (my son) come back to me," De Swart said. Neither Maillard, who was last known to be in Spain, nor his appellate lawyer responded to a request for comment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 14:14:13|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close WUHAN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ali Wari, a Palestinian living in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, and a group of his Arab friends are waiting for permission from the local authorities to volunteer in the anti-virus campaign. "I'm a doctor. I speak Arabic, Chinese and English. I can help treat patients, register information and carry things," Wari said. The assemblage of people convened from a chat group on China's instant messaging app WeChat. Named "Wuhan 2019-nCoV," the group has about 480 Arab members, most of whom live or work in the hard-hit city of Wuhan, the capital city of central Hubei Province. "I translated and spread information about the virus for my friends in the beginning. Then more friends of my friends joined in the group," said Wari, who works for Hubei Topgene Biotechnology, a high-tech enterprise, and is also a thoracic surgeon with proficiency in Chinese. Over the past few weeks, Wari translated and shared authoritative information about the new virus, especially the measures taken by Wuhan, in the chat group every day and answered members' questions. "I'm very confident in the control of the outbreak. But for young foreign students, they may panic despite support from their universities. So, at this point, I should calm them like a big brother." Wari initiated a rally of volunteers in the chat group on Wednesday night, and at least 30 Arabs volunteered to take part in the ongoing anti-virus war. Mohamad Khatib, also from Palestine, asked for his family's consent to join Wari. "I believe there must be a solution to the epidemic, but it will take time. We should keep trying and never give up." Having studied in Wuhan as a PhD student for six months, Mohamad Asaad, an Egyptian, said he has fallen in love with the city and people. "I was sad to see the colorful city in hard times. It is time to support and reciprocate those who are doing good deeds. So, I am volunteering to give a hand and support Chinese friends to defeat this harsh circumstance," Asaad said. On Thursday afternoon, Wari, on behalf of his Arab friends, applied to the Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhan to volunteer. A receptionist noted down Wari's words and thanked him and his friends. "I told him not to say thanks. I'm just doing what I should do. We live in Wuhan, so we love the city," said Wari, adding he had undergone a tough time in 2003 when SARS wreaked havoc on the country. "I believe that the Chinese government can also pull through this time," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 10:41:56|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BANGKOK, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A gunman who killed at least 24 people in a shooting spree at a shopping mall in northeastern Thailand late Saturday was killed by the police, officials said on Sunday. The massive shooting has left 24 people dead so far, with more than 60 injuries. Joe Biden campaigning in Manchester ahead of the New Hampshire primary: AP In the autumn of 1987, Frank Fahey found himself in the crosshairs of Joe Biden, then a young senator from Delaware who unleashed an angry outburst at a small event early in his first run for president. At a home in western New Hampshire, Fahey figured he would ask a question about a brewing scandal for the future vice president about his academic record, but the stress of Bidens first presidential run which was already beleaguered by claims that he had plagiarised a speech on the campaign trail seemed to get the better of him. We just went to a house party and Biden was there because he was a candidate for the nomination, Fahey tells The Independent. And I asked him what I thought was just an innocent question and he pretty much knocked me off the wall. It was an flare-up caught on C-Span cameras, and spread throughout the country with pre-internet virality. Responding in a way that in 2020 seems remarkably Trumpian I think I probably have a much higher IQ than you do, I suspect Biden put one of the last nails in the coffin for his campaign, and dropped out of the race shortly after. But, some 33 years later, Fahey says that he is ready to vote for Biden during his third race. If anything, the mere fact that Biden was on the campaign trail so long ago when someone like Pete Buttigieg was kindergarten-age underscores an experience Fahey values deeply: I think he has had so much experience between his 36 years in the Senate and eight years as Obamas vice president. After four years with Donald Trump as president, undermining international alliances, Fahey thinks the next president needs to know what he or she is doing from day one: I think Biden can hit the ground running. I think he knows the people to get a good team of advisers around him, so I think he could make an outstanding president. With just two days until the New Hampshire primary, all signs point towards a disappointing third run for Biden, even as he has insisted that he could lose in both of the first two states in the primary season he came in fourth place in the Iowa caucuses last week and still mount a comeback in Nevada and South Carolina. Story continues In New Hampshire, Biden has been campaigning around the state, but doing his best to manage expectations as enthusiasm has seemed to shift away from him and towards candidates like Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar. On Friday night, early in the final debate in Manchester before voters head to the polls in the Granite State, Biden all but conceded defeat early. I took a hit in Iowa, he acknowledged, and Ill probably take it here. It was a statement that was realistic, given the polls. According to Real Clear Politics, Biden has seen his polling tank, and currently sits in third place behind Sanders and Buttigieg. Hes just a tad ahead of Warren in aggregates of Granite State polls, though her numbers have shown much less volatility as the former vice president has cratered. Fahey didnt seem to mind that Bidens polls might not look so great. But he was offended by the concession, just days before the primary, as volunteers across the state would have been gearing up to head out into 10F (-12C) weather to knock on doors for him, or spend their weekend making calls trying to boost his support. I know for a fact having talked to some today that its discouraging to hear him say something like that with his supporters still out there working hard on the phone and knocking on doors as they are, he says. On Saturday night, just a day after the debates, those volunteers and supporters didnt seem to show up to support the vice president, either. At the Mcintyre-Shaheen 100 Club fundraiser in Manchester, Bidens section of the SNHU arena was dwarfed by those of Warren, Klobuchar, Sanders and Buttigieg. And he failed to gain the kind of cross-supporter cheers that nearly every other candidate managed. Instead, Biden gave what has become a somewhat regular campaign speech. He asked aloud how there could be the poverty he said he saw that morning at a food drive in Manchester. He promised to restore the US to its former dignity. The crowd largely sat silent. When pressed, Fahey acknowledges he is not 100 per cent sure that Biden can win the nomination, or the election. He says he has never harboured a grudge against Biden for the 1987 outburst, and was actually planning on voting for him if he had the chance all those years ago. But he is worried about Bidens age, and how he might perform in a debate against Trump. Between [the Friday] debate, and some of the other debates weve held, I worry about him getting through all this and into the White House. So yeah, I have some reservations, says Fahey, who sees Klobuchar as his second best option. But I still believe he is the best man for the job. And I cant get away from that. Read more Biden escalates attack on Buttigieg before tepid performance in NH AURORA, Colo. - Cassie Larimer is the assistant director of Happy Ladybug Early Learning, a child care center and preschool tucked into a one-story brick building in this city east of Denver. But her new business cards, emblazoned with a cheery ladybug logo, just say "owner." Larimer isn't technically an owner - yet. The new business cards reflect the ambitions of the center's cofounders, Elvan Goksu and Umit Kaya, who hope to turn Happy Ladybug into a worker-owned cooperative - meaning that the center's 13 staff members would hold shares in the business and help manage it. Goksu and Kaya hope the new business model would increase teacher pay, reduce staff turnover and lift some of the burden of running the business day-to-day from Goksu's shoulders. "Teacher burnout is a big thing, and teacher turnover rates are very high," Goksu said one recent morning, sitting in the office she and Larimer share while small voices babbled away in the classrooms nearby. "At this age group, we believe it's very important for kids to have continuity of care." Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and like-minded policy leaders in other states want more business owners to follow Goksu's example. Polis and others who back employee-ownership - a term that can mean everything from cooperatives to stock options - say that sharing ownership can improve pay and working conditions, reduce wealth inequality and give retiring entrepreneurs another way to pass on their companies. ADVERTISEMENT "We think it is a best practice in capitalism that leads to better long-term economic growth," Polis, a Democrat, told Stateline last month. Employee ownership has a history of bipartisan support. President Ronald Reagan championed the idea in the 1980s as "a path that befits a free people," and in 2016 the GOP platform included support for the business model. Republican lawmakers in states such as Iowa and Missouri have in the past decade approved new tax breaks to encourage employee ownership. But the idea has increasingly been championed by progressive Democrats, such as presidential candidates and U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who want to boost the fortunes of working people at a time when more and more wealth is concentrated in the hands of the ultra-rich. "Real wages are flat, defined benefit pension plans have been killed off, most companies don't contribute to your 401(k) - it's basically your savings," said Joseph Blasi, director of the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University. "People are looking for a different form of capitalism." Several state and local governments are trying to help business owners sell shares to their workers. Polis last year established a Commission on Employee Ownership to promote the concept and identify barriers to forming employee-owned businesses. The state's economic development agency will this month launch a $100,000 loan fund to help businesses cover the costs of changing their ownership structure. Massachusetts lawmakers last year relaunched a state office, which had lost funding during the Great Recession, that helps businesses make the transition. In recent years, cities such as New York; Berkeley, Calif.; and Madison, Wis., also have funded programs that help businesses convert to employee ownership. But businesses that are either owned or majority-owned by workers are rare in the U.S. economy. And experts say converting to employee ownership is a time-consuming, expensive process that requires businesses to be in good financial shape. ADVERTISEMENT Happy Ladybug has been trying to form a cooperative for three years. "I don't know if (the challenge) was unexpected," Goksu said, "but it's been definitely frustrating." Some labor relations experts also doubt that employee ownership will be the key to a more worker-friendly economy, as some union leaders hoped back in the 1980s. "That's fairly marginal to the overall direction of the economy, and who's got the control, and who's got the power," said Mike Slott, a former union activist and part-time lecturer in the Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations at Rutgers. Defined broadly, employee ownership can encompass a wide sweep of American companies, from law firms run by a team of partners to startups that compensate workers with equity. Blasi, however, defines employee-owned businesses as those that are at least 25% owned by workers. He focuses on two business models: worker-owned cooperatives and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). While worker cooperatives can be organized in all kinds of ways, ESOPs are federally regulated trusts with a defined structure. In an ESOP, employees participate in a trust, the trust owns shares in a business, and workers can cash out their shares when they quit or retire. Congress decades ago created significant tax advantages for businesses that create an ESOP. Worker cooperatives typically have around 10 employees, but companies part-owned by ESOPs - such as the Publix supermarket chain - can have thousands. There are about 400 worker cooperatives and about 6,300 ESOPs in the United States, Blasi said. That's a tiny share of firms nationally: There are about 6 million firms in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, including about 2 million with four employees or more. ADVERTISEMENT About 90 new worker cooperatives were formed across 15 states over the past five years, according to estimates from the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives, a national membership group, and the Democracy at Work Institute, its think tank affiliate. But the number of ESOPs fell by 14% between 2001 and 2016, according to an analysis of U.S. Labor Department data by Blasi and his colleagues. There's no single explanation for why the business models aren't more common, said Peter Molk, an associate professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law who studies theories of firm ownership. Employee ownership may not be the best structure for certain businesses, such as companies that want to raise capital quickly, he said. Worker-owned businesses may also be harder to manage, because employees get more of a say in business decisions. "Different employees can want different types of things, so trying to get consensus on issues can be more difficult," Molk said. Supporters point to research from Blasi and other experts that shows employee ownership can reduce turnover, diminish the likelihood of layoffs and make workers wealthier. "In the United States, homeownership is the first and biggest way that families create wealth for themselves and business ownership is the second," said Alison Lingane, co-founder of Project Equity, a San Francisco Bay Area-based nonprofit that advises companies and cities on employee ownership. Supporters also say communities benefit when retiring owners sell to their workers. "There's thousands of businesses that close each year because an owner retires," said David Hammer, executive director of the ICA Group, a Northampton, Mass.-based nonprofit that promotes employee ownership. "If we can do things to prevent that, then that's a benefit to those workers, that owner, and the community in which they operate." But detractors argue that some forms of employee ownership don't make sense, particularly ESOPs, which are treated under federal law as a type of retirement plan. "They're just atrociously bad as retirement plans," Sean Anderson, teaching associate professor of law at the University of Illinois College of Law, said of ESOPs. "They're inherently undiversified investments." Still, many policymakers encourage employee ownership and hope to use the coming wave of baby boomer retirements as a catalyst for converting more businesses to the model. Last year, Massachusetts lawmakers approved $150,000 to relaunch a state office that advises businesses on employee ownership. The services will be provided by the ICA group and Working Wealth, another Massachusetts nonprofit. Massachusetts state Rep. Paul Mark, a Democrat who pushed for the funding, hopes this year to convince lawmakers to create a capital gains tax break on shares sold to ESOPs or worker cooperatives. Cities in California, Florida and Washington have hired Project Equity to count the number of small businesses with retiring owners and to promote employee ownership, and other cities such as New York and Madison fund services that help businesses make the switch. Universities, nonprofits and philanthropists also have established seven state-level centers that support employee-owned businesses, including in Colorado. Since last fall, the Massachusetts office has advised 12 companies on employee ownership, with one likely to convert, Hammer said. Project Equity in 2018 started working with four Berkeley businesses considering employee ownership, Lingane said. In Colorado, the issue has been particularly high-profile thanks to Polis, who was a serial entrepreneur before he became a politician and has advocated for employee ownership for years. "My business experience is in the tech sector, where employee ownership is the norm, usually through stock options," he told Stateline. His companies used stock option incentives from the mailroom to the boardroom, he said. "For me, that was just a given value." Polis' employee ownership commission has been holding roundtables with banking and legal groups to spread information about the services employee-owned companies need. Colorado's economic development agency will also manage a loan fund, approved by state lawmakers in 2017, that will lend businesses up to $10,000 to help them cover the legal, accounting and advisory costs associated with changing their business model. There are about 50 or 60 worker-owned cooperatives in Colorado and about 135 businesses with an ESOP, said Amy Beres, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Ownership Center, a Denver-based nonprofit that advocates for and advises employee-owned businesses. Interest in the model seems to be increasing, Beres said. "In the last six months of 2019 we had the same amount of calls from business owners asking about employee ownership as we had the entire year before," she said. Colorado officials point to success stories such as Namaste Solar, a solar panel design and installation company headquartered in Boulder that's been worker-owned since its founding in 2005 and is currently organized as a worker cooperative. The company also has some private investors. "There's no doubt that our success is because of our company model," said co-founder Blake Jones. Namaste Solar employs about 200 people, including 110 employee-owners. Employees need to invest $5,000 to buy a share in the company. (A loan program can help.) Before they can become co-owners, they're paired with a mentor and taught management skills, such as how to read financial statements. Worker ownership has led to thoughtful growth and a committed workforce, Jones said, a strategy that helped Namaste Solar survive the Great Recession and outlast many of its competitors. "They care more," Jones said of his team. "That translates to better customer service, and better-quality work." The company culture of asking for feedback and building consensus can be frustrating at times, said Teri Lema, a human resources specialist at Namaste Solar who has been a co-owner since 2006. She said it took long, sometimes exhausting discussions to create the internal policies that guide the company today. But she prefers the back-and-forth to working at a company where major business decisions are made by a small team of managers focused on profits. For instance, a few years ago the co-owners voted to renew the leases on the company's Boulder and Denver offices even though moving to a third location would have cut costs. "We value having our work located near where we live," Lema said. Converting to employee ownership can be challenging, however. Since most workers can't afford to buy out their boss, becoming employee-owned typically means crafting a leveraged buyout, Hammer of the ICA group said. For that to work, the company must be financially stable and, ideally, easy to value. It's more complicated than selling to a competitor or a private equity firm. Hammer said that in the past year or so, his organization has worked with three child care companies that were initially interested in employee ownership, but then sold to a buyer who made a cash offer. At Happy Ladybug, teachers have struggled to find time to discuss the future cooperative, including its bylaws. And some employees were initially skeptical. "There were a few teachers who gave us a lot of pushback," Larimer said, either because they had no interest in ownership or worried it would mean more work. The new business model won't affect day-to-day management of Happy Ladybug, because Goksu will remain the director and teachers already plan their curriculums and co-create workplace policies, Goksu and Larimer said. Teachers will, however, get a share in the profits. "We're not big enough to offer a great dental plan, or a 401(k)," Larimer said. "My bonus that I will get, for whatever the profit is, could be the 401(k) contribution." Creating an ESOP is even more complicated and costly, because the federal government strictly regulates the trusts. Odell Brewing Company, a Fort Collins, Colo.-based craft brewer, transitioned from family ownership to a mix of family, management and ESOP ownership in 2015. While the new structure will preserve the company culture and help the founders transition into retirement, co-founder and Board Chairwoman Wynne Odell has mixed feelings. Not only was the process expensive, but at a certain point, new hires will have to wait for a shareholder to retire or leave before they can join the trust, she said. "There are so many ways that you can compensate your employees in more immediate ways," she said, such as by offering a more generous 401(k) contribution. Employee ownership isn't necessarily permanent. New Belgium Brewery, the largest craft brewery in Colorado and an employee-owned company, was recently sold to an international company in a sale approved by its ESOP participants. But for Polis, the deal was illustrative. "Rather than just the investors making money, the workers also see a benefit from this transaction," he said. Overall, $190 million is being disbursed to past and current employee-owners, Leah Pilcer, New Belgium's director of communications and public relations, said in an email. More than 300 people will receive more than $100,000. Despite the challenges, Goksu said she plans to keep pushing to turn her company into a cooperative. She thinks it'll be good for business, and perhaps more importantly, she wants to support her team. "It may not be something that you can count, but it makes you feel good about trying to do the right thing." --- (c)2020 Stateline.org Visit Stateline.org at www.stateline.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A villager was killed by Naxals on suspicion of being a police informer in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, a police official said on Sunday. Some locals spotted the body of a man lying on Mangnar road under Barsoor police station area on Sunday morning and informed the police, he said. Police found leaflets and pamphlets at the spot in which Aamdai area committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) claimed the responsibility for the killing, and identified the deceased as Dashram, a resident of Kokernar village in Dantewada, the official said. "Prima facie, the man was axed to death," the official said, adding that a search was underway to trace the unidentified assailants. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) When it comes to higher education in the United States, one of the biggest issues of discussion and concern in recent years has been cost. Data from the U.S. Department of Educations National Center for Education Statistics suggests the average cost of college doubled between 1989 and 2016. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reports that average yearly earnings only rose about 8 percent in that time. James Kvaal is the director of The Institute for College Access and Success. He told VOA that one of the main reasons for the cost increase is reduced government support for colleges and universities. This, in turn, has led schools to raise their prices. Earlier this year, the Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State University published a report on state spending on higher education. The report found a five percent overall increase in proposed spending throughout the country. That is the highest increase in eight years of growth. But Kvaal argues this is still nowhere near the level it was 30 years ago -- or where it needs to be now. He notes that a lot of students still depend on loans to help pay for their education. To date, about 10 percent of student borrowers are in default. In other words, they are failing to make the necessary payments towards their debt. As a result, it makes going to college riskier than it should be, Kvaal said. We know that can be the best investment you make over the course of your life...But because of the cost of college, too often students arent able to complete [college] and they are left with debt they cant afford to repay. Other groups and experts suggest the situation is not as severe as it may seem. The College Board is a not-for-profit organization that works to expand higher education in the United States. Last year, it published a look at changes in the average costs to attend American colleges and universities over the past 10 years. It reported that up until 2013, yearly average cost increases of five percent were common. But that is no longer the case. The point is that in recent years, tuition increases have slowed down considerably as the economy recovered [from the 2008 recession], noted Jerome White. He is the director of media relations for the College Board. Last November, Georgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce published a study on return on investment in American higher education. It compared how much money students spent on their education at 4,500 different institutions to how much money they earned later in life. Students who attended private colleges and universities made an average of about $73,000 more over 40 years than those who attended public schools. That was the case even after the cost of their education was subtracted from their career-long earnings. Although while the immediate costs to attend a private U.S. university might be higher, the increased cost might be worth it, notes Martin Van Der Werf. He is associate director of the Georgetown center. He says one reason these schools have better return on investment is their reputation. Many employers see well-known, highly selective institutions as offering the highest quality education available. This may not necessarily be true all the time, but it can make graduates of such schools seem more desirable. In addition professional connections between former students and recent graduates are often especially strong at private schools. This means graduates of such schools who enter the labor market may have more support during their job search. The selectiveness that makes these schools so well known and well respected, however, creates its own form of inequality, Van Der Werf says. These colleges pay off well if you can afford to go there and if you can get in. But the fact is, the vast majority of people cant do either: they cant get in and they cant afford to pay for it, he said. Some of the most costly private colleges in the U.S. do offer financial aid or reduced tuition based on a students level of need. But Van Der Werf argues these schools still mainly serve wealthy white students more than they do any other group of people. To improve equality, Kvaal and Van Der Werf say state officials should aim to keep increasing financial support for public colleges and universities. And they say people in charge of those schools should make greater efforts to help their graduates find good jobs and careers. Im Dorothy Gundy. And Im Pete Musto. Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. Quiz - High Cost of College Raises Questions about Return on Investment? Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz __________________________________________________________ Words in This Story the course of n. used to describe what happens during a period of time or when something is being done afford v. to be able to pay for (something tuition n. money that is paid to a school for the right to study there institution(s) n. an established organization subtract(ed) v. to take a number or amount from another number or amount reputation n. the common opinion that people have about someone or something selective adj. careful to choose only the best people or things graduate(s) n. a person who has earned a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university vast adj. very great in size, amount, or extent Exporters of agricultural products, especially dragon fruit, must improve quality and focus on the domestic and new export markets and reduce their dependence on the Chinese market amid the current epidemic outbreak, experts have said. The Lao Cai International Border Gate in the northern mountain province of Lao Cai. Photo baotintuc.vn Speaking at a meeting in Long An Province on Wednesday, Le Minh Duc, director of the local Department of Industry and Trade, said the provinces exports of dragon fruit have been badly hit since a number of Chinese importers have cancelled their orders. Hong Thai Duong Company, a Chinese importer that buys a whopping 30-40 per cent of the provinces entire exports, has cancelled imports of some 300 containers of the fruit (15 tonnes per container at VND40,000- 50,000 per kilogramme) to be delivered between January end and February end. The company has paid a compensation of VND4,000 per kilogramme. Another Chinese importer, Phu Quy Company, cancelled around 200 containers, but later said it would buy though at VND5,000 or lower per kilogramme. Long An has 9,587 hectares under dragon fruit, and produces around 320,000 tonnes a year, according to its Department of Industry and Trade. Some 70-80 per cent of the fruit is exported to China, with the rest going to Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Europe, the US, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Dubai, New Zealand, India and Australia besides the domestic market, it said. Between the end of January and the end of February, Long An Province is expected to have inventories of around 90,000 tonnes of the fruit. Of this, 2,000 tonnes are in cold storage where they can be kept for 30 days. New markets Duc, director of the Long An Province Department of Industry and Trade, said it is important to boost the domestic market and expand to other markets to avoid the overwhelming dependence on China. The province will focus on growing clean and organic dragon fruit with traceability to expand to more choosy markets. The Government should consider building a distribution centre in China to ensure reliable distribution of Vietnamese goods there, he added. Nguyen Minh Toai, director of the Can Tho City Department of Industry and Trade, attributed the dependence on the Chinese market to the lower quality demand there. Dragon fruit output in the Mekong Delta is quite large, especially in Long An, Can Tho, Vinh Long and Tien Giang provinces, he said. The current difficult situation has forced farmers to aim for higher standards like VietGAP and GlobalGAP, he said. The prices of watermelon and jackfruit have also dropped dramatically to just VND8,000-10,000 per kilogramme, he said. The Tien Giang Department of Industry and Trade said the province would connect farmers with supermarkets and convenience stores in the province such as Bach Hoa Xanh, Big C and Co.opmart. Nguyen Huynh Trang, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, called for boosting domestic consumption and processing of dragon fruit to overcome the current difficulty. She also suggested that retailers should meet with the Long An Dragon Fruit Association and officials from various provinces and cities to discuss solutions. Clean production Duc said the current difficulty is in fact an opportunity for the agricultural sector to switch to clean production with clear traceability and adopt advanced technologies. The Chinese market has long been an easy one, not requiring high standards, and bought large quantities. Other more choosy markets such as Singapore, South Korea, Europe, the US, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, or Australia require much higher standards, he said. The suspension of cross-border trade between Viet Nam and China due to the current novel coronavirus scare has left hundreds of tonnes of crops stuck on farms and on the border with that country. Speaking at a recent meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said the agriculture sector is likely to be the worst hit by the coronavirus outbreak in China. China is a huge market, accounting for 22-24 per cent of the countrys agricultural exports, he pointed out. He called on agriculture departments around the country to build scenarios to cope with the outbreak with concrete measures. VNS Vietnam seeks ways to promote exports amidst fear of coronavirus impacts Vietnam has planned drastic measures to support exports following the suspension of cross-border trade with China due to the novel coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV. Manchester, Feb 9 : Manchester United on Sunday confirmed Odion Ighalo has been registered for the Europa League and will be eligible for the upcoming tie against Club Brugge. The Nigerian has not attended the training camp in Spain, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealing to us his latest signing will continue to work in Manchester, before linking up with his new colleagues on their return, a statement on Man United's website said. The deadline-day arrival from Shanghai Shenhua could be involved when the Reds travel to Belgium in the round of 32 on February 20. Fellow January signing Bruno Fernandes is also available to feature for United in the competition, despite representing Sporting Lisbon in the group stages, the statement on www.manutd.com said. New Delhi: Expressing solidarity over the coronavirus crisis in China Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered assistance to Chinese President Xi Jinping through a written letter. PM also offered condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the deadly virus outbreak. He further thanked the Chinese government for the facilitation provided during the evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from Wuhan in Hubei province which has been placed under lockdown for the past several weeks now. The death toll by Coronavirus epidemic has now reached to 811 and as per reports it officially exceeded due to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus after 81 new fatalities were reported on Sunday. The SARS virus had killed over 774 people globally between 2002-2003. The number of confirmed cases across China has crossed 37,000. Hubei province's health commission confirmed another 2,147 new cases in its daily update. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Saturday that foreigners who went to China on or before January 15 will not be allowed to enter India. Indian government evacuated 647 Indians residing in China by sending special flight On February 1 and 2 with proper medical aid. Along with the Indian citizens, 7 Maldives citizens were also evacuated. So far, three Indians have come under the influence of Coronavirus and several are kept under observation. In the backdrop of Coronavirus threat, Kerala Health Department on Sunday informed that as many as 3,252 people are under observation across the state including 34 who are in various hospitals. The government claimed that 326 out of 345 samples of suspected coronavirus have been tested negative. "3,252 people are under observation across the state, including 34 in various hospitals. 345 samples of suspected coronavirus cases have been sent for testing out of which 326 have been tested negative," read a press release by Kerala Health Department. "Blood samples of people who returned from China, have been tested negative for Coronavirus, while results of other samples are yet to come," it added. "The people who completed 18 days house quarantine can contact their doctors in concerned primary health centres to ensure they have completed their quarantine period," it read. Earlier, the laboratory test report of the student who is currently in the isolation ward at the Government Medical College Hospital Thrissur medical college here tested negative for novel coronavirus infection (nCoV). The body fluid sample of the student, which was sent for testing at the Alappuzha unit of the Insitute of Virology (NIV), returned negative a medical bulletin said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A press conference on China's economic policy to counter the impact of the novel coronavirus is held in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 7, 2020. The Chinese government is mobilizing billions of yuan to aid those affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak and assures that ample economic levers are at hand to handle the epidemic impact. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government is mobilizing billions of yuan to aid those affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak and assures that ample economic levers are at hand to handle the epidemic impact. The People's Bank of China is analyzing the impact of the outbreak on the economy and will increase counter-cyclical adjustments and ensure adequate liquidity to provide a supportive financial environment, Pan Gongsheng, vice governor of the central bank, told a press conference Friday. Considering the coronavirus impact on the economy as "temporary," Pan said the economy showed strong resilience, and the country had sufficient policy space to stabilize economic growth. The epidemic might disturb economic activities in the first quarter of this year, but the economy is likely to steady shortly after the epidemic is contained, as the unleashing of pent-up demands will make up for previous weak economic performance, Pan said. The pneumonia-causing virus was first identified in the city of Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province in December. It has since killed more than 600 people on the Chinese mainland and spread overseas. While racing to contain the spread of the virus, the Chinese government is stepping up support for the epidemic-affected economy, as extended Lunar New Year holidays and preventive travel restrictions in some cities took a toll on business activities. The Ministry of Finance said Friday that as of 5 p.m. on Thursday, finance ministries at all levels of government had allocated 66.74 billion yuan (9.56 billion U.S. dollars) for the prevention and control of the epidemic. The ministry also unveiled a policy for the government to subsidize the personal treatment costs incurred by those with confirmed cases of the virus and pay allowances to medical staff working on the frontlines of epidemic control. The country will also cut taxes and fees, Yu Weiping, vice finance minister, said at the press conference. Preferential loans of 300 billion yuan will be given to enterprises that produce, transport or sell medical supplies and life necessities to ensure that their loan rates are lower than 1.6 percent, compared to a market level of between 2.4 percent and 3.15 percent. These measures will reduce production and financing costs of related firms and help them to weather this difficult period and increase medical supplies, Yu said. To boost liquidity and stabilize financial markets, China's central bank added a total of 1.7 trillion yuan into the banking system this week via reverse repurchase agreements (repos) and lowered the repo rates by 10 basis points (bps). "The Chinese authorities have policy space to respond and have announced a sizeable injection of liquidity, which should help mitigate the costs to economic growth," the World Bank said in a statement Monday. Also on Monday, the International Monetary Fund expressed its support for China's efforts to tackle the outbreak and said it is confident that China's economy "remains resilient." Pan Gongsheng said the central bank will continue to use policy tools such as targeted reduction of the reserve requirement ratios (RRR), re-lending and rediscount to provide further support for the economy. "We see more liquidity offerings from the central bank, at least additional 100-bps RRR cuts, 15-20 bps rate cuts in medium-term lending facility and a less tight regulatory environment on shadow credit," said UBS analyst Wang Tao. With immediate virus control as the priority, Goldman Sachs expected the country's current policies to focus on ensuring financial resources flow to the places needed for "firefighting" and keeping the broad policy environment supportive. Once the epidemic is under control, senior policymakers will shift their focus to the economy, with fixed-asset-investment-driven stimulus and measures to support consumption likely to be unveiled, it said. Kabul: US and Afghan forces came under attack in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said in Kabul as they launched investigations into what the New York Times described as a deadly shootout between Afghan and American soldiers during a joint exercise. The Times, quoting two Afghan officials, reported that five or six American soldiers and six Afghan soldiers were killed. The newspaper quoted a US military official saying there were at least six American casualties and confirmed that there were fatalities without saying how many. Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, said a combined US and Afghan force conducting an operation in Nangarhar province was engaged by direct fire. Officials in Afghanistan did not comment on the number of casualties. "We are assessing the situation and will provide further updates as they become available," he said. Mubariz Khadem, a senior security official in Nangarhar, said the clashes took place between US and Afghan forces and casualties were feared. Insider attacks, often known as "green-on-blue" attacks, have been a regular feature of the conflict in Afghanistan, although their frequency has diminished in recent years. A senior Afghan defence official told Reuters it was not clear whether the incident was a result of clashes between Afghan and foreign forces or whether hardline Islamist militants were responsible for the attack. "We are not ruling any possibility out but we are not calling it an insider attack, Taliban attack, or 'green-on-blue' at this stage," said the official who requested anonymity. Taliban sources were not immediately available to comment. Sohrab Qaderi, a provincial council member in Nangarhar, said clashes happened between the Afghan army and foreign forces in Shirzad district on Saturday afternoon. He said members of the Afghan forces had been operating in the area since last month, and foreign forces were also in the district to defend against Taliban attacks. "It seems that clashes happened between Afghan and foreign forces during a raid or maybe there was a tactical mistake," said Qaderi. Investigations of past rogue attacks had uncovered many reasons for so called "green-on-blue" shootings, including frustration with the 18-year war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and other hardline Islamist groups. About 14,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Afghanistan as part of the U.S.-led NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces and to carry out counter-terrorism operations. U.S. diplomats have been talking with the Taliban for months to agree a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces in exchange for security guarantees. Despite talks between the United States and the Taliban to end the war, violence in the country has not ebbed. Claire McCaskill says that Sen. Mitt Romney's vote to convict President Trump on the abuse of power charge is courageous. But she says credit is also due to four Democratic senators from states where Trump is popular who could be risking their seats with their vote to convict. Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be very interesting, chairman of the Russia Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Lilia Gumerova said in an exclusive interview with Vestnik Kavkaza. Despite the fact that its still 11AM, about 10% of voters have already voted in this polling station. We spoke to the head of the precinct election commission, he said that the turnout is traditionally high. According to her, about 70-80% of voters always participate in elections. Overall, these elections are very interesting. We talked with our colleagues, with members of the CEC. Initially, over 2,000 candidates announced their participation in the parliamentary elections, about 1314 were registered, and over 20 parties are represented today," Russian senator said. In addition, she highlighted high level of organization of the elections. We see that some observers are a little nervous, they think Azerbaijani side doesn't show them something. But in reality it's definetely not the case. When we arrived here we see that all the information is available, all the lists are open, transparent," she noted. Elections to the Azerbaijani parliament of the sixth convocation kicked off Feb.9. Around 883 international and 77,790 local observers will observe the voting process. Of the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. A Dublin school has written to parents warning them about the coronavirus and children being excluded at playtime because classmates do not understand the disease. The primary school told parents it is "a diverse community" and "all nationalities are respected" but regretted some children were being excluded by other pupils after they "received misleading information relating to the spread of the virus". A senior HSE official has warned that "prejudices" and stigmas around the disease may make people with symptoms reluctant to contact doctors. HSE assistant national director Dr Kevin Kelleher said this could make it more difficult to contain any potential outbreak. Yesterday the rate of increase in new cases of the virus in China rose again after a brief respite, as the death toll rose to 853 on the mainland and countries around the world enforced stricter measures to contain its spread. Another 5,548 cases were reported, bringing the total to 36,693, although some of those have recovered. Five British nationals including a child have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in France, after staying in the same ski chalet in Les Contamines-Montjoie, near Chamonix, as a person who had been in Singapore. Health officials here said 15 coronavirus tests were carried out last week. All were negative. However, a Kerry-based family who recently travelled in China are being assessed this weekend as a precautionary measure after one member complained of feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms. In a letter sent home last Thursday, the principal of a primary school in South Dublin asked parents to reassure children they are safe from the coronavirus. The letter, seen by the Sunday Independent, advised parents who have recently been in mainland China or may have been in contact with the coronavirus in the past two weeks to contact health officials. It also offered hygiene advice compiled by the HSE. Parents were asked to inform the school of travel plans to "any affected areas", practise good personal hygiene, "avoid close contact with people who are unwell or showing symptoms of illness" and monitor their family's health. "Unfortunately it has come to our attention that some children are being excluded from play-time activities because a small group of children have received misleading information relating to the spread of the virus. Please take some time to reassure your child that they are safe," the letter added. The principal said the school will monitor the spread of the coronavirus and "will be implementing additional measures if the situation escalates" because "outbreak situations are dynamic". The HSE's Dr Kevin Kelleher said in many cases the virus was being spread by people who were not originally from China or other affected countries. He said elderly people travelling to Asia during their retirement must be aware over-65s are most susceptible to the coronavirus. "It certainly seems from China at the moment that it is very susceptible for older people and maybe other people with pre-existing conditions," Dr Kelleher said. The housing market in December inside Midland County topped December 2018 totals in every category, according to the Texas A&M Real Estate Center. A&M reports increases in home sold, dollar volume, average price for a home sold, median price for a home sold, total listings and months of inventory available at the end of December. Today we are facing a wave of Islamist terror. In the past three months alone, jihadis have struck three times with deadly intent: at Fishmongers Hall in London in November, at Cambridgeshires Whitemoor Prison in January, when four prison officers and a nurse were injured, and in Streatham, South London, last Sunday. On each occasion, the attackers unleashed mayhem. They used knives to slash their victims and caused panic by wearing fake suicide vests. Their aim was to kill as many innocent people as possible and they wanted to die in the process, to achieve what they believe to be martyrdom. The most important duty of a state is to protect its citizens, and this means we now face a question of overwhelming importance: how should Britain respond? Armed police shot dead terrorist Sudesh Amman in Streatham, South London, last Sunday While our police and prison officers have been incredibly brave, putting their lives at risk to keep the rest of us safe, we must nevertheless acknowledge that our response to Islamist terror is not nearly robust enough. A mixture of naivety and complacency has left us horribly exposed to further violence. Each attack revealed its own set of failings. Streatham, for instance, proved that even obviously dangerous jihadis can be released early from prison and left free to walk our streets. The laws governing the detention of terrorist offenders are fundamentally flawed. Sudesh Amman was considered so volatile that the police and MI5 had him in their sights from the moment he left prison. Undercover armed police officers were only yards away when his rampage began, but even they could not stop him grabbing a knife from a supermarket and stabbing two people at random. While fewer details are known about the Whitemoor Prison attack, it is mind-boggling that two prisoners allegedly assembled bladed weapons and replica suicide vests before injuring prison officers. Despite the fact that Whitemoor is a Category A high-security prison, the assailants were able to carry out a quite horrifying onslaught. Sudesh Amman was shot dead by armed police on Streatham High Road on Sunday The most tragic case of all was Fishmongers Hall, where a convicted Islamist, released on licence, turned a rehabilitation conference into a scene of terrible violence. Two young Cambridge graduates devoted to the unglamorous work of turning criminals into law-abiding citizens lost their lives. The fact that other reformed offenders fought to save his victims suggests their work was not entirely in vain. But clearly we are too generous in thinking that creative writing workshops could deradicalise someone who had planned to blow up the London Stock Exchange. The Governments response over the past week hasty as it was is to be welcomed. If the emergency legislation is passed, fewer terrorist offenders will be released early from jail. There will be closer involvement from the Parole Board and a renewed focus on public safety. That can only be good. But does it go far enough? For such measures still risk underestimating the problem we face. After all, there are more than 200 terrorist offenders in prison, the vast majority of whom will one day end up back on British streets. The Metropolitan Police named convicted terrorist Usman Khan, pictured, as the man responsible for the London Bridge Terror attack which claimed two lives. Khan (circled right) was confronted by several heroic members of the public, including one who used a Narwhal tusk to try and restrain him on London Bridge At the same time, it is thought that hundreds of Islamists have returned to Britain from Syria, where they pledged allegiance to a bloodthirsty caliphate. To find a way forward, we must recognise three things: that unreformed jihadis belong in jail; that the prison system must do more to prevent Islamist activity behind bars; and that deradicalisation programmes must be proven to work. In recent days there has been talk behind the scenes of detaining jihadis under the Mental Health Act, which allows people to be locked up if they are a threat to themselves or to others. In some cases, where there is a legitimate diagnosis, this could make sense. There is also something to be said for any measure that reduces the glorification of violent and suicidal acts. But there is also a flaw in the idea. For too many Islamist terrorists are not mentally ill. They are rational actors who subscribe to a twisted ideology. Most are born and raised in Britain. They went to school here, experienced our free society, then willingly chose to turn against it, often siding with sworn enemies of the UK, such as Islamic State. This specific betrayal is, in itself, a terrible crime. It destroys the bonds of trust that hold communities together and weakens national unity. It is a breach of the duty each of us owes to our fellow citizens. And it has a name: treason. The Treason Act 1351 passed during the reign of Edward III to punish offences including violating the Kings wife remains British law but it has been overtaken by changes in our society and politics. It is not a secure ground on which to mount prosecutions. That is why I believe we need a new Treason Act to punish the wrong of betraying our country, as I today set out in my Policy Exchange paper Aiding The Enemy. Our current terrorism legislation tends to focus on the violent act. Anyone plotting a bomb attack, for example, should be put away for a very long time. But pledging allegiance to IS or inviting others to do the same can lead to much shorter sentences. Anjem Choudary was imprisoned for just five-and-a-half years despite mountains of evidence that he had radicalised others. This cannot be right. Having poisoned the minds of many, the London-born lawyer was able to get away with his worst acts because our laws are not sufficient to address acts of betrayal. Anjem Choudary was imprisoned for just five-and-a-half years despite mountains of evidence that he had radicalised others Some might say a new treason law would target minorities, that it would have a divisive effect, but this is the opposite of the truth. It is not about separation but inclusion. It would be a recognition that we are all British and that with our citizenship come obligations and responsibilities, too. We must be careful with our language here. The word treason is used too often in common parlance and too loosely. Treachery is a dangerous thing and we should name it with care when we see it. No one is pretending such a law would prevent every act of Islamist terrorism. But there are people who have pledged allegiance to enemies of the UK and who should be prosecuted for doing so. If found guilty, they could be locked up for much longer than at present. We could recognise the true gravity of the offence. For less serious offences, it might well be that being labelled a traitor would be punishment enough. There is a further benefit: in an age when nations such as Russia or China can attack the UK in ways that fall short of outright armed conflict, it is vital that our law ensures that citizens who assist hostile states, or seek to undermine this country even if they have committed no specific criminal act, can be prosecuted. The defence of the realm demands these powers. It is now vital. A reporter examines a 23andMe DNA genetic testing kit in Oakland, California. Cayce Clifford | Bloomberg | Getty Images It has not been a good year for consumer DNA testing companies. In January, Silicon Valley-based 23andMe laid off 100 employees, about 14% of its workforce. A month later, Ancestry, which has offices in Utah and San Francisco, also cut 100 jobs, representing about 6% of its staff. The major reason for the downsizing? Simply put, consumers aren't buying as many at-home DNA tests as they used to. The first sign came in the summer, when Illumina, maker of the DNA sequencing machines that are used by Ancestry and 23andMe, acknowledged in an earnings call to investors that the category had hit a lull. CEO Francis DeSouza didn't share an explanation for that, but noted that Illumina was taking a "cautious view" of the opportunity in the near term. Orasure, maker of the spit tubes used by consumer DNA testing companies, has also seen its stock take a hit. At that time, some smaller companies were already feeling the impact. Helix, a start-up that spun out of Illumina to build an "app store" model for DNA tests, cut staff in May. The company revealed to Bloomberg that it was shifting its focus away from consumers to population health, meaning it would work with health industry partners. A few months later, Veritas Genetics another company focused on consumers that sold more expensive but more detailed whole genome sequencing tests shuttered its U.S. operations. So what happened? There hasn't yet been a detailed study to understand the shift in consumer thinking around these tests. But CNBC spoke with some of the leading genetics experts and doctors, who shared a few theories. Privacy: Facebook fears and the Golden State Killer Dawn Barry, a former Illumina executive with a start-up in the space called LunaDNA, blames a few factors, especially privacy concerns. Consumers have seen a slew of reports in the past few years about how companies are using their personal data for targeted advertising, without their knowledge, and might be feeling particularly sensitive about their health information. Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe, has previously referred to these concerns as the "Facebook effect." In her view, consumers are increasingly freaked out about stories they're reading in the media about privacy, mostly about Facebook and other technology companies, and are reacting by feeling anxious about getting DNA tests. Companies like 23andMe do make money off this information. Her company does ask for consent from users and it has publicly explained its revenue model, but a big part of its business involves its relationships with pharmaceutical companies like GlaxoSmithKline. 23andMe also has a therapeutics arm, where it is hoping to leverage its database of millions of people's DNA to develop new drugs. Making matters worse for these companies, suggests Barry, is the Golden State Killer case. Law enforcement honed in on a suspect after running DNA from a decades-old crime scene through a free online database, where anyone can upload their genetic information. A suspect was found through a distant relative who might have paid for a test via Ancestry or 23andMe, and then uploaded it into the database. The case raised all sorts of complicated questions about whether genetic information is fundamentally different than other types of data because it implicates family members and not just individuals. A 'tapped' market Other experts suspect that consumer DNA testing companies might have run out of early adopters. The theory goes that there's about 20 million or 30 million consumers who are naturally interested in learning more about their family background, and it's not that challenging or expensive to sell tests to them. At this point, many of these people have already been sold to, and there's no reason for them to buy a second test. Ancestry has sold about 14 million tests, and 23andMe has sold some 9 million. But many people are wary about learning information they might not want to know like the father who raised them isn't their biological father or that they have a risk for a genetic disease that they can't take a pill to prevent. There's likely a larger consumer segment that's interested, but still wary about these tests. They might not believe that the information is valuable enough to warrant the price tag. The cheapest tests sell for $99, and they'll cover ancestry and some health risks but lack truly actionable health information, like whether an individual might respond poorly to a drug based on their genetic makeup. "The ancestry market is a finite market," said David Mittelman, CEO of Othram, a genomics start-up and a molecular physicist. A decade or so in, "these companies are beginning to tap out the market." Mittelman notes that customer acquisition costs, including ad dollars these companies need to spend on sites like Facebook, will increase over time. "I think the companies know this," he said. "The investment in health shows that they are working to appeal to a broader market." What's noteworthy about the recent round of layoffs is that Ancestry kept all of its employees at its Ancestry Health business. And 23andMe is still highly focused on its drug development business. That suggests that both companies are indeed hinging their future on developing powerful health applications. 'Slowdown isn't a stoppage' The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, is starting to take its toll on global markets. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Another person has tested positive for coronavirus in England, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to four. The latest patient diagnosed had come into contact with a previously confirmed UK case and is being treated at the Royal Free Hospital in London, chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said. The new case comes after another plane carrying British citizens evacuated from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan landed in Oxfordshire. The flight, with more than 200 people on board, including some foreign nationals, arrived at RAF Brize Norton shortly before 7.30am on Sunday. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was the second and final flight to be chartered by the Government and had British Government staff and military medics on board. As the death toll in China from the virus rose to 811, Prof Whitty said: "A further patient has tested positive for novel coronavirus in England, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to four. "The new case is a known contact of a previously confirmed UK case, and the virus was passed on in France. "Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. They successfully identified this individual and ensured the appropriate support was provided. "The patient has been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at The Royal Free Hospital, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus. "The NHS is extremely well prepared to manage these cases and treat them, and we are working quickly to identify any further contacts the patient has had. "This patient followed NHS advice by self-isolating rather than going to A&E. For the latest advice visit gov.uk/coronavirus." The latest confirmed case comes not long after five Britons tested positive for coronavirus in France. The four adults and a nine-year-old child were diagnosed after they came into contact with a British national who had recently returned from Singapore, the French health ministry said. Read More The five British nationals, who are not in a serious condition, were staying in the Alpine resort area of Contamines-Montjoie near Mont Blanc. French officials said the British national who was in Singapore returned on January 24 and stayed for four days in the area in eastern France, before returning to England on January 28. The five Britons whose diagnosis was confirmed, as well as six compatriots with whom they had close contact, were taken to hospitals on Friday night in Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Grenoble. The chalet where they were staying housed a British family that lives in Contamines and another British family who were on holiday. The ill child lives in Contamines and attends a local school, and took French classes at another local school, regional officials told a news conference on Saturday. It is understood the third case confirmed in the UK is a man who caught the illness in Singapore. He is reported to be a middle-aged British man and is understood to be the first UK national to contract the disease. He is thought to have been diagnosed in Brighton and was transferred to St Thomas' Hospital in London, where there is an infectious diseases unit, on Thursday afternoon. Two other patients who had recently travelled from China are being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle. One is a student at the University of York, while the other is a family member. The death toll in China from the coronavirus - now at 811 - surpasses SARS fatalities in the 2002-2003 outbreak. The fourth UK case was confirmed not long after a British man in Majorca tested positive for coronavirus. His wife and two daughters tested negative, the government in the Balearic Islands said. The passengers on the charter flight have been taken to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they will be quarantined for 14 days. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the repatriation flight had brought back 105 British nationals and family members, as well as 95 European nationals and family members. The ambulance service said the presence of the group in Milton Keynes would not present a risk to local people. The first group of Britons who returned on a flight last month are continuing their quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital, Merseyside. Elsewhere, British honeymooner Alan Steele, who was transferred from the cruise liner Diamond Princess to hospital in Japan with coronavirus was said to be feeling well and in good spirits. Mr Steele, from Wolverhampton, was moved to hospital on Friday while his wife Wendy remained on board the ship. The liner had been isolated in the port of Yokohama before going back out to sea, with 61 people taken to hospital after testing positive for the virus. Storyful Supporters of world No.1 Novak Djokovic gathered outside a courthouse in Melbourne on January 10 as the player appealed against his deportation from Australia in the hope of staying to play in the Australian Open.According to court filings, Djokovics lawyers say he was granted a visa on November 18. An exemption certificate was issued by Tennis Australias chief medical officer on December 30, they said.The hearing on Monday was due to start at the Federal Circuit and Family Court at 10am but was delayed multiple times due to technical issues. According to local reports, Judge Anthony Kelly said a professor and an eminently qualified physician have produced and provided to the applicant a medical exemption.Further to that, that medical exemption and the basis on which it was given was separately given by a further independent expert specialist panel, established by the Victorian state government. And that document was in the hands of the delegate.And the point Im somewhat agitated about is, was what more could this man have done? Judge Kelly asked.Footage by Slobodan Bendjo shows fans waving Serbian flags and dancing outside the Federal Circuit and Family Court in Melbourne. Credit: Slobodan Bendjo via Storyful A man carrying a knife was arrested outside the White House after he told a US Secret Service officer that he was there to kill President Donald Trump, police said. Roger Hedgpeth, 25, was arrested Saturday afternoon on a charge of making threats to do bodily harm, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Hedgpeth approached a Secret Service officer who was patrolling outside the White House and said he was there to 'assassinate' Trump. Roger Hedgpeth, 25, was arrested outside the White House (file image) after he told a US Secret Service officer that he was there to kill President Donald Trump, police said 'I have a knife to do it with,' Hedgpeth allegedly said, according to a police report. Police found a 3 1/2-inch knife in a sheath on his left hip. Hedgpeth, of Brandon, Florida, also had an empty pistol holster on his right hip, authorities said. Authorities described Hedgpeth in the report as a 'critically missing/endangered person as well as a mental health consumer'. It's unclear how long Hedgpeth was missing or how he managed to get to Washington, DC. Hedgpeth was taken into custody and brought to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, police said. Officers also impounded his vehicle. A telephone number listed for Hedgpeth in public records was unanswered on Sunday. According to the president's (pictured on Friday) calendar, he didn't have any appearances outside of the White House and is believed to have been there at the time of the incident It wasn't immediately clear where he lives or whether he had an lawyer who could comment on his behalf. According to the president's calendar, he didn't have any appearances outside of the White House and is believed to have been there at the time of the incident. Over the past few years, there have been multiple incidents of people being arrested outside the White House. A California man carrying mace was arrested in March 2017 after scaling the fence and making it all way to the exterior of the White House. Trump was in the White House at the time. In September 2018, an individual was taken into custody after they climbed over the security barrier outside the White House. And in November 2019, a person was taken into custody after they allegedly attempted to drive an unauthorized vehicle through a White House security checkpoint. Incidents like these prompted White House officials to upgrade the fence that surrounds the presidential mansion from the six foot version to one that will be 13 feet high with 'anti-climb' technology. - Bulldog says he will not apologise to any woman because he did not disrespect any woman - According to him, he meant that women perform best in the bedroom and kitchen as compared to men - Bulldog however, noted that he will never disrespect women becuase he has a wife and three daughters - Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Lawrence Nana Asiamah-Hanson, popularly known as Bulldog says his women belong to the bedroom and kitchen comment wasnt meant in a disrespectful way. I didnt say that women only belong there [bedroom and kitchen] and I didnt say it in a disrespectful way. Speaking in an interview with Nana Ama McBrown on UTV, Bulldog justified why he said what he said and noted he wasnt going to apologize to anyone. READ ALSO: Samini buys his 16-year-old daughter iPhone 11 pro max on her birthday Rather, Bulldog claimed he had been abused and insulted on social media, especially Twitter by most women. According to Bulldog, if he wanted to disrespect women there are a thousand things he would have said to disrespect women. It will not make sense for me to disrespect a woman, because I came from a woman And I have a beautiful wife and three daughters, as well, he noted. Bulldog clarified that he was speaking in context on a particular subject. He added that women can aspire to be what ever they want to be but his point was that women glow and function well in the bedroom and kitchen as well. READ ALSO: Kofi Adjorlolo 'fights' Elikem Kumordzie on live radio (Video) "Women have their own purpose, the mistake is they start comparing themselves to men. Women are good at adding glory, he added. ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana He also supported his pointed with biblical examples of how some women in the Bible destroyed things and men. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle constituency, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings has donated some motorbikes to police stations in her constituency. The daughter of Ghanas former president on Thursday, February 6, 2020, presented seven motorbikes to four police stations in the Klottey Korle constituency. My Unpleasant Memories as a Street Girl Drive Me to Do Charity - Stacy Amewoyi Reveals| #Yencomgh READ ALSO: Beatrices wedding to hold on Friday, May 20 as UK royal family makes plan Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh The University of Georgias research and development expenditures reached a record high of $477.5 million over fiscal year 2019, according to a UGA Today news release. Research and development expenditures increased by 5.4% over the last year and by 34% over the past five years, according to the release. Its been said by those who know Fred Smith well that when the visionary FedEx founder is asked about the U.S. Post Office, hes known to say that in a competitive market he could put the government-created monopoly out of business in a matter of months. Smiths confidence shouldnt surprise readers, conservative readers least of all. Thats the case because at least in their rhetoric, conservatives preach the gospel of market discipline. The Post Office would be extraordinarily vulnerable to competition precisely because its never faced the kind of competition and investor pressure that conservatives at least rhetorically deem so essential to corporate progress. If funding will always be abundant, and if funding will actually rise the more that mistakes are made, why make the hard decisions that real businesses make every day? Stating what should be obvious, and has long been obvious to conservatives, the Post Office is a low-quality provider of fourth-rate service, and its that way because always-there government funding has shielded it from the market realities that would have otherwise strengthened it over the years; that, or put it out of business. In short, copious government support has weakened the Post Office. No entrepreneur or business would ever consider emulating it since mimicry of what defines bad service in the minds of all too many would repel the very investors necessary for a business to open its doors in the first place. Smiths opinion of the Post Office has routinely come to mind amid the odd conservative crack-up over Chinese communications giant Huawei. Republicans and conservatives inside and outside the Trump administration were very disappointed recently when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Huawei, a corporation so valued by its customers that it operates in 177 countries around the world, would allow the companys equipment to be used in Britains 5G wireless network. GOP hand wringing is puzzling. Long the Party thats striven to properly associate itself with keeping government out of the rollout of anything commerce or market related, when it comes to whats expected to be next generation in communications, Republicans find themselves parroting the very wording that animates the rhetoric of their ideological foes on the left, and in the extreme, the rhetoric of central planners from the 20th century. Dont Republicans remember how horridly and murderously central planning failed, and dont they remember how very much their political hero (with good reason) in Ronald Reagan confidently predicted the failure of statist regimes precisely because politicians, not market-disciplined businesses, were calling the commercial shots? Yet when it comes to 5G, its as though state planners have entered the bodies and minds of conservatives and Republicans. Out of one side of their mouth they talk of the enormous potential of 5G to transform how business is done for the much, much better, only for them to proclaim out of the mouths other side the genius of a public/private 5G partnership. As the Wall Street Journals Bob Davis and Drew FitzGerald recently reported, the White House is working with U.S. technology companies to create advanced software for next-generation 5G telecommunications networks. Yes, you read that right. Conservatives believe that which is anti-innovation, and that which is where innovation routinely goes to die, is necessary to build up that which is billed as a revolutionary driver of technological advancement. No less than the great free-market champion Larry Kudlow confirmed to Davis and FitzGerald that The big picture concept is to have all of the U.S. 5G architecture and infrastructure done by American firms. Say it aint so! Thinking about this, readers would be wise to stop and marvel for a second or two. It wasnt too many years ago that conservatives figuratively trampled on one another as they raced to TV cameras and computers to mock the Obama White House and Democrats for the Solyndra bust-up, and that was just solar. Back then the very notion of public/private anything was anathema to conservatives, yet now theyre championing it for 5G. The technological future is coming, and it will be planned by conservatives in government! Fear not, it gets weirder. Indeed, their support for government investment grows by the day. Hudson Institute senior fellow Thomas Duestenberg is the latest (but surely not the last) conservative to call for government planning in the development of 5G, along with government finance. Duestenberg et al want tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to allegedly bolster the 21st century equivalent of putting a man on the moon first. Funny here is that conservatives were up in arms back in 2011 when it was revealed that Solyndra had been the beneficiary of $535 million in government loan guarantees Needless to say, the previous number is chump change to the overnight planners on the right. Duestenberg laments that Huawei allegedly has received $75 billion from the Chinese government (as though the feds dont wastefully shower all manner of taxpayer dollars on U.S. firms TARP comes to mind, so does ExIm), so hes cheering bipartisan legislation and funding from Congress meant to encourage development of open-architecture systems to promote Western competition to Huawei and ZTE. Stranger still is that Duestenbergs op-ed was hosted prominently by the Wall Street Journals editorial page, long the Holy Grail of free market opinion. Needless to say, the Obama White Houses partnership with the solar industry amid lefty alarmism about global warming wasnt cheered by conservatives in the way that they now cheer government investment in that which alarms them. Which brings us to a basic question: just what are conservatives so afraid of? If Huawei is truly a tool of the state as they want to believe, and as they keep telling us, then its a safe bet that its efforts to lead the world toward an amazing 5G-enhanced future will fall very short. Whats innovative and has major market applications of the technological variety is never hatched by government. So let the Chinese government spend enormous sums weakening Huawei as it produces something that consumers will reject. On the other hand, and with Huaweis seminal role in rapidly advancing global communications top of mind, lets consider the possibility that conservative scholars and politicians have well overstated the Huawei threat (havent they overstated other threats before?). As in, lets consider the very real possibility that Huawei is actually a great company, and that it thrives despite state investment. If so, whats there to be afraid of? Most of us dont live in Cupertino, Mountain View or Seattle, but open markets make it seem as though Apple, Google and Amazon are right next door. When markets are open, location of business doesnt matter. If Huawei can bring 5G to market the quickest, brilliant. Just as the Chinese arent hurt by Apple selling 1/5th of its iPhones in China, and just as Los Angelenos arent hurt because Microsoft is in Seattle, New Yorkers wont be harmed by technological advances that happen in Shenzhen. The main thing is that conservatives need to act like conservatives again. State planning fails. Always. If Huawei is truly a creation of the state, then conservatives neednt worry about it growing so rapidly in the U.S. such that it can spy on us, and do other scary things. If not, conservatives might reacquaint themselves with their support of the open markets that similarly always succeed when it comes to lifting everyone up. Kempinski Hotels has appointed Ron Cusiter as vice president global sales and The Americas. In this role, Cusiter will be responsible to lead and manage the global sales offices of the luxury brand in Europe, America, Asia and India. In addition, he will oversee sales and marketing for the companys properties in The Americas and contribute to the strategy for existing and new hotel openings in that region. A Scottish native, the results-driven leader in marketing, sales and revenue management brings with him a wealth of global experience in luxury and ultra-luxury hospitality. He embarked on his senior career with Rosewood Hotels and Resorts where he ultimately held the position of vice president sales and marketing operations, before he became vice president sales operations, Europe, Africa and the Middle East at Hyatt Hotels and more recently global vice president sales and marketing for Como Hotels. Just before starting his newest role, he worked on various Kempinski projects around the globe, the latest being in Venice, Dubai and Dominica. - TradeArabia News Service By IANS NEW DELHI: Tweeple were amazed as hospitals in China are using robots to deliver food and medicines to patients infected by the novel coronavirus which has killed 811 people so far. Taking to Twitter, a user posted a video in which robots are used to serve food and medicines in a hospital in China to the patients who were infected with the coronavirus. Promise of new technology! A service robot makes deliveries at a corona virus isolation point in Jiaxing, China pic.twitter.com/m18m1nGlyY Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) February 3, 2020 Another user commented "I am fascinated by the logistics of it all. Compressed construction - training for staff as to what goes where...configurations, maps..." While another said "cool job." Appreciating the designing of the robot, a user said "with lights designed to sort of look like a friendly face" With a 'Thumbs Up' emoji, a user wrote "Nice" while another said, "a Robot can help curb the spread of coronavirus." "The robot that rolls up, ejects and inserts the food plate into the slot of the isolation ward can help curb the spread of coronavirus," said a user. Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has claimed Kano is the most peaceful state in the country. The Governor made the comment when he led a Kano delegate to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Friday. Kano state, as of today, is the most peaceful state in the country, Ganduje said. No armed robbery, no banditry, no tribal conflict, no religious conflict, even the few cases of kidnapping, the kingpins have been arrested. His comments come amid increasing reports of insecurity across the country. The Governor credited his claims of peace to the introduction of information communication technologies into the states security administration. Thats why we are succeeding, he said. He also noted that inter-agency cooperation is high among security officials in the state. There is full cooperation among the security agencies and Kano state is providing an enabling environment for the security agencies, especially in terms of community policing, he said. Also we have succeeded in establishing a very powerful command and control centre where all security agencies, their representatives, do communicate with each other. And from that centre, the security agencies are being able to communicate with all the DPOs across the 44 local governments of the state. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Katy father Sean Dolan says he wasnt looking to pick a fight when he attended his first Katy ISD board meeting two years ago, much less hoping to bring down the superintendent, Lance Hindt. And although the concerns he aired at that meeting proved credible, Dolan isnt celebrating. I feel like I won the lottery but it cost me more for the ticket, Dolan said this week, days after the Houston Chronicle reported that the University of Houston had removed Hindts 2012 doctoral dissertation from its website. A more-than-yearlong investigation began in October 2018, after Dolan alleged that significant portions of Hindts paper, The Effects of Principal Leadership on Teacher Morale and Student Achievement, were plagiarized from a 2008 doctoral dissertation, The Relationship of Principal Leadership and Teacher Morale, by Keith Rowland, then a student at Liberty University. Hindt announced his decision to resign just nine days after Dolans plagiarism accusations. On HoustonChronicle.com: Former Katy ISD Superintendent Lance Hindts dissertation apparently removed from UH website after plagiarism review UH citing federal privacy laws and university policy wouldnt confirm whether the dissertation has been taken down. But the dissertation is no longer on UHs website, and per university policy, that only happens under special circumstances, including copyright violations, plagiarism or falsification of data. The news is a postscript on a saga that began after Dolan attended his first school board meeting in February 2018 and culminated when Hindt announced at a May 10 board meeting that he would resign as superintendent in January 2019. Its a development that renews questions about Hindts tenure as superintendent and more importantly the strikingly generous way in which members of the Katy ISD school board responded to Hindts decision to resign. Board members voted May 10 to amend Hindts contract so that on his final day of employment, he would receive a lump-sum payout of $750,000, equivalent to two years of his annual salary. The board also voted, unanimously, to set aside $25,000 so the superintendent could sue his detractors for defamation. Dolan explained that he decided to speak at the Feb. 18, 2018, school board meeting because he had some unsatisfactory encounters with Katy ISD administrators as his children made their way through schools in the district. He said his concerns took on new urgency after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Valentines Day. I didnt know who Lance Hindt was, Dolan told me. He also said he didnt have a personal relationship with any of the people then serving on the board. Several trustees President Courtney Doyle, Vice President Bill Lacy and Secretary Ashley Vann are up for re-election later this year. Dissatisfied with the response from Hindt and board members after his allotted three-minute testimony, Dolan who works in digital marketing decided to launch a website and Facebook page, A Better Legacy, where Katy residents could speak freely, and at length, about their questions and concerns. Thats when Dolan said he started hearing from Katy-area residents, including Hindts former classmate, Greg Barrett also known as Greg Gay who accused Hindt of bullying him during their days as students at a junior high in Katy ISD. Barretts account of Hindts bullying was quickly corroborated by another former classmate, who says he witnessed the incident that Barrett described, in wrenching detail, at a March school board meeting. The board fully vetted Dr. Lance Hindt before hiring him two years ago, said Vann, then the Katy ISD board president, after that meeting. His strong leadership and fulfillment of our vision since then has affirmed our decision. We stand united with Dr. Hindt today. The concerns should have been taken more seriously. And the board should have taken pause before issuing a costly golden parachute in the face of credible allegations of both bullying as a youth and academic misconduct as an adult. Katy ISD residents are left with many questions, and getting answers will be an uphill fight, apparently, even after UHs cryptic yet suggestive decision to remove Hindts dissertation. Doyle, Lacy and Vann did not respond to my request for an interview. Nor did the district itself have much to say this week. Katy ISD has not been contacted by the University of Houston concerning the matter, said the districts media relations manager, Maria Corrales DiPetta, in a statement. Hindt, a graduate of Katy ISD schools, declared himself the victim of a smear campaign when he announced that he would resign as superintendent. But that was actually a smear, on his part, against concerned Katy residents, including Barrett and Dolan, who did not set out to destroy Hindts career or hurt the district. People change. They do stupid stuff when theyre young, Barrett told a Houston Chronicle reporter in March 2018. I just want him to acknowledge it, say hes sorry and make some changes so this doesnt continue to happen. I live here. I own property here. I have rental houses. Im not trying to destroy property values, Dolan told me this week. erica.grieder@chron.com SEVERODVINSK, Russia -- Natalia Golubtsova and her husband, Sergei Kirillov, are raising their six children in a cramped, two-room apartment in a Brezhnev-era building in this city in Russias Far North. When their third child was born, Golubtsova filed an application for the plot of land that the Russian government has promised to every family of that size. That child now is halfway through his first year in school and the family doesn't feel any closer than ever to moving into the home they have always dreamt of. "We have been waiting more than seven years," Golubtsova told RFE/RL, noting that her family is currently No. 50 on the local administration's list of those waiting for land allocations. "When we decided to have our son, the law on land plots was already in effect and it was one of the reasons we proceeded -- we'll have a third child, get a plot of land, and build a house, we thought. Everyone who had children back in 2012 was thinking about this consideration." Marina Zelentsova, mother of three girls, is in the same boat. On a waiting list for a plot of land, her number is 666. "We love Severodvinsk and don't want to move away," Zelentsova said of the naval-shipyard city of some 190,000 on the White Sea. "According to the law, we should get a plot of land, but in reality, they aren't being given out, she said. We didn't have kids thanks to any help but in spite of difficult circumstances. And when we try to demand our rights, we are told: 'No one asked you to have so many children.'" In fact, however, faced with a daunting demographic situation following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the economic "shock-therapy" years in the 1990s, President Vladimir Putin has made support for families a policy priority throughout the last two decades. "We are alarmed by the negative demographic forecasts," Putin said during his state-of-the-nation address on January 15, returning to an issue he has addressed repeatedly. "It is our historic duty to respond to this challenge." "As we build a long-term policy to support families, it must be based on specific life situations," he added before laying out several proposals aimed at improving housing, day care, and education for Russian families. "We need to look closely at difficulties faced by new families, families with many children and single-parent families." Asking Putin For Help Activists with the grassroots organization Land For The Large Families Of Severodvinsk are urging Putin and other officials to "look closely" at their experience. In December 2019, the group organized a demonstration in the center of the city calling on the authorities to fulfill their support obligations. Organizers told RFE/RL that the mere fact that people with three or more children came out into the harsh winter of the Far North to demonstrate shows the level of their frustration. "Four years ago, the governor [of Arkhangelsk Oblast] came to talk with us," said activist and protest organizer Vladimir Abramovsky, who has three daughters. "We talked, he wrote down all the problems, but nothing happened. They created a working group with the city administration, but they have never convened. So now we have come to this." Municipal authorities told RFE/RL that more than 1,300 qualified families with at least three children are currently on the waiting list to get land parcels. "In order to satisfy them all, we'd have to find not less than 130 hectares of land within the city limits," the administration's written statement said. According to the Land For The Large Families Of Severodvinsk group, the city has only distributed 11 land plots since the fall of 2018 and only 225 since the law came into effect in 2011. In addition, according to the law, the plots must be provided with connections to the electricity grid and the sewage and water systems -- costs the city administration says it cannot afford. Some families have jumped the line by agreeing to accept swampy plots without infrastructure improvements. However, activists say, this often proves to be a mistake. "People are given plots with shared ownership -- that is, each member of the family must pay taxes on it," Golubtsova explained. "The assessed value of a plot in Severodvinsk, even a swampy one, is about 2.5 million rubles ($39,000). We have families that have owned a plot for five years, have paid taxes all that time, and who still can't build anything because there are no roads, no electricity, etc. There aren't even any plans for when such improvements might appear." Large families also have the option of renouncing their right to receive a plot of land in exchange for a one-time cash payment. In Severodvinsk, that payment stands at 210,000 rubles ($3,300), while in Murmansk and Vologda -- two other northern cities -- the government offers 340,000 rubles ($5,300) and 225,000 rubles ($3,500), respectively. "No matter what aspect of assistance you look at, our situation is always worse than those in other regions," Golubtsova said. The Severodvinsk activists are also not satisfied by the so-called maternal capital program, under which families with two or more children are given a state mortgage subsidy. In his state-of-the-nation address, Putin announced that the amount of the subsidy had been increased to 466,617 rubles ($7,350) as of January 1. Puzzling Benefits But, under the law, ownership of the housing is shared equally by all members of the family. Children, however, do not qualify for the tax breaks given to the parents of large families. So if the housing is sold for some reason, the family often ends up paying taxes approaching or even exceeding the state's maternity-capital benefit. In fact, the more children a family has, the more tax it pays. Golubtsova also explained why the regional subsidy to purchase a car is also flawed in its implementation. Most cars aren't big enough to fit three childrens car seats in the rear. However, families only qualify for the 1 million ruble ($15,600) subsidy after the birth of their sixth child -- and all the children must be minors. "Logically, they should give the subsidy when the fourth child is born," Golubtsova contends. Putins expression of concern in his state-of-the-nation speech came amid expectations that statistics will show that Russias population declined by 300,000 in 2019, shrinking for the third straight year and by three times as much as in 2018. According to the state statistics agency, Russia's population as of January 1, 2019, was 146,780,700. In late December, the agency issued three possible prognoses for the period to 2036. According to the optimistic prediction, which foresees successes improving birth rates and life expectancy as well as increasing migration, has the population rising above 150 million people by 2036. The conservative estimate puts the population at 143 million by 2036. The pessimistic version, which projects continued declining natural population declines and a failure of the migration policy, puts the population at 134.28 million by 2036. United Nations forecasts for Russia are direr. The "optimistic" variant puts Russia's population at 147.3 million in 2050. The conservative estimate is 135.8 million, while the pessimistic prediction foresees a population of 124.6 million by the middle of this century. The UN projected that pessimistic prediction even further, saying it is possible Russia's population could be just 83.7 million by 2100. In his address, Putin said that the implementation of the programs he was proposing "will require a new quality of state governance and work on the part of the government and state bodies at all levels, as well as direct dialogue with citizens." Written by RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson and based on reporting by correspondent Irina Fokina of the North Desk of RFE/RL's Russian Service Entrepreneurs looking for their next business adventure this year may need to think outside the box, experts suggest. Apart from traditionally popular sectors for startups such as retail, technology and finance wellness industries are also set for explosive growth. According to Melbourne creative platform 99designs and its recent data collection, astrology, cannabidiol (CBD), veganism and biohacking may be the right markets to look into over the next 12 months. COO of 99designs, Pamela Webber, said that consumers are growingly concerned about their health and wellbeing. While last year it was all about drones, AI healthcare and influencer agencies, 2020 shows a notable shift toward the wellness space. We think it is driven by consumers seeking to take control and wanting to address social anxieties and concerns about their health, happiness and future success. Here is what each category means for entrepreneurs. Astrology-related businesses Believe it or not, astrology is now an estimated $2.1 billion-dollar industry that is pursued after by many venture capitalists. Its businesses include everything from horoscope apps and podcasts to spiritual consultancies. While astrology may seem niche at first sight, survey indicates that over one third of American women read their horoscope at least once every month, which is a huge group of potential consumers in this marketplace. With personalised sign-reading apps like Co-star raising $5 million and topping the iOS charts, astrology-related service is set to attract more attention this year. CBD products As Australia witnesses the legalisation of cannabis in ACT since the beginning of this year, the social stigma around CBD products is starting to wear off. The public is becoming more educated on the nature of CBD and the fact that it does not contain psychoactive ingredient (THC), its products are gaining popularity and even entering into mainstream brands such as Sephora. Already estimated to be a multi-billion-dollar global industry spanning food and drink, health and beauty, pet products and more, the CBD sector saw a sharp 61 percent increase over the past 12 months. However, it shows no signs of slowing down as researchers believe that the CBD beauty industry alone will be worth a whopping $25 billion in the next decade. Vegan and plant-based products Vegan and plant-based brands are flourishing in the current climate literally. Apart from the apparent health benefits that come with veggies, research indicates that plant-based meals are essential to the reduction of diet-related greenhouse gas emissions. With fast food chains like Burger King, Subway and KFC incorporating plant-based alternatives into their menus, these products are in hot demand across industries and from businesses of all sizes. Especially considering the fact that Australians of all ages are eating less and less vegetables in the past decade, the country has great potentials in adopting more environmentally friendly dietary habits with vegan and plant-based products in the near future. Biohacking Despite its intensely futuristic name, biohacking is very close to our day-to-day wellbeing. Also known as DIY biology, biohacking encompasses a wide array of practices used to boost physical and mental performance. That can mean anything from sleep tracking and IV hydration therapy to intermittent fasting and much more. As bio-hacking spas and clinics are appearing in Los Angeles, New York and London, they indicate the wish from consumers to take a better control of their own bodies in the current day and age. With this human drive for self-improvement, the opportunities in the biohacking space is limitless. You can read more about 2020 business trends from our experts here. You can keep up to date with our stories LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Michelle Obama revealed that she and husband Barack Obama attended marriage counseling to work through 'tough times' soon after their two daughters were born and admitted raising a family can be difficult. On Saturday, the former First Lady had an honest conversation with Oprah Winfrey as part of the 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus Tour with WW at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. In front of an crowd of 15,000 people, 56-year-old Obama opened up about the ups and downs of her marriage to America's 44th president. 'Sometimes you need an objective person to just hear you out,' Obama began. 'It taught me that I was responsible for my own happiness. I didn't marry Barack for him to make me happy. No one can make me happy. Michelle Obama (left) opened up about the tough times in her marriage with Barack Obama to Oprah Winfrey (right) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York 'If I'm going to show up equal in this partnership, I have to be able to make myself happy and so I had to stop focusing on what he wasn't doing and start thinking about how to carve out the life that I wanted for myself, with or without Barack. 'The more I succeeded in defining myself for myself, the better I was in my partnership.' Oprah asked: 'And you call [Barack] your soul affirming partner? 'Is it more so now in 28 years than earlier. Does it keep getting better? Or it's more seasoned?' Obama replied: 'It's all of that. And this is what I keep trying to tell young people. Marriage is hard and raising a family together is a hard thing. It takes a toll.' Michelle revealed she and Barack Obama (pictured) attended couples counseling during tier marriage after their two daughters were born Obama: 'If I'm going to show up equal in this partnership, I have to be able to make myself happy and so I had to stop focusing on what he wasn't doing and start thinking about how to carve out the life that I wanted for myself, with or without Barack' She admitted that despite any disagreements the couple shared, friendship was always at the core of their relationship. 'We're coming back to that point where we see each other again because some of the hardest times in our lives we just escaped, we survived it,' she said. 'We went through a tough time, we did some hard things together. But now we're out on the other end and I can look at him and I still recognize my husband. He's still the man I fell in love with,' she continued. Obama (left) said she tells young people that 'Marriage is hard and raising a family together is a hard thing. It takes a toll' Obama has never shied away from talking about her and Barack's relationship struggles, having tackled the subject head on in her 2018 memoir, Becoming, and in interviews. In an interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Obama admitted that she pushed for couples' therapy because she wanted to 'fix' Barack. 'I was one of those wives who thought, "I'm taking you to marriage counseling so you can be fixed, Barack Obama." Because I was like, "I'm perfect." I was like, "Dr. X, please fix him"', she said, prompting the audience to laugh. 'And then, our counselor looked over at me. I was like, "What are you looking at? I'm perfect".' Obama added: 'But marriage counseling was a turning point for me, understanding that it wasn't up to my husband to make me happy, that I had to learn how to fill myself up and how to put myself higher on my priority list.' The Obamas will celebrate their 28th marriage anniversary on October 3, decades after meeting in at a law firm in Chicago, Illinois. Obama also shared her feelings about having an empty nest since her two daughters, Malia and Sasha, are both away at college. Malia, 21, is currently a junior at Harvard University and Sasha, 18, began classes at the University of Michigan fall 2019. Obama (far left) said she and Barack (right) have more 'emotional energy' now that their two daughters, Sasha (left) and Malia (far right) are away at college 'Parenting takes up a lot of emotional space I put a lot of time and energy into parenting these girls but right now we are trying to make their lives normal so that means weekends were a pain,' Obama said. 'We had to worry about what parties they were going to, whether there was alcohol, I had to know who the parents were, so every weekend for me was hard. And theyre gone, thank God,' she joked. Obama said she now has the energy to focus on her next path in life and figuring out 'the next chapter.' 'We have more emotional time, emotional energy,' she said of herself and Barack. 'Its just me and him and [the family dogs] Bo and Sunny and dinner. And they dont talk, the dogs.' So far, Obama has made the most of her new time and energy picking up several accomplishments. Obama's memoir, Becoming, has sold more than 10 million copies and has earned her a Grammy in January In January, Obama won her first Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word album for her bestselling book, Becoming. Becoming sold more than 1 million copies in its first week and by March 2019 had sold more than 10 million. Obama is the second First Lady to win a Grammy, following Hillary Clinton's 1997 award for It Takes a Village. Barack has won two Grammy awards in the same category. Once in 2006 for the abridged reading of his memoir, Dreams from My Father, and in 2008, for The Audacity of Hope. Last year, Obama was named as one of People's 'People of the Year.' In December 2019, the Obama's settled into a new million dollar mansion in Martha's Vineyard. It was recently announced that Viola Davis would play Obama in the new Showtime series, First Ladies. Hitting out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly questioning the integrity of the Election Commission of India for "delaying the announcement of Delhi's final poll percentage", BJP lawmaker Parvesh Verma on Sunday demanded to know if Kejriwal and his party had any faith in any institution of India. Taking a jibe at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Verma took to Twitter and wrote: "Doubt armed forces, doubt Parliament, doubt Prime Minister, doubt judiciary, doubt CBI, doubt Lieutenant Governor and now Election Commission...Is there any institution in India you have faith in?" Earlier in the day, CM Arvind Kejriwal's had tweeted: "Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?" However, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ranbir Singh, late on Sunday, announced that voter turnout in Delhi Assembly elections was 62.59 per cent. "The voter turnout in Delhi was 62.59 per cent. It is about 2 per cent more than the last year's Lok Sabha elections. It is, however, less than the turnout in the last Assembly polls held in 2015," the CEO said at a press conference here.The Delhi CEO added that the highest voter turnout was recorded in Ballimaran Assembly constituency at 71.6 per cent while the lowest voter turnout was recorded in Delhi Cantonment at 45.4 per cent."As Delhi elections concluded on Saturday evening, the exit polls predicted that AAP will win a two-thirds majority with some giving it a three-fourth majority in the 70-member Assembly. The opinion polls projected a dismal show by the Congress. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trump Derangement Syndrome is a real phenomenon, a mental ailment leading people (and political parties) into self-destructive behavior. So frenzied are Democrats that they embrace policies most Americans reject and candidates who are unelectable. They cannot grasp how voters that formerly were reliable parts of their base could ever desert them to supportDonald Trump. With the mainstream media fully on board and not warning them of their folly, prominent Democrats willing to stand against the tide and warn of the disaster ahead are relatively few. But there are some voices a group that shares few commonalities beyond clear vision -- willing to face reality and call out the disaster that lies ahead unless there is a quick course correction, or, who hope position themselves to pick up the pieces once sanity is forced upon their political faction. James Carville, widely credited for getting Bill Clinton elected, went on an epic rant Tuesday, following the Democrats fiasco in Iowa (7-minute video) Madeline Osburn of The Federalist enumerated his 5 biggest warnings: 1. Stop Talking About Issues That Dont Matter to Voters (snip) 2. Talk About Issues That Matter to Families, Working People (snip) 3. Become a Majoritarian Party (snip) 4. Dont Patronize the Middle of the Country 5. Dont Lose the Most Important Vote: African Americans Van Jones, an outright communist, also sees the danger of African American voters deserting the Democrats and returning to the Republicans as President Trump courts them. (One-plus minute): The Daily Caller summarizes: What he was saying to African-Americans can be effective, Jones told a CNN panel following Trumps State of the Union address. You may not like it but he mentioned HBCUs [Historic Black Colleges and Universities]: black colleges have been struggling for a long time, a bunch of them have gone under, he threw a lifeline to them in real life in his budget. He talked about this. He talked about criminal justice reform. He talked about Opportunity Zones. Jones insisted that blacks will inevitably see past his rhetoric, such as Trumps reported use of the phrase sh**-hole nations to describe third-world countries and embrace the polices that Trump is promoting. The thing about it is, and weve got to wake up, folks, theres a whole bubble thing that goes on. Well he said s-hole nations, therefore all black people are going to hate him forever. That aint necessarily so. I think what youre going to see him do, you may not like my rhetoric, but look at my results and my record for black people. If he narrow casts that, its going to be effective, he said. MSNBCs Chris Matthews warned of the dangers of running a socialist candidate, and of the ultimate consequences when real socialists gain power. (one minute-plus video): For his trouble, he has reaped a trending hashtag on Twitter: #cancelchrismatthews So, who among the Dem officeholders is willing to stand up and call for sanity? So far, I see Tulsi Gabbard, mired at 1% support in the presidential race and banned from the debate stage. She told Neil Cavuto of Fox News (where she, alone among Democrat candidates, regularly appears) that President Trump had every right to fire Gordon Sondland and Alexander Vindman, even though she disagrees with many of his foreign policy decisions. (Less than one minute video) This may be a matter of basic civics, but almost nobody among the Democrats is willing to stay sane. By being calm, collected, and grounded in constitutional reality, she stands out. It will do her no good in 2020. So, she must be looking forward to 2024 and the hope that massive repudiation at the polls will prompt members of the party to re-think their embrace of leftism and blind hatred. Photo credit: Grabien screengrab Have you watched the video clips of the gruesome execution of Lawan Andimi and Roypvil Dalyep by Boko Haram? Have you ever imagined what it feels like to take ones loved ones away with hopes of reuniting with them waning with each passing day? Have you for once paused to ponder the pains and the trauma of Nigerians who have become widows, widowers, and orphans as well as those whose means of livelihood have been destroyed by some senseless and evil elements in the Nigerian society? At least for once, put yourself in the shoe of Reuben Fasoranti, the 94-year-old Nigerian, and Yoruba leader, whose daughter, Funke, was killed by yet-to-be-identified persons and you will not be too far from the status of Nigerias cup and the depth of betrayal and frustration of President Muhammadu Buharis expression of "surprise at the upsurge in Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria. To be frank, Buharis surprise revealed tons of truth that are buried! The president became surprised because the reality on the ground checkmated his thoughts and understanding of Nigerias cosmos. What this means is that the nitty-gritty of governance in this country is never rooted in intelligence or hard knowledge. Government policies, projections, and determinations all over the world, especially, in developed countries, are based on unassailable facts. In the case of Nigeria, we imagine policy contents; and, once we do that, policy outputs will always be false and ineffective. If, indeed, Buhari was not misquoted, or quoted out of context, then, his pronouncement portrays the government as being bankrupt and inept. Its like a pilot of an aircraft, shouting, midair, that he is confused! The import of that is that those on board should simply say their last prayers! In saner climes, such a worrisome expression of surprise is enough to pass a vote of no confidence on Mr. President because, based on his election, he has been given all the taxpayers money and goodwill. So, the uninspiring, medicine-after-death approach to the parlous state of national security amounts to nothing other than the mismanagement of the resources of the state and its apparatuses. After all, the essence of governance for any functional government is to be ahead of its people in terms of wisdom and intelligence, using judiciously and most efficiently, the resources of the state. The nation state in Nigeria, as we see her today, is a misnomer. The country is nothing but an investment gone awry; a complete but avoidable tragedy, laced with aborted hopes and promises. Despite her rich socio-cultural convenience, here we are, faced with the gory reality of our time, rivaled only in the Stone Age! The centre is fractured, dangerously, even as the people are already taking positions; and it is as if Nigeria is at war with Nigeria! So, whatever might have been the weakness or otherwise of the opportunities for the public expression of anger, Enyinnaya Abaribe was not, in the real sense of the word, far from reinforcing the peoples call on the government to stop using utopian ideas and plastic rhetoric suggestive of Nixonian tactics to feed Nigerians with excuses as if thats what Nigerians voted for. He was only asking the government to alter its language and maximize capital with greater efficiency, more so as insurgency not only poses great threats to the economy, available indices, which peaked with the United States of Americas recent visa restrictions on Nigerians, have also shown how criminality could lead to loss of income, loss of jobs and loss of peace. It even goes beyond that! If governance is not based on tactical truth and impeccable intelligence, politics will suffer because it will be played on false assumptions. The citizens will also suffer the reality because the politics in play will no longer be able to address the reality which, as weve argued above, confronts the anomalies of its policies. Take for instance the policy against Boko Haram and the kind of huge resources voted into ensuring the defeat of the insurgence. As things stand, theres next-to-nothing to show for it! Only this year, the Emir of Potiskum was attacked. That he escaped only by the whiskers, after a long walk in the forest, was not without the murder of some of his aides. So, do Nigerians need any further proof to show that the country is not safe? In terms of transition of power among the political class, the gladiators are also in trouble; for, once a country is challenged securitywise, opportunity for good governance beats a retreat. And, once corruption takes this endemic route, more than never, everybody will be unto himself or herself! Two, accountability will go to blazes. Of course, corruption renders accountability a non-issue! National planning will also have its share of the oddity, showing in bold relief, the fact that governance has taken flight! Donald Trump has now demonstrated how the call for foreign investments can never yield any fruitful results because nobody comes to invest his money in an unsafe environment. At the political party level, there is no doubt that political parties will start chasing shadows as every political bigwig will just be for himself. Poverty will be magnified and the usual interventions or fire-brigade economic palliatives will not pacify the angst and negative impact of poverty, no matter the hugeness of the funds invested to tackle it. Employment will also become a product of lip service. For the common man, who gets more frustrated by the day through his punitive take-home that can no longer take him home, it is a luring road to anarchy. Even, if there are predictions about rain, to comply with them and ensure food security will become problematic because there is corruption in the land. The sadder side of it is that those at the helm of affairs will have to work with false data and false narratives about the reality of issues in Nigeria. Unfortunately, no country plans with false data and makes a success out of it. Try it and you will be faced with false answers because the policies will also be skewed. And, if governance is skewed, all other things elsewhere will partake of it. Besides, there will be tension in the land and chaos will not be too far because the cost of maintaining the peace and security in the country will also go up, with no guarantees or assurances of success! May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria! *KOMOLAFE writes in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria ( [email protected] ) Abiodun KOMOLAFE, 020, Okenisa Street, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State. For the two center-right parties, Sinn Feins historical association with the IRA still weighs heavily. The IRA, loyalist paramilitaries and British troops killed about 3,600 people during the long conflict known as the Troubles, which centered on the IRAs campaign from the 1960s until the late 1990s to force an end to British rule in Northern Ireland. A 31-year-old nurse flew home from Austria in time to cast her number one for Danny Healy Rae. Emergency Department nurse Tanya Sheehy from Ballyhar near Killarney caught the train from Kossen, near Innsbruck, to Munich for her flight to Dublin after hearing the results of the TG4 poll which put her hero at only 4%. What happened As an A.O. Smith (NYSE:AOS) user, you may thank the company as much as you want for providing you precious hot showers in this bitter-cold winter. But as a shareholder? Not so much, given the stock's cold start to the year. Shares of the water heater manufacturer dropped 10.6% in the month of January, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. China, an otherwise important growth market for A.O.Smith, is largely to blame. In fact, given that A.O. Smith gets a large chunk of sales from China -- 34% in 2018 -- many have invested in the stock to diversify. So when the reason for diversification becomes a reason to worry, investors are bound to be miffed. So what On Jan. 28, A.O. Smith announced net income of $370 million for 2019, a substantial drop from its 2018 earnings of $444.2 million. Sales declined 6% to $3.2 billion, driven by a 23% drop in sales from China. "As expected, sales in China decreased from previous years as elevated channel inventory levels compounded the effects of weaker consumer demand for our products," said Kevin Wheeler, CEO of A.O. Smith. The stock tumbled soon after the earnings release. In hindsight, those numbers shouldn't have really surprised the market, given that management had already projected a 23% decline in full-year China sales during its third quarter earnings release in October 2019. Yet, A.O. Smith's GAAP EPS of $2.22 fell short of management's forecast range of $2.25-$2.28. That still makes 2019 the second-most profitable year for the company so far, but investors weren't pleased. Or perhaps they don't trust management's 2020 outlook of 4.5%-5.5% growth in sales and 10% growth in EPS at the midpoint. There's reason to be cautious. First, end-user demand in China has been persistently weak for several quarters. Second, the recent coronavirus outbreak adds another layer of uncertainty. Third, management gave out a similar guidance for 2019 at the beginning of 2018, but revised it downward three times since. Investors usually prefer a company that sets the bar low and overdelivers to one that overpromises and falters. Now what It's hard for an A.O. Smith investor not to be worried given the company's reliance on China. At the same time, it's hard to ignore the long-term mega trends that could shape its future, primarily favorable demographics, population growth, and housing development in markets like China and India. Then there are newer growth areas like water treatment and air purification to keep an eye on. Importantly, A.O. Smith has the financial fortitude to ride out storms, and investors also have a good dividend to fall back on: the company increased dividend by 9% in 2019 and at a compound average rate of 30% in the past five years. With the stock yielding 2.2% and trading considerably below its five-year price-to-earning and price-to-cash flow ratios, patience could pay off for shareholders. (Newser) Flightradar24 says you can fly from New York to London in 6 1/4 hours. British Airways just set a new record by doing it in a stunning 4 hours and 56 minutes, CNN reports. The Boeing 747 went overnight from Saturday to Sunday and beat the times of two other speedy planes, both Virgin Atlantic, by one minute and three minutes. So what gives? The BA flight flew to London as Storm Ciara "hurtled towards the UK and Ireland on the back of a 200mph jet stream," says the Evening Standard. According to Euro Weekly News, the storm's winds helped BA (and Virgin) break the old record of five hours, 13 minutes, set by Norwegian Airlines in January 2018. story continues below Interesting side fact: Even though BA's top speed of 825mph was faster than the speed of sound767 miles per hourit didn't break the sound barrier because wind around the plane was pushing it. In other words, the Boeing 747 was moving at less than the speed of sound compared to the air surrounding it. (A Virgin plane went nearly as fast on a strong jet stream last year, Wired reported at the time.) Meanwhile, Ciara's heavy rain and 90mph winds have made landfall in Britain, disrupting electricity for thousands and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights, per the BBC. (Read more air travel stories.) House of Representatives Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) in the Statuary Hall of the Capitol building after attending the State of the Union in Washington on Jan. 30, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Scalise: People Ought to Go to Jail Over Origins of Russia Investigation House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) said that he believes some people who allegedly abused their power in an attempt to take down a candidate for president should be sent to prison after U.S. Attorney John Durham concludes his probe of the origins of the Russia investigation. Scalise made the comments to Fox News Sean Hannity following President Donald Trumps impeachment acquittal address at the White House on Feb. 6. During that address, the president criticized the various efforts targeting him, including former special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Trump had been acquitted a day earlier by the Senate on two articles of impeachmentabuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Scalise described the president as being very candid in his address, saying that Trumps speech underscored that there are still some very crooked people out there, including some dirty cops in Washington. Attorney General William Barr assigned Durham early in 2019 to investigate the origins of the FBIs counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign and to assess whether the surveillance of Trump campaign associate Carter Page was free of improper motive. The probe was designated a formal criminal investigation later in 2019. That designation gave Durhams team the ability to issue subpoenas, impanel a grand jury, compel witnesses to give testimony, and bring federal criminal charges. Durham could scrutinize the conduct of several current and former senior FBI officials during his investigation, including former Director James Comey, former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, and former Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok. Those officials were involved in obtaining a warrant for surveillance on Page and deployed at least two spies to target Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos. People need to be held accountable. They abuse their power to literally try to take down a candidate for president of the United States. People ought to go to jail, said Scalise, who appeared to be referring to several former top members of federal law enforcement. Ive seen some classified information that I cant go into, but I can say this: hopefully Durham names names. I think the attorney general is waiting to see what comes out of that. He added that he hopes that Durhams investigation would vindicate the 99 percent good people at the FBI, or the agencys rank-and-file, while saying that the FBI is an important agency to our national security. The FBIs counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign began in late July of 2016 and eventually evolved into Muellers special counsel probe. Strzok, the agent who led the FBI probe, sent text messages expressing animus against Trump, spoke of stopping Trump from becoming president, mentioned an insurance policy in the event that Trump was elected, and mentioned impeachment shortly after joining the Mueller team. Muellers Russia investigation ended in 2019 and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish that anyone colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election. Similar to Durhams investigation, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz was assigned to investigate a limited scope of the 2016 counterintelligence probe. Horowitz looked at whether there was misconduct in the FBIs use of a FISA warrant to spy on Page. He released a report on that inquiry on Dec. 9, 2019, concluding that the applications for FISA warrants on Page included 17 significant errors or omissions. Horowitz faulted the entire chain of command involved in the FBI investigation. FBI Director Christopher Wray acknowledged on Feb. 5 during a House Judiciary Committee hearing that the bureau conducted illegal surveillance of Page. Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report. Published on 2020/02/09 | Source A notice postponing the start of a new program hangs on a door at Kunkuk University in Seoul on Tuesday. /Yonhap The Education Ministry on Wednesday asked universities nationwide to delay the start of their spring semester by about four weeks in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus. Advertisement According to the ministry, a total of 9,582 Chinese students arrived here in the last two weeks. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education also ordered 42 kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools in the capital's Jungnang and Seongbuk districts to close until Feb. 13. Five of the kindergartens and schools are close to the home of an infected patient, and 37 schools are in areas he had visited. Sunshinebeanyoga.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 16 May 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the sunshinebeanyoga homepage on Twitter + the total number of sunshinebeanyoga followers (if sunshinebeanyoga has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the sunshinebeanyoga homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if sunshinebeanyoga has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the sunshinebeanyoga homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the sunshinebeanyoga homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the sunshinebeanyoga homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. Basic Information PAGE TITLE Welcome! - Sunshine Bean Yoga DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS sunshine bean yoga, sunshine bean, bean yoga, sunshine, yoga nidra, welcome, classes The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English (United States) UTF-8English (United States) DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Microsoft-IIS/7.5 (ASP.NET) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Server 2008 R2 Operative System running on the server. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Type of server and offered services. Character set and language of the site. The language of sunshinebeanyoga.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for sunshinebeanyoga.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The URL of the found Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The type of Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND Social media platforms and search engines have encouraged greater and more diverse consumption, according to a study which challenges the concept of echo chambers on the internet where users encounter only information reinforcing their own beliefs. The study, published in the journal PNAS, analysed the web browsing behaviour of more than 5,000 German internet users, and found that the use of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or search engines like Google leads to more visits to diverse sites. "Anyone visiting Facebook or Google is much more likely to come into contact with items. Therefore the use of these intermediaries is an important mechanism in the consumption of news on the Internet," said study co-author Frank Mangold of the University of Hohenheim in Germany. According to the researchers, this may be due to incidental exposure to news. In the case of traditional media such as television and newspapers, they said, people often only see the news if they deliberately choose to do so. On intermediary platforms like Facebook or Twitter, users can also come into contact with news by chance, the study noted. In these platforms, the scientists said, people's contacts share news content with them, or they happen upon interesting articles when checking their emails. "Previous debates have, in many respects, revolved around the fear that online media would lead to new social barriers," said Michael Scharkow, co-author of the study from Mainz University in Germany. "However, our findings show that social media and search engines in fact have great potential to break down existing barriers," Scharkow said. While access to news often happens partly by chance in these platforms, it may also be down to conscious choice, the researchers noted. "Regardless of whether a user usually consumed a little or a lot of online news, on days on which someone spent more time on Facebook, Twitter, or Google than usual, they also came into contact with more news as well as more news from different sources than usual," said Sebastian Stier another co-author of the study. However, the scientists cautioned that further studies, and more detailed insights into the algorithms of intermediary platforms are necessary to understand more precisely how these promote unintended, incidental news consumption. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tories plan mansion tax and raid on pensions Boris Johnson has been weighing up shock plans to impose a mansion tax on owners of expensive homes, in a move which will infuriate the Conservative Partys grassroots and stun MPs. Severe cuts to pension tax relief enjoyed by millions of voters are also being considered by the Prime Minister and his Chancellor, Sajid Javid, for the Budget next month in an effort to pay for a huge increase in public spending. Two separate sources told The Telegraph that ideas to raise more tax from better-off homeowners had been discussed on separate occasions in the past few weeks at the highest levels of the Treasury and No 10. Some Treasury officials are understood to be keen on introducing what has been described as a recurring wealth tax that would primarily affect London and the South East, possibly as a quid pro quo for cutting stamp duty. It is not clear exactly what form the tax would take if it were included in the March 11 Budget, but options range from a levy first mooted by Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader to an additional higher band of council tax. Sunday Telegraph Comment Johnson and Javid must kill these ridiculous, unconservative tax plans, Leader Sunday Telegraph HS2 reported to be on track for approval Boris Johnson will give the green light to the HS2 high-speed rail project on Tuesday and announce further spending on infrastructure projects. The cabinet will give an immediate go-ahead to the London to Birmingham spur and the Birmingham to Crewe western arm of the Y-shaped route. The Manchester to Leeds section, however, will undergo a review to make sure that the plans are cost-effective. The decision comes after Johnson was warned by Tory donors with links to the construction industry that cancelling HS2 would result in 400 construction firms going out of business and the loss of 250,000 jobs in the supply chain. This could have affected the prime ministers ability to deliver his priority of big infrastructure projects. In a sign that Johnson wants to make better transport links a key feature of his premiership, he will keep Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, who was a firm supporter of HS2, in his post in Thursdays cabinet reshuffle. Sunday Times Johnson revives 20billion plan for bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland Mail on Sunday Ten free ports in PMs huge infrastructure boost Sunday Express Prime Minister signs off on skilled migrants plan The prime minister and Priti Patel met on Tuesday to finalise the details of Britains Australian-style points-based system, which will abolish the route into the UK for unskilled migrants from January 1 next year. Home Office figures suggest the new rules will mean an overnight reduction in unskilled EU migrants of about 90,000 a year, who will no longer have a route into Britain. Net migration to the UK was 212,000 in the year to June 2019. But officials predict a rise in the number of skilled migrants coming to the UK from 2021, currently 65,000 a year. At the moment they are split equally between EU and non-EU migrants. That ratio is predicted to change so that two-thirds of skilled migrants come from outside Europe. A letter outlining the details of the policy is to be sent to cabinet ministers this weekend. Approving it will be the centrepiece of a cabinet meeting on Friday, the first for Johnsons new ministerial team after the prime ministers planned reshuffle of his top team on Thursday. Sunday Times Cummings turns fire on rip-off BAE Sunday Times Patel and Hancock pledge to tackle virginity clinics Sunday Times Comment Immigration rules will give Britain the people it needs, Leader Sunday Times Truss set to avoid the axe in Cabinet reshuffle Boris Johnson is expected to defy influential adviser Dominic Cummings by refusing to sack Liz Truss in a Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday and scaling back plans for a St Valentines Day massacre. There is also likely to be a major boost for powerful Cabinet Office boss Michael Gove, who is expected to bring responsibility for Novembers UN climate summit in Glasgow into his Whitehall empire. And Mr Gove wishes to use the Cabinet Office for cross-departmental No Deal Brexit planning to speed up the decision-making process. Chancellor Sajid Javid is likely to be spared the axe despite a series of power struggles with No 10 but insiders have threatened to sack Mr Javids advisers and replace them with Downing Street loyalists. Ms Truss, the International Trade Secretary, is tipped to stay in the Cabinet, although perhaps not in her current role. There had been briefings blamed by her friends on Mr Cummings that she would be fired. Mail on Sunday More female ministers but not in top jobs Sunday Times Rudd: Johnson will need more women in the cabinet Sunday Times Cox desperate to hang on to his job as Attorney General Sunday Telegraph New Red Wall MP facing five disciplinary charges Mail on Sunday >Today ToryDiary: Rudd and the reshuffle. Not the best woman to make the case for women >Yesterday: Sinn Fein surges in exit poll Sinn Fein has scored dramatic gains in Irelands general election, according to an exit poll on Saturday night, realigning Irish politics and boosting the partys chance of joining the next government. The republican party won 22.3% of the vote while Leo Varadkars ruling Fine Gael party slumped to 22.4%, the poll said, potentially spelling an end to Varadkars tenure as taoiseach. Fianna Fail, the main opposition party, won 22.2%. If replicated in actual results it would signal an unprecedented tie among the three parties, leaving it unclear which, if any, could woo smaller parties and independents to form a parliamentary majority and ruling alliance. Sinn Feins surge up from 13.8% in the 2016 general election reflected the anger of voters, especially among the young, at soaring rents and homelessness. The partys leader, Mary Lou McDonald, cast the party as a leftwing agent of change that would break up the duopoly of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, centrist rivals that have alternated in power for a century. Observer Three-way tie for share of vote Irish Times Long-Bailey vows to sack own MPs if she wins leadership contest Hardline Labour leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey has threatened to ruthlessly stamp out rebellions against her in the party if she wins. And she vowed to sack her own MPs if they turn against her. The Shadow Cabinet minister said she could not accept dissent. She told a growing band of moderates: We know the damage it causes on our chances to succeed, so we need to have everybody pulling together. Id like that to happen nicely and for everybody to want to do that. I think if people arent able to move on, thats when obviously Ill have to become a bit more ruthless. Mrs Long Bailey was speaking at a rally in Lewisham, South East London, when she made the menacing remarks. She even said she has a copy of Machiavellis The Prince a 16th- century guide on how to acquire and maintain political power by any means necessary. Her revelation follows a moderate MP telling The Sun on Sunday they would quit politics if Mrs Long Bailey is leader. Sun on Sunday Nandy: Im not moving south. They can move No 10 to me Sunday Times And she claimed nearly 4,000 for first class train travel in last year Sun on Sunday Corbyns local party backs Starmer for leadership Observer And his Lords nominations delayed Mail on Sunday Bercows peerage hopes sunk by third bullying complaint Sunday Times Comment Corbynism croaks and Labour sees the light, Sarah Baxter Sunday Times UK faces major coronavirus outbreak, warns world expert Britain could suffer a major outbreak of the coronavirus, which is likely to become a pandemic, according to the microbiologist who co-discovered ebola and the presence of Aids in Africa. Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said he was increasingly alarmed by the rapid spread of the virus and the huge number of cases emerging daily. Almost 35,000 people in at least 28 countries have been infected, with 3,500 new cases yesterday. Among them were five Britons, including a boy aged nine, in the ski resort of Contamines-Montjoie in the French Alps, bringing the total number of cases involving UK citizens to seven. The global death toll climbed to 811. Sunday Times No-deal emergency plan revived as coronavirus threatens shortages Sunday Times Osborne may lose Standard editor job over row with boss George Osborne, the chancellor turned newspaper editor, is understood to have had a bust-up before Christmas with the Evening Standard proprietor, Evgeny Lebedev, over a photo the latter deemed unflattering. Sources at the paper say that Lebedev, 39, was unhappy about a front page image of him with the prime minister, Boris Johnson, at a shelter for homeless women. This resulted in a row between Lebedev and Osborne, prompting rumours that the former MP is set to be ousted as editor. However, a source at the paper said the situation was more complicated than Lebedev wanting Osborne gone. It has been suggested that Osborne could instead move to an advisory role. Sunday Times More Police speak to 16-year-old boy who received 270 messages from disgraced Scottish finance secretary Mackay Mail on Sunday Comment Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will on Tuesday, February 11, provide details of the fulfillment of the 388 manifesto promises and commitments made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government within the three years and two months in office. Vice President Bawumia will provide the empirical data of governments achievements at a Town Hall Meeting at exactly 1000 hours, at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). It will be on the theme: Accounting to the People, Achievements of Government from 2017 to Date, under the auspices of the Ministry of Information. The event will serve as a platform for government to provide details of the fulfillment of those manifesto promises and commitments made by the NPP in the run-up to the 2016 Election. Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Information Minister, speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Sunday, said President Akufo-Addo tasked the Office of the Vice President to lead an exercise to produce empirical data on the status of the electoral promises. Having completed the exercise and approved by the President, Dr Bawumia would provide bullet by bullet details on the performance of the NPP administration in fulfilling the manifesto promises. The exercise will be heavily data driven and made available to the Ghanaian public and other stakeholders immediately afterwards. Evidence of work done will also be mounted in a Result Fair Exhibition, which will be led by the Ministry of Monitoring and Evaluation, similar to what took place in Accra some few weeks ago, Oppong Nkrumah said. The Vice Presidents presentation would set the tone for public accounting mechanism of the work done by the Akufo-Addos administration with reference to the 388 manifesto promises and commitments within three years and two months, he added. The meeting is expected to attract representatives of civil society organizations, academia and members of the public. The Information Minister urged the media to take keen interest in the data on how much of the Partys commitments had been fulfilled completely or are being fulfilled within the first three years and two months in office. The objectives of the town hall meeting, he said, would ensure probity and accountability in accordance with the 1992 Constitution to guarantee inclusive and participatory development as well as provide opportunity for citizens to engage with the implementing Ministries and gain feedback from the public. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video With different parts of the world reeling from the coronavirus outbreak, quarantined people in a Siberian facility in Russia said that they had been passing their time conversing with people quarantined in the United States and Europe. According to reports, 144 Russians were evacuated from Wuhan on board two Ilyushin II-76 military aeroplanes. 'Belgians were allowed to roam around with masks' Markov reportedly said that people rein Belgium had been quarantined in a military hospital with the provision of beer and also had the permission to roam around with masks. The Russian further added that quarantined Americans were somewhere in California and people in Kazakhastan were quarantined in a hospital. According to reports, Vkadimir Markov arrived at the Siberian facility on February 5 and officials in hazmat suits took away his clothes and provided him with pyjamas and gave him a room with another quarantined person with strict instructions that they could not leave their room for the day. According to reports, Markov and the person along with him have been given a television, laptops and access to their personal phones. The quarantined people have no access to the outside world and get food by officials in hazmat suits. Markov is a Russian national who had been working in China for a period of three months when the coronavirus outbreak took place. Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Japanese Cruise Ship Confirms 3 More Cases Read: Hong Kong Begins Effective Two-week Quarantine For China Arrivals Amid Coronavirus Dread WHO's director-general expresses concern The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on February 7, expressed concern on the lack of protective equipment - gowns, masks, gloves, etc to combat the Coronavirus outbreak in China. Today in my media briefing on #2019nCoV I shared our concerns about severe disruption in the market for protective gear used by health workers and sick people. Demand is up to 100 times higher than normal and prices are up to 20 times higher.https://t.co/0gPDKLsH7h Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) February 7, 2020 Dr Ghebreyesus revealed the lack of enough protective gears at the daily briefing on the deadly Coronavirus that is said to have initiated from Wuhan in China. He said, "WHO is sending testing kits, masks, gloves, respirators and gowns to countries in every region. However, the world is facing severe disruption in the market for personal protective equipment. Demand is up to 100 times higher than normal and prices are up to 20 times higher. This situation has been exacerbated by widespread, inappropriate use of PPE outside patient care. As a result, there are now depleted stockpiles and backlogs of 4 to 6 months. Global stocks of masks and respirators are now insufficient to meet the needs of WHO and our partners." Read: US Citizen In Wuhan Dies From Coronavirus Infection, Confirm Officials Read: Coronavirus: 15 Kerala Students Stranded In China's Hubei Reach Kochi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to the mystic poet, Sant Ravidas on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Bhakti Movement saint. Taking to Twitter, he said, "Humble tribute to the great Saint Guru Ravidas Ji on his birth anniversary. He emphasised on bringing positive change in the society and also emphasised on the spirit of amity and brotherhood, which is equally relevant today. His education was based on justice, equality and his service will continue to inspire people of every era." The Prime Minister also shared a minute-long video in which he has collaborate the parts of his speeches in which he has referred to Sant Ravidas. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to Sant Ravidas and said that the saint played a crucial role in curbing social evils of the society. "Salute to the great saint, philosopher, poet and social reformer Pujya Ravidas Ji, who gave out a message of social unity and harmony to the world with his thoughts. He played an important role in eliminating various social evils and his messages will always guide us...," Shah tweeted. Sant Ravidas belonged to the bhakti movement during the 15th to 16th century and his hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. He is considered as the founder of the 21st-century Ravidassia religion. Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima, which is the full moon day of the Magh month as per the Hindu calendar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested here as they did not have any valid documents for staying in the country, the Uttar Pradesh police said on Sunday. They were staying at a hotel near a bus stand in the cantonment town of Babina and were from Bangaldesh capital Dhaka, Jhansi Senior Superintendent of Police D Pradeep said. He said the seven Bangladeshi nationals were arrested during routine checking near the bus stand and they did not have valid documents for staying in India. "For some time, they were in the business of selling fish oil. During routine probe, no criminal cases have been found against them but they have been booked under the Foreigners Act for illegally staying in India," Pradeep said. The arrested were identified as Mamoon Sheikh, Milan Sheikh, Aslam Sheikh, Falan Sheikh, Sijer Sheikh, Mukul Sheikh and Monu Vaid, police said. Superintendent of Police (City) Rahul Srivastava said, "The police is probing as to how the Bangladeshi nationals managed to cross the border without any visa or passport. Police are also probing whether they were staying in a sensitive area like the cantonment with the motive of committing some crime." In January this year, a special court in Lucknow convicted three Bangladeshi natives who were arrested in 2017 for living in the country without valid documents. The three were awarded five-year imprisonment and also fined Rs 19,000. They were convicted for cheating, criminal conspiracy, forgery of valuable security and section 14 of the Foreigners Act. The trio were apprehended at the Lucknow Railway Station while they were boarding the Howrah-Amritsar Express and allegedly had a link with the Ansarullah Bangla Team, a banned outfit. In the last few years, several Bangladeshi nationals have been held in Uttar Pradesh for staying without valid travel documents. In May last year, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) had arrested six Bangladeshi citizens from Agra for allegedly preparing fake passports. The ATS got information that some Bangladeshis, living illegally in the state, were making fake Aadhaar and ration cards and were then using these documents to get Indian passports made. Similarly, in 2018, the ATS had picked up three persons, including a Bangladeshi national, for their alleged involvement in preparing fake passports, Aadhaar cards and other documents for illegal immigrants. The Bangladeshi national, identified as Yusuf Ali alias Nazrul, was arrested from Muradnagar in Ghaziabad and two locals -- Ahsan Ahmad and Wasim Ahmad -- were nabbed from Deoband in Saharanpur. In September 2017, three illegal Bangladeshi immigrants -- Mohammad Imran, Rajidudeen and Mohammad Firdaus -- were arrested from the Charbagh railway station in Lucknow. The three brothers were staying in western Uttar Pradesh for years. The police said they were originally residents of Jessore district in Bangladesh, but had got their Aadhaar cards made on the basis of fake addresses. They stayed in Deoband, where Imran was employed as a teacher in a madrasa. In 2017, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) had arrested another illegal Bangladeshi immigrant -- Abu Hannan alias Abu Hana -- who was staying in India for 15 years. He had married an Indian woman and got his Indian passport and Aadhaar card made. Abdullah-Al-Mammon, an alleged key operative of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) -- an al Qaeda-inspired Islamic extremist group in Bangladesh -- was arrested from Muzaffarnagar in a separate case. The names of Imran, Rajidudeen and Firdaus came to light during his interrogation. Yet another illegal Bangladeshi immigrant, Abdullah, was arrested from Kuteshara in Muzaffarnagar district on August 5, 2017. Abdullah was arrested from a place of worship, where he worked as a preacher. Six persons, including five Bangladeshi nationals, were arrested from Dulhipur village in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh in November 2018. Acting on a tip-off, the Uttar Pradesh Police had arrested them and seized from their possession fake high school certificates, mark sheets and four voter identity cards. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FARMINGTON Fotis Dulos family has vacated his Jefferson Crossing home and a judge has appointed an attorney as the temporary administrator of the estate, capping a week of turmoil following the 52-year-olds apparent suicide. When he died on Jan. 30, Fotis Dulos was facing murder charges in the death and disappearance of his estranged wife, Jennifer Dulos, two foreclosure proceedings and $2.5 million in lawsuits filed by his mother-in-law. Attorneys for Fotis Dulos and his mother-in-law, Gloria Farber, have been sparring in court filings over the care of his Jefferson Crossing home since the apparent suicide. Farber paid off the mortgage to the home in July after her daughter disappeared and then filed foreclosure proceedings against Fotis Dulos to take possession of the property. The Savings Bank of Danbury also started foreclosure proceedings on the Sturbridge Hill Road home in New Canaan that Dulos was trying to sell through his company, Fore Group. His company also owns 80 Mountain Spring Road in Farmington and the property at 585 Deercliff Road in Avon. READ MORE: Police: Fotis Dulos feared man accused of trespassing on his property A probate judge has appointed attorney Christopher J. Hug, of Robinson + Cole, to sort out Dulos affairs, including his assets and debts and then determine how much, if anything, will be left for his five children who have been in Farbers care since their mother disappeared on May 24. It is unclear which court will decide permanent custody of the children. Farmington probate court officials declined to comment on Hugs appointment. A probate hearing regarding the Dulos estate will be held Tuesday. Hug is well-versed in probate matters, including contested wills and accountings, according to the law firms website. Hug is also a senior adjunct professor of law at Western New England University School of Law, where he has taught a course on probate litigation since 2007, the firm said. Attorney Richard Weinstein, who represents Farber, said in a status report to the judge overseeing the various civil cases filed against Dulos that his family has left the Jefferson Crossing home and turned the keys over to the court-appointed caretaker. The caretaker, Rob Giuffria, a West Hartford real estate managing broker, called Farmington police Thursday after he saw furniture and other items being loaded into a moving van at the Jefferson Crossing property. No items were supposed to be removed until the estate was settled. Police told Dulos family to bring the items back inside the house and instructed them to not leave with any possessions. No other law enforcement action was taken. Guiffria caused a stir earlier in the week when he snapped photos of the location where Dulos apparent suicide occurred and distributed the images to Connecticut television stations. Weinstein then instructed Guiffria to stop spreading the photos and speaking to the media. Attorneys for Dulos fought against the appointment of Giuffria, who had been the listing agent for the 14,000-square-foot-home on and off in recent years. Attorney Michael Habib, representing Dulos in the foreclosure proceedings on the home, filed a motion seeking Giuffrias removal after the photos appeared on television. Weinstein contended in his status report filed Friday that since the family has left there are no outstanding issues that required a judges attention. Jennifer and Fotis Dulos were involved in a two-year acrimonious divorce when she disappeared. The divorce was officially dismissed by the court last week. Fotis Dulos was also being sued by Farber for what she claimed were $2.5 million in unpaid business loans made to his high-end real estate company. Arrest warrants said police believe Fotis Dulos was lying in wait for his estranged wife at her New Canaan home as she dropped off their children at school. Around the time she was reported missing that night, police said Fotis Dulos and his girlfriend Michelle Troconis were captured on video in Hartford dumping bags of garbage that were later determined to contain Jennifer Dulos blood and clothing. Fotis Dulos, 52, and Troconis, 45, were each charged last year with two counts of tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution. On Jan. 7, Dulos was also charged with murder, felony murder and first-degree kidnapping. Troconis and Dulos close friend and former attorney, Kent Mawhinney, 54, were also charged that day with conspiracy to commit murder. In a significant statement, RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Sunday said that opposing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not amount to opposing the Hindus of the country. "The BJP does not mean Hindu community, and opposing BJP does not amount to opposing the Hindus. The political fight will continue but it should not be linked to Hindus," he said while addressing a press conference here. The RSS ideologue was addressing a gathering at Dona Paula here on Sunday. Joshi's remarks are significant a section portrays the BJP as representing the Hindus as a whole and opposing the party is projected as being anti-Hindu or even anti- Earlier, Goa RSS Chief Laxman Behare on February 5 said Hindu dharma is a must to save the eternal values of the world. "The RSS has been putting efforts to take India to newer heights in the world. The organisational structure of Hindu dharma is a must to save the eternal values of the world. The Sangh is trying to establish those values in society since the past 94 years," Behare had said. He had said that Bhaiyaji Joshi would visit Goa on February 8 and 9. "Joshi has invited all 40 MLAs, Goa Archbishop and others to create awareness about the RSS and its work among the people," he had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I am your admirer, and I admire you for the simple reason that your gut precede your fame. Indeed, my admiration for you goes back to the days when you singlehandedly took on the status quo under the Mills regime. You left government on a matter of principle simply because you didnt get the needed support from the then president to prosecute corrupt officials. You moved on and metamorphosed into a Citizen Vigilante. Your exploits against Alfred Woyome and Watervill Holdings remains the brightest spot in your legal career. And it came as no surprise when the Akufo-Addo regime appointed you as Ghanas foremost Special Prosecutor. Its been over two years since you assumed the role and to imagine that you are still crawling even though you promised to hit the ground running from the word go is a profound statement which draws light on the utter ineffectiveness of your high road rhetoric. Majority of Ghanaians have devoted their lives to help you succeed, and I had pinned my hopes on our ability to do that. Sadly, its been no show so far. All the perceived white colour crimes snd corruption that you promised to tackle now pales into insignificance in the light of happenings and thats the danger for your office. Many people have been disappointed in their expectations of the rigorous fight against corruption and social justice. Ghanaians are getting disillusioned because the OSP have not been able make an example of any corrupt official yet. The perception seems to be that youre failing. But sir, all that can change with the way you handle the Airbus corruption case that the President of the Republic has brought to your attention. The Airbus corruption is the biggest corruption case ever. Indeed, payment of bribes were made and received and the beneficiary was GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1. Again, documents were falsified in making the payments to disguise the payment of bribes to GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1. GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL 1 is on the record of the Court as the recipient of the corrupt proceeds from this transaction. Paragraph 136 of the US Court documents actually described Government official I as having a reputation for bribe taking. It reads: Government Official 1 had such a reputation as a prolific bribe-collector that within three weeks of the election of the incoming Government, AND BEFORE IT WAS SWORN IN, Airbus reached agreement with brother of Government Official 1, described in the US version of Court documents as Individual 1. Sir, you are very conversant with this case and I dont intend to bore you with any lengthy details. Then again, the fact that Airbus SE has agreed to pay nearly $4 billion to resolve foreign bribery and other charges with authorities in the United States, Britain and France speaks volume. The aircraft maker has admitted using intermediaries over several years to bribe government officials and airline executives in order to win lucrative contracts the world over including Ghana. The protagonist have agreed to have committed the crime, and this has made it very easy for any country mentioned in that case to 'fish' out the culprits involved. All the leads provided in the ruling makes it easy for anyone to know the personalities involved. It's a colossal one and there's already a transcript of Hansard in parliament in relation to these matters; there's also evidence of Mills activating investigations into these matters of which parliament extensively debated on. The minority then raised the initial alarm but as usual it was discarded for political correctness reasons. Sir, the devil is in the detail and everything is crystal clear. The only thing unclear is how much of the total bribery amount these corrput officals shared among themselves. The Akufo-Addo government has done the needful by triggering the investigative processes to unmask the true identity of the codenamed individuals involved in this massive web of corruption. Under the provision of criminal investigative work, all complaints of criminality should be given the attention they deserve. The excuse that the office of the Special Prosecutor lacks resource is an unjustifiable excuse which fosters a culture of apathy within an institution that Ghanaians expect so much from. The nation cannot afford the replications of dormant institutions, who bask in task delegation but have little interest in upholding the supremacy of the law and its protective provisions against citizens. Excerpts of Judge Dame Victoria Sharp's verdict on the matter simplified my thoughts: The seriousness of the criminality in this case hardly needs to be spelled out. As is acknowledged on all sides, it was grave. The conduct took place over many years. It is no exaggeration to describe the investigation it gave rise to as worldwide, extending into every continent in which Airbus operates. The number of countries subject to intense criminal investigation by the various agencies, and the scale and scope of the wrongdoing disclosed in the Statement of Facts demonstrate that bribery was to the extent indicated, endemic in two core business areas within Airbus. Sir, Ghanaians will not be satisfied with any shoddy investigative work and quick fixes (i.e. prosecuting the weakest link instead of the entire unit of an elaborate and extensive criminal network that supervised the Airbus corruption. I look forward to seeing the OSP carry out its prosecutorial mandate in this watershed case without any fear or favour. Thank you. Yours truly. Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah Bonsu Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta on Saturday constituted an all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the January 7 gang-rape case in which a woman had reported that she was raped by two youth in their early twenties in Mohali. According to a police spokesperson, ADGP Women and Child Affairs, Gurpreet Deo will oversee the investigation. Deo on Saturday visited the scene of the crime and met the victim, besides holding detailed discussions related to the case with the SIT members. "The victim had provided valuable information to the police," said Deo, adding that the culprits would be identified and arrested at the earliest. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Russian plane has crash-landed and skidded across an icy runway, forcing it to rapidly evacuate almost 100 passengers due to fears of an inferno. Passengers spoke of 'panic' as they used emergency chutes and scrambled over the wing to get out of the stricken plane as it lay on the tarmac at Usinsk airport in Komi, 1,200 miles north east of Moscow. The Utair-run Boeing 737 hit the runway tail first due to problems with its landing gear. None of the 94 passengers or crew members were injured, the local authorities said, but one woman sought medical assistance. Pictures showed the Utair flight resting on the tarmac at Usinsk airport in Komi, 1,200 miles north east of Moscow The Boeing 737 reportedly hit the runway tail first before skidding on the tarmac 'The plane landed on its tail,' a spokesman for the local branch of the emergencies ministry told AFP. The crash was in strong winds in a bitingly cold minus 20C. Video posted online showed passengers and crew frantically scrambling over debris and the wing to get out of the plane. Passenger Alexander Panin, 34, a gas company manager, said: 'The flight was normal but as we were landing either due to bad weather or some other reason the plane violently shook horizontally. 'It hit the ground so that the landing gear was torn off and we felt that were skidding along the runway as if not able to brake at all. 'We all realised that the landing gear was broken. We didnt feel that the plane was stopping - we were skidding towards the end of the runway.' The crew then 'turned the plane into thicker snow on the side of the runway'. Emergency slides shown sticking out of the plane following the landing in Russia today Passengers spoke of 'panic' as they were evacuated from the stricken aircraft 'The right wing was broken and we saw the fuel gushing out. It was all happening very quickly. 'The crew has ordered us to evacuate from the left side, and we got out quickly. Naturally by the end of it there was quite a panic. 'The crew acted very fast and confidently, and helped with their actions to avoid more panic. Fire appliances were by the plane in minutes.' There are alleged to have been problems with the plane's chassis, or body, aviation officials have said. The airline said in a statement: 'Thanks to the prompt and highly professional actions of the crew, the aircraft was able to stay on the runway until it stopped. 'Already on the runway there was a breakdown of the main landing gear. The airline said in a statement that there was a breakdown of the main landing gear 'An experienced crew worked on the flight: the commanders flight time for the Boeing 737 is more than 6900 hours, the co-pilots flight time is 3600 hours. 'After the aircraft stopped, the crew ensured the evacuation of passengers. One passenger independently sought medical attention with a knee injury.' Russia, with poor aircraft maintenance and lax safety standards, has one of the worst air safety records in the world, according to experts. One of Britain's most highly regarded businessman is helping fund legal challenges by workers who feel forced to accept zero-hour contracts. Multimillionare Julian Richer, founder of hi-fi shop chain Richer Sounds, is calling for an end to the arrangements, which he says leave desperate workers 'on a leash'. Richer, who two years ago handed most of his company to staff, said he is bankrolling a campaign that will fund legal challenges to so-called zero-hour contracts that oblige workers to be on call for work but do not guarantee any hours. Rich pickings: Multimillionare Julian Richer is calling for an end to zero-hour contracts He plans to press his concerns with other firms and with MPs across the political spectrum. 'I hate to think of people at the end of a leash on a daily basis in a similar way to the dockers standing on the quayside 100 years ago,' Richer told the MoS. 'If a zero-hours contract is freely entered into by an employee, then it's fine. It's not OK if you agree to it just because you are desperate for work.' Richer drew a distinction between binding zero-hours contracts and the wider gig economy, which enables workers to operate at multiple firms and at times they want. He has become increasingly concerned about some of Britain's poorest workers and contracts that enable bad bosses to exploit them. He said he has already received broad support from firms worried that 'the bad guys make the good guys look bad'. Iowas first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses once again are under attack. The Democrats inability to produce timely results after Monday nights caucuses once again has many across the country and here at home asking, "Why Iowa?" Occasionally you will hear critics suggest the caucuses have grown too big for their britches. A system that was designed for small neighborhood gatherings cannot contain the immense attention and participation that the caucuses now bring. But by all accounts, the caucuses themselves ran well Monday night. That would suggest they are quite capable of handling big crowds and high interest. What is becoming increasingly clear is the caucuses may not be well-equipped to handle reporting results when the race is close. This week is not the first example. In fact, three of the past four competitive Iowa caucuses have now featured significant issues in reporting results in close races. In 2012, Iowa Republicans announced the wrong winner on the night of the caucuses. Their initial count showed Mitt Romney with a narrow victory, but after a recount, they revealed that Rick Santorum had, in fact, won the caucuses. The Democrats did not have a competitive caucus that year with incumbent President Barack Obama. In 2016, Iowa Democrats were unable to produce official results until well into the next day as Hillary Clinton earned an historically narrow victory over Bernie Sanders, by a fraction of a percentage point. The Republican caucuses went off without a hitch, although runner-up and eventual President Donald Trump tried to convince the state party to disavow the results. The state party declined to delegitimize Ted Cruzs victory. And that brings us to 2020 and that already infamous app, which was designed to help precinct officials report the Democratic caucus results and failed spectacularly. The state party was not able to produce complete, official results until Thursday evening, 72 hours after the caucuses. And media outlets could not project a winner because as the results slowly trickled out, those results showed a remarkably close race between Sanders and Pete Buttigieg. (When all the results were finally produced, Buttigieg held an edge over Sanders that was even closer than the 2016 Clinton-Sanders race. But questions about the validity of some precincts results prevented media outlets from declaring a clear winner.) Thats three straight cycles of Iowas state parties struggling to produce timely and accurate results in races with razor-thin margins. Thats no longer an anomaly; its a pattern. There appeared to be minimal problems with the caucuses themselves. Democrats from across the state have reported that, for the most part, their precincts were run well and efficiently. Unlike four years ago, there were no complaints of long lines, inadequate facilities, or poorly-run caucuses. By and large, Democrats reported pleasing caucus experiences. Its when it came time to report the results that the ground disappeared from under Democrats feet. When the app failed, Democrats were unable to produce timely results. Backup systems took longer than expected, too, state party leaders said, leaving the world without official results for three days. But perhaps it was unfair to expect rapid results in the first place. On the Democratic side, the complex caucus system and even more complex caucus math that is used to measure the campaigns performances, it may be unrealistic to expect a clear result the night of the caucuses. Its fair to wonder, especially given the events of these past few cycles, whether the system can handle that expectation. The question then becomes whether the expectation is fair. As the lead-off state in the nation, fair or not, the expectation is for fast results. People want to know who won, who outperformed their expectations, who has the momentum moving on to the other early-voting states. And the New Hampshire primary is only about a week after Iowa; theres no time to wait days for results. But if you want accurate results from closely contested caucuses, you may have to wait whether you like it or not. With Iowas first-in-the-nation status once again being debated, we're going to find out how many people like it, and how many do not. Erin Murphy covers Iowa politics and government for Lee Enterprises. His email address is erin.murphy@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 In December 2018, Trump ordered the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, where theyd been hard at work destroying the last military vestiges of ISIS, the one-time JV team that ignited a reign of terror across Iraq and Syria. The Democrat party and its lapdog media promised us that our Kurdish allies would be slaughtered and wed be on the verge of yet another one of the many Trump initiated World Wars. None of that happened, but it appears that two regimes hostile to American interests are at each others throats. And of course, its always preferable when ones enemies turn their aggression towards each other. The New York Times reporting from 2018 about Trumps planned withdrawal is a good example of the concern the Democrats and the foreign policy establishment had that Trump would get America into war by getting America out of war: In overruling his generals and civilian advisers, Mr. Trump fulfilled his frequently expressed desire to bring home American forces from a messy foreign entanglement. But his decision, conveyed via Twitter on Wednesday, plunges the administrations Middle East strategy into disarray, rattling allies like Britain and Israel and forsaking Syrias ethnic Kurds, who have been faithful partners in fighting the Islamic State. [snip] Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other top national security officials argued that a withdrawal would, essentially, surrender Western influence in Syria to Russia and Iran. The Trump administrations national security policy calls for challenging both countries, which are the chief benefactors of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria and have provided him with years of financial and military support. To date, World War III (or IV or IV or VI) has not started. What has started, however, is an increase in hostilities between Iran (Americas open enemy since 1979) and Turkey (an increasingly overt enemy to America as Erdogan has entrenched his permanent Islamist power structure). Although both are Muslim countries, Iran is Shia while Turkey is Sunni, and the two sects have been deadly, intractable enemies practically since Mohammeds death. Syria, which is an Iranian proxy, is becoming the battleground (emphasis added): Seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian personnel were killed in Syria on Sunday, Turkey's first fatalities as a result of direct confrontation between the countries since the start of Syria's civil war in 2011. The Turkish Defense Ministry released the latest death toll on Tuesday. Several other troops had been also wounded in northwest Syria's Idlib province after they came under heavy artillery fire from the Syrian government, according to an earlier statement from the ministry, which specified that the troops were reinforcements. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said up to 35 Syrian government soldiers had responded and pledged further retaliation. Daniel Greenfield, one of the most astute analysts of the situation in the Middle East, spells out whats happening behind that dry and somewhat confusing report: In Syria, the Turkish Islamist dictatorship of Erdogan, which invaded it in support of its allied Turkmen Jihadis, is battling Iran's Shiite allies propping up Assad's Alawite regime. (If you didn't follow all that, it's fine. Suffice it to say two sets of terror groups and their state sponsors are getting closer to fighting each other properly.) As Greenfield further explains, Erdogan can control Putin, so Russia probably will not get involved. Meanwhile, Assads military is actually an Iranian military. That means that the real fight will be between Turkey and Iran although Iran, squeezed by Trumps sanctions, does not want a fight. However, with Erdogan stretching his wings, Iran may not have an option. It's true that yet another war is bad for the region, but its also not a fight in which America needs to be, or even should be, involved. Its enough that the fighting distracts those two nations from the West and keeps them busy. One person died and three others sustained injuries when a Fulani settlement at Jingbe, Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi, was completely gutted by an overnight fire. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered in Lokoja on Sunday that the settlement made up of 87 thatched houses being inhabited by over 300 Fulani men, women and children, was gutted by fire at about 2 a.m. when the occupants were fast asleep. Briefing journalists on the development, the acting chairman of the state branch of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), Ardo Bello Garatu, said that the incident occurred in the early hours of February 8. Mr Garatu, who spoke through Adamu Abubakar, the state Acting Assistant Secretary of the association, said that a two-year-old male child died in the incident, while three women sustained various degrees of injury. He said that the victims, apart from being rendered homeless, had lost cash and personal effects worth millions of Naira. He said that the victims who included children were now being forced to live in the open, calling for the urgent intervention of Gov. Yahaya Bello. The association also appealed to the federal government to direct the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately come to the aid of the victims to prevent further loss of lives. (NAN) The state recently handed over a 90-acre (36-hectare) plot in Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon, to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to house encroachers cleared from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and slums in Aarey. One-tenth of the citys national park is currently encroached upon, with 28,951 illegal structures built inside as well as around the periphery of SGNP covering 2,780 acres. The Bombay high court (HC) in 2009 ordered removal of encroachers from the park and their resettlement. Mhada vice-president and chief executive officer Milind Mhaiskar confirmed the land was given to them. The authority plans to construct 26,959 housing units at a cost of 3,510 crore in two phases. Of the 90 acres, 43 acres will be used to rehabilitate 1,795 tribal families (living across 13,486 hutments) from SGNP in 300 sqft houses with an open courtyard and terrace, while hundreds of slum dwellers from within Aarey and surrounding areas will be resettled in 300sqft apartments on the balance 47-acre area. SGNP director and chief conservator of forest Anwar Ahmed termed it a solution to encroachments inside the SGNP. In June 2019, the state signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and handed over 190 acres inside Aarey close to Marol Maroshi Road. A zoological park with a jungle safari and a centre to breed endangered species have been planned across 100 acres from this plot and an additional 140 acres from the states dairy development department. BMC commissioner Praveen Pardeshi said the tenements can be completed within two years, but the work has been delayed as the sale value of the plot is not favourable and there are no effective bids yet. Of the 190 acres handed over in June last year, 90 acres will be used for the Mhada project. The project will ease the pressure of encroachments on the national park, said Pardeshi. Mhada will exchange transfer of development rights (TDR) instead of paying the contractor who builds the project. TDR allows a developer to transfer construction rights from one plot to another. Currently, Mhada is offering 1.25 TDR, which is not good. There is no sale component available, said Pardeshi. We will try to enhance the compensation to the person who builds the project. The other option is to bid the sale value to set the right price. Activists fear that the project will open doors for more real estate projects in Aarey and lead to large-scale tree felling. Development has been planned on 443.67 acres in Aarey, including the Metro-3 car depot. According to a study by the Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute of Architecture and Environmental Studies (KRVIA), 40% of the original area of the green lung will be lost due to ongoing and proposed construction activities. This would sever the contiguity with SGNP affecting wildlife movement, disrupting hydrological processes and the natural drainage pattern of the green lung, the study said. The Mhada project is coming up on SGNPs fragile eco-sensitive zone. Politicians claim that Aarey will be protected. Aarey is already a forest, and resettling tribals from one end of the forest to another does not make sense, said Zoru Bhathena, petitioner in the Aarey tree-felling case. Another petitioner pointed out that a subsequent 2012 order by the same HC bench (Justices P D Naik and Abhay Oka) that had ordered that rehabilitation of encroachers from SGNP in 2009, prohibited resettlement of tribals and slum dwellers in Aarey. Bringing one-and-a-half lakh people into Aarey forests is not the way to conserve and protect this green lung. It is evident that powerful entities are driving the plan to destroy Aarey, said Stalin D, director, Vanshakti SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority employee died Saturday afternoon in Quincy after she was struck by a bus in what authorities are calling a tragic accident. MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said in a statement Saturday that the MBTA mourns the loss of our colleague who suffered a fatal injury during a traffic accident involving an MBTA bus at Quincy Center. We ask you to keep the victim and her family in your thoughts and prayers, Poftak wrote. The Boston Globe reports the accident happened around 12:45 p.m. Saturday. Quincy firefighters arrived on the scene and learned the woman had been pulled out from under the bus, the newspaper reports. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. MBTA Transit Police offered condolences to the womans family and friends in a statement posted on Twitter. Kolkata, Feb 9 : The Centre has informally proposed to the GST Council that rationalisation of rates be done once in a year and not every three months, as the present system was bringing in a certain level of uncertainty for both government and business, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here on Sunday. Interacting with the media here, she said that the industries approaching the Centre for rate reduction, should also put their request to the respective state governments, so that the state minister voices the same concerns in the GST Council meetings. "In GST, when you have come to certain level or grade, periodically changing it leads to inversion problems, refund issues, and so on. So, therefore, when one item's rate of taxation is brought down, a lot of other ripple effects are created, and with that, either the refund gets affected, or businesses rightly feel they cannot plan how much they have to keep aside for taxation in a whole year," Sitharaman said at a media meet here. She said at the same time, the Central and state governments aren't able to assess what they'll earn through GST in the whole year. "So, rate reduction or increase every three months, when the GST Council meets, is periodically bringing in a certain level of uncertainty. "Now we literally proposed to the GST Council, not formally, but as part of a small discussion, we have said can we consider a situation where once in a year alone, we would do any rate rationalisation -- reduction or increase, and everything else, and not every three months," she said. Sitharaman also denied that the GST collections have been coming down. "It has not come down. There was just once when it dipped," she said. The Finance Minister also said the Centre was repeatedly telling the industries, or those in trade or business to keep the government of the state where they are located in the loop about their request for GST rate cuts. "We are repeatedly telling industry, or anyone else in trade, business, MSMEs, whenever they approach us for rate reduction, or whenever they approach us saying 'we have problems, we don't have our inputs coming, credits are not being available for us, change them', ... we tell them, that they should also put their request to the respective state's ministers. "And the state ministers should also voice the same concerns in the GST Council meetings," she said. She said that the Centre alone probably cannot ask for the rate cuts, because it also leads to an impression that "when these industries are located in respective states, why won't the states want to speak about it?" "So I keep on telling the industry, they are welcome to voice it to me, I will take it into my records, and I am sure the concerned departments within the GST Council - the fitment committee or the legal committee - all of them will look at it. But it is going to be healthier, if the states also can come through their ministers to voice their concerns," she added. Sitharaman said it was upto the states and the GST Council together to take a call as to when they want to bring petrol and diesel within the ambit of the tax regime. She said her late predecessor Arun Jaitley had introduced an amendment which included petroleum and petroleum products in the GST net with a zero rate. "So as and when the GST council takes a call, it will have a rate decided, and the rate will be added. So with a futuristic approach, whenever states will be ready to bring in petroleum, another amendment may not be required. Now its up to the state and also the GST council together to take a call, as to when they want it in the GST," she added. BEIJING, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 2020 Spring Festival, a coronavirus outbreak raged across China. The disease is highly infectious, with a long incubation period, making the fight against it very complex and difficult. Faced with such a grave challenge, Chinese people has once again demonstrated remarkable strength and bravery. As medical personnel work hard on the front lines, many companies are providing support with advanced technologies. From non-contact cashiers at supermarkets, thermal imaging AI robots that monitors body temperature, to drone-based remote surveillance system with thermometers and speakers, these tools become a great help in disaster relief. In the transport sector, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur (SQLC) is adding new features to its Car Intelligence (CI) system, which is now able to tell if someone is wearing a breathing mask or not. This latest modification will serve as an extra precaution for passengers and drivers alike. Among all the disease prevention measures, the mask is the most important one. When put on properly, it forms strong personal protection for the wearer and helps cut off the air-borne transmission. Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur requires all its drivers to wear the mask during operations. The new feature, on the other hand, can tell if the driver was wearing it or not, and issue alerts through audio reminders and messages accordingly. If the app detects any wrongdoing, the driver will receive notifications in the form of both audio and messages. If the driver still refuses to put the mask on, the system will shut down his service to make sure that particular the vehicle won't pick up any new passengers. China's overall national strength, social governance and S&T capacity in disease control have improved significantly. In the fight against coronavirus outbreak, advanced technologies like cloud computing, AI, and big data have played important roles. Many other companies, just like Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur, have developed and launched state-of-the-art tech solutions to drive forward progress in the industry and ensure safety for everyone. They are confident that, once they face down this challenge, the S&T prowess of Chinese companies will embrace a new boom. SOURCE Shouqi Limousine LUSAKA Zambias President, Edgar Lungu, has addressed Bishops of Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe who were meeting in Lusaka for their first-ever Sub-Regional Consultative Meeting of Catholic Bishops. President Lungu expressed his appreciation for the work of the Catholic Church when he addressed the Bishops in Lusaka. The Zambian President paid a courtesy call on the Bishops of Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe meeting under the auspices of the Sub-Regional Consultative Meeting of Catholic Bishops for the first time. Church, a dependable partner President Lungu said the Catholic Church was a dependable partner for the government in social service delivery, advocacy for development, inclusive governance, as well as respect for human rights and democracy. Referring specifically to the Zambian situation, the President said his government was grateful for the social services the Catholic Church was providing in the country. In fact, the Church has also been a proponent of peace and unity among its congregants, and the entire nation. The Church has made significant strides by reaching out to all of this country, addressing the needs of our people in a holistic approach. The evidence is there for all to see. One can, thus, go to any corner of this country, both in rural and urban areas and witness the commendable work the Church is doing in addressing the needs of our people. There are not many areas where one would not find a school or health facility run by the Catholic Church. Therefore, my government is deeply grateful and appreciative of the positive role that the Catholic Church has been playing to complement the governments efforts in national development, the President said. The three countries have deep cultural and historical ties In a Lumen TV television interview, with Mwenya Mukuka, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretary General, Fr. Cleophas Lungu said the three countries felt drawn to each other because they have a lot in common historically, culturally and ecclesiastically. We must acknowledge three factors. Fundamentally, we have strong historical links; we have a lot in common in terms of culture This meeting is coming as fruition of interaction that has been going on at a smaller scale. Third, we have realised that our three countries share more or less similar challenges economically, politically as well as pastoral challenges, Fr. Lungu said. Fr. Lungu further said, the three-day consultative meeting was a way of mapping-out future collaboration among the three countries. Geographical borders will not stop us from seeking solutions How can the Church in the region become more become effective in terms of pastoral activities? How can people of this region become more united; how can we be more and more in solidarity with each other not just in the Church but also in our societies? These are the questions that the Bishops will be are reflecting upon, Fr. Lungu said. He added, These (geographical) borders necessary as they maybe do not inhibit the opportunity of coming together as one family the family of God. They do not stop us from sharing our challenges and seeking solutions together, Fr. Lungu explained. Related The Vietnamese ride-hailing market has witnessed the entry of two new apps, Unicar and ZuumViet. A GoViet driver. The company received a total of nearly 900,000 food orders through its GoFood platform during Lunar New Year. The Vietnamese ride-hailing market has witnessed the entry of two new apps, Unicar and ZuumViet. Unicar is a ride-hailing app developed by a group of young people in the central province of Nghe An, with services such as ride-hailing, deliveries and car rental at low costs. Services on Unicar include Uni Car (car service), Uni Bike (motorbike service), Uni Fast (fast delivery service), Uni Truck (logistics service) and Uni Rent (self-drive car rental). The Unicar application is currently being tested in Vinh City, and will expand to Hue and Da Nang in the near future. Meanwhile, ZuumViet is in the process of recruiting drivers to prepare for its launch soon. ZuumViet has chosen purple shirts to identify the brand. ZuumViet's services include ZuumBike (motorbikes), ZuumCar (4-seater and 7-seater cars) and ZuumLux (luxury cars like Audi, BMW). Before ZuumViet and Unicar appeared, the ride-hailing market was already fierce with brands such as Grab, GoViet, Be and FastGo. There were 200 million rides completed through applications in the first six months of last year in Viet Nam, reported ABI Research. Of these, Grab accounted for 73 per cent with 146 million. Second place went to Be, which joined the market in December 2018, with 31 million rides, gaining a 16 per cent market share. GoViet ranked third with 21 million rides, equivalent to 10 per cent of market share. To compete with new applications appearing on the market, Grab recently introduced an Advance Booking service in Ha Noi. The service allows Grab customers to book a ride at least seven days in advance. Grab plans to test the service in Ha Noi this month before rolling out in other provinces and cities in the near future. With the new service, we look forward to continuing to bring more convenient and smarter experiences to GrabCar users, thereby contributing to a sharing, seamless and smarter mobility future for our customers, said Nguyen Thai Hai Van, CEO of Grab Viet Nam. Meanwhile, GoViet has released a report on its food delivery services over Lunar New Year, from January 17 to February 2. The company received a total of nearly 900,000 food orders through its GoFood platform. These orders marked a revenue increase for its partners of 120 per cent compared to last years holiday. VNS Ride hailing market heats up, four CEOs resign Four CEOs of ride-hailing firms had to leave in 2019. Go-Viet witnessed the biggest high-ranking personnel changes. SIALKOT, February 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Feb, 2020 ) :-:Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Muhammad Ashraf Malik has said that under mega China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) would be established along Sailkot-Lahore Motorway. Talking to APP here on Sunday, he said that the propose SEZ would be developed on 1000 acres of land and work on this project would start soon. The SEZ would open new era of development and provide employment opportunities in Golden Economic Triangle (Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat) he said. The triangle represents the highest SME base of the country employing millions of skilled workforce and among highest per capita income in the country, he pointed out. He further said that triangle holds its unique importance because its production of high quality commodities being hub of local trade. The SCCI president said that adequate efforts were being made for resolving the problems confronted by the business community of Sialkot on top priority basis. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 16:34:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SARI PUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Five Taliban militants were killed as their mine exploded prematurely in Afghanistan's northern Sari Pul province on Sunday, an army statement said here. According to the statement, five insurgents were going to plant a mine on a road in Daraband village of Sayad district early Sunday morning but the device exploded accidentally killing all the five on the spot. Taliban militants who are active in parts of the relatively troubled Sari Pul province have not made comments on the report yet. here is a descriptive article about life for one of those in the frontlines are hospitals. Interview by BBC to relate what really happen in hospitals in time of epidemic. When the novel Coronavirus hit the city of Wuhan, which started in December last year, the frontlines are the nurses assisting the doctors to cure patients with nCov symptoms. The death toll stands at 600 since the outbreak, and the pandemic is continually spreading. As the contagion rises, so is the lockdown on what is happening to the health workers in Chine becomes more unavailable. During the start, news teams can relay what is exactly happening in China. But, recent clampdowns have deprived the world of news. As more social media has been taking tabs on what is happening on the ground, they were shut down by government censors, especially those against the government's handling of the epidemic. Anyone who has any knowledge of the virus is cordoned off or cracked down, in effect suppressing the information. Li Wenliang paid for it, by detention and then his life, as the first to warn the world of the coronavirus. A nurse working in Hubei, who prefers to be called Yao, had tales to tell. In an interview with BBC, Yao said that she works in Xiangyang, and she is employed at a fever clinic with a primary role to check blood samples. This is an important task to check if the patients are positive for the coronavirus. She originally planned to go to Guangzhou to spend new year with her family. However, this was abruptly halted when the outbreak began since all health workers were called to assist. Also Read: Li Wenliang, Coronavirus Doctor Dies Amidst Mixed Reports Causing Public Anger On her own volition, she decided to stay and help in Xiangyang despite doubts about doing it while leaving her family behind. There had been concerns about how to keep uninfected, or having the right equipment or at worst with a raincoat to wear. More than enough supplies were given to the hospital and enough resources with companies giving more equipment. But the lack of proper gear for the members of the staff is a problem, which is of great concern. It is not an easy task to do since the staff are in danger of getting infected themselves. Once patients are checked, they are fearful of the outcome of what happens next. Staff should also deal with the mental state of a patient. The shifts are hammering everyone with 10-hours standing up. Many victims are coming in which means there is almost no rest for them. When their shifts end, they are sweaty and cuts on their faces can be seen due to long hours of wearing a mask. Due to tiredness, many of them end up sleeping in chairs. Fortunately, the selflessness of Yao and her companions have paid off. Most patients are healthy and safe for the moment. In other places in China, other nurses and health professionals are taking extreme measures against the coronavirus. Some have shaved their head as to lessen spreading the disease. Yao and her fellows were thanked for their services and some people have supplied food and other needs. She said that the government had a quick reaction to the crisis. "In the West, you talk more about freedom or human rights, but right now in China, we're talking about the matter of life or death," Yao told BBC. "We're talking about whether you might see the sunrise tomorrow. So all people can do is to cooperate with the government and support the medical staff." Related Article: Coronavirus Updates: Pangolins Possible Link to Outbreak, Hoax Mass Killing Story of 20k Chinese Spreads @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Female actors over 50 are less likely to be nominated for an Academy Award than their male counterparts, according to research exploring the gender age gap in Hollywood. Dr Judy Todd, who runs aesthetic medical practice The Synergy Clinic in Glasgow and London, looked at the stars nominated in the four main Oscar acting categories - Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor - over the last 10 years and examined the relationship between age and nominations. This year there is a combined 21.5-year age difference between the male and female nominees, based on their combined average ages of 61.3 and 39.8, respectively. The oldest male nominee is Sir Anthony Hopkins, 82, who is in the running for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Two Popes, while the youngest is 36-year-old Best Actor contender Adam Driver, who is nominated for marriage story. For women, the youngest actor is Little Women's Florence Pugh, 24, and the oldest is Kathy Bates, 71, for Richard Jewell. Both are competing in Best Supporting Actress. Scroll down for video Dr Judy Todd, of The Synergy Clinic, researched the gender age gap in Hollywood. This year there is a combined 21.5-year age difference between the male and female nominees, based on their combined average ages of 61.3 and 39.8, respectively. Sir Anthony Hopkins, 82, left, is the oldest acting nominee this year and Florence Pugh, 24, right, is the youngest The Oscar gender age gap: This year's crop of nominees at a glance Al Pacino, 79, has been nominated in the best actor in a supporting role category, for his role in The Irishman ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Antonio Banderas, 59 Leonardo DiCaprio, 45 Adam Driver, 36 Joaquin Phoenix, 45 Jonathan Pryce, 72 ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Tom Hanks, 63 Anthony Hopkins, 82 Al Pacino, 79, Joe Pesci, 76 Brad Pitt, 56 Average age of all male acting nominees: 61.3 Margot Robbie has been nominated in the best actress in a supporting role category for Bombshell ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Cynthia Erivo, 33 Scarlett Johansson 35 Saoirse Ronan, 25 Charlize Theron, 44 Renee Zellweger, 50 ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Kathy Bates, 71 Laura Dern, 52 Scarlett Johansson, 35 Florence Pugh, 24 Margot Robbie, 29 Average age of all female acting nominees: 39.8 Advertisement There are two other female acting nominees in their 20s (Saoirse Ronan, 25, and Margot Robbie, 29) and a further two in their 30s: Cynthia Erivo, 33, Scarlett Johansson 35, who is nominated in both categories. The next youngest men after Driver are Joaquin Phoenix and Leonardo DiCaprio, who are both 45. Dr Todd found that female actors over 50 are less than half as likely to be nominated as male actors of the same age. She also found that the gender age gap - the number of years' difference between the average ages of the male and female nominees - has grown by 35 per cent in the last decade. There are three female nominees in their 20s, including Saoirse Ronan, 25, left, who is in the Best Actress race. Right, Best Actor nominee Jonathan Pryce, 72 Dr Todd's research shows this year's disparity is far from unique. Over the last decade, just 27 per cent of women nominated in the two acting categories have been over 50, compared to 47 per cent of men. The figure for women drops to 23 per cent if Meryl Streep, now 70, who received six nominations in the 2010s, is removed from the calculations. The gap is even more pronounced for the over-60s. Only 19 per cent of female actors nominated in the last 10 years were aged 60 or older, compared to 29.1 per cent of men. Dr Judy Todd (pictured) runs the Synergy Clinic in Glasgow and London which specialises in aesthetic treatments Once again, this figure changes dramatically if Meryl Streep is removed, dropping to 14.4 per cent. Dr Judy Todd said: 'Our gender age gap research has exposed a glass ceiling of opportunity for female actresses after the age of 50. It's hard to see any other reason for this other than they don't look as attractive and youthful as they used to. 'The gender age gap has grown significantly in the past 10 years and something needs to be done to prevent what is a clear case of discrimination.' She added it is not just a problem affecting women in Hollywood. Dr Judy added: 'The gender age gap is not just a problem in the film industry. There is growing discrimination for mature women in the UK to get jobs and promotions after they hit 50. 'Many of my female clients in their mid to late 40s tell me that job opportunities for women become seriously reduced after 50, which is one of the main reasons why they are having aesthetic rejuvenation treatments.' Putting together a strong portfolio is more an art than a science. You have to balance share appreciation, potential upside, fundamental strength, and dividend yield to find the stock that will meet your needs. Do you want your investments to pay for themselves right away, or do you prefer a steady long-term gain? These are just a few of the factors to consider. Its complicated by the sheer size of the stock markets. TipRanks tracks data on over 6,500 publicly traded stocks and thats just the tip of the iceberg. Fortunately, the Stock Screener tool makes it easy to find the right investment. Set the filters to sort out the stocks with a Strong Buy consensus rating, add in very high dividend yields, above 5%, and youll get the list down to only a handful of names. Here are three of them that may be worth your attention. Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD) The oil and gas midstream sector that is, the companies that move the product between the wellheads, storage farms, terminals, and the customers is a profitable niche. The companies here control pipelines, railroad assets, river barges, terminals, and storage tanks, as well as make it possible to move fossil fuels. Enterprise Products owns and operates 50,000 miles of such pipelines, and controls storage capacity for 160 million barrels of oil and 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Enterprise also holds import/export terminal facilities on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Low prices for oil and gas in 2019 hurt the companys bottom line last year, but EPD appears to be holding up well. Even though the Q3 numbers missed the estimates, Q4, reported last week, was strong. Revenue came in above the forecast, at $8.01 billion, while the EPS of 54 cents was in-line with expectations. Both numbers are down year-over-year but up sequentially. Enterprise is committed to sharing profits with investors, and pays out a regular and reliable dividend. With a yield of 7%, the dividend provides a return more than three times higher than the S&P 500 average, while the 81% payout ratio indicates that it is sustainable for the company. EPDs history of dividend reliability goes back over 10 years. Story continues 5-star analyst TJ Schultz, of RBC Capital, sees EPD as a solid choice for investors. He writes, EPD offers investors broad exposure to a full spectrum of the midstream value chains for NGLs and, increasingly, crude and petrochemical products. Furthermore, the partnership's multi-year organic growth backlog helps provide visibility on long-term distribution growth. EPD has grown and should continue to grow its fee-based cash flows as announced projects enter service and ramp. Schultz puts a $36 price target on EPD, implying an impressive upside potential of 41%, to back up his Buy rating on the stock. (To watch Schultzs track record, click here) Overall, EPD gets a Strong Buy from the analyst consensus, and that rating is unanimous. The stock has received 7 buy ratings in recent weeks. Shares are a bargain considering the high yield, priced at $25.56. The average price target of $34.50 suggests room for an upside of 35%. (See Enterprise Products stock analysis on TipRanks) Kimbell Royalty Partners LP (KRP) Kimbell Royalty is another player in the Texas oil boom, operating at the source. Kimbell owns oil and gas operations in 28 states, with major exploration, drilling, and extraction activity in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford areas of Texas, North Dakotas Bakken formation, and across Appalachia. Kimbells largest area of activity, which includes 43% of the companys active wells, is in the Permian Basin of Texas. Where Enterprise, above, saw a tough time in 2H19, Kimbell posted record high revenue in Q3 of that year. The top line came in with a 79% year-over-year gain, to $33 million. In addition to high revenues, KRP was able to acquire two competing companies, Haymaker and Phillips, during the reporting period. Even better for investors, KRP has been using its positive cash flow generation to maintain a strong dividend. The companys quarterly payment, 38 cents, annualizes to $1.52, for an impressive yield of 11.1%. Thats more than five times the average yield among S&P listed companies, and is powerful incentive for investors. Looking at Kimbell for KeyBanc, analyst Leo Mariani was impressed enough by the companys performance to initiate coverage with a Buy rating. He cites, anticipated dividend increases in 2020 and the recent pullback in the shares as reasons to enter this stock. Mariani gives KRP an $18 price target to back the Buy rating, seeing room for 31% share growth here. (To watch Marianis track record, click here) The Strong Buy consensus view on KRP shares is bolstered by 8 recent reviews, including 7 Buys and 1 Hold. The stock sells for just $13.70, and the average price target of $20.14 suggests an upside potential of 47%. (See Kimbell stock analysis on TipRanks) New Mountain Finance Corporation (NMFC) The energy industry isnt the only place to find great dividend yields. Investment management companies, which control and administer private and corporate investment portfolios for profit, by nature generate a high cash flow. New Mountain uses its cash flow to maintain a dividend, returning profits to investors. The dividend here is definitely worth talking about. NMFC pays out 34 cents per quarter, and has done so consistently since 2013. This gives a yield of 9.6% and an annualized payment of $1.36. The payout ratio is 98%, indicating that New Mountain returns all of its profits to investors as expected, in an investment management company. Like Kimbell, above, New Mountain has attracted a new analyst thanks to its solid financial performance. Derek Hewett, from Merrill Lynch, writes in support of his Buy rating, We see an attractive dividend yield, and believe New Mountain is well positioned to capitalize on a supply/demand imbalance in the unrated middle market. Hewetts price target, $14.50, suggests a modest upside of 2% in a stock that has already shown 4% appreciation so far this year. (To watch Hewetts track record, click here) With 3 recent Buy reviews, NMFCs Strong Buy analyst consensus rating is unanimous. The stock offers a low cost of entry, at $14.23, and the average price target of $14.58 implies room for another 2.5% growth. The real benefit here is the dividend return. (See New Mountain stock analysis on TipRanks) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Mon, February 10, 2020 00:02 701 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206372986 4 Inforial Free Good teamwork, connectivity and creativity are among the key ingredients for success in organizing events, according to Ryan Adrian, CEO of PT Indonesia International Expo (IIE), which operates the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE). Having operated for less than five years, the ICE has become a respected business brand and Ryan Adrian, who is also CEO of PT Indonesia International Graha (IIG), attributes the achievement to good teamwork. We have been in operation for just four years. Its a new brand, but we today can see our position is good, Ryan told The Jakarta Post in a recent interview. Without hesitation, he mentioned good team as one of the keys to the success. Located in the township of BSD City, and established under a joint venture of Sinar Mas Land and Kompas Gramedia Group, ICE is a venue for staging big events for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) as well special events like K-pop concerts. For Ryan, establishing a solid team entails an ability to implement reward and development. He simply refrains from using punishment. We reward those who perform well and develop those who underperform. We do not punish because it would harm integrity, he said. His respect goes beyond work relations. They are our envoy. If they succeed, then they may become our partner. Former employees are also [our company] assets, he said. The solid team that Ryan has developed with such leadership has driven him steadily up the business ladder, as ICE is experiencing a positive trajectory with annual growth reported at between 20 and 25 percent on average. The four-star, 285-room Santika Hotel, the other business portfolio under IIE located inside the ICE complex has an occupancy rate of 70 percent. If we can maintain the 20 percent growth, it will be sustainable over the next 10 years, said Ryan, an international law bachelor whose work experience encompasses the fields of hoteliers, mall management and property industry. Positive growth apart, he recognizes the importance of brand awareness. Our product is already known to public, but only a certain level of them. We are striving to get public at all levels knowing about ICE. ICE is known for its shows, such as concerts. Concerts is one of the ICE signature event to lift the ICE profile, he said. The team under Ryans leadership will always innovate and connect to the world to ensure IIE delivers quality services. The most recent show at ICE featuring South Korean stage celebrities was the Super K-Pop Festival Indonesia (SKF) in September last year. ICE has also become the venue for regular big events like Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) and the Big Bad Wolf (BBW), a book exhibition that reportedly drew 1 million visitors over 12 days last year. The inaugural multiproduct ICEFest, which attracted some 180,000 visitors, seems to be a successful exhibition, but the TEI appears to be the most significant business assembly, particularly in respect to ICEs establishment in the first place. ICE was built out of our corporate groups concerns about MICE development in Indonesia, Ryan said. It is part of our support and contribution to Indonesia in the provision of a good and competitive MICE venue and ICE is expected to become a catalyst for the development of the creative industry and MICE itself, he said. The TEI regularly attracts some 6,000 buyers from 120 countries. So big and significant are the expo events to the national economy, Indonesian trade attaches, according to Ryan, return home to attend the Indonesian export commodities expo. Its big not because of the [big] number of visitors but because of overseas participation, he said. Event organizers have risen in number, which will lead to competition, but Ryan, who prefers to call them complimentary partners rather than competitors, has expressed confidence in ICEs prospects. His confidence lies not merely in the advantages that ICE offers, but more on his own managerial and entrepreneurship expertise that he has built since his college days. Cheerful: People in colorful costumes participate in ICEFest 2019 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD City, Tangerang, last December. (Courtesy of IIG/.) Learning field Ryan views his life path as flowing without a script, having dreamed of becoming a jet fighter pilot, but ending up relishing the ground challenges. I liked working while still undertaking my studies. My mother rejected the idea of jet fighter pilot because I am the only son among the siblings, said Ryan, who took up kitchenhand work while taking an English course in Brisbane, Australia. He started his career in a hotel, which he described as a discovered hobby. Ryan, who views a job as learning field, sets a high bar on occupation, saying that he values career over money. The higher you are in a position, the broader you can see and learn, he said. His excellence in his profession first came to light when he became the general manager of a hotel and resort in Bali, at 28. His passion for wildlife during high school seems to have laid the foundation for his adventurous spirit that he demonstrated when he took up a job as a property developer, which was alien to him, before joining IIE in 2016 as president director. Event organizer is not totally new to me. In hotels, we used to organize events, said Ryan, a father of five. Creativity and connectivity He pointed out that the need for creativity and connectivity to ensure a sustainable business. Orders for event organizing services have been increasing, but the number of event organizers is also increasing. Thats why we always have to pursue something new with a new concept. The most important thing for us is creativity and connectivity, he said. In the face of increasing orders to organize events, the company decided to re-operate the IIG in 2016 to function as the event-organizing arm of IIE. IIG work together with Maxima brought white sensation, an international indoor electronic dance and music event, to ICE in 2017. ICE was on its event calendar, with Indonesia as the 43rd country. Ten thousands of participants showed up, all in white, of whom 70 percent had never been to ICE and 60 percent had never been to BSD, Ryan said. The BCA Expovesary in March and ICEFest in December are among the fruits of the companys management creativity. IIG makes and develops new concepts and executes them in operation. They like the concept and trust us to be the Organiser for this prestigious event, he said. Connectivity to the world through a digital platform as well as allegiance with international associations is another key to business sustainability. IIE is a member of Excellence in Convention Centre Management (AIPC), the International Congress, Indonesian Exhibition and Convention Organizers Asscociation (ASPERAPI) and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. ICE has 10 exhibition halls covering a total of 50,000 square meters, while another 35,000 square meters is an outdoor exhibition space. The center has a 4,000 square meter of Convention Hall and 33 meeting rooms. Ninety percent of the space is allocated for exhibitions, making ICE the largest exhibition venue in Southeast Asia, Ryan said. Its accessibility, which is only an about 40- minute drive from Soekarno-Hatta airport, the building design and friendly neighborhood have made ICE a favorite venue for holding an event. Improving the services and developing the products, Ryan said, will always be pursued in order to create sustainable business. Good products will make easy promotion, he concluded. MANCHESTER, N.H. Rivals of presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg moved with urgency Sunday to slow his momentum, sharply critiquing his struggles with nonwhite voters, lack of government experience and indebtedness to wealthy donors. The 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Ind., who is consistently polling at the top of the field in New Hampshire, just behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, jabbed back. He appeared on all five of the Sunday morning political talk shows the only candidate to do so where he made the case that the movement to stop him embodied an arrogant Washington mindset turning voters against Democrats. We know that we might look small from the perspective of Washington but for us it is what is going on in Washington that is small and small-minded, Buttigieg said on CNNs State of the Nation. He said communities in the industrial Midwest and rural America are frustrated by being made into a punchline by Washington politicians. Buttigieg was responding to stepped up attacks led by former Vice President Joe Biden, who posted a new digital ad this weekend mocking Buttigiegs achievements in South Bend. Biden also unleashed on the former mayor at a news conference Saturday, during which he said this guys not a Barack Obama. Hes right, Buttigieg said on CNN. Neither is he. Neither is any of us running for president. This is not 2008. It is 2020. And we are in a new moment calling for a different kind of leadership. We are facing the most disruptive president in modern times. Tracking polls suggested the critiques may be having an effect, stalling his ascendancy as New Hampshire voters prepare to go to the polls Tuesday. But those reconsidering Buttigieg are not necessarily aligning with Biden, the candidate most aggressively attacking him, and the one who has arguably been hurt the most as Buttigieg began to dominate the centrist lane of the race following a strong showing in Iowa on Monday. Even as Sanders attacked Buttigieg, arguing he would not be a champion to working people because he is too indebted to CEO donors, he affirmed on CBS Face the Nation that he would work to get him elected if Buttigieg is the nominee. At last count he has about 40 billionaires who are contributing to his campaign, the heads of, the CEOs of the large pharmaceutical industries and the insurance companies, Sanders said on CBS. Do you really think that when somebody gets contributions from the CEOs of drug companies, theyre going to stand up to the greed and corruption of that industry? I dont think so. Sanders released a new digital ad in which he makes that case and calls out Buttigieg by name. Evan Halper and Melanie Mason are Los Angeles Times writers. OTTAWA - Conservative heavyweight John Baird has confirmed he's thinking about throwing his hat into the federal party's leadership ring. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - Conservative heavyweight John Baird has confirmed he's thinking about throwing his hat into the federal party's leadership ring. The former minister told Global's "The West Block" on Sunday that's he's taking calls and weighing his options. Foreign MinisterJohn Baird speaks in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Feb. 3, 2015. Conservative heavyweight Baird has confirmed he's thinking about throwing his hat into the federal party's leadership ring. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Baird, who served as a senior minister in Stephen Harper's government, is being urged to run by Conservatives who are dissatisfied with the current lineup, in which his former cabinet colleague, Peter MacKay, is presumed to be the front-runner. The pressure on Baird has ramped up amid some early stumbles by MacKay's campaign. Baird says he wants to contribute to creating what he calls "a true blue" agenda that can appeal to voters in all corners of the country. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney last week confirmed that he'd talked about the leadership to Baird, whom he praised as an experienced, bilingual, principled Conservative who would make "a very compelling candidate." "Obviously, I appreciate the comments made by Premier Kenney," Baird told "The West Block" host Mercedes Stephenson. "I think like all Conservative party activists, I'm obviously taking calls, weighing my options and haven't made any decisions.... I haven't ruled anything out but obviously it's getting late into the contest so we'll take it one day at a time." To get on the ballot, leadership hopefuls have until Feb. 27 to come up with 1,000 signatures of party members and $25,000 the first instalment on the required 3,000 signatures and $200,000 registration fee. Baird had been chairing Pierre Poilievre's leadership campaign, until the Ottawa MP pulled out last month. He was also tapped by outgoing Leader Andrew Scheer to conduct a post-mortem of last fall's election campaign and determine why the Conservatives failed to defeat Justin Trudeau's Liberals. His report has been given to Scheer but not shared publicly. Baird told "The West Block" that "some of the social issues were definitely losers at the doorsteps" an apparent reference to Scheer's inability to put to rest questions about his stance on abortion and same-sex marriage. But he also said there were "many, many reasons" the party came up short, including the fact that it was hard to pick up seats in Ontario "when the economy is doing well" for which he credited Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government. Asked what the party needs to do to win next time, Baird said: "I think first and foremost, we've got to be a modern Conservative party, we've got to be true to our Conservative values and principles. I don't think we win when we're Liberal-lite. I think we need to be true blue." He noted that the party "failed remarkably in Ontario and in the Greater Toronto area" and said it needs to "have vision that can appeal to people in the suburbs of every city in this country. We need to put together a new coalition." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. The Minister of Health in Nigeria, Osagie Ehanire has disclosed on Friday, February 7 that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is working hard to unravel the mysterious disease that has left many people dead in Benue State. Ehanire further revealed that the NCDC has activated an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate response activities in conjunction with Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi to ascertain the nature of the illness While explaining further on the development, he said that victims of the disease showed no symptoms of Ebola, Lassa fever or coronavirus after medical tests were conducted. The Minister disclosed that some of the symptoms victims of the disease showed were headache, internal heat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache, weakness of the body and swollen stomach. He urged Nigerians to contact NCDC immediately on its toll-free number on 0800-970000-10 to report strange cases. Recall that the disease which broke out in Oyi-Obi community of Benue State on Wednesday January 29, has already killed 15 people. The number of the people affected by the disease have already exceeded 100. Share this: This week in Christian history: Notable black preacher dies, Lourdes vision, Galileo arrives for trial Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Christianity is a faith with a long and detailed history, with numerous events of lasting significance occurring throughout the ages. Each week brings the anniversaries of great milestones, horrid tragedies, amazing triumphs, telling tribulations, inspirational progress, and everything in between. Here are just a few things that happened this week, Feb. 9-15, in Church history. They include the death of a prominent African-American church leader, the reported beginning of the Our Lady of Lourdes visions by St. Bernadette, and Galileo arriving in Rome for his heresy trial. 1 2 3 4 Next After it was accidentally invented in 1934 by Henry Ruschmann, glitter has exploded in the craft and makeup industries, causing many an arduous vacuuming-up over the years. Heedless of the potential mess, many of us cant get enough of anything delightfully shimmery, shiny and sparkly, and glittery cosmetics such as those used heavily at raves and music festivals are no exception. Sadly, our soft spot for sparkle comes at an environmental cost. Similarly to the current phasing out of microbeads around the world, with the UK and US already successfully outlawing them, scientists are calling for a ban on glitter. Made of tiny pieces of plastic, glitter is entering our waterways where fish are mistaking it for food. A variety of "bio-glitters" have been created, made from ingredients such as (real and synthetic) mica and eucalyptus cellulose. Credit:iStock Microplastics make up 92.4 per cent of the plastic floating around in the ocean and take thousands of years to disintegrate. Once they enter the food chain they end up being eaten by humans, and a disturbing amount can also be found in our drinking water. Scientists are still investigating how this affects our brain function and breathing, but many would like to see glitter made of these plastics taken off the market before the full extent of the damage is known. Anas Ghadouani, a Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Western Australia, argues plastic has been a wonderful innovation for modern applications such as producing convenient and hygienic medical equipment, but we need to reconsider the production and disposal of microplastics such as glitter so it doesnt end up in our waterways and eventually the ocean and the food chain. Mr. Nimmos goal is to spot disinformation early essentially, to stamp out the fire before it spreads. His techniques have changed as his adversaries have become more cunning. Because Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are now policing their platforms more aggressively, he is less able to rely on obvious clues like masses of automated Twitter posts and fake Facebook accounts. So Mr. Nimmo has started looking for clues in obscure areas of the internet, like German news sites that accept unverified user-generated content and Iranian video-sharing services. Websites like Reddit, Medium and Quora are becoming popular places to create fake accounts and plant disinformation and leaks. Every time we catch a threat actor, you can bet that the other ones will change their tactics to try and keep ahead, he said. More interference is coming in the 2020 campaigns, Mr. Nimmo said. He said he was particularly worried about a hack-and-leak operation like the one in 2016 when Russian operatives took information from the Democratic National Committees servers and got it published online. Loaded with juicy and accurate information, such leaks go viral on social media and can be irresistible to the news media. Mr. Nimmos path to disinformation research was not an obvious one. An Englishman who studied literature at Cambridge University, he worked as a scuba diving instructor in Egypt, as well as a travel writer and journalist in Europe. In 2007, while reporting on violent demonstrations in Estonia for Deutsche Presse-Agentur, he was head-butted by a protester, breaking his nose and leaving it off center still today. In 2011, he began working at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a press officer. While there in 2014, he saw how Russia had worked to muddy perceptions of its invasion of Crimea that year, including misrepresenting Russian soldiers as local self-defense forces. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 17:21:31|Editor: yhy Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese-American film director Lulu Wang's comedy drama "The Farewell" won Best Feature award Saturday night at the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards. The awards, held in the U.S. coastal city of Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, honor the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. The film, written and directed by Wang, stars Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin and Zhao Shuzhen among others. Based in part on Wang's life experiences, the film follows a Chinese-American girl returning to China to say goodbye to her terminally-ill grandmother. Zhao, who plays the grandmother in "The Farewell," won Best Supporting Female award, while Willem Dafoe won Best Supporting Male award for his role as Thomas Wake in the psychological horror film "The Lighthouse." Renee Zellweger took home the award for Best Female Lead for her performance in the biographical drama "Judy." Adam Sandler nabbed Best Male Lead award for the crime thriller film "Uncut Gems." Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie, the directors of "Uncut Gems," took home the prize for Best Director. South Korean black comedy thriller "Parasite" won Best International Film, while the Best Documentary award went to "American Factory," the first film from former U.S. First Couple Barack and Michelle Obama's Higher Ground Productions. A 22-year-old man was fatally shot outside of his home in Brockton Saturday. The Plymouth District Attorneys office identified the victim as Ailson Barbosa. Police in Brockton responded to a report of gunshots around 8:48 p.m. after the gunshot-detection system, ShotSpotter, alerted officers to activity in the area of 117 Belmont Ave. Officers found the shooting victim near a stairwell. Barbosa had been shot several times, according to authorities. Barbosa was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Brockton police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Plymouth District Attorneys office continue to investigate the killing. (Natural News) Earlier this winter, Joe Bidens 2020 presidential campaign was rocked by scandal, and not all of it was tied to him. As NewsTarget reported, while Joe Biden was serving as Obamas vice president, he was given the assignment of being point man for Ukraine at a time when Russian aggression was overtaking the country and Kiev was turning to Washington for help. It wasnt an unreasonable request. Under the terms of the Budapest Memorandum, signed in December 1994, the U.S. and Great Britain agreed to provide security assurances to Ukraine in exchange for that country surrendering nuclear weapons left on its territory after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The weapons were returned to Russia. But in 2014, Russian forces annexed the Crimea and began providing military assistance to rebels and separatists in eastern Ukraine. In response, the Obama administration sent Joe Biden and a loan guarantee of $1 billion so the country could arm itself. Only, the VP brought along the money with one condition: Kievs government was required to fire a prosecutor looking into corruption involving a company in which his son, Hunter, served as a board member (at tens of thousands of dollars per month). It was a quid pro quo in the classic sense. The prosecutor was fired, Kiev got the money, and the Bidens managed to exploit a country that was under attack for their own personal gain. This is the prototypical deal that the offspring of high-ranking American government officials usually get, as former first daughter Chelsea Clinton knows. As reported by The Hill: Chelsea Clinton has reaped $9 million in compensation since 2011 for serving on the board of an internet investment company, according to Barrons, the financial publication. Barrons reported Sunday that Clinton has profited handsomely as a board member for IAC/InterActiveCorp, a media and internet investment company that has an ownership stake in 150 well-known brands, such as Vimeo, Tinder, Angies List and Home Advisor. Clinton daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has served on IACs board since 2011. She receives an annual retainer fee of $50,000 and $250,000 worth of restricted IAC stock. This kind of stuff is why Trump won At the end of December, she reported owning $8.95 million worth of the companys stock to the Securities and Exchange Commission. This isnt the only sweet deal Chelsea Clinton has managed to land. According to the UK Daily Mail, Clinton made $300,000 for attending just a half-dozen meetings as an IAC board member in 2018 a company that is run by Barry Diller, who is a family friend of the Clintons. The board position follows her brief career as a special correspondent for NBC, from November 2011 through August 2014. For that, she was paid well $600,000 per year, though she had no prior media experience and no journalism training or education. In truth, its these kinds of deals that not only enrich the children of powerful American politicians, but their parents as well. The Clintons themselves benefited from their positions to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, much of it laundered through a foundation that, after Hillary lost to President Trump, suddenly started downsizing and laying off people. And according to presidential lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who has been probing Biden corruption now for months, the former VP and his son. The constants here are: Joe becomes point man. Joe fails in his mission to the U.S. In Iraq, he cant get a status of forces agreement, Giuliani told talk host Dan Bongino this week. In Ukraine, he cant do a damn thing about corruption except contribute to itBut in each case, the Biden crime family made millions and millions of dollars. To me, its a racketeering case, a RICO case. Sources include: TheNationalSentinel.com NewsTarget.com TheHill.com DailyMail.co.uk Montenegro Airlines plans to introduce a new route and strengthen frequencies on a number of key services this coming summer season. The Montenegrin carrier will boost its operations from Podgorica to Ljubljana by adding an additional four weekly flights for a total of one daily rotation, while the carrier will also introduce a new seasonal service to Lisbon, linking Montenegro and Portugal with a scheduled flight for the first time. Operations to Lisbon will commence on June 22 and run each Monday until September 21. The carrier has also been in talks with Croatia Airlines over cooperation on future flights between Podgorica and Zagreb, which are expected to be run by its Croatian counterpart. Montenegro Airlines will add an extra daily rotation between Tivat and Belgrade this coming summer season. The carrier plans to operate up to 29 weekly services between the two cities from June until September, an increase from last years 22 weekly flights. Belgrade is Montenegro Airlines busiest route with the carrier's passenger numbers on services to the Serbian capital increasing 3% in 2019. Furthermore, the airline will increase its operations from Tivat to St Petersburg, with flights to run six instead of four times per week. The carrier previously said it was also considering introducing seasonal operations to Istanbul, although they have not been scheduled at this point. Montenegro Airlines is still in the process of finalising its summer schedule. The airline will also operate a number of charter services. It previously noted it would lease an additional E195 jet for the coming summer. Montenegro Airlines will retire its sole operational Fokker 100 jet following the end of the 2020 summer season. The carriers CEO, Zivko Banjevic, recently said, In the future, the plan is to have a fleet of five Embraer E195 jets, while a sixth plane, of the same or greater capacity, would be wet-leased through an ACMI over the summer season. Investors are being warned to steer clear of adverts for collective investment schemes that promise a stream of income from a stake in a car park, self-storage units, student accommodation blocks, hotels or care homes. The schemes are unregulated, often illegally marketed and once bought almost impossible to sell. In many cases, the funds are promoted as property-based when in reality the building has yet to be developed. Some are outright scams. Given they are unregulated, it means investors cannot seek compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or get redress from the Financial Ombudsman Service. Promise of wealth: : Student accommodation 'units' in Scholars Village, Bradford Such property-based unregulated collective investment schemes first became popular in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis when the big banks pulled the plug on the funding of many developments. While some developers went out of business, others became more creative, inviting investors to fund their projects by buying a 'unit' in them commonly known as 'fractional ownership'. This could be an individual room in a hotel, student accommodation block or care home or part ownership of a car park or self-storage facility. The income would then come from the letting of the rooms or revenues generated from the car park or storage units. But most were marketed illegally it is unlawful to promote them to the general public if set up as unregulated collective investment schemes. The Financial Conduct Authority warns against them saying they are 'not recommended for most people as unregulated collective investment schemes by their nature are risky products'. When Wiltshire-based Ray and Lois Ingham invested part of their retirement funds into such a scheme property backed four years ago, they thought they were buying into an investment that would provide them with an attractive income for the rest of their lives. Nothing could have been further from the truth. With promised annual fixed returns ranging up to 10 per cent for ten years, they parted with nearly 100,000 to purchase two student accommodation 'units' in Scholars Village, Bradford. The development was one of 19 similar projects in other towns and cities developed by A1 Alpha Properties (Leicester) Limited. Ray says: 'It looked perfect. 'We were living in France so we didn't want an investment we had to manage ourselves like a buy-to-let property. We were investing into property that everyone thinks of as secure and our solicitors didn't warn of any reason why we shouldn't proceed.' Ray thought it would be an 'armchair investment' one where he and Lois could sit back and pocket the income from the students' rent. Within 18 months, the promised returns on their investment had dried up. This time last year, A1 Alpha Properties (Leicester) went into administration with directors Nicholas Spence and Derek Kewley partly blaming the company's collapse on a glut of student accommodation. Investors collectively stand to lose up to 100 million as a result of the business failure and to rub salt into open wounds they are still receiving demands for service charges and ground rents. Despite warnings from the regulator these schemes are still being offered to unwary buyers. For example, schemes are available offering investments in The Baltic Hotel and Epic Hotel & Residence, both in Liverpool. Gareth Shaw, head of money at consumer body Which?, says: 'High-risk schemes that lure investors with the promise of high returns are unregulated and do not offer the same protections as traditional investments.' The Inghams now have the support of online advice service ucisadvicepoint.org.uk and are seeking to recover their money. A 52-year-old Sparta man was referred to the Monroe County District Attorney after allegedly threatening to kill a woman Dec. 22 in the town of Ridgeville. Randal R. Cunitz was referred for making terroristic threats, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, resisting a police officer, disorderly conduct and battery. Police responded to a Hwy. 71 residence in the town of Ridgeville after a report that Cunitz had threatened to kill a woman. When police arrived, the woman said Cunitz had locked all the doors to the residence but was unsure of his location. She allowed police inside through the garage. Police located Cunitz in an upstairs bedroom. The report says Cunitz was agitated and aggressive and demanded that police leave. When he appeared to reach for something, police made the decision to detain him. Cunitz refused to place his hands behind his back and resisted being handcuffed. Police threatened to Taser him but were able to apply the handcuffs without using the Taser. An officer involved in subduing Cunitz sustained a small cut to the right shin. Cunitz was placed in a squad car, and police interviewed the woman. She said an intoxicated Cunitz demanded that she leave residence and if she didnt, he would put gun in her mouth and kill her. She said Cunitz grabbed her by the hair and pulled her around the kitchen, which caused her head to strike a cupboard door. He then punched her in the head several times with a closed fist, which caused considerable pain. She told police that Kunitz also pulled a kitchen knife on her and threw kitchen chairs, one of which damaged a wall. The woman told police that Cunitz dragged her by the hair outside and locked the door behind her. Police observed a swollen area on the back of her head with a skin abrasion. She refused medical attention but went to Gundersen Health System for evaluation the following day. In other Monroe County Sheriffs Office news: Isaac Alan Antone, 25, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for bail jumping. He is accused of violating a bond condition that prohibits him from consuming alcohol. A preliminary breath test recorded a blood-alcohol level of .135. Mason J. Cooper, 29, Neillsville, and Francis A. Sanchez, 24, Alma Center, were referred to the district attorney after a vehicle was pulled over for speeding Dec. 22 on Interstate 90-94 near Oakdale. Police pulled over a vehicle traveling 78 mph in a 70 mph zone shortly after 2 a.m. There were five occupants in the vehicle, and all except the driver refused requests for identification. The report says one passenger had constricted pupils and that a tied-off plastic bag could be viewed in plain sight. One of the passengers, Christopher L. Martin, 40, Whitehall, admitted to using heroin earlier in the day and told police that Sanchez was an active drug user. Martin had a pair of active warrants and was placed under arrest. The report says Cooper gave a false name to police before Sanchez revealed his identity. Cooper also had an outstanding warrant and was placed under arrest. Police summoned a K9 to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle. After a positive response, police conducted a search and found a silver lock box in Sanchezs purse. It allegedly contained four used syringes and cotton ball with a brown substance that Sanchez identified as a tiny bit of heroin. Sanchez was referred for possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping. Cooper was referred for obstructing an officer. Nathan Lee Harrison, 23, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for battery and disorderly conduct after a Dec. 27 incident in the town of Byron. Police responded to a Hwy. 173 residence after a woman reported she had been punched in the face. When police arrived, the woman was sitting on the front steps bleeding from the mouth. She said Harrison struck her five or six times. The report says Harrison admitted to hitting the woman twice after he told her to leave him alone. He told police he had consumed 14 or 15 beers. A preliminary breath test recorded a blood-alcohol level of .099. William L. Georgeson, 49, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for substantial battery and disorderly conduct after a Dec. 29 incident in the town of LaGrange. Police were called to a Flavin Avenue residence shortly after 3:30 a.m. A woman said Georgeson became enraged over messages on her phone and slammed her to the ground multiple times. She said Georgeson then dragged her by the head outside and locked her out without her wearing a jacket or shoes. Georgeson denied assaulting the woman. He said the woman tripped and fell and that he helped get her back on her feet. Adam Lee Drew-Puent, 38, Tomah, was referred to the district attorney for drug charges after a Dec. 29 traffic stop. Tomah police informed the sheriffs office that Drew-Puent had two felony warrants and was heading west from Tomah on Interstate 90. Police located Drew-Puents vehicle near Sparta and followed it into La Crosse County, where a traffic stop was conducted near the Bangor exit. Drew-Puent was placed under arrest for the warrants. The report says he appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine. Police summoned a K9 to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle. After a positive response, police searched the vehicle and allegedly found a glass pipe and a zippered pouch containing a pea-sized chunk of a crystallized substance later identified as methamphetamine. Drew-Puent denied knowing anything about the items. Drew-Puent was referred for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and bail jumping. Scott Lorn Bedee, 55, Sparta, was referred to the district attorney for obstructing an officer and bail jumping. He is accused of violating a bond condition that prohibits him from leaving the city of Sparta or town of Sparta without approval from Monroe County bond monitoring. He is also accused of lying to police about receiving a phone message. Tomah Journal editor Steve Rundio can be reached at steve.rundio@lee.net. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two persons were injured when miscreants armed with sharp weapons attacked them after crossing the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Sunday, police said. The incident took place in the afternoon and both the injured persons were stated to be out of danger, the police said. Superintendent of Police, Claudia Lyngwa told PTI, that the two youths, came across the miscreants in the outskirts Pyrkan village, and when they asked them about their nationality, they were attacked with sharp weapons. The SP said she has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Pyrkan is very close to the Indo-Bangladesh border. "We are in contact with our counterparts and we expect that the perpetrators be brought to book sooner," a senior BSF officer told PTI. Meghalaya shares a 443 km-long border with Bangladesh of which around 100 km is still unfenced. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Heroic bystanders have told how they helped pull a middle-aged couple out of surging floodwaters by dragging them through the boot of their car. Passer-by Ibi Dost and his friend were driving across a bridge in the CBD of Parramatta, western Sydney on Sunday afternoon when they saw the pair's white BMW was semi-submerged in the water. With no-one around to help, Mr Dost and his companion raced to the scene and turned into rescuers - pulling the couple to safety through the boot. Bystanders have told of how they heroically pulled a middle-aged couple out of the boot of their car to safety after the BMW became stranded in floodwaters (pictured SES volunteers rescue a motorist trapped in flood waters in a separate incident during the flooding) The unlikely rescue happened as Sydney was drenched in record-breaking rainfall, accompanied by wind gusts of up to 107km/h off the coast of the Harbour City. The couple's car had been 'sucked in' to the raging Parramatta River after they drove the vehicle to its edge to watch the water level rise. 'We see them, there was no-one there to help them,' Mr Dost told The Daily Telegraph. 'They were very nervous - they were in a lot of stress.' The Parramatta River's level surged during Sunday's drenching, flooding its banks and consuming the pier at the the suburb's ferry pier. The rescued couple said the floodwaters 'sucked (them) in' and added they were in a state of shock following their lucky escape. The ferocious and record-breaking weather system which has battered Sydney with rain and wind is pictured on Sunday. The couple's car had been 'sucked in' to the raging Parramatta River Police closed the scene off about 3pm following the rescue - one of multiple near-misses for people caught up in rising waters on Sunday. A 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs after he was trapped between debris in waist-deep water for two hours in the state's Hunter region, 120km north of Sydney. The teen was rescued by emergency services after falling into the Allyn River about 9am on Sunday. The SES has responded to more than 3,300 requests for assistance since Wednesday, Ms York told reporters in Sydney on Sunday. On Saturday, two women climbed out of their car windows as their vehicle was dragged under flood waters in northern New South Wales Overnight volunteers responded to 535 jobs - including 250 in greater Sydney and 231 in the state's north, a spokesman said earlier. On Saturday, two women climbed out of their car windows as their vehicle was dragged under flood waters in northern New South Wales. Gill Sutherland, 67, and her niece Hannah, 30, were driving to Nimbin in the New South Wales Northern Rivers region when they crossed a flooded road on Saturday. However, they quickly lost control of the car which filled up with water and sank, completely disappearing from sight. Suicide attack kills Algerian soldier near Mali border: defence ministry Algiers, Feb 9 (AFP) Feb 09, 2020 An Algerian soldier was killed Sunday in a suicide car bomb attack near the Mali border, the Algerian defence ministry said in a statement. "Today at 1050 (0950 GMT) in the border area of Timiaouine, a detachment of the ANP (army) was the target... of a suicide attacker in an all-terrain vehicle," the statement said. "The soldier in charge of access managed to stop the suspect vehicle from entering, however the suicide attacker blew up the vehicle, causing the death of the solider on guard," it added. No information was given about the identity of the attacker. Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Said Chanegriha offered condolences to the family of the "martyred" soldier, and praised "the great vigilance shown by the unit which was able to foil this desperate attempt for media attention." Chanegriha stressed "the determination of ANP forces to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and to track down criminals across the country, to preserve the security and stability of the state." The attack -- which was not immediately claimed -- is the first of its kind in southern Algeria in years. In January 2013, members of Al-Qaeda attacked a gas plant near In Amenas near the Libyan border. Forty hostages died along with 29 jihadists. Sunday's attack comes as Algeria is seeking involvement in attempts to resolve regional crises in Libya and the Sahel. Worried by the risk of instability in southern Algeria, Algiers served in 2014 and 2015 as mediator between the Malian government and armed rebels. The last suicide attack against Algerian forces was in August 2019. Two Algerian police were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his vest while trying to enter a police station in Tiaret, 250 kilometres (155 miles) southwest of Algiers. The Islamic State group claimed that attack. By Ulf Laessing CAIRO (Reuters) - Libya's warring parties will continue talks this month to try to reach a lasting ceasefire in a war for control of the capital Tripoli, the United Nations said on Saturday, after a first round in Geneva last week failed to yield an agreement. The U.N. hosted indirect talks between five officers from the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar, which has been trying to take Tripoli since April, and the same number from forces of the internationally recognised government in Tripoli. By Ulf Laessing CAIRO (Reuters) - Libya's warring parties will continue talks this month to try to reach a lasting ceasefire in a war for control of the capital Tripoli, the United Nations said on Saturday, after a first round in Geneva last week failed to yield an agreement. The U.N. hosted indirect talks between five officers from the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar, which has been trying to take Tripoli since April, and the same number from forces of the internationally recognised government in Tripoli. Fighting has calmed down since last month although skirmishes with artillery have continued in southern Tripoli, which the LNA has been unable to breach in its campaign. Both sides had agreed to continue the dialogue with the U.N. proposing a follow-up meeting on Feb. 18 in Geneva, the U.N. mission to Libya (UNSMIL) said in a statement. It said the two sides wanted people displaced by the war to return but had been unable to agree on how to achieve this, without elaborating. There was no immediate comment from either side in the conflict. UNSMIL gave no update on efforts to end a blockade of major oil ports and oilfields by forces and tribesmen loyal to the LNA. On Thursday, U.N. Libya envoy Ghassan Salame said he had talked to tribesmen behind the blockade and was awaiting their demands. He also said the blockade will be at the top of the agenda at a meeting in Cairo on Sunday between representatives from eastern, western and southern Libya seeking to overcome economic divisions in a country with two governments. Diplomats said the Cairo meeting would be mainly attended by technical experts to prepare a wider dialogue to be followed in coming months. In a sign that a reopening of ports might not be imminent, tribes and communities in oil-rich areas in eastern Libya held by the LNA said in a statement that they opposed resuming oil exports unless Tripoli is freed of militias, a demand of the LNA. They also demanded the withdrawal of Syrian fighters sent by Turkey to help defend Tripoli against the LNA, which enjoys the backing of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Russian mercenaries. Furthermore, they called for what they described as a fair distribution of oil revenues, another demand of the LNA and people in the east, where many complain of neglect going back to Muammar Gaddafi, toppled in a 2011 uprising which plunged Libya into chaos. State oil firm NOC, which is based in Tripoli and serves the whole country, sends oil revenues to the central bank which mainly works with the Tripoli government, although it also pays some civil servants in the east. (Reporting by Ulf Laessing and Ayman al-Warfalli; Editing by Hugh Lawson) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Voters in Azerbaijan went to the polls Sunday in parliamentary elections decried by the opposition as a sham vote that will strengthen President Ilham Aliyev's grip on power without bringing any real change. Parliamentary elections had been scheduled for November this year, but Aliyev called early polls in December 2019 after a surprise self-dissolution of the legislature that is dominated by his ruling party. The move followed a replacement of the prime minister and a number of veteran officials within the presidential administration and the government. Critics say that Aliyev, 58, seeks to address growing public discontent over an economic slowdown and to improve his government's image by replacing discredited old elites with younger technocrats. The opposition had accused the government of limiting their ability to campaign and several parties are boycotting the vote. "I voted for an opposition candidate," taxi driver Ilgar Gasymov, 58, said at a polling station in the capital Baku. "Only the opposition cares about ordinary people's problems." Vafa Alekperova, a 43-year-old schoolteacher, said she voted for a ruling party candidate. "I trust the party and my hopes for a better future are tied to it," she said. Turnout was over 12 percent four hours after the polls opened, election officials said. Aliyev's Yeni Azerbaijan party, which faces little challenge from the embattled opposition, is expected to retain its majority in the legislature. It promised that the election would be democratic. Central Election Commission chief Mazahir Panahov insisted that "all conditions" had been created for a free and fair vote. Electoral commissions are controlled by Aliyev's party and all of the oil-rich country's television stations have refused to allocate airtime to representatives of the opposition. Highly dependent on energy exports, the country has since 2015 been hit by a drop in energy prices and the global economic downturn, and has sharply devalued its currency, the manat. Analyst Anar Mammadli noted that public anger over economic problems has been growing in the South Caucasus country of nine million people. "Aliyev chose to hold elections eight months ahead of schedule as he fears that protest sentiment would grow further by November," he told AFP in the run-up to the election. "Both the government reshuffle and the early polls serve the same purpose of extending Aliyev's rule." With most powers concentrated in the presidency, parliament has a limited role in the Caspian nation's political system. "There aren't even minimal conditions in Azerbaijan for holding democratic elections," said Ali Karimli, leader of the opposition Popular Front party which is boycotting the polls. "There will be an imitation of an election in Azerbaijan," he added ahead of the vote. Another prominent opposition leader, Isa Gambar of the Musavat party, which is taking part in the vote, complained that authorities had "totally falsified all the previous polls." Gambar also decried draconian restrictions on the freedom of assembly in Azerbaijan where "people are being arrested and tortured" for taking part in peaceful protest rallies. Karimli said there were now 130 political prisoners in the country. None of the elections held in Azerbaijan since Aliyev came to power has been recognised as free and fair by international observers. Aliyev has ruled the ex-Soviet state with an iron fist since he was first elected in 2003, after the death of his father, Azerbaijan's Soviet-era Communist leader and former KGB general Heydar Aliyev. Under the Aliyev dynasty, Baku has faced strong international criticism for persecuting political opponents and suffocating independent media. Sunday's ballot is being monitored by international observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. More than 1,300 candidates from 19 parties are standing for the 125-seat, single-house parliament, the Milli Majlis. More than 5.3 million people are eligible to vote. Polls, which opened at 0400 GMT, will close at 1500 GMT. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North Constituency, Hon Andy Appiah Kubi have received the endorsement of African American businessman, Nana Amo Kantinkrau. The pan-africanist cum philanthropist believes the massive development the two men have brought into Ghana and the Asante Akim North Constituency respectively needs commendation. Citing some remarkable achievements of the Nana Addo-led NPP government, Nana Kantinkrau said the introduction of the Nation Builders Corps(NABCO), Free SHS, restoration of Nursing and Teacher Trainee allowances, One District One Factory, One Village One Dam, One Constituency One Ambulance and the prudent economic management so far among others are some of the key reasons why the Nana Addo-led government should be retained after the December 2020 General elections. Also painstakingly outlining some achievements of the Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Hon Andy Appiah Kubi, the chief said the construction of several teachers and nurses quarters in the constituency, renovation of some primary and junior high schools, provision of bursaries and scholarships to brilliant but needy students, construction of modern markets in some communities, upgrading Juansa community clinic to a Polyclinic, massive rural electrification projects, construction of various roads within the Constituency and the strongest commitment shown in the fight against the Fulani menace so far among many others are some of the glaring achievements of Hon Andy Appiah Kubi which needs to be rewarded through his reelection in the impending parliamentary elections. Owing to the massive and unprecedented positive strides made in the various facets of the Ghanaian economy by the current government, the business tycoon is envisaging bringing investors into the country to open up more opportunities for the youth especially those in Asante Akim North. Ghanaians will hold presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2020, in a vote that will be closely contested between Akufo-Addo's New Patriotic Party and the main opposition National Democratic Congress. "Overwhelmed," was the reaction of Sinn Fein's Brian Stanley to the tally figures which put him in pole position at 16,319. "It's a huge day for us. I felt we were doing well from Ballylinan to Banagher and Rathdowney to Rhode, but I did not see the scale of this victory. It's a great day for the party." As to the composition of the next government, he said it was a case of seeing how it worked out from here. "Sinn Fein's preference is to be in a left of centre government. We want to be in power. "Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar are still denying the reality of it. That's fine if they think they can do it. But we do want to be in the middle." Sinn Fein's success was based on "years of hard work by the organisation. "It's important to listen to people and particularly the people not doing so well. We really communicated our message well across this time. There is no point in telling people the economy is going well, if their week's wages are running out on a Monday or Tuesday and they have to wait until Friday or doing long commutes to work. Stanley hit out at sections of the national media that "tried to do a hatchet job on us, particularly in the last days of the campaign. "The reality is people do not depend on the mainstream media as much anymore. People make up their own minds rather than been told what to do by the Dublin 4 know alls. "At the last election in 2016 I was accused of presiding over murder. People made up their own minds. "The establishment parties and sections of the media closely allied to them have failed. People are not fooled by their propaganda." (Natural News) A study published in the journal Developmental Cell found that when certain animal species detect the presence of atmospheric oxygen, their webbed digits can turn into free fingers. This is especially the case in the embryotic development of amphibians and amniotes, which includes birds, reptiles and even mammals, all of which are capable of having either webbed digits or free fingers. Amphibians like frogs and toads have a different way of forming free fingers compared to other animal species. They form fingers without webbing through differential growth patterns. On the other hand, amniotes, which are animals that either lay their eggs on land or retain the fertilized egg in the mothers womb, rely on a process known as interdigital cell death. This means that the animal fetus forms webbed digits, but the cells in between the fingers die during development. This mechanism contributes to a greater variety of limb shapes. (Related: Cool science: Researchers have successfully observed how fish and amphibians regenerate tissue into their perfect original shape.) According to Mikiko Tanaka, senior author of the study and associate professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technologys School of Life Science and Technology, the development of free fingers through interdigital cell death depends on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are a type of chemical species that contains oxygen, such as free radicals. Furthermore, they believe that ROS only occur when embryos of certain animal species are exposed to sufficient levels of oxygen during embryonic development. Tanaka and her team, which consists of researchers from Japan and the US, believe that because high oxygen levels can induce cell death in amphibians like frogs, the mechanism that initiates interdigital cell death may be common among both amphibians and amniotes alike. But amphibians do not employ cell death to shape their interdigital regions, said Tanaka. It is the difference in growth rate between the digital and interdigital regions that will determine their final proportions. We think that interdigital cell death appeared in amphibians only as a by-product of the high oxygen levels, a first step in this evolutionary process. This new step eventually was integrated to the limb development and became essential to shape the limbs of modern amniotes. Animal embryos put under the spotlight In their research, Tanaka and her team examined embryos from different animal species. They examined these embryos while they developed under different laboratory conditions. For example, chickens, which are amniotes that experience interdigital cell death, had startlingly fewer cells that died when the oxygen levels were changed. For comparison, the African clawed frog, which typically does not experience interdigital cell death, experienced it when the amount of environmental oxygen was increased. Furthermore, they found that increasing the density of blood vessels in the limbs of frogs also induced cell death. Tanaka and her team explained that the interdigital region is filled with blood vessels, and provide the tissues with a lot of oxygen, and that a lot of this oxygen can be converted into ROS. Paradoxically, said Tanaka, ROS are traditionally considered villains such as in aging and infertility, but it is becoming clear that there are physiological levels of ROS which vary according to each cell and regulate several signaling pathways during the development and in the adult organism. Tanaka said that while both amniotes and amphibians can have either free fingers or webbed digits, the two animal groups form their limbs in different ways and that this variety allowed for the evolution of different limb shapes. These include the human digits, the lobed toes of coots and some other duck species and even the removal of digits altogether such as with horses and camels. In the future, Tanaka wishes to further understand what role ROS play during embryonic development and how interdigital cell death became integral to the limb development of amniotes. This can also lead to future research concerning how certain drugs filled with ROS, which may contain free radicals, can cause developmental defects in humans. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com Cell.com Saravanan M P By Express News Service TIRUPUR: Most jobs in the formal sector come with benefits: health insurance, provident fund, paid leave. However, the benefits recently promised by one garment unit owner in Tirupur more than raised eyebrows. Senthil Vel, desperate to fill vacancies for skilled jobs in his garment unit put up posters across the town, promising liquor, twice a day, for the selected male employee. I got responses to my ad seeking padlock tailors in just a few hours and hired eight people. Unfortunately, I am continuing to receive calls regarding the job and have been forced to switch off my mobile phone for a better part of the day, he told Express. Senthil is not alone in going all out to find workers in Tirupur. The textile town is struggling to cope with a curious combination of problems: high attrition amid an economic slowdown. While the industry is accustomed to seasonal attrition that hits around the festival season at the end of each year, many now believe that the problem has worsened since April 2019. Workers at a Tirupur textile unit| Express The domestic slump The Tirupur textile industry was worth Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000 crore in 2018-19. Of this, exporters, with mostly large units, had a turnover of Rs 26,000 crore and domestic sellers, most of which are small and medium scale units, made Rs 20,000 crores. The last year saw domestic manufacturers hit by a slowdown, with festivals such as Deepavali, seeing a whopping 75 per cent drop in sales, according to industry sources. Insiders say that demonetisation, the GST rollout and Indias Free Trade Agreement with Bangladesh have all hit domestic units. The end of 2019 saw many such units grappling with unsold stock worth Rs 2000 to Rs 3,000 crore which forced some to scale back on working hours. Some units even struggled to pay salaries. The real force Garment workers are the backbone of the Tirupur textile and garment industry. Over 5 lakh people, of which at least half are other states such as Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, are employed in the industry. Padlock tailors, like the ones Senthil Vel hired, are a part of the Power Table Operators in the stitching section of a garment unit. The stitching section is a vital part of the industry, so tailors are considered an important resource. However, the industry has been facing a severe scarcity of skilled labourers across the board. Padlock tailors, sewing machine operators, overlock tailors, knitting machine operators are all hard to come by these days, said National Garment owner K Rajendran. According to Tirupur Exporters Association Treasurer P Mohan, the industry has 80,000 vacancies to be filled. Currently, Tirupurs readymade garment exports are worth around Rs 27,000 crore per annum. We want to achieve a Rs 1 lakh crore turnover in 2022. Though we have the investments and infrastructure required to reach that target, we are short of workers. Even if we filled the 80,000 vacancies, we would still need 1 lakh more workers to meet that target, Mohan said. Piece-rate attraction If the domestic sellers are struggling and their workers are losing out on pay, shouldnt the export units be able to absorb the workers? Industry sources blame this labour scarcity to the allure of piece-work. Both domestic and export units give out work one piece-rate basis when an order requires quick turnaround and they dont want to add more full-time staff to the payroll. The piece-rate system allows a skilled worker to make more money each month, as the amount the worker earns depends on how many pieces he is able to finish in a day, which in turn depends on how much he is willing to work in a day. However, the system offers neither the security of guaranteed work and pay, nor any benefits that might be available to a salaried worker. Still, many people arrive in Tirupur with no skills and start at salaries of about Rs 12,000 a month, once they acquire the skills in six to eight months they are tempted to switch to piece-rate work. A worker could earn up to Rs 25,000 a month this way. Jignesh Yadav, a migrant worker from Bihar, is one of those who made that switch. I arrived in Tirupur four years ago and started at a monthly salary of Rs 10,000. I learned the job in six months and, with the help of a friend, I got orders on a piece-rate basis, he said. Currently, Yadav says that he works up to 11 hours a day and earns Rs 18,000-Rs 22,000 depending on how many pieces he completes. Echoing the experience of others in the gig economy, he says the work is depleting. Sometimes, I feel exhausted and have to take time off, he said. The piece-rate system is also unreliable as Mohammed Shabir, who hails from Jharkhand, found. "After working at a garment company for a year, I too tried working on a piece-rate basis four years ago, he recalled. At first, everything was perfect. I earned around Rs 25,000 a month. For the first six months, I had money to buy jewellery for my wife and children. But then, the orders started drying up. I was totally confused as to whether I should continue or return to a salaried position, he said. Finally, I joined an export unit. I now earn around Rs 20,000 a month. But the salary comes on time and there are other job benefits, so I am happy to be here, he said. Stability, aspirations, monotony According to K Murali, who owns a knitting unit, the difference of income between working on a piece-rate basis or for a monthly salary is Rs 4,000-7,000 per month. A worker who wants job security does not take the risk. But this is a lot of money for a daily wager from a poor background. So they get drawn to piece-rate work. As a result, each knitting or garment unit loses workers every month. When this happens at almost 40 per cent of the units, it becomes an industry crisis, he said. There are other factors too that contribute to this attrition, says social activist Ravichandran. For one, the high rents charged by landlords in the town eat into their earnings. Another reason is the monotonous nature of the work. Ravichandran says that those who move to Tirupur from within the State find the monotony hard to cope with. Similarly, some of the people from Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar who come to work here find, after six to eight months, that they dislike their jobs. So they go to their village for some festival and simply dont return, he said. Trying times: The Tirupur textile industry was worth Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000 crore in 2018-19. Of this, exporters had a turnover of Rs 26,000 crore and domestic sellers made Rs 20,000 crores The end of 2019 saw units grappling with unsold stock worth Rs 2000- Rs 3,000 crore which forced some to scale back on working hours. According to Tirupur Exporters Association treasurer P Mohan, the industry has 80,000 vacancies to be filled. Over that it would still require one lakh workers to meet its 2022 targets Under the piece-rate system, a worker could earn up to Rs 25,000 a month under this system with just six to eight months of training Booze for jobs? cops probe A complaint was filed against Senthil Vel for his posters at the Tirupur Police Commissioner Office on January 29. Tirupur Thozil Pathukappu Kuzhu (TTPK), in its complaint, said the offer of liquor to padlock tailors was highly condemnable, and created a perception that tailors are addicted to liquor. It further said that such advertising would force garment unit owners to yield to the personal demands of the workers and sought action against Senthil Vel. Tirupur City - Deputy Police Commissioner Badrinarayanan told Express that as Senthils phone was switched off, the police were trying to reach him. We are still trying to assess the legal provisions under which to initiate any action on this particular issue, he said. A report just released by an organization based in USA indicates that there wont be any visible reforms in Zimbabwe in the next few years as the old guard and military are still firmly in control, more than two years after the late former president Robert Mugabe was toppled in a defacto coup. According to the Rand Corporations findings following dozens of interviews last year in Zimbabwe, although Mnangagwa has deployed flowery reform rhetoric, his administration's piecemeal actions belie any movement toward genuine political or economic reform. The Rand Corporation, which is a non-profit research group, claims that repression has increased in Zimbabwe and the economy continues to sink. It says with the old guard and military still firmly in power and both benefiting from perches atop the highly cartelized and patronage-based economy genuine reform is unlikely in the next one to three years under present conditions in Zimbabwe. The organization says there is need for significant political and economic reforms in the southern African nation if it has to recover from what it calls years of mismanagement, corruption, and state violence. The Rand Corporation is urging international actors, including the United States, to push the Zimbabwean government in a coordinated fashion so that the country can implement genuine political, economic, and security reforms. The Rand Corporation reveals in the report, titled A New Zimbabwe: Assessing Continuity and Change After Mugabe, that even where limited progress has been made, such steps appear to be largely cosmetic. Zimbabwes Deputy Information Minister Energy Mutodi dismissed the report as a senseless document designed to undermine President Mnangagwas government. Zanu PF Central Committee member, Joseph Tshuma, says the Rand Corporations report is not surprising. But Thabitha Khumalo, chairperson of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Nelson Chamisa, says the Rand Corporation got it right on the current political, economic and security situation in Zimbabwe. It might be more traditional to say it with flowers but investors wanting to make the most out of Valentine's Day could build long-term wealth by putting money in companies that do well at this time of year. Britons spend around 1 billion a year on Valentine gifts and treats on everything from jewellery to flowers, champagne, hotels, perfume and fashion. Lee Wild, head of equity strategy at wealth manager Interactive Investor, says: 'It rarely makes sense to invest in company shares based solely on the outcome of annual events such as Valentine's Day. 'But there are plenty of great businesses that do receive a nice boost to profits when romance blossoms and which can represent good long-term investments.' Show of affection: Britons spend around 1 billion a year on Valentine gifts and treats LUXURY CHOCOLATE BRAND IS TASTY Even the laziest lover might stretch to splashing out on a box of chocolates on Valentine's Day. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, says: 'Chocolate is an easy win when it comes to Valentine's Day presents and Hotel Chocolat, which is quoted on the London Stock Exchange, has seen its share price increase by more than 50 per cent over the past year.' He says some smaller companies investment funds have taken a shine to this luxury chocolate brand. For example, Aberdeen Standard Investments UK Smaller Companies investment fund has some three per cent of its portfolio invested in the high-end chocolate maker and delivered an overall return last year for investors of 38 per cent. If you are looking to invest earlier in the chocolate supply chain, then an alternative is exchange traded fund ETFS Cocoa. Mould says: 'This fund provides exposure to the price of the raw material. It tracks the performance of the Bloomberg Cocoa Subindex, moving up and down in line with the price of cocoa, and has climbed 25 per cent in the last year.' JEWELLERY FIRMS ADD SHINE TO A PORTFOLIO Another perennial gift option for Valentine's Day is jewellery, primarily because the day is the second most popular one of the year to get engaged (after Christmas Day). M&G Global Dividend fund has a holding in Danish jewellery manufacturer Pandora, known for its customised charm bracelets, necklaces and watches. Pandora started as a family-owned shop in Copenhagen but its products are now sold in more than 100 countries on six continents. Stuart Rhodes, manager of M&G Global Dividend Fund, says: 'Despite the operational issues that Pandora has faced, it remains cash generative and has a new management team to stabilise the business and lead its recovery. We believe the shares are cheap.' Matthew Grimson, manager of investment fund NFU UK Smaller Companies, holds French luxury goods giant LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton owner of more than 70 stellar brands including Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Christian Dior and Givenchy. He says: 'LVMH is pretty much a Valentine's Day one-stop shop for romantic gifts.' Although quoted in France, its shares can be bought via most investment platforms. Grimson also points to Watches of Switzerland Group, the UK's largest supplier of Rolex, which has its sights set on the US market. Jason Hollands, of wealth manager Tilney, likes Swiss luxury goods group Richemont which owns Mont Blanc, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Van Cleef & Arpels. SPARKLING WAY TO BOOST INVESTMENT If you're looking to celebrate an engagement, wedding, the lasting of a long-term relationship, or are just using Valentine's Day as an excuse to celebrate, then champagne is usually the drink of choice. 500M SINGLETONS BOOST ONLINE DATING FIRMS Valentine's Day is not traditionally a great time of year for singletons and it results in many of them turning to dating websites. A leading player in this market is US giant Match Group which turns over more than 1.3 billion a year and owns OkCupid, PlentyOfFish, Tinder, Hinge and Match.com. It is a long-term top ten holding in fund Rathbone Global Opportunities and was one of the fund's best performing stocks last year. With dating apps and websites attracting a rapidly-growing customer base, the future seems bright for the market. James Thomson, manager of the Rathbone fund, says: 'Around 3 per cent of relationships began online a decade ago today it is one third. There are 500 million singles in the world and about 70 million use Tinder. 'The sniggering is over online dating is profitable.' LVMH not only owns Moet & Chandon, but champagne brands Dom Perignon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart. It is the second biggest company holding in investment fund GAM Star Continental European Equity. Niall Gallagher, manager, says: 'About a third or more of LVMH's customers are from China and the propensity of the Chinese to consume luxury is very high. 'The number of Chinese people who enter middle-class status will probably expand by between three and four billion over the next decade that's an enormous amount of consumers who have a propensity to buy high-end luxury brands, high-end cognacs and champagnes.' This fund also has a key stake in drinks giant Pernod Ricard that owns champagne brands Perrier-Jouet and Mumm. HOTELS AND PIZZA ARE A GOOD BET TOO Over the past few years, Valentine's Day has expanded to 'Valentine's weekend' and so it is all about food and hotels as well as presents. NFU Mutual's Grimson says: 'Valentine's Day has historically been one of the highest grossing sales days in the year for Domino's Pizza, as couples decide to shun busy restaurants. 'Domino's share price enjoyed a nice recovery last year and we hope this trend continues as it looks to discontinue its underperforming international operations and refocus on the pizza-adoring UK and Irish markets potentially further reinvigorated by the imminent appointment of a new chairman and chief executive.' Valentine's Day has historically been one of the highest grossing sales days in the year for Domino's Pizza Those looking to treat their significant other to a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day may find themselves booking a hotel stay in one of the many establishments owned by InterContinental Hotels Group InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Regent Hotels. Interactive Investor's Lee Wild says: 'Having recovered from fears that the coronavirus would hurt its business, the shares are up 9 per cent over the past year and 43 per cent over five years.' Competing with IHG in the hotels space is Marriott, a top ten holding of Pictet Premium Brands fund. Its portfolio is described by Shore Capital's Ben Yearsley as 'reading like a Who's Who of Valentine's Day gift opportunities with LVMH, L'Oreal, Hermes and Marriott among its holdings and MasterCard and Visa to pay for it all.' High quality brands, says Yearsley, should be better placed to weather any market volatility caused by the coronavirus. But he warns 'Valentine stocks' are often expensively valued, so buyers need to tread carefully. Michael O'Leary, the group chief executive of Ryanair, has described Ireland as a "very penal country" regarding personal taxes as the company registers more of its fleet abroad for tax purposes. Last year, Ryanair acquired Malta Air, a Maltese startup airline. Shortly after, the company unveiled plans to switch 50 Ryanair aircraft based in France, Italy and Germany from an Irish airline operator certificate (AOC) to a Maltese AOC, allowing pilots and crews manning those planes to pay income tax in their home countries. The employees would have previously paid income tax in Ireland due to Section 127B, a tax rule introduced in 2011. Section 127B means that any income derived from employment on board a plane operated by an Irish company is chargeable for tax in Ireland, whether the individual is a resident of the State or not. Last year, figures obtained from Ryanair by TheStory.ie suggested that 35m a year in tax revenue could be affected by a change, with an estimate of 5m more for other airlines involved. Ryanair's latest results for the third quarter reveal plans to grow the number of planes registered in Malta to 120 by the summer. Malta Air has also taken over Ryanair's French, German, Italian and Maltese bases. It has previously been reported that Ryanair would pay corporate tax on the profits of Maltese-registered planes in Malta, as opposed to Ireland. During a call with analysts, O'Leary said moving some of the fleet's AOCs to Malta or Poland helped improve cost efficiencies. "The fact that we can move to local taxation, and why the unions wanted local taxation in most of the countries, is because personal tax rates are lower there than they are in Ireland," he said. "Ireland has this reputation as being a corporate tax haven, but it's a very penal country from a personal tax point of view." O'Leary also laid the blame for Ryanair's move with the Government, claiming during the call that "less taxes paid here in Ireland" was an "inevitable by-product" of the refusal to alter the tax rules. He also confirmed that Buzz, Ryanair's operation in Poland, had taken over its bases in central European countries, in a move that would allow pilots and crews based there to pay taxes in their home countries. Buzz is to have 50 aircraft registered by summer 2020, mostly scheduled to fly for Ryanair. Last week, Ryanair reported a third-quarter profit of 88m, up from a 66m loss this time last year. Barely a few kilometers from the International border, the residents of Paloura village here have organised a month-long prayer meet to pay tributes to over 40 CRPF personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama last year. The prayer meet in this border district started on February 2 with the lighting of 'Akhand Jyoti' on the initiative of the local youth to convey a message, especially to Pakistan, that "we stand with our forces and will not let the enemy succeed in its nefarious design", the organisers said. The meet will end on March 3. The CRPF personnel were killed in a suicide attack by a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist driving an explosive-laden car on their convoy passing through Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Pulwama district on February 14 last year. India responded within days with a pre-emptive air strike on a JeM terror camp at Balakot inside Pakistan on February 26, leading to spurt in cross-border shelling, especially along the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistan since then. "This is an emotional response from our youth to the dastardly act of terrorists in Pulwama about a year ago...through this Akhand Jyoti, we are paying our tributes to the personnel of our forces who attained martyrdom over the past three decades fighting Pakistan-sponsored terrorism," a local resident Jaidev Singh told PTI. Singh was sitting among dozens of local villagers including women and children at the site of the prayer meet which is drawing villagers from adjoining areas. Patriotic songs, sloganeering and chants in support of the forces reverberate in the air whenever a new group comes to join them. Several panchayat members including the local block development council chairman, Radhay Sham, also visited the site and hailed the initiative as a step to imbibe patriotism among the younger generation. Sitting under a tent at an open field in front of a huge poster carrying the pictures of the CRPF personnel killed in the suicide attack, some of the participants are fasting. "We have faced the brunt of Pakistani shelling over the years... the Pulwama incident was the worst ever terror attack claiming the lives of so many CRPF personnel," Singh said. Another participant Rashpaul Verma said 90 per cent of the village youth are serving in the Army, paramilitary forces and police and "we are nationalist by core." "This initiative will motivate our younger generation to be ready for any sacrifice for the country," he said, adding the village will observe the martyrdom anniversary of the jawans on February 14 in a befitting manner. Sham said the people of the border villages are standing behind the forces and if the need comes will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump predicted Sunday that Republicans will win back a Senate seat in Alabama since Democratic Senator Doug Jones voted for the articles of impeachment against the president Wednesday. 'So good to see that Republicans will be winning the Great State of Alabama Senate Seat back, now that lightweight Senator @DougJones cast a partisan vote for the Impeachment Hoax,' Trump tweeted Sunday afternoon. The president also took a swipe at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who held a press conference every day of the impeachment trial. He claimed the Democratic leader would have been smart to force Jones to vote against impeachment to keep hold of the Senate seat in Alabama. 'Thought his boss, Cryin' Chuck, would have forced him to vote against the Hoax. A Do Nothing Stiff!' Trump said, taking a hit at the Minority Leader for inaction. Doanld Trump predicted Republicans will take back a Senate seat in Alabama after Democrat Doug Jones voted for impeachment 'Republicans will be winning the Great State of Alabama Senate Seat back, now that lightweight Senator @DougJones cast a partisan vote for the Impeachment Hoax,' Trump boasted on Twitter He also took a hit at Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (right), claiming he thought he would force Jones (left) to vote against impeachment to hold the Senate seat in the deep-red state Jones won the special election in 2017, when the Alabama Senate seat was left vacant when Jeff Sessions went to work for the Trump administration. However, in an upset, Jones emerged victorious after his Republican competitor, Roy Moore, got caught up in a scandal after a series of sexual misconduct allegations were levied against him. Jones still only won by 1.5 per cent in the deep red state, and is at risk in his reelection bid this year. If there were any Democrats who should have voted against Trump's conviction in the impeachment trial, it would have been Jones. Trump won Alabama in 2016 with 27.7 percentage points over Hillary Clinton. No Democrats crossed the party line to vote against the two articles of impeachment abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Jones narrowly won Alabama by 1.5 per cent against Republican competitor Roy Moore after he got involved in a series of claims of sexual misconduct Moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin was a likely party line-crosser, since he represents an even more red state that went for Trump with 67.9 per cent of the vote in 2016, which was 47.1 per cent more than Clinton. 'They are really mad at Senator Joe Munchkin in West Virginia,' Trump said, dubbing Manchin as 'munchkin,' even though the two stand at the same height at 6ft 3in. 'He couldn't understand the Transcripts. Romney could, but didn't want to!' Trump said. Even though Democrats didn't cross the aisle, one moderate Republican did: Mitt Romney. Romney, a failed 2016 Republican primary candidate, voted in favor of conviction and removal on the grounds of abuse of power. The Election Commission on Sunday said that there was no delay in releasing the final voter turnout percentage for the Delhi Assembly Election held a day earlier. There was no delay, we wanted to come to you with exact figure and exact percentage rather than speculating, said an official of the poll panel at a press conference in New Delhi amid allegations by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party that the poll body was delaying declaring the voting figures. Releasing the final voting percentage, Delhi chief electoral officer said a total of 62.59 % of votes were cast in polling held on Saturday, which was a two percent increase from the Lok Sabha polls last year. ALSO WATCH | Exit polls predict AAPs comeback, BJP asks to wait till result day The commission said it was busy with the poll process and it was now ready for the announcement of the final voting figure after its tabulation. Our returning officers were busy throughout the night and then in scrutiny and therefore it took some time. We need to appreciate that maintaining accuracy is very important for data entry. I think this has been done in good time, said Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh, explaining how the voting percentage figure is tabulated. The commission also dismissed questions raised by AAP leaders over a Babatpur poll officer seen with an EVM machine after polling had ended last evening and said the officer was carrying a reserve EVM machine and not the one that had been used in polls. The sector officer was assigned two booths and was issued with two sets of reserve EVMs. He was carrying one of the EVMs when some people saw him and questioned him, the EC official said. He added that all the political parties were briefed on the incident and shown relevant documents and the machine in question on Sunday and they are satisfied. AAP leaders had earlier today claimed the EC was delaying the announcement and alleged foul play at the behest of partys rival in Delhi, the BJP. Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling? Kejriwal had tweeted. The voting ended at 6 pm on Saturday and the last voting percentage figure released by the commission came soon after and it stood at 61.46%. Exit polls forecast a comfortable majority for AAP with the BJP finishing a distant second. The highest voter turnout was recorded in Ballimaran assembly constituency at 71.6 percent while the lowest voter turnout was recorded in Delhi Cantonment at 45.4 percent. 71.22 % of votes were cast in Seelampur, which recorded the second-highest votes. Ballimaran constituency recorded the highest voter turnout of 71.6 per cent among all the 70 assembly seats in the national capital, while Delhi Cantonment brought up the rear in polling percentage, according to data shared by officials on Sunday. The final voter turnout in the just-concluded Delhi polls was recorded at 62.59 per cent, the officials said. According to the data shared by Delhi CEO Ranbir Singh at a press conference on Sunday, highest voter turnout was recorded in Ballimaran at 71.6 per cent. The lowest turnout was registered in Delhi Cantonment constituency at 45.4 per cent, as per the polling data. Okhla constituency recorded 58.84 per cent. Shaheen Bagh and Jamia Nagar fall in Okhla assembly constituency, where hectic polling had taken place till late afternoon. Shaheen Bagh has been the epicentre of anti-CAA protests in Delhi, running into over 50 days now. Protesters had taken turns on polling day on Saturday to cast votes to keep the agitation alive. Seelampur constituency recorded a turnout of 71.2 per cent, according to the data. On Saturday, three areas with large Muslim population had recorded highest turnout till night -- Mustafabad, Matia Mahal and Seelampur. However, final figures were still being compiled and arrived at on Sunday evening. The turnout in the 2015 Assembly polls stood at 67.47 per cent. Exit polls on Saturday predicted an easy win for the AAP, which sought to retain power on development plank, against the BJP that ran an aggressive campaign centred around the issues of anti-CAA protests and nationalism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As a very young scrutineer in local election campaigns, I would sit for long hours witnessing the fairness of the voting procedures in my poll. A short dinner break and then I would then sit with the two other party reps and several election officials, for many more hours that night, scrutinizing the count. It was an emotional, even visceral experience. The three collections of unfolded ballot papers would rise slowly, all eyes riveted on which was tallest and growing fastest. By 10 p.m. or so, we would have checked and doubled checked the totals. The boxes were refilled, locked and sealed. We were the only people in the world who knew who had just won Poll 342. Sworn to secrecy we were freed to go to our various election night parties. Our vows were observed more in the breach, and soon there would be a jungle telegraph signalling who the victor was likely to be. The chief returning officer would finally make it official. In close elections, the count would start all over again, the next day. If there were disputes about some ballots, a judge would decide in a full judicial recount a few days later. The bedrock of the systems integrity was paper. Paper and its very committed protectors, who guarded their locked ballot boxes as if they were filled with gold. In terms of the integrity of a democratic election, they were. The debacle in Iowa, like the one that struck Democrats and Republicans there before, and most infamously the one that denied Al Gore the presidency in 2000, have one feature in common. The increasing reliance of American elections on electronics, not paper. Bytes not bits, as it were. Yes, sometimes they have hanging chads debates where human eyes try to second guess a computers count. Sometimes they have an informal paper record of local votes by precinct captains. But rarely do they have the almost religious ritual and security procedures that protect the integrity of Canadian paper-based balloting. Ballots can be stolen, stuffed, burned, and forged, yes. Even thats hard to do in a system where they are protected by a praetorian guard of election officials. But they can never, in their thousands, be made to disappear at a key stroke. Or worse, be made to generate a different outcome and victor than voters intended as malfunctioning technology or malign interference can do in a microsecond. We are developing a very Canadian compromise between bits and bytes. A paper ballot remains the foundation, but it is often electronically counted. That count, however, is backed by a paper ballot and a paper tally sheet generated by the computer. Lets experiment with online voting, but build it so there is a full reconstruction possible on paper. In Iowa, one cheap, faulty app destroyed the integrity of an entire states vote. Its not hard to imagine the Russians deciding which precincts in which Pennsylvania counties require a small tweak to ensure that their most subservient American president ever, remains in office. On election night it would be very hard to detect. Discovery days or worse weeks later would throw American politics once again into a crisis of trust and turmoil. There is a reason that as heavily technologically dependent a nation as Japan favours cash more heavily than any other rich country. Yes, it is probably tax management in some cases. But mostly it is the security that comes from giving or receiving real money as incontrovertible proof of payment or sale. There is a reason that Americans cling to cheque writing more than any other rich nation. You sign a piece of paper yourself, and your bank is compelled to return it or a facsimile as proof of payment. The underlying fear is often, bits versus bytes, once more. A banks computers can fail or be made to. Successful fraudulent digital transactions happen a lot. Or as we saw in the Libor currency trading scandal, verbal signals between conspiring traders can be transformed into digital fraud undetectably. Of the billions lost to credit card fraud annually, how much would be possible with an ability to create an end-to-end paper trail of every step? Some argue blockchain technology offers the same level of accountability as paper documents, but millions of bitcoins have already been fraudulently traded successfully. Where the confidence of citizens in the inviolability of their democratic voice is concerned, lets never forget that the paper ballot will always be the greatest insurance against electoral fraud or mere bungling. Hong Kong: Police reject online report Police today rejected a report by an online magazine titled Police and triads appear on the same occasion, which alleged that police officers attended a banquet at a restaurant in Hung Hom with lawbreakers. In a statement, Police noted that the report distorted the facts. It said the banquet referred to in the report was a private dinner which was held after office hours at the officers own expense. It did not involve official duties and public funds and the officers were not required to report for duty after the dinner. The officers attending the event that night did not know the identities of other customers in the restaurant and did not have any contact or communication with the customers in the other rooms. The force expressed deep regret over the report which intentionally gave the perception that the event was related to lawbreakers. It said the groundless accusations are ill-willed and sensationalised with intentions to smear Police. The statement also said the force always stands against triads and they have a full-fledged strategy to combat triads, plan undercover operations from time to time, as well as proactively block triads' income source and criminal proceeds. Police severely condemn the online magazine's irresponsible and unfounded report. This story has been published on: 2020-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Steve Bannon forewarned Bill Maher that Bernie Sanders supporters will retaliate like they did in 2016 if he doesnt win the Democratic nomination for president by either sitting out the general election or re-electing Donald Trump. On Friday nights Real Time, Trumps former White House chief strategist rebutted Mahers criticism that the Democratic party loses elections because of the flawed electoral college in which a senator in Wyoming represents 290,000 people and the senator (in California) represents 20 million. This is what I love about you guys youve got to whine about everything, Bannon snapped back. With this attitude were going to keep winning. Also Read: 'American Dharma' Film Review: Errol Morris' Documentary on Steve Bannon Leaves Too Many Questions Unanswered Bannon went on to say that Sanders has been screwed by the Democratic party, citing what many are calling a debacle of an Iowa caucus. Bernie voters are (going to do) what they did in 2016 either dont vote or come vote for Trump. Sanders supporters felt bern-ed after the Vermont senator officially endorsed his former rival, Hillary Clinton, when she won the Democratic nomination for president in July 2016. Many of his supports condemned him for seemingly selling out the political revolution he inspired, saying they felt betrayed. The Bernie people helped make Trump president, Bannon told Maher. And theyll help make him president again. Watch the entire interview in the video above. Read original story Steve Bannon: Bernie Sanders Fans Made Trump President and Theyll Make Him President Again (Video) At TheWrap Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 3 days. You will need to purchase shares before the 13th of February to receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 10th of March. Eli Lilly's next dividend payment will be US$0.74 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of US$2.96 to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Eli Lilly has a trailing yield of 2.0% on the current share price of $146.41. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. That's why we should always check whether the dividend payments appear sustainable, and if the company is growing. Check out our latest analysis for Eli Lilly Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. Eli Lilly paid out more than half (52%) of its earnings last year, which is a regular payout ratio for most companies. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. NYSE:LLY Historical Dividend Yield, February 9th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with consistently growing earnings per share generally make the best dividend stocks, as they usually find it easier to grow dividends per share. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. For this reason, we're glad to see Eli Lilly's earnings per share have risen 17% per annum over the last five years. Eli Lilly is paying out a bit over half its earnings, which suggests the company is striking a balance between reinvesting in growth, and paying dividends. Given the quick rate of earnings per share growth and current level of payout, there may be a chance of further dividend increases in the future. Story continues The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. In the past ten years, Eli Lilly has increased its dividend at approximately 4.2% a year on average. Earnings per share have been growing much quicker than dividends, potentially because Eli Lilly is keeping back more of its profits to grow the business. The Bottom Line Has Eli Lilly got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? Eli Lilly has an acceptable payout ratio and its earnings per share have been improving at a decent rate. In summary, Eli Lilly appears to have some promise as a dividend stock, and we'd suggest taking a closer look at it. Curious what other investors think of Eli Lilly? See what analysts are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow. We wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see, though. Here's a list of interesting dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. In yet another meddling comment on India's internal affairs, Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry, on Saturday, rejoiced at the Delhi Exit poll results which projected AAP victory. He expressed happiness at the projected BJP defeat in the polls. The results of the Delhi elections will be declared on February 11. Pak rejoices at projected BJP defeat Very happy on extremists regime defeat in Delhi elections, hope #Modi will learn from this defeat and review policies of hatred Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 8, 2020 Delhi Election: Cong rules out AAP or BJP win, concedes own defeat amid projected drubbing Delhi Exit polls Seat share AAP is projected to win 48-61 seats defeating the BJP which is projected to win only 9-21 seats. Meanwhile, Congress is projected to win 0-1 seat. Others are projected to win no seats. Vote share AAP is projected to garner 51-52%of the vote share, leading over the BJP which is set to gain 38-40% of the vote share. Meanwhile, Congress is projected to gain 4-5% of the vote share. Other parties are set to garner 5% of the vote share. Exit Polls: Akhilesh Yadav 'hands Kejriwal a bouquet',says 'BJP's hate rejected by voters' BJP, Congress reject exit polls Amid all Election exit polls projecting AAP retaining the 70-seat Delhi Assembly, BJP Delhi Chief Manoj Tiwari stated that all polls will fail on February 11 - result day. Claiming that certain polls predict BJP winning 26 seats, he said that BJP will form government in Delhi with over 48 seats. Meanwhile, Congress Delhi chief Subhash Chopra predicted that neither BJP nor AAP will be able to form the government, but did not predict a Congress government either. Delhi Election 2020: AAP's Amanatullah Khan projected to retain Okhla seat - JKB Exit poll Delhi election campaign Building on its massive common-man appeal, the AAP government offered several freebies - free electricity, water, free wifi services, free metro and bus rides for women in the run-up to the elections. Meanwhile, Congress, which is reeling from a leadership vacuum since the demise of Sheila Dikshit is eyeing a comeback at the national capital. BJP, which has not held the Delhi Assembly since 1998 is eyeing to rule at Centre and the national capital - but has not named a CM pick. AAP which had launched a Kejriwal-centric campaign, aims at crossing the total with its motto "Abki Baar 67 paar" and keeps asking 'Kejriwal v/s Who?' Manoj Tiwari says 'all polls will fail on Feb 11' as exit polls project AAP win in Delhi Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said the state government will soon bring a new policy for environmental protection as he noted that global climate change is a serious challenge. Gehlot was addressing the annual media conclave on at Anil Agarwal Training Institute, Neemali in Alwar district. "Indiscriminate race for development has led to climate change around the world, the consequences of which are being seen," the chief minister said. He noted that global climate change is a "serious challenge". "All of us should play positive role for environmental protection. The state government will soon bring a new policy in the state for environmental protection," Gehlot said. He said former prime minister Indira Gandhi had not only expressed her concern on the subject, but also made global efforts to solve it. The chief minister said media can play an important role in connecting the younger generation to environmental protection. Gehlot said there are immense possibilities of solar and wind energy in Rajasthan. The state government has introduced a new policy to encourage them, he said. "When I was the chief minister about 20 years ago, solar power production in Rajasthan was 2 MW, now it has increased to 4,000 MW. The state government is committed to take this to a greater level," he said. The chief minister asserted that the government is making efforts to meet the target of afforestation on 20 per cent land in Rajasthan. He also referred to the policy brought by the state government to provide relief to the patients of silicosis, a lung disease. Gehlot also released the "Annual State of India's Report 2020" on the occasion. Rajasthan Labour Minister Tikaram Jully, Women and Child Development Minister Mamta Bhupesh, several MLAs and other dignitaries were among those who attended the conclave. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in Boston arrested a 31-year-old Dorchester man Sunday after authorities say he tried to kidnap a woman. Officers were called to the area of 39 Winchester St. around 3:20 a.m. for a report of a person screaming. When police got to the scene, a woman said two men tried to force her into a car. While speaking with the victim, officers observed a black motor vehicle running with the drivers door open inside of the parking lot across from where the victim was, Boston police said. While conducting a query of the vehicle, an unknown male appeared and ran toward the open drivers door of the vehicle. Officers commanded the male to stop, but he refused. The man got into the car and drove away. Police said he sped away as officers followed. The suspect finally stopped at a private lot on Warrenton Street. The man, identified as Tony Santos, of Dorchester, was then arrested. The woman told police she had been at a birthday party at a local nightclub. Santos offered to drive her home, police said. The woman knew Santos through a mutual friend, authorities said. The victim stated that while she was in the backseat of the suspects vehicle, she told the suspect that she wanted to leave and when she attempted to exit, the suspect grabbed the victim and told her that she was going to leave with him, according to police The woman told Santos again that she wanted to leave and get a ridesharing service to drive her home instead. Santos is accused of grabbing the woman and pushing her up against a brick wall. A second man who was with Santos left. The woman originally told police two men tried to force her into a car, but police said the second man disagreed with Santos actions before leaving. The victim stated she overheard the suspect tell the other male that he was going to grab the victim again, causing the victim to call police, authorities said. Santos was charged with attempting to commit a crime (kidnapping), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, negligent driving, speeding and failing to stop for police. Related Content: Boston man sentenced to prison for kidnapping and raping woman who was waiting for Uber Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation has said that foreigners, who went to China on or after January 15, will not be allowed to enter India. "Foreigners who have been to China on or after January 15, 2020, are not allowed to enter India from any air, land or seaport including India-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Bangladesh or Indo-Myanmar land borders," the DGCA has said in a circular. The decision comes when the toll due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus rose to 813 in China on Sunday. The circular, issued on Saturday, also reiterated that all visas as well as e-visas issued to Chinese nationals before February 5 have been suspended with immediate effect. "No Chinese national, as well as other foreigners presently in China, are allowed to travel to India on existing Regular (sticker) visa or e-visa, which they hold (issued prior to Feb 05, 2020). In case of compelling reasons to travel to India, such persons may get in touch with Embassy in Beijing or Consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou for new visas," the circular said. However, the visa restrictions are not applicable to the aircrew, who may either be Chinese nationals or other foreign nationalities coming from China. Amid a rising pneumonia scare caused due to the virus outbreak, Indigo and Air India have temporarily suspended flight operations in and around China. The deaths due to 2019-nCoV -- a deadly virus that traces its origin in the local seafood market of Wuhan, capital of Hubei province in central China -- has surpassed the toll from the SARS epidemic of 2002-03. In a novel development in the country's veterinary annals, a seven-and-a-half-year-old cocker spaniel has undergone a pacemaker implant surgery which vet surgeons claim to be the first in India. An imported pediatric pacemaker was implanted in the female dog, Khushi, who had developed a complete heart block that led to her heart rate dropping to 20 beats per minute as against the normal 60-120. "Her heart was not able to conduct impulses necessary for normal cardiac functioning. The amount of blood which flows out of the heart had reduced significantly and the dog was having frequent episodes of syncope. "Khushi's heart rate was dangerously low at 20 beats per minute compared to normal 60-120 beats per minute," Dr Bhanu Dev Sharma, interventional cardiologist for small animals at Max Vets Hospital, Greater Kailash, said. Sharma said according to her owners Khushi was a lazy dog. "During an emergency ear operation in February last year she had collapsed but the surgeons managed to revive her. It was then when we realised that she has a much more serious issue," said Sharma, who holds a Master's degree in small animal cardiology from the University of Luxembourg. Once Khushi recovered from her ear surgery, doctors evaluated her and a holter ECG showed a complete heart block. A team at Max Vets super speciality hospital led by Dr Bhanu and Dr Kunal Dev Sharma discussed the case with their European colleagues and planned the pacemaker surgery which was never done before for a dog in India. The dog was operated on December 15 and the pacemaker was implanted after an one-and-a-half hour long surgery. "Post the pacemaker implantation Khushi who used to be extremely lethargic and lifeless before the surgery is back to her normal active self, feels as if she is back to puppyhood," said its owner manu, a resident of Gurgaon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to announce a boost in infrastructure spending focused on northern England, seeking to make good on campaign pledges made before he led his Conservatives to a landslide victory in Decembers general election. The program will include 40 million pounds ($52 million) for 5G wireless networks in rural areas and investment in mass transit, according to a government official on Sunday. Johnson also plans to decide within days on the future of the HS2 project, a contentious, high-speed rail link beset by cost overruns and political wrangling. Also, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will require West Midlands Trains to deliver a 20 million-pound round of improvements for passengers to reduce delays and recruit more personnel. Together, the plans represent part of a program to try to help northern England catch up with London and the southeast -- traditionally the economic driver of the UK Johnsons government, which finally delivered Britains departure from the European Union last month on the strength of his majority in Parliament, showed its ready to step in to appeal to pro-Brexit districts of northern England when it announced in January that it will take the troubled Northern Rail franchise back into state ownership. With post-election changes in Johnsons cabinet believed to be imminent, Shapps is expected to keep his post as the prime minister seeks to maintain a focus on infrastructure, according to the official. Government departments are jockeying for attention ahead of next months budget. According to the Telegraph, some Treasury officials are evaluating how to raise taxes from wealthy homeowners, who are more likely to live in the south. The Financial Times reported Saturday that Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid is considering a shake-up of pension tax breaks, which tend to benefit high-earners. Bacterial meningitis occurs in infants, children, and adults. Fever, stiffness of the neck, headache, and changes in mental capacity are the main symptoms. The meninges are the membranes covering the spinal cord and the brain. When the meninges become swollen or inflamed, it results in meningitis. In 1806, Vieusseux identified the organism causing the almost fatal condition of meningococcal meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a bacterial infection of the meninges, resulting in swelling within the central nervous system (CNS). An individual can die in as little as a few hours. However, most cases recover although they may be left with long-lasting handicaps, such as hearing impairment, learning difficulties, and damage to the brain. The etiology varies according to the age of the patient. In newborn infants, bacterial meningitis is caused most often by: Escherichia coli Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus) Streptococcus pneumoniae (by chance) In children, bacterial meningitis results from: Streptococcus pneumoniae Neisseria meningitides Haemophilus influenzae (only in non-vaccinated children) In adults, bacterial meningitis is caused by: Neisseria meningitides Listeria monocytogenes (immunocompromised individuals; old age) (immunocompromised individuals; old age) Streptococcus pneumonia Staphylococcus aureus (endocarditis) & Haemophilus influenzae (sinusitis, otitis) The following factors increase the risk of contracting meningitis infection: Presence of sinus or middle ear infection Age (< 5 or > 60) Persons who have undergone spleen removal since spleen is a major immune organ Co-morbidities (HIV, sickle cell disease, diabetes, cancer) Malnutrition Alcoholism Missing routine vaccinations Pregnancy increases the risk of Listeria infection Persons living away from home accommodations such as college hostels, military bases boarding school or foster care facilities where the infection can easily spread. The main symptoms of bacterial meningitis in 95% of adults are: Fever Headache Changes in mental function Neck stiffness There may also be Swelling of the brain parenchyma (meningoencephalitis) Swelling of the spinal cord Swelling of the ventricles in the brain (ventriculitis) Vomiting, heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia) (signs of meningeal irritation) Seizures Consciousness is altered Coma A few of the adults will exhibit neck stiffness, changes in mental function, and fever together but this is frequently observed in pneumococcal meningitis rather than in meningococcal meningitis. In infants, the symptoms are not very specific. They may present with one of the following symptoms: Feeding poorly Irritability Fever Lethargy Vomiting Bulging fontanelles may be present in the presence of raised intracranial pressure The symptoms present in older children are: Neck stiffness with feeling of resistance when the doctor tries to bend the neck forward Meningeal irritation accompanied by vomiting Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) Headache Seizures have been reported in children especially in pneumococcal or Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. Rashes aremainly observed in meningococcal infections. Complications aremore likely to occur in untreated cases or when treatment is delayed. These include the following: Blindness Deafness Seizures Impairment of memory Learning difficulties Difficulty in walking Weakness or paralysis of limbs Kidney failure Shock Death To diagnose bacterial meningitis, the following tests are recommended. Lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis and Gram-staining CSF cultures, is recommended. In bacterial meningitis, CSF biochemical analysis reveals A high white blood cell count (<500 cells/ml) High protein content Increased neutrophils (80% - 95%) Reduced glucose content Increased lactate content A Gram stain of the CSF and culture reveals the organism in most cases. A primary source of infection should be ruled out such as sinus inflammation, ear infection and a chest x-ray to rule out lung infection. Blood cultures are also performed especially when there is a delay in obtaining CSF However, Gram-staining CSF cultures, is nearly 90% accurate as compared with just 50% accuracy in blood cultures. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) This test is useful to distinguish between bacterial and viral meningitis. A normal CRP excludes the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis with 99% accuracy. Diagnostic imaging A CT scan of the brain should be done before attempting a lumbar puncture in cases of altered sensorium, swelling of the optic discs, new onset seizures, focal neurological deficits or immunocompromised persons to rule out brain abscess or swelling of the brain. Brain imaging may also reveal any underlying complications such as death of brain tissue, brain swelling or hydrocephalus (increased CSF in the brain). In cases of suspected meningitis, the person is admitted to the hospital for further investigations and for administering intravenous antibiotics. The person may be kept in a darkened room as there may be light sensitivity in meningitis. Intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration and shock. Until the results of the diagnostic tests come in, patients are administered medications (empirical) based on suspected meningitis. Corticosteroids and antibiotics are administered in the treatment of bacterial meningitis. 1. Corticosteroids Dexamethasone is the prescribed treatment for children (0.15 mg/kg for 2 to 4 days every 6 hours) and adults (10 mg for 4 days every 6 hours). Dexamethasone should be administered at least 10 to 20 minutes prior to the start of antibiotic therapy. It is not recommended giving dexamethasone later as it is ineffective. Infants are not prescribed dexamethasone. 2. Analgesics Headaches are treated with analgesics, such as opioids. 3. Antibiotics Antibiotics need to be prescribed immediately even before the diagnostic tests are verified. Antibiotics should be given based on the medical history of the patient (e.g. Age and any prior medical condition). A patient suspected with meningococcus should be isolated in the first 24 hours of treatment. If the condition does not improve, then a CT scan and lumbar puncture should be repeated. The antibiotic course varies depending on the type of bacterial infection. Uncomplicated meningococcal meningitis 5 days to a week Enterobacteriaceae, Listeria monocytogenes 3 to 4 weeks 4. Anti-epileptic treatments are administered for seizures. Haemophilus influenzae is no longer a risk in developed countries due to effective vaccination programs. Pneumococci infections have also been controlled with effective vaccination. However, pneumococcal strains have developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. is no longer a risk in developed countries due to effective vaccination programs. infections have also been controlled with effective vaccination. However, pneumococcal strains have developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Neisseria meningitidis is now the main infecting organism of bacterial meningitis in developing countries as well as in Europe and the US. There are vaccines for N. meningitidis to prevent infections. Pregnant women should get themselves tested for group B Streptococcus and take the required antibiotics during labor to prevent transmission to the baby. and take the required antibiotics during labor to prevent transmission to the baby. Persons at risk who should be vaccinated include infants, the elderly, those with a weak immune system and persons who have undergone splenectomy. Avoid contact with - People who are infected with meningitis Cigarette smoke or smoking Antibiotic prophylaxis of family members in close contact with someone who has meningitis. Neisseria meningitidis Vaccines Can Prevent Bacterial Meningitis" title="Vaccines Can Prevent Bacterial Meningitis"> With prompt attention and if the condition is treated in its early stages, most people recover. However, it is estimated that there is a 10% mortality rate. Some persons who recover may have residual neurological deficits such as loss of vision or hearing, onset of seizures, and weakness or paralysis of limbs. Postal worker says his rescue of toddler was God-ordained Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A U.S. Postal Service employee in Maryland, who saved the life of a missing 2-year-old boy walking barefoot along a highway, said hes not a hero and that God ordained that he be there at that time. Keith Rollins saw the toddler, Ethan Adeyemi, who was wet and shivering and had been missing for about 10 hours, on I-95 in Howard County Thursday morning, WUSA90 reported. Police had launched a search with fire personnel, K9 units, aircraft, drones and helicopters from neighboring jurisdictions. But it was Rollins who found the boy while driving. It was God-ordained that I be in that place at that time. Remarkable man, remarkable, he was quoted as saying. I happened to see a little head. I didnt know whether it was a human head or whether it was an animal, so I pulled over and called 911. He said he then carried the child and took him to his vehicle. I had a sweater that I tried to cover him up with, and turned up the heat and I called the police back and said that I had the little boy in my vehicle, and within a matter of minutes, the police were there. When neighbors and officials called Rollins a hero, he responded, "Giving glory to God that I was able to help at that particular time and be in the correct place at the right time. But a hero? Nah, not at all. Another rescue was reported last month in Bellevue, Nebraska, in which Gods intervention was acknowledged. When a photographer, Terry Ingram, was taking photos of eagles, he saw a car flying past him and the driver had lost control while crossing railroad tracks. It hit a fire hydrant and flipped upside down in an icy pond. Terry courageously ran into the freezing water and was able to get one of the car doors open. He heard a young man say, Get me out, its filling full of water. Terry pulled all three men from that vehicle and helped drag them to shore, heroically saving their lives. I panicked when I heard the guy's voice. Get me out, it's filling full of water, Ingram recalled, according to KETV. Once I pulled the door open, the water started going in, and he was coming out. Just seeing those bodies there, I thought they were gone. While the families of the three men called Ingram a hero, the photographer responded, God puts people in places for a reason. I think he told me my cameras dead, go up there and wait. Historically, Pakistan has managed its bilateral relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia at a level where it always had some space to manoeuvre. During his recent visit to Malaysia, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledged that he had not attended the Kuala Lumpur summit in December last year because of a misconception among some countries close to Pakistan that it would divide the Muslim world. The OIC is holding a preparatory meeting of its senior officials in Jeddah for the 47th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers. Reportedly, the meeting will not include Kashmir on its agenda due to Saudi reluctance. During his recent visit to Malaysia, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledged that he had not attended the Kuala Lumpur summit in December last year because of a misconception among some countries close to Pakistan that it would divide the Muslim world. He was referring to Saudi Arabia, where he had been invited by the crown prince and persuaded to stay away from an event led by Iran, Qatar, and Turkey, which Riyadh considered a threat to its influence in Muslim nations. This was not a piece of good news for Pakistan, which is struggling to maintain its balance between two emerging political alliances in the Muslim world. It also hurts Pakistans diplomatic efforts for the Kashmir cause. Pakistans geo-economic and strategic challenges make it difficult for the country to fully cooperate with or annoy either of the two blocs. Pakistan is caught in a dilemma where its heart is in the Malaysian-Turkish bloc, which has been openly supporting Pakistans Kashmir cause, but its mind is with the Saudi-led bloc, which has money and political influence that Pakistan needs for its struggling economy. Historically, Pakistan has managed its bilateral relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia at a level where it always had some space to manoeuvre. However, increasingly assertive approaches of the emerging ummah blocs, in which Saudi Arabia and Iran are contrastingly placed, have constrained this space for manoeuvre. And this is happening at a time when Pakistan has a Prime Minister who cannot seem to hold back his sentiments. At the same time, the countrys overall economic and geostrategic situation wont allow him to act as a populist leader. Populist politics has made inroads in society with relatively more success where middle classes (corporate and services-based) are expanding and heading towards an identity crisis. In such circumstances, a populist leader can afford to say much. Pakistans circumstances require a diplomatic posture that entails a consistent and rational approach. Hence, Pakistan is forced to tread carefully in its ties with the two opposing Muslim blocs, which are exploiting the political, economic, religious, and sectarian tendencies of the Muslim world. The story of a fragmented Muslim world is not new. Similarly, the efforts of prosperous Muslim nations to build up strategic economic and political influence within Muslim societies also have a history. The use of religious and sectarian branding for this purpose is a lethal tactic used by Saudi Arabia and Iran, deepening the Shia-Sunni divide in Muslim societies. Now Turkey appears to be attempting to appropriate Hanafi Islam in an effort to become the custodian of this particular school of thought that is followed by a big majority of Muslims. The Turkish religious intelligentsia is evidently promoting the narrative of the supremacy of Hanafi Islam. Qatar is rebranding Salafi Islam while accommodating political Islamists within its geopolitical vision. Iran has its own religious view and also a sense of civilisation, which makes it take pride in its political character. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad takes pride in championing Asian values. He was among the architects of Asian exceptionalism, which had challenged the universal concepts of democracy and human rights in the early 1990s. With Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, he challenged the Western narrative, believing that economic growth and prosperity could be achieved without following the Western model. What does Pakistan have to be proud of? Nukes, a weak economy and a complicated neighbourhood? Maybe, the leaders of the ummah find it difficult to ignore Pakistan for it has a strong and active military and a big consumer market. Had we had economic and political stability, we would not have needed to indulge in regional proxy wars. Pakistan would have been among the strongest contenders for the leadership of the ummah with an entirely different diplomatic posture. However, this is not an ideal world and Pakistan will have to choose what suits its interests best. On one side is the Saudi-led bloc, which bailed out Pakistan on several occasions to support its economy and that accommodates a significant number of Pakistani workers. Apart from defence cooperation with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia also has political clout in Washington, Beijing, and New Delhi, which could be useful for Pakistan in times of need. Iran is a neighbour with the potential to provide an uninterrupted supply of power and energy, but there are costs. Malaysia is a new ally of Pakistan. Like Turkey, it has an eye on Pakistans consumer market. Some see in Malaysian diplomatic support for Kashmir an effort to tap into the Pakistani market. Its easy to define Pakistans choices but harder for the country to make them. Should it embrace the Turkish-Malaysian bloc, or count on its realist understanding of political-economic relations and join the Saudi-led bloc? Alternatively, should it continue treading a tightrope? But whatever choice it makes, it should not come at the cost of its self-esteem and dignity. By arrangement with Dawn Sunitha Natti By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The new personal Income Tax (I-T) regime is unlikely to be beneficial and could affect household savings that are already on a slippery slope, according to former finance minister P Chidambaram. The centre is expected to forego about Rs 40,000 crore in FY21 on account of the new and lower tax rates introduced in Budget 2020, but Chidambaram believes that the gains were unlikely to be big. Even assuming most taxpayers opt for the new tax regime (with low rates and fewer exemptions), Rs 40,000 crore is the maximum benefit as per government estimates. But given the total I-T collections are about Rs 13 lakh crore and with Indias GDP of $2.7 trillion, the Rs 40,000 crore will make no big difference, he said. Speaking at an event here on Saturday, Chidambaram observed that tax exemptions incentivize savings and if the latest tax structure takes away the benefits of exemptions, household savings could come under pressure. Household savings are already falling and will go down further, he noted. According to him, having two tax structures one with traditional exemptions and one with fewer deductions wasnt a wise move and though taxpayers are allowed to switch from old to new rates and back if they wish, it only clutter to the system. As for the proposal to list insurance behemoth LIC, Chidambaram said he was deeply suspicious of their (government) motive. Theres no clarity if LIC will be listed or if they want to disinvest, because they are different actions altogether, he said. While at it, Chidambaram also cautioned about the governments Rs 2.1 lakh crore disinvestment target for FY21. For FY20, the disinvestment target was set at Rs 1.05 lakh crore, but only Rs 18,000 crore has been collected so far. Yet, the ministry estimates disinvestment proceeds of Rs 65,000 crore this fiscal. I dont know how they are going to achieve this. I wish luck, he said. Stating that the government has shifted by stealth the $5 trillion target envisaged in 2024 earlier to 2025 in the Economic Survey 2020, Chidambaram said the target, be it in real or nominal terms, was unlikely to be met going by current growth trends. Reeling off numbers, he said tax collections on all fronts including corporate, customs and excise duties were below estimates and though unemployment was high at over 6.5 per cent, the Budget did nothing to improve jobs and revive rural wages and thereby consumption. Say mea culpa and ask for advice: PC Reiterating that the economy was in the ICU with several high-frequency indicators flashing red, Chidambaram said the government should simply admit the wrongs and ask former FM and PM Manmohan Singh for advice on turning around the economy The economy, much like now, was in a bad shape in 1991, when growth was practically zero. We proposed to correct mistakes...but that candour is completely absent now. The finance minister is reluctant to admit the economy is in bad shape. This government lives in denial, he said adding, The least the government can do is to say mea culpa and can ask Manmohan Singh for advice. New Orleans Iain Murray grew up reading and writing by candlelight, not because he lived in premodern times but because he lived under democratic socialism. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and other contemporary American advocates of democratic socialism lean heavily on the democratic part, which is at least in part a matter of marketing. To take their talk of democratic principle seriously requires forgetfulness and credulousness: During the last great uprising of democratic socialism in the English-speaking world in the United Kingdom in the 1970s, where young Iain Murray, now a fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, was doing his homework by the light of coals and candles the so-called democratic socialists embraced democracy when it suited them and anti-democratic, illiberal, and at times murderous modes of government when those suited their political agenda better, with left-wing activists such as young Jeremy Corbyn acting as tireless apologists for the Soviet Union, its purges and its gulags. In the United States, Noam Chomsky dismissed reports of Pol Pots genocide as right-wing propaganda; later, young Bernie Sanders and his new bride would honeymoon in the Soviet Union even as the Communist Party bosses were creating a new and more modern gestapo to put down democrats and dissidents. History counsels us to consider the first adjective in democratic socialist with some skepticism. But the socialism that reduced the United Kingdom from world power to intermittently pre-industrial backwater in the post-war era was thoroughly democratic. The policies that turned the lights out in London were not imposed on the British people by a repressive junta. And that is part of the problem with democratic socialism even as notionally presented by Sanders et al.: It is both of those things. In the United States, we use the word democratic as though it were a synonym for decent or accountable, but 51 percent of the people can wreck a country just as easily and as thoroughly as 10 percent of them. That is why the United States has a Bill of Rights and other limitations on democratic power. Story continues The United Kingdom, having a parliamentary form of government, does not enjoy such formal protections. A British government with an electoral mandate can run wild, as it did under the democratic-socialist governments of the post-war era, climaxing in the Winter of Discontent in 197879. I grew up in the north of England, Murray says. It gets dark very early in the winters there. A series of strikes by government unions left the United Kingdom without trash collectors, and garbage piled up in the streets; there were shortages of food and fuel as strikes crippled the transportation system; medical workers in the countrys monopoly national health-care system went on strike, with nurses, orderlies, and hospital staff abandoning their posts and leaving sick Britons with nowhere to turn for medical attention; the bodies of those who died piled up for months, because the gravediggers union was on strike, too; eventually, the interruptions of fuel and labor caused the electrical system to fail. Hence the candles. This wasnt the first time: In 1970, a similar labor action had forced Britains hospitals to operate by candlelight. Think about that: A year after Americans had landed on the moon, Englishmen were undergoing medical procedures under neo-medieval conditions, in a medical world lit only by fire. This did not happen in Joseph Stalins Soviet Union, in Kim Jong-ils North Korea, in Chairman Maos China, or in Fidel Castros Cuba. This happened in England, within living memory, only 41 years ago. Bernie Sanders was pushing 40 old enough to remember, just as he is today old enough to know better. The problems of socialism are problems of socialism problems related to the absence of markets, innovation, and free enterprise and, principally, problems related to the epistemic impossibility of the socialist promise: rational central planning of economic activity. The problems of socialism are not the problems of authoritarianism and will not be cured by democracy. Socialism and authoritarianism often go hand in hand (almost always, in fact), but socialism on its own, even when it is the result of democratic elections and genuinely democratic processes, is a bottomless well of misery. The Soviet gulags and hunger-genocide, the Chinese prison camps, and the psychosis of Pyongyang are not the only exhibits in the case against socialism, and the case against socialism is also the case against democratic socialism, as the experience of the United Kingdom attests. Murray, talking about his forthcoming book The Socialist Temptation at a CEI event in New Orleans, describes the inherent tension within democratic socialism. The tyranny of the majority means you have no rights, he says. Early democratic societies realized that you had to have rights; how extensive those rights are is normally determined by how powerful the democracy is one reason why the United States had such an extensive bill of rights so early is because the democracy was quite powerful. Socialists coopt the language of rights by introducing positive rights rather than negative rights they will speak of the right to a job or the right to housing but not the right to be left alone, which inherently contradicts democratic socialism. The destructive nature of socialism comes not from its tendency to trample on democracy (though socialism often does trample on democracy) but from its total disregard for rights rights that are, in the context of the United States and other liberal-democratic systems, beyond the reach of mere majorities. We have the Bill of Rights to protect freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the free exercise of religion, etc., not because we expect that majorities will reliably support and protect these rights but because we expect that majorities will be hostile to them. Hence the stupidity of complaints about our commitment to free speech protecting speech that is offensive, divisive, extreme, etc.: Thats precisely the point of the First Amendment the other kind of speech doesnt need protecting, because it is unobjectionable. Other rights property rights and the right to trade prominent among them also find themselves on the wrong side of majorities, constantly and predictably. But they are no less fundamental than the right to free speech, and they are no less necessary for a thriving and prosperous society. Socialism destroys societies by gutting or diminishing those rights. Doing so with the blessing of 50 percent plus one of the population does not make that any less immoral or any less corrosive. Conservatives understand the case against socialism. But in a moment of ascendant populism, making the case for keeping democracy in a very small box recognizing the difference between useful democratic procedures and a more general majoritarian democratic ethos can be difficult. Those who have made a cult of We the People have left themselves without a very plausible moral or political basis for telling Them the People to go jump in a lake when they demand immoral and destructive policies. But it was the people who ruined the United Kingdom with socialism in the 1970s, and it is the people who threaten to do the same thing to these United States today. More from National Review After exits polls projected the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) winning big in the Delhi assembly elections, several BJP leaders pointed out these predictions have failed in the past and one should wait till February 11 for the results to be declared. Five exit polls predicted a comfortable victory for chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), showing it to be winning anything between 47 seats (Times Now-Ipsos poll) to 68 seats (India Today-Axis poll) in the assembly of 70 members. The BJP, according to most polls, was seen as improving its performance from the last assembly elections, when it won just three seats. The lowest estimate for the party was two seats (India Today-Axis) and the highest 23 (Times Now-Ipsos). Also Watch | Exit polls predict AAPs comeback, BJP asks to wait till result day All exit polls suggested the Congress again come a distant third. It would fail to secure any seat, according to two polls, or, at best, winning three seats (ABP News-CVoter). Results of elections in India can be extremely hard to predict and there have been instances where pollsters have been spectacularly off the mark. The official results will be out on February 11. BJP chief JP Nadda met of all seven Delhi MPs and senior party leaders to assess the partys performance late on Saturday. Union ministers Prakash Javadekar, Hardeep Singh Puri, Nityanand Rai, BJP organisational general secretary BL Santhosh and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari attended the meeting. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said on Saturday his party will wait for the exact polls and stressed that the BJP will come to power. There will be a huge difference in exit polls and the final results. We will wait for exact polls. Exit polls had failed in May elections (17th Lok Sabha polls) as well, Javadekar was quoted as saying by ANI. We have seen ground reality and we have got a good response. We will come into power on February 11, he added. Shyam Jaju, Delhi BJP in-charge, also said the same thing. Exit polls have proved to be wrong in the past. This time, too, the result will surprise everyone, he said. BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi expressed confidence her party will perform well and also claimed that Arvind Kejriwal will not retain his assembly seat. Exit polls have taken the analysis of two booths per assembly constituency. This analysis is based just on 0.12 or 0.15% considering that there are over 13,000 booths. Second, this analysis is based till 4 or 5pm after which 11 to 15% votes have been polled, she said, according to ANI. So, we think that our voter comes out of home after lunch. So, these exit polls do not include that 11-15 per cent votes, she said. Lekhi pointed out to the exit polls during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Exit polls are not the exact poll. I want to give an example that in 2019 the exit polls were giving 220 seats to the NDA whereas the BJP alone won 303 seats. I am sure the BJP will perform well, she said. I am saying Kejriwal is losing this Assembly seat. I do think so and I am saying that with complete faith. BJP is winning it, the BJP leader said. The president of the BJPs Delhi unit president Manoj Tiwari too dissed the exit polls, saying exit poll results would be proven wrong. Several other BJP leaders have also rejected the exit polls. All these exit polls are going to be proven wrong, Kapil Mishra, the BJP candidate from Model Town in north Delhi, said in an unusually short tweet without elaborating. Final result will come on 11 Feb. So indulge yourself with the exit polls but dont lose sleep over it the BJPs IT cell chief Amit Malviya said in a tweet with the hashtag that his partys symbol, lotus, will bloom in Delhi. BJP lawmaker Parvesh Verma, who was twice gagged by the Election Commission for his hate speeches during the election campaign, has projected that his party will bag 50 seats. Polling in Delhi took place on Saturday after a bitter election campaign and there was a dip in voter turnout compared to the 2015 assembly polls when a record 67.47% voters cast their ballot. The Election Commission said the turnout was 61.7%a provisional figure subject to change when the final figures will be released on Sunday. The AAP had registered a landslide victory in 2015 elections getting 67 of 70 seats. The BJP had won three seats while Congress had drawn a blank. Additional reporting by Juno McEnroe and Press Association The Tanaiste has ruled out holding any discussions with Sinn Fein on the formation of a government. While Simon Coveney said a lot of counting remains to be done, and Sinn Fein has done very well, he said the Fine Gael position in relation to Sinn Fein was very clear during the election campaign. "And I think people voted for us on that basis and we're not going to be changing our position," he said. Mr Coveney was speaking as he arrived at the Cork city count centre in Nemo Rangers GAA Club in the last few minutes. The fifth count has just be declared and Micheal Martin, Mr Coveney and Micheal McGrath have yet to be elected. Mr Coveney said his party's position, which they made "very, very, clear during the election campaign" will not be changing. "Fine Gael will not be going into government with Sinn Fein," he said. He said Sinn Fein has a significant mandate - a vote which his party respects. "But that's a different thing to trying to put a government together that can last, that's comparable that can make decisions for the county in a coherent way," he said. "I've said many times that I just don't believe that the policy platforms Sinn Fein are outlining and the approach and policies that Fine Gael have committed to are compatible." He also pointed to how the Taoiseach has described a partnership between the two as a "marriage that would be forced". Mr Coveney added: Weve never ruled out Fianna Fail, the Taoiseach has been clear on that and I think Ive been clear on it for a number of years, the country needs a government. Fine Gael is going work towards the creation of a government, and if we have to move into opposition, so be it. Of course would be open to talk to Fianna Fail, and any other parties that believe theyre compatible with Fine Gael in terms of forming a balanced stable government that can protect the countrys interests. Mr Coveney said the country has stated that they want a change in the polls. They were restless, the electorate were restless, he said. There wasnt so much an anger, it was more a willingness to vote for something quite different. And we see the result. Mr Coveney said: Fine Gael will focus on trying to put a coalition together, that can take on those challenges and respond to peoples concerns, and if it doesnt work out well then well go into opposition. I mean the one thing I would say is that, I think in the aftermath of this election, the likelihood of our confidence and supply type arrangements, I think is very unlikely. I think Ireland needs a government that has the majority, that can make decisions, that can make things happen quickly and responding to what the electorate are looking for from government. And so, certainly, my perspective, is that Fine Gael again, it will either play a constructive role in government, helping to put a coalition together that can work with country, or we will be a very active party in opposition. Paschal Donohoe at the RDS count Centre Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins Meanwhile, other senior Fine Gael figures have tonight firmly closed the door on working with Sinn Fein in government with the party also on track to lose up to 15 seats. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said that it was too early to assess Fine Gael's performance in the general election but that almost 450,000 people had voted for his party. He said: Our anticipation of the Fine Gael performance is that it will be between the mid to high 30s, that is our expectation at the moment. But if the ball bounces in a few ways in a couple of constituencies, it could go beyond that. But it is very early to say, and it's far too early to form a view as to what our actual performance will be. Mr Donohoe firmly ruled out working with Sinn Fein in government, despite the fact the latter could potentially exceed his party in terms of support and Dail seats. Asked about any chance of a coalition between Fine Gael and Sinn Fein, he answered: There's absolutely no change no change in that stance for Fine Gael. He said that the coming weeks would be very demanding and very complex. However, with the prospect of the party's Dail numbers falling to the mid 30s, as the minister said, there will be casualties and there were a number of indications last night as to who would lose out on seats. Fine Gael originally elected 50 people to the Dail in 2016. Outgoing TDs Noel Rock and Kate O'Connell were the first casualties in Dublin constituencies, with the former telling the Irish Examiner that his party needed to do an analysis on how it could connect more with the working class. Elsewhere, Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty looked to be struggling to hold onto her seat in Meath East. However, there were some positives for Fine Gael with the party expected to hold its seat in Cork North Central with the election of Colm Burke while both Health Minister Simon Harris and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy looked set to be re-elected in their respective constituencies of Wicklow and Dublin Bay South. Mr Murphy insisted during media interviews yesterday that the government's housing plan was starting to work, with a slow down in rent increases and house prices. Elsewhere, Fine Gaels Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring came out on top after the first count in Co Mayo and was elected to the Dail with 14,796 votes. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also said earlier in the night that his party's position on working with Sinn Fein had not changed. "Nobody can be forced into some sort of forced marriage or forced coalition," he added. According to the ayatollah, Iran does not want to threaten anyone, but only to prevent threats and maintain the country's security Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran Open source Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the Islamic republic must become strong enough to ward off the enemys threats and prevent a war. Arab News reports this with reference to AFP. We must become strong so that there will not be a war, become strong so that enemys threats will end, Khamenei told a gathering of air force commanders and staff aired on state television. We do not want to threaten anyone... this is to prevent threats, to maintain the countrys security, he added. In 2018, the United States unilaterally abandoned a nuclear agreement with Iran and began to impose sanctions as part of a maximum pressure campaign on the country. Tensions between Tehran and Washington escalated after a U.S. drone in Baghdad killed Irans chief general Qassem Suleimani on January 3. A few days later, Iran retaliated by firing missiles at American troops stationed in Iraq. Since then, the US diplomatic mission in Baghdad, as well as a number of military bases in Iraq with a contingent in the United States, have undergone rocket attacks. Related: Iranian journalists under pressure of authorities after PS752 crash, - Reporters Without Borders Earlier Iranian authorities have decided to sue US President Donald Trump due to the assassination of the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Qassem Suleimani. The head of the judicial authority of Iran, Seyed Ebrahim Ricey stated this as Fars News agency reports. "This issue, of course, will be resolved at the headquarters of human rights in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other bodies. We must make the US president the main suspect," Rice said, referring to judicial officials in Tehran. He noted that the Iranian judiciary will not leave Trump alone and will ensure that the U.S. leader appears before an international tribunal. Speaker of Verkhovna Rada believes that path for elections throughout state is open Open source Verkhovna Rada Speaker Dmytro Razumkov believes that Ukraine already has all the necessary legislative framework for elections in Donbas, including in the temporarily occupied territories. Razumkov said this in a talk show Confrontation on Newsone TV channel, Ukrinform reports. "The elections (in Donbas, - 112 International) should be held according to Ukrainian law. In fact, the election law has been adopted, and it allows elections to be held in the temporarily occupied territories. I do not think that we need a separate law," - said the speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament. He drew attention to a clause in the Minsk agreements that elections in the Donbas should be held under the Ukrainian law. He never specified what kind of law it should be. Razumkov is sure that the current regulatory framework is enough to hold elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Thus, the path for elections throughout the state is open, the chairman of the parliament summed up. As we reported before, after the Oleksiy Honcharuk wiretapping scandal, the guards of Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov changed the rules of work. The attorney for Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman accused Donald Trump on Sunday of making 'obviously false statements' about the Iraq War veteran hours after he was fired from his White House job. The president fired Vindman, his twin brother Yevgeny, a National Security Council attorney, and EU ambassador Gordon Sondland in his 'Friday Night Massacre' following his failed impeachment trial. It is widely assumed Vindman was ousted in retribution for his testimony against Trump, however the president took to Twitter to justify his actions, claiming he was 'very insubordinate'. Vindman's lawyer, Ambassador David Pressman, said Sunday: 'The president this morning made a series of obviously false statements concerning Lt Col Vindman. 'They conflict with the clear personnel record and the entirety of the impeachment record of which the president is well aware.' Pressman continued: 'While the most powerful man in the world continues his campaign of intimidation, while too many entrusted with political office continue to remain silent, Lt Col Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military.' An attorney for fired NSC official Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (left) blasted President Trump (right) on Saturday, accusing him of 'obviously false statements' about his client The statement came in response to tweets by the president defending his firing of Vindman from his post as an adviser on the National Security Council. 'Fake News @CNN & MSDNC keep talking about Lt. Col. Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was,' Trump wrote in a tweet on Saturday morning, purposely conflating MSNBC with the Democratic National Committee. 'Actually, I dont know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I dont believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly, & was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information,' he continued. 'In other words, OUT,' Trump concluded. He is spending the weekend at the White House after dramatically firing Vindman and EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland on Friday. Trump defended the firing of Vindman, who testified in the House impeachment inquiry Vindman was fired and escorted from the White House on Friday after Trump's acquittal The firings came less than 48 hours after the Senate acquitted the president on all impeachment charges. Sondland released a statement on Friday night which read: 'I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately'. The statement continued: 'I am grateful to President Trump for having given me the opportunity to serve, to Secretary Pompeo for his consistent support, and to the exceptional and dedicated professionals at the U.S. Mission to the European Union. 'I am proud of our accomplishments. Our work here has been the highlight of my career.' The bombshell announcement came just hours after Trump fired Vindman from the National Security Council after the Army officer testified against him during the impeachment inquiry. Vindman was escorted out of the building and told his services were no longer needed, CNN reported. Vindman and Gordon Sondland (above) both testified in the impeachment inquiry Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr tweeted about the purge on Friday evening, quipping: 'Allow me a moment to thankand this may be a bit of a surpriseAdam Schiff. Were it not for his crack investigation skills, @realDonaldTrump might have had a tougher time unearthing who all needed to be fired. Thanks, Adam #FullOfSchiff'. Earlier in the day, Vindman's attorney, David Pressman, released a statement about his client's firing from the White House. 'Today, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President'. 'He does so having spoken publicly once, and only pursuant to a subpoena from the United States Congress.' He indicated Vindman was fired for his testimony to the House. 'There is no question in the mind of any American why this man's job is over, why this country now has one less soldier serving it at the White House,' Pressman said. Earlier in the day, the president did not deny the reports of Alexander Vindman's imminent dismissal. 'I'm not happy with him. Am I supposed to be happy with him? I'm not,' he said to reporters at the White House on Friday who asked him about Vindman. Vindman, a National Security Council aide, oversaw American policy on the Ukraine in his role on the NSC. President Donald Trump is preparing to push Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman out of White House National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, left, and his twin brother, Yevgeny Vindman, right, in November of last year Vindman, who received the Purple Heart after being wounded in Iraq, had told officials at the NSC that he intended to take an early exit from that assignment and leave by the end of the month, sources told the newspaper, but Trump wants to make a symbol out of the Army officer now that the president has been acquitted by the Senate. Vindman testified at Trump's impeachment inquiry on November 19, while Sondland delivered his damning testimony the following day. Vindman, a Ukrainian immigrant whose father brought his family to the United States from the former Soviet Union, testified in the House impeachment inquiry after receiving a subpoena from Congress. Vindman was the first White House aide who was on the July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to testify in the inquiry. Dressed in his full Army dress uniform, he told lawmakers that he believed Trump acted 'improper' on the call. At the time of the call, Vindman reported his concerns that President Trump asked Zelensky to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden, particularly Hunter's work for the Ukrainian gas company Burisma. 'I was concerned by the call. I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. Government's support of Ukraine. I realized that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the Bidens and Burisma, it would likely be interpreted as a partisan play which would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing the bipartisan support it has thus far maintained. This would all undermine U.S. national security,' he told House investigators. Meanwhile, Sondland's damning testimony came the following day. Sondland told lawmakers there was a 'quid pro quo' at play in U.S. policy toward the Ukraine. Vindman was the first White House aide who was on the July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to testify in the inquiry Sondland told lawmakers there was a 'quid pro quo' at play in U.S. policy toward the Ukraine during his testimony The ambassador, who Trump put in charge of relations with the Ukraine, said it was his understanding that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request for a White House meeting with Trump was contingent upon his opening investigations into the Bidens and the 2016 election. Sondland said he was not told why U.S. aid to the Ukraine was put on hold but said he guessed that was part of the 'quid pro quo.' Republicans point out the Ukraine did get the aid although Democrats argue that happened only after it was revealed Trump was holding it up. Trump responded by claiming he 'barely knows' Sondland. Jennifer Williams, who worked for Mike Pence and testified in the House impeachment inquiry, left the vice president's office Additionally, White House aides are now reportedly weighing to remove or reassign other officials who testified. Jennifer Williams, who worked for Mike Pence and testified in the House impeachment inquiry, left the vice president's office for a new position in Central Command. Her exit came two months ahead of a planned March departure. Trump also fired a warning shot to Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. The West Virginia senator hails from a state the president carried in the 2016 election. Trump has tried to woo Manchin to the Republican Party with no result. Manchin voted to convict Trump on both charges in the Senate impeachment trial, which the president took note of. He also noted Manchin's fellow West Virginia senator, Republican Shelley Moore Capito, voted for his acquittal on both charges. Donald Trump also fired a warning shot at West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin 'I was very surprised & disappointed that Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted against me on the Democrat's totally partisan Impeachment Hoax. No President has done more for the great people of West Virginia than me (Pensions), and that will always continue,' the president tweeted Friday afternoon. 'Every Republican Senator except Romney, many highly religious people, all very smart, voted against the Impeachment Hoax. @SenCapito was all in (a great person). I was told by many that Manchin was just a puppet for Schumer & Pelosi. That's all he is!,' he added. Republican Senator Mitt Romney, who voted to convict the president on the abuse of power charge, is also expected to feel Trump's wrath. On Thursday, during his acquittal celebration at the White House Trump told Sen. Mike Lee - the other senator from Utah - to deliver a message to the people of that state: 'Tell them I'm sorry about Mitt Romney.' 'We can say, by far, Mike Lee is the most popular senator in the state,' Trump said. When he announced his decision on the president Wednesday, Romney said he expected the Trump to retaliate. 'I'm aware that there are people in my party and in my state who will strenuously disapprove of my decision, and in some quarters I will be vehemently denounced. I'm sure to hear abuse from the president and his supporters. Does anyone seriously believe that I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before god demanded it of me?,' he said during his speech on the Senate floor. Mitt Romney cited his faith as the reason for his guilty vote on Trump Trump slammed Romney for using his faith to justify his decision during his remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday morning. He did not mention Romney name but his meaning was clear. 'I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong,' the president said. Romney, a devout Mormon, cited his faith as one of the reasons for his guilty vote. He voted to acquit the president on the second charge: obstruction of Congress. 'The allegations made in the articles of impeachment are very serious. As a senator juror, I swore an oath before god to exercise impartial justice. I am profoundly religious. My faith is at the heart of who I am. I take an oath before god as enormously consequential. I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the president, the leader of my own party would be the most difficult decision I have ever faced,' Romney said. The White House has indicated the president is in a vengeful mood. NEW YORK CITY A gunman went on a rampage against the police in the Bronx, officials said Sunday, carrying out brazen attacks against officers in a patrol van and a precinct station house that left two wounded and the department shaken. Local officials called the shootings assassination attempts. The suspect was arrested at the 41st Precinct station house after he walked in just before 8 a.m. Sunday and began firing, hitting one officer and injuring another, police said. The shooting at the station house occurred about 12 hours after an attack Saturday night on police officers who were sitting in a marked patrol vehicle. We are confident that he is the same person who attempted to assassinate our police officers last night, said police Commissioner Dermot Shea. The injuries to the officers were not life threatening. An attack on a police officer is an attack on all of us, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Its an attack on a democratic society, a decent society. Shea said that in Sundays shooting, the man, who two officials identified as Robert Williams, entered the station house, pulled out a gun and started firing multiple rounds toward the desk area. Then he walked into an area beside the desk, and fired multiple rounds at police officers. A male lieutenant was shot in the upper left arm, the commissioner said. Videos of the attack that appeared on social media show a man entering the station house, shooting a gun and then voluntarily laying on the ground and sliding his weapon to police officers, who then apprehended him. According to police officials and court documents, Williams had been convicted of attempted murder as a result of a shooting in 2002. He had shot a person, carjacked a woman in trying to flee the scene, wrecked the stolen vehicle and then engaged responding officers in a gunfight, police said. He was convicted of attempted murder, but released on parole in 2017. In the first shooting, the officer, Paul Stroffolino, was sitting in the drivers seat when he was hit in the chin and neck, Shea said. Its a miracle we are not here under worse circumstances, he said. The first shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. Two uniformed officers, who were assigned to the 41st Precinct, were in the police van when a man approached and asked for directions, Shea said. The man then pulled out a gun and started shooting, he said. Elisha Brown, Michael Levenson and Ali Watkins are New York Times writers. The US killing of the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in war-torn Yemen raises questions about the jihadist group's operations and its future. President Donald Trump said the United States "conducted a counterterrorism operation" that eliminated Qassim al-Rimi, according to a White House statement released on Thursday. But what does this mean for AQAP and for Yemen, where a five-year war between the government -- backed by a Saudi-led military coalition -- and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels has crippled the country? - How significant was Qassim al-Rimi? - Al-Rimi was named AQAP leader after his predecessor, Nasir al-Wuhayshi, was killed in a US drone strike on Yemen in June 2015. He was one of the group's founders in 2009 and its first military commander. "Al-Rimi's death is significant," said Gregory Johnsen, a non-resident fellow at the Sana'a Center think tank. "However, he was not a good leader for AQAP and since he took over in 2015, the group's international terrorist wing has atrophied badly." Johnsen said the two most likely candidates to succeed Al-Rimi were Khalid Batarfi, reportedly running the group's external operations, and Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, the group's leader in Yemen's Shabwa province. According to Peter Salisbury, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, a successor will most likely be announced soon. But, he added, it will not be "someone with the name brand recognition Al-Rimi had, and certainly not of the stature of his predecessor, Al-Wuhayshi". - How will this affect AQAP's operations in Yemen? - AQAP, along with other jihadist groups, has flourished in the chaos of the war between the Yemeni government and the Huthi rebels. But analysts say the group's abilities on the ground have dwindled over the years. "Al-Rimi's skills as a military planner will be missed, but AQAP's ability to operate on the ground in Yemen had already diminished greatly," said Elisabeth Kendall, a researcher at the University of Oxford. "In operational terms, its activity peaked in 2017 with over 270 domestic attacks, albeit mostly small scale." Johnsen also said that AQAP's ability on the ground has weakened over the past decade, describing it as "a shadow of its former self". AQAP has carried out operations against both the Huthis and government forces as well as sporadic attacks abroad, including on the offices of the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo in 2015. Andreas Krieg of King's College London said Al-Rimi's killing has a "PR value" for the United States but will not affect AQAP's ground operations. - How will it affect AQAP's ability to strike abroad? - The killing of Al-Rimi comes after AQAP claimed responsibility for a December 6 shooting at the US Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, where a Saudi officer killed three American sailors. The attacker was identified as Mohammed Alshamrani, 21, a second lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force and a student naval flight officer. The SITE monitoring group said he had posted a short manifesto on Twitter before the attack that condemned America "as evil" and that it included a quote from Al-Qaeda's slain leader Osama bin Laden. "It is still unclear how much of a hand AQAP had in directing, as opposed to inspiring, the Pensacola shooting," Johnsen said. According to Johnsen, Al-Rimi's killing "is one more blow" to attacks by the group overseas. "Prior to the Pensacola attack, the last time AQAP claimed any credit for an overseas attack was in 2015," he added. The group's focus has "shifted onto inspiring rather than directing attacks", said Kendall. Salisbury noted that AQAP has not executed a major overseas operation for the past decade. "Attacks associated with the group have either come from legacy, former operatives or 'lone wolf' attacks by people inspired and sometimes in limited contact with the group over the internet," he said. The United States has waged a long-running drone war against the leaders of AQAP, which it considers Al-Qaeda's most dangerous branch. According to the White House, Al-Rimi's killing "further degrades AQAP and the global Al-Qaeda movement". "It brings us closer to eliminating the threats these groups pose to our national security," it said. Sri Lankas Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Varanasi on Sunday, a day after he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on bilateral ties between the two countries, including in areas of defence and security. Mahinda Rajapaksa had arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a five-day visit and held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore ways to further boost bilateral ties. He also met foreign minister S Jaishankar and talked about issues related to development partnership and security cooperation between the two countries. A senior official of the district administration said Mahinda Rajapaksa was received by additional director general (Varanasi Zone) Braj Bhushan and other top officials and given traditional welcome at the Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport. Rajapaksa then went to Kashi Vishwanath Temple where he offered prayers to Lord Shiva. Additional district magistrate (protocol) Atul Kumar said the Sri Lankan prime minister would visit Sarnath. Sarnath, where Buddha had given his first sermon, is considered to be the holiest place among the followers of Buddhism. Rajapaksa will pay obeisance at the Upadesh Sthali (the spot of sermon) and Dhamekh Stoop, Mahabodhi Society of Indias joint secretary Medhankar Thero said. He would also offer prayers at Buddha Temple in Moolgandh Kuti Vihar in Sarnath. Officials said that tight security arrangements have been put in place in view of the visit of Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa had said on Saturday that Indias move to scrap Article 370 was the countrys internal affair. Whatever the view of any country, we will not get involved in the internal matters of India. But remember this: I always say India is a relation. Others are friends, Rajapaksa said during an interview with HT when asked about Pakistans calls for Sri Lanka to condemn Indias Kashmir move. Rajapaksa also said without Indias help, I dont think we would have won the civil war in Sri Lanka, hours after he held talks with Prime Minister Modi. Before Rajapaksa, French president Emanuel Macron had visited Varanasi in March 2018. Germany president Frank Walter Steinmeier also came to Varanasi in March 2018 and watched the famous Ganga Aarti. Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe had visited Varanasi in December 2015. After Varanasi and Sarnath, the Sri Lankan prime minister will travel to Bodh Gaya in Bihar and Andhra Pradeshs Tirupati. This is the 74-year-olds first visit to India since taking office in November last year. He said development of the region could be ensured if it was made a separate state. Bhopal: BJP MLA Narayan Tripathy, who had taken his party by surprise by backing a bill tabled by the treasury bench in the state Assembly recently, on Sunday stirred a political row by demanding a separate Vindhyachal state, carved out Madhya Pradesh. The rebel BJP legislator told reporters that Vindhyachal region in Madhya Pradesh has been neglected by successive governments in the state leading to backwardness of the area. He said development of the region could be ensured if it was made a separate state. Chhattisgarh, carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000, was a backward region when it was part of undivided MP. Chhattisgarh has witnessed development in all fields after it was made a separate state, he said. He was talking to reporters on the sideline of a meeting of Vindhyachal council in which he took part. Mr Tripathy said he would place his demand in the ensuing Budget Session and also write letters to chief minister Kamal Nath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to draw their attention to the demand. I would appeal to leaders of all political parties from Vindhyachal to join a common platform to demand for separate state of Vindhyachal and build a movement for it, he added. State ministers P.C. Sharma and Kamlesh Patel besides senior BJP leader and former minister Viswas Sarang also attended the meeting. Mr Patel however slammed Mr Tripathy for demanding a separate Vindhyachal state saying that the region has witnessed development along with other areas of the state. He dismissed the charges that Vindhyachal has been neglected by successive government in the state, saying There is absolutely no basis in the allegation. Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP however refused to react to Mr Tripathys demand. A number of changes are coming Monday to BART, to all of its routes -- some of the changes small, others more profound. Among the more significant adjustments will be on the Antioch line, where most trains that have been originating westbound terminating eastbound at Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre during weekday morning peak periods will now do so at Concord. The same number of trains will serve Pleasant Hill, BART Officials said, but more trains will serve Concord each weekday morning. Some evening commute trains will also end at Concord instead of Pleasant Hill; those trains will be indicated on the platform destination signs. Other major improvements include the return of "two-line service" into San Francisco on Sunday, the addition of Fleet of the Future trains on Saturday, earlier weekday train service for many riders, and later evening direct service from San Francisco into Warm Springs, BART said. The return of two-line service to San Francisco on Sundays will include Dublin/Pleasanton line trains terminating at Montgomery or Daly City, depending on the time of day and whether there is single tracking going on. Riders on that line going will transfer to an Antioch/SFO train at Montgomery Street. The Warm Springs/Daly City and Richmond/Millbrae trips to San Francisco on Sunday are being eliminated to allow the return of Dublin/Pleasanton service to San Francisco. And Sunday trips to Millbrae will not require a transfer at SFO. Other general changes on BART set to begin this week include a 24-minute headway between trains on Sundays, up from 20 minutes. BART believes this "will provide greater predictability and resilience in the event of a service delay." Also: *** The 5 a.m. northbound train from South Hayward will be on the Warm Springs/Richmond line instead of the Warm Springs/Daly City line, meaning San Francisco-bound passengers will need to use trains on the Dublin/Pleasanton to Daly City or Antioch/SFO lines for the first San Francisco arrivals, arriving in San Francisco eight minutes later. *** Morning service to San Francisco from Warm Springs will begin 14 minutes earlier, departing at 5:01 a.m. *** Evening direct service from Daly City to Warm Springs will be extended with an added train departing at 7:12 p.m. *** The morning peak 9:12 a.m. Antioch/SFO train from MacArthur to Daly City is being eliminated to allow the Concord turnback trains to serve more riders. *** BART says its evening schedule is being adjusted to better accommodate single-tracking in the Transbay Tube. *** On Saturdays, more Fleet of the Future trains are being added, with two each on the Antioch/SFO, Dublin/Pleasanton, and Richmond/Millbrae lines, and four on the Warm Springs/Daly City line. *** The first northbound Warm Springs/Richmond train on Saturday will be at 5:52 a.m. at Bay Fair instead 6 a.m. at the Coliseum station. *** The first Saturday train westbound Dublin/Pleasanton to Daly City train will be at 5:58 a.m. at Bay Fair instead of 6 a.m. at the Coliseum. *** The first northbound train on Sunday is Dublin/Pleasanton, which will leave the 24th Street/Mission station at 7:50 a.m., and Civic Center at 7:54 a.m., 10 minutes earlier than before. *** The first northbound train on the Warm Springs/Richmond line will leave South Hayward at 7:54 a.m. and arrive at the Coliseum station at 8:10 a.m. BART says the updated schedule will be available on its online Trip Planner before the changes start. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A British father has tested positive for coronavirus in Majorca after he and his family were examined amid the outbreak. The government in the Balearic Islands said his wife and two daughters have tested negative and are asymptomatic. They had been taken into observation in Mallorca on Friday, after coming into contact with someone in France who was subsequently diagnosed with the virus. The health ministry said the study of cases that may have had contact with the man has already begun. Coronavirus - In pictures 1 /106 Coronavirus - In pictures A sign advertising a book titled "How Will We Survive On Earth?" is seen on an underground station platform Getty Images Customers wearing face masks shop at the pork counter of a supermarket following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province Reuters Westminster Bridge is deserted in London the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown PA Canadian passengers Chris & Anna Joiner ask for help onboard the MS Zaandam, Holland America Line cruise ship, during the coronavirus outbreak, off the shores of Panama City via Reuters A man crosses a nearly empty 5th Avenue in midtown Manhattan during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City Reuters The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Boris Johnson addresses the nation on the Coronavirus lockdown Andrew Parsons Commuters cope with Coronavirus Jeremy Selwyn Milan's Piazza del Duomo empty AFP via Getty Images People in protective clothing walk past rows of beds at a temporary 2,000-bed hospital for COVID-19 coronavirus patients set up by the Iranian army at the international exhibition center in northern Tehran, Iran AP Martina Papponetti, 25, an ICU nurse at the Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital in Bergamo, Italy poses for a portrait at the end of her shift AP Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Imag Vysheyshaya Liga - FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino v FC Belshina Bobruisk - Torpedo Stadium, Zhodino, Belarus, March 27, 2020 Players in action during the match despite most sport being cancelled around the world as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Hanks and Wilson both have coronavirus Tom Hanks General view of an emergency makeshift field hospital as it is set up at Pacaembu Stadium for coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with a capacity of 200 beds in Sao Paulo, Brazil Getty Images People on a busy tube train in London at rush hour despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres, work from home if possible and avoid all non-essential contacts and travel in order to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic PA Naomi Campbell catches a flight in a hazmat suit with goggles, a surgical mask and rubber gloves @naomi Sophie and Emily Ward pose for a photograph with their hand-drawn picture of rainbows and a message on their window in St Helens, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues Reuters Mia, aged 8, and Jack, aged 5, take part in "PE with Joe" a daily live workout with Joe Wicks on Youtube to help kids stay fit who have to stay indoors due to the Corona virus outbreak. PA Shoppers queue outside a branch of Costco, in Croydon, south London, on the weekend after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close PA Charing Cross Tube Bakerloo Line very quiet at 8.15am Jeremy Selwyn A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A Racegoer attend Cheltenham Festival on Ladies Day wearing a fashionable face mask SplashNews.com Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask today in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A couple kiss in Milano Centrale railway station in Milan on March 8, 2020 AFP via Getty Images A combination picture shows visitors wearing protective face masks following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) looking at blooming cherry blossom nd a pigeon walking at an closed cherry blossom viewing spot during the first weekend after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (not pictured) urged Tokyo residents to stay indoors, in a bid to keep the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading Reuters This combination photo created on March 5, 2020 shows tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province on March 16, 2019 (top) and on March 5, 2020 AFP via Getty Images Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package bill as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Vice President Mike Pence stand by during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House Reuters A satellite image shows an empty South Beach during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Miami, via Reuters General view inside the empty stadium as the two teams line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes UEFA via Getty Images A Sainsbury's supermarket in Cambridge is among those to sell out of antibacterial hand sanitizer PA Tents and ambulances are set up next to the Princess Cruises Grand Princess cruise as it sits docked in the Port of Oakland on March 09, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Princess Cruises Grand Princess has been held from docking until today as at least 21 people on board have tested positive for COVID-19 also known as the Coronavirus Getty Images Medical staff produce traditional Chinese medicine to treat patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images Army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at a shopping street in Seoul, South Korea AP Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing protective gear walks at a hospital for patients infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow via Reuters A woman who has recovered from the COVID-19 is disinfected by volunteers as she arrives at a hotel for a 14-day quarantine AFP via Getty Images Passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship are seen as the ship arrives at Daikoku Pier where it is being resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken for treatment as it remains in quarantine after a number of the 3,700 people on board were diagnosed with coronavirus Getty Images Dave Abel pictured in hospital in Japan Manchester United fans in the stands during the Premier League match at Old Trafford PA Police officers wearing masks stand in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife AP Carnival revellers wear protective face masks at Venice Carnival Reuters A general view is pictured of Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire after the closure of the school as a pupil's parent has tested positive for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 AFP via Getty Images People wearing face masks walk past the Olympic rings in front of the new National Stadium, the main stadium for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Game Getty Images People leave Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes where Coronavirus evacuees are due to be released from quarantine today and allowed to go home PA Matt Raw, a British national who returned from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, leaves quaratine at Arrowe Park Hospital on Merseyside PA A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridg Getty Images A general view of Worthing Hospital in West Sussex PA Passengers relax on board the Holland America-operated Westerdam cruise ship, which has been denied permission to dock in Thailand over coronavirus fears via Reuters A child waves as she sits in a vehicle carrying residents evacuated from a public housing building, following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, outside Hong Mei House, at Cheung Hong Estate in Hong Kong Reuters A woman wearing a Minnie Mouse face mask looks at her mobile phone in Beijing on February 11, 2020 AFP via Getty Images The Costa Smeralda cruise ship of Costa Crociere, carrying around 6,000 passengers, is docked at the Italian port of Civitavecchia after a health alert due to a Chinese couple and a possible link to coronavirus on board, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters A patient covered with a bed sheet at an exhibition centre converted into a hospital as it starts to accept patients displaying mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan AFP via Getty Images A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China Reuters The view of the Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center Getty Images A plane carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire A police vehicle enters the gates of the Royal Air Force station RAF Brize Norton in Carterton AFP via Getty Images Passengers wear face masks as the push their luggage after arriving from a flight at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images French citizens arrive and settle aboard of an evacuation plane with destination southeastern France, before departure from Wuhan Airport (WUH), China AFP via Getty Images Police stand at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge that crosses from Hubei province in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China Reuters A member of staff at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside prepares for a bus carrying British nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China PA Doctor Paul McKay, who is working on an vaccine for the 2019-nCoV strain of the novel coronavirus, poses for a photograph with bacteria containing fragments of coronavirus DNA, at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in Londo AFP via Getty Images Workers produce masks at the Thai Hospital Product Company Ltd. factory in Bangkok AFP via Getty Images Passengers wearing face masks are seen on a bus after disembarking from the Costa Smeralda cruise ship, after tests on a woman from Macau with suspected coronavirus came back negative, in Civitavecchia, Italy Reuters People hoard bottles of alcohol after the Philippine government confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Reuters Taking precautions: with fears growing that the coronavirus will spread from China, a health official checks a womans temperature on the underground in Beijing Getty Images An empty road is seen in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on January 27, 2020, amid a deadly virus outbreak which began in the city AFP via Getty Images Students wearing masks meditate prior to a lesson at a high school in Phnom Penh, Cambodia AP Medical staff at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital wear protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus AFP via Getty Images Staff move bio-waste containers past the entrance of the Wuhan Medical Treatment Center, where some infected with a new virus are being treated, in Wuhan, China AP Workers driving excavators at the construction site of a field hospital In Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The builders will complete the 1,000-bed hospital by February 3 to cope with the surge of 2019-nCoV patients in the city Getty Images Buddhist monks wear masks as they walk near Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodi AP A woman and a child wearing protective masks walk toward check-in counters at Daxing international airport in Beijing AFP via Getty Images An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A policeman wearing a mask walks past a quarantine notice about the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China at an arrival hall of Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan Reuters Paramilitary police wear face masks as they stand guard at Tiananmen Gate adjacent to Tiananmen Square in Beijing AP The resident wear masks to buy vegetables in the market in Wuhan Getty Images Staff sell masks at a Yifeng Pharmacy in Wuhan AP Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV AP The death toll from a new coronavirus in mainland China crossed 800 on Sunday. There have been more than 37,000 confirmed cases in China, according to official data, while the virus has spread to at least 27 other countries and regions. The flight, with more than 200 people on board, including some foreign nationals, arrived at RAF Brize Norton shortly before 7.30am on Sunday. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was the second and final flight to be chartered by the Government and has British Government staff and military medics on board. A center dedicated to the recovery of organs from deceased donors will open Monday at University Hospital, a resource that program leaders expect will significantly increase the number of organs available for transplant. The 13,000-square-foot Center for Life includes three intensive-care beds for ventilated donors who have been declared brain dead, two operating rooms for organ recovery, a tissue recovery room, a research lab and a room with perfusion pumps that preserve organs before they are transplanted. The center also has a private lounge for families whose loved ones are donating their organs. Renovations of that area of the hospital, which was previously dedicated to pediatric heart surgeries, and the purchase of new equipment cost more than $3.5 million. Funding was provided by Bexar County and a grant from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation. Jennifer Milton, chief administrative officer at University Transplant Center, said having the dedicated space is projected to increase the number of organs recovered because transplant teams will no longer be under constraints for ICU and operating room space at local hospitals where the donor died. Specialized staff and standardized equipment will also be centralized in one place. On ExpressNews.com: Two San Antonio hospitals are national leaders in transplants from live donors As a result, the Center for Life can act as a hub for organ recovery and, in cases where the body of the donor is stable enough, will accept transfers from other hospitals for the organ recovery process. The center was created as a partnership among University Transplant Center and the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance, the nonprofit that is federally designated to facilitate deceased organ transplants in South and Central Texas, as well as the San Antonio Eye Bank and GenCure, which recovers skin, bone and tissues. It will be staffed by University and alliance employees, as well as transplant faculty from UT Health San Antonio. A dozen such facilities exist across the country, and Milton said research has found that those centers yield more organs per donor. With the new center, Milton said, the hospital could recover an additional 90 organs this year from the same number of donors. The removal of multiple organs takes some time, she said. If a donor wants to save lives, we certainly want (doctors) to have the opportunity to save lung, heart, liver, kidneys, intestine, pancreas. And we dont want lack of availability or inadequate testing on site or less trained and experienced staff remotely to be a hindrance to some of that. The Center for Life, which was dedicated Saturday, is opening at a time when more people are agreeing to donate their organs after they die, said Clarissa Thompson, a spokeswoman for the alliance. In 2019, 620 organs were recovered from 207 deceased donors in South and Central Texas, benefiting 555 recipients. Those recoveries occurred at 34 hospitals. On ExpressNews.com: She wanted to give part of her liver to a friend. Instead, she donated it to a stranger. Just the fact that well have one centralized location instead of having to go out to all those different hospitals, were going to cut travel time, Thompson said. Having everything here in one spot is going to make things move faster. The new facility will also feature a high-quality camera system that transplant program leaders hope will further expedite transplants. Milton said doctors at the center are hoping to use the cameras to allow medical examiners and coroners to view the surgeries, which could lower the rate at which those offices disallow transplants because of ongoing death investigations. Transplant surgeons at other hospitals that are accepting organs often have to fly to the deceased donors hospital to conduct the recovery surgeries. Milton said the cameras could also be used to allow those surgeons to instead participate in the recovery process by video, saving time and resources. The center also features a biorepository, where information from people who have consented to participate in research will be stored. Ultimately, Milton said, the center will be a resource for the entire community. Its going to tangibly save more lives, she said. Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba There are 22 big and small mosques in Dhannipur, a village with a population of nearly 2,000 where land has been allotted for building a mosque to replace the demolished Babri Masjid. According to residents, four of these mosques are Jama Masjid, where Friday prayers are held. But as they wait for the work to start on the new mosque, the villagers' main hope is that the newfound limelight will ensure better amenities for them and help bring development in the area. The land for the mosque is adjacent to 18th century Sufi shrine of Shahgada Baba, believed to be the disciple of famous Sufi Syed Makhdum Ashraf Jahangeer who has a mausoleum in Kichaucha in Ambedkarnagar district, and maximum visitors to this shrine are Hindu devotees. Nearly half of the residents of the village are Muslims, and many of them like Mohammad Faheem Khan say the proposed mosque should not be connected with Mughal emperor Babar, as he was not a representative of Indian Muslims. "The true representatives of Indian Muslims are the ideologies of Sufis like Hazrat Nizamuddin, Khawaja Ajmeri and those Ulemas who sacrificed their lives in freedom struggles," said Khan. He said a multi-speciality government hospital and a college must also be constructed near the mosque. Some of the residents said that mosque should be named - Aman Masjid (mosque of peace) Rakesh Yadav, the village pradhan (headman), said they are hopeful of better connecting roads and other amenities, once the work start on the alloted plot. "If mosque is constructed here our village will be known worldwide. We are hopeful of development in the village... broad roads in the villages and other basic facilities," he said. Every Thursday, there is large assembly of devotees at the Sufi shrine. The congregation swells to lakhs on 28th, 29th and 30th of April very year when the Urs is celebrated. Laal Ji Kannaujia, a middle aged man who was offering prayers in the shrine, said, "I have deep faith in Baba. Those who will come to visit the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will definitely come to thisMasjid also. "I hope this mosque will bring good luck for us here." Sohrab Khan, a local, said five acres of land was not enough and the government must give at least 25 acres for a grand mosque. "The government must also ensure that in future there will be no dispute on this site by right wing groups," he said. The village has 1,600 voters, out of which about 700 are Muslims and the rest are Hindus from mostly backward and Dalit communities. The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday allotted five acres of land in Ayodhya district to the Sunni Central Waqf Board for building the mosque as directed by the Supreme Court in its verdict in the Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri Masjid case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Horrific-Valentines-Day-Massacre-of-Jews.html On Valentines Day 1349 thousands of Jews were burned to death, accused of poisoning wells. Most people associate February 14 with love and romance. Yet hundreds of years ago Valentines Day saw a horrific mass murder when 2,000 Jews were burned alive in the French city of Strasbourg. The year was 1349 and the Bubonic Plague, known as the Black Death, was sweeping across Europe, wiping out whole communities. Between 1347 and 1352, it killed millions of people. Historian Ole J. Benedictow estimates that 60% of Europeans died from the disease. One Italian writer recorded what the plague did to the city of Florence, where he lived: All the citizens did little else except to carry dead bodies to be buried At every church they dug deep pits down to the water-table; and thus those who were poor who died during the night were bundled up quickly and thrown into the pit. Bubonic Plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis and is most commonly spread by fleas that live on rodents like rats and mice. The disease still exists, and sickens thousands of people each year, including a handful of people in the United States and other developed countries. Caught early, Bubonic Plague is treatable with modern medicines. In the Middle Ages, of course, no medical treatment existed to mitigate the Plagues devastating effects. Its estimated that about 80% of people who contracted the Plague in Medieval Europe died. The Massacre of Jews at Strasbourg, by Eugene Beyer The first major European outbreak of Plague occurred in Messina, Italy, in 1347, and it spread rapidly from there. Historians estimate that the largest wave of Bubonic Plague the pandemic that was dubbed The Black Death originated in Central Asia. As it began sweeping through European communities, terrified people cast about for someone to blame. Jews were a natural choice. As the Black Death advanced, Christians turned on the Jews in their midst, accusing them of spreading the Plague by poisoning Christian peoples wells. Many Christians leapt to accuse Jews of deliberately spreading the disease to harm Christians. Jews, often forced into overcrowded and fenced-in Jewish quarters, suffered from the Black Death at rates comparable to their Christian neighbors. Yet even though it was apparent that Jews were sickening and dying as well, many Christians leapt to accuse Jews of deliberately spreading the disease to harm Christians. Historian Heinrich Graetz described the fevered atmosphere of hate and accusations leveled at European Jews: ...the suspicion arose that the Jews had poisoned the brooks and wells, and even the air, in order to annihilate the Christians of every country at one blow. (Detailed in Graetzs History of the Jews, 1894). Jewish communities found themselves under attack. Of the approximately 363 Jewish communities in Europe at the time, Jews were attacked in fully half of them by mobs blaming them for spreading the Plague. These attacks were horrifically violent. In Cologne, Jews were locked into a synagogue which was then set on fire. In Mainz, the entire towns sizeable Jewish community was murdered in just one day. Jews were massacred and tortured across Europe, in Spain, Italy, France, the Low Countries, and the Germanic Lands. Emperor Charles IV, the Holy Roman Emperor, decreed that the property of Jews murdered for supposedly spreading the Plague could be seized by their Christian neighbors with impunity. With this financial incentive to kill Jews, the attacks only intensified. In 1349, a group of feudal lords in the Alsace region of what is, today, France, attempted to make the attacks on Jews official. They assembled in the French town of Benfeld, and formally blamed Jews for the Black Death. They also adopted a series of steps to target Jews, singling Jews out for murder and calling for them to be expelled from towns. This Benfeld Decree had an immediate effect as Jews in thirty communities across Alsace were attacked. Only the city of Strasbourg, which had a large Jewish community, resisted, protecting their citys Jews. The atmosphere in Strasbourg in early 1349 was tense. The Black Death had not yet reached the city, though anxious citizens awaited the first case of victims to sicken and die any day. Strasbourgs Bishop Berthold III railed against Jews, but the citys elected officials held firm. Mayor Kunze of Wintertur, Strasbourgs sheriff, Gosse Sturm, and a local lay leader named Peter Swaber all vociferously defended and protected Strasbourgs Jews. On February 10, 1349, the restless citizens finally had enough. A mob rose up and overthrew Strasbourgs city government, installing an unstable government of the people instead. This hateful group that was now in charge was a strange amalgam: led by the local guilds of butchers and tailors, it was financially backed by local nobles who hated the Jews and hoped to seize their property. One of this new mobs first acts was to arrest the citys Jews on the charge of poisoning Christian wells in order to spread the Black Death. The Black Death Friday, February 13, 1349 was a black day for Strasbourgs Jews. Normally, they would have spent the day preparing for Shabbat, baking challah, cleaning their homes and preparing festive meals. Instead, under heavy armed guard, women, children and men were dragged from their homes, imprisoned, and charged with murder. Any Jew who was willing to convert to Christianity would be spared, they were told. As the terrified Jews awaited their fate, the citys new governors were building a huge wooden platform that could hold thousands of people inside the Jewish cemetery. For the Jews, the next day was Shabbat. For Strasbourgs Christian citizens, the next day was February 14, St. Valentines Day. They designated this saints day as the date on which they would execute Strasbourgs entire Jewish population. In the morning of Valentines Day, a large crowd assembled to watch. A local priest named Jakob Twinger von Konigshofen recorded the grisly massacre: they burnt the Jews on a wooden platform in their cemetery, he wrote. There were about two thousand of them. Some young children were yanked away from their parents arms, and saved so that they could be baptized and raised as Christians. For most Jews, however, no such aid arrived. As the enormous wooden structure went up in flames, around 2,000 thousand Jews were slowly burned alive. Their murder took hours. Afterwards, eager townspeople combed through the smoldering ashes, not searching for survivors, but looking for valuables. von Konigshofen recorded the financial motive for this enormous massacre: ...everything (all debt) that was owed to the Jews was cancelled The council...took the cash that the Jews possessed and divided it among the working-men proportionately. The money was indeed the thing that killed the Jews. If they had been poor and if the feudal lords had not been in debt, they would not have been burnt. Strasbourgs mob government and citizens faced no criticism. A few months later, Emperor Charles IV officially pardoned the citizens of Strasbourg for killing their towns Jews and for stealing their money. With the passage of so much time, many have seemed to forget the cataclysm of violence that led to the torture and murder of so many Jews during the Black Death. Yet we owe it to the victims to remember. Heralded as a genetically modified crop with the potential to save millions of lives, Golden Rice has just been approved as safe for human and animal consumption by regulators in the Philippines. The rice is a beta carotene-enriched crop that is intended to reduce Vitamin A deficiency (VAD), a health problem in very poor areas. But a new study finds that most families at risk for VAD can't grow Golden Rice themselves, and most commercial farmers won't grow it either. Many families with Vitamin A deficient kids don't even have rice land to plant it. And those in the mountains won't plant it because it has been bred into the lowland varieties of rice known as IR-64 and RSC-82." Glenn Davis Stone, professor of sociocultural anthropology and environmental studies in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and co-author of a new paper in the journal Technology in Society The regulatory approval in the Philippines is a landmark for the scientists who developed Golden Rice for nutritional purposes. It is the first such approval in the developing world. But even after nearly three decades of development, Golden Rice is still beset by problems, according to Stone. Golden Rice still has to be approved for commercial sale, and it still needs a company to grow marketable quantities of seed. And even then, Stone argues, there is no clear path for the rice to get to poor children. Stone, an internationally recognized expert on the human side of global agricultural trends, was an early advocate for keeping an open mind about 'humanitarian' GMO crops, such as Golden Rice. Since 2013, he has directed a major Templeton Foundation-funded research project on rice in the Philippines. Stone's new study is based on surveys and interviews of more than 115 rice farmers in the Nueva Ecija region, considered part of the 'rice bowl' of the Philippines. Writing in the Feb. 7 issue of The Conversation, Stone and his study co-author Dominic Glover, a rice researcher at the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Sussex, suggest that backers of Golden Rice -- and even some economists who have tried to project its health impacts -- have made certain flawed assumptions about farmers' willingness to plant the crop. "The old claim, repeated again in a recent book, that Golden Rice was 'basically ready for use in 2002' is silly," Stone and Glover wrote. "As recently as 2017, IRRI made it clear that Golden Rice still had to be 'successfully developed into rice varieties suitable for Asia, approved by national regulators, and shown to improve vitamin A status in community conditions.' "The Philippines has managed to cut its childhood VAD rate in half with conventional nutrition programs. If Golden Rice appears on the market in the Philippines by 2022, it will have taken over 30 years of development to create a product that may not affect vitamin levels in its target population, and that farmers may need to be paid to plant." Prince Harry admitted in a 2019 interview that there was tension between him and Prince William. With Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex leaving the royal family behind, many royal fans have been worried that this move will put further stress on the brothers relationship. The status of Prince Harry and Prince Williams fractured relationship is unclear but, according to a new report, the brothers are actively working to improve things. Prince Harry and Prince William | Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Harry confirmed they were feuding During the 2019 documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey, when he was asked about rumors of a feud, Harry admitted there was some truth to the gossip. Part of this role and part of this job and this family being under the pressure that its under inevitably, you know, stuff happens, he shared. But, look, were brothers. Well always be brothers. Were certainly on different paths at the moment but I will always be there for him and, as I know, he will always be there for me. Part of the rift he chalked up to their busy lives, noting: We dont see each other as much as we used to because were so busy, but I love him dearly. The majority of stuff is created out of nothing. But as brothers, you have good days and you have bad days, he added. The brothers issued a statement about the harmful rumors In January 2020, Prince Harry and Prince William issued a rare joint statement that denied rumors of a rift. Despite clear denials, a false story ran in a UK newspaper today speculating about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge, the statement read. For brothers who care so deeply about the issues surrounding mental health, the use of inflammatory language in this way is offensive and potentially harmful. They dont hate each other As Prince Harry had stated in his emotional interview, theyre always going to be brothers, its just that sometimes family members dont see eye to eye. A new report offers some hope about their relationship, with a source telling ET that they are talking more and theyre on better footing after Prince Harry and Meghan left for Canada. The brothers dont hate each other as has been reported, the source shared, adding, that they do talk. In terms of the Cambridges and Sussexes splitting households in 2019, the source shared that the move actually improved the relationship. The separate households that were created improved the relationship so they werent having to talk about business, the source explained. The brothers have different futures with very important institutional roles and that created a complicated relationship. Once the households separated, things improved. The insider continued: But thats not to say William and other members of the family werent disappointed when Harry and Meghan announced they were no longer choosing to be senior royal members. Further, according to the source, the Sussexes plan caused an initial feeling in the family of being blindsided when [they] released their proposal publicly after they were asked to hold off. But ultimately everyone wanted Harry and Meghan to be happy, the insider added. William has always expressed concern for Harry. Since they were children, William has always watched out for his younger brother. A second source told ET that the Sussexes plan to move on wasnt an easy decision for Harry and that he loves his family. As the curtains came down on the five-day DefExpo on Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Industries minister Satish Mahana termed it historic and said it will pose a challenge to future organisers. DefExpo-2020 was held at the Uttar Pradesh capital city from February 5-8 with the theme 'India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub'. "This DefExpo can be termed historic in many ways. It is for the first time that in the country, more than 200 MoUs and other pacts were signed in an expo," Mahana said. "This figure will pose a challenge to organisers of future Defence Expos. In the 2018, Defence Expo held in Chennai, 40 MoUs were signed. Definitely, Lucknow has drawn a longer line for others," he said. The minister said after the formation of the Yogi Adityanath government in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government had expressed desire of hosting a Defence Expo (which was held in Chennai). "But, the then Defence minister Manohar Parikar said no stating that Uttar Pradesh does not have basic infrastructure for an event like Defence Expo," he added. Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday described DefExpo-2020 as an unprecedented success which not only witnessed participation of a large number of exhibitors but also forged new partnerships and attracted more than 12 lakh visitors. Speaking at the valedictory ceremony on the fourth day of DefExpo 2020 here on Saturday, Singh had said Uttar Pradesh stands for 'Unlimited Potential' and DefExpo has succeeded in projecting a new identity of the state in the defence sector and the defence corridor received a huge boost for attracting new investments with the signing of 23 MoUs. On Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said his government had organised many international events during the last few years such as Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, UP Investors' summit and Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and the successful organisation of DefExpo enhanced the image of the state. Describing DefExpo as "Defence Kumbh", he said the event witnessed presence of more than 3,000 foreign delegates, 10,000 Indian delegates and 12 lakh visitors and laid a strong foundation for development of UP Defence corridor. In this DefExpo, 1,024 exhibitors participated, 172 of them being foreign companies. Forty Defence ministers were part of total 70 foreign delegations that visited Lucknow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend The final statement of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be made public in April, Member of the PACE observation mission, co-rapporteur of the PACE Monitoring Committee on Azerbaijan Stefan Schennach told Trend. We are short-term observers, Schennach said. The PACE observer delegation was here two weeks ago for pre-election mission. We wanted to go to Samakhi, but it was impossible due to weather conditions. We observed the elections in different areas, member of the PACE observation mission said. We have been in Nardaran and now we are on the way to Sumgayit; then we will go to other polling stations. We observed that in the afternoon people were coming to the polling stations. In the morning there were fewer voters, as the weather is terrible. But now, I am in the polling station and there are a lot of people. Tomorrow in the afternoon there will be a press conference of OSCE, PACE observers, Schennach said. The final statement of PACE will be in April. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. The CEC Secretariat Information Center will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The number of people who have died after being infected by the novel coronavirus rose to 813 on Sunday, surpassing in less than two months the death toll during the eight-month-long outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus in 2003. Total infections from the coronavirus, which is similar to the SARS pathogen, reached around 37,500 on Sunday, and officials in Shanghai said they had observed a worrying new attribute in the new outbreak: the virus can infect new patients as an aerosol. SARS had claimed the lives of 774 people in 2002-03. Experts and officials said the coming week will be crucial as millions of Chinese return to their places of work after the Chinese New Year holidays, which were extended in an effort to curb the diseases spread. The number of new cases logged over Saturday was 3,419 slightly higher than the 3,205 seen the previous day but still lower than the peak of 3,925 reported on Wednesday. That means the joint control mechanism of different regions and the strict prevention and control measures have worked, a spokesman for the National Health Commission, Mi Feng, said at a news conference, according to news agency AP. Among the new infection cases were six more people diagnosed with the virus among the 3,700 passengers on a cruise ship quarantined in Japan, Reuters reported. The crew of the ship includes 136 Indians, who have appealed to the Indian government for help. The new cases are an American passenger in her 70s and five crew members four Filipinos and a Ukrainian.The infections on Diamond Princess, now 70 in all, represents the single-largest cluster of patients outside of a hospital in China. Many of Chinas usually teeming cities have almost become ghost towns during the past two weeks as the government ordered virtual lockdowns, cancelled flights, closed factories and shut schools. Even on Monday, a large number of workplaces and schools will remain closed and many white-collar employees will work from home a level of restriction that is predicted to hit the Chinese as well as parts of the global economy. Financial markets in many countries have slumped and businesses in India are taking stock of inventories of raw materials and products they import from Chinese manufacturers. On Sunday, a fourth British citizen was confirmed to have been infected by the virus following a chain of contact that demonstrated how virulent the pathogen is. The latest patient is believed to have contracted it from another British citizen while they briefly shared lodging at a ski resort in France. Officials in Shanghai said the they have now confirmed a new transmission route for the virus: as aerosol. Aerosol transmission refers to the mixing of the virus with droplets in the air to form aerosols, which causes infection after inhalation, according to medical experts, Chinese news outlet China Daily quoted Zeng Qun, deputy head of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, as saying. Aerosol transmission can potentially cause someone to be infected if a patient nearby sneezes. Till now, the virus is believed to have spread through direct transmission through contact with blood or body fluids or indirect transmissions, which include contact with a surface infected by a patient. As millions of Chinese prepared to go back to work, the public dismay and mistrust of official numbers was evident on Weibo, Chinas equivalent of Twitter. Whats even more frustrating is that these are only the official data, said one user. We all know we cant purchase masks anywhere, why are we still going back to work? said a second. More than 20,000 doctors and nurses around the country have been sent to Hubei, but why are the numbers still rising? asked a third. Authorities had told businesses to tack up to 10 extra days on to holidays that had been due to finish at the end of January and some restrictions continued. Among the latest 89 deaths, 81 were in Hubei. An American hospitalised in the provincial capital Wuhan, where the outbreak began, became the first confirmed non-Chinese victim. The Washington Post identified him as Hong Ling, a 53-year old geneticist who studied rare diseases at Berkeley. (With agency inputs) 09.02.2020 LISTEN It was not for nothing that the former President, Kufour, in defense of his government's failure to deal with corruption entirely in his regime, had to back his defense with a biblical reference by saying, "Corruption started from Adam and Eve,"(Kufour, 2008). This was after he(Kufour) had realized that he(Kufour) could not actualise his dream of zero tolerance to corruption. Yes, corruption is a serious concept that needs a comprehensive approach and so rhyming about it at every given platform as does the Nana Addo government, cannot address the issue. John Mahama like any other former President did the best he could to reduce corruption to its bearest minimum. At least, it was not apparent and systemic as we see today. There was virtually no premium on corruption under Mahama. He fought it tooth and nail! Unlike Nana Akufo Addo(the talking president), he has made corruption very lucrative, and it still remains a very promising enterprise to Nana Addo's administration as most of his ministers of state profit massively from it to the extent that they constituted themselves into a system to engage in corruption. Hence, we have a systemically endemic corruption going on in this country. The case of galamsey excavator is there for us all to see. The kinds of systemic and gargantuan corruption that we are witnessing under Nana Addo's led administration should serve as a source of discomfort, worry and concern to every well-meaning Ghanaian. How can a whole gamut of government machinery claim to be fighting corruption end up ceasing such a huge chunk of excavators and sharing them among themselves just like nobody's business? Yes, corruption cannot be entirely eradicated but the level at which the presidency has endorsed customised corruption in this current country should attract the attention of every positive-minded citizen. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday offered prayers at the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi district. He was accorded a warm welcome by district officials on his arrival at the Lal Bahadur Shastri airport in the morning. From the airport, Rajapaksa drove straight to the Kashi Vishwanath temple and paid obeisance to Lord Shiva in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Later, the Sri Lankan leader also visited Buddhist pilgrimage site Sarnath and paid tributes at the Dhamek Stupa, where Lord Buddha had delivered his first sermon. Rajapaksa arrived in India on Friday on a five-day visit, his first overseas tour after being appointed as prime minister of the island nation in November last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The families of three young British soldiers murdered in an infamous IRA honey trap are demanding a fresh inquiry after uncovering startling new evidence that could help bring the killers to justice. Brothers John and Joseph McCaig, aged 17 and 18, and their friend Dougald McCaughey, 23, were executed on a remote road in Belfast by an IRA hit squad in 1971 after apparently being lured to their deaths by two attractive women they had met in a bar. The deaths of the Royal Highland Fusiliers the first off-duty soldiers to be killed by the IRA sparked a wave of revulsion and opened a new blood-soaked chapter in The Troubles, yet no one has ever been convicted. Brothers John (right) and Joseph McCaig (left), aged 17 and 18, were executed on a remote road in Belfast by an IRA hit squad in 1971 Now, almost half a century later, the families legal team has gained access to previously unseen police files which reveal: The IRA may have planned the soldiers murders for days, with up to ten conspirators involved in the plot; The name of one of the women said to be involved in the honey trap, whose brother and father were IRA members, and who could be alive and living in England; One of those suspected of involvement in the murders was a former British Paratrooper turned ruthless IRA hitman called Paddy OKane. Only one of the alleged IRA execution team, Anthony Dutch Doherty, has ever been arrested over the killings, but he escaped from prison in 1971. It was thought that Doherty had died, but The Mail on Sunday last week tracked him down to a terraced house in North Dublin. He angrily refused to answer questions about the murders. The families are raising money to fund their legal campaign and their battle for justice has been given fresh impetus by the extradition of Hyde Park bombing suspect John Downey for the alleged murder of two Army volunteers in 1972. Downey, whose prosecution for the alleged murder of four soldiers in Hyde Park collapsed in 2004 when it emerged he had received a so-called on-the-run letter, was extradited from the Irish Republic to Northern Ireland last October. Dougald McCaughey, 23, was executed on a remote road in Belfast by an IRA hit squad in 1971 The soldiers relatives hope a new inquest will produce sufficient evidence to trigger a fresh police inquiry and the eventual extradition of suspects to the UK to face trial. David McCaughey, Dougalds 52-year-old cousin, said: This new information finally gives us hope that we will one day have the full truth and see justice for Dougald, John and Joseph. We must have an inquest so we can finally have the complete account of what happened and bring the killers who are still alive to the courts. Its been nearly 50 years and its time we had justice. The three soldiers had been given the afternoon off and were drinking in Belfasts bars when they were lured to their deaths on March 10, 1971. They were befriended by a group of Provisional IRA terrorists and two women during a pub crawl which lasted five hours. The young soldiers were lured away to a remote country road where IRA gunmen were lying in wait. They were killed with gunshots to the back of the head. The murders triggered huge protests across Northern Ireland and caused revulsion across both Catholic and Protestant communities in Belfast. Despite a manhunt led by Scotland Yard, no one has been brought to justice, but the new evidence has prompted the victims families to write to Northern Irelands Attorney General John Larkin to request a new inquest. It comes as 200 former members of the British security services are still being investigated for alleged criminal action during The Troubles, with at least four prosecutions under way for murder or attempted murder. Matthew Jury, of McCue & Partners, lawyers for the families, said: There are a number of unanswered questions and suspects who were not previously spoken to by the police. Those who are still alive must be brought to justice and all avenues must be pursued. The families will not rest until these people answer for their crimes. Thats why we are calling for a fresh inquest and government backing. To donate to the campaign fund, go to crowdjustice.com/case/3soldiers Drinks with two attractive women, a call home - then shot in the back of the head Teenage brothers John and Joseph McCaig and their friend Dougald McCaughey cut cheerful figures as they sauntered out of Girdwood Barracks just after 2pm on Wednesday, March 10, 1971, and headed towards Belfasts popular Cornmarket district. After an increasingly tense tour of duty, an afternoon of leave to visit the citys lively bars was a welcome distraction for the three Royal Highland Fusiliers. By early 1971, the initial warm welcome for the British Army was evaporating, with soldiers in uniform targeted by the Provisional IRA. Despite that, off-duty soldiers were still permitted to go drinking in Belfast and mingle with the locals. Found by The Mail on Sunday: Anthony Dutch Doherty in Dublin in 1972 (left). Anthony Dutch Doherty pictured last year (right) With orders to return to their barracks by 6.30pm, John and Joseph, from Ayr, and Dougald, from Glasgow, began a pub crawl but, as newly unearthed police files reveal, they were heading into a trap. The files contain a detailed account of the final hours of the three soldiers and, crucially, say that rather than being an opportunistic crime, the cold-blooded murders had been planned well in advance. The files reveal that eight days before the brutal killings, the Metropolitan Police received intelligence that the IRA was plotting to murder off-duty soldiers. The soldiers grieving relatives hope the new clues in the files will finally lead to the murderers being brought to justice. The dossiers name two of the alleged plotters as local IRA members Patrick McAdorey, 25, and 20-year-old Anthony Dutch Doherty. Both were already wanted for the murders of two Royal Ulster Constabulary officers. At about 3pm, the three soldiers were spotted in Mooneys Bar, where they were drinking with five civilians, including a man with a distinctive Van Dyke beard. That man is believed to be McAdorey. Also in the bar was a man who The Mail on Sunday has established was former British soldier Patrick OKane, 35. After leaving the Parachute Regiment in 1964, OKane got a job with the Post Office but he had also joined the IRA. He would later be linked to the Kingsmill massacre of ten Protestant workers in 1976 and the Warrenpoint ambush three years later that left 16 members of the Parachute Regiment and two Queens Own Highlanders dead. Also drinking with the group were two attractive women, who are thought to have lured the soldiers to their deaths with promises of sex. One was described as blonde, about 24 or 25, very good looking and wearing a black sweater with a silver buckle, tight fitting, full bust, black mini skirt and black tights. The other had short blackish hair revealing one ear. The new evidence suggests the two women remained with the soldiers all afternoon. Detectives were later given a name for the blonde woman, gleaned by an intelligence officer in the Royal Engineers. By 6.30pm, the soldiers should have been back at their barracks. Instead they were in Kellys Cellars sinking pints with two men, believed to be McAdorey and OKane. Fifteen minutes later, McCaughey telephoned his aunt Mary Lochrie at her home in Glasgow. Hearing the noise of a busy pub, she warned her nephew to watch himself. It was the last time his family would hear from him. At 7pm, another republican, who police later called Suspect Two, entered the bar. Minutes later, the three IRA men and the soldiers, still holding their pint glasses, left. As night fell, the soldiers were driven, possibly in a blue Vauxhall, four miles through the citys northern suburbs, to a remote and narrow country lane known locally as White Brae. One witness described passing the three fellows speaking in Scottish accents and the girls heading towards the Glen Inn, a pub at one end of White Brae. Ominously, a group of six or seven men were seen walking about 30 yards behind. Lawyers for the soldiers families now think IRA gunmen were lying in wait in a field by the side of White Brae. Twenty-five domino pieces, a small bottle, tablets, handkerchiefs and a spent 9mm cartridge case were found at the ambush site. Shortly before 7.30pm, the soldiers put down their beer glasses at the side of the road and unbuttoned their trousers, possibly to urinate or perhaps even following the promise of a sexual encounter with the women. Either way, it appeared to be a cue for the gunmen to strike and each of the soldiers was shot in the back of the head. There was widespread outrage at the murders. The mens commanding officer described the victims as just boys and the coroner said the deaths were one of the vilest crimes ever heard of in living memory. In Belfast, flags were lowered to half-mast and traffic came to a standstill as workers spilled out of factories to join a crowd of 10,000 at the Cenotaph. Amid the turmoil, a team of Scotland Yard officers tasked with catching the killers quickly identified four key suspects McAdorey, Doherty, OKane and Suspect Two. The files reveal that they were also told about a Belfast woman seen with the soldiers. Her father and a brother were members of the IRA and she had left Northern Ireland for England soon after the killings. The new documents also suggest the meeting between the IRA gang and the three fusiliers was no accident. Three days earlier, Dougald had been seen at a brothel in the Ardoyne area with a known associate of the IRA. Police believe there was an IRA plot to kill off-duty soldiers visiting the area. Two days after the murders, a witness overheard a barman at Mooneys describing on the phone the movements of three soldiers and assuring the caller that he had not told police anything about the killings. The odds were heavily stacked against the Scotland Yard detectives on the case. Indeed, they were forced to feed false information to the RUC at one point because there were so many IRA informers inside the force. Despite that, Doherty was arrested in November 1971 and interrogated at the Girdwood Park Detention Centre. He confessed his involvement and named McAdorey, OKane and Suspect Two as accomplices. But Doherty escaped from Crumlin Road prison where he was being held and subsequently avoided extradition from Irish Republic over the murder of the two RUC officers. Last week, The Mail on Sunday tracked down the now 69-year-old Doherty to a house in North Dublin where he angrily refused to comment. McAdorey was killed by security forces in August 1971 after attacking a British Army infantry position with an assault rifle. OKane is understood to have admitted to the murders but showed no remorse. He fled to County Clare in the Irish Republic where he became a labourer. Like Hyde Park bombing suspect John Downey, OKane was given a controversial on-the-run immunity letter following the Good Friday Agreement. He died in 2009. Suspect Two is also believed to be dead. The murders of the three soldiers still resonate. Tributes, including a small stone memorial on White Brae, have been desecrated at least 27 times since 2010, but the soldiers families insist they will never stop their search for justice. To donate to the campaign fund, go to crowdjustice.com/case/3soldiers Shevlin Sebastian By When you meet Fabiyas MV, an English teacher, who lives in Orumanayur village in Thrissur district, Kerala, you realise you have known verse. The respected American magazine Poetry Nook has just nominated his work for the prestigious Pushcart Prize. Fabiyas is proof that English poetry in India is seeing a resurgence: he has been extensively published in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and Nepal, and has bagged a host of poetry awards, namely, the PoetrySoup International Award, the Merseyside at War Poetry Award from John Moores University, Liverpool, and the Animal Poetry Prize from the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelties against Animals. Fabiyas was also a finalist for the Global Poetry Prize. In India, his poems have been broadcast on All India Radio. The Pushcart Prize nomination stunned the unassuming poet. Only creativity with social significance gets noticed as serious work; Fabiyass subjects include autism, insanity, death, monsoons, elephants, midnight dreams, thieves, liquor, pregnancy and illiteracy, all issues that affect Kerala and India. The poets biggest influence is his late father MV Alikutty, a well-known writer in Malayalam who published over 20 novels, travelogues and memoirs. When I was a child, my father would tell me stories. I was in Class VII when I wrote my first poem. When I showed it to him, he was very happy. It was he who told me to continue writing, says Fabiyas. The poet lives near the Canoli Canal, which was built by the British in 1848. The canal serves as an inspiration, so do the people around me, he says. However, in his village where literary awareness is low, many did not know his work until an article about him appeared in the local paper. Fabiyas is undeterred. Outside India there are thousands who consider poetry as their lifeblood, he says. Little wonder that this belief has resulted in over 200 poems. Frank Watson, the editor of Poetry Nook, says, Fabiyas displays a unique insight into the human condition, often told through stories of the afflicted or forgotten. His perspective opens the readers eyes to deeper ways of looking at the world. Father of two teenage girls, whatever money he earns from his writing is used for the welfare of orphans. Roxana Nastase, editor-in-chief of Scarlet Leaf Review (Canada), says, Although fantasy shimmers, the real world holds pain, blood and existential truths, and the pull of all of those is stronger than the dreamy quality of the imagination of Fabiyas. His favourite poet? William Wordsworth. I quite like Intimations of Immortality by him, he says. Maybe that is why his own poem Chemical Weapon talks of mortality Were living In a pesticide era. Existence is in poison. Peasants are persuaded. Their minds are mulched With chemical thoughts... The former prison tailor who helped two convicted killers break out of a maximum-security New York prison in a Shawshank Redemption-style escape was photographed outside her upstate home on Saturday days after her release on parole. Joyce Mitchell, 55, was seen with her husband, Lyle Mitchell, outside their home in Franklin County, which lies about 20 miles from the border with Canada. Mitchell served time at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for helping Richard Matt and David Sweat escape the state prison in Dannemora in June 2015. Joyce Mitchell, 55, was seen outside of her home in Franklin County, New York, on Saturday She is seen above alongside her husband, Lyle Mitchell, outside their home in Dickinson Center on Saturday afternoon Authorities released Mitchell on parole on Thursday morning. She admitted to providing the digging tools the inmates used to chisel through walls and pipes before going on the lam. The brazen prison break was followed by an intense manhunt that captivated the nation. After 23 days on the run, Matt was shot dead and Sweat was captured and put behind bars for life. The search for the two escapees cost the state more than $23 million. The escapade inspired the critically-acclaimed 2018 Showtime miniseries, Escape at Dannemora, with Academy Award winner Patricia Arquette playing the part of Mitchell. Mitchell was sentenced in September 2015 to 2 1/3 to seven years and was denied parole three times, most recently last June. Mitchell, 55 (pictured in court in 2015), was released from prison Thursday after serving more than four years for helping two inmates escape Mitchell admitted to providing digging tools to inmates David Sweat (left) and Richard Matt (right), allowing them to escape The brazen prison break from the maximum-security Clinton Correction Facility in Dannemora, New York, was followed by an intense 23-day manhunt Mitchell is pictured with her husband, Lyle, and their son. She has denied having sex with Matt and Sweat in prison 'If I could take it all back, I would,' Mitchell said during her sentencing. Mitchell, who was married with a son, has been accused of having sex with both inmates - an allegation which she has vehemently denied. During interviews with investigators, however, she did admit to performing oral sex on Matt out of fear, and sending nude photos of herself to Sweat. According to court records, the prison seamstress said she had agreed to help Matt and Sweat because she believed she was 'caught up in the fantasy,' enjoyed the attention from the inmates and the thought of a different life. In jailhouse interviews with the New York Post after the release of the seven-part miniseries, directed by Ben Stiller, Mitchell argued that she helped the inmates dig their way out of the prison out of fear, not because she was in love with them, or because she was in a consensual sexual relationship with either man, contrary to her portrayal in Escape at Dannemora. 'I never had sex with them,' Mitchell said of Matt and Sweat in December 2018. 'Ben Stiller is a son-of-a-b**** liar just like the rest of the world. He doesnt care about the truth. All he cares about is making millions off me.' After her arrest in 2015, Lyle Mitchell said he still loves his wife, forgives her and will wait for her to be released from prison. Reflecting on his wife's involvement in the brazen escape plot, Lyle Mitchell attributed it to her excessive kindness. 'My wife has a heart of gold, ' he said. 'Thats her biggest downfall.' In statements to police, Joyce Mitchell said from jail that she was going through a tough time in her marriage, where she didnt think her husband loved her anymore, and the inmates' attentions made her feel special. Clinton County Sheriff David Favro previously said Mitchell should serve a full seven years. Sweat was captured (pictured) two days after Matt was shot dead by police while on the run Oscar winner Patricia Arquette portrayed Joyce Mitchell in the Showtime miniseries Escape at Dannemora 'With the egregiousness of her actions, and the jeopardy she put our society in as a whole, it is a mockery of our system to let her out after a couple of years,' Favro told the Plattsburgh Press-Republican. Mitchell was approved for conditional release on February 8 after a prison staff committee determined she had earned time off for good behavior. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said Mitchells release date is on Saturday, but she was freed on Thursday so she can meet the requirement of reporting to a parole officer within 24 hours. Watch Escape at Dannemora, the series based on the true events, on Showtime or on Stan in Australia. San Franciscos Chinese New Years Parade, complete with lion dancers, dragons and firecrackers, took place without disruptions Saturday, despite worries about the coronavirus, which have canceled similar celebrations around the country. To commemorate the start of the Year of the Rat, rodent statues of all sizes adorned lit-up floats and students marched with rat ears and more elaborate costumes. The red silhouette of a rat even scampered alongside a full moon atop Salesforce Towers light display. About two dozen elected officials, including Mayor London Breed, rode alongside corporate floats, school marching bands and dance troupes from around the Bay Area. State Assemblyman David Chiu appeared in a low-rider car that bounced enthusiastically as it made its way past Union Square. Some parade participants combined local elements with Chinese culture. BART decked out a miniaturized train car with red lanterns, and T-Mobile had a small Golden Gate Bridge on its float. Members of San Franciscos Central Police Station rode a cable car and tossed gifts like Year of the Rat mouse pads to the crowd. Southwest Airlines and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce organize the parade, which began in the 1860s as a way for Chinese immigrants to share their culture. The parade started at Second and Market streets and ran up to Union Square before ending at Columbus Avenue. It lasted nearly three hours. The event draws 3 million viewers in person and on television, according to the organizers. The parade takes place a week after the Miss Chinatown U.S.A. pageant, and winner Lauren Yang of Sugar Land, Texas, sat on a gold and red throne as she rode in the parade. The noisy celebration ended with the traditional 288-foot-long golden dragon and a final burst of fireworks on the street along to Union Square. Parade officials said there was no threat to public health from the coronavirus, and only a handful of attendees wore protective masks. The coronavirus has sickened more than 37,500 people and killed 811 in China, including the first American citizen Thursday in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic. A dozen coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the U.S., including four that are being treated in the Bay Area. SFO canceled all flights to mainland China for nearly six weeks, and local businesses in Chinatown have suffered. Five people who had been under quarantine after being evacuated from China to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield were hospitalized with symptoms of fever. An additional 229 people have been quarantined at Travis and will remain there for two weeks, which is believed to be the maximum incubation period for the virus. Attendees were largely unconcerned. Husband and wife Doug and Cindy Webenbauer from Morgan Hill brought along masks but decided not to wear them after seeing almost no one else was. Cindy Webenbauer said they werent concerned and were excited to see their daughter, who plays French horn, play with the Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band in the parade. Its really exciting, she said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Summer Miguel of Vallejo said she isnt concerned about the virus. She said her favorite part of the parade is the marching bands. But the presence of tech companies such as Twitter whose employees carried a batch of blue balloons with its logo was not very Chinese New Year, she said. Navi Vargess was wearing a mask to be super cautious after reading about the coronavirus in the news. He said he had some difficulty in obtaining a mask amid a global shortage. Boniface Law had a good reason to wear the mask, after recently flying back from Hong Kong, where one person has died from the virus. He said the city there was quieter than usual but people were cautiously optimistic that the situation would improve, having endured a similar epidemic of SARS in 2003. Law said he was wearing a mask partly out of habit and wasnt seriously concerned about coronavirus. The flu is frankly scarier here, he said. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to Chinese President Xi Jinping, offering India's assistance to China to deal with the outbreak. In his letter, the prime minister expressed solidarity with the president and the people of China over the outbreak of the virus in the country, official sources said. Modi offered India's assistance to China to face the challenge, besides conveying condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak, they said. A total of 811 people have died of the infection so far while the number of confirmed cases has gone up to 37,198, according to latest data by Chinese authorities. Modi has also conveyed to Xi his appreciation for facilitating evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from the Hubei province. Lee Su-chan, third from left, head of Himchan Hospital, explains the procedure for a hip replacement operation to a patient at its Bukhara branch in Uzbekistan. /Courtesy of Himchan Hospital By Bahk Eun-ji When Iakovleva Anna, a 58-year-old administrative worker at a prison in Russia, witnessed her older sister fully recover from artificial joint surgery, she decided to get the surgery herself so that she too could walk properly. Iakovleva had been unable to work due to the debilitating pains she feels in her hips. Yet, she has had to endure her condition due to the lack of qualified surgeons in many ill-equipped, local Russian clinics that have been unable to help her. In 2019, she finally flew to Korea to have the necessary operation on her leg at Himchan Hospital. "The horrible pain on my left leg vanished right away after the surgery. Because of the dramatic result, I plan to get the operation on my right hip joint soon," Anna said. Specializing in joint and spinal surgery, Himchan Hospital began treating international patients from 2016, and more than 350 patients from Russia, China, and the United States have visited for treatment. With advanced medical techniques and many satisfied foreign patients, Lee Su-chan, head of the hospital, had no reason to hesitate in opening branches abroad. Himchan Hospital began offering its services in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, as the first jointly-operated hospital in Central Asia by a Korean medical institute. "The Bukhara Himchan Hospital is the first medical institution opened by a private fund in Central Asia. It wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for the support from both the Korean and the Uzbekistan governments," Lee said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "With the high preference of Korean doctors in Uzbekistan, we decided to set up a branch there to spread our advanced medical techniques by increasing the success rate of operations especially in the spinal and joint fields," Lee said. Bukhara Himchan Hospital in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It didn't take long, did it? Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin hadn't stepped into the count centre in Cork South-Central when he announced a reversal in policy. For years, not just the three weeks of the campaign, but for years, Martin has been consistent in his stance that he would not be going into government with Sinn Fein. Even in the face of mounting opposition from within his own party, time and time again Martin dug his heels in and insisted he was not for turning. But not today. Confronted with a disappointing result for his party, Martin had no choice but to change his tune. Flanked by reporters Martin did not rule out going into coalition with either Sinn Fein or Fine Gael. Trying to contain the brassneckery of it all, he said the most important thing is that there is compatibility in the programme for government and over the next few days people will assess the situation. He said as leader, he has heard the people speak and he respects that. "We will obviously listen. The people have spoken and there is no greater democrat than I, but that said we will not pre-empt the outcome itself because it's very clear to us that the destination of the final seats in many constituencies cannot be called now, he said. I am making the point there is serious incompatibility between ourselves and Sinn Fein. But what is important, is that the country comes first. There is an onus on all that a functioning Government is formed, he told reporters. In reality, what choice did he have? Several leading members of his party, including Robert Troy and John McGuinness, said the party must be open to discussions with Sinn Fein. Martin correctly stated that Election 2020 it is an unusual event, with a lot of volatility, adding that some people who could not get elected in the local elections are topping the poll in some instances. Obviously as soon as he said it, much was being made of his comments. Was this a u-turn? Was this an attempt to stay relevant? Was it shameless chicanery by a man who is angling to become Taoiseach? In truth, a bit of all of them. Behind the scenes, caution was being urged as to the full meaning of what Martin was saying, and particularly to conclusions being drawn prematurely when most of the Dail seats had not yet been filled. Whatever way you looked at the outcome, the big winners here were Mary Lou McDonald and her Sinn Fein party. Less than nine months after she walked into the RDS after a bruising encounter, today she arrived as the conquering hero, mobbed by media and supporters alike. She made clear that Sinn Fein had already started discussions to form a new Government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. She said the two other major parties, which up until this point have ruled out doing a deal with Sinn Fein, are "in a state of denial" and are still not listening to the public.She said Saturday's poll represented significant change and she will now be working to form a Government. "I want us to have ideally a Government with no Fianna Fail or Fine Gael in it. I have started the contact with other parties to explore over the next few days whether or not that is a possibility."We've been in touch with the Greens, with the Social Democrats with People Before Profit and there are others. Like I said throughout the campaign, and I meant it when I said it, we need change we need a new government, the best outcome is a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail so that's the first thing that I want to test whether or not that is possible. "I also have consistently said that I will talk to and listen to everybody. I think that's what grown-ups do. I think that's what democracy demands." Hitting out at Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar who have both repeatedly ruled out going into power with Sinn Fein, she said: "I do not accept the exclusion or talk of excluding our party - a party that represents almost a quarter of the electorate, I think this is fundamentally undemocratic." McDonald who comfortably topped the poll in Dublin Central added: "The extraordinary thing is that it seems that the political establishment, and by that I mean Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, are still in a state of denial, and they're still not listening to what the people have said and I want us to have a government for the people." Whatever about such attempts to form a government without Fine Gael or Fianna Fail, in truth the numbers make such an arrangement unworkable, so ultimately Sinn Fein could be the kingmakers, if another election is to be avoided. Poll topper Donnchadh O Laoghaire of Sinn Fein is shouldered in celebration at the Cork South Central Count Centre at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork. Picture Dan Linehan As good a day it was for Sinn Fein, the party failed to spot the swing and did not run enough candidates with several large surpluses going to waste, including in McDonald's back yard of Dublin Central. For Fine Gael, ministers throughout the day were maintaining they would not do any deals with Sinn Fein, but it is expected that line will have to change. After a bruising and difficult campaign, the party is clearly relieved to still be in the mix. Just 48 hours before polling, the party was in full-on crisis mode and letters of desperation were being distributed by some of its heaviest hitters including Paschal Donohoe. While the result is not as bad as feared at one point for Leo Varadkar, it is still a dreadful result for a man who promised to deliver Fine Gael to the promised land of a third term in government. Some of the party's leading lights like Regina Doherty and Kate O'Connell will not be returning. As the 160 seats of the 33rd Dail fill up today and tomorrow, attention will now turn to how a government can be formed. Predicting that outcome is another matter altogether. By Paul Smith and Claire Gastanaga Smith is Vice President of Campaign Legal Center (CLC), a nationally recognized election law expert and Supreme Court litigator who resides in Rappahannock County. CLC is a nonprofit working to advance democracy through law that is partnering with OneVirginia2021 and local partners to advance redistricting reform in Virginia. Gastanaga is the Executive Director of the ACLU of Virginia. Virginia has long been plagued by partisan and racial gerrymandering. For decades, politicians on both sides of the aisle have abused the map-drawing process that determines state legislative districts, drawing lines that firm up their own job security, shielding themselves from transparency and accountability, in effect, choosing their voters. The lines drawn after the 2010 Census were so badly gerrymandered along racial lines that they were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court last year resulting in newly drawn districts that brought positive changes in the representation of women and minorities in our legislature. Last year, the proposed constitutional amendment to create the Virginia Redistricting Commission and give Virginia voters a guaranteed voice in legislative map passed the House by a margin of 83-15 and the Senate unanimously. At the time, Republicans maintained a slim majority in both houses. The amendment must be passed again this year to allow Virginians the opportunity to vote to amend the constitution this fall. Passing a constitutional amendment paired with strong enabling legislation is the best option to move Virginia past the corrosive partisanship that has too long distorted the political map-drawing process at the expense of voters statewide. The amendment before the legislature now isnt perfect, but it is a major step forward. Voters deserve the chance to vote to approve it this November and have it implemented in time to affect the 2020 redistricting process. The proposed amendment creates a hybrid commission of 16 members, comprised of eight legislators and eight citizens, evenly balanced by party affiliation. There are added protections for racial and ethnic communities, and the system will be opened up to increased public input and transparency. Despite the plans popularity, news reports indicate that some Democratic lawmakers now enjoying majorities in the General Assembly are having second thoughts. Some may be hesitant to give up the power to redraw districts now, even though they voted for the very same proposal when they were the minority party. Others have expressed concerns about the Supreme Court of Virginia drawing the maps if the commission is deadlocked and about whether there are adequate protections for racial equity. The history of the Commonwealth makes these concerns understandable, and they are being addressed in complimentary enabling legislation. Putting this commission in place doesnt mean the effort to achieve a more representative legislature will end. The benefits of guaranteed voter participation in redistricting will have a compounding effect. When voters elect politicians under fair maps, future legislatures are likely to be amenable to further reforms down the line, which could result in improvements to the commission. For example, legislators could be excluded from sitting on the commission entirely. Or, protection of incumbents could be explicitly forbidden. For now, its important that we not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Alternative proposals are being discussed, such as pursuing a purely legislative route. This is risky because it leaves ultimate decision-making in the hands of the General Assembly and only the constitution can bind the legislature. If history is our guide, the party that controls redistricting rarely avoids the temptation to gerrymander. It will be a travesty if partisanship overrides fairness again. The public is ready for reform. Voters nationwide overwhelmingly support redistricting reform. A 2019 national poll commissioned by the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center (CLC) found strong opposition to gerrymandering with broad, bipartisan support for the creation of independent redistricting commissions. In fact, 65% of voters surveyed would prefer congressional districts with no partisan bias, even if it meant fewer seats for their own party. Virginians are in line with this national trend. A December 2019 survey shows that Virginia voters strongly support the second passage of the redistricting reform constitutional amendment, by a 70%-15% margin. People understand that majorities in government come and go. Today, it may be your party reaping the benefits of increasingly sophisticated computer modeling to manipulate districts and hold onto power. But tomorrow, you may be in the minority and robbed of your voice. This has been the reality in Virginia, but it doesnt have to continue for another decade. Virginia legislators, regardless of party, should put principle over partisanship and vote to give Virginians the opportunity to vote this fall to amend the constitution to assure fair redistricting in 2020 and in future decades. 58 Shares Share I sit in Dr. Victors small crowded waiting room, awaiting my turn. I am seated between two women, the one on my left probably 45, and the one on my right, somewhat older, both though younger than me. The lady on my right doesnt have much to say beyond telling me where she is from, and she is seeing Dr. Victor for the second time. The woman to my left is gabby and soon tells me a lot about herself, after first asking if I am here because I have pancreatitis. I say no, thank God. I know something about the disease; my sister in Massachusetts suffers from it. I tell the woman about her. Dr. Victor is the man to see in our region for pancreatitis. My guess is that half of the 15 or so in the waiting room are here because of pancreatitis. I am here because a month earlier, Dr. Victor took out my appendix. This is a follow-up visit. I listen attentively to the talkative woman. I have had this for three years, she says. I am not doing well lately, though, she adds. He may put me back in the hospital. Do you have good periods? I ask, knowing that my sister seldom did. My sister has had this disease for about five years. She is a bit older than the woman I speak with, ten years older, maybe. There are few good periods, she answers. And I have lately lost 15 pounds. And 35 pounds since this began. Does your sister lose weight? I tell her no. If anything, she gains. The woman is blond, thin, and rather pretty. I get a sense of her constant pain as she shifts in her seat, trying to get comfortable. I am relieved when finally I am called in to see the doctor. I have known Dr. Victor for a number of years. My ex-wife Mary, an RN, said he was a good surgeon. She often knows about such things. Dr. Victor pronounces the healing of my surgical wound as fine, and there is barely a scar. He knows I am a writer, also a social worker, and he likes to talk writing with me, saying how one of these days he is going to write. He wants to do short stories, he says. I encourage him, understanding he might never find the time. Pronouncing me healed, the conversation turns to writing. He must get started soon, he says, because he has stories to tell. Likely medical stories, I think, but I dont ask. Dr. Victor is a small man. He might be five-foot-six. I doubt if he is 50. He is very expansive, verbal; I guess I mean. Not the silent type you sometimes encounter among doctors. He is always carefully dressed, wears a tie but not a suit coat. We are both from New England he from Connecticut, and I from Massachusetts, although there is not much else we have in common. He also enjoys talking with me about his children. He has four, three girls and a boy. His youngest, a boy, is graduating this year from high school. He is very proud of them all. I asked what they are studying. Two at Harvard are pre-med, he says, and one at the University of Chicago is in anthropology. She is going with the Peace Corps to Africa later in the summer. So, you will be Africa-bound yourself in the next year or two? Seems so. Very likely. I can tell her going so far away is a worry. With all these kids in such expensive schools, I observe, you must send your money there in boxcars. He laughs. Just about. It isnt cheap. I dont think to ask where his son is headed after high school. But soon we are talking about him. They are going on vacation for two weeks after today, just the two of them, he says. You mind if I ask where? Not at all. We are going on a hiking trip in Wyoming and Idaho. Hiking the Grand Tetons for 12 days. You camping out? On the trail, I mean. Oh no, just day hikes. Organizing the equipment needed for staying on the trail seemed like too much to do. I couldnt help but wonder what it would be like to go off with a 17- or 18-year-old kid just out of high school to the Grand Tetons. Could be great, could be much less than great. The two of them likely are not used to spending a lot of time together and alone. Then 12 days. He tells me they are flying to Denver and then on to West Yellowstone. Great opportunity at hand to begin your writing career, I think, perhaps scribbling notes as you recline on the motel bed after a day of strenuous hiking. But I wonder if he would see what I see, a wonderful story, and one only he can write? Also, I can imagine a nightmare. Either way, though, good copy. Perhaps better as a nightmare, especially if he can introduce humor into what he writes. No, I wont say anything. I walk down the long corridor with exam rooms on either side, and Dr. Victor is slightly behind me to my left when his nurse approaches us from the opposite direction. She reminds him in a soft voice, I can barely hear her, that there is a doctor still holding for him on the phone. I know it, I know it! he snaps at the young woman. I am embarrassed for him, but he doesnt stop there. Dont interrupt me when I am talking to a patient! Everyone has their moments; I understand this, and I am witnessing one of his. Then I remember what this good man has waiting for him after me, a room full of sick patients, then two weeks traipsing around the Grand Tetons with his teenage son. Whew! Raymond Abbott is a social worker and novelist. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Married At First Sight's Ivan Sarakula clashed with new 'wife' Aleksandra Markovic and raged at his mother Joanne during Sunday's episode of the show. The 30-year-old real estate agent slammed his parent for 'embarrassing' him during their ceremony by singing a romantic song, before later breaking down outside. Meanwhile, Connie Crayden's disapproving mother Rina threatened to derail her nuptials to Jonethen Musulin, by repeatedly hitting out at producers while filming. That was quick! Married At First Sight's Ivan Sarakula (R) clashed with new 'wife' Aleksandra Markovic (L) and raged at his mother Joanne during Sunday's episode of the show Aleks and Ivan's big day in Sydney proved to be eventful from the very start. After the pair first met, Perth beauty Aleks, 26, who is also a real estate agent, had her doubts about Sydney-based Ivan, but his personality soon won her over. 'He's so opposite to what I generally go for, it's crazy. I never really go for light colored hair, a clean shaven face or someone skinny,' began Aleks. 'But he's got this beautiful smile, and he's so comfortable. I feel at ease when I am standing next to him. He seems like a really nice person.' 'She doesn't realise what she just did': The 30-year-old real estate agent slammed his parent (pictured) for 'embarrassing' him during their ceremony by singing a romantic song Uncomfortable: 'Do you mind if I leave? I want to leave - I'm very uncomfortable,' Ivan began as Joanne started to sing Close to You by the Carpenters with Aleks, while refusing to stand up After the ceremony, an emotional Aleks admitted to Ivan that her parents are 'quite traditional with old school morals' and refused to attend their wedding. 'They still love and support me - they just can't be here today,' she said. Later on, the brunette was taken back as Ivan then hit out at his own mother, Joanne, who did attend their ceremony, for singing a love song for the newlyweds. 'Your parents are here so count your blessings': Aleks later ranted at Ivan for his reaction, reminding him that her parents refused to attend the wedding due to their 'traditional values' 'My parents are here and I'm very grateful of that': Ivan then stormed out of their reception and broke down, reflecting on the clash with his new bride 'Do you mind if I leave? I really want to leave - I'm very uncomfortable,' Ivan began as Joanne started to sing Close to You by the Carpenters, while refusing to stand up. He then referred to his mum as 'embarrassing' and ignored her performance. Ivan vented to Aleks afterwards: 'You're lucky you didn't lose me there, I almost legged it. I was about to walk out. She doesn't realise what she just did. 'She sings at church on a Sunday, and this is not church on a Sunday. I am so upset.' Baffled by his reaction, Aleks hit back at Ivan and put him in his place. 'He's got this beautiful smile, and he's so comfortable': Before their clash, Aleks and Ivan instantly hit it off, with the brunette gushing about her new 'husband' Forget your pajamas? The pair managed to put their disagreement behind them later on 'Let me tell you something, husband. Your parents are here so count your blessings. I have been in tears every day because mine aren't here. I'd love for my mum to have done that,' she explained. Ivan then stormed out of their reception and broke down, reflecting on the clash. Visibly emotional, he mused: 'What am I doing? She's got parents that aren't here. Her mother and father strongly disapprove of this, and that's huge. 'My parents' old school values would have preferred a more traditional marriage too, but they're here and I'm very grateful of that.' Newlyweds! They shared a quick kiss before going to sleep together in their Sydney hotel suite Meanwhile, the mother of Melbourne bride Connie Crayden threatened to derail her wedding to Jonethen Musulin on Sunday night by raging against production. Disapproving Rina, who initially called the show 'ridiculous and catty', slammed the 'manipulative' editing while speaking to producers at the Melbourne ceremony. 'This interview for example, you're going to take bits out and not play everything that I've said, that's for sure,' Rina said, when asked about her issues on camera. Family drama: Meanwhile, the mother of Melbourne bride Connie Crayden threatened to derail her wedding to Jonethen Musulin (pictured) on Sunday night by raging against production Outburst: Disapproving Rina (pictured), who initially called the show 'ridiculous and catty', slammed the 'manipulative' editing while speaking to producers at the Melbourne ceremony However, Rina's outburst didn't stop Connie and Jonethen hitting it off. The pair couldn't stop smiling after they first laid eyes on each other, and later gushed about the potential of finding true love. 'His vows made him come across like he isn't afraid of his feelings, which is just amazing. You don't find guys like that every day,' giggled Connie. 'I am so overwhelmed right now with this amazing feeling, I just got married.' 'I feel like me and Connie have a connection already,' added Jonethen. Married At First Sight continues Monday at 7:30pm on Channel Nine Hitting out: 'This interview for example, you're going to take bits out and not play everything that I've said, that's for sure,' Rina said, when asked about her issues on camera Militants on Sunday shot dead a civilian in Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said Srinagar: Militants on Sunday shot dead a civilian in Tral area of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Ghulam Nabi Mir (55), a contractor by profession, was shot at by militants outside his house at Tral Payeen around 7.30 pm, the officials said. Mir was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival, they said. No militant outfit has so far claimed the responsibility for the killing. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday slammed the Election Commission for not revealing the Delhi Assembly polls voter turnout percentage for the first time in the last 70 years and alleged some conspiracy is being played. Delhi elections were held yesterday. It is for the first time in the 70 years of Indian history that the Election Commission is not willing to tell voter turnout percentage even after 24 hours of polling. It means Kahin kuch daal mei kaala hai, koi khel chal rha hai ander hi ander, (something is wrong and a hidden game or conspiracy is being played), said AAP leader Sanjay Singh in a press conference here. Cornering BJP, the AAP leader accused the party with tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) . How did B L Santosh (BJP leader) know that 17 per cent of the votes were cast in the last 2 hours and votes were given to BJP. Also, why is Manoj Tiwari (BJP Delhi Chief) claiming that his party will come into power with over 48 seats and asking people to not cry after EVMs, he said. Responding to Congress leader KTS Tulsis statement over favouring AAP in Delhi polls to keep BJP out of power, he said: Earlier, the Congressmen were saying that the Congress party is going to form the government in Delhi. Now, they are saying that they did not contest elections for AAP. Only the people of Delhi will tell what is the truth. AAP has contested on the issue of development and our party is going to form the government again, he said. Counting of votes for 70 Assembly seats in Delhi will take place on February 11. The Department of Corrections has not learned from the horrific lessons taught by the 1980 riot. Staff shortages, rolling lockdowns, excessive use of solitary confinement and corruption still plague our prison system. In a recent series of Journal articles, the president of the Correctional Officers Union warned that the same issues present before the 1980 riot still exist today. Former Secretary of Corrections Gregg Marcantel summarized the policies of the last 30 years as containment, which has encouraged violent social groups gangs. Marcantel candidly explained that inmates leave the system more violent than when they entered. In disturbing contrast, current Secretary of Corrections Alisha Tafoya Lucero thinks things are fine. When speaking to the Journal she said; I believe our institutions are safer. Which institutions is she referring to? Certainly not the ones that house approximately 7,000 humans living in constant fear. Certainly not the facilities that face 26% staff shortages and turnover rates that would cripple a normal business. During the Jan. 29 Journal/KANW town hall meeting about the riot, the union president said his staff does not feel safe. Tafoya Lucero was asked what she would do if she were given a magic wand to make changes in the system. Incredibly, she had no ideas. Instead, she used her allotted debate time to congratulate her staff on the wonderful job they do. She didnt address the union presidents concerns about safety or use the magic wand she was offered. She didnt wish for an educational program that could teach prisoners basic life skills or college degrees. She didnt consider asking for a facility where she could safely house inmates who wished to extricate themselves from gangs or consider asking for a non-profit medical provider to provide adequate care to prisoners and staff alike. She didnt think to say she needed money to pay for Hepatitis C treatment, a disease that currently infects 45% of the prison population in New Mexico who, when released, then spread it to the community. She didnt ask for a more comprehensive staff training program that focuses on rehabilitation techniques and takes two years, like the one Norway has. She could even have waived her wand for a 6-month training program such as the one the Russians use, but instead, she bragged about the 8-week training program New Mexico offers. She didnt ask for technology to be introduced into the system, such as electronic medical records or case-management software. She didnt think about the aging prisons whose maintenance has been ignored from one administration to another, leaving facilities with leaking roofs, mold infestations and sewage back-ups. She didnt express any need for an independent anti-corruption unit to weed out staff and prisoner misconduct, or any room for civilian oversight to deter human rights violations and to monitor the millions of taxpayer dollars spent every year. She was offered a magic wand but did not have the foresight or courage to use it. The Department of Corrections has failed to understand that regardless of resources, successful prisons work when cooperative relationships are developed between inmates and staff. In the 40 years since the 1980 riot, the relationships in our prisons have been entirely coercive, using punishment and solitary confinement as the primary avenues of communication. The excessive use of solitary confinement has manufactured mental illness and encouraged greater violence, a language gangs know how to exploit. In the absence of positive inmate/staff relationships, the system will never improve even if the state injected it with millions of dollars. What we need is a Secretary of Corrections who can change the culture in our prisons. Someone who is not satisfied with an antiquated 8-week training program. Someone willing to recognize the problems and address them head-on. We need safer prisons from which inmates return to society less violent than when they went in. What we dont need is a pep rally from a Corrections secretary in a state of denial. New Delhi, Feb 9 : Novel coronavirus, which has killed over 700 in China and infected thousands across the globe so far, has now created initial chaos for the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 in Barcelona, with LG, Ericsson and Nvidia set to skip the mega event. Employees of Chinese companies make up a huge proportion of over one lakh attendees at MWC every year. According to reports, the show has a big economic impact of 492 million euros this year, generating over 14,000 part-time jobs, according to the GSMA, the industry trade body and the MWC organiser which represents more than 1,200 companies across the mobile ecosystem. Although the GSMA has said the show must go on, the withdrawal symptoms can now be seen on tech companies which do not want to take any risk with the health of their employees. Nvidia, a major sponsor of the conference which partnered with the GSMA to host 10 sessions and roundtables around Artificial Intelligence (AI), pulled off from the event on Saturday. "Given the public health risks around coronavirus, ensuring the safety of our colleagues, partners and customers is our highest concern. We have been looking forward to sharing our work in AI and 5G with the industry, we regret not attending, but believe this is the right decision," the company said in a statement. Nvidia joined Swedish telecom giant Ericsson and South Korean major LG in saying no to the event. Although no major Chinese smartphone maker has yet announced its exit, the situation is grim and changing by the day as the virus impacts supply chains and disrupts tech companies' 2020 plans. Ericsson said that as one of the largest exhibitors, it has thousands of visitors in its hall each day and even if the risk is low, the company cannot guarantee the health and safety of its employees and visitors. LG said it "has decided to withdraw from exhibiting and participating in MWC 2020 later this month in Barcelona, Spain, with safety of its employees, partners and customers in mind". Industry watchers have also warned that other tech companies may soon follow suit. "Yes, it can lead to a drop in footfalls as Chinese participants are likely to skip or nominate their colleagues from other regions," said Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Counterpoint Research, adding that the potential impact will be more clear closer to the event date which is later this month. The World Health Organization (WHO), which has upgraded the coronavirus' status to a global health emergency, has said that there "is no evidence at present to suggest that there is community spread in Europe, so WHO/Europe is not currently requesting that large gatherings are cancelled". Still, tech companies are not taking any risk and we may see more of those deciding on the MWC 2020 participation as early as next week. There is also a possibility that some of the smartphone launch events get postponed or cancelled, according to experts. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) The Appassionata offers glimpse into the very heart of Beethoven. Composed from 1804-1805, the work reflects his coming to acceptance of his progressively deteriorating hearing. Named the Appassionata by a publisher 30 years after its genesis, Piano Sonata No. 23 is a work of tremendous contrasts, packed with crashing chords, unexpected pauses and shockingly violent outbursts. Romanian-born pianist Matei Varga will helm the piece in honor of the composers 250th anniversary at Chatter Sunday on Feb. 16 at the Las Puertas Event Center. Pieces by Bedrich Smetana and Leos Janacek also fill the program Varga first learned to play the Appassionata when he was 15. Its a piece of grand gestures and speeches; I consider music as a form of speech, he said in a telephone interview from New York. He could still hear when he wrote it, Varga continued. His hearing was not very good, but its not a deaf piece. The less he could hear, the more he became spiritual. You let that music come inside you. You can rediscover it many times. The pianist decided to play the work with the unexpected: Smetanas Macbeth and Janaceks In the Mists. He discovered the little-known Macbeth during a visit to the Juilliard book store. Its like a drawing, he said. Its made with a lot of spirit and panache. It was originally called Macbeth and the Witches, so it is really more like a tableaux. The pieces gloomy mood stems from the death of Smetanas wife in 1859. Janaceks In the Mists emerged from similarly dark circumstances. The composer wrote it after the death of his daughter of typhus at age 20 in 1903. I consider it on the list of the most important 20th century works, Varga said. It is a very important cycle of four movements. To me it is a piece about death and the spirit of someone we love. Both Smetana and Janacek are Czech composers. My heart and soul, of course, come from Eastern Europe, Varga added. The pianist is a Chatter regular, having played there multiple times. I have a support group there; I always come when Im asked, he said. And I love New Mexico very, very much. Its always sunny; its always beautiful. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 10 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were held at quite a high level, Russian MP from the Yedinaya Rossiya party Maksim Ivanov said at a press conference in Baku, Trend reports. The positive changes that are taking place in Azerbaijan are clearly visible, the MP said. This includes creation of infrastructure, civil society, comfortable environment for people, and when we talked today with the residents of Baku, we heard people talking about those changes for the better. Ivanov also expressed opinion that great future awaits Azerbaijan and Russia. In turn, MP Ludmila Kozlova noted that there were many observers and many journalists early at the start of the elections, adding that there were no incidents at the polling stations. Russian MP Sergey Markov said that the most important observation is that the elections were held fairly and embodied the will of the Azerbaijani people. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. By Express News Service KURNOOL: A minor girl attempted suicide by consuming pills at Alur police station late on Friday night when the police were conducting counselling to her and her friend, a railway employee, in the presence of their family members. She was rushed to the Alur government general hospital for treatment. According to sources, the girl, a resident of Aspari, fell in love with one Madhu, a railway employee of Hosur village in Pathikonda mandal. He was working at Aspari railway station. Madhu continued the affair with the girl without telling her that he was already married. When the girl asked him to marry her, he kept ignoring her. Upon learning that Madhu was already married, the girl filed a complaint at the Aspari police station. Not satisfied with the action taken by the Aspari police, the minor girl accompanied by her parents came to Alur police station and filed a complaint. Alur Circle Inspector Bhaskar conducted counselling to the couple in the presence of family members. Unable to bear separation from her lover, the girl consumed pills. The police and her family members rushed her to the government hospital for treatment. A case has been registered and investigation is on. All about Buddhism: Phra Siam Devadhiraj the Deva of protection for the people of Siam Those of us who are a little older and a little more grey, have witnessed a lot of changes in how we get our news every day. Thirty years ago, it was quite common to see throngs of people reading the morning newspaper and clutching a cup of coffee as they took in the headlines of the day. All-About-BuddhismHistory By The Phuket News By Jason Jellison Sunday 9 February 2020, 10:30AM Phra Siam Devadhiraj. Photo: TouronThai.com Newspaper stands were everywhere back then. When unexpected disasters happened, it was quite common for the local papers to send youthful employees straight out into traffic and sell you the breaking news while you waited at a red light. Alas, those days are largely gone now. Many newspapers have succumbed to social media and changing tastes. Successful papers like The Phuket News are an exception and no longer the rule. However, I still read at least one newspaper every day and I recently read a local Thai-Buddhist reference which confused many Western readers. The Bangkok Post recently published an interview with a well-known celebrity, Mr Surachate Hakparn, about an injustice he suffered when his automobile was riddled with bullets. When asked about his situation, he said he was confident that the facts of his case would come out, stating, Thailand is protected by the guardian deity Phra Siam Devadhiraj. Corrupt people will eventually bear the results of what they did. The story did not go on to explain who this deity is, so many Western readers were left befuddled by the reference. It does not help that an internet search yields only the most Spartan information on this deity. So, for this issue of All About Buddhism, I thought it might be helpful if we were to explore this devas past. Phra Siam Devadhiraj is also known in Thai as Phra Sayam Thewathirat, but we will use the English name for the sake of simplicity. This deity is what might be called a tutelary deity or, in other words, a spirit who defends a particular place. Many ancient Western cultures, like Greece and Rome, also had their own spiritual guardians. Technically speaking, English-language texts often label Phra Siam Devadhiraj as a Hindu-Buddhist deity. Yet, this deity did not rise to official prominence until after the 1855 Bowring Treaty was signed in Siam. This was a time when much of South East Asia was at risk of being colonized. Burma and the Malay States became British colonies in 1886 and 1786, respectively. Cambodia became part of a French protectorate in 1887 and Siam traded Laos to the French after losing an engagement with French gunboats in 1893. Thai history is unique because it not only repeatedly recovered from a number of previous invasions, but Thailand would be the only South-East Asian country to avoid sustained colonization by Western powers. Thus, the prospect of a guardian angel is certainly easy to envision. A golden statue of Phra Siam Devadhiraj was cast during the reign of King Mongkut (1851-1868). This beautiful icon was originally located inside the Grand Palaces Royal Chapel but later was moved to the Phaisarn Thaksin Throne Hall. The statue itself is quite beautiful. Cast of pure gold, it was originally fixed upon a sandalwood base which had been carved using traditional Thai artisan skills. The base proudly bears an image of a great Naga (celestial dragon), as well as a Thai phoenix. The statue also bears the images of four utterly supreme deities known as Vishnu, Uma, Narayana and Srasvati, all hailing from the Hindu traditions. Having said that, I can only imagine that some readers would very understandably wonder if this is actually a Hindu shrine. My answer, however, would be that it truly is uniquely a Thai Buddhist shrine- not only because Phra Siam Devadhiraj has risen to become the guardian angel of Thailand, but also because some concepts in Buddhism actually first arose in Hinduism such as karma and the water rituals of Songrkran. Moreover, Siamese culture believed in a supreme guardian angel for countless centuries. King Mongkut, however, composed a Pali chant and provided a renewed vigour and angelic name for an old tradition which hailed from antiquity. A gala is still held at the statue of Phra Siam Devadhiraj during the traditional Thai New Year in April. Regardless of the etymology, Phra Siam Devadhirajs role as a great protective spirit continues to endure. References to Phra Siam Devadhiraj still appear in the modern Thai news from time to time, and it is not unusual for Thais to call upon this deva in times of vast despair. Thailand is indeed a mysterious land, but the unusual ways in which Thai people approach modernity really do start to make perfect sense when we curious Westerners are successful at unravelling Siams transcendental past. Its a difficult challenge, but one with great rewards. All About Buddhism is a monthly column in The Phuket News where I take readers on my exotic journey into Thai Buddhism and debunk a number of myths about Buddhism. If you have any specific queries, or ideas for articles, please let us know. Email editor1@classactmedia.co.th, and we will do our best to accommodate your interests. Were in an unfortunate situation and were trying to work the problem, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. If such an action were taken, it would be one that was forced by basically unprecedented Houthi obstructionism. Around five million people were able to flee Wuhan before the city was put under quarantine because of the coronavirus, taking the deadly infection with them to neighbouring areas. For weeks after the first reports of a mysterious new virus in Wuhan, millions of people poured out of the central Chinese city, cramming onto buses, trains and planes as the first wave of China's great Lunar New Year migration broke across the nation. Some carried with them the new virus that has since claimed over 800 lives and sickened more than 37,000 people. Officials finally began to seal the borders on January 23, but it was too late. Speaking to reporters a few days after the city was put under quarantine, the mayor estimated that 5 million people had already left. Now, an analysis of domestic travel patterns using map location data from Chinese tech giant Baidu shows that in the two weeks before Wuhan's lockdown, nearly 70% of trips out of the central Chinese city were within Hubei province. The travel patterns broadly track with the early spread of the virus. A worker monitors display screens for infrared thermometers as they check travelers at Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan in southern China's Hubei province before authorities seals the city Another 14% of the trips went to the neighboring provinces of Henan, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangxi. Nearly 2% slipped down to Guangdong province, the coastal manufacturing powerhouse across from Hong Kong, and the rest fanned out across China. The cities outside Hubei province that were top destinations for trips from Wuhan between January 10 and January 24 were Chongqing, a municipality next to Hubei province, Beijing and Shanghai. The majority of confirmed cases and deaths have occurred in China, within Hubei province, followed by high numbers of cases in central China, with pockets of infections in Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing as well. 'Its definitely too late,' said Jin Dong-Yan, a molecular virologist at Hong Kong Universitys School of Biomedical Sciences. 'Five million out. That's a big challenge. Many of them may not come back to Wuhan but hang around somewhere else. 'To control this outbreak, we have to deal with this. On one hand, we need to identify them. On the other hand, we need to address the issue of stigma and discrimination.' He added that the initial spread of travelers to provinces in central China with large pools of migrant workers and relatively weaker health care systems 'puts a big burden on the hospitals ... of these resource-limited provinces.' Passengers wearing protective masks walk outside Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province before authorities seals the city Baidu gathers travel data based on more than 120 billion daily location requests from its map app and other apps that use Baidus location services. Only data from users who agree to share their location is recorded and the company says data is masked to protect privacy. Baidu's publicly available data shows proportional travel, not absolute numbers of recorded trips, and does not include trips by people who don't use mobile phones or apps that rely on Baidu's popular location services. Public health officials and academics have been using this kind of mapping data for years to track the potential spread of disease. A group of researchers from Southampton University's WorldPop research group, which studies population dynamics, used 2013-2015 data from Baidu's location services and international flight itineraries to make a predictive global risk map for the likely spread of the virus from Wuhan. It's important to understand the population movements out of Wuhan before the city's lock down, said Lai Shengjie, a WorldPop researcher who used to work at Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 'Maybe they hadnt developed symptoms but could transmit the virus. We need to look at destinations across China and the world and focus on the main destinations and try to prepare for disease control and prevention,' he said. An official uses an infrared thermometer on a traveler at a health screening checkpoint at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan in southern China's Hubei province - before the city was locked down The last trains left Wuhan the morning of January 23, cutting off a surge of outbound travel that had begun three days earlier, Baidu data shows. Nearby cities rushed to impose travel restrictions of their own. From January 23 to January 26, the 15 cities that Baidu data shows received the most travelers from Wuhan - a combined 70% - all imposed some level of travel restrictions. Other nations soon followed suit, including the United States, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and the Philippines, all of which have sharply restricted entry for people coming from China. Others, like Italy and Indonesia, have barred flights. WorldPop researchers found that travel out of Wuhan has historically ramped up in the weeks before Lunar New Year's Day. Based on historical travel patterns, they identified 18 high-risk cities within China that received the most travelers from Wuhan during this period. Around five million people are thought to have fled Wuhan before the city was put under quarantine They then used 2018 flight itineraries from the International Air Transport Association to map the global connectivity of those cities. They note that travel patterns after restrictions started rolling out on Jan. 23 will not match historical norms and that the cities they identified are initial ports of landing; travelers could have subsequently moved elsewhere. The top 10 global destinations for travelers from high-risk Chinese cities around Lunar New Year, according to their analysis, were Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Australia. In Africa, Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya topped the list. The African continent is particularly vulnerable because of the weaker health infrastructure in many countries, and the longer cases go undetected, the more likely they are to spread. 'Capacity is quite weak in many African health services,' Dr. Michel Yao, emergency operations manager for the World Health Organization in Africa, told the AP. This new virus 'could overwhelm health systems we have in Africa.' The Africa Centers for Disease Control, formed three years ago in response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa, said screening has been stepped up at ports of entry across Africa. Egypt began screening passengers from affected areas in China on Jan. 16. Over the next eight days, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya all put screening systems in place. No confirmed cases have been reported. Lai and his colleagues said they found a 'high correlation' between the early spread of coronavirus cases and the geographical risk patterns they identified. The first case of the virus outside China was reported on January 13 in Thailand, followed two days later by Japan, the countries with the highest connectivity risk, according to WorldPop's analysis. Within 10 days of Wuhan's quarantine, the virus had spread to more than two dozen countries; nine of the 10 countries with the most flight connections to at-risk mainland cities also had the highest numbers of confirmed cases, mostly afflicting people who had been in China. The pattern isn't perfect; Zhejiang province, for example, was not a top destination from Wuhan this year, according to Baidu data, but now has among the highest numbers of confirmed cases. 'Our aim was to help guide some of the surveillance and thinking around the control measures,' said Andrew Tatem, the director of WorldPop, adding that his group plans to update their analysis. 'There was a huge amount of movement out of the Wuhan region before the controls came into place,' he said. 'Now were getting to stage of having data from multiple places on the scale of outbreaks elsewhere.' Scientists have identified the new virus as a coronavirus, a family of viruses that includes ones that can cause the common cold, as well as others that cause more serious illnesses, like SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. Many are now focused on what will happen after the second wave of the Lunar New Year rush as people once again crowd onto trains, buses and planes to head back to work. The Chinese government extended the holiday, which was supposed to end on Jan. 30, to Feb. 2. Shanghai, Beijing and several Chinese provinces ordered businesses to remain shut through Sunday, leaving the nations great megalopolises feeling like ghost towns. 'It[s in cities where people interact much more,' Tatem said. 'Thats potentially the worry of lots of people coming back in. A few people seeding that could result in a bigger problem.' 792 Shares Share One of my graduate school professors proclaimed that what is wrong with our society is that most people have not reached formal operations or have not been in psychotherapy. Formal operations is the stage of development, described by French researcher Jean Piaget, where we learn to take the perspectives of others, to disagree while maintaining a relationship, and to understand that we are not the center of the universe. Psychotherapy is where we look inward, grow, and develop, and take responsibility for ourselves. I thought, My, arent you snotty? Before too long, I saw that she was right. In my book, interviewees talk about entitlement and unrealistic demands placed on them by patients and by insurance companies. As I wrote, the health care crisis is some combination of the terrible twos and adolescence. We are supposed to be a society of adults, who know that we are not the center of the universe, that sometimes we have to wait and be patient, and that we need to see the perspectives of others. Instead, we want what we want, and we want it now. And we want it to be perfect. When we dont get it, we rebel and lash out. We have an ever-increasing doctor shortage, partially due to our developmental immaturity. The health-care crisis, with its ruptured doctor-patient relationship, is also a crisis in attachment. This is the ability to form, value, and maintain relationships and work through any bumps in them, as researched by psychologists Drs. Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby. We have a culture of contempt, where we cannot tolerate disagreements and are willing to break off relationships because of it. We no longer care about others if we cant get what we want, and if those others dont see it our way. Medical sociologists Bultman and Svarsdad noted that the strongest predictor of compliance with medication was the patients perceptions of the relationship with their doctors. One of the interviewees in my book said, It matters the most because a good relationship means compliance and compliance means better outcomes which cost less. Now, patients switch doctors with apparent ease, as their insurance demands. Further, in his thorough and disturbing book, The Death of Expertise, Tom Nichols talks about just that phenomenon. Now, somehow, we magically think that we are all experts. Training and experience dont matter because we are all equal, which somehow makes us equally able to solve problems ranging from plumbing to medicine. Everyone is expendable or replaceable, including our doctors. Patients can just Google and self-diagnose. The sacrifice and dedication of professionals are minimized. Training and expertise matter. While I was earning my Ph.D. in psychology, I earned a masters in educational statistics and measurement so that I could do research as well as psychotherapy. As I was taking one of my last classes, many of the students continuing on were in my same class. But they were also taking courses working toward the doctorate. I remember that about halfway through the semester, they were already so far ahead of me. They had learned things that I had not learned, and, in fact, still havent learned, and they understood the coursework in much more depth. I fell behind quickly. Along those lines, an article on KevinMD addressing the physician shortage and replacing them with nurses by Rebekah Bernard, MD, caught my attention. The comments surprised me. I did not expect masters-level practitioners to acknowledge, even champion, the differences in training and experience when compared with physicians. It was impressive and not the least bit self-deprecating or denigrating. They have skills that matter, and they are proud of how they do their jobs as part of an interdisciplinary team. My professor was right. We need to develop formal operational skills. Our doctors are human beings. And they are smart and well trained. The vast majority of them are well-intentioned. The purpose of psychotherapy is on target. We need to look inward and assume more personal responsibility. And Margaret Mead was right: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, its the only thing that ever has. We me and you are that small group. We experts have to create a change in how experts are viewed. We have to do things that we did not sign up for, that we really dont have time to do, or perhaps that we dont even want to do. We have to communicate in laymans terms and reach out to the general public about how expertise can be helpful to them. The book Our Towns presents a model, which can be widely applied, including to health care. People successfully came together, with a minimum of posturing, for their own benefit, as well as the greater good. My own successful experiences include the local grassroots political organizations that have flipped elections and educated the public in impressive ways including health care. I joined the chamber of commerce, something that I previously could not have imagined doing, and it is beneficial to my practice and to my writing. Recently, I was invited to be the community coordinator of a project that brings people together for civil, respectful conversations about differing opinions. All the while, I am educating community people about health care. We have a lot of work to do to heal our society, including our health care system. I believe that the only way to get it done is to roll up our sleeves, get out there and do it. Margaret Mead was right. Peggy A. Rothbaum is a psychologist and can be reached at her self-titled site, Dr. Peggy Rothbaum. She is the author of I Have Been Talking with Your Doctor: Fifty doctors talk about the healthcare crisis and the doctor-patient relationship. Image credit: Shutterstock.com This is an opinion column. The Alabama Legislature has a chance to make the state better. For real, this time. State Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, has introduced a bill to rewrite Alabamas Open Records Act changes that, if passed, will make our records laws mean something again. But before we get to how that bill would make Alabama better, Id like to revisit an example of just how bad things have gotten. A few years ago, the EPA attempted to add a north Birmingham Superfund site to its National Priorities List a designation that could put polluters there on the hook for cleaning toxins in the soil. Almost in unison, public officials from all levels from city council members to U.S. Senators wrote the EPA fussy letters opposing its efforts. The Alabama Attorney Generals Office, then led by Luther Strange, sent two letters to EPA opposing its actions. When this story was over, it turned out nearly all those letters were written by a polluters lawyer, Joel Gilbert. A federal jury found Gilbert and Drummond Co. vice president David Roberson guilty of bribery as part of that scheme. But thats the end of the story. Before that, there were folks like me and groups like the environmental watchdog GASP trying to prove all those things we now know. GASP put in a public records request to the AGs office asking for all its correspondence related to Stranges letter to the EPA. The AGs office initially told GASP that, since its lawyer was from Florida, he wasnt entitled to those public records. So I submitted a nearly identical request. The AGs office appeared to relent and gave us both some but not all of the documents we asked for, even though they insisted they had given us everything and searched high and low for anything else. (Spoiler: This was a lie.) The documents they turned over didnt show anything damning. No letters back and forth with Gilbert, nothing showing who wrote Stranges letter to the EPA. Except in the chickenfeed they did give us, they let something slip through. Stranges letters to the EPA had an odd little tracking number on the bottoms of the pages. That number, it would turn out, was put there by Balch & Bingham, Gilberts firm, track the documents it produced. I contacted the AGs office again and I told them exactly what I had found. I explained that this suggested there were communications they hadnt shared. Nope, they insisted. They had produced it all. Only they hadnt. When Gilbert and Roberson went on trial, federal prosecutors introduced into evidence the very emails GASP and I had been looking for. Those emails showed Gilbert sending the letters to the AGs office, which then put them on AGs office letterhead before adding Stranges signature to them. Around the same time Strange sent these letters, Drummond Co. sent Stranges campaign two $25,000 campaign donations. Federal subpoenas, it turns out, work better than the open records requests. I called the AGs office. I demanded to know why they hadnt released documents they insisted had not existed. The AGs office then offered a wholly new argument. This time they said those documents had been drafts and drafts are not subject to the Open Records Act. The Alabama Supreme Court, in an unrelated case, has since ruled that this argument is a bunch of hogwash and that drafts are, indeed, subject to the Open Records Act. I had proof that the AGs office had violated the Open Records Act, and in a column, I blasted them for covering up for Strange. But GASP did something different: It filed its records request one more time. Just to see if there was anything we all missed. The last GASP heard from the AGs office was November. Since then, silence. No response. No documents. Alabamas Open Records Act has lots of problems but here are the big ones: It does not specify a timetable by which government entities must respond. They can ignore you forever. It does not set what are reasonable copy costs and fees. They can make it too expensive for average folks to afford. It does not provide a neutral party to settle disputes other than the courts. They can say, so sue us. And they have. That last one might be the most significant. As the law stands now, theres nothing for a citizen to do but sue when denied records, and those legal fees stack up quickly. Public records are the only tools the public not just the media or nosy environmentalists have to see what our government is up to. Without them, we have not transparency, no accountability. And as weve already seen, the Alabama AGs office cannot be trusted to obey the law, much less uphold it. Wards bill would cure all of these problems. It sets timetables for responses, establishes reasonable fees for copies, and creates an independent Public Access Counselor with the power to mediate disputes and enforce the law. Wards bill died in committee last year near the end of the session after lobbyists from county and municipal governments spoke against it. This year Ward is holding that hearing early, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m., with an hour blocked out for everyone to speak. Maybe the AGs office will show up. If so, theyd better have some papers in their hands. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for the Alabama Media Group. You can follow his work on his Facebook page, The War on Dumb. And on Twitter. And on Instagram. More columns by Kyle Whitmire Ted and Janet Perkins, a retired home builder and eye doctor, respectively, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Feb. 8, 2020. (Henry Wang/The Epoch Times) CHARLOTTE, N.C.Valentines Day came early for one married couple who marked the occasion with an overnight trip to see Shen Yun Performing Arts. While New York-based Shen Yun was a new experience for them, Ted and Janet Perkins heaped praise onto the dance pieces of the evening as well as the artists themselves and were very glad they decided to make the journey. Ted, a retired home builder, said Shen Yun was wonderful. I loved it. He and Janet took in Shen Yun at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on Feb. 8, 2020. Janet is an eye doctor whose love of dance prompted Ted to buy the tickets for Valentines Day. But every Shen Yun performance holds much more than classical Chinese dance alone. Shen Yun is on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture through combining highly-expressive and sometimes ancient art forms such as bel canto singing, couture costumes, and a live orchestra that plays all original compositions. Shen Yuns music especially struck Janet: gorgeous, she called it. I love it. the music is so uplifting and we dont hear that music on a daily basis. Its not what we listen to because we havent been exposed to it. And its just, its beautiful. And The [Miraculous] Flute, how they did that was just, that was really spectacular, the three-dimensional aspect of it, she said referring to one dance piece of the performance. A component of every Shen Yun show that regularly makes audience members gasp with delight is its patented backdrop technology. A digital projection combined with other innovative elements of stagecraft allows the live characters to be transported onto cliff tops, into celestial realms and other dimensions, and sometimes underwater. One of the most memorable dance pieces for the Perkins was Water Sleeves which employs a kind of costume technology handed down since Chinas ancient dynasties: long silk sleeves that float fluidly through the air. Just the beauty of the color and the way they controlled the sleeves as they went out and init was just beautiful, Ted said. The last dance was great too, the Mongolian horses, he added, referring to the piece they had just seen before intermission. Shen Yun uses classical Chinese dance to portray ethnic and folk dances as well as storytelling dances that depict legends and scenes from ancient China and modern-day China. A Doctors Perspective Abetting the Wicked is one such story set in China today that Janet commented on and that tells of unfortunately true events happening to spiritual believers: for decades the Chinese Communist Party has carried out a brutal persecution as part of a campaign to wipe out traditional Chinese culture completely. Independent researchers have concluded that the CCP goes so far as to commit the heinous crime of forced organ harvesting against those who refuse to recant their faith or convert to communisms policy of atheism. In Abetting the Wicked, a young man has his eyes taken out by a doctor, a communist party member, in retaliation for attempting to defend a follower of Falun Dafa, an ancient spiritual discipline. I cant imagine anyone who is a doctor could harm people for what they believein that fashion, Janet said. And Im an eye doctor, so that was particularly impressing. I cant imagine why, you know, how a trained professional can go and harm another individual, another human being, just because they believe different. Janet had only just learned that that horrific phenomenon continues today. Sometimes we dont know how fortunate we are here [in the United States], she added. Its well worth coming [to Shen Yun], Ted said. And we traveled from out of town to come, and have our hotel expense and its well worth itthis whole thing is probably going to cost us about $1,500 to come see this performance. And, so far, Im thinking its worth it. With reporting by Henry Wang and Brett Featherstone. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. CENTRAL POINT, Ore. UPDATE: Daniel Logsdon will go in front of Judge Cromwell on Monday, February 9th at 1:30 pm. It is a Pre-Trial Conference at the Jackson County Courthouse. Logsdon faces two counts of Animal Abuse in the first Degree (taking, angling, hunting or trapping in violation of Wildlife law or rule), and one count of Failure to Report Accurate Information as a Sex Offender NewsWatch 12 will be in the the courtroom. (Updated 2/9/20) INITIAL REPORT: Authorities have finally tracked down a suspect in the strange case of two deer found alive and transfixed with arrows, according to Oregon State Police (OSP). On June 28, OSP Fish & Wildlife officers charged 36-year-old Daniel Logsdon with the Unlawful Take/Possession of Antlerless Deer, Aggravated Animal Abuse in the First Degree (Felony), and Failure to Report Accurate Information as a Sex Offender. The investigation began in April, when two deer were spotted alive and walking around near Shady Cove punctured through with arrows. About a week later, OSP officers and wildlife biologists were able to successfully track, tranquilize and treat the two animals, removing the arrows. At the time, according to OSP, it was not hunting season for deer, and the animals had been shot with older-type "practice field tips" and not broadhead tips, which are required in archery hunting for big game. Sergeant Collom with OSP Fish & Wildlife believed that the suspect was not a hunter with any intention of harvesting deer to eat, but someone with malicious intent to wound both deer. That case spurred significant public outcry and buzz on social media when it came to light in April. Several Oregon hunters' and archery organizations even contributed to a reward for information leading to the culprit's capture. According to court documents, Logsdon was convicted of Rape in the Third Degree and Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree in two different cases back in 2004. In 2009, he was convicted of Assault in the Third Degree. In 2017, he was convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He has also been charged with failing to report as a sex offender on multiple occasions. Italy on Sunday called on Egypt to release a young Egyptian researcher and activist based at Bologna University, saying it had reason to believe the security forces had tortured him. The incident has revived painful memories of the 2016 disappearance and murder of an Italian researcher in Cairo, a case for which which the Italian authorities are still seeking answers. Patrick Zaky, 27, a graduate student at Bologna University in northern Italy, was detained late on Friday as he arrived to visit his family. He was held on a warrant issued in September after he left to pursue his studies, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), a prominent rights organisation where he is a researcher. They said he had been charged with "harming national security" and "broadcasting false news" -- and that he had been beaten and electrocuted by security forces. In a statement Sunday, Peppe De Christofaro, Under-Secretary for Education, expressed "great concern" for Zaky. He had a "well-founded fear that the young Egyptian researcher... is currently suffering arbitrary and unjustified detention and that he is a new victim of violence and abuse from the Egyptian security forces", he said. He called for other European Union states to join Italy in pressing Egypt to release him. Everything had to be done to protect Zaky's safety and "avoid a repetition of unacceptable scenes of torture", he said. - The Regeni affair - Italy's reaction is in part informed by the January 2016 disappearance of 28-year-old Italian doctoral student Giulio Regeni in Cairo, where he was carrying out research on Egyptian trades unions. His badly mutilated body was found in a suburb of the city a few days later, bearing the marks of torture. Bologna University, where Zaky received a grant to study for a Masters degree, has already set up a crisis cell to help him. Students there are preparing a demonstration for Sunday evening to call for his release. "We won't allow another Regeni case," organisers told Italian news agency Ansa. "We won't leave Patrick alone." Last month, rights group Amnesty International organised a demonstration in the northern city of Turin to mark the fourth anniversary of Regeni's disappearance. Although the Egyptian authorities have repeatedly denied any involvement in his death, the affair has soured relations between the two countries. On Saturday, Zaky made an appearance before an Egyptian prosecutor in his home town of Mansoura, in the north of the country, said judicial and security sources. He faces charges of "incitement to protest without a permit", "inciting to overthrow the state", "running a social media account intent on... harming national security", "broadcasting false news" and "promoting terrorist acts", the sources told AFP. He will held for 15 days for questioning. Since he led the 2013 military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has overseen a crackdown against Islamists and secular critics. It has targeted prominent dissidents, academics, activists, journalists and lawyers. Zaky's detention and reports he has been tortured have revived memories of the 2016 murder of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni in Cairo Amid the worldwide epidemic outbreak of Coronavirus which has so far claimed around 813 lives just in China, the aviation regulator DGCA announced that foreigners who visited China on after January 15, will not be allowed to enter India. A notice conveying the news was issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday, which read, "foreigners who have been to China on or after January 15, 2020, are not allowed to enter India from any air, land or seaport including India-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Bangladesh or Indo-Myanmar land borders." The circular also stated that all visas and e-visas issued to Chinese nationals before February 5 have been suspended with immediate effect. However, in case of compelling reasons to travel to India, Chinese nationals have been asked to get in touch with the Embassy in Beijing or Consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou for new visas, the circular reiterated. The visa restriction does not hold for the aircrew, who may either be Chinese nationals or other foreign nationalities coming from China. UN Health Body team to leave for China to investigate Coronavirus outbreak A World Health Organisation-led international team is all set to leave for China to investigate the coronavirus outbreak, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to media reports, the investigating team will leave for China on Monday or on Tuesday. When asked whether the team would include experts from the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC), Pedros said, "We hope so". READ | Coronavirus Temporarily Named NCP By China's National Health Commission Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, while talking to the press said that there has been a stabilization in the number of cases reported in the Hubei province of China in the past four days. However, Ryan further added that the decline should not be taken as containment of the disease as the situation can accelerate quickly. READ | Two New Cases Of Coronavirus Detected In UAE; Infection Cases Rise To 7 Coronavirus outbreak According to the latest media reports, the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus has claimed more than 800 lives in China alone and the confirmed reported cases have reached up to 34,000 as of February 8. The disease is believed to have originated in a seafood market in Hubei's Wuhan city, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, where animals were reportedly being traded illegally. As per the US CDC, confirmed cases of the virus have been reported in 27 other countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Read: China Opens 1,000-bed Hospital, Begins Trials For New Drug As Coronavirus Death Toll Jumps To 361 China is battling the outbreak quite effectively as it has recently built an emergency hospital in Wuhan with an estimated capacity of 1,000 beds. The hospital was reportedly built under a record time of just eight days. China is also building another hospital in the city with a capacity of 1,600 beds as the country is facing a shortage of beds for the patients affected by the deadly disease. READ | China Warns Against 'excessive' Use Of Protective Suits Amid Coronavirus Outbreak (with inputs from ANI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that petrol and petroleum products are already under Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the states have to decide when they want petrol and petroleum products to be taxed under GST. "Whenever the States are ready to bring in petroleum under the GST, another amendment will not be required. It is, now, up to the States and also the GST Council to take a call on when they want it to happen," Finance Minister Sitharaman said at a press conference here. She further said that the petroleum products have been placed under the GST regime due to the foresight of the late Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. "Even as the GST was framed and rolled out, a lot of discussions had taken place about petrol and petroleum products. At that time my predecessor, late Arun Jaitleyji made a provision. The amendment was inclusive of zero-rated petroleum product provision in GST," she said. "Petroleum as an item product has been included without any tax on it. So when the GST Council takes a call, a rate will be decided and the rate will be added," she added. Finance Minister Sitharaman said this while addressing industry leaders at a post-Budget interaction organised by the Ministry of Finance in Kolkata. Similar interactions have been held in Mumbai and Chennai as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Chocolate and flowers are always welcome, but this year think outside the box on Valentines Day. Here are 10 gifts from local businesses in the City Different designed to send Cupids arrow winging in the right direction. Many stores are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays (or both) in Santa Fe, so its best to call ahead or go online to check hours. 1. HOT TICKET: M. Butterfly doesnt make its world premiere at the Santa Fe Opera until Aug. 1, but its not too early to buy tickets. A collaboration between Huang Ruo and David Henry Wang, M. Butterfly is based upon Huangs 1988 Tony Award-winning Broadway play of the same name. Both the opera and the play were inspired by the real-life story about a 20-year love affair between a French diplomat and a star of the Peking Opera. Prices range from $46 to $312, with a 40% discount for New Mexico residents attending the opera for the first time. Call 800-280-4654 for tickets or visit santafeopera.org. 2. CHEFS KISS: The dish towel of Valentine candy fabric and a matching oven mitt are $8.99 each at Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe in the DeVargas Center, 181 Paseo de Peralta, 505-988-3394, lascosascooking.com. 3. TAKE A HIKE: The superwarm Expedition hat from chocolate + cashmere is one of the downtown retailers best sellers. Priced at $155, its available in a number of colors. 109 E. Palace Ave. in Sena Plaza, 505-989-3887, chocolatecashmere.com. 4. BUCKLE UP: Nothing says I love you like a handcrafted heart buckle made by virtuoso metalsmith Richard Stump. The buckle alone costs $2,350. You can decide which belt it looks best with at Tom Taylor in the lobby of La Fonda on the Plaza, 108 E. San Francisco St., 800-303-9733, tomtaylorbuckles.com. 5. SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED IM YOURS: Make it official with a Montegrappa Fortuna fountain pen, $295 at Santa Fe Pens in the DeVargas Center, 179 Paseo De Peralta A, 505-989-4742, santafepens.com. 6. GET CRAFTSY: Hacer, the new fiber arts boutique in town, sells gift certificates for classes, yarn and fabric. The heart mobile on display was made by Janell Jensen using one of planetjune.coms free patterns. 311 Montezuma Ave., 505-467-8174, hacersantafe.com. 7. PABLOS POETRY: You can find Pablo Nerudas Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair for $14 at Collected Works bookstore, 202 Galisteo St., 505-988-4226. 8. BEARING UP: Pendletons Clarence the Bear is the perfect Valentines gift for children of all ages. Its $39.50 at Detours at La Fonda, 101 E. San Francisco St., 505-988-1404. 9. ALL THAT GLITTERS: The Italian leather change purses, handbags and key chains sold at French Cancan are sure to add some sparkle to your life. They range in price, but top out at about $125. For more information, email frenchcancansf@gmail.com or go to the website, frencancansantafe.com, 145 Lincoln Ave. 10. WHO NEEDS A TOWEL, ANYWAY?: Youll be dry in no time when you step out of the shower into a luxurious Missoni robe. Its $407 at Pandoras in the DeVargas Center, 173 Paseo de Peralta, 505-982-3298. All towels and robes are 20% off through Feb. 22. Her name was Rahab. You might think from her profession that she was destined to die an early death, to fade away into shame, the disgraced woman. This woman, Rahab, was like that relative in the family tree that we prefer to not talk about or to keep in the shadows. You might think any or all of these things because Rahab was a prostitute. Scholars disagree on whether it was 1406 BC or 1250 BC. But there came a pivotal moment in the story of the Ancient Near East when Gods judgment came to the unrepentant peoples of Canaan, fulfilling the covenant made with the Patriarchs. One thinks of Audens remarkable poem, The Fall of Rome, when the movement of herds on the European tundra marked the march of Goths and Visigoths: Altogether elsewhere, vast herds of reindeer move across miles and miles of golden moss, silently and very fast. Rahab in the Book of Joshua The Book of Joshua marks the moment and describes the first movements of the Conquest: And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, Go, view the land, especially Jericho. And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there (Joshua 2:1). However debaucherous, brothers, bars, and red light districts have often functioned as infamous meetings placed for military espionage. Thus, we must not be surprised that Joshuas advance team knew to go to Rahabs Place. Some branches of Jewish tradition emphasize Rahab as merely an innkeeper. But the Hebrew word, zona, is interpreted in the Septuagint as porne. Thus, we read of Rahabs identity in the New Testament: By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies (Hebrews 11:31 ESV). Rahab was an innkeeper who, sadly, found other ways of bringing in revenue. Of course, the Canaanites were infamous for cultic prostitution related to idolatrous worship. It may very well have been that Rahab was "a religious prostitute in pagan practices. We only know what the Bible reveals. The Story of Rahab But there's more to the story of Rahab so much more. Rahab recognized the God of Israel. She trusted in him for the righteousness she could not produce in her own life: I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath (Joshua 2:9-11 ESV). Whatever Rahab was before Israel crossed into the land of the Canaanites she became someone new in the promised land. For Rahab believed. She not only believed in God but she also acted. For Rahab trusted in God who fulfilled the covenantal promise to Abraham that he would be given land from which would bring a nation, and a descendant, who would bless the earth. And we must always remember that this woman, rehab, was chosen by Almighty God to be a chosen instrument in bringing about salvation to the ends of the earth. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way (James 2:25)? The Importance of Rahab Rehab became a central strategic figure of incomparable courage as she helped Israel to enter the promised land and subdue her own people. Whenever the Army of Israel entered Canaan, Rahab acted according to a prearranged plan and hung out a scarlet cord from the window of her establishment. Thus, she and her family were saved. How interesting that a scarlet cord, likely, an emblem of ill-repute, became a sign of salvation. How very beautiful to think that it is a scarlet cord of the covenant of God's grace that binds all of the Word of God together. And in Christ Jesus, the blood-stained crimson cross of shame became the gleaming symbol of salvation. Rahabs faith in God engrafted her into a new family. Even more, Rahab was, soon, engrafted into the physical family of Israel as she became the wife of Salmon, one of the leaders of Israel who supported Moses when they left Egypt. Rahabs husband is chronicled in both the Old and New Testaments (1 Chronicles 2:10-11, Ruth 4:20-21, Matthew 1:4-5 and Luke 3:32). A Woman Saved by Faith The woman who had been called a harlot became a godly wife and mother in Israel. She and her husband became the parents of a boy named Boaz. And that boy would one day marry a widow woman by the name of Ruth (Ruth 4:5, 10). Thus, as God worked all things together for the good, using the humble and the most unlikely, God raised up a harlot to become the great-great-grandmother of King David. From the line of Rahab came the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world, our God and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no more touching story of God's glorious grace than the genealogical introduction to the birth of Jesus by faith through the line of Joseph in Matthew chapter 1. Among the many stories that are interwoven in that wonderful section of the Bible, the woman of the scarlet cord takes her honored place. And so if you ask me, "How could God possibly use me? How could Almighty God, the holy God of heaven, use such a sinner like me?" Then I will introduce you to the woman of the scarlet cord, the greater grandmother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She is not remembered for her sin. She is remembered for the remarkable transformation. The word "harlot" is undoubtedly repeated so that you and I will know that whatever we have done God will forgive us if we come to him by faith. Rahab is the ever-present message of God to you: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Learn more about the Story of Rahab from Christianity.com Image Credit: Wikipedia MICHAEL A. MILTON (Ph.D., University of Wales; MPA, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; MDIV, Knox Theological Seminary; Cert. in Higher Education Teaching, Harvard University) serves as the Provost and James Ragsdale Chair of Missions and Evangelism at Erskine College and Seminary. A Presbyterian minister (PCA, ARP), Milton has penned more than thirty books, hundreds of articles in journals, magazines, opinion columns, and newspapers. As president of the D. James Kennedy Institute and Faith for Living, Milton has served as a public theologian. His work has been cited on numerous national media outlets as he provides historic Christian insights into faith and life in a changing world. Dr. Milton's record of ministry includes seminary chancellor, president of three seminaries, senior minister of one of America's historic churches, founder of three congregations, and a Christian academy. A composer and artist, Mike and Mae Milton reside in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Learn more at michaelmilton.org/about. [from a press release by McCain& Associates.] Chaos might be ready to descend on two more Democrat primary states this month. When you watch the returns from the primaries in New Hampshire (February 11) and South Carolina (February 29), realize that the vote for Bernie Sanders may be inflated. And no, it's not that the Bernie Bros have seized control of the voting mechanisms or that the state Democrat parties have again screwed up the counting, although who's to say they won't? Rather, it's that many motivated Republicans might well be making a concerted effort to see their state's pledged delegates go to the one who they perceive will be the weakest Democrat opponent for President Trump in November and that would be Crazy Bernie. This is possible with South Carolina's 54 pledged delegates because the Palmetto State conducts what's called an "open primary." This means voters do not have to register for a political party and can cast their ballots in any primary of their choosing. This is amplified because the Republican Party of South Carolina will not hold a primary this year. This leaves Republicans free to vote for a Democrat without having to sacrifice the chance to vote for Donald Trump in their own primary. New Hampshire has 24 pledged Democrat delegates. There, the story is about the same but a little less so. The Granite State does not have an open primary. However, almost half of the state's voters are undeclared, giving them the option of voting in either party's primary. "There is no contest on the Republican side this year, so Trump supporters can cross over and vote for the guy who looks easiest to beat, which is the self-proclaimed democratic socialist from neighboring Vermont." Political scientists use highfalutin language to describe such an action as "strategic negative voting." But as many of you may remember, back in 2008, Rush Limbaugh urged just such a thing. He called on Republicans in Pennsylvania to cross party lines and vote for Hillary as a means of extending the Democrat primary and weakening Barack Obama's momentum. He called it "Operation Chaos." It must have had some effect, because Mrs. Clinton coasted to a 10-percent victory in the Pennsylvania primary. In both in New Hampshire and South Carolina, there are Tea Party and other conservative groups egging Republicans on to participate in Operation Chaos. And given how fired up the Republican base is this year, such an urging is likely to fall on fertile ground. The talking heads on cable may not even be aware of this in their post-election analyses, given how encased they are in their own echo chamber. It will be interesting to watch. Image: Tom Arthur via Wikimedia Commons. Call it the revenge of the bug. The new coronavirus, named 2019-nCoV, has done to the Chinese economy what US President Donald Trump could not do. It has wreaked havoc on the worlds second-largest economy, grinding it to a halt, shutting down its cities, and isolating its people. Today, we are seeing perhaps the largest effort ever to contain the spread of this infection Chinese President Xi Jinping called it a peoples war on the virus. But the worrying question is this: With over 600 deaths and over 31,000 people infected in just about a month, how long will it last? ... Amaravati, Feb 9 : The Andhra Pradesh government has placed a senior police officer under suspension for his alleged 'acts of treason towards the nation'. The officer allegedly endangered 'national security' by disclosing intelligence protocols to an Israeli defence manufacturing firm. The state government late on Saturday issued an order placing Director General of Police-rank officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao under suspension for serious misconduct in the process of procuring security equipment. Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney issued an order placing Rao under suspension based on a report submitted by Director General of Police Gautam Sawang. The Government Order (GO) says the official is placed under suspension in the public interest, pending initiation of disciplinary proceedings. The Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of 1989 batch has been directed not to leave Vijayawada without obtaining government permission. According to a confidential report, Rao while working as Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) during the previous government, colluded with Israeli defence equipment manufacturer RT Inflatables Pvt Ltd to illegally award critical Intelligence and surveillance contract to his son Chetan Sai Krishna, CEO, Akasam Advanced Systems Pvt Ltd, primary bidder on behalf of RT Inflatables. "This proves a direct co-relation between the accused officer and a foreign defence manufacturing Firm, thus establishing a direct breach of ethical code of conduct and Rule (3)(a) of All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968," says the report. It was found that Rao's action led to credible security threat towards the state and the nation. He is accused of wilfully disclosing intelligence protocols and procedures of Police to foreign defence manufacturing firm. "This is a direct threat to national security as intelligence protocols are standard throughout the Indian Police Force." "Based on facts uncovered via investigation, prima facie evidence is established on the grave misconduct and irregularities, which were wilfully committed by the accused officer resulting out of conscious and premeditated act of treason towards the state and nation," says the report. According to the document, the actions of the accused officer could critically hamper the security situation of the state though use of sub-standard equipment by police force may put them in a dangerous situation, access to state secrets and potential monopoly over all future procurements of AP police due to access to insider information. This act was wilfully done for pecuniary gain involving his son by raising a proxy company to make monetary gains, it added. Considered close to then chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Rao was removed as the intelligence chief after Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy assumed office in May last year. He was since waiting for a posting. Earlier, on the eve of the elections in April, the Election Commission had ordered the transfer of intelligence chief following a complaint filed by Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The then opposition party alleged that Chandrababu Naidu was using police officials to subvert election process in the state. YSRCP had also claimed that Rao was behind the defection of nearly two dozen YSRCP MLAs to then ruling Telugu Desam Party. Enemy troops used, among other weapons, 152mm and 122mm artillery systems, as well as 82mm mortars. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded amid shelling by Russia-led forces in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on Sunday, February 9. "Today, February 9, one Ukrainian defender was wounded as a result of enemy shelling," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said on Facebook in an evening update. Read alsoDe-escalation in Donbas: Enemy troops mount three attacks on Ukrainian positions on Feb 8 From 00:00 to 19:00 Kyiv time on February 9, Russia-led forces mounted five attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas. The enemy troops used weapons that are banned under the Minsk peace agreements, namely 152mm and 122mm artillery systems and 82mm mortars. They also opened fire from grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber machine guns, and rifles. As UNIAN reported earlier, there was de-escalation in Donbas on Saturday, February 8, as Russia's hybrid military forces violated the ceasefire only three times on that day. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday warned those agitating against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by saying that "stones will be answered with stones and sword with swords". "Those who are bringing out rallies across the country (against CAA/NRC), I want to tell them that today they have seen rallies being answered with a rally. Similarly, stones will be answered with stones and swords with swords," said Thackeray addressing a mega rally here demanding the ouster of Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the country. He questioned anti-CAA protests by Muslims, stating that it is difficult to understand their agitation as the new law not meant for them.Praising the Centre for CAA, he said: "I do not understand why Muslims are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. CAA is not for the Muslims who were born here." "I praised the government when they do good things like scrapping Article 370, construction of Ram Mandir, implementation of CAA among others," Thackeray said. Continuing his tirade against Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants, the MNS chief said: "Pakistani and Bangladeshi immigrants should be thrown out of India. Our country is a 'dharamshala' (a charitable accommodation for travellers) or what? The rules in the US and Europe are very strict against illegal immigrants. If someone does not have a passport is either deported or put in jail. We too are not responsible for everyone," he said. Citing an incident where a Bangladeshi Muslim man married a Marathi woman, he said: "I heard this news that a Bangladeshi is living under a Marathi identity and has also married a Marathi girl. Wherever Marathi Muslim lives, nothing unpleasant has happened." He said if Centre is serious about the CAA and Register of Citizens (NRC) then it should implement it strictly. Calling Pakistan a country of terrorism, he said: "The 9/11 terror attack mastermind Osama Bin Laden was in Pakistan. Many blasts have happened in our country and we all know who was behind all these blasts. Dawood Ibrahim was behind Mumbai 1993 blasts, he is protected by Pakistan. They (protestors) are saying bring the Muslims also from these countries, I ask why?" He said Hindus are being targeted in Islamic countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Thackeray assured that poor Hindus and Dalits, who do not have proper documents will not be targetted under CAA. "People say that Hindus and Dalits do not have papers. But no one is asking for their papers," he said. Claiming that no other country gives "as much independence" to people as India does, he suggested that "Indian Muslims, Marathi Muslims, nation-loving Muslims have to be careful from all anti-social elements". He added a freehand should be given to police to make Maharashtra a zero crime state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More people have been killed by the new coronavirus than the 2003 SARS outbreak, according to latest figures. A total of 910 people have died from 2019-nCoV, dubbed the Wuhan virus, compared to 774 killed by SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. Both are types of coronavirus which originated in China and virologists say they are genetically close. The majority of deaths from the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak are concentrated in mainland China, although there has been one death in the Philippines and another in Hong Kong. Outside of China, the virus has spread to 24 countries. The latest key points on the global coronavirus outbreak: France announced on Saturday that it would close two schools in the Alps after five British citizens, including a nine-year-old child, were confirmed to have caught the disease at a French ski resort. "This cluster of cases in France illustrates how the coronavirus can spread to countries indirectly of China," Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said. "The French ski resort will have citizens from numerous other countries there, so there are implications for potential onward transmission." The first victim to be officially identified was 34-year-old doctor Li Wenliang , who died on Friday after testing positive for the virus, Chinese state media said. Dr Li had been one of the first to warn about the new virus but was punished by authorities for "rumour-mongering". He became ill after treating a patient with the virus at Wuhan Central Hospital. Although the number of deaths from the Wuhan virus now outnumber SARS deaths, the fatality rate is lower for the Wuhan virus. The fatality rate for SARS was 9.6%, while around 2% of those who contracted the Wuhan virus have died. New infection cases on Saturday recorded the first drop since 1 February, falling back below 3,000 to 2,656 cases. Of those, 2,147 cases were in Hubei province. Story continues Joseph Eisenberg, professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, said it was too early to say whether the epidemic was peaking due to the uncertainty in the number of cases. "Even if reported cases might be peaking, we don't know what is happening with unreported cases," he said. "This is especially an issue in some of the more rural areas." A World Health Organisation-led international team investigating the outbreak will leave for China on Monday or Tuesday. :: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Hong Kong began enforcing a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from mainland China on Saturday. The territory has refused to completely seal its border but hopes the quarantine will dissuade travellers from the mainland. China's leaders are trying to keep food flowing to crowded cities despite anti-disease controls and to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access to Wuhan and nearby cities was cut off. Cities across the country have enforced travel bans and Beijing supermarkets have begun requiring customers register their personal information and have their temperatures taken before being allowed to enter. Millions of people will return to China's big cities on Monday after the biggest holiday of the year. The Spring Festival holiday was extended over concerns about the virus' spread, but many workplaces are expected to remain closed with many employees continuing to work from home. The virus has been a blow to China's already-slowing economy, with Goldman Sachs cutting its first-quarter GDP growth target to 4% from 5.6% previously and saying a deeper hit is possible. Chinese president Xi Jinping spoke with his US counterpart Donald Trump on Friday and urged the US to "respond reasonably" to the outbreak, echoing complaints that some countries are overreacting by restricting Chinese travellers. Phillip Schofield's wife Stephanie Lowe reportedly has no plans to divorce him after he publicly came out as gay on Friday. A source has claimed that the presenter's spouse of 27 years does not wish to formally end their marriage until he is settled in a new relationship, amid claims his sexuality was an 'open secret' on the This Morning set. It comes after Phillip, 57, publicly announced he is gay during an emotional interview with Holly Willoughby on This Morning, and went onto praise his 'incredible' wife Stephanie for supporting him. Not yet: Phillip Schofield's wife Stephanie Lowe reportedly has no plans to divorce him after he publicly came out as gay on Friday (pictured in 2017) A source claimed that Stephanie is in no rush to divorce Phillip after he came out, telling The Mirror: 'Steph isn't bitter over Phil's coming out. She isn't the type to be spiteful by dragging him into court. 'She's saying she'll stick with him until he's settled and happy in a new relationship, and then they'll talk about an amicable split deal.' A source also claimed that Phil's sexuality was an 'open secret' on the This Morning set, and he allegedly told ITV bosses about his plans to come out in an impromptu meeting on Thursday. It's also claimed that his close friend and co-host Holly had known for some time. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Phillip Schofield and This Morning for comment. Surprise news: Presenter Phil publicly announced that he was gay on Friday's This Morning, and praised his 'amazing' wife Stephanie for supporting him After Phil publicly came out as gay on This Morning, he showered his wife Stephanie with praise before admitting she is in 'pain' and 'upset' but has known for 'some time.' The presenter insisted that he has 'no secrets' and that they have 'never had any secrets' throughout their marriage. Phillip, shares daughters Molly, 27, a talent manager, and Ruby, 24, a graduate, with his wife. They met when she was a BBC production Assistant and he was working for the BBC Children's television. Supportive: A source has claimed that Steph does not wish to end their marriage until Phil is settled in a new relationship (pictured on 28th January) Two years ago, This Morning celebrated Phillip and Steph's 25th silver wedding anniversary during the show. Phillip spoke on Friday's This Morning with his friend and co-host Holly Willoughby about his battles with keeping his secret and the relief over coming out. He told her: 'It's funny because everyone I've spoken to, and you, have all been so supportive and so loving and caring, and my entire family to a person have grabbed us and said it's OK, we love you we're proud of you... 'Every person I tell it gets a little lighter and a little lighter, at the same time I have made this decision which is essential for me and essential for my head and that is principally the reason I have done this. 'They have been supporting while we get to this moment because we all know it was coming... we've never had any secrets. 'It is tough but it's not something that has happened quickly, I have had to deal with this in my head for quite some time, we've gone through this together, we have been honest and have been open and Stephanie as I said, you know'. Adventure: Just a year earlier, Phillip and Steph had teamed up to film Schofields South African Adventure (pictured) Congratulations: In 2018 Phillip and Stephanie celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, with their daughter Ruby Schofield, 24, posting a tribute to her loved-up parents Quick to lavish praise on his wife, he said: 'She's amazing, she's incredible, there's no one in my life who would have supported me. 'As a wife the way she's supported me, she's astonishing, literally astonishing, it's a good question, you know this has bothered me for a very long time... 'Everyone does these things at their own speed in their own time when the time is right, there's no question it has in recent times consumed my head, and has become an issue in my head. 'I got to the stage where I thought we sit here every day and I'm over there and some amazingly brave incredible person is sitting here and I'm listening to their story and thinking oh my God you're so brave, and I'm thinking I have to be that person. 'All you can be in your life is honest with yourself and I was getting to the point where I knew I wasn't honest with myself I didn't like myself very much, so when is the right time to do it? And you know as a family, you know it is the right time.' Family: Phillip shares daughters Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24, with his wife. They met when they were both working for the BBC and married in 1993 (pictured in 2018) 'I've no secrets': Full transcript from Phillip Schofield's interview with Holly Willoughby on This Morning 'It's funny because, everyone I've spoken to, you, have all been so supportive and so loving and caring. 'And my entire family to a person have grabbed us and said it's OK, it's OK, we love you, we're proud of you. 'And every person I tell it gets a little lighter and a little lighter but at the same time, you know, I have made this decision which is essential for me and essential for my head and that's principally the decision why I've done this. 'Of course I'm really very aware that Steph and the girls are at home watching this and we're all together, and we spent a lot of time together, we spend a lot of time together obviously. 'And they've been supporting us as we got to this moment and we all knew it was coming. A pillar of support: TV presenter Phillip Schofield on ITV's This Morning talking with Holly Willoughby today about his announcement that he is gay 'So, yeah, I mean I feel a little lighter, but I'm also very aware, there's no question that it causes pain and it causes upset. I've no secrets. We've never had any secrets. Tough, it is tough, but this is not something that's happened quickly. I've had to deal with this in my head for quite some time. 'We've gone through this together and we've been honest and we've been open. Steph, as I said, I can't write in any statement what I feel about that women. 'She is amazing, she's incredible. There's no one in my life who would have supported me the way, as a wife, as the way she supported me. She's astonishing, literally astonishing. 'It's a good question (why now). You know this has been bothering me for a very long time and I think everybody does these things at their own speed, at their own time, when they feel the time is right. 'I've no secrets': Full transcript from Phillip Schofield's interview with Holly Willoughby on This Morning 'And there's no question that it has in recent times consumed my head and has become an issue in my head. 'And so I got to the stage where I thought we sit here every day, and I'm over there and some amazingly brave incredible person is sitting here, and I'm listening to their story and thinking 'oh my God, you're so brave, oh my God, you're so brave'. 'And I'm thinking 'I have to be that person, I have to be that person'. I think all you can be in your life is honest with yourself. I was getting to the point where I knew I wasn't honest with myself, I was getting to the point where I didn't like myself very much because I wasn't being honest with myself. 'And so, when is the right time, when is the right time to do it? And as a family, it's the right time. 'There are people around the world, there are people in this country, there will be people watching this, and we always say talk to someone, and believe me, believe me, when we say that and we do say that a lot on this show, you must talk to someone, you must talk to someone, i have and it's helped a lot. 'And it's brought me back - i mentioned those dark places in the statement talking to people does bring you back. And in some cases talking to people saves you. You have to discuss it, with my friends, with my family, with my wife, we've talked it through and we have to talk it through. 'This is my decision, this is absolutely my decision. It was something I knew that I had to do. And I don't know what the world will be like now - I don't know how this will be taken, or what people will think. He said: 'But at the same time I will sit here and say actually, I'm proud of myself today. And I am proud of myself today' 'But would I say is that yes, I am very conscious of the hurt, and so my overriding emotion with my family is obviously going to be guilt, because I do feel guilty that this can't be anything other than a painful process for them. 'But at the same time I will sit here and say actually, I'm proud of myself today. And I am proud of myself today. It wasn't easy but they (my daughters) were, they are so amazing in their love and support. 'I sat them down and I told them and they jumped up and they gave me a hug, a big hug, a long hug, and then they hugged Steph and they said it's OK, we'll be OK, we'll always be a family, always us four, is what we always call ourselves. We'll always be that. 'It was the same with my mum, my mum is watching this today. She's been on the phone this morning hope you're OK. I went down to see her, she's down in Cornwall, and I went down to see her. And I told her and she said 'oh, OK, well, I don't care' - and that's the same with everyone. 'No I don't think so (thinking about future relationships) - I'm not thinking there. I'm doing each day at a time now, this has always been a slow process and there is no fast process after this. 'This was the big day and this was the day that I knew everything was pointing towards and I could not have don't it if it hadn't been you. So afterwards I don't know, but no, there's no one, I'm not rushing out to anybody.' His side of the story: Phillip was open and honest during the appearance in which he chatted to his good friend Advertisement Phillip also spoke about his family's support in his emotional Instagram message on Friday, he penned: 'Both mine and Steph's entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support.' Phillip announced he was gay in a heartfelt message shared to his Instagram story on Friday, just minutes before he gave an interview on This Morning with co-host Holly. He said: ''You never know what's going on in someone's seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing - and so you won't know what he has been consuming me for the last few years. 'With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay. Bombshell: On Friday Phillip announced his sexuality in a lengthy Instagram statement, and praised his wife Steph as 'the kindest soul I have ever met' He wrote in his statement: 'My family have held me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion.' Although he candidly added: 'Yet still I can't sleep and there have been some very dark moments.' Phillip continued: 'Steph has been incredible - I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met. 'My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort. Both mine and Steph's entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support. 'Of course they are worried about Steph but I know they will scoop us both up.' If you have been affected by this article or would like support on LGBT related-issues, you can contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 330 3030 or email helpline@lgbt.foundation. Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg cheer as he speaks during the McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner, Feb. 8, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) MANCHESTER, N.H. The dispute over the Iowa caucuses winner bled into New Hampshire Saturday night, where supporters of Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders traded chants of Buttigieg won and Bernie won prior to the state partys annual dinner. If polling in the Granite State is accurate, Tuesdays primary is headed toward another tight finish between the former South Bend, Ind., mayor and the Vermont senator. The McIntyre-Shaheen Dinner brought together, for the final time before voting on Tuesday, every primary contender along with their boisterous supporters packed into the SNHU Arena. In a foreboding omen for Joe Biden, the Buttigieg contingent was the largest, while former vice presidents cheering section took up a small corner of the arena. The Sanders crowd rained down jeers on Buttigieg during his address Saturday night when he repeated his regular refrain that Democrats should not divide Americans by forcing them to choose between the status quo and the revolution that Sanders frequently evokes. They also booed his comments about the cost of insulin by chanting Medicare for All, the single-payer program supported by Sanders. The Buttigieg fans in return chanted their candidates name when Sanders boasted about winning the popular vote in Iowa. With Buttigieg coming off a strong finish in Iowa and surging in recent New Hampshire polls, Sanders supporters in the crowd werent the only Democrats to take aim. Bidens campaign launched a new digital ad Saturday comparing Buttigiegs record as mayor to that of Bidens vice presidency, underlining attacks Biden had begun earlier last week when he said that nominating someone whose highest office was mayor of a city of 100,000 against President Trump was too great a risk. The Biden ad mocked Buttigieg as a neophyte, comparing Bidens role in helping bail out the American auto industry with the installation of decorative bricks in the sidewalks of South Bend, Ind., when Buttigieg was mayor. Both Vice President Biden and former Mayor Buttigieg have taken on tough fights, the ad said sarcastically. Were electing a president. What youve done matters. Story continues In his speech at the dinner, before a crowd of several thousand, Buttigieg said that people from Midwest cities are "tired of being reduced to a punch line by Washington politicians." Hours after Bidens ad went up, the Sanders campaign released its own attack on Buttigieg, over his big-ticket fundraising events. And Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., alluded to Buttigiegs campaigns reliance on wealthy donors and what she described as a candidacy designed by campaign consultants. That all came after Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., spent Friday nights debate repeatedly attacking Buttigieg, who stumbled in his response to a question about South Bend policing practices, a history that has hurt him with African-American voters. Buttigieg at a campaign stop in Lebanon, N.H., Feb. 8. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Following the debate, Klobuchar saw a bump in fundraising, but it remains to be seen if her poll numbers will improve; in previous debates her performance was frequently praised by media pundits but she has struggled to rise above the low double digits in most polls. But there is enough data to show that Bidens post-Iowa spiral, after his fourth-place finish in the caucuses, is continuing. The candidate who was the frontrunner for much of 2019 conceded that hes likely to struggle in New Hampshire. I took a hit in Iowa and Ill probably take a hit here, he said, blaming the fact that Sanders and Warren both hail from neighboring states. The Biden campaign is counting on a big turnout by African-American voters in South Carolina to boost him back into contention. A new CNN poll indicated that Bidens core argument electability had crumbled in New Hampshire, with just 25 percent of respondents saying they thought Biden had the best chance of winning in November, a 16 percentage-point drop from last month. His debate performance didnt help his cause, with an Ipsos poll showing that those who watched were less likely to vote for him. In the polling average of New Hampshire, Biden now trails both Sanders and Buttigieg by double digits and is in danger of slipping to fourth behind Warren. As the muddled races de facto frontrunner, Sanders continued his efforts to reassure Democrats that he can take on Trump. There was a recurring theme in the chants from his supporters, in a banner hanging in the SNHU Arena, and in the new branding of Mondays election eve rally featuring Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.: Bernie beats Trump. Sanders also deployed a line from his stump speech as a pitch at party unity during his address Saturday night. Even though we have differences of opinion, I know I speak for every candidate when I say no matter who wins the Democratic nomination we are going to come together to defeat the most dangerous president in the history of this country, said Sanders to cheers from the crowd. The candidates will blanket the state with more than 50 events over the next two days before Tuesdays primary. If Sanders lives up to his polling numbers, the biggest question will be where the rest of the field ends up. And President Trump himself will arrive here in the Granite State Monday. Hes scheduled to hold a rally Monday evening in the same arena where Democrats gathered on Saturday night. At least one security guard in the arena seemed to have absorbed the message Trump has been sending about Sanders. When he overheard reporters discussing the contrast between party regulars sitting on the floor of the arena eating dinner while people in the seats above them watched, he turned and said, Isnt that how socialism works? _____ Read more from Yahoo News: By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The top court has ruled that it is within the absolute discretion of a state government to decide whether or not to provide for reservation or reservation in promotions, and that there is no obligation on states to do so. A bench of Justices Justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta ruled that there is no fundamental right to claim reservation in public jobs and no court can order a state government to provide for reservation to SC/STs.It clarified that a state government is bound to collect data regarding the inadequacy of representation of SC/ST in government services when it wants to provide reservation but otherwise. The state government is not bound to make reservations. There is no fundamental right which inheres in an individual to claim reservation in promotions. No mandamus can be issued by the court directing the state government to provide reservations, the court held. However, if they wish to exercise their discretion and make such provision, the state has to collect quantifiable data showing the inadequacy of representation of that class in public services since such statistics will have to be placed before a court when a challenge is laid to the reservation policies, the bench ruled. It further said the inadequacy of representation of SC/STs is a matter within the subjective satisfaction of the State, subject to the limited scope of judicial scrutiny because it is for the state government to decide whether reservations are required for appointments to public posts. The bench made these important declarations while dealing with a bunch of cases relating to reservations to SCs and STs in promotions in the posts of Assistant Engineer (Civil) in Public Works Department, Government of Uttarakhand. While Uttarakhand decided not to give reservations, the HC directed the state to first collect quantifiable data regarding the representation of SCs/STs. Help India! Nikhat Fatima, TwoCircles.net On 26th January, the 71st Republic Day, the Indian Council of Child Welfare (ICCW) conferred 22 children from across the country with the National Bravery Award. Among the recipients are 12 boys and 10 girls from 12 different states who have been honored for their gallantry in humanity and community service. Support TwoCircles During heavy rains in Maharashtra in August 2019, river Krishna got heavily flooded submerging houses and bridges, quickly spreading the fury into nearby regions flowing through Raichur district in Karnataka. An ambulance carrying a dead body and relatives of the deceased, including 6 children was headed to Machanuru village of Yadgir district where water had clogged everywhere blocking the roadway of Gugal. At the time I did not think of what would happen next, when the driver asked me if I could help, I volunteered, said 12-years-old Venkatesh, one of the recipients of the prestigious national honour. Coming from the small village of Raichur, he explained how he managed to be the odd one to help the ambulance driver stuck in floods when his friends clearly advised him against it. Seeing the drivers predicament, little Venkatesh unhesitatingly dived into the waters to reach the ambulance and guided the driver alone while he himself was wading with much difficulty navigating the way. Without his knowledge, explained Venkatesh, some boys across the river from another village filmed the rescue mission on their mobile phones and in no time Venkateshs act of courage became viral. The video got spread across various social media and television channels making Venkatesh the hero from Hireyakumpi. Soon after he was honoured by the district administration at Raichur on Independence Day on August 15th with the Shourya Award while an IAS officer recommended the Women and Child Welfare department to send Venkateshs name for the ICCW National Bravery Awards. This deed of Venkatesh has brought fame not only to our school but also to our village, said the Head Mistress of the Government Higher Primary School of Hireyakumpi village within the Deodurga Taluk in Raichur District of which Venkatesh is a student. The little braveheart has been since then winning praises from several other organizations and individuals who have felicitated him with awards like the Kozikhode Helping Hands Trust of Kerala, Raichur Friends Association and several others. I am extremely happy that my son did such a brave act, said Venkateshs father Devendrappa, expressing his happiness and said that it was because of his son that he got the opportunity to go to Delhi and see the President of India. He also wanted to meet Narendra Modi but the Prime Minister was unavailable as he had been informed. Back home although he is proud of his youngest sons achievement, Devendrappa has highlighted their ongoing plight due to the flooded situation in the villages. He said that Venkateshs story of bravery had reached many as several TV anchors and journalists, organisations and individuals have come forward to help them in different ways. The people of Kerala are building a house for us, he said, adding that he was thankful to them that the work had already begun. However, the father said he expected, Government of Karnataka to do something for his son but it is always other organizations and individuals who are offering to educate and provide a good job for my son. While they continue to be plagued by the fury of floods and broken houses, vibrant Venkatesh is now encouraged by the Award and wishes to become a pilot and fly helicopters when he grows up. On asking why, the young braveheart says, From the helicopter I want to rescue more people who are caught in floods. CAIRO The technical and legal experts and ministers of water and foreign affairs of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia will keep trying to agree on a comprehensive document that will settle the outstanding issues and diverging positions regarding the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The deadline for agreeing on such a document is the end of February. The ministers of water and foreign affairs in the three countries, the US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin and president of the World Bank David Malpass met in Washington Jan. 31. A joint statement published by the US Department of the Treasury after the meeting noted that some key issues will be subject to the final signing of the comprehensive agreement. These include a schedule for a stage-based filling plan of the GERD; a mitigation mechanism for the filling of the GERD during drought, prolonged drought and prolonged periods of dry years; and a mitigation mechanism for the annual and long-term operation of the GERD in drought, prolonged drought and prolonged periods of dry years. However, the disparity between the statements issued by the Egyptian and Ethiopian Foreign Affairs ministries regarding the outcome of the meeting revealed a new dispute. The two statements were not aligned over some issues that were disregarded in past rounds of negotiations that kicked off in Washington in November 2019. The issues were related to the safety and security of the dam and the importance of completing the technical studies on its economic, social and environmental impacts on the downstream countries of Egypt and Sudan. The Egyptian statement released Jan. 31 asserted that the final agreement would include some provisions related to the security of the dam and completing the studies on the social, environmental and economic impacts of the GERD. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian statement indicated that negotiations focused on issues of filling and operation of the GERD, and the government of Ethiopia is committed to maintaining the rights of the Ethiopian people to use the waters of the Nile for the benefit of current and future generations. Ethiopia and Egypt have engaged in prolonged negotiation rounds, since the Declaration of Principles was signed in March 2015, to conduct technical studies on the social, economic and environmental impacts of the GERD on Egypt and Sudan. Egypt believed the dam would have a negative impact on the soil salinity of the Nile Delta due to the low water flow. Although the French consultancy offices BRL and Artelia were chosen to conduct the studies, disputes over the preliminary report halted the technical track. Negotiations were suspended in September 2019, and Egypt asked for the intervention of an international mediator. A technical official in the Egyptian negotiation delegation told Al-Monitor, At the beginning of Washingtons meetings, Egypt put forward all issues preoccupying it about the dam. These issues were also mentioned in the report of the International Panel of Experts, including the security of the dam, its social and environmental effects, adaptation mechanisms and means to mitigate its effects, and rules of filling and operating the dam. The official added, Egypt is still concerned about the environmental effects of the dam on the Nile Delta and the rising soil salinity with the dropping clear water flow, apart from other effects that need further research. So far, we cannot say that technical issues or legal text have been agreed upon. Even the US document is still incomplete, and some of its items need to be discussed. A clear and binding agreement should include more accurate details to avoid another useless round of negotiations and meetings, he argued, adding, The Egyptian delegation is deeply interested in a clear legal formulation that is not open to interpretation regarding the exchange of information about the dam, the dispute settlement mechanisms and the decision-making process through the coordination mechanisms. The Egyptian Foreign Ministrys statement issued following the last round of negotiations Jan. 31 mentioned that the US prepared an agreement document about the filling plan and the procedures to address drought and prolonged drought during the operation and filling stages. Egypt signed the document at the end of the session. Mohamed al-Sebai, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, told Al-Monitor that Egypts sole signing of the US document indicates its political commitment to reaching a fair solution that would cater to the interests of the three countries. He said that Ethiopia did not sign perhaps because it is waiting for the final draft of the agreement. Following the Washington meeting Jan. 31, the Ethiopian government took increased steps to appease Ethiopian public opinion and reassure people that their rights are protected in using Nile water and completing the construction and operation of GERD. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali visited the GERD site Feb. 1 and posted photos on social media showing the progress of civil engineering and construction works. He also attended a question and answer session in parliament Feb. 3, during which he confirmed that Ethiopia will not enter into any agreement that harms its national interests. Meanwhile, Ethiopian Minister of Water, Energy and Irrigation Seleshi Bekele held several press conferences and meetings with study and research centers to fill them in on the latest updates of the negotiations in Washington. Bekeles meetings carried messages to the Ethiopian public opinion. They mostly affirm that the GERD negotiations are based on the principle of fair and equitable use of Nile water with no compromise on sustainable Ethiopian interests in the Nile waters. On the Ethiopian position at the negotiations held under the auspices of Washington, Hani Raslan, head of Sudan and Nile Basin research at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor, Abiy Ahmed Ali is facing difficulties and political tension internally. He needs a national cause that unites all ethnicities on one goal. The GERD, as a national development project, is the ideal cause for achieving political gains and attracting more popular support. He argued that Ahmed Ali's visit to the dams site and the repeated Ethiopian statements about Ethiopia's absolute attachment to its interests are messages addressed to the Ethiopian interior for popular mobilization. This is all the more true since it seems that some technical or financial difficulties are hindering the start of electricity generation. "The intransigence of the Ethiopian position in the negotiations may express a desire to raise the ceiling of gains, whether technical or economic aid from the World Bank or Washington, Raslan added. Meanwhile, all eyes remain on Washington until the end of February when a final technical agreement is supposed to be reached. This agreement ought to satisfy the interests of the three countries and reduce the risks and damages that the dam may cause to the two downstream countries. It also ought to achieve Ethiopias economic aspirations such as generating electricity. Still, popular internal pressures on governments remain a major factor in shaping the countries positions toward signing the comprehensive agreement expected to be reached under American auspices. Innovative research in the diagnosis and treatment of heart emergencies will be revealed at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2020, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The annual congress of the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association, a branch of the ESC, takes place 7 to 9 March at the Megaron - Athens International Conference Centre. Explore the scientific program. Acute cardiovascular care is the specialty of cardiology dealing with urgent and life-threatening conditions including heart attack, cardiac arrest, and acute heart failure. Novel findings will be presented in more than 500 abstracts and clinical cases, among them: Gender differences in treatment after a heart attack: do they exist? Can children learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation? How can patients improve their quality of life after a heart attack? What are the risk factors for acute coronary syndromes in young patients? Can artificial intelligence models predict outcomes after acute coronary syndromes? Should you exercise after a heart attack? Original data will be presented from the hottest big trials, adding details on how the research will change practice in acute settings. Dr. Sergio Leonardi, scientific chair of the congress, said: We will hear impactful, practice-changing presentations providing new information from ground-breaking clinical studies tailored to the acute setting." Two major trials in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndromes will be put under the microscope in The trial of the trials: AUGUSTUS vs ENTRUST AF PCI.2 Dr. Leonardi said: Doctors want to know how to translate the evidence from these trials into better care for their patients. Leading experts will challenge the investigators on their choice of study design. We want to know how the methodology has influenced the results and their subsequent interpretation for clinical practice." Emerging data from controversial studies on how to prevent blood clots after a heart attack will be showcased in a dedicated session. "We are set for a lively debate on the timing and type of antithrombotic therapy for acute myocardial infarction patients, with the latest information presented on this topic," said Dr. Leonardi. The congress brings together more than 1,000 cardiologists, intensivists, anesthetists, internists, emergency physicians, cardiac surgeons, nurses, paramedics and other allied professionals who care for acutely ill cardiac patients. Gathering from over 70 countries, participants will attend 60-plus sessions during the three-day meeting. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Call it election fatigue or otherwise, voters in Delhi did not turn up in large numbers to cast their votes on Saturday, pushing the voting percentage down to 61.53 per cent from 67.5 per cent in 2015. The Election Commission was still tabulating the final turnout till the time of going to the press but the final tally was unlikely to rise sharply. As per the last figures, the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency saw heavy voting with the highest turnout in Gokalpur followed by Matia Mahal and Seemapuri. The seat represented by Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari has a heavy population of Purvanchalis and Muslims. The lowest voter turnout was in North-West Delhis Bawana followed by Delhi Cantt and Mehrauli. The voting pattern seems to have changed thrice during the day. In the morning it was very slow, at lunch time it picked up and finally got higher. Its likely that it was a Saturday and people came out at their own pace, which is good. Some said this would help the BJP but I would say that vote is in favour of the AAP because it has managed to get the trust of the people by its work. It has made future promises, which would be lasting, said Sudha Pai, professor at the Centre for Political Science. Voters stand in a queue to cast their votes during the Delhi Assembly election at a polling station in Patparganj in New Delhi on Saturday | Parveen Negi The Muslim-dominated constituencies in North-East and East Delhi saw a heavy turnout with long queues outside polling stations in Jaffrabad, Mustafabad, Babarpur, Seelampur and Okhla. It was the same in Matia Mahal, which had the highest turnout percentage in entire Delhi. All the parties, the AAP, BJP and the Congress, expressed their confidence, with the AAP most enthusiastic with the turnout. We are winning by a huge margin. Today I salute the hard work of all colleagues. Voting ended! Hearty congratulations to all the activists! They all worked from morning till late at night, and some worked for 24 hours in the last days said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. BJP national vice-president, Shyam Jaju, who is also the party in-charge of Delhi, said the fight was neck and neck but the BJP was expecting a majority. There is a neck and neck fight but the majority will be the BJPs. We are expecting over 38 seats. Earlier we said 45 plus but it is a journey of making from three to 38 seats. The people were very supportive and showered love on the party today. It was also possible because of the campaign. I do not believe in the exit polls. Let the results come out, we have seen exit polls getting it wrong many times, said Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra. Boeing 737 Plane Makes Hard Landing in Northwest Russia A Boeing 737 airliner with 94 people on board made a hard landing in northwestern Russia on Feb. 9, airline UTair confirmed. There were no serious injuries, the company said. A sharp, unpredictable wind shear occurred during landing, and the planes landing gear collapsed while the plane was on the runway, FlightGlobal reported. Wind shear is a sudden change in wind velocity and/or direction. Owing to the prompt and highly professional actions of the crew, the aircraft was able to be kept on the runway until it stopped completely, the airline said. UTair, , 9 . , :https://t.co/cS8zjFrb8p pic.twitter.com/5UmUUxF4nJ (@tass_agency) February 9, 2020 Utair specialists have flown to Usinsk to analyze flight information and determine the causes of what happened, the carrier said. The plane was arriving at the Usinsk Airport in the Komi Republic, located about 930 miles from Moscow, Reuters reported. Photos and videos posted on social media showed the plane resting on its belly on the runway. One photo showed what appeared to be passengers attempting to climb out of the plane over a wing. Russias federal Investigative Committee told FlightGlobal, Steps are being taken to establish the circumstances of the aviation incident, as well as the causes and conditions. A routine criminal probe was also opened. On Feb. 6, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Turkeys Pegasus Airlines overshot a runway before crashing, which caused the plane to break into several pieces. Three people were killed and dozens were injured. Hyderabad: The GHMC passed a unanimous resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the general body meeting held on Saturday. Supporting the state government's stand, deputy mayor Baba Fasiuddin introduced the resolution opposing the CAA which was approved by the council members under the chairmanship of Mayor B. Rammohan. The only opposition came from Begum Bazaar corporator G. Shankar Yadav of the BJP. He said it was unethical for the corporation to pass a resolution against a law enacted by Parliament. The resolution was passed orally. A copy signed by the mayor will be will be available after three days. Prior to the general body meeting, a special council approved the GHMC Budget of Rs 6,793 crore. Though the Budget was Rs 5,380.64 crore, the authorities included Rs 1,593.64 crore for the double bedroom scheme and Compre-hensive Road Mainte-nance Project to boost the numbers. The Budget last year stood at `6,150 crore. As per the Budget proposals, Rs 2,630 crore has been given to capital expenditure and Rs 1,593.64 crore for roads. Cutting across party lines, corporators appea-led for a slash in penalties being levied by the Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management (EVDM) wing for defacement and unauthorised banners and flexis. MIM MLA Meraj Hussain demanded that the Mayor explain under what provisions the EVDM was set up. Is EVDM under GHMC or GHMC under EVDM? As elected representatives we are facing trouble from citizens for blatant violation of the GHMC Act. How could petty vendors on streets pay such huge amounts, he asked. When EVDM director Viswajit Kampati wanted to explain, the MLA did not allow him. Interv-ening, Mayor Rammohan said it was not wise to target a officer and said they could raise objections against the procedures or systems. It was decided in the meeting that GHMC would soon constitute a committe to finalise penal amounts and decision would be taken in the next standing committee meeting. The worsening climate impact facing communities across the Mississippi River Basin, which encompasses 31 states, must receive more attention in the electoral debates and the national conversation this year. Anyone vying for higher office is invited to tour our devastated areas and talk with us in detail about what it will really take to secure our economy. This goes for American engagement with the rest of the world, too. We applaud the administration for taking substantive steps to restore open trade between the U.S. and China, and are hopeful the next phase of negotiations will build on this progress, including the removal of tariffs on American soybeans shipped to China. Further, we congratulate the administration on the successful update of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, which will provide stability for exports to the Mississippi River Corridors two largest trading partners. Market success relies on maintaining both natural and built infrastructure, so we are able to produce and move our products sustainably. The 2019 flooding brought the dire consequences of emphasizing response over resilience to our doorsteps. Americans from our communities are looking for leaders who recognize that Americas interest is best served by urgent and ambitious action at every level of government to ensure the safety, security and prosperity of us all in the decades to come. Sharon Weston Broome is the mayor of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Bob Gallagher is the mayor of Bettendorf. They are co-chairs of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The notion of a disease originating in a faraway place in which people share the same ethnicity that has been a trope in the Asian American experience since Day One, said Jason Oliver Chang, director of the Asian and Asian American Studies Institute at the University of Connecticut. He said campus communities must be vigilant to defend students against incidents of racism that might arise in a climate of ignorance and fear. Its a combustible situation, he said. An Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act bill is being introduced in the state Legislature by our governor and her fellow Democrats this month. Putting lipstick on a pig doesnt change the fact that its still a pig. No matter how you name it, it is still a Red Flag Law and its pure garbage legislation at its worst. Just like the Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692, this bill in its current form would allow anyone with a grudge, any anti-gunner, neighbor, emotionally unstable sibling, in-laws, or anyone else that has a grievance to file unsubstantiated charges against someone and file a complaint without any type of investigation into its validity. Being made under oath and accompanied by a sworn affidavit does absolutely NOTHING to verify the validity of the complaint. If you read this bill in its current form, its obvious that it takes away a persons due process. Which is in typical Democratic lawmaker fashion. You are GUILTY until proven INNOCENT. This new law should allow petitions be made only by prosecutors and require them to show, based on the respondents actions or threats, that he/she poses an extreme risk. Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham wants to turn New Mexico into another California. Red flag laws are being sold to folks in California and other states as a way to curtail mass shootings. However, it hasnt helped. Despite having red flags laws on the books for years, two of these states have had high-profile mass shootings. So, whats this really about? Its about control! Current and new red flag laws will do absolutely nothing to curtail mass shootings. But they do give the government control over its citizens. Thats the Democratic Partys goal and they cant do it if the citizens (subjects) are armed. In New Mexico, the purpose of passing a red flag law has less to do with preventing violence, and more to do with finding reasons to take peoples guns away and taking control of their lives. Under our current Democratic-controlled state, the Democrats are so anti-gun that I wouldnt be surprised if they start putting anti-gun slogans on the state seal. Because of this, they can think of no reason to respect the right to keep and bear arms. The Heller Supreme Court case made it clear that the state cant just ban guns. So, theyll try another way. Now, all you need is someone who doesnt like guns or has a personal vendetta against you and, poof, there go your guns. Martin Luther King said, One has not only a legal, but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. Supporters of such laws will tell you that you can get your guns back, and its true. However, youre now entering a realm of guilty until proven innocent. You have to show that youre not a threat, something thats not as easy to do as you might think and something that goes against everything we stand for as a nation. These red flag laws have been tried by other states and they have been forced to rescind, repeal, amend or veto such legislation. All law enforcement officers have sworn, above all else, to defend the Constitution of the United States to which this bill is in direct violation. It not only violates the Second Amendment, but also the Fourth (Unreasonable Search and Seizures) and the Sixth (the accused shall enjoy the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for their defense.) A great idea would be for all the sheriffs in all the counties of New Mexico to deputize all the gun owners in their county, that way circumventing any and all laws passed by our current rogue government, and making any anti-gun law null and void. This bill proposed by our governor and her fellow Democrats is nothing more than a feel good piece of garbage and should be removed from the current and all future dockets. Ingrain this thought into your skulls: An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. Robert Visel lives in Los Alamos Two Birds, One Stone starts, as most pieces of Winnipeg theatre do, with land acknowledgements indicating it is being produced on Treaty 1 territory. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Two Birds, One Stone starts, as most pieces of Winnipeg theatre do, with land acknowledgements indicating it is being produced on Treaty 1 territory. The moment has a little more thematic heft than usual. The play is described by its writer-performers, Natasha Greenblatt and Rimah Jabr, as a "fictional documentary." But the gist of its double narrative examines the persistent chasm that separates Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Muslims in the disputed territories of the West Bank, where playwright Jabr was born and raised. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Natasha Greenblatt (left) and Rimah Jabr used their own friendship as the basis for Two Birds, One Stone, which explores Palestinian-Israeli relations. In that context, you can see land acknowledgements carry a lot more weight. The play, which tonally might be called a tragi-comedy, is an attempt to bridge the chasm in depicting the unlikely friendship that developed between Jabr, who emigrated to Toronto in 2016, and Greenblatt, a Jewish-Canadian theatre-maker. We find Greenblatts character again, note the fictional designation living an unsatisfying existence in Toronto before she is compelled to examine her Jewish roots via a free trip to Israel through the educational Birthright program. Keith Levit photo Writer-performers Jabr (left) and Greenblatt call their work a fictional documentary. Greenblatt needs to consult with her mother when asked if any members of her family were Holocaust survivors; she doesnt actually know. In the subsequent exchange with mom, she learns that an uncle once had a property in a northern seaside town in Israel. In alternating scenes, Jabr describes her own unsatisfying existence in the city of Nablus, where simple freedom of movement is denied her by Israeli bureaucrats or, worse, soldiers, whom she regards with understandable suspicion. She too will be given an address where a relative once held property before the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. While the plays scope is wide, the set is minimal: a couple of chairs set before a screen of projected images by Anahita Dehbonehie, which show silhouettes of the two women, a few old photographs, and often as not, a percolating mist. The fog of war, perhaps? Or maybe someone is just getting steamed? Natasha Greenblatt and Rimah Jabr. (Keith Levit photo) If the subject matter is serious, the action is lightened by the two performers, whom director Guillermo Verdecchia presents with an interesting chemistry. Greenblatt is unfailingly conciliatory towards her friend and defers to her when, for example, the unsmiling Jabr tells her to stop voicing the character of Jabrs grandmother with a Palestinian accent. Greenblatt is like a nervous electron spinning around Jabrs grounded nucleus. Ultimately, the show is quite hopeful in its demonstration that a relationship is even possible, in these especially divisive times. The show runs about 60 minutes without intermission, not counting an additional 15-minute post-show talkback moderated by Karen Ridd, an instructor in conflict resolution studies at Menno Simons College. randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Sunday said they had arrested a 21-year-old hotel management graduate from Uttar Pradeshs Lucknow for allegedly being a member of an international drug syndicate that operated through the darknet. The arrested man, Dipu Singh, was involved in the supply of psychotropic drugs to the USA, the United Kingdom, Romania, Spain and other European countries after receiving orders on markets and payment in bitcoins on the darknet, NCB officials said. Singh was picked up 10 days ago. NCB officials said that 22,200 tablets of psychotropic drugs worth around 15 lakh in the grey market were seized with the arrest of Singh on January 31. While 12,000 tablets were recovered from his home in Lucknows Arambagh, a parcel containing the drugs was seized by customs at Delhi airport. The parcel was being sent to the United Kingdom from Lucknow by Singh through a courier, they said. The psychotropic substances were being supplied in the garb of drugs to treat sexual ailments, fitness supplements and other health products. Another seizure of 33,000 such tablets was made by the NCBs Mumbai zone in three operations, NCBs deputy director general Rajesh Nandan Srivastava said. According to the NCBs Delhi zone deputy director KPS Malhotra, the busting of the darknet network of drug supply and Singhs arrest was the result of a two-month surveillance by team members, who registered themselves on the darknet markets and pretended to be vendors and customers. Various such markets were accessed and different vendors were profiled to find links in India. This process was complemented with logistics analysis of suspicious parcels that were evading the Know Your Customer (KYC) norms. The exercise led to the identification of Indian vendors, with Dipu Singh emerging as a key player. The blockchain analysis of cryptocurrency wallets was also undertaken to unearth Indian connections, Malhotra said. NCB officials monitored Singhs activities and learnt about a consignment of drugs he had couriered to a client in the UK. The consignment was seized and Singh was arrested from his home in Lucknow. Singhs interrogation revealed that he was brought into the drug syndicate in 2018 by a man who operates an online pharmacy and had offered him a job to deliver medicines online. By early 2019, Singh associated with darknet markets and began supplying psychotropic tablets illegally to clients abroad. He has sent over 600 consignments of drugs using the darknet, Srivastava added. NCB officials said that Singh completed his graduation in hotel management from a private university in 2019 and his father is a retired government official. NCBs director general Rakesh Asthana said that apart from Singhs arrest and recovery of psychotropic tablets, the bureau had busted the organisations pan-India operations in the last few days and seized narcotic substances worth 44.58 crore. Representative image Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi on February 8 said that anybody who wants to work (in India) will have to do so with the Hindu community and for their empowerment. Addressing a lecture on the topic "Vishwaguru Bharat, an RSS perspective" at Dona Paula near Panaji, Joshi referred to his communication with an intellectual who had said that India should become a "supre-rashtra" in the year 2020. "Anybody who wants to work (in India) will have to work with the Hindu commumnity by taking them along and for their empowerment. Hindus have witnessed the rise and fall of India since the time immemorial. India cannot be separated from (the) Hindu (community). Hindus have always been at the centre of this nation," Joshi said in Marathi. He also added that since Hindus are not communal or antagonist, "nobody should be reluctant to work for the Hindu community". The RSS leader further said, "The world says India will become a superpower in 2020, but I remember my conversation with an intellectual who had said that India should become a super-rashtra (super nation) in 2020". Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was among those who attended the lecture. "To create awareness and unity among Hindus does not amount to (taking) an action against others (community). No one should feel it that way. We can say with utter self confidence before the entire world that Hindus becoming strong won't result in destructive activities, but (such proposition) will work for the society and humanity," he added. Invoking history, Joshi said Hindus never invaded other countries. "Whatever wars (they had fought) were for self defence. Everyone has the right to self defence," he said. "It is India's duty to teach the world to walk on the path of 'samanvay' (coordination). Nobody else other than India and Hindus can do this," Joshi said. He said some communities in the world keep preaching that only their path is "great". "But we are from the (Hindu) community which says that we have our own path so as you. When the world will accept this ideology, then all the issues would get solved. It is the duty of India to take the world on that path," he added. The great 19th century statesman, Otto von Bismarck, who masterminded the unification of Germany in 1871, is credited with the quotation that "To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making". Like laws and sausages, governments are good and necessary things, yet they originate in ways that are not readily admired by purists. Government formation in countries that use the proportional representation voting system can be particularly messy, because it often results in a coalition. The ensuing negotiations of a programme for government usually ends as a mash-up of the promises made by each party during the election. This weekend, as a new Government is formed, many people will be holding their noses. Purists and populists hate the complexity, compromise and often contradictory results of the coalition governments that result from the PR system. Different versions of this form of election are used in 87 countries throughout the world. Ireland's version - the single transferable vote - is widely regarded as the most advanced version of PR, though unfounded fear of its complexity means that it is only used in this form by Ireland and Malta. Proportional representation aims to be the fairest system of selecting a government, mainly because it produces a legislature composed of numbers that accurately reflect the support expressed by the voting population. It is the exact opposite of the first-past-the-post system used in most of the UK (except Northern Ireland) and the USA. Contradictorily, the official motto of the United States is the phrase E pluribus unum - the words appear on all US coinage, summarising the fundamental aspiration of that country, to create unity out of diversity. The phrase - meaning 'one out of many' is from the ancient Latin language while the concept itself is from Ancient Greece. This transcendental concept recurs throughout human history, whenever people try to make a society that is more than its selfish parts. It is the summary of all our striving for our better selves. 'Me Feiner' is one of those useful Irish phrases that sums up the selfish attitude that is the opposite of the generosity and pluralism that has made us continue to pursue e pluribus unum. Ireland is a very good example of the idealism and goodwill that can underpin the initial adoption of proportional representation. Contemporary nationalists have successfully stoked amnesia about the generosity and idealism of the founders of our State. In the 1916 Proclamation, our founders explicitly resolved to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally, and oblivious to the differences, carefully fostered by an alien government, which have divided a minority from the majority in the past. Our nation's founders went far beyond these high-minded words about not dividing a minority from the majority. Their flag, the very symbol of our nation, includes the orange of unionism; they put in place a Senate to provide the reassurance and safeguard against the oppression of the Anglo-Irish, but most fundamentally they put in place a system of voting that ensured representation to any and all minority points of view. Attempts have been made to unravel many parts of this early idealism. Fianna Fail tried to get rid of PR twice, in 1959 and 1968 - but both referendums failed - the Irish voter's wisdom should not be underestimated. Many seemingly progressive causes seem to be underpinned by an intolerance for dissenters, who are condemned by the name-calling identity politics of left and right. That growing pejorative single-issue parts of our society use cat-call words to praise or damn. Words like woke, denier, Remainer, boomer, alarmist are used to divide the world into believers and dissenters. Populists play on emotions by using the threat of a universal, existential crisis to justify the adoption of only one approach - their approach. Hence social justice activists claim to speak 'for the many, not the few' or 'for the needy, not the greedy'. Environmental groups, similarly threaten/promise 'Extinction Rebellion' in an attempt to gain attention. 'My world, my way' seems to sum up this attitude that paints any other point of view as being contrary to the common good, often going further by advocating the abandonment of or rebellion against social norms or structures to support their invocation of a crisis or emergency. But proportional representation can counter populism by supporting the pluralism in which differing views can co-exist. The negotiation of a programme for government between parties and individuals of differing values and aspirations can be a very good thing. It facilitates an early establishment of common ground as well as highlighting areas where compromise is very difficult. This is where the squeamishness comes into play. Negotiating parties, propelled by proximity to power and the opportunity to implement their ideas, must also be reserved, lest they leave their followers behind and lose their mandate. This difficulty has the great advantage of pre-empting time-wasting and argumentative conflict during the life of a government. This means that the resolution of these initial difficulties, no matter how intense and bitter, is the price of subsequent national stability. Many younger readers may be unaware of how extremely different some of Ireland's earlier coalition bedfellows have been. For instance, in 1994 Fine Gael's John Bruton and Labour's Dick Spring formed the 'Rainbow Coalition' that included Democratic Left - a party that had only shortly beforehand been a communist-like party with strong links to the Soviet Union. Many in Fine Gael and Labour found this very hard to stomach. Yet this deal with the devil produced Ireland's first anti-poverty strategy - a valued, substantial and lasting implementation of that party's core values. Great good can come from such compromises. Seen in this light, coalition is an inevitable and potentially healthy result, because the greatest number of points of view are accommodated - however diverse. Accommodating difference and facilitating peaceful co-existence is surely the most fundamental objective of any good society. Finding a place for everyone is like a seating plan for that awkward uncle at a family wedding. Everybody fits somewhere, there are no losers, nobody is left behind. This weekend, the act of squaring circles begins, this takes time and patience and is not pretty, it never is. But it is surely worthwhile. It is arguable that pluralist structures are an unavoidable necessity in an increasingly complex world of many nationalities, beliefs and values. We need not look very far to be reminded of the divisiveness and ultimate waste of a winner-takes-all approach. Everybody who is left behind is a wasted vote, a wasted idea, a wasted talent and a lessening of our capacity to be the best of ourselves - all of ourselves. Let us encourage negotiators, on all sides, 'Get over it, get on with it, get it done!' Students from Sacred Heart Secondary School, Tullamore, secured 400 in funding through the YSI Social Innovation Den hosted by Young Social Innovators in Dublin last week. The team pitched their project Bloody Outrageous' and were awarded funding for their plan to collect donations of sanitary products and donate them to charities and schools in order to combat period poverty. Focusing on reducing stigma around the issue of period poverty, the Sacred Heart students presented the positive response their project has received from peers, parents and members of the community. The students, who have been working on their project through Young Social Innovators since September, impressed the panel of dragons with their creative ideas to effect positive change in their community and wider society. Eleven projects were invited to pitch at the YSI Den in Dublin for a share of this years 10,000 fund. Young Social Innovators hosts the Den every year to support teenagers ideas to tackle social issues in an effort to create a fairer, more equal and sustainable world. A further seven projects pitched at a second YSI Den event in Cork. The teams pitching at this years YSI Dens addressed a range of issues, including mental health and wellbeing, revitalising green spaces, reducing plastic consumption, social inclusion and disability access, care for older people, sustainable fashion and climate change. Over 7,000 students throughout Ireland are currently involved in similar projects with Young Social Innovators in 2020. CEO of Young Social Innovators, Rachel Collier said: It is fantastic to see young innovators developing and implementing creative solutions to create real change on the issues that matter to them. The teams presenting at this years Den have impressed and inspired with their creative ideas, professional pitches and plans for effecting positive change in their communities and beyond. We cannot wait to see how their social innovation projects progress with the support they have been granted today, provided by a generous philanthropic supporter of Young Social Innovators. Dragon at The Den, Ronan Lynagh from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland said: It was an incredible day - the panel of dragons were blown away by the energy, passion and understanding of some really pressing social issues demonstrated by the students. According to police, a man shot another man in the neck and cheek as he stood outside near the bar and then the gunman took off running. The male victim was taken to an area hospital in critical condition and authorities said he required emergency surgery, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. Three persons were held with fake currency with a face value of Rs 63,500 in Bhuj in Gujarat's Kutch district, and the mastermind who supplied these notes was from Bengaluru and on the run, police said on Sunday. A Bhuj B Division police team raided the house of Atul Vora and seized 37 notes of Rs 100 denomination which he had got from Ishwar Patel living in Bengaluru, an official said. "Vora said he got 700 notes of Rs 100 denomination from Patel, of which he gave 412 notes to Bhavesh Zala, and 250 pieces to Snehal Zaveri, both trader friends. We have recovered 350 notes from Zala while he has circulated the rest. In all, the notes recovered have a face value of Rs 63,500," he said. These notes are photo-copies, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart has an irregular and usually rapid heart rate or arrhythmia. This inhibits blood flow and circulation through the body, posing several health risks. Under normal circumstances the heart rate of a healthy individual at rest should be 60 to 100 beats a minute. If you suffer from atrial fibrillation however, the heart rate could be well over 140 beats per minute. The main difference however is not just the accelerated heart rate, but its irregularity. Atrial fibrillation may arise as a temporary problem that comes and goes, but it could also be persistent in other cases and would require treatment. The condition may not pose any direct threat to your life but it can increase the risk of various life-threatening conditions. It should always be treated as a serious medical condition and in some situations, emergency treatment may actually be necessary. Atrial fibrillation is classified into different types, depending on the extent to which it affects you: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation This refers to cases where the atrial fibrillation is episodic. The condition comes and goes of its own accord without any intervention, but treatment can be used to stop an episode as soon as it begins. Persistent atrial fibrillation This type of atrial fibrillation lasts for over a week and is unlikely to resolve without treatment. Treatment can help to restore normal heart rhythm, but the condition can recur at a later point. Permanent atrial fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation cannot be resolved completely. Treatment may have been tried to restore normal heart beat but have been unsuccessful. The main aim when dealing with permanent atrial fibrillation is to lower the heart rate, so that it is in or is closer to the normal range, but the rhythm remains irregular. To understand the causes of atrial fibrillation it is important to understand how the heart normally functions. The heart comprises of four chambers, with two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. The heart has a natural pacemaker that regulates heart beat rhythm and this group of cells, which is located in the upper right chamber of the heart, is called the sinus node. The sinus node produces electrical impulses that travel first through the atria and then through the ventricles below. These impulses signal the start of each heartbeat and regulate the flow of blood through the contractions of the heart muscles. The atria contract and pump blood to the ventricles, then the ventricles contract, pumping blood through the body. These impulses from the sinus node travel are transmitted from the atria to the ventricles through a pathway called the atrioventricular (AV) node. When atrial fibrillation is present there is a problem with these electrical signals, with the atria receiving chaotic impulses. This causes a quiver and a very rapid heartbeat in the atria. All of these impulses that cause the quiver and accelerated heartbeat cannot reach the ventricles however, as the AV node cannot convey this surge of impulses. As a result, the ventricles also experience an increased beat, but not as dramatic an increase as the atria. This combination produces an irregular but fast heart rhythm. While the normal range heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, this condition can cause the rate to be in the range of 100 to over 200 beats per minute. Possible causes and risk factors for atrial fibrillation include: Hypertension is the most frequent cause of the condition because of the increased strain that the heart muscle is subjected to. Atrial fibrillation often develops as a complication of other kinds of heart conditions like ischaemic heart disease, dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pericardial disease and heart valve problems. Conditions like pulmonary embolus, pneumonia, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and lung cancer. Obesity also increases the risk of atrial fibrillation. The excessive intake of both alcohol and caffeine. The consumption of illegal drugs like amphetamines and cocaine. In some instances, patients may have what is described as lone AF. This accounts for about one out of ten cases, in which there is no known cause as the heart is otherwise healthy. There is a rapid onset of symptoms once the condition develops. These include: Breathlessness This is the most common and usually the first symptom to be noticed. While the symptom could be present at any time it tends to be more pronounced and surfaces with any exertion. Heart palpitations You may be conscious of your heart beat and notice an accelerated and irregular rhythm. Angina Chest pain may surface when you exert or are stressed, but this could also occur when resting. Dizziness and fatigue. Apart from heart palpitations, other atrial fibrillation symptoms tend to surface because of reduced efficiency of the heart, as smaller amounts of blood are pumped through the body at a greater rate. If the heart rate is not significantly higher than normal the condition may not even cause any symptoms and will only be picked up during routine health checks. While you can check your pulse rate at home yourself, this alone cannot be used as conclusive evidence for atrial fibrillation. Make it a point to visit your doctor right away if you notice any irregularities or an elevated rate. Your doctor will need to review your medical history and will also have to be informed about any symptoms that might be present. In addition to a physical examination your doctor will also recommend certain tests to help make a diagnosis. An electrocardiogram or ECG is the most effective and commonly used method of testing for atrial fibrillation. It is a tool that tracks and monitors the electrical activity of your heart. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can be a bit harder to diagnose and your heart rhythm would need to be recorded for a longer duration. This would require the use of diagnostic tools like ambulatory EKG and Holter monitoring, which enable portable monitoring of your heart rate and rhythm. Blood tests to check for conditions like hyperthyroidism. Prothrombin time and INR to check blood clotting time if you are on blood thinning medications like warfarin. Other tests that could be recommended include electrophysiology and echocardiogram. Treatment for atrial fibrillation will differ from patient to patient. Health care specialists treat the condition based on symptoms and other factors after carefully evaluating other health risks. The main aim of treatment is to provide relief from the symptoms and prevent a recurrence of the condition, and most importantly to lower the risk of complications like strokes and heart failure. Based on these considerations, treatments follow three approaches. Treatment to slow the heart rate Treatment to slow heart rate involves the use of rate-control medicines that can help to control your heart rate. While they will help to prevent a dangerously fast rate, they cannot regularize the heart rhythm itself. This alone can help to improve the efficiency of the heart, however. This line of treatment is usually very effective although dosage and drug combinations will differ and need to be altered for different patients. Medications that are used to slow the heart rate include beta-blocker medicines, calcium-channel blocker medicines and digoxin. Treatment to regulate and regularize heart rhythm This includes and refers to treatments that are used to restore a normal heart rhythm and stop atrial fibrillation altogether. Prevention of recurrence is also an important aspect of this treatment. This approach involves the use of: Antiarrhythmics or rhythm-control medicines Electrical cardioversion, which is a procedure in which low-voltage electrical shocks are used to restore a normal rhythmic heartbeat. The use of cardioversion for atrial fibrillation is limited in its scope however as it is not recommended in certain situations and its effects are often temporary and atrial fibrillation returns within a year. Catheter ablation is usually used as a treatment when medications fail to restore a normal heartbeat or if the side effects of medications are too severe. This is because the treatment doesnt always work and atrial fibrillation ablation also poses a risk of serious complications. Maze procedure is a technique that uses scarring to restrict electrical impulses that trigger the problem of atrial fibrillation. The procedure is typically carried out in open-heart surgery, with scar tissue being created to block and filter the excessive and chaotic impulses. Preventive treatment for strokes When the heart contracts inefficiently due to atrial fibrilation, blood clots can form in the heart because of sluggish flow and these blood clots can travel to the lungs accusing pulmonary embolus or to the brain causing stroke. Both pulmonary embolus and stroke are potentially fatal, so treatment to prevent these complications is absolutely essential. Doctors typically recommend the use of anticoagulant medications to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolus or stroke. Anticoagulants or (blood thinners) interfere with the action of certain proteins in blood to prevent the formation and propagation of blood clots. Anticoagulants reduce the risk of pulmonary embolus and stroke considerably, but they pose some risks of bleeding if too much drug is present in the body. If patients are on Coumadin, it is important to regularly test blood clotting time using the International Normalized Ration (INR) blood tests. Newer anticoagulant drugs are safer to use because of their decreased bleeding risk The highest risk posed by atrial fibrillation is the risk of stroke. This is because there is high risk of blood clot formation in the atria because of the inefficient pumping of blood. Such blood clots can travel to the lower chambers of the heart from where they can be pumped along with the blood supply to any part of the body. Such blood clots will travel in blood vessels until it gets stuck or lodged in a smaller blood vessel or in an organ like the lungs or brain. When the clot gets stuck in a blood vessel in the brain it blocks or reduces blood flow to the brain, thereby causing a stroke. Intrigued by the tales his grandparents told of living in Tanacross, a small Alaskan village, in the late 1930s, Indiana author Raymond Fleischmann has woven a mystery set in that timeframe and location. I grew up hearing their stories about Alaska the cold, the isolation, the long days and the long nights, said Fleischmann, the author of the just released "How Quickly She Disappears." So, the setting is very real, though my characters are fictional and not based on my grandparents at all, who were very much in love and married for over 60 years. That part is probably good, as Fleischmanns novel is about Elisabeth Pfautz, who is living in Alaska with her husband and young daughter. The marriage is joyless, but her daughter is her delight and, more forebodingly, a reminder and connection with her twin sister, Jacqueline, who, when she was 11, disappeared. No one has seen or knows what happened to her since then. Haunted by her lost sister, experiencing recurring dreams of 1921 and the circumstances of the disappearance and saddened by the state of her marriage, Elisabeth is drawn to Alfred, a substitute mail pilot who lands in Tanacross. The 49-year-old Omar and the 60-year-old Mehbooba Mufti, who had been under preventive detention since 5 August last year, were booked under the PSA on 6 February Srinagar:: Former chief minister Omar Abdullah's "considerable influence" over people, including the ability to attract voters to polling booths despite poll boycott calls and the potential for channelling energies of public for any cause, has been cited in support of his detention under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA). His political opponent and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has been accused of making anti-national statements and extending support to organisations such as the Jamaat-e-Islamia of the state, which has been banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The PSA dossier prepared by the police against the 49-year-old Omar, who had served as minister of state for external affairs as well as commerce and industries, states his ability to convince electorates to vote in huge numbers even during the peak of militancy and poll boycott calls by separatists and militants. The grounds of detention against Omar, who was chief minister of the state from 2009-14, state that on the eve of reorganisation of the state he had made attempts to provoke general masses against the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A. The grounds also mention his comments on social networking sites to instigate common people against the decisions on Articles 370 and 35-A which had the potential of disturbing public order. However, the police have neither mentioned any of Omar's social media posts in the dossier nor in the order for grounds of his detention. "To the people of Kashmir, we don't know what is in store for us.......stay safe and above all please stay calm," was the last few tweets of Omar before he was taken to Hari Nivas for preventive detention. Restrictions have been put on communication links since 5 August last year. These were subsequently eased. Internet is functional at a few places through leased lines. Mobile internet facility has been made functional but with a speed of 2G with special instructions that it would not be used to access social media sites. Omar and the 60-year-old Mehbooba Mufti had been under preventive detention since 5 August last year, when the Centre announced abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution granting a special status and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two union territories Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir. They were booked under the PSA on the night of February 6, barely a few hours before their preventive detention was to end. According to rules, preventive detention can be extended beyond six months only if an advisory board, constituted two weeks before the completion of the 180-day period, recommends for that. Mehbooba has been slapped with the PSA for her remarks which included challenging accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India in case the Article 370 was abrogated. The statements of the former chief minister, whose party PDP was an ally of the BJP till June 2018, on security forces killing militants was also made a part of the PSA dossier against her. Her support to the Jamaat-e-Islamia group of Jammu and Kashmir after it was declared as a banned organisation by the Centre under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) also figures in the dossier. Omar's father, Farooq Abdullah, who is a five-time chief minister and currently a member of Lok Sabha, was booked in September last year under the PSA, a law which was enacted by his father Sheikh Abdullah in 1978 to fight timber smugglers in the state as they would easily get away with minimal detention those days. Sheikh Abdullah brought the Act as a deterrent against timber smugglers as it provided a jail term, without a trial, for up to two years. However, this Act came in handy for the police and security forces during the early 1990s when militancy erupted in the state. After then Union home minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed enforced the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the state in 1990, authorities used the PSA to detain people. The Act was amended in 2012 and some of its stricter provisions were relaxed. After the amendment, period up to which a first-time offender or individual can be put in detention without trial was reduced from two years to three months. I laughed out loud while reading Paul Mulshines column (Trumpstock turned into a real rock festival). Trying to make a case that Wildwoods Trumpstock evoked the spirit of Woodstock was quite a stretch. Perhaps, he has a bad memory, but Mulshine missed the mark by a mile. Woodstock was about peace, love and rock-and-roll. Trumpstock the rally for President Donald Trump held on Jan. 28 was all about exploiting the environment, denying health care to the needy and evicting anyone from the country who doesnt look like the typical South Jersey guy. The greatest irony was Trump setting the mood with Woodstock-era music. Mulshine specifically mentioned Neil Youngs Hello Cowgirl in the Sand. Young recently became a U.S. citizen. His reason? He was looking forward to voting against Trump, whom he detests. The only similarity between the spirit of Woodstock and the spirit of Trumpstock was the lack of adequate trash cans and port-a-potties. Anne Carter Henoch, Cranford Shore voters hurting themselves? According to The Star-Ledger, residents of Brick and Toms River are seeking more government help to combat flooding (As beach homes flood more, residents seek help). The increased flooding is being brought about by sea level rise caused by climate change. The flooding will get worse and be exacerbated by White House policies such as the withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. With Brick and Toms River both giving President Donald Trump 65% of their votes in 2016, isnt it ironic that these areas are now feeling the consequences of their votes? Jerry Jeglinski, Woodbridge Murphys plan will help the planet Regarding Gov. unveils plan to wean from fossil fuels: With Gov. Phil Murphys precedent-setting master plan for energy, reinforced by the states new Protecting Against Climate Threats regulatory reform package, New Jersey is making significant commitments to addressing climate change. Among the PACT directives are a requirement to monitor the states progress toward greenhouse gas reduction goals and to integrate climate change comprehensively into permitting where and what can be built along the coast. As the waters continue to rise inexorably, threatening peoples lives, their homes and work, and the natural environment, kudos to Murphy for his leadership in recognizing the gravity of the need and committing to building statewide resilience. Roland Lewis, president/CEO, Waterfront Alliance, New York Propane school buses a better way to go Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed into law a measure that will authorize the use of electric-powered school buses. While this is good news for making school transportation cleaner, propane-powered school buses are the healthier, more cost-effective choice. There are more than 18,000 propane school buses on American roads transporting over 1.1 million kids to school each day. Compare this with about 200 electric school buses nationwide. In New Jersey, there are almost 100 propane school buses in operation. With a range of up to 400 miles on a single fueling, propane buses provide the distance that school systems need to get through daily routes. Electric buses are capable of 120 miles on a single charge. Plus, the cost of a propane bus is three to four times less than an electric bus. Although electric school buses dont produce direct vehicle emissions, propane school buses are as clean, if not cleaner, when you factor in the emissions from electric power plants. Katina Pearl-Blando, managing director, New Jersey Propane Gas Association, Trenton The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Kyungnam University President Jae Kyu Park speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Friday. / Korea Times photo by Kang Seung-woo By Kang Seung-woo President Moon Jae-in's "ambitious" proposal for individual tourism by South Koreans to North Korea has been drawing both positive and negative comments. Some praise it as a fresh means to engage the North and make progress in efforts to denuclearize the reclusive state, while critics claim it would breach international sanctions placed on Pyongyang. However, Kyungnam University President Jae Kyu Park, a former South Korean minister of unification, believes it could serve as a win-win solution for inter-Korean relations and North Korea-U.S. ties. During his Jan. 14 New Year press conference, President Moon floated the idea of the government allowing citizens to make individual tours to the North, including possible hometown visits by families separated by the Korean War, as part of efforts to expand cross-border exchanges that he hopes will help improve relations between Pyongyang and Washington. "President Moon presented a plan to break through the deadlock in inter-Korean relations. He is trying to get a positive response from North Korea by identifying areas in which both Koreas can interact despite the international sanctions on North Korea," Park said during an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Seoul, Friday. "President Moon's proposal for individual tourism is not an attempt to distort the international community's joint efforts to implement sanctions on North Korea; rather, his administration is proposing that improving inter-Korean relations could serve as an engine to end the deadlock in North Korea-U.S. negotiations. "I expect that the start of individual tourism will help the North Korean economy and help improve inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. relations." Park believes the proposal would be palatable to the North, given that its leader, Kim Jong-un, has stressed his country's independent development of tourism industry to attract international travelers. "Also, we need to remember that he also welcomes the idea of having tourists from South Korea," he added. The North Korean regime has remained silent on the proposal for nearly a month, raising speculation that it has rejected the effort, but Park said it will take more time before the North comes up with an official response. "I think that the fact that North Korea has yet to present an official position on this shows that the country's leaders are discussing the proposal seriously," he said. "I expect that North Korea is, just like South Korea, taking time to create its plans for the year and, particularly considering how its government operates, it will take some time for the country's leadership to reach an agreement on how to respond to the proposal. "Ultimately, I think that North Korea will respond positively to the individual tourism proposal but will present its own views on the various issues involved." In response to the individual tourism plan, there is lingering disapproval especially from Washington, highlighted by U.S. Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris who said Seoul should hold prior consultations with Washington to avoid "misunderstandings" related to sanctions. In fact, conservatives argue that the proposal, if implemented, would violate U.N. sanctions imposed over the North's nuclear and missile programs. But Park, who played an instrumental role in and was the architect of the historic first-ever inter-Korean summit in June 2000, does not buy into this. "Reportedly, some 200,000 tourists from China, Russia, Europe and other countries visited North Korea last year. Nobody said anything about international sanctions being a barrier for these tourists to enter the North," he said. "Of course, I fully understand the concerns expressed by the U.S. about the sanctions on North Korea. I believe, however, that any concerns about how tourists enter the country and the personal belongings they carry can be resolved by creating a set of guidelines, and through consultations with the U.S." Since the second summit between the North and the U.S. ended in failure in February 2019, there has been no sign of bilateral ties bouncing back. In order to revive momentum for dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington, Park said the U.S. needs to show more flexibility in its policies toward the North. "There are difficulties in moving forward with inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation while international sanctions continue to be in force against the North," he said. "The U.S. supports inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, but has placed stress on 'adjusting the speed' of the relationship between the two Koreas. This idea that the two Koreas should 'slow down' is due to the perception that inter-Korean relations are somehow subordinate to North Korea-U.S. relations. The U.S. also adheres to the strategy of 'denuclearization first' before lifting any of the sanctions. If the U.S. shows more flexibility in its policies, this would bring more life to both denuclearization talks and inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation." President Moon Jae-in, U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un head toward the Military Demarcation Line in the border village of Panmunjeom during their meeting, June. 30, 2019. / Yonhap NK-US relations The continuing deadlock in talks between the North and the U.S. is prompting speculation that Pyongyang could resume nuclear testing after it threatened to unveil a new strategic weapon in the New Year. Park expects the North Korean leader may carry out a limited-scale provocation that would not cross Washington's "red line." "I think it is more likely that Kim would demonstrate his country's military might by conducting on-the-spot visits to rocket engine test sites, rather than ordering a launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)," he said. Park added that the North could publicize a new ICBM in the likely-to-be-held military parade in October at the 75th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers' Party, or it may also try something like a satellite launch closer to the day of the U.S. presidential election in November in order to draw attention to itself. However, despite the North's desire for progress in its negotiations with the U.S., the nuclear issue is likely to be pushed to the backburner due to the election. "Past experience tells us that U.S. presidential elections have rarely placed importance on issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea. I think that President Trump will not want North Korea to become a negative issue during the presidential campaign season," he said. "Trump will prefer to maintain the status quo if he can continue to promote the fact that he has prevented North Korea from conducting any further nuclear tests or an ICBM test launch." Park added that during his campaign, Trump is likely to put more weight on issues that loom larger in U.S. interests, such as the Middle East, Iran, and U.S.-China relations. Korea-Japan ties Bilateral relations between South Korea and Japan have made little progress despite a summit between President Moon and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last December to mend ties that has been worsened by Tokyo imposing export controls in July last year on certain goods shipped to Korea. Park advised the Korean government not to seek immediate progress "on the details" in its ties with the Abe administration although the summit was significant. "The conditions were not right to achieve those political and diplomatic solutions due to Japan's domestic politics this year and changes in state affairs," he said. According to the former minister, Japan will be focusing on the Tokyo Olympics until August, and, after that, the country will undergo a political reorganization focused on finding Abe's successor. "We need to avoid getting caught up in the details and focus our efforts on creating a future-oriented bilateral relationship that can be flexible toward changes within the international environment," Park said. "Time is needed to bring about progress on the details. We must bring back trust in the relationship by acknowledging our differences while heading in the same direction." President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a meeting in Chengdu, China, Dec. 24, 2019, which was their first official meeting in 15 months. / Yonhap Christians aren't biblically required to tithe 10% of their income, pastors say Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment When it comes to tithing, Christians arent biblically required to give 10 percent of their income to the church, as Jesus cares more about an attitude of generosity than a particular number, two pastors have said. In a recent video posted on the Gospel Coalition website, Jonathan Leeman and John Onwuchekwa discussed what the Bible says about tithing and what it means for Christians. Leeman, author and elder at Cheverly Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., said that tithing a word meaning tenth was required of Old Testament Israel in a certain way. I don't think we are required to give a 10th of our income in the same way Old Testament Israel did, Leeman said. We're not under the mosaic covenant law in the same way. In fact, they had more than just the tithe. They had a number of things that were required of them. But no, I don't think it applies to us directly. So observation one, not a particular percentage. Leeman added that believers arent compelled to tithe, citing 2nd Corinthians 9:7, which reads: Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. I would say Christians are called to give cheerfully, generously, and according to their means, he said. So on the one hand, no, I don't think we can give Christians a particular percentage, but I think, one, according to your means, two, generously, three cheerfully. The pastor encouraged listeners to prioritize their church, adding: I think that whatever percentage I have as a Christian, the first of it should go to my church. Onwuchekwa, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta, Georgia, agreed that Scripture outlines that tithing and giving to ones church is for the support of the pastor, the relief of the poor, for the advancement of Gospel works. The Christian's life is really centered in the church, he said. So it does make sense that as we give, I do think that the church is that home base, that primary place that we give to. Onwuchekwa added that Jesus, when it came to tithing, celebrated a widow who gave it all and then told a rich man to give it all. According to the pastor, tithing isnt necessarily referring to a particular percentage, but rather, an attitude of generosity. Christ, He's saying, Give me it all, he said. But He is talking about an attitude where we just know that it's all His. I think when we know that and have a vision for what He did for us, then I do think that when we do talk about trying to give according to our means, we create a generous group of people and not folks who just kind of grin and bear it and give under compulsion. Although the subject of tithing is addressed in the Bible, only 39 percent of pastors say they or other leaders speak from the pulpit about tithing or giving to the church at least once a month, according to a 2017 study from the Barna Research Group. According to statistics, only around 10 percent to 12 percent of all Christians actually tithe or give one-tenth of their income to the church. Previously, Dave Ramsey, CEO of Ramsey Solutions and author of Financial Peace University, revealed he regularly tells pastors to stop stressing the importance of tithing to congregants who aren't good stewards of their money. "Unless," he clarified, "you've done two sermons on ... debt one on getting out of debt and one on getting on a budget." "That's the ratio for me instead of just tithe, tithe, tithe," he said. But when pastors fail to address debt and setting a budget, he said, the reaction to a sermon about tithing is often "yeah right, I've got a light bill. That's a great spiritual concept. Maybe someday I'll get around to that.'" Getting out of debt leads to giving, the financial expert said, "Because if you're out of debt and on a budget and you love Jesus, I think tithing is a natural thing that occurs." In an op-ed for The Christian Post, Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries, encouraged believers to tithe regardless of their financial situation: "Remember that giving is not a tax or a legal requirement to please God, but a voluntary act of worship. It is a tangible way to express our love to God," he explained. "Give, even if you can only afford $1. As you give, ask God to multiply it for His Kingdom." "At the same time, I recommend that you begin to save so you can establish an emergency savings account," he added. "It is important to give first, then save next, even if it is a very small amount in each category! By working on these goals simultaneously, you will begin to make important changes in the way you manage your income." "When the offering plate comes your way, thank God for all He's given you and that your heart's desire is to give more to Him," Bentley said. "Don't worry that your gift is small. It's between you and God!' Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Students in Zelda Sanchez and Bart Rameys second-grade classes at Atalaya Elementary School were asked to close their eyes and then raise their hands when the soundwaves emitting from a metal singing bowl had settled and there was nothing left to hear. It is one of several exercises students may partake in a few times a day as a result of a teacher-led effort to integrate the practice of mindfulness at the school. Were not trying to make it a religious practice or trying to make them into Zen masters, Katherine Diaz, principal at Atalaya, said of the students, mostly in kindergarten and second grade, who practice mindfulness in the classroom. For us in the school, mindfulness is the act of noticing. Its how you react inside and out. How youre acting and noticing the people around you. For the kiddos, she continued, its noticing when theyre stressed and how they react to it. Sometimes its having them take deep breaths and re-center themselves. Another tool in the toolbox Diaz said teachers at the school first started implementing mindfulness at Atalaya about three years ago after attending a daylong training session at the Mountain Cloud Zen Center in the foothills of southeast Santa Fe. They learned how mindfulness can be another tool they put in their teaching toolbox. When they returned to school, they came up with ways mindfulness could be integrated at Atalaya, including creating a mindfulness room where teachers take a break to reset themselves, just as their students are taught to do. Once we developed it, I thought, oh, weve got to bring this to the kids, said Diaz. And the kids say it works. It helps you to calm down, one girl called out when a room full of second-graders were asked how practicing mindfulness helps them. It helps me to focus, another girl said. My opinion is that it allows you to relax, a thoughtful boy added. Over in Cheryl Farrars kindergarten class, students practice mindfulness, too. When were out of control, Miss Farrar tells us to take anchor breaths, one girl said of the practice of taking several deep breaths to calm yourself down. Another young student said she now practices mindfulness at home. You can do it when youre mad or sad, she said. When I get in fights with my sister, Im like, I dont want to argue. The kindergartners demonstrated others ways they practice mindfulness as a group. One they call pulling the boat. They sit on the floor with their legs outstretched and touch their left foot with their right hand, and right foot with their left hand, while repeating out loud, I am steady, I am strong, I can do most anything. Another exercise in mindfulness they practice is mindful eating. Too often, we gulp down the food that feeds us without a thought, Diaz says. Mindful eating is taking it slow, and focusing on how your bowl of macaroni and cheese tastes and what the texture is like. Like listening to the tone from a singing bowl dissipate into nothingness, mindful eating is a form of sensory mindfulness, as is feeling grains of sand shift through your fingers. A calming influence Not every school in Santa Fe Public Schools integrates mindfulness into their school day. District officials say it is most present at Atalaya and across town at Kearny Elementary. In the school setting, more and more it has become an acknowledged tool to address the emotional needs of students, said Stephanie Hubley, principal at Kearny, who received mindfulness training in college while studying to be a teacher. For faculty, it gives them the opportunity to recharge and take a quiet moment to get centered. For students, its a way on friendly terms to help students calm themselves. Hubley said there are no religious aspects attached to the practice. She said students are invited to take deep breaths and center themselves when a mindfulness moment lasting about 30 seconds is taken during morning announcements. Interested in implementing mindfulness at Kearny, Hubley formed a small task force of teachers to consider how that could be done. A handful attended training at the Mountain Cloud Zen Center put on by the Rio Grande Mindfulness Institute. One of the things that came from it was setting up what they call a reflection room for teachers. Its kind of a safe place you can go where you know youre not going to be interrupted, said Jennifer Ortiz, who was a member of the mindfulness team that attended the retreat to the Zen center. The reflection room has yoga mats and cushions on which teachers can stretch out. Theres a puzzle in progress if they want to distract themselves, stress balls they can squeeze and foot massage balls for some sensory stimulation, among other items. When they introduced some of what they had in mind to implement mindfulness at Kearny, Ortiz said some staff members were skeptical. We had some staff members come and say, Whats the deal here? I told them, I hear you, because I was skeptical, too, Ortiz said. But once they tried it, I think they realized that maybe this isnt for them on a daily basis, but there are some aspects of this they could use. Teacher Sophie Hegmann was not among the skeptics. She has practiced mindfulness all her life. Her parents introduced her to it, and she experienced something comparable to it while attending a Catholic school as a girl. They used prayer in a similar way, she said of her Catholic upbringing. Hegmann uses the schools reflection room for 10 to 15 minutes of yoga or meditation. It resets my day. I come back in a completely different mood, she said. Anna Hagele, who teaches students in fourth through sixth grade at Kearny, is one of the teachers who underwent training provided by the institute. It wasnt her first exposure to it. She says she heard about mindfulness in college about 20 years ago in the context of a philosophy class she was taking. It implanted in me the idea of being present, said Hagele, who has made mindfulness a daily practice since then. Its about allowing thoughts and feelings to come as they may and not dwell on them A lot of times we make mountains out of molehills. Hageles 9-year-old daughter, Clare, attends the school and practices mindfulness before taking tests. It makes me feel focused, so youre ready for the test and the only thing you think about is doing the test, she said. Taking care of teachers The Rio Grande Mindfulness Institute has been providing mindfulness training to New Mexico teachers for about four years. In that time, theyve provided instruction on mindfulness to about 800 teachers at 140 schools. The institute defines mindfulness as deliberately paying attention to the present moment. And one of the institutes tenets is that, for teachers to be present for their students, they must first learn to be present for themselves. The purpose of the training is to help caregivers like teachers become better at managing their emotions, and their stresses and their difficulties in their very complicated profession so the young people they serve can thrive, said John Braman, who, along with Henry Shukman at Mountain Cloud Zen Center, conducts the training. In addition to the daylong retreats at the Zen center, theyll conduct training at individual school sites or for teachers, staff and counselors throughout a school district. Taking care of teachers is our primary focus and also one of the most important, he said. We firmly believe in the power of the emotionally regulated, calm teacher in the learning process. Braman says teachers face all kinds of stresses that can lead to low morale. Excessive workloads, class sizes, lack of resources, testing and the teacher evaluation process all add to the stress. Stress management comes up in a lot of conversations, but theres another part that has to do with a sense of well-being and happiness. So its not just about the negative emotions teachers experience, but supporting the positive, he said. The Kearny teachers say theyve seen positive results from students who practice mindfulness. Hagele said some of her students are autistic and she can see it making a difference with them. I like introducing it to students. Students need that help self-regulating, she said. Ortiz, her colleague at Kearny, tells a story about how one day last year, she was with a group of about 60 students participating in a National Dance Institute program. Full of energy and exposed to a lot of sensory stimulation, the kids were getting a little too rambunctious. Thats when teachers stepped in and called for the kids to take a moment to practice mindfulness. It really helped, she said, adding the atmosphere inside the gym completely changed for the better. It reset them. It really worked. In all, about 61.46 per cent voters made up to the 13,751 polling stations before the 10-hour voting came to an end at 6 pm. People wait in queues to cast their votes at Shaheen Public School polling station in the Shaheen Bagh area during the Assembly elections in New Delhi on Saturday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Saturdays polling saw only 14.75 per cent of the 1.47 crore voters turning up in the first three hours to exercise their francise for the 70-member Assembly in Delhi. The voter turnout finally improved after 2 pm when people queued up in large numbers to exercise their franchise. In all, about 61.46 per cent voters made up to the 13,751 polling stations before the 10-hour voting came to an end at 6 pm. The voting percentage was 57.04 till 6 pm deadline, and rose to 61.46 per cent as those in queues at polling stations were allowed to vote. Long queues were seen outside polling stations in areas like Jafrabad, Jamia Nagar, Turkman Gate and Shaheen Bagh which have been witnessing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). A majority of the Muslim dominated constituencies recorded the highest voter turnout. North-east Delhis Mustafabad recorded about 67 per cent voter turnout and Matia Mahal in the Walled City that saw anti-CAA protests had a voter turnout of about 66 per cent. In the 11 districts in the national capital, northeast recorded 65.24 per cent turn out, northwest (62.23 per cent), south (59.65 per cent), central (58.57 per cent), southwest 61.57 (per cent), east (61.29 per cent), west (61.79 per cent), north (57.19 per cent), New Delhi (56.10 per cent), Shahadra (62.96 per cent) and southeast (54.89 per cent). As the voting was in progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to turn out in large numbers to exercise their franchise and create a new voting record. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who provided free rides to women in DTC buses, made a special appeal to women to come out in large numbers and vote in the Assembly poll. He tweeted: Definitely go and vote. A special appeal to all women, just as you take up the responsibility of the home, the responsibility of the nation and Delhi is with you. All of you women must go to vote and take the men in your families along with you. Discuss with men who is right to vote for. Womens turnout could be the make-or-break factor in deciding which party wins these elections. In the 2015 polls, in the top 20 constituencies with the highest turnout of women, the AAP won much more decisively than in the constituencies which had the lowest turnout of women. A large number of Pashtuns living in France and Europe gathered outside the Pakistan embassy in Paris on Saturday to protest against the abduction of Manzoor Pashteen, a human rights activist and founder of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). They chanted slogans of freedom and blamed the Pakistani military establishment for creating terrorism in the Pashtun dominated areas of Pakistan. Manzoor Pashteen was taken into custody in Peshawar along with nine others of his group on January 26. Pashteen is known for criticising the country's powerful military for alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The illegal arrest of Pashteen has drawn tens of thousands to rally across cities around Pakistan and worldwide, accusing the government and army of human rights abuses. A Pakistani court on Saturday granted bail to Pashteen in two cases of sedition, while his bail applications in two other cases of sedition are still pending before the court, a Pakistani media report said, citing Pashteen's lawyers and PTM leaders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 2 US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Attack Identified KABUL, AfghanistanTwo U.S. soldiers were killed and six wounded in a so-called insider attack in eastern Afghanistans Nangarhar province late Saturday when an Afghan dressed in an Afghan army uniform opened fire, the U.S. military said. Afghanistans defense ministry said one Afghan soldier was also killed and three injured in the assault. A member of Nangarhars provincial council, Ajmal Omer, told The Associated Press that the gunman was killed. Neither the U.S. military nor the Afghan defense ministry have confirmed the attackers fate. The U.S. Department of Defense released later in the day the names of the dead American soldiers. They are Sgt. 1st Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Both men were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The military has said the incident was under investigation and wounded service members in the attack were receiving medical treatment at a U.S. facility. There have been numerous attacks by Afghan national army soldiers on their allied partners during 18 years of Americas protracted war in Afghanistan. Six U.S. service members have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of 2020, including Saturdays casualties. Last year, 22 U.S. service personnel died in combat there. An Afghan defense ministry official, who was not identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the shooter was an Afghan soldier who had argued with the U.S. forces before opening fire. He was not a Taliban infiltrator, the official said. In a statement, the U.S. military said an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time. Omer, the provincial council member, is from Nangarhar provinces Sherzad district, where he said the incident took place. The U.S. military said American and Afghan military personnel were fired on while conducting an operation in Nangarhar province. Last July, two U.S. service members were killed by an Afghan soldier in the southern Kandahar province. The shooter was wounded and arrested. In September, three U.S. military personnel were wounded when a member of the Afghan Civil Order Police fired on a military convoy, also in Kandahar. The incident came as Washington has sought to find an end to the war in Afghanistan. Washingtons peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been meeting with Taliban representatives in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar in recent weeks. Hes seeking an agreement to reduce hostilities to get a peace deal signed that would start negotiations among Afghans on both sides of the conflict. U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad (L), shakes hands with Afghanistans Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul, Afghanistan on Sept. 2, 2019. (Afghan Chief Executive office/Handout via Reuters) In his State of the Union Address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump referenced the peace talks, saying U.S. soldiers were not meant to serve as law enforcement agencies for other nations. In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our war fighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress, and peace talks are now underway, he said. Vice President Mike Pence (L) watches as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) reacts after reaching out to shake hands with President Donald Trump as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Feb. 4, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) By Rahim Faiez and Kathy Gannon The CNN Wire contributed to this report The Californian godfathers of punk-rock released Straight Ahead back in 1999, when Y2K believers feared the new millennium was fated to bring the end of the world. Thankfully, the apocalypse never came and we lived to see the anniversary show of this seminal album, two decades on. Heavy metal has the Big Four: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax; emo has the Holy Trinity of Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco and My Chemical Romance; but if there were a punk-rock equivalent, Pennywise would have to be up there. "Twenty f---ing years later, we're still here," guitarist Fletcher Dragge cheered to a roaring crowd of mostly 40-plus-year-old blokes, whose receding hairlines could explain the lack of mohawks. Loading Thankfully, the sound quality improved somewhat from an almost inaudible set by punk powerhouse Strung Out (who I've seen at least five times previously without issue). Despite the diminished punk aesthetic, the ageing fans still raised their middle fingers and chanted empathetically to the punk anthem I Don't Care. The smell of pot filled the air as frontman Jim Lindberg belted the words "I don't give a damn, if you got a problem with who I am." It's amusing to think of this seemingly anarchic bunch having to take orders from a boss the next morning, or to contend with demanding kids when they got home, but in the moment, none of that mattered. He lived in eleven different refugee camps throughout West Africa before finally arriving the U.S. through a refugee settlement program. Author Eric Williese Wowoh recounts his journey from war-ridden Liberia to the United States in Return of a Refugee ($17.49, paperback, 9781498485517; $32.99, dust jacket, 9781498485524; $8.99, e-book, 9781498485531). One day, while on a fishing trip with his friends, 12-year-old Eric Wowoh was captured by rebels. He managed to escape, and ended up a refugee. He lived in eleven different refugee camps throughout West Africa before finally arriving the U.S. through a refugee settlement program. With no I.D., home, money, or family, he got right to work. With the help of many others, he founded Change Agent Network, and now brings change to the world through education, his beloved home of Liberia included. Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. Return of a Refugee is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com. A Marathi actress filed a complaint against three people for allegedly touching her inappropriately, confining and threatening her at an event in Pune's Ranjangaon, police said on Friday. The case was filed in Saki Naka police station in the metropolis, where the actor stays, on Thursday and was then transferred to Pune police, an official said. "The complainant has said that she had attended an event in Ranjangaon in Pune. She was inappropriately touched by an unidentified person and she left the event after her complaint to the organizers about the incident was not taken seriously," he said. However, the actor's car was stopped when she was leaving and one person made a threatening call to her mother who is a heart patient, the official said quoting the complaint. "She returned to Mumbai and filed a case on Thursday. We have transferred the case to Pune as the offense happened under their jurisdiction," he added. A case has been registered against three persons under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. ALSO READ: Home Television News Arhaan Khans Rumoured Ex-Girlfriend Amrita Dhanoa Arrested In A Sex Racket Case ALSO READ: Neha Pendse Hits Back At Trolls Targeting Her Husband For Being A Divorcee Beijing: Lao Mao - known to his friends as Old Cat - has emerged as an unlikely hero of the public health emergency in Wuhan, the Chinese city that is the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. The 43-year-old has braved rusty pipes and broken windows to gain access to people's homes, all in a good cause. Lao Mao and his six-strong animal rescue squad have saved at least 2000 household pets from starvation after their quarantined owners were unable to return to them. A cat in a Wuhan home after being saved by volunteers, who left food and water that can last a month. Credit:Wuhan Pet Life Online Lao Mao, a vet who runs the online pet community Wuhan Pet Life and whose real name is Shuai Lihua, believes some 20,000 animals were left at home without care when a tight quarantine was suddenly imposed on the city of 11 million on January 23. Many owners, who had already travelled outside Wuhan for the Lunar New Year, were caught on the back foot with no way to return to care for their animals because of extensive travel curbs. The Anti Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Mumbai Police on Sunday arrested a former aide of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim for allegedly extorting a city-based businessman, police said. Tarik Parveen was arrested from Dongri in south Mumbai, they added. "We arrested Parveen today after a case of extortion was registered against him at the MRA Marg Police Station. A businessman had lodged a complaint of extortion," Joint Commissioner of Police Santosh Rastogi said. In the FIR, police have also made former aide of Dawood Ibrahim, Ejaz Lakdawala and Salim Furniturewala alias Salim Maharaj as the accused, he added. "Lakdawala and Furniturewala are already in our custody," he said. Lakdawala (50), who was wanted in 25 cases in Mumbai, was arrested from Patna in Bihar on January 8. A Byculla-based builder had complained to the police last year that Lakdawala was seeking extortion money from him, police said. During Lakdawala's interrogation, Furniturewala's involvement in the extortion racket came to light. It was found that Furniturewala was helping Lakdawala in running the racket he was operating from overseas, police said. Furniturewala was arrested late last month from Mumbai, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Natural News) Today is Feb. 9th, and its now 15 days after the communist Chinese government first enacted a quarantine in Wuhan to halt the spread of the coronavirus. If that quarantine is working, we should see no new infections out of China from this day forward. Over the last two weeks, coronavirus infections have been growing exponentially, now achieving an alarming, exponential growth rate approaching 20% per day (a rate which cannot be sustained, so we should expect it to fall no matter what). All this time, weve been told by the mainstream media that the worlds health authorities have it all under control and that theres zero risk of the virus breaking containment and replicating out of control. Starting today, there will be mathematical proof of either the validity or fault of such claims. If coronavirus infections continue to climb from today forward, then the virus has broken out of the Wuhan quarantine and is replicating beyond that original theater. However, if the number of infections halts today, showing no increases in the days ahead, then the world can rest easy that the outbreak has been contained and is truly under control. Right now, the official number of coronavirus infections is 37,580 with 813 deaths. New numbers are expected in a few hours. If the new numbers are higher, then it means the virus is continuing to spread. Five Britons infected at ski resort in France, by an individual who has nothing to do with China or Wuhan The big news from this weekend is that five British nationals were infected with the coronavirus while touring a ski resort in France. They shared a chalet with a British man who had visited Singapore from Jan. 20 to Jan. 23, according to media reports. That man got infected in Singapore, then flew to France, staying in a chalet in Contamines-Montjoie, where he inadvertently exposed others to the virus. Now, five people are infected, and tourist destinations appear to be where the virus is spreading the fastest (cruise ships, ski resorts, airplanes, etc.). The cruise ship docked near Japan now reports at least 64 infected people, and its being reported from Liberty Times Net in Taiwan that 100 people on board have symptoms such as fever. (See Japan news source from The Sankei News site.) The reason for this is simple: The air on cruise ships is recirculated across all passengers rooms. They are sharing the same air, and since the coronavirus is airborne, sooner or later everyone on the ship is going to be exposed to the virus. The cruise ship operators, the media and health authorities all appear to be utterly oblivious to this rather obvious fact. Thus, cruise ships are the super spreaders of this virus. Yet the entire U.S. media continues to tell people everythings under control, so people are departing on cruises right now, oblivious to the fact that they are boarding floating quarantine prison camps which may actually become their tombs. The media cover-up and Big Tech censorship is only making the pandemic spread faster Thats the complicity of the lying left-wing media and how its helping spread the virus. By refusing to tell the public the truth about this pandemic and how its spreading through cruise ships, gymnasium and ski resorts, the media is actually helping the virus spread and kill more people. The tech giants are part of the conspiracy, too, as YouTube is now completely banning entire channels when any video on that channel covers the coronavirus pandemic. Its a total Big Tech blackout and a coordinated media blackout, all to protect communist China from losing face over this global catastrophe that they caused by developing deadly bioweapons in BSL-4 labs that have insufficient containment protocols. Its like Big Tech and Big Media are literally rooting for the virus. Then again, they probably are, considering that they all think human depopulation is a wonderful idea, which is why they also push infanticide (abortion), euthanasia and vaccines that cause infertility. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2020) Sudan, like other countries on the African continent, is interested in enhancing military cooperation with Russia, Vladimir Zheltov, the Russian ambassador to Sudan, told Sputnik on Sunday. "This [military cooperation with Russia] goes in line with the interests of the Africans themselves. Sudan is no exception here, and this was confirmed during a meeting of the leaders of the two countries on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit held in Sochi in October last year," Zheltov said. In addition, the diplomat spoke about the construction of the floating nuclear power plant (NPP) in Sudan, specifying that the project was only at the starting point. "I acknowledge that the project with a floating power unit for Sudan is only at the very initial stage of coordination. Many different issues have to be worked out in this project technical and legal aspects, as well as the financial one ... Nonetheless, the Sudanese side keeps being interested in this project," Zheltov stated. In 2017, Moscow and Khartoum signed an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, as well as a deal on constructing NPP in Sudan. The ambassador also spoke about the situation in Libya and the Russian-Sudanese mutual interests in the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the north African country. "It is well-known that Russia is making the most critical efforts by using, among other things, its political weight and influence on the [warring] sides in Libya. As for our Sudanese partners, their capabilities here are obviously smaller, although they - taking into account the lengthy turbulent border with Libya - are interested in establishing peace and stability in a neighboring country. Accordingly, we have common interests with the Sudanese in this [peace and stability in Libya]," the diplomat said. Zheltov also added that Moscow and Khartoum were actively cooperating in many different areas, including during meetings of the Russian-Sudanese working committee. Three Lebanese soldiers were killed and two others wounded Sunday in the northeast region of Hermel while pursuing a stolen vehicle, the army said, raising a previous toll. They had been giving chase when they were "ambushed and came under fire," it said. In an initial statement it said two soldiers had been shot dead, but later reported that a third had succumbed to his wounds. It said one gunman was also killed and the driver of the vehicle was arrested, without giving further details. It was a rare attack on the Lebanese army and the circumstances around it remain unclear. Hermel region is close to the border with Syria. Lebanon's prime minister Hassan Diab condemned the ambush, saying an attack on the army is an attack on all Lebanese. "What is required at this moment is to speed up the arrest of the attackers," he said, without identifying those responsible, in a statement carried by state-run National agency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) According to the report, Momen made the comments days after Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said that around 171 Bangladeshis would be flown out of coronavirus-affected Wuhan upon clearance from Chinese authorities. Dhaka: Bangladesh has scrapped plans to bring back its 171 nationals stuck in coronavirus-hit China after it failed to arrange a flight following refusal from crew members to fly to the affected country, according to media reports on Sunday. State-run Biman Airlines' Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft on 1 February brought back 312 Bangladeshis, including 12 children and three infants in the wake of the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China, that has claimed 811 lives and infected over 37,000 others. "We can't send any flight. No crew member agrees to go there either. So, we've told them (stranded Bangladeshis) to wait," Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com. The government has said that the number of Bangladeshis who wanted to return but could not be brought back is 171. Momen also denied reports that some of the stuck Bangladeshi nationals have complained of shortage of food and drinking water due to the lockdown, saying that the Chinese authorities were providing food and water to the 23 places where the Bangladeshis stay. He said that the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing was maintaining regular contact with the stranded Bangladeshis. According to a report in the Dhaka Tribune, the minister said that the government has spent a lot of time for those intending to return. "However, it is still not possible (to bring them back). The Biman crew members who brought back some 312 Bangladeshis from China are now in effect barred from flying to other countries," he said. He said that only a Chinese chartered flight could bring the Bangladeshi nationals back, the report said. "Earlier, Chinese authorities agreed to do so but, later declined. We are not able to send any flights there," he said. According to the report, Momen made the comments days after Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said that around 171 Bangladeshis would be flown out of Wuhan upon clearance from Chinese authorities. The deadly virus emerged in early December and has been traced to a market in Wuhan that sold wild animals. The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak a global emergency. A Jamaican father who came to the UK as a child is 'terrified' about his imminent deportation which will wrench him apart from his wife and six-month-old daughter. Reshawn Davis, 30, who was convicted of robbery a decade ago, will be flown back to the Caribbean island nation on Tuesday as part of a government drive to expel foreign offenders. The man, until recently living in northwest London, has not committed any crime since serving his two-month prison sentence, but says he has been treated as if he 'tried to kill the Queen'. He is one of 50 immigrants due to be deported on the Home Office-charted flight to Jamaica - a country which Mr Davis has not been to since he uprooted age 11. Reshawn Davis, 30, who came to the UK as a child is 'terrified' about his imminent deportation which will wrench him apart from his wife and six-month-old daughter Although he is petrified for his own safety, Ms Kerr and his daughter are at the forefront of Mr Davis's concerns as he awaits deportation A report into last year's Windrush scandal which leaked this week recommended only foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes should be expelled (Empire Windrush pictured in 1954) Speaking of his fret from Colnbrook removal centre in Middlesex, Mr Davis told the Independent: 'I'm terrified to go to Jamaica. My cousin was deported and he has now died. 'People will be hostile to me because I've been deported. I'm going to be targeted.' Mr Davis's wife, Tonique Kerr, 27, said her husband's deportation will force her to depend on benefits, as she will not be able to continue working as a complaints handler at an energy company in order to care for her newborn. In an emotional plea for her family to remain welded together, Ms Kerr, who 'never imagined being a single mum', said: 'A child needs their dad. I don't know what's going to happen now.' Although he is petrified for his own safety, Ms Kerr and his daughter are at the forefront of Mr Davis's concerns as he awaits deportation. Since his child's birth, the loving father said he has not spent a night away and is longing to be reunited with his family. He said: 'I still reach for her when I wake up. I'm not one of those to leave my wife to do it by herself. I want to be there for them both.' Despite claiming deep affection for his family - and Ms Kerr hailing him as a 'great Dad' - Mr Davis's appeal was thrown out on Friday on the basis he did not have a 'genuine and subsisting' relationship Yet despite claiming deep affection for his family - and Ms Kerr hailing him a 'great Dad' - Mr Davis's appeal was thrown out on Friday on the basis he did not have a 'genuine and subsisting' relationship. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The planned charter flight to Jamaica is specifically for removing foreign criminals. 'Those detained for removal include people convicted of manslaughter, rape, violent crime and dealing class A drugs.' Justice Secretary Robert Buckland was confronted over mounting public upset over the Jamaican deportation. Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show this morning, he defended the government and said: 'We've always said there is a distinction to be drawn between people who have made their lives here and people who commit offences. Justice Secretary Robert Buckland was confronted over mounting public upset over the Jamaican deportation (on the Andrew Marr show today) 'The removal of foreign national offenders is something I think the public support.' He added: 'I think what we are doing is proportionate and measured It's not about discriminating between a particular group. 'What we are looking at is a cohort of foreign national offenders. Whatever their ethnicity and background, we have to take action. The British public would expect no less.' A report into last year's Windrush scandal which leaked this week recommended only foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes should be expelled. Last year 5,322 foreign born offenders were deported from the UK and returned to the country of their birth after committing crimes in Britain. Some 3,633 were from the EU and 1,689 were from the rest of the world. SHANGHAIA U.S. citizen died from the coronavirus in Wuhan, China, American officials said on Saturday. It was the first known American death from the illness, and was likely to add to diplomatic friction over Beijings response to the epidemic. The death is also certain to raise questions over whether the Trump administration and the State Department in particular have taken sufficient action to ensure the safety of Americans in China and to aid in the evacuation of those who want to leave. In a statement, the State Department took a defensive tone, saying that since Jan. 29, it had evacuated around 850 people, most of them Americans, on five charter flights out of Wuhan. The agency said it had no higher priority than the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad, but there are no current plans to conduct additional evacuation flights, even as some Americans in other parts of China have been asking for the U.S. government to evacuate them. Relations between Washington and Beijing have been tense for years over issues including trade, technology and human rights. While Chinese officials have touted the importance of international co-operation to combat the virus, doubts have arisen in recent days about Chinas willingness to accept a helping hand particularly from the United States. Although some Trump administration officials have privately expressed skepticism over Chinas handling of the outbreak, President Donald Trump himself lavished praise on Chinese leaders Friday. Trump told reporters in Washington that he had spoken with President Xi Jinping of China on the telephone late Thursday. Theyre working really hard, and I think theyre doing a very professional job, he said. Trump has said often that he likes and admires Xi, and he has toned down his attacks on China since the two sides signed an agreement last month to halt a damaging trade war that Trump started in 2018. Few details about the American, who died on Thursday, were immediately available. According to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the person was 60 years old and died at Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, the inland metropolis at the center of the epidemic. Two people familiar with the matter said the person was a woman and had underlying health conditions. It was not clear whether the woman had tried to leave the city on any of the flights organized by the State Department, which have evacuated diplomats and other American citizens from Wuhan, Beijing and other parts of China. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said. Out of respect for the familys privacy, we have no further comment. Word of the death spread as frustrations over Beijings handling of the epidemic mounted within China and surfaced at the diplomatic level as well. The virus has killed at least 700 people in China, sickened thousands more and spread across the globe. For more than a month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been offering to send a team of experts to China to observe the outbreak and help if possible. But no invitation has come. The World Health Organization, which made a similar offer about two weeks ago, appeared to have faced the same cold shoulder. But the agency said Saturday that it had identified a team of experts to go to China and that the teams leader would go Monday or Tuesday, with the rest of the team following later. Current and former health officials and diplomats said they believed the reluctance came from Chinas top leaders, who do not want the world to think they need outside help. Within China, public discontent about the governments response to the crisis reached an extraordinary peak on Friday after the death of Dr. Li Wenliang, who had warned his colleagues early on about the new virus but was reprimanded for illegally spreading rumours. After Lis death, grieving internet users posted messages expressing anger over his treatment and demanding freedom of speech unheard-of in Chinas authoritarian political system. Communist Party officials said Friday that they would send a team from the powerful anti-corruption committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lis death. Chinese state news media reported Saturday that the government was also sending two senior officials to Wuhan to reinforce efforts to bring the outbreak under control. It was not immediately clear if the appointments on Saturday amounted to a reshuffling of the local leadership or were simply an effort to reinforce officials on the front line. Still, it appeared to be an acknowledgment that authorities in Wuhan had been overwhelmed. Japan said Saturday that one of its citizens had died in a Wuhan hospital from a suspected case of the coronavirus. But the Japanese Foreign Ministry said that based on information it received from Chinese authorities, it could not confirm whether the man, who was in his 60s, had been infected with the new virus. The ministry called the cause of death viral pneumonia. Chinas Foreign Ministry said this past week that as of noon on Thursday, 19 foreign nationals in the country had been confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus. Two of them had recovered and were discharged from the hospital. The other 17 were still receiving treatment. As the virus spreads, China is confronting a growing sense of isolation a stark reversal for the country after decades of economic and diplomatic integration with the rest of the world. Many countries, including the United States, have placed entry restrictions on travelers from China. Airlines have canceled flights. Fears of the virus have fueled anti-Chinese racism in some parts of the world. Chinese officials have criticized the United States both for evacuating Americans from China and for imposing travel curbs, saying that such moves could spread panic. On Friday, Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared to be trying to ease tensions. Pompeo said the United States was prepared to spend up to $100 million to help China and other countries fight the epidemic. Pompeo also said the State Department had helped transport about 18 tons of donated medical supplies, including masks, gowns and gauze, to China in the past week. Trump praised Chinas handling of the crisis on a phone call with Xi on Friday. And in a pair of Twitter posts, Trump said Xi was leading what will be a very successful operation. He is strong, sharp and powerfully focused on leading the counterattack on the Coronavirus, Trump wrote. But other American officials have quietly voiced concerns about Chinas response to the epidemic. The confirmation on Friday that repeated offers of help to China had been ignored only deepened the sense of worry. Alex Azar, the U.S. secretary of health and human services, said at a news briefing on Friday that he had recently reiterated the CDC offer to his Chinese counterpart, Dr. Ma Xiaowei. Asked about the holdup, Azar said: Its up to the Chinese. We continue to expect fully that President Xi will accept our offer. Were ready and willing and able to go. In its statement on the death of the American in Wuhan, the State Department said American citizens should heed its Feb. 2 advisory not to travel to China. We are working around the clock to inform U.S. travelers of the risks related to the novel coronavirus, to assist Americans in need, and to combat the spread of this outbreak, it said. To demonstrate that its evacuation flights appeared to have met immediate needs of Americans in Wuhan, the agency said its last charter flight, on Thursday, had extra seats after accommodating all Americans on the manifest, so officials were able to offer seats to more than 30 Canadians. Read more about: Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao, on behalf of the Catholic community in the state, released a strongly-worded statement on Saturday appealing to the Centre to "immediately and unconditionally revoke the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and desist from implementing the Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Population Register". In the statement, the Goa Archbishop stated "The very fact that CAA uses religion, goes against secular fabric of the country. It goes against the spirit and heritage of our land which, since times immemorial, has been a welcoming home to all, founded on the belief that whole world is one big family." "The CAA, the NRC and the NPR are divisive and discriminatory and will certainly have a negative and damaging effect on a multi- cultural democracy like ours," the document read. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a letter to Xi, Modi expressed solidarity with the president and people of China over the coronavirus outbreak, official sources said New Delhi: As China reels under deadly coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping India's readiness to provide assistance to the country to deal with the situation. In a letter to Xi, Modi expressed solidarity with the president and people of China over the outbreak of the virus, official sources said. A total of 811 people have died of the coronavirus infection in China so far while the number of confirmed cases has gone up to 37,198, according to latest data released by Chinese authorities. Though the epicentre of the outbreak was Hubei province, the virus has spread to almost every province in China as well as around 25 countries in the world, forcing the World Health Organization to declare it a global emergency. In the letter to Xi, Modi offered India's assistance to China to deal with the challenge and also conveyed condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak, the sources said. The prime minister also conveyed to Xi his appreciation for facilitating evacuation of around 650 Indian citizens from the Hubei province last week. A sizeable number of countries have evacuated their citizens from China and restricted movement of people and goods to and from China. India, too, has put restrictions on the movement of people to and from China as part of precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus. In an interview to PTI, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Wednesday said China is ready to work with India to strengthen communication and coordination, and to safeguard the health and safety of Indian citizens in China. Admitting that there could be a short-term impact of the epidemic on China's economy, he said the country's internal resilience is growing and it has ample resources and policy tools to cope with the economic volatility resulting from the outbreak. The deadly coronavirus has hit the human hair and crab export business in several districts of West Bengal after Chinese importers stopped coming to the state to book consignments following the outbreak of the disease. Tonnes of human hair collected from villages and landfill sites in cities across the country by rag pickers reach Beldanga in Murshidabad district through agents and middlemen. It is cleaned and processed in the backyard industry before being exported to China where it is used to make wigs and hats. China used to be the only importer of this raw material from Murshidabad. Every year dozens of Chinese importers used to come to Beldanga. They used to buy various qualities of hairs, said Milan Chowdhury, president of the Murshidabad hair traders association. But this year they havent come yet because of the virus scare and more so after the visa rules for Chinese nationals were tightened, Chowdhury said. Only long unbroken hair, uprooted during combing and are thrown away by women, are used in the industry. Small hair found in salons are not used. On the basis of their size and quality, a kilo of hair could cost anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 10,000. Traders said that more than 200,000 people across India, including around 50-odd exporters who run the cleaning and processing industries in the district, are directly and indirectly associated with this business. Beldanga is known for its two industrieshuman hair export business and gold nose pin industry. But after the coronavirus outbreak, the industry has taken a nosedive. Chinese importers, who have failed to come, informed us that they dont know when they will be able to come to India to collect the consignments, said Md Piyar Ali, secretary of the traders association. As a result, a huge quantity of cleaned and processed hair is now dumped in our godowns. Some exporters have already started layoff, Ali said. Thousands work in the hair cleaning factories of Beldanga and earn between Rs 400 and Rs 500 every day. Many have lost jobs, traders said. The agents, who collect the hair from across the country, arent aware of the situation and are still collecting them from remote villages and cities. I used to work in a hair factory. But I have no work for more than 20 days. I am now driving a Toto, Sajuddin Sheikh, a resident of Kajishah village, said. With the conditions worsening every day, traders like Chowdhury and Ali warned that if the export doesnt resume within the next few days more people will lose their jobs. Thousands of local families may face problem to arrange even two square meals, they said. The crisis has been brought to the notice of the district administration. We are aware of the situation. The higher-ups of the district administration have been intimated, said Birupaksh Mitra, block development officer of Bendanga-I block. Also hit is the crab export industry in the states coastal districts, exports from which are estimated to amount to Rs 50 crore. The state fishery minister Chandranath Sinha said, The export of prawns and crabs are entirely handled by the private sector. We dont have any official data. But the crab export could be anywhere around Rs 50 crore West Bengal along with a few other coastal states, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, export huge quantities of Mud crab, also known as the Green crab or Mangrove Crab, mainly to southeast Asian countries. The export goes up during the Chinese New Year as these crabs are considered delicacies. But as the coronavirus is said to have spread from a sea-food market, there has been a virtual lockdown of seafood markets in China since the outbreak, an exporter from East Midnapore district, Tajmul Hussain, said. As a result, no Chinese importers are booking any consignments. The traders are facing huge losses, he added. The death toll from the coronavirus jumped to 813 on Sunday, overtaking the number of fatalities of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2002-03. The virus was first reported in Wuhan, the capital of the worst-hit Hubei province, in December. Provincial health officials say the death toll is at 780 in Hubei province alone. - Kibaki's convoy entered Parliament at around 11.35am and left at 12pm on Sunday - His family and handlers requested privacy as the former head of state viewed Moi's remains - In his condolence message on Tuesday, Kibaki hailed Moi for reinstating multiparty democracy - Kenyans continue to throng Parliament to view Moi's body ahead of burial scheduled on Wednesday - Children under the age of 12 are being prevented from viewing the ex president's body - Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has also turned up to view the fallen president's body Former president Mwai Kibaki has joined other Kenyans in viewing the body of his predecessor Daniel Moi at parliament buildings. Kibaki's convoy entered parliament at around 11.35am on Sunday, February 9, where he paid his last tribute to the man that peacefully handed power to him after 2002 General Election. READ ALSO: William Ruto pushed aside in Moi's burial plans as CS Matiang'i takes charge Kibaki's convoy entered parliament at around 11.35am and left at 12pm on Sunday. Photo: UGC. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Man stuns Kenyans with fake call to Uhuru, Raila during Daniel Moi's body viewing His handlers and family, however, requested for privacy as the former head of state viewed Moi's remains that lie in state at parliament. After seeing the body, Kibaki left the National Assembly precincts at around 12pm as normal viewing resumed. READ ALSO: Biblia na rungu ya Nyayo: Vitu ambavyo viko kando ya mwili wa Moi bungeni On Saturday Kibaki's signed Moi's condolence book. Photo: Sam wa Esther. Source: UGC READ ALSO: DCI detectives arrest Chinese man who whipped Kenyan employee for reporting to work late On Saturday, February 8, Kibaki's communication team released photo's and a video of him signing Moi's condolence book. He had on Tuesday, February 4, when Moi died, tributed him as a man who gave a new dawn to multiparty democracy in the country. "As the political atmosphere in Kenya progressively underwent transformation, so did president Moi. To his credit, it is during his tenure as head of state when political pluralism was reinstated in Kenya. Clearly, the return of multipartyism has opened up Kenyas democratic space in ways hitherto unimagined," Kibaki said in a statement. Since public viewing to Kenya's second president kicked off at Parliament on Saturday, over 20,000 have turned up for the ceremony. Children under the age of 12 were, however, blocked from seeing the body. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto were among first citizens to view the body shortly after being wheeled from Lee Funeral Home aboard a gun carriage. Moi will be buried on Wednesday, February 12, at his Kabarak home in Nakuru. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. Light moments during Moi's farewell: Kenyans excited to enter Parliament for the first time |Tuko TV. Source: TUKO.co.ke Iran will launch a satellite into orbit on Sunday, an Iranian minister said, as part of a fledgling programme which the United States says is a cover for ballistic missile development. State television said Irans elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, which is in charge of the missile programme, had also unveiled a new short-range missile. The announcements come at a time of high tension with the United States, which killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Baghdad on Jan. 3, prompting Iran to carry out a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Iraq. Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi was quoted by state television as saying the Zafar (Victory) satellite would be launched from Irans Semnan space centre. The first picture it will transmit will be of Soleimani, he added. Tehran launched the first Iranian-made satellite in 2009, another in 2011 and a third in 2012, but at least two satellite launches last year failed. The United States says it is concerned that long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into orbit could also be used to launch nuclear warheads. Tehran says it has never pursued the development of nuclear weapons, and denies that its aerospace programme is a cover for missile development. Irans clerical rulers have said Tehrans missile programme is solely defensive. New missile In a separate report, state television said the elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, in charge of the countrys missile programme, had unveiled a short-range missile that was made by Iran. It said the Raad-500, or thunder in Farsi, was half the weight of a similar missile, the Fateh-110, but its range was about 200 km (120 miles) more and it could be powered by a new generation of engines designed to put satellites into orbit. There was no immediate U.S. comment on the announcements. Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran after President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers. Under that deal, Tehran curbed its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions on Iran. But the United States said the agreement was flawed because it was not permanent, did not address Irans missile programme and did not involve what Washington considers Irans meddling in regional countries. United States aviation security officials have denied destroying a precious traditional instrument belonging to a Malian musician, responding to an incident that sparked outrage online. Renowned kora player Ballake Sissoko touched down in Paris on February 4 after flying from New York at the end of a US tour, to find that his instrument had been "completely destroyed". The traditional West African 21-string lute had been dismantled, with a note left by the agents, in Spanish, reading "intelligent security saves time," according to a post on Sissoko's Facebook page. "Would US customs have dared to dismantle a Stradivarius?" the post said, referring to a class of fabled violins. "These kinds of custom-made koras are simply impossible to replace," it added. However, the US Transport Security Administration, which screens luggage for explosives, said in a statement to AFP on Sunday that it played no part in the damage. It added that it knew agents did not search Sissoko's instrument case because "it did not trigger an alarm when it was screened," and was tagged appropriately. The broken kora generated significant media interest and social media comment around the world this week after Sissoko suggested white musicians would have been treated better. "This is an unprovoked and sad act of aggression, a reflection of the kind of cultural ignorance and racism that is taking over in so many parts of the world," his Facebook post said. The musician told AFP on Sunday that his kora was broken by the time he opened his case after landing in Paris, and admitted the airline could have been responsible. "Maybe the message is too strong and I should have said it differently," Sissoko said. He added, however, that he was shocked and angry that his kora was beyond repair and that whoever was responsible should have respected it. "I'm not trying to play the media to get money," Sissoko said. Adding to confusion surrounding the affair, Mali's culture ministry released a statement on Saturday saying it would "do everything legally and diplomatically possible to obtain reparation" for the offence. But on Sunday it removed the statement from its website and issued another one that denied the earlier release came from the culture ministry, without giving further details. Mali's Culture Minister N'Diaye Ramatoulaye Diallo told AFP on Sunday that her department's statement on Saturday was simply "fake," without clarifying further. Sissoko said that he was contacted by the Malian embassy in Paris about the kora incident and that he plans to meet government officials when he is next in Mali. He added that friends had told him the government appeared to have asked for "reparation" but that he was unaware the statement had been removed. Dear Manasseh, Your stubborn brother from Laribanga is here again with the 3rd on the series of unfolding your folded folders. As I promised, I shall always abide by the rules you did set and applied in the past anytime I try to unfold any of your folders. Todays episode will apply the rule of ultimate responsibility which shall take precedence over collective responsibility as applied to the Mahamas administration by your likes. The simple logic here is that leaders (Presidents) must take responsibility for the actions and inactions of people they delegate to act on their behalf. This was applied to President Mahama in all the allegations of corruption under him and those that didnt happen directly under him but were inherited. So, I would like us to apply the same to this regime under HE Nana Addo, and that will play to your balancing act you want to adopt just to play safe and equally look neutral. So, after you decided to fold your folder and resort to sharing media reports on your social media handles, Ive taken the pain to follow you, especially on Twitter. It seems your appetite for the Airbus story has risen so fast to catch up with the agenda so set by the government as asserted to by one Krobea Asante in the office of the Vice President. We are told that this whole Airbus story was well cooked and staged in the circles of government with some media cabals doing the extrapolations and issue-centering in order to once more tag John Mahamas poor name to the said scandal. Interestingly, you have decided to engage in yet another series of conjecturing, connecting some faint dots and tracing same to the person of John Mahama. Coincidentally, this story has come at the time there is a burning issue of the failed galamsey fight with several layers of bribery, corruption, thievery, betrayal, collusion, negligence and abuse of power. As a human rights activist and advocate of the rule of the law, I thought you were going to surprise all of us once more with at least half a folder on this matter especially that they have to do with the lives of ordinary people. To my surprise, you rather opted to engage in some four-letter extract postings like flying excavators, flying tricycles...4moretoFlyMore. This is my Manasseh on a serious issue such as this amalgamated galamsey scandal. Wow! Well, let me make it easy for you sir. I would like to get back in your own home region (Upper East). The eyes of the nation are on galamsey and its effect on rivers such as Ankobra, Pra etc, but a few people talk about the exploits of Shaanxi Mining Company in Gbane in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. Mr Manansseh who loves his people so much has decided to go mute over the death of his people in Gbane, the abuse of their rights on their own land by the Shaanxi Mining Company, the destruction of farmlands and shea trees spanning 747.41 acre of land without relative compensation to farmers and the danger school children live in as a result of the sinking of a mining shaft 50 feet from a Primary School which has caused structural damage to this school. All these have not got to the table of Mr Manansseh to be folded in a folder. I am not even talking about the illegality perpetuated by Shaanxi by engaging in direct mining instead of providing mining services to local concession holders as provided for by the minerals and mining act 2006 (703) as amended in 2015. Mr Manansseh, do you know the danger and fear your friend Edward Adeti of Star FM is living in now as a result of his boldness to expose the corrupt Rockson Bukari whos still walking a free man and the current Board Chairman of TOR, a Council of State member and the chief of the Talensi Tradional Area, Tong Raan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang? Were you that bold like him when you were alleged to have been offered similar sweeteners in the GYEEDA case? Well, it was alleged that you took two appointments from local government for your cousins using that draft report as your power but in the end you went ahead to blackmail the officers you were dealing with. To the issue of the Airbus vrs the amalgamated galamsey scandal; why are you quiet and only seek to publish reports from media outlets? Dont you have a platform and folder to capture your comprehensive position on the issue of the galamsey? Assuming without admitting that Mr Mahamas brother was the agent the Airbus hired, are you telling us that that issue should take lead over the stolen excavators and the milky rivers? Assuming we were to put the two at each end of the scale, which of the two affects the lives of the people directly? I hope you are aware that this isnt the first time a President has set up an inter-ministerial commitee to fight galamsey. HE John Mahama set up same committee under the supervision of Hon Inusah Fuseini in the first quarter of 2013. This was when the influx of the Chinese illegal miners became a big problem in Ghana. Interestingly, a week after this task force was announced by President Mahama, a 9 member delegation from Chinas Guangxi Province arrived in Ghana and requested that their citizens should be excluded from the terms and conditions as set out by the President to the committee. This request was turned down by the Minister, Hon Inusah Fuseini (check story on Modern Ghana 20/05/13). Subsequent to this failed attempt, a press conference was addressed in June 18, 2013 by the Chinese Ambassador along with some officials from their Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accept the right of the Ghana government to apply the law and extend same to the Chinese...see story on (daily graphic, 18/06/13). By 20th June, 2013, a total of 269 illegal miners (218 Chinese and 51 from Niger) were arrested and deported to their respective countries. By July same year, 4, 592 of illegal miners were arrested and deported. These included majority Chinese, some Russians, Togolese and Nigerians. By end of year 2013, 40 vehicles, 85 earth moving machines including EXCAVATORS and 49 weapons were seized from these illegal miners. In order to put government officials on their toes, the MCE for Upper Denkyira East Municipal was arrested on suspicion of bribery and extortion of Chinese miners in return for their release. He was subsequently relieved of his position ( see story on myjoyonline). The success of this operation manifested in the Chinese protesting in the Shangli County where most of these illegal miners are coming from. But all these didnt move the Mahama administration, although some few allegations of bribery were floated in the media, it didnt stop the task force from achieving its objectives. So, I was expecting Mr Manansseh who has been in this business for long to have been doing some comparative analysis of the galamsey fight undertaken by his brother HE John Mahama in 2013/14 and what his friend, HE Akuffo Addo has been doing over the three years. Once you have failed to do this and has instead opted to do some extrapolations, additions and subtractions and drawing imaginary lines to commit John Mahama in the Airbus scandal while writing some 4 to 12 letter extracts in the case of this amalgamated galamsey scandal, I have decided to open this folder on your behalf. I wish to open up these dimensions as related to the organized thievery in the case of the amalgamated galamsey scandal led by President Nana Addo and some of his lead appointees. In the beginning, Nana Addo met with some small-scale miners and galamseyers in the run up to the 2016 elections. In this meeting, candidate Nana Addo was heard making promises to these miners that his government was not going to chase them out of business but to come and regularize their businesses and make it more profitable and free from environmental degradation. This though was in counter to the exercise undertaken by the Inter-ministerial task force President Mahama had commissioned. Fast forward into government, Nana Addo in his attempt to patronize all of us and to as usual play his Machiavellian tactics, set up an Inter-ministerial with the embattled Charles Bissue as the Secretary. In commissioning this committee, President Nana Addo swore an unconventional oath to by putting his presidency on the line if he didnt win the fight. Ladies and Gentlemen, on the blindside, the government of Nana Addo committed our taxes to steal more from the people, and this grand scheme to mechanize galamsey by chasing out the ordinary Ghanaian out of the forest and to aid the NPP top echelons to do galamsey instead was cooked at the instance of President Nana Addo and at the NPP headquarters. Check this out; Hon Peter Amewu, Former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the current Minister for Energy, used $3m of our taxes to purchase 200 drones to clamp down illegal miners unapproved logging as he claimed. These drones are non-visible when they are up in the air according to Amewu. In justifying the spending of this much on these drones, Mr Amewu said the drones are sound-free and they can zoom down to about five meters even at a height of about 3, 000 kilometres. It can go to as far as about 27, 000 feet above sea level. In order to get the President to monitor these activities once he has put his presidency on the line, the monitoring device of the drones was put in the office of the President to boost trust and ensure transparency. So who was monitoring who and who was controlling the movement of the drones? Which forest was being monitored and who was found destroying the water bodies this much? So the drones didnt see who was loading the excavators to sell in Burkina Faso? With all these, read the following scenarios and connect the dots maybe we can get to the President: 1. Charles Bissue who is a Presidential Staffer and the Secretary to the committee was caught on tape while taking bribe to aide illegal miners (top NPP party officials) to do their activities. He was cleared as usual by President Nana Addo while the OSP was still investigating him. Hes still at Post and walking as a free man while Anas is still hiding in his mask. 2. Sir John was quoted to have said that the galamsey in its current form is an organized one by top officials of government who he called big fishes, and so his outfit cant fight those big fishes. Meanwhile, same man was also accused by some chiefs of abetting in this crime with his charade of land reclamation. 3. A DCE who had incited a mob to murder the innocent Major Mahama was quietly promoted to a Deputy MD to the Ghana Maritime Authority where 11 air-conditioners in the bungalows of its officials is considered a moderate spending. It was alleged that the said DCE was one of the big fishes who was funding the NPP party through these galamsey activities. So is it that the government had set Major Mahama up? 4. The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon Joe Osei Owusus shoot and kill order given to the operation vanguard went to aggravate the complicit position taken by the Senior Minister in respect of the arrest and subsequent deportation of Aisha Huang (the Galamsey Queen) which was in contravention of the amended minerals and mines act 2015(703). So, the Ghanaian should be shot at but the Chinese should be protected and deported just because the government is signing a Sinohydro deal with the Chinese. Is the President aware of all these or as usual hes been misled? 5. More than 500 Excavators seized have been officially shared amongst top constituency, regional and national executives of the NPP and top government officials including ministers of state. In fact, we are told by the coalition of media against galamsey that some of these excavators were sold in Burkina Faso. 6. A police statement from Seth Mantey of Peace FM tells us who had the power to sell the shared excavators, at what price and who the money was paid to. 7. A statement of request for investigation was issued by the complicit minister for environment to the CID to cause an investigation into the missing excavators and related matters. In fact, in his letter, he also accused the persons mentioned especially Mr Seth Mantey and Ekow Ewusi of engaging in money laundering. Isnt that double crime? 8. We were also told that some cars, other equipment including weapons which were seized from the miners were missing. Some unconfirmed reports have it that the weapons were gathered and distributed to the NPP militia groups across the country to be used during the 2020 general election. 9. The small-scale miners themselves said the gold seized from them were also missing. While at this, Hon Kennedy Agyapong of all persons has dragged the President into the Centre with his assertion that the President was deeply involved in this whole grand scheme. He said when it comes to the galamsey fight, the President himself has rotten roots. What does that mean? Can we absolve the President from this mess? 10. In a extended tape being played around on media platforms suggest that Prof Frimpong Boateng had ordered Mr Ekow Ewusi and Mr John Boadu to put together a framework of NPP illegal miners to come for unapproved concessions and seized equipment to go back to the forest and make money to finance the NPP campaign in 2020. A letter from from one NPP candidate in the Central Region in support of Ekow Ewusi suggest that the latter had donated items including vehicles, Excavators, computers and other materials to all the 23 constituencies in the Central Region in support of the NPP 2020 campaigns in the region. Can the party and government appointees take a decision to make money to finance Nana Addos 2020 campaigns without his notice? So, if the President had put his presidency on the line with this issue, there are only two outcomes; he resigns or he should be voted out by the Ghanaian once the exercise has failed and got the government stealing from the same people. Mr Manansseh, I have done your work for you. In the past, you would have been moving from Joy FM to other media platforms and Occupy Ghana platforms to tell the sad SADA story and how that had deprived people of their livelihoods. The people want to hear from you now bro. They want to read your folder on this issue. They want to hear you talk about how the rivers have lost their faces since operation vanguard started its operations on the orders of your friend, President Nana Addo. Does Manansseh think that the Airbus story which doesnt have legs should rather be given legs and traced to HE John Mahama while this organized stealing in this galamsey scandal is left to wane on the lips of himself and other rented powerful voices? The people of Ghana want to know. Remember, the success metrics of the fight against galamsey are two; the compliance with the law and the state of our water bodies . So if these two have not been achieved, then, the fight against galamsey has failed and Nana Addo must be held responsible using the ultimate responsibility rule. God save Ghana from hypocrisy! Facebook and Twitter have rejected a request by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to remove a video posted by President Trump that was edited to make it appear as though she were ripping a copy of his State of the Union address as he honored a Tuskegee airman and other guests. The decision highlighted the tension between critics who want social media platforms to crack down on the spread of misinformation and others who argue that political speech should be given wide latitude, even if its deceptive or false. The debate has accelerated during the 2020 presidential campaign, as Democrats in Congress have demanded that Facebook and other tech companies take tougher action, while figures on the right have fought back, arguing that such policing could muzzle conservative viewpoints. Into that highly politicized environment came the video posted by Mr. Trump to his Twitter account on Thursday. As nations bicker, a greener future evolves in finance London, Feb 9 (AFP) Feb 09, 2020 Away from the toxic atmosphere at climate summit talks, in boardrooms, banks and trading houses, a transformation in green finance is under way. Its backers hope it could profitably help save the planet. Regardless of the politics of climate change, there is real money to be made today in the exploding market for bonds and other instruments invested in environmentally sustainable projects. But in the final analysis, uniform regulation derived from collective political action will be vital both for the markets and for the planet itself, observers acknowledge. Hard-nosed US investors in fields such as solar panels are not necessarily driven by anxiety about global warming, Climate Bonds Initiative chief executive Sean Kidney said. "Most of them are Republicans for god's sake," he said at a conference on climate finance organised by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London. "They care only about price," he added, predicting the transition to a low-carbon future would generate $90 trillion investment by 2050 in areas including low-energy cooling, urban farming and greener transport. Kidney's independent organisation certifies "green bonds" issued by governments, municipalities and companies whose proceeds are devoted to sustainable development. Notable issuers last month included the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York, one of a slew of US cities unwilling to wait on President Donald Trump's climate-sceptic administration as they vie to adapt their creaking infrastructures to a low-carbon future. - Tipping point - The investment community more broadly is running ahead of climate politics, which have been stymied by the refusal of the United States and other major economies to chart a way forward on the 2015 Paris accord. BlackRock, the world's biggest asset management fund, shook the industry last month by announcing it would transition out of coal-based investments. "Climate risk has become mainstream (for investors). It does feel we have reached a tipping point," said Nick Anderson, board member of International Financial Reporting Standards, which is crafting new climate guidance for company accountants. In 2019, the green bonds market worldwide expanded by more than half to about $258 billion, and further breakneck growth is expected this year, according to the Climate Bonds Initiative. Departments at major banks in charge of environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, once a backwater in high finance, now have real teeth as banks get serious about profitable alternative investments and their wider public image. Environmental finance is "absolutely real and tangible", said Alexandra Basirov, global head of sustainable finance for financial institutions at French bank BNP Paribas. Banks such as BNP and ING have pioneered lower-interest loans that give greener projects an edge over more carbon-intensive ones. But Basirov also cautioned at last week's EBRD conference: "Ultimately markets don't operate efficiently without adequate data." Therein lies the rub for many engaged in the ESG business: how to tally assets at risk from climate change, and how to quantify the risk itself given the array of catastrophic outcomes in store as temperatures rise. - Green for greenbacks - Credit risk agencies have been writing new models that seek to calculate corporate exposure, such as the weight of assets that companies already hold in potentially obsolete carbon investments. Green investments are already turning into greenbacks for firms, according to James Leaton, vice president for climate risk at Moody's Investors Service. Sustainable projects show a "lower default rate" because investors see them as more future-proof and creditworthy, he said. The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, an initiative launched by former New York mayor and now US presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, aims to rationalise what companies must report to investors on their climate exposure. In the acronym-heavy field of climate finance, central banks are also getting in on the act. One initiative derived from the Paris accord is the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS), a platform for central bankers to examine the global financial risks of climate change. A notable holdout has been the US Federal Reserve, hobbled by Trump's vocal objections to climate action. Fed chief Jerome Powell hinted last month that it might soon sign up. Morgan Despres, head of the NGFS secretariat and deputy chief of the financial stability department at the Banque de France, told AFP that network staffers were in contact with Fed counterparts "on a regular basis". "Any action does need to be global," he added, echoing environmentalists who say that policymakers must in the end bury their differences and catch up with financiers on climate change. For investors, the EBRD conference heard that the most meaningful policy action would be for governments to agree a true market price for carbon that properly reflects its climate impact. "Without carbon pricing, you can only go so far," Eric Usher, head of the UN Environment Programme's finance initiative, said. jit/rfj/bsp ING GROEP BNP Paribas BLACKROCK A suspect was fatally shot by Vestavia Hills police Saturday afternoon. Few details are being released, but police officials say the incident happened at 4:20 p.m. in the 4400 block of Old Overton Road. Capt. Johnny Evans said officers were dispatched to that location on a report of a person with a gun. Once officers arrived on the scene, which is near a residential area, they made contact with an unidentified male and shots were fired. Evans said the suspect was shot and pronounced dead on the scene. One officer was injured and taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released. Officials did not say what type of injuries the officer sustained. First responders and investigators were still on the scene late Saturday night. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation is taking over the probe, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings. No additional information has been released. Close Driver killed by falling tree during Storm Ciara More than 20,000 homes have spent the night without power as the UK continues to reel from Storm Ciara. UK Power Networks reported more than 18,500 properties across the east and southeast of England were still without power as of 5am Monday while Western Power Distribution said more than 2,800 homes were in the dark. Parts of the UK continue to brace for blizzards and up to 20cm of snow in the wake of the storm, with travel disruption set to continue. Some areas saw a month and a halfs rainfall in just 24 hours and gusts of more than 90mph swept across the country on Sunday. Meanwhile, 178 flood warnings in place across the country. The microbiologist who co-discovered Ebola and the presence of Aids in Africa warns that Britain is at risk of a 'major' coronavirus outbreak likely to become a pandemic. Professor Peter Piot, an ex-under-secretary-general of the UN who championed the fight against Aids, said he was 'increasingly alarmed' by the speed at which the coronavirus has spread and the 'huge' number of cases that are revealed every day. Professor Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, now warns that the coronavirus poses a greater risk than Ebola, saying that even if the death rate among those infected is relatively low, 'if the number of people who get infected is huge, then that will also kill a number of people'. 'It's a greater threat because of the mode of transmission. The potential for spread is much, much higher,' he told the Sunday Times, adding that an increase in cases could put a severe strain on the NHS. 'You know how already overburdened the NHS is and if you've got a sudden major rise in cases of pneumonia or milder respiratory infections . . . The NHS can hardly cope with the normal situation,' he said. Medical staff board the aircraft repatriating British and other nationalities to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, February 9 His warning comes as a plane carrying British citizens evacuated from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan landed in Oxfordshire and the death toll in China rose to 811. The flight, with more than 200 people on board, including some foreign nationals, arrived at RAF Brize Norton shortly before 7.30am on Sunday. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was the second and final flight to be chartered by the Government and had British Government staff and military medics on board. The passengers will now be taken to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they will be quarantined for 14 days. The ambulance service said the presence of the group in Milton Keynes would not present a risk to local people. Professor Piot, a Belgian microbiologist who was part of a team that discovered the Ebola virus in north west Zaire in 1976, said a coronavirus vaccine is not likely to be ready before the end of the outbreak, and Britain could see a surge in the number of those infected. The death toll in China from the coronavirus has risen to 811, surpassing SARS fatalities in the 2002-2003 outbreak. The number of new cases announced on Sunday, however, had decreased from the day before, raising hopes the spread of the disease was being restricted. Professor Peter Piot has warned that the deadly coronavirus poses a greater risk than Ebola China's National Health Commission said total cases in the country from the virus had increased by 2,656 in the 24 hours to Sunday morning to reach 37,198, down from the 3,399 new cases announced a day earlier. Passengers on the plane from Wuhan will be assessed and will continue to be monitored. Anyone displaying symptoms would not have been permitted to board the plane. Officials said any passengers developing symptoms on the flight were to be taken to a separate cabin on the plane. Anyone displaying symptoms on landing would be transferred to an NHS hospital. The first group of Britons who returned on a flight last month are continuing their quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital, Merseyside. Outside China there are 288 cases in 24 countries, with one death, according to the World Health Organisation. Workers making protective clothing at a factory in Wuxi, in China's eastern Jiangsu province Meanwhile, five Britons have tested positive for coronavirus in France. The four adults and a nine-year-old child were diagnosed after they came into contact with a British national who had recently returned from Singapore, the French health ministry said. The five British nationals, who are not in a serious condition, were staying in the Alpine resort area of Contamines-Montjoie near Mont Blanc. French officials said the British national who was in Singapore returned on January 24 and stayed for four days in the area in eastern France, before returning to England on January 28. The five Britons whose diagnosis was confirmed, as well as six compatriots with whom they had close contact, were taken to hospitals on Friday night in Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Grenoble. The chalet where they were staying housed a British family that lives in Contamines and another British family who were on holidays. The ill child lives in Contamines and attends a local school, and took French classes at another local school, regional officials told a news conference on Saturday. Both schools will be closed, and the pupils will be monitored for signs of the virus. A man walks in an empty street with a face mask on February 8, in Wuhan, Hubei province Elsewhere, British honeymooner Alan Steele, who was transferred from the cruise liner Diamond Princess to hospital in Japan with coronavirus was said to be feeling well and in good spirits. Mr Steele, from Wolverhampton, was moved to hospital on Friday while his wife Wendy remained on board the ship. The liner had been isolated in the port of Yokohama before going back out to sea, with 61 people taken to hospital after testing positive for the virus. In Majorca, a British family of four was being tested after coming into contact with a coronavirus sufferer in France, the government in the Balearic Islands said. A student at Portslade Aldridge Community Academy in Brighton is self-isolating for 14 days following advice from Public Health England. The Department of Health and Social Care said 620 people in the UK had been tested for coronavirus as of 2pm on Friday, with three cases confirmed. It is understood the third caught the illness in Singapore. He is reported to be a middle-aged British man and is understood to be the first UK national to contract the disease. He is thought to have been diagnosed in Brighton and was transferred to St Thomas' Hospital in London, where there is an infectious diseases unit, on Thursday afternoon. Two other patients who had recently travelled from China are being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle. One is a student at the University of York, while the other is a family member. Newsfrom Japan Tokyo, Feb. 9 (Jiji Press)--Japan's efforts to fly home expatriates from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak, is unlikely to involve government planes despite their use having initially been considered. The Japanese government has relied solely on charter flights operated by commercial airlines instead due to their superior transport capacity and Chinese authorities' perceived reluctance to accept the landing of the government planes, operated by the Self-Defense Forces. Japan currently owns two planes, used by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries for flights abroad. The planes are also deployed in emergencies, such as for transporting Japanese nationals and taking part in international aid efforts. The use of such planes were originally considered to take part in the evacuation of Japanese expatriates in Wuhan alongside chartered commercial planes. "It's a chance to show our cooperation," a senior Defense Ministry official said. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Mila Kunis is a pop-culture heroine as well as a beloved actress. She has worked in a wide variety of comedy roles and has even tried her hand at dramatic acting over the years, and is possibly best known for her role as Jackie on That 70s Show as well as for her voiceover work in the animated comedy series Family Guy. Kuniss path to stardom was anything but traditional, and she experienced a childhood that many would consider incredibly difficult. Where was Mila Kunis born? Mila Kunis | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Mila Kunis was born under the name Milena Markovna Kunis in August 1983, in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, USSR. Neither of her parents were involved in the arts her mother, Elvira Kunis, worked as a physics teacher and her father, Mark Kunis, made a living as a mechanical engineer. For the earliest years of her life, Kunis and her family lived happily in her home country until moving to California in 1991, when Kunis was eleven. Her parents had decided to relocate in order to give Kunis and her elder brother a better life and gave up good jobs upon the move to Los Angeles. Later, Kunis revealed that her parents actually experienced rampant antisemitism when they lived in the former Soviet Union and that the religious intolerance they suffered there was one reason why they decided to move to the United States. Kunis admitted, my parents went through hell and back. They came to America with suitcases and $250, and thats it. Kunis didnt know a word of English when they arrived in California and began acting classes in order to learn the language. Fortunately, Kunis was a quick study and learned English quickly these days, she even dreams in English. How did Mila Kunis get started in acting? Once she started taking acting lessons, Kunis found herself drawn to the craft of acting. In the early nineties, Kunis did a series of television commercials, including one for Lisa Frank products. Kunis began auditioning for television shows and landed roles in popular shows such as Baywatch and Days of Our Lives. In 1998, Kunis won the role of Jackie on That 70s Show, a part that she was several years too young for, legally. Kunis would continue to appear on the show for eight seasons, during which time she steadily grew in popularity, working on other TV and movie projects all the while. Over the next decade, Kunis appeared in hit movies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Max Payne, The Book of Eli, Black Swan, and Friends with Benefits. While she dated superstars like Macaulay Culkin, she ultimately built a family with her That 70s Show co-star Ashton Kutcher. The two got married in 2015 and have two children together. Mila Kunis still speaks Russian Although Mila Kunis seems all-American, she has never quite left behind her Ukrainian roots. Even if she dreams in English, she still speaks Russian fluently. While on the press tour for her film with Justin Timberlake, Friends with Benefits, she even defended Timberlake in Russian against an aggressive reporter who questioned why Timberlake was choosing to act instead of stay exclusively in the music industry. While Kunis and her husband keep their children well away from the spotlight, theres little doubt that she wants to pass along her heritage to her two young children. In 2013, Kunis revealed that she planned on having her children speak Russian and that she even wants them to go to a Russian school. Shes come a long way during the course of her career, but Kunis still tries to keep things close to home. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for all the latest Mila Kunis news! When authorities come across what they believe is a murder-suicide, it allows them to close the book rather quickly on what can be a grizzly, puzzling case. One element is never a puzzle: We know the who in this whodunnit. Mystery solved. The problem for society is that these cases never get the public scrutiny or attention that an extended search for a killer and a sustained quest for legal justice commands. As of Friday, law enforcement in Salem County had not officially classified a disturbing discovery in two county locations Wednesday as a murder-suicide. But the circumstances leave little room for other explanations. A 30-year-old mother and two beautiful children, ages 2 and 5, were found stabbed to death in their Penns Grove apartment. The womans 54-year-old husband was found dead in a wooded area in neighboring Carneys Point Township, after apparently hanging himself. Ruth Reyes Severino will surely be missed, as will her daughter Eurianny, 5, and son, Eury, 2. And, so will Eugenio Severino, who was described by some relatives and co-workers as not showing outward behavior that could have led to his familys deaths. Others may have had better information. Johnny Solano, the owner of a truck stop restaurant where Ruth worked as a waitress, knew that she had kicked Eugenio out of the house several weeks earlier. He had threatened to kill her, Solano said, and she had obtained a restraining order against her husband. So, it was especially suspicious, Solano told NJ Advance Media, when Ruth failed to show up for her work shift on Wednesday. When he went to check on the family, police had already discovered Eugenios body, which led them to the apartment and the carnage inside. Each victim had multiple stab wounds. There is a multitude of personal grief that the public has no business interfering with. This is, nonetheless, the kind of case where there some questions need answers that could aid in community recovery and prevention. What about that restraining order? Was it in effect yet? How was it enforced? Was it enforced at all? Solano, a relative, said that Eugenio loved this little boy and girl. But in the moment, I guess the devil got him. Thats one explanation, but could some type of mental health or domestic counseling intervention have altered the situation? Did either adult reach out for help? Could they have known how to do so? Was there a language barrier? Ruth hailed from the Dominican Republic, and the couple lived there before she was allowed to come to the United States legally. They settled in Salem County about two years ago. Unless new evidence offers an unexpected twist, there will be no arrest, and no trial in this case. In a way, though, it puts our safety net and social support systems on trial. Thats not to say that government or nonprofit organizations could have made things turn out differently. A checkup on resources, how theyre used, and how theyre accessed, might provide some insight. The Reyes-Severino family of four will be mourned. Those who had personal, positive interactions with them will retain those good memories. Yet, the speed with which the general public and the media put murder-suicides out of sight and out of mind can be a curse. Let the search for some answers continue. Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. The famed pathologist who controversially concluded that pedophile Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy showed signs of murder has claimed in bombshell new findings that the death of a New York socialite two years ago was not a tragic accident. Lara Prychodko, 48, was found dead on July 18, 2018 in at the bottom of the trash chute in her luxury apartment in Manhattan's Union Square. Police investigating her death at the time concluded it was a drunken accident. New York City's former chief medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden, however, claims that the mother-of-one may not have plunged to her death accidentally, and her body showed signs of strangulation. In a letter to Prychodko's family, Dr Baden concluded that she 'may have died because of homicidal ligature strangulation and was then placed in the garbage chute'. David Schlachet and Lara are pictured with their son in 2009. Lara, 48, was found dead on July 18, 2018, in at the bottom of the trash chute in her luxury apartment in Manhattan's Union Square David Schlachet and Lara Prychodko, pictured in 2006, were divorcing at the time of her death Pathologist Michael Baden, who claimed Jeffrey Epstein was murder, believes that Prychodko may have been strangled before she was put into the trash chute where she was found A trash chute in the Zeckendorf Towers where Lara Prychodko died in July 2018 In a letter to Prychodko's family, Dr Baden concluded that she 'may have died because of homicidal ligature strangulation and was then placed in the garbage chute' Dr. Baden was recruited by Lara's family after her father Nicholas Prychodko refused to accept the results from the Manhattan District Attorney's office, who closed the case 'with no resolution' just two months after her death. Investigators said that Prychodko was last seen alive on video surveillance around 4.20pm, apparently intoxicated and stumbling around the 27th floor of the Zeckendorf Towers where she lived. She was found 'crushed from multiple angles' around 30 minutes later by the building's maintenance worker. The city's Chief Medical Examiner ruled her cause of death as 'undetermined' but said that it did not involve foul play. Her father Nicholas has long maintained that his daughter was murdered and for a period moved from his home in Toronto to New York to press for a further probe into his daughter's death. Dr Baden offered to investigate the case pro-bono for the family after being approached by Nicholas. According to the New York Post, he reviewed autopsy notes, X-rays, lab tests and crime scene photos before sending his findings to the family in a letter on July 15, 2019, just less than a year after the death. Zeckendorf Tower crime scene in New York where Lara Prychodko died in July 2018 The refuse closet Lara Prychodko, 48, was found in by a maintenance worker in July 2018 An example of the trash chute in the building where Prychodko lived before her death His findings concluded that strangulation may have been the reason why there was little bleeding from Prychodko body when she went down the chute and was crushed. Baden was also concerned about the woman being topless in the crime scene photo. 'One of the first things he said was that her blouse was off,' Nicholas Prychodko told the New York Post. 'He felt that was unusual and a potential indication of a struggle before she died.' Nicholas has doggedly argued that the death was murder because there was a lack of video footage from the hallway outside Prychodko's apartment where the chute was located. The only video footage shows Lara entering the elevator, apparently drunk, at 4.10pm. A neighbor on the 27th floor claimed that she returned to her own apartment around 4.20pm but emerged 10 minutes later when she heard a noise in the hallway. She told police then that she spotted a purse by the trash compactor entrance. This purse belonged to Lara Prychodko. Lara Prychodko with her father Nicholas Prychodko who believes that she was murdered Nicholas Prychodko asked Dr Michael Baden to investigate the case as he does not believe that his daughter's death was an accident but that she as murdered in New York in July 2018 'After completing a thorough investigation which included interviewing multiple individuals and viewing video, there is no criminality suspected at this time, and it is believed to be an accident,' NYPD Lt. John Grimpel said in 2018 after the investigation concluded. Lara Prychodko was reportedly in the middle of a contentious divorce and had lost custody of her 12-year-old son at the time of her death. Lara Prychodko's ex, construction executive David Christopher Schlachet, was the co-founder of Taocon Inc, a construction company in New York, which owed more than $3.4 million to creditors and had assets of only $550,844, according to documents filed in federal court in 2016. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2016, the same year that he filed for divorce from Lara. The couple were regularly pictured on the Manhattan social circuit and in The Hamptons before they parted ways. Their wedding was announced by The New York Times in 2003. The two were in mediation to divide up their properties - a home in the Hamptons and apartments in Chelsea and Williamsburg - when the 48-year-old died, according to her lawyer. She had also lost custody of her 12-year-old son Talin and was required to undergo regular drug and alcohol testing as part of the settlement, her attorney Eric A. Seiff told the New York Post after her death. David Schlachet, left, has never been a suspect in his wife Lara Prychodko's death, right David Schlachet with his son Talin Schlachet in 2017 - David won custody over Talin Prychodko had a 2012 conviction for driving while intoxicated and allegedly told her lawyer that she believed her addiction issues were brought on by a 'growing brain tumor'. 'I know she was absolutely convinced the pain and dependency she was experiencing that had her drinking was directly related to the growing brain tumor,' Seiff said. However, Seiff said that his client had passed all of her recent 'professionally monitored' drug tests and when he talked to her on the Monday before her death she seemed 'upbeat'. 'I have not been aware of a single test that she failed the last year. For the last six months [the tests] have been professionally supervised,' Seiff said. He also told the New York Post on Friday that the financial talks regarding the divorce had turned in Lara's favor in the weeks leading up to her death. 'I was utterly shocked when I heard about her death,' he said. 'I just know her death was not an accident.' Nicholas Prychodko revealed to the Post that after his daughter's death, Schlachet immediately took control of their shared properties, selling the Toronoto condo for $700,000 and renting one of their Southampton homes for $75,000 a month. Schlachet has never been named a suspect in is wife's death. After receiving Baden's results in 2019, Nicholas Prychodko attempted again to reopen his daughter's case, submitting them to the city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The Canadian Consulate in New York also pushed for a further investigation. Dr. Michael Baden claimed that Jeffrey Epstein had also died by murder not suicide Dr. Oz speaks with Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden on Jeffrey Epstein's cause of death Pathologist Michael Baden was also hired by the family of Jeffry Epstein, pictured The OCME refused, however, saying that they 'have found no signs of foul play in your daughter's death'. 'I have consequently informed the OCME, I no longer have any faith in their professional integrity, nor do I any longer accept the validity of their autopsy report and its conclusions,' Prychodko said of the response, adding that he had also met with a representative of the Manhattan DA's Office . Prychodko concluded that he is now poised to hire a private investigator to try to uncover new evidence about the death. The NYPD repeated on Friday that they had 'determined' no criminal activity was involved in Lara Prychodko's death. Dr. Michael Baden was also hired by the family of Jeffrey Epstein when he was found hanging in his cell at the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan in August 2019. The pathologist controversially announced that he believed Epstein's autopsy showed signs of homicide over suicide. (CNN) -- The natural world never fails to surprise us, and this moving encounter between an orangutan and a man in Borneo has melted hearts all over the world. Amateur photographer Anil Prabhakar captured the fleeting moment, in which one of the Indonesian island's critically endangered apes stretched out its hand to help a man out of snake-infested water. Prabhakar was on a safari with friends at a conservation forest run by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS) when he witnessed the scene. He told CNN: "There was a report of snakes in that area so the warden came over and he's clearing snakes. "I saw an orangutan come very close to him and just offer him his hand." Prabhakar said it was difficult for the guard to move in the muddy, flowing water. It seemed as if the orangutan was saying "May I help you"? to the man, he said. "I really wasn't able to click," he said. "I never expected something like that. "I just grabbed that moment. It was really emotional." Venomous snakes are predators of Borneo's orangutans, which are under threat from forest fires, habitat loss and hunting. "You could say snakes are their biggest enemy," said Prabhakar, a geologist from Kerala in India. The guard then moved away from the ape and climbed out of the water. When Prabhakar asked why he moved away, "He said, 'they're completely wild, we don't know how they'll react.'" Prabhakar said the entire encounter lasted just three or four minutes. "I'm so happy that moment happened to me," he said. His photo of the moment has been liked 15,000 times on Instagram. The orangutan is Asia's only great ape and is found mostly in Borneo and Sumatra in Indonesia, with the remaining 10% found in Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia, according to the BOS foundation. It is estimated that the Bornean orangutan population has decreased by more than 80% within the past three generations. The apes are brought to the conservation forest if they are injured, at risk from hunters or facing destruction of their habitats. Once they are healthy, they are returned to the wild. They also reproduce very slowly, according to BOS. A female will only give birth every six to eight years in the wild. This story was first published on CNN.com, "This orangutan saw a man wading in snake-infested water and decided to offer a helping hand" STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Its the epitome of being nickel-and-dimed to death. The state ban on plastic bags takes effect on March 1. You wont be able to use the bags to tote your groceries home from the supermarket anymore. And if you want the supermarket to provide you with paper bags, thatll cost you 5 cents each. Ive been making myself ready. Ive been hoarding all my old plastic supermarket bags, even the ones with some holes in them, to use once the ban kicks in. Ill see how long the bags hold up. Ive got a lot of them, minus the ones Ill use for the kitty litter. Because Ill be damned if I pay the supermarket for a shopping bag after paying them for the groceries. Not that I have anything against my supermarket. Its a nice supermarket. And its not their fault that this is happening. But heres the joke of it all: Theres already a paper bag shortage, and the New York plastic bag ban is going to make it worse. We manufacture only so many paper bags per year in North America, an industry expert told the Advance, and there simply arent enough to go around. At least not in the numbers that will be required once the New York ban goes into effect. I never did understand the rationale for charging for the paper bags anyway. As if using paper bags is somehow wrong. They degrade faster than plastic bags. And paper bags are recyclable, which means somebody somewhere can turn a buck on them. So what harm am I doing if I use a paper bag? It used to be that you were environmentally enlightened if you chose paper over plastic. You were to be praised. But now? You pay a penalty. No wonder people are moving out of New York State in droves. And the penalty for paper bags isnt being applied equally. If you buy your groceries through the SNAP or WIC programs, you get your paper bags for free. But shouldnt everybody pay their share to be part of this quest to save our earth? If you dont have old plastic bags, and you dont want to pay for paper, you can bring your own re-usable tote bag to the store. Of course, those bags will eventually get dirty and stinky and slimy from carrying meat and fish and other delicacies. Something else well just have to get used to in brave, new, progressive New York. The Sanitation Department is giving away re-usable bags at events around the city. Predictably, Staten Island somehow got left out of this effort. It was only when the Advance pointed out that no Island giveaways were included that Sanitation quickly announced events here. Still think were not the forgotten borough from time to time? The city wants to go even further in the quest against plastic. In his State of the City address, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he wants to restrict the sale of single-use plastic bottles, 21 ounces or less, on all city property. This in addition to the city itself no longer purchasing unnecessary single-use plastic bottles. Hows that bottle restriction going to go down with New Yorkers on a sweltering summer day in a city park, when they want to buy a bottle of water from a vendor? Or on a city beach? And how is the restriction going to be enforced? Fare-beating on the subway and the bus is OK, but the city is going to task the NYPD or Parks Enforcement officers with enforcing a bottle ban? And by the way, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper and others sell soda in 24-ounce bottles already. So theres your workaround. All the city could end up doing is encouraging people to drink more soda. Out of even bigger bottles. And while were on the topic, who in City Hall is going to decide what a necessary plastic bottle is? A lot of ambiguity there. But whos got time to think of unintended consequences when theres environmental virtue-signaling to be done? A US health official has said that the development of a new vaccine to fight the coronavirus is progressing well, with "no glitches." During a press briefing at the Department of Health and Human Services on Friday, Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that work is underway with biotech company Moderna to develop the vaccine, Xinhua news agency reported. Fauci said one of the first steps that the vaccine development had to go through proved successful after the researchers successfully inserted the virus gene, published by their Chinese counterparts in a database, into the Moderna's messenger RNA platform, allowing it to express proteins. The next step is to put those proteins into a mouse model to induce immunogenicity, according to Fauci. If successful, he said then initial clinical trials will start within the next 2.5 months to test the vaccine's safety in a small group of humans. 2019-nCoV -- a deadly virus that traces its origin in the local seafood market of Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province in central China - has killed 811 people, surpassing the death toll from the SARS epidemic of 2002-3. Viral pneumonia caused by the highly contagious and life-threatening virus started in the middle of December and has spread to nearly 23 countries across the globe, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, India, and the United States. Experts have also explained that the deadly virus may transmit through direct contact between humans or aerosol transmission. The Chinese government has urged residents to avoid gatherings, open windows to help with ventilation, practice good personal hygiene and regularly disinfect their homes, especially areas like door handles, dinner tables and toilet seats. According to media reports, around 33,738 are currently being treated for pneumonia caused by the new virus. Many countries have also restricted their citizens from traveling to mainland China and also set up health camps at airports to screen passengers arriving from the East Asian country in the wake of the pneumonia outbreak. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 21:03:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's anti-drugs watchdog said on Sunday it is holding a Polish national in connection with growing cannabis, a prohibited drug in the east African nation. James Kaji, the Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) Commissioner General, identified the Polish national as 40-year-old Damian Sanikowsiki. "Sanikowsiki was arrested on Saturday after he was found cultivating cannabis at Himo road junction in Kilimanjaro region," Kaji told a news conference. Kaji said the Polish was arrested following intelligence reports from the public, adding that scores of other suspects were being questioned in connection with the cultivation of the cannabis. Kaji said the Polish had already processed some of the cannabis which were ready for sale inside and outside the country. On Feb. 4, Kaji said DCEA was holding two suspects in connection with illegal possession of 508 grams of heroin. Kaji said the arrest of the two suspects followed intelligence information regarding the existence of drug trafficking taking place in the business capital. A Pan- Africanist and student of Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Zina Godfred Mbanasong has declared his intention to run for the External Affairs Commissioner's position in the upcoming GIJ elections. This was revealed in a memo released by Zina when the first semester of the 2019/2020 academic year was on break. According to Zina, the GIJ-SRC has not done enough to bring the office of the external affairs closer to students in order to prioritize their needs as stated in the GIJ -SRC Constitution. "We need to work collectively to improve and impact on the lives of students while we are still in school. My vision for the GIJ-SRC External affairs commission will be to serve the ultimate needs of students at the external front, at all times with students' focus and providing competent leadership to all," he stated. Zina Godfred Mbanasong has served as the external affairs rep for two academic years, served as the head of passport of GIJ external affairs during the first semester of 2019/2020 academic year. Under his watch as the head of passport, he help the commissioner to register over 80 students to get their birth certificates and passports . He therefore appealed to all students to believe in his vision to bring the best change to the office. Engaging student activities on and off-campus of the university, most students have touted him as the most experienced student leader and well trained purposely to serve as the next external affairs commissioner of GIJ-SRC. Heather Alberro in Scroll.in: The annual World Economic Forum in Davos brought together representatives from government and business to deliberate how to solve the worsening climate and ecological crisis. The meeting came just as devastating bush fires were abating in Australia. These fires are thought to have killed up to one billion animals and generated a new wave of climate refugees. Yet, as with the COP25 climate talks in Madrid, a sense of urgency, ambition and consensus on what to do next were largely absent in Davos. But an important debate did surface that is, the question of who, or what, is to blame for the crisis. Famed primatologist Dr Jane Goodall remarked at the event that human population growth is responsible, and that most environmental problems wouldnt exist if our numbers were at the levels they were 500 years ago. This might seem fairly innocuous, but its an argument that has grim implications and is based on a misreading of the underlying causes of the current crises. As these escalate, people must be prepared to challenge and reject the overpopulation argument. More here. Valentines Day is such a racket. Ive found it annoying since I printed my name on Batman and Robin cards and had to distribute them to everyone in class. (What says true love more than the Caped Crusader? POW!) Although I admit to a fondness for candy hearts with goofy sayings and have yet to reject flowers and chocolate, the expectations of this holiday continue to irritate me. Just as I was considering the downside of the days manufactured romance, Alex Bernsteins Miserable Love Stories: 25 Disasters That Are Worse Than Yours (Racehorse Publishing, 263 pp, $14.99) crossed my desk. Bernstein, of Cranford, has assembled 13 of his short stories, 11 scenes for plays and a chapter of random bits into this collection. The book opens with a short story about a man who harasses a former girlfriend. He was a jerk to her, but when he finally realizes that, its too late. In another fine short story, a schoolboy pines for the unattainable girl. He describes her as, The sailor who gave up Brandy for the sea came back to Barb. Barb not only conversed with woodland animals but also taught them French. These words ring so true this had to stem from an early heartbreak. Bernstein confirms there was such a girl. A few of the theatrical scenes may work better when staged than read. A number of pieces feature men who seem terminally clueless. One standout story, Props, takes place Dec. 23, 1983 at Newark Airport, always a den of misery. In this, students are traveling home for the holidays and a young woman, who creates the props for her schools theatrical productions, befriends a young man who cant stand his father and is happy to hang out at the airport. He seems to have a lot of money. And, from what I can tell, his life kind of sucks," Bernstein writes. "His father whos a partner at a law firm in Boston left Balas mom for another woman After that Bala got into so much trouble with drugs and stealing that his dad sent him to McCarter just to get him the hell away from the new family. Bernsteins characters range from young to old, including gay and straight couples, and hearken back to 1900 and look forward to 2041. His short stories are particularly good. The collection at the end reads like the notes writers throw into folders on their desktop ideas to be fleshed out, good lines that didnt belong in whatever they were writing, but deserve a home. Bernstein has a good ear and a sense of fun. So why this title? Its more like a clever marketing ploy than a collection of work loosely grouped around misery. Its a fun read, but if youre looking to wallow, be prepared, this is not steeped in misery. Bernstein discussed this with New Jersey Authors in this interview, which was edited for clarity and space. Lets talk about your story, Bridesmaids. If anything, this character, an unlikeable yet fertile woman who has a Miss Havisham-like attachment to a bridesmaid gown, seems oddly hopeful, not miserable. Hopeful doesnt mean they are not miserable. You can be miserable and hopeful. I dont want you to kill yourself. The misery in the title is a little bit of a joke. The idea is that some endings are hopeful, some are not. At the end of the day, hope and true love as a rule spoiler alert tend to work out, at least in this book. Your biography has you as freelancing for a number of places. Are you a full-time writer? During the day, I am a digital marketing person at a New York City investment firm. I wont name their name but you probably have heard of them. Ive been there for 15 years, and I do all their marketing. So, do you commute from Cranford to Manhattan? I take six trains a day, three hours round-trip. I am a freelance writer by night and on the weekend. I do standup comedy and am in an improv group and I teach Hebrew school, religious improv at Temple Sholom in Scotch Plains. A collection of short stories, theatrical scenes and vignettes look at love from many perspectives in this light book from Alex Bernstein. How does New Jersey inform your work? New Jersey and New York very much inform my work. I never thought I would live in New Jersey. It never occurred to me my son would be New Jersey-born. One of the things I like best about New Jersey is you can walk down the street and run into a stranger and start talking about the Allman Brothers or Rod Stewart or Led Zeppelin. It is the most rock n roll state I have ever lived in. I am from Ohio. I spent time in New York and California. People in New Jersey it is in their DNA. It is a wonderful human state in terms of misery as much misery and love in New Jersey as is anywhere. How did the mix of brief scripts, scenes, vignettes and short stories come about? When I started working with Skyhorse on this project, I had written a lot of theater sketches and had been in a bunch of comedy groups. Still today, there are a bunch of shows I contribute to, much in the same way other comic writers do, as long as they were on theme. A couple of the pieces that were more theatrical were converted to stories, and a couple that were monologs became short stories. Your work is also being staged? In terms of staging, one of my other tribes is the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts. They wanted to do a selection. They are doing eight pieces from the book and four others not in the book. They are staging Miserable Love Stories on the 14th and 15th of February. The Rising Curtain Theatre Company is doing three shows. New Jersey Authors asks every writer, where did you get your first library card? I grew up in a suburb of Cincinnati called Wyoming, at the Wyoming Public Library. I lived at the library and my mom owned a bookstore. Is that the bookstore featured in your short story that reads like The Gift of the Magi? Yes, my mom thought by cleaning it and with the Christmas carols, she thought it would save the store. She did the catalog and she did have a feminist writer come. Nikki Giovanni. I met Nikki Giovanni when I was 10. I used to dream about having a book in the humor section. Who are your favorite authors? Kurt Vonnegut and second closely is Richard Brautigan. Since your book publishes around Valentines Day, how do you see it fitting with the holiday? I think its a lovely gift. Nothing says love like misery. It goes hand in hand like ice cream and aspartame. It is very easy to get someone a cat calendar. Everybody suffers when they are falling in love or going on a date, so I think it is very fitting. I can also tell you books that are better to give as Valentines Day gifts, more uplifting. Medea, about a real good relationship. A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich and Death in Venice. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Asip Hasani (The Jakarta Post) Blitar, East Java Sun, February 9, 2020 08:37 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20635ba8a 1 National coronavirus,outbreak,Antara,Beijing,quarantine,nCoV Free An Indonesian reporter based in Beijing has put himself and his family in quarantine at his home in Tulungagung, East Java, upon their return from China. Irfan Ilmie, who works for state-owned news agency Antara, plans to remain in quarantine with his family for 14 days since Tuesday, despite having tested negative for the novel coronavirus. "We will use facemasks every day, measure our body temperature and refrain from interacting with neighbors," he said at his house recently. Irfan went on to say that the self-imposed quarantine was his own initiative to make sure that he and his family members, who had lived with him in Beijing, were not infected with the 2019-nCoV virus. Irfan has worked as Antaras Beijing bureau chief for three years. He lives there with his wife and two daughters the elder of which is a student at Beijing Normal University. Read also: Indonesian official barred from entering PNG by coronavirus measures He said he had been inspired by United States Army soldiers who went through the same procedure at their respective homes after being evacuated from China. Upon returning from the Chinese capital, Irfan claimed they were in good health with no symptoms of infection. Beijing is located around 1,200 kilometers from the epicenter of the outbreak, Wuhan in Hubei province. The journalist said his decision to leave Beijing was in line with the governments appeal for Indonesian citizens to leave China. My office also recommended that we temporarily leave the country. Officials from the Tulungagung Health Agency have visited the house to conduct medical checkups of Irfan and his family members. An official of the agency, Didik Eka, expressed appreciation for Irfans familys willingness to go through self-imposed quarantine. (kuk) Topics : coronavirus outbreak Antara Beijing quarantine nCoV The rough weather has led to a number of changes and cancellations to events and services around the country - details here. If you find something missing in this article, please let us know by dropping a comment below or sending an e-mail to contenttoday[at]rtl[dot]lu. UPDATE 5h: Un renforcement du vent est a attendre au fil des prochaines heures. Plusieurs routes sont fermees au trafic, des perturbations au niveau du trafic routier et ferroviaire sont previsibles. Restez vigilants.#Sabine@CGDISlux @infocriseLU https://t.co/ozbYblSiVS GouvernementLU (@gouv_lu) February 10, 2020 No mandatory school presence for public schools on Monday Public school students are excused from attendance on Monday. However, schools will be open, and reception in schools will be assured for students who do make their way in. No classes will be held, nor will they have to be caught up. This has been confirmed by the ministry. Teachers are however not excused from work. Education: private schools The private secondary school Emile Metz has aligned itself to the public schools, wherein students are excused from attending school on Monday 10 February. They will, however, also remain open and provide reception for students. The same goes for the private schools Marie Consolatrice in Esch-sur-Alzette, an Saint Anne in Ettelbruck. The private school Fieldgen has communicated that pupils having signed up to voluntary activities are asked to attend schools. All others are excused from doing so. Saint-Sophie has also aligned itself to the public schools, wherein students are excused from attending school on Monday. Reception is guaranteed for pupils. Authorities have reported that following Meteoluxs warning as well as the message from the Ministry of Education to Luxembourgish public schools, pupils from Vauban School and the French Lycee of Luxembourg will also be excused from class tomorrow, as a precautionary measure. The establishments will remain open to assure reception to those pupils that do come. Teachers and other staff members will assure this reception service. School transport will not be taking place for pupils from primary schools. St Georges International school will remain closed on Monday. Pupils are asked to stay at home, as communicated by Dr. Christian Barkei. The International School of Luxembourg will remain closed tomorrow, Monday, 10th of February, following the red warning announced by Meteolux. The European schools are also going to be closed on Monday, but assure parents that a childcare will be available for students who turn up nonetheless. Pupils in Differdange are also excused from school on Monday. The forest school and the Maison relais of the forest school in Dudelange will also remain closed on Monday. Pupils will be placed in the Brill School instead. A reception service for pupils from the Maison Relais will be provided in the Maison Relais Swimming Pool. The Waldorf school in Limpersberd is closed on Monday. School transport School transport of TICE will not be assured on Monday. Hence, their buses will not be circulating. Students who nonetheless wish to make their way to school are encouraged to use regular public transport. School buses of the European school will also not circulate on Monday. The commune of Mondorf les bains communicates: school transport for primary school is cancelled. This is also true in Fischbach. All classes of the regional music school in Mondorf les bains are also cancelled. The nursery Spruffelmailchen will, however, remain open as usual. You are asked to place your bins in front of the door only tomorrow morning (10.02). Note: This is true for many other schools as well, and we'll update as we get more information. If unsure, contact your school as soon as possible for further information. It is unlikely that any penalty will be applied should students not attend school on Monday 10 February. It is also likely that transport is cancelled, but reception services are largely available. Normal service has been announced in Steinsel, Roeser, Consdorf, Dippach, and Bascharage. Music schools The city's conservatory has cancelled all activities for Monday 10 February. The UGDA music school has aligned itself to the communication of the ministry of education, and communicates that all classes and exams are cancelled on Monday; teachers are also excused. Management of the north conservatory (Diekirch and Ettelbruck) communicates that on Monday, courses are all cancelled. Teachers are excused. Management of the Echternach regional music school, communicated that on Monday all classes and exams are being cancelled. Teachers are excused. Management of the conservatory in Esc-sur-Alzette h communicates, that on Monday all classes are cancelled. Teachers are excused. No classes will be taking place in the music school in the Canton of Redange on Monday. This is also the case for the regional music school in Dudelange, which is closed but will have a reception service for students who turn up. CFL update The rail network (CFL) have issued a statement saying that the storm is likely to cause disruptions to their services - as well as cross-border services - both Sunday and Monday. They recommend that anyone who might need to use their services check their website for live updates. The CFL expects delays to last throughout Monday and recommend users check the app or the website to see if the train they were planning on taking is even running. Emergency services update CGDIS (emergency services) have added 2 staff to their usual emergency response number (going from 6 to 8). By 9pm they had responded to 215 emergencies, 46 of which were directly related to the storm. They ask that you call 112 only in case of real emergency. [Vigilance tempete-Wachsamkeit Sturm] Um 19.00 Auer gouf den Effektiv vun der Noutruffzentral 112 op 8 Operateuren eropgestuft. Bis 19 Auer goufen 182 Asatz um 112 traiteiert, dovunner 35 am Kader vum Stuerm. Rufft weg just fir Urgencen op den 112 un. pic.twitter.com/jH6lc8inB5 CGDIS (@CGDISlux) February 9, 2020 Emptying and securing parking - move your cars Some public parking areas are being cleared due to the storm. Anyone parked in the Daich parking area of Ettelbruck should remove their vehicle if safe to do so. Police will check the parking at 8pm to ensure cars have been removed. Parking closed in Ettelbruck / Domingos Oliviera (RTL) No newspapers The postal service has announced that no morning papers will be delivered on Monday. Normal postal services may experience a delay. University of Luxembourg The University of Luxembourg has published an announcement for teaching and academic staff, in that they can work from home. As with other schools, students are not expected to attend on Monday, and there will be no classes. Flights Luxembourg Airport (Findel) has communicated that several flights have been cancelled throughout Sunday and Monday. If you have a flight booked, you should keep an eye on your airline's website, the Luxembourg Airport website, or call either your airline or +352 2456-1 for further information. All but one flight between 6am and 10am have been cancelled with several additional cancellations already announced. See live updates here. Other cancellations With regards to the rubbish collection, Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette residents are being asked not to bring the bin to the curbside, because they could be blown away by the strong wind. No collections will be made. Varlorlux will not be collecting recycling in Sanem and Dudelange. The municipalities of Garnich, Steinfort, and Mamer will not have their Monday bins collected either. SICA announced that general waste in Steinfort will be collected on Tuesday, recycling in Garnich will be taken on Thursday, and bio waste in Mamer on Monday 17 February. The Kehlen recycling centre remains open. Bins in Kirchberg On Monday, CGDIS was supposed to present new ambulances to the press. Because the emergency services will naturally be otherwise occupied, the event was cancelled. In Esch-sur-Alzette, the maison relais, will remain closed on Monday. Reception will be assured, but parents are being asked, if possible, to remain at home with their children. The Pedibus in Esch will also be cancelled. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 17:25:32|Editor: yhy Video Player Close ANKARA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Turkey and a visiting Russian delegation held talks in Ankara late Saturday over the escalating tension in the Syrian province of Idlib. "During the talks, the situation in Idlib was addressed, and the steps that could be taken to ensure calmness and advance the political process were emphasized," Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The two sides held two rounds of meetings in three hours, said the ministry, adding the negotiations will continue next week. The visit of the Russian delegation comes as the tension in Idlib is escalating during the Syrian government's advance on the province. A recent attack by the Russian-backed Syrian government forces in Idlib killed seven Turkish troops and a serviceman and wounded 13 others. An Abuja-based lawyer Oluwatosin Ojaomo Esq has asked an FCT High Court to declare that the daughter of the president, Hanan Buhari, has no statutory right to private use of Nigerian Air Force Presidential Aircraft. Ojaomo, in a suit filed on Thursday February 6, 2020, said he read in several national dailies that Hanan was invited to a private function in Bauchi state which she attended on 10th January 2020 in one of the aircraft in the presidential fleet meant mainly for public officers in power in Nigeria. According to a report in Daily Trust, Ojaomo wants the court to make an order compelling Hanan Buhari to pay a certain amount into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to fuel Nigeria Air Force Presidential Aircraft which conveyed the defendant to Bauchi State on the 10th day of January 2020. The lawyer seeks among other reliefs, a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant not being a public servant from using the Nigeria Air Force Presidential Aircraft for private purposes as was done in Bauchi State. An order of this court compels the defendant to pay the sum of N2m as the cost of litigation. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] By Express News Service BENGALURU: In perhaps the first such case in the city, a gang of six, including a Nigerian and two Sudanese nationals, allegedly duped over 200 people by promising them to buy or sell kidneys online. They were arrested by the Banasawadi police on Sunday. The gang claimed to have been authorised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and had misused the name of a super-speciality hospital and reputed doctors to lure gullible people seeking kidneys for transplants. The arrested are Esene Lovely (29) from Benin city, Igueben Edo State, Nigeria, Mohamed Ahmed Ismail (24) from Khartoum, and Marwan Faisal (27) from Sannr, Sudan, Herendra Tripura (25) from Tripura, Kami Ranjan (21) and Jatin Kumar (25) both from Bommanahalli in Bengaluru. A senior police officer said they tracked down mobile numbers mentioned on their website, after Dr Shafiq M M, director of a private hospital, lodged a complaint. The cheating came to light recently when a few people approached the hospital seeking clarifications, which prompted Dr Shafiq to alert the police. The police recovered bank account details, ATM and SIM cards and mobile phones after conducting a raid. The gang was offering kidneys to patients in need and also offered to buy kidneys from donors. They also mentioned the names of reputed doctors to convince the victims. They had allegedly taken money ranging between Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 on the pretext of insurance and registration from about 200 people. Their website https://sellkidney.site/ had mentioned dr.gokulakrishnan22@gmail.com as a contact. The accused Esene Lovely, Ismail and Marwan are overstaying their visas in the city. The other three used to buy SIM cards which they used in the scam, the police said. Chinese medical workers treating patients for coronavirus. (PA) Experts have warned the UK is facing a major outbreak of coronavirus in the coming weeks as it continues to spread across the globe. Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said the outbreak is likely to become a pandemic, adding he was becoming increasingly alarmed about the rate of infection. The death toll in China from the coronavirus has risen to 811, surpassing SARS fatalities in the 2002-2003 outbreak. Outside China there are 288 cases in 24 countries, with one death, according to the World Health Organisation. Passengers disembarking an aircraft repatriating British and other nationalities to the UK from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China, arrives at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Professor Piot, who co-discovered ebola and the presence of Aids in Africa, warned that coronavirus is more dangerous than ebola. Its a greater threat because of the mode of transmission. The potential for spread is much, much higher, he told The Times. If the number of people who get infected is huge, then that will also kill a number of people. On Sunday the last plane carrying British citizens evacuated from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan landed in Oxfordshire. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: The flight, with more than 200 people on board, including some foreign nationals, arrived at RAF Brize Norton shortly before 7.30am. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was the second and final flight to be chartered by the Government and had British Government staff and military medics on board. The passengers will now be taken to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they will be quarantined for 14 days. The ambulance service said the presence of the group in Milton Keynes would not present a risk to local people. ---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK--- U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies this week celebrated his acquittal by the Senate on two articles of impeachment, marking the conclusion of a saga that deepened partisan divisions in the country for months. Trump's supporters say now the president can get back to work In an exclusive interview to Zee News, Kameshwar Chaupal, Trustee of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra informed that the Ram Temple is expected to be ready in the next two years by 2022. The first meeting of the members of the temple body, which was to be held on February 19 in Prayagraj, will now be held in New Delhi. All the members are scheduled to reach Delhi on February 18 for the same. In the meeting, the process to construct the massive and grand Ram Temple on the birthplace of Lord Ram will be discussed. Also, the date to commence temple construction is likely to be finalised on the same day. According to Chaupal, the 67-acre land will be metered and levelled first and then the foundation stone will be laid. The construction of the temple will take place on a highly auspicious day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be asked to lay the foundation stone of the Ram temple, Chauplal said. Though, he lamented that the 67 acres of land allotted will not be enough and more land will be needed to make the temple. On February 5, PM Modi had announced in the Parliament that the Centre is setting up an independent trust named Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra trust to finalise the details for the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya. "On November 9, 2019, I was in Punjab for Kartarpur Sahib Corridor's inauguration. During the inauguration ceremony, the Supreme Court judgement on Ayodhya was delivered and I got to know about the historic decision. Uttar Pradesh government has already given its approval for giving 5 acres of land to the Sunni Waqf Board," Modi had said. The announcement to form the trust was made after the prime minister chaired a meeting of the Union Cabinet on Wednesday. Later that day, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification announcing that the office of the trust will be in New Delhi. The registered office of the trust is R-20, Greater Kailash Part-1, New Delhi. WFH for Private offices in Delhi, restaurants & bars to be shut as Omicron-led to sudden rise in Covid cases How Indias production of diabetes drugs, antibiotics could be hit by prolonged coronavirus crisis? India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 09: If the situation in the neighbouring China due to deadly coronavirus does not improve soon, the supply of raw materials to produce top-selling antibiotics, anti-diabetic medicines and commonly used paracetamol could be hit in India. However, Indian pharma firms are closely monitoring the outbreak of coronavirus in China because it is heavily dependent on China for components used to make products across industries, including essential medicines. Its imports from China IS accounted for 67.56 per cent of total bulk drugs and drug intermediates in 2018-19 at USD 2,405.42 million. Coronavirus death toll in China touches 803, cases exceed 37,000 "The situation is being closely monitored by all companies. The government is seized of the issue and all are working in an integrated way to deal with the situation." Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) Secretary General Sudarshan Jain told PTI. The areas being looked into are close monitoring of the developments, inventory of critical APIs / intermediates, evaluation of alternate sources where possible and regulatory approvals for environmental clearance for certain APIs where capacity is available, he added. "India has a high dependence on fermentation-based APIs/ Intermediates namely antibiotics and vitamins. Companies have been maintaining 2-3 months inventory of these APIs and Intermediates," Jain said. In similar vein, a Sanofi India spokesperson said: "It is too soon to predict any impact that the coronavirus outbreak might have. We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure we have no discontinuity in supply." India imports bulk drugs/active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for producing medicines including certain essential medicines from China. 'How coronavirus stays on hospital surfaces like door handles, call buttons etc decoded' The government has earlier said most of the imports of the bulk drugs and APIs are being done because of economic considerations. The majority of the production units for bulk drugs are situated in Zhejiang province in China, which is 600 km away from the city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. However, the issue now is that the scare has gone beyond Wuhan and most are on alert. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 14:31 [IST] Bangkok, Feb 9 : The gunman who killed 25 people in a shooting spree at a shopping mall in Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima was killed by the police on Sunday, a senior police official said. The news was confirmed by National Police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, The Nation newspaper reported. The gunman, Jakraphanth Thomma, a junior officer, was hiding in the Terminal 21 shopping mall in the city also known as Korat following the shooting spree on Saturday evening, Chaijinda added. Police and military forces have sealed off the Terminal 21 mall. Gunshots were heard during night operations by security forces. Many people were still believed to have been hiding in the department store or were held hostage by the suspect, The Nation report said. Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul posted on his Facebook page on Sunday morning, congratulating the security forces for killing the suspect. "Thank you police and army for ending the situation. Shooter shot dead," the BBC quoted the Facebook post as saying. The shooting spree began at around 3.30 p.m. on Saturday at the Suatham Phithak military camp, where Thomma first killed his commanding officer, named by the Bangkok Post as Col Anantharot Krasae. The Post said a 63-year-old woman, Col Anantharot's mother-in-law, and another soldier were also killed there. The suspect seized arms and ammunition from the camp before taking a Humvee-type vehicle. He then opened fire at a number of sites before arriving at the Terminal 21 mall at about 6 p.m., reports the BBC. Local media footage appeared to show the suspect getting out of his vehicle and firing shots as people fled. CCTV footage showed him inside the shopping centre with a raised rifle. Thomma posted on his social media accounts during the attack, with one post on Facebook asking whether he should surrender. He had earlier posted an image of a pistol with three sets of bullets, along with the words "it is time to get excited" and "nobody can avoid death". Facebook has now taken the page down. Shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today and the Freedom Forum, paid for a sign in Red Square that said, Freedom Works. Actually, freedom doesnt always work. However, it works far more often than the denial of freedom. Indeed, it seems to me that the denial of freedom never really works for a society in any strong sense. China is the latest test case. Some American liberals argue that the denial of freedom by the Chinese government is working in a strong sense. The jury is still out. Or is it? Li Wenliang is the doctor thought to be the first person to sound the alarm over the coronavirus. The Chinese government responded by detaining and silencing him for spreading false rumors. The authorities lockdown on information about the virus undoubtedly increased significantly the magnitude of the epidemic that now plagues China and threatens other countries. On Friday, Dr. Li died from the virus. According to the Washington Post, within hours of his death millions of Chinese tried to bypass censors to post the hashtag #WeWantFreedomOfSpeech. The censors eventually prevailed, but deleted sentiments are still real sentiments. The link between the governments suppression of speech the lack of freedom and the public health disaster in China could not be more clear. Li has become the symbol of that link. This Washington Post editorial tells us that the cononavirus outbreak is shaking the foundations of a political system built on President Xi Jinpings assurance that the party knows best for all. I dont know if the epidemic actually is shaking the systems foundations, but it should. Speaking of Xi, he was scarcely seen in the days following the outbreak. When he finally appeared, after days of speculation as to his whereabouts, it was at an event with Cambodias dictator, a stooge of China. In free nations, leaders cant get away with going into hiding during times of disaster. Dictators can. However, doing so erodes confidence in their leadership. As part of its response to the epidemic, the Chinese government erected a hospital to house victims. It built the hospital in ten days and brought in foreign journalists to show it off. Some journalists seem to have been impressed, the way Tom Friedman is always impressed by this sort of accomplishment by the Chinese. However, the hospitals 1,000 beds are insufficient to meet the scope of the epidemic. Nor does its construction negate the fact that the hospital wouldnt have been needed had the government responded properly to initial warnings by doctors. Being stuck in an impressively constructed hospital is no substitute for being healthy. I dont know what the political fallout of the coronavirus disaster will be. I dont know whether there will even be any meaningful fallout. But the epidemic is yet more evidence that unfree societies dont really work for ordinary people who are trapped in them. A multidisciplinary team of researchers at Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire, Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD), has authored a new article that describes the practices that employers use to facilitate the inclusion of employees with disabilities in their workplaces. "The effectiveness of employer practices to recruit, hire, and retain employees with disabilities: Supervisor perspectives, (DOI: 10.3233/JVR-191050) was published by the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation on November 19, 2019. The article is based on initial findings from the 2017 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey: Supervisor Perspectives (KFNEDS: SP), the first national survey to examine the effectiveness of the processes and practices used by employers to include people with disabilities in their workplaces, from the unique perspective of supervisors of employees with disabilities. The authors are Kimberly G. Phillips, PhD, and Andrew Houtenville, PhD, of the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability, and John O'Neill, PhD, and Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, of Kessler Foundation. The 2017 KFNEDS:SP, which was based on a Qualtrics business-to-business panel, comprised 6,530 supervisors at U.S. organizations with a minimum of 25 employees. The majority of respondents had experience with disability, either personally or through a close relationship, and many had hired and supervised workers with disabilities. Information elicited included the existence of employment-related processes (e.g., recruiting process), whether these processes were effective, and comparison of the effectiveness of these processes for people with and without disabilities. Several questions gauged the supervisors' commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities in their organization, and their view of the commitment of their upper management. Questions addressed whether organizations had specific employment practices in place, and if so, whether they were effective. If a practice was not in place, supervisors were asked whether they felt it would be feasible to implement it. Supervisors also responded to open-ended questions about processes and practices at their organization, and the potential challenges and successes for their implementation for employees with disabilities. Among the survey's findings were processes and practices that were effective for people with disabilities, but underutilized by organizations, according to Dr. Phillips, research assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire. "For example, partnering with a disability organization was identified as a highly effective way to identify qualified candidates," she reported. "However, only 28.5% of organizations had implemented this as a means of recruiting employees with disabilities. Interestingly, 75% of supervisors said this would be feasible for their organization to implement." Other effective, but underutilized practices were auditing of hiring practices, supervisor training in accessible application and interview methods, job shadowing, onsite training, and job sharing. The survey revealed that the commitment of upper management mirrored the attitudes of supervisors and was reflected in the organization's hiring goals for people with disabilities. Our findings underscore the importance of the commitment of upper management to an inclusive workplace. The greater the commitment, the greater the support for supervisors, and the more likely we are to see successful inclusion of employees with disabilities." Dr. O'Neill, director of Employment and Disability Research at Kessler Foundation Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2020 > Nothing Really to Celebrate in the New Year MUSINGS Nothing really to celebrate this new year start, as eerie build-ups overtake, as divisive tactics together with marked-targeted-killings take place. Signs of another round of partitioning out there. Its about time to get out all possible works on the Partition, to try focus on the havoc it had heaped. Maybe then we can realise what could be in store for us, the people of this country, if dont wake up, sit up and cry hoarse against the implementation of the CAA, NRC, NPR. Also, expose the state tyranny, call it zulm, unleashed on the hapless. Police force used by todays fascist rulers, to kill and frighten and silence and also to extract! They target and torture my children, and then ask for compen-sation for the bullets and firearms used in those killing operations! This is nothing but sheer brutality of the worst kind. Political tormenters are also eyeing property of the poor, trying to rip them of life in more than one way. Those not killed by police bullets will now die sitting roofless and pennilessafter threatened to part with their dwellings, shops, stalls, ancestral places... property seizures of the dying! The fascist rulers are so very blatantly ruining hundreds. Killing and then pulling out flesh and bones and intestines from the already dead! Alas, this is the apt scenario. All those who are supporting the Hindutva rulers have to be told a hundred times that they are anti-national, because they are supportive of killer-rulers. Enough of spineless fence-sitters and the communal creatures and traitors in those various guises and camouflages! All those Sanghi supporters or the soft Hindutva elements, who are not shaken or moved by what we have been experiencing, are the thick-skinned vicious lot who ought to be kept away... yes, far away! In fact, latest reports coming from Uttar Pradeshs worst hit riot-stricken areas reek of the communal elements in the police force. Why dont we raise a hue and cry that the communal police personnel who can be seen in videos indulging in loot and attacks and firings, have got to be booked.... Of course, we are well aware of the fact that till date not one case has been filed against these cops who can be seen in videos barging into Muslim homes, pushing and pulling out young boys, vomiting the worst possible communal vengeful comments! All this communal frenzy under the watchful eyes of the Right-wing rulers, who would be sitting too content because the communal poisoning getting unleashed right from 1992, when L.K. Advanis rath yatra sowed seeds of immense hate for the other, is now bearing fruit! Communal cops and the Hindutva elements are killing and attacking the hapless of Uttar Pradesh so very openly. This is nothing short of persecution of a particular community. Yogis government has been out to implement the Hindutva agenda in well-planned ways. The first move was rather apparentto make more Muslims sit jobless. Cripple them financially. After the economic blows, what followed was the denting of the identity of the Muslim community. Questions raised: what the Muslim read, wear, eat... Yogi Adityanaths government in Uttar Pradesh had also scrapped two significant public holidays : Jamat-ul-Alvida (last Friday of the month of Ramazan) and also that of Eid-Milad-Ul-Nabi (birthday of Prophet Mohammad). I am also curious to know how did Adityanath manage to get rid of the criminal cases against him and against several of his party colleagues? There have been several serious cases against him and also against several of the Hindutva men of Uttar Pradesh, yet nobody talks of these criminal politicians and the crimes they have committed. Also, its time to re-define terrorism and terrorists! With a terror accused sitting inside Parliament and with State encounters on the rise, one cannot go by the State-set definition of terrorists or terrorism. For me, the master-minds behind the Babri Masjid demolition and also those behind the Gujarat pogrom 2002 are terrorists, as they not just terrorised me by unleashing sheer violence, but they are also responsible for destroying the togetherness of this country, for sowing seeds of hatred between communities of this land... Today, the very survival of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh under Hindutva dictates has been getting tough and tougher and toughest possible. Its downright silly for political commentators to come up with those typical utterancesSee, now Muslims all okay ...peace returning! Do the near-deadened and absolutely-crushed Muslims have a choice? Wouldnt they get gunned down and their children throttled if they dare confront the State machinery? The anti-BJP and anti-RSS sentiments amongst the Muslims hold out, right across, from one region to the next. The few Muslims who joined the BJP are not just labelled political opportunists but also publicly shamed, if not snubbed. Its about time to shun these Muslim political opportunists and also the turncoats! Whilst on this, I am more than tempted to write on the Kerala Governor, Arif Mohammad Khan, in the backdrop of the latest news reports coming in from Keralas Kannur where during the Indian History Congress, he tried to talk in defence of the CAA and also his staff misbehaved with the internationally known historian, the 88-year-old Professor Irfan Habib... Im quoting from the message circulated by the Aligarh Society of History and Archaeology (ASHA)Aligarh Society of History and Archaeology condemns attack on Professor Irfan Habib and on Constitution and democratic voices... The 80th session of the Indian History Congress was inaugurated yesterday 28 December, 2019. Being attended by most of the prominent historians of India, the session was to be inaugurated by His Excellency, the Governor of Kerala, Mr Arif Mohammad Khan. The inaugural session started on the right note but soon after the presidential address delivered by Professor Amiya Kumar Bagchi, Mr Arif Mohammad Khan was called to give his speech. Instead of delivering an address the honourable Governor started not only defending the CAA but also accusing all those who did not agree with the CAA as Pakistani agents ...Along with all those who opposed the CAA as anti-nationals, he went along to suggest that this could not be understood by the people of Kerala who never experienced the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. On hearing such comments being spoken by the Governor, two young women who are doing research from JNU stood up silently holding placards from the paper available to them. No CAA was the message written on them. Along with them a few senior professors from CAS Department of History, AMU and Delhi University stood up asking the Governor to refrain from what he was doing... As the protests commenced, Professor Irfan Habib, who was on the dais in the capacity as the outgoing President of the IHC, got up from his seat and proceeded to the VC Kannur university, Professor Gopinath Ravindran, to request him to stop what was happening and request the Governor to refrain from turning the IHC into his political arena and making remarks of the nature he was indulging in. As soon as Professor Habib went there, the ADC and security officer of the Governor pushed him and tried to stop him. The Governor too started accusing Habib of trying to stop him from speaking... Yes, signs of fascism when an 88-year internationally known historian of the stature of Professor Irfan Habib is treated this way! Before I end the column, let me focus on this particular backgrounder to Arif Muhammad KhanSoon after the Gujarat pogrom 2002, activists raised their collective voice against the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi. I had also attended several meets and protest marches. And in one such meet held in New Delhi, I saw a bizarre sight : Arif Mohammad Khan crying and lifting his kurta ends, collecting donations (in that make-shift jhooli) for the Muslims affected in the pogrom. It was such a strange sight that its impossible to erase. Then, came in the news that hes switched sidesthat is, joined the very Right-wing lot, whom he was sitting and cursing on that protest day, for the killings of Muslims in Gujarat, in 2002! Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. For more than 120 years, J. Polep Distribution Services has been distributing specialty foods, candy, tobacco products and groceries, from its start in 1898 as the Polep Tobacco Co. to its role today as one of the largest wholesalers to the convenience and grocery store industry. The Chicopee-based fifth-generation company, which began primarily as a candy and tobacco distributor, still distributes those items, but is following the trend toward healthier fare and also offers its customers fresh sandwiches and salads along with organic options. We want to create a one-stop for our customers so they can get everything they need, says Lori S. Polep, vice president and chief information officer. The more you can sell at one location, the better off you are. Our diversified food service has grown by leaps and bounds. You have to go with what you can grow with. The business works with approximately 1,200 vendors and more than 6,000 customers throughout New England, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Palm Beach Capital Fund III recently invested in J. Polep Distribution Services and the companys Rachaels Food fresh deli business. Financial terms were not disclosed. Our strategy is to invest in solid management teams and assist them in their long-term strategic growth plans, said Mike Schmickle, partner at Palm Beach Capital, a private equity investment firm, in a statement. The management team at J. Polep and the family culture it exemplifies with its customers, vendors and employees, embodies the values that we seek in a partner. J. Polep CEO and president Eric Polep says they are excited about the partnership with Palm Beach Capital, adding it will enhance his companys capabilities. Palm Beach entered the convenience distribution space in 2014 with its investment in New York-based Harold Levinson Associates. That association has helped J. Polep increase its customer count and sales revenue, allowing it to become a more strategic industry player in our current geographic area, Lori Polep wrote in an email, adding it also is helping J. Polep expand further. In addition to its headquarters in Chicopee and a center in the eastern Massachusetts community of Wilmington, J. Polep also has cross-docking facilities in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. We service anyone from traditional convenience stores to hospital gift shops, package stores and specialty food companies such as Aramark, Lori Polep says. J. Polep supplies Big Y Foods with candy for the front of its stores, and it also services convenience stores inside corporations and at colleges and universities. Alltown, part of the Global Partners family of brands, is a convenience store chain and one of the largest companies with which J. Polep works. We have around 300 of their corporate stores, as well as many of their dealer locations, Polep says. The anti-tobacco movement has proven to be a rough situation for the business which has long relied on tobacco-related products, but Polep says they are following trends and notes the growing market around CBD (cannabidiol) products. CBD is a new and growing segment of our business, Polep says. Yes, tobacco continues to decline year over year, but we have done a good job as a company to diversify our product mix into better-for-you products, food service products, and those products that have traditionally been serviced by the direct store delivery distribution, (like) milk, bread and ice cream. Its specialty food category includes ethnic, gluten-free and organic offerings. In 2012, the company debuted the private-label brand Rachaels Food, featuring grab-and-go fare such as fresh sandwiches, wraps and salads, as well as pizza and grilled cheese. Poleps niece, Rachael Polep Kramer, is president of Rachaels Food, while Mike Pepin runs its day-to-day operations. Having the private-label brand allows them to guarantee shelf life and quality, according to Polep. We want the best quality out there for our customers, she stresses. Growth has been steady for J. Polep. Sales in 2018 topped $1.3 billion, up from 2015 when sales reached the $1 billion mark. Polep has approximately 875 employees companywide, with the majority, 675, in Chicopee, according to Polep. The convenience of paying for gasoline at the pump eats into convenience stores profits, particularly candy, so enticing customers inside the shops is part of the companys strategy. J. Polep has thousands of products it offers its customers, everything from Hershey chocolate bars to BIC pens. Last year, the company added 38,000 square feet of freezer and cooler space by purchasing the former Friendlys building in Chicopee. While the company was the seventh-largest wholesaler to the convenience store industry, Polep believes it has now risen to be the fifth largest wholesaler, noting the new rankings are not yet available. The business has come a long way since Lori Poleps great-grandfather Charles Polep started it in Salem. He operated two farms, and tobacco was one of the main products he sold. In 1901, he had one of the first delivery trucks for tobacco in America. Lori Poleps grandfather, Samuel Polep, arrived in Springfield in 1928 to work for a tobacco company, followed by her father Mortimer, who left in 1942 to fight in the war. In 1945, Mort Polep started Polep Candy and Tobacco in his fathers cellar on Eton Street. In 1984, the business was sold to Trade Development Corp., which went bankrupt in September 1986. Members of the Polep family were still working for the company at the time, and the bankruptcy was devastating to them. Two months later, the family created J. Polep Distribution Services and has been going strong ever since. Lori Polep credits her brother Jeff, founder and chairman of the board of J. Polep, for restoring the business. His leadership and vision made this happen, she says, adding that loyal employees also reached out to customers to let them know they were going back into business. Lori Polep grew up in the family business, starting at 8 years old when she would count pennies for her father. Except for a stint at IBM, she has worked for J. Polep her entire life. Her cousin, Sam Polep, also works in sales for the family business. Eric is her nephew. Technology is one of the ways the company has been able to grow, and Polep thinks her great-grandfather would be blown away by what his descendants have accomplished. Acquisitions and expansion of product lines have fueled growth. Its a constantly changing business, she says. Sitting in the back of a mobile clinic, in front of racks of anti-overdose treatments and clean needles, Jaan Vaart recalls when fentanyl first appeared in Estonia in 2001. "I overdosed four times in a month. A lot of people died," Vaart tells AFP. "That was June or July, I remember." The yellowish powder is 50 times stronger than heroin, meaning just a few grains can be enough to kill. "You go unconscious, you stop breathing, you're going blue," Vaart says. "People are using and then pass away, boom." Against the odds, Vaart survived. The opioid that is behind the deadly overdose crisis in the United States has also taken a heavy toll in tiny Estonia. Of the more than 1,600 overdose deaths in Estonia since 2001, the vast majority were caused by fentanyl, according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. The highly addictive drug took a particular hold during a shortage of heroin in the country. The Baltic nation of just 1.3 million people had until recently the highest proportion of fatal overdoses in the European Union. But official statistics show that opioid-related deaths plunged to 39 in 2018, the lowest in 15 years and less than a quarter of the peak of 170 in 2012. It is one of the world's rare good-news stories in the desperate fight against fentanyl. The success has begun attracting attention, especially in the US, where the government said fentanyl and other synthetic opioids killed 32,000 people in 2018. However, experts warn that Estonia's small size may make replicating its turnaround elsewhere impossible. - Life-saving antidote - Having survived six years of close calls as an addict, Vaart began rehab in 2004 after the realisation that his luck was running out. "It was prison, death or homelessness. Then I decided to make a change," he recalls. But overcoming dependency was only the first step. "I was 26 when I stopped and it was, 'What next? Go back to mother? My classmates were businessmen, doctors, and where am I? I'm nothing.'" Nowadays, though, Vaart plays a key role in Estonia's anti-fentanyl drive, coordinating the health ministry's network of rehabilitation and needle-exchange centres for the capital, Tallinn. Today the mobile clinic -- an inconspicuous blue van from the outside, but a clean, brightly lit ambulance inside -- has parked at a run-down housing estate in the Mustamae suburb. Vaart and his colleagues meet users, offering them clean needles, food, drugs advice or just someone to talk to. Crucially, the team also hands out the drug naloxone, a nasal spray that can save the life of someone in the throes of a fentanyl overdose. Officials launched Estonia's take-home naloxone programme in 2013, the year after drug deaths peaked. Since then, staff have taught around 2,000 people how to administer the treatment. "The drug users are using it, and also the family members, service providers, and we've trained the police," Katri Abel-Ollo, the leading fentanyl expert at Estonia's Institute for Health Development, told AFP. - Police breakthroughs - The biggest strides in the war on fentanyl came in 2017, when police shut down a major laboratory one year after they nabbed members of a gang smuggling in the drug over the Russian border. "The main middlemen and people who brought fentanyl to the Estonian market have been caught and brought to justice," Rait Pikaro, head of the organised crime division in Estonia's North Prefecture, told AFP. "Since then we?ve seen a significant change on the market and overdose deaths are four to five times lower than before." Abel-Ollo says that fentanyl has not disappeared completely from the Estonian market -- new fentanyl derivatives from China still appear, and sales of drugs via the internet are on the increase. But the quantities trafficked into the country are significantly smaller than before. - An unrepeatable success? - Estonia's success has caught the attention of countries seeking strategies to stem their own opioid epidemics. "The United States and Canada delegations have been here and they have tried to learn, but Estonia is so small," Abel-Ollo said. "It's quite difficult to teach them to tackle this problem." State prosecutor Vahur Verte believes the key is Estonia's small size and effective databases to share information on criminals. "Everyone knows everyone, so it's easy for the different authorities to come together around the same table and speak honestly," he told AFP. And whereas in Estonia, fentanyl spread among illegal drug users, the US opioid crisis grew out of people becoming addicted to fentanyl-based painkillers prescribed by doctors. - Law of nature - Estonia's success in slashing fentanyl deaths coincided with better economic times that have seen its jobless rate fall to around five percent from nearly 20 percent in 2010 when the impact of the financial crisis drove despair. But the social problems that fuelled the addiction epidemic, like the poverty and unemployment that are prevalent in Estonia's marginalised Russian minority, have not gone away. "It's the law of nature that something should replace fentanyl," Abel-Ollo said. "So far it has been prescription medication and also cathinones," -- cheap, mind-altering amphetamines. These are "bad for the mental health of our drug users. But at least they're not as lethal as fentanyl." In his mobile clinic, Vaart believes the key to helping people kick drugs is deceptively simple. "Here is a place where you can just sit and somebody asks you how are you doing," the former addict says. "Sometimes it's a reminder of where I was, and that experience helps us to look through that addiction, to see there is a little boy or little girl who just needs some safety." Jaan Vaart survived fentanyl overdoses and now is active in Estonia's drive against the potent drug Estonia is one of the world's rare good-news stories in the battle against fentanyl Katri Abel-Ollo, the leading fentanyl expert at Estonia's Institute for Health Development, says take-home naloxone, an antidote for fentanyl overdoses, is now being used by drug users, family members, service providers and police Rait Pikaro, head of the organised crime division in Estonia's North Prefecture, says big strides have been made in clamping down on fentanyl Vaart and his colleagues meet users, offering them clean needles, food, drugs advice or just someone to talk to Of the more than 1,600 overdose deaths in Estonia since 2001, the vast majority were caused by fentanyl, according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction Some aggrieved members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Juaben constituency have protested the decision by the party to stop anyone from contesting the sitting Member of Parliament in the area. They expressed worry that the party is crippling slowly into opposition if the party does not rescind its intentions to allow sitting MP contest the seat unopposed. The irate members declared 'no contest, no campaign' for the upcoming parliamentary primaries in Juaben constituency to be held on April 25. "The political leaders must open the floor for the aspirants to contest for Mp in each constituency especially Juaben constituency. The President must listen to the Masses, 'No contest, No campaign,' we are not ready for unopposed in Juaben constituency. "We voted the party into power and we can decide to put the party to opposition. 2016 we allowed the party to unopposed some constituency, but the party refused to listen us, Why now 2020 no go area," they insisted. The General Secretary of the party, Mr. John Boadu announced that all female sitting MPs should also be allowed to contest unopposed. The angry members disagree with that decision indicating that "no one hates any woman to represent some of the constituencies. They therefore therefore call on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of NPP to address all the many issues confronting the party in the region. Nine persons were electrocuted to death and 22 people injured when a bus caught fire after coming in contact with a power transmission line in Golanthara area of Odishas Ganjam district on Sunday, officials said. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his condolence and announced announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. The chief minister also announced that free medical treatment would be provided to the injured, an official in CMO said. The injured were admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here. Five of the injured were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The mishap occurred near Mandarajpur when the bus was proceeding to Chikarada from Jangalpadu carrying around 40 passengers. The people were on their way to attend a marriage negotiation ceremony, Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Berhampur Sadar, Jayant Kumar Mohapatra said. The bus caught fire after coming in contact with an 11 KV power transmission line, leading to the casualties. State Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera said, a thorough inquiry will be conducted into the incident and strict action will be taken against the guilty. Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed shock over the mishap and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. Seeking a thorough probe into the tragedy, Pradhan said, concrete steps must be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents. Local people along with the fire service and police personnel swung into action immediately after the accident. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Sukant Sethi said, the blaze has been extinguished and all those inside the vehicle have been rescued and shifted to a hospital after disconnecting power supply in the transmission line. Preliminary information suggested that the luggage carrier of the bus came in contact with the transmission line along the road when the driver tried to give way to a two-wheeler on the narrow path, he said. The incident will be thoroughly investigated to ascertain the circumstances in which the accident took place, Sethi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tickle said Leaming will retire from the board this summer. [Leaming] really has a heart for those who need this kind of help, he said. Roberts and Black are being honored for their leadership of the Caroline High School carpentry and technical drawing students who helped build Habitats first round of new homes in the county. Carpentry students prefabricated the walls for the houses in class, with materials donated by Habitat, and later visited the construction site to help with the build. Their help really shaved time off our build schedule and it will allow us to start our next round of builds in the spring, Tickle said. Tickle said getting to build a real house was all [the high school students] talked about for months. Black, the technical drawing instructor, also brought his students to visit the construction site and had them redraw the house plans. Honestly, the plans they redid for us were better than the ones done for us by the engineer we paid, Tickle said. SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A second evacuation flight is bringing back another 174 Singaporeans and their family members from virus-hit Wuhan in China to the city-state on Sunday morning, Singapore's foreign ministry said. The city-state had evacuated 92 Singaporeans from Wuhan - the locked down Chinese city that is the epicentre of the outbreak - on Jan SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A second evacuation flight is bringing back another 174 Singaporeans and their family members from virus-hit Wuhan in China to the city-state on Sunday morning, Singapore's foreign ministry said. The city-state had evacuated 92 Singaporeans from Wuhan - the locked down Chinese city that is the epicentre of the outbreak - on Jan. 30, some of whom have since been confirmed as infected. The returning passengers will undergo medical screening upon arrival at Singapore's Changi Airport, the foreign ministry said on Sunday. Those with fever or respiratory symptoms will be taken to designated hospitals for further examination, while the remaining passengers will be quarantined for 14 days. The flight also took some Chinese nationals back home to Wuhan, it added. (Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan in Singapore; editing by David Evans & Simon Cameron-Moore) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The comparisons between Queen Elizabeth and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have been going strong for years now. Its true that both these women are trailblazers, with the queen making huge advancements for women and proving her leadership abilities. Meanwhile, Meghan helped smash stereotypes about what makes an acceptable royal bride. Even though Meghan and the queen have tons in common, there is one key difference in their motives that proves these two women will never see eye to eye. Her Majesty does have respect for Prince Harrys wife, but shell never understand why she puts her own needs before those of the general public. Queen Elizabeth and Meghan Markle | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth believes in putting the common good above self-interest The main goal of the queens entire reign has always been promoting unity and peace amongst her family and her constituents. Theres nothing Queen Elizabeth hates more than scandal, secrets, and selfishness. Elizabeth took the throne when she was just 25 years old after her fathers untimely death in 1952. But even before that, she was being groomed to take her rightful place on the throne. In a speech on her 21st birthday, the future queen announced her intentions for the monarchy. I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong, she promised. Even back then, Her Majesty was focused on peace and unity more than promoting her own personal agenda. Queen Elizabeth at her coronation | Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images Meghan Markle had a vastly different outlook on the royal family Unlike Queen Elizabeth, Meghan was never planning to become a member of the British royal family and did not spend her life preparing for the role. She saw her ranking as a senior royal as a means of promoting causes that had meaning to her. And she was the first royal willing to take a firm stand against the British press, even if it meant causing huge disruptions. British tabloids were guilty of publishing falsehoods and rumors for years before Meghan came along. But it wasnt until she and Prince Harry publicly denounced their unfair treatment that the issue was finally brought into the public conversation. Meghans intentions werent to destroy the family shed married into but she was unwilling to suffer silently for the sake of preserving their reputation, which is what Queen Elizabeth would have likely done. The queen isnt angry with Meghan Markle or Prince Harry Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Queen Elizabeth | John Stillwell WPA Pool/Getty Images Ultimately, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the decision to step back as senior royals because they felt it was the best move forward for their family. They werent thinking about how it would affect the U.K. as a whole when they did it they just knew it had to be done. To be fair, Prince Harry never had as much of an obligation to the people as Queen Elizabeth did. And its obvious that the queen understands that because she has been quietly showing support for her grandson and Meghan with her actions. Its true that Queen Elizabeth never would have exited the royal family to satisfy her own interests. But she must respect Meghans willingness to stand up for what she believes is right despite the consequences. The outcome of the General Election is on a knife edge as the three main political parties look to be in a dead heat, according to an exit poll. After weeks of speculation about the outcome, Fine Gael, Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail were tied, meaning the make-up of the next Dail is far from clear as counting begins. The country is facing the prospect of a hung Dail once the votes are counted. Lengthy government formation talks are likely to follow. Fine Gael (22.4pc) Sinn Fein (22.3pc) and Fianna Fail (22.3pc) are level in terms of public support according to the poll. The results indicate that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar may have managed to claw back support for Fine Gael in the dying days of the campaign. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has led her party to its best ever election result. However, Ms McDonald is running far fewer candidates that her rivals and is not expected to gain as many seats as they will. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin will be disappointed that his party is polling in third place. Despite this, the party could still turn out to have the largest number of seats in the next Dail. The Ipsos MRBI poll for RTE, The Irish Times, TG4 and UCD shows the Green Party on 8pc, Labour on 5pc, the Social Democrats on 3pc, Solidarity People Before Profit on 3pc and Independents on 11pc. More than 5,000 people were surveyed at 250 polling stations around the country with a margin of error of 1.3pc. Ireland turned out early and in steady numbers to vote in the first Saturday general election in more than 100 years yesterday. Factors such as the televised Ireland vs Wales rugby international in Dublin and the threat of a severe storm throughout the country later in the day may also have motivated people to vote early. There were also indications that younger people showed up to vote in higher than typical or expected numbers, a development which has particularly encouraged Sinn Fein and others on the left. In the exit poll Sinn Fein achieves a massive 31.8pc among 18- to 24-year-olds compared with Fine Gael's 15.5pc. The Greens and Fianna Fail were both on 15pc in this age bracket. Voters over the age of 65 primarily stuck with the two main parties. Fianna Fail will be particularly disappointed with the party's performance in the capital. Mr Martin knew that if he was to find an easy path to power, he would have to make considerable gains in Dublin. However, the party appears to have only achieved 14pc, trailing Fine Gael on 21.1pc and Sinn Fein on 22.3pc. Mr Martin's candidates performed better in the rest of Leinster where they polled 26pc, four points ahead of Mr Varadkar's party. Sinn Fein were second in the 11 counties outside of Dublin on 24pc. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are neck and neck in Munster on 26pc and 25pc respectively. Sinn Fein are back on 18pc. In Connacht-Ulster, Fine Gael edged in front marginally on 23pc, just a single point ahead of Fianna Fail. Sinn Fein are on 20pc. The Green Party will be somewhat disappointed that despite much talk about climate action being a key factor in this election they have failed to make a major breakthrough outside of Dublin. Fine Gael were quick to react to the poll with party chairman Martin Heydon saying: "We are in the hunt in every constituency for seats and are determined to come out of this election as the largest party." Tonight St. Georges Anglican Parish in Gate Pa is offering a free public lecture on the Treaty of Waitangi. A director of the Waitangi Tribunal and well-known local historian Buddy Mikaere will be speaking on the topic: Is the Treaty a Joke? the Treaty of Waitangi 180 years on. On Thursday the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi was commemorated with events held at Waitangi and around New Zealand. Locally a Waitangi Day dawn service was held at Mount Drury followed by a day of celebration at the Tauranga Historic Village. It comes after fierce debate during last years local elections about the Treatys place in Aotearoa today, says Rev. John Hebenton, vicar of the Anglican Parish of Gate Pa. On Sunday February 9, Buddy Mikaere will help us look afresh at the place of the Treaty for us in Tauranga, and in New Zealand 180 years on. The questions that Buddy will address are: So what are we commemorating: A piece of legal history of no consequence today? A tool for the British to steal Maori land? A device that allowed Maori to enjoy the benefits of being part of the British Empire and access to European technology and knowledge? A document that set out the parameters of future race relations? What does the Treaty as our founding document have to offer us today 180 years after it was signed? Buddy Mikaere at Gate Pa Buddy Mikaere is a professional historian by qualification and specialises in Maori consultation and associated activities working on his own account. For the past fourteen years he has facilitated Maori consultation for many development projects working closely with government departments, local government, large corporate companies and many other clients mostly in the area of resource consents. He is regarded as the countrys leading practitioner in his specialist area of expertise such as dealing with cultural issues arising from resource consent applications and has appeared as an expert witness on many occasions. Prior to becoming engaged in consultancy work, Buddy was Director of the Waitangi Tribunal where he was involved in a major overhaul in how historical information was collected and published. It was the biggest ever research programme in the country and involved both recruiting the best graduate historians out of the universities and computerising the results. He has undertaken the preparation of a number of research reports and is a published author in his specialist field of 19th century race relations. He brings this experienced and expertise to the issues around the Treaty and its place in our society today. Buddy was also the founding Chairperson of the Maori Business Network Tamaki Makaurau and a founding Board Member of the NZ Universities Academic Audit Unit. He is currently the voluntary CEO for Te Manawa Pou Tahi - Tauranga Maori Business Network. Buddy has also served as an Adviser to the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and as a Hearing Commissioner to the Far North and Gisborne District Councils and the Taranaki Regional Council. He spent seven years on the Board of the World Wide Fund for Nature. Buddy is currently writing a biography of the Hauhau prophet Kereopa Te Rau; the man convicted of the murder of the missionary Carl Volkner in Opotiki in 1865. The free public talk by Buddy Is the Treaty a Joke? the Treaty of Waitangi 180 years on will be held tonight, Sunday February 9 from 7-9pm at St. Georges Anglican Church, corner of Cameron Rd. and Church St., Gate Pa, near Mega Mitre 10 There may be an opportunity for questions at the end of each presentation. A koha donations will be collected at the door to help cover the costs. Hyderabad, Feb 9 : A group of anti-CAA protestors arrested here on Saturday night have alleged that they were ill-treated by the police during detention. Police detained 10 women and 18 men, including a journalist from Mallepally in the heart of the city during a flash protest. Those arrested including women were kept at Central Crime Station (CCS). The youths, including two minors, spent the night in the cold on the floor at the entrance of the building. They were released on Sunday after 15-hour detention and only after they were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for rioting, wrongful restraint, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty and disobedience to order promulgated by public servant. Shiba Minai, one of the protestors detained by the police, told IANS that the police beat up a young boy who is regular at all the protests against Citizenship Amendment Act. She said the arrested boys were forced to spend the night out in the cold. "They were without food for the whole night. There were mosquitoes all around. They were treated badly with policemen repeatedly pushing them and shouting at them," she said. Minai said the police were trying to suppress the protests through this high-handedness. "They are denying permission for protests and when we are conducting peaceful flash protests they are resorting to high-handedness," she said. Mubashiruddin Khurram, a journalist with Urdu daily 'Siasat', was also detained by the police. He said he was at there to cover the protest but police forcibly picked up him saying he was behind the protest. The journalist said he was kept at the office of West Zone Task Force. He said two boys were kept in the lock-up and were treated badly. He said four teams of officials questioned him and wanted to know why he was tweeting from protest venues. Khurram took strong exception to some comments made and questioned asked by the police officers. "One of them was saying why do you want to protest against CAA. What is wrong in NRC and NPR. You people have 50 countries. When I raised an objection he changed the topic," he said. The journalist said the police questioned him for being active on Twitter and also for being seen with Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad during the latter's visit to the city. Activist Khalida Parveen said they were arrested despite the peaceful protest. "Except raising slogans, we did nothing but the police still detained us," she said. The activist found fault with the police behavior saying to protest is their democratic right. By Express News Service RAMESWARAM: A 25-year-old Chinese tourist who arrived in the town on Saturday morning was sent back after his stay created a flutter among locals, although the tourist did not show symptoms of Coronavirus infection. According to sources, Sengh is a native of Anhui, a Chinese province located more than 450 kilometres away from Wuhan province, the epicentre of novel Coronavirus outbreak. He reportedly reached India (Kolkata) on January 24 on a tourist visa. READ| Coronavirus: Foreigners who went to China after January 15 not allowed to enter India, says DGCA Sengh reached Rameswaram on Saturday around 9 am and checked in at a private hotel. Panic-stricken over Sengh's country of origin, the hotel management alerted police who in turn informed the revenue officials and health officials, sources said, adding that a preliminary screening was conducted on the man at the hotel. "He was not symptomatic and was in good health. In order to avoid a panic situation, he was asked if he was willing to be in isolation for 14 days as per protocol or to leave the country. He agreed hesitantly to return to China," sources said. An air ticket from Madurai to Chennai was arranged for him, the source said, adding he was taken in an exclusive taxi from Rameswaram with his N95 mask on, even as a medical team tailed the taxi. In the meantime, officials at Madurai as well as immigration officials at Chennai airport were also informed. After reaching Madurai airport around 5 pm, Sengh boarded his Chennai flight at 6 pm in the presence of health department officials of Ramanathapuram district, who reportedly took special permission to go beyond the boarding point to ensure he had boarded the aircraft. Sinn Fein Cavan-Monaghan candidate Pauline Tully has said a video of her campaign van playing a pro-IRA song may have been faked. The video of the van seemingly playing the Wolfe Tones song Celtic Symphony, which contains the line ooh, ah, up the Ra, in Kingscourt, Co Cavan, emerged online in recent days. At the Cavan-Monaghan count centre in Cavan Town, Ms Tully said that she was not present when the video was recorded, and she thought the audio on the video did not seem authentic. I saw the video and I thought it looked like it was imposed, she said. Asked if she believed the video was faked, she said: Possibly. I cant say for certain. I dont know. Asked who would have made a fake video, she said: You just look at the headlines and the stuff that has been thrown at us in the last week or so. Your guess is as good as mine. Matt Carthy, her running mate, said Sinn Fein expects to take two seats in the constituency. Ive said from the outset that if we dont take two seats well consider it a failure. This is very much a team effort and a strategy that is designed to deliver two seats. He said he wanted to see a Republican programme for government. My understanding is Mary-Lou is going to be contacting all the political leaders over the next day. We want to see, if at all possible, a government formed without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. I think thats very clearly what a large proportion of the electorate would like to see also. The worst case scenario is that the Irish people are subjected to an FF and FG government, he said. Its not a matter of red lines, but our priorities are clearly in relation to addressing the housing issue, giving workers and families a break. What weve been saying during the elections is what we mean, they are the policies that drive us as party members but have clearly driven our electorate over the past number of weeks. Ms Tully said Sinn Fein votes should be considered when talking about coalition, theyve been totally disregarded and said they wont talk to us at all, thats leaving out a huge chunk of the electorate and the electorate has spoken. Were one of the big three, so we have to be considered, she said. New Delhi, Feb 9 : The first meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra Trust is going to be held on February 19 at the Delhi residence of K. Parasaran, the head of the trust, said a source here on Sunday. The construction of the grand Ram temple will start either from April 2 (Ramnavami) or April 26 (Akshaya Tritiya). This will be one of the agenda of the February 19 meeting. The members of the trust will start reaching the national capital on February 18 for the meet, the source added. The construction of the temple will take place on an "auspicious day", said a trust member. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 5 had announced in Parliament the setting up of a Ram temple trust, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra trust. The Centre later announced that the office of the trust will be the residence of head of the trust, K. Prasaran, the counsel for the Hindu parties who successfully argued the case in favour of Hindus. The already ensemble cast of Prabhas upcoming yet-untitled film has an addition. Kunaal Roy Kapur (brother-in-law of actress Vidya Balan) is set to make his Telugu debut in the film. Kunaal, who earlier worked in Bollywood films such as Delhi Belly, Nautanki Saala, and 3 Dev had even shot some scenes for his part in the period romantic drama. While the filmmakers have kept his role under the wraps, we have reasons to believe it will be a significant one. Apparently, director Radhakrishna was impressed with Kunaals natural acting abilities and his versatility. Radhakrishna had watched Kunaal Roy Kapurs earlier performances, and he felt that he can give a fresh makeover to an important role in the period drama. And when the director approached Kunaal for the part, the actor was more than welcoming to come on board, a source from the unit tells us. Kunaal, we hear, is yet to complete shooting for his part. COLUMBUS, Ohio A long-shot Democratic bill requiring presidential candidates to provide five years of tax returns took a strange turn this week, after Republican state lawmakers amended it to require that presidential candidates share their birth certificates as well. Republican members of the House Federalism Committee voted 6-1, with the committees lone present Democrat voting no, to amend House Bill 475, sponsored by Democratic Reps. Tavia Galonski, of Akron, and Kent Smith, of Euclid. The bill was developed with President Donald Trump who famously has broken political tradition by refusing to release his tax returns while running for office in mind, and it also would apply to vice-presidential candidates. The amended bill remains before the committee, and is unlikely to ever be passed. Staff with the Legislative Service Commission, the nonpartisan research arm of the state legislature, have noted it could be challenged on constitutional grounds were it to become law. But the vote is an example of some of the more off-the-beaten-path debates state lawmakers in Columbus undertake at times. Procedurally, the amendment was unusual. It occurred during an initial committee hearing, a usually perfunctory occasion when bill sponsors testify about their bill and field questions. But state Rep. Tom Brinkman, a Cincinnati Republican who is among the Houses most conservative members, introduced the amendment following Galonski and Smiths testimony. Committee Chairman John Becker, a Cincinnati-area Republican whos also among the Houses most conservative members, allowed the amendment to be introduced. Explaining his amendment, Brinkman alluded to former President Barack Obama, a Democrat who was the subject of a persistent, false conspiracy theory that he wasnt born in the United States. But he only specifically identified two presidential candidates both Republicans. He said he found it troubling to learn that 2008 nominee John McCain was born in Panama, and said incorrectly that 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney was born in Mexico. Romney actually was born in Detroit, according to a copy of his birth certificate which his campaign released publicly. I thought that type of information should be known to the public, Brinkman said. We also have had other controversy over other presidential candidates as to whether they were born in the United States. Smith responded by first noting that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was born in Canada, and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born in Austria. If this amendment is necessary to pass [the bill] out of federalism committee, the sponsors will allow such to proceed, Smith said. Rep. Brigid Kelly, a Democrat from Cincinnati, was the lone no vote. Before casting her vote, she noted that Romney actually was born in Detroit. She also griped that Becker by allowing an amendment during an initial hearing had deviated from normal legislative procedure. Following the vote on the presidential candidate bill, the committee took up debate on a different bill that would change when and how someone with a concealed handgun must notify law enforcement if they are pulled over while driving. Read other recent Ohio political news: Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose back from talking elections security in Israel Ohio House moves to undo law change that helped wealthy Stark County village try to change school districts Eight Ohio counties miss deadline to complete required pre-election security upgrades Proposed $13 minimum wage ballot issue clears Ohio panel, can begin collecting signatures A 15-year-old girl has been arrested following the death of Babacar Diagne, 15, who was found fatally stabbed in Coventry last week A 15-year-old girl has been arrested in connection with the death of a teenager who was found stabbed. Babacar Diagne, also 15, was pronounced dead at the scene on grassland in the Wood End area of Coventry on Wednesday night. A postmortem examination carried out on Thursday found that Babacar, who lived in Sutton Coldfield prior to moving to Coventry, had suffered multiple stab wounds. The 15-year-old girl was arrested just before 10.30am on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, West Midlands Police said. She has been taken into police custody where she will be questioned over her involvement in the stabbing. Two 15-year-old boys, who were arrested earlier this week, remain in custody after officers were granted court extensions allowing extra time to question them on suspicion of murder. Police said it is understood that Babacar was attacked by three black males who arrived at the murder scene on bicycles. Babacar Diagne was found collapsed off Petitor Crescent, Wood End, on Wednesday The reason behind the attack still remains unclear, but detectives are working on a number of possible motives. Detective Chief Inspector Scott Griffiths, who is leading the investigation, said: 'We've made fantastic progress on the case, but my team will continue to work around the clock until we are satisfied we have caught everyone involved in this awful attack. 'Although we've already made 10 arrests to date, I am still urging anyone who suspects they know who was involved, or saw anything suspicious near Petitor Crescent on Wednesday night, to please get in touch. 'The people responsible do not deserve protection. They have killed a child and we all collectively need to make a stand to show this is not acceptable.' Police have requested anyone who was driving through the Petitor Crescent area between 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday and has dashcam footage to get in touch on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Fidu Properties, a leading Chinese company with a major presence in the UAE property market, has reinforced its commitment to the country's real estate sector by unveiling aggressive growth plans including new offices and a future-ready strategy that rides on its phenomenal growth in rental deals and increase in sales and revenues over the past year. The company, which aims to further expand its footprint in Dubai with a third office opening shortly, recently marked its two years in the UAE with a 172% spurt in real estate deals closed during 2019 as compared to the previous year, stated the developer. The company, which has previously focused its strategy around individual growth, has reiterated that success revolves around creating and transforming individuals into being the best, rather than hiring the best to increase the company identity, as part of its future roadmap, it added. COO Nazish Khan said Fidu Properties is on expansion mode, which reflects its commitment to Dubai, the UAE and the region. "The companys strong growth is testimony of its concerted efforts and streamlined operations, coupled with the increased attraction of the UAE as a beacon of business and innovation," he added. Khan pointed out that investing in each component and personality was what will make the company greater than expected. "Acknowledging the presence of the tech era all around us, digital marketing is a field that gaining great momentum as time passes, while simultaneously guaranteeing a successful result. It is important to eradicate and move over from the orthodox techniques and patterns that were followed, as time has also provided a shift in audience. Millennialism has proved to be a huge factor in influencing and getting influenced," he added. According to Khan, 90% of real estate companies are boutiques and so is Fidu at present. "But our plan is to focus on the fundamentals of running a corporate company while primarily giving importance to our agents. Majority of companies are built by individuals, we are a company which will build individuals. Fidu will be a company that creates brokers rather than brokers creating a company in Dubai," he added. He further re-emphasized the importance of having a brand awareness, acknowledgement and identity in order to be one such corporate company.-TradeArabia News Service Santa Fe City Hall apparently takes umbrage with recent reporting that said city governments consideration of proposals to develop the city-owned Midtown Campus are shrouded in secrecy. In an email described as public outreach that is part of an open and transparent process, the city said last week, There is no secrecy when every step of the project and the process are in the public domain. The City is strictly complying with the New Mexico Procurement Code to guide and manage the evaluation and selection process. This is the mayors commitment to good government and following the rules that protect the public interest. The message touts the extensive public comment period that was used to help create a vision for the campus that includes housing, an education institution and film production. But the state government procurement regulations, the city email notes, require confidentiality of the contents of the respondents submission packages. City officials have said that, in following these rules, the public wont be told any of the specifics of bidders proposals for campus development until after the council votes to accept the winning offer. But what City Halls outreach message fails to mention is that the citys compliance with the state procurement code, and the codes rules against making public any contract offer before a contract is actually awarded, is entirely voluntary. Just last year, the City Council majority rejected a proposal from Councilors Signe Lindell, Chris Rivera and Renee Villarreal that would have called for more transparency in the contract-awarding process, with bidder proposals made public after a recommendation is made to the council, but before any vote is taken to accept any particular offer. And, in the past, before Mayor Alan Webbers administration, Santa Fe city government regularly made bids public even before any offer was recommended to the council by an evaluation committee. As weve noted before, the city even released detailed analyses of the bids for city banking services before the council decided to stick with Wells Fargo in 2017, after scandal had rocked the financial giant over accounts that were opened without customers knowledge. So City Hall should not push off onto state government the responsibility for the confidential process being used to consider the proposals for the campus project. The mayor and City Council voted to do things this way. The recent city email does add: The proposals came from firms all over the world and represent a significant investment of time, creativity and effort. These ideas have been submitted to the Evaluation Committee, but remain the confidential and intellectual property of the responding firms. Firms that do not make the finalist group could still be considered for collaborations at a later stage of the project. These firms are not willing to lose a competitive advantage by having their intellectual property made public and risk having their visions knocked off by less original firms. Thats why the proposals are not made public until the contracts have been awarded. City officials have made similar arguments before in rejecting the more transparent contracting processes used in the past or the amendment to make bids public before final approval that was rejected last year. Its still unclear, though, how one company can knock off anothers ideas to gain an advantage on a particular project once offers are submitted and on the record. Making the proposals public after a recommendation is made to the council, but before a final vote for approval would also seem to preclude any stealing of ideas. Theres no reason to suspect anything shady is going on or that city leaders are doing anything other than seeking the very best ideas for creating an impressive new city center on the Midtown Campus. But the secrecy that does in fact shroud the development proposals themselves is the result of choices made by Santa Fes elected officials. Its a designated policy about how Santa Fe wants to do the publics business, and its not a mandate from above. By Agencies PANAJI: Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, has urged the Central government to "immediately and unconditionally" revoke the "divisive and discriminatory" Citizenship Amendment Act and stop quashing the "right to dissent", drawing criticism from the BJP. He also appealed to the government not to implement the proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR). Filipe Neri Ferrao, Goa Archbishop: The very fact that CAA uses religion, goes against secular fabric of country. It goes against spirit&heritage of our land which, since times immemorial, has been a welcoming home to all, founded on the belief that whole world is one big family. pic.twitter.com/UvUl5RUkwP ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2020 However, Goa BJP's general secretary Narendra Sawaikar asked why the Archbishop was opposing CAA when "crores of people including Goans" were supporting the new law. Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, a wing of the Goa Church, in a statement on Saturday said, "The Archbishop and the Catholic community of Goa would like to appeal to the government to listen to the voice of millions in India, to stop quashing the right to dissent and, above all, to immediately and unconditionally revoke the CAA and desist from implementing the NRC and the NPR." The CAA, NRC and NPR are "divisive and discriminatory" and will certainly have a "negative and damaging effect" on a multi-cultural democracy like ours, the church said. There is serious concern that NRC and NPR will result in "direct victimisation of the underprivileged classes, particularly Dalits, Adivasis, migrant labourers, nomadic communities and the countless undocumented people who, after having been recognised as worthy citizens and voters for more than 70 years, will suddenly run the risk of becoming stateless and candidates for detention camps," it said. There has been widespread discontent and open protests throughout the country and even abroad against the CAA, NRC and NPR, which are "forecasting a systematic erosion of values, principles and rights" that have been guaranteed to all citizens in the Constitution, the release said. Eminent citizens, including top intellectuals and legal luminaries, have taken a studied and unequivocal stand against the CAA, NRC and NPR, it noted. Goa also witnessed several protests, which transcended the confines of religious and caste affiliation and brought people from all walks of life together on one united platform, said the statement. It said Christians in India have always been a peace- loving community and deeply committed to the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, enshrined in the Constitution. "We have always taken great pride that our beloved country is a secular, sovereign, socialist, pluralistic and democratic republic," the church said. The very fact that CAA uses religion goes against the secular fabric of the country, it said. "It goes against the spirit and heritage of our land which, since times immemorial, has been a welcoming home to all, founded on the belief that the whole world is one big family," the church said. "We pray for our beloved country, that good sense, justice and peace prevail in the hearts and minds of all," it added. However, BJP's state general secretary Narendra Sawaikar asked why the Archbishop was opposing CAA, when it was being supported by "crores of people". "Archbishop says that #CAA should be withdrawn as it is being opposed. My question is Why? When Crores of people are supporting #CAA, including Goans," Sawaikar, the former Lok Sabha member from South Goa, tweeted. Archbishop says that #CAA shld be withdrawn as it is being opposed. My question is why? When Crores of people are supporting #CAA, including Goans. #StopSpreadingFalsehood @Pontifex https://t.co/hDs8wznjw3 Narendra Sawaikar (@NSawaikar) February 9, 2020 BJP MLA and state Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said the Church should not be making comments that will bring about opposition on a "communal basis". "I have one thing very clear. No religion has a right to interfere in the governance of any state or any country or comment which will bring about an opposition on communal basis. They should not even be indirectly seen as inciting some sort of communal pressure. They should not have been seen as doing that, that is what is wrong," Godinho said. "The intention behind that may be good. (But his statement) is totally wrong as I see it. What is wrong is wrong. A spade is a spade," he added. The Goa Assembly had passed a motion congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for enacting CAA. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 10 Trend: On February 9, President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated the head of state on the victory of the New Azerbaijan Party, headed by President Ilham Aliyev, at the parliamentary elections and wished the new parliament success in its activities. President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the attention and congratulations. The heads of state expressed their confidence that the friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey will continue successfully developing in all areas. The presidents made a decision to continue new contacts in the near future. Barnaby Joyce has gone up against a climatologist in a heated debate about coal, bushfires and Australia's climate change policies. During a 60 Minutes panel discussion between the Nationals MP and former fire chiefs, renowned US climate expert Professor Michael Mann said the country's bushfires would continue to worsen if the Coalition didn't change its emissions policies. But Joyce, a former deputy prime minister, hit back, arguing the government recognised the climate was changing. 'We're not going to [put out fires] by having this incredible debate in Canberra,' he said. Joyce said Prime Minister Scott Morrison recognised Australia 'has got to do its part and is doing its part' to combat climate change and the growing fire threat. Prof Mann shot down the outspoken MP's views. 'In all fairness Barnaby, Scott Morrison and his government have played a destructive role in global negotiations to act on climate,' he said. During a 60 Minutes panel discussion between (L-R) retired Army General Major General Peter Dunn, former Victorian Fire Commissioner Craig Lapsley, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, US climatologist Professor Michael Mann said the country's bushfires are unprecedented '[The Coalition] have literally dismissed the connection between climate change and these unprecedented bushfires that we're experiencing. 'The scientific community has spoken authoritatively on this matter.' But when asked if he accepted that the fires have been driven by global warming, Joyce admitted climate change had played a role. 'I can absolutely accept that we've had a massive change in the climate. That is not my argument. My argument is one of immediate efficacy,' he said. 'We're going to put back into our fire breaks, we're going to make sure we build central watering points so that no [fire] truck has to travel more than 20km. 'These are the things that I want to concentrate on.' Prof Mann fired back, saying politicians 'can't solve the problem if they refuse to accept the cause of the problem'. Mr Joyce argued Australia has complied with international agreements. 'No that's not true,' Prof Mann responded. Mr Joyce then went on to spruik the importance of exporting coal, and noted it's one of Australia's biggest exports next to iron ore. Renowned US climatologist Professor Michael Mann said the Coalitions 'have literally dismissed the connection between climate change and these unprecedented bushfires that we're experiencing' Joyce went on to spruik the importance of exporting coal, and noted it's one of Australia's biggest exports next to iron ore 'Therefore the money that comes from that - whether you like it or not - supports our hospitals, our schools, our defence force,' he said. '[We aren't going to] say to the Australian people "we're going to get rid of that income stream and you've got to accept that this money is not going to turn up". 'And I'll tell you what happens in politics if you do that - you lose the election.' 60 Minutes moderator Tara Brown asked Mr Joyce if he was overstating the wealth of coal to Australia, and reminded him the coal industry is just 2.2 per cent of the GDP and only employs 0.4 per cent of the population. Prof Mann then doubled down on his views: 'How about the hundreds of millions of dollars being lost in tourism, the damage that's been done in these unprecedented bushfires?. 'The cost of climate inaction far outweighs the modest cost of taking action.' But again, Joyce hit back. 'Are you saying that if Australia changes its domestic policies then the climate will change?. 'This idea that Australia unilaterally will make a decision that is going to change the climate is absurd.' Prof Mann said there are a number of politicians around the world who are 'basically sabotaging climate action for the entire planet'. 'You can count [these countries] on the fingers of your hand. It's Saudi Arabia, it's Russia, it's the United States and Brazil. Does Australia want to be part of that family?' But Joyce said Australians will lose their 'dignity' if Australia's economy becomes weakened if it stops exporting coal. 'If you want to sell this program, you have to say to [the Australian people] how you're going to make their lives more affordable and put dignity back into their lives,' he said. So far, 33 people have died in the horror infernos and millions of hectares of land has been destroyed. Pictured: flames in Batlow, NSW Prof Mann claimed Australia's future bushfire seasons will be even worse than what the country endured this summer His remarks angered retired Army General Major General Peter Dunn, who then went toe-to-toe with the former deputy prime minister. 'But what dignity have you got, Barnaby, when you are standing in the middle of rubble and saying "how on earth did this fire happen?",' he said. He said the 'head of the serpent' fuelling bushfires is climate change. 'This country wants politicians to step up. It is the existential issue that the public have raised,' he said. 'It defeats me as to why you won't step up to it. All [scientists'] predictions have, damn it, turned out to be right.' Prof Mann said the effects of climate change are 'actually worse than we predicted'. Poll Is the Australian Government doing enough about climate change? yes no Is the Australian Government doing enough about climate change? yes 377 votes no 227 votes Now share your opinion 'Here in Australia we are seeing an unimaginable crisis take place,' he said. 'We're not seeing the sort of action we need to be seeing here in Australia and around the world to avert truly catastrophic climate change.' Former Victorian Fire Commissioner Craig Lapsley advised climate change deniers to 'go to the science'. Prof Mann, who works at Pennsylvania State University, claimed Australia's future bushfire seasons will be even worse than what the country endured this summer. '(Fires) will become more intense, they become faster spreading, they become more extensive,' he said. 'When you turn the entire continent or large parts of it into a tinderbox, there's really no amount of fire suppression or backburning that's going to get you out of the problem. 'People ask me, is this a new normal for Australia? It's worse than that.' Maj Gen Dunn, who lives in bushfire-ravaged Conjola on the NSW south coast, echoed Prof Munn's sentiments. 'What happened here? It was like a nuclear explosion. It was terrifying. It's a monster,' he said. 'We've really got to think about these sorts of things; how we manage bushfire fighting. The traditional approach has been well and truly proven to be ineffective.' So far, 33 people have died in the horror infernos and millions of hectares of land has been destroyed. Ghaziabad, Feb 9 : The Uttar Pradesh Police have registered a complaint against digital payment company, Paytm, for allegedly duping a customer. "An FIR has been registered against the company at Ghaziabad's Kavinagar police station. On the basis of the complaint, the investigation is being conducted," Ghaziabad Police Public Relation Officer (PRO) told IANS. The case was registered after a man complained that he was duped of money on the pretext of a cashback offer. He had allegedly received a call from a person who introduced himself as Paytm Vice-President. SPRINGFIELD Rail boosters wanting to make the new Valley Flyer service from Springfield to Greenfield permanent have a ridership goal to meet. The service, which also stops in Holyoke and Northampton, started Aug. 30, 2019. By 2021, the service must reach 24,000 passengers a year basically double the number of folks who traveled the line before more trains were added in August or the state will pull its $1 million-a-year funding. The north-south route is the latest in a number of dramatic expansions of rail service and rail infrastructure, including the $103 million renovation of Springfield Union Station. For boosters of the Valley Flyer, the first task is to figure out how close they are to reaching the ridership goal, said Dana Roscoe, principal planner with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission in Springfield. The commission and its partners are sending folks out to train platforms with crowd-counting clickers in their palms so they can get an accurate and timely count of whos coming and going by train. Amtrak, which runs the trains, only publishes ridership data once year. We cant just have an annual number and go with that, Roscoe said. At this point I honestly cant tell you how were doing. My sense, completely anecdotal and word-of-mouth and from visiting stations, is that we are probably doing OK but we are absolutely are not where we need to be. The $2 million subsidy is not the only government money that has flowed into the Valley Flyer tracks. In 2010, Massachusetts was awarded $70 million in federal stimulus funds for design and construction of the Knowledge Corridor along the Connecticut River. Track restoration began in 2013 and was completed in late 2014. Amtraks Vermonter service was rerouted onto this shorter and faster line, avoiding a turnaround in Palmer. Amtrak in October published new, higher passenger numbers for Springfield Union Station. Amtraks New Haven-Springfield route which works in concert with the Connecticut Department of Transportations CTrail Hartford Line reported a 26.5% passenger increase from 286,477 in fiscal 2018 to 362,442 in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. Passenger volume on the Vermonter, which also runs through Springfield on a north-south route, was up 1.4% from 97,909 to 99,280. Numbers for the Valley Flyer line were not available. The east-west Lake Shore Limited a once-daily trip from Boston to Chicago and back saw passenger volume grow by 5.9% from 337,882 to 357,682. More than a million riders have used the Hartford Line commuter rail service since its launch in 2018. The one millionth ride occurred during the busy Thanksgiving travel period in late November. Ridership on the Hartford Line, connecting commuters to destinations between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, has been growing at a rate of 25% year-over-year. The rail line is on track to exceed 750,000 passenger trips during its second year outpacing the 666,960 passenger trips Connecticut authorities had forecast. At times, CTrails Hartford Line has suffered growing pains, Roscoe said. Trains have filled over capacity, disrupting travel and forcing CTrail to use buses. On the Valley Flyer north of Springfield, the hand count of passengers will come at the same the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission begins planning for a $350,000 marketing and branding campaign aimed at making more people aware of the train and its schedule, said Maureen Mullaney, transportation program manager for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments in Greenfield. We would like the marketing campaign to focus not only heading south but to go from New York to here, Mullaney said. What we know anecdotally is that it is popular. People are riding the train. For someone who needs to go to New York City for work, its a game changer. But what about someone who needs to, or wants to, go to Boston instead of New York City? Commerce has flowed up and down the Connecticut River valley since colonial times. But in Massachusetts, political power is an east-west affair. A study of the viability of and requirements for an east-west commuter rail line is due sometime this spring. But speaking in late January, at an event celebrating the completion of Platform C at the station, Gov. Charlie Baker struck a cautionary note. He said the state needs to complete a thorough analysis of all the options before moving forward. Championed by state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, the study has already looked at six scenarios combining different routes, different numbers of stops and different trains and train cars. A commuter train trip from Springfield to Boston could take between 80 and 105 minutes, but only if the state builds a new rail line along the Massachusetts Turnpike and connects it to Springfield Union Station and Worcester Union Station. The trip is only marginally longer about 90 minutes to just under two hours if new rails are built basically along the existing freight rights of way with curves straightened out. Minimal upgrades better track and signals and restoring some double-tracked sections of rail would get the Springfield-to-Boston travel time down to just about two hours. But even the longest rail trip, boosters say, would take cars and buses off Bostons clogged streets and allow Western Massachusetts residents access to the booming Boston economy. Setting up east-west rail would take time. The CTrail service opened in 2018, 14 years after the first feasibility study and after three years of construction, which cost more than $760 million. Of that, the state of Connecticut is spending $564.3 million, and $204.8 million came from the federal government. And work will continue, said Judd Everhart, spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Work will take place this year in Windsor and Windsor Locks. This summer, Connecticut will begin construction at Windsor Station, a project meant to be completed in 2021. The project will include platforms on each side of the tracks, sheltered waiting areas, real-time train arrival displays, snow melt systems at ramps and on platforms, parking on both the east and west sides of the tracks, and security cameras and emergency phones. In December, construction began on the Windsor Locks Station in the new downtown location. The project will include a single platform, a multi-use trail with connections to the Canal Trail via Bridge Street, parking, and other amenities like the newly constructed Hartford Line stations. The 510-foot-long platform will be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, with level boarding from every train car, Everhart wrote. The project also includes reconstruction of Route 159, closing Church Street at Route 159, and improvements to nearly 1.5 miles of mainline track. This project would complement the towns new Transit Oriented Development Area (TOD) downtown and the development at Montgomery Mills. CTDOT also plans to: add a second line of tracks along the Hartford Line north of Hartford to increase the frequency of service in the region, create a connection from the Windsor Locks train station directly to Bradley International Airport, and add digital displays at each Hartford Line station to provide real-time passenger information regarding train times and each trains origin and destination. On a recent southbound trip, a CTrail train from Springfield was nearly empty and riders said it doesnt fill up until Hartford. But at least one rider boarding in Springfield was on his daily commute. Connecticut subsidizes the fares in order to take cars off Interstate 91. CTrail from Springfield to New Haven, a 49-mile trip, costs $12.75 one way. The train from Springfield to Greenfield costs $16 or $24 depending on when tickets are ordered, Roscoe said. The timing of the Greenfield trains is also off. A commuter with a job in Springfield can make a morning train, but return trips are either in the middle of the afternoon or late at night. In one other innovation, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is working to unify its ticketing system with commuter rail, so passengers can buy all their tickets for a bus trip connecting to a train in one go. It is the kind of embarrassment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could have done without, a few days before he interacts with luminaries of the Silicon Valley such as Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook. Instead of demonstrating that India has a firm grasp of the policy conundrums that new Internet technologies pose to governments, the communications and IT ministry has had to withdraw the draft national encryption policy after a furore over its contents. The policy will now be redrafted and opened for public debate subsequently, but the document offers a glimpse into the Indian States ambition in the sphere of surveillance and it betrays the deep discomfort that policy practitioners have for encryption technologies in general. The draft seems to have been conjured without regard for Indias reputation globally and its implications for our rights as citizens. Take three problematic elements that were proposed. After solemnly stating that the policy wishes to provide confidentiality of information in cyberspace, protect sensitive or proprietary information for individuals and businesses, it goes on to say that the government will prescribe encryption algorithms and key sizes for both citizens and businesses. Further it expected service providers using encryption technology to enter into an agreement with the government for providing such services in India. And while seeking registration, vendors of encryption products were to submit working copies of the encryption software/hardware to the government. In other words, Indian and foreign tech firms were not only expected to sign individual agreements with the government, they were to disclose the software to the government and go on to use encryption levels decided by the Centre. This is so much beyond what businesses are expected to comply with that one wonders if any senior executives of technology firms were even consulted informally about the propriety and feasibility of such measures while the document was in draft. Lastly, and most critically, the draft expected all citizens to store the plain texts of the encrypted information for 90 days, which meant that they were to store every email, chat and videos for three months, just in case government wanted to examine them. The government would hence not only decide encryption standards at one end, it would also expect the citizen offer personal communication on demand. Taken together, these proposals appear to originate in a weak belief in the right to privacy. The Centre must note that any policy framed from that vantage will infringe on individual liberty and provoke the kind of reactions on view. Governments may have to find other ways of seeing through societies, beyond the magic bullet of cracking encryption which citizens value. QAnon began in October 2017, when a pseudonymous user of the online message board 4chan started writing cryptic posts under the name Q Clearance Patriot. The person claimed to be a high-ranking official privy to top-secret information from Mr. Trumps inner circle. Over two years and more than 3,500 posts, Q whose identity has never been determined has unspooled a sprawling conspiracy narrative that claims, among other things, that Mr. Trump was recruited by the military to run for office in order to break up a global cabal of pedophiles, and that Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation would end with prominent Democrats being imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. The anonymous posts subsequently moved to 8chan, where they remained until August, when that site was taken offline after the El Paso mass shooting. They now live on 8kun, a new website built by 8chans owner. Some QAnon fans are hardened conspiracy buffs who previously believed other fringe theories, such as the bogus claim that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were an inside job. But many QAnon adherents are everyday Americans who have found in Qs messages a source of partisan energy, affirmation of their suspicions about powerful institutions or a feeling of having special knowledge. Some are older adults who discovered the theory through partisan Facebook groups or Twitter threads, and were drawn in by the movements promises of inside information from the White House (some QAnon devotees even believe that Mr. Trump posts himself, under the code name Q+). Others are seduced by the movements wild, often violent fantasies, including claims that Hollywood celebrities are part of a satanic child-trafficking ring. In online chat rooms, Facebook groups and Twitter threads, QAnon followers discuss the hidden messages and symbols they believe to be exposed in Qs posts, or drops for example, because Q is the 17th letter of the alphabet, a reference by Mr. Trump to the number 17 is seen as a possible signal of his support for them. They watch Patriots Soapbox, a YouTube call-in show devoted to coverage of QAnon, and other niche media projects that have popped up to fill the demand for Q-related content. Reddit barred a cluster of QAnon groups from its platform in 2018, after a spate of violent threats from members, and Apple pulled a popular QAnon app from its app store. But other social platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, still host large amounts of QAnon content. In general, these platforms do not prohibit conspiracy theories unless their adherents break other rules, such as policies against hate speech or targeted harassment. The frequent introduction of new symbols and arcane plot points to dissect and decipher has given QAnon the feel of a theological study group, or a massive multiplayer online game. In interviews, several adherents described QAnon as a lifestyle or a religion, and said it had become their primary source of political news and analysis. Haryana government has been honoured with the 'Gold Award' by the Centre for the state government's timely implementation of citizen-centric services under the e-governance project of Antyodaya Saral, an official statement on Sunday said. The award was received by Dr Rakesh Gupta, Project Director, Good Governance Associate to the Chief Minister, at the 23rd Awards ceremony organised by the Central Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances Department (DAR & PG), Government of India, in Mumbai. "The Antyodaya Saral project has been selected for the 'Gold Award' in the category of 'Excellence in providing citizen-centric delivery'," the statement reads. While congratulating the officers, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that "it is a matter of great pride for Haryana that the e-governance initiatives are taken up by the State Government got recognized at the level. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will break his country's diplomatic tradition and not send a message to his Iranian counterpart to congratulate the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. "In light of the current developments in Iran in recent months, there will be no telegram from the Federal President this year," German daily Die Welt cited a spokeswoman for the Presidential Office as saying on Saturday, February 8, and disclosed the unprecedented decision for the first time. Apparently, the widespread anti-Islamic Republic uprising last November, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) missile attacks on two U.S. bases in Iraq, and the downing of Ukraine International Airline's (UIA)passenger plane on January 8 over Tehran are the reasons behind President Steinmeier's decision to break the tradition. Based on data collected by Reuters, the Islamic Republic security forces, supported by the IRGC and armed plainclothesmen, killed up to 1,500 protesters in 29 out of 31 provinces of Iran. The four-day protests, triggered by a three-fold overnight increase in gasoline prices, soon turned into nationwide rallies against the rulers of the clergy-dominated country. Meanwhile, the downing of UIA's Boeing 737 killed all 176 onboard. The presidents of Germany have traditionally congratulated the Islamic Revolution that led to the overthrow of Iran's pro-west monarch, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, on February 11, 1979. "Last year, the German Foreign Ministry sent representatives to Iran's Embassy in Berlin to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Iran a regime that frequently urges the destruction of the Jewish state and spreads Holocaust denial," Israeli daily Jerusalem Post reported. However, the recent deadly incidents in Iran have apparently forced the German President to refrain from sending a message of congratulation to his counterpart President Hassan Rouhani. Earlier, on Thursday, February 6, the U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell had told Fox News, "Germany has a moral responsibility to say to Iran very firmly and clearly that it is unacceptable to deny basic human rights to your people, or kill protesters in the streets or push gay people off buildings. Celebrating the regime's ongoing existence sends the opposite message." Grenell, a former Fox News contributor, had been urging German Chancellor Angela Merkel's administration to end its support for the Iranian regime. The Iranian community in Germany also made its voice heard, by contacting government officials and lawmakers, writing letters and appeals. Nevertheless, the German Foreign Ministry told Fox News in a statement last Wednesday that the country's "usual practice in diplomatic relations also includes the celebration of national holidays in the other country." "As the Federal Republic of Germany continues to maintain diplomatic relations with Iran, this also applies to the upcoming national holiday," the statement asserted. The family of a teenager missing from Dublin 8 said they are concerned for his welfare. Sean Molony was last seen in the South Circular Road area on Thursday afternoon. Two people were hospitalized in serious condition after a fire on Saturday night in Visitacion Valley. The one-alarm blaze broke out on February 1 at 11:23 p.m., in a residential building at 3326 San Bruno Avenue (at Ordway). It was contained just shy of an hour later, at 12:15 a.m. The victims, both adults, were rescued from inside the home. They were taken to the hospital by ambulance in serious condition. SFFD spokesperson Lt. Jonathan Baxter told Hoodline on Sunday that four adults residing in the building were displaced by the blaze. Its cause remains under investigation. On Twitter, officials noted that the home was located just two blocks from SFFD's Station 44, at 1298 Girard St. Firefighters undertook an "aggressive interior attack" to rescue the injured residents. Storm Ciara will continue to batter the country until noon today and gale-force winds and blustery showers will persist for the rest of the day. The centre of the storm was forecast to track to the northwest of Ireland throughout this morning from 5am, with an increased risk of coastal flooding. An orange wind warning for the entire country will remain in place until noon, with winds of up to 80kmh and violent gusts of up to 130kmh likely. A combination of spring tides and high seas worsened by the stormy conditions will result in a significant risk of coastal flooding, especially along western and northwestern coasts. Met Eireann warned gale- force winds with damaging gusts will continue throughout the day, with storm-force winds along the west and northwest coasts. Thundery downpours of rain are likely with a yellow rainfall warning in place today, with risks of local flooding problems in several areas, particularly in the west. Aer Lingus advised people travelling today to check the status of their flight on the airline's website before departing for airports, as there may be some flight delays and cancellations due to Storm Ciara. Met Eireann's head of forecasting, Evelyn Cusack, said people should avoid making unnecessary journeys this morning. She said gusts "will affect parts of the country not normally impacted by high winds", adding: "The midlands don't generally get it because the friction of the land slows down wind. "That's why winds are highest at the coast and the land slows them down. But we have a very strong jet stream, that's the upper level winds, and it's extremely strong at the moment. The jet stream is due to the contrast between the low temperatures of the Arctic air and tropical air and, in between these two air masses, you have the jet stream and that's very, very strong at the moment." She said big spring tides today will get even higher tomorrow and tides will peak on Tuesday, leading to significant risk of flooding on the west coast caused by very high seas, low pressure from the storm and onshore winds. Today's extreme conditions follow yesterday's yellow wind warnings in most parts of the country. An orange wind warning for Galway forced the cancellation of last night's opening ceremony for the European City of Culture for 2020. In Dublin last night, a person was injured when hit by a falling tree in Crumlin. Some sunshine is likely to break through later today with blustery showers. It will be colder later with frost and ice in sheltered areas tonight and the possibility of some snow by morning. Tomorrow and Tuesday are forecast to be very cold and windy as biting wind chill conditions take hold, with some sleet and snow. BEIJING, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Faced with the coronavirus outbreak, neither Chinese people nor Chinese companies were defeated. But instead, they devoted themselves to the battle immediately. As a state-owned ride-hailing company, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur (SQLC) remains committed to holding its ground. In hard-hit cities, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur set up emergency support fleets as soon as possible. For every ride, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur attaches great importance to the safety of both passengers and drivers, putting much emphasis on disinfection procedures. Moreover, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur takes an active role to shoulder its corporate social responsibilities and employs all-around measures to protect the drivers. In this fight, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur will stand with everyone else and face down the challenge together. Supporting relief efforts, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur fleets rushed to the rescue in cities like Wuhan Following the outbreak in Wuhan, countless medical and relief personnel are working day and night on the front line. At the same time, many people in disease-ravaged cities are faced with traveling difficulties. After receiving the notice from relevant authorities on Jan. 24th, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur gathered more than 500 good drivers to form an emergency response "community support fleet" to meet necessary travel demands. To fulfill this task, drivers are on call 24/7 to the dispatch of community members. They run about with patients, pregnant women, as well as the medicine and groceries to be delivered to other residents, making their life and travel much easier. In Xi'an, Dalian and Urumqi, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur also set up support fleets to provide free chauffeuring for medical personnel, fever patients, and CDC workers, etc. They are an active part of the epidemic prevention and control efforts in these cities. "Peak actions" campaign pays close attention to travel safety To stop the disease in its track, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur launched the campaign called "peak actions" that places top priority on the safety of passengers and drivers. According to the mandates of the campaign, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur will set up enough disinfection facilities to fully cleanse all its cars. For drivers, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur requires them to spray disinfectants wherever people might touch inside or outside the vehicle, and fully air it out before picking up any passengers. Disinfection between the rides and after the day's work is also required, which is inspected and monitored through the app on their phones. At the same time, every car in operation must be fully cleansed at a nearby disinfection facility every 3 days. The staff there will not only sterilize the car, but carry out a thorough inspection of the driver's body temperature, disinfection records, relevant tools, as well as whether he or she is properly equipped with breathing masks. At the same time, drivers need to answer questions regarding whether they themselves, their family members or other close contacts, or passengers that rode with them in the last 3 days have been confirmed as coronavirus patients or show any pneumonia-like symptoms such as coughing or fever. All this information will be documented in full detail. With such tireless efforts, the disinfection and disease control campaign of Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur has been well received by relevant authorities. Undertaking its CSR, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur provides solid guarantee for drivers As a state-owned ride-hailing company, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur is undertaking its corporate social responsibilities. To express gratitude towards those who maintained operations during the outbreak, and to safeguard their health, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur now provides an insurance plan that will subsidize drivers infected with coronavirus during this period. Every registered Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur driver can sign up for this plan. Moreover, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur is adding new features to its Car Intelligence (CI) system, which is now able to tell if someone is wearing the mask or not. The app will also give instructions on how to wear breathing masks, put on protective suits or carry out disinfection procedures. Such features will provide a stronger guarantee for the safety of drivers and passengers alike. "The coronavirus outbreak is a grave challenge for the whole society. We need to pool our efforts and weather the hard times together. At this very moment, Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur will do its best in supporting the epidemic control efforts, and ensure the travel safety of passengers as well as drivers. In a word, we will undertake the due responsibility of a state-owned enterprise," said Mr. Wei Dong, CEO of Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur. He believes that, with concerted efforts, we are going to win this fight against coronavirus. Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur will be prepared for the new round of high-speed development after the outbreak and bear witness as Chinese people embrace a better life. SOURCE Shouqi Limousine Photo: CHMA The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna has launched a new initiative that takes an educational approach to promote well-being. Discovery College provides free courses to anyone and everyone who would like practical tools and strategies to face lifes challenges. "Identifying as a person who lives with a mental health challenge is not a requirement if you want to take a Discovery College course, neither is having prior knowledge or education on the topic," wrote Jessica Samuels, communications manager for CMHA Kelowna in a release. The model is the first of its kind in Kelowna but it's not an entirely new concept. These types of courses have proven to be successful in Europe and North America, including through CMHA Calgary," said Shelagh Turner, executive director of CMHA Kelowna. "We have spent more than a year identifying what has worked well elsewhere and how we could adapt it and bring it to Kelowna," added Turner. The way the courses are developed and delivered are from a unique model. Everything is co-produced, that means we work with subject-matter experts who have the knowledge and the personal experience in each topic area so we can provide an informed and genuine learning experience," said Beki Hardcastle, lead at the Discovery College. Discovery College courses such as Building Healthy Boundaries, Practicing Compassion and An Introduction to Mindfulness are open to anyone. Additionally, there will be courses tailored to certain individuals such as Young Adults and Caregivers. The CMHA Kelowna Branch is a charity that promotes the mental health of all through community-based programs and services, public education, advocacy and research. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: There was no interference in the election process, according to my observations, Heydar Orujov, an Azerbaijani observer in the 21st precinct of the 25th Nizami second constituency, told Trend. Heydar Orujov noted that a low voter turnout was observed in the morning due to bad weather, but later the voters' activity increased. The voter turnout was high during the day, the Azerbaijani observer added. The OSCE PA observers, while visiting polling stations, expressed satisfaction with the conditions created for voting. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people could vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. The government may impose anti-dumping duty on the imports of a chemical, used in foam making, from four regions, including the EU and Saudi Arabia, to guard domestic players from cheap shipments. The commerce ministry's investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated a probe into an alleged dumping of Toluene Di-Isocynate from the EU, Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei, and the UAE following a complaint filed by Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. Toluene DiIsocyanate (TDI) is a chemical used primarily for flexible foam applications including furniture, bedding and carpet underlay, as well as packaging applications. DGTR in a notification has said that on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted by the domestic industry about dumping of the product, it has initiated the investigations. "The authority hereby initiates an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping," it said. According to the notification of the Directorate, the company has requested for imposition of anti-dumping duty on the imports. If the probe finds that dumping has caused material injury to domestic industry, the directorate would recommend the amount of anti-dumping duty. Countries carry out anti-dumping probe to determine whether their domestic industries have been hurt because of a surge in cheap imports. As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral regime of the World Trade Organization. The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trade practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boris Johnson is expected to defy influential adviser Dominic Cummings by refusing to sack Liz Truss in a Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday and scaling back plans for a 'St Valentine's Day massacre'. There is also likely to be a major boost for powerful Cabinet Office boss Michael Gove, who is expected to bring responsibility for November's UN climate summit in Glasgow into his Whitehall empire. And Mr Gove wishes to use the Cabinet Office for cross-departmental No Deal Brexit planning to speed up the decision-making process. Boris Johnson is expected to defy influential adviser Dominic Cummings by refusing to sack Liz Truss in a Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday and scaling back plans for a 'St Valentine's Day massacre' Chancellor Sajid Javid is likely to be spared the axe despite a series of power struggles with No 10 but insiders have threatened to sack Mr Javid's advisers and replace them with Downing Street loyalists. The reshuffle will be Mr Johnson's first chance to mould the Cabinet in his preferred image since winning an 80-seat majority last December. Ms Truss, the International Trade Secretary, is tipped to stay in the Cabinet, although perhaps not in her current role. There had been briefings blamed by her friends on Mr Cummings that she would be fired. Ms Truss, the International Trade Secretary, is tipped to stay in the Cabinet, although perhaps not in her current role There had been briefings blamed by her friends on Mr Cummings that she would be fired On Friday Mr Johnson also dampened speculation that Jacob Rees-Mogg would be sacked by heaping praise on the Commons Leader after he spoke at a constituency dinner in the PM's Uxbridge seat. Meanwhile, Downing Street enforcer Mr Cummings faces increasing opposition to his 'control freak' management style in No 10 and over his threats to sack staff. Ministers and aides vented their fury after Mr Cummings told a meeting of ministerial advisers on Friday night that he would only 'see half of them' next Friday. One source said: 'Dom has lost on his big reorganisation and big reshuffle so he's taking it out on the kids. 'There's a word for that. Bullying.' There is also likely to be a major boost for powerful Cabinet Office boss Michael Gove, who is expected to bring responsibility for November's UN climate summit in Glasgow into his Whitehall empire Plans for a major upheaval of Whitehall have been shelved for now, although the Foreign Office is expected to take control over the overseas aid department. Another idea being canvassed in No 10 is to create a new powerful Office of the Prime Minister that would combine the Downing Street and Cabinet Office operations and assume some of the powers of the Treasury. The source said: 'Both Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair regretted not using their majorities to clip the wings of an over-powerful Treasury. 'My hunch is that Boris will not make the same mistake. State Senate District 19 has been in Democrats sights ever since Republican Pete Flores won this seat in a special runoff election in 2018. It was a stunner because District 19, which wraps around San Antonios South Side and stretches west to Del Rio and beyond, is traditionally as blue as the clear Texas sky. This year three Democrats are running to face Flores in the general election. We recommend Xochil Pena Rodriguez. We recommend her not because she is the daughter of former U.S. Rep Ciro Rodriguez, but because she has the right temperament and qualifications to serve as a state senator. A graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, Rodriguez works as associate counsel for the University of Texas at San Antonio. She has worked for the city of San Antonio, is a certified mediator, and serves on the city and countys Complete Count Committee for the 2020 U.S. Census. Democratic voters will find she hits all the high notes on their partys top priorities: Expanding Medicaid and ensuring health care is affordable and accessible to all, increasing state funding for education, mitigating natural disasters and addressing climate change, and support for bail reform and other criminal justice measures. Also in this race are Freddy Ramirez, a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorneys Office, and state Rep. Roland Gutierrez. Gutierrez has ample political experience, having served on San Antonio City Council before serving in the Legislature for five sessions. Hes done some good work in that time, but his support of predatory lending is impossible to ignore. Last legislative session he carried a bill that would have opened the door for sale-leaseback transactions. Under such transactions, a person might sell an item say, a TV or cellphone for $200 and then lease it back at a rate of $60 a week. At best, a person would buy back this item for $260, but its easy to see how payments might drag on. Strangely, Gutierrez has yet to explain who asked him to carry this bill, saying only someone from industry brought it to a staffer. He also defended the industry as a lender of last resort. Payday lending is a horrible industry, Gutierrez told us. I agree with you, but people need access to capital somehow. Voters in District 19 deserve more thoughtful leadership than this, and we believe they will find it with Rodriguez, who, to be clear, expressed zero tolerance for any form of predatory lending. The host of Diplomatic Affairs and Dean of the Press Corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Harriet Nartey is set to host the first European Union Film Festival in Ghana. The Festival dubbed, The European Film Festival Ghana', will showcase twenty-five selected short films from Ghana and the diaspora as well as ten award-winning European feature films. The event kicked off in Kumasi on February 6, to 8, 2020 with award-winning and Oscar-nominated film 'Honeyland'. In Accra, the festival will kick off from February 9 to 15, 2020 at National Theatre with the film Cirkus Rwanda. The films have been categorized under four themes namely Love, Activism, Environment and Identity. There would be screening of films sessions at a no-charge which will be followed by Questions and answers with the producer of the film Marek Novak. In the following days, films will be screened at Goethe Institut, Panama Park and SilverBird Accra Mall. The Ghanaian short films to be screened include Azumah the Ghanaian Hero, The Fisherman and Rising Star. The European films include Maradona, Balloon and President from the North. There Will be free industry workshops which will be facilitated by the European Union experts at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) in Accra which requires an advance registration. In addition, there will be an industry panel sessions with Ghanaian filmmakers and their European counterparts at the Goethe Institute in Accra. The European Film Festival Ghana is organized under the auspices of The Delegation of the European Union to Ghana and supported by the Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, French, Maltese, Danish, and Czech, German, Dutch and Irish embassies as well as Goethe Institute, Alliance Francaise and the British Council. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video By Roxanne Liu and Gabriel CROSSLEY BEIJING, Feb 6 (Reuters) - The rapidly spreading virus in China and a shortage of medical resources are prompting people to resort to unorthodox ways to obtain treatment, with some appealing to HIV patients and unauthorized importers for medicine. Chinese health authorities have said there is not yet any effective cure for the virus, which has killed more than 500 people in China. Although there is no evidence from clinical trials, China's National Health Commision said the HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir can be used for coronavirus patients, without specifying how they might help. That triggered a rush, specifically for Kaletra, also known as Aluvia, which is drugmaker AbbVie's off-patent version of lopinavir/ritonavir and the only version approved for sale in China. It is usually used to treat and prevent HIV and AIDS, and AbbVie said last month that China was testing it as a treatment for coronavirus symptoms. Devy, a 38-year-old freelancer in Shandong province who did not want to give his family name for fear of retaliation, said he was among hundreds who contacted people with HIV to ask for medicine. Although he had not recently travelled to Hubei province or Wuhan, the epicentre of outbreak, he grew worried that he had somehow caught the coronavirus after a doctor's visit found symptoms of pneumonia. He also had other symptoms associated with coronavirus, such as fever and nausea. Desperate and worried, he heard from a friend that a HIV-positive man nicknamed "Brother Squirrel" was offering Kaletra for free to people suspected to have the new coronavirus. He received about 30 pills. "When you were left alone, seeing the blur shadow of death far away, I think no one can feel calm," Devy told Reuters by telephone. Even after he was finally tested negative for the virus, Devy still believed obtaining Kaletra was the right choice. "You can only try various things to save yourself, right?" Story continues DRUG HOARDER Brother Squirrel, whose real name is Andy Li, told Reuters he was a 30 years old and coined his nickname because he hoards drugs for his condition the way "squirrels like to hoard nuts". After hearing the Chinese health authorities' comments on Kaletra, he and a few other HIV patients pooled about 5,400 Kaletra tablets in less than a week. They then posted their offer on China's Twitter-like platform Weibo. "We felt like we were organised for a military mission, Li said, recalling that hundreds of messages soon flooded in, leaving him barely any time to sleep or eat in the first three days until all of the pills were mailed. "There are so many people in need of the drug, and I dont want to waste time," Li told Reuters. "Time is life." Chinese health authorities cautioned that lopinavir/ritonavir, a prescription drug, has potential side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and liver damage. BIG PROFITS The rush has also opened up moneymaking opportunities. More than 28,000 people have been confirmed to be infected in China, most in Wuhan and Hubei. But a shortage of test kits has led to suspicions that many more are undiagnosed. Gatsby Fang, a Chinese cross-border buying agent, told Reuters that he ordered generic versions of Kaletra from India on Jan. 23, shortly after he firstly heard that the drug might be useful against the new coronavirus. Fang, whose primary job is in the financial industry, said he sold each bottle for 600 yuan ($86) each, bringing in 200 yuan to 300 yuan in profit on each. His stock was sold out by Jan. 25. Some clients ordered 600 tablets at once, he said. His buyers included infected patients, front-line doctors in Hubei, and those who did not need the drug but thought it might offer protection. Other drug sellers also approached him, pretending to be patients, Fang said. Grey market prices for the drugs in India, where he sourced them, started to rise on Jan. 25, Fang told Reuters. "For the 60-pill-per-bottle product, its price went up to about 300 yuan, 400 yuan from about 100 yuan in the beginning," he said. "Basically the patients reaching out to me were those who have no place for treatment, no place where they can confirm 100% if they have or not have the virus," Fang said. "That's the core of the problem." The World Health Organization has warned that there are "no known effective" treatments for the coronavirus, knocking down unconfirmed reports of a research breakthrough in China. Some traditional Chinese medicine treatments have also seen a boost in demand. There is no evidence that such treatments help in fighting the coronavirus, Gauden Galea, the WHO's representative in China, told Reuters on Saturday. ($1 = 6.9692 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Additional Reporting by Beijing and Shanghai Newsrooms; Writing by Brenda Goh. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political life, trying to fend off bogus charges of corruption that have been concocted by his political enemiesa group that includes, unfortunately, most of Israels political class. Earlier tonight he delivered a remarkable campaign speech that included a blunt assessment of Israels recent past and its relationship with the United States. I am tempted to reproduce the whole thing, as reported by Israel National News, as it is seamless, but will do my best to excerpt: Without our homeland [Judea and Samaria], we have no existence, we are left hanging we have no past, we have no future. This is our identity and our legacy, and our future is here. Therefore, our enemies are trying to uproot us from the heart of our homeland. They will not succeed. We are here, and we will always remain here. After the great euphoria of the Six Day War, a dangerous perspective became entrenched in the left. According to this perspective, Instead of fighting for Judea and Samaria, we need to give them up. They claimed that if we give these lands to our enemies, they will do us a favor and make peace with our existence. They said land for peace and we received land for terror buses exploding, restaurants exploding, hotels exploding. The wave of weakness reached a magnitude such that a Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, was willing to give the Western Wall to the Palestnians. The same Olmert, friend and close adviser of [Blue and White Chairman MK] Benny Gantz, is planning to go soon to [Palestinian Authority Chairman] Mahmoud Abbas so that they can work together against President Trumps deal of the century. *** If for years this is what the Jews heard, what will the nations of the world say? They said and say the same thing exactly: Pull back, pull back, pull back. From my first day in public life I rejected this idea outright and I fought against it with all my strength from my first job in the United Nations. But the demands for Israel to withdraw kept growing, and they reached their peak in the eleven years when I stood with my head held high against two US administrations. They worked against us, with the unending support of the left and Israels media, who always demanded that I withdraw and compromise. Ill tell you something I havent said until now. After the funeral of [former Israeli President] Shimon Peres, a senior US figure sent me a message: If you want such a great funeral, you need to start giving in. I told her: Im not worried about my funeral, Im worried about preventing the funeral of my country. I succeeded in standing up to all of the enormous pressure, because I have the ability to speak before tens of millions in the American public. For dozens of years, Ive been speaking with them in their language, and they believe me and believe in me. Therefore, I can have an influence for the good of our country. The strongest influence in the US is public opinion, and anyone who cannot influence public opinion there will end up giving in to pressure. Three years ago, we received a golden opportunity to change the path of history: President Trump was elected a personal friend of mine for many years, and the greatest friend who Israel has ever had in the White House. I saw this as an opportunity to move from defensive to offensive, and use a historic opportunity. Our rivals did not understand. When Trump wanted to visit Israel, three of Gantzs party members signed an appeal calling to boycott Trumps arrival. Benny Gantzs senior advisers, Ronen Tzur and Joel Benenson, compared President Trump the best president ever for Israel to Hitler. For three years we have worked closely with President Trump and his staff. I have spoken with him about leaving the Iran deal, about Jerusalem, about the Golan Heights, about Judea and Samaria, and to my delight the policies did indeed change, thanks to his courage. At first he left the Iran deal, then he recognized Jerusalem, moved the Embassy, recognized our sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and recently agreed to apply Israeli law to Judea and Samaria. Last week we reached the climax: The deal of the century. It includes a historic revolution. Until now, all the diplomatic plans required Israel to agree to make real concessions. They called it gestures. The Palestinians were not required to give anything. Now the exact opposite has happened: Israel is receiving real things, and the Palestinians are required to fulfill a list of demands. Whether or not they fulfill those requirements, Israel will receive US backing to apply Israeli law in the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea areas and over all of the Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria all of them, without exception. Were in the midst of mapping the area that according to the Trump plan will be part of the State of Israel. Its a lot of land. We will lead this, and President Trump will agree to it. I trust him completely, and I trust myself completely. But I dont trust [Blue and White Chairman MK] Benny Gantz. If it were up to Gantz it would not happen. With Gantz, we will have the loss of the century, instead of the deal of the century. He wants to implement the deal of the century with international backing. Will the United Nations agree? Will the European Union? Will [Blue and White leader MK] Yair Lapid, who wants to expel 80,000-90,000 settlers? Lets say all of them agree, which will not happen: Even then Gantz will need the agreement of Ahmad Tibi, with whom he almost formed a government and without whom he has no government. Across the world, people are gripped with fear of the deadly Coronavirus outbreak, which has now claimed 813 lives, but some people have been hashing in on this fear in the worst way possible. More recently, a US man decided to prank people but ended up getting into trouble for the same. Tyler Wallace allegedly sprayed Lysol inside a Walmart while wearing a shirt that said, 'I Have Coronavirus'. YouTube Wallace put on a yellow medical mask and began spraying Lysol on products and produce, police say. Wallace turned himself in, to the police on Thursday, and was charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, retail theft and criminal trespass to property, reports Chicago Tribune. "It appears to have been a prank that went too far," Joliet Police Sgt. Chris Botzum told the Associated Press. People in the Chicago area are on high alert over the novel coronavirus, since two residents - a wife and husband - have been identified as infected. The two Illinois teens aren't the only ones who tried to pull a prank. A Canadian Instagrammer was arrested after announcing on a flight, that he might have coronavirus. YouTube James Potok was flying from Toronto to Jamaica when he stood up and said he had just come from China and felt sick. The pilot, just 30 minutes from landing in Montego Bay, turned the plane around out of caution. Facebook and Twitter have rejected a request by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to remove a video posted by President Donald Trump that was edited to make it appear as though she were ripping a copy of his State of the Union address as he honored a Tuskegee Airman and other guests. The decision highlighted the tension between critics who want social media platforms to crack down on the spread of misinformation and others who argue that political speech should be given wide latitude, even if its deceptive or false. The debate has accelerated during the 2020 presidential campaign, as Democrats in Congress have demanded that Facebook and other tech companies take tougher action while figures on the right have argued that such policing could muzzle conservative viewpoints. Into that highly politicized environment came the video posted by Trump to his Twitter account Thursday. The roughly 5-minute clip shows Pelosi repeatedly ripping his speech in between snippets of him paying tribute to the airman, Charles McGee, as well as other guests he had invited to the State of the Union, including military families. In fact, Pelosi ripped a copy of Trumps speech immediately after his address to Congress on Tuesday. Drew Hammill, Pelosis deputy chief of staff, on Friday demanded that the video be removed. The American people know that the President has no qualms about lying to them but it is a shame to see Twitter and Facebook, sources of news for millions, do the same, Hammill wrote on Twitter. The latest fake video of Speaker Pelosi is deliberately designed to mislead and lie to the American people, and every day that these platforms refuse to take it down is another reminder that they care more about their shareholders interests than the publics interests, he wrote. But both companies rejected the request. Andy Stone, a Facebook spokesman, responded to Hammill on Twitter, writing, Sorry, are you suggesting the President didnt make those remarks and the Speaker didnt rip the speech? Hammill shot back at Stone, writing: What planet are you living on? this is deceptively altered. take it down. On Saturday, Stone said that the video did not violate Facebooks policy on manipulated media. The policy states, in part, that Facebook will remove videos that have been edited or synthesized in ways that arent apparent to an average person and would likely mislead someone into thinking that a subject of the video said words that they did not actually say. In the case of the video posted by Trump, the reason I was making the point about the fact that the things featured in this video actually happened is because thats a key element of our policy on content like this, Stone wrote on Twitter. A Twitter spokeswoman, Lindsay McCallum, wrote on Saturday that, beginning March 5, the company would start applying labels that read manipulated media on heavily edited videos like Trumps. Twitter said it may also show a warning to users before they retweet or like a tweet with a manipulated video and may reduce the visibility of such tweets. Trumps campaign said that the video, titled Powerful American Stories Ripped to Shreds by Nancy Pelosi, was clearly a parody. If Nancy Pelosi fears images of her ripping up the speech, perhaps she shouldnt have ripped up the speech, Tim Murtaugh, a Trump campaign spokesman, said Saturday. The campaign referred questions about the origin of the video to the White House, which did not respond to a request for comment. The video isnt legally actionable and shouldnt be taken down, said Jonathan Zittrain, a Harvard Law School professor and a founder of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. But, he said, Facebook and Twitter should probably label the video. Its important for social media sites that have massive reach to make and enforce policies concerning manipulated content, rather than abdicating all responsibility, Zittrain said. Labeling is helpful, he added, because even something that to most people clearly appears to be satire can be taken seriously by others. Of course, deceptive political ads arent a tool exclusive to the internet age, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, said. In 1968, Richard Nixons presidential campaign created an ad showing his opponent, Hubert Humphrey, addressing the Democratic National Convention interspersed with scenes of fighting in Vietnam, demonstrators being beaten in the streets of Chicago and poverty in Appalachia, she said. In another ad, from 1960, John Kennedys presidential campaign edited clips of Nixon to show him sweating, appearing distracted and nodding and seeming to agree with Kennedy while Kennedy was speaking, Jamieson said. She warned against tech companies policing such content. Historically, we dont want anybody getting in the way of candidates speaking to the electorate, she said. We want the press and the opposing candidates to hold them accountable for deception. Facebooks decision not to remove the video came after it honored a request by Pelosis office and took down a video on Thursday that was doctored to make it appear as though she were swallowing Tide Pods. The video, which was still posted on Twitter on Saturday, was apparently made by manipulating a 2018 video of Pelosi sampling chocolates on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Facebook said that video violated a policy against showing people eating Tide Pods, which it created in 2018, after videos spread on social media encouraging people to bite down on the brightly colored laundry detergent packets. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. President of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) Party Babulal Marandi has convened an executive committee meeting of the party on Tuesday, amidst media reports that the party is heading towards a merger with the BJP. A JVM(P) leader said that the agenda of the meeting has not yet been finalised. BJPs national general secretary Arun Singh also refused to comment on reports that the Babulal Marandi-led JVM-P "is heading towards a merger with the BJP". Replying to a question at a press conference here, the BJP MP said, "The central leadership has to take a decision on the merger." The February 11 meeting will take place days after two party MLAs were expelled for alleged anti-party activities. The JVM(P) on Thursday expelled its MLA, Pradip Yadav, from the party's primary membership days after he met Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. Yadav was the second party MLA after Bandhu Tirkey to have been axed within a fortnight for alleged anti-party activities. The JVM(P) had bagged three seats in the Assembly elections held last year. Besides Yadav and Tirkey, party chief Babulal Marandi had won. JVM(P)'s principal general secretary Abhay Singh had said that Yadav, who represents Poreyahat constituency, was expelled from the party's primary membership on disciplinary grounds. The party had on February 4 served a notice to Yadav seeking an explanation over his meeting AICC interim president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on January 23. The JVM(P) also sought to know from him about his statements in the media, which were allegedly against party president Babulal Marandi. Yadav, who had also joined a meeting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act organised by the Congress in Godda without his party's permission, was asked to reply to the show-cause notice within 48 hours. The action was taken against him after he failed to reply to the show cause notice, Abhay Singh said. The JVM(P) had on January 21 expelled its Mandar MLA Bandhu Tirkey for allegedly campaigning against the party's official candidate in Hatia constituency during the assembly elections. Tirkey also accompanied Yadav during his meeting with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. A day after this meeting, the JVM(P) withdrew support to the Hemant Soren-led government in Jharkhand accusing the ruling alliance partner Congress of attempting to poach its MLAs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UPDATE: The scheduled launch was postponed. A new date has not yet been set. If you live near the Jersey Shore, you might be able to see a rocket launch Sunday afternoon from NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. NASA is set to launch a Northrop Grumman Antares rocket, sending a cargo ship of supplies and equipment to the International Space Station orbiting Earth. The launch is scheduled for 5:39 p.m. EST, according to WFFs launch tracking website. People in Monmouth County to Cape May County should be able to see the launch within a minute to three minutes of liftoff, weather permitting. The launch will be Northrop Grummans 13th services resupply mission, sending information on scientific investigations to the space station. Cygnus and Antares returned to the vertical position on pad 0A. The two were spotted this morning under the full Moon before their launch at 5:39 p.m. pic.twitter.com/nqVWppsgE0 NASA Wallops (@NASA_Wallops) February 9, 2020 Tennyson Donnie Coleman may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TennysonTV. Find him on Facebook. Have a tip? Let us know at nj.com/tips. SAGINAW, MI -- Saginaw police are rallying around the police dog stabbed in the head Sunday morning. The 48-year-old man alleged to have stabbed the dog was then fatally shot by officers. His name has not yet been released. Police Chief Bob Ruth asked the community for prayers as K-9 Deebo recovers at a local veterinarian hospital. The 5-year-old German Shepherd was injured during a call to the 600 block of Sheridan Avenue for what turned out to be a hostage situation around 8 a.m. Sunday morning. During the altercation, a 48-year-old man stabbed the police dog in the head, according to police. Officers then shot into the house, fatally shooting the 48-year-old man, police said. Deebo was then taken to a local vet for treatment. The K-9 joined the police department in 2016, replacing Kilo, who provided six years of service prior to retiring in September of that year. Kilo died in March 2017. Retired Saginaw police dog Kilo remembered as energetic companion Jody Wilk, president of the Saginaw Valley Police Canine Association, said the organization was able to use approximately $13,000 in funds raised via individual, events, the Saginaw Community Foundation, and grants to purchase Deebo from Northern Michigan K-9 out of Clare. Deebo received training from Scott LaRoe, owner and operator of Magnum K-9 in Quincy, in tracking, narcotics, apprehension and handler protection. The K-9 has been involved in 7 or 8 suspect tracks and/or apprehensions and drug busts, LaRoe said. Hes very active. Hes one of the dogs thats constantly finding and tracking and apprehending, said Wilk. After learning about what happened Sunday morning, Wilk said, I was terrified to be honest. We come to spend a lot of time with these dogs and theyre not just dogs. These dogs go home with their handlers, they become part of the family, she commented. Deebo is a very popular dog within the department, Ruth said, calling the K-9 one of the family. Deebo also holds a special place in the Saginaw community. Everyone loves him, the citizens love him, said Ruth. Hes here to protect the officers and essentially thats what he does. Thats what he was doing this morning. Deebos community involvement includes going into local schools, putting on demonstrations and teaching children what police officers do and building relationships, Wilk said. To hear that one of our boys got hurt, its very terrifying and hopefully everything turns out for the good, she added. Its tough to hear. Wilk has had a chance to see Deebo following the incident. Its not how you want to see him, of course, she said. Its just like any of our kids. When you see that theyre sick or struggling, its tough to see that. We just ask for everyones prayers and support. Cards and well-wishes for Deebo can be sent to the Saginaw Police Department. A donation fund has been set up on the Saginaw Valley Canine Associations Facebook page to help pay for Deebos costs related to the incident. The identity of the 48-year-old man killed in the encounter has not been released. Ruth said officers were called initially called to the location for neighbor trouble, which eventually evolved into a domestic situation that evolved into a hostage situation. The hostage, an adult male, was rescued by officers from the home, Ruth said. He was not injured. The 48-year-old man was armed with a knife, police said. He used the knife to stab Deebo, according to Ruth. Saginaw police kill man who stabbed K-9 in the head Officers then fired shots inside the home, which led to the 48-year-old mans death, Ruth said. Its not clear at this time how many officers fired shot. Michigan State Police Lt. Jim Lang said the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by Michigan State Police. JERUSALEM - The U.S. ambassador to Israel has cautioned Israel against unilateral action in annexing West Bank settlements, warning that such a move could endanger the Trump administrations recently unveiled Mideast plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had initially sought to move quickly to annex large swathes of the West Bank containing Jewish settlements, following the U.S. plans announcement on Jan. 28. Netanyahu called for his Cabinet to vote on such a measure, only to call it off a day later. The move would have risked provoking a harsh backlash from the Palestinians and the international community. U.S. Ambassador David Friedman wrote Sunday on Twitter that the application of Israeli law to the territory which the Plan provides to be part of Israel is subject to the completion of a mapping process by a joint Israeli-American committee. Any unilateral action in advance of the completion of the committee process endangers the Plan & American recognition, he said. Last month, senior Trump aide Jared Kushner said days after the plans announcement that the administration would not support Israel taking any unilateral steps to annex parts of the West Bank before the countrys March 2 parliamentary elections. The Palestinians seek the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war for an independent state. Most of the international community views Israels east Jerusalem and West Bank settlements now home to some 700,000 Israelis as illegal. The Palestinians consider them a major obstacle to peace. The Trump plan would allow Israel to annex all of its settlements along with the strategic Jordan Valley. It would give the Palestinians limited autonomy in several chunks of territory with a capital on the outskirts of Jerusalem, but only if they meet stringent conditions. While Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed the plan as a historic national mission, the Palestinians have adamantly rejected it. In the face of U.S. criticism, Netanyahu has walked back his calls for immediate annexation of the West Bank. Addressing supporters on Saturday, Netanyahu said mapping of the region was underway, and rebuffed criticism from his nationalist allies over dragging his feet. We have been waiting for this since 67 and people are making a big deal over a few weeks, Netanyahu said. Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem on Sunday, Friedman said that the president put out a plan for the next hundred years, not the next 30 days, alluding to the upcoming Israeli elections on March 2. Netanyahu is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office. This will be Israels third parliamentary elections in under a year after the long-serving premier failed to form a government following Aprils and Septembers votes. He also faces trial on a series of corruption charges after the Israeli attorney general indicted him in November. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. I would encourage everyone to take a step back and a deep breath because this is something that, if done right, can ensure Israels security and bring great prosperity and dignity to the Palestinians, the ambassador said. Thirty Filipinos returned to the Philippines on Sunday from Wuhan City in China's Hubei province, the epicentre of a coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 800 in the mainland, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Twenty-nine adults and an infant flew on a chartered flight arranged by the foreign affairs and health departments which landed in Clark Air Base, located about 40 miles northwest of the capital, Manila. The returning passengers and a 10-member government team were transferred from the plane into buses that brought them to the nearby Athlete's Village in New Clark City in Tarlac province for a 14-day quarantine, the DFA said in a statement. There were about 300 Filipinos in Hubei, based on the Philippine government's estimate, but it said not all had wanted to be evacuated. The Philippines has reported three positive cases of the coronavirus infection in the country, including a 44-year-old Chinese man who had travelled from Wuhan and died in a government-run hospital in Manila after developing severe pneumonia. There were more than 230 "patients under investigation" for coronavirus infection in the country as of Saturday, including around 100 in Manila, according to the health department. (Reuters) The outbreak of coronavirus in China casts a shadow on its imports as many countries, including Russia, seek alternatives after the virus hit hard economic activity in Wuhan. Moscow may import fruit, vegetable, and seafood products from Morocco or Turkey, replacing imports from China due to coronavirus outbreak, an official said. Vegetables, fruits and seafood make up the basis of Chinese food exports to Russia [] At the moment, the falling volumes [of food products] can easily be replaced by supplies from other countries, such as Morocco and Turkey, Dmitry Vostrikov, head of Russias Food Products Manufacturers told TASS news agency. Many countries have suspended their imports from China following the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus. According to Vostrikov, a total of 453,000 tons of vegetables worth $370 million were imported from China in the first 11 months of 2019. The novel coronavirus, so named because under the microscope it resembles a crown, or corona in Latin, has affected up to Saturday nearly 35,000 persons, 6000 of whom in severe condition, and claimed 724 lives. The virus, which originated in Wuhan, is said to have been transmitted to humans from animals, particularly bats. Several artists on Sunday condemned the Indian Art Fair for not standing with the artists whose work was interrupted during an event here, saying its attitude was "absolutely unethical and prejudiced". In a statement, artists and curators, including Puneet Kaushik, Shukla Sawant, Annapurna Garimella, Shefalee Jain, Lokesh Khodke and Sindhura, demanded that the India Art Fair (IAF) apologise to the artists. "We, the undersigned, express solidarity with the young artists who were subjected to intimidation and discrimination at and by the India Art Fair (IAF) on February 2, 2020. We strongly condemn the absolutely unethical and prejudiced attitude displayed by the Fair management towards these artists," the statement said. On February 2, a performative art piece curated by Myna Mukherjee at the fair's Italian Embassy Culture Centre booth was interrupted abruptly by the police following an anonymous complaint that some paintings against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act were being exhibited. The art featured paintings as well as songs including Faiz Ahmad Faiz's "Hum Dekhenge", and poetry recitations talking about the love, beauty, tenderness and the strength of women across the country. The statement noted that while the police intimidated the participating artists and proceeded to shut down the performance entirely, the officials at IAF did not intervene. "The officials at the fair, instead of stepping in and listening to the artists and examining the situation fully, abdicated their responsibilities and left the artists and the curator to reason and negotiate with the police," it said. "The key question remains why IAF not only failed to stand by the artists but were also active participants in the harassment meted out to them," the charitable trust said in the statement. It further added that the IAF's behaviour was "absolutely discriminatory" considering the police complaint was based on the fact that the artwork was being prepared by "someone wearing clothes resembling the women sitting in Shaheen Bagh". "It is not acceptable to allow artists' expression to be curtailed on account of an anonymous complaint, especially when that complaint reeks of nothing but deep seated and reprehensible Islamophobia. "The fact that the art fair has tried to insulate itself from the ongoing movement against CAA, NRC, and NPR by creating a 'zero-tolerance' policy against banners and sloganeering is a troubling violation of the right to dissent," it said. It also noted that the IAF's policy framed in terms of safety is ignorant and misleading given that "those participating in this non-violent movement have actually been at the receiving end of brutal violence in the form of lathi charge, beating, and even bullets at hands of security forces and law-enforcement agencies". "That the same agencies were allowed to target and intimidate young artists on the basis of an Islamophobic complaint is an unacceptable lack of sensitivity towards the vulnerability of marginalized peoples in this current political milieu," the artists said. They said "ideologies of bigotry" cannot be allowed to determine who can create art, where they can create it, what its content can be or what artists can wear while making it. The artists also criticised the fair management's claim that they were unaware of the details of the art programme in question. "They have further later claimed to the police and public that they had no knowledge that the event was happening, which has since been proved to be false as the artists leading the programme have publicly shared the invitation in which the event is listed. This invitation had been widely circulated at and prior to the fair. Other artists at the fair have even attested to this," the CWST statement read. The invitations as well as the fair schedule, available and circulated among visitors, described the performative project "The Wall" as a community art building mural led by the Post Art Project. During the commotion at the fair, one of the artworks has also allegedly been misplaced, regarding which the Italian Embassy as well as the IAF released a joint statement on Saturday. "We have come to a common understanding on the requirements and procedures that need to be carried out for the installation of the exhibition booth within the fair. We regret to learn about a missing artwork from the booth and we consider this to be an unfortunate incident," it read. "The Embassy of Italy would like to thank the India Art Fair for their support in all the stages related to Italy's contribution to the India Art Fair and is looking forward to participating in the next edition in 2021," the statement added. (Representative Image) Image Credit: Pixabay Two days after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences Students Union (TISSSU) released a statement condemning the sedition charges filed against one of their fellow students, the TISS Teachers Association (TISSTA) has extended its support to the students. The 21-year-old trans-identified student, whose name given at birth is Urvashi, but who uses the name Kris Chudawala, is among the 51 people against whom the Mumbai Police registered a first information report (FIR) on the complaint of Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Kirit Somaiya on February 2. They were booked for allegedly raising slogans in support of Jawaharlal Nehru University student Sharjeel Imam, also charged with sedition, at the Mumbai Pride Solidarity Gathering on February 1. In a statement released on Saturday, TISSTA termed the Mumbai Polices move as scapegoating of a young student and others. The individual scapegoating of a young trans person, as well as other TISS students participating in a peaceful march whose actions have been taken out of context and twisted to suit a pre-determined agenda, is part of a larger attempt to undermine an academic institution that stands for Constitutional rights and social justice, read the statement. It further added: The revelation of the identity of a young trans student, who is only exercising their democratic right to protest, amounts to harassment and is tantamount to a hate crimeThe student has been maliciously projected as being a traitor to the nation, firstly by politically motivated individuals on social media, and amplified by some sections of the media. The FIR uses Chudawalas birth name Urvashi, instead of her assumed name. Earlier this week, a sessions court rejected Chudawalas anticipatory bail plea and the student has moved the Bombay high court now. TISSTA also condemned the alleged attempts by politically-vested interests to defame the institution. The immense contribution of TISS and its commitment to marginalised communities is being systematically devalued by projecting it as a space that promotes activities that undermine the nation, the statement read. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Looking for a perfect cake this Valentine season? Worry no more, because Cara Mia PH, the authority in the Philippines when it comes to delicious cakes and gelato, has once again brought back their well-loved Strawberry Shortcake. Perfect for the Valentine's day, right? Tucked in between layers of light chiffon cake are slices of sweet strawberries married with whipped cream that makes every bite a declaration of love. So simple, yet downright delicious. As this Strawberry Shortcake by Cara Mia is a seasonal cake on the menu, I highly encourage you to go grab a box or two - one for you and one for that special one of yours. A whole cake is priced at Php160, while a whole cake is only Php1,195. Trust me, it's worth the price, and equally worth the calories. After all, we do not have the entire year to enjoy this delicious cake because it's available for limited time only. So if you are looking for a perfect gift this Valentine's day, head on to the nearest Cara Mia Cakes and Gelato branch and get this limited edition Strawberry Shortcake. You may also place your order via their delivery service contact number 822-1111 and online via their website caramia.ph. Cara Mia Cakes and Gelato PH Email: marketing@caramia.ph Delivery Hotline.: 822-1111 Website: caramia.ph Facebook: @caramiacakesandgelato Instagram: @caramia.ph But he frowns when talk steers to giving him credit. He said its always been the efforts of all involved to take the local Y from 1,500 members and an annual budget of $500,000 to more than 30,000 members and $15 million a year in gross revenue. The Y even gives about $1 million a year in financial aid. Fredette, who now works for the Vakos Cos., said the Y board always realized the importance of coming up with a long-term plan to prioritize improvements and expansion. We set up a finance committee, which has always been made up of astute financial advisers, to vet every project and recommendation that Barney would bring to the board, said Fredette. Reiley said Fredette brought important business and personal connections to the board, which made it possible to bring in critical donors and contributors such as Russell Sullivan, Ron Rosner and Adam Fried. Fredette said hes been happy to reach out for help on Y projects. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 16:11:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close URUMQI, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Donning white overalls, a red helmet, a pair of goggles and a mask, Feng Tao patrols a medical disposal facility, where two furnaces roar away burning medical waste at a temperature of 1,000 degrees Celcius. Feng, 36, is a patroller at a medical waste disposal center in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The center has disposed of a large amount of medical waste related to the novel strain of coronavirus. Chinese health authorities Sunday said the overall confirmed novel coronavirus cases on the Chinese mainland had reached 37,198 by the end of Saturday and 811 people had died of the disease. With the strict process, the factory turns the medical waste into up-to-standard air, with only 0.07 percent left as residue. The residue then goes through a toxicology test before being put into landfills. "I try not to eat or drink when I work, so I can go to the restroom fewer times," Feng said. He said that if he eats or goes to the bathroom, he would have to change into new protective clothes and spend a very long time disinfecting. "The number of the protective overalls is limited, and I want to help save them," he said. The center's factory has three floors. Feng walks up to 30,000 steps working for eight hours. One particular problem bothers Feng a lot -- the air escaping from his mask often forms a thin, white fog on his goggles, blurring his vision. "I have tried many ways, but I cannot get rid of the fog," he said. Feng wears an intercom on the left side of his chest. It rings a lot, and sometimes it is hard for him to hear the orders when donning the heavy overalls. Feng and his 31 colleagues have been working in the center since Jan. 26. "We don't want to go home because we are afraid of any risk of transmission to our family," he said. "But I do miss my daughter." The center's fifth floor stores medical waste. Workers usually unload waste from vans and carry it to the fifth floor via the elevator. Later, they take the waste to the furnaces to burn. Feng's colleague Liu Yunhe carries the waste in the center. Even with the best protective clothes, Liu wears an extra pair of gloves to avoid infection. Liu and Feng contact the outside world via their intercoms, and other working staff supervises the center via a control cabin. "It is hard work, and my clothes are always soaked in sweat when I get off," said Liu, 46. "But I know we are doing something important." The center, located in the suburb area of Urumqi, is the largest-scale medical waste disposal in Xinjiang. It began operation in 2014 and can handle up to 9,000 tonnes of waste a year, including that from the cities of Urumqi, Shihezi, Wujiaqu and Fukang. It currently disposes of about 14 tonnes of medical waste on a daily basis. "We give priority to disposing of the medical waste related to the coronavirus," said He Hailong, who runs a company in charge of the center. In Xinjiang, there are 20 such facilities handling about 60 tonnes of waste each day. Since Jan. 20, the region has disposed of more than 1,100 tonnes of medical waste. "All the workers have been working on the front lines since the outbreak, and their efforts truly contributed to the battle against the virus," said Yang Chun, with the regional department of ecology and environment. The Joint Forum Against NPR/NRC/CAA on Sunday announced that it has preponed its 'Samvidhan Bachao, Nagrikta Bachao maha rally' at Gandhi Maidan here to February 27 from 29. The rally, which was earlier scheduled to be held on February 29, has now been preponed to February 27 as the administration did not give us permission for holding the rally on the earlier date, Joint Forum Against NPR/NRC/CAA coordination committee members said at a press conference. Prominent among those who attended the press meet included Ghalib, Chandrakanta Khan, Rupesh Kumar, Nivedita Jha, Kamayani besides former IAS officer K Gopinathan, who had resigned from government service. "Our maha rally at Gandhi Maidan has been preponed to February 27 from February 29 due to ruling JD(U)'s programme at the venue," Chandrakanta Khan told reporters here. "The venue Gandhi Maidan has been booked by the JD(U) for two-days on February 29 and March 1 and that's why the administration did not give us the permission to hold our maha rally on February 29," another joint forum member, Ghalib said. The JD(U) is holding a state-level workers' meet at Gandhi Maidan on March 1, party sources said, adding that the ground has been booked for February 29 also keeping in mind the need to carry out preparations for the workers' meet. CPI leader and the former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, is on a state-wide 'Jan Gan Man Yatra' which was launched on January 30, under the banner of 'Joint Forum Against NPR/NRC/CAA'. The campaign, which was scheduled to conclude with a rally in Patna's Gandhi Maidan on February 29, will now be held on February 27. Speaking on the occasion, Kannan Gopinathan claimed that CAA, NPR, NRC will "adversely affect the poor". There is a massive protest against CAA,NPR, NRC in Bihar too, he claimed, adding that big mobilization of people will take place on the issue. Various artistes, film actors, politicians, trade unions, representatives from JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia will participate at the meeting, Ghalib said, adding that leaders from various Left parties and other like minded political parties will also be invited for the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend The parliamentary elections are held in accordance with all the rules until now, Polish representative, member of OSCE PA observation mission Dariusz Kajetan Rosati told reporters. "The polling stations are well equipped, Kajetan Rosati added, Trend reports on Feb. 9. The chairmen of precinct election commissions and other representatives are on the sites, the member of the observation mission added. We have not registered any offenses and incidents. We visited three polling stations, everything is well." The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. The CEC Secretariat Information Center will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 12:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. Some 5,329,460 voters will take part in the voting, and 340,689 internally displaced people will vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are observing the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls will be conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The head of a World Health Organization-led international team investigating the coronavirus outbreak will leave for China on Monday or Tuesday, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. Tedros, asked whether the team would include experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), told a press conference on Saturday: We hope so. The death toll in mainland China rose to 803 on Saturday, the WHO said, looking likely to pass the 774 deaths recorded globally during the 2002-2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Across mainland China, the number of cases stood at 34,598, the WHO said. Dr. Mike Ryan, WHOs top emergency expert, said there had been a stabilisation in the number of new cases reported from Hubei province, the epicentre of the virus, over the past four days. Thats good news, and may reflect the impact of the control measures put in place. But remember there are also lots of suspected cases still to be tested. Ryan, speaking later to Reuters, said: The daily number of new cases has been stable over a four-day period. The same number each day, around. He added, Its not a decline. That can just mean four days of relative calm before it accelerates. Actress and filmmaker, Mercy Aigbe, is of the opinion that marriage is overrated. The entrepreneur, who got separated from her husband... Actress and filmmaker, Mercy Aigbe, is of the opinion that marriage is overrated. The entrepreneur, who got separated from her husband, Lanre Gentry, in 2018, amidst allegations of domestic violence, said mothers usually brought up women to take whatever their partners did to them, all because they wanted to stay married. Aigbe stated this while recounting her marital experience on her YouTube channel. She said, Our mothers brought us up, as women, to take whatever our partners do to us. They tell us to take it because we want to remain in a mans house. To me, it is not an achievement. Lets just say as it is marriage is overrated. It takes two people to make it work; its not just about the women. But, everybody keeps heaping all the responsibilities on the woman. That shouldnt be. Describing how she was assaulted, Aigbe said, The first time the slap came, it felt like I was dreaming. I wasnt expecting it and I was shocked beyond words. I didnt know it was going to happen but it happened. The begging would then come after that. Once a man raises his hand to hit you, he is going to do it over and again. However, because it was my second attempt (at marriage), I was ready to make it work, even with all the violence. I was there hoping and praying. I just wanted a happy home. The incident that broke the camels back was the one where I almost died. The beating was horrible. People often say actresses dont want to remain married. Who told them that? (You think) being a celebrity doesnt make me human? Does (being a celebrity) mean I dont want to have a happy home? They say actresses are promiscuous but promiscuity is not (the exclusive preserve of) any profession. When mine (break-up) happened, it wasnt easy because I am a celebrity. I read a lot of things online. Some people even said I made it up. But, nobody can dictate to me how to live my life. The actress also noted that religion doesnt encourage women to speak up when they are assaulted by their husbands. She added, I have been through domestic violence and I came out strong. I would love to see the end of domestic violence in society. It wasnt easy for me because society always shames one. Everybody believes if one is experiencing domestic violence, one has to be patient as a woman and take it all to remain in ones husbands house. A lot of people have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence. And religion is not helping. An assaulted woman could go to her pastor and the cleric would say, Oh madam, you need to keep praying. Is it until she loses her life? The actress has also released a movie titled, Victims, which has domestic violence as its theme. The success of AAP's Mohalla Clinics in Delhi has brought its own set of problems, one being that the clinics probably never anticipated nor were designed to cater to a large number of patients Having garnered international appreciation from the likes of former UN Secretary Generals Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon for its accessibility and effectiveness, compared to healthcare in general in India which is ranked at a lowly 145 on the global healthcare access and quality (HAQ) index, the incumbent AAP government of Delhi is inevitably using his governments healthcare initiatives as one of its major electoral campaign planks. With the AAP government making education and health its top priorities, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal launched several schemes to provide free medicines, diagnostics and several life-saving surgeries through a three-tiered network of Mohalla Clinics, Polyclinics and Hospitals. The Mohalla Clinics, which function as primary healthcare centres, charge no fees and have been set up at 158 locations across the city, each staffed by a doctor, pharmacist and clinic assistant and are located in portacabins or rented premises. Renowned cardiac surgeon and founder of Narayana Health, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, visited a mohalla clinic in Todapur and expressed amazement at the facilities provided. While some clinics work from 8 am to 2 pm, those with double shifts are running between 7 am and 1 pm and 1 pm to 7 pm with two different sets of staff members, including doctors, said a health department official. The clinics, functional on all days except Sunday, provide basic medical care for common illnesses like fever, diarrhoea, skin problems, respiratory problems, first aid for injuries and burns, dressing and management of minor wounds and referral services. It also allows 212 types of lab tests by the empanelled laboratories. The clinics also provide medicine free of cost. Deepak who sells bread in Mayur Vihar was bitten by a dog and was treated free at the nearby Mohalla Clinic in the East Delhi colony of Trilokpuri, where two such clinics are located. I found their treatment good and was given free medication. The only problem is one has to spend a lot of time waiting for his turn, said Deepak. These clinics are now providing primary healthcare to previously unserved communities. Diagnosis, medicines and tests are all free of cost in Mohalla Clinics. But success brings with it some problems. The clinics probably never anticipated nor were designed to cater to a large number of patients that visit them to avail of the free treatment. According to available figures, at least over 200 to 300 persons visit these clinics, located near lower-income colonies, daily. Detailed coverage of Delhi Assembly Election 2020 Though we have to wait in a long queue for our turn to be checked by the doctor, it is better than spending money at a private clinic where apart from the charges by the doctor which sometimes is almost about Rs 300 for every visit, the cost of medicine is also equally high and we spend almost all our earnings on healthcare, said Deepa, who works as a maid in one of the housing societies in Mayur Vihar Extension. As of now, the Mohalla Clinics and polyclinics are functioning only at 10 to 15 percent capacity, but once fully functional they will help de-congest government hospitals, said officials. Delhis government hospitals currently have to cope with huge numbers of patients. In 2016, these hospitals registered 3 crore OPDs which went up to 4 crore in 2017. We will cover at least 5 crore OPDs, said Delhi health minister Satyendra Jain. We are providing free of cost medicines and tests, so many are coming from nearby states as well. The increase in OPDs itself shows that the services have been enhanced. For example, the Delhi government has tied up with certain private labs which conduct MRI, PET scans and ultrasounds for free for poor citizens. Till now, over 5,000 scans are conducted in these labs per month. The AAP government also launched 23 polyclinics, with a target of 150 such polyclinics that offer specialised diagnosis and treatment to poor patients for free. This, in turn, is expected to reduce the out-patient burden on government hospitals enabling them to focus on quality in-patient care. We are taking measures to reduce the burden on government hospitals while simultaneously ensuring timely treatment for patients, said Jain. Referring to the Mohalla Clinics, Jain said the cost of construction of 1,000 mohalla clinics is estimated at Rs 200 crore and its operation per year will cost Rs 400 crore. For the existing 158 clinics, the operation cost comes to around Rs 30 crores yearly. Transformation of government hospitals The Delhi government runs 38 full-fledged hospitals across the city including the Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital and Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. Over the last two years, the government has significantly improved conditions in these hospitals. The state has made all medicines, tests and surgeries at these hospitals completely free. Further, if patients who are residents of Delhi are waitlisted for a life-threatening surgery at a Delhi government hospital for more than 30 days, the hospital refers the patient to any one of its 31 private centres and 57 empanelled private hospitals, which treats the patient for free within 15 days. For the first time, even expensive tests like CT scans and MRIs are being conducted for free. We lay emphasis on health and education, there will be no dearth of funds for this scheme, said Kejriwal. The cost of these procedures, for which no upper limit has been set, will be paid by the Delhi government. As part of the expansion process, about 1,016 surgical, 123 oncology and 10 neonatal procedures and six medical packages are now part of the 86 surgeries already covered under the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK). This includes implants as well as treatment for vector-borne diseases. Also, the AAP governments Farishte Dilli Ke scheme ensures that regardless of domicile or income status, anyone can be taken to any hospital (public or private) in case of an accident and the government will pay for the entire treatment. As one beneficiary of the health facility of the Delhi Government said: We were referred to a speciality hospital and the Delhi government reimbursed the entire amount of Rs 1 lakh for surgery. However, several private doctors approached by this correspondent refrained from commenting on the health scheme. It is controversial and dont want to say anything, said one doctor, while another said I dont know the full scheme so would not like to say anything about it. Private hospitals too did not respond to queries. The administration runs other schemes under the Delhi Arogya Kosh that incorporate private healthcare providers (1,155 surgeries and procedures, as well as 133 diagnostic tests, can be availed cashless in private empanelled facilities). There are plans to open six new government hospitals, while the government has more than doubled the bed capacity of existing hospitals by upgrading infrastructure and diagnostic and treatment facilities. All citizens of Delhi are currently entitled to free medicines, OPD, lab tests and hospitalisation at the state-run healthcare facilities, with cashless referrals to private providers when required. According to figures given out by Satyendra Jain, till the end of June 2019, a total of 1,34,609 patients had benefitted from the scheme for free diagnostics facilities like MRI, CT, PET CT, Nuclear, USG and Doppler, Mammography, at 23 empanelled private labs. Also, 4,654 patients received cardiac, urinary, general, eye and ENT surgeries, and lap-cholecystectomy among other treatments. Further, 2,938 road accident victims and one acid attack victim were treated free from 15 February, 2018, to 30 June, 2019. The Delhi government bears the cost of treatment at many multi-speciality hospitals in the city, added Jain. The Delhi government announced an allocation of Rs 7,485 crore for the health sector in its budget, with Rs 588 crore being proposed for construction of new hospitals and re-modelling of existing ones. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia presented a Rs 60,000 crore budget for 2019-20 in the Delhi Assembly laying emphasis on education, health and transport. I propose a total outlay of Rs 7,485 crore on the health sector for 2019-20. This includes revenue budget of Rs 6,462 crore and capital budget of Rs 1,023 crore. An amount of Rs 3,737 crore is earmarked for implementation of various health schemes, programmes and projects, he had said. The Delhi government has also said that given the health care initiatives it has taken, there is no need for it to implement the Centres Ayushman Bharat scheme, something the Union Health Ministry disagrees with. This claim is baseless, said Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. All your fancy schemes await implementation. Your Mohalla Clinics too are an utter flop, he said. That, however, is not a sentiment with which many Delhiites agree. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court refused to entertain a plea which alleged that the AAP governments health scheme, being implemented by the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK), was discriminatory as only residents of Delhi have access to it. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar questioned the manner in which the petition was drafted. Such petitions are filed just to make it a sensational matter. This is a Publicity Interest Litigation, the bench observed. This article was first published in Citizen Matters, a civic media website and is republished here with permission. (c) Oorvani Foundation/Open Media Initiative HARBIN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- As spring is just around the corner, Chinese farmers in northeast China's breadbasket province of Heilongjiang are preparing for this year's season, which comes with even more responsibility to ensure the national grain supply due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Agriculture, rural areas and farmers' issues remain China's top priorities for the 17th consecutive year as this year's "No. 1 central document" released Wednesday stressed poverty alleviation and improving rural weak links. As the first policy statement released by China's central authorities each year, the document is seen as an indicator of policy priorities. It also released a clear signal for farmers about the goals for the new year in agricultural production. Heilongjiang, China's major grain producer, saw a bumper harvest for the 16th year in a row in 2019, with annual grain yields exceeding 75 billion kg. Although spring farming in the province has not yet started, Du Yadong, president of a local agricultural cooperative in Lanxi County, has been working around the clock the create the year's farming plan. This year, the cooperative will plant 2,000 hectares of corn. Before the Spring Festival, the cooperative had already contracted 333 hectares of arable land for farming. The cooperative members cannot gather for a meeting in view of epidemic prevention, but they still keep in touch via online group chats. "I've been talking with the farmers online about land circulation," said Du. Du's cooperative had ordered seeds and 1,000 tonnes of chemical fertilizer. He hopes the epidemic can come to an end soon and the reserved agricultural materials can be transported. The unexpected virus breakout has slowed down grain sales in Heilongjiang. The province has decided to extend the deadline of the preferential policy of rice purchasing to ensure that farmers would not be seriously affected by the epidemic. As a major distribution channel of the province's agricultural materials, the Heilongjiang Supply and Marketing Cooperative (HSMC) is stocking goods to ensure supplies and stabilize prices for the market. The chemical fertilizer sold by its subordinate enterprise Beifeng Agricultural Production Means Group occupies more than half of the province's overall chemical fertilizer sales volume. The company has a total of about 2 million tonnes of chemical fertilizers ready for the upcoming spring farming, said Qi Xieli, general manager's assistant of the company. Sun Xiaohui, director of HSMC's economic development department, said HSMC has opened the online order function this year, and farmers can order materials without going out and receive goods at their doors. Epidemic prevention and agricultural production are two significant tasks, and farmers will soon be informed of a series of instructions on spring farming and epidemic prevention, said Jiang Qinghai, an official with the provincial department of agriculture and rural affairs. Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Dzmitry Krutoy has been quoted as saying Minsk will pay "global market" prices for oil from Russia this year. "The Russian side has agreed that Belarusian refineries will buy oil through agreements with Russian oil companies at prices that are set on the global market," Reuters quoted Krutoy as saying, according to Belarusian state BelTA news agency, on February 9. Belarus is heavily reliant on Moscow for cheap oil and billions in annual subsidies to prop up its Soviet-era economy. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka reportedly made little reported progress in talks in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on February 7 on the increasingly intertwined issues of energy prices and closer integration. Lukashenka had predicted that meeting would present a "moment of truth." There was no official statement that emerged, but Putins deputy chief of staff Dmitry Kozak said late on February 7 that oil supplies, which Russia cut off at the start of the year, could be delivered to Belarus only at market prices. He added that a deal had been reached to supply natural gas -- which was also interrupted earlier this year but restarted -- for this year at the same price as in 2019 -- $127 per 1,000 cubic meters. The unification talks pursuant to an unfulfilled 1999 agreement on forming a unified state have exacerbated tensions between the two and sparked protests on the streets of Minsk. Lukashenka, who has been in power in Belarus for more than 25 years, has faced growing pressure from Moscow in recent years to agree to deeper integration under the unification agreement, which envisaged close political, economic, and military ties but stopped short of forming a single nation. The two leaders in December were supposed to sign a series of road maps laying out concrete steps toward the union state, but Lukashenka balked. Since then, Russia has sent strong signals to Minsk, mainly in the form of reduced oil supplies and higher prices. Revenues from refined Belarusian oil products sold to European markets have long been a major economic driver for the country, which has a highly centralized economy with the exception of a few sectors. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo became the highest-level U.S. official to visit Minsk in more than two decades on February 1. During the talks, which were characterized by U.S. officials as cordial, Pompeo suggested that the United States could supply Belarus with plenty of oil. Based on reporting by Reuters, BelTA, and Interfax Hong Kong: Govt assists residents in Japan The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is providing assistance to Hong Kong residents quarantined for the novel coronavirus on a cruise in Japan. The Immigration Department said today there are 260 Hong Kong residents on board the cruise. Among them, three are confirmed to have been infected with the novel coronavirus and are receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. The remaining residents have been placed under quarantine for 14 days on board the ship since February 5. The Immigration Department has received requests for assistance from the Hong Kong residents on board who have asked for an early return and medication. The department has promptly reflected the situation and requests of the Hong Kong residents to the cruise company and duty doctor. It has also requested the authorities concerned in Japan to provide medication and assistance. The department has also liaised with the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health in Hong Kong to understand the latest situation. Some affected Hong Kong residents have been issued with the required medication while others will receive it later. Immigration officers will be deployed to Japan to liaise with the relevant parties to ensure the Hong Kong residents obtain assistance. Together with the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, Tokyo, the Immigration Department will look into the return arrangements of those Hong Kong residents after their quarantine is completed on February 19, to provide further assistance. They will render suitable and practicable assistance according to the wishes of the Hong Kong residents. Hong Kong residents travelling abroad who need assistance may call the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit's 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868. This story has been published on: 2020-02-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. "Jesus invites us not to be afraid to live in the world, even if sometimes there are conditions of conflict and sin in it, said Pope Francis. Jesus at the last supper did not ask the Father to remove the disciples from the world, but to keep them from the spirit of the evil one." Through people trafficking, "criminal organisations are increasingly using modern means of communication to entice victims through deception. For Syria, the pontiff calls for talks and negotiations, in accordance with international humanitarian law, to safeguard the lives and welfare of civilians. Vatican City (AsiaNews) In his Angelus address today, Pope Francis urged Christians to live the "presence and testimony" as "salt" and "light" in the world. Jesus, he explained, invited us not to be afraid to live in the world, even if sometimes there are conditions of conflict and sin in it. Following the Marian prayer, the pontiff renewed his plea for north-western Syria (Idlib), where the Syrian army has been trying for weeks to seize the last stronghold of the Islamic State group. Referring to the Gospel in today's Mass (5th for year A, Matthew 5: 13-16), he said that Salt is the element that gives flavour and preserves and protects food from spoiling. The disciple is therefore called to keep away from society the dangers, the corrosive germs that pollute people's lives. It is a question of resisting sin, moral degradation, bearing witness to the values of honesty and fraternity, without giving in to the worldly enticements of careerism, power and wealth. The disciple is salt when, despite daily failures, he gets up from the dust of his mistakes, starting again with courage and patience, every day, to seek dialogue and meet with others. The disciple is salt when he does not seek consensus and praise, but strives to be a humble and constructive presence, faithful to the teachings of Jesus who came into the world not to be served, but to serve. Such an attitude is needed very much! The second image that Jesus proposes to his disciples is that of light: You are the light of the world. Light dispels darkness and allows one to see. Jesus is the light that dispelled darkness, but the latter still remains in the world and in individual people. Christians are tasked with dispelling it by making the light of Christ shine and by proclaiming his Gospel. It is a radiance that can also derive from our words, but must above all come from our good deeds (Mt 5:16). A disciple and a Christian community are the light of the world when they direct others towards God, helping everyone to experience his goodness and mercy. Jesuss disciple is a light when he knows how to live his faith outside confined spaces, when he helps eliminate biases and slanders and let the light of truth enter into situations spoiled by hypocrisy and lies. Jesus invites us not to be afraid of living in the world, even if sometimes there are conditions of conflict and sin in it. Faced with violence, injustice and oppression, the Church cannot turn inward or hide in the safety of her enclosure. She cannot abandon her mission of evangelisation and service. At the last supper Jesus did not ask the Father to remove the disciples from the world, but to keep them from the spirit of the evil one. The Church devotes herself generously and tenderly to the little ones and the poor ... She listens to the cry of the last and the excluded, because she is aware of being a community of pilgrims called to extend the salvific presence of Jesus Christ in history. May the Holy Virgin help us be salt and light in the midst of people, bringing, through life and word, the Good News of God's love to everyone. After the Marian prayer, Francis spoke that the liturgical memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, International Day of Prayer and Reflection against Trafficking in Persons, which was celebrated yesterday. "To heal this scourge which exploits the weakest, the commitment of all is needed: institutions, associations and educational agencies, said the Pope. In terms of prevention, I would like to point out how various studies show that criminal organisations are increasingly using modern means of communication to entice victims through deception. Therefore, it is necessary, on the one hand, to educate [people] about the healthy use of technological means, whilst, on the other, supervise and remind the providers of these telematic services of their responsibilities. Right after this the Holy Father expressed his utmost sorrow at the news coming from north-western Syria, especially the plight of so many women and children, as well as people forced to flee because of the military escalation. I renew my heartfelt appeal to the international community and to all the actors involved to use diplomatic channels, talks and negotiations, in accordance with international humanitarian law, to safeguard the lives and welfare of civilians. Let us pray for our beloved and tormented Syria, Francis said, which he followed with a Hail Mary recited together with the faithful. This is a photo of a wanted poster released by the Crime Suppression Division of the Royal Thai Police on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 showing the suspect in a mass shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeastern Thailand. A soldier shot multiple people in northeastern Thailand on Saturday, killing at least 20. (AP) Nakhon Ratchasima: A soldier holed himself up in a popular mall in this northeastern Thai city on Saturday, and shot at least 20 people dead with an assault rifle and injured 31 others, the police said. He relayed the killings on Facebook. Shortly before midnight, the authorities said they had secured the mall and evacuated the terrified shoppers but did not seem to know for sure the whereabouts of the shooter. The Thai Defence Ministry identified the shooter as Sergeant-Major Jakrapanth Thomma, who was apparently upset over a land dispute. There were fears the shooter in the Terminal 21 mall in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, better known as Korat, could try to hide in the panicked crowd. Public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said there were no more bodies left inside the mall. He did not say whether the shooter had been found. The gunman appeared to be armed with an assault rifle, based on security camera video aired on Thai Rath television. Thai Rath said the incident began at about 3:30 p.m. A police officer contacted by phone said the soldier initially shot dead another soldier and a woman and wounded a third person, apparently over a land dispute. City and neighborhood police officers, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to release information, said the man took a gun from his base and drove to the Terminal 21 Korat mall, shooting along the way. Several Thai media reported that he traveled in a military vehicle. The suspect posted updates to his Facebook page during the rampage with statements including "No one can escape death" and Should I give up?" In a later post he wrote, I have stopped already.'' His profile picture shows him in a mask and dressed in military-style fatigues and armed with a pistol. The background image is of a handgun and bullets. In a photo circulated on social media that appeared to be taken from his Facebook page, the suspect can be seen wearing a green camouflaged military helmet while a fireball and black smoke rage behind him. The Facebook page was made inaccessible after the shooting began. Video taken outside the mall and shared on social media showed people taking cover in a parking lot as gunshots were fired. The mall was shut down and the street outside was closed while the authorities tried to find the gunman and rescue shoppers inside. The government asked broadcasters not to go live from the scene. Eyewitness account In the initial stages, people were unsure what was happening. Nattaya Nganiem, who shot a video from outside the mall in which gunshots were heard, recounted what she experienced. "We just left the mall after we had our meal. While we were in our car on the opposite side, we heard a loud sound and then we could see people starting to run out. First I saw a woman run out from the mall hysterically. Then a motorcycle rider in front of her just ran and left his motorcycle there. I thought, what's happening? Then we heard several gunshots. The motorcycle guy probably had seen the gunman from where he was. ... We couldn't see the gunman but we could hear the sound of the gun. It was terrifying. We were just inside having dinner and my child was getting unusually restless, that's why we left; otherwise, we would have been stuck inside there. I can't believe this is happening in my hometown. I mean, this shopping mall, we go there almost every other day. '' Once she got home and learned what had happened, she fainted, she said. Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, is about 250 km northeast of the Thai capital, Bangkok. It is a hub for Thailand's relatively poorer and rural northeastern region. Terminal 21 Korat is part of a small chain of Thai shopping centres run by Bangkok-based property developer LH Mall & Hotel Co. The malls feature floors modeled after major cities around the world. The size of the mall posed a challenge for security forces as they tried to capture the gunman. It consists of seven main retail floors, including one below ground level, and scores of shops and restaurants. It also houses a movie theatre on the top floor. Many malls in Thailand, including Terminal 21's namesake in Bangkok, have metal detectors and security cameras at entrances manned by uniformed but unarmed security guards. Checks on those entering are often cursory at best. Gun violence in Thailand Gun violence is not unheard of in Thailand. Firearms can be obtained legally, and many Thais own guns. Mass shootings are rare, though there are occasional gun battles in the far south of the country, where authorities have for years battled a long-running separatist insurgency. The incident came just a month after another high-profile mall shooting, in the central Thai city of Lopburi. In that case, a masked gunman carrying a handgun with a silencer killed three people, including a two-year-old boy, and wounded four others as he robbed a jewellery store. A suspect, a school director, was arrested less than two weeks later and reportedly confessed, saying he did not mean to shoot anyone. Chinas finance ministry said on Sunday all levels of government had allocated a total of 71.85 billion yuan ($10.26 billion) as of Saturday afternoon to fight coronavirus. The ministry will deploy the funds to ensure that members of public can afford diagnosis and treatment, it said in a statement on its website. The funds will also be used to ensure that efforts of every region to fight the virus are not hampered by financial constraints, it added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Windows users have always reported the inconvenience while using Facebooks app on their phones, which is why Facebook has taken the bold step now. The company is discontinuing its app for Windows 10, which will take place on Feb 28, 2020, as reported by MSPU Its not a surprise that Facebook is planning to do it as the app has already caused some trouble for Windows users, as according to users review Facebook fails to update the app on regular basis, plus a lot of users complain about crashing problem, while some says the app is "Buggy, slow to point of being unusable". For now, the company is sending out warning messages to the Microsoft app users so they can shift from the Windows 10 app to a better one.We expected this, but we didnt expect it to happen so fast. Apart from it, Facebook is not planning to bring a replacement for the app any soon.The personalized email that Facebook sent to all its users using the app on the Windows app included that although the app will discontinue, the users will be able to gain access to all of their friends and favorite Facebook features through its web version (facebook.com).Surprisingly Facebook has no plans to discontinue its Messenger app from Microsoft store, users can access Messenger through the Facebook website after logging in through the www.messenger.com or they can also download the updated desktop app of Messenger Are you satisfied with Facebooks decision?Read next: The speculation around Facebook Watch confuses all! New Delhi, Feb 9 : Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday questioned why the Election Commission has not released the final voting percentage even after over 22 hours since the polling ended on Saturday. The voting ended at 6 p.m. on Saturday, however, due to long queues at some booths, more time was given so that those in line can exercise their rights. Responding to a tweet from a journalist which says that officials are saying "final polling percentage will be made public by today (Sunday) evening", Kejriwal called it "shocking". "Absolutely shocking what the EC is doing. Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?" The poll results will be announced on Tuesday (February 11). Kabul, Feb 9 : Two US troopers were killed when a suspect in an "Afghan uniform" opened fire on the combined American and Afghani force in Nangarhar province, a top official said. The incident took place on Saturday night in Sherzad district, reports TOLO News US forces spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett said in a statement on Saturday night: "Upon completing a key-leader engagement at the district centre, current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun." Leggett also confirmed that six US troopers were also injured in the shooting. He said that an investigation was underway to determine the motive behind the attack, adding:"In accordance with US Department of Defense policy, the names of the service members killed in action will be withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete." In a Facebook post, Nangarhar Governor Shah Mahmood Miakhel said: "(Afghan) Army Special Forces and Resolute Support troops entered into the district. When they entered someone started shooting at them. He was killed in response. "Three (Afghan) commandos were injured in the shooting. And a number of RS (Resolute Support) troops were also wounded." It was on March 22 of 1972 that the Equal Rights Amendment was first placed before the state legislatures for them to start ratifying it. A majority of the states did so immediately. But Phyllis Schlafly and her grass-root followers were able to get to many of the state hearings to speak against the ERA before the ratification, and those legislators who heard her and her supporters began to change their minds. The ratification process slowed down. The leaders of the church that I belong to, the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, heard Phyllis Schlafly speak in Utah and realized the threat the ERA would be to the family and traditional values that we hold so dear. They asked church leaders and members throughout the nation to get behind Phyllis and help defeat the ERA. I was the president of our church womens group in Boston called The Relief Society and received the directive from our Bishop to tell the women in our congregation that they needed to get involved and fight against the ERA. Of course, I needed to find out more about it to give correct arguments against it, which I did. I also found out more about Phyllis and how remarkable she was and how correct she was with her criticism of the ERA. It would not have given equal rights for all women; it would actually be taking rights away the right of a woman to stay at home with her children if a war was going on and a draft women would have to be drafted just like men. There was also language in the ERA that would have made abortion legal with tax paying dollars funding it, something our Church and most Christian Churches are very opposed to. However, my battle to fight the ERA was short-lived. In 1973, my husband graduated and accepted a job offer in Lingen, Northern Germany, where Kurt taught political science at a German gymnasium, which is like a junior college/high school combined. We lived in Germany for three years during which time, I totally forgot about the ERA and American politics. I was so busy learning German, coping with a new culture, and taking care of my two small children, ages 2 and 9 months. When we returned to America in 1976, I became very busy as a school teacher, teaching in a middle school in Idaho Falls, Idaho, while my husband was also teaching and getting another masters degree. When I was expecting our third child, we decided it was time for me to stop teaching. I became a full-time mother and raised in total six children, five sons, and one daughter. After Kurt received an MBA and a PhD in 1982, we moved to Santa Rosa, CA, where Kurt became an administrator at Sonoma State University. When our youngest son was in the 6th grade, I went back to teaching as a substitute teacher. Going back to the schools, I noticed how things had changed, with such a different kind of liberal education that children were receiving. Concerned for the education of my own children, in 1997, I traveled with a friend to Salt Lake City to attend a homeschooling convention, where I heard the President of Eagle Forum for Utah, Gayle Ruzicka speak. She mentioned Phyllis Schlafly and showed us the books Phyllis had written promoting phonics and traditional education which Gayle had used as she was raising and homeschooling her 12 children. I spoke to Gayle afterward and she told me that I should start an Eagle Forum chapter. She also introduced me to the monthly Eagle Forum Education Reporter to find out what is really going on in Education. I was already holding monthly meetings at my home. We had started doing that five years before as Concerned Citizens of Sonoma County, then changed to Parents Involved in Education. We decided it would be good to be connected to a national, already established group, so we officially became Sonoma County Eagle Forum in the fall of 1998. The California state president back then, Sandee Beckers, traveled all the way from Santa Barbara to install me as the chapter president. I started receiving The Education Reporter and the Phyllis Schlafly Report and learned so much from both of them. How I Met Phyllis Schlafly and Became her Roommate: Sandee Beckers asked me to become a member of her state Eagle Forum board and to attend a state board meeting held Friday night just before the state conference that was starting the next morning in the Hyatt Hotel in Sacramento. This was in the spring of 1999. I drove to the meeting with my Vice President at the time for Sonoma County Eagle Forum, Ysabel Johnson. She dropped me off at the board meeting and then drove to the hotel where we were staying. She had arranged the hotel for us, and I was sure she said it was the Holiday Inn. Phyllis was at the board meeting and I was briefly introduced to her. I was so impressed by meeting this great American legend and was rather tongue-tied. After the meeting, I asked one of the women who lived in Sacramento and had a car if she could take me to my hotel, which she did. She dropped me off and left. When I went to check-in, I discovered that neither Ysabel or myself were registered there. I asked if the clerk could try another Holiday Inn. She called that number. I was not registered there either. The clerk tried several other hotels that had an Inn attached to their name. Again, neither Ysabel or I were at any of them. The clerk was getting a little bit tired at this point and there were other people to help. I had no idea how to reach Ysabel or to find out what hotel I was supposed to be in (Remember, this was before the age of cell phones.) In desperation, I asked if the clerk would just call one more number for me the Hyatt. I tried to reach Sandee Beckers, but she was not in her room. The only other person that I remembered who was at the hotel was Phyllis, so I asked to be connected to her. Fortunately, she answered the phone. I explained my dilemma to her that I had no idea what hotel I was supposed to be in. I could not find my friend who had arranged it for us, and she had my luggage, and Sandee Beckers was not answering her phone. Phyllis replied with: How soon can you be here? Uh, ten minutes, I answered. I have an extra bedroom in my suite and you can stay here. Youre sure that will be all right? Yes, but come quickly. I did. I quickly caught a cab and was at the Hyatt in less than ten minutes. I found out which room was hers and knocked on her door. I heard her voice say, Whats the password? I had no idea what the password was, but I tried Orlean? That will do. The door opened. Phyllis pointed to the bed and said, This is your bed. My bed is next door. Good night, and she disappeared through the adjoining door. I had heard that Phyllis was very direct and right to the point and doesnt like small talk. I found out that was true. I thought, Now, what do I do? I have no luggage, no nightgown, nothing to wear, no tooth brush, no makeup remover and no makeup for tomorrow! I ended up washing my underclothes out and hanging them up to dry. I washed my face the old-fashioned way with soap and water, wrapped myself in a towel and went to bed. The next morning, I was supposed to be at the conference room early to help decorate and get things set up. I showered, put on my underclothes, which were now dry and put on my same clothes as the day before. I was about to knock on Phyllis door when I heard the phone ring. I heard Phyllis say, Yes shes here. Orlean, pick up the phone. It was Ysabel, who had woken up and noticed that I never made it to whatever hotel room I was supposed to be in. She apologized for not giving me the correct hotel name. She told me that she would bring my suitcase to the conference room and I could change into what I was going to wear for the day. I then knocked on Phyllis door and hesitantly asked, Phyllis, Im so sorry to disturb you, but I have to be to an early meeting. Would it possibly be all right if I could use your makeup? She kindly answered, Sure, come right in. My makeup bag is on the counter in the bathroom, help yourself to whatever you would like. I thanked her and while I was applying the makeup, she asked me more about myself and what were some of our Eagle Forum activities in Santa Rosa. I told her we were mainly fighting the pro-gay agenda that was coming in with some outlandish programs being presented in our high schools. She gave me some good advice, and we had a nice talk. I thanked her again for her kindness, taking in a poor, wayfaring stranger, whom she had hardly even known. I told her I would see her later and hurried off to the conference room. Ysabel was already there with my suitcase so I could change my clothes. All throughout the day, when I would see someone I knew, I would mention, Guess whose makeup I am wearing? It was a great honor to have Phyllis makeup on my face. I didnt want to wash it off when the day was over. Becoming the State Eagle Forum President: Three years later, the summer of 2002, Sandee Beckers had to step down from her position as state president because of family reasons, and called and asked me to take her place. I was very humbled and honored to be asked, but told her I would need a week to pray about it and, of course, have my husbands consent. After that week was over, both Kurt and I felt we received answers to our prayers and I told Sandee, Yes. Sandee and I both attended the September national conference in St. Louis, where she introduced me as her replacement. The next January, she called for a state board meeting that took place in Santa Barbara, where she lived, and I was officially voted in and installed as the new State President. Sandee sent me home with several boxes of files for Eagle Forum that she had inherited and had added on to. The end of January was the national Constitution Coalition meeting in St. Louis, followed by a national Eagle Forum Roundtable for all the state presidents. That is where I gave my first report as the new Eagle Forum state president for California and began to get to know so many other state presidents and listen to their glowing reports of the success they were having in their states. I began to find out more about the amazing things that Eagle Forum leaders do. Being a Guest in Phyllis Schlaflys Home: For my next trip to St. Louise for the national Eagle Council, I thought I would stay over and fly home Monday afternoon, so I could visit the Education Center and learn more about the history of Eagle Forum and all that it has been involved with. Phyllis found that out and rather than have me stay all alone in the hotel Sunday night, she invited me to come and be a guest in her home. What a thrill that was! She always had her son John come over for Sunday evening dinner. While she was preparing a delicious salmon meal, John played beautiful classical music for us on the piano. After the meal and after the dishes were done, Phyllis took me up to her room where she does all of her writing. She had to finish a syndicated column that was due the next day. She told me that I could use the other computer that she had in the room. So while she was busy writing, I sent out an e-mail to everyone back home, telling them, Guess where I am and whose air I am breathing in the same room? It was truly a great honor to be in Phyllis home and to get to see her in action and get to know her better. The next morning, she gave me a guided tour of the Education Center and the vast volumes of books that she had especially on the subject of Communism, books that had been sent to her by people from all over the nation and the world. Of course, all the files and files of ERA documentation were there as well, and the many other subjects she had written and spoken about. Phyllis Support: We had Phyllis come and speak for all of our state conferences from 2002 until 2015 when she was no longer in good health. Many of those conferences were in Santa Rosa, and I had Phyllis as a guest in my home for dinners the evening before the Saturday conference. These were attended by our state and local board leaders. Phyllis would always speak to us afterward and give us an inside scoop on some of the important issues of the day. We all felt so honored to have her with us. I truly came to regard Phyllis as a second mother. She was always so supportive and would say so many kind things about what I was doing as an Eagle Forum leader. She would immediately return a phone call as soon as she could. She was also so supportive of the books that I had written and sent me statements of endorsement for them. Plus, she had me as a guest on several of her weekly radio shows talking about them. Phyllis Speaking for Berkeley and Her Tragic Accident: In February 2009, Phyllis was invited to speak for the conservative students at Berkeley, sponsored by the Young Americas Foundation and the Young Republicans on Campus. I and many of our Eagle Forum members attended to hear her speak. She gave a great talk about the difference between conservative women and liberal feminists. I remember there was just one person protesting outside when we arrived she looked like an old hippy holdover from the 60s. The students inside the hall were very respectful of Phyllis. I had tears in my eyes listening to how politely they spoke to her, addressing her as Mrs. Schlafly, when they would ask their questions of her. One of the things I remembered she said in her talk was how conservative women were very strong. They did not complain and whine and did not play the victim role. After her talk, she was still at the podium answering peoples questions. Jiesi Zhao, the president of the Young Republicans asked me if I would ask Phyllis to come and stand with her officers because they wanted a picture with her before they had to leave. I quietly whispered in Phyllis ear asking if she could come soon and join the Young Republicans for a picture. I did not realize that she immediately turned to follow me. I should have held her hand and helped her off the podium. As it was, she did not see the step-down, and fell and ended up breaking her hip. We all felt so terrible. Some of the students were crying. I especially was crying, feeling that it was my fault. Phyllis never shed a tear. As the gurney was carrying her out to the ambulance, she was smiling and waving goodbye to the students. She exemplified everything that she had just spoken about in her talk. A conservative woman is strong. She does not complain or whine and does not play the victim role, even with a broken hip. It was a two-hour drive to Berkeley from Santa Rosa, but I tried to visit her at least once or twice a week during the four weeks that she was in the Berkeley hospital. The Young Republicans students did as well. I remember on one visit, a nurse asked me, Who is this woman? She never complains, is always so nice to all of us, and she never stops writing on her laptop. I didnt want to tell the nurse too much since I knew they tended to all be very liberal. I was afraid if I told them that she was the lady who led the battle to defeat the Equal Rights Amendment, they might stop treating her so nicely. I just said, She is a professional writer and has a syndicated column that she gets out every Monday. She is a very strong, determined person and isnt about to let a broken hip stop her. All of the nurses, her doctors, and the Young Republican students were very impressed with Phyllis during her stay in the hospital. She truly exemplified all that she spoke of in both word and deed. She left her mark on many of us both old and young. When she passed away, September 5, 2016, I wept as much as I did with the loss of my own mother. That is how I felt about Phyllis. I so wanted to be at her funeral, but I had just fallen out of a pear tree the day before and had a broken shoulder and tail bone and was in no shape to travel. But, I was so thrilled to hear that Donald Trump came and spoke at her funeral. Phyllis was one of the earliest supporters in his run for the presidency. She could always pick a winner. Rudy Giuliani says that he has smoking gun proof that Joe Bidens son Hunter broke the law while conducting business in Ukraine, and that the Obama administration illegally sought dirt on former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. President Trumps personal attorney appeared on Fox News on Saturday night and claimed that he had lined up three witnesses ready to name names of former Obama officials who illegally sought information about Manafort. Giuliani also told Fox News that he has a memo proving his claims, though he declined to share it with his interviewer, Jesse Watters. The former New York City mayor claimed that Andriy Telizhenko, Konstantin Kulik, and Nazar Kholodnytsky are willing to testify under oath that in January 2016, the National Security Council asked Ukraine for damaging information about Manafort. Telizhenko, a 29-year-old Ukrainian man who once worked in the countrys embassy in Washington before resigning in June 2016, told Giuliani last year that the diplomatic mission intervened to help Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. Rudy Giuliani, President Trump's personal attorney, appeared on Fox News on Saturday to claim he has lined up three witnesses ready to testify that the Obama administration illegally sought information about Trump campaign officials Giuliani claims that he has witnesses ready to testify that in January 2016, Obama administration officials pressured Ukraine to reopen an investigation against Paul Manafort (right), who worked as Trump's campaign manager. Barack Obama is seen left He also told Giuliani that when Joe Biden was Barack Obamas vice president, he pressured the Ukrainian government to drop an investigation into Burisma, an oil and gas company that named Bidens son, Hunter, to its board of directors while his father ran the administrations Ukraine policy. According to the Globe and Mail, Telizhenko told Giuliani that he was asked by Ukraines ambassador to the United States to find damaging information about Manafort. Giuliani is seen in Kyiv last year with former Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Telizhenko, who has promoted conspiracy theories about Democrats colluding with Ukraine Giuliani claims Telizhenko is prepared to testify that Obama officials sought incriminating information about Manafort, who is currently serving a seven-and-a-half year prison sentence for financial crimes. Manafort is seen above in New York Supreme Court in June 2019 Telizhenko also told John Solomon, an opinion writer for The Hill, that he personally attended a meeting with Obama administration officials in January 2016. The meeting, which included figures from the NSC, FBI, State Department, and the Justice Department, was called to allegedly pressure Ukrainian anti-corruption officials to revive a probe against Manafort. Telizhenko claims that the Obama officials asked the Ukrainians to look into alleged payments made to Manafort by the political party of ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Manafort, a longtime Trump adviser, earned millions of dollars while acting as a consultant to Yanukovych for nearly a decade. Manafort was Trumps campaign chairman from May to August of 2016. He stepped down after a Ukrainian lawmaker divulged details contained in a so-called black ledger of alleged off-the-books payments made by Yanukovichs Party of the Regions. Manafort, who earned millions for his consultancy work in Ukraine, was among the recipients listed in the ledger, which was corroborated at the time by anti-corruption investigators. He is currently serving a seven-and-a-half year sentence in a federal correctional facility in Pennsylvania for tax fraud, bank fraud and other charges stemming from Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russias meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Kulik, a former deputy head of the Ukraine prosecutor generals international affairs office, and Kholodnytsky, who is currently Ukraines top anti-corruption prosecutor, both claimed they witnessed corruption by Democratic operatives in Ukraine during the 2016 election. So far, no evidence has been produced to support their claims. They (Obama officials) asked foreigners for dirty information on an American citizen who was going to be involved in a political campaign, Giuliani said on Fox News on Saturday. If its good enough for Donald Trump Jr to be investigated for a year-and-a-half, what about all these NSC members who worked for Obama, worked for Biden? The investigation into Don Jr that Giuliani was referring to was the Mueller probe into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. The two-year probe found that there was insufficient evidence to charge the Trump campaign with colluding with the Russian government, which is alleged to have tried to derail Hillary Clintons candidacy. Both the Russian government and the Trump campaign have denied the allegations. Giuliani also claims to have a 'smoking gun' proving that Hunter Biden was involved in a money laundering scheme Earlier this week, Trump was acquitted in an impeachment trial in the Senate after the House of Representatives filed two articles of impeachment. The president was impeached after he withheld military aid to Ukraine while demanding that its government investigate the Bidens. Trump is also alleged to have sought a Ukrainian investigation into the so-called Crowdstrike conspiracy theory, which holds that Ukraine was in possession of emails deleted by Hillary Clinton. During his appearance on Fox News, Giuliani also mentioned Alexandra Chalupa, a 43-year-old Ukrainian-American who once worked for the Democratic National Committee as a consultant. Guliani, without evidence, claims that Chalupa told Telizhenko that the black book which lists Manafort as a recipient of large payments from Yanukovych was intended to blow the Trump campaign up. Thats gonna destroy the Trump campaign, Giuliani quotes Chalupa as saying. Chalupa, who had extensive contacts in Ukraine, told POLITICO that she began sharing information she had collected about Trumps alleged ties to Russia. She began to share the information with Clinton campaign officials as well as with Ukraines ambassador to Washington at the time, Valeriy Chaly. Telizhenko has claimed that he was instructed by one of Chalys top aides at the Ukrainian embassy, Oksana Shulyar, to help Chalupa with researching connections between Trump, Manafort, and Russia. Oksana said that if I had any information, or knew other people who did, then I should contact Chalupa, Telizhenko told POLITICO in January 2017. They were coordinating an investigation with the Hillary team on Paul Manafort with Alexandra Chalupa. Oksana was keeping it all quiet but the embassy worked very closely with Chalupa, Telizhenko said. Shulyar has denied working with Chalupa on anything related to Trump or Manafort. President Trump speaking to the media in the East Room of the White House one day after the US Senate acquitted him on two articles of impeachment Giuliani also alleged that he has a smoking gun which proves that Hunter Biden was guilty of money laundering. The former mayor claimed that he had an official document sent by the Latvian government to the Ukrainian government alleging that Hunter Biden was under investigation for [a] corruption affair. Giuliani then alleged that $14.8million was sent from Ukraine to a company in Latvia disguised as a loan. Then it goes from Latvia to another company [in Cyprus] disguised as another loan, Giuliani says. Giuliani claims to have documents proving that Hunter Biden broke the law. 'Look, the government has been so lax in investigating, it's pathetic,' Giuliani said. 'I mean ... when I was a U.S. attorney ... the day Joe Biden made that boastful announcement ... the investigation would have begun the next day for bribery.' Giuliani was referring to Biden boasting that he used $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees to force Ukraine into firing its top prosecutor Viktor Shokin, a man considered corrupt by most international bodies. Shokin has since claimed he was investigating Burisma Holdings, a company where Hunter Biden was paid handsomely for sitting on the Board of Directors Earlier this week, the Treasury Department handed over sensitive financial information about Hunter Biden to congressional Republicans, despite previously refusing to give Trump's tax returns. Republican Senators Charles Grassley and Ron Johnson released a letter they wrote to Secret Service Director James Murray seeking documents on the former vice president's son immediately after the vote to acquit President Trump in his impeachment trial. The highly confidential information on Hunter Biden was reportedly handed over to Grassley, the Senate Finance Committee Chairman, and Ron Johnson, the Homeland Security Committee Chairman. A Democrat on one of the committees conducting the investigation told Yahoo News that the '''evidence'' of questionable origin' was handed over to the influential senators. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaking at Chatham House in London last month. The Treasury Department has handed over financial records linked to Hunter Biden Sen. Charles Grassley at the Capitol on Thursday, who announced the probe in Hunter Biden, has been a firm backer of President Trump Last year Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin blocked a Democratic request in November for the president's tax filings, saying Democrats had no legitimate legislative purpose for seeking the documents. Mnuchin said in a letter to Democrats last April: 'The legal implications of this request could affect protections for all Americans against politically-motivated disclosures of personal tax information, regardless of which party is in power.' But that did not apply to the non-tax financial information that may relate to the son of former Vice President Joe Biden - a Trump political rival he is seeking to tie to corrupt business dealing in Ukraine. Trump's bid to spark and investigation into the Bidens led to the impeachment proceedings which saw the president acquitted in the Republican Senate this week. Grassley and Johnson are seeking information on any security detail provided to Hunter Biden, as well as travel aboard government aircraft. In particular they were looking for suspicious activity reports filed relating to Biden with the Treasury Department by financial institutions. In the letter the lawmakers wrote they are 'reviewing potential conflicts of interest posed by the business activities of Hunter Biden and his associates during the Obama administration' - particularly in Ukraine and China, where he had business dealings. Ashley Schapitl, a spokeswoman for the highest-ranking Democrat on the Finance Committee, Senator Ron Wyden, said the granting of the Biden request was a 'blatant double standard'. The same day the Senate acquitted President Trump, two GOP senators released a letter they wrote to the Secret Service seeking information about Hunter Biden. He is pictured with his father Joe She said in a statement to Yahoo: 'Applying a blatant double standard, Trump administration agencies like the Treasury Department are rapidly complying with Senate Republican requests - no subpoenas necessary - and producing ''evidence'' of questionable origin. 'The administration told House Democrats to go pound sand when their oversight authority was mandatory while voluntarily cooperating with the Senate Republicans' sideshow at lightning speed.' The letter by Grassley and Johnson underlined that the president is getting the investigation he wanted, after his request for the president of Ukraine to do him a 'favor' and investigate the Bidens and the 2016 elections prompted a House Democratic impeachment inquiry. Democrats called it cheating and inducing foreign interference in the US elections, but Republicans said it was not an impeachable offense. One of the trip coming under scrutiny was Hunter Biden's trip aboard Air Force Two along with his father to China in 2013. Every Senate Republican other than Mitt Romney of Utah voted to acquit, and Trump brandished headlines of his acquittal at the congressional prayer breakfast on Thursday morning. Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Melania Trump, and Kanye West have all, in recent years, made highly publicised visits to orphanages in low-income countries. Tourists who travel with purpose are following their lead. As New Europe reports, tourist itineraries often include a visit to an orphanage, alongside local markets, craft workshops, and historic sites. Tour operators promote these visits as a form of ethical tourism that allows affluent Westerners the opportunity to assist needy children. The visits often include playing with the children, giving them a cuddle, and making a donation to the orphanage. Often, tourists keep up the connection, making regular donations to the orphanage after they return home. But good intentions are not enough, especially when they are based on misinformation. Orphanage tourism turns children into cash-generating commodities subject to the usual economic laws of supply and demand. While that may be good for orphanage operators, it is bad for the children who live there. Many believe that there are millions of orphans in poor countries who need food, shelter, and the care, love, and support of an orphanage. Without the support of donors from wealthy countries, many of these orphans would, it is widely assumed, lead miserable lives, surviving by begging or selling their bodies. This is a myth. According to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) there are some 140 million orphans worldwide. But this figure is misleading, because UNICEF defines an orphan as a child who has lost one or both parents. About 15 million of the children UNICEF counts as orphans are double orphans, that is, they have lost both their parents. Most of the single orphans live with their remaining parent, and the vast majority of double orphans live with their grandparents or other family members. Estimates of the number of children living in institutional care (orphanages) range from 2.7-8 million, and of these, at least half, and perhaps as many as 90%, have a living parent, while some have both parents still alive. Research confirms what many charities learned long ago: showing potential donors a photo of a child, with the childs name and a description of the childs needs, induces more donations than offering general information about people in need, without identifying any of them. Its not surprising, therefore, that bringing people into close contact cuddling even with a needy child is an especially effective way of raising money. This explains why 90% of the registered orphanages and childrens homes in Nepal are located in the districts that attract the most tourists. To raise revenue, however, orphanages need orphans. Many orphanages thus employ recruiters who travel to remote villages and encourage impoverished parents to send their children to the orphanage. The recruiters may promise parents that their children will have a wonderful life and a high-quality education. In some cases, parents are paid a fee, and successful recruiters receive finders fees. Once in the orphanage, children must interact with visitors, whether they like it or not. They may be kept deliberately malnourished to elicit more and bigger donations from visitors, and some orphanages instruct the children to tell visitors that their parents are dead and threaten them with punishment if they do not. Obviously, there will always be children in low-income countries who cannot live with their parents, and there are certainly orphanages that do have childrens best interests at heart. But the institutional model of care is inherently harmful to all children no matter how good the intentions of those running the institutions. More than 70 years of research shows significantly poorer outcomes for children who grow up in orphanages than for children who grow up in families, and the impact of institutionalisation on a child is lifelong and often intergenerational. You might ask, how can a tourist distinguish a good orphanage from one that is exploiting children? The answer is that no one can: there is no such thing as a good orphanage. Although there are children in such desperate circumstances that they may benefit, in the immediate term, from entering an orphanage while alternative arrangements are made, it is important to look at the larger picture. Children do better in families, not institutions. In many low-income countries, inadequate regulation of orphanages provides an environment rich in opportunity for child trafficking and exploitation. The system we have described is clearly flawed, but any suggestion that tour operators cease to promote visits to orphanages immediately leads to the question: What will happen to the children? The answer is that without tourist-supported orphanages, most of them would not have entered an orphanage in the first place. They would have stayed in their communities and had better lives than an orphanage can provide. By removing the demand promoted by tour operators to well-meaning visitors, the supply of orphans would be significantly reduced. As for children currently living in orphanages, they are often suffering the effects of trauma, institutionalization, and attachment disorders and require specialised care in a family-based setting. The money that donors currently give to support children in orphanages should be redirected. Worthy organisations include Forget Me Not, Cambodian Childrens Trust, and Hope and Homes for Children, which reintegrate children into families and communities, as well as those working to prevent family separation in the first place by assisting people in extreme poverty. Author Malorie Blackman has claimed she was barred from entering an event she was speaking at because the security team didn't recognise her - while two white women in front of her in the queue were 'waved through' without even showing their tickets. The Noughts and Crosses writer, 57, took to Twitter to share the revelation, saying she was asked to produce a ticket to the sold out gig before she pointed out the awkward mistake - prompting hundreds of people to share their own experiences of racism and sexist discrimination. Malorie had penned an entire thread about institutional racism, revealing occasions when she has been on the receiving end of prejudiced remarks and discrimination. The award-winning author, who lives in London, detailed the exchange she had with two female members of security on the door of the event, writing: 'Once arrived at an event and they barred my way and were nasty with it. Author Malorie Blackman has revealed she was barred from entering an event she was speaking at by security who didn't recognise her in an embarrassing racist blunder (pictured February 2019) '"D'you have a ticket?", "No, I don't. I'm-", "Then you'll have to leave. It's sold out. You can't come in." '"If I leave then so does everyone else as they've all paid to hear me speak." Red faces all round.' She later added: 'The two white women who went in just before me were waved through with a smile and when one of them tried to produce her ticket from her handbag, she was told, "Nah, that's okay'." Malorie admitted if it wasn't for the fact she didn't want to let down the people who had already bought a ticket, she would've 'told the two women on the door something about themselves' and gone home, claiming: 'Good manners cost nothing.' She also insisted she was not expecting 'special treatment' or for the staff on the door to automatically know who she was, but 'equal treatment with the two white women waved through ahead of me would've done'. The Noughts and Crosses writer, 57, took to Twitter to share the revelation, saying she was asked to produce a ticket before she pointed out the awkward mistake (pictured June 2013) Malorie added that the incident happened over three years ago and two white women in front of her in the queue were 'waved through' without even showing their tickets The post attracted over 9,500 retweets and more than 84,600 likes, and prompted people to reply with their own stories, with many sharing toe-curling accounts of times when they were at the receiving end of discrimination. One female journalist recalled the time she was covering a multicultural event for a local newspaper when she was mistaken for a Thai dancer. She said she was 'suddenly grabbed' by one of the organisers and pushed into the troupe to perform. Another victim, British novelist Roopa Farooki, claimed she was told to leave her own event because she was breastfeeding in the foyer. She tweeted: '"But I'm the speaker" I said flatly, with my boob out, to the middle-class white woman in pearls.' A woman revealed she was covering a multicultural event for a local newspaper when she was mistaken for a Thai dancer One woman revealed she arrived to chair a meeting before being told that the welfare office was next door One woman was told to leave from her own event because she was breastfeeding in the foyer Chocolat author Joanne Harris said a similar incident happened to her, tweeting: 'That's happened to me, too. Once a (rather famous) TV interviewer tried to stop me coming into my own signing because "I'm interviewing an author in there." Awks.' One man replied to the thread claiming a friend of his who is Moroccan and works as a research biologist in Spain was once stopped on her way out of the hospital with her lab coat over her arm and accused of stealing it. And another woman shared a shocking experience she witnessed while waiting to get on public transport. 'I was waiting for a bus and a Muslim woman in a hijab went straight to the front of the queue and began to board, only for a bunch of passengers to crowd her out, preventing her from getting on,' she wrote. 'Her response? "Sorry, can I get through, I have to drive this bus." More red faces.' One person revealed their friend, a research biologist from Morocco, was accused of stealing a lab coat as she walked out a hospital Elsewhere a woman said she was asked the coffee round during a meeting with male bankers before pointing out their awkward mistake A woman revealed the time a white woman from her local neighbourhood watch refused to speak to her and address her white male friend instead One person told how they witnessed a Muslim woman wearing a hijab being blocked by passengers Meanwhile one woman revealed she was mistaken for the cleaner when answering the door to her new home An author was stopped from entering her own book signing by a TV interviewer in an embarrassing blunder Elsewhere someone recalled a white woman getting enraged at a black male doctor she thought was skipping the queue Hoping to impress a special someone on Valentine's Day? If so, a new lingerie set can help boost your confidence and make you feel sexier. Whether you're after a sultry plunge bra to enhance your cleavage or a comfortable wireless bralette for a cosy romantic night in, there are many styles to suit all shapes and cup sizes. From classic brands like Marks and Spencer and Triumph to luxury lingerie labels such as Agent Provocateur and La Perla, here are seven of our favourites. For lingerie that doesn't break the bank, this set is a winner. The pretty lace push up bra and panty set by BlueWhaleBaby is both affordable and luxurious. It is available in a romantic berry red and sophisticated black. The embroidered floral lace design offers a touch of feminine chic. One Amazon shopper commented in their review: 'Best underwear ever! It gives surprisingly good support too! (For C cup, can't vouch for larger sizes). So pretty and comfortable! Bought as a night time/lounge set but use it for everyday use too. It is amazing!' 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Pair with the matching 'Palma' briefs for a striking look. Buy now on Net-A-Porter An elegant vintage-inspired lingerie set from the Rosie Exclusively for Marks and Spencer range. Classic romantic red for Valentine's Day, the luxurious M&S lace bra is underwired and features padded cups to create a full and flattering shape. The soft and comfortable matching silk and lace briefs or Brazilian knickers will beautifully flatter your curves and elongate your pins, thanks to the high cut design. Buy now on Marks and Spencer Inspired by the vintage designs and fabrics of the fifties while also offering ultimate comfort, luxury Italian lingerie brand La Perla brings us this romantic slip-on Bella bra. Beautifully embroidered with pretty floral details and made with blush stretch-tulle fabric, the longline triangle design offers a comfortable fit and elegant silhouette. A matching La Perla thong made with smooth stretch tulle is also available. Buy now on Net-A-Porter Check out our discount section for Amazon deals and offers. MailOnline may earn commission on sales from the links on this page. (CNN) Nearly two decades have passed since a strain of coronavirus known as SARS emerged in China, killing hundreds of people and sparking panic that sent a chill through the global economy. The virus now rampaging across China could be much more damaging. The big picture: China has become an indispensable part of global business since the 2003 SARS outbreak. It's grown into the world's factory, churning out products such as the iPhone and driving demand for commodities like oil and copper. The country also boasts hundreds of millions of wealthy consumers who spend big on luxury products, tourism and cars. Know this stat: China's economy accounted for roughly 4% of the world's GDP in 2003. It now makes up 16% of global output. "The outbreak has the potential to cause severe economic and market dislocation," Neil Shearing, group chief economist at Capital Economics, told CNN Business. "But the scale of the impact will ultimately be determined by how the virus spreads and evolves, which is almost impossible to predict, as well as how governments respond." Compounding the risk is the fact that the world outside China has also changed since 2003. Globalization has encouraged companies to build supply chains that cut across national borders, making economies much more interconnected. The major central banks have used up much of the ammunition they would typically deploy to fight economic downturns since the 2008 financial crisis, and global debt levels have never been higher. Rising nationalism may make it harder to coordinate a worldwide response, if that's required. Investor insight: Even so, US stock indexes reached multiple record highs last week. The Dow finished the week 3% higher, while the S&P 500 gained 3.2%. SoftBank is under scrutiny from a legendary activist investor A series of bets on money-losing startups backfired on SoftBank. Now the Japanese tech giant is under pressure from a legendary activist investor, my CNN Business colleague Matt Egan reports. New York-based Elliott Management revealed last week that it had built a "substantial" stake in SoftBank, the firm run by billionaire Masa Son, known internationally for its $100 billion Vision Fund. SoftBank reports earnings from its most recent quarter on Wednesday. What's happening: Elliott says it held private talks with SoftBank leadership aimed at making changes to improve performance at the Japanese firm. The negotiations began on a constructive note, people familiar with the matter told CNN Business. Setting the tone: Son has a 22% personal stake in the company. The Wall Street Journal reports that Elliott's stake comes out to about 3% so Son still has the power. Both parties likely agree that SoftBank's stock price should be higher, Pelham Smithers, managing director at Pelham Smithers Associates, a London-based research firm, told me. The company's market value is well below the combined value of its investments in major companies, including significant stakes in Alibaba, Sprint and Slack. But disagreements could arise on the best route forward, Smithers said. He sees SoftBank's Japanese phone business as a potential point of contention. Elliott may be tempted to pressure SoftBank to sell its mobile business and either return the proceeds to shareholders or use them to invest more in "bleeding edge" internet tech ventures, per Smithers. Yet with SoftBank's edge heading into the 5G era the company has domestic partnerships with ride-hailing, auto, e-commerce and payment companies he warns this would be an oversight. "It's as exciting as Uber," he said. "To treat this as another T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon is totally missing the point." Investor insight: Last quarter, SoftBank reported multibillion-dollar losses because of the company's tech bets. Investors will be watching closely this week as a result. With Elliott in the picture, the pressure is on. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Investors shouldn't be complacent about the coronavirus threat. Here's why." Virginia Tech scientists have discovered that incredibly small particles of an unusual and highly toxic titanium oxide found in coal smog and ash can cause lung damage in mice after a single exposure, with long-term damage occurring in just six weeks. The tests were headed by Irving Coy Allen, a professor with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, with collaborators from across Virginia Tech and researchers at the University of Colorado, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, and East China Normal University in Shanghai. The findings were recently published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Immunology. They follow 2017 findings by Virginia Tech geoscientist Michael Hochella that burning coal -- when smoke is not captured by high-end filters currently found in U.S. power plants -- emits tiny particulates known as titanium suboxide nanoparticles into the atmosphere. Such nanoparticles were found by Hochella's team of scientists in ash collected from the city streets, sidewalks, and in ponds and bays near U.S. and Chinese cities. Using mouse models in a lab setting, these tiniest of nanoparticles -- as small as 100 millionths of a meter -- entered the lungs after being inhaled. Once inside the lungs, the nanoparticles encountered macrophages, the lungs' defensive cells that trap and remove foreign materials. Typically, these cells protect the lungs from pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. But against these nanoparticles, the macrophages falter. "They can't break the titanium nanoparticles down, so the cells begin to die, and this process recruits more macrophages. These processes begin a feedback loop with each round of dying cells concentrating around the nanoparticles," said Allen, a member of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology. "The dying, nanoparticle-containing cells then begin making deposits in the lungs and these deposits cause problems. We begin seeing negative impacts on lung function, and basically the lungs fail to continue to work correctly." In what Allen calls a "striking find," his team discovered negative effects after only one exposure to the toxic nanoparticles. Long-term damage from the deposits can appear in as little as six weeks, raising concerns for highly polluted cities. "We realized if someone is living near a power plant, or near one of these coal burning sources, they wouldn't be exposed to a single dose, they'd be exposed to this daily," he said. "We also did not see lung clearance after a week, so when these things are in your lungs they are staying there, and they are staying there for an extended period of time." More so, damaged lungs can lead to higher susceptibility to virus or bacterial infection, and could worsen symptoms associated with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). advertisement However, the exact effects of these toxic nanoparticles on humans, other animals, vegetation, and water systems are not known and demand further study by international researchers, Allen said. "Mouse and human lungs are functionally similar, but anatomically different in a variety of subtle ways," Allen added. "While the studies done in this paper are commonly utilized to model airway disorders in people, more direct clinical data are necessary to fully understand the human impact of exposure to these nanoparticles." The titanium suboxide nanoparticles -- called Magneli phases by researchers -- were once thought rare, found on Earth in some meteorites, from a small area of certain rocks in western Greenland, and occasionally in moon rocks. However, Hochella, working with other researchers in 2017, found that these nanoparticles are in fact widespread globally from the burning of coal. According to the earlier study, published in Nature Communications, nearly all coal contains small amounts of the minerals rutile or anatase, both "normal," naturally occurring, and relatively inert titanium oxides. But when burnt, these minerals convert to titanium suboxide. The nanoparticles then become airborne if the power plant is not equipped with high-tech particle traps, such as those in the United States. For countries without strict regulations, the nanoparticles can float away in air currents locally, regionally, and even globally, Hochella said. (He added that the United States first started using electrostatic precipitators on coal stacks in the 1920s.) Early biotoxicity studies by Hochella's group with zebra fish embryos showed signs of negative biological impact from the nanoparticles, suggesting potential harm to humans. Now, with this study, the odds of toxicity to humans are much greater. "The problem with these nanoparticles is that there is no easy or practical way to prevent their formation during coal burning," said Hochella, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geosciences with the Virginia Tech College of Science, upon the earlier study's release two years ago. advertisement Hochella and his team came across the titanium suboxide nanoparticles quite by accident while studying the downstream movement of a 2014 coal ash spill in the Dan River of North Carolina. The group later produced the same titanium suboxide nanoparticles when burning coal in lab simulations. This potential health hazard builds on established findings from the World Health Organization: More than 3.3 million premature deaths occurring worldwide per year due to polluted air, and in China alone, 1.6 million premature deaths are estimated annually due to cardiovascular and respiratory injury from air pollution. This raises multiple questions: Are the nanoparticles absorbed through the body by other means, such as contact with eyes or skin? Can they find their way into vegetation -- including food -- though soil? If so, what are the implications on the gastrointestinal tract? Are they present in drinking water? If a mouse experiences long-term damage at six weeks, what does that pose for humans who breathe the air? Allen urges that testing move to human-focused studies. "We've identified a unique pollutant in the environment, and we've shown there's a potential health concern for humans, so that gives us a biomarker that we can monitor more closely," he said. "We should begin looking at these particulates more closely as we become more aware of the hazards these nanoparticles pose. These are questions that need to be asked." That path, while obvious, may not be so simple, ethically or politically. Scientists can't expose human test subjects to coal smog or ash and the toxic nanoparticles. Therefore, a likely scenario: scientists could study these particles in human lung tissue from lung biopsies and clinical specimens. However, many clinicians have been reluctant to take part in this effort in many of the countries at the most risk. Allen said one reason may be the sensitivity that these countries hold toward air-quality issues. Some of the ships passengers have posted updates on social media to share photos of the port, their cabins and the sudoku puzzles they are doing to pass the time. Sarah Arana, whose Facebook page says she lives in Los Angeles, wrote that the ship has been periodically leaving and then returning to port to maintain operations. Supplies have been delivered and passengers were given thermometers to take their own temperatures several times per day, she said. Bali Nine convicted drug smuggler Renae Lawrence has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to help the remaining five members serving life sentences when he meets Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Canberra this week. Ms Lawrence, who was released in November 2018 after more than 12 years behind bars for drug trafficking, spoke to media in Canberra on Sunday afternoon for the first time since her release and issued a plea to the Australian government. Renae Lawrence before a court appearance in Bali in 2005. Credit:AAP "I have no quarrel with the Indonesian legal system, but I continue to worry about these five young men, who, if they had received the same sentence as me, may well have been back in Australia with their families by now," she said, reading from a prepared statement. Visibly nervous, she apologised to Mr Joko and the Indonesian people, saying she acknowledged that trying to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin from Bali to Australia was wrong and an act of "stupidity". OTTAWA - A group of Metis citizens from Western Canada was left waiting in the cold as they sought approval from federal bureaucrats to enter an Ottawa building meant to be a space for Indigenous Peoples. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation. (The Canadian Press files) OTTAWA - A group of Metis citizens from Western Canada was left waiting in the cold as they sought approval from federal bureaucrats to enter an Ottawa building meant to be a space for Indigenous Peoples. The group was in Ottawa last weekend for a ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of Manitoba joining confederation a milestone negotiated by Metis leader Louis Riel in 1870. David Chartrand, vice-president of the Metis National Council, wanted to give his delegation a peek inside 100 Wellington St., the former U.S. embassy across from Parliament Hill. The building has been vacant for two decades, but in 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it would be dedicated to Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Since then, representatives from the three main national Indigenous organizations the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Metis National Council have been working with the government to make it a space that reflects their cultural and historical identities. There are also plans for those organizations to have office and conference space inside the building, as well as areas for the public to tour. Much of that work has been completed, but the building has not yet officially opened. Chartrand says the Metis space is ready to go and he wanted to show it to his visiting delegation, but he encountered roadblocks getting into the building. He had to go to federal officials in Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett's office to get permission for someone to come and unlock the doors. He emailed one person, who had to email another, going up the chain of command until they could finally get inside. "It took time and the weather was not that nice outside ... some people left and said they'll come another day," Chartrand said. "If it's our building, why don't we have keys?" Leaders of the AFN, the ITK and the Metis National Council met last week in Ottawa to discuss the status of 100 Wellington St., and Chartrand says some of the discussions included expressions of frustration at a lack of Indigenous control over the building. He believes Indigenous leaders shouldn't have to ask permission from federal bureaucrats to access the space, even if it hasn't officially opened yet. That's why he says they're now going to ask for their own keys. "We're concerned about the bureaucratic side of this, where the bureaucrats for some reason still believe that they still have say and control of what should be or what could be in there," Chartrand said. "We do know there's going to be construction matters that are going to happen, and we understand that, but we want to have a say in it and we definitely want the ability it's our building, we should have a right to go in." The future of the building and how to move forward with the project was flagged in a short list of "pressure issues" facing Trudeau after he was re-elected to office, according to documents contained his prime ministerial briefing binder. The Canadian Press obtained the documents under the Access to Information Act. The renovated building was on its way to being open last summer, but that plan stalled over calls from the Algonquin Nation to be included as a full and equal partner in the project. Last summer, members of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation erected a birch-bark wigwam on the sidewalk in front of the building. Grand Chief Verna Polson staged a hunger strike, demanding equal space within the building located on unceded Algonquin territory. The standoff lasted a little over 40 hours and ended with promises from Bennett's office to negotiate an agreement on a role for the Algonquin Nation. Negotiations between the federal government and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council have been ongoing. The talks include a proposal to give the Algonquin Nation the empty lot beside the building as their own distinct space. But it remains unclear where things stand on these negotiations. Attempts to reach Polson for comment on this story were unsuccessful. According to the prime minister's briefing materials, which were heavily redacted, the government has "committed that any short-term occupancy of the Indigenous people's space will remain on hold until an agreement regarding its governance can be reached." Bennett's office says federal officials are working together on a "short-term use" plan for the building while a longer-term design is completed, but did not comment on Chartrand's request for more immediate and direct access to the building. The ITK declined comment on this story and the AFN was unable to provide a statement within the requested deadline. Chartrand says his people are frustrated by the delays in the project, especially after lengthy negotiations among the three national Indigenous organizations over the last two years have been successful. "There definitely is frustration, we did our due diligence and we're caught in this little pit stop," he said. "One of the ways of moving forward is: give us the keys. Give us the keys to our building so we can actually start working at it and let's open these doors." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. Xi Jinping has backed out of the spotlight as China faces its worst crisis in years, reflecting the political risks he faces if efforts to contain the virus fail. Wuhan: President Xi Jinping strode onstage before an adoring audience in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing less than three weeks ago, trumpeting his successes in steering China through a tumultuous year and promising "landmark" progress in 2020. "Every single Chinese person, every member of the Chinese nation, should feel proud to live in this great era," he declared to applause on the day before the Lunar New Year holiday. "Our progress will not be halted by any storms and tempests." Xi made no mention of a dangerous new coronavirus that had already taken tenacious hold in the country. As he spoke, the government was locking down Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, in a frantic attempt to stop the virus spreading from its epicenter. The coronavirus epidemic, which has killed more than 800 people in China as of Sunday and sickened tens of thousands, comes as Xi has struggled with a host of other challenges: a slowing economy, huge protests in Hong Kong, an election in Taiwan that rebuffed Beijing and a protracted trade war with the United States. Now Xi faces an accelerating health crisis that is also a political one: a profound test of the authoritarian system he has built around himself over the past seven years. As the Chinese government struggles to contain the virus amid rising public discontent with its performance, the changes that Xi has ushered in could make it difficult for him to escape blame. "Its a big shock to the legitimacy of the ruling party. I think it could be only second to the 4 June incident of 1989. Its that big," said Rong Jian, a writer about politics in Beijing, referring to the armed crackdown on Tiananmen Square protesters that year. Theres no doubt about his control over power, he added, but the manner of control and its consequences have hurt his legitimacy and reputation. Xi himself has recognized what is at stake, calling the outbreak a major test of Chinas system and capacity for governance. Yet as Chinas battle with the coronavirus intensified, Xi put the countrys No. 2 leader, Li Keqiang, in charge of a leadership group handling the emergency, effectively turning him into the public face of the governments response. It was Li Keqiang who traveled to Wuhan to visit doctors. Xi, by contrast, receded from public view for several days. That was not without precedent, though it stood out in this crisis, after previous Chinese leaders had used times of disaster to try to show a more common touch. State television and newspapers almost always lead with fawning coverage of Xis every move. That retreat from the spotlight, some analysts said, signaled an effort by Xi to insulate himself from a campaign that may falter and draw public ire. Yet Xi has consolidated power, sidelining or eliminating rivals, so there are few people left to blame when something goes wrong. Politically, I think he is discovering that having total dictatorial power has a downside, which is that when things go wrong or have a high risk of going wrong, then you also have to bear all the responsibility, said Victor Shih, an associate professor at the University of California San Diego who studies Chinese politics. Much of the countrys population has been told to stay at home, factories remain closed, and airlines have cut service. Experts warn that the coronavirus could slam the economy if not swiftly contained. The government is also having trouble controlling the narrative. Xi now faces unusually sharp public discontent that even Chinas rigorous censorship apparatus has been unable to stifle entirely. The death of an ophthalmologist in Wuhan, Dr. Li Wenliang, who was censured for warning his medical school classmates of the spread of a dangerous new disease in December, has unleashed a torrent of pent-up public grief and rage over the governments handling of the crisis. Chinese academics have launched at least two petitions in the wake of Lis death, each calling for freedom of speech. State media still portray Xi as ultimately in control, and theres no sign that he faces a serious challenge from within the party leadership. The crisis, though, has already tainted Chinas image as an emerging superpower efficient, stable and strong that could eventually rival the United States. How much the crisis might erode Xis political standing remains to be seen, but it could weaken his position in the long run as he prepares to take a likely third term as Communist Party general secretary in 2022. In 2018, Xi won approval to remove the constitutional limits on his term as the countrys president, making his plan for another five-year term seem all but certain. If Xi comes out of this crisis politically insecure, the consequences are unpredictable. He may become more open to compromise within the party elite. Or he may double down on the imperious ways that have made him Chinas most powerful leader in generations. "Xi's grip on power is not light," said Jude Blanchette, the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "While the ham-fisted response to this crisis undoubtedly adds a further blemish to Xis tenure in office," Blanchette added, "the logistics of organizing a leadership challenge against him remain formidable." In recent days, despite a dearth of public appearances, state media have portrayed Xi as a tireless commander-in-chief. This week they began calling the governments fight against the virus the peoples war, a phrase used in the official readout of Xis telephone call with President Donald Trump on Friday. There are increasing signs that the propaganda this time is proving less than persuasive. The Lunar New Year reception in Beijing where Xi spoke became a source of popular anger, a symbol of a government slow to respond to the suffering in Wuhan. Xi and other leaders appear to have been caught off guard by the ferocity of the epidemic. Senior officials would almost certainly have been informed of the emerging crisis by the time national health authorities told the World Health Organization on Dec. 31, but neither Xi nor other officials in Beijing informed the public. Xis first acknowledgment of the epidemic came Jan. 20, when brief instructions were issued under his name. His first public appearance after the lockdown of Wuhan on Jan. 23 came two days later, when he presided over a meeting of the Communist Partys top body, the Politburo Standing Committee, which was shown at length on Chinese television. Were sure to be able to win in this battle, he proclaimed. Back then, the death toll was 106. As it rose, Xi allowed other officials to take on more visible roles. Xis only appearances have been meeting foreign visitors in the Great Hall of the People or presiding over Communist Party meetings. On Jan. 28, Xi met with the executive director of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and told Tedros that he personally directed the governments response. Later reports in state media omitted the phrase, saying instead that Xis government was collectively directing the response. Since nothing about how Xi is portrayed in state media happens by accident, the tweak suggested a deliberate effort to emphasize shared responsibility. Xi did not appear on official broadcasts again for a week until a highly scripted meeting Wednesday with the authoritarian leader of Cambodia, Hun Sen. There is little evidence that Xi has given up power behind the scenes. Li Keqiang, the premier in formal charge of the leadership group for the crisis, and other officials have said that they take their orders from Xi. The group is filled with officials who work closely under Xi, and its directives emphasize his authority. The way the epidemic is being handled now from the top just doesnt fit with the argument that theres been a clear shift toward more collective, consultative leadership, said Holly Snape, a British Academy Fellow at the University of Glasgow who studies Chinese politics. The scale of discontent and the potential challenges for Xi could be measured by repeated references online to the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. Many of them came under the guise of viewer reviews of the popular television miniseries of the same name, which is still available for streaming inside China. In any era, any country, its the same. Cover everything up, one reviewer wrote. The Soviet Union of 1986, however, was a different country than China in 2020. The Soviet state was foundering when Chernobyl happened, said Sergey Radchenko, a professor of international relations at Cardiff University in Wales who has written extensively on Soviet and Chinese politics. The Chinese authorities, by contrast, are demonstrating an ability to cope, a willingness to take unprecedented measures logistical feats that may actually increase the regimes legitimacy, he added. Radchenko compared Xis actions to those of previous leaders in moments of crisis: Mao Zedong after the Cultural Revolution or Deng Xiaoping after the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Hes doing what Mao and Deng would have done in similar circumstances: stepping back into the shadows while remaining firmly in charge. Chris Buckley and Steven Lee Myers c.2020 The New York Times Company Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 11:57:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on Saturday urged avoiding listening to rumors and unofficial information on the novel coronavirus, while emphasizing solidarity and cooperation of different forms during such times. "First of all, there should be technical information from those who are mandated to talk about these matters. Secondly there is a good reason to let us stick with official sources, otherwise we will get into all kinds of wild speculations that do not help us," Muhammad-Bande, who is in Ethiopia's capital to attend the 33rd African Union Summit slated for Feb. 9-10, told Xinhua. The president also said solidarity, scientific efforts, and financial support can tide us over the current situation, recalling that epidemics such as Ebola have been overcome through such efforts. Muhammad-Bande reiterated the need to get information in a transparent and timely manner and hailed the work by the Chinese government in this regard. "For the UN what is important is simply to ensure transparency and timely information ... I think the ambassador of China to UN himself gave a very well covered briefing on the matter," he said. As the Democratic presidential candidates make their closing arguments to New Hampshire voters ahead of Tuesday's primary, the leading contenders traded barbs on the Sunday morning news shows, with both former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., fending off questions about their vulnerabilities. Buttigieg, who has faced increasing attacks from his Democratic rivals after effectively tying Sanders for first place in last week's Iowa caucuses, was asked to respond to a claim by former vice president Joe Biden that "this guy's not a Barack Obama." "Well, he's right. I'm not. And neither is he," Buttigieg said of Biden on CNN's "State of the Union." "Neither is any of us running for president. And this isn't 2008. It's 2020. And we are in a new moment calling for a different kind of leadership." Buttigieg also responded to Sanders' attack on him for raising money from wealthy donors. "Bernie is pretty rich, and I would happily accept a contribution from him," he said on CNN. Sanders, meanwhile, pushed back against calls to release his medical records. The Vermont senator, the oldest major candidate for president in 2020, suffered a heart attack in October. He released information from three of his doctors in December stating that he had sustained "modest heart muscle damage" but is in good health and capable of doing the job. "I mean, you can start releasing medical records and it never ends," Sanders said on NBC News's "Meet the Press" when asked whether he will release all of his medical records before Super Tuesday. "We've released a substantive part - all of our background. We have ... cardiologists who are confirming that I am in good health. I am in good health." Seven candidates - Sanders, Buttigieg, Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., entrepreneur Andrew Yang and investor Tom Steyer - battled onstage Friday night for the final Democratic debate before Tuesday's New Hampshire primary. But attention has focused on Sanders and Buttigieg after they came out on top in the Iowa caucuses. Biden - who finished fourth in Iowa behind Sanders, Buttigieg and Warren - has particularly sharpened his attacks against the leading candidates, calling Buttigieg inexperienced and openly questioning whether Sanders can follow through on any of his campaign promises. The increasingly frantic tone of the campaign continued over the weekend at a New Hampshire Democratic Party dinner Saturday night in Manchester, where, one by one, the candidates made their pitches - as well as the same thinly veiled criticisms they had uttered earlier in the day. Supporters on all sides cheered and booed. The tenor reflected candidates' frustration that the race has remained stubbornly fluid, with uncertainty more popular than many of the candidates. A new poll showed that roughly half of New Hampshire voters have not made up their minds with just days to go before Tuesday's primary. In an appearance on ABC News's "This Week," Warren declined to say what will happen to her candidacy if she doesn't finish in at least second place in New Hampshire after her third-place finish in Iowa. "It's going to be a long campaign," Warren said. Biden described the New Hampshire primary as "an uphill fight." "But it's a fight that I think we'll do well in," he said in an interview with "This Week" that was taped Saturday. Several of the candidates continued to voice frustration Sunday at the chaos surrounding this year's Iowa caucus results. Sanders said on CNN that the state's Democratic Party "screwed it up very badly." But he declined to echo others who have accused the Democratic National Committee of trying to hurt his campaign. "I'm not casting any aspersions, political aspersions," Sanders said, emphasizing that he believes he has an "excellent chance" of winning New Hampshire. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez also expressed anger with the way the Iowa caucuses were run, calling it "undeniably unacceptable." "I'm frustrated. I'm mad as hell. Everybody is. And I think what we're going to do at the end of this cycle ... is have a further conversation about whether or not state parties should be running elections," Perez said on CNN's "State of the Union." He added that national Democrats will "absolutely" have a conversation after the November election about whether Iowa should retain its first-in-the-nation caucus status. - - - The Washington Post's Chelsea Janes and Sean Sullivan contributed to this report. \ Kazakh Deputy Interior Minister Aleksei Kalayichi has raised the death toll to 10 from ethnically fueled violence that erupted in a village in southern Kazakhstan late on February 7 and spread to nearby communities. The clashes were some of the worst ethnic violence in years in the Zhambyl region, located about 130 kilometers west of Kazakhstan's commercial capital, Almaty, and prompted authorities in the district of Kordai to declare a state of emergency. It was unclear what sparked the incidents, which mostly appeared to pit ethnic Kazakhs against Dungans, a Muslim group of Chinese origin. Eight people died at the scene and two more died despite emergency treatment, officials said early on February 9. Officials said 140 people sought medical treatment in Kazakhstan and two dozen more in neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Thirty-nine more people reportedly remained hospitalized early on February 9, including three officials who sustained gunshot wounds, according to Kalayichi. WATCH: Hundreds Flee To Kyrgyzstan After Deadly Ethnic Clashes In Rural Kazakhstan Villagers reportedly attacked each other in groups, and bands of men torched homes, overturned cars, and sent hundreds of people fleeing into nearby Kyrgyzstan. Dungans make up much of the population in Masanchi, which was the worst-hit village. Several other outlying villages also reported clashes. In an unscheduled televised appearance, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev said he had ordered security agencies to prosecute those spreading hate speech and "provocative rumors and disinformation." Toqaev called for calm. Kazakh law enforcement deployed riot police to the area on February 8, hours after the initial fighting. By February 9, authorities said they believed around 300 people had taken part in the mob violence and they had already launched criminal cases, including for suspected murder. RFE/RL correspondents reported long lines of police, holding riot shields and truncheons, along roads in the region. On February 8, groups of mainly ethnic Dungans could be seen lining up along the Kyrgyz side of the border, while on the other side of the border, Dungan people handed out food and offered medical assistance to those coming across. Footage circulating on social media late on February 7 showed young men, some armed with clubs, marching along the road of a village in the area with buildings on fire. Many of the videos could not be independently verified. At a press conference in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, Interior Minister Erlan Turghymbaev said 30 homes, 15 shops, and 20 cars had been damaged in Masanchi, and other villages in the region. One Kyrgyz source claimed thousands of people had fled across the border into Kyrgyzstan, but that information could not be independently verified by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service. Kyrgyz authorities were already strengthening border checks in an effort to combat the possible spread of the Wuhan coronavirus that has killed more than 800 people in neighboring China. With reporting by Interfax Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai has replied to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnaviss open letter to him, in which the politician explained why his government had banned the sale of meat in the state and other issues. Here is Sardesais response to Fadnavis which first appeared on his website : Dear Devendraji, Firstly, I wish to thank you for replying to my open letter and creating space for a public debate. This is a sign of a truly healthy democracy and is rare for a politician in this day and age. I truly appreciate that a big politician chooses to reply to a humble columnist: doesn't happen too often in an age where the media is a soft target. However, while I do not wish this to become a tu to main main, I must reserve the right to reply. Sir, there are four basic issues that I raised in my original letter to which you have responded. Firstly, the meat and beef ban in Maharashtra. On the beef ban, the fact is that your government has imposed a statewide ban in a unilateral manner with no attempt to engage with the stakeholders. The results are there for all to see. Thousands of people associated with the cattle trade have overnight been rendered unemployed. They are all citizens of this country, many of whom voted for you in the last election. I haven't heard a word of empathy for their plight ( a number of them belong to the minority community but let's not go down there for now). Should I not ask as a journalist what useful public purpose has been served by this ban? Or does asking questions make me agenda driven? The issue of a meat ban has a more chequered past. Yes, previous governments of the Congress-NCP, be it at the state or municipal level, have sought to impose bans on meat sale during the Jain festival. Under pressure from the Jain community, attempts have been made by your predecessors (and I mention this in my article without citing the dates) in 1994, 2003-04 and 2014 through government resolutions, but these were never widely enforced (the 94 order, for example, was never carried out), were often driven by a spirit of voluntarism (an ''appeal" was made to close meat shops) and nor did they initially last beyond two days (although the August 2014 Government resolution did seek to extend it to four days). It is only this year that the BJP dominated Mira-Bhayandar municipal corporation imposed an unprecedented eight day ban on meat sale and strictly enforced it. Taking a cue, a group of BJP MLAs, councillors and Jain community persons met the municipal commissioner and sought to extend this to Mumbai city and have a similar eight day ban on meat sale across the city. It is only when the Shiv Sena and MNS opposed this, that your local leaders were forced to back off because they couldn't muster a majority. The message is clear and this was the point I was making: the state BJP wanted to impose, indeed was pushing to impose, a ban much wider in scope and ambit than in the past And if I ask questions in this regard, am I agenda-driven or pseudo-secular or simply reflecting the concerns of a large section of the population who do not appreciate the ban culture, be it by a BJP government or a Congress government? Lets turn to Rakesh Maria and the musical chairs played with the police commissioner's office. You claim that his sudden transfer was necessitated by the rush of festivals: a new man was needed to oversee the festival arrangements. Truth is, almost no senior police officer I have spoken to is willing to buy this theory. Those who have retired have openly scoffed at this explanation, those in service are naturally hesitant to speak out. The conjecture is that Mr Maria's transfer has something to do with the ongoing Sheena Bora investigation or a personal animus. You seem to suggest that his role as commissioner in a murder case was purely supervisory. Maybe it was, or should be. But the fact is, your government after transferring him to DG Home Guards in the morning, the very same evening claims that he will continue to oversee the Bora investigation. This, even as a new police commissioner and another fine officer Ahmed Javed takes charge. Can there be anything more confusing? Then, to compound the confusion, your government now decides to suddenly hand over the Bora case to the CBI. The Mumbai police claimed in court that it had clinching evidence while seeking remand against the accused; then why is the case being transferred out? Is the Mumbai police incompetent, is there a cover-up, or is the case throwing up new dimensions which perhaps might need fresh investigation? Is a journalist not to ask such questions without his motives being questioned? Let's turn to the issue of sedition and a government circular. You claim that the circular is a routine translation from Marathi of an order passed by the previous state government. Your reply seems to suggest that the role of the present government is little more than clerical that requires no application of mind to a serious issue. Well, all I can say is that on Tuesday, the Mumbai high court gave a very different spin to this issue: on a petition by cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, they have asked your government not to implement the circular for now and asked you to reply by the20th of October. Since the matter is now before the esteemed court, maybe we should wait to see how they interpret the government circular: clearly, this round has been won by those who are worried that the circular can be misused by the police. Also, if you are not in agreement with the sedition circular why did your government not withdraw it? `Sedition' is hardly a weapon to be used in the armoury of a democratic government which should welcome debate and disagreement. Why did your government re-issue this circular? And if I point to this potential for misuse, am I being agenda driven or simply doing my duty as a journalist? The fourth issue is one which is dear to your and my heart: the plight of the farmers, especially in Marathwada at the moment. As a politician from Vidarbha, I know you empathise with farmers issues; I am aware that you took a lead role in exposing the irrigation scam when in opposition. And I am also aware of your efforts through the Jal Yukta Shivir Yojana to try and improve the situation on the ground. The facts though are that 729 farmers have committed suicide since January in Marathwada alone, more than any other part of the country, and tanker mafias and usurious money-lenders continue to rule. Yes, this is an inherited legacy (and I refer to the irrigation failures and comments made by previous ministers in my original letter), but on the ground there is hardly any evidence of the situation showing any marked improvement. Maybe, if your micro-irrigation schemes do work, then in the long run, there will be change. But for now, there is a deepening crisis. Should I not be asking you, therefore, to prioritise farm relief above all else? And should I not also ask what happened to the election promise of ensuring that those involved in the irrigation scam are punished? Or is asking hard questions in this age of cheerleaders and unbridled Bhakti, no longer acceptable? My final point sir: in your response, at various points you call me a 'leftist', `pseudo secular', and 'biased'. You also rather derisively placed the word senior, as in senior journalist, in inverted commas. Personal attacks are now par for the course; 27 years of journalism have helped me acquire the skin of a rhinoceros. Over the years, I have been attacked by one and all: in 1992-93, Sharad Pawar, also a former Maharashtra CM, threw me out of a press conference because of the questions I asked on the Mumbai riots. Ten years later, my coverage of the 2002 riots led to my being attacked again. I have stood up against all forms of extremism, Hindu and Muslim, and am suspicious of all dogmas, be it of left or right. I have exposed Congress corruption (as editor of a news channel, I supervised the path-breaking investigative story on the Quattorochi accounts being defrozen), and sangh parivar hate politics, Mulayam's goondaism (for which I was summoned to the UP state assembly) and Mayawati's disproportionate assets (for which our OB van was burnt). Please do go through my columns over the last two decades, especially on Maharashtra politics, a state whose social and political decline I have observed with dismay. I am happy to introspect, be corrected, but dislike being pigeonholed in any manner, except to say that I do believe in the spirit of a liberal, plural India that strives to provide equal opportunities to all its citizens. Does that make me a "Leftist?" as you appear to caricature all dissenters or questioners? If I question any form of bigotry, does that make me pseudo-secular? In my view, it makes me a proud, humane Indian. Post-script: I must also thank all your followers who ensured I trended all through Tuesday on twitter. Their constant abuse gives me strength. Look forward to meeting soon! Jai Maharashtra, jai Hind! The writer is author and senior journalist. Read Rajdeep Sardesai's column in Hindustan Times in which he wrote an 'open letter' to Devendra Fadnavis. Read Devendra Fadnavis's reply in Hindustan Times in which he responded to Sardesai's points. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The governments decision to modify the protocol, unusual in its swiftness, underscored the pressure it is under, particularly in Hubeis capital, Wuhan, a city of 11 million where pleas from residents desperate for medical help have caused widespread public anger. The vast majority of deaths in China from the coronavirus have been recorded in Wuhan. Dr. Joe Chang, a specialist at the department of radiation oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said the use of CT scans to screen patients in Hubei made sense. The issue now is the number of patients, he said. No country can be prepared for these kinds of numbers. In Wuhan, long lines of people snake around the citys hospitals, and many residents with fevers, coughs and other symptoms of the virus say they cant get tested. Yuan Xiuhua, a 49-year-old Wuhan resident, came down with a fever on Jan. 22 and went to a hospital, where CT scans showed lesions in her lungs. She has repeatedly asked her community district, which prioritizes who gets tested for the coronavirus, to give her one, but was told that because there were too many possible cases, she was better off isolating herself at home. Her husband, she said, recently came down with a fever and diarrhea. Ms. Yuan said she was still calling her community district every day to ask for a test. They keep on saying that there are no free spots, she said. They didnt provide me with any help. Theyve just made me wait. Faced with criticism over the slow response in the first weeks of the outbreak, Beijing has ordered increasingly extreme measures. The government in Wuhan was to hospitalize or place in mass quarantine centers all confirmed infected patients. By Daria Sito-Sucic MOSTAR, Bosnia (Reuters) - The aluminium smelter in the Bosnian town of Mostar has fallen eerily silent since its electricity was cut in July. The only visitors to what was once a model factory in former Yugoslavia are staff filling in redundancy papers. The closure of debt-laden Aluminij Mostar is symptomatic of the challenges facing countries across the Balkans as they try to keep loss-making state-owned businesses inherited from the communist era afloat in market economies. The demise of the aluminium exporter also shows how 25 years after the end of the Bosnian war, everything from ethnic rifts to weak corporate governance to corruption are hindering growth, just as the world economy is slowing and European Union membership looks ever more remote. While closure may be the only option for many Balkan firms propped up by state subsidies, local leaders are keen to salvage something from businesses that are big employers in a region where just 44 percent of the working-age population have jobs. Besides its 900 staff, Aluminij provided work for some 10,000 people in its supply chain and was a mainstay for the local railway, power company and even the Croatian port of Ploce 60 km (40 miles) to the south. "You can't just shut down the largest plant in the country," said Emil Coric, 34, a chief engineer at Aluminij, which also employed his father before he retired seven years ago. "Somebody must take responsibility." Aluminij's management declined to comment for this story. In Bosnia, the value of assets held by state-backed firms is worth a year's gross domestic product (GDP). In Croatia and Serbia, it's 90% and 70% percent respectively, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). That's in stark contrast to the EU where the value of big state-owned firms accounts for less than 30% of GDP in most states and is under 10% in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, according to a 2016 EU study. 'NOT SUSTAINABLE' Story continues The World Bank, IMF and potential investors see many of the state-owned firms in the Balkans as economic burdens, sucking up taxpayers' money, putting start-ups at a competitive disadvantage and often acting as hotbeds of political cronyism. "This situation is not sustainable and seriously impedes private sector and general economic development," said Zsuzsanna Hargitai, Western Balkans director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. She estimated that propping up inefficient state companies costs Serbia, the biggest economy in the region, two percentage points of national output a year. While Belgrade has sold a steel plant and a copper mine to Chinese companies, it is still subsidising nine businesses which together employ 15,000 people. The Resavica coalmine group alone gets about $42 million a year. In Croatia, loss-making metals producer Djuro Djakovic, in which the state holds a 38% stake, is seeking help with wage arrears. The government finally stumped up a guarantee of 300 million kuna ($44 million) to help the company and avoid protests in its impoverished eastern Slavonia region. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, which split after the war into a mainly Serb region and a federation of Bosniaks and Croats - itself largely divided geographically between the two groups - there are a host of struggling state-owned firms. The IMF said last year that most were in poor financial shape and a fundamental reform of them could boost Bosnia's GDP by three percentage points a year. COMPANY VINEYARDS Yet the story of Aluminij shows how difficult the process of making such companies viable can be. Founded next to a bauxite mine in 1981 under Yugoslavia's planned economy, Aluminij's alumina plant and smelter established itself supplying the local auto and airline sector. It was destroyed during the 1992-95 war as Mostar was on the frontline, first as Bosniaks and Bosnian Croats defeated the Bosnian Serbs, and again when the victors turned on each other in struggle that left the city divided upon ethnic lines. Like virtually all Bosnian entities, it was rebuilt after the war along ethnic lines. It was located in territory held by the Croats, so when it reopened in 1997 only Croat workers were allowed to return to their jobs, according to organisations deployed to Bosnia after the war, such as Amnesty International. Smelting aluminium is hugely electricity-intensive but the generous power subsidies it received from Croatia and Mostar's predominantly Croat energy company Elektroprivreda HZHB made it look like a viable producer. Aluminij was also known for paying the highest salaries in Bosnia. According to local reports, its average salary was about 900 euros at the time the average for Bosnia was 440 euros while some managers got 10,000 euros a month. It also boasted its own brand of wines, fruit liquors and olive oil from the sunny southern region of Herzegovina. But even with subsidies, Aluminij was racking up losses, squeezed by a rise in the cost of the raw material alumina and a decline in global aluminium prices from 2014. Between 2014-2017, its liabilities more than doubled to $208 million, or 2% of national output. About three-quarters of its debt is unpaid power bills to Elektroprivreda HZHB, which is itself trying to stay afloat. PARTY FIRST Damir Novotny, managing partner at consultancy T&MC, put some of the blame at the door of Aluminij's management, saying it was chosen for Croat ethnic and political allegiance - rather than competence. "Even electricity cheaper than market prices could not secure the successful operation and survival of this outdated company," he said. Aluminij's managers were often close to the Bosnian Croat HDZ party, a pattern replicated by other groups across Bosnia but also in other Balkan countries, where party affiliation can sometimes be more important than competence for top managers. With the group insolvent, Bosnia looked for a partner. Global mining giant Glencore and an Israeli-Chinese consortium led by Tel Aviv's M.T. Abraham Group have shown interest but a deal remains elusive. "All interested investors want the same: subsided electricity prices and government guarantees for all future loans," said Energy and Industry Minister Nermin Dzindic. "Had we done that, we would have been helping this management at the expense of someone else. That model is not possible," he told Reuters. Glencore declined to comment on its reasons for pulling out of talks in July. M.T. Abraham confirmed its first offer for Aluminij had been rejected but said in a Jan. 20 statement to Reuters it was awaiting a government response to a new offer to lease the factory, with an option to buy. Whatever the fate of Aluminij, governments across the region face hard choices on dozens of other such businesses: continue to suffer budget hits from their losses, or move ahead with painful steps such job cuts or scaling back their activities. The World Bank and others acknowledge that the prospect of EU membership is an incentive for politicians to enact difficult reforms but such hopes have been extinguished for now. In July, French President Emmanuel Macron said applications from North Macedonia, Albania and other Balkan states were on hold until the EU revamped its structures. Officials are now awaiting a May summit for more promising signals from Brussels. Ela Halilhodzic, 38, who used to work in Aluminij's finance department, said she wasn't going to hang around and was likely to join the brain drain which is adding to the region's woes. "I will probably go to Germany," she said. (Additional reporting by Mark John in London and Igor Ilic in Zagreb; Editing by Mark John and David Clarke) DES MOINES - By Tuesday, most of the campaign signs that had been lining the neighborhood streets here for months were gone, pried out of the frozen ground almost instantaneously, as if the election had never happened, as if people were anxious to forget. The uncertainty over who would emerge victorious from Monday's Iowa caucuses would continue for days - and still does, even as the state Democratic Party announced Thursday it had finally counted all the results after technical and logistical problems prompted chaos and delays in the first nominating contest of the 2020 primary. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg both claimed victory in a race so tight that the Associated Press announced it could not declare a winner. And amid reports of miscounts and faulty delegate math, there has been enduring drama about what to do. Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, called for a full re-canvass of the results and then dialed that back. The Iowa Democratic Party announced it would review results from 95 problematic precincts and then extended its deadline for candidate re-canvassing requests to Monday. It has all served to extend even further the political hangover of weary Iowans who had labored to make sure the caucuses worked smoothly, only to see it all explode. "We're actively testing Dante's circles of hell," one local Democratic Party official said just hours after the state party held a Wednesday night conference call with county chairs to divulge even more chaos in the process, including claims that a hotline set up for caucus leaders to phone in results had been swamped by prank calls from supporters of President Donald Trump after the number was posted on social media. For all the drama, including the concern that the mishandling of the results means the end of Iowa's storied role as an influential early state, there were other lingering worries in the aftermath of Monday's caucuses. Where were all the people? According to the state party, an estimated 177,000 people caucused Monday, a slight uptick compared to the roughly 170,000 who turned out to caucus in 2016. But that was nowhere near what the party had anticipated. Many believed turnout would easily surpass the record-breaking 240,000 who caucused in 2008, including droves of young and first-time caucus-goers who's support of Barack Obama effectively launched his bid for the presidency. For months, Iowa Democrats predicted big turnout, pointing to polls that showed higher-than-normal enthusiasm about the race among Democrats and the huge crowds at major political events in the run-up to caucuses. More than 12,000 people turned out in the rain for the Polk County Steak Fry in September, the most in the event's history. A little over a month later, another 13,000 filled the Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines for the state party's Liberty and Justice Dinner, the biggest crowd and venue the event has ever had. In anticipation of equally big crowds at the caucuses, state and local Democratic officials scouted out and booked larger venues to prevent the overcrowding that had overwhelmed some caucus sites four years ago. But on Monday night, Democratic county leaders across the state were stunned to see small lines and empty seats in precincts that have been known to draw large crowds. In Precinct 18 in Dubuque, where some of the area's most loyal Democratic voters reside, county chair Steve Drahozal had anticipated a turnout of 300 to 400 people inside the expansive high school gym he'd reserved to accommodate the crowd. He began to worry when he walked outside into the school lobby, where they'd set up registration tables, to find no lines about a half-hour before the strict 7 p.m. start time. "I was completely shocked," he said, adding that other precincts in the county had reported turnout at 2016 levels or below. Precinct 18 drew 217 people - about the same number as 2016. That total included 65 people who had newly registered to vote on-site. Inside, many surprised Democrats looked around the room and took note of the friends and neighbors they knew who were missing. "It's unusual. This precinct is really Democratic and gets a great turnout, maybe the best in the county," said Greg Simpson, a local Democratic activist and former county chair. Dubuque County, one of the 31 counties that flipped from Obama to Trump in 2016, had been an intense focus of organizing and candidate visits. "It means they spent over a year on campaign outreach, and they didn't turn out enough people," Simpson said. Dubuque County wasn't the only place that drew less than expected turnout. The candidates had devoted time and attention to the string of counties to the south that wind along the Mississippi River where Trump won in 2016 and Democrats are now trying to win back. Like Dubuque, many precincts in those counties saw smaller crowds than expected. In working-class Wapello County in southeast Iowa, turnout was lower than in 2016, according to county chair Zach Simonson. "We're working on gauging why that was the case," he said. "The best argument I've heard that squares with talking to voters is that Democrats are more invested in defeating the president than in choosing a nominee." That argument was echoed by aides to several campaigns, who suggested they weren't surprised given how undecided Iowans were in the final days leading up to the caucus. In New Hampshire, Sanders, whose electability argument largely rests on his ability to turn out new voters, said he was concerned about the lackluster numbers but pointed to numbers that suggested younger voters had turned out in higher numbers than four years ago. But Beto O'Rourke, the former Texas congressman who ended his own 2020 race in November, said the low turnout was "the most alarming thing" to come out of Iowa this past week, even beyond the drama in figuring out the results. "What should most concern us is that turnout might have barely kept pace with 2016 levels, and fell well below the historic turnout of 2008," O'Rourke wrote in a Medium post. "We're in the middle of a national emergency, and people are staying home." There were bright spots, including Polk County, where county chair Sean Bagniewski said turnout was higher than 2016 across the county, which includes Des Moines and its suburbs. Democrats were processing five large boxes of forms from people who had registered to vote on-site that night. Vanessa Phelan, chair of the Northwest Des Moines Democrats, said turnout was up about 20 percent at the precinct she helped run. Phelan, a first-time caucus organizer who was driven to become more involved in politics after Trump's election, said she was exhausted and disappointed by the drama surrounding the reporting and handling of caucus results. But was she was certain it would not dampen enthusiasm among newly energized voters like her who are determined to do whatever they can to elect more Democrats and defeat Trump. "We are incredibly engaged, and we're ready to go," Phelan said. "We all know we have to get Trump out of office." Nicolas Cage was seen holding hands with a mystery woman on Saturday when he attended the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California. The two were seen walking side by side outside the tent by the beach as they were escorted into the event. Once inside, they sat close to each other. This comes just eight months after he finalized his divorce from his fourth wife Erika Koike. Hand in hand: Nicolas Cage was seen holding hands with a mystery woman on Saturday when he attended the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California On their way in: The two were seen walking side by side outside the tent by the beach as they were escorted into the event Nic had on an off-white zip-up motorcycle jacket over a white tucked-in top with white jeans and a black belt with a silver buckle. The Moonstruck actor wore groomed facial hair with pink sunglasses. His lady friend had on a black dress with black boots and red lipstick. Cage took his time posing for photos and then saying hello to his fans who lined up to see the Hollywood Icon. Once inside the event, Nic and his lady were seen sitting side by side at a table together. Close: Once inside the event, Nic and his lady were seen sitting side by side at a table together There was no doubt she was hit date: He pulled up close to his lady friend The actor is coming off a four-day marriage from 2019. The former couple were granted the divorce three months after their wedding, which they tried to annul after four days, after Nicolas claimed he was 'too drunk' to marry. TMZ state that according to court records, the judge in Clark County, NV granted their divorce on Friday, May 31, 2019. Cage style for 2020: Nic had on an off-white zip-up motorcycle jacket over a white tucked-in top with white jeans and a black belt with a silver buckle Now in black and white: Cage was also seen in this image where he didn't smile Nicolas had claimed the union was based on fraud, because Erika didn't disclose her criminal history and her relationship with another person. There appeared to be problems with the union almost immediately and hours after the wedding, which took place on March 23, they were seen fighting outside the Bellagio hotel. Erika later opposed Nick's hope to annul their marriage and made a claim for spousal support. TMZ claims that Nicolas was unable to get the annulment but managed to get a quick divorce and it's unclear if Erika was granted the spousal support she wanted. Erika claims that her reputation has been damaged by Cage and she's lost out on career opportunities. A good celebrity: He took time meeting his fans outside the venue The 34-year-old agreed that the couple should be divorced but said the Con Air actor's annulment request should be denied, claiming that his allegations that the marriage was based on fraud are false. According to TMZ, Koike says that less than two weeks after Nic filed for annulment, he contacted her to rekindle tings 'in the right way.' The pair had dated for about a year before their quickie marriage in Vegas. The couple tied the knot the same day that they applied for a marriage license but while at the Clark County Court House Marriage Licence Bureau, the Cage made a scene. He appeared to be 'very out of it' and was 'most likely drunk', an eyewitness told DailyMail.com. With h is ex: Cage was spotted rocking a zebra print sport coat as she headed back his car after having a dinner date in Beverly Hills with Erika Koike in 2018 At one point Nic raised his voice and started shouting about how Koike's 'boyfriend' is a drug dealer and that 'he isn't doing it' - seemingly referring to getting a marriage license. The video shows Koike calmly telling Cage: 'I never asked you to do this', before he smiles and gently pushes her through the hallway, saying 'come on, let's go'. Just hours later, the newlyweds appeared in front of a casino in the throes of an argument as Koike grabbed her bags and left in a taxi. In the annulment papers filed less than a week later, Cage cited Koike's 'criminal history' among the many reasons he wanted to dissolve the marriage, according to The Blast. He initially claimed that he was 'too drunk' to realize he was getting married, and was further disturbed upon realizing her past was marred with two DUIs in the last 10 years in addition to being arrested for domestic violence in 2006. Koike pled no contest to two driving under the influence charges in Los Angeles, one in 2008 and another in 2011. The site reported that Erika was 'sentenced to 5 days in jail, plus a very aggressive alcohol program' in addition to a device installed in her car. She was reportedly put on probation and sentenced to community service in addition to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The makeup artist was also required to attend an 18-month alcohol and drug education program. In court documents the actor claims he and now ex-wife Erika were intoxicated and he 'lacked understanding of his actions in marrying [Koike] to the extent that he was incapable of agreeing to the marriage'. Cage's lawyers stated: 'Prior to obtaining a marriage license and participating in a marriage ceremony, [Cage] and [Koike] were both drinking to the point of intoxication. 'As a result of his intoxication, when [Koike] suggested to [Cage] that they should marry, [Cage] reacted on impulse and without the ability to recognize or understand the full impact of his actions.' On November 27, Turkey and Libya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that commits Turkey to providing military assistance to Libyas Government of National Accord (GNA). The MoU also redraws Turkeys maritime boundaries in a way that dramatically impacts the transport of gas from the East Mediterranean to Europe. Israel is particularly worried that this new deal will undermine its plans for a 1,900-kilometer EastMed pipeline connecting the Leviathan gas field, off the coast of Israel, to the EU. YNET News summarized Israels concerns in an ominously titled article: Turkeys maneuver could block Israels access to the sea. Heres an excerpt: Two of Israels wars (1956 Sinai campaign and 1967 Six-Day War) broke out over navigation rights. Israel must take note of a new reality taking hold in the Mediterranean. It must regard Turkeys actions as a substantial strategic threat and consider what it may do to respond to it This EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zones) designation essentially carved up much of the energy-rich Eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Libya, prompting a wave of international condemnations first and foremost from Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus, who may be directly or indirectly affected..Turkeys disregard for the economic waters of Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. Ankara is in effect annexing those areas pending an appeal to international tribunals, which can take many years to resolve. In practical terms, Turkey created a sea border the width of the entire Mediterranean. (Turkeys maneuver could block Israels access to the sea, ynet news) The analysis from Americas premier Foreign Policy magazine was no less foreboding. Check it out: Turkey is meshing together two Mediterranean crises in a desperate bid to reshape the region in its own favor, with potentially nasty implications both for the ongoing civil war in Libya and future energy development in the eastern Mediterranean. This month, Turkeys unusual outreach to the internationally recognized government of Libya has resulted in a formal agreement for Ankara to provide military support, including arms and possibly troops, in its bid to hold off an offensive from Russian-backed rebels in the eastern part of the country. The military agreement came just weeks after Turkey and that same Government of National Accord reached an unusual agreement to essentially carve up much of the energy-rich eastern Mediterranean between themthreatening to cut out Greece and Cyprus from the coming bonanza. (Newly Aggressive Turkey Forges Alliance With Libya, Foreign Policy) While these new developments are likely to intensify the fighting on the ground in Libya, they also portend a deepening of divisions within the region itself where new coalitions are forming and battle-lines are being drawn. On the one side is the Turkey-Libya Axis, while on the other is Greece, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, France, Germany, UK and probably the United States although the Trump administration has not yet clarified its position. In any event, the war between Libyas internationally-recognized government and Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA) is just a small part of a much larger struggle over vital hydrocarbons in a strategically-located area of the Mediterranean. Heres a clip from an article at War On The Rocks that helps to underscore the stakes involved: The discovery of significant deposits of natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean beginning in 2009 was a game-changer that upended regional geopolitics. It prompted new and unexpected alliances between Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt to maximize their chances of energy self-sufficiency. The bulk of the gas lies in Egypts Zohr field, the Leviathan and Tamar fields in Israeli waters, and the Aphrodite near the island of Cyprus. With recoverable natural gas reserves in the region estimated at upward of 120 trillion cubic feet, the strategic implications could not be bigger. This is about the same amount as the proven gas in the whole of Iraq, the 12th largest reserve globally.(Israels gas field) Leviathan is estimated to hold 22 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas, and a potential half a million barrels of oil. (Hydrocarbon Diplomacy: Turkeys Gambit Might Yet Pay a Peace Dividend, warontherocks.com) Turkeys ambitious gambit makes it more likely that its rivals will increase their support for the Libyan warlord, Haftar, who is, by-most-accounts, a CIA asset that was sent to Libya in 2014 to topple the government in Tripoli and unify the country under a US puppet. Haftars forces currently control more than 70% of the Libyan territory while almost 60% of the population is under the control of the GNA led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. According to Turkish news: More than half of Haftars troops are mercenaries from Russia and Sudan, who are mainly paid by the Gulf states. In April, 2019, Haftar launched an offensive on the government in Tripoli but was easily repelled. In recent days, however, Haftar has resumed his attacks on the city of Misrata and on the Tripoli airport in clear violation of the Berlin ceasefire agreement. He has also received shipments of weapons from the UAE despite an arms embargo that was unanimously approved two weeks ago at the same Berlin Conference. We expect that support for Haftar will continue to grow in the months ahead as Berlin, Paris and particularly Washington settle on a plan for reinforcing proxies to prosecute the ground war and for blunting Turkeys power projection in the Mediterranean. The Turkey-Libya agreement is a clumsy attempt to impose Turkeys preferred maritime boundaries on the other countries bordering the Mediterranean. Naturally, Washington will not allow this unilateral assertion of power to go unchallenged. And while Washingtons strategy has not yet been announced, that merely indicates that the foreign policy establishment was caught off-guard by Turkeys November 27 announcement. It does not mean that Washington will accept the status quo. To the contrary, US war-planners are undoubtedly putting the finishing touches on a new strategy aimed at achieving their objectives in Libya while at the same time dealing a stinging blow to a NATO ally that has grown closer to Russia, caused endless headaches in Syria, and is now disrupting Washingtons plans for controlling vital resources in the East Mediterranean. Washington sees Turkeys assertive foreign policy as a sign of defiance which requires a iron-fisted response. But any attack on Turkey or Turkish interests will only intensify the bad blood between Ankara and Washington, it will only put more pressure on the threadbare NATO alliance, and it will only push Turkish president Erdogan further into Moscows corner. Indeed, the Trump team should realize that an overreaction on their part could trigger a fateful realignment that could reshape the region while hastening the emergence of a new order. Bern, Feb 9 : Voters in Switzerland will go to the polls on Sunday to decide on a proposal to make discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sexual identity punishable by law. Discrimination because of race or religion is already illegal in the country, the BBC said in a report. Now with Sunday's vote, members of Switzerland's LGBT community hope they too will get legal protection. "Many Swiss people tend to overrate how modern our country is," said Anna Rosenwasser of the Swiss Lesbian Organisation. She said that on the Rainbow Map of 49 countries' respect for LGBT rights, Switzerland ranks just 23rd. "It might be rich, but it's really not modern yet. We have no laws concerning public discrimination based on sexual orientation." But opponents of the new law argue it could restrict free speech. "We don't even know if jokes about gays will be allowed," the BBC report quoted Benjamin Fischer of the right-wing Swiss People's Party as saying. "We live in a country with freedom of expression, people should be allowed to think and say what they like, even if it's a bit stupid or tasteless." Some religious groups have also opposed Sundays vote. Although Switzerland's reformed church has backed the new law, the Swiss Evangelical Alliance, which has significant support in rural areas, is sceptical. Despite the vote, same-sex partnerships were already legal in Switzerland, and a bill to legalise same-sex marriage was on its way through parliament. Israel has begun to draw maps of the land in the occupied in the West Bank that will be annexed as per US presidents Donald Trumps Middle East Plan, Israeli PM Netanyahu said on Saturday. Netanyahu, while campaigning for the upcoming elections in Maale Adumim settlement said, We are already at the height of the process of mapping the area that, according to the Trump plan, will become part of the state of Israel. It wont take too long. Area would include Jordan valley Netanyahu said that the area would include all Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley. The valley area is the territory Israel has kept under military occupation since its capture in the 1967 Middle East war but which Palestinians demand it in their future state. Nail Abu Rdainah, spokesman for the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said that the only map that can be accepted as the map of Palestine is the with the 1967 borders and has Jerusalem as its capital. Read: Thai PM Expresses Condolence Over Mass Shooting That Claimed 27 Lives Read: Israeli Tanks Attack Two Hamas' Military Posts After Extremists Fire Projectiles After, Trump's Middle East Plan, Groups of Palestinians gathered on Friday in the West Bank village of Bilin to protest US President Donald Trump's plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They burned tyres by the separation barrier and one protester climbed a ladder to place a Palestinian flag atop the barrier. Read: Syrian Missiles Directed At Israel Nearly Hit Russian Civilian Plane: Russia Read: Funeral For Palestinian Teen Killed In Jenin Clashes Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have rejected Trump's plan, which would allow Israel to annex all of its Jewish settlements, along with the Jordan Valley, in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinians were offered limited self-rule in Gaza, parts of the West Bank and some sparsely populated areas of Israel in return for meeting a long list of conditions. Hamas has vowed that "all options are open" in responding to the proposal, but is not believed to be seeking war with Israel. Meanwhile, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the Israeli-Palestinian peace truce on January 29 and called it 'completely unacceptable'. (with inputs from agencies) A charge sheet has been filed by the police before the special POCSO court here against absconding Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Arun Yadav, who is accused of raping a minor girl at his residence in Patna. Special public prosecutor Saroj Kumari said the charge sheet has been filed against Yadav, who represents Sandesh assembly seat, under IPC sections relating to human trafficking and sexual assault besides those of Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. Special POCSO judge R K Singh has posted the matter for further hearing on February 10 and issued notices to the Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and the secretary of the state assembly to ensure that the legislator appears on that date, she said. Deposing before the court, the police said that movable and immovable property belonging to Yadav was being attached. The RJD MLA has been on the run ever since his name cropped up in a sex racket which was busted in September last year. Poor girls from the districts were lured by some locals, including a woman, with the promise of getting them a job and pushed into flesh trade. The matter had come to light after a girl, who was rescued from the clutches of her captors in Patna by her family, gave a statement before the police that she was sent among other places to the Patna residence of the MLA where she was raped. The Preferred Handicap Trot and the Preferred Handicap Pace served as the co-features on the 13-race Freehold Raceway card on Saturday (Feb. 8). One proved a tale of continued dominance, another was an underdog story. The Big Muscle won his sixth start in a row in the Preferred Handicap trot, scoring as the 8/5 favourite for new connections. Driver Pat Berry put his drive where he likes to be: on the front end. He cleared to the top without much trouble from post three, and set mild fractions of :29.3 for the quarter and :58.3 for the half. He tried to get away nearing the three-quarter point, but Dan Dube poured the first-over pressure on with What Chapter. At the top of the stretch, The Big Muscle's chances looked dicey, but he managed to hold on and win by a head in 1:57. Since making his local debut back in December, The Big Muscle has been on a dominant streak, winning at four different class levels. In his last start, he equaled the trotting track record for older geldings, winning in 1:55.4. Originally owned by Bain Racing Stable and trained by Nick Surick, he was claimed out of that race by owner William Emmons and trainer Armand Bernard. On the year, he's now earned $21,850. What Chapter held on for second, while Dot Dot Dot Dash closed for third. Drazzmatazz, Rock of Cashel, Northern Credit, and Chasin Dreams completed the order of finish. The Preferred pace, meanwhile, saw a surprise winner, in 12/1 shot Drinkin Again. Employing a change of tactics from his usual come-from-behind style, driver Jack Baggitt elected to send him to the front, and dropped him in the pocket off early leader Another Daily Copy. As they turned for home, Baggitt shot him out of the pocket for a clear shot at the leader, and powered by to win by half a length. The final time was 1:54.4. The win was Drinkin Again's second in a row, after a 34/1 win in a NW $8,000 pace last week. He's owned and trained by Phil Jasper. His win means there will be a pick 5 carryover into Thursday's card, worth $1,229.85. Another Daily Copy held second at 9/1 after setting the pace. Caviart Max, Ginger Tree Marty, Lyons Steel, Rancousy, Declan Seelster, and Vapour rounded out the order of finish. Live harness racing continues at Freehold Raceway on Thursday, beginning at 12:30 p.m. (Freehold) Denise Maki was an influencer and a cheerleader. She was a cheerleader for our success, said granddaughter Mattie Weber. She loved planning parties and Boy Scout outings, had careers in finance and flowers and volunteered for community organizations. Denise was a sincere, kind and warmhearted person, who was always happy to help others, said Beth Dillon, volunteer coordinator for Hospice Alliance. Denise was known to be clever, witty and outspoken, said her daughter, Renee Maki. You never had to ask her her opinion, Renee said. She was also ecumenical. Her roots were in Judaism, but she attended churches at different times in her life. She loved learning about different religions, Mattie said. She made the best Hanukkah brisket and St. Paddys Day corned beef, Renee said. Denise Rachel Maki, 75, of Kenosha, died peacefully at her home Dec. 26, 2019. She is survived by her daughter, Renee Maki; granddaughters, Mattie Weber and Lindsay Weber; four other grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Bill (Carol) Casfalk and Bill (Mary Lou) Melzer. Early life Denise was born in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 10, 1944, and was adopted as an infant by Rueben and Sarah Aronson. She was raised as an only child, but later made contact with her birth mother and some of her biological siblings. After attending high school and studying business in Chicago, she married Bill Maki on June 22, 1963. They lived for several years in the Chicago area where Bill worked in heating and air conditioning. While her children were young, Denise was a stay-at-home mom and worked for a while in a hospital emergency department. In 1982, Denise and Bill moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where they owned and operated a florist shop. Denise enjoyed being creative with flowers and attending large floral conventions throughout the Southwest, Renee said. She also began decorating her home in Southwest motif with collections of Hopi kachina dolls and kokopelli figures. Returning to Illlinois in 1986, the Makis settled in Highland Park, Ill. For the next 21 years, Denise worked in finance for the Boy Scouts of America, Northeast Illinois Council, headquartered in Highland Park. She was also a scout troop leader. Bill also volunteered with the Boy Scouts, sometimes at the same scouting events and jamborees as Denise. Asked why she didnt work with Girl Scouts, Renee says her mother replied, Too much drama. Denises involvement with scouting often brought into play her skills in event organization and cooking, said her family. She loved throwing and going to parties, Renee said. She and Bill liked to dress up for Halloween and hosted many a Halloween bash, recalls Renee. Denise loved cooking and teaching her family the art of the latke, matzo ball soup and her very special brownies. Cooking for friends was how she repaid them for gifts or kindness, Mattie said. Move to Kenosha County, retirement In 2002, Denise and Bill moved to Pleasant Prairie where they lived with Renee and her daughters. Bill died in 2007, and a couple of years later Denise and Renee purchased a home in Kenoshas Strawberry Creek subdivision. That same year Denise retired from her work with the Boy Scouts in Highland Park. She continued her connection to scouting by volunteering for Boy Scout activities and events in southeast Wisconsin. She liked going to camps and doing the food, Mattie said. Retirement also found Denise as Bowling Nonnie the grandma who supported and cheered granddaughters Mattie and Lindsay as they participated on bowling leagues. She fed us to keep our energy up and took us aside to talk us down if we got into an attitude, Mattie said. Denise also dug into volunteering for Hospice Alliance and the Senior Action Council. For the latter, she sometimes enlisted the aid of her granddaughters. Mom was a take over kind of gal, Renee said. Denise was president of the Senior Action Council for two years. She worked hard, and we appreciated everything she did for us, said Sonja McClure, current Senior Action Council president. Sonja recalls Denise hosting a big huge Christmas party at her house for SAC board members. She made these flippin fantastic chicken enchiladas. They were so, so delicious! exclaimed Sonja. Faith was important Belonging to a faith community was always important to Denise. For most of her life, Denise attended temple and observed practices of the Jewish faith. In Kenosha, she helped out with Sunday School and Hebrew School at Beth Hillel Temple and supported the confirmation of Mattie and Renee. In 2013, Denise began attending Spirit Alive, a Lutheran church. Denise was at home in each of her chosen religions, said family. She liked their spiritual and community aspects, Mattie said. Denise began volunteering for Hospice Alliance in 2011, helping with administrative, marketing and even gardening tasks. She also delivered birthday cards and balloons to hospice patients. In Denises own words, Beth said, the volunteering that was most rewarding to her was sitting beside patients in their final hours. Editors note: Each Monday, the Kenosha News takes a look at the life of a Kenosha County resident who has recently died. We share with you, through the memories of family and friends, a life remembered. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said he is "nervous" and is revising downwards his forecasts for the party although he is holding out hope for strong transfers from other parties. The party had previously hoped to win 15 seats. "I think at this stage we would be more looking around the 10, 12, 13 mark," he said. "But you never know, in those marginal seats if we get transfers the way we historically do we will think maybe 15." "I am nervous because we have had a great campaign and team. I've never seen a bigger effort, particularly on the ground. I think we are in with a chance of double figures and if we do that it will be a good day for us. "In the local elections we only got five and a half per cent of the vote, if that exit poll is accurate and we are up at eight per cent, I will be very pleased with that. "Hopefully it will translate in those last seats." He said the last counts will "tell the tale today". In Dublin Central, Neasa Hourigan has a "very good chance" of winning a seat, he said, as does Ossian Smyth in Dun Laoghaire. Editors Note: The Lake Geneva Regional News presents Party Lines, a monthly discussion of political issues featuring side-by-side guest columnists from the local Democratic and Republican parties. The column below represents one side of this months discussion. Click here for the other side. If you are a globalist, you will no doubt answer no. If you are not a globalist, your answer should be YES. President Trump promised to put America First, and clearly explained his opposition to the global elite as caring more about their own wealth and power than about the fate of their fellow citizens. To benefit their international corporations, globalists believe in open borders and free trade. Their way of life is not threatened by low-wage migrants or the transfer of jobs overseas. In the view of globalists, the world standing of the United States has declined. They point to polls taken overseas reporting that respondents in various countries judge the president and the United States less favorably than in 2016. But does that matter? I do not think Americans would change their shopping habits or their votes because they consider a country less favorably, and I see no reason to think others would do so. I even doubt that American tourists are less welcome. Trade does matter, and President Trump has improved our standing in trade by using tariffs and the threat of tariffs. The presidents United States Canada Trade Agreement, replacing NAFTA, eliminates punitive tariffs on dairy products by Canada. Various restrictions on other agricultural products we export to Mexico and Canada are eliminated. U.S. agricultural exports are expected to increase by $2.2 billion. Provisions sought by U.S. tech companies are included, as well as provisions to improve labor practices and wages in Mexico, which should encourage manufacturing here. The deal was held up for 14 months, until Democrats finally brought it to the House floor. Congress has passed it with bipartisan support. The U.S. trade standing with China has improved. China and the U.S. signed the Phase One trade agreement this month. China will buy an additional $12.5 billion of agricultural products in year one, and then $19.5 billion in year two. China has agreed to increase its total imports of U.S. goods by $200 billion over next two years, more than doubling the 2017 total of $129.9 billion. Additionally, the deal sets out binding and enforceable obligations to address unfair technology transfer practices of China. For the first time China has agreed to end its long-standing practice of forcing foreign companies to transfer their technology to Chinese companies as a condition for obtaining market access. China is also required to impose stiff criminal penalties for theft of trade secrets and intellectual property. These measures have great security implications, as technological advances are the basis of new weapon systems and cyber-attacks. The president has also renegotiated trade deals with South Korea, forged a new pact with Japan, and a limited trade agreement with India is being prepared. Concerned about threatened tariffs on French wines, French President Macron was convinced to suspend taxes on American tech companies, and tweeted that he had a great discussion with President Trump. The standing of the United States as a military power has also clearly improved under President Trump. He obtained large yearly increases in the defense budget. Increased military strength can provide a credible deterrence to bad actors worldwide, but only if they believe that strength may be used. President Obama infamously drew a red line in the sand with Syria and then did not enforce it, weakening any deterrence effect. President Trump, as noted in even the New York Times, has used less military power than any president since Carter. His drone strike killing of Iranian Major General Soleimani (who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans) and the raid killing ISIS leader al-Baghdadi several months ago prove the military will be utilized if needed. President Trump has proven our resolve in dealing with Iran. He initiated economic sanctions to thwart their nuclear ambitions. These sanctions are having a profound economic effect. To scare us into lifting them, Iran announced it would purposely violate the 2015 Nuclear Deal and has done so. The United States was not cowed into lifting our sanctions. Finally, this month the European deal signers have agreed to trigger the deals dispute mechanism. Hopefully this will result in negotiations for a future, actually worthwhile treaty. Thus, although globalists and the Democratic Party will not agree, I believe, in the areas that matter, President Trump has increased our world standing. Pamela B. Wolfe of the town of Geneva is a member of the Republican Party of Walworth County. If you are a globalist, you will no doubt answer no. If you are not a globalist, your answer should be YES. President Trump promised to put America First, and clearly explained his opposition to the global elite as caring more about their own wealth and power than about the fate of their fellow citizens. To benefit their international corporations, globalists believe in open borders and free trade. Their way of life is not threatened by low-wage migrants or the transfer of jobs overseas. In the view of globalists, the world standing of the United States has declined. They point to polls taken overseas reporting that respondents in various countries judge the president and the United States less favorably than in 2016. But does that matter? I do not think Americans would change their shopping habits or their votes because they consider a country less favorably, and I see no reason to think others would do so. I even doubt that American tourists are less welcome. Trade does matter, and President Trump has improved our standing in trade by using tariffs and the threat of tariffs. The presidents United States Canada Trade Agreement, replacing NAFTA, eliminates punitive tariffs on dairy products by Canada. Various restrictions on other agricultural products we export to Mexico and Canada are eliminated. U.S. agricultural exports are expected to increase by $2.2 billion. Provisions sought by U.S. tech companies are included, as well as provisions to improve labor practices and wages in Mexico, which should encourage manufacturing here. The deal was held up for 14 months, until Democrats finally brought it to the House floor. Congress has passed it with bipartisan support. The U.S. trade standing with China has improved. China and the U.S. signed the Phase One trade agreement this month. China will buy an additional $12.5 billion of agricultural products in year one, and then $19.5 billion in year two. China has agreed to increase its total imports of U.S. goods by $200 billion over next two years, more than doubling the 2017 total of $129.9 billion. Additionally, the deal sets out binding and enforceable obligations to address unfair technology transfer practices of China. For the first time China has agreed to end its long-standing practice of forcing foreign companies to transfer their technology to Chinese companies as a condition for obtaining market access. China is also required to impose stiff criminal penalties for theft of trade secrets and intellectual property. These measures have great security implications, as technological advances are the basis of new weapon systems and cyber-attacks. The president has also renegotiated trade deals with South Korea, forged a new pact with Japan, and a limited trade agreement with India is being prepared. Concerned about threatened tariffs on French wines, French President Macron was convinced to suspend taxes on American tech companies, and tweeted that he had a great discussion with President Trump. The standing of the United States as a military power has also clearly improved under President Trump. He obtained large yearly increases in the defense budget. Increased military strength can provide a credible deterrence to bad actors worldwide, but only if they believe that strength may be used. President Obama infamously drew a red line in the sand with Syria and then did not enforce it, weakening any deterrence effect. President Trump, as noted in even the New York Times, has used less military power than any president since Carter. His drone strike killing of Iranian Major General Soleimani (who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans) and the raid killing ISIS leader al-Baghdadi several months ago prove the military will be utilized if needed. President Trump has proven our resolve in dealing with Iran. He initiated economic sanctions to thwart their nuclear ambitions. These sanctions are having a profound economic effect. To scare us into lifting them, Iran announced it would purposely violate the 2015 Nuclear Deal and has done so. The United States was not cowed into lifting our sanctions. Finally, this month the European deal signers have agreed to trigger the deals dispute mechanism. Hopefully this will result in negotiations for a future, actually worthwhile treaty. Thus, although globalists and the Democratic Party will not agree, I believe, in the areas that matter, President Trump has increased our world standing. Pamela B. Wolfe of the town of Geneva is a member of the Republican Party of Walworth County. Just half a day after Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg faced off during the New Hampshire democratic debate, the former vice president came out swinging with an ad bashing the former mayors experience. The ad mocked the relatively small responsibilities the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, would have had compared to that of Mr Bidens most recent job, the vice presidency. Whereas Mr Biden helped negotiate things like the Affordable Care Act and the auto industry bailout, Mr Buttigieg spent eight years in charge of a mid-sized American city changing pet collar regulations and adding colourful lights to the underside of bridges, the advert claimed. With just days before voters head to the polls in the New Hampshire primary, the ad marked an escalation in Mr Bidens attacks after Mr Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders both walked away with their own respective wins in the Iowa caucuses. The ad seemed to signal that Mr Biden may have some fight left in him even after the devastating fourth place finish in that contest. Joe Biden waves during his speech at the 100 Club Dinner in Manchester, New Hampshire, ahead of the Democratic primary (Getty Images) But when Mr Biden took the stage on Saturday night for the Mcintyre-Shaheen dinner in Manchester the state Democratic Partys fundraiser that gives every candidate the chance to show off the might of the power of their organising and support his performance may well have signalled something else entirely: instead of a strong fighter and eventual presidential nominee, he may well end up being a footnote in the 2020 presidential contest. At that fundraiser, virtually every candidate except Mr Biden seemed to energize the crowd. Supporters jumped to their feet and waved light-up signs for Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Mr Buttigieg. Amy Klobuchar roused the crowd, too. But Mr Biden delivered a speech that was met largely by silence, with just dozens of his supporters who were barely visible at times amid the commotion. Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Jessica Canicosa, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, waits to greet caucus voters at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Hotel workers at the Bellagio in Las Vegas get to grips with voting papers during the Nevada caucuses AFP via Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A caricature of Bernie Sanders is projected on to a tree during a rally in Las Vegas EPA Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A woman waits to have a photo taken with Elizabeth Warren during a town hall meeting in Las Vegas REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures The threat of coronavirus and other germ-borne illnesses was on some voters' minds at the Democratic caucuses in Henderson, Nevada Getty Images Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Former vice-president Joe Biden takes a selfie with a voter in Las Vegas ahead of the Nevada caucuses REUTERS Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Amy Klobuchar changes her shoes backstage after giving a speech in Exeter, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A warmly-wrapped-up dog attends an Elizabeth Warren event at Amherst Elementary School in Nashua, New Hampshire AFP/Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Bernie Sanders, who romped to victory in New Hampshire against Hillary Clinton in 2016, talks to the media in Manchester Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden was hoping to improve on his poor showing in Iowa in the New Hampshire primary Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren, renowned for giving time to supporters for selfies, works the crowd at the University of New Hampshire in Durham Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Joe Biden takes a selfie with a supporter and his child outside a campaign event in Somersworth, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders quarrel after a confrontation in a TV debate in which Sanders claimed that Warren was not telling the truth about a conversation in which she claimed he had said a woman could not win the presidency on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Supporter Pat Provencher listens to Pete Buttigieg in Laconia, New Hampshire on 4 February Getty Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Pete Buttigieg speaks at a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire while awaiting the results of the Iowa caucus Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures Elizabeth Warren is presented with a balloon effigy of herself at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire on 5 February Reuters Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A Trump supporter rides past a rally for Amy Klobuchar in Des Moines, Iowa on 14 January AP Democratic candidates compete on the campaign trail: In pictures A man holds up a sign criticising billionaires in the presidential race in front of Michael Bloomberg in Compton, Califronia. The former New York mayor skipped the first caucus in Iowa and instead campaigned in California on 3 February Reuters The Mcintyre-Shaheen 100 Club dinner is a fundraiser that carries with it the vibe of a small-scale national party convention. Supporters pile into the arena, which has been used for events from rodeos and ice capades, as well as hockey and basketball games. Those supporters set up booths, and organise their cheers. Its a literal battle to drown out the opponent with sound and handheld signs held high to catch the eye of the C-SPAN cameras in the back. On Saturday, Mr Biden and his supporters seemed to lose that battle. For the casual observer, it may have seemed a four-way race between the three senators in the room, and the mayor. Recommended Sanders and Buttigieg clash in New Hampshire ahead of primary New Hampshire, on Tuesday, lets make history, Mr Buttigieg said at the end of his speech, which itself drew boos at moments from Mr Sanderss supporters. He then turned to wave and smile at every section of supporters, as his supporters went buck wild in their yellow t-shirts. Ms Warren and Mr Sanders managed to snag the back two halves of the arena behind the stage, a direct shot behind the cameras, making it look as though the two senators from neighbouring states had brought the largest crews with them. Mr Sanders, for his part, energised his supporters with something of a victory lap, arguing that many of the progressive policies being argued by Democrats in 2020 are policies he championed four years ago. And, he claimed victory in Iowa: We won the popular vote in Iowa by 6,000 votes, he said, to massive cheers. Bright pink light-up signs bounced with his name behind him. On Tuesday, voters in the state will determine whether any of the shows of force Saturday night will matter much to voters or if they show the kind of momentum and interest that can be seen on TV. As things stand, polls show Mr Sanders in the lead just ahead of Mr Buttigieg. Meanwhile, Ms Warren and Mr Biden find themselves in a near tie for third. But, the turnout on Saturday showed a big gap between Ms Warren and Mr Biden, at least among those who showed up. Dream Big! Fight Hard! Ms Warrens supporters, in her campaigns light green t-shirts shouted in a call-and-return after her speech to the room, prolonging her walk-off from the stage. His supporters, meanwhile, were barely visible in the commotion. By ANI NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed solidarity with people of China and their leader, President Xi Jinping, in their battle against novel coronavirus, and offered India's assistance to Beijing in facing the challenge, sources told ANI on Sunday "In a letter to Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with the Chinese people, offered condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives and offered assistance in China's fight against the epidemic," the source added. The Novel Coronavirus was first detected in December last year in Wuhan city of China and has since spread in most parts of the world including the US, Japan and India. It has now surpassed the fatalities caused by the SARS epidemic of 2003. The death toll has reached 810 in China, as of Sunday. The World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency in the wake of the outbreak. ALSO READ | Coronavirus outbreak: Death toll in China rises past 800, nearly 37,000 affected As the virus spread, China has imposed quarantine and travel restrictions, affecting the movement of 56 million people in more than a dozen cities, amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel for the Lunar New Year. Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the United States and seven Asian countries besides China. Countries like the US and India evacuated their nationals from the epicenter of coronavirus Wuhan, China. Early this month India evacuated over 640 people from Wuhan. In his letter, PM Modi also conveyed appreciation for the facilitation provided by the Chinese government for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Hubei province. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - David Puy headed out to meet friends for dinner in West Boca. "On my way! School shooter," he wrote in a Snapchat post with his photo. The next day, when detectives asked about the reported threat, he admitted: "I wasn't thinking." Just three months after the Parkland massacre, it also wasn't smart, Puy's lawyer concedes. But did the 19-year-old really commit a crime? The case promises to have widespread implications beyond Puy's felony prosecution. It's become the first major test of a law strengthened partly in response to the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. At issue: Just what makes a written threat illegal? And are all young people and others who make fake threats about mass shootings - it happens on a fairly regular basis - in serious trouble? ADVERTISEMENT Puy claimed he meant nothing sinister, and it was true that he had no guns, no mental health struggles and no criminal history. Also, no schools were open when he posted on the social phone app. Yet he still got charged with a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The 2018 law prohibits putting threats of mass shootings or terrorism in writing. Max Schachter, whose 14-year-old son, Alex, was killed in the Parkland shooting, says the law is meant to "hold people accountable." "It sounds like you're on your way to commit a school shooting," he said of Puy's post. "You can't yell fire in a movie theater and, you know, tell me, oh that doesn't mean that. That doesn't matter how you meant it ... he should be held responsible for that." After trying unsuccessfully to get the charge dismissed, Puy took a plea deal for three years of probation, with no conviction to appear on his record. The judge put the punishment on hold pending a challenge now before the Fourth District Court of Appeal. VIGILANCE OVER THREATS As schools and communities watch for any threats of gun violence, there's a push for zero tolerance for offenders of all ages. Broward juvenile court Judge Elijah H. Williams warned students last year that "it doesn't make a difference whether you are joking or serious when you make the threat. All of it is a crime." ADVERTISEMENT These arrests include: - Nathalie Grant, 18, who posted on Instagram, "I'll shoot up y'all school," in a message that authorities said was directed at Piper High in Sunrise. She pleaded no contest and is serving three years of probation. - Jose Calderon, 18, who wrote on Snapchat that he placed explosives on student cars parked at Olympic Heights High in West Boca. He said he thought it was funny to post, "if you try to leave early it will detonate." He's serving five years of probation. - A 15-year-old student at Nova High in Davie last August posted on the Discord app that he wanted "to shoot up a school ... I want people to suffer." Records show the teen said he wasn't serious, but he was charged with making a false report to use firearms in a violent way. The outcome of the case is unclear. Not all of those charged over social media or other written threats are prosecuted or convicted, however. Lake Worth High graduate Antonio Ruiz walked on the campus one morning last October, took a photo of the school and posted on Instagram, "Hope your bookbags are bulletproof." After confessing that he was "only playing a prank," deputies charged Ruiz, 19, with violating the law and booked him into the Palm Beach County jail. The principal announced the arrest to parents, said it appeared to be an isolated incident, and promised "an extra police presence." ADVERTISEMENT But records show the state attorney's office decided less than 30 days later not to file any charges. Prosecutor Jenica Lopez explained in a filing, "The evidence cannot prove all legally required elements of the crime alleged and is insufficient to support a criminal prosecution." A similar finding by a North Florida judge, in the case of a high school student's written plans for a massacre, outraged parents and others in the community, The Associated Press has reported. Baker County Circuit Judge Gloria R. Walker dismissed charges against a 15-year-old sophomore who shared portions of a six-page "School Shooting Plan" with classmates. He wrote last September about having nine minutes to gun down officers and as many teachers and classmates as possible. "Some of these notes included specific dates/times that a shooting should occur, the locations on campus in which the act(s) should be carried out, and the order in which certain people should be attacked," the Baker County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. A portion of the plan, since shared publicly, reads, "Most likely there will be chaos. You will kill as much as you can before the other students or teachers notice." The student admitted he wrote the manifesto, but denied "having any intention of ever going through with it," the sheriff's office said. But Walker concluded that prosecutors could not prove the threat violated the law, according to the AP's reporting, which also said she did not return calls for comment. The ruling prompted a Change.org petition to oust the jurist, now with more than 2,100 signatures. Randy Crews, a major with the Baker County Sheriff's Office, highlighted the case and his agency's disappointment during an Oct. 15 presentation to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. "If other judges make these rulings, then we've kind of taken a bunch of steps backwards instead of moving forward," Crews said at the meeting held in an Orlando-area hotel, according to an official transcript. Schachter, a member of the commission, then said he favored a public rebuke of the judge for "working against efforts" to prevent "the next Parkland." "The commission should write a letter emphasizing the importance that if you've got all this evidence that releasing this person into society, knowing how violent, knowing how they want to kill all these people, and it's irresponsible putting the community at risk," he said. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who serves as commission chairman, called the judge's decision "unfortunate and extremely troubling." But said it was "one decision by one court" and he favors leaving the law as is. "I don't see anything in the statute that needs to be changed," he said LAW TARGETS SOCIAL MEDIA THREATS So what does the 2018 law say? It prohibits people from making threats in writing or electronically to conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, and posting or transmitting the threat in any manner where any other person can view the threat. Before Parkland, the law was limited to written threats sent by someone in a letter or email directly to a specific victim, or a member of that person's family. The limitations of that previous law led to a 2016 decision by a Florida appellate court to throw out the conviction of a Sarasota High School student who tweeted that he "can't wait to shoot up my school soon." The post on Twitter included a photo of a gun being put in a backpack. The appeals court based in Lakeland ruled that social media threats fell outside the language in the law at that time. So the change adopted by the Legislature fixed that gap in the law. And David Puy was among the first to be charged. The West Delray man's attorney, Gregory Salnick, argued the Snapchat post was "vague. It's subject to different interpretations. It doesn't say he's going to shoot up a school or go commit a school shooting." But the prosecutor said Puy's statement, "On my way! School shooter," is precisely what the law was intended to address. "The Legislature did not, nor could it, create a list of phrases that would be acceptable that would indicate a 'mass shooting' or 'act of terrorism,'" wrote Assistant State Attorney Michael Ryan Jr. Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath, who is now retired, refused to dismiss the charge, laying the groundwork for the plea deal and ensuing appeal. At a hearing last year the judge explained, "It seems the Legislature wanted to criminalize people saying things on electronic media, social media that causes fear ... I think (the law is) clear enough to put the average person on notice that you're not supposed to do this." Colbath added that Puy's "intent, did I mean to scare people, is not the question to be answered." Schachter agrees. "Especially months after Parkland, we cannot afford to say, oh he didn't mean this," he said. "We have to make sure that if people say things online and on social media, we are going to take everybody's threats seriously." FIRST TEST OF LAW Puy's lawyer says his client's foolishness still doesn't make him a lawbreaker. "The Snapchat story by Mr. Puy, as I mentioned to the court, was not smart, was not funny, however post-Parkland there's a heightened scrutiny on any joke or prank," Salnick told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "But it's our position (what Puy did is) not a crime. We are hoping the appellate court will recognize that what was said was not criminal conduct." The appeal contends Puy's "words alone do not and did not constitute a threat to conduct a mass shooting." It adds that the post is subject to various interpretations and does not literally mean a threatening act under the law. "The term 'school shooter' is a slang term used by today's society and does not imply that his designation was a school," Salnick wrote in December. But lawyers for the state argue the words are "clear and unambiguous for someone viewing such a threat." Assistant Attorney General Mitchell A. Egber deconstructed the Snapchat post to explain why Puy committed a felony: "When the words "School shooter" used as a salutation at the end of the declarative statement "On my way!", no further elucidation is necessary as to how that remark is perceived, by anyone at large, as a threat in light of the (law.)" Both sides will present arguments to a three-judge panel in West Palm Beach on March 10, with a decision expected by the summer. Schachter said it's important that the new law withstand the challenge. "Everybody knows you're not allowed ... to say, 'On my way to the airport, or the courthouse, active shooter,'" he said. "This law prioritizes the safety and security of our citizens, and that's what was lacking before." While this court fight continues, Florida lawmakers are now considering bills aimed at closing yet another loophole when it comes to mass shooting threats. There is no state law making it a crime to verbally threaten to kill people with guns. State Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, is sponsoring a bill that would fix that by amending an existing law designed to outlaw bomb threats. The legislation has the support of the public safety commission. A similar bill has been filed in the Senate, to make it unlawful to threaten the "use of a firearm or any weapon ... if the threat is sufficient to cause alarm in a reasonable person." The exception would be to threaten someone in an act of self-defense or the "lawful defense of others." --- (c)2020 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. New Delhi, Feb 9 : A number of students of Gargi College located in the south of the city have allegedly been manhandled, molested and sexually assaulted on the third day of the college annual cultural fest 'Reverie'. A second year student of political science told IANS over the phone, on condition of anonymity, that "around 6:30 p.m. on February 6, the field was so massively crowded that there was no space to move. Two of my friends who were accompanying me, they had held my hands so that I don't get lost in the crowd as there is no cell reception on the field. Suddenly immense pressure came from behind and my hand got jerked off so I lost my friends for the next 10-15 minutes, and in those minutes, I was molested thrice." "I was groped thrice, somebody reached for inside my skirt and the problem was I couldn't move out of it," she said in a choked voice. "Somehow I struggled and moved out and ran towards the empty space behind the stalls. By that time, I had found my friends, they looked at me horrified, but they didn't know what had happened to me as I didn't want to talk about it. So they went to get water, and would have been gone for just around 5 minutes, but in those five minutes I saw that a 30-35-year-old man began masturbating while looking at me, so I ran from there too," she added, narrating her ordeal. Another student from the college said: "Around 3-3.30 p.m., large groups of men started pushing the doors and then entered the college. There were no police personnel or bouncers present at the gate from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. when 300-400 people entered the college. "The college grounds are small, with little place to move around, and that is when some of these men started groping, molesting and harassing us." The student also alleged that when she approached the college principal Promila Kumar, she responded by saying that I should have not come to the fest if I felt so unsafe. Contacted by IANS, the principal, however, said: "We had a huge security arrangement, including police, bouncers and even commandos along with the teaching and non-teaching staff, on duty. No one came to us and reported any such incident. We were taking rounds in the crowd. However, there is no doubt that it was very crowded. We were very vigilant but we couldn't see anything of this sort." "It is a serious incident and I will deliberate on it. It is a matter of serious concern, but unfortunately nobody has reported it to me," she added. Asked about the student's allegation that she was not helped when she reported the matter, Kumar said: "This is a false allegation. One of the students did come to me, so I asked her to stay with me until the situation became normal, but she disappeared suddenly." Vietnam confirmed the 14th patient infected with the novel coronavirus on Sunday, who comes from Vinh Phuc Province, located in the northern part of the country. The patient is a 55-year-old neighbor of N.T.D., who was among a group of eight Vinh Phuc workers that returned to Vietnam on January 17, after having attended a vocational training program in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the viral outbreak, according to the Ministry of Health. Six of the eight group members have now been confirmed to catch the novel coronavirus. The new patient visited D. for one hour on January 28 so the person was added to a list of those having close contact with a confirmed infection for monitoring, the ministry said. The patient started to have a fever, headache, and runny nose on February 2 and was isolated in Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc. Tests later at the National Institute Of Hygiene And Epidemiology, located in Hanoi, showed that the person had been infected with the virus. The patient is now in quarantine at a medical facility in Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc. Vietnam has confirmed 14 infections so far, including eleven Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. Among them, one Chinese and two Vietnamese had fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital as of Thursday. They were all treated for free. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the new coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern. "New infection cases on Saturday recorded the first drop since Feb. 1, falling back below 3,000 to 2,656 cases. Of those, 2,147 cases were in Hubei," Reuters reported on Sunday. "Total confirmed coronavirus cases in China stood at 37,198, commission data showed." The virus has spread from Wuhan to 27 countries and regions, infected more than 330 people, and killed two outside mainland China, in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Both victims were Chinese. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Democrats are furious with Facebook and Twitter for refusing to remove a doctored video posted by President Trump showing Nancy Pelosi ripping up his speech while a black World War Two veteran was being honored by Congress. The president on Thursday posted a video to his tens of millions of followers on social media splicing in footage of the House speaker tearing up his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. The altered video, titled Powerful American stories ripped to shreds by Nancy Pelosi, makes it appear as though Pelosi tore up the speech just as the president was introducing Charles McGee. McGee, 100, is one of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen. He was honored by the president for flying more than 135 combat missions over Europe during the Second World War. But real-life, unedited footage from Trumps address on Tuesday shows Pelosi standing and applauding McGee. President Trump on Thursday posted a video to his social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook making it appear as if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up his State of the Union speech after he introduced a member of the Tuskegee Airmen on Tuesday The video went viral as it was viewed millions of times and shared and liked tens of thousands of times The speaker tore up the presidents speech at the conclusion of his remarks - well after the joint session of Congress paid near unanimous tribute to one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The deceptive editing has angered Democrats, who are now demanding that the social media platforms where the clip went viral - Twitter and Facebook - remove it. Hours after Trump posted the doctored clip, officials from Pelosis office reached out to both Facebook and Twitter and demanded that the clip be taken down. Drew Hammill, Pelosis deputy chief of staff, took to social media, writing: The latest fake video of Speaker Pelosi is deliberately designed to mislead and lie to the American people, and every day that these platforms refuse to take it down is another reminder that they care more about their shareholders interests than the publics interests. A spokesperson for Facebook, Andy Stone, replied: Sorry, are you suggesting the President didnt make those remarks and the Speaker didnt rip the speech? To which Hammill responded: What planet are you living on? This is deceptively altered. Take it down. Facebook and Twitter both declined to remove the video. I can confirm for you that the video doesnt violate our policies, Stone told CNBC. During Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, Pelosi is seen standing and applauding the World War Two veteran alongside Vice President Mike Pence. President Trump is seen in the foreground Stone said Facebooks policies call for removing videos that were edited to make it appear a person said something they didnt say or did something they didnt do. Hammill accused Facebook of pursuing profits even if it means misinforming the public. I think they have a history here of promoting and making money off of content that is intentionally false, Hammill said. Twitter, meanwhile, told Pelosis office that its new policy cracking down on manipulated media doesnt go into effect until March 5. Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Charles McGee, who served with the Tuskegee Airmen, attended the State of the Union address with his great- grandson Iain Lanphier, 13, McGee, 100, and his great grandson Iain Lanphier react as Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress McGee, 100, flew 136 combat missions in World War II as part of the famed Tuskegee Airmen Under its current rules, the micro-blogging site will not remove the video posted by Trump since it does not violate its old policy. Twitter announced on Tuesday that the site would institute new rules on manipulated media, saying: You may not deceptively share synthetic or manipulated media that are likely to cause harm. In addition, we may label Tweets containing synthetic and manipulated media to help people understand the medias authenticity and to provide additional context. Twitter has vowed to examine videos to see whether the content has been substantially edited in a manner that fundamentally alters its composition, sequence, timing or framing as well as looking at any visual or auditory information (such as new video frames, overdubbed audio or modified subtitles) that has been added or removed. Drew Hammill, Pelosi's deputy chief of staff, criticized Facebook and Twitter for not removing the clip posted by Trump Andy Stone, a spokesperson for Facebook, asked Hammill: Sorry, are you suggesting the President didnt make those remarks and the Speaker didnt rip the speech? A Twitter spokesperson was asked if the video posted by Trump violated its policies that are scheduled to go into effect next month. I cant get into hypotheticals, the spokeswoman, Katie Rosborough, said. On Twitter, the video has so far generated more than 5million views, 64,000 retweets, 188,500 likes, and 38,000 comments. On Facebook, the video has been viewed more than 2.6 million times. It has amassed more than 103,000 reactions, 15,000 comments, and 30,000 shares. Democrats were outraged. House Rep. Don Beyer tweeted: This video is doctored. It has been up, and pinned to the President's page, for nearly a day. Trump posted it to deceive Americans about [Pelosis] actions and record. If I posted a doctored video it would be a clear violation of House Rules. Twitter should take this down. Another Democrat, House Rep. David Cicilline, tweeted: Hey @Twitter, this video is clearly edited in a way thats intended to mislead viewers. You should take it down. House Rep. Ro Khanna tweeted: Twitter must take this misleading video about Speaker Pelosi down now. House Rep. Don Beyer tweeted: This video is doctored. It has been up, and pinned to the President's page, for nearly a day.' He called on Twitter to take down the clip House Rep. Ro Khanna tweeted: Twitter must take this misleading video about Speaker Pelosi down now.' Another Democrat, House Rep. David Cicilline, tweeted: Hey @Twitter, this video is clearly edited in a way thats intended to mislead viewers. You should take it down. Social media platforms are a place where people come for news & information. They need to have certain standards. Falsity has never been part of our 1st Amendment tradition. Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, told CNBC: If Nancy Pelosi fears images of her ripping up the speech, perhaps she shouldnt have ripped up the speech. It is unclear who actually produced the video Trump posted. DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment. Pelosi, meanwhile, is also trying to get Facebook to remove photos and videos showing the House speaker taking part in the tide pod challenge. The doctored memes make it appear as if Pelosi is eating a tide pod, the small bags filled with liquid laundry detergent. Facebook told CNBC that it has already taken down such videos. Last year, YouTube removed a doctored clip of Pelosi making remarks at a Washington, DC, event last spring. It had been slowed down to about 75 per cent to make her appear drunk, or slurring her words The deceptively edited video was altered to make Pelosi appear to be drunkenly slurring her words When the Tide Pod challenge began we said we would take down any such videos brought to our attention out of concern for peoples safety, which is why weve removed this video from our platform, a Facebook spokesman said. In late 2017 and early 2018, several teens uploaded video of themselves eating Tide Pod capsules. The dangerous viral trend resulted in several thousand children - many of whom under the age of five - ingesting the detergent. Pelosi was also the victim of another infamously doctored video that was eventually removed by YouTube. Last spring, a slowed-down video of Pelosi went viral online, distorting the speed so that she appeared to slur her words and appeared cognitively impaired. The video of Pelosi's speech at a Center for American Progress event was subtly edited to make her voice sound garbled and slowed down, as if she was under the influence of alcohol. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Las Vegas, N.M. New Mexico Highlands University biology professor Eric Griffin is the first author on a paper that was published in Diversity in December 2019, shedding new light on how tree diversity makes trees potentially more resilient to harmful pathogens. For this paper in Diversity, we used a large-scale tree diversity experiment in Maryland to demonstrate how important tree diversity is in structuring fungi in leaves, Griffin said. Our primary finding was that trees in areas of high diversity had less leaf fungi compared to trees in areas of low diversity. This is important because some of these fungi likely include damaging pathogens. Griffin said that microbes are small organisms with a lot of power. We know a lot about microbes in humans because they are important for digestion and immunity. Conversely, human microbes such as fungi or bacteria can cause ringworm or strep throat. Just as microbes control health in humans, they do the same for plants, Griffin said. Griffin conducted the tree diversity research with a team of scientists from the University of Maryland, the University of Wyoming and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Institute. For three years, they studied deciduous trees, which drop their leaves in the fall. We found that microbes may be the necessary link between tree diversity and tree growth. The benefits from this study may be helpful on many levels. For example, we may be able to increase plant health in agriculture, privately owned plots of land and national forests, Griffin said. Griffins primary research focus is why plant communities, such as forests and grasslands, look the way they do. My research supports the idea that the little things in this case microbes are big players in plant biology, Griffin said. Griffin joined the Highlands University faculty in the fall semester of 2019. He completed his Ph.D. in 2016 from the University of Pittsburgh in ecology and evolutionary biology. Griffin also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where he was named a Secretarys Distinguished Research Fellow. In addition, Griffin taught previously as an adjunct biology faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. At Highlands, Griffin teaches such courses as Ecology and Evolution. My teaching goal is to make science accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, Griffin said. Griffin said he is excited to be in the Southwest to explore similar microbial plant research questions in arid environments like northern New Mexico. I am interested in understanding how plant-associated fungi and bacteria influence forests and grasslands in New Mexico, just as I previously have found in other areas, like eastern U.S. forests and tropical rain forests in Latin America, Griffin said. Griffin has published research papers in other scholarly journals, such as Ecology, The Botanical Review and Journal of Ecology, He has an additional paper in process for Environmental Microbiology. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- So I was wrong. Really wrong. I said on Friday morning that it was unlikely that Pete Buttigiegs rivals on the Democratic debate stage in New Hampshire on Friday night would be eager to attack him. I also predicted that generally we might see relatively few fireworks. But especially in the first hour (and, to be fair, often in response to moderator questions), it was perhaps the most contentious presidential debate of the cycle. There were plenty of hits on the former South Bend mayor, who claimed victory in the chaotic Iowa caucuses this week. The most notable punch: Amy Klobuchar attacked Buttigiegs anti-Washington rhetoric, quoting his claim that watching the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump made him want to turn the channel and watch cartoons. Her rejoinder: That insult and others makes you look like a cool newcomer. I dont think thats what people want right now. We have a newcomer in the White House, and look what that got us. Will it all be enough to slow Buttigiegs momentum in New Hampshire? That depends on the people who were watching and, especially, on how the media portray the debate and whether (and how) the tone of this coverage changes over the next few days. I wont predict any of that. But I will say that while Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren all had good moments, this debate belonged to Klobuchar. For once, she hit all her marks, whether attacking one of the others, joking with Bernie Sanders about a bill they had co-sponsored, or again and again turning each answer into an attack on Trump. Klobuchar is the only one to regularly use humor and deploy prepared zingers, such as a riff she has about all the various people Trump blames for his troubles. She had a nice closing about Franklin Roosevelt caring about regular people, and promising that she does, too. She gave a similar bit in a CNN town hall on Thursday night, and the Friday version was far, far better. Story continues Will it matter? Unlikely. The Minnesota senator finished fifth in neighboring Iowa, is currently polling in fifth in New Hampshire, and is surely going to use every last dollar she has raised in that state. Realistically, even a strong third place in New Hampshire probably leaves her with too much to do, and, given that shes being outspent, she would need a lot of positive media coverage in the few days before Tuesdays primary to have a chance at that. As I said, it wasnt as if the leading contenders had bad nights. Buttigieg had a very nice moment when, asked about Hunter Biden, he defended the former vice president. As for Biden, after sleepwalking through the debates first few minutes, he woke up and sounded forceful, especially in asking the audience to stand in appreciation of Lt. Col. Alexander S. Vindman, the Ukraine scandal witness whom Trump fired earlier in the day. Sanders gave what I thought was a more controlled performance than usual; Warren was her usual strong self in explaining plan after plan. (Her supporters were complaining on Twitter during the debate that she wasnt getting enough time. They were correct, but she used what she had well.) Its always hard to predict reactions, but I doubt anyone leaning toward any of these candidates was driven away by how they performed. (Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer were also at the debate and continue to be irrelevant to the nomination process.) The real loser? ABC News, beginning with George Stephanopoulos. Missing were invitations to discuss public policy an approach that is most informative to voters and helpful in letting the candidates sort themselves out. Instead, we had gotcha questions about their records with tough follow-ups if they ducked the query. That strategy may be great for a press conference or a one-on-one interview, but its all wrong for a candidate debate. The weird framing of some policy issues seemed designed to force candidates into tough choices. Appropriate for a high school debate, perhaps, but it turns a presidential debate into a skill contest of who is best at recasting questions to their advantage. The candidates were asked about campaign strategy and tactics. Boring and uninformative. Over and over, the moderators seemed intent on provoking fights between the candidates. It got so bad that once they had asked each of the candidates on stage to unload on one another, they eventually asked them to attack Michael Bloomberg, who wasnt even there. Again: If candidates want to slam each other, thats their business, not the moderators. As a result, even in a pretty long debate, fewer topics were covered and in less detail than weve seen previously. I think its time for both political parties to at least consider producing their own debates. My guess is they can find someone who will televise them. (Disclaimer: Michael Bloomberg is also seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. He is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.) To contact the author of this story: Jonathan Bernstein at jbernstein62@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Katy Roberts at kroberts29@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. He taught political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and DePauw University and wrote A Plain Blog About Politics. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. VOV.VN - The coronavirus epidemic has been spoiling the countrys growth story amid global industrial slowdown, experts have warned. A large number of domestic firms have their operations spoiled due to the coronavirus epidemic. China has for many years remained Vietnam's major trading partner while being the largest importer for Vietnamese goods and the countrys second largest export market. In recent days, China has deployed strict measures against the corona outbreak which emerged in Wuhan in the central region of China and has spread to dozens of countries and territories in the world, including Vietnam. The shutdown of many cities in China has caused the delayed transportation and delivery of goods among Chinas affected localities, thus resulting in a sharp drop in Vietnamese farm produce and aquatic products shipped to the neighbouring country. Economics professor Warwick McKibbin from the Australian National University said the impacts caused by the virus on the global economy could be three or four times compared with the SARS outbreak in 2003. An estimated losses made by the former could amount to US$160 billion. Economist Le Dang Doanh noted the corona virus pandemic has made negative impacts on the Vietnamese economy via many channels. It resulted in direct impacts on Vietnams trading activities with China as the shipments of Vietnamese farm produce to China are being stalled. Amid the widespread epidemic, tourists from China and other countries are not eager to visit Vietnam, consequently making a sharp drop in tourism-related revenues. Vietnamese businesses must be alert to the epidemic situation and the best way is to find new markets and accept to sell goods at low prices a hope of expanding their export market destinations, said Doanh. Meanwhile, Dr. Nguyen Tri Hieu said that the coronavirus outbreak has caused negative impacts on Vietnamese trading activities with China, especially fruit exports like dragon fruit and watermelon while the restrictions for many Chinese types of food such meat and vegetables imported into Vietnam are also being minimized. Hieu added the negative effects caused the epidemic spread across other fields, including food and transportation. Besides, Chinese workers failed to resume their work in Vietnam due to limited entry amid the complicated developments of the epidemic. This has also posed a threat to the operational efficiency of numerous Vietnamese enterprises. He noted global stocks have slumped due to the disease while the Vietnamese stock market is not an exception. World stock and trade markets are expected to see strong fluctuations during February and even last until the end of March. He went on to say that the government needs to strictly monitor the spread and development of the deadly virus, thereby updating locals and businesspersons the most accurate information. The expert also recommended amid delayed exports to the Chinese market, Vietnamese businesses need to take alternative measures by increasing their exports to other markets and reducing their dependence on the Chinese market. Policy stimulus is also needed to boost domestic consumption and ease pressures on delayed exports. "Regarding securities, investors should be calm to monitor the situation and development of the disease, not to rush to sell off stocks. They can shift their investment from stocks and bonds to safer financial channels. For instance, government bonds could be a good choice for investors to secure their investment", Hieu suggested. VOV Dollar price rises, investors seek shelter amid coronavirus outbreak The official dong/dollar exchange rate announced by SBV reached a peak of VND23,206 per dollar on February 4, an increase of VND36 per dollar compared with the time before Tet. Two medical students have been quarantined at the civic-run Kasturba Gandhi Hospital on Saturday, following their return on January 25 from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. The hospital has sent their samples for analysis to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The students, both aged 24, will be kept in isolation until they test negative. Although the students did not show any symptoms, which are usually visible in patients suffering from the new strain of coronavirus (nCoV), they have been kept in isolation as a precautionary measure, in line with the new rules of the state government. On February 4, HT had reported that a new rule by the state health department makes it mandatory to quarantine all travellers from Wuhan. After the new rules were announced, health officials tracked the two students to inquire about their travel history and later admitted them in isolation wards. As the two were studying in Wuhan, which has reported the highest number of coronavirus cases, we have kept them under observation. They dont have any symptoms and so the step is taken as a precautionary measure, said Suresh Kakani, assistant commissioner (health), BMC. All the nine suspected coronavirus patients from the city who had been quarantined at the hospital earlier were discharged after they tested negative for the strain. Those diagnosed with nCoV suffer from fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle ache, headache, chest pain, diarrhoea and nausea. There is no vaccination to prevent nCoV and patients are given symptomatic treatment with antibiotics. Actor Robert Conrad poses during the closing ceremony of the 53rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival on June 13, 2013 in Monaco. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images) The Wild, Wild West Star Robert Conrad Dies at 84 Robert Conrad, the star of popular 1960s show The Wild, Wild West, has died at age 84, according to a family spokesman. He died via heart failure at his home in Malibu, California, over the weekend. A small, private funeral is slated for March 1, said spokesman Jeff Ballard to news outlets. He lived a wonderfully long life and while the family is saddened by his passing, he will live forever in their hearts, Ballard said, according to People magazine. He didnt provide other details about Conrads passing. In the late 1950s and 1960s, Conrad appeared in Hawaiian Eye, and later, had roles in The D.A., Assignment: Vienna, Centennial, and Baa Baa Black Sheep. He also had a music career and recorded under the moniker of Bob Conrad in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s, he appeared in a number of commercials, including ones for Eveready batteries. There are three cycles in showbiz, Conrad told People in the 1980s. They dont know you, then they love you, and then youve been around so long they hate you. Now Im starting all over again. Im only about 5-feet-8 and only weigh 165 pounds as of this morning, so Im not the worlds meanest guy, he said in 2008, referring to the tough-guy roles he played on TV, The Associated Press reported. If you treat me nicely, Ill treat you nicer, Conrad said. If youre rude to me, put your headgear on. Here it comes. Offscreen, he supported the Wounded Warriors Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the United States Marine Corps, and the Jimmie Heuga Endowment. The family said any donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, which supports military veterans. According to reports, he is survived by 18 grandchildren and eight children. He was married twice. Mumbai: "Uri: The Surgical Strike" actor Manasi Parekh is looking forward to the release of her debut Gujarati film "Golkeri". Starring Manasi and Malhar Thakar, the comedy-drama is directed by Viral Shah and produced by Soul Sutra. Actors Sachin Khedekar and Vandana Pathak will be seen portraying Malhar's parents in the film. Manasi said: "As an actor and producer, the responsibility is tremendous. I feel I have learned so much on this one film because unlike an actor, a producer is involved right from the beginning to the end - the process has been enriching for me." The movie traces the journey of four characters in the course of one night. Shah said: "This movie will leave you with a feel-good feeling. I was fortunate that I got a chance to work with such a brilliant ensemble cast. Manasi has produced the film as well, and I am so glad that from the word go, everything fell into place for us." "Golkeri" releases on February 28. The United Daughters of the Confederacys most successful attempt at memorializing slavery at the national level happened during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, who institutionalized segregation in the federal government. In 1914, the organization championed the Confederate Monument at Arlington National Cemetery, which features panels depicting loyal slaves and a mammy figure with two white children in tow. Whites affection for colored mammies glossed over the violence and pain inflicted upon enslaved women who had their families torn apart. But African-American clubwomen and reformers did not accept the mammy stereotype. Many were the daughters and granddaughters of enslaved women who had been forced to work as caretakers of other womens children. They quickly mobilized and led their African-American allies in the N.A.A.C.P. and the black press in the fight against the proposed monument through letters to editors. Their defiant resistance made white Americans take notice. The civil rights and feminist activist Mary Church Terrell wrote a widely reproduced editorial in The Evening Star, a white Washington newspaper. Indicting the Southern white women who proposed the monument, Terrells scathing critique called out their past and current complicity in the sexual abuse of black women by white men: When one considers the extent to which the black Mammy was the victim of the passion and power of her master or any other white man who might look with lustful eyes upon her, she wrote, its difficult to understand how the wives, mothers and sisters of slave owners could have submitted without frequent and vigorous protests to such degradation of the womanhood of any race. She added, And it is harder to understand why their descendants should want to behold a perpetual reminder of the heart-rending conditions under which Black Mammies were obliged to live. Terrell asked her readers to view enslaved black women as three-dimensional human beings who were psychologically tormented by the prospect of having their children sold. Being forced to care for white children also came at the price of not taking care of their own children. Cutting to the heart of the myth of the nonproblematic love whites imagined they had given to and received from enslaved women, Terrell condemned these monuments as actively rewriting the history of slavery. Asserting the authority of the black community to define and value itself, she vowed that black women would do everything they could to resist the building of the monument. (CNN) One woman testified that Harvey Weinstein used his hands to sexually assault her as employees sat nearby. Another woman said the movie mogul raped her at what she thought was a meeting about her aspiring acting career. A third woman says he cornered her and masturbated during a meeting she thought was about a movie script. These disturbing allegations were revealed at Weinstein's trial over the past two weeks, and prosecutors argued the harrowing stories showed Weinstein's pattern of predatory behavior. Yet none of their testimony is connected to any of the charges against him. The charges against Weinstein of rape, criminal sexual conduct and predatory sexual assault are independent of these accusations. He has pleaded not guilty and his attorneys have said the incidents were consensual. The Weinstein jury is not alone in hearing about uncharged accusations. Bill Cosby's trial also featured testimony from five women whose claims were not related to the charges against him. And Cuba Gooding Jr.'s upcoming groping trial will feature two women who will testify about allegations that are not charged. These "prior bad acts" witnesses are becoming more common in sexual violence trials like those involving Weinstein, Cosby and Gooding, legal experts told CNN. Their rise is one clear example of how the #MeToo movement and its broader impact has changed the American legal system, they said. It's a powerful change, too. These "prior bad acts" witnesses are important in revealing a specific pattern of behavior, such as how Cosby used pills to incapacitate and then assault women. In sexual assault cases, their testimony can turn a "he said, she said" case into a more convincing "he said, they said" case. "When you just think of the basic meaning of the #MeToo movement, that's what these women are doing," said Michelle Simpson Tuegel, an attorney who represents victims of sexual assault. "They're saying 'me too,' and it's so important for the jury to be able to hear about that and I think it's so relevant." So why are they seemingly becoming more common? It's part of a feedback loop across the many parts of the legal system, said Michelle Madden Dempsey, a law professor at Villanova University's Charles Widger School of Law. "It's not as if one day in October 2017 people started saying 'Me too' and that changed everything," she said. "It requires this connection between victims being willing to come forward, prosecutors being willing to hear them and take their cases forward, judges being willing to allow the evidence, and jurors being willing to credit the evidence." More victims are coming forward One reason courts have used more prior bad acts witnesses is because there are more victims coming forward who are willing to testify in court. Founded by activist Tarana Burke over a decade ago, "Me, Too" gained global attention in October 2017 after The New York Times reported on scores of accusations against Weinstein, the influential movie producer. Since then, many more have come forward to accuse powerful celebrities, politicians and business leaders of abusing their power to get away with sexual misconduct. The movement has made people more willing to listen to victims rather than vilify and attack them, Dempsey said. "Now that people are feeling more supported, more able and empowered to come forward and speak about what their experiences were, and they're not suffering as negative response as they used to, there are quite literally more witnesses available to provide this kind of testimony," said Dempsey. In the Weinstein trial, the three "prior bad acts" witnesses each say Weinstein used his Hollywood influence to take advantage of them when they were young and hoping to break into the film industry. One of those women, Dawn Dunning, first spoke out in an interview with The New York Times in October 2017 as part of an initial wave of women coming forward against him. She testified in his trial last week that Weinstein tried to pressure her into having three-way sex with him. When she declined, he told her, "this is how this industry works," she testified. She also said that Weinstein put his hand underneath her underwear and partially penetrated her vagina as his employees sat in an adjoining room at a hotel. Dunning is just one of dozens of women who have stood together to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct. At the start of his trial, a group of women calling themselves the "Silence Breakers" spoke outside court to offer their support to the testifying women. "As one of the silence-breakers, I stand in solidarity with the brave survivors who will take the stand against Harvey Weinstein in this trial," said Rosanna Arquette, the actress and director. "While the emotion of the day runs high, I join these other brave women who were also harmed by Harvey Weinstein to say: we aren't going anywhere." Prosecutors are using their testimony more Shan Wu, former federal prosecutor and CNN legal analyst, said that prosecutors decide which cases to try in court partly based on how they believe juries will view them. "Prosecutors are always weighing, 'Is this really a triable case? Am I going to get a conviction on this or not?'" Wu said. "When they think about that, you're always thinking about societal prejudices and what's your impression of things." More broadly, the #MeToo movement has influenced the American public that makes up these juries to listen more closely to victims. Because of that, prosecutors are more willing to bring these sexual abuse cases to court, creating a feedback loop. "The breadth of what the prosecutors are willing to consider now is really broadening because of the whole societal sensitivity," Wu said. James A. Cohen, a Fordham University associate professor of law, said that the #MeToo movement has made prosecutors consider the testimony of witnesses who may not have been included before. "Prosecutors are prompted to think about things that perhaps in past times they might not have been so quick to go to," said James A. Cohen, a Fordham University associate professor of law. "It is very powerful evidence ... and I think judges have become more accepting of it, which also encourages prosecutors to raise the issue more often." Judges are allowing more witnesses The judges' rulings that allowed these prior bad acts witnesses have been vital to their use in recent years. In general, evidence that the defendant has poor character or has done bad things in the past is not allowed during a trial. The fear is that the jury will be overly influenced by these prior incidents and may ignore the actual evidence of the alleged crime. "Prior bad acts" evidence is one exception to this rule. It can be used to prove the defendant's "motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident," according to federal evidence rules. Judges have a fair amount of discretion to decide what is and what isn't allowed in court as they try to balance the relevance of the testimony against the prejudice to the jury. That balance appears to have shifted in recent years with the rise of the #MeToo movement. "Institutions, including the courts and criminal justice, have long not paid enough attention to women coming forward with these issues," Wu said. "I think that has begun to permeate the consciousness of the judges. I think they are more likely now to rule in favor of allowing that type of history to come in." "It's a change in how society views the cases, and the judges are human like everyone else in their thinking and also in their training," he said. "They're being trained to be more sensitive to sexual assault victims." Cheryl Bader, Fordham University Law School clinical associate professor of law, said the trial of Larry Nassar helped show the importance of giving voice to victims. In that trial, young girls and women came forward to speak out about how the gymnastics doctor's sexual abuse had changed their lives. "Judges do want to give voice to victims," she said. "I think there's a broader recognition of the importance of victims being able to be heard. "Of course, the judge has to balance that with the rights of the accused." After hailing US President Donald Trump's Middle-East peace plan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pulling all stops to be in the recently acquitted President's good books. Netanyahu called upon Blue and White leader Benny Gantz on Saturday night to fire adviser Ronen Tzur for his comments comparing Trump to Hitler, according to international reports. He also reportedly told Gantz to distance himself from former adviser Joel Benenson too for making such similar comparisons. OIC rejects Trump's Middle East Plan, shows support for Palestine Tzur's Trump-Hitler comparison According to tweets from 2016, Tzur had written, "The book of the 21st century: Mein Trumpf. Many social media users had pulled this tweet from March 13, 2016, of Tzur bashing the then-presidential candidate Trump. In another tweet dated December 11, 2016, Tzur had alluded to Trump's Russia ties writing - It seems the United States President Putin appointed Trump to be State Secretary. Netanyahu blames Abbas for West Bank violence Tzur apologises for comment Tzur who was in Washington in January, along with Gantz, apologized for the comments. He tweeted on January 27 saying: "I see theres an excitement for some of the cult members about some tweets from years ago. So to clarify: There were issues where I the little one thought differently from the president (not that it matters to anyone). Sudan's PM rattled by meeting of country's leader, Netanyahu Trump's Middle East peace plan This move to fire Tzur comes amid Trump announcing his Middle East plan alongside the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it a win-win situation for both sides. He emphasised on the establishment of a two-state solution promising Palestinians a state of their own with a new capital in Abu Dis, a suburb just outside Jerusalem. According to the plan, Trump said that Jerusalem would be the undivided capital of Israel. Palestinians have already rejected the plan which was hatched without their presence in the meetings. The Palestinian leaders, who were absent from the announcement had rejected the proposal even before its release. They claimed it to be a new Balfour Declaration that heavily favoured Israel and would deny them a viable independent state. The Organisation of Islamic countries has already supported the Palestinians reiterating that the solution to the Palestinian issue must be in accordance with international law. Israel PM Netanyahu meets Sudan's leader to discuss 'normalisation' of relations Managua: Nicaraguan authorities have lifted their 18-month blockade of newsprint to the country's best-known daily, La Prensa, a restriction that had threatened to strangle the publication and leave the country with no newspapers. "The newsprint has been liberated!" read the headline on Saturday's front page, with a photo of its director, Jaime Chamorro, in front of enormous rolls of newsprint. The government of President Daniel Ortega has allowed printing supplies belonging to La Prensa to be released from customs after retaining them for 18 months. Credit:AP La Prensa's editors had protested that newsprint and other imported supplies had been held up in customs in retaliation for its coverage of anti-government demonstrations in 2018. More than 326 people were killed in those protests, most at the hands of police, according to human-rights organisations. After the protests, President Daniel Ortega's government led one of the most severe crackdowns on independent media in the hemisphere, raiding news organisations and imprisoning reporters. Scores of journalists have gone into exile. Nancy Pelosi leaves out Christians when naming persecuted religious minorities Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment When Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic, spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., last week, she prayed for the persecuted, listing religious persecution around the world, but did not specifically mention Christians. Oh, Lord, we thank all gathered at this prayer breakfast for lifting our voices for the poor and the persecuted, the millions who are missing or murdered because of their faith, Pelosi prayed at the event Thursday, according to The Daily Signal. Let us pray for the Panchen Lama and all the Tibetan Buddhists imprisoned in China or missing for following their faith, she continued. The House speaker also prayed for the 1 to 3 million Uighurs in China forced from their homes and incarcerated in camps, as well as for Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia and for all the writers and religious free thinkers imprisoned for speaking their minds. Pelosi then prayed for priests, rabbis, pastors, and religious leaders around the world whose freedoms have been stolen because of what they believe countless Muslims and other religious minorities, often unseen and unnamed, who have been abducted, oppressed, and abused because of who they are and what they believe, their faith. In its 2020 World Watch List, leading Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors USA released its annual data report, saying this year highlights a drastic increase in attacks against Christian buildings and the imprisonment of Christians. At least 2,983 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons during the last reporting period (Nov. 1, 2018 to Oct. 31, 2019). That is an average of eight Christians killed per day. The data also showed that about 260 million Christians experience high levels of persecution in the top 50 countries on the list. The report stated that 9,488 churches or Christian buildings or an average of 25 per day were attacked during the 2019 reporting period. The number of Christians detained without trial, arrested and imprisoned increased from 2,625 in the 2019 report to 3,711 in the 2020 report. Also at the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday, the day after the United States Senate voted to acquit him of two articles of impeachment brought by Democrats in the lower chamber, President Donald Trump apparently criticized Pelosi, who months back had said that she prays for the presidents well-being. Without specifically naming Pelosi, who led the impeachment charge against the president, Trump said, Nor do I like people who say I pray for you when they know that thats not so. So many people have been hurt and we cant let that go on. At the event, conservative author Arthur Brooks encouraged biblical love amid a nationwide crisis of contempt and polarization. Brooks, a professor of public leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and senior fellow at the Harvard Business School, described himself as a follower of Jesus, explaining, [The same Jesus] who taught us to love God and taught us to love each other. Today, Im here to talk to you about the biggest crisis facing our nation and many other nations today: Its the crisis of contempt and polarization thats tearing our societies apart. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Masansosang Ao, a close associate of Alemla Jamir, wife of a senior leader of Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM), days after she was arrested in connection with an alleged terror funding case. The NIA on Sunday said Ao, a resident of Dimapur in Nagaland was arrested at Delhi airport on Friday and was taken into its custody after he was produced in a court there. The agency said investigations revealed that Masasosang Ao is a close associate of main accused Jamir and is actively involved in transfer/mobilisation of terror funds for NSCN (IM). The two arrests angered the outfit, which termed it as arbitrary action at a time when Naga groups were about to sign a final agreement with the Centre to end the decades-old Naga conflict. It said the action by the NIA would result in trust deficit in the minds of Nagas as the Centre in 2002 signed an agreement to lift the ban on NSCN (IM) but adopted "carrot and stick policy" when they were inching closer to a final settlement. "The unrestrained excessive activities of NIA will certainly reverse the clock back towards the pre-ceasefire period which witnessed intensive militarization, violent conflict and serious violation o human rights. The situation will certainly go out of control if the GoI does not take corrective measures in the true spirit of the ongoing political dialogue between and GoI and the NSCN," the outfit said in a statement recently. The NSCN (IM) is in ceasefire with the government since 1997. NIA arrested Jamir, wife of Phungthing Shimrang ex-army chief of Naga National Army with a cash of Rs. 72 lakh in Delhi airport on December 17 last year. "During the investigation, it was established that this money was part of a bigger criminal conspiracy relating to channelizing of the extorted levy amount collected from the businessmen/contractors of Nagaland and neighbouring states and this amount is being used for the furtherance of terror activities of NSCN (IM)," the NIA said on Saturday. The agency also seized another Rs. 1.2 crore during searches conducted after Jamir's arrest. It also identified more than three dozen bank accounts having deposits of more than Rs. three crores suspected to be terror funds of NSCN(IM). Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday (February 1) that the Palestinian Authority has cut all ties with the United States and Israel, after rejecting a Middle East peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week. The plan, which is endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for the creation of a demilitarised Palestinian state that excludes Israeli settlements built in occupied territory and is under near-total Israeli security control. Addressing the Arab League in Cairo, Abbas said security relations will also be severed. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT, MAHMOUD ABBAS, SAYING: "We (Palestinian authority) inform you (Israeli government) that there will be no ties either with you or the U.S., as we have said the same to the U.S., including security ties. This is in light of your renouncing of all signed agreements under the international legitimacy. You, Israelis, should bear the full responsibility as a force of occupation." Foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, among others, said there could be no peace without recognizing Palestinian rights and a comprehensive solution. Softwood pulplog prices fell in the key markets of Europe in the fall of 2019. This price decline contributed to a two-year low of the Softwood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) in the 3Q/19, according to the WRQ. With the hardwood fiber price movements having been mixed the past year, the Hardwood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) has not change much y-o-y. SEATTLE, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wood raw-material costs were down for pulp manufacturers in most regions around the world in the 3Q/19 as compared to both the previous quarter and the 3Q/18. Prices for softwood pulplogs and wood chips were down between 1-15% q-o-q, depending on region, with the biggest price reductions occurring in Germany, France, Sweden and the US Northwest. The only region with higher prices in the 3Q/19 was Western Canada, where pulplog prices increased by 10% q-o-q. The Softwood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) fell by 2.2% q-o-q to $89.26/odmt in the 3Q/19, the lowest level in two years, and slightly below its five-year average. In Germany, softwood pulplog prices have experienced a dramatic decline the past year because of an oversupply of low-grade logs from harvests of insect and storm damaged forests. The average price for contracted logs was at the lowest point since the WRQ started tracking prices in 1988. Some spot prices were as low as $10-15/m3 in regions where landowners were desperate to move damaged trees from their lands. With the sharp decline in softwood pulplogs prices in Germany, the country currently has some of the world lowest pulplog prices. The Hardwood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) has been fairly stable at around $90/odmt the past year. In the 3Q/19, the HFPI fell slightly from the previous quarter but was about one percent higher than in the 3Q/18. There were very small price changes q-o-q for hardwood fiber in the 15 regions tracked by the WRQ. Of the major hardwood consuming regions in the world, pulpmills in Russia (+13%), China (+8%), US South (+8%), Germany (-10%) and Indonesia (-8%) have seen the biggest changes in wood fiber costs the past year. With uncertainty surrounding when market pulp prices will rebound, how fast the imbalance in fiber demand and supply in Europe will be corrected, and when the trade negotiations between the US and China will be settled, forecasting of wood fiber prices will remain challenging in 2020. Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). This 56-page report, established in 1988 and with subscribers in over 30 countries, tracks prices for sawlog, pulpwood, lumber & pellets worldwide. The WRQ also reports on trade and wood market developments in most key regions around the world. For more insights on the latest international forest product market trends, please go to www.WoodPrices.com Contact Information Wood Resources International LLC Hakan Ekstrom, Seattle, USA [email protected] https://www.WoodPrices.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/wood-resources-international-llc/r/wood-raw-material-costs-for-the-world-s-pulp-manufacturers-have-fallen-the-past-year-with-the-bigges,c3031184 SOURCE Wood Resources International LLC Related Links http://www.woodprices.com/ Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The first round of UN-brokered talks between military representatives in Geneva aimed at forging a lasting ceasefire between Libya's Government and main opposition forces, has concluded without full agreement, despite reaching consensus in many areas, the UN said on Saturday Maharashtra Minister Aditi Tatkare on Sunday said a "bharosa centre" comprising a psychologist, woman police officer and counsellor would be set up in the state's Raigad district to "monitor the impact of social media on youth". She was speaking against the backdrop of a 25-year-old woman lecturer who was set ablaze and left battling for life by a stalker on February 3 in Hinganghat town in Wardha. "A bharosa centre will be set up in Raigad district which will have a psychologist, woman police officer and counsellor to monitor the impact of social media on youth," the minister of state for tourism and industry said here. Tatkare is a first-time MLA from Shrivardhan in Raigad district. Tatkare said there was a need to teach boys how to behave rather than stressing that girls should not venture out late evening. Speaking on the Hinganghat incident, Tatkare said the punishment in these cases should be so exemplary that people think "a hundred times before committing such an act". She was speaking at the closing ceremony of the seventh Aurangabad International Film Festival. Tatkare also said the state government was positive about re-starting the Ellora Festival here. Speaking about the composition of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, she said its ministers were of various ages, which lent a "beauty" to the Uddhav Thackeray dispensation. "However, age is a merely a number because the headmaster of the school is a youngster of the age of 79," she said referring to NCP chief Sharad Pawar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Candidates for city of Tomah mayor described a prosperous, growing city during a forum Thursday at Best Western Hotel. The four candidates incumbent Mike Murray and challenger Remy Gomez, Brett Larkin and Nellie Pater will appear on the Feb. 18 primary ballot. The top two finishers advance to the April 7 general election. The only issue that divided the candidates was a proposed building that would combine the citys ambulance and fire services. Larkin, a senior at Tomah High School who will enroll at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this fall, said our local first responders was a huge reason as to why Im here tonight they feel forgotten by the current city leadership. Murray defended the citys decision to back away from an ambulance building on the new Tomah Health campus. He said a combined site to house the Tomah Fire Department and Tomah Area Ambulance Service will save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. Gomez, a former city council member, said ambulance and fire personnel share many of the same needs and that a combined building is awesome; its long overdue. If we dont start to plan for the future, were going to be caught with our pants down, he said. Pater, who served one term as mayor before losing re-election to Murray in 2018, said a new facility is something the city needs. What we have now is small and not enough, Pater said. We are at 10,000 people, and we are going to grow. We have to find the money to do it. We have to get this building built. Larkin said a shared building has its advantages but warned against shortchanging the project. The only other criticisms leveled during the forum came from Pater and Larkin. Pater questioned whether elected officials are responsive to citizen inquiries. She said phone calls and emails are often left unreturned. Their biggest complaint is that they do not have representatives they can talk to, Pater said. They feel there is no one to talk to. She said its important that citizens believe they can come to us when they have issues, and theyre not feeling that right now. Larkin questioned the wisdom of the city constructing a bathroom across the street from Gillett Park, which he said cost $400,000. That goes back to why Im running for the forgotten people, our first responders, Larkin said. They are the ones we need to spend more money on instead of wasteful spending. All four candidates said its proper for the city to use tax incentives to attract and maintain private industry. Murray said a small incentive can result in a large payback. He recalled former Burnstads Market owner Vic Burnstad telling him, Sometimes you cant be afraid to lose $10 in order to make $100. Murray said incentives have a proven track record and cited the recent $30 million Toro expansion. He said the facility will generate $2 million annually in payroll. Gomez agreed. There comes a time when a little bit of nudge gets a project done, he said. Larkin said any incentive package must be subjected to a cost-benefit analysis. The four candidates also supported Tax Incremental Finance Districts, the most common form of local tax subsidy. TID development is a good thing if done properly Pater said. They dont bring in revenue right away. It takes time. I do believe they work. On the issue of city streets, Larkin said the city should be more aggressive in getting money from the state. He recently worked in the office of the state Legislatures majority leader and said his connections would be beneficial to Tomah. I believe this is an issue far beyond just the city, Larkin said. The mayor needs to work as an activist to the state Legislature. Gomez said winter is always going to take its toll on Tomah streets. Were in Wisconsin. Roads freeze and they unfreeze, and they freeze again, he said. Murray said its important for the city to consider water and sewer so that newly paved streets arent torn up again a short time later. This isnt just about roads, its about infrastructure, Murray said. You have to take into account whats underneath. The four also agreed that transportation options are limited for those who dont drive or lack access to a vehicle. Pater said the problem disproportionately impacts Tomahs substantial population of military veterans. Murray said the citys options are limited by state laws that restrict the hours that taxi drivers can operate. Tomah Journal editor Steve Rundio can be reached at steve.rundio@lee.net. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. By PTI KOLKATA: A scuffle broke out between anti-CAA protesters and BJP supporters on Saturday when a senior saffron party leader visited two stalls of a BJP mouthpiece and the VHP at the International Kolkata Book Fair. The two sides allegedly exchanged blows after West Bengal BJP leader Rahul Sinha entered a stall around 4.30 pm. A section of Left-backed student bodies, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the All India Students Association (AISA), surrounded Sinha when he visited the stall and raised slogans against the new citizenship law and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Bidhannagar Police confirmed the incident and said five protesters were detained. VHP supporters claimed that a worker of the outfit suffered injuries in the tussle. "A karyakarta, Somesh, was beaten up by Left goons who created disturbances in front of our stall where a large number of people had gathered on seeing Sinha there. We showed utmost restraint," personnel at the VHP stall told PTI. "The people have discarded them (the Left parties). We are not fools to allow them to steal the limelight by getting into a fight with them. Our fight is with the TMC," Sinha, who left the venue after the incident, said. Later in the night, some students, including women, went to Bidhannagar North police station to protest the detention of five protesters, some of whom belonged to the Jadavpur University, Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate sources said. As there was a commotion inside the police station, the personnel removed the protesters from the premises. Ushashi Paul, SFI's Jadavpur University unit leader, alleged that the police misbehaved with the protesters, which included women. She threatened to stage a sit-in outside the police station till the five protesters are released and the police "apologise for their behaviour". Organisers and police said the incident did not disrupt the book fair which had a large turnout on a penultimate day. The father of a self-confessed killer has been ordered to do 90 hours community service for assaulting a journalist. Gavin Smyth (42) was also told he must pay the journalist 200 compensation for the shocking attack. Lisburn Magistrates Court heard on Thursday that Smyth, from Granville Place in Belfast, had been involved in an altercation with a journalist who was taking pictures outside court following a hearing involving his 22-year-old son Lee Smyth. Last month at Belfast Crown Court, Lee Smyth was handed a nine-year sentence after he admitted to the manslaughter of Chris Meli, a 20-year-old father-of-one who was beaten by a crowd of up to 15 people in an area known as Docs Path in Twinbrook in December 2015. Jailing Smyth, Mr Justice Colton said he had no doubt he had played a leading role in the attack on Mr Meli. On Thursday, Gavin Smyth was sentenced for the November 9, 2018, attack outside Lisburn court having pleaded guilty to common assault last month. His defence barrister told the court the journalist had been taking pictures of Smyths son and other defendants in the Christopher Meli case as they left the court. He claimed the victim had put the camera in the face of the accused and that the mother of another defendant in the Meli case slapped the camera out of the victims hands. She has since accepted a caution for attempted criminal damage. The defence barrister said the picture of exactly what happened next is confusing as there was some ambiguity as to who struck the journalist but he added that although Smyth accepted striking him it was more of a push than a full blown punch. District Judge Rosemary Watters said she accepted the Meli case was an emotive one but said that did not justify Smyths actions. She went on to say she regarded the incident as serious but also recognised the emotiveness of the case Mr Smyths son was involved in at the time. Judge Watters revealed that Smyth was assessed as a low risk of reoffending and while he had a lengthy record for motoring offences, he had no previous for assault. Greece will only grant refugee protection for three years as it struggles to integrate foreigners, the conservative government's migration minister Notis Mitarachi said in remarks published Sunday. Greece last year was the first EU port of entry for migrants and has struggled to manage the influx, with many kept in overcrowded camps on the Aegean Greek islands near the Turkish coast. "The asylum we grant has a duration of three years, it is not indefinite," Mitarachi told To Vima weekly. "If conditions change in a country (of origin), asylum may not be renewed," Mitarachi added. "It is difficult to integrate different populations," he said. More than 36,000 asylum-seekers are currently crammed into camps on five islands, where the official capacity is for 6,200 people and in conditions repeatedly condemned by aid agencies. Overpopulation in migrant camps on Lesbos and other islands near Turkey has led to an outpouring of anger in recent days among island residents and asylum-seekers. Since the migration crisis erupted in 2015, mainly fuelled by the war in Syria, Greece has granted asylum to around 40,000 people, Mitarachi said. Another 87,000 asylum applications are pending, he added. Repatriation of asylum-seekers whose applications are rejected are to be discussed in an overhaul of EU migration policy next month, the minister said. "Joint return operations will figure prominently in the new European commission proposals expected in March and April," Mitarachi said. The new government has introduced stricter asylum rules, and last month put out a call for a floating barrier in the Aegean to stop migrant boats. The system -- criticised as unethical and impractical by rights groups and opposition parties -- could involve either barriers or nets, 2.7 kilometres (1.7 miles) long, and would be used as an emergency measure by the Greek armed forces. Mitarachi on Sunday said the barrier project would be given a "tryout" and implemented only if deemed effective. Asylum won't be 'indefinite', Greece warns The HCMC health department has proposed that the city spends VND194 billion ($8.4 million) on equipment needed to fight the novel coronavirus epidemic. In its proposal submitted to the HCMC People's Committee Friday, the department suggested purchasing three specialized ambulances worth VND25.5 billion ($1.1 million) and medical equipment including medical ventilators, dialysis machines and portable X-ray scanners for about VND106 billion ($4.56 million). The remaining amount would be spent on reserve equipment such as face masks and necessary chemicals like disinfectants. The department said these items were urgently needed for treating infected patients and preventing further spread of the nCoV infection. The equipment would be provided to the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Children's hospitals 1 and 2, City Children's Hospital, Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, 115 Emergency Center and HCMC Center for Disease Control. The health department and the municipal Military Command are also constructing a VND255 billion ($11 million) field hospital with facilities in two locations. The first facility with 300 beds, including 20 post-treatment recovery beds, is located at the City Military School in Cu Chi District, while the second facility with 200 beds, including at least 10 post-treatment recovery beds, is located in Phu Xuan Commune, Nha Be District. The field hospital would be equipped with medical equipment including ventilators, monitors, X-ray scanners, protective clothing and five ambulances, and would be staffed by doctors from other hospitals in the city such as 115 People's Hospital, Gia Dinh People's Hospital, Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital and Trung Vuong Hospital. HCMC currently has three confirmed nCoV infection cases and one of them was discharged by the Cho Ray Hospital. The city has also been monitoring 34 people who had come into contact with infected patients. Vietnam confirmed its 14th nCoV infection in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on Sunday. Out of the 14 confirmed cases, three have been discharged from hospitals: a Nha Trang hotel receptionist, a Chinese man from Wuhan, and one of the workers who returned from Wuhan. The country declared the nCoV outbreak an epidemic on February 1. The global death toll of the epidemic has reached 813 one each in the Philippines and Hong Kong, and the remaining in mainland China. On Jan. 27, during CNN's Don Lemon Show, the full extent of the elite mainstream media's condescending attitude toward "red" America was on full display. During a segment discussing Donald Trump with Rick Wilson and Rajahat Ali, Lemon and his guests began lampooning the intelligence of not only President Donald Trump, but of the 63 million "red" Americans who voted Republican. Ironically, just as when Hillary Clinton made the critical mistake of calling all Trump supporters "deplorable," the video of this Lemon segment will likely act as one catalyst for Trump's re-election. Decades of this kind of mainstream media condescension has brought a backlash the media just doesn't get. Let me explain. First, the egregiousness of the Lemon condescension cannot be overstated. Rick Wilson began to mock and belittle Trump, claiming he could not find Ukraine with a map even if the map included a huge "U" and a large picture of a crane. He continued by calling all Trump supporters illiterate "credulous boomer rubes" even dumber than he alleged of Trump. Wilson went so far as to mock with a fake, exaggerated Southern accent. While Wilson engaged in the belittling of half of America, Don Lemon began laughing so hard he put his head on his desk with tears in his eyes and continued laughing. All three commentators continued laughing and belittling conservative Americans throughout the segment. According to a Fox News description of the segment, As Lemon began crying with tears of laughter, Wilson went on to depict what he thought a typical Trump supporter sounded like. Donald Trumps the smart one, and yall elitists are dumb! Wilson said with a heavy Southern accent. You elitists with your geography and your maps and your spelling! Mr. Ali chimed in during the mockery. Your math and your reading! Mr. Wilson added. All those lines on the map!" Reaction to the segment was quick and telling. Steve Krakauer, a veteran of CNN but now a conservative commentator, tweeted: The arrogance, the dismissiveness, the smug cackling, the accents. If Donald Trump wins re-election this year, Ill remember this brief CNN segment late one Saturday night in January as the perfect encapsulation for why it happened. Ivanka Trump wrote of the segment: You consistently make fun of half the country and then complain that it is divided. The arrogance, mocking accents and smug ridicule of this nations Real Elites is disgusting. Ironically, Lemon's background objectively makes him one of the the last people to belittle Trump's intelligence or experience. Trump is a graduate of the top business school in the nation, Ivy League Wharton's School of Business, with an IQ estimated beyond 150. He has run an international multibillion-dollar business, which has required he travel and visit top international leaders the world over. Conversely, Lemon eventually graduated Brooklyn College in 1996 (having finished high school in 1984). No further education, and little international experience. Beyond Lemon's underwhelming credentials, he has made shockingly ignorant and/or ridiculous assertions on CNN. In 2014, when a Malaysian Airlines aircraft disappeared from radar (later found to have crashed into the ocean), Lemon held a segment to consider the potential the aircraft went into a "black hole." Thankfully, a guest informed Lemon the idea was ludicrous, as a true black hole would have obviously sucked in the entire planet. During the wall-to-wall negative Trump coverage by Lemon, a conservative questioned why Lemon never covered Obama scandals. Lemon actually claimed that during the Obama administration, "there was no, there were no scandals" to cover. Any informed American is aware of scandals like "fast and furious," IRS targeting conservative groups (resulting in the firing of Louis Lerner), Benghazi (involving multiple scandals before, during and after the killing of four Americans), Secretary Clinton's use of a private server for top classified emails, among many others. Former liberal journalist Bernard Goldberg wrote about the reason the media slants so far to the political left. According to Goldberg, those working in national media are overwhelmingly politically liberal and as a result associate almost exclusively with other political liberals. Their resulting bias is predictable. At the cocktail parties in places like Los Angeles or New York (not setting foot in "flyover" country), they lampoon conservative America as being inferior bumpkins. They don't know pro-life Americans and as so forget that around half the nation doesn't hold their pro-choice views. Same with gun rights, religious freedom, etc. During this recent segment, Lemon seems to have forgotten he was not at a media cocktail party without repercussions for slamming conservative Americans. The liberal bias was on full display in all it's true condescension and arrogance. As happened when Hillary Clinton called conservative Americans "Deplorables," those demeaned by Lemon will remember his words and laughing at the voting booth in November. Maybe, just maybe, the mainstream media will finally learn a lesson about the importance of respect for fellow Americans. Even conservative Americans. Bill Connor, an Army Infantry colonel, author and Orangeburg attorney, has deployed multiple times to the Middle East. Connor was the senior U.S. military adviser to Afghan forces in Helmand Province, where he received the Bronze Star. A Citadel graduate with a JD from USC, he is also a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army War College, earning his master of strategic studies. He is the author of the book "Articles from War. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The death toll from the novel coronavirus outbreak soared to 722 in China on Saturday, including the first foreign victim, as Hong Kong imposed a mandatory quarantine on mainland arrivals to block the spread of an epidemic that has caused global panic. With 86 more people dying in mainland China -- the highest one-day jump so far -- the toll was closing in on the 774 killed worldwide during the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. A 60-year-old US citizen diagnosed with the virus died on Thursday in Wuhan, the city at the epicentre of the health emergency, according to the US embassy, which gave no further details on the victim. China's foreign ministry said in a statement to AFP that the victim was a US citizen of Chinese origin. A Japanese man in his 60s with a suspected coronavirus infection also died in hospital in Wuhan, the Japanese foreign ministry said, adding that it was "difficult" to confirm if he had the illness. The only fatalities outside the mainland were a Chinese man in the Philippines and a 39-year-old man in Hong Kong. Nearly 35,000 people have been infected by the new strain, which is believed to have emerged in a market that sells wild animals in Wuhan last year before spreading across China. The epidemic has prompted the government to lock down whole cities, as anger mounts over its handling of the crisis, especially after a whistleblowing doctor fell victim to the virus. More than 320 cases have emerged in nearly 30 countries outside of China. - Number of cases 'stabilising' - In Geneva, the World Health Organization said that the number of cases being reported daily in China is "stabilising" -- but cautioned that it was too early to say if the virus has peaked. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also warned against misinformation about the virus, saying it made the work of healthcare staff harder. "We're not just battling the virus, we're also battling the trolls and conspiracy theorists that push misinformation and undermine the outbreak response," he said. Fearing that the virus could cause an economic slowdown in China -- the world's leading oil importer and consumer -- a committee appointed by the OPEC club of petroleum producing countries recommended cuts in oil output. "The coronavirus epidemic has had a negative impact on economic activity, notably in transport, tourism and industry, particularly in China," Mohamed Arkab, president of the conference of OPEC, said in a statement. - Hong Kong quarantine - Hong Kong began enforcing a two-week quarantine for anyone arriving from mainland China, under threat of both fines and jail terms. Most people will be able to be quarantined at home or in hotels but they will face daily phone calls and spot checks. The financial hub has 25 confirmed cases with one patient who died earlier this week. The virus has revived memories of the SARS outbreak that killed 299 in the semi-autonomous city,saddling residents with a deep distrust of authorities in Beijing who initially covered up the outbreak. In the last week, Hong Kong has been hit by a wave of panic-buying with supermarket shelves frequently emptied of staple goods such as toilet paper, hand sanitiser, rice and pasta. Similar scenes were seen in Singapore on Saturday as shoppers cleared grocery store shelves after the city-state, which has 33 confirmed cases, raised its alert level over the virus. China has expanded its own measures, with cities far from Hubei telling residents that only one person per household can leave the house every two days to buy supplies. On Saturday, Shanghai became the latest jurisdiction to order residents to wear masks in public places, warning that those who don't cooperate will be "seriously" dealt with according to the law. Anger over the government's handling of the health emergency erupted on social media after the death of a Wuhan doctor who police silenced after he had raised the alarm about the emerging virus threat in December. The government responded by sending its anti-graft body to Wuhan to launch an investigation after the death of Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist who contracted the disease while treating a patient. - Cruise ship quarantined - Other governments have hardened their defences, with several countries banning arrivals from China while major airlines have suspended flights. New cases emerged abroad, with five British nationals, including a child, testing positive for the virus after staying at the same ski chalet in France. Asian cruise ships have become a focal point. Sixty-four people on board the Diamond Princess off Japan's coast have tested positive and passengers aboard the ship have been asked to stay inside their cabins to prevent new infections. burs-lth/ch/ At just 26-years-old, Christopher John Rogers is a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner; has dressed the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Cardi B; and has shown critically acclaimed collections at New York Fashion Week twice, presenting his third collection tonight. More impressive than that? He accomplished most of that (and more) while balancing a full-time job. I met Rogers before New York Fashion Week to celebrate being chosen as one of IMGs New Faces of Fashion, in which he participated in a BMW panel moderated by GQs deputy fashion director Nikki Ogunnaike. With his fall 20 runway show just days away, it was a testament to the Baton Rouge-born SCAD graduates ability to juggle a hundred things at once. Of course, youll learn to be graceful under fire when your boss only gives you a week off to put on your own NYFW presentation, when most designers spend half the year planning the event. (More on that later) Like most designers, Rogers discovered that he was interested in fashion design as a kid. Growing up in Louisiana, I didnt always feel empowered to be myself. So, escaping or somehow squeezing myself into a space where I could release all the things that I wanted to release was a dream of mine, he said. NEW YORK, NEW YORK FEBRUARY 08: A model walks the runway for Christopher John Rogers during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 08, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows) NEW YORK, NEW YORK FEBRUARY 08: A model walks the runway for Christopher John Rogers during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 08, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows) Rogers took on his first big design project when he was in elementary school, drawing costumes for his favorite comic book and anime characters that began when his friend asked why Superman always wore the same thing. From that moment, Rogers began relating fashionable clothing to having superpowers. CJR collections have been described as over-the-top, yet wearable, and full of joie de vivre. In other words, hes designing clothing that makes women feel mighty, heroic, and capable of anything. After graduating, Rogers moved to NYC and got a job straight away. I was working at DVF, but I knew that I had a really strong point of view, and I wanted people to see my look in person. So, he went for the big leagues, and applied for an official spot on the CFDAs calendar, without an established brand. Story continues No one, Rogers included, thought that the brand would get a spot on the exclusive schedule. So when they did, in fact, make the cut, it was a race to the finish line to get things ready for fashion week. All of us basically took a week off of work, said Rogers. Luckily, my boss at the time was very understanding and supportive, even though he didnt have to be. His premiere collection, shown in a Chinatown gallery, was an immediate hit. Overnight, Christopher John Rogers was the must-see designer for Fashion Week attendees, with photos of his fantastical pieces appearing on every influencer and editors Instagram feeds. Fashion isnt always fun, which is fine because no job is always fun, but I got into fashion because of the fantasy. Despite the success, Rogers wasnt yet selling any of his designs, nor turning a profit. To manufacture samples alone wouldve cost as much as his entire years salary at DVF, so instead, he sewed them all by hand. Making financial matters worse, Rogers was laid off from DVF following the presentation of his first collection. But he decided to take it as an opportunity to fully dedicate his time and energy to his namesake brand, present his sophomore collection to rave reviews, and win the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award. With the $400,000 prize, he was able to actually manufacture his spring 20 collection that initially won him the award. Im able to execute the ideas that are in my head. I dont have to make concessions, I dont have to settle. NEW YORK, NEW YORK FEBRUARY 08: A model walks the runway for Christopher John Rogers during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 08, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows) All this culminated in tonights show, his most impressive collection to date, drawing a massive crowd (Spring Studios even brought out two extra rows of seating to accommodate the larger attendance). Old-Hollywood-meets-Space-Age suits and gowns, including a dazzling floor-length highlighter-orange number, were paired with oversized earrings to match, and perfectly executed pin curls. The vibrant orange hue continued throughout the collection, showing up in bigger, more voluminous silhouettes as the show went on. The most impressive piece of the night, though, a cap-sleeved gown the width of a small car, was designed in the designers signature color: an iridescent Kermit-green. Rogers, himself, emerged from backstage, twirling and glowing from the inside out. He danced to the beat of a standing ovation. But dont let that grand exit fool you. Christopher John Rogers has humble plans for whats next. The next big goal for the brand is to continue to exist! NEW YORK, NEW YORK FEBRUARY 08: Christopher John Rogers at the runway for Christopher John Rogers during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery I at Spring Studios on February 08, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows) Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? Christopher John Rogers Spring 2020 Show Review Michelle Obama Just Wore Christopher John Rogers And The 2019 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner Is... Policemen prevented workers from distributing the 'Hanuman Chalisa' among visitors of the 44th International Kolkata Book Fair for some time leading to an altercation between the two sides on Sunday, the last day of the event. Police said they objected to the distribution of the religious book as it could incite passion among the visitors leading to law and order problem. However, the police relented later and the Vishva Hindu Parishad activists resumed giving out the book. "There was tension initially. But when we wanted to know why the Hanuman Chalisa cannot be distributed if other organisations can give out the Quran and the Bible, the police relented and we continued with the distribution," member Swarup Chatterjee told PTI. A police officer said the men also had a brief altercation with some ultra-left student activists before the Parishad's stall. A group of students also took out a rally on the fair ground holding placards against the CAA and shouting slogans against the BJP and Saturday's detention of five protesters. The police stopped the procession. Anti-CAA protesters and BJP and VHP activists were involved in a scuffle when senior party leader Rahul Sinha entered a stall on Saturday. Five anti-CAA protesters were then detained. Publishers and Booksellers Guild, organisers of the book fair, said the two incidents did not disrupt the event. President of the Guild, Tridib Chatterjee, later told reporters that voicing dissent against others' views on the open ground of the book fair when lakhs of people are around is unfortunate. "Kolkata Book Fair is a place where a hundred flowers bloom and different organisations can profess their ideologies without promoting hatred and bigotry," Chatterjee said. To another question, he said books worth Rs 14 crore were sold from over 600 stalls in the book fair till Saturday. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) London: China's most senior diplomat in the UK has admonished Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying the cap on Huawei involvement in the 5G network is not a good representation of the country's claim to be a free-market economy. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming told British television that the string of ex-cabinet ministers seeking an Australian-style ban on the Chinese technology provider was a "witch-hunt". "They are totally wrong, I think what they are doing is a kind of a witch-hunt," Liu told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show. China's Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming appears on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Sunday, 9 February, 2020. Credit:BBC "Huawei is a private-owned company, nothing to do with the Chinese government and the only problem they have is they are a Chinese company." A Sudanese-Australian model who was locked up by U.S. immigration officials for entering the country illegally has been released from custody. Adau Mornyang, 25, was deemed 'illegally present' in America after a judge in Los Angeles sentenced her to probation and community service in July for assaulting and interfering with a flight attendant on a 'nightmare' international flight. She was held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centre in New York for three months before her release on December 21. 'Today marks one year since I got arrested on a Delta fight to Los Angeles,' she wrote on social media on January 21. Adau Mornyang, 25, was deemed 'illegally present' in America after a judge in Los Angeles sentenced her to probation and community service in July for assaulting and interfering with a flight attendant on a 'nightmare' international flight She was held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centre in New York for three months before her release on December 21 'A horrible mistake that now apparently defines me. Today also marks one month since my release from I.C.E detention facility in New York after being held for 3months. 'All hopes to pursue my modeling career that has now come to an end.' She has since returned to Melbourne, according to The Herald Sun. Mornyang's sister, Maria, claimed the model had a valid visa and was in the United States legally on September 17 when she was arrested in a 'surprise ambush' by I.C.E officers who had revoked her visa without notice. 'Adau Mornyang is an illegally present Australian citizen who was processed as an expedited removal,' ICE public affairs officer Rachael Yong Yow told AAP on December 2. 'She was convicted July 15 of an assault stemming from a mid-air disturbance onboard an aircraft. 'Mornyang was taken into ICE custody September 17 and is pending removal from the United States.' Mornyang took to Facebook a month after she was released from and I.C.E facility The 25-year-old mourned the loss of her modelling career after her arrest and detainment Maria Mornyang went public with her sister's plight in November by setting up a GoFundMe page to raise $28,000 for legal fees. Mornyang (pictured), 25, was deemed 'illegally present' in America The model only received $1,085 in donations. Mornyang made world headlines after she was arrested for slapping a flight attendant and other unruly behaviour on the January 21, 2019, United Airlines flight. She faced a maximum 21-year prison sentence. Prosecutors described how Mornyang ordered several glasses of wine on the flight but was cut off when her behaviour deteriorated. She slapped a flight attendant, struck other passengers as she walked down the plane's aisles, yelled vile racial taunts at a black air marshal who tried to restrain her and called another flight attendant 'dumb white trash'. Audio recordings of her ranting were played to jurors. Judge Cormac Carney described it as 'a nightmare flight' but opted against a prison sentence after considering her troubled life as a child refugee from Sudan and being the victim of sexual assault aged 17 in Adelaide. A judge in Los Angeles sentenced Mornyang (pictured) to probation and community service in July for assaulting and interfering with a flight attendant on a 'nightmare' Melbourne to Los Angeles United Airlines flight She was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and three years' probation. Mornyang, a former Miss World Australia finalist who has worked with elite designers including Alexander Wang, was also ordered to undergo drug tests, substance abuse counselling and to abstain from alcohol. Mornyang walked out of Judge Carney's court and with a visa not set to expire until December 2021 believed she could remain in the U.S. 'Adau was shocked since she knew she never entered the United States illegally nor overstayed her visa,' Maria Mornyang wrote on the GoFundMe Page. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- For much of Saturday morning and into early afternoon, downtown Ocean Springs was blanketed with dreary skies and some occasional drizzle. But minutes after the official start time of 1 p.m., the skies cleared, making way for mostly sunny skies as the 45th annual Ocean Springs Elks Parade rolled through downtown Ocean Springs in front of thousands of enthusiastic revelers. An array of floats were among the roughly 80 units participating in the parade, which annually marks the kickoff of parade season in Jackson County. Many of the floats included decorations and/or costumes in keeping with this years parade theme of Shipwrecked. Retired U.S. Marshal Wayne McMurtray reigned as King Fidelity, accompanied by Queen Charity, Stacey Robertson, a past president of the Elks Ladies Auxiliary. Former school teacher turned community activist Heather Eason helped lead the parade as the Elks Grand Marshal. Parade-goers, as normal, were clearly enjoying the event. Whats not to love about this? said Craig Peterson of Gulfport. "We go to a lot of parades over in Harrison County, but really this is the most family-friendly of all the parades. Young people, old people, families with kids -- to me, thats really a big part of the fun. I love watching all the people just having a great time, smiles on everyones faces. In what has become an annual tradition of the Elks parade, the Krewe of Barry float brought up the rear, in full Castaways regalia. Retired New Orleans Saints tackle, now radio play-by-play man, Zach Strieff, rode along as a guest of the Krewe of Barry. Following the parade, an awards ceremony was scheduled during which the Elks were to present awards in a variety of categories. The list of winners was not available at press time. India's proud legacy of its civilisational history would not be complete without the mention of its holy sages and divine thinkers who set an example of how to bring the benefit of spiritual advancement to the man caught in the conundrum of day to day life and who also enriched the human understanding of the universe around us. It is our thinking saints who could, through their insight into how Mother Nature worked, come out with imperical deductions like there being 'no difference between the seen and the unseen', 'the universe turning into nothingness' or 'time having no beginning or end'. Science's discoveries of conversion of matter into energy, phenomenon of 'black hole' and reversibility of time, respectively prove the effectiveness of Indian thought. Albert Einstein, fascinated by Indian spiritualism, famously said, 'Imagination is more important than knowledge' and this is what the sages in meditation, who made these findings through their deep imagination, proved. Our saints naturally were renunciatory in their outlook, were not drawn to living in the midst of population and were at best 'intermediaries' who helped their followers to acknowledge divine supremacy. They never proclaimed to be God themselves. Their 'ashrams' practised frugality and never attracted notice for wealth and luxurious lifestyle. It is a matter of concern that India is now infested with many fake godmen who are, if anything, damaging the pristine gift of our ancient civilisation in the form of spiritual guidance provided by the saints and 'sanyasis' whose natural abode was closer to forests and mountains away from the crowded centres of population and who would only occasionally visit their followers in the cities. The 'saints' in the news these days often are those who stood out for the display of wealth and property, attire of gold and diamonds and the most expensive travel and living habits. One is compelled to recall Tulsidas's description of the class of false 'saints' that Kaliyug -- believed to be the sin-ridden age of today -- would produce. Certainly these fake god men cannot be allowed to smear the civilisational uniqueness of India that produced spiritual guides and thinkers in plenty to enable the society to keep to a value system and pursue both temporal and moral code in life. That quite a few godmen are found to have been on the wrong side of the law in matters like exploitation of minors, money laundering and commission of sexual offences, should give a wake up call to the State to consider ways and means of not letting the precious concept of 'holy men' existing in India down the ages, fall into disrepute and disbelief. The Indian thought of saints and spiritual guides was so strong that it impacted a prophetic religion like Islam in an extraordinary manner when the two interacted at the turn of the 9th Century. In Islam, there was an absolute separation of man and God and no human being could claim any divine attribute. The aridness of the code of faith, however, produced a desire among the believers in Islam to try to 'feel the presence of God' and this gave rise to Sufism that basically claimed that God could be perceived by human beings, helped by the Sufi saints acting as the intermediary -- a clear impact of Hindu spiritual thought was in evidence here. Sufism was initially looked upon as the worst sin of 'Shirk' and it is only after many sacrifices had been made by Sufi 'saints' that it got a place under the Islamic umbrella with the stipulation that the Sufi, while acting as an intermediary between man and God, would not claim any divine attribute for himself and would uphold Tawheed or unity of God. It is ironic that many godmen in our society today lose no time in proclaiming that they were God themselves and, what is worse, crassly exploit the emotions of people by peddling instant cures for ailments and mitigation of losses as 'miracles'. A few points of corrective response from the society suggest themselves. First, while it is true that in the temples of India the deity is worshipped -- the idol being regarded as the visible symbol of God -- and that we have a rich tradition of religious preachers who spoke on the moral guidelines provided in Ramayan and Bhagwat, it would be sacrilegious for a spiritual guide or a holy man to allow the followers to start worshipping him or her as a substitute of God. Protagonists of Hindu religion should speak up against any such attempt. Secondly, no 'Ashram' should have minors inducted there for any reason -- except for their enrolment in the schools sponsored by that religious centre. This should invite attention of the Department of Child Welfare. Thirdly, any report on the commission of a criminal offence by any functionary of the religious establishment run in the name of a godman, should lead to prompt action by the appropriate police authority with arrangements to monitor the possibility of law and order situation being created by misguided followers and henchmen. Fourth, it so happens that in many cases the resources and wealth commanded by a fake god man attracts the patronage of local politicians that acts as a shield of protection against wrong doings of the godman's 'ashram'. These political elements should be handled upfront by the administration as this was not to be mixed up with the issue of management of temples about which an approach of non-interference by the State was in order. And lastly, existence of many fake godmen smears the spiritually deep socio-cultural foundations of India -- their establishments providing refuge to even shady characters can, in fact, weaken the cause of internal security of the country as well. A framework of socio-cultural guidelines evolved by all stake holders should help to check the rise of the phenomenon of fake godmen in India. (The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau) Labour is embroiled in a 'dirty tricks' row after the party reported Keir Starmer's leadership campaign to the information watchdog over claims details of members were hacked. The party confirmed it has notified the independent Information Commissioner after allegations were made about abuse of official databases. According to the BBC, some of Sir Keir's aides have been accused of 'data-scraping' to identify potential supporters to target in the contest. But a spokesman for Sir Keir dismissed the accusations as 'nonsense' and said the campaign categorically denied any wrongdoing. Allies of the shadow Brexit secretary - who this weekend pulled out of hustings events after his mother-in-law died - suggested he was the victim of a dirty tricks campaign. The spat emerged following claims that rival Rebecca Long-Bailey's team had used details held by the party as part of efforts to contact members. A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer (left) denied any wrongdoing over use of members' data. The spat emerged following claims that rival aides to Rebecca Long-Bailey (pictured right at hustings yesterday) team had used details held by the party to contact members Allies of the shadow Brexit secretary suggested he was the victim of a dirty tricks campaign Access to such information is meant to be tightly controlled until February 14, to avoid giving any candidate an unfair advantage. Ms Long-Bailey and Sir Keir are the two frontrunners in the battle to succeed Jeremy Corbyn. The winner is due to be declared on April 4. A Labour Party spokesman said: 'The Labour Party takes its legal responsibilities for data protection - and the security and integrity of its data and systems - extremely seriously. 'We have written to all leadership candidates to remind them of their obligations under the law and to seek assurances that membership data will not be misused.' Labour's general secretary Jennie Formby has ordered a 'thorough investigation' of all the claims. It is understood the party has not yet identified evidence to substantiate the allegations about Ms Long-Bailey's campaign - which has denied any deliberate breach - but is investigating 'separate matters' that emerged as a result. A spokesman for Sir Keir said: 'We categorically reject these nonsensical allegations and are incredibly disappointed that they have been leaked to the media. 'We are still awaiting the party's formal response to the serious concerns we and others had about access to Labour Party membership data.' Starmer campaign chairwoman Jenny Chapman said the leadership contest was 'supposed to be a clean fight'. She said: 'I think this is the sort of thing, it doesn't do the Labour Party any favours. 'Whoever decided to send these sort of threatening letters to people on the Keir Starmer campaign and then to leak it to the BBC really isn't doing the Labour Party or their preferred candidate any favours here.' Ms Chapman added that she is 'completely confident' that their campaign has done 'absolutely nothing wrong' and said she is 'very happy to answer any questions on this'. She said: 'There is nothing that has gone wrong in terms of data in Keir's campaign and there won't be either. 'The only people that we are contacting at the moment are people who have registered to support Keir Starmer and we don't need to engage in this kind of thing, it would be craziness and we're just not going to do it.' Labour MP Steve McCabe tweeted: This is very disappointing but highlights just how much change will be necessary to restore the party to health & make us electable once more. 'Keir can win despite unelected apparatchiks plotting against him because ordinary members have had enough.' The city crime branch arrested Tariq Parveen purportedly an associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim from south Mumbai on Sunday for allegedly aiding another gangster, Ejaz Lakdawala, in a 2 crore extortion case. A holiday court remanded him in police custody till Monday, joint commissioner of police (crime branch) Santosh Rastogi said. The anti-extortion cell (AEC) of the police is conducting an inquiry in the case. Lakdawala, who is already been booked in 32 cases of extortion, was arrested from Bihar on January 8. The police filed a fresh first information report (FIR) against him, Parveen and another aide Salim Penwala alias Salim Maharaj alias Dadhi at the MRA Marg police station in Fort for allegedly threatening a south-Mumbai dry fruit businessman in 2013 of pay 2 crore and later extorting 3 lakh from him. Penwala and Parveen were in touch with Lakdawala, who had been changing his locations outside India. Parveen would act as a mediator, and on behalf of the businessman, asked Penwala to bring down the extortion amount, an AEC officer said. The extortion amount was later brought down to 10 lakh, following which Penwala collected 3 lakh from the businessman, the police said. The duo then kept threatening the businessman to pay them the remaining 7 lakh, following which he closed his business in 2014 and returned to his native place in Gujarat, the officer said. The police is trying to trace the chats between Penwala and Lakdawala to discover if the ill-gotten money was invested in any property. Lakdawala and Penwala are already in police custody till February 15 under the Maharashtra Control of Organiser Crime Act (MCOCA) Act for allegedly extorting 2 crore from a Byculla-based builder. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state is taking every measure to restore the mandate of its governorship candidate, Emeka Ihedioha, who was ousted out of government house by the Supreme Court. Recall that PDP and Ihedioha had approached the Supreme Court, asking it to review the judgment it delivered on January 14, 2020, which nullified his election as Imo governor. After taking the legal step of requesting for the review of the verdict, PDP went spiritual on Saturday, February 8, declaring 7-day fasting and prayer to ensure Emeka Ihedioha get a favourable ruling. A statement signed by the partys State Secretary, Nze Ray Emeana, on Saturday, states that the spiritual exercise would commence on Sunday, February 9, 2020. PDP Members in the state, are instructed to dress in black during the spiritual exercise. During this period, all ward excos should request for mass in their local churches and assemble at LGA party secretariat daily at noon for prayers and breaking of fast, the statement partly reads. Prayer point is asking God to intervene and restore the victory of Emeka Ihedioha as the duly elected governor of Imo State. We enjoin the Imo people to remain peaceful and prayerful as we await judgment on the review filed by the winner of the governorship election, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha at the Supreme Court. This is coming after the Supreme Court had declared Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 9 governorship election in Imo state. The apex court agreed that results in 388 polling units were unlawfully excluded during the collation of the final governorship election result in Imo State. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun said that with the results from the 388 polling units added, Uzodinma polled a majority of the lawful votes and ought to have been declared the winner of the election by the. Photo credit: David Becker - Getty Images From Delish Country music superstars Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line (Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley) have a long history of collaborating. The talented musicians have toured the world together. The lead single off of Aldean's ninth studio album 9 back in November was co-written by Hubbard. If I listed more examples, we'd be here all day. For their most recent collab, the trio stepped outside of their comfort zone to create their their very own bourbon, known as Wolf Moon. Aged in new American oak casks for four years, the whiskey has notes of candied fruit, caramel, honey and sweet corn. After a show we toured together for a year or so, maybe a little longer and after the shows, wed all go back in the dressing rooms. Its the best part of the night, Aldean told People magazine. You just played your show and hopefully sent everyone home happy, and its our time to get to relax and unwind a little bit and hang out with your friends and have a drink. Kelly and Hubbard told the magazine that the new beverage is the result of many shared memories. Now fans can create their own over a glass of bourbon. Weve made so many memories over a glass of whiskey and knew that we wanted to create something special together," the pair said. "But what we love the most is that now we can share Wolf Moon with our entire pack our friends, family and fans everywhere. Truth be told, this isn't the first time the duo has dipped their toes into the beverage industry. Old Camp Whiskey, which the pair introduced back in 2016, has a peach pecan flavor that's perfect to enjoy over ice on a hot summer night. Wolf Moon Bourbon will be available at your local retailer very soon, but you can raise a glass now by ordering a 750-ml bottle o Reserve Bar. You Might Also Like (Newser) Confronted with trillion-dollar-plus deficits for as far as the eye can see, President Trump is offering a budget plan that rehashes previously rejected spending cuts while leaving Social Security and Medicare benefits untouched. Trumps fiscal 2021 budget plan, expected to be released Monday, isnt likely to generate a serious Washington dialogue about what to do, if anything this election year, about entrenched fiscal problems that have deficits surging despite a healthy economy. It was being released on the eve of the New Hampshire primary, a move that minimizes attention. For more in a fairly critical AP summary: story continues below The budget proposal relies on rosy economic projections and fanciful claims of future cuts to domestic programs to show that it is possible to bend the deficit curve in the right direction. Trump and key administration figures such as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had promised that Trumps signature cuts to corporate and individual tax rates would pay for themselves; instead the deficit spiked by more than $300 billion over 2017 to 2019, falling just short of $1 trillion. Part of it is eye-popping levels for defense, about $750 billion this year, and comparable gains for domestic programs favored by Democrats. In this years budget release, Trump has revealed initiatives of interest to key 2020 battleground states, such as an increase to $250 million to restore Floridas Everglades and a move to finally abandon a multibillion-dollar, never used, nuclear waste dump thats political poison in Nevada. The White House also leaked word of a $25 billion proposal for "Revitalizing Rural America" with grants for broadband Internet access and other traditional infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. The Trump budget also promises a $3 billion increaseto $25 billionfor NASA in hopes of returning astronauts to the moon and on to Mars. It also is likely to reprise his small-bore infrastructure initiative while proposing a modest parental leave plan. Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to promise voters that his budget "will not be touching your Social Security or Medicare" in keeping with his longstanding 2016 campaign promise. The reality is that no oneTrump, the Democratic-controlled House, or the GOP-held Senatehas any interest in tackling a chronic budget gap that forces the government to borrow 22 cents of every dollar it spends. (Read more federal budget stories.) The devastated mother of Harry Dunn is livid after it was claimed the American woman wanted over his death was a CIA agent. Charlotte Charles has demanded answers over claims that Anne Sacoolas, who fled Britain after crashing into the teenagers motorbike outside an air base last August, served as a senior spy. The US government has refused to extradite the mother-of-three, claiming Mrs Sacoolas the wife of an intelligence officer based at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire has diplomatic immunity. Charlotte Charles (left), the devastated mother of Harry Dunn (right), is livid after it was claimed the American woman wanted over his death was a CIA agent British officials are said to have been aware of Mrs Sacoolass career in espionage, but she was not declared as an agent when she came to the UK with her husband Jonathan and had no official role. Pictured: Mrs Sacoolas back home in Virginia last week British officials are said to have been aware of Mrs Sacoolass career in espionage, but she was not declared as an agent when she came to the UK with her husband Jonathan and had no official role. Mrs Charles said: How could they do this to us? We have thrown ourselves into building relationships with the Government despite the terrible way they were treating us. We believe in giving people a second chance. But I am livid today and my family are full of anger. Mrs Charles said the fresh reports in The Mail on Sunday shows that they have not been candid with us at all. Harry, 19, was killed on August 27 last year. Mrs Sacoolas, 42, claimed diplomatic immunity as the wife of an intelligence official and was able to return to her home country, sparking an international outcry. She was charged with causing Harrys death by dangerous driving in December but US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected an extradition request. Multiple sources in Washington and London have reportedly confirmed Mrs Sacoolass CIA background with one even claiming she was more senior than her husband. US government sources told the newspaper that Mrs Sacoolas was not active in the UK, although a security source added: You never really leave the CIA. A three-storey commercial building collapsed while digging work was on at an adjoining site in Punjab's Mohali district on Saturday, leaving one person dead, officials said. Taking a serious note of the incident, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh asked the Mohali additional district magistrate to conduct a thorough probe into the matter and submit his report within a week. The officials said three persons have been rescued and efforts are on to find out if more people were trapped under the debris. "The commercial building collapsed when a JCB machine was digging an adjoining plot for construction of basement," Kharar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Himanshu Jain said. Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan said the JCB machine driver, identified as Harvinder Singh, has died in the incident. His body was retrieved from the debris late on Saturday evening. The officials said the heavy earth moving machine might have hit the foundation of the building, but added that the exact cause of the incident would be known after the inquiry. They further said sniffer dogs were still looking for any person trapped under the debris. Two persons were rescued earlier and one, who sustained a fracture in his arm, was taken out of the debris in the evening, Jain said. A 30-member team of the National Disaster Response Force was engaged in the rescue operation and one more NDRF team from Ludhiana was also called, the SDM, adding that police and civil administration personnel and members of some NGOs were also providing assistance in the rescue operation. The administration made all arrangements for undertaking rescue operation at night to ensure nobody remains trapped under the debris. The chief minister also directed the district administration to take all possible steps to rescue those trapped under the debris. As per the chief minister's order, the entire cost of the treatment of those injured in the incident would be borne by the Punjab government, a state government spokesperson said. Mohali Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dayalan said the SDM of Kharar has been ordered to inquire into the incident and submit a report within three days. "How did this happen and did they (builder) have requisite permission to do this will be known only after the inquiry," said Dayalan. The probe would also ascertain if the construction was illegal or not, the statement said. A mobile tower was also stated to have fallen down where the building collapsed, the officials said. The army was put on standby to assist in the rescue operation incase the need arises, the DC said. Requisite machinery and equipment were pressed into service in the rescue operation, the SDM said. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh earlier expressed anguish over the incident and said he has sought a detailed report from the Mohali deputy commissioner. "Anguished to learn of the collapse of a three-storeyed building in Kharar today with 2 people trapped. @NDRF , Fire Brigade & Mohali Admin are on the spot for immediate rescue and relief. Have asked DC Mohali @GirishDayalan to send a detailed report on what caused this collapse," Singh tweeted. The Clostridium difficile pathogen takes its name from the French word for "difficult." A bacterium that is known to cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening colon damage, C. difficile is part of a growing epidemic of concern for the elderly and patients on antibiotics. Outbreaks of C. difficile-infected cases have progressively increased in Western countries, with 29,000 reported deaths per year in the United States alone. Now, biologists at the University of California San Diego are drawing parallels from newly developed models of the common fruit fly to help lay the foundation for novel therapies to fight the pathogen's spread. Their report is published in the journal iScience. C. difficile infections pose a serious risk to hospitalized patients. This research opens a new avenue for understanding how this pathogen gains an advantage over other beneficial bacteria in the human microbiome through its production of toxic factors. Such knowledge could aid in devising strategies to contain this pathogen and reduce the great suffering it causes." Ethan Bier, distinguished professor in the Division of Biological Sciences and science director of the UC San Diego unit of the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) As with most bacterial pathogens, C. difficile secretes toxins that enter host cells, disrupt key signaling pathways and weaken the host's normal defense mechanisms. The most potent strains of C. difficile unleash a two-component toxin that triggers a string of complex cellular responses, culminating in the formation of long membrane protrusions that allow the bacteria to attach more effectively to host cells. UC San Diego scientists in Bier's lab created strains of fruit flies that are capable of expressing the active component of this toxin, known as "CDTa." The strains allowed them to study the elaborate mechanisms underlying CDTa toxicity in a live model system focused on the gut, which is key since the digestive system of these small flies is surprisingly similar to that of humans. "The fly gut provides a rapid and surprisingly accurate model for the human intestine, which is the site of infection by C. difficile," said Bier. "The vast array of sophisticated genetic tools in flies can identify new mechanisms for how toxic factors produced by bacteria disrupt cellular processes and molecular pathways. Such discoveries, once validated in a mammalian system or human cells, can lead to novel treatments for preventing or reducing the severity of C. difficile infections." The fruit fly model gave the researchers a clear path to examine genetic interactions disrupted at the hands of CDTa. They ultimately found that the toxin induces a collapse of networks that are essential for nutrient absorption. As a result, the model flies' body weight, fecal output and overall lifespan were severely reduced, mimicking symptoms in human C. difficile-infected patients. The parliamentary elections (Milli Majlis) of Azerbaijan are very well organized, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Federated Organization, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs, member of the Russia-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Group, Arkady Chernetskiy, said in an exclusive interview with Vestnik Kavkaza. "Everything is in accordance with the laws on elections that exist in this country. Turnout is growing. In the morning, poor weather conditions didn't allow a large number of people to vote, but right now the flow of citizens coming here is increasing. Rules that must be observed at polling stations are being strictly followed. People who are here as observers behave very well," he said. Elections to the Azerbaijani parliament of the sixth convocation kicked off Feb.9. Around 883 international and 77,790 local observers will observe the voting process. Of the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. gettyimagesbank By Lee Kyung-min The fast-spreading new coronavirus will have a worse-than-expected impact on Korea's export-reliant economy due to the country's heavy dependence on intermediate goods imported from China, experts said Sunday. The growing pessimism fuels concerns that Asia's fourth-largest economy, still reeling from a slowdown due to the drawn-out U.S.-China feud, should brace for a further drop in exports, investment and consumption. Most international organizations and global investment banks have projected that Korea will not be able to see its exports grow even 3 percent in 2020, a target set by the government in its economic policy outlook at the end of 2019. The most pessimistic view came from the London-based research group Oxford Economics, which said Korea's exports will only grow 0.5 percent year-on-year in 2020. This was followed by JP Morgan Chase and Societe Generale which estimated Korea's export growth rate at 1.8 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here HAMMOND The last of three defendants employed at a Dyer auto title shop has pleaded guilty in federal court in a vehicle title washing scheme. The conspiracy was to designed to make money for the Dyer business by fraudulently obtaining clean vehicle titles for salvage cars and then turning around and selling the vehicles at a higher price, court records show. Synthia Espinoza, 21, of Hammond, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to commit identity theft, according to U.S. District court records. A co-worker, Ruth Alma Torres, 52, of Hammond, and her boss, Salvatore Falco, 52, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to the same charge in the scheme this past summer, records show. Falco owned the USA Auto Title Services in Dyer, while Espinosa and Torres were employed there. From fall 2013 until spring 2015, they forged the signatures of law enforcement officers to submit forms to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. It was part of a conspiracy in which the defendants completed Indiana BMV application packets for title certificates with rebuilt designations without completing all the steps to get a clean title, such as making the necessary repairs, prosecutors alleged. Arriving at what should have been a bucolic riverbank scene, I found myself confronted with a revolting and deeply shameful sight. Shreds of green, black and white plastic bags flapped like leaves from the low-lying branches of the trees. Adorning the bank were washed-up shoes, bags of dog excrement and innumerable other items of plastic detritus. A peek in the river proved even more horrifying it was strewn with greying wet wipes, sanitary pads and kitchen cloths. Eco Emily: Showing off waste from the Mersey. Volunteers were joined by The Mail and staff from the Mersey Rivers Trust to clear rubbish near Stockport in Greater Manchester Happily, the beauty of this patch of the Mersey has been restored and is once again the perfect mossy perch to enjoy the water. What caused the dramatic transformation? People power and a growing desire to make Britain tidy again. The Mail joined litter-picking volunteers and staff from the Mersey Rivers Trust to clear rubbish near Stockport in Greater Manchester. We made quite a difference, filling 31 bin bags from less than a mile of riverbank in two and a half hours. Be-wellied and wearing rubber gloves, I delved into the river with dismay, helping to drag out an inflatable ring, two shopping trolleys and the bumper of a van. I was astounded at just how full of rubbish the Mersey was. But this is the reality of Britains most plastic-polluted river. Even the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating vortex of rubbish twice the size of France, has fewer pieces of plastic per square yard than the 70 miles of the Mersey. Last year, Greenpeace researchers who held a net in the river for half an hour picked up 875 pieces. To stop this overwhelming tide of plastic, and return our rivers to thriving ecosystems, the Mail and Keep Britain Tidy are urging readers to join the fight against trash, enlisting up to a million volunteers for the Great British Spring Clean from March 20 to April 13. Team effort: The group managed to fill 31 bin bags (pictured) from less than a mile of riverbank in two and a half hours. It is the reality of Britain's most plastic-polluted river where even the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating vortex of rubbish twice the size of France, has fewer pieces of plastic per square yard than the 70 miles of the Mersey More than 500,000 volunteers took part in last years event but this year we can do even better. The litter-pickers in Stockport would be thrilled with extra support. The Mersey was named the worst of 13 major rivers tested for plastics by Greenpeace last year. John Sanders, of the Mersey Rivers Trust, said the fight against littering was a constant battle, adding: Visible plastic is detracting from the amenity value of rivers, tends to discourage people from visiting local rivers, and gives some the impression that it is OK to litter or flytip in or next to rivers. Last year, his team picked up 120 traffic cones and 140 tyres, as well as, trays and even dentures. The trust runs about five sessions a month and collected 1,000 bin bags of litter in 2019 as well as 42 bikes and 80 shopping trolleys. It has stopped heaps of rubbish being washed around 60 miles downstream into the Irish Sea. So why is the Mersey so polluted and how can we stop it being filled with yet more rubbish? Sewage tunnels explain the wet wipes and sanitary pads. Each year we buy 11million wet wipes for babies, make-up, or first-aid kits. Nearly all are made of polyester. Transformed: The same spot after a Mersey Rivers Trust clean-up in November. The Mersey was named the worst of 13 major rivers tested for plastics by Greenpeace last year Despite this, Britons still flush them down the loo, perhaps unaware that they add to the plastic waste threatening the oceans. When they break down, they release tiny particles called microplastics that may contribute to the deaths of sea creatures. Fifty dolphins, seals and whales washed up on the coast last year had microplastics in their digestive systems. The river bank saw plastic tangled up in tree roots just months before But we cant blame wet wipes alone these particles are also released into rivers and the sea from clothes washing, driving our cars which shed them from tyres and fishing with nets. Among the plastic Greenpeace found on the Mersey last year were bio-beads tiny, pernicious pellets that filter chemical and organic contaminants from sewage in waste water treatment plants. Bio-beads, which are only 3.5mm wide, absorb toxic chemicals, including the banned pesticide DDT, and these pellets are often mistaken for food by birds, fish and other sea creatures. There is evidence that insects living in riverbeds may be affected by chemicals such as DDT. In a few weeks, a healthy population of river insects will be a crucial food source for the sand martins that migrate to the river from Africa. The Mersey is also home to otters, mink, dippers, grey herons, kingfishers, crayfish and eels all of which rely on a delicate ecosystem easily harmed by plastic. Larger items such as nets and plastic bags pose a problem, too. They can strangle animals from deer to seals, while whales have washed ashore with stomachs full of bags and nylon rope. People have seen the rivers previously as a bit of an out-of-sight, out-of-mind dumping ground, said Nick Carter, as he fished out yet another wet wipe. Blighted: More tyres and a metal tank ruin a bucolic scene (pictured left) and after the spring clean (pictured right) An ecologist and trustee of the Mersey Rivers Trust, his message is clear: By picking up litter, we are preserving a healthy home for wildlife. Plenty of bottles, straws and plastic bags have also been found on the Mersey. Trees on the riverbank are riddled with discoloured carrier bags. Spongy white polystyrene balls used in packaging have been fished out of the river. This plastic which we also use for takeaway food and drink containers breaks up into smaller pieces that are ingested by sea creatures. In Lancashire, many rivers flow through old tips, picking up man-made waste as they go. They also pass by derelict factories, collecting all kinds of materials and chemicals. Some of the plastic pieces are also thought to come from modern industries. Greenpeace found nurdles pellets used to create other plastic products near a plant that produces them on the Mersey. More than 80 per cent of all the plastic items the researchers recovered fell into three types polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene. These are the varieties most widely used for single-use packaging for our food, toiletries and online deliveries. In addition, much of the plastic that enters the Mersey is dropped carelessly by litterers. Evidence of this is strewn across its banks. On one sandy river edge, mosses and small green weeds such as celandine jostle forlornly among strips of plastic sheeting. A slope leading up from the water is filling with wild garlic but the leafy floor is also dotted with bags of dog poo. What a haul! Volunteers and staff are pictured wellied and wearing rubber gloves, delving into the river with dismay, helping to drag out plastic pollution. Among the plastic Greenpeace found on the Mersey last year were bio-beads The visible plastic on the Mersey shoreline (pictured) is 'detracting from the amenity value of rivers' and 'discourages people from visiting' as well as giving the message that it is okay to flytip, according to John Sanders, of the Mersey Rivers Trust It feels as if plastic is taking over nature. Some 14 million plastic items are dropped or blown into our waterways every year, according to the Canal and River Trust. But we cannot simply give up. We must keep trying to stem the tide of plastic waste for all our sakes. Education is key, says John Sanders of the Mersey Rivers Trust. If children are taught about littering at schools, they will often pressure their parents into being more careful with waste. To stop microplastic pollution, campaigners say we must reinvent items that break down into these particles and learn to reuse them. Greenpeace is also demanding swift government action. In the Environment Bill making its way through Parliament, ministers have pledged to make plastic producers more responsible for waste, introduce a deposit return scheme for bottles and cut down on single-use plastics. Solving the plastic puzzle is a mammoth task. But Ive seen for myself the difference just one afternoons work makes. Up and down the country, our waterways are flowing with garbage. The Thames and the Aire in Yorkshire are also among the worst. So wherever you are in the country, get out there and join the Mails Great British Spring Clean and lets make our rivers sparkle again. The billion pieces of plastic that come with your takeaway By Steve Doughty Social Affairs Correspondent Takeaway delivery companies distribute more than one billion plastic trays, lids and bags every year, according to estimates published yesterday. The online meal industry, worth 8billion annually, provides 200million takeaways a year and a typical delivery is likely include six pieces of plastic from the boxes and lids used to pack food down to straws, cutlery, and sachets of sauce. Takeaway deliveries companies such as Deliveroo (file image) contribute more than one billion plastic trays, lids and bags every year, according to estimates published yesterday The Sunday Times found that 15 meals ordered from three leading delivery companies Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats for between 20 and 30 contained more than 100 plastic items, even after offers of plastic cutlery had been declined. Food service industry consultant Peter Backman told the newspaper: Some of the most important customers for home delivery are the so-called millennials, who may be concerned about saving the planet but dont seem to be grumbling about the amount of plastic in their food. The price of convenience trumps the environment, but companies will come under pressure to go greener. Just Eat said pollution was a key focus area and it was seeking an alternative to plastic food trays, while Deliveroo said it had launched a new eco-friendly packaging range to help restaurants and would introduce eco-friendly initiatives this year, including as trays made from seaweed. Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats for between 20 and 30 contained more than 100 plastic items, even after offers of plastic cutlery had been declined. Pictured is a McDonald's meal available through the takeaway online services Uber Eats said it was committed to helping restaurants and users reduce single-use plastic waste. It added: By default, orders from most restaurants come without plastic straws, utensils and paper napkins, unless requested. We also encourage all restaurants to use non-plastic packaging and provide partners with access to an eco-friendly packaging supplier. Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet said: The plastic sachet is everywhere and yet is invisible to us. Every year we make almost a trillion of these uncollectable, unrecyclable, contaminated, valueless little packets, enough to completely wrap our planet from pole to pole. You might be happy to receive your next takeaway in a paper bag or a pulp based tray, but now please notice those plastic sachets. HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, secretary general of Alwaleed Philanthropies, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud, has been appointed as the first ever Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab States by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) during a press conference at the 10th session of the World Urban Forum. UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries, supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. Highly regarded for her humanitarian work and philanthropic efforts to advance sustainable and inclusive development for the most vulnerable, HRH Princess Lamia as Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Arab States will advocate for sustainable urbanisation, helping UN-Habitat to address urban challenges in Arab states and advance sustainable urbanisation as a driver of development and peace. In her role as secretary general at Alwaleed Philanthropies, HRH Princess Lamia leads an all-female team that is combatting inequalities and providing opportunities for those in need in the Middle East and around the world. In addition to investing in programs and initiatives that build cross-cultural understanding, develop communities, empower women and young people and assist those affected by disasters, Alwaleed Philanthropies has established partnerships with global organisations in humanitarian issues, healthcare, development and civil society. Commenting on receiving the award, HRH Princess Lamia said: I am extremely humbled to be appointed as the first ever Regional Goodwill Ambassador for the Arab world on behalf of UN-Habitat. I very much hope that this appointment serves as inspiration for young people across the Arab region that there is no limitation on their aspirations. My appointment comes as we celebrate 40 years of Alwaleed Philanthropies. If there is one thing that we have learnt from these four decades of experience, it is that every person has an important role to play when facing the worlds most pressing challenges. Overcoming a problem or transforming someones life can often be achieved by thinking differently and developing the simplest of solutions. It only takes one person to make a difference and as a Goodwill Ambassador I hope to inspire people across the Arab world to think about the role that they can play in helping to address the impact of rapid urbanisation across our cities, communities and climate. Alwaleed Philanthropies has been working with UN-Habitat across a number of regional and global projects including: Working with disaster relief agencies such as Habitat for Humanity, International Medical Corp and the World Food Programme to provide support to the victims of the Nepal Earthquake, along with a donation of $1 million going towards affected families. Partnership with Misr El Kheir Foundation in Egypt to launch the Sutra Project, an initiative that aims to build 10,000 housing units for Egyptian families with the highest needs over the next ten years. Alwaleed Philanthropies is partnering with the Ministries of Housing, Urban Communities, Local Development and Social Welfare in Egypt to complete this project. Undertook a three-year partnership to provide disaster relief to those that need it most across five different countries including Nepal, Vanuatu, Ecuador, Japan and most recently Sri Lanka. In total, over 7,300 families have received vital support. - TradeArabia News Service Saoirse Ronan: Actress is in the running for Little Women Oscar winners should be decided only by Academy members who have seen all longlisted films, it has been suggested, amid deep resentment at the "snobby" institution rejecting actors whose "brand" they don't value. Tonight's Oscars have been overshadowed by controversy, after Jennifer Lopez was ignored for her role in Hustlers, and Adam Sandler snubbed for Uncut Gems. The rejection of their work was put partly down to snobbery, and partly down to Academy members not bothering to watch the films. "First of all, Hustlers is not an 'Oscar movie'," one Academy member said. "It's a little too rough around the edges, and I'm assuming some other people in the acting category didn't see it. Actors tend to think of Jennifer Lopez as a phenomenon more than an actress, per se. Lady Gaga lost the Oscar to Olivia Colman - a real actor's actor." The voter added that an actor's reputation in Hollywood can decide a category more than their performance, and that many Academy members will not watch all the films up for nomination. "Unfortunately, actors become brands. Sandler's brand doesn't scream 'Oscar!' - but Leo DiCaprio's and Jonathan Pryce's do." Actress Carey Mulligan agreed and argued that the 8,000 members of the Academy should have to prove that they had seen the films in their category. Each member is allowed to vote in their section - be it acting, make-up, editing and so on. Unlike the Tony Awards, for Broadway shows, there is no requirement to prove you have seen the films. Mulligan, nominated for an Oscar in 2010 for An Education, said forcing all voting members to watch the films would mean more recognition for female directors. "I don't think you can watch those films and not think they deserve recognition," she said. "Maybe you shouldn't be allowed to vote unless you can prove you've seen every single one. The films that did get left out are indisputably brilliant." No women were nominated for best director, and only one non-white person received recognition for acting. The situation is not new. In 92 years, only five women have been nominated for best director, and only one has won - Kathryn Bigelow, in 2010, with The Hurt Locker. Women made up 10.6pc of the directors of the top 100 grossing movies of 2019 - the highest figure since 2007 when academics began tracking such data. The favourites to win best director are Sam Mendes (1917), Martin Scorsese (The Irishman), Todd Phillips (Joker), Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) and Bong Joon-ho (Parasite). Some races appear to be already locked up. Brad Pitt is favourite for best supporting actor for his role as a laid-back stunt double in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. "Like Clark Gable, Pitt has an aura, just an effortless zen, macho thing," said one reviewer. Joaquin Phoenix is tipped as best actor for his portrayal of an isolated loner in Joker, while Renee Zellweger may have locked up best actress for playing an aging Judy Garland in Judy - though Saoirse Ronan is still in with a chance for Little Women. Five-time Grammy winner Billie Eilish will also take the stage for a performance that could see her debut her theme song for the upcoming James Bond movie, No Time to Die. The Academy Awards ceremony takes place tonight in Hollywood and highlights are on Network 2 at 9.35pm tomorrow. The bills that have been under consideration would clear the way for automakers and tech firms to deploy tens of thousands of self-driving vehicles without human controls on U.S. roads if they could demonstrate the vehicles were at least as safe as human-driven vehicles. They would also bar states from setting performance standards for self-driving cars. Meghan McCain is stirring the drama on The View once again. The Hot Topics table had been quiet for a couple of weeks since Abby Huntsmans exit. Following days of rumors around the co-hosts, there seemed to be peace on the show until this week. After a serious debate about the impeachment trial in the senate, things got heated between McCain and Whoopi Goldberg. The former called the latter dismissive and fans were not having it. Meghan McCain | Greg Endries/Bravo How did the feud start? The ladies of The View were giving Mitt Romney props for going against his Republican party. He cast the only GOP vote to convict and take Donald Trump out of office. McCain doesnt fully trust the Utah senator and warned Goldberg about putting all her bets on him. Listen, I am 63 years old, Goldberg reminded McCain. I have been going through this with these people for years. Im 35 years old, McCain interjected. Yes, and youre half my age, Goldberg added. Thats very dismissive, McCain continued. I dont understand what my age has to do with my political perspective right now. Before this, Goldberg had invoked John McCain, saying that she put faith in him as she did with Romney. That did not sit well with McCain who fired back. With all due to respect Mitt Romney is nothing like my dad, McCain fired back as she sipped her drink. Fans defend Whoopi Goldberg Unlike McCain, fans understood Goldberg and what she was trying to say. The shows moderator wasnt dismissing McCain because of her age, she was just saying she has had more experience with politicians flipping on their ideas. Viewers on The Views official YouTube page sided with Goldberg and dragged McCain in the comments section. Whoopi actually stayed rather calm despite how nasty Meghan got. Honestly, they all look tired of her and over it, a fan commented. Meghan, Im 35 as well and your ignorance is unbelievably high. Youre also insanely disrespectful and arrogant, another fan added. This is the problem with Meghan McCain, she is not letting Whoopi finish and then tries to be the victim. This is all calculating, a viewer replied. I dont know why it was so hard for Meghan to understand Whoopis point, it was quite simple really. Meghan has got some serious issues, another viewer said. Whoopi was trying to say something that probably made a lot of sense but well never know because Meghan is rude and disrespectful, a YouTube user wrote. She went from aggressor to victim, to aggressor in under 3 minutes, another YouTube user added. Meghan McCain acknowledges the previous feud with Whoopi Goldberg The feud between Goldberg and McCain happened soon after the latter acknowledged the previous fight back in December. This was the fight where Goldberg told McCain to stop talking. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, McCain finally addressed the issue. It was rough, McCain said. I will say that she was having a bad day and we talked about it that night and the next day. Its live TV and its really stressful times for everyone. I adore her. She apologized off-air, she apologized on-air. We all f***-up on the show. I forgive her and I love her and I could not do the show if she leaves, I go. The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET and 10 a.m. CT/PT. ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIACanada is standing by in case China asks for more help as it grapples with the novel coronavirus outbreak that originated there, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday, noting that the virus continues to pose little threat in this country. Trudeau said Canada has already responded to Chinas request for medical equipment, including face masks and other protective gear, as the infection rate and death toll from the virus continues to climb. We are going to continue to work with them to ensure that they have the resources to contain this virus, he told a news conference near the end of his three-day visit to Ethiopia. We recognize it is a difficult and uncertain time for them and for everyone around the world but as an international community we do have to continue to work together and were there to help. Most cases of the new coronavirus are mild, but the respiratory illness can be deadly in some people. More than 37,000 have been sickened worldwide and more than 800 have died, with the death toll now higher than that of the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003. Two deaths thus far occurred in patients outside of China, one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines. Seven cases of novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Canada. An update from the Public Health Agency of Canada says four cases are in British Columbia and three are in Ontario. The measures we have taken on as recommended by the World Health Organization and our own chief medical officer are effective until now, Trudeau said. We continue to monitor the situation internationally, work with our partners, particularly the WHO, to make sure that everything were doing is consistent with what needs to happen to keep Canadians safe. The virus originated in Wuhan, Chinas fifth biggest city, and more than 70 per cent of the confirmed cases worldwide were diagnosed in patients in that country. China took extraordinary measures to try to keep the virus from spreading, including quarantining entire cities such as Wuhan. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, who is with Trudeau in Africa, said a second plane left Trenton, Ont., very early Sunday morning to bring home more Canadians who have asked to return from China. The flight is headed first to Hong Kong where it will have to wait before going into Wuhan. Chinese authorities are giving foreign nations small time openings in which to land and fly out with their citizens. The plane would be leaving (China) on the 10th of February, bringing back the last group of Canadians who want to be repatriated on the 11th, Champagne said. There are 236 Canadians waiting to board the plane from a city that has been under quarantine for weeks as Chinese authorities try to contain the viruss spread, Canadian officials said Sunday. A first planeload of Canadians arrived at an Ontario military base last Friday, carrying 176 people, including two members of the rapid deployment team, said Champagne. A second group that travelled to Canada on a U.S. flight brought the total of repatriated Canadians to 213, he said. Those evacuees are being kept at CFB Trenton for 14 days to make sure they dont get sick and start spreading the germs across the country. However, eight Canadian Forces medical staff who accompanied the evacuees from China were released from quarantine Sunday. Canadas chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, said in a statement that shes assessed each member of the medical staff and concluded they are not at risk of exposure to the virus. They did not spend time in Wuhan, followed appropriate infection prevention and control protocols including the use of personal protective equipment and did not have unprotected contact with the passengers who were flown to Canada, Tam said. Of the 213 evacuees still in quarantine at CFB Trenton, Tam said none have exhibited any symptoms of the virus. Under the Quarantine Act, Tam has the discretion to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether to shorten the quarantine period based on an assessment of the risk of harm to public health. The federal government is also monitoring the well-being of 285 Canadians quarantined on two cruise ships off the coast of Japan and Hong Kong. There are seven Canadians with confirmed cases of the coronavirus contracted aboard one of the ships, which is docked in the port city of Yokohama, just outside Tokyo. Those patients have been taken to Japanese hospitals for treatment and monitoring. Champagne said hed spoken to the head of the cruise line earlier in the day. I wanted to make sure that were all linked up, he said. I wanted to make sure were all there for the families, for the people who are there. Read more about: Doctors, Engineers, Public Advocates, and Scientists Ask Trump for 5G Moratorium In 2018 5G was installed in some New York neighborhoods and residents and their pets immediately started experiencing symptoms from exposure. Some put their homes up for sale because of it. This was reported on social media by Dr. Naomi Wolf. People getting sick from 5G isnt exclusive to New York (see 1, 2, 3). In December, doctors, scientists, engineers, and public advocates asked President Trump for a moratorium on 5G because of serious biological, environmental, and safety risks (see 1, 2). Multiple 5G lawsuits have been filed (see 1, 2, 3, 4). Adding insult to injury, telecom companies have still provided NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE that 5G is even safe. Because of increasing widespread 5G opposition, some state legislators are introducing bills to study biological and environmental effects of 5G. One of them is New York State Assemblyman, Thomas Abinanti. From 5G Crisis: New York State Assemblyman, Thomas Abinanti, has introduced a bill to study the health and environmental effects of evolving 5G technology. Your state should do the same! Send this sample 5G state law to your state representatives today and urge them to take action to protect the health and safety of their constituents from the greedy telecom industry! Since New York City just approved more 5G in streetlamps, traffic poles and fiber, now seems to be a good time to actually study how much its going to hurt everybody and everything. It also sounds like the storyline from some kind of apocalyptic movie. Too bad Escape from New York has already been taken because some cities and countries have already banned 5G. Unfortunately, its still continuing to be installed and turned on in many places (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) AND satellites are being launched to blast it from the sky. So finding a safe place to escape will be difficult if not impossible for most of us. Additional catastrophic 5G warnings have been cited by meteorologists, NASA, NOAA, the U.S. Navy, security experts and other respected sources (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). So theres that too. Feel like a guinea pig yet? Cameroon voted Sunday in polls overshadowed by a partial opposition boycott and separatist violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Elections for the central African country's legislature and local councils are taking place for the first time in seven years, after two postponements. They are unlikely to ruffle the enduring rule of President Paul Biya, one of the world's oldest and longest-serving leaders, who has held a tight grip on power for 37 of his 86 years. As voting began large numbers of police and soldiers were seen deployed on the streets of Buea, the capital of the Southwest Region, one of two provinces gripped by bloody separatist violence. But polling stations in the city were quiet with no violence reported about four hours after they opened at 8am (0700 GMT). Most of the morning's voting appeared to have been done by members of the security forces, deployed to keep the peace. A 28-month conflict in the country's English-speaking regions has claimed more than 3,000 lives / AFP/File The main opposition party, the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) is refusing to field a single candidate. The boycott will all but guarantee a crushing victory for the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC in its French initials), which in the outgoing legislature had 148 out of 180 seats. The other large opposition party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), which currently has 18 seats, will take part in Sunday's vote, going back on a threat to snub it. In the capital Yaounde, it appeared that enthusiasm for the vote was subdued, with no crowds outside polling stations in the district of Briqueterie. "People went to mass first, there'll be more coming in the afternoon," said one election official. "I want to do my duty as a citizen," said Abdias Lah, one of the few voters to cast an early ballot. - 'Spiral of violence' - Cameroon is struggling with two conflicts. In the two English-speaking regions -- the southwest and northwest -- the armed forces are battling separatists who want to secede from the majority French-speaking country. Cameroon / AFP/File The conflict has claimed more than 3,000 lives and caused more than 700,000 people to flee since it began over two years ago, according to tolls compiled by NGOs. Amnesty International said there has been a "surge in violence" by the Cameroon military in the weeks leading up to the vote, resulting in killings and the displacement of thousands in the English-speaking regions. "In recent weeks, brutal military operations have been conducted while crimes committed by armed separatists continue unabated. Civilians are finding themselves trapped in a spiral of violence," said Fabien Offner, Amnesty's Lake Chad Researcher. The SDF traditionally draws much of its support from the anglophone regions but now fears that it has been outflanked by the radicals -- and says its candidates there have come under attack. Similar worries are being voiced for the safety of polling stations in Cameroon's Far North region, which has been battered by Boko Haram jihadists crossing from Nigeria. The government on Friday announced that all of Cameroon's borders would be closed until Monday, and shops and drink outlets had to close on polling day. - City power - MRC leader, Maurice Kamto, spent nine months in jail after his defeat in 2018 presidential elections and is now abroad. "We could have had a few seats in parliament and some town councillors, but how would that enable us to influence events in Cameroon?" Kamto said in an interview with AFP in Paris last month. Given the seemingly inevitable outcome of legislative vote, most media attention has focused on the municipal elections that are also taking place. Fighting in the country's anglophone western regions has displaced hundreds of thousands / AFP Some cities, including Douala, the country's economic hub, could swing to the opposition, according to some forecasts. City chiefs are to gain new powers under measures taken in December to decentralise some authority out of Yaounde. The reforms have been triggered by the anglophone crisis although they fall far short of meeting the separatists' demands. "The stakes (on Sunday) are local," said Stephane Akoa, a researcher at the Paul Ango Ela think tank in Yaounde. Telecom operator Vodafone Idea will drop brand name "Idea" from its postpaid services, according to an announcement made by the company on Thursday. The company's prepaid customers will, however, continue to get services under both Vodafone and Idea brands. "Vodafone RED postpaid plans will be available to customers from all stores and digital channels of both Vodafone and Idea brands". "While all new postpaid customers will be on-boarded directly to Vodafone RED plans as per their usage and preference, all existing customers of Idea Nirvana, the postpaid offering under the Idea brand, will be migrated to similar Vodafone RED plans," the company said in a statement. Vodafone India and Idea Cellular merged their mobile businesses in August 2018 to create Vodafone Idea Ltd. Both the brands are synchronising their entire business. The move to migrate postpaid customers to Vodafone Red is a part of the company's synergy plan. "Beginning with Mumbai, this initiative will be rolled out in a phased manner to cover all circles over the next few months," the statement said. The change is applicable to enterprise Idea postpaid customers as well. "Prepaid products will continue to be offered under both Vodafone and Idea brands nationally across all circles via respective retail and digital channels enabling customers to enjoy a rich portfolio of services and benefits under their preferred brand," the statement said. Also read: Vodafone suffers network issues; users trend 'Vodafonedown' on Twitter Also read: Have sought 10 years to pay principal AGR amount with two-year moratorium, says Vodafone By PTI NEW DELHI: A 44-year-old man allegedly killed his daughter and son before ending his life by jumping in front of a Delhi metro train at Haiderpur Badli Mor station on Sunday, police said. No suicide note has been recovered, but police claimed that the man, Madhur Malani, was depressed since his sandpaper-manufacturing factory was closed some six months ago due to financial crunch leaving him jobless. Madhur's parents had been supporting his family financially since then. He used to stay with his wife Rupali, daughter Samiksha (14) and six-year-old son Shraiyans at a rented house in northwest Delhi's Shalimar Bagh area, they said. Rupali was not at home when Madhur strangled their children. He might have also smothered their daughter but the exact cause of death would be ascertained only after the post-mortem reports arrive, a police official said. After killing his two children, he jumped in front of an approaching train at Haiderpur Badli Mor Metro station following which he was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him 'brought dead', the official said. Metro services on the Yellow Line were briefly delayed due to the incident. "Delay in services from Samaypur Badli to GTB Nagar due to a passenger on track at Haiderpur Badli Mor," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) tweeted. After about 15 minutes, it again tweeted that normal services have been restored. The Delhi Metro's Yellow Line connects Samaypur Badli in Delhi to HUDA City Centre in Gurgaon. The suicide was reported to the police around 5:40 pm while the Shalimar Bagh Police station received a call about the killings around 6:50 pm. On reaching the house, police found bodies of the children lying in beds in two rooms. During enquiry, it was learnt that their father has left the house, a senior police officer said. While police were trying to trace Madhur, they learnt about a suicide at the metro station. On verifying the details, it surfaced that Madhur committed suicide after killing his children, the officer said. Rupali told police that she had gone to a nearby market around 3 pm and on returning home she found the bodies of her children while her husband was missing. A case under relevant sections of the IPC has been registered and investigation was underway, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Vijayanta Arya said. New Delhi, Feb 9 : A total of 31 women have been elected to the Delhi Assembly since its first election in 1993, with highest number of MLAs being 20 from the Congress in a span of 22 years till 2015. In the first and second Assemblies, in 1993 and 1998 respectively, the BJP had one female member in each term to the House, while no other party's female candidate was ever elected to the House after that period. In 1993, the first Assembly of Delhi, there were three women elected to the House. While two of them were from the Congress, one was from the BJP. The two female Congress MLAs were Krishna Tirath and Tajdar Babar and that from BJP was Purnima Sethi. It is worth mentioning that Tirath has been fielded by the Congress again for the 2020 Assembly election from Patel Nagar Assembly. In the next Assembly in 1998 -- when Sheila Dikshit became the Chief Minister of Delhi for the first time -- maximum number of women were elected to the House. The Assembly elected nine women, out of which eight were from the Congress and one was from the BJP -- Sushma Swaraj from Hauz Khas. This was also a landmark year as post this, no female BJP leader has been elected to the House till date. In 1998, BJP's Sushma Swaraj was elected to the House after she served as the Chief Minister of Delhi in the first Assembly for a brief period just before the Assembly elections. Dikshit became the only second female Chief Minister of Delhi. Apart from the two -- Dikshit and Swaraj -- seven other women from the Congress were elected to the House: Tajdar Babar, Kiran Choudhary, Sushila Devi, Anjali Rai, Darshna, Krishna Tirath and Meera Bhardwaj. Both Swaraj and Dikshit passed away in 2019, within a period of one month. In 2003, the third Assembly of Delhi was elected with seven women -- all from Congress. While Tajdar Babar, Krishna Tirath, Anjali Rai and Sheila Dikshit were re-elected, the other three women elected to the House were Kiran Walia, Barkha Singh, and Meera Bhardwaj. In 2008, when the national capital elected the fourth Assembly, there were three Congress MLAs -- Sheila Dikshit, Kiran Walia and Barkha Singh who were re-elected. The political picture of Delhi changed after the Aam Aadmi Party was formed in 2012. The city went for polls in 2013 and there were three women elected to the House, this time, all were from the AAP -- Veena Anand, Rakhi Birla and Bandana Kumari. In 2013, no party got a clear majority and so, AAP and Congress joined hands to form a government for 49 days. Arvind Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of the city but he resigned after 49 days. The city again went for polls in 2015 and this time, the AAP bagged 67 of the 70 seats. There were six women elected to the House and all were from the AAP. While Rakhi Birla and Bandana Kumari were re-elected, Alka Lamba, Bhavna Gaur, Parmila Tokas and Sarita Singh were also elected to the House. Lamba was disqualified from the Assembly after she switched to the Congress in 2019. In the 2020 Assembly polls, she contested from Chandni Chowk as a Congress candidate. Till the sixth Assembly of the Delhi, there were a total of 31 females elected to the House with 20 females from Congress, nine from the AAP and two from the BJP. Also, no independent female has been elected to the Delhi Assembly so far. In 2020 Assembly polls, a total of 79 women are trying their luck with 24 of them from the Congress, BJP and AAP. (Nivedita Singh can be contacted at nivedita.singh@ians.in) Shiv Sena on Sunday lashed out at Karnataka BJP leader Anant Kumar Hegde over his controversial remark against Mahatma Gandhi saying Hindutva ideology with a tint of Talibanism will "convert India into Afghanistan". In an editorial in the party's mouthpiece Saamana, MP Sanjay Raut took an aim at Hegde saying that those who played no role in the independence struggle are calling Gandhiji a British agent and shaming the movement. "Gandhi is paying a big price to be born in India, 70 years since his assassination. Hindutva is an accepted ideology but Hindutva with Talibanism will convert India into Afghanistan," Sanjay Raut wrote in his piece. READ | "Satyagraha A Drama": BJP's Anant Hegde Maligns Mahatma Gandhi's Role In Freedom Struggle Annex Pakistan for akhand bharat The editorial went on to suggest BJP leaders to convince PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to annex Pakistan and fulfill the dream of 'akhand bharat (undivided India)'. "Build such tall statues of Veer Savarkar in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad that the world would gaze. Godse fired shots at Gandhi for his idea of akhand bharat. Does anyone has the guts to carry out that idea," Raut said in an apparent hit at BJP. READ | Sanjay Raut Attacks Centre On Communal Politics In Its Mouth Piece Saamana Motormouth Hegde BJP MP Anant Kumar Hegde had sparked off a massive controversy after saying that fighters who did not sacrifice anything made the country believe that it attained independence through 'Upavas Satyagrah'. While addressing a public event in Bengaluru, the Lok Sabha MP from Uttara Kannada said the entire freedom movement was "staged with the consent and support of the British". "None of these so-called leaders were beaten up by the cops even once. Their independence movement was one big drama. It was staged by these leaders with the approval of the British. It was not a genuine fight. It was an adjustment freedom struggle," he said. READ | Maha CM Uddhav Appoints Shiv Sena MLA Ravindra Waikar As Chief Coordinator For His Office READ | Big Setback To Shiv Sena: Uddhav's Aurangabad Leaders Join Raj Thackeray's MNS When asked recently about the cost of Medicare for All, he replied, I dont give a number and Ill tell you why: Its such a large number and so complicated. And when a CBS News host sought his reaction to the economists who have concluded that his democratic-socialist revolution could double the federal budget by roughly $60 trillion over 10 years, he got huffy: You dont know. Nobody knows. This is impossible to predict. Thats fine with the Bernie Bros Bernie, like Trump, has stoked his own cult of personality but theres a reason why Trumps advisers reportedly view him as their ideal Democratic opponent and why theyre doing what they can to elevate his profile. They know Trump is widely detested, but they also know that Medicare for All, as a socialist concept with a mystery price tag, is widely detested. The observable reality, in this country, is that voters outside Bernies bubble dont want to pay sharply higher taxes (which Bernie would have to levy, but wont admit) for a massive new federal incursion into the private sector. As China's nCoV death toll climbs to 910, 30 Vietnamese returned home from Wuhan, the outbreak's epicenter, Monday morning. The HVN68 flight, which flew from Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport at 9 p.m. Sunday to deliver Vietnamese aids including medical equipment to Wuhan, arrived in Wuhan at around 1 a.m. (local time) Monday. It then picked up 30 Vietnamese citizens from the city and landed in Quang Ninh Province's Van Don International Airport at 5:04 a.m. Vietnamese workers returning from Wuhan (blue) go through medical checks at Van Don airport in Quang Ninh Province, February 10, 2020. Photo by VnExpress. A separate parking lot was reserved for the plane in the airport, so that its arrival would not affect the airport's general operations, said Pham Ngoc Sau, director of the Van Don International Airport. Passengers and crew members on the plane underwent body temperature checks and had their luggage disinfected. The latest quarantine details havent been revealed yet. Under the original plan, those who exhibited symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) symptoms would be quarantined and brought to the Van Don District Medical Center. The rest would be escorted into the airport's quarantine zone for immigration procedures before being handed over to the provincial Military Command to be brought to another quarantine zone for 14 days. The Van Don International Airport is the only airport in northern Vietnam to receive Vietnamese coming back from Wuhan per a government order. Vietnam officially declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak an epidemic on February 1. Out of the 14 confirmed cases so far, three have been discharged from the hospital: a Nha Trang hotel receptionist, a Chinese man from Wuhan, and one of the workers who returned from Wuhan. The global death toll of the epidemic has reached 910 one each in the Philippines and Hong Kong, and the remaining in mainland China. King Abdullah Port, the first privately owned, developed and operated port in the Middle East, has extended its support for the upcoming 2020 edition of Breakbulk Middle East. This marks the third consecutive year in which King Abdullah Port will contribute to the success of the conference and exhibition, said a statement. Held under the patronage of Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and chairman of the Federal Transport Authority (FTA) for Land and Maritime, BBME will take place on February 25 and 26 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE. Officially inaugurated by HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, in February 2019, King Abdullah Port has established itself as a leading regional logistics hub. As one of the largest infrastructure megaprojects in the Middle East run fully by the private sector, the facility is set to play a key role in achieving the objectives of Vision 2030, the Kingdoms ambitious roadmap for the future. The port has gone through a phase of rapid expansion and was named second among the worlds fastest growing ports by Alphaliner in 2018. The same year, it moved up to 83rd place on the list of the worlds 100 biggest container ports. Ranked as the second-largest in the Kingdom in terms of container handling, King Abdullah Ports position, with the launch of a new Smart Gate System, is set to boost the efficiency of cargo flowing in and out, and volumes are poised to increase further in the year ahead. Ben Blamire, event director of Breakbulk Middle East, said: Having the full support of an esteemed industry name such as King Abdullah Port is highly beneficial for our event. Similarly, we are adamant on reciprocating this support by ensuring Breakbulk Middle East provides the utmost value, not only to our loyal and valued sponsors, but also to each and every exhibitor and visitor. When examining the grand scheme of it all, contributing to the industrys growth, and in turn the regions success is the reason behind Breakbulk Middle East. The collective support of key governmental figures, leading decision makers, and various industry players is what allows us to achieve this vision. Thus, we are extremely grateful to King Abdullah Port and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the many years ahead, he said. In addition to King Abdullah Ports Platinum Sponsorship, the two-day GCC project cargo and breakbulk event has secured the support of DP World, Abu Dhabi Ports, Agility, MICCO Logistics, Bahri, Cosco Shipping, and more. Leslie Meredith, marketing director, Breakbulk Events & Media, said: We are proud to say that on a yearly basis Breakbulk Middle East manages to maintain its status as the fastest growing event in our global portfolio. We are aware that a large part of this success is built on a foundation that requires the strong support of the industrys most influential counterparts such as King Abdullah Port. Due to strong alliances such as this, we can confidently state that Breakbulk Middle East is the place to be for all those involved in the development, design and execution of the regions projects whether it be oil and gas, energy, chemicals or maritime infrastructure. Its where relationships begin and new business partners are made, Meredith said. The door for registration for the fifth edition is now open, and we welcome all industry leaders and experts to join us by registering through our official platforms, Meredith concluded. TradeArabia News Service Kolkata, Feb 9 (UNI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday asserted the Union Budget for 2020-21 was aimed to invest more and more on infrastructures and assets creations to strengthening the economy for achieving India's target to be the $ 5 trillion economy by 2024/25. I think we have laid the foundation for increasing consumption, ensuring that capex (capital expenditure) and governments investments will go towards spending on building of assets in infrastructure which should have cascading effects both in the short term and in the long term, Ms. Sitharaman said. In order to address rural distress, 16 focused action points have been announced in the budget. So I expect all this will lead to a five trillion dollar economy, the finance minister explained. Ms Sitharaman also allayed fear in the case of disinvestment of its share in the LIC saying only eight to 10 per cent government's stake in the national insurer would be divested and the money from the sale would go to the general public and LIC's business would be as usual. On GST, Ms Sitharaman advocated for rationalization of the Goods and Services Tax rates once a year and not every three months as it was practiced now. She also advocated that the state governments should also make representation regarding the rates. Replying to a question if any benefit was given to the West Bengal government in the Budget presented by her, she said her presentation of the budget for the whole country and not directed to any particular state. I do not know how I answer this question of kisko keya mila (which state gets what). I am looking at the point of macroeconomic stability, building assets in the country, money directly going to hands of individuals because of reduced tax rates and so on, she said. The announcements in the Budget encompassed various projects which are happening in different states, she elaborated. UNI PC AND I wish to announce that I've filed papers, this morning, to contest the NPP Parliamentary primary for Bantama Constituency. It is a privilege to have yet another opportunity to be part of this important undertaking. This will be the third time that I submit myself to be considered by the dutiful delegates of the constituency. I do so with a humble heart and an unwavering conviction that there's nothing more fulfilling than the honour to represent and serve your people. I'm hopeful that this time around, I would have sufficiently earned their trust and confidence to merit an endorsement. Bantama has been very kind to me, right from birth. It has nurtured me into becoming a person of value by instilling in me, a sense of purpose and identity. When by good fortune I got a Rotary scholarship to study in America, I took with me the virtues of kindness, compassion and communal spirit that permeates life in Bantama. I know of no other home than Bantama. As a young boy, I immersed myself in the work of the party, firstly as a footsoldier in the constituency, then as a student activist and later the founding President of of the Tertiary Institutions Confederacy of the NPP (TESCON). Together with colleagues like John Krugu, Sefa Dwamena and Steve Amoah, we led a massive drive to mobilize over 2000 tertiary students in the Ashanti region who served as polling agents in the three Northern regions during the 2000 elections. A feat unparalleled in the history of student mobilization. I'm proud to see how TESCON has become; a vibrant and dynamic students arm of our party . Aside TESCON, I also had the honour to serve as a youth organizer for the then North America branch of the party. I'm convinced that it was my dedication to duty and commitment to the party that endeared me to then presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to have me serve him as his political assistant. In appointing me as a deputy chief of staff, I believe His Excellency the President has affirmed me as a person of tact, good judgment and discretion. This position, with its heavy responsibilities, has enhanced my capacity and prepared me adequately to serve the people of Bantama, both as a legislator and as an agent of development. I hope to discharge my duties diligently if and when given the nod. In this regard, I intend to continue the dialogue I started some few years ago with party functionaries and voters in the constituency about priority challenges that we can collectively tackle. With inspiring and purposeful leadership, Bantama will shine! Thank you, once more, for your continued support. God bless Bantama God bless NPP God bless Ghana T J S George By Power makes small people smaller. When the wheel of history turned and BJP became the ruling party, many of its adherents saw India exclusively as Bharat, their inheritance to play with. The tactically wise among them spoke in moderate terms even as they pushed their agenda forward. Prime Minister Modi, for example, was a picture of moderation as he presented the most communal initiative of recent times the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra for raising a Ram temple where Babri Masjid once stood. In fact this initiative had less to do with Ram than with the Delhi voting three days ahead. The BJPs failure to get the support of Delhi citizens has been a humiliation for the party, especially for strategists like Amit Shah. That citizens of the Capital of India should vote the Aam Aadmi Party into power is a mortification the Modi-Shah Party cannot accept. Surveys point to the AAP as the favourite again this time, for their record has been good while the BJPs campaign has been divisive. But dont underestimate Amit Shah, a master of surprises. Lesser men, too, are capable of surprises. There is a haughtiness and challenge-me-if-you-can attitude among the more abrasive among them. Some of them are so inconsequential that they make their presence felt by expressing extremist ideas. Ananthkumar Hegde of coastal Karnataka is typical of this class. A man with nothing to show by way of service to the country, he draws attention by expressing weird views. In his latest attempt to cover ignorance with impudence, he said Mahatma Gandhi was an agent of imperialist Britain and that Indias freedom struggle was a staged drama. Even BJP leaders felt ashamed. In the BJP hierarchy, Prahlad Joshi is way above Ananthkumar Hegde. He is a minister but even that tag of responsibility did not stop him from saying that BJP leaders were the real bhakts of Gandhi, that pretenders like Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were false followers. Thats hardly a tribute to the Mahatma because the BJP is far removed from Gandhis core teachings. Gandhi is but a marginal convenience for the BJP to take advantage of like using his oldfashioned spectacle frame as a motif for the Swachh Bharat mission. Another BJP luminary, Parvesh Verma, was penalised by the Election Commission for extremist declamations. But he appeared to have nothing but contempt for things like the Election Commission. He was proud that he told the people something no one else had told them. He said those who were protesting against the CAA at Shaheen Bagh would break into peoples homes, rape and murder their sisters and daughters. Parvesh Verma was not the only patriot penalised by the Election Commission. Even Honourable Minister Anurag Thakur was banned for 72 hours from campaigning in Delhi. These short-term punishments mean nothing of course, especially when BJP VIPs have their own ways of ignoring them. While the EC is toothless these days, the Vermas and Thakurs of the BJP flaunt tiger teeth that sprouted from sheer patriotism. This explains incidents that a civilised country would feel ashamed about. A BJP MLA named Nand Kishor Gurjar asked a government officer to close all Muslim hotels in Loni, a town in Ghaziabad district of UP. The officer said he was not in a position to do so. Gurjar called the man to his office and beat him up. The officer had no recourse but to take the punishment lying down. South Indians take pride in their belief that they are more tolerant than UP-Biharwallahs. Yet, a Bangalore MP, Tejasvi Surya, had no problem betraying an unusual kind of social intolerance. His condemnation of namby-pamby secularism was fine. But it was quite a different thing when he went on to mock the working class as puncturewallahs and illiterates. It showed an immaturity and a class arrogance that exposed him rather than the puncturewallahs who make an honest living. Suryas coarseness is sadder because his predecessor was the late Union minister Ananth Kumar, an enlightened BJP leader who had the courtesy to respect even his opponents. On his demise, the party should have given the seat to his wife Tejaswini, a social worker and activist in her own right. What does a party gain by sidelining its credible members and promoting untested talent that is too impatient to learn? More than 400 million Indians are workers, puncturewallah types. Around 290 million are illiterate. Not even the most conceited politician from the haughtiest party can survive without the votes of these namby-pamby workers and illiterates. A man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly sexually harassing his nearly four-year-old daughter at their residence in Nagpur, police said. The action against the 37-year-old accused was taken based on a complaint lodged by his wife, an inspector of Kanhan Police Station said. "The accused works at a beer bar. The incident occurred on Saturday when the minor was playing in the drawing room of their house when her mother was busy in some other work," the official said. After the incident, the woman approached the police and lodged a complaint against her husband, he added. The accused has been booked under IPC section 354 (A) (1) (sexual harassment) and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 09.02.2020 LISTEN Improvements in the health sector, as well as in other sectors such as infrastructure development, economic growth and poverty reduction, play a major role in improving not only health and life expectancy of the people, but also have a direct impact on their sexual and reproductive health. Recognizing the importance of integrated sustainable development, 193 countries committed to deliver on the promise of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where no-one-is-left-behind. With only less than 131 months left to deliver on 2030-SDGs, a reality check is key to ensure the world delivers on all targets, for everyone, everywhere. "Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), as envisioned in the SDGs, are about universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, addressing issues related to gender, comprehensive sexuality education and maternal mortality, and integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes" said Dr Chivorn Var, convener of forthcoming 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR10, www.apcrshr10cambodia.org) and Executive Director of Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC). Added Dr Chivorn Var: "Cambodia is more liberal and progressive regarding issues related to SRHR than many other countries of the Asia Pacific region. SRHR falls within the scope of the fundamental human rights and are central to eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development across various socio-economic and environmental dimensions." Progress has happened but is it fast enough? Over the years, the overall health status of the Cambodian people has improved through expansion of medical facilities, as well as social health protection system. In the last five years, Cambodia has added nearly 100 new health centres and 30 hospitals. This has resulted in increased accessibility to healthcare services, including those for sexual and reproductive health needs. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined from 470 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2005 to 160 in 2017 (SDG target for 2030 is to reduce MMR to 70). Cambodia has also made advances in terms of the number of skilled birth attendants, institutional births, and over 90% coverage of women for receiving post-natal care within 2 days of giving birth. With less than 11 months to achieve 90-90-90 targets for HIV, Cambodia is one of the seven countries in the world to have already achieved them. 90-90-90 targets to be achieved by 2020 refer to ensuring 90% of people living with HIV should know their status, 90% of these should be receiving lifesaving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 90% of those on ART should be virally suppressed. If people living with HIV are virally suppressed then risk of transmission of HIV is negligible (undetectable equals untransmittable), which indeed is a critical cog in the wheel towards ending AIDS by 2030. Dr Chivorn informed that Cambodia is currently reviewing and developing its next five years national strategic plan for sexual and reproductive health, which aims to focus on important interventions like family planning, addressing sexual and gender-based violence through government policies/ laws, increasing youth-friendly services and improving maternal and infant mortality. Support for comprehensive sexuality education gives hope Dr Chivorn reflected that in 1997, HIV transmission rates were very high in Cambodia. The government used this as an entry point for educating young people and adolescents on HIV/AIDS by introducing adolescent reproductive health education. Gradually other subjects like pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex practices were also added. There was initial resentment from parents, but gradually the mindsets changed with the help of several workshops and training sessions organised for young people, village chiefs, local authorities and officials from ministries of education and health. One very recent progressive step, which Cambodia's Ministry of Education took in 2019, was to endorse the inclusion of comprehensive sexuality education as a compulsory subject in the school curriculum. The Ministry of Health is now helping in the process to develop textbooks for grade 1 to grade 12. Roll out of this will begin in 2022. Despite progress, challenges remain One major challenge, as pointed out by Dr Chivorn Var, is paucity of funds and limited resources with many competing priorities. The problem has been further aggravated due to a cut in US governments aid for safe abortion services. This has negatively impacted the SRHR programmes of many developing countries in not only Asia Pacific but other regions as well, even as countries in the European Union continue to provide financial support to these services. So it is important to ensure that SRHR must be valued and considered when resources are mobilized and allocated. The SRHR programmes in Cambodia, as well as in many other countries of Asia Pacific region, require increased and sustained funding in order that SRHR relevant SDGs be achieved by 2030. Primary prevention of cervical cancer is vital According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the biggest cause of cancer-related death among women in Cambodia. An estimated 1500 women develop cervical cancer annually and 800 die because of it every year. Cervical screening programme introduced since 2013 uses the WHO recommended VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) method as a screening tool and cryotherapy for early treatment. But due to shortage of funds it is yet to introduce the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine for all girls aged 9 to 14 years. Dr Chivorn hoped that, in addition to the existing screening programme, the Cambodian government will also consider introducing HPV vaccine for primary prevention. Another challenge for Cambodia, as well as for many other countries of the Asia Pacific region, is to address multiple levels of socio-economic and legal discrimination faced by marginalized groups, such as women, people with disabilities, LGBTQI communities, among others. Cambodian society is tolerant towards the LGBTQI people, however, there are no specific laws protecting their rights. There is a general law protecting the rights of the men and women but Cambodia needs to do more and needs to have a law that specifically protects their rights and helps in reducing discrimination and stigma faced by them, said Dr Chivorn. The way forward... Dr Chivorn called upon the governments in Asia Pacific region to be more accountable to deliver on SRHR. "They must have laws that prohibit child marriage; support SRHR; introduce youth friendly SRHR services; advocate for introducing comprehensive sexuality education in the schools; and encourage meaningful participation from the disadvantaged population groups." In the words of Dr Chivorn: The forthcoming 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (APCRSHR10) to be held in Siem Reap, Cambodia from 26-29 May 2020, will provide an opportunity to various governments, development partners, health professionals, civil societies, and representatives from diverse population groups to review the progress made, share the lessons learned and the challenges that still exist, and strategize on what needs to be done more to achieve the SRHR related SDGs in the Asia Pacific Region." "They would also get to strengthen their collaborations and forge new partnerships as SRHR advocates, service providers, policy makers and development partners to create a conducive environment to strengthen SRHR. We need to keep the momentum high for sexual and reproductive health to achieve what all of us, including the government, have promised for the sustainable development goals." He further said that all countries, including Cambodia, must seriously work to achieve the SRHR related SDGs, where no one is left behind, and where all people have access to sexual and reproductive health and rights information, services and the freedom to decide their sexuality without coercion and judgment. Video interview is online at: Shobha Shukla CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is the Managing Editor of CNS (Citizen News Service) and coordinator of Asia Pacific Media Network to end TB & tobacco and prevent non-communicable diseases (APCAT Media). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or visit: www.citizen-news.org) Your browser does not support the audio element. Two Vietnamese children have been given a second chance at life, thanks to heart donations and the growing organ transplant capabilities of Vietnams medical professionals. According to the National Organ Donation Center, the number of organ donors in Vietnam has ballooned over the past two years, with 31,000 current registered donors, a whopping 19,000 of whom signed up in 2019 alone. The countrys medical professionals see these numbers as an astounding success. Within the first 12 months of the centers establishment in 2013, just 265 people had registered. That number has since grown exponentially, allowing Vietnams medical professionals to give a second chance at life to those in need. A chance at life Suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the hearts ability to pump blood due to the enlargement of the left ventricle, Pham Van Co was given a grim prognosis until 2018 when doctors told him a heart had been donated and a transplant would give him a new shot at life. Cos brother had died from the same heart problem when he was 15 and Co hoped the surgery would help him avoid the same fate. On June 13, 2018, Co and his mother gave their consent for the surgery when the boy was just 15 years old. The organ was immediately transferred from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, to the central city of Hue. It arrived at 11:00 pm on the same day and doctors immediately began preforming the surgery. The following morning at 9:00 am, doctors declared the surgery a success and Co and his mother were reunited. Since recovering, Co has begun high school plans to take up evening bartending and culinary classes at a vocational training center in Hue. He also helps his mother sell goods at a local market each morning. I am so grateful. I used to think of suicide when I was in pain, but now I love my healthy body more than ever, Co said. I plan to live a meaningful life as long as this heart still beats so that I wont let down my family members, the doctors who treated me, and the person who donated their heart. The perfect match Eleven-year-old Ha Ngoc Chi lives in a small village behind Na Sam Mountain in the northern province of Lang Son. Both Chi and her brother, Manh, suffered from congenital dilated cardiomyopathy. Manh was diagnosed with the condition in 2015 and sadly lost his life after a three-year battle against it. In July 2018, his sister was diagnosed with the same disorder. We were basically thrown into a frenzy of hospital visits, said Chis mother, 48-year-old Nguyen Thi Huong. Manh succumbed to his disease in February 2019 but the family had no time to grieve as they still had to focus on their living daughter, Chi, who had been inflicted with several types of effusions and needed treatment every 2-3 days. Chi thought she was destined for the same fate as her brother until doctors notified her that a donated heart had just become available. The doctors told me that only a cardiac transplant could save her, but even with VND1 billion [US$43,000] we still werent able to get a heart right away. We had to wait for the suitable donor, the mother said. The family was forced to wait from February 2019 until September 2019 when a suitable match became available. On September 3, the hospital said there was a heart for her, but it turned out to be a bad match. We were scared to death, fearing our child would not survive, Huong explained. Then, on September 30, Chi was given the news that a 37-year-old man who had died in a traffic accident was a registered organ donor, as well as a perfect match. Chi was immediately operated on and, four days later, woke up ready for the new life that lay before her. The doctor said that we are lucky because there are a lot more donors these days, her mother said. In the past, everyone thought that a dead person should be whole in body. If they still thought that way, my child might have lost her chance at life. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Tamilla Mammadova Trend: Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan took place in a transparent, democratic atmosphere, Otar Danelia, the MP from the current ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GDDG) party, told Trend. As part of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), we monitored the parliamentary elections in Baku, Danelia said. We visited many polling stations both in the city center and on the outskirts, and we didnt notice any cases of violation. We visited the central polling stations and others, too, the MP noted. The elections took place in independent, democratic atmosphere in each of the polling stations that we visited. Danelia added that the observers were met with great respect, noting that all the conditions for monitoring were created, so Azerbaijan can be proud of this. The elections, which began at 08:00 (GMT +4), ended at 19:00. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. As many as 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers were monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Chennai, Feb 9 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Sunday said the Cauvery delta region will be declared as a 'protected agricultural zone'. The announcement has been welcomed by several political parties. Laying the foundation for the Advanced Institute for Integrated Research on Livestock and Animal Sciences (AIIRLIVAS) in Salem district, Palaniswami said the Cauvery delta region will be declared as protected agricultural zone. He said the government will come out with a law after consulting legal experts in this regard. Palaniswami said it was DMK that brought the controversial hydrocarbon exploration projects. But it was only AIADMK government that prevented such projects. He said Cauvery delta region is near the coast and there is a risk of sea water incursion and hence this region should be protected. In order to secure Tamil Nadu's food security the Cauvery delta region will be classified as protected agricultural zone. The districts comprising under the Cauvery delta region are Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Trichy, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore and Karur. He said farmers' living conditions have improved in Tamil Nadu owing to free cattle scheme. Palaniswami said his government will not allow any projects that would affect the farmers. Farmers in the Cauvery delta region witnessed several protests by farmers and opposition parties over permission given for hydrocarbon exploration projects. Palaniswami's announcement comes in the wake of Central government amending the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, for exploration drilling in respect of on-shore and off-shore oil and gas. As per the amendment these projects do not require public consultation. The Chief Minsiter also announced the state government will not give permission for hydro-carbon exploration projects in this region thereby preventing them turning to desert. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Noah Centineo is one of the most popular actors on Netflix because hes appeared in several of the streaming services original films. He will be seen soon in the new sequel for To All the Boys Ive Loved Before. Centineo has amassed a large net worth due to his work. HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 03: Noah Centineo attends the Premiere Of Netflixs To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You at the Egyptian Theatre on February 03, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic) Noah Centineo prior to To All the Boys Ive Loved Before Early in his career, Centineo has minor roles on the Disney Channel shows Austin & Ally and Shake It Up. He also had a supporting role in the Disney Channel original film, How to Build a Better Boy, opposite Kelli Berglund and China Anne McClain. In 2015, he joined Freeforms The Fosters as Jesus, taking over the role from Jake T. Austin. He appeared on the show until it ended in 2018. In 2017, he also appeared in the music video for Havana from Camila Cabello. The actors breakout success With 2018 came a big mainstream break for Centineo. He starred in the first To All the Boys Ive Loved Before film on Netflix, which catapulted him to major success. He also appeared in another teen rom-com on Netflix in 2018, Sierra Burgess is a Loser. In 2019, he starred in his third teen rom-com on Netflix, The Perfect Date. He also began to expand into roles in theatrically-released films, including the new Charlies Angels film. Because of his work in television and film over the past several years, Seventeen says that Centineos net worth could be from $1.5 to $2 million. Hes in post-production on the Jackie Chan-directed film, The Diary. The actor is also attached to stars as He-Man in an upcoming Masters of the Universe film. To All the Boys Ive Loved Before drops on Netflix later this month. The third and final film in the franchise will also see Centineo return. Adam Sandler got a rapturous reception for his Best Actor acceptance speech at the Independent Spirit Awards. The actor, whom many believe was widely snubbed from awards season despite receiving critical raves for his performance in Uncut Gems, took his time to address a somewhat controversial career. Employing one of his trademark comedy voices, Sandler quipped how his film Funny People, which also starred awards host Aubrey Plaza, was actually the last time critics pretended not to hate me for like 5 f***in minutes. He went on to greet his fellow nominees in the category as the guys who lost a Film Independent Spirit Award to f***ing Adam Sandler. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years Show all 20 1 /20 The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 20. Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago, Best Supporting Actress 2003) Chicago, probably because it won Best Picture at the 2003 Oscars, has earnt a relatively bad reputation in the 17 years since its release emblematic of a moment wherein the Academy Awards completely lost their minds. Its not all that fair; the film is just as immaculately glossy and stylised as the musical that inspired. It also does a disservice to fellow Oscar-winner Zeta-Jones. Her Velma Kelly is campy, vampy and endearingly dramatic, Zeta-Jones giving every bit of herself to one of the most flamboyant characters in modern musical theatre. She fits the part like a glove, and was suitably rewarded. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 19. Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook, Best Actress 2013) It is rare for Oscar to reward sheer star power that indefinable magnetism that has made the likes of Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez such dazzling screen presences. Theyre not always great, certainly havent got incredible ranges, but theyre born for the camera. Lawrences win for Silver Linings Playbook is an Oscar exception. Its a loud, broad performance but shes sensational, capturing heightened emotions and waltzing away with the film from under the noses of (at the time, at least) much bigger names. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 18. Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk, Best Supporting Actress 2019) Theres a spectacular power to Kings silences here, which director Barry Jenkins recognised. When he captures her in extreme close-up, shortly after she paints her face, fixes her wig and prepares to face the world, King conveys pain, responsibility and fight in a just few changes of her expression. Its a phenomenal performance in a film already filled with effective cameos and an ensemble cast working at the top of their game. It is more powerful still because it was King finally being granted the kind of role shed been worthy of for so long. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 17. Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart, Best Actor 2010) Theres an inclination here to argue that Jeff Bridges merely played himself in Crazy Heart, replicating his own shaggy masculinity and lacksadasial cool. And its also sort of true. Regardless, hes so fantastic to watch that its largely irrelevant. This was a career Oscar, and one of the few times where no one could justifiably have any objections. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 16. Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted, Best Supporting Actress 2000) In many respects, Jolies work in Girl, Interrupted was the natural end point of her off-screen star image at the time. There are immediate parallels between the fictional sociopath she plays in the film and the drug-taking, blood-vial-wearing bad girl Jolie was endlessly described as. Its still a remarkable performance, though, alive with cruelty, self-loathing and rage. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 15. Christopher Plummer (Beginners, Best Supporting Actor 2011) Beginners is a film of two halves one of bittersweet late-in-life discovery; the other a frightfully boring love story between two very dull people. Plummer is in the former, and is marvellous. As an elderly man exploring his homosexuality for the very first time, he turns in a performance of wonderful curiosity and mischief. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 14. Lupita Nyongo (12 Years a Slave, Best Supporting Actress 2014) A true star-is-born performance from Nyongo here. She carries in her work the pain and hopelessness of the millions of faceless, unknown women lost to the slave trade, and provides the film with its bruising heart and its most horrifying tragedy. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 13. Viola Davis (Fences, Best Supporting Actress 2017) In the hands of a less gifted actor, Daviss role in Fences could have been an underwhelming one: the part of the stoic wife, married to a dictatorial husband, and endlessly cleaning up his volatility. Instead its glorious. Davis knew this role in her bones, having won a Tony for the same part years prior, but close-up, through the lens of a camera, she is even more electrifying silent but withering when its necessary, and a volcano of emotion when its least expected. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 12. Charlize Theron (Monster, Best Actress 2004) It is disappointing that Therons performance in Monster has come to exemplify a form of Oscar-baiting in the years since. Yes, she embarked upon a staggering physical transformation, and yes, she was a blonde and beautiful female actor uglying herself to rave reviews. But reducing her work to a bag of visual tricks undermines the depth, grit and romantic tragedy with which she imbues her version of the real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Monster is a deeply complex love story at its heart, and Theron shines. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 11. Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Best Supporting Actor 2008) In the Coen Brothers masterpiece, Bardem often distorts his face into something almost uncanny, like a Michael Myers mask, or a rough sketch of a human. Its disquieting. His character is part hitman and, if were being metaphorical, part vampire a chilling moral void who transforms every interaction into an uncomfortable battle of wits that only he is guaranteed to survive. To watch an actor so associated with vitality and expressiveness play someone so cold is nothing short of majestic. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 10. Mahershala Ali (Moonlight, Best Supporting Actor 2017) The criteria for a supporting performance has fluctuated over the years, particularly with the increase in actors being placed wherever they have the best chance of winning. Mahershala Ali in Moonlight, however, is the very definition of Best Supporting Actor. He only appears in the films first act, but delivers a performance so empathetic, cool and warm that it ripples through the entirety of the movie. Hes the ghost hovering over Moonlight, and is breathtaking as a result. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 9. Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds, Best Supporting Actor 2010) Waltzs snide and preening sociopath routine has become slightly exhausting in the decade since he won his first of two Oscars. Itd be foolish, however, to let that diminish the terrifying power of his turn in Inglourious Basterds. He delivers a slinky, cat-like and sinister embodiment of pure evil here, (Or: Here, he is pure evil itself, slinky, cat-like and sinister, matching) matching the spirit of a film that is as playful as it is angry. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 8. Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose, Best Actress 2008) It is somehow more impressive when an actor delivers power and pathos in a film that otherwise doesnt work very well. Marion Cotillards star-making role as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose is a case in point. Surrounded by rote biopic-by-numbers montaging and a narrative that offers few surprises, Cotillard is otherwise staggering nailing the odd rhythms, volatility and unconventional star-wattage that made Piaf such a hero. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 7. JK Simmons (Whiplash, Best Supporting Actor 2015) As a domineering music teacher responsible for the slow torture of a young prodigy, JK Simmons is chilling. But his work in Whiplash is particularly great because he understands the ambiguities at his characters heart he is menacing and violent, as well as inspiring and compassionate. Its a jumble of uncomfortable parts designed to keep the audience on their toes, and Simmons embodies all with a steely fire. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 6. Denzel Washington (Training Day, Best Actor 2002) Never has an actor appeared to take such pleasure in portraying a boogeyman. Denzel Washingtons ferocious performance as an LAPD narcotics officer in Training Day remains remarkable, not only as a piece of actorly transformation but as an example of over-the-top acting being so chillingly effective. Everything here is flashy and unsubtle, but Washington crafts something akin to a mouse-trap all coiled rage and relentless intimidation, leaving no one who encounters him unscathed. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 5. Natalie Portman (Black Swan, Best Actress 2011) In any other film, Portmans hysterical and tortured performance as an unravelling ballet dancer may have been too much. She and Black Swan, however, mirror one another perfectly. Her win was partly down to Academy Awards cliche: the weight loss, the dance training, and so forth, but her professional transformation was equally as powerful. Here was an actor so often cast as vulnerable, baby-voiced child-women becoming something grandly monstrous. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 4. Olivia Colman (The Favourite, Best Actress 2019) In a film dominated by startling performers, Olivia Colman still managed to steal the show. As Queen Anne, she bares the numerous facets of her skill set, all of which were already familiar to UK audiences, and throws them all into one of the richest characters in recent film memory. She is by turns hilarious, heartbreaking and utterly mad. That Colemans Oscar win was such a surprise, in an awards season otherwise swept by Glenn Close, was the icing on the cake. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 3. MoNique (Precious, Best Supporting Actress 2010) Known for more than a decade as a stand-up comic and as the star of early Noughties sitcoms like The Parkers, MoNique earnt so much acclaim for Precious partly because her presence in it was so surprising. It was also because it was a staggeringly haunting performance, one built on horror, abuse and destruction. Her characters backstory is barely sketched, but MoNique instills in her so much weighty pain and trauma that it hardly matters. It is a travesty that she has never received a follow-up role of the same quality. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 2. Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood, Best Actor 2008) Daniel Day-Lewis is so incredible in There Will Be Blood because it is essentially 12 different performances in one. It begins in total silence, before twisting and transforming into something nightmarish and terrifying. It is sometimes incredibly broad and loud, at other points subtle and rich. Paul Thomas Andersons film is a masterpiece on its own, but Day-Lewis provides it with its soul. The top 20 Oscar-winning performances of the past 20 years 1. Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight, Best Supporting Actor 2009) It sort of had to be, didnt it? There are lots of obvious off-screen reasons Ledgers work in The Dark Knight is so potent, specifically that we were watching a man deliver the performance of a lifetime shortly after he had tragically died. But everything he actually does in it warrants equal respect. His Joker exists in the sinister middleground between human and almost supernatural; an unknowable, unpredictable and disturbing portrait of comic-book insanity that lingers long after the film itself has ended. It also remains one of the most important acting performances of the 21st century, responsible for how we talk about acting, how the media reports about acting, and what we consider to be awards-worthy today for better and for worse. It is no surprise that many have attempted to emulate it in the decade since, but often achieve only photocopied pastiche as a result. And yes, that means Joaquin, too. He also credited the low-budget films that had transformed him into one of Hollywoods most bankable stars. Independent films have been a big part of the Adam Sandler ecosystem, he began. From my first film a fearless look in the American education system through the eyes of a privileged sociopath by the name of Billy f***ng Madison to my searing exploration of American college foosball and its manipulation of socially challenged athletes like Mr Bobby Boucher, I have tried to sell my truths with a truly independent spirit, while also cashing some truly disturbingly large paychecks. He recalled how a classmate ("a jean jacket-wearing, feather-haired douchebag by the name of Skipper Jenkins") from the brief time I attended school had won Best Looking over him, while Sandler instead received the dubious Best Personality award, making him realise that the Independent Spirit Awards are the Best Personality awards of Hollywood. So let all of those feather-haired douchebag mother***ers get their Oscars tomorrow night, he declared. Their handsome good looks will fade in time, while our independent personalities will shine on forever. THE Cebu City Council has urged the management of hotels, restaurants, malls and passenger terminals to ensure that their comfort rooms and washing areas are clean. The local legislative body asked them to provide adequate amenities, such as running water, antibacterial soap, alcohol-based sanitizer, hand dryer or clean wipes and tissue. These establishments are also enjoined to post signage or posters in their comfort rooms or washing areas indicating steps in proper handwashing. The City Council approved the resolution on Wednesday, Feb. 5. 2020, as most of the persons who were placed under investigation for the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the Philippines had a travel history in Cebu. Councilor Alvin Dizon, author of the resolution, said the measure is a way to protect the public from the new deadly respiratory illness. On Friday, Feb. 7, the Department of Health (DOH) announced the death of a 57-year-old Chinese man, the third person under investigation (PUI) for the 2019-nCoV. The first Chinese national tagged as a PUI in the Philippines, a 29-year-old male, tested negative for the 2019-nCoV. The patient, who tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus, succumbed to pneumonia. The second Chinese male, who was 44 and also a PUI, tested positive for the 2019-nCoV. He was the first recorded 2019-nCoV death outside China. The man had traveled with a 38-year-old Chinese woman, who was identified as the first confirmed 2019-nCoV case in the country. The fatalities were confined at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. The Chinese woman remains confined at the same medical facility. Dizon said his resolution is in line with the DOH advisory, which urges local government units to take precautionary measures against the deadly virus by avoiding crowded places, washing hands properly and drinking adequate water. He said Cebu City is one of the top tourist destinations in Central Visayas and it has several commercial establishments that are frequented by locals and foreigners. (JJL) -University of Ghana SRC President blows over GHS 66,000 - Mr. Isaac Agyemang is alleged to have overspent the approved budget for the semester Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Reports emanating from Ghanas premier university, University of Ghana indicates that the President of the Students Representative Council (SRC), Isaac Agyemang has allegedly embezzled GH 66,138 of students dues. According to report by Universenewsroom.com, the General Assembly of UG approved a sum of GHC 365,452 from the SRC dues as expenses for the first semester of the 2019/2020 academic year. But it has been revealed through the University of Ghanas Income Statement presented to the General Assembly that Mr Isaac Agyemang withdrew an amount of GHC 431,590 from the dues indicating an excess of GHC 66,138 spent. READ ALSO: I will not apologize to women; I didnt disrespect anybody - Bulldog clears air The General Assembly has since directed the universitys audit board to investigate the spending of the GHC 66,138. Meanwhile, the SRC Treasurer, Philomena Sarbah Andam and the President, Isaac Agyemang explained that the difference in expenditure can be attributed to the heat in preparations for some SRC programs. Isaac and Philomena further argued before the GA that the emergency nature of some situations was the sole reason for spending the excess amount. READ ALSO: Government to ban completely importation of vehicles that are 10 years old But the General Assembly also argued that hat the monies were spent in contravention to article 52 clause 5. ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana The clause states that: where, in respect of the semester, it is found that the amount of monies appropriated for any purpose is insufficient or that a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no sum of money has been appropriated, a supplementary estimate showing the sum of money required, shall be presented to the General Assembly for its approval. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that several ounces of gold seized from illegal miners by the Inter-Ministerial Committee fighting the galamsey menace in the country have gone missing. According to the President of the Concerned Small Scale Miners, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, all the ounces of gold seized between 2018 and 2019 have vanished and officialdom cannot account for it. My Unpleasant Memories as a Street Girl Drive Me to Do Charity - Stacy Amewoyi Reveals| #Yencomgh READ ALSO: Samini buys his 16-year-old daughter iPhone 11 pro max on her birthday Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIAForeign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Iran doesnt have experts who can analyze the data recorders from a civilian airliner it shot down last month and its time to send the black boxes out of the country. I think they have understood from the different civil aviation authorities in the world that the kind of equipment and expertise that you need to read the black boxes cannot be brought to Iran, Champagne said at a news conference in Ethiopia, where hes travelling with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He said its been more than 30 days since the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 outside Tehran and its time to end the standoff over who will process the recorders that are expected to reveal a lot about the crash. Iranian investigators recovered the black boxes quickly and say theyre damaged but functional. Iran has asked to be lent the equipment needed to download their contents, while Canada and others have been increasingly insistent that the boxes be sent to experts in a country such as France. Among the 176 people killed when the airliner was shot down were 57 Canadian citizens and 138 people who were connecting to Canada via Kyiv. Many were students and academics returning to Canada after a December break. Iran admitted, after initial denials, that an air-defence battery shot at the plane shortly after it took off from Tehrans international airport. Iranian forces were on extreme alert: Hours before, Iran had fired ballistic missiles at American and allied forces in neighbouring Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Amid partial and false information, rumours have proliferated about whether the airliner was downed deliberately or had had its transponder hacked to confuse Irans defence systems. The best antidote to conspiracy (theories) is transparency, Champagne said, a message he said hes sent the Iranian government. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi and Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, February 9, 2020 President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has urged journalists to tackle the rampant spread of false news in the media through reliable and accountable journalism work. Journalists, he said, should be at the forefront of eliminating hoaxes and easing people's anxieties as a result of misleading news. "The press's role in conveying reliable information is extremely needed, especially when the country is facing such unexpected situations like the coronavirus outbreak," Jokowi said on Saturday while attending a celebration for National Press Day in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login In 1993, when NAFTA was adopted, unemployment rates along the Texas-Mexico border were in double digits. The trade agreement increased business activity, created jobs and brought economic prosperity to South Texas. Now, at the dawn of a new era with the implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the economy of South Texas is prosperous, which is what those of us who worked to pass the new agreement were fighting to protect. Considering 95 percent of customers who purchase U.S. goods and services live outside the United States, trade is our economic lifeline. For the past two years, we have traveled with mayors, county judges, chamber of commerce leaders and trade advocacy groups all across North America to build support for USMCA. We have gone to the USMCA negotiating sessions in Canada, Mexico and Washington, D.C. We have had high-level meetings, starting with then-Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. We have sat down numerous times with Mexican Ambassadors Geronimo Gutierrez and Martha Barcena. We have held, hosted and attended countless strategy meetings with our friends in the Mexican private sector from the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial to the Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos. Some of the naysayers said it would be a cold day before we could get this trade agreement passed. Well, they were right. It was cold in Washington late last month, but I felt nothing but a warm sense of accomplishment at the signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. Nothing flourishes in stagnation. Only in growth do we prosper and succeed. The office of Gov. Greg Abbott recently cited the January 2020 economic forecast by the Perryman Group highlighting the future effects of USMCA on the Texas economy. The states annual gross product is projected to be $17.6 billion higher with the ratification of the new trade agreement, and an increase of 164,700 new jobs is forecast. These gains for the Texas economy augment the already 2.2 million jobs directly dependent on international trade and the states $1.6 trillion annual gross domestic product. Despite the ratification of USMCA, there is no time for a victory lap. The next stage is the implementation of this agreement. It does us no good to see increased trade at our ports of entry if we do not have the customs inspectors and infrastructure to process that trade. Regulation doesnt work unless it ensures the regular flow of goods and commerce. The longtime congestion that is costing billions of dollars to business and consumers must be solved to gain the full benefits from USMCA. As the co-chair of the Trade Policy Working Group of the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, I will be working with my Mexican counterpart, Moises Kalach, to ensure we keep pushing our respective governments to put in place a system that can handle increased trade at our ports of entry. That means more staffing, facility enhancements, technology upgrades and a commitment to reducing bridge wait times. Many people from different countries, different backgrounds and different parties came together for the ratification of USMCA. With the same unity of purpose and mutual understanding, we can address these challenges, capitalize on the benefits afforded by USMCA, and continue to enjoy the prosperity afforded by free trade to Texas, the United States and our North American neighbors. Dennis E. Nixon is CEO of International Bank of Commerce in Laredo and chairman of the board of International Bancshares Corp. The number of deaths from the coronavirus in China has surged past 800 people, surpassing the number of fatalities of the SARS outbreak in 2002-03, but overall figures showed a one-day slowing of new cases, raising hopes that it was the first sign of a peaking of the epidemic. Chinas National Health Commission on February 9 said the central Hubei Province recorded 89 new deaths on February 8, pushing the total to 811 throughout the country and above the 774 who died from SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. The number of new infections in Hubei Province -- whose capital, Wuhan, is considered the epicenter of the outbreak -- showed a decline in new cases for the first time since February 1. Officials said 2,656 new cases were identified throughout the country for the day, with 2,147 in Hubei. Joseph Eisenberg, professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, told Reuters it was too early to say whether the epidemic was peaking given the uncertainty in reporting procedures. "Even if reported cases might be peaking, we don't know what is happening with unreported cases. This is especially an issue in some of the more rural areas," he said. The total of confirmed cases hit 37,198 in mainland China. The virus has spread to about two dozen countries, but all but two of the deaths have occurred in mainland China. The first U.S. citizen died from the disease, officials said on February 8, identifying him as a 60-year-old man in Wuhan. The virus broke out at a seafood market in Wuhan that reportedly sold exotic animals for consumption -- similar to the SARS outbreak. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Even as the State Government has stepped up surveillance at airports and ports for novel coronavirus (nCoV), three suspects, who were undergoing treatment in the isolation ward of SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack, have tested negative. While earlier two were tested negative for nCoV, no trace of the virus was detected in the swab sample of an engineer from Jagatsinghpur district who had recently returned from Hong Kong. All the samples were tested at the National Institute of Virology, Pune. Director (Public Health) Dr Ajit Mohanty said the three though have been discharged from the hospital, they will be under observation till 14 days. So far, 43 travellers from coronavirus-affected countries have been identified by the State surveillance system. Among them 40 are under home quarantine, he said.Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan on Saturday reviewed the current situation and preparedness with officials through video conference. States have been asked to spread awareness about the symptoms and precautions besides to carry out orientation of the medical personnel and health officials regularly. She advised to keep adequate stock of personal protection equipment and masks, and strengthen rapid response teams to counter any eventuality. Spain has confirmed its second case of the new virus from China and a plane evacuating more than 200 people from the Chinese city at the center of the epidemic landed Sunday in Britain. Spain's National Microbiology Center said Sunday the coronavirus case was detected in Mallorca, a popular vacation island in the Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish Health Ministry said the person was one of four suspicious cases admitted last Friday to the Son Espases University Hospital in Palma de Mallorca. The other three tested negative. The Health Ministry said further details would be released at a conference later Sunday. Spain's first virus case was a German tourist diagnosed a week ago in the Canary Islands off northwest Africa. Britain's evacuation plane, the second one charted by the government, arrived Sunday morning at RAF Brize Norton. British officials said the flight brought back 105 British citizens and family members, as well as 95 European citizens and family members. A total of 13 staff and medics were also on board. The passengers were being taken to a hotel in Milton Keys where they will be quarantined for 14 days. The virus death toll in China rose Sunday to 811, passing the number of fatalities in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic, and officials said nearly 37,200 people have been infected there. Europe has seen a total of 38 infections in nine countries, with including 14 in Germany. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Federal MPs from both major parties have united to call on the Israel government to immediately extradite alleged child abuser Malka Leifer to Australia. Former ambassador to Israel turned Liberal MP Dave Sharma and Labor MP Josh Burns will on Monday night move a motion in the House of Representatives hitting out at the "numerous attempts to prevent and delay" Ms Leifer's extradition, which was first requested by Australia in 2014. Labor MP Josh Burns and Liberal MP Dave Sharma have backed alleged child sex abuse victims Nicole Meyer and Dassi Erlich in their call for former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer to face justice. Credit:AAP Ms Leifer, 52, faces 74 counts of sexual assault in Victoria related to accusations by three sisters who say they were abused while she was a teacher and principal at the ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School in Melbourne. Since extradition proceedings were first brought by Australia more than five years ago, there have been 63 court hearings and the case still has not moved to the formal extradition phase. Potential K3 Capital Group PLC (LON:K3C) shareholders may wish to note that the Non-Executive Chairman, Ian Mattioli, recently bought UK100k worth of stock, paying UK2.46 for each share. Although the purchase only increased their holding by 6.4%, it is still a solid purchase in our view. Check out our latest analysis for K3 Capital Group The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At K3 Capital Group Notably, that recent purchase by Ian Mattioli is the biggest insider purchase of K3 Capital Group shares that we've seen in the last year. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is UK2.79. Of course they may have changed their mind. But this suggests they are optimistic. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. Happily, the K3 Capital Group insiders decided to buy shares at close to current prices. While K3 Capital Group insiders bought shares last year, they didn't sell. Their average price was about UK1.58. It is certainly positive to see that insiders have invested their own money in the company. But we must note that the investments were made at well below today's share price. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! AIM:K3C Recent Insider Trading, February 9th 2020 K3 Capital Group is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Insider Ownership Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. It's great to see that K3 Capital Group insiders own 47% of the company, worth about UK55m. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. Story continues So What Does This Data Suggest About K3 Capital Group Insiders? It is good to see the recent insider purchase. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about K3 Capital Group. One for the watchlist, at least! Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in K3 Capital Group, you should check out this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. Of course K3 Capital Group may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Caracas, Feb 9 : Venezuela and Russia have agreed to increase investment in diverse spheres despite sanctions by the US, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said here. "We have agreed on our path of future work, to deepen economic cooperation of investments in other areas, despite illegitimate sanctions," Xinhua news agency quoted Lavrov as saying on saturday. The priority sectors for investment are energy, natural resources, industry, and agriculture, Lavrov said, adding that great importance would also be placed on developing military cooperation. In reference to the negotiations between the Venezuelan government and the opposition, Lavrov extended his support to President Nicolas Maduro for his attempts to launch national dialogue. Delcy Rodriguez, the Vice President of Venezuela, said that this year, the governments of Russia and Venezuela would celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. "In the framework of the 75th anniversary of our relationship, we will be holding in Venezuela (a session of) the (Russia-Venezuela) High-Level Intergovernmental Commission, where we will be ratifying and expanding economic cooperation," Rodriguez said. The Russian foreign minister arrived in Caracas on Friday morning as part of his Latin American tour, which had taken him to Mexico and Cuba. The US has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Venezuelan government in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido. Last month, the US Treasury blacklisted seven delegates of the Venezuelan National Assembly, claiming that the designated persons "took steps to undermine the elections process in the National Assembly". Also in January, the US government designated 15 aircraft as the "blocked property" of Venezuelan state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela. Planned Texas border wall would cut off congregants from their church, 'burden' religious practice Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Plans to build part of President Donald Trumps border wall near a levee in Donna, Texas, are being challenged on claims that it will burden churchgoers by cutting them off from easily accessing their church building. According to KRGV, the U.S. government has been awarded about six acres of land to the west of Donnas international bridge by a federal court to construct part of the border wall. Since Trump took office in 2017, the administration has authorized the construction of border fencing along the U.S. southern border to prevent illegal border crossings, hundreds of thousands of which occur each year. The Trump administration wants to build a wall south of Alamo over a flood levee where several homes are located in Donna. The federal government filed condemnation actions in December. The governments request was granted by federal courts in Texas and Louisiana in January. In Donna, the land in question is owned by as many as 88 people, KRGV reports. Advocates say that building a wall on the levee in Donna will cut off houses on the south side of the wall from the rest of the Rio Grande Valley. Among the residents who could be impacted is Yolanda Hernandez and her family. Hernandezs family has owned land in that area for over 100 years. Hernandez is also a member of the Templo La Hermosa Church, which has been around since the 1930s. Should the wall be constructed, lawyers say, it will be built on the path to the church and cut off Hernandez and others from attending Templo Hermosa Church. I am a member of the church and my parents were part of the building of this church, Hernandez told the local television news outlet. Normally we have about 20 [attendees]. We have more members but they dont show up. Ricky Garza of the Texas Civil Rights Project and another attorney representing landowners impacted by the wall plans went before federal Judge Randy Crane on Wednesday asking that the land not be handed over to the government until the concern about the church and other concerns are resolved. Garza told the local ABC affiliate that the border wall will deter people from attending the Templo La Hermosa. Hernandez agreed. "That is going to substantially burden your religion, Garza said. That is going to impact your ability to practice because you won't be able to go to the church and choose the type of religious practice that suits your conscience." Hernandez said she has been in talks with U.S. attorneys. "I talked to one of the attorneys, and they told me that they were going to make arrangements to leave the gate open on Sunday mornings, Hernandez said, adding that it would be open for special events such as weddings and funerals as well. However, Garza would like to see such accommodations in writing. He argued that even if the gates are left open, there will still be a burden on passersby to go through a security checkpoint. You'll have to get a number from Border Patrol to pass through the gate, Garza was quoted as saying. You'll be unsure if that gate is going to open or not. Whether if the power goes out if something is going to block that church from being accessed. Hernandez believes that people still may not come to church because they will use the excuse the gate is closed. But ultimately, she believes that the people who really want to come to church will come to church. Last year, Congress acted to protect five locations in the Rio Grande Valley from border wall construction, one of which was the La Lomita Chapel in Mission, Texas. The Diocese of Brownsville, which filed a lawsuit against the border plans, claimed that the construction of the wall would have cut off the historic chapel from those that worship there. Congress leader Kirti Azad on Sunday claimed foul play in connection with electronic voting machines (EVMs), alleging that Home Minister Amit Shah is behind "this dirty game." "Photos and videos of foul play with the EVMs have surfaced. I think that Home Minister Amit Shah is the mastermind of this dirty game," Azad told ANI. He also said that for the past couple of years, the exit polls did not turn out to be correct. "In the exit polls held earlier in Haryana, it was told the Congress would get three seats, but we got 31 seats. Similarly, in Rajasthan, MP, and Chhattisgarh, we were told the BJP will form the government but the Congress came to power. So, I have seen the exit polls failing. I have full confidence the Congress will get a good number of seats in Delhi," he added. The Congress leader also said that Manoj Tiwari has the ability to do well in but he has to "mature. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Natural News) Weve told you before that news and information coming into and out of China is tightly controlled by the Communist government in Beijing, so there is very little rogue journalism that takes place. With that in mind, the Chinese government is really sensitive about bad news getting out as well as any information that makes Communist leaders look bad or incompetent. As such, its been really tough to trust anything Beijing has said in regards to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Official reports stating the number of sick and dead have to be looked at with skepticism because all information is tightly regulated. Plus, almost on a daily basis now we see reports from trusted media sources that make us even more skeptical of what the Chinese government is telling the world regarding the virus spread. As The Epoch Times reported earlier this week, a citizen journalist from Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus epidemic began, was paid a visit by Chinese police after documenting something they didnt want him to see or broadcast: For days on end, [Fang Bin] had been driving around the town, documenting every step of the way with his phone to show the life in a now locked-down city. On the morning of Feb. 1 alone, he had visited five hospitals where doctors hustled about in the packed halls and frantic patients groaned and sobbed. At the fifth hospital, he counted eight dead bodies from a funeral van, all within the five minutes after he arrived at the hospital. Inside, a sick man moaned and gasped for breath by the bedside of his father, who had already turned lifeless. Fang uploaded all of these moments to the internet. About 7 p.m. local time, six masked men wearing HAZMAT gear visited him and demanded to take his temperature. Youve been to dangerous places, one of them said to him. We have to find out whether you are infected or not. There should only be one voice The men claimed to be on-duty medical officers and that he was a hazard to others because he visited hospitals were patients sickened by the coronavirus were being treated. They broke into his home and ignored his repeated protests that he had no temperature that he was fine. But the half-dozen men werent there for him, per se; they were there to confiscate a laptop computer, a desktop computer, and his cellphone. And before long, Fang found himself at a police station, The Epoch Times reported. Police interrogators accused him of igniting a nuclear bomb with images and video he reportedly uploaded to social media. He was accused of taking more from foreign forces before they threatened to keep him in quarantine for creating fear (yes, thats a real crime thing in China, apparently). There should only be one voice, otherwise it will create chaos, police told Fang. In other words, only the government should be speaking to the world about the coronavirus China has unleashed on the world; that way, the propaganda can be carefully crafted and unchallenged. Eventually, Fang was released and was given back his phone. But clearly, what happened to him was a warning: Dont be uploading the truth to the Internet or its likely youll disappear somewhere for a while, and maybe permanently. In a post Feb. 3, he told followers that he had received thousands of friend requests on WeChat, a popular Chinese messaging platform (that is, of course, closely monitored by the government). It took him hours to respond to all of them, he said, noting that the Chinese state-run media warned of serious consequences for anyone who spread rumors about the virus. It all smacks of dishonesty, of course, and its no wonder why the Chinese government simply cannot be trusted to be honest about the pandemic spreading throughout the country and beyond. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com NaturalNews.com Srinagar: A partial to complete shutdown was observed amid renewed tensions in the Kashmir Valley on Sunday to commemorate the seventh death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Muhammad Afzal Guru. Guru, a resident of Doabgah suburb of Kashmirs northwestern town of Sopore, was hanged in Delhis Tihar jail on February 9, 2013. While shops and other businesses including the weekly flea market, popularly known as Sunday Market, in the summer capital Srinagar remained closed, public transport services were badly affected here and elsewhere in the Valley in response to a strike call issued by the Mirwaiz Umar-led faction of the separatist Hurriyat Conference and the outlawed Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). However, private cars and other vehicles and autorickshaws plied as usual across the Valley. Also, shops, mainly groceries and pharmacies, were open at places, reports said. Security across the Valley was beefed up further on the eve of the Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat anniversaries. The authorities said the day passed off peacefully, and claimed that the strike calls were largely ignored by the people. Director-general of police Dilbag Singh had earlier said that the police and other security forces were fully prepared to foil any attempt at disturbing peace. It was for the first time since August 5 last yearwhen Jammu & Kashmir was stripped of its special status and split up into two Union Territories that separatist organizations issued strike calls. Police on Saturday registered a case against the JKLF for issuing a strike call for February 9 and 11 to commemorate the hangings of Guru and Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, a co-founder of the pro-independence Jammu Kashmir National Liberation Front (JKNLF) who was also hanged in the Tihar jail in 1984 on charges of murdering an intelligence official Amar Chand during his pursuits in the Valley way back in the 1960s. The officials said a case under Sections 10, 11 and 13 of the Unlawful Activities Act has been registered at Srinagars Kothi Bagh police station against the JKLF. The pro-independence JKLF was in March last year declared as an unlawful association under Section 3(1) o the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 by the Home Ministry, saying it is actively engaged in inciting secessionism and illegal funnelling of funds for fomenting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Two Srinagar-based journalists-- Naseer A. Ganai of Outlook magazine and Haroon Nabi of local news agency Current News Service who had written on the JKLF statement on social media sites were Saturday called in by the police for questioning. However, both of them were let go after a delegation of journalists met inspector-general of police (Kashmir range) Vijay Kumar. The police officer, however, said the two journalists had not been detained as such but only called in to inquire from them about the JKLF statement and their putting it on social platforms. Kumar pointed out that the JKLF is a proscribed organization and that anything that instigates people to create a law and order problem or disturb life and peace wont be allowed to be publicised. Police said Ganai had tweeted the JKLF statement while Nabi had sent it to scores of people on WhatsApp. They were asked to report at the headquarters of J&K polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) here and kept there for a few hours during which they were asked questions about the statement and their publicising it by putting it on social media platforms. Leading French technology company Thales Group said it has successfully delivered a full suite of solutions on all five sections of the three lines of the newly launched and fully operational Doha Metro. Thales is part of a consortium with major Japanese groups Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation; Hitachi and Kinki Sharyo Company, that is responsible for delivering the systems package for the Doha Metro. A first-of-its-kind in Qatar, these new lines are equipped with Thales advanced signalling and train control technology, comprehensive integrated communications and supervision package, as well as a state-of-the-art ticketing solution, said a statement from Thales. The French group had successfully delivered a full suite of solutions on the fully operational Doha Metro that will span across Hamad International Airport, Lusail City, Al Wakra, Education City and the old district. The initial preview service of the first section of Phase One of the Doha Metro Project was successfully launched by Qatar Railways Company in May last year. The first section runs for 21.5 km and has 13 stations, linking Al Qassar in the north of Doha to Al Wakra in the south. It represented almost two-thirds of the entire Red Line, which spans a total distance of 40km and features 18 stations. The second successful preview service was the Gold Line, covering 11 stations, including Ras Bu Abboud, National Museum, Sport City and interchange station, Msheireb. In December last year, the Green Line, which runs from Al Mansoura to Al Riffa, entered into revenue service, said the statement from Thales. The line includes 11 stations in total, two interchange stations that coincide with the Red Line (at Al Mansoura and Msheireb) and the Gold Line at Msheireb. The Green Line runs for 22.5 km, and connects the new Education City to the centre of Doha. The two remaining sections of the Red Line, linking Lusail and HIA airport, were also opened to the public on the same day which marked the completion of the Phase One of Doha Metro network. Thales said it had been supplying advanced Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling, communications and security, passenger services, a fully integrated operational control centre as well as automatic fare collection systems including ticket vending machines, access gates and transaction management systems to Qatar Rail for the Doha Metro project. The Doha Metro will have a total operational length of 76 km, with 84% underground, 14% elevated and 2% at grade, and feature 37 stations across three lines Red, Green and Gold. 75 trainsets will utilise the Doha Metro network with an additional 35 ordered in October 2018 for future lines. Thales brings its cutting-edge technology solutions for the Doha Metro project, which will significantly enhance urban mobility and uphold the highest standards of environmental sustainability, said its top official. "An efficient metro is essential for the commercial success and growth of any great city. Being part of this consortium, at the heart of one of the most ambitious infrastructure development programmes in the world, is a significant achievement for Thales operations in the country," remarked its Country Director in Qatar Frederic Sallet. Thales, he stated, has been present in Qatar for over 35 years and provides its customers with technologically advanced solutions in the aerospace, transportation, defence and security domains. "Qatar Rail and our partners in the consortium are truly transforming urban mobility in the country. The programme fulfils the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and Thales is committed to continue supporting the State of Qatar in its future goals for smart mobility and urban transportation," he added. Along with the Doha Metro project, Thales is also providing a fully integrated solution for supervision, telecommunication, security and fare collection systems for the new Lusail Tram Project in Qatar. Once completed, the new tramway will connect into the metro network to provide Doha with a global standard public transportation network.-TradeArabia News Service They Are Unrelated: Crew Member Found Dead on Cruise Ship Delayed by Coronavirus Scare Royal Caribbean confirms crew member died of unrelated causes Royal Caribbean said that a crew member was found dead on a cruise ship that was delayed near the New Jersey coast over a coronavirus scare but stressed it is unrelated to the mysterious new illness that originated in China. We can confirm that local authorities were immediately notified after a crewmember who did not report for work was found deceased. We cooperated fully with law enforcement in their investigation and have been advised the death was non-suspicious, Royal Caribbean said in a statement, according to NBC New York. A spokesperson from Royal Caribbean told The Epoch Times on Sunday that the crew members death and the coronavirus are unrelated. Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy confirmed on Saturday that four Chinese passengers on the ship have tested negative for the coronavirus. New Jersey currently has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and the risk to residents remains low, he said in a statement. He added three were diagnosed with the flu and the other passenger did not have any symptoms. The four passengers had been taken off Royal Caribbeans Anthem of the Seas ship by infectious disease officials with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after it docked in Bayonne on Friday. Officials said those four passengers had recently traveled to China. A medical staff member getting lunch boxes for patients through a window in an isolation ward at a hospital in Wuhan in Chinas central Hubei province, during the virus outbreak in the city, on Jan. 30, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) The Royal Caribbean vessel has a capacity of 4,900 passengers and 1,500 crew, but it was not clear how many people were on the ship Friday. The coronavirus is believed to have emerged in central China late last year and has prompted quarantines and lockdowns in Wuhan, Hubei Province, and in other cities. Outside of China, cases have been confirmed in more than 25 countries and territories. Royal Caribbean said on its website that it has since changed the destination of the cruise from the Bahamas to Bermuda and will offer refunds to travelers who dont want to embark. Given that our goal is to provide you with the best vacation possible, we made the decision to sail to Bermuda, where youll have more than a day and a half in port to explore. Plus, the weather forecast is looking favorable in Bermuda during our visit. We know how much you were looking forward to beginning your vacation, and we cannot apologize enough for the impact this situation has caused. But we can try to make up for it, the cruise operator wrote. Given the coronavirus scare, Royal Caribbean said that those who do not show up at the pier to embark will get an automatic refund. Whats more, the firm said it will deny any person who has traveled to or through mainland China, Macau, or Hong Kong in the past 15 days. Anyone who has come into contact with a person from those three areas will also be barred from entering the ship, the firm said. Mandatory health screenings will also be performed on sick individuals or people who display flu-like symptoms, people who are not certain if they have contacted people from the three aforementioned areas, or other conditions, according to the firm. In his letter, Frank Larkin called on Trump to make TBIs and the veterans suffering from them a priority and to address a medical system that he says is unresponsive and too bureaucratic. With advanced research and a holistic approach to care, he hopes, more appropriate therapies will give patients suffering from invisible wounds the opportunity to identify the biological connection to mental health problems and the chance to improve their brain health. LGBTQ LEGISLATIVE ISSUES: The leader of the One Iowa LGBTQ advocacy group said the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning Iowans are under relentless assault at the Capitol during the Iowa legislative session. One Iowa Action Executive Director Courtney Reyes says at least 13 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced this session by Republican legislators second nationally only to Missouri with 14. A group of nine state representatives and one senator have filed separate bills seeking to protect religious freedom for Iowa businesses that choose not to engage in transactions or provide services in situations that violate their conscience or are counter to their beliefs and moral convictions. Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, who could not be reached Friday, also filed a more expansive version (Senate File 2194) that covered religious freedom: declared marriage in Iowa only should be between one man and one woman; provided that gender should be the designation of male or female established at birth; and sets forth that life begins at conception. While we are not surprised, we are deeply saddened and upset that legislators continue to focus on stripping protections from marginalized groups rather than ensuring that Iowans have accessible health care, world-class educational opportunities and high- quality jobs, Reyes said in a statement. We will stand and fight this discriminatory agenda to the very end, and we will win, she added. HOUSE COMMITTEE REINS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: Local governments would be liable for the legal costs associated with challenges if they attempt to prohibit employers from asking about job applicants criminal histories or knowingly violate other state laws under a bill now on the House debate calendar. Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee voted this week to approve an amended version of House Study Bill 519 that the panels chairman, Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, said puts cities and counties on notice that they will have to pay attorney fees and costs if they are challenged for taking action that violates state law. That was the case, he said, when Waterloo city officials approved a fair chance initiative that prevents the city and many private employers from asking job applicants about criminal history until the end of the hiring process. The concept, known as ban the box, is barred by the states local preemption law, Holt said, and HSB519 is intended to deter local governments from taking action in violation of state law or face legal and financial ramifications. I understand what youre trying to do, but I think this will have a chilling effect on the ability of local governments to govern and I trust my local government, said Rep. Mary Wolfe, D-Clinton, who voted no on the party-line vote. In sending the bill to the full House for consideration, Holt said, I think the chilling effect its going to have is on cities that dont obey or disregard and disobey state law. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-10 04:06:29|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close People participate in a rally to express their rejection of the U.S. peace plan for the Middle East, in Rabat, Morocco, on Feb. 9, 2020. Thousands of Moroccans on Sunday marched in capital Rabat to express their solidarity with Palestinian people and their rejection of the recently released U.S. peace plan for the Middle East. (Photo by Chadi/Xinhua) RABAT, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Moroccans on Sunday marched in capital Rabat to express their solidarity with Palestinian people and their rejection of the recently released U.S. peace plan for the Middle East. Protesters chanted while carrying pro-Palestinian placards with words such as "No Trump's Deal of the Century," "Full solidarity with the Palestinian people," "Free Palestine." Carrying Palestinian flags and big placards, the protesters marched for hours. Khalid Sefiani, a member of the secretariat of the National Action Group for Palestine, said, it is a historic day on which the Moroccan people reiterate their unanimous rejection of the "Deal of the Century." The march was held on the request of some political bodies, trade unions and social society organizations. Researchers have unravelled how an ocean water current, which plays a key role in keeping Western Europe warm, could be altered by an influx of unprecedented amounts of cold, fresh water from melting ice in the Arctic. According to the scientists, including those from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US, an seawater current called the Beaufort Gyre keeps the polar in balance by storing fresh water near the surface of the Arctic ocean. Wind blows the gyre in a clockwise direction around the western Arctic Ocean, north of Canada, where it naturally collects fresh water from the melting of glaciers, and river runoff, the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, noted. The researchers said this fresh water is important in the Arctic since it floats above the warmer, salty water, and helps protect the sea ice from melting -- in turn regulating the Earth's climate. As the fresh water is slowly released by the gyre into the Atlantic Ocean over a period of decades, it allows the Atlantic Ocean currents to carry it away in small amounts. However, since the 1990s, the researchers said, the gyre has accumulated a large amount of fresh water -- 8,000 cubic kilometres -- or almost twice the volume of Lake Michigan in the US. According to the new study, the cause of this gain in freshwater concentration is the loss of sea ice in summer and autumn. Due to this decades-long decline of the Arctic's summertime ice cover, the Beaufort Gyre is more exposed to the wind, which has spun the gyre faster, trapping the fresh water in its current, the scientists noted. The westerly winds have also persistently dragged the current in one direction for over 20 years, increasing its speed and size, as well as preventing the fresh water from leaving the Arctic Ocean, they said. Where the winds used to change direction every five to seven years, this decades-long western wind is unusual for the region, the study noted. If the wind changes direction again, the scientists said, it could reverse the current, pulling it counterclockwise and releasing the water it has accumulated all at once. "If the Beaufort Gyre were to release the excess fresh water into the Atlantic Ocean, it could potentially slow down its circulation. And that would have hemisphere-wide implications for the climate, especially in Western Europe," said Tom Armitage, lead author of the study from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The release of fresh water from the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic can change the density of surface waters, the study warned. Water from the Arctic loses heat and moisture to the atmosphere, and sinks to the bottom of the ocean, where it drives water from the north Atlantic Ocean down to the tropics in a conveyor-belt-like current called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, the scientists explained. This current helps regulate the planet's climate by carrying heat from the tropically-warmed water to northern latitudes like Europe and North America, and if it is slowed down, it could negatively impact all life forms, especially marine creatures, the study noted. "We don't expect a shutting down of the Gulf Stream, but we do expect impacts. That's why we're monitoring the Beaufort Gyre so closely," said Alek Petty, a co-author of the study from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in the US. The study also found that, although the Beaufort Gyre is out of balance due to the added energy from the wind, it expels that excess energy by forming small, circular eddies of water. While the increased turbulence has helped keep the system balanced, it may also lead to further ice melt since it mixes layers of cold, fresh water with relatively warm, salt water below. This could, in turn, lead to changes in how nutrients and organic material in the ocean are mixed, significantly affecting the food chain and wildlife in the Arctic, the researchers explained. "What this study is showing is that the loss of sea ice has really important impacts on our climate system that we're only just discovering," said Petty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Civil society and educated youth must go the villages to counter the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, said actor Sushant Singh at an anti- Citizenship Amendment Act gathering at Haj House in the metropolis on Sunday. Among those who spoke at the gathering, which was attended by hundreds of women, were former IIT professor and activist Ram Puniyani and former principal of St Xavier's College Father Frazer Mascarenhas. "We have to remove communalism from the Indian fabric. Through a sustained campaign, we may be able to put an end to CAA-NRC, but the threat of communalism will remain," Singh said. "Members of civil society and educated youth must go to the villages to counter the RSS agenda," he added. Professor Puniyani said the BJP has been claiming that the primary problem of Muslim women was triple talaq, whereas movements led by women from the community have shown that the primary problems was "the threat to the Muslim community". Puniyani said the Narendra Modi government was bringing in divisive laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act and proposing the National Register of Citizens exercise to divert attention of people from failed promises like bringing back black money, and devastating effects of demonetisation and price rise. Father Mascarenhas said the economy was in serious crisis and the need of the hour was to work towards building a united, progressive nation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pupils at Sallins National School were among the prize winners at the mini scientist grand final, hosted by Leixlip-based tech giant Intel. The event is now in its 13th year and gives primary school students from fourth, fifth and sixth classes the chance to explore science through project-based learning and exhibitions. The first phase of the programme involves students participating at local level exhibitions, where Intel judges visit the participating schools, choosing two winning projects in each. The second phase saw each of these winning projects take part in the regional finals which were hosted throughout December in Leixlip, Shannon and Cork. This year there almost 2,400 projects exhibited as part of the t competition and the grand final brought together the top 24 projects from across the country. The Sallins school won a prize in the special awards category for the best project book on the subject of the science behind roller- coasters. The winning pupils are pictured above: Kate Walsh, Lucy Doheny, Ailbhe Fitzpatrick, Chloe Meehan, with Ronan Farrell, Maynooth University and Hugh Hardiman, Intel Ireland The leadership of the Fogolyan Kristoff County Emergency Hospital of Sfantu Gheorghe took the decision to ban, starting Monday, the visiting of admitted patients, given the background of increasing numbers of acute respiratory infections. The measure comes after, on Saturday, the access of visitors was suspended indefinitely for the Neonatology, Pediatrics, Children's Infectious Diseases, Obstetrics, and Children's Psychiatry sections."Starting with February 10 the access of visitors to the other sections. The measure is taken to avoid the risk of spreading viruses," a post on the institutions social media accounts shows.According to the County Public Health Directorate, last week the number of respiratory infections grew significantly in Covasna county, 25 pct over the previous week, as well as the number of pneumonias, by 14 pct.Last week the number of respiratory infections reached 3,267, over 2,439 that was recorded two weeks ago, 800 new cases being recorded.Covasna County confirmed 11 cases of flu, in Sfantu Gheorghe, Sita Buzaului, Intorsura Buzaului and Micfalau, but the patients had light versions and only 2 pct of them had to be admitted, specialists say. New Delhi, Feb 9 : The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday questioned the Election Commission over not releasing the final voting percentage even 24 hours after voting ended. AAP leaders, including national convener Arvind Kejriwal questioned the delay. A day after polling in Delhi ended, the Election Commission responded that it was still compiling the voter turnout data at polling stations from scratch. "This is being compiled at polling station level from scratch and it will take time," an official from Election Commission said. "Moreover this huge exercise is in continuation of sealing of strongrooms which goes on till 3 a.m. The conclusive data is reported from all 13,000 polling stations and as I said starts from scratch and takes time," the EC official said. The voting ended at 6 p.m. on Saturday, however, due to long queues at some booths, more time was given so that those in line can exercise their rights. Responding to a tweet from a journalist that quoted officials as saying "final polling percentage will be made public by today (Sunday) evening", Kejriwal called it "shocking". "Absolutely shocking what the EC is doing. Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling?" he said. Meanwhile, AAP Cabinet Minister and Shakur Basti candidate Satyendar Jain said after compilation of Form 17C for 143 booths in the constituency, a total of 98,012 out of 1,44,777 votes were polled. "That works out to be 67.7 per cent votes. Whereas the EC website is showing 49.19 per cent polling only. Why after 22 hours of official polling data is not released by EC," Jain tweeted. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also questioned the delay, alleging that BJP leaders were providing voting statistics. "The Election Commission has not been able to tell what percentage of voting took place even after 24 hours since polling ended... What is happening? Will you collect the final numbers from the BJP office?" Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh said it was the first time in history that the EC is taking so long to announce the turnout. "Even in Lok Sabha elections, the turnout is announced the same day. I remember the time when polling used to happen on ballots. The next day, newspapers used to have the figures about the turnout," Singh said. He said not just the people, but media and political parties are also waiting to see the actual turnout. "It means that some game is going on. There are only 70 constituencies. Even states with more constituencies announce the turnout on the same day." Meanwhile, the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer has not reacted. He is likely to make a statement later on Sunday. The poll results will be announced on Tuesday (February 11). : Two Iranian nationals have been arrested for allegedly duping people of money in Karnataka by diverting their attention, police said on Sunday. Saeed Rostami (26) and Saber Hossein Eghbalzadeh (35), both natives of Tehran, had struck at three automobile dealers in Mangaluru, Mysuru and Bengaluru, the police said. The duo also allegedly stole money from two shops in Bantwal and Udupi, they said. Luck ran out for the two when they went to another firm in Bengaluru and approached the cashier seeking change for Rs 2,000, they said. As the cashier opened the drawer to look for the change, one of the Iranians dropped a Rs 2,000 note on the floor and pretended to search for it, the police said. When the cashier's attention was drawn towards the dropped note, the other Iranian quickly took away Rs 44,000 from the drawer, they said. The entire incident was caught on camera and the duo was arrested later, they added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The United States Strategy for Central Asia 2019-2025 was unveiled at an event hosted by the Heritage Foundation on February 5. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 10 Trend: Azerbaijan is an exemplary state where the right of citizens to elect parliament is ideally realized, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Boris Chernyshev said at a press conference in Baku, Trend reports. The monitoring group of observers worked hard during the voting day and we want to state one fact - the fantastic organization of the work by election commissions," Russian observer said. Chernyshev also noted the high level of awareness of the elections in Azerbaijan. "I would like to talk about how the public awareness was increased. Together with my colleagues, I spoke with local residents and asked only one question: 'Do you know that there will be elections?' And 90 percent of respondents said that 'yes we know and want to participate'," the Russian observer said. The Russian politician noted that voters showed an absolutely high level of turnout on the elections day. "There were no queues, there were no moments when voters were driven away. That is, there were those people who themselves wanted to come to the polls, had this opportunity to express their opinion, and this is very good. Azerbaijan is an exemplary state where voters can exercise their rights to freely express their will," Chernyshev said. In conclusion, the observer noted that he gives an extremely positive assessment of the election process. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Medical workers cheer for each other in the ICU (intensive care unit) of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 24, 2020. [Xinhua/Xiong Qi] When the United States 2009 H1N1 swine flu emerged, it eventually infected 60 million and initially killed a minimum of 18,449 cases that year. But the final story of the H1N1 global pandemic was far worse than that, with close to 300,000 deaths, according to the final tallies in 2012 reported by the CDC, as you will read below. Which is why I am scratching my head at how bizarrely negative forces are attacking China and Chinese people as it engages a remarkably aggressive front addressing this Corona virus outbreak which started in Wuhan, central China. I am forced to ask and answer a few questions. During 2009 H1N1 outbreak, I don't recall xenophobic anti-America attacks across the globe, do you? In fact, do you recall it took six months for the U.S. to declare a national emergency? Did any government from the onset in April 2009 through the end in April 2010, including the month of June, when H1N1 was declared an international emergency global pandemic, then send out a notice to its citizens that they should leave the United States? Close their borders to American travelers? Nope, not a peep. Like I said, something's not right, folks. I am reading hateful vicious attacks on the Chinese government for their supposed intentional conspiracy to intentionally under report the number of infections, yet that is exactly and always the case with such flu outbreaks no matter what country and the CDC reports illustrate that crystal clear. The U.S. H1N1 swine flu numbers were vastly underestimated and updated three years later, because dear friends, that is the nature of such viral outbreaks which don't care which country they started in. There is never enough man power, there are never enough test kits, there is never enough medicine or medical supplies. China is not trying to hide these hardships, they are well known, they are being reported on the news daily in China. There are always people who die, thousands of them whom we'll never know if they actually died because of a particular virus. Those are the facts, not any problem unique to China's healthcare system or government. Its not a conspiracy, its just tragedy. According to the June 27, 2012 research report followup three years later, it gets much more disturbing when you learn about the CDC's final estimate of the H1N1 virus global death toll. You and I find at this at this article at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy website, the CDC's 18,449 total deaths number was "...regarded as WELL BELOW THE TRUE TOTAL, mainly because many people who die of flu-related causes are not tested for the disease." So during the 2009 outbreak, was anyone accusing the American medical and government authorities of hiding the numbers? Were Americans with hidden cameras strolling into the Mayo Clinic to PROVE how many people were really dying? The absurdity of these vicious attacks are that whether or not a person specifically does have the Corona virus or some other viral bug presenting as pneumonia, the treatment is the same supportive treatment anyway. Something's not right here folks. The world should be applauding China's unprecedented, broad, aggressive response. (WHO officials and many other government and healthcare officials across the globe are.) I am on the ground here in China READ IT HERE watching with my own eyes and it is quite incredible by any measure, not to mention an enormous economic sacrifice. Instead of looking at the will of an entire system of government acting faster than any other government on the planet could, we are one month later, still busy bashing a few local government officials in Wuhan who should have told us a couple weeks sooner. And yes, that is true those local officials screwed up. And by the way, those officials are in deep trouble for it. Just like the recent Puerto Rican politicians who are in trouble when we learned they didn't distribute hurricane emergency supplies that were sent to them to help during last year's terrible hurricane. A disgrace. Individual people screw up all the time and hopefully justice gets served later, but that's not an indictment of an entire country's government. Secondly, on this point, every provincial government has sent out a notice to its government officials pretty much saying that if they are stupid enough to do the same, they will face the wrath of harsh punishment. I don't doubt it for a moment. Lets contrast to what countless western politicians have gotten away with and remain in office to remind all of us that human error, stupidity and greed is not unique to any particular skin color or race or country. "What about..." reactions don't help. And here's the mic drop for you: "The CDC researchers estimate that the H1N1 2009 pandemic virus caused 201,200 respiratory deaths and another 83,300 deaths from cardiovascular disease associated with H1N1 infections." Total: 284,000 deaths. Shocking, isn't it? Was there a travel ban for any length of time to and from the United States? Did China, Germany, Japan or any other country close their border to American travelers? Today I noticed in the updates that following the United States Department of State policy suggesting U.S. citizens leave China, the United Kingdom embassy just released the same recommendation to subjects of the kingdom. In 2009, did UK subjects in America get a notice from their kingdom to leave America? No. Did the world suggest we isolate from America? Close the U.S. borders!? No. Did Americans get xenophobically attacked and targeted by anti-American sentiments like the Chinese are experiencing now? Um, no. Fascinating and disturbing to say the least. If you're an expat currently in China, unless you're in Wuhan, fact is that you're most likely safer and more peaceful and more stable by simply staying put than by leaving right now. You couldn't be safer than in this country, where almost everyone is staying home and dutifully isolating themselves with awareness. Not to mention that the Chinese government's decision to safeguard the society, the families, the people, is coming at a devastating economic cost in the hundreds of billions. I have a friend in Mesa, Arizona. He told me earlier that the big popular China City buffet, a huge busy place, has no customers. Does that make any sense at all? Let's test our ability to reason, to be rational: If you were in Miami and you heard that there was a virus outbreak that started in Milan, in central Italy, would you cancel your dinner reservation at the Italian restaurant that night in South Beach? No. Would you buy a pizza next week at Joey's Pizzeria in Delray Beach? If you were in Singapore and you heard there was a virus outbreak in Dallas, Texas in the central United States, would you stop going to your favorite local Texas southern BBQ restaurant with the owner from Houston, in Singapore? Would you avoid olive-skinned dark-haired Italian-looking people on the street in Chicago? Would you avoid big guys wearing cowboy hats, cuz they're obviously from Texas in Singapore cuz there's a virus in Dallas and they might have just gotten off the plane? There's a strange senseless bullying extremism and activism in today's society and you should do your best to avoid it and not be a part of it. It is fomented by a small group of extremist activists while definitely not supported by your average mainstream person who is simply exhausted by their outrage-inducing antics. Finally, here are some straight up, sensible accurate descriptions of this Corona virus which started in Wuhan, China. Its not called the China virus and neither was H1N1 called the America virus. Whether two weeks or two months from now, this flu season type virus will have passed and the joy of Spring will have arrived. Just like every flu season. However, don't misunderstand me. The extra caution and the remarkable response by the Chinese governments and people together to quell the spread of this virus was warranted because, yes it is correct that this corona virus is nastier than the usual annual flu bug, as was H1N1 in 2009. As of now, what we can confidently note the following regarding this Corona virus: This Corona virus is highly contagious, it spreads quite easily. It binds to lung tissue and so in particular, likes to cause pneumonia, that's what infection of lung tissue is. That's more severe than a respiratory infection which is only in your throat or bronchial tubes. The Corona virus currently has a 2% death rate. That's a lot higher, around 20x higher, than a more typical annual flu virus with a death rate of 0.1%. However, a 2% death rate is still much lower by comparison to the SARS virus which had a 9% death rate or the MERS virus with a really nasty 37% death rate. The Corona virus is causing severe symptoms in 10-15% of cases. 80% to 90% of deaths from this virus are happening in elderly patients, mostly with other existing health problems, not younger people. That characteristic by the way, is in contrast to the America 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus which in fact had a higher death rate amongst younger people including children rather than those over 60 years old. China identified and shared the Corona virus genome in record times, in only days and of course, immediately shared it with all international health and disease organizations. Medical researchers are already discovering that certain existing anti-viral medications seem to be effective against this Corona virus. Its impossible not to marvel at China's broad and aggressive domestic response directed by the provincial level governments to restrict movement, restrict transportation, restrict business for a period of time combined with the voluntary dutiful cooperation of its 1.3 billion citizens who are in the majority quietly staying at home these weeks to let the virus pass; this model response is already being hailed by the international community as a remarkable unprecedented response setting a new standard in understanding what is possible for future outbreaks in whatever country they may occur. Is it inconvenient and costly. You bet. Like I said, something's not right with the way humanity is responding to what's happening here. I haven't put my finger on it because well, its certainly complex and the world is upside down in many other ways that I also can't for the life of me understand or explain without ending up writing a very thick book. But I do know this: It needs to stop. This vicious, political, xenophobic racist attacks and smearing of all things China needs to stop. Its really not helping anyone in the political corridors of Washington nor is it doing anything to help the man on the street who is just concerned with taking care of his family. My family is originally from the Basilicata region of Italy, the little hillside Italian towns of Potenza and also, Grottola, which is just outside of Matera. They left their home country and moved to America where I was born, in Yonkers, New York. America became their home and it was my home until I left, too. Now over two decades ago, I left the United States, the country I was born in, the country that has plenty to admire and plenty to improve. But I left and I came to China and now China is my home. If you had asked me thirty years ago if this was my life plan on planet earth, I would have said you were nuts or a really bad fortune teller. But that's how it has turned out. I am truly blessed with my lovely Chinese wife and our family living here in Shenyang in China's northeast. You get my meaning? I am a mature adult like many with the powers of observation. I can easily see that whether we are talking about China or the United States or any other country, their societies and their governments have good points and bad points. The xenophobia needs to stop now. Whether in a couple of weeks or months later, this nasty flu type Corona virus will begin declining and the joy of Spring will arrive. Between now and then if you don't have anything good, anything supportive to say about China or Chinese people, how about you just keep your mouth shut. The author is freelance author and commentator. The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website. Soon after cannabis products started flying off shelves following legalization, Canopy Growth Corp. had a $26.9-million problem. The Smiths Falls, Ont.-based company told investors and analysts during a November conference call to discuss its financial results that it was grappling with $20.5 million worth of product being returned from provincial retailers and bracing itself for another $6.4 million worth that was on the way. In the previous quarter it had taken an $8-million writedown for unsold oil and gel caps. The incidents are a peek into the little-discussed world of cannabis returns, where products are sent back to companies over everything from lack of sales, consumer complaints and quality concerns. Because companies and provincial cannabis distributors track returns differently and dont always disclose data, its hard to know how common returns are, but experts say returns are more often an issue between retailers and wholesalers than consumer complaints. Jordan Sinclair, Canopys vice-president of communications, wrote in an email that the capsule returns his company faced came because the products didnt catch on in the recreational market as quickly as we had anticipated in part due to slower store rollout. Were viewing these things as natural friction as consumers and retailers provide their feedback, he said. This is a new market and we are still learning about customer preferences and how they differ from province to province. Some predict the number of returns like Canopys may be exacerbated by a predicted oversupply of legal cannabis and the second wave of products like pot-infused chocolates, cookies, soft chews, mints, tea and vapes to hit the market. We are in the process of seeing the first wave of returns, said Robyn Rabinovitch, Hill+Knowlton Strategiess business strategy consultant for cannabis clients, who has worked for CannTrust Holdings Inc. and TerrAscend. As we get into more robust offerings ... and additional product categories, I think there is a risk of some of the slow-moving product on the 1.0 side being returned to licensed producers just to free up space at the retail and wholesale level. Rabinovitch has noticed that consumers are clamouring for products that have the lowest cost, but the highest potency. Their habits have sometimes left products with less than 12 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol the cannabis compound producing a high on shelves. Greg Engel, chief executive of Organigram Holdings Inc., said he has yet to see anything that makes him feel product that isnt selling will be returned to make up space. For now, he says industry returns have largely come from slow-moving products. Now that next-gen products have launched many provinces and retailers are considering a SKU rationalization process to assess their current category mix, he said. Generally, these processes result in depleting existing inventory versus returns. But products returned because they dont sell are only one part of the problem facing cannabis companies. There have been recalls, like the voluntary one that occurred in November 2018, when RedeCan Pharm received complaints that some of their products contained mould. Vaughan, Ont.-based CannTrust Holdings Inc. was subject to massive returns when millions in product was shipped back after it was disclosed the company grew some weed in unlicensed greenhouse rooms. Cannabis stores across the country are also encountering situations when products arrived late to customers, shipments are undeliverable, items are damaged or not as ordered. Sometimes returns happen because buyers simply have had a change or heart about their purchase. I have heard there are some issues in quality with some licensed producers ... but we dont really get a lot a lot of returns, said Marianella delaBarrera, WeedMD Inc.s vice-president of communications and corporate affairs. WeedMD returns are atypical, she said. The company only gets one or two a month and most come from products being undeliverable. Recalls, empty containers and dry products make up the top reasons for returns related to quality at the OCS, said Bin Mathew, the agencys quality assurance lead. Between May 2019 and the end of January, the rate of return was 0.04 per cent, down from 0.27 per cent between October 2018 and May 2019. Being a new product and a new industry, we thought (we would see) high numbers, Mathew said. Weve seen a significant decrease ... It was a learning curve. Licensed producers are required to retain all returned products for two years for testing purposes, after which they are free to destroy it as long as no one is exposed to cannabis smoke in the process and two people are on hand to witness the event. Health Canada said since October 2018, the reported quantity of dried cannabis destroyed per month has averaged 11,152 kilograms. As the number of licensed cultivators has increased, the total weight of cannabis destroyed monthly has trended upward, but the percentage of crop destroyed has remained relatively consistent at about four per cent of licensed cultivators inventories. Federal regulations allow companies to get rid of the substance by incinerating it or shredding it and mixing it with other types of inorganic material before composting or disposing of it through local waste removal services. Companies are turning to third-party disposal companies to free up space or compost methods, a switch from earlier days of the industry, when Rabinovitch noticed a novel approach was popular. You would go purchase kitty litter. You would add water to the material and then be able to throw it out in traditional methods, confirming that no one would be able to dumpster dive and be harmed by the consumption of those materials, she says. But kitty litter is not always the most efficient and cost-effective method. By Express News Service THRISSUR: The medical team tending to the novel coronavirus (nCoV) infected girl, who is undergoing treatment in Thrissur Medical College Hospital, heaved a sigh of relief on Sunday when the test results of her swab samples came back as negative. According to Local Self-Government Minister A C Moideen, though the test results were negative, the medical team is strictly monitoring the health condition of the girl. INTERVIEW: Identifying suspect cases early helped prevent coronavirus outbreak, says KK Shailaja If one more test result comes back as negative, then there will be nothing to be afraid of and we can conclude that she has been ridden of the infection. Currently, her condition is stable, he said. According to district authorities, only seven people remain in isolation wards in the district, while everyone else has been shifted to their houses as their test results came back as negative. Those sent back home have been instructed to remain under home quarantine until the completion of the mandatory 28 days, said a health official. As of Sunday, 248 people are under home quarantine. Two more arrested for spreading misinformation Meanwhile, police arrested two more people for spreading misinformation about nCoV through social media. The accused were identified as Bipeesh, 26, of Thalikkulam, and Pradosh, 52, of Irinjalakkuda. So far, 12 people have been arrested from the district for propagating false information regarding the virus. In all the discussions and writings on Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Dogra factor is almost always neglected or passed over. The fact is that the state of J&K would not have come into existence had it not been for the formidable combination of diplomacy and valour shown by the Dogras under Maharaja Gulab Singh (1792-1858). A favourite general in the armies of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, he performed valiantly in several of the Sikh wars in Afghanistan. As a result, Maharaja Ranjit Singh bestowed upon him the title of the Raja of Jammu with a personal Raj Tilak, on the banks of the Chenab in 1822. Even during Maharaja Ranjit Singhs reign, Gulab Singh had consolidated the Jammu region and started the Dogra advent into the Himalayas. After the passing of the great Punjab King, the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846 gave Maharaja Gulab Singh the title over the Kashmir Valley. It was not vacant, and the Muslim governor there put up a strong resistance to the Dogras. At the same time, there were the remarkable trans-Himalayan military expeditions by Dogra soldiers from Jammu and Himachal Pradesh, who fought pitched battles at high altitudes. The great Dogra general, Zorawar Singh, known as one of the most remarkable military commanders in world history, conquered Ladakh after stiff resistance from the local kingdom. Simultaneously, General Baj Singh, Mehta Basti Ram and other Dogra generals conquered Gilgit-Baltisan. In the process, the Dogras suffered heavy casualties, but succeeded in establishing the Dogra empire of J&K, which emerged as the largest princely state in British India. Gulab Singhs successor, Maharaja Ranbir Singh added Hunza and Nagar as tributaries to what was the Dogra empire. The unique multi-regional, multi-linguistic, multi-religious and multi-cultural state of J&K was thus the handiwork of the Dogras, who have not received adequate attention or credit for this from historians. Apart from founding the state, the Dogras were able to successfully administer it for exactly a century from 1846 to 1947, when my father signed the Instrument of Accession to India on October 26. This period saw four rulers : Maharaja Gulab Singh, Maharaja Ranbir Singh, Maharaja Pratap Singh and Maharaja Hari Singh. Despite the fact that the state had an 80% Muslim population, it is remarkable how the Dogras were able to keep the state together, ably assisted by administrators drawn mainly from the talented Kashmiri Pandit community, but also by outstanding persons from outside the state. These included Sir Vijahat Hussain, and Sir Gopalaswamy Iyengar, who was prime minister (PM) for six years from 1933 to 1939. Sir BN Rao, who was the main draftsman of the Constitution of India, was also PM for a short period. During the Dogra rule, many progressive and far-reaching social reforms were instituted, especially by my father Maharaja Hari Singh who ascended the throne in 1925. It is unfortunate that he is generally remembered only for the last few months of his rule during which the tribal invasion, the accession, and the subsequent war took place. This has overshadowed the remarkable reforms that he instituted, such as the abolition of Begar (enforced labour), the opening of all temples to Harijans/Dalits way back in 1929, the institution of jabri schools which Muslim girls were made to attend at a time when this was unknown elsewhere in India, and the institution of state subject regulations that safeguarded land ownership and service employment for the permanent residents of the state against the onslaught of more powerful and affluent parties from outside. It was my historic role and privilege to spearhead the transition from feudalism to democracy, both as elected Sadar-e-Riyasat and Union Cabinet minister. The Dogra factor in the creation and maintenance of the J&K state cannot, therefore, be minimised. This, apart from their outstanding continuing role in the Indian Army, and their cultural input through traditional dance, music and, of course, the world famous schools of pahari painting including Basohli, Guler and the Kangra miniatures. The Dogri language has also been included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, and the Dogras, though numerically small, play a notable role in many spheres of public life. Despite the radical restructuring of the erstwhile J&K state recently, the Jammu and the Kashmir regions remain linked, albeit in a Union Territory (UT). In many ways, the economy of the two regions are mutually supportive. The bulk of tourists to the holy cave in Amarnath invariably travel through Jammu, while much of the horticultural and handicraft products of Kashmir pass through the Jammu markets. The fact that both regions have been reduced to a joint UT is not welcomed in either region. The Kashmiris feel that from enjoying a special status and Constitution, they have now been reduced to an even lower category than other Indian states, while the Dogras feel that considering the contribution they have made to extending and consolidating the northern frontiers of India, the least they can expect is the status of a full-fledged state along with regional autonomy for both units. In Kashmir, the prolonged denial of Internet connectivity and the detention of many political leaders, including three former chief ministers that has now entered its sixth month, are having a devastating psychological impact on the people. In the broader national interest, it is important that normal political and Internet activity is fully restored as soon as possible. In addition, it is only after the UT has been compensated for the heavy losses running into thousands of crores that have been incurred since August 2019, that the multiple benefits that we have been assured will flow from the restructuring will actually start reaching the people of the erstwhile Dogra state. Karan Singh is a senior Congress leader and the son of former Jammu & Kashmir ruler Maharaja Hari Singh. He has been a member of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha The views expressed are personal Aviation regulator DGCA has said that foreigners, who went to China on or after January 15, will not be allowed to enter India. "Foreigners who have been to China on or after January 15, 2020, are not allowed to enter India from any air, land or seaport including India-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Bangladesh or Indo-Myanmar land borders," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said in a circular. The decision comes when the toll due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus rose to 813 in China on Sunday. The circular, issued on Saturday, also reiterated that all visas as well as e-visas issued to Chinese nationals before February 5 have been suspended with immediate effect. "No Chinese national, as well as other foreigners presently in China, are allowed to travel to India on existing Regular (sticker) visa or e-visa, which they hold (issued prior to Feb 05, 2020). In case of compelling reasons to travel to India, such persons may get in touch with Embassy in Beijing or Consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou for new visas," the circular said. However, the visa restrictions are not applicable to the aircrew, who may either be Chinese nationals or other foreign nationalities coming from China. Amid a rising pneumonia scare caused due to the virus outbreak, Indigo and Air India have temporarily suspended flight operations in and around China. The deaths due to 2019-nCoV -- a deadly virus that traces its origin in the local seafood market of Wuhan, capital of Hubei province in central China -- has surpassed the toll from the SARS epidemic of 2002-3. Viral pneumonia caused by the highly contagious and life-threatening virus started in the middle of December and has spread to nearly 23 countries across the globe including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, India, and the United States. Many countries have also restricted their citizens from travelling to mainland China and also set up health camps at airports to screen passengers arriving from the East Asian country in the wake of the pneumonia outbreak. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said there was no "contradiction nor inconsistency" in the statements made by several government officials regarding the submission of papers to the US about the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). In a statement released Sunday evening, Panelo said he was only quoting President Rodrigo Duterte and that people were making a fuss over an issue that did not exist. "This representation was merely quoting the President when he said that he would instruct the Executive Secretary to tell the Department of Foreign Affairs to send a notice of termination to the United States on the VFA. To be clear, this representation did not say that the directive of the President to the Executive Secretary has already been issued or given. The said instruction from the tenor of the President using the future tense is just forthcoming. The President may even directly instruct Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin on the matter. It is much ado about nothing," he said. He said if no instructions were given, then Medialdea and Lorenzana's statements were true. However, he added it did not mean what he said was not true. "It simply means that the Executive Secretary has yet to receive the directive from the President," he said. Panelo also said there was no "internal clash" in the Cabinet, adding they were "always in unison with respect to the policies enunciated by the President." Last Friday, Panelo said that Duterte would order Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin to have the government's order regarding the VFA termination be sent to the US. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana would later say it was "fake news" and that no order was given to either the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or Locsin. "According to (Executive) Sec. (Salvador) Medialdea! None. Nada. Zilch. Awan. Wala! Anggapo," said Lorenzana. On the conflicting statements, Lorenzana said he would leave it to Panelo, saying, "I think you have to ask them that. As I said I will stay mum from now on. I leave it to Sec Panelo as the spox (spokesperson) to be the outlet of such news." Duterte threatened he would end the VFA if Washington did not reverse its cancellation of Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosas visa. Duterte said in a speech in January that he was giving the US government a month to correct the cancellation of Dela Rosas visa. However, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Panfilo Ping Lacson filed a resolution asking the President to reconsider his decision to terminate the VFA. Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri cited economic complications if the country unilaterally withdraws from the agreement. Locsin also said the country would stand to lose around 10 billion in aid, such as military assistance and financial grants from the US, should the termination push through. Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made an awkward blunder when she mixed-up two economists while addressing the benefits of a four-day work week in a video shared on Instagram. The 30-year-old was asked by one of her followers to discuss the benefits of a shorter work week when she misspoke and referred to 'Milton Keynes'. Ocasio-Cortez later said she had confused a British economist, John Maynard Keynes, with Milton Friedman, who won the 1976 Nobel Prize. John Maynard Keynes - who she intended to refer to - theorized that government spending was linked to economic growth. He was an advocate for increased government expenditures and lower taxes in order to pull the global economy out of the depression. Milton Friedman was an American economist who believed in free-market capitalism, and opposed the views of traditional economists like Keynes. Milton Keynes, which AOC actually used, is the name of a large town in the south of England. Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez mixed-up two economists while addressing the benefits of a four-day work week in a video shared on Instagram The 30-year-old was asked by one of her followers to discuss the benefits of a shorter work week when she misspoke. Shortly after the mistake, AOC shared a clarification in her Instagram story (right) 'It's funny that you ask this because I was just reading today about how Milton Keynes, a famous economist back in the day, predicted that by 2030 US GDP would grow six to eight times what it is which would allow for everyday people to work 15 hours a week,' Ocasio-Cortez begins. The congresswoman referred to Milton Keynes, an accidental combination of the names of both economists. 'Keynes' predictions weren't completely wrong. US GDP and technological advancement have grown so much to the end point of productivity per person skyrocketing as well,' she continued. 'The problem is that those advancements have not been enjoyed by the very people who are actually producing the goods in our society. So the issue right now and it raises the question of is national economic growth actually tied to improvement in people's lives. 'In fact, the 2019 Nobel Prize in economics or the equivalent of it went to an economists that concluded that for certain advanced economies growth in GDP doesn't necessarily correlate in growth of living. 'We really need to focus on whose actually enjoying the fruits of that productivity. So it's not about making more money, but it's about how that money is actually being distributed and whether people are earning what they actually produce.' The congresswoman referred to Milton Keynes, an accidental combination of the names of both economists Ocasio-Cortez confused British economist, John Maynard Keynes (left), who theorized that government spending was linked to economic growth, with 1976 Nobel Prize winner, Milton Friedman (right), an American economist who believed in free-market capitalism Shortly after the mistake, Ocasio-Cortez shared a clarification in her Instagram story. 'UGGGH TYPO. It's John Maynard Keynes. Mixed his name with Milton Friedman - a (very) different economist,' she wrote. Ocasio-Cortez, who drew national recognition when she beat incumbent Joe Crowley for New York's 14th congressional district in 2018, holds a bachelor's degree from Boston University in economics. Her video was first shared by John Gage, of The Washington Examiner. Gage tweeted: '@AOC, who routinely boasts about her economics degree, confused John Maynard Keynes with Milton Friedman.' And it didn't take long for others to pick up on the mistake. Several took to Twitter to share their thoughts, with many referring to the town of Milton Keynes in England. It didn't take long for others to pick up on the mistake. Several took to Twitter to share their thoughts Some Twitter users pointed out that Milton Keynes (pictured, file image) is a town in England 'This is a double whammy, b/c not only is Ms. "I HAVE A DEGREE IN ECONOMICS PEOPLE" getting the name of the second most famous economist in the world wrong (Milton Keynes is actually a place, btw, a town in England), she's pronouncing his name wrong too. It's "KAYNES" not "KEENS."' another tweeted. Carol Roth wrote: 'I, too, spend my days reading the works of noted economists like Milton Keynes and his good friends, philosophers Milton Berle and Milton Bradley.' '@RepAOC "Milton Keynes really? And you then claim thats a typo? I am wondering which mistake is more moronic? It must be Republicans who donate all that money to you so you will keep talking. Every dollar they give to you seems to go back to @realDonaldTrump 10X,' one person tweeted. 'I'm not entirely sure how an Economics graduate of #BostonCollege could make the mistake #MiltonKeynes,' another said. Some found it funny and others jumped to defend Ocasio-Cortez. Some found it funny and others jumped to defend Ocasio-Cortez 'Someone needs to make a Milton Keynes Twitter account that just tweets mashups of Keynes and Friedman quotes,' one user joked. Another voiced their frustration with the negative comments about Ocasio-Cortez's mistake. 'disappointed to see people dunking on AOC for misplacing keynes' first name. i've actually done that exact slip before because there's a place called milton keynes and economists called milton friedman and john maynard keynes,' one person tweeted. Another wrote: 'AOC invented a new economist named Milton Keynes. Eh...I can let it slide. Yes Minister made the same joke 40 years ago. (Milton Keynes is a town north of London.)' The town of Milton Keynes - which is about 50 miles north-west of London - has a population of more than 200,000. A hotel complex in the town is currently being used as a coronavirus quarantine facility for British people who have been evacuated from Wuhan in China. I was so clear on how I wanted the product to look, the font and colours of the labelling and branding, the feel of the bags. This meant I went into the conversations about manufacturing with the end product in my minds eye. This held me in good stead for the rabbit warren of conversations I would have to go down to have them eventually made. Now we have the product for sale, the bags have barely altered from that first vision although there were many times I wondered if the bags could ever get made. I have always been really clear that I wanted the bags to be BPA free, reusable and recyclable at the end of their life. Fortunately I found there was an international plastics fair hosted here in Melbourne. So I loaded the two children in the double pram, and spent a long morning doing laps of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. There were hardly any women there and certainly no women with babies in prams there. I was told time and time again that its would be hard to make the product to my design in small runs. The fair was my foray into the real world, out and about having conversations about manufacturing. I felt like it was an exciting step, although I still wasnt sure I had found anyone to make the product. We hit capacity, the one year old was starving apparently and the baby was screaming. As I left, I noticed one of the last stands in a row and took their card. I left feeling a bit overwhelmed, but in hindsight it was such a valuable experience to see the scope of plastics manufactures and start the production conversations in earnest. I engaged in conversations via email and over time zones with exhibitors I had met in Melbourne, but also through the Alibaba site. At one stage I was speaking with around seven different manufacturers. I had found examples of like products, and sent images and specifications of the design and dimensions. I had to be really clear on my knowledge of plastic and what specifications I required. After literally months of emailing and back and forwards, I couldnt find the right fit overseas. Shy of going overseas and visiting factories, or paying a broker to do this, I didnt feel confident that I could guarantee the bulk quality, or the smell of the plastic. These seems like a small and silly consideration, but one that was important to me. I had got so caught up in the idea that it was a better cost proposition to have the bags made overseas. I realised that I needed to go back through my local research and find an option I felt I could better manage from home. I found the card from that very last site I saw at the plastics expo of a plastics manufacturer in Brisbane and began conversations. I felt for my contact, who almost daily would receive another question from me about plastics, look and feel. We went through lots of couriered samples, and finally I felt we were getting closer to the product I had held so clearly in my mind. Loading We were able to come up with a product that I had dreamt of (I never thought I would be saying this about plastic bags, dreaming of plastic) by a company I felt comfortable working with, that were Australian made and met all my criteria within a reasonable budget and at a relatively small production run of 1000 pieces. There are nine individual bags in each set, so the next challenge was where to put a pallet of 9000 bags owned by a business being run from the kitchen. The original packaging idea was going to be a mailing tube, printed with our simple logo. This was one of the first things I designed and again, I was so clear on how it would look. I felt it would be a great option for mailing too, and serve double duty as packaging and mailing. As the process went on and I got a better feel for the bags and the instruction sheet, as well as adding other products to the website. I knew I had to be more flexible with this vision for packaging, so began the research process again for mailing and packing options. Our current packaging is environmentally friendly tissue paper and stickers, but Im not happy with these for display purposes and also as it isnt a robust pack. My next challenge is finding a packing solution that I am happy with for online customers and can work if we make the decision to wholesale the product or display at expos. In a surprising turn of events, Bangladesh has reportedly scrapped plans to bring back its 171 citizens stuck in China. This decision comes after it failed to arrange a flight to the coronavirus hit nation as its airlines staff refused to travel there. Meanwhile, the deadly virus has killed 811 and infected more than 37,000 people in China. Unable to send any flights to China Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told international media that they cannot send any flights to the infected country as no member of the crew agreed to go there. He added that the government has advised all the Bangladeshi citizens stuck there to wait. Meanwhile, the government officials have revealed that there are 171 Bangladeshi citizens who wanted to return, reported PTI. Momen also denied the previous complaints of the stuck citizens of a dearth of food and water due to the lockdown adding that the Chinese authorities have been effectively providing food and water to all the 23 areas where the Bangladeshi people stay. He further said the Bangladeshi embassy is well in contact with the residents. Read: Azam Falls But Pakistan Build Big Lead Against Bangladesh Read: Two New Cases Of Coronavirus Detected In UAE; Infection Cases Rise To 7 According to a Bangladeshi Daily, the government has already spent a lot of time in efforts to bring its citizens back. However, it is still not possible to bring them back. The Biman crew members who brought back about 312 Bangladeshis from China are now in effect barred from flying to other countries, Momen said. He also revealed that earlier the Chinese authorities agreed to do so but have later declined before saying that they are not able to send any flights there. According to a report, his comments came days after Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said that around 171 Bangladeshis would be flown out of Wuhan upon clearance from Chinese authorities. Read: UN Health Body Led Team To Leave For China To Investigate Coronavirus Outbreak Read: 'Corona Beer Virus' Searches Spike On Google After Deadly Coronavirus Outbreak On February 1, State-run Biman Airlines' Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft brought back 312 Bangladeshis, including 12 children and three infants in the wake of the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday said more than 9,400 people are presently under community surveillance in 32 states and union territories after the outbreak of deadly novel Coronavirus. The containment and prevention activities are being taken up on utmost priority. "Universal screening for all flights from Singapore and Thailand besides Hong Kong and China is already ongoing at earmarked aero-bridges. The screening of passengers is now on in all 21 airports, International Seaports and border crossings," Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a press statement. According to the ministry, as of now, 1,818 flights and over 1.97 lakh passengers have been screened at 21 airports. The ministry is extending all the possible support to the states and union territories in order to combat the situation, it added. A total of 1,510 samples have been tested and 1,507 samples were found negative except for three samples which had tested positive already from Kerala, said the ministry. It added that all the states are continually strengthening their rapid response teams to counter any eventuality. Also Read: Coronavirus scare in India: Huge capacity to manufacture masks, gloves, but govt yet to place orders Last week, Kerala had confirmed the third case of coronavirus in India with the third patient testing positive in Kasargod. The third case was a student who recently returned from China like the first two patients of coronavirus detected in different parts of Kerala. All three cases of coronavirus have been reported from Kerala where the government has kept around 2,000 people under observation at different hospitals, quarantine facilities and also homes. However, in a respite to the government, all 645 people evacuated from China's Wuhan city, who were lodged at the quarantine facilities set up by the Army and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in and around Delhi, have tested negative for coronavirus. Also Read: Coronavirus outbreak: China virus deaths overtake Sars fatalities in 2003, over 800 dead Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus deaths on the Chinese mainland crosses 800 by end of February 8, breaching that of the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003. The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), have originated from a market in Wuhan, China, has now spread to 28 countries and territories worldwide, with 28,276 confirmed cases and 800 deaths. By Chitranjan Kumar Lunarfest, a celebration of the Lunar New Year and Chinese culture, took place in New haven on February 8, 2020. The day kicked off with a parade down Church Street and Whitney Avenue. Former Vice President Joe Biden jokingly branded a young female voter a 'lying, dog-faced pony soldier' during a town hall in New Hampshire Sunday - then claimed he was quoting John Wayne. Madison Moore, a 21-year-old economics student at Mercer University, seen wearing a cap in the footage, asked Biden why voters should believe he could win after his performance in Iowa where the candidate came in fourth place. 'So you're arguably the candidate with the greatest advantage in this race,' Madison said at the Ashworth by the Sea hotel in the ocean-front town of Hampton, mentioning how Biden has name recognition as the former vice president and didn't have to take time off from the campaign trail for impeachment hearings like the 2020 candidates who serve in the U.S. Senate. 'How do you explain the performance in Iowa and why should the voters believe that you can win the national election?' the student asked. Joe Biden called a college student at his town hall Sunday a 'lying, dog-faced pony soldier' Madison Moore (pictured) a 21-year-old economics student at Mercer University asked Biden why voters should believe he could win after his performance in Iowa The comments were sparked after Biden asked the student if she had even been to a caucus before, and she told him she had. 'You said you were but now you've got to be honest,' he said Donald Trump Jr. drew attention to Joe Biden's comment, tweeting video of the back-and-forth In another tweet, Donald Trump Jr. floats that former Vice President Joe Biden has 'lost his marbles' 'It's a good question. Number One Iowa is a Democratic caucus. You ever been to a caucus?' Biden asked the young voter. She nodded in the affirmative. 'No you haven't. You've a lying dog-faced pony soldier,' Biden said, getting laughs. 'You said you were but now you've got to be honest. Now, I'm gonna be honest with you. It was a little bit confusing in Iowa,' he said. Bidens spokespeople said the line was taken from a scene in a John Wayne movie, where a Native American chief refers to Wayne as a 'lying, dog-faced pony soldier.' Biden said the quote came from John Wayne (left), but it appears he was actually referring to the 1952 Tyrone Power film 'Pony Soldier' (right) Biden has previously used the same phrase and attributed it to a John Wayne movie. At a 2018 campaign event for Heidi Heitkamp, Biden said of her opponent Kevin Cramer: 'As my brother who loves to use lines from movies, from John Wayne movies, theres a line in a movie, a John Wayne movie where an Indian chief turns to John Wayne and says, This is a lying, dog-faced pony soldier.' It appears Biden may have misquoted John Wayne as it seems he may have been referring to the 1952 Tyrone Power film 'Pony Soldier', which uses the phrase throughout. Addressing Madison, Biden continued: 'But let's assume everything was exactly right in Iowa, the idea that you come in with half the delegates that the leaders come in with in Iowa, does not necessarily say how you're going to win Pennsylvania, how you're going to win Michigan,' he argued, suggesting he'd outperform Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in the general election swing states. 'I congratulate Pete, I congratulate Bernie,' Biden continued. 'They were really well organized, better organized than we were in Iowa.' Biden also argued that 'you have to take the first four as one,' Biden said of the first early voting and caucus states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. 'Not a single person has won without overwhelming support from the black community, overwhelming, overwhelming. OK?' Biden said. 'Right now I am far and ahead in the African-American community,' he continued, adding that the final result 'remains to be seen.' Biden came in fourth place in the Iowa caucuses although the state's Democratic Party has not officially declared a winner after the contest was thrown into chaos when the reporting app malfunctioned Iowa has not yet officially declared the winner, but as the results stand Buttigieg came in No. 1 in the traditional metric - the percentage of delegates earned - while Sanders won the popular vote. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren fell in third place with 18 per cent and Biden in fourth with 15.8 per cent. Other than Amy Klobuchar, who earned 12.3 per cent in the caucus, no other candidate emerged with more than 1 per cent. New polling out over the weekend shows Biden in fourth place in New Hampshire, as well with one particular poll showing him only one point ahead of Klobuchar. He also downplayed expectations in New Hampshire, which holds the nation's first primary on Tuesday. Biden said he can't be expected to top Sanders, who represents Vermont, or Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, since they're from neighboring states. 'Look, who has won a New Hampshire primary ... if you have somebody running in the two states next door to you?' he asked the crowd. While in the room, Biden's odd comment was taken in stride. Once it hit the internet, however, it was ripe for critics to rip. Donald Trump Jr. saw the back-and-forth and suggested it showed that the 77-year-old Biden was deteriorating. 'Are we stil pretending Joe Biden hasn't lost his marbles?' Trump Jr. tweeted Sunday afternoon. The first son then suggested people 'Google a video of him from 30 years ago and compare it to him now and tell me it's the same person!' 'Long gone,' Trump Jr. said. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, many Brits may be opting for a romantic night in rather than a meal out at a busy restaurant. If you're considering treating yourself and your partner to a nice bottle of wine, the good news is you don't have to spend as much as you think. Sommelier Sam Tyson, who has 20 years experience in the vino industry and is an expert at Winebuyers.com, an upmarket wine and Champagne club, says a great tasting bottle doesn't have to break the bank. He also recommends gambling on less well-known regions and vineyards and not being snobbish about where your plonk comes from. Speaking to FEMAIL, here Sam shares his top tips for enjoying a delicious glass of vino every time. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, many Brits may be opting for a romantic night in with a nice bottle of wine rather than a meal out at a busy restaurant. Pictured: stock image 10 WINE IS JUST AS GOOD AS 20 WINE 'There are plenty of wines that cost 20 that shouldn't and plenty of great wines at 10,' Sam said. 'If you're after the lightness of the esteemed Pinot Noir, try an South African Cinsault for a much better price point. 'The Ardeche in southeast France and the whole of the Auvergne, a region in central France, has seen recent interest in its wines. 'Previously they were really only seen locally, but the demand for Burgundian wine and better infrastructure has seen an interest in this most moderate part of the Rhone corridor. Sommelier Sam Tyson (pictured) has 20 years experience in the wine industry 'This producer's other wine comes from the St-Joseph over the river from the hill at Hermitage, but I find this wine consistently trumps it's more prestigious partner.' Sam told how Muscadet, a dry white wine produced mainly in the Loire region, has become deeply unfashionable in recent years, and after devastating frosts many growers have given up the ghost. 'This has always been a mystery as this bone dry, zingy textured wine couldn't be better designed for modern palates,' he said, adding that it can be a great alternative to generally more expensive Chablis. Sam recommends sourcing wine direct from the cellar door to find real value online. Winebuyers sells an organic 2017 Tempranillo red wine called Luna Lunera from a project on the edge of the Spanish Meseta for just 6 a bottle. People are often perplexed by the wine aisle, especially when the usual suspects are often available for a reduced price. The reality is, if a wine is regularly discounted from 10 to 6, it's probably worth the latter. If a bottle is always the same price, it's probably valued pretty accurately. ALWAYS KEEP AN OPEN RED IN THE FRIDGE The longer a red wine remains decanted, the longer it loses its aroma and flavours, as exposure to air spoils the wine. Sam said: 'I think we are aware that red wines like to "breathe", but also that once a bottle is opened it starts to spoil. 'If you are going to drink the whole bottle and don't mind the washing up, then decanting is a great way to realise value by making the wine you've paid for better.' If you have an open bottle of red wine, it's best to decant it into a smaller container and store it in the fridge for freshness. Pictured: stock image As a rule of thumb, you should typically decant a red wine around 30 minutes before pouring - and always keep it in the fridge overnight if you don't finish it all. 'Almost any reaction happens more slowly at cooler temperatures, making the fridge an excellent spot to rest your red,' Sam explained. 'The more wine in the bottle means the longer the wine will remain fresh, just like milk. 'To this end, transferring any remaining wine into a smaller bottle can really help. Just remember to take it out of the fridge well before you want to drink it!' VINEYARDS NEXT DOOR TO RENOWNED ONES ARE JUST AS GOOD - BUT CHEAPER 'The world of wine is full of hidden gems. There are plenty of houses making fantastic wines, but without the marketing budget, sponsors, and the like,' Sam revealed. 'Champagne lovers, for instance, can find equally fantastic Cremant from the rest of France. 'Consumers can also find amazing value in wine that is resolutely unpopular due to perception rather than quality, such as dry sherry or German Rieslings.' Most people have heard of Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio - but a lesser known variant of the same grape is Grauburgunder. Sam recommends giving it a try: 'This has really nice spice, evolution and balance and were it to come from over the border in Alsace, France, would cost an awful lot more.' ICE BUCKETS MASK POOR QUALITY WINE Sam warned that over-chilling a wine can dull its taste and mask some of its sweetness. Sam warned that over-chilling a wine can dull its taste and some of its sweetness - while ice buckets are sometimes used to mask poorer quality wines. Pictured: stock image 'This means that ice buckets are often used to mask poorer quality wines, like the cheaper house option,' he added. 'If the wine is served at the correct temperature, you really shouldn't need an ice bucket. But of course, overly-chilled wine can also be a personal taste.' WINES FROM LESSER-KNOWN REGIONS ARE AMAZING Wines from regions like Chile are markedly cheaper than those from France, but can be equally amazing, according to Sam. 'While some people are simply better at making wine than others, the nationality of the wine does not inform its quality,' he said. 'More recent changes in the Eastern European economy have seen a spectacular improvement in the wine production of countries such as Croatia, which are really worth trying. 'Much of our opinion and attitude to wines are based on ideas and perceptions from hundreds of years ago. Wines from regions like Chile are markedly cheaper than those from France, but can be equally amazing, according to Sam. Pictured: a vineyard in the Cochagua Valley in Chile That isn't to say that the great vineyards of the world no longer make great wine, but the world has expanded and it's demonstrably false to dismiss an entire continents' wines.' Sam recommends a highly regarded wine from the Dalmatian islands of Vis, Hvar and Korcula called Ante Sladic Debit (2018), which costs 8.55 a bottle and uses indigenous grapes not often seen in the UK, but with a huge history and pedigree. 'Long, mineral and dry, the quality of this wine is apparent; the difficulty lies in getting it in front of people,' he said. THE SHAPE OF THE BOTTLE CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THE TASTE The shape of the bottle is a choice of the winemaker or the wine region, but there's inference to style to be made here, according to Sam. 'Tall fluted bottles are consistently filled with delicate, aromatic wines,' he said. 'You'll also notice that most Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots appear in high-shouldered bottles. 'These grapes are the widest planted grapes in Bordeaux and the shape of the bottles are mainly a visual indicator to the customer of the provenance of these grapes. 'This rule also applies for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Burgundy bottles.' NEVER LET WINE DOMINATE FOOD OR VICE VERSUS If you have strong opinions on whether pineapple belongs on pizza but think that wine matching is a fabrication, then you're mistaken. 'The basic rule is that wine shouldn't dominate the food, nor the food the wine,' Sam explained. 'This means that richer foods go with richer wines and lighter wines go with lighter dishes. For seafood, Sam suggests lighter white wines to compliment the delicate taste of the fish. Pictured: stock image 'If you feel like a casserole, it doesn't mean you won't like a tomato and mozzarella salad on another day. It's all about finding the right wine for the right moment.' Lamb and beef work well with solid, full-bodied red wines, because tannins will combine with muscle tissue and fat to release an extra flavour to the dish. For seafood, Sam suggests lighter white wines to compliment the delicate taste of the fish. Pork is often served with a sweet apple sauce, so pairing it with a fruity wine can be quite delightful. If you have a salty food like smoked salmon or a dish with soy sauce, however, in it can benefit from both acidic and sweet wines. 'The fun, of course, is all in the experimentation,' Sam added. OLD VINES INDICATE GOOD QUALITY WINE Sam told how old vines are always a strong sign of quality that you can look out for on the label. 'Older vines make more interesting grapes and, as they produce less wine, show that the producer has chosen to sacrifice quantity for quality,' he explained. 'Once a vine is older than 25 years, most wine producers would replace it as it becomes less profitable. However the quality of fruit can continue to rise for 50 years - and certainly longer!' He recommends a full bodied wine from Aragon in Spain called El Botijo Rojo Garnacha (2015), priced at 9.99 a bottle, which is limited production. A car swerved to avoid Rickey Carey, 38, in the 1400 block of Southern Avenue, police said, but collided with the bus, which then struck Carey, who was trapped underneath, they said. Political anoraks and Twitter pol corrs: look away now. I'm about to bring up something terrifying. It's the two most hated words in Irish electoral nomenclature: electronic voting. My timing couldn't be much worse. A few days ago, the US Democratic Party embarrassed itself in the Iowa caucus app-voting fiasco. If there was a takeaway over this side of the Atlantic, it was that electronic voting will always be a laughing stock. So why would anyone even want to talk about it? Here in Ireland, the election count is acclaimed as exciting material for great reality TV and radio. The twists and turns of the transfers accompany underdogs, heroes, villains and giant-killers. That it takes a long, long (long) time is treated not as a weakness, but a strength. It's a binge-watching session to beat anything Netflix or Amazon Prime Video have, right? And yet, and yet. The time will come again when we will have to reconsider the merits of electronic voting. Not this year and probably not next year. But soon. Woe betide the person who brings it up. Any time a faster form of vote counting is mooted, it raises all sorts of hackles among a very large number of political hacks and anoraks. These are often unrelated to the merits of the system. The very term 'electronic voting' is a pejorative in Ireland, a bit like the term 'mobile phone' was in the 1990s. But there is nothing wrong - nothing whatsoever - with wanting to know who has won an election that will shape a nation's direction. If we have the means to understand, safely and reliably, who has won within hours, it should be our aim. Anything else is - let's be honest with ourselves - theatre; it's there to serve a relatively small number of people who relish the attention and the spotlight of being the gatekeepers to an important process. I've seen this first-hand at many election counts. There is a deference shown to tallymen and political party bosses, some of whom wouldn't get a second look from one election to the next. Who can blame their thrill? It's power, attention and respect all rolled into one. Try telling those people that a safe, reliable, instantaneous system will cut them out of the cameras for those two days. The best, most honest argument I have heard about why our current system should be preserved over that of a safe, reliable electronic voting system was articulated to me by the Irish Independent columnist Jason O'Mahony, himself a self-confessed political anorak. "This is a time when people who put in a lot of honest work get a bit of acknowledgement," he told me once. A former political candidate himself, he has seen the hard yards put in by party workers. Many do so for honourable, civic reasons. After taking months of abuse, is it not reasonable to afford these people some respect for the few short days it takes to go through the manual voting count system? It may even encourage and educate people along the way, showing that politics is not all about shouting, bragging and demeaning, but about an important democratic process that's physically and tangibly handled in front of your eyes. OK. But if that is the reason, let us admit it. Let's not hide behind the facade that electronic voting is impossible. We don't draw out the process of being approved for a loan just so we'll appreciate the importance of finance more. We don't delay the results of medical tests to increase respect for doctors. In the long run, it is hard to argue against knowing a democratic result more quickly. Especially if the real reason is a ceremonial one for a subset of political hacks and apparatchiks. - If there's one thing that can be relied on, it's that big tech companies' quarterly results make liars and hypocrites of those of us who assert that we have them on the run. A trio of multinational tech company results last week served to remind us that our solemn public pledges and our actual consumer behaviour are two separate things. Apple posted a record profit (20bn for three months, or around 220m per day), partially based on an 8pc surge in iPhone 11 and 11 Pro sales. The iPhone 11 Pro has two notable characteristics. First, its extra cameras (each one has four now) are fantastic. Second, it starts at 1,170, making it the most expensive flagship phone. All of the dinner table chatter and Twitter talk you hear about 'no one paying 1,000 for a mobile phone'? Or 'who really wants more cameras on their smartphone'? It turns out that they're very far wide of the mark. Again. Similarly, Facebook published quarterly figures showing that our usage of its products and services went up, not down. Almost three billion of us now have an account with one of the main Facebook services. Over one billion of us use it every day. Most ironic is the cohort who believe they are palming the social media giant away by swapping Facebook for Instagram. Instagram, Facebook revealed, made a staggering 20bn for the firm, a quarter of all its cash last year. That money comes from you using Instagram, feeding Facebook. Well done, moralising Instagrammers. Amazon's results were little better. Remember when you said you prefer to shop locally? Last week, it reported an increase in its Prime membership by a whopping 50pc to 150 million people. That means people like you are starting to buy 'the odd thing' because you can 'get it delivered at work'. Is it any wonder Retail Ireland just reported a sharp fall in shoppers on Dublin streets? It's not high rents. It's not a lack of parking. It's you, quietly shopping on Amazon. China's President Xi is turning faith into 'tool for indoctrination of Communist ideology Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Representatives from five religious groups affected by severe religious persecution, including a Christian, Yazidi, and Uyghur Muslim, identified the most pressing issues facing their communities and shared how the international community can help. During the National Prayer Breakfast sideline event on religious persecution around the globe co-hosted by the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. and 21Wilberforce, moderator Naomi Kikoler, director of the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, interviewed five host representatives from communities affected by religious persecution. The panel included Yasmin Ullah, president of Rohingya Human Rights Network; Nawaf Ashur, representing the Free Yazidi Foundation; Loay Mikhael, head of foreign relations for the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council; Omer Kanat, executive director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, and Bob Fu, the founder and president of China Aid. Kikoler noted that much of the persecution facing groups around the world is the result of years of ignored warning signs. The obligation of world leaders today is to recognize these warning signs and act before its too late, she said. The panelists then identified risks facing their individual communities right now. Fu, a Christian, applauded the panel for bringing different religions together, emphasizing that one faith community cannot fight this battle alone. He said that over the last two years, Chinese President Xi Jinpings war on religion has reached its worst in 40 years. He accused Xi of turning faith into a tool for the indoctrination of Communist ideology. For example, all religious leaders must pledge to obey the Communist Partys ideology in their pulpit before they can be allowed to practice their religion, Fu said. Additionally, millions of Chinese Christian children have been forced to renounce their faith by signing a Communist Party prepared document. Clearly the aim is to exterminate any independent faiths, he said, referencing not only the Christian faith, but the faith of Muslims, Buddhists, and others. This is a very, very serious signal, he said. Fu also addressed the persecution experienced by members of Chinas Early Rain Covenant Church, revealing that in addition to constant surveillance, at least 80 believers experienced tremendous torture and trauma. The camera recorded their false confession against their own pastor, Wang Yi, who was sentenced to nine years imprisonment, he said. After these false confessions, many were traumatized. They feel guilty of betraying the pastor. Some showed suicidal tendencies. Ullah spoke on behalf of the Rohingya community, an ethnic and religious minority group that exists in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and has been the victim of state-sponsored persecution. Close to a million people have been displaced or killed as a result of systematic persecution. We are seeing more and more of the element of re-traumatization within the community, she said. A lot of my people are living in a very restrictive condition inside one of the largest refugee camps in the world. Imagine having to eat rice once a day, every day. What do you think that would do to your body? Imagine young children fearing going to sleep because they fear that small rats would come and eat away at the tip of their fingers. It eats away at your psyche and it eats away at your hope of being able to live a better life, she added. When we dont try to resolve it in a more urgent manner, this is what it does to human beings and were going to have to brace for generations of Rohingya to come that are going to be completely traumatized. Ashur revealed that for the Yazidi community living in Iraq, there hasnt been much positive development when it comes to safety and security. ISIS perpetrators who have committed genocide against Yazidis, theyre still living in much of Nineveh province, he said, adding that tens of thousands of Yazidis remain displaced. We have a whole generation of traumatized people, he said, adding that those who have survived the Islamic State's persecution are severely traumatized by what they endured. People have lost their entire families, he said. Ashur said that the relief efforts carried out by both the U.S. and Iraqi governments havent translated on the ground, adding that the continued instability in Iraq prompts the Yazidi people to fear another genocide might soon happen or another iteration of IS will appear. Mikhael added that the persecution facing Christians and other minorities in Iraq is unprecedented. He explained that because of persecution at the hands of IS, the Christian population in Iraq dwindled from 1.5 million to just 250,000. He revealed his own family was forced to relocate all over the world due to persecution. We are all over the world, he said, not because of our choice, but because we were forced to flee. The challenge is tremendous. After IS was driven out of Iraq, Christians hoped that life would return to normal and be prosperous once again, Mikhael said. Yet, thousands remain displaced, jobless and traumatized with life taken from them in the presence of the international community. Mikhael criticized the Iraqi government for its inaction, explaining that no official has tried to do something tangibly on the ground to bring those communities back to their lives. Its really unspeakable, he said. I believe, to restore the dignity, you need to create jobs, you need to improve security, you need to have a well do to that. He urged the international community to make efforts to improve life for Christians, Yazidis, and other minorities in their home countries instead of accepting thousands of refugees every year. People want to stay, he stressed. Nobody wants to leave. Kanat opened up about the risks facing Uyghur Muslims in China. The persecution of the Uyghurs by the Chinese authorities has been going on for several decades, he said. But in 2017, it turned into all war against the Uyghur religion, culture, and family life. The Chinese government is carrying out a campaign to exterminate Uyghur identity. About three million people most of them from the Uyghur community are thought to have been detained in Chinas secretive re-education camps without trial. According to Kanat, its the largest incarceration of a religious group since the end of World War II. In these prisons, people are forced to renounce their religion, culture, and identity, he said, adding that the worst is yet to come, as mass murder and genocide are impossible outcomes. When asked how the international community can better serve those persecuted and prevent further oppression from occurring, Ullah said that the U.S. has an obligation to signal to other countries the importance of treating every human with worth and dignity. Learn the stories of the survivors, learn to speak to them if you have access to one, she advised listeners. Make them feel that you respect them as humans. That is the fundamental right that we owe to each other. Fu encouraged the international community to pay attention to the truth and spread true information about faith communities and persecution on social media. He also stressed that faith communities must unite and speak with one voice and for each other. That is a powerful message, Fu said. Church leaders raise concerns over Christianitys future in Iraq Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Islamic State has been defeated and bombings and kidnappings have also decreased, but Iraqs Christians still dont find the cradle of Christianity livable and continue to leave the country that has now become a land of militias, causing concerns among church leaders. St. Josephs parish in Baghdad once had 5,000 families, but the number has now reduced to 150 thanks to a mass exodus in the last decade to the West. They feel there is no peace, law or justice here in Baghdad, and that our country has become a land of militias, the parish priest, Father Nadheer Dako, told The Telegraph. A parishioner, Nasib Hana Jabril, further explained, It is true that people are no longer getting kidnapped as much, and the Islamic State is gone. But the infrastructure of the country has been ruined, and people want a better future, not so much for themselves but for their children. Christians are also concerned about their safety, as they dont have traditional tribal networks for self-defense. We have no tribe here, so if things go wrong, there is nobody here to help us, the parishioner revealed. Dako, who earlier served as a priest in London, confirmed what the parishioner said. Returning here from London after six years, I've noticed how the quality of education in Baghdad has gone down in nearly all the primary schools. The new generation just have very little hope of making a life here anymore. If Christians continue to leave, Dako fears, Will there still be a Christian community here in Baghdad in 2050? The persecution facing Christians and other minorities in Iraq is unprecedented, said Loay Mikhael, head of foreign relations for the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council, on Wednesday at the National Prayer Breakfast sideline event on religious persecution worldwide, co-hosted by the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., and 21Wilberforce. He explained that because of persecution at the hands of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or IS, the Christian population in Iraq dwindled from 1.5 million to just 250,000. He said his own family was forced to relocate due to persecution. We are all over the world, he said, not because of our choice, but because we were forced to flee. The challenge is tremendous. After IS was driven out of Iraq, Christians hoped that life would return to normal and be prosperous once again, Mikhael said. Yet, thousands remain displaced, jobless and traumatized with life taken from them in the presence of the international community. Mikhael criticized the Iraqi government for its inaction, explaining that no official has tried to do something tangibly on the ground to bring those communities back to their lives. Its really unspeakable, he said. I believe, to restore the dignity, you need to create jobs, you need to improve security He urged the international community to make efforts to improve life for Christians, Yazidis, and other minorities in their home countries instead of accepting thousands of refugees every year. People want to stay, he stressed. Nobody wants to leave. Last year, some media outlets, including ProPublica, criticized the U.S. Agency for International Development for giving a grant to help restore the Nineveh Plains and strengthen communities victimized by IS, claiming that USAID could be in violation of the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution for favoring Iraqi Christian groups for grants in a predominantly Muslim country. However, some religious freedom advocates said they felt that criticism of USAID funding going to these groups was an attempt to turn Americas bipartisan desire to aid religious minority communities decimated by IS and on the verge of extinction into a partisan issue. It is irrational, immoral and inconsistent with international human rights theory and policy to argue that the United States should not be helping Christians or a religious group targeted with religious genocide by ISIS, international human rights lawyer Nina Shea, a senior fellow with the conservative think tank Hudson Institute, told The Christian Post. Their conclusion is that the U.S. should not be helping religious genocide survivors because they are a religious group even though they were targeted for religious reasons. Before the Trump administration came to power in 2017, USAID funding for Iraq was funneled through the United Nations. But many advocates spoke out about how aid funding that was sent to the U.N. was not making its way to help thousands of displaced Christians. Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil, whose Kurdistan-based archdiocese sheltered and fed thousands of displaced Christians afraid they would be persecuted at U.N. displacement camps, was on the forefront of speaking out about how little to no aid was going to help the displaced families his archdiocese was caring for. The Harris Family Scholarship at the Connecticut Community Foundation is now accepting applications. The scholarship was previously available just for New Milford students. Students residing in any of 21 towns in the Foundations service area in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills are eligible and encouraged to apply. The scholarship will be awarded for the 2020-21 academic year. The Harris Family Scholarship at the foundation was established by the Harris children and the New Milford Farmland and Forest Preservation Committee from donations given in memory of Vivian and George G. Harris, longtime New Milford farmers and agriculture proponents. Vivian and George took great joy in inviting area residents to their farm and in sharing the importance of agriculture. George M. Harris, son of George O. Harris and grandson of George G. and Vivian, remembers their dedication. Our grandparents were honest, hard-working farmers, and stalwarts in the agricultural community, he said. Its an honor to see their legacy carried on this way. As one of the largest college scholarship providers in the region, the Foundation has awarded thousands of scholarships since 1989 thanks to the generosity of donors who have established more than 130 scholarship funds to benefit area students pursuing college degrees. Last year, by awarding scholarships totaling more than $900,000, the foundation made college more affordable for 420 students attending two-year and four-year schools across the country. High school seniors or current or returning college students who are pursuing agricultural studies are encouraged to apply for the Harris Family Scholarship through the foundation. Those who have received a general scholarship from the foundation in the past should re-apply by Feb. 15. First-time applicants should apply by March 15. A special scholarship form is available at https://conncf.org/apply-for-schol arships/. EDMONTONPremier Jason Kenney says Albertas new Montreal trade office will be just one part of a renewed push in the coming months to strengthen ties and find common ground with Quebec. We need to understand that Quebec has a very strong preoccupation with environmental issues, and we need to communicate in those terms, Kenney said in an interview from Washington, D.C. The job of our representative will be do that on a full-time basis. I myself will be visiting Quebec more often. I think one of failures around Energy East (pipeline project) was there was no Alberta leadership advocating in Quebec, so we dont want to make that mistake a second time. The Quebec office was announced last week by Kenney while he was in Montreal on an eastern tour that also took him to Washington, D.C., to meet with senior government and business leaders. He said while the new office will be in the business hub of Montreal, the representative will be spending a lot of time in Quebec City to build relationships with the government of Premier Francois Legault. Well be making an announcement (on the office) I hope in the next couple of months, said Kenney. We have somebody that has agreed to the position (and) is perfectly qualified for this: an Albertan who is originally from Quebec, fluent in French and an expert in our issues. The Energy East pipeline project, which would have taken Alberta crude through central Canada to ports and refineries in New Brunswick, was abandoned in 2017. Quebec had opposed the line through its boundaries on environmental grounds. Albertas relationship with Quebec has been edgy given that Kenney has questioned Quebecs benefiting from billions of dollars in equalization payments that grow from oil profits generated in Alberta while simultaneously opposing pipeline projects that help Alberta build that wealth. But he said Alberta recognizes Quebecs concerns and is determined to work with them, especially given Legault is open to Quebec boosting exports of liquefied natural gas using feedstock from Alberta. Premier Legault is taking a bold stance in favour of LNG exports out of Quebec, and I want to help reinforce the green message around LNG exports and the many points of co-operation we have, said Kenney. The Energy East line was abandoned by Trans Canada while then-premier Rachel Notleys government was in charge in Alberta. Earlier this week, Notley, now official Opposition Leader, told reporters she made frequent trips to Quebec as premier to build support for the project. Notley said she wants to hear more details and costs on Kenneys proposed Quebec office but said it needs to be about building bridges and not burning them. She said Kenney has not helped Alberta by making bellicose statements in the past and challenging Quebecs viewpoint on energy and equalization. The issue is less about having an office (in Quebec), and more about perhaps not attacking every single, solitary person every time they suggest they have a different view, said Notley. In Washington, Kenney held a series of meetings and spoke with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Greg Bernhardt, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, and U.S. Trade Rep. Robert Lighthizer. He was also part of a Canadian delegation of premiers and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Kenney said he worked to overcome concerns with the Keystone XL line, which now has a presidential permit and would take more Alberta oil to terminals and refineries on the Gulf Coast. He said Keystone XL is one of a number of pipeline projects facing some resistance, along with the Line 3 replacement project and Line 5 in the U.S. upper Midwest. Were facing a lot of friction and even hostility, said Kenney, but said the message from the U.S. government and Congress is encouraging. Were getting a sympathetic ear. Washington understands national security. Its a bipartisan preoccupation, and they understand that energy security is a key part of that. There are some voices against Canadian energy here, but I think theyre really at the margins. Read more about: Dublin: Irish nationalists Sinn Fein is demanding to be part of the next Irish government after the left-wing party secured the most votes in an election that leader Mary Lou McDonald described as a ballot-box "revolution". The former political wing of the Irish Republican Army, which has recast itself as the main left-wing party, secured 24.5 per cent of first-preference votes, almost doubling its share from the last election in 2016. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. Credit:Getty Images That put it ahead of the centre-right Fianna Fail on 22.2 per cent and the Fine Gael party of Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at 20.9 per cent in an election analysts described as a seismic shift away from Ireland's century-old, centre-right duopoly. "I think it is fair to say that this election has been historic. It is something of a revolution in the ballot box," McDonald told reporters after arriving at her election count to a huge ovation from party supporters. Photo: (Photo : pexels) A recent study has found that men who have daughters who are of school age are less likely to be sexist. A group of researchers from the London School of Economics decided to explore how men's stances on gender norms can change when raising a daughter in primary or secondary school education. The researchers claim that men who have daughters become more aware of the challenges and issues that girls face in the society. This consequence is named the "mighty girl" effect. Also, they conclude that people's views on gender norms can change over the years, meaning that the stereotypical views on the differing roles of girls and boys are not really fixed in adulthood. Changing views on gender roles For the research, which was published in the journal Oxford Economic Papers, the group assessed data that had been collated by the British Household Panel Survey on a yearly basis between 19991 to 2012. The researchers studied and examined the responses of more than 5,000 men and more than 6,300 women. All of the participants had kids under the age of 21 living in their homes. The male participants were then asked whether they agreed with statements like it is a husband's job to earn money and it is a wife's job to look after the family and home. They had to choose their answer from a five-point scale, with options ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. According to the findings of the study, men with daughters who are in primary and secondary school are more likely to disagree with statements regarding conventional attitudes towards gender. While the men who did not have a child or only had sons had a 37 percent likelihood of holding traditional views about gender. Around 33 percent of those participants who had at least one daughter in secondary school felt the same way. The key is being understanding The co-author of the study, Dr. Joan Costa-i-Font, explains that having a better understanding of the challenges that women face can influence the preconceived ideas that fathers have about gender roles. He said that fathers experience first-hand all the issues that exist in the female world and then that moderates their attitudes towards gender norms and they also become closer to seeing the whole picture from the female perspective. A mental health and body image campaigner, Natasha Devon, said that it is important for all men to demonstrate that they care about the issues that women face, regardless of whether they are daughters or not. She said that men need to see women as human beings even if they do not have a good relationship with their mother or sister or even if they do not have a daughter. We need to find out what it is specifically about having a daughter that changes the minds of men and we need to look at how we can ingrain that more into the socialization process for all boys from an early age. In December 2019, the Advertising Standards Authority issues new guidelines stating that adverts made by British companies that endorse harmful gender stereotypes will be banned. ALSO READ: 'How Kids See Mom And Dad' Video Sparks Sexism and Stereotyping in Parenting Cameroon votes Sunday in polls overshadowed by separatist violence which has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, and a partial opposition boycott. Elections for the central African country's legislature and local councils are taking place for the first time in seven years, after two postponements. Despite the delays, campaigning has been low key. In the capital Yaounde, the few banners put up by the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC in its French initials) are barely more numerous than posters calling on people to pick up their litter. The RDPC supports President Paul Biya, one of the world's oldest and longest-serving leaders, who has ruled with a steely fist for 37 of his 86 years. The main opposition party, the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) is refusing to field a single candidate. Its leader, Maurice Kamto, spent nine months in jail after his defeat in 2018 presidential elections and is now abroad. "We could have had a few seats in parliament and some town councillors, but how would that enable us to influence events in Cameroon?" Kamto said in an interview with AFP in Paris last month. "I would have voted for the MRC but on Sunday I'm going to stay at home," a young Yaounde voter, who gave his name as Xavier, told AFP. The boycott will all but guarantee a crushing victory for the RDPC, which in the outgoing legislature had 148 out of 180 seats. "Where's the opposition?" was the whimsical question aired by a local RDPC chief, Augustin Tsafack, on the sidelines of a party rally in Yaounde. The other large opposition party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), which currently has 18 seats, will take part in Sunday's vote, going back on a threat to snub it. - Violence - Cameroon is struggling with two conflicts. In two English-speaking regions in the west, the armed forces are battling separatists who want to secede from the majority French-speaking country. The 28-month conflict has claimed more than 3,000 lives and caused more than 700,000 people to flee, according to tolls compiled by NGOs. "How can the state guarantee security for elections in the anglophone regions, given that some towns are now inaccessible by road?" an independent observer from one of these regions asked at a meeting of the electoral commission in Yaounde on Wednesday. The SDF traditionally draws much of its support from the anglophone regions but now fears that it has been outflanked by the radicals -- and says its candidates there have come under attack. Similar worries are being voiced for the safety of polling stations in Cameroon's Far North region, which has been battered by Boko Haram jihadists crossing from Nigeria. The government on Friday announced that all of Cameroon's borders would be closed until Monday, and shops and drink outlets had to close on polling day. - City power - Municipal elections will also take place, something that has excited most media interest given the seemingly inevitable outcome of legislative vote. Some cities, including Douala, the country's economic hub, could swing to the opposition, according to some forecasts. City chiefs are to gain powers under measures taken in December to decentralise some authority out of Yaounde. The reforms have been triggered by the anglophone crisis although they fall far short of meeting the separatists' demands. "The stakes (on Sunday) are local," said Stephane Akoa, a researcher at the Paul Ango Ela think tank in Yaounde. "Things are going to change," he said. "Mayors who aren't ready will pay the price." Albuquerque police didnt ignore the potential threat when they were alerted to a disturbing text message George Daniel Wechsler sent to a friend: My life is a mess. Dad has a gun. He will not miss it. Far from ignoring it, APD officers did an initial risk assessment on Wechsler and had him transported by paramedics to the University of New Mexico Psychiatric Center on Nov. 3, 2016. Unfortunately, according to a lawsuit pending in state District Court, Wechsler was released by the center a couple hours later. There is no evidence of follow up. No evidence of calls to alert his father or the woman he had dated. No attempt to intervene on his access to a firearm. A month later, Wechsler lay in wait with his fathers handgun as ex-girlfriend Cheryl Lynn Mascarenas returned to her Four Hills home with her three young children. Wechsler shot Cheryl several times. She survived. Her children: Ian, 9, Olivia Renee, 6, and Elijah, 5, did not. Wechsler had asked if he could bring over Christmas presents for the kids. Cheryl, who had broken off the relationship after an outburst by Wechsler, initially agreed but changed her mind and told him it was not a good idea. No one knows what set him off, because after shooting Cheryl and the children Wechsler turned the gun on himself. What we do know is that he was having a meltdown and had access to a firearm. There is no way to change that dark day in history, as detailed in a story last Sunday by Journal investigative reporter Colleen Heild. But a so-called Red Flag proposal pending in the New Mexico Legislature could help prevent this kind of tragedy in the future. It is one of the most emotional issues in Santa Fe this year because it would allow the emergency seizure of a weapon for up to 10 days before a hearing is held if a judge finds there is a significant danger of imminent personal injury to self or others. In that case, the court could issue an Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order. The ban on the person having firearms could be extended for up to a year, and renewed for another, but there are also provisions that would allow for the order to be terminated earlier. Proponents of the legislation cite gun tragedies they hope to avoid. Opponents say the proposal tramples on their Second Amendment and due process rights. State Police and APD support the proposal, but many sheriffs around the state oppose it, among other reasons arguing it puts officers at risk when they simply show up to confiscate a weapon before a hearing is held. Both sides have valid arguments and concerns, but the proposal sponsored by Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, and Reps. Daymon Ely, D-Corrales, and Joy Garratt, D-Albuquerque, as amended in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, stakes out an appropriate middle ground. In response to opposition, the measure was narrowed so that only law enforcement can petition the court rather than allowing someone else to do it. The change was aimed at preventing abuse of the law by, for example, an ex-spouse seeking retaliation or leverage in a custody case. Household members could request the filing of a petition, but it would be up to the law enforcement officer to determine whether there was probable cause to put the question before a judge. Thats a reasonable solution. After all, assessing the risk of violence is part of what police officers are trained to do. It puts the responsibility where it belongs. We believe weve struck the proper balance, Cervantes says. A majority of his colleagues agree; the revised version cleared the full Senate on Friday on a 22-20 vote. While proponents have said the legislation is justified, even if it saves one life, thats bad math when talking about limiting constitutional rights. But weve seen enough mass shootings to know that many lives are at stake here innocent lives like those of the Mascarenas children. It is irresponsible as a society not to seek solutions that are both effective and narrowly drawn. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who put the issue on her call, is a strong supporter. As are a majority of New Mexicans the latest Journal Poll (featured in Fridays Journal and available at ABQJournal.com) shows 52% support a red flag law. Just 37% oppose it. Support is highest in the north central part of the state and the Albuquerque area. Cervantes is correct. The Judiciary Committee has struck the proper balance. With Senate approval, this bill moves on to the receptive House of Representatives and should end up on the governors desk. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. The police on Sunday announced the arrest of three suspects involved in the attack on the Emir of Potiskum, Umar Bubaram. PREMIUM TIMES reported the January attack on the emirs convoy in Kaduna during which 30 people were killed and about 100 kidnapped. Four of the slain victims were aides of the emir. The attack was condemned by many Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari who, however, kept mum on the victims unrelated to the emir. The Force Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, in a statement on Sunday named the arrested suspects as Munkailu Liman Isah aka Babban Driver (32). Abdullahi Saminu aka Danmunafiki (21) and Aminu Usman (22). He said the three are members of a terror group, Ansaru, which has operated in Northern Nigeria for about a decade. He said the arrest followed sustained mop-up operations by police operatives at the operational base of the Ansaru group in Kuduru Forest, Birnin-Gwari. He said the recent arrest brought the number of suspects arrested in connection to the January attack to eight. Mr Mba said the suspects are already assisting police investigators with useful information relating to the operations of the terror group. Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested suspects were actively involved in the recent attack and attempted kidnap of the Emir of Potiskum that resulted in the gruesome killing of the Emirs police escorts, he said. The police spokesman said the suspects were also involved in several other kidnap operations and terror attacks on commuters and other innocent citizens along some major highways, especially in the North-west and North-central states of the country. THREE ANSARU TERROR GROUP MEMBERS FINGER IN ATTEMPT KIDNAP OF EMIR ARRESTED Unfortunately, investigation also reveals that some citizens, especially those within the business community, give tacit support to the terror groups by deliberately doing businesses with them through the supply of essential goods, drugs (licit/illicit) and other services. While Police operatives are on the close trail of other fleeing members of the terror groups and their collaborators, the IGP has expressed immense appreciation to all and sundry, especially the good people of Birnin-Gwari and environs for their understanding, cooperation and support which have resulted in the measure of successes recorded so far particularly in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other heinous crimes in the country, Mr Mba said. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The red-carpet rituals. The marvelous gowns and tuxedos. The paparazzi and the gilded Oscar. And, yes, of course, the acceptance speeches by the famous and the fabulously rich where nods to the power players that made it all happen mingle with moralistic shout-outs to social causes. The Academy Awards define our perceptions of Hollywood. The 92nd edition takes place at 8 p.m. today on ABC (WEWS Channel 5 in Cleveland). (If you don't have an antenna or cable, you can stream it on Hulu + Live, YouTube TV or AT&T TV Now. Each service offers a free trial.) Its the night we get to revel in the glitz and the glam, see our favorite stars and peek at an industry that exists in some rarefied reality very different from our own. Yet, this is not the Hollywood we see when Hollywood takes a good look in the mirror. The land of golden fever dreams has made countless films about itself that reveal a very different picture. Its a walk of fame paved with broken dreams a place that cast aside so many, even its greatest filmmaker, Orson Welles. It's that place Ray Davies of the Kinks once sang about in Celluloid Heroes: You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Boulevard Some that you recognize, some that you've hardly even heard of People who worked and suffered and struggled for fame Some who succeeded and some who suffered in vain. Theres the myth, and then theres reality of the Hollywood dream, says Hollywood screenwriter and producer Larry Karaszewski via phone from his home in Los Angeles. Its a story of people coming here to make movies and then having to work in a record store or bookstore or restaurant in the hopes of catching a break. And, then, even if they finally make their movie, theyre back to struggling to find a way to make their next one and they realize that the dream isnt all its made out to be. Don't Edit Francois Duhamel, Netflix Karaszewski and his writing partner Scott Alexander explore the theme with wit, heart and humor in one of 2019s most charming and acclaimed films, Dolemite Is My Name. The comeback vehicle for Eddie Murphy explores the life and times of 1970s Blaxploitation star and former Clevelander Rudy Ray Moore. It's the story of a comedian who plays a pimp and tries to make a movie against all odds. (To read about the life and times of Moore and his beginnings in Cleveland, go here.) Its one of many films that explored movie themes and reflect the spirit of Hollywood released in 2019. Don't Edit Andrew Cooper/Sony via Associated Press Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (nominated for 10 Academy Awards) tells the story of two actors on the outs of the changing movie business. Pedro Almodovars Pain and Glory (up for best foreign language film and best actor) features Antonio Banderas as a filmmaker struggling with age, depression and drug addiction. Todd Phillips' "Joker" (nominated for 11 Oscars; read review here) recalls Martin Scorsese's "The King of Comedy" and "Taxi Driver" and even appropriates the logo from the opening of Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange." Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is steeped in references to Hollywood, and its perfect in how it captures the place, says Karaszewski, who also sits on the Board of Governors for the academy. Tarantino is looking at the Hollywood pecking order and how quickly you can find yourself at the bottom of it a place where no one feels like theyre on solid ground. Don't Edit Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer That feeling of desperation and insecurity has fueled countless movies about movies in America, but also Europe: from David Lynchs Mulholland Drive to the Coen Brothers Barton Fink to Federico Fellinis 8 to Nicholas Rays In a Lonely Place" to "Contempt" Jean-Luc Godard (which even features German-American filmmaker Fritz Lang playing himself). Its a theme that is almost as old as Hollywood, beginning with Show People. The 1928 silent-era comedy starring Marion Davies as a girl who drives from Georgia to Hollywood to make it in the movies only to discover that the reality is very different than the dream. Like most of the films of its day, it took an aw-shucks approach to things -- in this case, the Hollywood rat race, the studio grind and the trappings of fame. "From the beginning, there were movies about movies exploring the theme that Hollywood isn't all it's made out to be," says Karaszewski, who also sits on the Board of Governors for the Academy, as the Governor of the Writers Branch, co-chair of the International Feature Film Executive committee and Vice President History/Preservation. Don't Edit United Artists/Warner Bros./Warner Bros./Warner Bros. A Star Is Born brings a more serious tone to the other side of Hollywood. The 1937 romantic drama focuses on an aspiring actress who heads out to become a star only to be discover that she's just another face in a big anonymous crowd of extras and is told that she has a one in 100,000 chance of making it. Of course, she does make it -- though she has her named changed and finds herself in a relationship with an alcoholic. The film has been remade three times most recently in 2018, with a version that starred Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga and earned eight Academy Award nominations and one Oscar win. Don't Edit Don't Edit Paramount Pictures Billy Wilders 1950 Sunset Boulevard set the standard for the down-and-out Hollywood outsider. It tells the story of a failed screenwriter who, while trying to evade debt collectors, meets and begins a relationship with a faded silent-movie star, Norma Desmond. The film noir classic received 11 Oscar nominations and won three at the 23rd Academy Awards in 1951. Sunset Boulevard is the great one it shows you how brutal Hollywood could be. Here you have Gloria Swanson, whos not much older than Charlize Theron is now, playing a Hollywood has-been, says Karaszewski. In Hollywood, everyone is one step away from being Norma Desmond. Ah, but she lives on with her delusions -- fantasizing that she's still a star and that her friend Cecil B. DeMille (who appears in the film as himself) is waiting to cast her in his next epic. Welcome to LaLaLand. Don't Edit Fine Line Features Iconoclastic filmmaker Robert Altman was beloved for classics such as "M*A*S*H," "Nashville," "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" and "The Long Goodbye" -- a cynical neo-noir classic that takes a jaundiced view of Los Angeles. It concludes with "Hurray for Hollywood." The ditty features lyrics by Johnny Mercer that lampoon the lust for fame that attracts people to Hollywood. It first appeared in movies in 1937 -- in the Hollywood-does-Hollywood musical, "Hollywood Hotel" -- and has become a staple at Academy Awards shows. Altman was notorious for his battles with movie studios throughout his career. He was considered a problem child and was proud of it. "People talk about 'the director's cut.' Well, all of my movies are 'director's cuts,'" Altman once told The Plain Dealer. "That's why 'M*A*S*H' is still a great movie. I never let them [expletive] with it." In 1992, Altman spoofed Hollywood with "The Player" -- which boasted the tagline, "Making Movies Can Be Murder." It was nominated for three Oscars at the 65th Academy Awards. The story of a studio mogul who kills an aspiring screenwriter, it rolls out countless Hollywood references and in-jokes and cameos by dozens of Hollywood celebrities. Don't Edit Touchstone Pictures Hollywood is often derided as being insular and out of touch. But so many movies about movies have less to do with navel gazing than universal themes. The fear of losing is as old as ambition itself. The anxiety that accompanies holding on to what is fading away is central to the human experience. Hollywood has helped us laugh at but also identity with the beautiful losers in films such as Bowfinger, the 1999 story of a down-and-out filmmaker who tries to make a flick on a shoestring budget with a movie star who doesnt know hes in the movie. Or Ed Wood, the 1994 Tim Burton movie about the ultimate Hollywood outsider a Z-grade schlockmeister with a dream. Ed Wood is like Rudy Ray Moore in that they want to make movies theyd like to see, says Karaszewski, who co-wrote the screenplay for Ed Wood. Theyre outsiders, but they have a dream, and theyre going to pursue it regardless of what anyone thinks or how hard its going to be. Don't Edit Niko Tavernise, Netflix Its a theme that taps into more than our love for the underdog. Such movies have become a part of us. They shape our language. For instance, lines such as It is what it is, from The Irishman, quickly entered into daily discourse. (To read a review of "The Irishman, go here.) In many ways, our romance with mobsters is shaped by directors like Martin Scorsese. We've grown up with watching Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel shooting, bludgeoning and killing -- so much so that we bring our memories of "Good Fellas," "Mean Streets" and "Casino" to the screen when we watch "The Irishman." Wait, Scorsese is trying to de-age De Niro? ... That's not the De Niro we remember in "Good Fellas"? Movies have become part of our consciousness, says Evan Lieberman, film professor at Cleveland State University. Theyve shaped our reality and even our expectations when we go to see movies. Don't Edit Lieberman points to the Star Wars and superhero enterprises that have dominated the last two decades of cinema. Our connection to movies is often bigger than the movies themselves, he adds. We see a Star Wars or an Avengers film, and theyre part of a broader experience. We already know the characters going into the theater, and weve come to expect something is going to happen at a predetermined point. Films such as Avengers: Endgame (nominated for an Academy Award for best visual effects) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (up for three awards) might not be movies about movies, per se, but they tap into imaginations formed by movies. Youre no longer seeing a movie. Youre a Star Wars person, says Lieberman. Youre part of an entire Star Wars reality where the imaginary realm has become more real than the real world. Don't Edit Don't Edit The opening scene of "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," shot in Hollywood institution Musso & Frank. (Sony Pictures) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood manages to set one foot each in the real and the imaginary worlds. It focuses on fictional characters amid a historical backdrop in this case, the story of the Manson Family murders then proceeds to create a fairy tale that warps what is real and what is Hollywood. Yes, it's is audacious portrait Los Angeles, 1969, as a decade was coming to a close and many of its cultural bonds were splintering. But Tarantino also pays homage to a Hollywood in flux, set in the year of "Easy Rider" -- the film that sparked the New Hollywood era of the 1970s. Don't Edit John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" is such a love letter to Hollywood," says Karaszewski. "It's works on two levels: He's giving us movie history and he's creating it at the same time by giving us two movie-star performances [by Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio] that are we rarely see anymore. Quentin was formed by 1970s filmmaking and he creates a throwback to the time when we had movie starts like Paul Newman or Robert Redford." Like all of Tarentino's films, it features references to films and locations that reflect the Golden Age of Hollywood -- like Musso & Frank Grill. The Hollywood Boulevard institution might have a monopoly on Tinseltown allure, with its elegant bar and dining room, legendary literary and movie guests and servers in red coats. But it offers a slice of vintage Hollywood that make you feel like an extra in a movie. It's provides the backdrop for the meeting between Leonardo DeCaprio and Al Pacino in "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood." Before that it played backdrop to a meeting of Ed Wood Jr. and Orson Welles in "Ed Wood" and made cameos in "Mad Men." Tarantino is the master of mythology where history is a building block of the narrative, but is also fully malleable, says Lieberman. History has been replaced by a story, and the movies are bigger than reality. Don't Edit As Ray Davies once sang, Everybody's a dreamer and everybody's a star And everybody's in show biz, it doesn't matter who you are. In other words, Hollywood is in all of us even if we dont realize it. Don't Edit John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer PREVIEW 92nd Academy Awards When: 8 p.m. today. Where: WEWS Channel 5 (ABC). Don't Edit Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Hurray for meta-Hollywood The land of golden fever dreams has made countless films about itself -- the kind that reveal a picture very different from the glitz and glam we associate with the Academy Awards. Its a walk of fame paved with broken dreams It includes "The Bad and the Beautiful." The 1952 Vincente Minnelli film tells the story of a bad guy film producer played by Kirk Douglas, who died on Feb. 5 at the age of 103. "The Bad and the Beautiful" won five out of its six Oscar nominations at the 25th Academy Awards. The list of movies about movies is long as goes back to the beginnings of Hollywood. Here are a few others: "Footlight Parade" (1933); "Sullivan's Travels" (1941); "Singin' in the Rain" (1952); "The Big Knife" (1955)' "Two Weeks in Another Town" (1962); "The Day of the Locust" (1975); "Hooper" (1978); "Hollywood Shuffle" (1987); "Wes Craven's New Nightmare" (1994); "Boogie Nights" (1997); Shadow of the Vampire " (2000); "Tropic Thunder" (2008); "Adaptation" (2002); "Hail, Caesar!" (2016); Don't Edit Don't Edit John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer Los Angeles in the movies: A tour of 50 iconic film locations Did the city make the movies or did the movies make the city? To read about and see the most iconic filming locations in Los Angeles, check out this travelogue of the city: https://www.cleveland.com/travel/2018/03/los_angeles_in_the_movies_-_a_1.html Don't Edit John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer Cinema in a time of outrage: The year in movies, 2019 To read about the year in movies 2019 -- the outrages, panic, shifts in cinema and some of the most striking films -- go to: https://www.cleveland.com/life-and-culture/g66l-2019/12/ab368fec957104/cinema-in-a-time-of-outrage-year-in-movies-2019-photos.html Brad Pitt is one of the worlds biggest stars. The famous golden boy first became popular in the nineties and has been consistently acting over the past several decades. Recently, Pitt began enjoying a major career resurgence, following a hugely successful role in Quentin Tarantinos film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Although Pitt has appeared in some truly big-budget movies over the years, he recently revealed that there was one movie in particular that he turned down and is likely regretting to this very day. Brad Pitts early roles Brad Pitt | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Pitt was raised in Missouri and attended college at the prestigious University of Missouri. Finding himself drawn to the world of movies and moviemaking, he decided to move to Los Angeles in order to get involved in the industry. In California, he worked various small acting jobs before getting his big break in the 1991 film Thelma & Louise. His role as a small-time criminal attracted a great deal of attention and Pitt soon became known as a sex symbol in Hollywood. Pitt followed up his breakout role in Thelma & Louise with appearances in movies such as A River Runs Through It, Interview with the Vampire, Legends of the Fall, Seven, Twelve Monkeys, and Sleepers. Pitt earned a reputation as a versatile, talented actor who was capable of playing a wide variety of roles, from dramatic and dark to light and romantic. By the late nineties, Pitt was a massive star and had become a tabloid fixture, thanks in part to his relationship with Friends actress Jennifer Aniston. Also in the late nineties, Pitt was offered a role that would come to not only define the decade but the genre of action movies. What big-name movie did Brad Pitt turn down? At a recent film festival, Pitt opened up about his career, talking about different characters that he has played and various movies that he has worked on. When asked to name a movie that he had passed on, Pitt revealed that he had been offered the role of Neo in 1999s The Matrix. I wasnt offered two or three. Only the first one, he said. Just to clarify that. Pitt wasnt the only actor to have gotten consideration for the role of Neo in the hit action film. Other top stars of the nineties, including Sandra Bullock, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Will Smith were all thought of for the leading role before Keanu Reeves eventually landed the part. The role, and the series in general, would become closely associated with Reeves and many fans know and love him for the complex, interesting character of Neo. The Matrix is now a cult classic film When The Matrix was released in 1999, it kickstarted a whole new genre of technology-based action films. The multiple themes running throughout the movie, combined with stunning visuals and convincing acting, led the film to become incredibly popular. Two sequels were released in 2003, and the world created in the film series has been expanded upon through multiple books and comics. The story of The Matrix is far from over. A fourth feature film is in production, with Reeves set to return as Neo. Although very few details are known about the film, Reeves did reveal that he has read the script and that he considers it to be ambitious. Theres no doubt that fans will flock to the theater to see the latest installment in a series that captivated so many fans several decades ago. SYDNEY, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The sister ship of the YM Efficiency, which lost 81 shipping containers off the coast of Newcastle and Port Stephens in June 2018, has been arrested in Sydney today for a pollution debt that could reach as high as AUD $20 million. At 06:50 (AEDT) on Sunday the Federal Court Admiralty Marshall arrested the YM Eternity at Port Botany after AMSA petitioned the court to recover the outstanding debt. Both the YM Eternity and YM Efficiency are owned by a subsidiary of Taiwanese shipping company, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. Yang Ming has refused to pay for the clean-up of the remaining pollution including the containers and their contents which have been located on the seafloor off the coast of Newcastle. 60 containers have been identified, five containers have been recovered while a further 16 are still missing. In December 2019, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) signed a contract with Ardent Oceania, to begin the clean-up operation for those 60 containers. The contract is valued at about $15 million. Work begins in March 2020 and is expected to be completed within a month. AMSA Chief Executive Officer Mick Kinley said the arrest of YM Eternity shows that AMSA will not allow international shipping companies to pollute our waters without consequence. "If you pollute our waters and refuse to pay the price of cleaning up that pollution, we will hold you accountable. Our ocean won't pay the price of Yang Ming's pollution - Yang Ming will," Mr Kinley said. The anticipated cost to locate and clean-up the remaining missing 16 containers is up to a further $5 million, bringing Yang Ming's debt to $20 million. Note - The YM Eternity was also detained by AMSA on 12 July 2019 in Sydney for the same systemic failure to safely stow and secure cargo that led to the YM Efficiency container spill. Why it could win: Aside from the fact that it's an excellent film, "The Irishman" includes many qualities the academy rewards. It's directed by a living legend and stars three more in what feels like a final statement of sorts. The entire movie is told from the perspective of the main character, who finds himself at the end of his life, picking out his own casket. As he shares his story, it feels in some ways like a reflection of Scorsese's own career. The actors he worked with again and again - Pesci, De Niro, Keitel - are all there. The themes from his former movies - the role of organized crime, the plight of Italian and Irish immigrants, the exploration of Catholicism - are all there. But this time, it holds an added weight. (Newser) Gordon Sondland, ambassador to the EU, was in talks to head off into the sunset with the impeachment trial over. Leave it at that, several Republican senators urged President Trump: Let him leave quietly to avoid looking like you're purging the administration of House impeachment witnesses. The senators lost that argument, the New York Times reports, when State Department officials told him to resign Friday, he declined, then was fired. The senators who had urged Trump to avoid that scenario included Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Martha McSally of Arizona, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. story continues below Democrats quickly fulfilled the senators' fears, calling the firings of Sondland, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindmanwho also testified in the Houseand his twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, the "Friday night massacre." The senators did not lobby for the Vindmans, who were assigned to the National Security Council, and the brothers received an escort from the White House the same day. Trump tweeted a defense of his firing of Alexander Vindman on Saturday, per the Hill, saying he was insubordinate, strayed from the chain of command and leaked information"In other words, "OUT." Vindman's lawyer called those accusations false and part of the president's "campaign of intimidation," adding that "Lt. Col. Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military." (Read more Trump impeachment stories.) Kriti Sanon has been in headlines for her next film Mimi, as she put on 15 kilos for her role in the film. Interestingly, the actress has been experimenting with roles in movies like Luka Chuppi, Housefull 4 and Panipat which is not just getting her a lot of moolah but critical acclaim as well. Mimi narrates the story of a young aspiring actress who is a dancer in Mandawa, and how she ends up being a surrogate for a couple. Whatever follows next, changes her life. The film is directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijans Maddock Films in association with Jio Studios. The other big update we have is that Kriti will be kickstarting the second schedule of the film in Jaipur. The shooting schedule will be of approximately 30-40 days, starting from February 8, and we are sure that actress will have a blast shooting in the Pink City. Im very very excited about this schedule as it has got most of the key scenes of the film. Its a long schedule and well be completing the film excluding a song which will be done later, the actress explains. Mimi is based on the Marathi film Mala Aai Vhaaychy, which won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi in 2011. After Luka Chhupi and Panipat last year, the actress is all set to take a solo film onto her shoulders for the first time. Other than this, Kriti will be next seen in Farhad Samjis comedy-drama Bachchan Pandey opposite Akshay Kumar. Lanka PM Rajapaksa omits any mention of this in his statement. New Delhi: During frank discussions with visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Hyderabad House in Delhi on Saturday on issues related to reconciliation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed that New Delhi expected Colombo to realise the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace, and respect within a united Sri Lanka. Curiously, the Sri Lankan PM omitted any mention of this in his statement before the media in New Delhi. But PM Modi, in his statement to the media after open discussions on the matter, pitched for the reconciliation process in the island nation between the majority Sinhalas and the minority Tamils and the implementation of the 13th amendment in Sri Lanka that stands for devolution of power to the provinces. But any reference to this too was omitted by the Sri Lankan PM who was the President in 2009 when the Sri Lankan Army won a bitterly-fought war against the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While the Sri Lankan PM continues to be seen as a hardliner by the island nations Tamils, Indian government sources claimed that nothing much should be read into the omission as the Sri Lankan government had categorically asserted earlier that it stands for all Sri Lankans, irrespective of ethnicity. Mr Rajapaksa is on a four-day visit to India from February 7 to 11 during which he will also visit Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya and the temple town of Tirupati. On the issue of Indian fishermen caught fishing while straying into Sri Lankan waters, PM Modi said both he and the Sri Lankan PM agreed to continue a constructive and humanitarian approach on this issue as it directly affects livelihoods. While India has built thousands of houses in the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka that have a huge Tamil population, Mr Rajapaksa interestingly also pitched for these housing facilities in other parts of Sri Lanka. Both nations also discussed economic cooperation as well as ways to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation. But it was the reference to the reconciliation issue by PM Modi that was significant. Mr Rajapaksa, during his tenure as Sri Pankan President from 2005-15, was seen as a hardliner. The final months of the Lankan Armys military campaign to crush the LTTE in 2009 earned both widespread praise and bitter criticism for Mr Rajapaksa who became Prime Minister late last year after his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the presidential polls. Both the Rajapaksa brothers were also earlier seen as pro-China but now want to appear to be even-handed without antagonising either India or China. In his statement after talks with Mr Rajapaksa, PM Modi said, We spoke openly on issues related to reconciliation. I am confident that the government of Sri Lanka will realise the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka. For this, it will be necessary to carry forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Hailing India as Sri Lankas long-standing friend, Sri Lankan PM Rajapaksa thanked PM Modi for Indias neighbourhood first policy and said that he looked forward to Indian support in counter-terrorism measures. Appreciating the Lines of Credit (LoCs) announced by India last year for the island nation, the Sri Lankan PM requested PM Modi to consider further assistance to expand the housing projects to all parts of the island to provide benefits to many Sri Lankans living in rural parts of the country. PM Modi later said, Today Prime Minister Rajapaksa and I discussed in detail all aspects of our bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest. Terrorism is a major danger in our region both countries have fought this problem firmly. There were painful and barbaric terrorist attacks on Easter Day in Sri Lanka in April last year. These attacks were not only a blow to Sri Lanka, but also to humanity. And so, in our conversation today, we discussed furthering our cooperation against terrorism. I am happy that Sri Lankan police officers have started participating in anti-terrorism courses in Indias premier training institutes. On other issues, PM Modi said, India has been a trusted partner in Sri Lankas development efforts. The new Lines of Credit announced last year will give more strength to our development cooperation. We are happy that the Indian Housing Project for the construction of more than 48,000 houses for internally displaced people in the northern and eastern region of Sri Lanka has been completed. Apart from this, the construction of several thousand houses for Tamil people of Indian origin is also progressing in the up-country region. Prime Minister Rajapaksa and I also discussed the humanitarian issue of fishermen. This theme directly affects the livelihood of people of both countries. And, therefore, we agree to continue constructive and humanitarian approach on this issue. The recent direct flight between Chennai and Jaffna is part of our efforts in this direction. This direct flight will increase connectivity options for the Tamil population of the northern region of Sri Lanka. And it will also be beneficial for the economic and social development of the region. The good response received to this flight is a matter of happiness for both of us, PM Modi said. In todays conversation we discussed joint economic projects in Sri Lanka, and also on enhancing economic, business, and investment relations. We also discussed increasing people-to-people connectivity, promoting tourism, and improving connectivity, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 21:38:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- High-level experts and policymakers have issued a clarion call to African leaders to ensure the needs and perspectives of the continent's women and girls are fully integrated into efforts to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Although in 1995 African women made their voices heard during the Beijing World Conference on Women, progress still fell short of commitments made as part of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, told a high-level meeting on gender equality and women's empowerment on late Saturday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "What I have learned since being a young boy is that power is not usually given. Power must be taken. As it is a question of power, parity in decision-making bodies is absolutely essential," Guterres added. Guterres said he was happy that since the first of January, the UN had for the first time in its history, achieved full gender parity in the high-level management of the organization. "This represents a first step for full gender parity in 2028 at all levels of the UN, which remains our basic objectives," he said, adding this year's anniversaries of Beijing+25 and of the UN's resolution 1325 on women "must push us further and faster towards progress on gender equality and women's empowerment". The UN Chief further stressed that "it is sad that poverty in Africa, as in the rest of the world, still had a woman's face with violence against women remaining pervasive." "Although by now we clearly understand the benefits - indeed the imperative - of inclusion and gender equality for achieving peace and sustainable development, our actions fall short," he said. Reiterating the UN's standing alongside the African Union (AU) in working to overcome the peace and security, development and human rights challenges that continue to limit African women and girl, Guterres also stressed that "we must facilitate women's meaningful contributions to the communities they live in." Guterres, noting his commitment and support to the African Women Leaders Network initiative as well as the African Women Leadership Fund that was launched Saturday, also stressed the crucial significance of encouraging African women and girls to develop scientific skills through access to innovation and technology. Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat echoed Guterres' comments, as he emphasized that "it is unacceptable that women on the continent continued to bear the brunt of violence and conflict, limiting their contribution to their economies. "As I speak thousands of women in Libya, South Sudan, Somalia, and elsewhere are enduring the unspeakable," he said, adding Africa cannot build peace without women. Chairperson of the 55-member pan African bloc also stressed that the AU Commission is "doing all it can to ensure there is gender parity in the organization." Ethiopia's President, Sahle Work Zewde, said much still remained to be done in the fight for gender equity. "Gender equality is far from being achieved despite many conferences, resolutions and debates," she said. The high-level meeting on gender equality and women's empowerment, which was held in the context of the ongoing 33rd African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government being held from 9 to 10 Feb. at the headquarters of the AU in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, was organized by the AU Commission, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA), UN-Women, the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) and their partners. Two American troops were killed and six others wounded when an Afghan soldier armed with a machine gun opened fire, the US military confirmed Sunday. The incident occurred late Saturday in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan when US and Afghan commandos were conducting a "key-leader engagement" at a base in Sherzad district. "Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun," US Forces-Afghanistan spokesman Sonny Leggett said in a statement on Sunday. Provincial governor Shah Mahmood Meyakil said in an audio message to reporters that three Afghan commandos were wounded. He said it was not immediately clear if the incident was a deliberate act by an "infiltrator" or an accident. "It was not a clash between the forces. We are investigating," Meyakil said. Leggett also stressed the cause or motive behind the attack were not immediately known. In a tweet, the US Army's 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) said "several" of its soldiers had been killed or injured during combat operations in Afghanistan. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially finished at the end of 2014, highlighting the challenging security situation that persists. In December, Taliban infiltrators in the Afghan military killed nine Afghan soldiers in central Afghanistan. In July, an Afghan soldier killed two US troops as they were visiting an Afghan army base in Kandahar. That came two weeks after another Afghan soldier shot and killed an influential Afghan army colonel while he was conducting a security assessment in Ghazni province. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 09.02.2020 LISTEN Some New Patriotic Party (NPP) delegates Thursday, February 6 picked nomination forms for Dr. Michael Aaron Nii Nortey Oquaye Junior, Ghanas Ambassador to India, to contest the Dome Kwabenya Constituency parliamentary primaries. Oquaye Jnr is the son of Ghanas current Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye. Should the partys Vetting Committee approves Ambassador Oquaye Jnr to contest the primaries on April 25, he would go toe-to-toe with the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, Madam Adwoa Safo, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament. According to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Odei Ansah, the Coordinator for Ambassador Oquaye Juniors Campaign Team and some party delegates picked the nomination form on behalf of the aspirant at the partys Constituency Office. We thank God, and also say God richly bless every supporter and delegate of the Constituency who in one way or the other made this history a reality. We believe in humility and calmness, for the job is on the ground. We also use the opportunity to appeal to all delegates to join in the victory train of Lawyer (Dr) Michael Aaron Nii Nortey Yaw Oquaye, Mr Ansah said. Oquaye Juniors parliamentary bid This is not the first time Oquaye Jnr is making an attempt at the Dome Kwabenya parliamentary slot. His father, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye was the NPP Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya for two terms, from 2004 to 2012. Prof. Oquaye later decided not to stand for another term and sponsored his son, Mike Oquaye Jnr. to fight to be the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency in 2012. But Oquaye Jnr, however, lost to Sarah Adwoa Safo, who went on to win the seat during the general elections. NPP Parliamentary Party scheduled for April 25, 2020 The New Patriotic Party has slated April 25, 2020, to elect the remainder of its Parliamentary candidates. It will also be holding its Presidential Primaries on the same day. The party has already held primaries for constituencies that do not have sitting Members of Parliament. The party pegged filing fees for its upcoming parliamentary primaries at GHS20,000 and an additional GHS2,000 for picking of forms. They also indicated that all aspiring parliamentary candidates other than the sitting Members of Parliament will pay a Party Development Fee of GH30,000. ---citinewsroom Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday announced that his government would soon introduce an internship scheme under which students of classes 10, 12 and undergraduates would be linked to various technical institutes and given Rs 2,500 per month as stipend. Speaking at the Rozgar Mela in Gorakhpur, the Chief Minister said that the internship period would be six months or one year after which the government would help in their placement. He said that of the Rs 2,500, the state government would give Rs 1,000 while the Centre would contribute Rs 1,500. The Chief Minister further said that his government had decided to recruit 20 per cent women in the police force. I want women to play a key role in the security of the people and the state, he said. The Chief Minister further announced that an ITI and a skill development centre would be opened at every tehsil so that the youth could hone their skills. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE A package of anti-crime legislation taking shape in the state House would toughen criminal penalties, encourage community policing and make it easier for officers to secure treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The broad proposal is the result of negotiations by a handful of Democratic and Republican lawmakers aiming to improve public safety in New Mexico, especially in Albuquerque, where homicides hit a record high last year. The bill also has the backing of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has urged fellow Democrats to embrace some of the stiffer criminal penalties sought by Republican legislators. Democratic Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil and Republican Rep. Bill Rehm, both of Albuquerque, said the proposal would attack crime from multiple angles. It would encourage the use of community policing to prevent crime, for example, but also toughen penalties for use of a firearm to commit a crime. Crime affects every single of one us in our communities, Hochman-Vigil said Saturday. Violent crime, Rehm said, is so high in Albuquerque that it prompted a visit and the promise of federal help from U.S. Attorney General William Barr last year. Too many of our communities are seeing repeat offenders in their neighborhoods carrying a firearm, Rehm said. Members of the House Judiciary Committee assembled the anti-crime legislation Saturday, rolling four separate ideas into one bill, now known as House Bill 6. The committee voted 13-0 to move the legislation forward, sending it to the full House for consideration. The package proposes to: Increase the potential criminal penalty for brandishing a firearm in the commission of a crime. The sentencing enhancement would climb from one year to three years for a first offense, though judges would also have the option of suspending the extra time. Were targeting the most violent and threatening members of our community who use a gun, Rehm said. Stiffen the penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm, making it a third-degree felony with a basic sentence of three years, rather than a fourth-degree felony with a basic sentence of 18 months. Allow the states law enforcement protection fund to be tapped for training officers in community-oriented policing techniques aimed at preventing crime in neighborhoods. Cities and counties could apply for money from the fund to pay for training and recruiting officers to engage in community policing. Make it easier for law enforcement officers to get treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The bill would add PTSD to the list of conditions presumed to have been caused by their work as officers and require employers to provide medical treatment for it. Democratic Rep. Marian Matthews of Albuquerque said more officers are dying of suicide than in the line of duty. The goal, she said, is to help people who are on the first line who experience substantial trauma because of the work they do. During Saturdays committee hearing, the provisions for increased criminal penalties drew mixed reaction. Paul Haidle, an attorney and senior policy strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, said the passage of tougher penalties may make a statement but it wont actually improve public safety. Kim Chavez Cook of the Law Offices of the Public Defender made a similar argument. Increasing penalties doesnt deter crime, she said. Supporters said enhanced penalties are a sensible way to take dangerous people off the streets for a longer period of time. The chamber believes that people who commit violent crimes with guns should face stiffer penalties period, said J.D. Bullington, a lobbyist for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. She has been at the centre of the spicy drama on Love Island's South African adventure. And Laura Whitmore looked bright-eyed and raring to go as she arrived back in London for her BBC Radio 5 Live morning show on Sunday. The presenter, 34, wore a dark blue raincoat with a fluffy yellow faux fur hood over a pattern chart jumper as she walked through the front doors of New Broadcasting House. Return: Laura Whitmore looked bright-eyed and raring to go as she arrived back in London for her BBC Radio 5 Live morning show on Sunday. She looked ready for the drastic change in weather from the exotic filming location in black lace-up leather boots and rolled-up dark chinos. The broadcaster let her long blonde locks danced lightly in the wind as she tucked a strand behind her ear. She applied a small dash of makeup and a nude lip to allow her natural beauty to shine through. Off to work: The presenter, 34, wore a dark blue raincoat with a fluffy yellow faux fur hood over a pattern chart jumper as she walked through the front doors of New Broadcasting House Beauty: The broadcaster let her long blonde locks danced lightly in the wind as she tucked a strand behind her ear The look was a far cry from the phenomenal low-cut gold mini dress she wore to announce the shock recoupling on Friday's Love Island episode. The presenter rocked up to the South African villa in a cowl neckline that highlighted her ample bust, whilst a thigh high split offered a look at her tanned and toned pins. Welcoming the boys back from Casa Amor, Laura along with the girls looked shocked to see Callum and Nas both recouple, dumping their respective partners Shaughna and Demi. Booted: She looked ready for the drastic change in weather from the exotic filming location in black lace-up leather boots and rolled-up dark chinos Happy: The TV star appeared in a cheerful mood as she carried a box down the street Looking good: Laura looked effortlessly stylish as she made her way through the capital Crew: Laura in the studio with guests Stephen Bailey and Aatif Nawaz But Shaughna's heartache was the most palpable, having pined for Callum since his sudden departure days ago. The Londoner was left gobsmacked as Callum strutted in, hand-in-hand with fellow Mancunian Molly. Laura then stepped out of the villa to allow chaos to ensue, before jetting back to the UK. Tense: Welcoming the boys back from Casa Amor, Laura along with the girls looked shocked to see Callum and Nas both recouple, dumping their respective partners Shaughna and Demi Fuming! This left the original female Islanders aghast, with Paige the most furious, stating 'What the f**k?' loudly Before she did however, she had a chance meeting with rapper Sean Paul, who had just arrived at the villa to prepare to play his DJ set for Sunday night's episode. 'Found this guy @duttypaul hanging around the villa! Tonight he gets the @spotify party going for our islanders @itv2 @loveisland from 9pm ! 'I'm back on air for @bbc5live from 10am this morning with @rafespall @gretabellamacina @stephencomedy @aatifnawaz and live music from @ldevinemusic and I might even play Sean Paul and @tovelo new song 'Calling On Me' Sure it would be rude not to!' Some contractors awarded various contracts by the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) Nigeria Office are groaning under the weight of debt after the office failed to pay for their services more than three years after delivering on the projects. Official documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES show that the various contracts majorly for the supply of office furniture and computer equipment were awarded between September and December 2016. But over three years after, the contractors say the debt owed them by the federal government agency has rendered many of them bankrupt. With only 10 per cent of the contracts sums paid in most cases, the contractors grapple with a burden of debts around their necks. The contracting firms are Telmac Engineering Services Ltd, SunnytexVentures, Vintage Mercantiles, White Coral Limited, Belladonix Limited, Quomodos Systems, Lead Resources Limited, Multijobs Nigeria Limited, Moukwe Global General Services Ltd, and Omiyeluwa Ventures. The chief executive officer of NEPAD, Gloria Akobundu, has also disregarded reports of four different committees she set up to probe the contracts, all of which urged that the contractors be paid. How it started The NEPAD office awarded the contracts in late 2016. The office called for bids for the various projects and, thereafter, selected winning companies for the contracts. It was while the process was on that Ms Akobundu was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to head the NEPAD Office. When she assumed office in September 2016, insiders said she attempted to reverse the process allegedly to get her own preferred companies to handle the projects. But Ms Akobundu was told by staff in the procurement department that the process had gone too far for reversal. The contractors were eventually issued with letters of offer and went ahead to perform the tasks. But unknown to the contractors, Ms Akobundu allegedly approved the use of large chunk of the funds meant for their projects for other purposes. A petition dated September 30, 2019, by staff of the agency addressed to the chairperson of the governing council of the institution, Abba Ali, accused Ms Akobundu of embezzling the money meant for the approved projects. The staff said Ms Akobundu inherited N87 million as capital allocation for programmes and projects but refused to pay contractors that handled the projects because the money was embezzled. NEPAD A staff who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation alleged that the new chief executive used the money to refurbish her office, meeting room and other things around her person. Endless wait With the completion of the projects, the eleven contractors got certificates of completion certifying them for payments. However, days and weeks of waiting produced nothing concrete for them as the agency foot-dragged in meeting its obligations. Reluctantly, a payment of 10 per cent was made to most of the contractors in October 2017. Curiously, the payments were made largely through third-party transactions, rather than direct from the NEPAD offices account. Weeks and months extended into years yet the disgruntled contractors only had their expectations grow into hopelessness and despair. At every pressure from the owed contractors, Ms Akobundu would constitute a panel to look into the issue but the reports would not be implemented. Some of the reports seen by PREMIUM TIMES recommended payment of the debts. Advertisements In a few instances, one of the reports asked some contractors to complete parts remaining or be paid commensurate with their delivery. Cries for help In desperate bid to seek redress and have their debts settled, the contractors wrote to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) over the matter. In a petition dated October 24, 2019, the contractors begged the SGF, who directly supervises the NEPAD Office, to intervene in the lingering matter. NEPAD Nigeria that awarded the contracts confirmed the availability of funds to pay contractors before we embarked on executing the contract with NEPAD Nigeria, and the capital allocation available as at then was N87,000,000. We are not interested in what she has or may not have done but we are only interested in the payment of what belongs to us, they wrote. CEO not forthcoming Three weeks after PREMIUM TIMES first contacted Ms Akobundu to provide an explanation, she is yet to come around with any. After calls and a text message sent to her by this reporter on January 17, a certain Abolade Ogundimu contacted the reporter on her behalf. After two meetings, repeated telephone exchanges and requested emailed enquiries, Mr Ogundimu is yet to provide any explanation on the matter. Attempts to get the chairperson of the NEPAD-AU governing council failed as he did not respond to calls and a text message sent to his known telephone line on Saturday. VICTORIABritish Columbias New Democrat government will be pointing out its achievements on affordability and economic fronts while introducing a political agenda for the next year as the October 2021 election approaches, Premier John Horgan says. Politicians return to B.C.s legislature Tuesday for the speech from the throne and the start of a spring session. The governments budget will be tabled on Feb. 18. Horgan said the economy is strong, the budget is balanced and improving affordability for people in B.C. continues to be his governments priority. But its not all smooth sailing for the months ahead. The Green party, which has an agreement to support the minority government in the legislature, is looking for a new leader to replace Andrew Weaver who moved to sit as an Independent. The Opposition Liberals are already in election-preparation mode, nominating candidates, and consistently accusing the NDP of ignoring rural communities, especially those hurt by the downturn in the forest industry. We want to highlight what weve done and then highlight where were going to go over the next 12 months, Horgan said in an interview. He said the elimination of Medical Service Plan premiums, more childcare options and raises in the minimum wage are his governments achievements, but more needs to be done to make life more affordable. Gas prices are the top of peoples minds, said Horgan. Cellphone charges, admittedly a federal problem, but ones we hear about in our offices all the time, car insurance. These are costs that people are always fretting about and were going to be talking about these in the throne speech. The government said Thursday legislation will be introduced that will lower premiums at B.C.s public auto insurer, the Insurance Corporation of B.C., by about 20 per cent, an average of $400 in savings per driver. Horgan said the speech will also focus on infrastructure investments in education, transportation and health care in communities where growth like in his hometown of Langford is busting at the seams. He said some global economies are facing downturns, but the B.C. budget will reflect a continued strong economy that is leading Canada. The budget message is the same, said Horgan. Were balanced, were focused on delivering services. Health, education, transportation, those are the priorities we had going in and they continue to be our priorities. Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said the NDP downplays its poor record addressing major issues in B.C., but his members will be reminding the government of its dismal performance. The NDP are facing major problems in forestry, resource industries, ride-hailing and ICBC and they are going to pretend all of it is just fine. Wilkinson said the ongoing eight-month forestry strike on Vancouver Island has put thousands of people out of work and families and communities are suffering. The strike comes as sawmills in the B.C. Interior announce shift curtailments and permanent shutdowns, costing hundreds of jobs, Wilkinson said. Clearly the NDP has written off the Interior of B.C. and now theyre busy writing off the northern half of Vancouver Island, said Wilkinson. The premier has been maintaining this facade that everything is wonderful while people have been losing their jobs by the thousands. Horgan said his government has been saddled with handling problems that date back to the former Liberal government, including controls on money laundering, speculation in real estate and the financially troubled Insurance Corporation of B.C. The Liberals, I think, still have some learning to do from their time in government and they should maybe spend some more time looking at the things were doing that people are excited about, he said. Interim Green Leader Adam Olsen said the two-member caucus will call for a shift in the B.C. economy to focus more on innovation technologies and away from the traditional resource industries. Im keenly aware that the old economy is groaning and demanding attention, he said. We cannot continue to rely on the oil and gas, the fossil fuel industry, at a time when climate change science is telling us weve got to be doing other things. Olsen said the Greens plan to maintain the support agreement it has with the NDP that allows John Horgan to govern with a minority until the next election. We have to continue to work to October 2021, he said. The interests of British Columbians is that their government functions whether its a majority or a minority. Horgan repeated earlier comments that he is not looking to call an early election. I dont hear people clamouring for an election, he said. Read more about: An Egyptian researcher and activist was reportedly detained at Cairo airport upon his arrival from Italy on Friday. According to media reports, the researcher was arrested for allegedly broadcasting false news and harming national security. Patrick Zaky, who is a graduate student at Bologna University in Italy was held on a warrant issued in September last year after he left Egypt to pursue his studies, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), a prominent rights organisation, said. Read: Pak Human Rights Commission Condemns Arrest Of Protesters Demanding Pashteen's Release Arrest of Patrick Zaky According to media reports Patrick Zaky was a researcher for Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) and he is facing charges of "incitement to protest without a permit", "inciting to overthrow the state", "running a social media account intent on harming national security" and "broadcasting false news, as well as "promoting terrorist acts". Patrick was produced before the public prosecutor on Saturday and will be held in custody for 15 days. Read: US Sanctions Iranian Commander Over 'gross Violation Of Human Rights' In Mahshahr As per media reports, several EIPR members have been temporarily detained since October last year in operations apparently targeting individuals who are politically active in any way. If EIPR is to be believed Patrick Zaky has been subjected to torture by the police while n custody overnight. Riccardo Noury, an Amnesty International spokesperson in Italy took to his Twitter handle to share the news of Patrick's arrest and also wrote that the researcher is facing the risk of prolonged detention and torture. Read: US Congressman Tom Souzzi Apologises For Kashmir Letter Raising 'human Rights Concerns' To Mike Pompeo Media reports suggest that ever since Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has taken over as President of Egypt reports of a crackdown against critics have risen rapidly. Sisi was sworn in as President on June 8, 2014 after he led a military coup against former President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. The coup was in response to June 2013 Egyptian protests that called for a revolution in the country. Read: Posters Urging Donald Trump To End Paks Human Rights Abuse Surface In US As Imran Khan Visits The Country As the Long Beach Unified School District commits to keeping classes in-person, the city a new testing site opens for LBUSD employees and students only. The city is also ramping up its own testing efforts with a new 3,000-person per... Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-10 04:34:31|Editor: yan Video Player Close ALGIERS, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- A suicide bomber on Sunday targeted a military barrack in the southernmost area of Algeria, killing a soldier, Algerian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The attack took place at around 10:05 a.m. near the Algerian border with Mali, as a bomb-laden car headed fast to a military barrack before exploding at the entrance, the source said. In 2019, Algerian army troops killed 15 terrorists and arrested 25 others, while 44 others surrendered to authorities, the source said, adding that 245 individuals charged with offering support to terrorist groups were arrested. The North African nation deployed tens of thousands of troops along the border with Mali and Libya to thwart intrusion of terrorists and arms. Mike Picard, the research director for GunPolicy.org, which tracks firearm use around the world, said the images and sounds captured by people at the scene pointed to at least six weapons: one or two handguns, including the shooters personal firearm, three HK33 assault rifles and two larger M60 machine guns. The gunman, he said, also appears to have been carrying about 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Local news media reported Sergeant Jakkrapanth was a specialist in long-range sniper fire. Ms. Viparat, 39, and her husband, Somwang Kwangchaithale, 39, were sitting in a movie theater on the fifth floor of the mall when the lights came on and an emergency announcement came over the loudspeaker around 5:30 p.m. Initially, they stayed in the theater. Then the malls staff moved them to an office with a locked door. They huddled together there, 100 of them all together, until around 10 p.m., when the message from the authorities landed: They were about to be evacuated. They told us theyre going to turn the lights off, said Mr. Somwang. Stay low and do not make any loud noises. When they reached the basement, the gunman heard them. He started shooting. All of the people who gathered at the parking lot started screaming and running for their lives, said Ms. Viparat. Rescuers helped us out. Police, rescuers, military, different officers. By that time, the authorities had launched into full operation mode. Shortly after 8 p.m., the police declared the gunman a most-wanted person and urged the public to call in tips, presenting a photo that showed him looking bored, with indifferent eyes. They also started moving large numbers of people out. They urged evacuees to raise their hands and identify themselves. They were wary that the gunman was hiding in the crowd. Credit Suisse is turning to the first Swiss-born chief executive in almost two decades to restore calm in a boardroom shaken by infighting and personal animosities. Thomas Gottstein, who was named on Friday to succeed Tidjane Thiam at the helm of the lender, is as Swiss an executive as they come: a 20-year veteran of the bank, with degrees in business administration and accounting from the University of Zurich. He rose through the ranks in a career path that tracked the evolution of Credit Suisse from an investment bank to a firm more focused on wealth management. But his biggest achievement until now was overseeing one of the crown jewels of the lender, the unit known as Swiss Universal Bank. A sort of miniature Credit Suisse focused on the domestic market, it is the biggest contributor to pre-tax profit and includes a private banking arm, as well as investment banking. Initially slated for a partial spin-off to help raise capital, the lender reversed course in 2017 and kept the business. Now Credit Suisse is betting Gottstein, 55, can take his experience running a steady domestic operation on to a global stage. In turning to a homegrown executive who has limited experience abroad, but who is well-connected with the elites at home, the firm is joining the likes of Deutsche Bank in breaking with a series of high-profile international CEOs that have, at best, brought mixed results over the past decades. "Gottstein is very Swiss, it's a big contrast," said Andreas Venditti, an analyst at Vontobel. Still, he "has a background in investment banking, he doesn't know only Switzerland. I wouldn't say that this is a retreat from a global ambition". Gottstein is taking over after Thiam was ousted in the wake of a tabloid scandal that unnerved the Swiss establishment. The drama started when it emerged that top management hired detectives to follow former executive Iqbal Khan, who was joining rival UBS Group. Embarrassing disclosures followed, including accounts of a personal feud and the suicide of a contractor. While Thiam, 57, was cleared in an internal probe and a close lieutenant was blamed, the bank has struggled to move beyond the scandal. Swiss regulators have launched their own inquiry, raising questions about the culture at the top of the firm. Like Credit Suisse chairman Urs Rohner, Gottstein is a member of the Swiss establishment, sitting on various boards including at regulator Finma, at the Swiss stock exchange and the Zurich Opera House. Bloomberg If you would like support on LGBT related-issues, you can contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 330 3030 or email helpline@lgbt.foundation She had earlier set tongues wagging after sharing a cryptic post amid her ongoing feud with Phillip Schofield, 57, after the veteran presenter - and her former This Morning co-host - came out as gay. And Amanda Holden appeared in a very chipper mood as she stepped out from her Manchester hotel as she continued filming Britain's Got Talent auditions on Sunday. The TV judge, 48, looked stunning in a form-fitting scarlet midi dress and a matching coat as she flashed a dazzling smile to the cameras. Fabulous: Amanda Holden appeared in a very chipper mood as she stepped out from her Manchester hotel as she continued filming Britain's Got Talent auditions on Sunday The star's bold red gown featured a square-cut neckline which allowed her to showcase plenty of decolletage. While she kept warm by shrugging her longline coat over her shoulders. Boosting her height, Amanda added a pointed pair of nude heels and completed her look with a pair of diamond studs. She added a radiant palette of make-up, while her blonde tresses were swept into a slicked-back style. Lady in red: The TV judge, 48, looked stunning in a form-fitting scarlet midi dress and a matching coat as she flashed a dazzling smile to the cameras The TV beauty was in good company as she stepped out as BGT hosts Ant and Dec and fellow judge David Walliams also left their accomodation. Amanda's cheery outing comes just hours after she shared a cryptic post on social media. The Heart radio presenter took to Instagram on Sunday morning to post a video of herself flashing her derriere while at a photoshoot, but it was her choice of caption which drew most interest. Lying on the floor of a white studio in a plunging silky gown, Amanda playfully kicked her legs in the air. Outing: Amanda's fellow BGT judge David Walliams tried to go low-key as he left his hotel ahead of auditions Let's go: Hosts Ant and Dec cut dapper figures and appeared in chipper moods as they made their way to BGT auditions Looking good: David donned a navy ensemble and dark sunglasses as he left his accomodation The radio host put on a flirty display as she raised her peachy derriere into the air while flicking her blonde tresses about as smiling into the camera. Amanda captioned her video: 'Always more interesting what goes on behind the scenes,' followed by a winky/stuck out tongue emoji. The presenter's cryptic post comes as her former colleague Phillip publicly spoke about his sexual orientation. The TV personality first worked with Schofield after stepping into Holly's shoes when the This Morning star took a year off the show to have her third baby in 2014. Cryptic: Amanda shared cryptic post to Instagram on Sunday, amid her ongoing feud with Phillip Schofield after the veteran presenter came out as gay Amanda previously said she believes that in 2018 Phillip sabotaged her chances of filling in on This Morning while Holly hosted I'm A Celeb. But reports have long been rife about troubles between the TV hosts, with Amanda reportedly lobbying ITV executives after Schofield allegedly pushed for Rochelle Humes to take the job. A former daytime TV executive told The Sun: 'Phillip actively campaigned for Rochelle, 30, to get the job despite Amanda being more experienced - and having been told privately shed got the gig.' Open and honest: Schofield has revealed he was 'consumed' by a secret battle with his sexuality for years before finally making the decision to come out as gay on Friday morning Cryptic: The Heart radio presenter posted a video of herself flashing her derriere while at a photoshoot, but it was her choice of caption which drew most interest An ITV spokesperson later insisted that Rochelle's casting was a decision made by producers, telling MailOnline: 'Presenter line ups on This Morning change regularly and final decisions on these line ups are made by producers and not the presenters. 'Phillip Schofield is a much loved broadcaster and part of the ITV family. He is a consummate professional and held in high regard at ITV. Amanda is also held in high regard as a judge on one of our biggest shows.' Back in June 2019, When asked on her Heart Breakfast show what she wouldn't want to find inside her home, Amanda said: 'Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield.' True meaning? Amanda captioned her video: 'Always more interesting what goes on behind the scenes,' followed by a winky/stuck out tongue emoji Claim: Amanda previously hit out at Schofield amid claims he blocked her from filling in for regular co-host Holly Willoughby while she co-hosted I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Speaking on Friday morning, Schofield revealed he was 'consumed' by a secret battle with his sexuality for years before finally making the decision to come out as gay following a series of 'heartbreaking' conversations with his family. In an emotional statement, shared with millions of Instagram followers, the veteran star, 57, admitted he had suffered 'dark moments, pain and confusion' as he gradually came to terms with his sexual orientation. But he revealed the support of his 'incredible' family - wife of 27 years Stephanie and their two children - convinced him to be open and honest about his feelings. On-screen chemistry: The coveted role eventually went to former Saturdays star Rochelle Humes 'I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay': Phillip's statement in full You never know what's going on in someone's seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing - and so you won't know what has been consuming me for the last few years. With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay. This is something that has caused many heart-breaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years, and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby. My family have held me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion. Yet still I can't sleep and there have been some very dark moments. My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better. Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud. Yes, I am feeling pain and confusion, but that comes only from the hurt that I am causing to my family. Steph has been incredible - I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met. My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort. Both mine and Steph's entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support. Of course they are worried about Steph but I know they will scoop us both us. My friends are the best, especially Holly, who has been so kind and wise - and who has hugged me as I sobbed on her shoulder. At ITV, I couldn't hope to work with more wonderful, supportive teams. Every day on This Morning, I sit in awe of those we meet who have been brave and open in confronting their truth - so now it's my turn to share mine. This will probably all come as something and I understand, but only by facing this, by being honest, can I hope to find peace in my mind and a way forward. Please be kind, especially to my family. Phillip'. Advertisement He wrote: 'You never know what's going on in someone's seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing - and so you won't know what has been consuming me for the last few years. With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay. 'This is something that has caused many heart-breaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years, and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby. 'My family have held me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion. Yet still I can't sleep and there have been some very dark moments. 'My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better. Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud. Yes, I am feeling pain and confusion, but that comes only from the hurt that I am causing to my family.' UPDATE: Authorities said Janet Tobkin Conley was found dead near her home, apparently swept away by floodwaters. Umatilla County authorities said they are searching for a 62-year-old woman who was last seen Thursday evening in a hamlet in the Blue Mountains that was hard hit by flooding. Janet Tobkin Conley was last seen in the Bar M Ranch area, which is roughly 30 miles east of Pendleton in the Blue Mountains, at around 7 p.m. Thursday. Neighbors went to look for her Friday morning and couldnt find her, authorities said. They subsequently reported her missing to the sheriffs office on Saturday morning, according to a news release. Kevin Jeffries, public information officer with the Umatilla County Sheriffs Office, said the road through the area has been cut off" and no one knows Conleys location. The Bar M Ranch area is in Bingham Springs, which sits in the Blue Mountains. The Umatilla River runs adjacent to the town. Jeffries said search and rescuers went door-to-door and no one had seen Conley. Neighbors said that they thought it was possible she walked out. The area up there is highly damaged from the flood, thats all we know, he said. Janet Conley was reported missing in the Blue Mountains The county and National Guard helped evacuate 16 people from the area near Conley on Saturday. Another five people were evacuated from Mill Creek area. Twenty-six people were evacuated Friday. Jeffries said the county has no idea how many other people may be sheltered in place, hoping to wait out the storm and flood. Were sending crews out there tomorrow, he said. Conley is an experienced hiker and camper and knows the area well. Jeffries said he did not know if she had a cell phone or whether she lived with other people. She has gray hair, blue eyes and is roughly 5-foot 8-inches tall. She may be wearing glasses. If you see her, call the dispatch line at 541-966-3651. -- Andrew Theen; atheen@oregonian.com; 503-294-4026; @andrewtheen Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. An official of Iran's Telecommunications Infrastructures Company on Saturday said a cyberattack "temporarily" disrupted Internet services but was repelled by Iran's home-grown firewall DEZHFA. Sadjad Bonabi who made the announcement in a tweet on Saturday morning said the disruption affected some mobile operators as well as home internet providers. According to Bonabi who is a member of the board of directors of the Telecommunication Infrastructures Company owned by the Ministry of Telecommunications, the attack was repelled by DEZHFA, a home-developed firewall. In a tweet the Internet watchdog Netblocks said that from11:45 a.m. local time the national connectivity in Iran had fallen to 75% after authorities reportedly activated "Digital Fortress" isolation mechanism. Net blocks said the incident is ongoing. In another tweet three hours later Bonabi said all Internet operators affected by the attack were stabilized. According to Bonabi the partial blackout was caused by a DDoS attack in which a perpetrator seeks to make a network unavailable to its intended users by disrupting services of a host connected to the Internet. In this type of attack hackers send too many requests to the Internet protocols (IPs) of a country and the overload causes disruption or crashes the network. Nariman Gharib, a UK-based journalist and Internet freedom activist in a tweet said the botnet attack on Iranian Internet infrastructures was "massive". In another tweet Gharib also pointed out that the time of the attack coincided with the day Iran intended to launch its Zafar satellite. The plan was postponed on Saturday without further explanation. Speaking to Mehr News Agency later Bonabi said the attack originated in East Asia and North America but did not seem to be conducted by another government and was the work of hackers. According to latest data, death rate from coronavirus in China amounted to 803 cases The State Health Committee of China has called for the rational use of protective suits and other means that are used to protect against coronavirus. The committee of health issues of China stated this, as Interfax-Ukraine informed. The committee emphasized that excessive and erratic use of overalls leads to its shortage and shortage for those directly related to the fight against the disease. They note that the supply of medical personnel with protective equipment has improved, but there is still a shortage. In particular, in Wuhan, where the spread of coronavirus came from, doctors currently require at least 59,000 protective kits, while their supply is only 48,000. As we reported before, at least 25 Ukrainians are on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined off the coast of Japan due to the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. In particular, the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health, referring to the data of the International Health Regulations Coordinator of Japan, reported about 26 citizens of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - about 25 Ukrainians. "The national MSME coordinator of Japan announced on February 5 about 26 citizens of Ukraine aboard this cruise ship," the report reads. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 09th Feb, 2020) His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, received on Sunday, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, who is visiting the country to attend the UN-Habitat's 10th World Urban Forum. During the meeting, which took place at the Beach Palace in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed the Albanian Prime Minister, noting the strong ties between the two countries, and the UAE's keenness to further develop relations across multiple sectors. The two sides held discussions on how to further bolster UAE-Albania bilateral ties. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Rama also exchanged regional and international developments of mutual interest. For his part, Rama expressed his cheer for visiting the country, extending his thanks and appreciation to the UAE for the development support provided to his country. Mohammad Mubarak Al Mazroui, Under-secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, and Mohammad Mir Abdullah Yusuf Al Raisi, UAE Ambassador to Greece, and Non-Resident Ambassador to Albania, were present during the meeting. A Sinn Fein county councillor says he would resign from his party if they do a deal to go into Government with Fine Gael after the General Election. Laois County Councillor Cllr Aidan Mullins canvassed for two likely winning SF General Election candidates. He completely ruled out a deal with the outgoing Government Party. "I am confirming if there are negotiations to go into Government and Sinn Fein are part of that, if Sinn Fein were to do a deal with Fine Gael, I'd be handing in my resignation the same day," he said. Cllr Mullins, who represents the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District said there two main reasons. "Firstly, the people voted this time that they wanted complete change and putting Fine Gael back into Government wouldn't be honouring the votes of the people this time. "Secondly, my beliefs and the beliefs of Fine Gael are so far apart I wouldn't be able to reconcile them as an Irish republican. You have to have some principals in politics," he said. He did not rule out a coalition with Fianna Fail. Cllr Mullins campaigned for outgoing TD Brian Stanley in the Laois Offaly constituency. He also knocked on doors for Cllr Patricia Ryan in Kildare South which includes a population of up to 12,000 living in Laois and Offaly around Portarlington. Cllr Mullins was impressed with Cllr Ryan's performance. She is expected to top the poll in Kildare South. "We certainly felt on the canvas that the Sinn Fein vote was holding up exactly as the polls were predicting. I am not surprised because there was a big Sinn Fein vote in the Portarlington district in the local elections and we believed that stayed with the party in the General Election and it may even have increased. We are certainly happy with the response we got in Portarlington," he said. A Thai soldier who killed at least 26 people before being shot dead in a mall by commandos went on the rampage because of a debt dispute, the kingdom's premier said on Sunday, offering the first official speculation for the motive of an "unprecedented" shooting spree. After a night which seesawed between heavy exchanges of gunfire and terrifying dashes for mall exits by trapped shoppers, sharp-shooters brought an end to the 17-hour-ordeal when they killed the gunman on Sunday morning in Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat. Twenty-six people including civilians -- the youngest a 13-year-old boy -- and security forces were killed by the rogue soldier, Thailand's prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said. "It is unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happens," he said outside a hospital where victims, including at least two undergoing brain surgery, were being treated. Prayut, a gruff former army chief, blamed a "personal problem" over the sale of the house for the soldier's rampage, which began on Saturday afternoon near an army barracks and was for several hours relayed by the gunman via Facebook posts. The attacker, a junior army officer identified as Sergeant-Major Jakrapanth Thomma, used a stolen M60 machine gun, rifles and ammunition from one of Thailand's largest barracks as well as a military humvee to carry out the attack. Prayut said he overpowered security at the barracks' arsenal. "This was not carelessness. We don't leave the arsenal depot alone -- we had people guarding it." Most of the dead were killed in an around the mall. Volleys of gunfire rang out as the siege ran into dawn, hours after Thai security services stormed the ground floor and freed scores of stunned, terrified shoppers from a bloody rampage. Frightened shoppers sent cascades of messages to friends and family on social media from cupboards, toilets and under tables as the gunman stalked the mall. Shocked evacuees recounted how an ordinary Saturday at the busy shopping centre descended into horror as the gunman entered, sparking an hours long ordeal. "It was like a dream... I'm grateful I survived," Sottiyanee Unchalee, 48, told AFP, explaining she hid in the toilet of a gym inside the mall as she heard the gunfire. A Filipina teacher Aldrin Baliquing said he was ushered into a storeroom by staff as the shooting began. "We were there for six gruelling hours... I'm in shock," she said. Scores of people made a dash for it as police and soldiers in masks and wielding assault rifles took control of the ground floor following a gun battle and scoured the fleeing crowds for the assailant. Hours later he was shot dead. Photos showed smiling elite units of soldiers and police emerging from the mall. Purported video from the scene -- shared on social media -- showed snipers in webbing on elevated walkways, aiming their rifles downwards as heavy gunfire echoed across a concourse below. The gunman relayed his shooting spree through Facebook posts which charted the attack from an army barracks to the city mall. Despite the prime minister's speculation Jakrapanth's exact motive remained unclear as Korat -- a sedate and mid-size town -- tried to digest the scale of the atrocity. The bloodshed began Saturday afternoon when he shot three people -- among them at least one soldier -- at a senior officer's house and then at the nearby army barracks, before driving a military vehicle to the town centre. There the gunman used the stolen weapons to unleash carnage in the town centre. Throughout the day, he posted images of himself and wrote several posts on his Facebook page as the attack unfolded. In one Facebook video -- since deleted -- the assailant, wearing an army helmet, filmed from an open-top jeep, saying, "I'm tired... I can't pull my finger anymore" as he made a trigger symbol with his hand. There were also photos of a man in a ski mask holding up a pistol. A Facebook spokesperson said: "We have removed the gunman's accounts from our services and will work around the clock to remove any violating content related to this attack as soon as we become aware of it." The city is home to one of the largest barracks in Thailand, a country where the military is enmeshed in politics and society. The nation also has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, and several shootings at courthouses last year renewed concern about gun violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Page Not Found! It seems that the page you are looking for does not exist or has been removed. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 20:30:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The construction of the new bridge has demonstrated that modernity can come to distant and isolated places while at the same time showing respect for indigenous lands, identity, and the environment. by Xinhua writers Cui Yuanlei, Yang Chunxue, Pei Jianrong LA PAZ, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Guarani people, an indigenous group living in Bolivia's southern lowlands, have long had the dream of enjoying modern bridges and highways. Now, their dream has become reality. After more than a year of hard work, the 306-meter-long Parapeti Bridge, whose construction was led by the China Railway Group Limited (CREC), was inaugurated on Friday. Photo taken on Feb. 7, 2020 shows the opening ceremony of the Parapeti Bridge on the under-construction El Espino-Charagua-Boyuibe Highway in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE Before the construction of the Parapeti Bridge, the locals had to use an old small bridge that connected various Guarani communities in the area. Safety issues had troubled many for decades. Now, running parallel to the old bridge, the new Parapeti Bridge over the Parapeti River boasts wider roads and a sturdier construction, said Mario Perez, an engineer and a bridge specialist. Head Chief of the Guarani communities in the area, Eugenio Vitingay, said that the Parapeti Bridge will replace the old one that had been an essential part of local infrastructure. "The most dangerous thing was to cross the old bridge, and now we feel safer with the new bridge," Vitingay said. A car runs on the old bridge in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Feb. 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new bridge, Chinese Ambassador to Bolivia Huang Yazhong said that the bridge symbolizes the friendship between the peoples of China and Bolivia. "With the completion of the bridge, the local people can now cross the Parapeti River at ease and from now on, they no longer have to walk on the unsafe and unsustainable bridges that involve high risks," Huang added. The Parapeti Bridge is one of the four longest bridges of the El Espino-Charagua-Boyuibe Highway project, a flagship project within the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Now nearly 50 percent completed, according to the Bolivian Highway Administration (ABC), the 160-km El Espino-Charagua-Boyuibe Highway will directly link the country's eastern departments of Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca and Tarija with each other and with neighboring Paraguay and Argentina. Aerial photo taken on Feb. 6, 2020 shows the Parapeti Bridge on the under-construction El Espino-Charagua-Boyuibe Highway in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) DREAM COMES TRUE "We have always wished, as an indigenous area, for highways and modern bridges," Salomon Torrez, head of the local San Antonio community, told Xinhua. "We are happy that this project of great magnitude and this modern bridge pass right through our area, because it will help our impoverished people get better," said Torrez. For Vitingay, the construction of the new bridge has demonstrated that modernity can come to distant and isolated places while at the same time showing respect for indigenous lands, identity, and the environment. The indigenous coordinator between CREC and the community of Ipitakuape, Juan Pinto, said that the bridge is very important for local inhabitants, not only as a means of transportation, but also because 85 percent of the labor for the project was drawn from the local population. "The dream has been fulfilled," said Pinto. Local kids pose for a group photo at the opening ceremony of the Parapeti Bridge on the under-construction El Espino-Charagua-Boyuibe Highway in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Feb. 7, 2020. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) According to Enrique Concepcion, the ABC's regional manager for Santa Cruz, the highway is a high-impact infrastructure project that has brought benefits to communities along the route by hiring local workers. The CREC will also lead the construction of two other bridges in Saipuru and Cuevo, both in the Santa Cruz department. The bridges will also make up part of the El Espino-Charagua-Boyuibe Highway project. BENEFITING PEOPLE Juan Pablo Saucedo, an economist and professor at Nur University of Bolivia, said that infrastructure is one of Bolivia's weakest areas and that China is a crucial partner in improving Bolivia's infrastructure. "The development of infrastructure is very important for Bolivia at all levels," he said, adding that the highway is a way of providing access to centers of production and generating direct and indirect employment. Saucedo believed that the BRI allows countries to diversify trade and to increase investment, tourism, and cultural exchanges through infrastructure building. He said the idea is welcomed and shared by cooperation partners under the framework. Aerial photo taken on Feb. 6, 2020 shows the old bridge (top) and the Parapeti Bridge on the under-construction El Espino-Charagua-Boyuibe Highway in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) As to CREC's efforts to preserve the environment and the approximately 30 indigenous communities living near the highway zone, Saucedo said that investment partners must take the issue of preservation into account and the preservation efforts by the Chinese company should be commended. According to the ABC, the highway project, which runs through a productive agricultural area, is being carried out using up-to-date environmental standards in order to limit its impact on the environment. As an international public good based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, the BRI is a welcome formula for Latin America. So far, Chinese companies have undertaken 20 highway projects throughout Bolivia with a total of more than 1,500 kilometers, which can not only improve Bolivia's transportation infrastructure and connectivity in all regions, but also the living standards and economic and social benefits of the people. (Video reporters: Pei Jianrong, Wu Hao, Kang Wenjun; Video editor: Ma Ruxuan) By Trend Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan took place in a transparent, democratic atmosphere, Otar Danelia, the MP from the current ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GDDG) party, told Trend. As part of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), we monitored the parliamentary elections in Baku, Danelia said. We visited many polling stations both in the city center and on the outskirts, and we didnt notice any cases of violation. We visited the central polling stations and others, too, the MP noted. The elections took place in independent, democratic atmosphere in each of the polling stations that we visited. Danelia added that the observers were met with great respect, noting that all the conditions for monitoring were created, so Azerbaijan can be proud of this. The elections, which began at 08:00 (GMT +4), ended at 19:00. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. As many as 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers were monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Albany is not exactly renowned for its diversity on the bench. The citys first black judge was appointed in 2002 when Mayor Jerry Jennings named William Carter, now an Albany County Court judge, to City Court. A year earlier, now-retired Randolph Treece became the first black judge to serve on the federal bench in New Yorks Northern District. In 2016, state Supreme Court Justice Christina Ryba became the first black person elected to sit on the regions state Supreme Court bench. That's hardly ancient history. Just last year, New York State Bar Association president Hank Greenberg noted the benches of region and upstate New York were overwhelmingly white and male. But 125 years ago, Albany was home to a true pioneer one recently recognized by Albany Law School in its celebration of Black History Month. The school recognized James Campbell Matthews, who it identified as the schools first black alumnus. He also was New Yorks first black judge. In 1895, Matthews was elected Judge of Albanys Recorders Court which, as the school noted on its website, was one of the highest judicial positions of any African American up to that time. Matthews candidacy won praise from the New York Times, according to the law school. Its website noted the groundbreaker moved to Albany from New Haven at a young age, attended the citys Public School 4 in 1864 and graduated from Albany Academy. He worked as a clerk at the Congress Hotel, which was frequented by legislators, and later worked as a bookkeeper. The school noted that Matthews worked for a local law firm as a clerk (Times Union archives show it was for the firm of Eugene Callahan and Jacob Wirner). He went to Albany Law in 1868. He graduated two years later at 24. In his legal career, Matthews argued successfully against the city of Albany to force it to desegregate its schools. Matthews also lobbied for a bill to protect the rights of black teachers. Then-Gov. Grover Cleveland, the future U.S. president, signed it into law. Cleveland later nominated Matthews to succeed Frederick Douglass as the recorder of deeds in the nations capital. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. According to the school, the nomination was rejected by GOP senators who heard news that Matthews was trying to influence Republicans to switch parties. Matthews stayed in Albany where he practiced law for 44 years. In the years since, Albanys benches have remained mostly male and white, but that could finally be coming to an end. Last September, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore announced a plan to streamline the states 11 separate trial courts -- the most of any state into a three-level system. It would make judges in County Court, Family Court, the Court of Claims and Surrogate's Court all state Supreme Court justices starting Jan. 1, 2025. Such a move would greatly increase the number of non-white and female judges at the Supreme Court level in Albany to include, among others, Carter and recently elected Family Court Judge Sherri Brooks, all following the trail paved 125 years earlier by Matthews. Kolkata: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said the south and northeast of India will become "irrelevant" in comparison to the north, as the national narrative is increasingly becoming a Hindi-speaking one. Tharoor, speaking at the Kolkata Literature Festival, said the idiom of the Indian narrative has "overwhemingly" moved to the north, "the so-called BIMARU states such as Bihar, MP, UP, moving from places like Bengal or Kerala". "The south and northeast will become irrelevant as compared to the north," he said. Referring to a "trivial fact," Tharoor said in Parliament, BJP ministers reply in Hindi to questions asked in English, as "this is their audience". "To create a primordially Hindu rashtra is a fundamental assault on the very basis of nationhood..." the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said during a session on 'Disorder, Darkness and the Tharoor way'. Tharoor said the old idiom that when Bengal catches cold India sneezes, is no more true. "Instead, now if northern India catches the cold, Bengal, Kerala sneezes. It is their cold affecting us." He said one magical thing about the country is that one can be a good Bengali, a good Muslim, but also a good Indian. "You are secure of your different identities because you are secure of your Indian identity guaranteed by the Constitution," the three-time Congress MP added. Total of 140 people in Kazakhstan and 25 in Kyrgyzstan applied for medical care Due to wounds received during the conflict on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, two more people died on February 7. In total, ten deaths were recorded, as Reuters reported. A total of 140 people sought medical help in Kazakhstan after the clashes, and another 25 people turned to doctors in neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Deputy Interior Minister Aleksey Kalaichidi said dozens of people remain in custody on Sunday as police establish their role in the incident. Investigations have been carried out against 19 million people across the country suspected of using clashes to spread hate speech, he added. Recall that the conflict was provoked by a dispute over the right of way and led to a fight between ethnic Kazakhs and Dungans, a minority group with Chinese roots. At night, the conflict only flared up more, and an angry crowd set fire to dozens of buildings and cars. As we reported, in the mass brawl that occurred on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, about 1,000 people were involved The biggest parties will need to cooperate to form some type of government or a second general election could be looming over the country-if the The IPSOS MRBI data reveals that there is a three-way tie between Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein and barely anything between the major parties. If the counts on Sunday reflect the poll predictions, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail could see Dail seat losses, while Sinn Fein, on the other hand, would see huge gains across the country. Already, the talk is turning to just how a government can be formed with the dead heat, given that no one party could, if the counts are similar, command control of the Dail. With the predictions for the parties, they would only be in a position to potentially win 35 to 40 Dail seats, although this is much more difficult to predict without transfers available to assess. However, the figures also show that the smaller parties, even a number of them, would be unlikely to help make up a government with one of the three parties. The exit poll showed that the Green Party looks set to receive 7.9% while Labour would get 4.6%., the Social Democrats 3.4% and Solidarity-People Before Profit 2.8%. The Greens will be happy with their increase in support here, which potentially could give them some 13 seats, some ten more than they had in the outgoing Dail. But Labour look in trouble and may only return seven TDs or more likely less than before the election was called. Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, with local councillor Seamas McGrattan, arrives to cast her vote in the Irish General Election at St. Joseph's School in Dublin. (Niall Carson/PA Wire) Without doubt, the biggest winner from the election, judging on the exit poll, will be Sinn Fein, who could potentially get an extra 10% of the public's support on top of their 13.8% support won in 2016. Nonetheless, the party only ran 42 candidates in the 39 constituencies and could run into trouble trying to see the voter support translated into actual seat numbers in the Dail. Other detail from the exit poll released tonight also reveals some of the geographical support for parties. In Dublin, 22.3% of voters backed Sinn Fein while 21.1% supported Fine Gael and just 14% went with Fianna Fail. This suggests that Micheal Martin's party may lose out on seat races in the capital. In Munster, according to the exit poll, Fianna Fail were at 26%, Fine Gael at 25% while Sinn Fein look set to get 18% of the vote. More emerging figures tonight also showed that Sinn Fein had increased its support in older age groups and not just with young voters, suggesting that its tactic of promising a reversal of the pension age to 65 may have paid off for the party. The central government will soon release another Rs 35,000 crore pending Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation to states for revenue loss. "We will soon transfer another Rs 35,000 crore from the consolidated fund of India (CFI) to compensation cess fund in 2 instalments. The first tranche will be compensation for October-November," an official told news agency PTI. Under GST law, states were guaranteed to be paid for any loss of revenue in the first five years of GST implementation, which came into force from July 1, 2017. This monthly compensation was to be paid within two months but states haven't received any such amount since September 2019. Compensation cess is levied for making up for any shortfall in states revenue due to implementation of GST. The short-fall is calculated assuming a 14 per cent annual growth in GST collections by states over the base year of 2015-16. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech said the government has decided to transfer to the GST Compensation Fund balances in two instalments. According to credit rating agency ICRA, there could be a shortfall of around Rs 15,000-25,000 crore in GST Compensation Fund to states in FY20. The states' requirement of GST compensation for the October 2019-January 2020 period was pegged at Rs 60,000-70,000 crore. In the current fiscal, the Centre has already released Rs 1 lakh crore worth compensation for the February-September 2019 period. In December 2019, the Centre had released Rs 35,298 crore to states to compensate for the revenue loss on account of GST rollout. Last week, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said in Lok Sabha that the GST Compensation had been released till September, 2019 and the next bi-monthly GST Compensation was due for October-November, 2019. A total of Rs 2,10,969.49 crore has been released as GST compensation to states so far including UTs of Delhi and Puducherry after implementation of GST, the minister said. Period for which compensation has been released: July, 2017 March 2018 - Rs 48,785.35 crore; April 2018 March 2019 - Rs 81,141.14 crore; April-May 2019 - Rs 17,789 crore; June-July 2019 - Rs 27,956 crore; August-September 2019 - Rs 35,298 crore. By Chitranjan Kumar with PTI inputs Also Read: GST compensation to states to see shortfall of Rs 15,000-25,000 crore in FY20: ICRA Also Read: GST compensation gap to states could be a whopping Rs 63,200 crore Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA during the Troubles, has won a dramatic surge in support from voters in Irelands general election, setting it on course to win a record number of seats in parliament. Early results from Saturdays election suggested the left-wing party may gain more than 30 seats a historic high in modern times - as it secured a 24.5 per cent share of first-preference votes. Fianna Fail (FF) and Fine Gael (FG) both faced the prospects of a dwindling vote share with 22.2 per cent and 20.9 per cent respectively. Leo Varadkar, the prime minister, was even outpaced by a Sinn Fein (SF) candidate in his own constituency. Although he did not lose his seat, he was not re-elected until the fifth round in a tense Dublin West vote count. It marks the first time an Irish premier has not been re-elected during the first count in the nation's history under the proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR - STV) system. The deputy premier, Simon Coveney, also failed to be elected on first-count votes - eventually being returned to the Dail (parliament) on the eighth count in Cork South-Central. Meanwhile FG's minister for employment affairs and social protection, Regina Doherty, lost her seat in Meath East. Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Show all 20 1 /20 Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Women in Dublin celebrate the result of yesterday's referendum on abortion law Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum A woman in Dublin celebrates the result of yesterday's referendum Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Activists react at the count centre as votes are tallied folowing yesterday's referendum Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Co-Director of Together For Yes Ailbhe Smyth speaking to the media at the count in Dublin PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes voters react, as the results of the votes begin to come in PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Long time campaigner Annette Forde, from Drumcondra, at the count centre in Dublin's RDS as votes are counted PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Minister for Health Simon Harris (centre) with Fine Gael's Kate O'Connell and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy (left) speaks to the media on arrival at the count centre PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes voters celebrate at the count centre in Dublin as official results for constituencies are announced PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes campaigners celebrate at the count in Dublin PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum A woman writes a message on a mural to Savita Halappanava, a woman who died of pregnancy complications AFP/Getty Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Activists react at the count centre as votes are tallied folowing yesterday's referendum Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald reacts with a member of the Yes campaign PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes campaigners celebrate at the count in Dublin PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes campaigners react, as the results of the votes begin to come in Reuters Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Senator David Norris at the count centre in Dublin as votes are counted PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum A woman sits in front of the Dublin mural of Savita Halappanavar, a woman who died of pregnancy complications PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Repeal supporters at Dublin's RDS await the start of the count last night PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Minister for Health Simon Harris is greeted by retired Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness at the count in Dublin PA Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum Yes campaigners react, as the results of the votes begin to come in AP Ireland celebrates historic Yes vote on abortion referendum A Yes voter poses with a badge as votes are counted AFP/Getty A period of uncertainty is now beginning, with politicians facing the process of forming a new government. Before the vote FF ruled out going into coalition with FG for the first time, and both parties said they would not govern with Sinn Fein, citing its IRA past and economic policies. But FG leader Mr Varadkar has said he could be open to a deal with FF. However in the immediate aftermath of the vote FF's leader Michael Martin - who himself was re-elected at the sixth stage of his constituency's poll - fell short of ruling out a partnership with SF. Accusing some of "jumping the gun" on comments which appeared to leave the door open to a coalition, he added: "Today's a day to let the election happen, let the election unfold, let people enjoy their elections and so on. In the cold light of day, tomorrow and the day after, we will assess where we are, because I am not taking anything for granted." A member of the FF frontbench team said he believed a Fianna Fail-Sinn Fein government would emerge, according to Fiach Kelly, deputy political editor of the Irish Times. Mr Varadkar was more clear in his rebuttal of Sinn Fein following his re-election. "Nobody can be forced into some sort of forced marriage or forced coalition", he said, adding: "In order to form a government together you have to have roughly the same views around the courts, criminal justice system, around how the economy should be run and also how democracy should function and that is what makes my party Fine Gael not compatible with Sinn Fein." Since 2016, the government has comprised a minority coalition between FG and independents. But both FG and FF said before the election they would look to smaller parties to form a government, requiring the support of their rivals in a confidence and supply deal. Sinn Fein, which has reinvented itself as Irelands main left-wing party, is likely to fall behind the other two because it fielded only 42 candidates for the 159 seats contested in the 160-seat Dail. Jonathan Evershed, a researcher in government and politics at University College Cork, said both FF and FG would face major pressure to row back from their refusal to work with SF. Based on emerging numbers, there is no route to government that doesnt involve working with Sinn Fein in one way or another, he said. According to Ronan Burtenshaw, of Tribune magazine, the combined vote of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, which is seen as more right-wing than its rival, has fallen over 40 years, from 81.1 per cent in 1977 to 44.6 per cent now. Counting under Irelands STV system could go on for a day or more in the 39 constituencies. The final and potentially decisive seats may not be filled until Monday or even later. In the key seat of Dublin Central, Mary Lou McDonald, the Sinn Fein leader, led the way on 36 per cent - more than twice the number of votes needed for election. Polls showed voters were motivated by issues such as health and housing, on which Sinn Fein focused. The two big parties are likely to want to avoid a second election that could allow further gains for their up-and-coming rival. Additional reporting by agencies You are here: World Flash Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Kongcheep Tantravanich on Saturday night confirmed 20 deaths so far from the shooting spree carnage by a junior army soldier in northeastern Thailand. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who arrived at the Nakorn Ratchasima Hospital where the injured were being treated, told the media that 31 people were injured, with 4 in critical condition. National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda who also arrived in Nakorn Ratchasima, told the media that 16 were still being held hostage by the gunman at the Terminal 21 shopping center. A Thai soldier on Saturday went on a shooting rampage in Nakorn Ratchasima, stole a Humvee from his base, then proceeded to shoot at shoppers inside a mall. He also took a selfie during the attack, and posted on social media. Police is still negotiating with the suspect on the hostages. Lester Pe-Te Johnson, a Cajun barbecue restaurant owner who also hosted a popular radio show featuring Cajun and zydeco music for nearly four decades, died Saturday. He was 85. Johnsons show, Pe-Tes Cajun Bandstand, aired for almost 39 years on KPFT 90.1, playing from 6 to 9 a.m. each Saturday. Until 2005, he operated Pe-Tes Cajun Barbecue House, a favorite hangout spot for astronauts and pilots located across from Ellington Field and near Johnson Space Center. A vibrant and quick-witted Louisiana native whose nickname came from the French word petite, or small, Johnson was 55 and, by all accounts, full of energy. He would wake at 3:30 a.m. every Saturday to drive from his Friendswood home to the KPFT studio in Montrose for his three-hour show, a large chunk of which was devoted to song requests from listeners. Some astronauts who frequented Johnsons restaurant or appeared on his radio show have played tapes of the show in space. Johnsons massive restaurant, which included a well-used dance hall, drew customers from all over the region, from Conroe to Angleton, with entire families often dropping in, according to a 2005 Houston Press story. People walk in here and fall in love with the place, an unnamed Houston man said in a 1996 Chronicle story. They cant figure out why, what exactly the magic is. And I hope they never do find out what the magic is. If we knew what it was, it might spoil it. Johnson was born on Dec. 18, 1934 just outside Eunice, Louisiana, a small town northwest of Lafayette. He was the youngest of five children and had a large extended family, including one grandfather who married four times and had 21 children and 58 grandchildren, Johnson said in a 2009 University of Houston interview. Johnson was twice divorced before he married Caroline Jennie Johnson in 1964. He is survived by a son and daughter from his initial marriages. Jennie died in 2013. During the 1950s, Johnson served in the Air Force and at one point was stationed in Chateauroux, France as an interpreter during the Korean War. He arrived in Houston in 1961, working first as an assistant manager for Wyatts Cafeteria and then as a quality control inspector in the food industry. The precursor to Johnsons barbecue restaurant was a food truck that he parked at first on the side of FM 2351 near Ellington Field. The truck quickly attracted business from pilots at Ellington, prompting a base commander to request that Johnson move his truck closer to the field, according to the 1996 Chronicle story. After a gas station located across State Highway 3 from Ellington went up for sale, Johnson bought the space and turned it into a barbecue restaurant, which he opened in 1979. Johnson began his radio show a few years later, after a caravan from a radio station in Alvin stopped at his restaurant on the way to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. A DJ at the station, hearing Cajun music playing at the restaurant, asked Johnson to do a show on the station. He began the show in the early 1980s and continued it until his death. In the late 1990s, then-Houston City Councilman Rob Todd planned at the request of some Clear Lake constituents to install honorary street signs for Johnson. The effort was canceled after it came to light that Johnson was serving eight years of deferred adjudication for sexual abuse of a child. Todd said Johnson told him the accusation was false, though the councilman said he agreed the signs should not be installed. As news of Johnsons death spread, several listeners posted on Facebook expressing their gratitude for his role spreading Cajun music in the Houston area, with many posts accompanied by the words laissez les bons temps rouler. The Cajun French phrase is a loan translation of let the good times roll. Asked in the 2009 interview what he wants to be remembered for, Johnson said: Id like for them to remember me as I was and what I enjoyed doing to promote the Cajun heritage. If you want to do something for me, do it while Im still alive, dont wait til Im 6 feet under. Dont send me no flowers while Im dead. jasper.scherer@chron.com "Ausgrid crews will continue to work today to make these areas safe as a first priority and restore power," the spokesperson said on Monday, adding that every available crew was working in what were "trying" conditions. Residents of northern suburbs including Hornsby, Pennant Hills, Dee Why and St Ives are among those worst hit. Major delays were being reported on Sydney's train network on Monday morning, with severe weather impacting most lines. There were major delays on the Bankstown and Inner West and Leppington lines, while the North Shore Western lines were still affected after a landslip at Artarmon overnight. Passengers waiting for Northern Line services reported 40-minute delays. The dangerous weather forced the Department of Education to shut nearly 40 schools across the state, including a number of schools on the northern beaches, in the north-west suburbs and the lower Hawkesbury region. The NSW government has published a list of schools that will remain closed. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast heavy rains, strong winds and damaging surf along the state's entire South Coast on Monday. There was some relief on Monday morning when floodwaters along major rivers appeared to have peaked overnight after a number of communities were urged on Sunday to evacuate. The communities of North Richmond and Windsor along the Hawkesbury River face moderate flooding after a major flood peak on Sunday night before the waters began to fall. Moderate flooding continues along the Nepean River at Menangle and Camden and a flood watch is current for the Upper Coxs River and McDonald River. Residents in low-lying areas near the Narrabeen Lagoon in northern Sydney were ordered to evacuate on Sunday night, as were residents in the south-west Sydney suburbs of Moorebank, Chipping Norton and Milperra. Water from the Georges River was inundating Milperra and Liverpool in western Sydney in the early hours of Monday, the NSW State Emergency Service said. River levels at Milperra are now higher than during the 1988 flood and major flooding was also impacting other areas such as Warwick Farm. Torrential rain could create potentially deadly flash floods in Sydney, Illawarra and the Central Tablelands, the bureau warned. The NSW SES has responded to about 10,000 calls for help and carried out multiple rescues of people trapped by rising rivers and floodwaters, it said on Sunday night. Communities along the Hawkesbury River were also ordered to evacuate ahead of surging floodwaters, with the NSW State Emergency Service warning residents in parts of Pitt Town, Richmond and Gronos Point that flood levels along the Hawkesbury could reach their worst since 1992. Tree branches came down on a car, blocking Northwood Street in Camperdown on Sunday. Credit:James Alcock The SES said people risked being trapped without power and water if they did not leave these areas. There were fears that flooding along the Hawkesbury River could disrupt gas and water deliveries to the north-west Sydney towns of Richmond and Windsor, the SES said. Flooding at Narrabeen Lagoon on Sunday. Credit:Jacqui Kirk NSW Ambulance spokesman Giles Buchanan said on Sunday the extreme weather was causing transport chaos across Sydney, with emergency services responding to five car accidents every hour since Friday night. Loading "We've responded to multiple trees that had fallen onto cars, trees into houses and units, and people trapped in cars in floodwaters," he said. Four people were taken to hospital on Sunday afternoon after a tree fell on their taxi in the Sydney CBD. A16-year-old boy was taken to hospital with suspected broken ribs after he was trapped between debris in waist-deep water for two hours after falling into the Allyn River in the Hunter region while canoeing on Sunday. He was rescued by emergency services. Police divers are searching for the driver of a car that was found washed into floodwaters at Galston Gorge on Monday morning. It is not known if the car was being driven. NSW Roads and Maritime Services said a number of boats had been sunk by the turbulent conditions at sea. Sydney, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains were soaked by between 200 and 400mm between 9am on Friday and 5pm on Sunday, the highest rainfall since mid-2016. "But we've surpassed those figures and you have to go back as far back as 1998 to see totals like we'll get," a Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said. Fire and Rescue NSW received 16,000 calls for help between 8am Saturday and 8am Monday, a record number of calls over a 48-hour period. Amongst that, there were 3800 fire truck movements, 200 fires, 117 rescues and 62 hazardous material incidents, 57 medical incidents, 485 incidents of wires down. "The majority of calls came from the inner west, North Sydney, and CBD," a Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said. One notable incident saw a mother and four children who had to be rescued due to Carbon Monoxide poisoning after a blackout in Georges Hall. They were using a petrol generator and became overcome by the fumes. "When we got there, we had to go inside with breathing apparatus and gave them oxygen therapy," the spokesman said. "If a bit of equipment is designed to be used outside, don't bring it inside. Even properly maintained equipment still produces carbon monoxide so make sure it's used in a well-ventilated area." Industry experts today (February 9) attended the seventh edition of the Global Commodity Outlook Conference (GCOC) in Dubai and discussed current trends and changes within a range of commodities markets to identify risks and secure profitable strategies for the year ahead. DMCC, the worlds flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise, the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX), the largest derivatives exchange in the Middle East, and Richcomm Global Services, the largest independent broker on DGCX, welcomed the experts to the event, which was held under the theme Market disruptions and managing risk in uncertainty. Global industry experts attended the conference alongside a number of high-profile government representatives and delegates including Vipul, Consulate General of India in Dubai. Vipul said: The world is currently facing a number of disruptions to trade, including geopolitics, tariffs and trade wars, as well as technology, innovation and a global focus on sustainability. These fundamentally change the way we trade and provide an opportunity for us all. Looking to the region, the UAE is a very important market for us, with numerous strategic agreements in place. As a result, India is bullish on the growth of this relationship, he said. Sanjeev Dutta, executive director commodities and financial services, DMCC, added: I am delighted to see that so many industry professionals from a range of areas of activity have joined us here today. The market currently faces countless geopolitical events unfolding simultaneously, and it is difficult to predict the impact they will have on the global economy, on trade and on the supply, demand and price outlook of commodities. The conference is designed specifically to assess the landscape, understand the pressure points and calculate how to take advantage of the opportunities available to us all in 2020, he added. Paresh Kotecha, chairman and managing director of Richcomm, said: 2020 looks, with foresight, like a challenging and turbulent year. The world today needs to see growth in two major emerging consumer economies: India and China. Both face headwinds that will have direct implications on commodities. The objective of this conference is to have an open, constructive and in-depth dialogue with some of the top commodity and financial market professionals, Kotecha added. The keynote speeches were followed by a series of panel discussions focused on global economy and energy outlook; agriculture commodities; alternative investments and strategies; special topic - innovation, technology and sustainability; and metals outlook, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Health officials set to be grilled over A&E waiting times and cross-border care This article is old - Published: Sunday, Feb 9th, 2020 Health officials are set to be grilled over A&E waiting times and cross-border care arrangements after councillors previously slammed their performance. Last month, politicians in Flintshire decided to write to Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething to highlight concerns over long delays faced by patients at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, as well as other regional emergency departments. Queries have been raised over whether the county needs its own district hospital in order to address the lack of capacity elsewhere. Representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which has been in special measures for almost five years, have now been invited to discuss how the situation can be improved. They will also be asked to give assurances over contractual arrangements with the Countess of Chester Hospital after Welsh patients were temporarily barred from treatment last year in a row over funding. At Januarys Flintshire full council meeting, the North Wales health board came in for scathing criticism as some claimed the organisation was too big to function. Buckley councillor Carol Ellis said: In 2008, many council members were opposed to Betsi Cadwaladr being born. We marched and we shouted from the rooftops about the closure of our community hospitals. We said it will result in queues at the doors of A&E, but we never thought it would be to the extent it is. Remember Betsi is the largest health board in the EU not in Wales in the EU. Its too big, it cant be managed and were almost five years into special measures. In a letter issued in response to their concerns, the health boards chief executive acknowledged that many patients experience unacceptable delays in their care. However, Gary Doherty said waiting times at the Maelor had improved in the last 18 months. Earlier this week, it was announced he would be leaving his role to become director of integration at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Betsi Cadwaladrs chairman Mark Polin said it recognised improvements to the running of services in North Wales needed to come faster. Board representatives will be questioned at a special meeting of Flintshire Councils social and health care scrutiny committee tomorrow . By Liam Randall BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme) Saudi Aramco, the Saudi Arabian national p etroleum and natural gas company, revealed that it has seen an increase in attempted cyber attacks since the Q4 2019. The energy industry is under attack, Saudi Aramco announced it has seen an increase in attempted cyber attacks since the final quarter of 2019. The data is alarming, even if the petroleum giant confirmed to have successfully countered them. Overall there is definitely an increase in the attempts of (cyber) attacks, and we are very successful in preventing these attacks at the earliest stage possible, Khalid al-Harbi, Saudi Aramco chief information security officer, told Reuters in a telephone interview. The pattern of the (cyber) attacks is cyclical, and we are seeing that the magnitude is increasing, I would suspect that this will continue to be a trend. Al-Harbi expressed concerns about the growing trend and for the increase of the magnitude of the attacks. Saudi Arabias energy sector has been the target of several cyber attacks in the past. In August 2012, more than 30,000 systems at Saudi Aramco were infected with the Shamoon malware. On December 2016, security experts observed a new wave of attacks leveraging on the Shamoon malware. The malware experts from Palo Alto Networks and Symantec both reported an attack on a single Saudi company. The new variant of Shamoon, so-called Shamoon 2, can rewrite the MBR on affected computers with an image of a three-year-old Syrian boy named Alan Kurdi that lay dead on a Turkish beach. Why Shamoon has suddenly returned again after four years is unknown. However, with its highly destructive payload, it is clear that the attackers want their targets to sit up and take notice, reported Symantec. In January 2017, researchers at Palo Alto Networks discovered a new strain of the Shamoon 2 malware that was targeting virtualization products. The researchers at IBMs X-Force Incident Response and Intelligence Services (IRIS) believe Shamoon malware is a pivot element in information warfare between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The malware experts identified servers used to deliver Shamoon, they have broken onto the server used by the attackers and gathered more information to study the threat and its attack chain. In December 2017, security firms FireEye and Dragos reported the discovery of a new strain of malware dubbed Triton (aka Trisis) specifically designed to target industrial control systems (ICS). Both FireEye and Dragos would not attribute the Triton malware to a specific threat actor, they only revealed that it has been used in attacks aimed at an unnamed critical infrastructure organization and caused a shutdown at a critical infrastructure organization somewhere in the Middle East. Experts at CyberX who analyzed samples of the malware provided further details on the attack, revealing that Triton was likely developed by Iran and used to target an organization in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco is one of the most important oil supply worldwide, its p roduction covers 10% of the global oil supply. Harbi also revealed that Saudi Aramco p ersonnel was targeted with an Emotet campaign, but let me add that in this case there are no p ublic news of a targeted attack employing the p opular malware that has been distributed globally via malspam campaigns. Harbi highlighted the difficulty in attributing the attack to a specific threat actor. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On Luis Alves da Cruz awoke in the middle of the night. He heard the sounds of loud activity in the Paraguayan prison where he lived. Later, he told police that he saw a group of other prisoners wearing all black clothing. Were breaking out, one of them told him. Are you coming? Da Cruz is 30 years old and a native of Brazil. He is in prison for smuggling illegal drugs. Within minutes, he was among 75 prisoners who fled the prison in the early hours of January 19. It was one of the most shocking escapes in Paraguays history. The fleeing prisoners were members of the First Capital Command. The group is also known as the PCC. PCC is Brazils largest and most powerful criminal organization. The escape demonstrates the organizations growing influence in Paraguay. The countrys weak institutions have been unable to deal with the PCC and other Brazilian criminal groups that are growing quickly there. Cecilia Perez is Paraguays Justice Minister. She said officials at the prison in the city of Pedro Juan Caballero near the Paraguay-Brazil border knew what the PCC was planning. Some even helped the escape effort, she said. Thirty-two prison officials, including the jails warden, are now under arrest. Were facing a security crisis whose epicenter lies in the prison system, Perez told the Reuters news agency. The Pedro Juan Caballero Regional Penitentiary did not answer Reuters request for comment. Forty of the escapees, including da Cruz, were Brazilians. So far, officials have recaptured only 11 prisoners. They found da Cruz within days of the escape near the Brazilian town of Dourados. Brazilian police let a Reuters reporter read the records of what da Cruz said about the escape. Da Cruz told police that guards at the Paraguayan prison had helped with the escape. He said he was among those who fled through a tunnel that prisoners had dug. The tunnel had a fan to bring in fresh air and even electric lights. The tight passage started in a cell holding PCC members and exited just outside the jails outer wall. Older prisoners simply walked out the front door. This (escape) demonstrates that the PCC does what it wants, when it wants, said Juan Martens. He is an education and security researcher based in the capital Asuncion. He has studied the PCCs activities in Paraguay. The Paraguayan state represents no barrier to its plans, he said. City of Blood Paraguay is one of the worlds top producers of the illegal drug marijuana. It is also a major transportation point for all the illegal drug cocaine, made in the Andes Mountains. Transparency Internationals 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index lists it as the second-most-corrupt country in South America, after Venezuela. As a result, it has become a desirable operational base for Brazilian criminal organizations. This includes the Sao Paulo-based PCC, Rio de Janeiros Red Command and a Porto Alegre group called Bullet In The Face. Officials say Brazilian criminals operate with little fear of the law here, both inside and outside the prison. The area around the prison, Pedro Juan Caballero, has been called the city of blood. Small planes carrying Bolivian cocaine often touch down on landing areas outside Pedro Juan Caballero, Brazilian and Paraguayan officials told Reuters. From there, they said, the drugs move through southern Brazil and on to Europe, where demand is high. The effects can be seen in the rising number of deaths in Pedro Juan Caballero. Gangs fight to control drug transportation pathways, officials said. Mayor Jose Carlos Acevedo said there were more than 150 killings last year in the city of 120,000 people. He said residents live in fear of the gangs. The police are completely corrupt, Acevedo said. The citys police force, which does not report to Acevedo, did not answer Reuters requests for comment. Perez, the justice minister, said Paraguay would work together more with Brazils right-wing government. Brazilian leaders are trying to limit the gangs activities by hitting their finances and sending bosses to high-security federal prisons. Gilberto Fleitas, the Paraguayan criminal investigations chief, doubts the chances of success. Theres no way that anyone...can stand up to this, he said. The gangs identify your family, they coerce your relatives, judges, prosecutors, police. Im Dorothy Gundy. And Im Pete Musto. Gabriel Stargardter and Daniela Desantis reported this story for the Reuters news agency. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________ Words in This Story smuggling v. moving someone or something from one country into another illegally and secretly institution(s) n. an established organization warden n. an official who is in charge of a prison epicenter n. the central point of something, usually a difficult or unpleasant situation tunnel n. a passage that goes under the ground or through a hill gang(s) n. a group of criminals coerce v. to make someone do something by using force or threats New Delhi, Feb 9 : The government may clarify the application of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) oversight over the IDBI bank before it initiates the process to exit the bank by selling its entire stake to private players. The move is expected to prevent a tepid response to the share sale plan, as cumbersome vigilance oversight is seen as a big negative by investors who feel that the RBI, as a single regulator for the sector, is enough to ensure smooth and transparent functioning of the banks. Presenting the Budget proposals FY21, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the government will exit from IDBI bank by selling its entire equity to private players. Sources said that government may seek opinion of the Law Ministry again on whether the now privatised IDBI bank should be considered a state-run financial institution or a private entity as classified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This would also clarify whether CVC oversight on the bank for all matters would apply or not. The CVC is mandated to maintain vigilance oversight over public sector banks and financial institutions. Private sector banks, however, are out of its purview, but are subjected to statutory audits from the RBI. IDBI, set up in 1964 under an Act of Parliament, is regarded as a public financial institution. But the government has now ceded its management control in the firm, hence there is confusion about the status of the bank. Following a cabinet decision in 2018, the LIC in January 2019 completed acquisition of 51 per cent controlling stake in the bank by infusing Rs 20,800 crore, making it the lender's majority shareholder. Following this, the government shareholding in the bank has fallen to 47.11 per cent. The RBI, however, has classified the bank as a private sector lender for regulatory purposes. "In my opinion, the IDBI is a government bank as the Centre still is in complete control of the lender through direct equity and indirect holding through LIC, another state-run institution. As regards to CVC oversight, the 2016 Supreme Court order makes it ample clear that officers of private banks are also public servants when it came to the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988. So, in all PCA related cases, CVC would have a role in both private and public sector banks," said former Vigilance Commissioner T.M. Bhasin. But so far, private banks continue to remain outside the CVC's purview. In fact, the CVC had earlier urged the Prime Minister's Office to bring private sector banks under its watch, citing the fact that they have been involved in many instances of malfeasance. INDBI Bank has been perpetually in losses with the lender reporting a loss of Rs 3,458 crore in the second quarter of current fiscal, its 12th successive quarterly loss. However, news of the government's exit from the bank has been taken positively by the markets as its shares rose 4.32 per cent to Rs 36.25 a piece at close of trading hours at BSE on Friday. (Subhash Narayan can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in) Investors are betting the Commonwealth Bank is through the worst of the financial pain caused by a string of past scandals, with its share price implying "lofty" expectations at this week's profit result and some tipping a multibillion dollar share buyback. The banking giant will on Wednesday hand down its full-year results, with analysts expecting a cash earnings from its continuing operations will be about $4.3 billion, with the interim dividend will be unchanged at $2 a share. Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn will deliver the company's half-yer profit this week. Credit:Renee Nowytarger Some analysts predict the bank may also this week announce on off-market share buyback, having sold its asset management and life insurance arm and six months ago saying it would continually consider "capital management initiatives." Provisions for customer refunds over dodgy financial advice and over-charging of clients dogged bank profits over 2019. However, investors are hoping CBA can get more "clear air" to focus on its core banking business, after strong September quarter, and signs it has recently grown market share. Facebook Challenges $9 Billion IRS Bill Over Irish Tax Haven in Court Facebook Inc. and the IRS will meet in U.S. Tax Court on Feb. 10, to do battle over $9 billion the tax agency claims the company owes despite moving its profits to a low-tax jurisdiction overseas. The trial is scheduled to begin in a special session of the court to be held in San Francisco. The hearing comes as lawmakers come under increasing pressure from both left and right to act legislatively against Facebook because of how the company is thought to treat users, as opposed to anything arising out of tax issues. Republicans say Facebook is biased against conservatives and censors their pages, while Democrats claim Facebook favors President Donald Trump and tipped the scales to get him elected. The yearslong tax dispute concerns Facebooks policy of moving overseas profits to low-tax centers, which many U.S.-based multinational corporations do. Such practices are widely criticized by government officials in the United States and Europe, who claim the companies that pursue such an approach dont pay their fair share of taxes. The IRS argues that a bigger chunk of the companys profits should have been taxed at higher U.S. rates, rather than being subject to the low tax rates in Ireland, where the company established its international headquarters. Specifically, the case arises from financial restructuring the company carried out to set up its global operations, before it went public with its highly anticipated initial public offering in May 2012. The result will likely hinge on the valuation of intellectual property used by Facebooks overseas subsidiaries, which pay royalties to the parent company, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. The case has garnered attention because whatever the court decides could create a roadmap for other companies with similar tax disputes to follow. Both sides have salient arguments, and that makes it an exciting case, William Byrnes, a law professor at Texas A&M University, told the newspaper. What happens with Facebook sets the tone for what happens to others. Facebook has been pursuing its tax-minimization strategy, which has bolstered the companys long-term financial viability, for a decade, according to ProPublica. In early 2008, when Facebook had nearly 100 million userstoday it has more than 2 billionit hired Sheryl Sandberg away from Google to become the companys chief operating officer. At the time, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his new hire would take the company to the next level. Based on her experiences at Google, Sandberg overhauled Facebooks approach to dealing with taxation. My experience is that by not having a European center and running everything through the US, it is very costly in terms of taxes, she wrote to other Facebook executives in April 2008, as reported by Pro Publica. The companys top tax official agreed, saying Facebook had to locate to a low taxed jurisdiction to park profits. The same year, Facebook designated Dublin as its international headquarters, copying what Google did when Sandberg worked there. Facebook worked out a way to keep profits in Ireland and pay a tax rate close to zero while maintaining a sufficient presence in Dublin, according to an internal email from Sandberg, to justify the benefits. Facebook transferred some of its intellectual property overseas, which reduced how much in royalties its subsidiaries had to pay to the parent company. Before the Trump-led tax reforms of 2017, royalties would be taxed at 35 percent instead of a lower rate. Facebook used a holding company based in the Cayman Islands, a famous tax haven, to reduce its tax liability and had to pay a 15.5 percent tax on those profits under a one-time tax provision in the 2017 tax law. The issue, according to the IRS, is whether the company should have to pay a higher tax rate. Facebook says it doesnt and wants a refund of taxes it claims it overpaid. A Thai soldier launched a shooting rampage that killed at least 29 people including a 13-year-old boy and injured 57 others because he was angry about a house deal, the countrys leader has said. Thailands prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters on Sunday that the soldier, Jakrapanth Thomma, was involved in a land dispute with a relative of his commanding officer. It was a personal conflict over a house deal, said Mr Chan-ocha at a press briefing in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, where the attack took place on Saturday. He added: It is unprecedented in Thailand, and I want this to be the last time this crisis happens. Hundred of shoppers were inside the Terminal 21 shopping centre in the city when Thomma drove a stolen truck into the building, armed with an assault weapon and ammunition stolen from the army bases arsenal. Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Show all 26 1 /26 Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Thai soldier, Jakrapanth Thomma, killed at least at least 26 people - including a 13-year-old boy - and injured 57 others in a shooting in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima, health authorities said EPA/Terminal 21 Shopping Mall Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall The suspected Thai soldier carrying a rifle in Terminal 21 shopping mall after he attacked his commander, stole guns and ammunition. He then fled to the mall and opened fire there Facebook/AFP via Getty Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Thailand security forces take cover behind an ambulance as they chase the shooter hidden in a shopping mall Hundred of shoppers were inside the Terminal 21 shopping centre in the city when Thomma drove a stolen Humvee into the building, armed with an assault weapon and ammunition stolen from the army bases arsenal Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Soldiers evacuate a hostage from a mass shooting scene EPA Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall The assailant was shot and killed by Thai security forces after an 18-hour standoff Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Shoppers flee active shooter at shopping centre Twitter Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Armed commando soldiers carry a person out of Terminal 21 Korat mall AP Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall The Thai Royal Police's Crime Suppression Department released a wanted poster stating he is wanted in connection to a deadly attack Thai Royal Police/AFP via Getty Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Soldiers cover rescue workers Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall People being evacuated from the shopping mall by members of security forces Thai Crime Suppression Bureau via Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Thai soldiers stand outside the Terminal 21 shopping mall AFP via Getty Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall People heading to an exit of the Terminal 21 Korat mall guarded by armed police AP/Crime Suppression Division Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall People run away from the shopping mall Songyost Suwanachim via Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall AP Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall People run away from the shopping mall Songyost Suwanachim via Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Bullet holes on the window of a car Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Jakrapanth Thommaposted on Facebook during the attack Facebook/AFP via Getty Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall A woman runs for shelter Songyost Suwanachim via Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Getty Images Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall A fire in the compound the shooting Thai Royal Police/AFP via Getty Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Thai security forces gather at Terminal 21 mall after completing their mission to stop a soldier on a rampage after a mass shooting Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall A soldier exits Terminal 21 shopping mall after completing their mission Reuters Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall Thai mourners attend a candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting in Korat Getty Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall A man holds a candle at a vigil Getty Thai soldier shooting rampage in shopping mall People lay down flowers at a vigil AFP via Getty Images One survivor, Suvanarat Jirattanasakul, 27, said: It was frightening because I could hear the occasional gunshot we waited a long time for the police to come and help us, many hours. The assailant was shot and killed by Thai security forces after an 18-hour standoff. Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said Thomma, a sharpshooter, stole two rifles, an M60 machine gun and 770 rounds of ammunition from the arsenal, reported the Bangkok Post. Thomma also reportedly killed his commanding officer and a guard in order to steal the weapons. During his rampage, Thomma posted updates on Facebook before the social media platform shut his account down. Recommended Soldier still at large after shooting dozens in Thailand rampage He said: Death is inevitable for everyone. Later, he added another post complaining about his fingers cramping and asked: Should I give up? Facebook said in a statement: There is no place on Facebook for people who commit this kind of atrocity, nor do we allow people to praise or support this attack. Forensic police have reportedly begun collecting evidence inside the shopping centre, which remains cordoned off while authorities conduct their investigation. Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, has a population of about 250,000 people. It is one of the lesser-visited areas among Thailands nearly million annual tourists. Additional reporting by agencies The Taliban gunman who attempted to kill Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has boasted of his escape from custody in Pakistan. Ehsanullah Ehsan, who boarded Malalas school bus and shot her in the head in 2012, bragged on social media that he had fled captivity almost a month ago. He claimed to have struck a deal with the Pakistani authorities after they captured him in 2017, meaning he would serve a term of house arrest with his family. Taliban gunman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, who attempted to kill Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has boasted of his escape from custody in Pakistan However, he said he had fled his home after the Pakistani authorities failed to keep promises made to him. Officials have yet to comment on his claim. Ehsan, who was also known as Liaquat Ali, attempted to kill Malala because she had made a name for herself as a campaigner for girls education. Malala, who was airlifted to Britain after the shooting, made a full recovery and went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her activism. She has since received a degree from Oxford after finishing her schooling in Birmingham. Her attackers escape from captivity will come as an embarrassment to the Pakistani authorities, and could also lead to further scrutiny of their alleged links to extremist organisations. The countrys military have yet to respond to Ehsans claims but the New York Times reported that the Taliban gunman had fathered a child while he was in custody, and that he had been receiving payment as part of the terms of his surrender. Ehsan boarded Malala Yousafzai's school bus and shot her in the head in 2012, bragged on social media that he had fled captivity almost a month ago Reports said it was a failure of the authorities to deliver the cash that led him to make his escape. Security sources believe that he fled to a hideout in the mountainous border region located between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In an audio clip posted on social media, Ehsan boasted: I have been in detention for three years and I honoured the deal with great patience for three years. In the near future, I will make more revelations about the deal and people involved in it. Ehsan was one of the most prominent members of Pakistans Taliban before leaving the group in 2013 to join the breakaway Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction. He was also involved in the murder of more than 140 people most of them children at the Peshawar Army Public School in December 2014, before surrendering to Pakistani forces in 2017. The Bertie County School Based Oral Prevention Program will offer dental services to all public elementary and middle school students in Bertie County over the next two years. | Photos: Cliff Hollis | Video: Bryan Edge Dental hygienists Jennifer Buck (left) and Rachel Stewart provide cleanings, fluoride treatments and/or dental sealants as recommended for each child by a faculty dentist. Dental hygienists Jennifer Buck and Rachel Stewart presented oral health instructions for every child at Windsor Elementary School and created bulletin boards reminding children to brush. Fannie Williams knows what it's like to grow up in an area where dentists are scarce.Williams grew up in Bertie County, North Carolina, where she now serves as interim principal of Windsor Elementary School in the town of Windsor. She knows first-hand how hard it can be for Bertie County families to visit the dentist. Seeing children with tooth decay, tooth loss and tooth pain is part of the daily routine for teachers and school nurse, Ms. Georgetta Smallwood.said Williams.In fact, Bertie County, located in the state's northeast quadrant, has only one or two licensed dentists for a population of over 21,000 people.Now, a $400,000 grant from the Duke Endowment is making it possible for the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine to go a step further in delivering oral health care to children in Bertie County through the Bertie County School-Based Oral Prevention Program.According to the 2015-2016 Kindergarten Oral Health Status Report by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Oral Health Section, 19% of the kindergartners screened in Bertie County had untreated tooth decay. The same study found that 15% of kindergarteners screened state-wide had untreated tooth decay.Counties with demographics like Bertie's are the reason the ECU dental school was created and why it has opened eight community service learning centers in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina-where faculty, students, residents, and staff treat patients every weekday.The program, which is already underway at Windsor Elementary School, will offer comprehensive dental exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride varnish application, and dental sealants to all public elementary and middle school children in Bertie County over the next two years.An ECU dental team will care for the children on-site at each school. Of the 385 students at Windsor Elementary School, 137 students have been enrolled in the program by their parents. The team works with the children in an annex set up at the school like a dental office.said Dr. Wanda Wright, the dental school's division director of dental public health. Wright is author of the grant proposal and director of the program.Wright said.Dr. Ford Grant, faculty director of the dental school's community service learning center in Ahoskie, drives 30 miles to Windsor several times each month to give each child in the program an oral exam.Dental hygienists Rachel Stewart and Jennifer Buck, the program's case managers, provide oral health instruction in every classroom and have created bulletin boards in the school's hallway to remind the children to brush their teeth.Stewart and Buck take x-rays and provide cleanings, fluoride treatments and/or dental sealants as recommended for each child by Grant. They send reports to the parents after treatment, and if restorative dentistry is indicated, they help parents coordinate a visit to their child's dentist or to the dental school's community service learning center in Ahoskie.Every child who participates in the program will be seen twice a year by a faculty dentist and dental hygienist.The program intends to become self-sustaining after the two years of grant funding through patient reimbursement fees from Medicaid and/or private dental insurance companies. Resources from grant funding, in combination with existing resources from the dental school, will work to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project and provide a comprehensive oral health program for low-income children in Bertie County.Wright hopes that in time a program such as this can be extended to other counties in the northeastern part of the state with similar demographics.she said.The ECU School of Dental Medicine accepts Medicaid and most private insurances and works with uninsured patients. About 88% of the children in the program at Windsor Elementary School are Medicaid recipients, about 2% carry private insurance and about 9% are uninsured.said Williams, English French TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec, Feb. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada Foundation for Innovation William Amos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (Science) will be at the Cegep de Trois-Rivieres to announce funding for colleges across Canada. Mr. Amos will be joined by the Canada Foundation for Innovations Vice-President, External Relations and Communications, Pierre Normand. Following the announcement, media are welcome to join Mr. Amos as he meets with scientists showcasing their research. Media are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Date: February 10, 2020 Time: 1:30 p.m. EST Location: Centre de metallurgie du Quebec 3095, Rue Westinghouse Parc Industriel Des Hautes-Forges Trois-Rivieres (Quebec) G9A 5E1 For more information: The crime scene where Ruth Eshun, a nurse with the Sewua Health Center died was set ablaze on Saturday adding to the mystery of the tragic incident. Police sources have indicated to Citi News that the fire will not in any way affect investigations into the incident. According to them, investigators had already carried out a deconstruction of the crime scene; a bush near the home of the victim. So far, one person has been arrested by police in connection with the murder. The cause of the death is yet to be confirmed by the police. There are also unconfirmed reports that Ruth Eshun was allegedly raped before her death. Background Ruth Eshun, who is a mother of three, was found dead at a secluded area close to her Ayoum new site residence in the Bosomtwi District. Relatives of Ruth Ama Eshun, who could not trace the whereabouts of the deceased after she closed from work on Monday, February 3, found her lifeless body a day later. Police were called in to convey the body which has now been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue. Investigators who visited the crime scene found a mobile phone which was suspected to be for persons behind the suspected murderer. Ruths husband, Kwadwo Arhin, urged police to quicken the pace of investigations. The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association also called on the police to intensify investigations into the death. Ghanaians on social media started a campaign, #Justice4RuthEshun, to also pile pressure on police to unravel the death. DUSHANBE -- Talk about the importance of first impressions. Two Tajik patients and their mothers are recovering from potentially lifesaving operations after being brought together by doctors at the National Scientific Center for Human Organs and Tissue Transplantation in Dushanbe. The mothers, Rukhshona Ahmadova and Zarnigor Sangova, were cautiously introduced last month. They hit it off immediately. They had to. Both were engaged in desperate searches for possible organ donors for their 10- and 9-year-old daughters, respectively, when doctors told them they were a match. Not for their own daughters, but for each other's. "My daughter and I have lived in pain for five years," Ahmadova tells RFE/RL's Tajik Service. "My daughter was almost lost." They had to proceed carefully after that January 15 meeting, however. Tajikistan still has no official system for taking organs from the recently deceased, and the law only allows living-donor organ and tissue donations by family members. Match Found No matches had turned up from among the younger Ahmadova's three siblings or other relatives in the five years since her diagnosis. Sangova's daughter had been diagnosed more recently but faced the same problem. But just two weeks later -- thanks to mutual agreement and a waiver from a local medical commission -- all were recovering from dual transplantations at the nine-year-old medical facility in Dushanbe on January 31. Ahmadova, 39, now calls Sangova, 32, her "sister." "I gave some of my liver to her daughter, and she gave some of hers to my daughter," she says. Their daughters, whom RFE/RL is not naming for privacy reasons, are said to be recovering well. Diseases of the liver are a leading cause of death around the world. They can be caused by viral infections (Hepatitis A, B, and C), toxins like drugs, alcohol, or poisons (cirrhosis and fatty liver disease), or can be inherited (Wilson disease or hemochromatosis). The liver, which helps digest food, store energy, and eliminate poisons, is the largest organ in the human body. Living-donor liver transplants -- in which as much as half a liver is taken from the donor -- are far less common than deceased-donor ones, but medical advances and the regenerative properties of the liver make living-donor transplants an increasingly promising option. A healthy section of a liver transplanted to replace a diseased one can grow to full size in the patient in less than two months. A healthy donor who loses up to around 60 percent of their liver can expect it to return to full size in about the same amount of time. Risks, Complications Risks and complications can include rejection of the new liver by the recipient's immune system, infection, or the failure of the donated liver. "We consulted each other and agreed. We passed the commission [hearing], and agreed," Sangova says. "Then the surgery was performed, and now I feel the same toward this woman's daughter as I do toward my own daughter." The National Scientific Center for Human Organs and Tissue Transplantation in Dushanbe has carried out hundreds of kidney and other organ transplants since it opened in 2011. In addition to patients from nearby Central Asian republics Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, it has also implanted organs in patients from Israel, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Afghanistan. The overwhelming majority of its transplants are of kidneys, but in 2018 the center heralded a growing number of liver transplants. "Nowadays in the Republic of Tajikistan, there is a real opportunity to provide...high-tech medical assistance in the form of liver transplantation to patients who were previously doomed to severe disability and imminent death," Sitorabonu Gulshanova, from the center's department of liver transplants, wrote in the official journal of The Transplantation Society in 2018. The center carried out "more than 50" liver transplants between 2014 and 2017. The number was 17 last year, officials said, including on an infant who weighed under 5 kilograms. Doctors there ascribe a rapid increase in the number of operations after 2015 to increased public confidence in the center -- which has made at least two mothers and their young daughters grateful. Innuendo is strong in this startup sector and founders are leaning into humour as they try to capture a slice of the $30 billion sextech space. "We want to really penetrate the global market see, the puns fly without you even realising it," co-founder of vegan condom business Jonny, Bec Park, says. Co-founders of Jonny vegan condoms brand Bec Villanti, Bec Park and Samantha Eades. Over the past four years Park and co-founders Bec Villanti and Samantha Eades have built a business turning over $1.5 million, selling condoms that come with sex-positive branding and vegan status. Most latex products for safe sex contain non-vegan products like milk derivatives, though Jonny's, which are produced in Malaysia and shipped from Melbourne, do not. The brand started with conversations of "loves lost, won and conquered", where the co-founders reflected there needed to be more brands which empowered women to talk about safe sex. By Express News Service ASSAN: Coming down heavily on Amit Shah, JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda said that the Union Home Minister is dreaming of a Hindu nation. Addressing the crowd at an anti-CAA/NRC rally in Hassan, he said that the Home Minister has forgotten that India is a secular, multi-lingual country. Shah cannot make India into a Hindu nation. People should come forward and oppose the Acts in the interest of peace and welfare of the nation, the former PM said, urging secular leaders to unite and fight against the undemocratic policies put forth by the Centre. Only secular forces can protect minorities by taking to the streets, he said. Talking about the controversy around former Union minister Anant Kumar Hegdes statements, Gowda said BJP leaders are airing anti-national comments, which is disturbing peace. Muslims, Christians and Hindus should unite to fight against the BJPs unilateral decisions. A large number of millenial farmers in villages around Nashik district of Maharashtra are making more money from alternative jobs like electrician, plumbing and fabrication than from farming itself. Most of these farmers are earning between Rs 7,000-15,000 per month from alternative jobs in construction-affiliated industry, which they said is "good enough money" to support their agriculture-dependent families. These millenial farmers, who are mostly educated till 12th standard, are gradually emerging as talented professionals, thanks to the vocational skill training intervention by PNB Housing Finance Ltd (PNBHF) as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative implemented with the support of Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) and Vivekananda Institute at Nashik. Looking at the uncertainty in agriculture, a matric-passed farmer Sagar Nivruthi Bodke (22 years), who assists his family in a 2.5-acre farm land located at Tadwade village in Trimbakeshwar Taluk, took up the 45-day free training course on fabrication at Vivekananda Institute last year. "There is not much income from agriculture. Both monsoon and markets are unpredictable. Despite efforts of entire family, the return from a piece of farm land is very low. Youth like me cannot even think of asking salary for my share of work," Bodke told PTI. Stating that farming is becoming difficult with increased water woes in Trimbakeshwar, he said an alternative job like fabrication comes handy to sustain during off season. "Now, I have my own work. I earn Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000 per month. My family is happy that I earn from this new job and at the same time help them in agriculture activities," he said, adding that he was able to learn fast as the course syllabus was more on practical knowledge than theory. Sharing a similar story, 20-year old Abhishek Mohan Daghar said he has become a certified electrician after getting the training at the institute and been working with a building contractor for last three months. "I am getting Rs 7,000 per month, which is not bad for a 12th Class fail youth. We have 5 acres of farm land and I help my father in agriculture and also doing electrician job," Daghar said and added that he was ready to join a company if he was offered better salary. There are many millenial farmers like Bodke and Daghar in and around Nashik who have either become entrepreneurs or got placed in companies after the training. The objective of the intervention, PNBHF Chief People Officer Anshul Bhargava said, is constantly build inroads for upgrading skills of construction workers and creating a conducive environment for them. The purpose is to improve the socio-economic condition of this community. Now, the demand for such courses is increasing not only among millenial farmers but also from youth belonging to economically weaker groups who want to acquire new skills to find job opportunities. For instance, 21-year old Vinayak Rawat (12th class pass) after the training course got placement as electrician at Chinese home appliance giant Haier in Nashik and is earning as much as Rs 15,000 per month. "I did the course in June-July 2019 and now working with Haier. My salary is Rs 15,000 per month. Gradually I started earning more money because of incentive given on marketing of the company's products," Rawat said, adding that additional skills that were taught at the training helped him deal with customers, market the company's products and earn incentives. Under this partnership, CREDAI President Satish Magar said it has been able to directly reach out to 40,000 unemployed youth from underprivileged backgrounds, helping them access entry levels job opportunities in construction affiliated industries. Since many of the existing plumbers, electricians and fabricators have picked up skills on job and are not trained at all, Vivekanand Institute Executive Officer Sandip Kuyate said, "Such courses help supply of trained workers who can provide better services keeping safety on priority." "Along with the course, we teach additional basic skills like computer, soft skills, entrepreneur development skill, financial literacy and career counselling," he said, adding that such skills give them confidence to deal with customers. As per the latest data, PNBHF has trained over 1,500 youth in electrician, plumbing and fabrication skills in the last three years in Nashik district alone, while a total 41,744 youth between 2015-16 and 2019-20 across India. There is 70-75 per cent placement after the training. Besides Maharashtra, PNBHF is offering such training courses in 10 states -- Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Orrisa. The certificate courses are recognised globally as it is accredited by the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) and Construction Skill Development Council Of India (CSDC). The courses are offered free of cost to people belonging to economically weaker sections. PNBHF is investing Rs 8,000 per candidate for the training and aims to train 13,000 persons this fiscal. Many students travel 20-25 km from Nashik city to attend classes and Vivekananda Institute is also offering hostel and meal facility here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After getting bombarded with criticisms over the past months, Prince Andrew now knows what his priority is: do not bring further embarrassment to the Queen and the royal family. Late last year, Prince Andrew announced his withdrawal from his royal duties following his ill-judged BBC interview that tackled his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite that, however, Queen Elizabeth II still planned to give him a senior Navy role as a promotion. Interestingly, the Duke of York chose to turn it down for the sake of the Queen. The said senior Navy role was due to be presented to him before his 60th birthday on Feb. 19. Moreover, it would have come after his previous promotions, having become a Rear Admiral when he turned 50 and Vice Admiral when he turned 55. Though the Duke of York retired from the Navy in 2001, it is still the monarchy's tradition to give the senior members of the royal family military promotions and let them continue doing their duties as they get older. A spokesperson from the Buckingham Palace confirmed the refusal of Prince Andrew in a statement. "Following the decision by His Royal Highness to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, the Duke of York has asked the Ministry of Defence if this promotion might be deferred until such time that His Royal Highness returns to public duty," the statement said, affirming that Prince Andrew nhas denied the military promotion. Though his move this time was made to avoid humiliating the Queen, the military position could still be given to him in the future if ever he clears his name from the Epstein scandal. Prince Andrew's Recent Humiliations Prince Andrew is trying to protect the Queen, but he did fail recently when he was called out for not cooperating to authorties over the Epstein issue. After the cancellation of a planned birthday celebration, the Duke of York also saw how frustrated the U.S. authorities got after he allegedly snubbed them when they tried to arrange an interview with him. In addition, people criticised the royal family over their plan to fly Union Flags on government buildings and other halls in time for Prince Andrew's birthday. Critics called it "crass and offensive," especially with the Epstein scandal still not yet resolved. "The Department of Culture, Media and Sport will be advising councils that there is no requirement to fly flags on Feb. 19 following the decision by the Duke of York to step back from public duties for the foreseeable future," the government spokesperson said. Prince Andrew Trying Hard to Protect Everyone Prince Andrew has been lying low from the public and has been declining engagements as well. Aside from protecting Queen Elizabeth II, he also tried to safeguard his daughter, Princess Beatrice, by not attending her engagement party last December 2019. He reportedly felt that the attendees might face "abuse or embarrassment" if he appears. The Duke of York's decision came after news about how his ties with Epstein has affected Princess Beatrice, with one report even poiting how wedding dress designers did not want to work with her. Until the controversies surrounding him stop, Prince Andrew will stay that way -- avoiding everyone and everything. The only thing the royal family members can do for now is to understand that he is doing all those things for them. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 15:10:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KABUL, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 Taliban militants were killed in an overnight airstrike in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday. "The strike conducted in Chawkay district, Kunar province, targeted an enemy position, killing 10 Taliban members," the ministry wrote on Twitter. The ministry did not provide details on whether the strike was conducted by Afghan Air Force or NATO-led coalition forces. The province has been the scene of clashes between Taliban and security forces. Afghan security forces have recently beefed up security operations against the Taliban militants who have been attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions in the countryside during the winter. The militant group has not made comment on the report so far. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- This might be a good moment in history for an eminence grise to preside over a caretaker presidency. The country is bitterly divided, and the atmosphere will soon grow more poisoned. (If Donald Trumps re-election campaign isnt the most vicious in U.S. history, it will not be for lack of effort.) Democrats are conflicted about the direction of their party and how to defend the rule of law from the depredations of Trump and his enablers. Meantime, an insurgent wing of the party, led by Senator Bernie Sanders, has an appetite for conspiracy theories that often aids and abets Trumps disinformation. When he entered the Democratic primary for president, former vice president Joe Biden offered himself as an elder statesman, an experienced hand who could calm such roiling waters. Few Americans have been in public life as long as Biden, who was elected to the U.S. Senate five decades ago at age 29. His service to Barack Obama, the most admired Democrat, has accrued political capital; Biden had a bank of residual goodwill upon which to draw, and a coterie of smart, experienced advisers. Eminence grise, however, is not a job you get to claim. Others must bestow the honor upon you. In Iowa this week, the Biden campaign learned that the laurels got lost somewhere along the trail. So on Wednesday morning, inside the 1899 Ballroom & Function Hall in the small town of Somersworth, New Hampshire, Biden vowed not to preside and soothe but to fight. Im gonna fight for this nomination. Im gonna fight in New Hampshire, he said. He also acknowledged that he had just lost a big bout. Im not going to sugarcoat it: We took a gut punch in Iowa, he said. At the mention of gut punch, the journalists in attendance lurched in unison toward their keyboards, understanding that Bidens line was the definitive capstone on a bruising defeat in which he finished fourth. Campaign reporters sense weakness, and theyre writing about it. Story continues There were also demonstrations of strength. The mayor who introduced Biden called him a visionary leader, a bit of campaign hyperbole to bolster flagging spirits. A representative from the firefighters union said, Joe Biden has been nothing short of our hero. And Biden himself announced that he had received the endorsement of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. But signs of fatigue and listlessness abounded. Bidens herky-jerky performance varied moment to moment, depending on his emotional energy or, perhaps, on his physical stamina. He is the least dynamic of the septuagenarians in the race, lacking Elizabeth Warrens uncanny electricity, Sanders revolutionary zeal or Trumps venom-fueled vitality.(1) While he took a few swings at Democratic rivals, noting the slippery record of one unnamed candidate (Sanders) on gun regulation, and defending the Obama administrations achievements against Pete Buttigiegs generic attacks on Washington, Biden didnt look like he was eager to go 12 rounds anytime soon. He took no questions from the audience and promptly disappeared from the campaign trail. At Fridays New Hampshire debate, Biden began the night not by fighting for the state but by conceding it. I took a hit in Iowa he told moderator George Stephanopoulos,and Ill probably take a hit here. FiveThirtyEight has him battling Warren for third place in New Hampshire, which votes Tuesday. At the Somersworth event, I saw only one African American face in a crowd of a couple hundred people. Black voters nonetheless dominated the space in absentia. Biden, the regular Joe tapped by Obama in 2008 as an emissary to working-class whites, is counting on strong support from black voters in South Carolina, where the primary is Feb. 29, to revive his campaign. A thumping in New Hampshire following the one in Iowa would surely test the faith of voters there. If Biden proves no more convincing as fighter than he did as eminence grise, an unsettled, and for many Democrats, unsettling, contest will be disrupted anew. (1) Disclaimer: Michael Bloomberg is also seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. He is the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News. To contact the author of this story: Francis Wilkinson at fwilkinson1@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Tracy Walsh at twalsh67@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Francis Wilkinson writes editorials on politics and U.S. domestic policy for Bloomberg Opinion. He was executive editor of the Week. He was previously a writer for Rolling Stone, a communications consultant and a political media strategist. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. For what to dip stroganina in, the possibilities are endless. Nellya Motysheva, who also lives on the peninsula, plans to collect her recipes in a book. What she calls moms sauce is vegetable oil, mustard powder and reindeer blood. The Russian Arctic looks remote on the map, but more than a million people live here far more than in the polar regions of Western Europe and North America. From the Bolsheviks forced collective farming and the gulag labor camps to the chaotic collapse of Communism, outside forces beyond local control have shaped the lives of its residents. Now, places like the peninsula are synonymous with Russias rapid development of the oil-and-gas reserves in its northern reaches. Global warming is threatening traditional ways of life. The receding sea ice is turning the region into a theater of increased trade and intensifying geopolitical competition. Nevertheless, weve kept our passion for our traditional food, said Zoya Safarbekova, the director of the Yamal District Museum in the town of Yar-Sale near the Gulf of Ob, after ticking off the external shocks that have befallen her Indigenous Nenets people over the last century. In November, the freezing cold begins, and thats it you know you must eat stroganina. The name of the dish comes from the Russian word strogat, meaning to whittle, as a carpenter would. It is distinct from the less refined rubanina from the word for to chop which is a frozen fish pounded to bits with an ax. The best stroganina, Yamal residents said, is produced when it is chilly outside no warmer than 20 below Fahrenheit. That temperature flash-freezes the fish or reindeer meat and locks in the flavor. The Near-Earth orbit will be busy as NASA detects four medium-sized asteroids getting close to Earth. The Center for Near-Earth-Object Studies follow the orbit close to the earth. CNEOS, which has been closely observing the orbit, spotted asteroids near the planet. One asteroid, named 2020 BL8, with a size of 138 feet will be entering earth's vicinity. It is speeding through space at 7,000 mph, with another trailing behind. The estimated time when 2020 BL8 reaches the earth's farthest orbit is on Feb. 8 am EST. Upon the final approach of the asteroid that zooms past the planet will be at about 1.6 million miles. Accelerating behind 2020 BL8 is another asteroid with a far larger diameter, called 2020 BQ11. This is part of the quadruplet going the same way. Compared to the others, the 2020 BQ11 is the biggest and travels the greatest velocity amongst the four. CNEOS has announced that the 235-foot behemoth is zooming at 47,000 miles per hour towards the earth. But the CNEOS states that it will not fly as close as 2020 BL8 on the same date at 12:06 pm EST. In comparison to 1.6 million miles, the large asteroid will fly-by at 3.4 million miles out. Asteroids that are as big as 2020 BQ11 can cause significant damage. Hence, its that good it is that far out. Another third asteroid that will do a similar fly-by is the 2020 BW5. This is smaller than 2020 BL8, with a diameter of 102 feet long and acceleration at 20,000 miles per hour. Analysis of the trajectory and flight path of the 2020 BW5 shows that it will enter the earth's immediate space on Feb.9 at exactly 3:41 pm EST. It will make a similar approach from the orbit at 1.2 million miles. After the outer space fly-by of 2020 BW5, the last of the asteroid quartet will be 2020 BK10. The foreign body, according to CNEOS, is as big as 114 feet, larger than 2020 BW5. Telescopes have calculated it has a total velocity of 26,000 mph that is 6000 mph faster, than the asteroid before it. This approach will be the closest of all intersecting orbits of the four asteroids heading towards earth. Also Read: End of the World: NASA Preps for Possible Asteroid Hit on Earth Scientists looking at the CNEOS data have estimated that 202 BK10 will be close at 455,000 miles away. Expecting the entry into the earth's closest orbit on Feb. 9 at 7:31 pm EST, the asteroid is closest to the others that have flown by. Asteroids, like this quartet are called Apollo's, named after the Greek god who flew his chariot through the sun. Similarly, these asteroids do the same thing by having orbits that are attracted by the solar system's sun. Aside from NASA and CNEOS, other agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA) has a sky watch for potential planet-killers or smaller asteroids that can do significant damage on impact. According to Dr Bruce Betts (The Planetary Society), a neo earth object is where a comet or asteroid reaches 30 million miles out of earth orbit. They are viewed as planetary hazards that can strike the planet. Should an asteroid alert be sounded, it measures 460-feet in diameter and will have a close intersecting trajectory at 4.5 million miles away. Smaller asteroids do impact the earth twice in hundred years which are usually as big as 2020 BQ11. This space rock is called a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA). Related Article: Experts Probe Crater Hit by Dinosaur-Terminating Asteroid 66 Million Years Ago @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said 14th century saint Ravidas dreamt of a society where there is no discrimination on the basis of caste and religion, and everyone should work towards fulfilling it. Speaking at a function in Varanasi on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti, she urged the audience to take the teachings of the saint to the masses. "He (Sant Ravidas) had dreamt of a society, where there is no discrimination and where every person is respected. You all should take forward his teachings to the masses, especially at a time, when there is so much violence and hatred in the society. His teachings are need of the hour," Priyanka Gandhi said. "Sant Ravidas used to say in his teachings that Ram and Rahim are one. We are all part of one god. We must learn from his teachings," she said. Before attending the function, the Congress leader offered prayers at the Guru Ravidas Janamsthan Mandir, and also participated in 'langar' (community lunch). She arrived in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a day-long visit to take part in Ravidas Jayanti programmes, and was greeted by senior Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders, including state unit president Ajay Kumar Lallu, and other party workers. State Congress president Lallu said the teachings of Sant Ravidas for setting up a society based on equality and brotherhood are relevant even today. A 14th century saint, Ravidas is revered in Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism. He was born in Varanasi and was a leading figure of the Bhakti Movement. Sant Ravidas left behind a great legacy and a 21st century cult called Ravidassia follows his teachings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Brian Smith served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and retired as an assistant chief with the California Highway Patrol. He resides in Bakersfield. If you have a personal Cop Tale to share, please contact Smith at bmsmith778@gmail.com. Family and friends have remembered Redland Bay woman Mersina Axiom, who died in a car crash on Friday night, as a loving mother, sister and wife who leaves behind three children and her husband. Redland Bay woman who died in a car crash, Mersina Axiom leaves three children and her husband. Credit:Facebook Mrs Axiom was killed about 11pm on Friday when a utility travelling on Serpentine Creek Road struck the rear of a sedan before veering into her minivan, police allege. More than $6000 has been raised in about 13 hours, with GoFundMe page set up by her sister Cat Michalakellis. Ms Michalakellis said she hoped to raise about $1000 towards funeral and living costs. They did not explain what would replace them. Forgey said the party was still considering all other options. Late Saturday, the Nevada Independent reported that party officials were developing a tool, not an app, that would be preloaded on iPads to capture data. Forgey did not respond to a request for comment, but the state party already had a backup plan in case of technology failure a phone number caucus leaders can call to receive data from the early vote. They would do the caucus math manually before phoning in the final precinct results to the state party. A London council has said it will still fly the EU flag even though Britain has quit the 27-member union. Hounslow council, in London, said it would keep the flag up as 'a symbol that we remain an internationalist borough' and a place which 'embraces diversity and which EU citizens can call home'. However, the decision has led to a raft of angry comments online as social media users demanded the council 'take it down', 'listen to voters' and accuse the council of 'pointless virtue signalling'. Hounslow voted to remain by 51.1 per cent to 48.9 per cent in the 2017 referendum on EU membership. Council leader Steve Curran, pictured, announced that the council would continue to fly the EU flag the day Britain left the European Union However, the decision has caused a wave of angry comments on social media. Councillor Curran is pictured above at the meeting where he announced the decision Council leader Steve Curran announced the decision the day Britain left the European Union at a meeting attended by staff from Poland, Croatia, Germany, Norway, Romania and other EU countries. 'Although the decision to leave the EU has been made, we know there is still a lot of uncertainty and concern among our EU citizens, their families and employers, as well as local businesses and organisations,' he said in a statement. 'We want to make sure they continue to feel welcome as valued members of our communities. 'We're going to keep flying the EU flag as a symbol that we remain an internationalist borough, a gateway to London for people and business, and a place which embraces diversity and which EU citizens can call home.' Their decision has sparked a wave of angry comments online. One poster wrote, 'What a waste of a post, a waste of energy and a pointless virtue signal', while a second said, 'Typical Hounslow, do your own thing, don't listen to voters'. 'Way to go, accusing everyone who voted to leave of racism/xenophobia,' said a third. And a Remainer even branded it a 'ludicrous decision'. 'I'm a remainer, but this selfish decision is based on personal preferences of the so-called leader of Hounslow council,' they said. 'Whether you agree with Brexit or not we are now out of the EU and democracy only works with the losers consent... so do our elected representatives no longer believe in the democracy that put them in their positions?', posted one. 'If you want to show yourselves as an "internationalist borough" why not fly individual flags for all the different nationalities that call Hounslow home?', said another. Hounslow council's town hall pictured on Google Maps. It opened in April 2019 Others, however, were thrilled with the council's decision. 'Well done Hounslow. Good decision.' said one, while a second added, 'proud to live in Hounslow.' The flag will continue to fly at Hounslow House, which the council moved into in April last year following two years of building work. UPDATE: Will impeachment witness Lt. Col. Vindman come to Army War College in Carlisle? Thats not yet decided. A witness who testified in the investigation that led to President Donald Trumps impeachment trial will be coming to Carlisle. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who was ousted from his post on the National Security Council Friday, will start classes at the U.S. Army War College this summer, CBS News is reporting. The decorated combat veteran will return to the Department of the Army for reassignment until he reports to Carlisle in July. Vindman, who had told Congress in November he didnt think it was proper for the president to urge the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, was escorted from the White House on Friday. His attorney, David Pressman, said Vindman was asked to leave in retaliation for telling the truth. Vindmans twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, also was asked to leave his job as a White House lawyer on Friday, the Army said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. Gordon Sondland, Trumps ambassador to the European Union, was also released. According to The Washington Post, the post-impeachment firings released some key figures who complied with congressional subpoenas and testified in a process Trump called a hoax and a witch hunt. Im not happy with him, Trump told reporters Friday when asked about Vindmans future. You think Im supposed to be happy with him? Im not. The presidents critics are not surprised at the dismissals. These are the actions of a man who believes he is above the law, Rep. Adam B. Schiff, the California Democrat and lead House impeachment manager, told the New York Times. The White House would not discuss the Vindman situation, only saying it does not comment on personnel matters. Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. ComebackTown is published by David Sher for a more prosperous greater Birmingham. Click here to sign up for newsletter. (Opt out at any time) Todays guest blogger is Roy Wood, Jr.. If youd like to be a guest blogger, please click here. I was furious when we moved to Birmingham. Absolutely furious! Like most 2nd graders I had my network of friends. I was cool with the local guy at the corner store who gave me extra candy and Id finally earned a starting position on the little league team. Life was good. My father was already in Birmingham a year ahead of my mother and me. He was at WENN continuing his storied radio career and once he felt like Birmingham would be a good shoe that fits, he gave the green light for my mother and I to join him. We settled in on a house on South Park Road in West End and it was through many adventures with my father that I experienced Birmingham and the people who held it dear. It was through my many afternoons traveling with my father that I learned Birmingham. Read more: Roy Wood Jr. on Southern Comedy, the Daily Show and growing up in Birmingham My father was a proponent of small businessquicker to choose a local pawn shop over Circuit City. If he were hungry hed go to LaVase Restaurant over a national chain. As I got to middle school and developed a thirst for music, he never took me to Sam Goody or Turtles. My father would agree but insisted on taking me local music stores like T.P.I.R. records on 16th street or 8th Avenue Records in Collegeville. I honestly cant recall a time he ever set foot in a Walmart or a shopping mall. Like seriously ever. Yet somehow, I still got everything I needed. I soon left for college and after every trip home yielded another closed store. Soon they were all gone and chain stores became the only options. I remember being out with my father and everyone knew him by name. He was on a first name basis with everyone he spent money with. Those days were gone for a long time, but it seems to be coming back. With each trip back to Birmingham I find myself becoming more and more like my fatherlooking to find small businesses to patronize. The fact theyre springing up more and more is amazing to see and Im thankful to be able to spend money with local services whenever possible. This is just the tip of the iceberg I believe. In December I had an opportunity to be a part of the Alabama Bicentennial Celebration in Montgomery. It was a festive weekend set with a bevy of formal events, parades, and dedications all built around the idea celebrating what Alabama was while at the same time acknowledging the truth of what Alabama can be. It wasnt a day filled with ignoring the pain that Alabama has been connected to but a day to acknowledge people that are connected with pushing the state forward. The opportunity to meet Montgomerys first black Mayor Stephen Reed was worth the trip alone. What I saw in Montgomery were people of all walks showing up in the spirit of improving the state. And that left me with a feeling about what Alabama can become. The city off Montgomery commemorated an all new Bicentennial park. And to be there and see reminds you of what Alabama can become. It was the type of event that can rejuvenate your spirit and put you in a better place just knowing youre not alone in trying to change things. Because at the end of the day its not our job to change the world, its your job to make your corner of the world betterif you do that than the world is a better place. Roy Wood Jr., an American comedian and actor, has served as a correspondent for The Daily Show on Comedy Central with Trevor Noah since 2015. Wood was labeled one of the 10 comics to watch by Variety Magazine. He grew up in West End in Birmingham and attended Ramsay High School. Photo credit: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev/Engadget From Popular Mechanics Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel have figured out a way to steal information from an isolated computer not connected to the internet. By taking advantage of small changes in color and brightness on LCD monitors, bad actors could use cameras to "see through" the ordinary screen's content, revealing vulnerable data. Although this kind of attack would be complicated to pull off, it's an example of ways that researchers are trying to stay one step ahead of the hackers. Hackers know some insidious ways to siphon data, so scientists have to think up as many scenarios as possible to keep abreast of the bad actors. Mordechai Guri, head of research and development for the Advanced Cyber-Security Research Lab at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, is on the case. Guri figured out that by exploiting small changes to the RGB values in a PC's liquid crystal displayRGB being a color model used in computing to create a wide range of tones from just red, green, and blueit's possible to pull information from someone else's screen, even if the computer is "air-gapped" and not connected to the internet. In other words, changes to the computer screen's brightness can create vulnerabilities that hackers can take advantage of with some effort. "In the proposed modulation, the RGB color component of each pixel is slightly changed," Guri explains in a new scientific paper published to the preprint server arXiv. "These changes are invisible, since they are relatively small and occur fast, up to the screen refresh rate." Here's what's going on: As the pixels change color, a small portion of each voxel is altered. So for instance, a pixel that's ordinarily pinkish can be changed ever-so-slightly to a more red hue. This is all done through an "image brightness encoder," which modifies the brightness of the pixels according to each bit (labeled in binary code with a "1" or "0"). Story continues "The small changes in the brightness are invisible to humans but can be recovered from video streams taken by cameras such as a local security camera, smartphone camera or a webcam," Guri says. Photo credit: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Using recording devices to both access and capture imperceptible data is called display-to-camera communication. It's a class of hacking that doesn't really require a computer to be connected to the internetand in this case, that's exactly the kind of limitation that the researchers wanted to explore. All that's needed is surveillance equipment pointed at a computer screen infected with malware. Specifically, malware installed on a compromised computer can modulate sensitive information like encryption keys or passwords inside the brightness of the screen, Guri explains. So this is quite a dangerous hack, as it can all happen right beneath the computer user's nose. To be fair, this looks pretty damn difficult to pull off. Who leaves a security camera pointed at a computer that's intentionally disconnected from the internet for data safety reasons? And hey, good luck installing malware on that computeryou'll need to physically infect the device, like through a USB stick, since it's not connected to the internet. Still. Pretty sinister stuff! You Might Also Like Two US soldiers were killed and six wounded when an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on them with a machine gun in eastern Afghanistan, the US military and two senior Afghan officials said on Sunday. The shootout between Afghan and American soldiers resulted in deaths on both sides but casualty details on the Afghan side were not shared. Shooting broke out after a combined US and Afghan force completed a key-leader engagement at the administrative headquarters of Nangarhar province's Shirzad district, a spokesperson for US forces in Afghanistan said. Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun, colonel Sonny Leggett said in a statement. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time, he added. The Taliban has not claimed responsibility for the attack and senior officials were investigating if it was an insider attack often known as green-on-blue attacks that have been a regular feature of the conflict in Afghanistan. Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Show all 20 1 /20 Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Nooria*, 15 in the home her family has lived in for the past two years in Mazar-i Sharif She was forced to flee her home with her family after their town was attacked by armed groups. Nooria describes a rocket hitting her neighbours home killing many inside. They fled on foot with just the clothes on their backs and she now lives in Mazari Shariff where Save the Children have enrolled her in school and provide vocational training Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Nooria* hopes for a future with no war; "When they attacked our village, the rocket hit our neighbour's house and they all died. Our house then caught fire and we ran away. My friends who I used to play with - I still don't know if they are alive or if they are dead. Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict I'm hoping for a better future, to learn, to support my family and to get them out of this difficult life. And I'm hoping for a future where there is no war. Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Naveed*, 16 at his family home in Mazar-i Sharif Naveed lost his leg when he stepped on a mine aged just 8-years-old. He was herding the family's sheep in the mountains near their home when he triggered a landmine Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict After months of medical treatment his right leg was eventually amputated. He received physiotherapy and a prosthetic leg from the International Committee for the Red Cross in Mazar Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Now enrolled in school, Naveed is being given vocational training by Save the Children. For around a year I felt and dreamt that I still had my leg. But when I woke up and saw, there was no leg. Sometimes Id feel with my hand to check and find it wasn't there. Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict If someone has loses their leg, it does not mean that they have lost their mind." Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict "With the help of our minds we can continue to study, learn, and work to make the future of our families brighter. Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Naveed and Mahboob*, 55 (Naveed's father) Several years ago Neveed's father, Mahboob, was brutally beaten with rifle butts by armed groups after, he says, he failed to provide food for them while they were stationed in the family's village. He suffered brain damage which affected the right side of his body, speech and his brain function Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Habiba*, 14, and Arezo*, 15 in a village outside Kabul Habiba and Arezo were injured with their mother three years ago in a suicide bombing in Kabul. Arezo is still traumatised from what she saw and has become completely withdrawn Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Arezo's younger sister Habiba cares for her, takes her to lessons and anywhere she wants to go. They are both in school through Save the Children's 'Steps towards Afghan girls' education success' (STAGES) programme, which helps the most marginalised girls get access to education, stay in school and learn. Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Habiba says: When I woke up and I opened my eyes I saw lots of bodies and I thought I was not alive any more. It was horrible. I'll never forget that. Whenever there is a big sound she gets scared because she was traumatised by the sound she heard during the attack. I love my sister, and I help her with her lessons, I take her anywhere." Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict "She's older than me but I feel like the older one because I support her. I hope for a better future for me and my sister. Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Khalida*, 10 in a classroom in a village outside Kabul Two years ago Khalida lost her 18-year old brother when he was killed in an explosion in Kabul. She misses him every day and says the family are still carrying the grief of his loss Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict "Two years ago, my brother was going to Kabul when an explosion happened and he lost his life. We are still carrying the grief and are crying over him. At the time we were happy, everyone was happy. Now no-one is happy in the family. When I remember him, I cry and feel so bad. I hope for peace and that war will stop, and that nobody loses their brother Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict I want to get education to become a teacher. I want to teach others who have never been to school Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Sema*,11 at her family home in Kabul Sema recalls coming home from her aunt's house and being told that her father had been killed in a suicide attack Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict Sema still thinks about him every second and likes to look at his prayer beads (Tisbeh) to remember him. They hang from the curtain in the family home. She loves school and wants to become a teacher one day. Sema says she wants peace in her country to stop other children losing their fathers. We still have lots of his belongings, like his car, his clothes, his watch, his shoes. Whenever we see them we cry. He gave us all so much love every moment and he is on our minds. I want for the powerful people around the world to stop the war and bring peace, because I don't want other children to lose their fathers. Andrew Quilty/Save the Children Afghanistan war: lives of children devastated by the endless conflict I want to become a teacher to serve the country and I don't want any girls to be illiterate. I want to teach all the girls, so they have access to education. *Names have been changed to protect identities Andrew Quilty/Save the Children The attacker who opened fire was also killed during the clash, said Sohrab Qaderi, a provincial council member in Nangarhar. Mr Qaderi said the Islamist fighter had infiltrated himself among dozens of members of the Afghan security forces involved in the joint-operation, but did not say which group the militant belonged to. There have been fewer of these incidents in recent years as the Americans have taken more of a supporting role, with Afghan forces leading the fight. Last year the top American and Nato commander in Afghanistan, general Austin Miller, survived a shooting by a Taliban infiltrator in an Afghan military uniform. A top Afghan general walking next to him was killed. The latest shooting comes at a delicate time, with American and Taliban negotiators pushing for a peace deal. Nangarhar, which shares a long and porous border with neighbouring Pakistan, had long served as stronghold for Islamic State in Afghanistan, though the Taliban also controls parts of the province. About 14,000 US troops are stationed in Afghanistan as part of the US-led Nato mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces and to carry out counter-terrorism operations. Reuters YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS. The President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian signed a decree on scheduling the referendum on Constitutional amendments for April 5, ARMENPRESS reports PM Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page. ''We will say ''yes'' to the revolution, to freedom and to bright future on April 5, and will slam the door in the face of corruption'', he wrote. The bill on putting Constitutional amendments to a referendum was adopted by the parliament of Armenia on February 6, and was submitted to the President's Office on February 7. The press service of the President's Office informed that following the mentioned procedures, the President's powers are limited only to scheduling the day of the referendum. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it. I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends. More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it. The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity. About me: I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS. Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line). Age: 42 Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed. I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it). Two Lebanese soldiers killed in 'ambush': army Beirut, Feb 9 (AFP) Feb 09, 2020 Two Lebanese soldiers were killed and three others were wounded Sunday in the northeast region of Hermel while pursuing a stolen vehicle, the army said. The army patrol giving chase "was ambushed and came under fire," a statement said. It said one gunman was killed and the driver of the vehicle was arrested, without providing additional details. Lebanon's prime minister Hassan Diab condemned the ambush, saying an attack on the army is an attack on all Lebanese. "What is required at this moment is to speed up the arrest of the attackers," he said, without identifying those responsible, in a statement carried by state-run National News agency. Australia will take a new long-term emissions reduction target to November's UN climate summit, as the Morrison government weighs up whether to join more than 80 countries to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A review into the potential economic impacts of adopting the goal will be finalised later this year in time for the Glasgow summit, as a growing number of Liberal MPs speak out on the need for the Coalition government to adopt more-ambitious climate policies. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who shares a close relationship with his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, has called on countries around the world to follow the United Kingdom in adopting the 2050 target as part of the climate talks this year. Federal Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor: The government expects to reach an emissions target before the Glasgow summit. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Federal Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor told The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald the government would settle on its 2050 strategy before Glasgow, which has been billed as the most-critical meeting since Paris five years ago. SPRINGFIELD CRRC MA had a rough 2019 marked by trade tensions between the U.S. and China, production delays on the subway cars its building for Bostons MBTA, mechanical problems with finished cars that forced them out of service, and a six-month delay in its project building rail cars for Philadelphia. On top of that, Washington lawmakers, spurred by espionage fears and by CRRCs competitors, wanted to make it illegal for transit agencies to use federal money to do business with the Chinese-owned company. Thats quite a list of challenges for the year that began shortly after Gov. Charlie Bakers visit to see the first MBTA Orange Line cars roll out of the assembly floor in East Springfield. They were the first passenger rail cars built in Springfield since Wason Manufacturing Co. went out of business during the Depression. But as 2020 dawned, CRRC was getting a handle on its production delays with a new plan of action for the factory floor, new pads for the undercarriages of its Orange Line cars, and a legislative compromise brokered by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, that will allow the company to get paid with federal money. Also, workers are already building more capacity at the $95 million, 204,000-square-foot factory on Page Boulevard. They are building a 48,000-square foot warehouse adjacent to the factory, said Vince Conti, director of business administration at CRRC MA. The company needs the space to store bulky equipment like heating and air conditioning units before they get installed in train cars. The plant is also hiring. It had 122 production employees in December and recently hired another 41, with 15 due to start jobs in January and another 65 in the rest of 2020. Production will ramp up on MBTA Red Line cars this year. Work begins on the order for Philadelphia in the spring, and work on cars for Los Angeles begins after that. Cars come to Springfield as unfinished metal shells built in China. They are shipped by sea to the port of Albany in New York, and then brought by truck to Springfield. Here, workers install all the electronics, interiors, motors and other equipment. More than 60% of the components are U.S. made, in accordance with the CRRC contract. In 2014, CRRC received a $566 million contract from the MBTA to build 152 Orange Line cars and 252 Red Line cars in Springfield. In 2016, the state upped the order with another 120 Red Line cars, with production on those set to begin in June 2022 at a cost of $277 million. The state, under then-Gov. Deval Patrick, went without federal money for its subway car order so it could require that they be assembled in Massachusetts. Federal rules prevent states from such requirements if they use federal money. CRRC was one of the competitors who chose Springfield as a possible factory location. So did Hyundai Rotem of South Korea. CRRC, the largest manufacturer of rail cars in the world, won the contract. In 2017, CRRC got a contract to build 64 subway cars for the Los Angeles metro in a deal that could be worth as much as $647 million. The same year, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority ordered 45 double-decker commuter rail cars from CRRC at a cost of $137.5 million. Today, the cost is up slightly to $138 million. SEPTA has an option to purchase 10 more cars. CRRC also opened a factory in Chicago to make cars for that transit system. Competitors have been agitating against CRRC, saying the Chinese government subsidizes the company in an attempt to drive others in the industry out of business. U.S. lawmakers considered rules that would have blocked CRRC from accepting federal funds for orders like the ones from Philadelphia and L.A. That would have spelled the end for CRRC in the U.S., which will need to keep taking new orders to keep its factories open. Neal, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, fought back, securing a compromise in a Pentagon spending bill that couldnt have moved forward without his say-so. The law includes a grandfather clause that allows CRRC to sell more cars to its current customers, and gives it a two-year grace period to bid for any transit contract other than the Washington Metro. Neal said at a mid-December announcement that the two-year grace period might become permanent. He said he's urged CRRC to get investment from domestic backers to improve its standing with the federal government. "They got caught up in an international trade dispute," Neal said at the time. That dispute is ongoing, although President Donald Trump has suggested a deal could be reached with China. Its unclear what any deal would mean for CRRC, which operates under a 25% tariff on some imported components and on the steel it uses. Neal pointed to his success negotiating a new United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. That deal required buy-in from the Trump administration and from organized labor as well as the governments of Canada and Mexico. At the factory, Conti said CRRC is somewhere around 60 cars behind its production schedule for the MBTA. But workers are being retrained and factory practices updated. He said CRRC plans to get back on track in early 2020. Weve had some good meetings with them, he said of the T. They are not happy. But they understand. Tattoo machines hummed all day while records spun at a new downtown Casper tattoo shop. People were already waiting outside the door Friday morning for Wyoming Tattoo Co.s grand opening party with a flash tattoo deal, the owners said. Charlette Tinnelli and Thomas Walsh tattooed nonstop during the all-day celebration of the business they opened Dec. 12. Sanctuary, is how Walsh summed up what he aims for the shop to offer. Its a safe place. Come as you are. No judgment, just love. Giving back, because we love to tattoo, and we couldnt do it without everybody thats wanting to come get tattooed. The two owners formed a friendship through their love for tattoo art and became a couple about the time they decided to join forces in their business. Tinnelli, as she goes by as a tattoo artist (and Tinnell, legally) started tattooing when she was 17 on her father, Ryan Tinnelli (Tinnell), whos been a tattoo artist at The Ink Spot since she was little. He handed her his tattoo machine one day, offered his leg and told her to go for it, she recalled, before I ever had any sort of practice or anything, just straight to skin. Thats how she built her skill until she landed an apprenticeship at another local shop. Shes been an artist since childhood and was always interested in tattooing. Every day is different. I never have to worry about doing the same thing. Its just fun waking up every day and getting to make art for a living. Tattooing is different from any other canvas or art material, Walsh said. But the media itself is the skin, and theres like something supernatural about that to me, that when you start tattooing people and youre giving them a badge of honor that they get to wear and getting to bestow that on them is, its kind of like the Spider-Man thing: With great power comes great responsibility. And the tattooers responsibility and privilege to get to make the tattoo, you know, were the guide. We just get to put the tattoo there. Walsh fell in love with tattooing after he started receiving tattoos and tried his hand at the art. I think I was born to make tattoos, and so here we are. He began in Douglas and spent about four years at Black Sunday Tattoo in Casper, and hes tattooed in Cody, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho and North Dakota. The two met while he was working at Electric Hare Tattoo. Charlette was coming to get tattooed and I just, like, could see it on her, that she had it, that she was born to tattoo, he said. Thats what her destiny is. Thats what she wants to do, thats what she was created to do in this world. Tinnelli always booked him for his style, which is similar to hers, she said. Theyre heavily influenced by traditional and ornamental tattoo art with their own approach that offers something unique in Casper, Walsh said. Theyd talk tattooing and he was helping her look for a studio when they discovered the storefront was for rent with enough space for both, he said. Walsh on Friday gave his usual quick prayer before each tattoo after asking customers its his thing, which he used to just do silently. So Im a believer in the supernatural presence of God showing up and the supernatural healing power of God showing up, whether its a miracle or healing or a solid tattoo. Their friend Cari Faye Antonovich helped greet customers and added names to a growing wait list. The assorted flash options were all were designs by the two owners that theyd never tattooed before. So a bunch of firsts today, Walsh said Friday afternoon as he inked a yellow flower on Dylan Thompsons arm. Thompson chose the design for his first tattoo because he loves nature. I think that everyone here is super cool, he said. There was a super friendly, positive energy here. The turnout brought more support than the owners expected, they agreed that evening as they tattooed their last customers of the day. Theyd head to The Bourgeois Pig coffee shop downtown, where the opening celebration continued with live music by local bands. Meanwhile, tunes kept playing over the hum of the tattoo machines as the artists worked late, and light shone from the windows of their new shop. Follow arts & culture reporter Elysia Conner on twitter @erconner Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. HANOI, Feb 7 (Reuters) - The coronavirus epidemic in China could wipe $5.9 billion to $7.7 billion from Vietnam's tourism earnings in the next three months as international travellers stay away from the region, state media said on Friday. The tourism sector estimated to see two million fewer Chinese visitors due to the virus, which could result in $1.8-$2 billion of lost tourism revenue, reported the official Voice of Vietnam Radio. China, where the outbreak began late last year, was Vietnam's biggest source of foreign tourists, accounting for a third of the 18 million visitors last year, official data showed. Vietnam said it would also stop issuing visas for foreign visitors who had been in China in the past two weeks. The government on Wednesday said its gross domestic product growth in the first quarter of this year "will likely be one percentage point slower" than the 6.8% target. Vietnam confirmed an additional two cases of the new virus on Thursday, bringing the total in the Southeast Asian country to 12 cases. (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) BANGKOK, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Thai Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Kongcheep Tantravanich on Saturday night confirmed 20 deaths so far from the shooting spree carnage by a junior army soldier in northeastern Thailand. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who arrived at the Nakorn Ratchasima Hospital where the injured were being treated, told the media that 31 people were injured, with 4 in critical condition. National police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda who also arrived in Nakorn Ratchasima, told the media that 16 were still being held hostage by the gunman at the Terminal 21 shopping center. A Thai soldier on Saturday went on a shooting rampage in Nakorn Ratchasima, stole a Humvee from his base, then proceeded to shoot at shoppers inside a mall. He also took a selfie during the attack, and posted on social media. Police is still negotiating with the suspect on the hostages. On Christmas Day residents of the Francis Drake Hotel, an overflow shelter for homeless families and individuals in Minneapolis, were evacuated around 3 a.m. due to a fire. The building was destroyed, leaving hundreds of people without a home. Again. Many Minnesotans will remember the images of a line of buses providing a warm place for people to sit and wait and the mounds of diapers and items brought by residents for people who had lost almost everything in the fire. Though Red Wing is an hour away from where the catastrophe happened, the community jumped in to help. The American Red Cross alerted the Red Wing Homeless Committee that short-term shelters were needed. Committee member Beth Breeden jumped into action. Breeden contacted local businesses, churches and residents that she knew. The Red Cross transported 42 people to the community where local hotels and individuals provided places to stay and meals. ADVERTISEMENT Restaurants and catering services provided the 42 individuals with dinner and breakfast. "The way that people in the community came out and helped out on Christmas day was just remarkable," Doug Blakesley, a member of the committee, recounted. On Dec. 26, the 42 visitors were brought back to Twin Cities. However, the Homeless Committee explained that some visitors would have been more than happy staying in Red Wing. In a short write-up about the event by members of the committee, the story of Andrea was shared: "Andrea, a mother of three, was so impressed by the hospitality and good will shown to her and her family that she told Breeden that when she got back on her feet she would consider moving here and becoming a working member of our community." Still a need The Drake Hotel fire and the outpouring of support from around the region was a highly visibly, well known event. The Homeless Committee worked to help the 42 individuals, but when the former residents of the Drake Hotel returned to Minneapolis on Dec. 26, the work did not end in Red Wing. "We work with individuals, we work with veterans, we work with adults, we work with youth, we work with everybody. And those that arent taken in at the shelter we still put-up," Breeden explained. Currently, the main focus of the committee is helping homeless individuals find a place to stay, whether that is at the Parkway Motel, a shelter in a surrounding community, or someones home. ADVERTISEMENT James Magnuson, a member of the group, explained: "As a practical matter I think our biggest role is probably fundraising and pulling the money together from various sources to help the homeless. But weve been trying to expand on that in the sense that we want to do more public outreach and build some alliances, build some friends to help the homeless in any way they can." In 2018, the committee helped find temporary places to stay for numerous people: Unduplicated households: 91 Unduplicated adults: 128 Unduplicated youths: 82 Unduplicated total: 210 Because of the focus on finding housing for homeless individuals and families, the majority of the money raised by the committee is paid to the Parkway Motel. Committee members hope that someday they can use the money for a permanent shelter. ADVERTISEMENT "We really do have a long range goal of a separate, functioning, physical structure for the homeless. I mean the Parkway has fulfilled a need, but you talk about all that money being spent over the years, it really cant be a permanent shelter," Magnuson said. While the goal is to create a shelter, it is hard to find a location and facility that would meet the needs of homeless individuals while still being affordable. Magnuson went on to explain: "I guess an ideal situation, ideal scenario, would be that some wonderfully generous person would give us a place, fully equipped, and say, Heres a check for a half million dollars to run it for the next couple of years." The committee has had leads on possible shelter sites in the past, but it is challenging to find a space in an accessible part of town that is zoned to allow a shelter. Breeden theorized that some residents dont believe that there are homeless people in the community or they dont want to believe. "Everyone looks at Red Wing as the tourism town, and they dont want the word homelessness used or even shown, or seen, or posted," Breeden stated. For questions or concerns, contact Jack Nordgaard at 651-388-7731 or Jerry ORourke at 651-388-3348. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The death toll from the coronavirus has exceeded that of SARS epidemic, with about 800 people now confirmed dead, according to published reports. On Saturday, it was reported that the coronavirus has surpassed the 774 people killed across the globe by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), according to the Guardian. Most of the people who have succumbed to the virus are from Hubei province, the report said. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the virus has somewhat stabilized over the last four days, however, it warns that it could shoot up again, the report said. More than 37,200 people in China have now been infected by the virus, according to published reports. U.S. CASES The city Department of Health said on Thursday that two more people have met the symptom threshold to be tested for the novel coronavirus. There are 11 confirmed cases in the United States. However, if youre living in the United States, chances are very low that youll become ill with the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), despite the cases that have been confirmed in this country. The additional two cases mark the fourth and fifth person in New York City to be identified for testing for the coronavirus. Both individuals, according to the Department of Health, are under 40 years of age. While one person has been hospitalized, the other individual did not have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. Under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that individual will remain under isolation precautions and daily monitoring by the Health Department. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER Georgina Burke was braving the weather in order to hit the gym on Friday. The Australian plus-size model rugged up in a trench coat worn over her activewear as she headed home after a workout session in New York City. The 28-year-old beamed as she strolled down the street, a pale pink hoodie underneath the black wool jacket. Nice weather for it! Georgina Burke (pictured) cosied up in a trench coat over her activewear as she left the gym in New York City on Friday She paired the pastel top with a pair of shiny black tights and completed the look with black and white trainers. The beauty wore her platinum hair pulled back off her face in a loose ponytail, with some errant strands flowing in the breeze. Georgina carried a large bottle of water and had a white tote bag slung over her shoulder. Stunner: The Australian plus-size model strolled down the street in a pastel pink hoodie underneath the black wool jacket. She added shiny black tights and black and white trainers Details: The 28-year-old wore her platinum hair in a loose ponytail. Wearing chic orange sunglasses, she appeared to be make-up free, and seemed in an excellent mood Wearing chic orange sunglasses and appearing to be make-up free, she seemed in an excellent mood, smiling widely as she strolled home from her gym session. The Brisbane-born beauty has been based in New York City for close to a decade. The size 14 model last year launched a size-friendly, fully adjustable swimwear range called Burke NYC. She told 7News of the line: 'It's a full size-inclusive range for Australians size four to 26, and everything's adjustable. Fighting fit: The Brisbane-born beauty has been based in New York City for close to a decade. Fashion: The size 14 model has launched a swimwear range called Burke NYC. 'It's a full size-inclusive range for Australians size four to 26, and everything's adjustable' Georgina explained 'So if you want it more skimpy, you can go down a size, or if you want to cover up a bit more you can go up a size. It's completely up to you.' Speaking to Daily Mail Australia in 2015, the model said that she hopes to empower women and spread a body positive message. 'Empowering the next generation of women needs to come from every possible angle, starting with raising our daughters to accept themselves,' she said. 'We need to teach them to embrace what they have and to not look at their flaws as negative, which helps to bring out the beauty within' she added. Damascus, Feb 9 : The Syrian army said on Sunday that it has captured 600 square km of areas over the past few days in the countryside region of Idlib and Aleppo provinces in northern Syria. Dozens of villages and towns as well as hills were captured over the past few days, according to an army statement, Xinhua news agency reported. The military campaign has targeted the "terrorist groups which upped their aggression against civilians and residential areas," said the statement. The Syrian government, backed by its ally Russia, has kept up a military offensive in Idlib and the southern Aleppo countryside over the past two months, aiming to secure the strategic Damascus-Aleppo highway that runs along the rebel-controlled territory. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and UK Home Secretary Priti Patel have finalised plans for a new post-Brexit points-based visa and immigration system, which is expected to see the UK allowing greater numbers of skilled professionals from around the world, including India, to live and work in the country. At a meeting earlier this week, they reportedly accepted the UK Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) recommendation to lower the minimum salary threshold requirement for such professionals from 30,000 pounds to 25,600 pounds, with additional points being scored for skill levels, job offers and English language abilities. The details of the new system are expected to be formally unveiled by Patel next Friday, following an expected Cabinet reshuffle by Johnson on Thursday. "The Prime Minister wants to deliver a system which demonstrates the UK is open and welcoming to the top talent from across the world, which will help the economy and country thrive," 'The Sunday Times' quoted a government source as saying. At the same time, we must deliver on what this country voted for by decreasing low-skilled migration and breaking away from a reliance on cheap labour to focus on boosting skills, technology and innovation that will truly benefit the UK for the long term," the source said. The so-called Australian-style points-based system will effectively curb unskilled migrants' access to the UK from January 1, 2021, when the free movement of people from within the European Union (EU) will end under a pre-agreed transition period after Britain formally left the economic bloc on January 31. UK Home Office figures suggest the new rules will mean a reduction in unskilled EU migrants of about 90,000 a year. Under the new post-Brexit system, there will be an expected rise in the number of skilled migrants coming to the UK from next year, currently 65,000 a year. The proportion of workers coming from within the EU and those from outside is predicted to change, with higher numbers from outside Europe. Indians lead the category of UK visas granted to skilled professionals from outside the EU, with 56,241 such Tier 2 visas granted over the previous year. That figure is expected to register a further hike following the post-Brexit changes. According to report, the score awarded for salary will be "tradeable" on a sliding scale, with people on 23,000 pounds still able to earn points. Those who earn less than 25,600 pounds will score double for working in a sector where there is a skills shortage. Those with an "outstanding" educational background would also gain points and holding a PhD in a subject relevant to your job would be worth the same as speaking good English. A letter outlining the details of the policy is to be sent to Cabinet ministers over the weekend, with its approval is expected to take place by Johnson's new reshuffled top team by Friday. A second phase of reforms will follow later next year, at the end of the Brexit transition period, when the points-based system will be further refined. Positive and negative points are likely to be awarded for age, higher scores for those educated in the UK and those choosing to work and be based outside London. In phase two, sector-specific short-term visas could also be introduced if there are shortages of low-skilled workers in the care or construction sectors as a result of the end to free movement of people from Europe. In its research-based report released last month, the independent MAC panel of experts had cautioned the UK government against implementing a full-fledged Australian-style points-based system. Instead, it proposed a more hybrid system where a minimum salary threshold would apply for applicants coming to the UK with a job offer, and a points-based system for those coming to the UK without a pre-arranged job. The government is not obliged to accept all the recommendations but the MAC report is likely to form the broad basis of the new visa regime to be put in place for the UK as a non-member of the EU. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [February 09, 2020] GSMA Update on Coronavirus The GSMA (News - Alert) knows that the Coronavirus has created disruption, in particular for exhibitors and attendees from around the world, including the 5-6,000 (5-6%) who have historically attended from China. Our sympathy goes to all those affected. We are grateful for the preventative measures our Chinese exhibitors have put in place, notably ZTE and Huawei (News - Alert). Today, the GSMA is moving ahead as planned and will host MWC Barcelona 24-27 February 2020. While the GSMA confirm some large exhibitors have decided not to come to the show this year with others still contemplating next steps, we remain more than 2,800 exhibitors strong. In addition to all of the health and safety measures put in place, the Spanish health authorities, Host City Partners, other relevant agencies and the GSMA are collaborating. The GSMA is seeking to reassure attendees and exhibitors that their health and safety are our paramount concern, by the following additional measures being put in place: All travellers from the Hubei province will not be permitted access to the event* All travellers who have been in China will need to demonstrate proof they have been outside of China 14 days prior to the event (passport stamp, health certificate) Temperature screening will be implemented Attendees will need to self-certify they have not been in contact with anyone infected. While further planning is underway, we will continue to monitor the situation and will adapt our plans according to developments and advice we receive. We are contending with a constantly evolving situation, that will require fast adaptability. Measures being implemented include: Increased cleaning and disinfection programme across all high-volume touchpoints, e.g. catering areas, surfaces, handrails, WCs, entrances/exits, public touch-screens, etc. along with the use of correct cleaning/sanitising materials and products Increased onsite medical support - doubled over last year Awareness campaign via online and onsite info-share and signage Availability of sanitising and disinfection materials for public use Awareness and training to all staff on standard personal preventative measures, e.g. personal hygiene, frequency of use of sanitising/disinfection products, etc. Advice to exhibitors on implementing effective cleaning and disinfection of stands, offices along with guidance on personal hygiene measures and common preventive behaviour Public health guidelines and advice communication to Barcelona hotels, public and private transport, restaurants and catering outlets, retail, etc. Installing new signage onsite reminding attendees of hygiene recommendations Implementing a microphone disinfecting and change protocol for all speakers Communicating advice to all attndees to adopt a 'no-handshake policy' A 24-hour telephone Security and Medical service for all attendees, operational from 12th to 29th February 2020. This number appears on the back of badge holders, in the event App and on signage around the venue. In a similar vein, the Secretary of Public Health, Joan Guix, noted that Catalonia is used to continually welcoming thousands of visitors to the region and reiterated his confidence in the regions readiness and responsiveness. Guix outlined the measures that the Public Health Agency of Catalonia had put in place and that the Spanish Ministry of Health was in constant communication with all relevant bodies. These include the Directorate General of Tourism and Hotels, both public and private health centres, the Chinese consulate and with the GSMA. Finally, the head of the Service of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology of the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Antoni Trilla, emphasised that "we are not in an exceptional situation and our health system is ready". The press release can be found here: https://govern.cat/salapremsa/notes-premsa/382568/verges-catalonia-is-prepared-to-detect-and-treat-novel-coronavirus The GSMA strongly urges exhibitors and attendees to implement appropriate guidelines and protocols as suggested by the WHO and other health authorities to contain and mitigate against any further spread of the virus. The health and safety of our exhibitors, attendees and staff are of paramount importance. Further updates from the GSMA, answers to the most frequently asked questions and an outline of the measures that have been implemented, are on our website and can be found on www.mwcbarcelona.com. -ENDS- Notes to Editors *By event we mean that to cover MWC Barcelona, Four Years From Now (4YFN), xside and YoMo Up-to-date WHO advice can be found here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance and the most recent press release issued by WHO is here: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov). About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators and nearly 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Shanghai and Los Angeles, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter (News - Alert): @GSMA. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200209005026/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Benjamin Quinene Villagomez was released from the Department of Corrections on Friday after he posted bail in his criminal case before the Superior Court of Guam. He is charged with family violence as a third-degree felony and aggravated assault as a third-degree felony. Villagomez, 61, appeared before Judge Vernon Perez on Friday for a bail hearing. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. The prosecution told the court that the woman who reported being assaulted remains in fear and opposes Villagomezs release. But since the defendant posted bail, the court released him on the condition that he stay away and have no contact with her. He was also placed on curfew from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. Judge Perez ordered Villagomez not to threaten, assault or harass the woman. He is scheduled back in court on Valentines Day. According to court documents, police responded to multiple calls of an assault along Route 15 in Mangilao on Feb. 3. Three witnesses told officers that they stopped their cars after seeing an angry man with what appeared to be a hammer and a crowbar. They said the man was yelling and chasing after a woman. The woman told authorities that Villagomez became angry with her, grabbed a crowbar from his toolbox and swung it twice and tried to hit her. The woman ran into the road to avoid being injured. Villagomez chased her and tried to drag her back into the house, documents state. The woman was able to break free and run for help. Police found Villagomez outside his house, drinking beer. He said the woman was making up stories and told police he "didnt do anything, document state. The day after the Senate acquitted President Trump of charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, he returned to form. At the bipartisan National Prayer Breakfast, all the speakers sought to bind partisan wounds and bowed their heads to seek divine guidance. Everybody except the President. Donald Trump ignored 60 years of tradition and used the occasion to lash out at his opponents and to give a campaign speech. It was in the words of one participant bizarre. During the Senate trial at least four Republican senators concluded that the president had done something terribly wrong. Still, three of them voted to acquit with the hope that the president had learned his lesson. At the prayer breakfast and in the hundreds of fresh tweets that followed, and in a rambling, profanity-laced victory speech at the White House, he was as petty and vindictive as ever. Compare this to a humbled Bill Clinton who apologized to the nation after his grueling impeachment experience. Trump even dispatched Vice President Mike Pence to Pennsylvania, where he was only too happy to spew the company line. According to his script, all Democrats are socialists who support unlimited abortion and would ruin the economy. Pences words were an extension of the State of the Union Address that contained so many corrosive and dishonest statements that the Speaker famously tore up her copy of the speech at the podium. So nothing has changed or has it? The verdict to acquit the President was largely along party lines and, frankly, no surprise to most observers. What was stunning was a vote that was taken on Jan. 31 to deny direct fact witnesses at the Senate trial. Majority Leader McConnell muscled his troops into line and shut out any and all witnesses at least one of which was in the room when the President concocted and carried out his shakedown of a foreign government. The Senate, for the first time in history, made it clear that their commitment to the rule of law came in second to their kowtowing to the President. One historian was blunt, This is the day that democracy died. John Kennedy won a Pulitzer Prize for identifying leaders who had shown courage under great pressure. Where were those leaders during impeachment proceedings? Actually, there were three of them. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) and Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) come from deep red states but stood their ground and now face withering attacks from this spiteful President and his tribal following. Even more impressive was Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who made history by being the only Republican to vote to convict on the charge of abuse of power. His was a principled stance based on the evidence, his own core value, and his personal faith. Now, on to November when the real trial takes place. The Democratic Party did not do itself any favors by completely botching the Iowa Caucuses. Instead of projecting a strong, organized response to a president whose misdeeds have just been swept under the rug by a complicit Senate, the Democrats showed only that they hadnt mastered a basic rule of politics learn how to count! The result was that the two winners in Iowa, Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg, were denied any bump from all of their extraordinary organizational efforts. Meanwhile, the losers Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar got a mulligan and were able to tee it up again in New Hampshire. While no permanent damage was done to any of the candidacies, the Iowa debacle had an unintended consequence: the rise of Mike Bloomberg. He hired 2,000 paid staff and doubled his advertising buy, sending the signal that he is now officially in the hunt. Here is where we are, America: Despite the stain of impeachment, the president continues to wield half-truths and bullying methods to squash anyone who gets in his way. He and his cultish followers have declared war on Sen. Romney and vulnerable Democrats who dared to oppose him. The candidates to replace this vindictive president are scurrying around the country trying to take more positive messages to an electorate that is flat-out exhausted by all the drama. What the Founding Fathers believed was that, in the final analysis, the people could sort through mendacity and cravenness and elect leaders who nurture the Republic. The impeachment process is over, but the real trial of Donald J. Trump has just begun. The stakes couldnt be higher. This election is not just about stock market numbers or GDP growth. It is, as several of the Democrats have said, a battle for the soul of this country. Mark S. Singel is a former Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. He and Republican Charlie Gerow can be seen at 8:30 a.m. each Sunday on CBS21s Face the State. By Express News Service SAMBALPUR: Sanitation workers in Burla town have yet again accused VIMSAR officials and work contractors of harassing them. The Balmiki Samaj led by Sushil Kumar Banchhor on Saturday lodged a complaint in Burla police station against a job contractor at VIMSAR, hospital officials, sub-divisional officer of PHED and some other contractors of Sambalpur Municipal Corporation. From being denied wages to facing discrimination, the workers alleged that they are being exploited by contractors and officials of organisations in Burla where they are employed. Earlier on January 14, the workers had raised similar allegation against VSSUT and other Government officials. They had ceased work from December 16 to 23 and called off their stir after administration assured to look into their demands by February 18. The major demand put forth by them is regularisation of those working in the health and educational institutions and other offices in Burla. At present, these workers are employed on a contractual basis. They alleged exploitation by contractors who are not paying them wages nor ensuring their safety on the job. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Eldar Janashvili - Trend: The observation mission from Belarus noted high voter turnout in the early parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Trend reports. At a press conference, Belarusian observers noted the high activity, good preparation and calm atmosphere observed in different polling stations of Baku. Belarusian observer, the head of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Security of Belarus Sergei Rachkov also noted with satisfaction that the members of the election commission are well acquainted with the law and the polling stations were well prepared for the election process. "We paid attention to how they worked with voters. We did not notice a case when a voter did not present an ID. There were no cases of family voting - that is, only one person entered a booth at a time," Rachkov said. The Belarusian observer noted that a large number of local observers monitored the elections, which, according to him, shows the transparency of the elections and the high voting activity of the local population. "We also spoke with local observers and residents. We were interested in the process of nominating candidates, election campaigns, and we also asked how voter lists are compiled," the Belarusian observer said. In general, the observation mission noted that there were no serious violations of the law, members of the commission worked flexibly and competently coped with issues in unexpected situations. For example, the head of the Belarusian delegation said that at one polling station the voter did not behave appropriately, but the situation was quickly resolved thanks to a flexible approach. In addition to all this, conducting exit polls was positively evaluated, which was perceived as a modern approach to the election process. "Therefore, our opinion is that the elections were held in a transparent, relaxed atmosphere," Rachkov said. Another Belarusian observer, member of the Upper House of the Belarus Parliament, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Security of Belarus Alexander Markevich also expressed satisfaction with the calm atmosphere of the voting process and the professionalism of members of election commissions. In addition, Markevich noted that more than 80 percent of the candidates were independent candidates, many of whom were female candidates, and there were a large number of observers at the polling stations, both foreign and local. According to the Belarusian MP, this is a clear indicator of the political activity of the population. "We visited twelve polling stations in different districts of Baku and everywhere met with a large number of voters. Such a high turnout in adverse weather shows a great interest of voters in choosing worthy people to rule the country," Markevich added. As they wait for a food seller to cook their food, members of a family pour a small amount of their drinks on the ground. Then, they each take a taste. The family is on vacation at Lake Titicaca in La Paz, Bolivia. The pouring is a small offering to Pachamama. In return, Pachamama is said to bring blessings. In South Americas most indigenous country, a belief system called Pachamama is part of everyday life. Pachamama is a goddess beloved by people of the Andes Mountains. She is also sometimes known as Mother Earth. Pachamama represents the earths fertility. She rules over the planting and harvesting of crops, as well as the mountains. She also causes earthquakes. The word pacha means earth, cosmos, universe, time and space in the indigenous languages of Quechua and Aymara. The second part -- mama -- means mother. Belief in the earth goddess can be found in other parts of South America such as Peru and Chile. In Bolivia, at least 60 percent of people trace their ancestors to native tribes that lived in the area when Spanish colonizers arrived. Many ethnicities, in both major cities and small villages, believe in Pachamama. Parents teach their children that gratitude for Mother Earth must be a central part of their lives. Many are practicing Catholics who join the customs together. Its a combination, Jose Luis Campero told The Associated Press. He is a 30-year-old engineer from La Paz who is Catholic. God is not just one religion. Through rituals known as challas, Bolivians show respect for Pachamama by pouring drinks and throwing flowers and coca leaves on the ground. Challas sometimes include songs or dances. Jose Saravia, a 46-year-old engineer from La Paz, said he and his coworkers always say a blessing for Pachamama before starting new building projects. We give thanks to Pachamama so Pachamama gives us blessings. Thats a tradition from our ancestors, Saravia said. We go to Mass because the Spaniards brought the Catholic Church to Bolivia. In Bolivia, Pachamama is everywhere, yet nowhere. There is no official painting, image, flag or statue in public places or inside homes. Yet people often honor and include it in Christian religious events. There are some ways in which Pachamama is seen in daily life, however. A flag called the wiphala represents indigenous people. It has several colors in very small squares. Under Evo Morales presidency, it became an official government flag along with the three-colored red, yellow and green Bolivian flag. The belief system enjoyed renewed attention and celebration under Morales nearly 14-year presidency. During that time, he performed Pachamama offerings at official government ceremonies. In 2019, an animated film called Pachamama was released on Netflix. It told the story of a 10-year-old Andean boy during the time of the Spanish conquest of Bolivia. The mix of Christian and ancestral religion came from indigenous Bolivians who had to hide their beliefs under Catholic ones. But it has become more common in recent history to publicly celebrate both. This was especially true during Morales presidency. The mix of religions is recognized by Bolivias constitution under the term Andean cosmovision. And it is widely practiced. Morales angered some Catholics when he rewrote the constitution in 2009. He removed special recognition that had been given to the Roman Catholic Church. But the move did not seem to anger local Bolivian Catholic religious leaders. Instead, they respect the relationship that exists between the two belief systems. The churchs current mission is to avoid confrontation and try to better understand the Aymara/Inca culture, said Abelino Yeguaori, a local friar. Not far from Yeguaoris church, an indigenous guide pours a drink on the ground to bless a woman and her husband in their prayer for a new home. Im Alice Bryant. Brady McCombs wrote this story for The Associated Press. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. __________________________________________________________ Words in This Story indigenous adj. a word describing people who are the earliest known inhabitants of an area, in contrast to groups that have settled or colonized the area blessing n. a prayer asking for God's favor and protection practice n. something that is done often or regularly gratitude n. a feeling of appreciation or thanks ritual n. a formal ceremony or series of acts that is always performed in the same way Mass n. the central act of worship in the Roman Catholic Church conquest n. the act of taking control of a country, city or something else through the use of force animated adj. produced by the creation of a series of drawings and pictures that are shown quickly one after another cosmos n. the universe especially when it is understood as an ordered system friar n. a member of a men's Roman Catholic group who studies or teaches about Christianity Hundreds more Hong Kong flights are set to be dropped as the floodgates open on airlines cancelling services during the citys fight against the coronavirus. Carriers based in Asia, Australia, South Africa and the Middle East revealed on Friday morning and the previous night they would cut all or some of their flights to the city. Cathay Pacific is the latest to wield the axe, announcing on Friday afternoon new suspensions of major Hong Kong routes to London, New York and across mainland China because of the virus. Flights running on the busy route between Hong Kong and Taipei are subject to major cuts. Photo: Shutterstock The contagion, which started in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, has infected more than 31,400 people, mostly in mainland China, killing more than 635. In Hong Kong, 24 people have been infected, one of those fatally, as of Friday afternoon. Mass cancellations of passengers travel plans have been compounded by the introduction of entry restrictions across the world against recent visitors to mainland China, some targeting those who had been to Hong Kong. Routes suspended by Cathay Pacific until March 28 include London Gatwick, Rome, Washington, Newark, Male, Davao, Clark, Jeju and Taichung. All mainland cities, with the exceptions of Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Xiamen, would also be dropped over that period. The company said the decision was made in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent drop in market demand. It followed Cathay Pacific Group revealing earlier this week there would be a 30 per cent reduction of flights across its worldwide schedule, as well as a 90 per cent cut to mainland flights. Budget carrier HK Express, controlled by Cathay, said on Thursday it would scrap 82 flights between February 12 and March 26, mostly to destinations such as Seoul and Osaka. Hong Kong Airlines (HKA) at the same time revealed it would gradually impose even deeper cuts to flights it operated in mainland China and the rest of Asia until March 28. Story continues The ailing carrier will suspend 10 routes and reduce flights on a further 15, amounting to an estimated 128 flights a week being axed. HKA has already cut 214 mainland China flights between January 30 and February 11. As Taiwans new restrictions took effect on Friday ordering the home or hotel quarantine of anyone entering the self-ruled island who had visited Hong Kong or Macau, as well as mainland China, within the previous 14 days carriers based there slashed schedules. China Airlines would go from running 18 daily Hong Kong flights to just two from next week until March 28, according to data published on Thursday by website Airline Route. Eva Air would switch from more than 11 daily flights to fewer than four a day for the rest of the month. Eighty flights operate between Hong Kong and Taipei every week, a route that regularly tops tables ranking the worlds busiest. But under the cuts to come more than half have already been scrapped. Outside Asia, two airlines on Thursday cut ties with Hong Kong. The struggling Virgin Australia blamed the coronavirus and the anti-government protests that have gripped Hong Kong since June. It concluded that current circumstances demonstrate that Hong Kong is no longer a commercially viable route. The near-bankrupt South African Airways (SAA) has cancelled its route from Johannesburg amid a wholesale restructuring of the state-owned business. SAA had suspended flying to Hong Kong after November 21 last year amid the civil unrest. Meanwhile, American Airlines said on Thursday it would restart flights between Dallas Fort Worth and Hong Kong on February 21, while Hong Kongs Airport Authority extended the cancellation of its Los Angeles flight to the city until March 27. The US carrier warned its schedules were subject to an ongoing review. Currently no US carrier is flying to Hong Kong International Airport, after United Airlines also withdrew all services until February 20. Among the Middle East carriers, Emirates was halving its four daily Airbus A380 flights to Hong Kong from next week until March 28. Etihad is also making minor adjustments, Airline Route data showed on Thursday. More from South China Morning Post: This article Hundreds more Hong Kong flights to be cancelled as coronavirus hammers air travel first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) A total of 32 Filipinos who sought to return to the Philippines arrived at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga early Sunday morning from Wuhan, China the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. Members of the Department of Foreign Affairs and five medical personnel two doctors, two nurses and one medical technologist from the Department of Health left Saturday evening on a chartered flight to fetch Filipinos at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. CNN Philippines is still getting further details on the remaining Filipinos who also expressed wish to get back to the country, as government agencies earlier reported that they were supposed to fetch 36 of them. An earlier report from the DOH said 30 Filipinos arrived home 29 adults and one infant. The DOH said Filipinos coming home from Wuhan were screened before being allowed on the plane: first to see whether they were symptomatic (with fever, cough and cold) or asymptomatic (without any signs or symptoms). Only those who were asymptomatic were allowed on board. If any of the Filipinos had gotten sick while on board or during the flight, they would have been moved to the back of the plane away from those passengers not showing any symptoms. Upon arrival, they would have been assessed once more, and should it be again determined they were symptomatic, they would have been taken to hospitals via ambulance instead of heading to the quarantine facility. As all 32 Filipinos were without any signs and symptoms, they were all brought to New Clark City, Tarlac where they will be quarantined for the next 14 days. The repatriation team and the flight crew are understood to also go through mandatory quarantine. Earlier, DFA officials said there were over 50 Filipinos who indicated interest in being evacuated from Hubei province, where Wuhan is located. However, before the team left for China, DFA reported that some Filipinos opted to remain there to continue working, while others encountered problems with their visas and immigration status. READ: PH officials, flight crew on board Hubei repatriation flight to be quarantined DFA Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said they may schedule another flight for remaining Filipinos in Hubei if more of them decide to return to the Philippines. The Athlete's Village in New Clark City was built in 2019 for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Each of them will have their own room with amenities such as an air conditioning unit, private bathroom and a television set. DOH Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo said they will be served three meals a day and will be given time to "breathe fresh air." The New Clark City was put on a lockdown. Health Secretary Francisco Duque earlier said some agencies have also been tasked with disinfecting the luggage brought by the evacuated Filipinos and the vehicles used to transport them. Capas mayor clarifies stand on evacuees' stay in NCC Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan clarified in a statement Sunday that he was not against the repatriation of Filipinos from Wuhan, but was concerned about them using the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac as quarantine zone. READ: Tarlac town opposes use of New Clark City as coronavirus quarantine site "I feel perturbed by the fact that Department of Health (DOH) did not at all, in any way, involve the Capas LGU in its last-minute decision for New Clark City Capas to be used as quarantine zone for these Persons under Monitoring," it read. Catacutan also said that his initial statement was "not a final stand." "Bilang ama ng Capas na malayo sa kanila, I initially reacted dahil nag cause po ng panic ang biglaang balita na sa New Clark City dadalhin ang mga repatriated Filipinos na under monitoring. We were blindsided." [Translation: As a father to the town of Capas, I initially reacted because bringing the repatriated Filipinos who are under monitoring to New Clark City caused panic. We were blindsided.] Despite opposition from the town, the returning Filipinos were still brought to New Clark City and Catacutan expressed his support this time. "Now that the national government has finally decided to use the Athletes Village in Capas as the quarantine area for our returning kababayans, Capas can only move forward and throw its all-out-support to this nationally-led endeavour." In a statement Sunday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the safety of Filipinos is the primary concern of the government. He said authorities are "closely coordinating with the members of the Filipino communities in countries where there are confirmed cases of the 2019 NCoV, and they can rest assured that the Philippine Government is ever ready to provide whatever assistance necessary to protect their welfare." He said they were also working with the DOH to help local officals and put people's fears to rest to fight the virus. "All protocols and health measures to neutralize this deadly virus have been put in place and are being implemented to secure the safety of our countrymen," the statement said. London, Feb 9 : The final flight with 200 evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, is set to arrive in the UK on Sunday, according to the Foreign Office. In a statement on Saturday night, the Office said the flight, carrying government staff, military medics, UK citizens and foreign nationals, will land at the RAF Brize Norton, about 121 km from London, reports the BBC. The evacuees will be housed at Kents Hill Park conference centre and hotel, where they will remain in isolation for two weeks - the incubation period of the virus - to ensure they are not infected. They will have access to Netflix, magazines, books, baby equipment, children's toys and games, mobile phones, and tablets for reading, games, and browsing the Internet, the National Health Services said. Clothing and toiletries have already been laid out for their arrival. The flight, which took off at 7.20 p.m. on Saturday, is the second and last flight chartered by the UK Foreign Office out of Wuhan, said the BBC. More than 100 UK nationals and family members have already been evacuated to Britain on flights chartered by the UK and other countries. They were being held in quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral. The flight follows the decision by the Foreign Office on February 4 advising all Britons to leave China if they can. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have suspended all flights to and from mainland China, while other carriers continue to operate flights between the UK and China. In the UK, the Department of Health and Social Care said that 686 people have been tested for coronavirus as of Saturday afternoon, with three cases confirmed. Outside of China, 288 cases have been confirmed in 24 countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). All the fatal cases have been in China and Hong Kong apart from one in the Philippines. In China, the death toll rose to 811 on Sunday, surpassing that of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003. Those infected with the coronavirus - 37,198 in mainland China alone - far exceed the 8,437 SARS cases that were recorded worldwide during its outbreak. The SARS epidemic claimed 774 lives worldwide between 2002-2003, according to the WHO. Two new cases of coronavirus infection have been detected in the UAE, bringing the total number of people diagnosed with the deadly disease to seven, the country's health ministry has said. The death toll in China's coronavirus outbreak rose to 811 on Sunday, while over 37,000 people have been confirmed as being infected with the virus that is wreaking havoc in China and has spread to more than 25 countries. The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) said on Saturday that "two new cases of coronavirus" were detected in the country through a routine check-up system set according to standards set by the World Health Organization. The ministry said in a statement that the two new patients, a Chinese national and a Filipino, were receiving medical care as per the highest health standards available in the country. It said that all health facilities will continue to report any new cases suspected to have coronavirus. Last week, a family of four who arrived from Wuhan for a holiday in Dubai were diagnosed with coronavirus. A fifth patient, who also arrived from the Chinese city, was confirmed to have been infected with the virus, but is reportedly in a stable condition. China and countries around the world are scrambling to contain the spread of coronavirus which fiirst surfaced in Wuhan city in the Central Hubei province of China. Apart from China, two deaths have occurred in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Besides Germany, Britain and Italy, other European nations with cases of the virus include France, Russia, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Spain. PTI MRJ MRJ The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors next week will discuss a pilot support program for food-insecure students. The board will hear the proposal from supervisors Susan Ellenberg and Joe Simitian when it meets on Tuesday. Ellenberg and Simitian will be speaking with other community officials and organizers from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday at the Santa Clara County Civic Building, 70 West Hedding St., in San Jose. Their proposal seeks $2 million annually over four years -- $8 million overall -- beginning with the new school year next fall after summer break. They say the program could reach 12,000 students with three million meals per year at a cost to the county of about 60 cents per meal if the proposal is approved. The proposal also states that 84 schools in 17 school districts in the county would be eligible to apply for the program, which could offer free breakfast and lunch for 34,743 eligible students. More information on the program can be found at http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=SplitView&MeetingID=12188&MediaPosition=&ID=100353&CssClass=. A number of changes are coming Monday to BART, to all of its routes - some of the changes small, others more profound. Among the more significant adjustments will be on the Antioch line, where most trains that have been originating westbound terminating eastbound at Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre during weekday morning peak periods will now do so at Concord. The same number of trains will serve Pleasant Hill, BART Officials said, but more trains will serve Concord each weekday morning. Some evening commute trains will also end at Concord instead of Pleasant Hill; those trains will be indicated on the platform destination signs. Other major improvements include the return of "two-line service" into San Francisco on Sunday, the addition of Fleet of the Future trains on Saturday, earlier weekday train service for many riders, and later evening direct service from San Francisco into Warm Springs, BART said. BART says the updated schedule will be available on its online Trip Planner before the changes start. Two juveniles were arrested after a police chase through Benicia and Martinez Friday night, both suspects in an armed robbery in Vallejo, police in that city said Saturday. Police said that at about 5:40 p.m. Friday, a 66-year-old Oakland man parked in front of an apartment complex at 201 Maine St. off Curtola Parkway near the ferry terminal, and then asked a juvenile female for directions to a restaurant. The girl asked the Oakland man to follow her into a courtyard at the apartments, where the girl pepper-sprayed the victim and a juvenile male robbed him at gunpoint of his wallet, phone and car keys. The boy and girl then drove away in the man's car. About 45 minutes later, Benicia police officers said they were pursuing the stolen car, and chased it from Benicia to Martinez and then to Vallejo, with a California Highway Patrol helicopter tracking the pursuit. Vallejo police said the stolen car was involved in a solo rollover wreck on Rollingwood Drive near Benicia Road in Vallejo. Vallejo police then arrived on the scene. All four juveniles in the wrecked car were taken top a nearby hospital for evaluation; two of them were then taken to Solano County juvenile hall, and the others were released to their parents, police said. Santa Rosa police said a 62-year-old man was arrested Saturday afternoon after having discharged a firearm near a parking lot at Sebastopol Road and Roberts Avenue, officers said. Karl Walburg of Santa Rosa was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of being a felon possessing a firearm, negligent discharge of a firearm, brandishing a firearm and vandalism after police had to search neighborhoods along Sebastopol Road near the SMART train-Northwestern Pacific railroad crossing, police said. Police were called at 2:21 p.m. Saturday to the 100 block of Sebastopol Road on a report of a man had taken a firearm out of his car walking onto the parking lot of a business at Sebastopol and Robert Avenue. Several workers at nearby businesses were evacuated, drones were used by both police and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, and the Santa Rosa PD SWAT team, plus a Sheriff's helicopter crew, all helped with the search. Traffic was rerouted off of Sebastopol Road during the search, and SMART trains were stopped briefly as the search went on, police said. Walburg was eventually located and surrendered peacefully, police said. An elderly woman suffered "significant" injuries that aren't considered life-threatening after she was struck by a car as she crossed Cabrillo Avenue at Calabazas Boulevard on Saturday night, Santa Clara police said. The accident was reported about 4:40 p.m. Saturday, said police Capt. Wahid Kazem, when the woman - whose exact age was unavailable Saturday night - was hit by a Toyota sedan headed west on Cabrillo. The elderly pedestrian was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factors in the accident, Kazem said; it's possible the driver - who is cooperating with police - was blinded by the sun going down, Kazem said. Three and a half years into a community-wide dialogue about protections for local housing renters, the Concord City Council on Tuesday is expected to provide guidance to city staff for moving ahead with a revised rental tenant protection ordinance. Among the suggested provisions are a maximum 5 percent rent increase each year plus cost of living adjustment, maximum of 10 percent each year, whichever is less; prohibition of more than two rent increases over any 12-month period; and making that rent cap applicable to existing tenants only. Rent stabilization and other tenant protections have been a topic of discussion in Concord since June 2016, when the City Council and the city's Housing and Economic Development Committee held eight meetings on the issue. They attracted a lot of response, including more than 12 hours of public testimony on the need for action. The City Council approved its Residential Rent Review Program in June 2017. The Oakland City Council is scheduled to decide on Feb. 18 whether to appoint Steven Falk as interim city administrator to temporarily assume the post when Sabrina Landreth departs in March. Falk recently completed a year-long stint as interim city manager in Richmond. Before that, Falk spent 23 years as city manager in Lafayette, and seven years before that as assistant city manager. In a Thursday letter to Oakland council members, Mayor Libby Schaaf said, "I am confident that Mr. Falk will carry out the functions and duties of the position of the city administrator with the highest ethical standards and in a manner consistent with the charter and municipal code of the City of Oakland, while we conduct our search." Schaaf noted Falk is not an applicant for the permanent job. Landreth told the City Council in December that she will leave Oakland government in March, four years and nine months after her hiring. In her Thursday letter to the council, Schaaf said the search for a "top notch" city administrator like won't be concluded by March 11, set to be Landreth's final day on the job. At least one person has died following a multiple-vehicle collision on eastbound state Highway 4 in Bay Point in unincorporated Contra Costa County early Sunday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP said the collision was first reported at 2:09 a.m. just east of Bailey Road. All lanes of the eastbound freeway are closed as the CHP investigates the collision with no estimated time of reopening. Sunday will be sunny and breezy. Highs will be around 60. North winds will be 20 to 30 mph, with gusts to around 45 mph. Sunday night will be clear. Lows will be in the mid 40s to lower 50s. North winds will be 10 to 20 mph. Monday will be sunny. Highs will be in the upper 50s to mid 60s. North winds will be 10 to 20 mph, before becoming west winds at 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly advocated the new Sri Lankan government to ensure the participation of Tamil minorities in political governance with a commitment to speed up the friendly relations between India and Sri Lanka. In a bilateral conversation with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahindra Rajapaksa, PM Modi took a staunch stance on the rights of Tamils as per the Sri Lankan Constitution. In order to strengthen the friendly relations of the two countries, agreed to pay attention to the human point of view in solving all the important issues. NRC: Raj Thackeray's massive rally against Bangladesh-Pakistan infiltrators today According to media reports, Mahindra Rajapaksa, who became Prime Minister after the President-elect Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to power in the recent elections in Sri Lanka, has come to India on his first foreign trip. The warmth between the two leaders in the bilateral meeting held at Hyderabad House with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is clear that Rajapaksa will not follow the old path of a unilateral tilt towards China in this new inning of power. That is why Mahindra has also given priority to meeting Modi after his younger brother President Gotabaya selected India for the first foreign tour. Special emphasis was laid on increasing people to people level. Modi also had an open discussion with Rajapaksa, keeping the agenda of protecting the interests of Sri Lankan Tamils as a priority. JD(U) MLC Javed Iqbal Ansari meets RJD chief Lalu Prasad in Ranchi After the bilateral meeting, Modi said during a joint press conference that we had an open-minded discussion on the issues related to the restoration of peace in Sri Lanka and he is confident that the Sri Lankan government will work for equality, justice, peace, and respect for the Tamil people within a unified Sri Lanka. Modi clearly stated that to achieve this goal, along with the implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the process of re-conscription should be carried forward. The PM said that India and Sri Lanka are not only neighbors but also close friends since time immemorial. Be it security or the economy or social progress, our past and our future are connected to each other in every field. Mehbooba Mufti faces serious allegations, adopts soft attitude towards terrorists H arry Dunn's mother has called for the return of US crash suspect Anne Sacoolas amid claims she was a CIA spy. Sacoolas fled Britain after crashing into the 19-year-old's motorbike outside RAF Croughton airbase in August, last year. Her right-hand drive Volvo is alleged to have been on the wrong side of the road when it collided with Mr Dunn. Sacoolas, who remains in the US, has been charged over the fatal accident but has not returned to the UK, with an extradition request having been turned down. Harry Dunn died in a hit-and-run in August 2019 / PA Mr Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles and father Tim Dunn have been campaigning for her to be extradited back to the UK to face justice. Ms Charles has said that "things are now beginning to fall into place" after the Mail on Sunday reported that Sacoolas had a career in espionage. It is understood that Sacoolas served as a senior US spy, although she was not declared as an agent when she came to the UK with her intelligence officer husband Jonathan, according to the publication. Mystery still surrounds the exact circumstances of how the Sacoolas family were able to flee in the days after the crash and the teenager's family have claimed there has been a "cover up". Charlotte Charles stands beside her husband Bruce Charles before a meeting with Dominic Raab / AFP via Getty Images Ms Charles told the paper: "Things are now beginning to fall into place. In our deepest, darkest hour, we could not understand how anybody could just get on a plane after such a catastrophic crash and leave a devastated family behind." He said the family could not figure out why the US has behaved in a "lawless way" in harbouring Sacoolas, adding that "no one is above the law". "Her leaving, and the US government protecting her and refusing the extradition request, is nothing short of a disgrace and we will not stand for it. Whether she is CIA or not, she must come back and I will not rest until she does." US government sources told the Mail on Sunday that Sacoolas was "not active" in the UK but she had been more senior than her husband in the US intelligence community. Anne Sacoolas has been accused of being a CIA spy The UK and US governments insist that, at the time of the accident, Mrs Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity while her husband was working as technical staffer at the Northamptonshire air base. The UK Foreign Office did not comment on the reports but said: Anne Sacoolas was notified to us as a spouse with no official role. The Standard has contacted the US State Department for comment. Former foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt responded to the reports, saying it "may have had a bearing" on the US government's refusal to accept the extradition request. He urged the United States to treat the United Kingdom like an ally and extradite Anne Sacoolas when responding to the reports. Mr Hunt told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday that it is "totally and utterly unacceptable" that Sacoolas, the wife of a US diplomat, is not facing justice in the UK. He added that he did not think Britain "would have behaved in that way" if it was a British diplomat that had been involved in an accident, and called on President Donald Trump to "send Anne Sacoolas back". He said her alleged position in US intelligence, "may have a bearing on it and I don't know the truth of these things because I'm not foreign secretary any more, but I still think it is totally and utterly unacceptable that she is not facing justice in the UK. ALMATY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th February, 2020) Kazakhs who fled for neighboring Kyrgyzstan amid mass unrest in the country's south are returning home, the Kazakh government said on Sunday. On Friday, a mass brawl in Korday district of the southern Jambyl region turned into civil unrest that resulted in 10 people dead and almost 50 detained. Forty people, including five policemen, sustained injuries. Eight of those injured are currently in intensive care, the health ministry said. Twenty-five houses, 31 shops and 41 vehicles were damaged during the clashes. According to the authorities, the unrest was caused by a domestic conflict, which some instigators tried to turn into an inter-ethnic one. The region in question is home to the Dungans, a Muslim minority group of Chinese ethnic origin. In the wake of the incident, a special government commission was set up to tackle the fallout of the unrest. According to the government, the commission started inspecting local villages and border checkpoints on Sunday. "People arriving from Kyrgyzstan have queued at the Aukhatty [border crossing] point. These are Kazakhs who left for the neighboring republic a day before and are now returning to their homes. There are many women and children among them," the government said in a statement. Deputy Prime Minister Berdibek Saparbayev, who heads the commission, urged people to keep calm and not give in to provocations. "We will restore all the houses that were destroyed and help families. Our experts are working to assess the damage. Once again, we appeal to everyone: tell your loved ones who left, who are currently staying in Kyrgyzstan staying with their relatives that they should return," Saparbayev told the crowd at the border crossing point, as quoted by the press service. According to the deputy prime minister, the situation has stabilized and no offenses have been registered in the region over the past 24 hours. While Pete Buttigiegs campaign denies online allegations that he was a CIA asset, military records reveal that Buttigieg was in a unit that worked with the Agency in Afghanistan. By Alex Rubinstein After The Grayzone published an article about Pete Buttigiegs roster of endorsements from CIA veterans and coup plotters, and another about his mysterious trip to Somaliland alongside a friend who now works for a US government regime change agency, Pete Buttigiegs presidential campaign issued a public statement denying that he ever worked for the CIA. We hate to break the news to Twitter, but no, Pete was not in the CIA, Chris Meagher, Buttigiegs national press secretary, derisively told The Daily Beast, which directly referenced both Grayzone articles. As for the Somaliland trip, it was not related to his work anywhere. The Daily Beast article appeared in response not only to factual reporting by The Grayzone, but to a wave of allegations spread online through hashtags like #CIAPete which accused Buttigieg of being a CIA asset. Following the fiasco in Iowa, in which voting results were blocked thanks to faulty technology produced by a dark money outfit linked to Buttigieg and Mayor Pete inexplicably took to himself the victor the hashtag trended nationally. #CIAPete now trending at number 20 in the US pic.twitter.com/8x3X0v2k89 Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) February 4, 2020 Neither article published by The Grayzone accused Buttigieg of working for the CIA. However, according to military documents that have gone mostly under the medias radar, it does appear that the former mayor worked alongside the CIA while serving as a high-ranking Naval intelligence officer during his short stint in Afghanistan. Moreover, the unit Buttigieg supervised was a subset of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the US agency responsible for the disastrous war on drugs that has spawned humanitarian catastrophes throughout Latin America and much of the world. We were working with everybody across the civilian spectrum in the intelligence community Early on in his military career, Buttigieg worked as an intelligence analyst at US European Command, where he conduct[ed] research and analysis of information to create accurate, timely intelligence products in support of USEUCOM theater operations, according to mostly redacted military records released under the Freedom of Information Act. Under a section labelled command employment and command achievements, Buttigiegs papers indicate that intelligence was provided to USEUCOM, NATO, Deployed Units and other commands, including operations in Africa and the former Yugoslavia. Buttigieg would eventually return to EUCOM where he was promoted to team leader, supervising one officer and four intelligence analysts. Two years into Buttigiegs time as mayor, in 2014, he was called for duty again, this time to serve with the US Navy in Afghanistan. I did not carry an assault weapon around a foreign country so I could come home and see them used to massacre my countrymen. Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 2, 2017 Contrary to Buttigiegs portrayal of himself as a gun-toting, freedom-fighting soldier, he enjoyed an immediate high rank during deployment. Just one term into his term as mayor, Buttigieg made sure my chain of command knew that I would rather go sooner than later, and would rather go to Afghanistan than anywhere else, he wrote in his book. Buttigieg was apparently shuttled over quickly, and left quickly. Buttigieg spent his six months in Afghanistan in 2014 with a little-known unit that operated under the watch of the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was the Afghanistan Threat Finance Cell (ATFC), according to his appointment papers. The job description in his discharge papers is blank. Pete Definitely-Not-A-CIA-Agent Buttigieg has in his living room a huge map of the natural resources and minerals in Afghanistan, a country he helped militarily occupy (which has trillions of dollars worth of minerals, by the way) Extremely normal thing to have in your house https://t.co/0ScyPk8ti6 Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) February 6, 2020 Founded by US Central Command leader-turned-CIA chief Gen. David Patreaus, the unit was credited with the destruction of Kabul Bank, the first private bank founded in Afghanistan after the US invasion. ATFC reportedly exposed the financial institution as a giant ponzi scheme. Mayor Pete would join this now illustrious outfit as an Officer in Charge. In a 2016 interview with the Harvard Crimson, Buttigieg described himself as an ATFC Liaison Officer to the Combined Joint Interagency Task Force. ATFCs primary task was to bust up the Taliban drug trade with the help of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. In Buttigiegs papers, the ATFC is said to identify and disrupt Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other insurgent financial/material support networks in Afghanistan by bringing to bear on these groups the full spectrum of interagency and government tools and authorities. The spook's choice: Coup plotters and CIA agents fill Mayor Pete's list of national security endorsers@Cancel_Sam looks at Buttigieg's new roster of endorsements from high-ranking spies, regime-change architects, and global financiershttps://t.co/RBQTnDKu7g The Grayzone (@TheGrayzoneNews) December 30, 2019 While official records linking the ATFC to the CIA do not appear widely in available government documents, their collaboration is an open secret. One early report by the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, an advocacy organization for the US intelligence community, noted the cell has about two-dozen members drawn from the Drug Enforcement Administration, US Central Command, the Treasury Department and the CIA. The FBI is expected to join soon. In a 2019 interview with Newsweek, Buttigieg said we were working with everybody across the civilian spectrum in the intelligence community. Newsweek listed those agencies as the CIA, the NSA and Defense Intelligence Agency. Global news wire Agency France-Presse characterized ATFC as a multi-agency organization currently comprising about 30 specialists on loan from the Department of Drug Enforcement, Department of the Treasury, Department of Justice, Department of Defenses CENTCOM, the CIA and the FBI. The insider: How national security mandarins groomed Pete Buttigieg and managed his future@MaxBlumenthal explores how a network of military interventionists placed Buttigieg on the fast track to power well before he was known as "Mayor Pete"https://t.co/ZCXlS7Pkik The Grayzone (@TheGrayzoneNews) December 18, 2019 At the ATFC, Buttigieg oversaw the analysis and operations conducted from ATFC Kabul HQ. He also coordinated intelligence sharing and targeting deconfliction with multiple organizations and represented ATFC at high level briefings. The program was not exactly a smashing success, however. During the year of Buttigiegs deployment in Afghanistan, the United Nations found that opium production skyrocketed and that Afghanistan produces some 90 percent of the worlds illicit opiates. While Mayor Pete Buttigieg waxes humble about his Midwestern upbringing and touts his outsider story, his work alongside the CIA and DEA halfway around the world was an unusual task that helped set the stage for his rise to national prominence. President Donald Trump is riding into the 2020 campaign on a solid economy. Job creation remains strong, consumer sentiment is up and stocks rose 20% last year. But now, the fast-spreading coronavirus, which has sickened more than 30,000 and killed more than 600 people, is threatening global growth. Supply chains have been disrupted, air travel has slowed, and shipping has taken a hit as Beijing has put entire cities on lock down. It's hard to know what the impact could be on the US economy. "At this point in time, I think the economic impact will be somewhat minimal," said Beth Ann Bovino, the US chief economist at S&P Global. One reason is because the US economy is primarily driven by domestic activity, which accounts for 85% of all economic activity, she said. Goldman Sachs estimated it could take 0.4% off US GDP through March -- but the bank also forecasts a rebound in the second quarter, potentially triggering a boomlet that could help Trump just as general election voters start to tune in. Here's where things could get ugly for the US economy in the short term: Falling oil prices The spread of the coronavirus has already hit demand for oil, clobbering prices -- a problem for US producers, which are clustered in red states like Texas, Alaska and North Dakota, as well as purple states like New Mexico where Trump lost in the 2016 election. In 2019, China's oil demand made up about 14% of the world market and accounted for half of world oil demand growth, according to IHS Markit. Plus, demand for jet fuel has also taken a hit because major airlines have suspended all flights to and from mainland China. But it remains unclear if prices will remain low as the health crises continues. OPEC could decide to cut oil production, but has yet to decide on a plan. Agricultural purchases American farmers were hopeful that the preliminary, "phase one" trade deal reached with China last month could return some certainty to their export markets, which were rocked by Trump's trade war. In the agreement, China agreed to step up its purchases of US goods and agricultural products. But analysts were skeptical those commitments could be met, and the health crisis brings more doubt. Farmers could be waiting longer to see big orders for soybeans and corn coming from China. While some farmers, a key constituency for Trump, have expressed frustration with the ongoing trade war with China, others have stuck by him and believe they'll benefit in the long-term. To help them get by in the short-term, and to shore up political support, the President drew up two massive aid packages for farmers hurt by the tariffs. Together, they're worth $28 billion, or about double the final cost of the 2009 auto bailout after the financial crisis. Washington officials earlier this week said the outbreak could delay some of those exports. "It is true the 'phase one' trade deal, the export boom from that trade deal, will take longer because of the Chinese virus," said Larry Kudlow, Trump's chief economic adviser, in an interview with Fox Business on Tuesday. But, in what could be a sign that Beijing is committed to following through on its commitments, China announced this week that it would halve additional tariffs on $75 billion worth of US imports. Supply chain disruption Factories have shut down across China, creating uncertainty for American companies that rely on Chinese suppliers. It's unclear when those factories will reopen. "People are bracing for some supply chain implications and are trying to understand what that's going to be," said Steve Lamar, president of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. The impact is lessened, for now, because factories would have been shutdown for a week anyway because of the Lunar New Year. But if shipments of materials end up being delayed, it can have a ripple effect throughout the manufacturing process. For now, Lamar said, most of his members are in a holding pattern. They're worried about keeping their workers healthy and safe. They're also worried about a rumor that disease can be spread through packaging shipped from China. The CDC says there is "likely very low risk" of that happening. In addition to clothing and footwear, the smart phone and auto industries are heavily reliant on manufacturing in China. Qualcomm, which makes smart phone chips, has already lowered its earnings guidance for next quarter in part due to the virus outbreak in China. General Motors and many other automakers have factories in Wuhan which has been on lock down since late January. Weaker Chinese consumer demand If Chinese consumers are staying home, it could hurt American companies doing business in China. By the end of January, Starbucks had already closed more than half of its more than 4,000 Chinese locations. Apple temporarily closed its 42 stores in China, too. Nike, Adidas, and Capri Holdings, which owns Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors, have also warned investors that they could take a hit if demand from China slumps. Hits to tourism The Trump administration is currently restricting entry into the United States from China, and Americans who have visited China within the last 14 days are screened for symptoms. Even if they show no signs of having the disease, they are asked to "self-quarantine" inside their home. This is already hurting airlines. American Airlines and United Airlines have suspended flights to and from China until late March, and Delta has canceled flights until April 30. It could also hurt restaurants and stores that benefit from Chinese tourism. More than 2.5 million Chinese visited the United States last year. HIGH ISLAND David Burkett arrived at the High Island High School gymnasium armed with questions. Burkett, a geologist who lives near Port Bolivar on Bolivar Peninsula, has long been suspicious of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to build a $32 billion, 71-mile barrier system to protect the southeast Texas coast, even as the agencys proposal has shifted from a hard barrier with levees and gates to its current iteration a natural dune system from High Island to San Luis Pass with a ring barrier around the most populated section of Galveston and a massive sea gate across the mouth of the Houston Ship Channel. He hoped that Saturdays public meeting on the barrier proposal the first of three such meetings hosted by the Army Corps and the Texas General Land Office might provide some clarity on the project. A second meeting will be held in Galveston on Feb. 12, followed by a meeting in Seabrook on Feb. 13. A large map of the proposed dune system for Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula lay on a table near the entrance of the gym, with a magnifying glass for residents to examine up close. Burkett stood back, eyeing the map warily. What are you really trying to protect? Burkett asked an Army Corps employee stationed near the map. We havent had a major surge event other than (Hurricane Ike) really for a long time. So the idea of saying, Well we need this, what do we need it for? Burketts skepticism is largely emblematic of the reaction from coastal residents since the Army Corps released its tentative plan to protect the Houston-Galveston region from storm surge in October 2018. That original plan called for the construction of levees that would run parallel to FM 3005 on Galveston Island and Texas 87 on Bolivar Peninsula but behind the dune line. This plan for the harder barrier would have left thousands of homes adjacent to the beach exposed to flooding and likely required extensive eminent domain buyouts. The backlash to that original proposal led the Army Corps to go back to the drawing board. By late 2019, the Corps had settled on a double dune system a field of 12- and 14-foot dunes, approximately 185 feet wide, with a runway of 250 feet of renourished beach leading to the Gulf of Mexico. The public meeting on Saturday in High Island a casual, informational session with seven stations set up in the high school gymnasium, each with a different focus of the plan is designed to gauge initial reaction to the revised proposal in advance of a second public comment period this fall. We really listened to what the public had to say in our first round of public comments and weve tried to incorporate as much as possible in this design, said Tony Williams, director of planning for the General Land Offices coastal resources division. There still could be some tweaks and changes based on public comment. The Corps estimates 40 to 50 million cubic yards of sand over 50 years would be needed to maintain the dune system along Bolivar and Galveston. The Corps is targeting two sand banks in the Gulf to supply the necessary material: Sabine Bank, 17 miles south of the mouth of Sabine Pass; and Heald Bank, 27 miles offshore from Galveston. Residents at the High Island meeting were left flabbergasted at the scope and magnitude of the Army Corps dune proposal. Its gonna take hundreds of acres of (sand) to build those, and they say theyre gonna build them out 200 feet, said Billy Tomlinson, a retiree who lives in Crystal Beach. They dont have a clue how much its going to physically take, nor how much it will cost. Indeed, if the intention of the meeting was to provide concrete answers to the public about the finer details of the barrier proposal, the Army Corps and General Land Office will need far more information than what they provided Saturday. An interrogation about the sea gate across the ship channel was particularly illuminating. Azure Bevington, a coastal ecologist who lives in High Island, questioned Lori Thomas, an engineer with the Army Corps Galveston district, about whether the gate would infringe on federally protected wetlands areas on Bolivar Peninsula. From an engineering perspective, this would be a wall that would intersect with the jetty and then continue through these wetlands which are all part of the Bolivar Flats bird sanctuary, Bevington said. Has this been engineered in any way? I dont know, youre asking me a bunch of questions I feel like youre trying to trap me here, Thomas responded. Other residents complained that some of the storm surge modeling the Army Corps presented was out of date, still relying on the original proposal of levees rather than the dune system. Kelly Burks-Copes, the Army Corps project manager for the coastal barrier proposal, emphasized the agency is working with the data that the federal budget allows for at this time. She noted the Army Corps is still modeling the sea gates in particular for how ship traffic would navigate the gates and whether the gates allow for minimal tidal flow restrictions between Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. All of that information will be in the next draft of the barrier plan, to be released in October. We still have to finish the environmental impact analysis, and the (barrier) footprints are gonna change slightly as the real estate gross appraisal finishes, Burks-Copes said, referring to eminent domain buyouts that could be required to build the dunes. In the meantime, coastal residents left the school gym with more questions than answers, though some were at least appreciative at the Army Corps efforts to be transparent. None of it makes me feel good, said Debbie Cary, a convenience store clerk from Crystal Beach. But knowing that theyre attempting to answer our questions helps. nick.powell@chron.com CHICAGO Elizabeth Hug had a choice: wait months to see a doctor to treat her fibromyalgia or visit a nurse practitioner in the same office immediately. She decided sooner was better than later. She liked the nurse practitioner, Christopher Galloway, so much that she continued to see him, even when he went into private practice in Crest Hill, Illinois He was caring, accessible and a good listener, she said. Hug, her husband and two teenage children now visit Galloway regularly instead of a primary care doctor. Its kind of a different experience, Hug said. They just seem to know how to talk to people differently. Its an experience thats becoming increasingly common, as the number of nurse practitioners in Illinois skyrockets, and some begin to work independently of doctors under licenses that became available in June. More nurse practitioners can mean more access to care amid a national shortage of primary care physicians. Nurse practitioners can handle many of patients most common complaints, but at a lower cost, their supporters say. But the professions growth has come with controversy. Some doctors groups are concerned medical providers are using nurse practitioners to cut costs at the expense of patient care. Nurse practitioners, they say, are not as well trained as doctors to identify certain conditions and may miss important red flags. And theyre particularly troubled some whove earned their doctorate degrees in nursing practice use the title doctor," which could be confusing for patients. Illinois has more than 12,000 nurse practitioners, up nearly three-fold from 2012. Nurse practitioners are a type of advanced practice registered nurse, which are nurses with additional training, education and certification. Theyve long been providers at many urgent care clinics, but are increasingly showing up in primary care, specialty practices and hospitals. More than 400 Illinois advanced practice registered nurses have licenses to practice independently of doctors under a state law passed in 2017. After becoming registered nurses, nurse practitioners must have masters degrees in nursing and at least 500 direct patient care hours to be nationally certified, while medical doctors go to four years of medical school and spend at least three years getting hands-on experience as residents, while some specialists do more. Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives which are all types of advanced practice registered nurses earned a median of $113,930 a year in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Doctors and surgeons earned a median of $208,000 a year. In 2017, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill allowing Illinois nurse practitioners who meet certain requirements to work without a formal relationship with a doctor, though they still cant prescribe certain medications, such as opioids, without a doctor, and they cant sign death certificates. Twenty-two states allow nurse practitioners to work with total independence from doctors in their own practices, and 16 states, including Illinois, allow independence with some restrictions, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. To practice without an agreement with a physician in Illinois, advanced practice registered nurses must have an additional 250 hours of continuing education and at least 4,000 hours of clinical experience after attaining national certification. The American Medical Association opposes legislation to allow nurse practitioners to work independently, saying in a statement theyre "valuable members of physician-led health care teams, but not a substitute for physicians. Patients best interests are optimally served when they are treated in a physician-led team-based model of care, the association said. Nurse practitioners are taking on roles doctors have filled in the past. For example, Edward-Elmhurst Health in the western suburbs of Chicago decided in November to lay off about 15 of its urgent care doctors and instead use nurse practitioners, sources said. Edward-Elmhurst Spokesman Keith Hartenberger said in a statement any advanced practice clinicians, such as nurse practitioners, will work under a doctors supervision. He declined to confirm the number of people affected, but said the decision to "move to a team model was driven by feedback from our patients that they are looking for a lower-cost alternative for walk-in care. Most of the care provided at Edward-Elmhursts immediate care clinics is for low-level conditions such as sore throats, earaches and urinary tract infections, Hartenberger said. These visits are well within the scope of an advanced practice clinicians license, and this model is being used by other centers throughout the nation, he said. Edward-Elmhurst is working with those affected by the change to find alternative placement, Hartenberger said. Physicians for Patient Protection, a national group that advocates for physician-led care, has criticized Edward-Elmhursts plans, saying theyre emblematic of a bigger problem. Health systems see these nurse practitioners and physicians assistants as a cheaper labor force and have totally disregarded patient safety in the name of saving dollars, said Dr. Amy Judice Townsend, a board member of Physicians for Patient Protection, who practices in Texas. There are a lot of things that come in that are routine, but some things you have to have clinical experience to recognize its not something thats just run-of-the-mill. A 2014 study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found advanced practice clinicians ordered more medical imaging tests for patients than primary care doctors. Chicago Dr. Amber Price, who has her own practice, Willow Pediatrics and Lactation, said shes seen patients who were misdiagnosed by nurse practitioners. One child she saw early in her career had a serious problem that required hospitalization, but had been diagnosed with pink eye by a nurse practitioner, she said. Doctors make mistakes, but we dont miss obvious things, said Price, who is a member of Physicians for Patient Protection. Doctors groups have similar concerns about physicians assistants, who perform many of the same tasks as nurse practitioners but have different training and education. But there are far fewer physicians assistants in Illinois than nurse practitioners, about 3,700. Physicians assistants education is modeled on medical school curriculum while nurse practitioners education is in nursing. Physicians for Patient Protection also worries about confusion caused by nurse practitioners who use the title doctor because theyve earned doctorates in nursing practice. Though the title is technically correct, some physicians worry patients will assume all who use it are medical doctors. Its deceptive to patients, Townsend said. Patients, when theyre introduced to someone as a doctor in a clinical setting, are assuming the knowledge base is in clinical practice and thats not the case." Its a issue that could become more prevalent, now that the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, which acts as a resource for nurse practitioner education programs, wants to see all nurse practitioner programs offer doctorates of nursing practice by 2025. Nurse practitioners point out that the initials after their names show their credentials, such as APRN, and Illinois law requires those who use the title doctor to clearly state" theyre not medical doctors. The law also prohibits advanced practice registered nurses from using the titles doctor or physician in advertising. Galloway, the Crest Hill nurse practitioner whos been treating Hug for years, said he uses the title Dr. because, like medical doctors and many professors, he earned the highest degree in his field. If anything, he said, medical doctors should be called physicians, not doctors, to clear up any confusion. Nurse practitioners say fears about the quality of care they provide are unfounded. Nurse practitioners have been providing care for over 50 years and weve got 50 years of data that reinforces the fact that nurse practitioners are educated and trained to provide the care in these settings, said Sophia Thomas, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. When advanced practice nurses are involved in emergency and critical care, patients have shorter stays, shorter waits for consultation or treatment, and improved mortality rates, satisfaction and cost savings, according to a 2017 review of 15 studies published in Human Resources for Health. A 2014 study in the journal Nursing Outlook found states that allow nurse practitioners to practice without a doctors supervision have lower hospitalization rates and better health outcomes. Nurse practitioners are also often the most viable option for patients because of the shortage of doctors, Thomas said. As Baby Boomers age, the U.S. is expected to see a shortage of between 21,100 and 55,200 primary care doctors by 2032, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. There are still far more doctors in the U.S. than advanced practice registered nurses 756,800 compared with 240,700 nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the number of advanced practice nursing jobs is expected to grow 26% between 2018 and 2028, much faster than the average growth rate of 7% for doctors, according to the bureau. Many people decide to become nurse practitioners instead of doctors because theyre already registered nurses who want to build on their educations rather than start over, because theyre attracted to nursing, or because going to medical school takes longer and costs more than earning a masters degree in nursing, said Susan Swart, executive director of the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing. Physicians understandably are concerned about this change, but I think the reality is it is a supply and demand issue, said Hazel Seabrook, a managing director at consulting firm Huron, whos worked as a nurse. There arent going to be enough primary care physicians or physicians, period, in the coming years, so what do we do as a health care system to plug the gap? About 19% of consumers surveyed said they had trouble scheduling a new patient visit with a primary care physician in the last year, according to a national survey of 1,500 people conducted last year by the Texas Medical Center Health Policy Institute. City dwellers had a tougher time, with 32% saying they had trouble scheduling an appointment, though that may have had to do with insurance issues rather than a shortage of doctors. Providers who rely on nurse practitioners are also reacting to cost pressures, Swart said. Everybody is challenged to provide the best care they can at the best cost savings, Swart said. If they have the ability to free up physicians to provide care for more complex patients, then utilizing an advanced practice registered nurse in those voids makes a lot of sense. The lower cost of nurse practitioners is part of the reason Midwest Express Clinic relies heavily on them at its 17 locations in Illinois and Indiana, said Kaitlyn Steinberg, director of clinical operations at the company and a family nurse practitioner. Midwest Express has physicians at a few of its locations. Were able to provide more affordable prices for our patients without sacrificing the quality of care," Steinberg said. Dr. Daniel Weissbluth, whose pediatric practice has three offices in Chicago, has eight pediatricians and five nurse practitioners. Hes long had nurse practitioners, who do well-child and sick-child visits when pediatricians are unavailable, or when parents simply prefer to see them over the doctors. Many patients choose to see nurse practitioners because their clinical skills and communication skills are very good, and they like that person, Weissbluth said. If at any point they ever feel that theyre unsure of the best course of action, theres always a pediatrician there who can work with them and guide them. Most doctors expect to see fewer patients in coming years as the number of nurse practitioners grows, according to the Texas Medical Center Health Policy Institute survey. Some of the apprehension toward the spread of nurse practitioners may come from doctors who resent people coming into their turf, said Dr. Mark Werner, a director with consulting firm the Chartis Group. I think they sometimes see nurse practitioners as additional competition for their patients, Werner said. Galloway, the Crest Hill nurse practitioner, wants to see the state allow nurse practitioners even more independence. Doing so would expand patients access to care, he said. I wish it wasnt such a political battle between ourselves and doctors. We really need to be working together, Galloway said. There are enough patients to go around. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 From parts for Patriot missiles to 30,000-pound pieces used for hydroelectric dams, Meridian Industrial Group sets itself apart from the competition by specializing in large part CNC precision machining. Not a lot of companies across the country are doing the size of the work we are, Meridian president Steven E. Grande says. We have a nice niche. Thats part of the reason we are experiencing the prosperity we are experiencing. Adds Grande, We get work all across the country. Companies are searching for someone willing and able to handle large parts. Grande purchased the business, then known as Central Mass. Machine, in 2009. But the companys history in Holyoke dates back to 1881 when it started as a foundry, blacksmith and machining business under the name J&W Jolly Inc. The original foundry turned out 7 tons of cast iron a day and employed 200. For Grande, who spent 20 years as a Springfield police officer, the company intrigued him. He wanted to run a business again, having previously operated a small firm that sold building materials to contractors, a venture he started when he was laid off by the Police Department. And, although he lacked a manufacturing background, Grande liked that the company was known for its ability to take on large projects. While there is a manufacturing presence in Western Massachusetts, a lot of it involves smaller components. Thats where Meridian differs, Grande notes. Meridian has evolved over the years, says Grande, who runs it with his son, Benjamin P. Grande. Steve Grandes wife, Lisa, handles human resources. We bought kind of an old, kind of tired (company with) older equipment, Grande says, explaining they then reinvented the business. That meant an investment of up to $4 million in new equipment and technology and moving from a traditional manufacturing facility to one focused on advanced manufacturing. They also changed the name to Meridian in January 2014. Grande said the Central Mass. name didnt fit, as the company was in Western Massachusetts, and they wanted a name that was more sleek and had more of an aerospace feel. Today, the company serves customers in New England and throughout the U.S. And, while its large part, precision CNC machining remains its area of expertise, it also has a variety of smaller CNC lathes and mills for machining small parts, mostly for the commercial, aerospace and defense industries. Its a source of pride to be involved in some of the military stuff that we are, Grande says. (CNC stands for computer numerical control, and CNC machining is a manufacturing process in which pre-programmed computer software dictates the movement of factory tools and machinery.) Changes made at Meridian included transitioning from big commercial projects to more sophisticated jobs, Grande explains. For example, Meridian is now involved in the space program, as it machines parts for rockets used to deliver satellites. It also makes sonar and components for Navy submarines. The work is done out of Meridians South East Street facility, which features 60,000 square feet of machining space. Grande says they are in the beginning stages of discussions about a possible expansion. They currently employ 23 people. The success of the firm can be seen in its growth over the past four years. A private company, it does not release sales figures, according to Grande, but last year experienced a 20% increase due to new military contracts, a rise in defense spending and the continued expansion of the space program. This year, Grande says, the company is on track for growth between 5% and 7%. We have to grow incrementally at the right pace, Grande says. I always have this idea that prosperity can end at any time. He credits his son, who started working at the business approximately a year after he bought it, with guiding its success, also noting the importance of longtime employees who have helped achieve goals. In addition to celebrating its 10-year anniversary last year, Meridian was recognized at the Statehouse as Manufacturer of the Year by the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus. It was among 78 businesses to receive the honor, and state Rep. Aaron M. Vega, D-Holyoke, presented the award to the Grandes at the ceremony. What they do is just really cool, Vega said. I think it continues the manufacturing history we have here in Holyoke. Grande says he finds his employees through staffing agencies and training programs in the area such as Tech Foundry, which is a Western Massachusetts IT training program. Weve found terrific employees through Tech Foundry, Grande said. Most employees Meridian hires have some experience in the field, but not all, Grande says, noting they brought on some former East Longmeadow High School athletes who his son knew. The combination of their strong math and science skills, competitiveness and ability to work as team players proved to be assets, according to Grande, who also is from East Longmeadow. Several of these employees were underemployed or working in jobs with no chance for advancement before coming to Meridian, he notes. Perks to attract and retain employees include benefits such as a 401(k) with a company match and a quarterly bonus program for meeting goals. He says the company also pays for its machinists to attend courses such as Mastercam (a computer-aided software program for manufacturing employees) and CAD-CAM (computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing), and cross-trains so workers can fill in for each other during absences. We always try to use the resources we have in-house, Grande says. It gives us more flexibility, especially when its difficult to find employees. Were constantly trying to keep up with technology, constantly innovating and constantly dealing with market forces, he adds. Were constantly upgrading equipment and looking at how we do things and improving when we can. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) -- A man has been arrested after allegedly deliberately driving a van into a tent full of Trump supporters who were working to register new voters at a shopping center parking lot. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the Kernan Village Shopping Center in eastern Jacksonville, Florida, when a man, later identified by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office as 27-year-old Gregory Timm, allegedly drove a van through a tent where people were working to register voters. The driver narrowly missed several people in the tent and fled the scene after the incident by car. Images posted on Twitter by the Duval County GOP show a multi-colored brown and gold van fleeing in the aftermath of the incident. Today in Jacksonville, Florida six Trump Campaign volunteers were intentionally targeted while registering voters. pic.twitter.com/0wzaCYh5ut Duval County GOP (@DuvalGOP) February 8, 2020 We are outraged by this senseless act of violence toward our great volunteers, said Duval GOP Chairman Dean Black in a statement on Facebook. The Republican Party of Duval County will not be intimidated by these cowards and we will not be silenced. I call on every Republican in our great city to stand up, get involved, and show these radicals that we will not be intimidated from exercising our Constitutional rights. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry posted a statement on Twitter condemning the senseless act of violence. I just spoke to the local GOP chair. This is outrageous. The hate is toxic and dangerous. Thankfully no one was injured but certainly they are shaken after being targeted because they were registering voters. Ive spoken to the Sheriff and of course his team is on top of this, Curry said in the statement. The case also caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who tweeted out a stern warning. Law Enforcement has been notified. Be careful tough guys who you play with! https://t.co/1Pq0hOrzy2 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2020 Both Florida senators -- Marco Rubio and Rick Scott -- weighed in as well. Thanking God that no one was injured in todays politically motivated attack against @DuvalGOP volunteers today. https://t.co/qKaJ8takNB Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 8, 2020 This appears to be a politically-motivated attack on hard-working volunteers in Duval County. Thankful that no one was hurt. @DuvalGOP will not be silenced or intimidated. They will redouble their efforts to support strong Republicans in NE Florida and around the state! https://t.co/F4Qi7hk7CR Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) February 8, 2020 Timm was arrested several hours later and charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older, one count of criminal mischief and driving while drivers license suspended, according to the Jacksonvilles Sheriffs Office. In the aftermath of the incident, the Duval County Republican party said: The Republican Party of Duval County plans to redouble its efforts to register voters and will continue its fight with renewed intensity to re-elect President Donald Trump. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. President Donald Trump on Saturday blasted an Army officer who played a key role in the impeachment inquiry against him as insubordinate and accused him of leaking information to the press, problems that warranted his firing on Friday. Administration officials have not issued a formal statement on the dismissal of Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from his National Security Council. On Friday, military officials confirmed he had been reassigned to a new Army position. Just hours before the move, Trump told reporters that he was not happy with Vindman but would leave the decision on his job up to NSC staffers. Vindman had been scheduled to rotate out of his White House post this summer. But a day after the soldiers dismissal, Trump took to social media to blast Vindman as an untrustworthy employee. ....was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information. In other words, OUT. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020 He was very insubordinate, reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly, and was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information, Trump wrote on Twitter. In other words, OUT. Trump also put Vindmans military ranks in quotation marks in the tweet, apparently questioning his military credentials. Army officials confirmed that Vindmans twin brother, Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman, was also ousted from his role as a judge advocate assigned to the NSC. The Ukraine-born infantry officer made headlines in October after he testified before the House Intelligence Committee about Trumps phone call with the Ukrainian president, expressing concerns that Trump attempted to use the call to start a foreign investigation into his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. Story continues On Friday night, during the Democratic presidential primary debate in New Hampshire, Biden asked the crowd for a standing ovation to recognize Vindmans courage. That is who we are, he said as the crowd applauded. We are not what Trump is. Army officer who testified against Trump out early from NSC Vindmans attorney, David Pressman, told reporters on Friday that testifying against Trump has cost Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman his job, his career, and his privacy. He did what any member of our military is charged with doing every day: he followed orders, he obeyed his oath, and he served his country, even when doing so was fraught with danger and personal peril. And for that, the most powerful man in the world buoyed by the silent, the pliable, and the complicit has decided to exact revenge. Saturday afternoon, Pressman disputed the facts of the presidents statements in the tweet. The President this morning made a series of obviously false statements concerning Lieutenant Colonel Vindman, he said in an emailed statement. They conflict with the clear personnel record and the entirety of the impeachment record of which the President is well aware. While the most powerful man in the world continues his campaign of intimidation, while too many entrusted with political office continue to remain silent, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military. Trump was acquitted by the Senate of abuse of power on Wednesday in a largely party-line vote. Since then, Trump has repeatedly vowed to go after the evil individuals he believes have persecuted his administration and family. The president spent Saturday morning on Twitter alternating between attacking the impeachment inquiry and ridiculing the candidates who participated in the Democratic debate. Lucknow, Feb 9 : The prestigious King Georges Medical University (KGMU) here is caught in the throes of controversy after its Vice Chancellor faced corruption probe on PMO's direction, and a doctor was sacked for referring a patient to a private hospital. The state government set up a three-member committee to investigate allegations of corruption against the KGMU Vice Chancellor, Professor M.L.B. Bhatt. The action against the VC, according to the official spokesman, was taken on the directives of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO. The committee set up to probe the corruption charges is headed by Lucknow Divisional Commissioner Mukesh Meshram and includes Director General Medical Education (DGME) K. K. Gupta and Directorate of Medical Education (DGME) Finance Director Kripa Shanker Pandey. The committee has been asked to submit its report in 15 working days. The PMO has directed the state government to verify the allegations levelled by one Vishal Kumar Singh, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar, who in his complaint lodged in December 2019, alleged that the KGMU's radiotherapy department purchased cancer drugs using Prime Minister and Chief Minister relief funds through local purchase at higher rates even though the same drugs were available at the central drug store of the KGMU at cheaper rates. The anomalies took place when Prof Bhatt was head of the radiotherapy department and continues till date, the complainant claimed. Senior officials said that the committee will also look into other complaints of corruption against the KGMU VC filed over the past few months. Registrar Ashutosh Dwivedi said the university has been informed by the government about the probe. "We will cooperate with the fact-finding committee," he said. The KGMU VC, however, was not available for comments. In another case, a resident doctor of the KGMU, was sacked on Saturday and matter was referred to the police. He reportedly persuaded attendants of critically ill patients in the neuro-surgery department to shift to a private hospital since equipment was not available at the KGMU. The matter came to light when the attendants reacted against him. When confronted by other doctors, the accused, working as a non-post-graduate resident, said he was from the department of anesthesia, and tried to escape from there. Prof R.A.S. Kushwaha, chief proctor of the KGMU said: "The resident doctor was terminated and police were informed about his actions. The order for termination will be issued on Monday." The patients at King George's Medical University are only referred to other hospitals in case beds are not available and then too they are referred only to the government hospitals and not to any private ones. If the attendants want to take away the patient after admission, they fill a LAMA (leave against medical advice) form, stating they wish to take their patient on their own. Referring patient to a private hospital is an offence for the doctors working here. Switzerland on Sunday voted strongly in favour of a new law against homophobia in a referendum in the face of strong opposition from the populist rightwing Swiss People's Party (SVP). Final results showed 63 percent voted in favour of widening existing laws against discrimination on ethnic or religious grounds to include sexual orientation. "This is a historic day," Mathias Reynard, a lawmaker from the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland who initiated the reform, told Swiss channel RTS 1. "It gives a signal which is magnificent for everyone and for anyone who has been a victim of discrimination," he said. With results in from all of Switzerland's cantons, the figures showed that the highest approval rate was in Geneva with 76 percent, while the rural cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Schwyz and Uri voted against. The change was passed by the Swiss parliament in 2018 but critics, who believe it will end up censoring free speech, forced a referendum on the issue. - 'Christian values' - Eric Bertinat, an opposition SVP local lawmaker in Geneva, told AFP before the vote that he believed the law was "part of an LGBT plan to slowly move towards same-sex marriage and medically assisted reproduction" for gay couples. Hans Moser, head of the small Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland (EDU) party, told the ATS news agency: "We will continue to represent Christian values". All of Switzerland's major parties except the SVP, the biggest political force in parliament, support the law. Switzerland is one of the last countries in western Europe without specific laws against homophobia. Rights campaigner Jean-Pierre Sigrist, founder of an association of gay teachers, said before the referendum that the new law might have stopped him getting beaten up outside a bar in Geneva four decades ago. "And maybe I would not have been laughed at when I went to the police," the 71-year-old told AFP, adding that he hoped the reform would help to counter a resurgence of intolerance against gay people. Sigrist said he supported freedom of expression, "but not the freedom to say anything at all". - 'No to Special Rights!' - Under the new law, homophobic comments made in a family setting or among friends would not be criminalised. But publicly denigrating or discriminating against someone for being gay or inciting hatred against that person in text, speech, images or gestures, would be banned. The government has said it will still be possible to have opinionated debates on issues such as same-sex marriage, and the new law does not ban jokes -- however off-colour. "Incitement to hatred needs to reach a certain level of intensity in order to be considered criminal in Switzerland," Alexandre Curchod, a media lawyer, told AFP. But he admitted that there could be exceptions "if it can be shown that, under the cover of artistic production or joking, someone is in fact engaging in incitement". Gay rights campaigners were divided over the legislation. A group called "No to Special Rights!" is opposed, arguing that the gay community does not need special protection. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has set aggressive goals for the reduction of greenhouse gases, and there has been no shortage of debate on the viability and impact of this legislation. Beyond arguing the merits and potential drawbacks of the CLCPA, there has also been significant discussion on how to meet its mandates. Wind power gets a lot of attention. So does solar. Geothermal and hydropower are given a nod. Increasing efficiency and reducing demand is viewed as a key component. What does not seem to be under consideration is renewable natural gas. Renewable natural gas is not a fossil fuel. The fuel commonly referred to as natural gas is comprised predominantly of methane. It is extracted from deposits created millions of years ago by the decay of organic matter, hence its classification as a fossil fuel. It was produced, and its constituent carbon sequestered, millions of years ago. That is not true of renewable natural gas. The biological processes that produced the natural gas buried beneath the Earth continue today as part of the natural carbon cycle. In landfills, manure pits and large-scale composting facilities, methane production is sufficiently concentrated to be captured, and can be refined and fed directly into our existing natural gas distribution system. Burning methane for fuel instead of releasing it into the atmosphere is beneficial to the environment, and when used for heating or cooking, is more efficient than electricity. Exact numbers vary, but according to the EPA's website, methane's impact on global warming is more than 25 times that of carbon dioxide. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Renewable natural gas can also have positive economic impacts. Farmers can contribute to the green economy beyond leasing their land to wind farms or installing solar panels. Landfills can offset their operating costs. Municipalities willing to invest in composting programs and methane processing can supplement their budgets. The technology for the capture and refinement of renewable natural gas has been largely underutilized because drilling and fracking were more profitable, so there was little impetus to invest in it. As we move toward a greener future, let's not overlook such a potentially valuable resource. Gretchen Persbacker lives in Delmar. Centre should help in finding out truth in SUV-Waze case: Raj Thackeray Are the migrants responsible for spread of coronavirus in Maharashtra? Here's what Raj Thackeray has to say Raj Thackeray leads MNS' mega procession to oust Pakistani-Bangladeshi infiltrators India oi-Deepika S Mumbai, Feb 09: Thousands of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists took part in a mega-procession to demand the ouster of Pakistani-Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the country. Led by party president Raj Thackeray, the procession from Girgaum Chowpatty wend its way to the historic Azad Maidan, around 4 km away. "I don't understand why the Muslims who were protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act, were doing so. CAA is not for the Muslims who were born here," said the MNS chief in a reference to protests against the amended citizenship act, across the country. "To whom are you showing your strength?" Raj questioned the anti-CAA protesters. Many raised slogans demanding that the illegal migrants living in the country should be driven away as they are a drain on the country's economy, resources and jobs, besides posing threats to national security. In the moves viewed as his party's endeavour to jump onto the Hindutva bandwagon, the MNS chief had last month launched a new saffron flag bearing the royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji. According to political observers, the MNS, which was relegated to the margins in Maharashtra politics after successive electoral drubbings in the last ten years, is trying to fill the Hindutva vacuum believed to have been created after the Shiv Sena joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form a government in November last year. In his recent interview to party mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had denied that his party had abandoned the agenda of Hindutva. KABUL, AfghanistanTwo U.S. soldiers were killed and six wounded in a so-called insider attack in eastern Afghanistans Nangarhar province late Saturday when an Afghan dressed in an Afghan army uniform opened fire, the U.S. military said. Afghanistans defense ministry said one Afghan soldier was also killed and three injured in the assault. A member of Nangarhars provincial council, Ajmal Omer, told The Associated Press that the gunman was killed. Neither the U.S. military nor the Afghan defense ministry have confirmed the attackers fate. The U.S. Department of Defense released later in the day the names of the dead American soldiers. They are Sgt. 1st Class Javier Jaguar Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, and Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Rey Rodriguez, 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Both men were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The military has said the incident was under investigation and wounded service members in the attack were receiving medical treatment at a U.S. facility. There have been numerous attacks by Afghan national army soldiers on their allied partners during 18 years of Americas protracted war in Afghanistan. Six U.S. service members have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of 2020, including Saturdays casualties. Last year, 22 U.S. service personnel died in combat there. An Afghan defense ministry official, who was not identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the shooter was an Afghan soldier who had argued with the U.S. forces before opening fire. He was not a Taliban infiltrator, the official said. In a statement, the U.S. military said an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time. Omer, the provincial council member, is from Nangarhar provinces Sherzad district, where he said the incident took place. The U.S. military said American and Afghan military personnel were fired on while conducting an operation in Nangarhar province. Last July, two U.S. service members were killed by an Afghan soldier in the southern Kandahar province. The shooter was wounded and arrested. In September, three U.S. military personnel were wounded when a member of the Afghan Civil Order Police fired on a military convoy, also in Kandahar. The incident came as Washington has sought to find an end to the war in Afghanistan. Washingtons peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been meeting with Taliban representatives in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar in recent weeks. Hes seeking an agreement to reduce hostilities to get a peace deal signed that would start negotiations among Afghans on both sides of the conflict. In his State of the Union Address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump referenced the peace talks, saying U.S. soldiers were not meant to serve as law enforcement agencies for other nations. In Afghanistan, the determination and valor of our war fighters has allowed us to make tremendous progress, and peace talks are now underway, he said. By Rahim Faiez and Kathy Gannon The CNN Wire contributed to this report Over 70 exhibitors, including US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin and 12 Chinese companies, have pulled out of Asia's biggest aviation and defence event Singapore Airshow amid mounting concerns over the novel coronavirus outbreak in China that has claimed 811 lives and spread to more than 25 countries. The organiser of the six-day event starting on Tuesday said on Sunday they planned to sell fewer tickets to the public as part of measures against the coronavirus epidemic. The event will continue as planned, and companies that have pulled out represent about 8 per cent of participants, said the event organiser Experia Events. Leck Chet Lam, managing director of Experia Events, told reporters that the organisers "respect the decision" of the companies that decided to withdraw. The withdrawals were due to recent travel restrictions and stricter company policies on non-essential employee travel in light of the coronavirus that has spread to many countries, the organiser said. Over 930 companies will be exhibiting and 45,000 trade attendees are still expected. All 12 Chinese companies originally on the exhibitor slate were among the participants that withdrew, according to a report in The Straits Times. On Sunday, the exhibition spaces of firms such as Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China and China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation, remained empty. Some 70,000 public visitors attended the 2018 Singapore Airshow over two days. There will be close to 45 assets on show in the static aircraft display, about 10 fewer than the 2018 edition, said Leck. Responding to a question of airshow cancellation if the situation worsens and Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) level escalates to red, Leck said the organisers will take guidance from the policies and measures implemented by Singapore's Health Ministry in making any decision. Singapore moved its disease outbreak response up a level to orange on Friday as the coronavirus spread further within the country, with three new cases announced of unknown origin. Under the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition, or Dorscon, code orange means the outbreak is deemed to have moderate to high public health impact. Leck assured it was Experia's responsibility to make sure that the show goes on and the trade visitors still get the chance to network and discuss business opportunities. "(Singapore Airshow) has grown to such a stature that it is a very important node of the entire ecosystem of the global aviation industry," Leck said. In light of the coronavirus crisis, a slew of precautionary measures are being adopted, including seat tagging at events such as forums and conferences in case the need for contact tracing arises, and conducting temperature screening at entrances to event sites at Singapore Expo and Changi Exhibition Centre. A team of doctors and medics will also be deployed to attend to visitors who feel unwell, along with enhanced cleaning and refuse management, and making hand sanitisers available to attendees. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday urged the people of his country not to panic and remain united as the novel coronavirus outbreak which has continues to wreak havoc in China and abroad. "We have faced the 2019-nCoV situation for about 2 weeks now. People are understandably anxious & fearful, but there is no need to panic - Singapore has ample supplies. Instead, let us remain united & resolute, stay calm & carry on with our lives," the prime minister said in a tweet. The death toll in China's coronavirus outbreak rose to 811 on Sunday, while over 37,000 people, including 40 from Singapore, have been confirmed as being infected with the virus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, yesterday issued a Royal Order, promoting 677 Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) officers, from various ranks. The royal order was issued marking the Kingdoms celebrations of the BDFs 52nd Anniversary, observed every February 5. On the occasion, BDF Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, conveyed greetings from HM King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to the promoted officers, as well as their wishes of further success in serving the kingdom and enhancing its progress, under HM the Kings leadership. On the same occasion, BDF Commander-in-Chief issued an order, promoting 3,474 military and civil non-commissioned and servicemen from various ranks. The Commander-in-Chief congratulated the promoted officers, non-commissioned officers and servicemen, wishing that the promotions will motivate them to exert more efforts while performing their patriotic duties in defending the nation and achieving more progress for the BDF and the Kingdom, under the leadership of HM the King, the Supreme Commander. His Majesty exchanged cables of congratulations with His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, marking the occasion. HM the King also exchanged similar cables of congratulations with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. HRH the Premier and HRH the Crown Prince also exchanged similar cables of congratulations on the occasion. Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) agents arrested a teachers representative at his home in Iran on February 8. Mohammad Taqi Fallahi is the secretary of the Iranian Teachers Trade Association, an independent entity which campaigns for higher salaries, better work conditions and improvement of schools in Iran. IRGC agents also confiscated some of Fallahis personal items during the arrest, including his telephone, computer case and a hard disk. Agents told his family to remain silent and not talk to any media. Mr. Fallahi was arrested last May, along with other activist teachers, when they protested outside parliament against low teacher salaries. He was released six days later after posting bail and later received a suspended eight-month prison sentence and ten lashes. Intelligence agencies and Irans hardliner Judiciary have harassed, detained and convicted many activist teachers in recent years. Salaries of school teachers are among one of the lowest for government employees, close to the minimum wage of about $110 a month. Recently, labor groups petitioned the government to increase the minimum wage, arguing that expenses for food and basic necessities for a family of four is $660 per month. Teachers have also demanded improvement of school buildings as the government invests little in the upkeep of infrastructure in general. Many school buildings are in dilapidated condition, especially in rural regions. #fyiSI -- You asked, so were answering! For this week's #fyiSI question-and-answer article I'm tackling a handful of questions that don't require an in-depth investigation. Whatever the question is -- whether it requires a quick or an in-depth answer -- I'm here to answer it for you -- see, that's me in the picture with my #fyiSI sign. Scroll through the slideshow for some questions and answers, and keep an eye out for more #fyiSI articles. (Staten Island Advance) ESTIMATED TRAVEL SIGNS ONLY HELP IF IT WORKS Marlene asked: My question is about the estimated travel time sign on the Staten Island Expressway. Why is it when the sign is knocked offline it takes weeks or months to get it up and running? I think the information on the sign is very important and helps people determine their route. Can you try to help get that fixed? WHERE ARE THE SIGNS? The state Department of Transportation (NYS DOT)installed two travel signs on the Staten Island Expressway in 2006 eastbound near Victory Boulevard Exit 8 and westbound near Hylan Boulevard Exit 14. THERE ARE COMPATIBILITY ISSUES According to NYSDOT, it has been working with the signs manufacturer to address compatibility issues. In the interim, the state DOT has programmed travel time information into the overhead Variable Message Sign (VMS) in the eastbound direction near the Victory Boulevard exit. INSTALLATION OF A NEW WESTBOUND VMS Next week, NYSDOT said, it will be installing a portable VMS in the westbound direction at the Hylan Boulevard Exit 14 to post travel time while a permanent solution is worked on. WHY ARE WE THE FORGOTTEN BOROUGH? Nick asked: Why do people refer to Staten Island as the forgotten borough? What do they mean? STATEN ISLAND LIKES TO MAKE FUN OF STATEN ISLAND Staten Islanders are very defensive if you dont live here, you cant criticize or make fun of us; thats a right reserved for residents. And while the term the forgotten borough may have started out as a joke, being excluded is nothing to joke about. Staten Island has been -- and continues to be -- routinely left out of citywide projects, transportation additions and improvements, as well as other key initiatives. We just want our fair share. MOST RECENT EXAMPLES OF BEING LEFT OUT Most recently, the city Department of Sanitation had scheduled reusable bag giveaway events happening across the city -- except Staten Island. The events are in preparation for the ban on single-use plastic bags, which will force consumers to pay 5 cents for each paper bag they use or bring their own reusable bags for shopping. After the Advance wrote about the exclusion, DSNY said it would hold three events before the ban takes place on March 1. And what about the citywide fast ferry system? Guess who was left out of that for years? You guessed it Staten Island. I could go on and on and on and on. But you get the point. Staten Island has feelings, too and we often feel forgotten. (Staten Island Advance) WHATS HAPPENING AT THE OLD BAYLEY SETON HOSPITAL PT. 2 Recently, Joseph asked about the state of the Bayley Seton site. Through #fyiSI, we let our readers know that the site is often used and currently being used for movie and television shows. But what about the digging and huge mounds of earth? Joseph and others want to know. UTILITY AND SITE WORK However delayed, #fyiSI got a response from The Salvation Army of Greater New York, the owner of the Bayley Seton site. While there are no immediate plans for the site, Phase 1 of the project was demolition of buildings, and we are currently in Phase 2, which is rerouting utilities around the site and laying sewer and water lines, said a Salvation Army spokesman. The huge mounds of earth, he explained, is recycled stone, concrete and brick from the demolished buildings. Its used to fill in the foundations and basements of demolished buildings after its been crushed which is done on-site. Excess stone has been moved around the site to help control soil erosion and run-off water from the site. There is no longer heavy equipment at the site at this time. There will be no work above ground on the future building until the winter is over, the spokesman said. I want you to tell me where to go and what to answer -- that's #fyiSI. #fyiSI -- heres the point When #fyiSI launched in October 2018, the Advance received dozens of questions from readers about all things Staten Island. Now, were ready to start providing answers and are asking you again to ask us anything, Staten Island -- and we mean anything. Through #fyiSI, Im going to answer all of your burning questions with the occasional help of my coworkers about the borough with 479,458 residents that we all call home. Some of the questions weve received so far include: How can we ask for a stop sign to be added? What happened to my favorite restaurant? Is that a mobile speed camera? Why is the Department of Transportation doing construction on my block? Now, Im ready to tackle them all, and Im looking for more questions. Whatever it is, Ill answer it. You might be wondering how #fyiSI differs from the average story you already read in the Staten Island Advance or on SILive.com. Were not stepping away from the traditional news article, but instead adding social media elements like Facebook live, Instagram stories, Twitter polls, and other multimedia to help us reach you. Well also do a lot of reporting on site. Questions should include your name, neighborhood of residence and contact information, and can be emailed to fyi@siadvance.com or kdalton@siadvance.com. #fyiSI is new effort by the Staten Island Advance/SIlLive to get tips from and engage members of our Staten Island community. #fyiSI questions weve answered so far Michael McIntyre is set to record his first Netflix special - which will reportedly earn him 'millions'. The TV star, 43, who is said to be worth around 62 million, will add to his fortune by a significant amount with the incredible deal with the streaming service. The move is said to have left the streaming service's bosses 'thrilled' at having bagged the hugely popular BBC comedy star. Big bucks: Michael McIntyre is set to record his first Netflix special - which will reportedly earn him 'millions' Michael is a huge star on the BBC, with his show Michael McIntyres Big Show pulling in milllions of viewers for the broadcaster - and The Mirror reports that he'll bring in huge demand for comedy on Netflix. A source told the publication: 'Netflix believe that Michaels shock move will mark a huge demand for British comedy in their division this year.' The father-of-two will record his comedy show on March 5th and 6th at the London Palladium. As well as his BBC show, Michael also makes regular appearances on The Royal Variety Show and Live at The Apollo. Meanwhile, an insider informed the Daily Star that Netflix bosses are 'thrilled' to have the hugely popular comedian on their books. Kerching: The TV star, 43, who is said to be worth around 62 million, will add to his fortune by a significant amount with the incredible deal with the streaming service The source revealed: 'Michael is one of the most popular stand-ups in British history and his fans cant get enough of him. This deal is a coup for Netflix because it will encourage people to sign up for a monthly subscription. 'Execs are thrilled theyve got someone so popular on board.' It's said the deal is not exclusive, meaning that Michael is still able to record shows with the BBC. A spokesperson for the broadcaster added: 'Michael will continue to work with us. Huge news: 'Netflix believe that Michaels shock move will mark a huge demand for British comedy in their division this year' 'Thrilled': 'This deal is a coup for Netflix because it will encourage people to sign up for a monthly subscription' 'He loves working with the BBC as it gives him the chance to reach a very large, mainstream audience.' Mailonline have contacted representatives of Michael and Netflix for comment. Throughout his illustrious career, Michael has won numerous accolades including a BAFTA for his Big Show in 2017. His career also saw him become the youngest ever host of the Royal Variety Performance back in 2010 while he's also had a stint as a judge on Britain's Got Talent. In 2012 it was said he was the highest-grossing comedian in the world, having bagged himself over 22 million that year. Graham Linehan has seen speaking events cancelled, lawsuits filed and police visit his home for confronting trans rights activists Today I am one of the most loathed figures on the internet. My speaking events have been cancelled. I have been sued. The police have visited my home and former friends have turned their backs on me. Yet Im the man who wrote the much-loved Father Ted! Why is it that Ive become so suddenly unpopular? The thought crime for which I have been tried and found guilty is that I believe biological reality exists. I believe women are females. I believe everyone should be able to present themselves as they wish but that womens hard-won rights must not be compromised for the benefit of men suffering body dysphoria which is to say men who feel they are stuck in the wrong body. Most of all, I believe that gender ideology, in its currently fashionable form, is dangerous, incoherent nonsense. I believe trans people those unfortunate enough to suffer body dysphoria are having their condition exploited and trivialised by abusive, controlling and authoritarian trans rights activists. And I think women and children are suffering because of it. Worst of all, I say so, loudly. This makes me Public Enemy No 1. I make my arguments forcefully because Im concerned, sometimes with humour because Im a comedy writer and often while cursing, because Im Irish. Its the humour they hate most. Its kryptonite to these activists. Im 51 and Ive never seen anything like the authoritarianism on display, the desperate desire to shut down the conversation. No genuine civil-rights movement advances in secret but this one has as one of its mantras NO DEBATE. So, while we are in a world where male sexual offenders in bad wigs assault female prisoners, where rape crisis centres are defunded because they wont admit men and where a bloke in a full beard tells schoolchildren that hes a lesbian, were informed with venomous aggression that we may not talk about any of it. No debate? Oh, theres going to be a debate all right. The popular opinion among my detractors is that Im cherry-picking negative stories to mask a hatred of trans people. In fact, I first came to this debate because I saw women being bullied, losing their jobs and suffering the most intense online harassment Id ever seen, and I wanted to stand beside them. Also, as a writer, I couldnt watch as one of the most important words in the English language, the word woman, was being changed against the will of those whom it defined. An example of some of Linehan's recent tweets on the subject of sexuality and trans rights Suddenly, everywhere you looked, women were being erased, insulted or endangered. Amnesty referring to pregnant women as pregnant people. Productions of The Vagina Monologues closing because they excluded women who dont have vaginas. Womens toilets disappearing from public life even though they were introduced to ensure that women could have a public life. Worst of all, I saw the lack of compassion or empathy for the vulnerable women who are often at the sharp end of the new Gender Theocracy. The four women attacked in prison by a male sex offender in 2018 (who everyone had to call Karen or they were committing a hate crime) are four women too many. Women in prison often have a history of abuse at the hands of men. Whatever theyve done, they are entitled to safety from the type of men who helped put them there. Rational people and that includes rational trans people are dismayed by those who have now taken over trans activism. Body dysphoria is no longer seen as central or even necessary for those who decide to adopt a so-called trans identity. To see just how elastic and meaningless the word trans has become, one only has to look at the definition adopted by the Stonewall lobby group: Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, gender-queer (GQ), gender-fluid, non-binary, gender-variant, crossdresser, genderless, agender, nongender, third gender, bi-gender, trans man, trans woman, trans masculine, trans feminine and neutrois. Neutrois, I discovered, literally just means androgynous. So androgynous people are trans. Thatll be news to Bake Off presenter Noel Fielding. Under Stonewalls definition, everyone is trans, and no one is. A cross-dresser such as banker Philip Bunce, who adopts the female persona Pippa for only a few days every week, nevertheless receives the honour of being named by the Financial Times as one of its top 100 women in business. This was seen as progress, a step forward for women. In fact, it is an insult to women and to those suffering from body dysphoria. Womens toilets are disappearing from public life even though they were introduced to ensure that women could have a public life In order to maintain the fantasy that our sex is unconnected to our bodies, the truth must be bent and beaten in the fire of academic language. That is why trans activists talk about sex being assigned at birth an abuse of language, if ever I heard one. Is the sex of a newborn assigned by a capricious midwife? Of course not. Rather it is observed and recorded as a matter of fact. Assigned is one of the more successful hijackings of English achieved by gender ideologues, yet you will hear it parroted across many organisations from the NHS to the BBC the sort of institution where you really would expect people to know better. Before I knew how toxic trans rights activism was, I wrote an episode of my Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd with a trans character. The response was more venomous than I was used to, but as bad as it was, at least I was allowed to write it. That was in 2013. In 2020, such an episode would never air. And that is because the first generation who didnt go out to play have grown up to become clones of Mary Whitehouse. The new puritans. I am not new to outrage. There was fury on the part of some when we first released Father Ted but the executives we had were made of strong stuff and ignored the attacks. The same goes for The IT Crowd, Brass Eye, Black Books, and I guess a few comedies I havent worked on. Im worried were entering an era of pre-chewed, prissy art that offends no one. But its not comedy writers who are the victims of all this: it is women who are the real casualties. Gender ideology is a disaster for women. They are expected to make room for men in their changing rooms and their safe spaces. They are being robbed of the language to describe their reality by unintelligible academic gender experts, by teenagers encouraging each other online, by parents who are profoundly mistaken, and by well-meaning people who, confused by the ever-changing terminology, still believe they are defending what used to be called transsexuals. All these forces working together are, whether they know it or not, providing a smokescreen for fetishists, conmen and misogynists to pursue their own agenda. In years to come, we will look back at this scandal, at the ruined bodies, the confused crime statistics, the weakening of safeguarding and the rollback of womens rights and wonder how it was left to go on for so long. lThe fee for this article was donated to Womans Place, which campaigns against violence and discrimination against women. After his time in the Army, Bob went on to work a long career for Western Electric Co. where he was involved in the installation of the Bell System Central office switches across the Western US as installer, then supervisor. During his time in Baker Oregon, he met and married his first wife Mina Renae Hottel Nelson, with whom he raised his 4 daughters in Napa CA. Those years included every summer spent at the family trailer at Lake Berryessa. He loved to water ski, teach the kids to ski, and drive his Tahiti jet boat! After divorce, he met and married his life long love Liliane, whom he celebrated almost 44 yrs marriage. He also helped raise her youngest daughter Jacqueline as his own. Jacqueline was able to return home and help Liliane take care of Bob in his last couple years. After retirement from Western Electric, Bob kept busy by driving school bus for the Napa Valley Unified School District, which he really enjoyed. Bob and Liliane spent their early retirement years taking Caribbean cruises, multiple visits to France to visit Lilianes family and touring Europe. They loved the French Riviera!! Bob also very much enjoyed touring with Liliane and their grandson Jeffrey around the western US states & national parks in their motor home. They relocated from Napa to Folsom Lake CA in 1999. They both truly loved their new home and community. Especially the LDS community, whom have shared so much love and comfort to them over the many years. Bob & Liliane were baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Napa CA. Their marriage was sealed in the LDS Oakland Temple. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday questioned anti-CAA protests by Muslims, stating that it is difficult to understand their agitation as the new law not meant for them. Thackeray, who was addressing a mega rally in Mumbai demanding the ouster of Pakistani-Bangladeshi infiltrators living in the country, asked, "To whom are you showing your strength?" Praising the BJP-led government for CAA, he said, "I do not understand why Muslims are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. CAA is not for the Muslims who were born here." He said the CAA law made in 1949 during the partition was different from the amended law. "I praised the government when they do good things like scrapping of Article 370, construction of Ram Mandir, implementation of CAA among others," Thackeray said. READ| Raj Thackeray clarifies stance on CAA, NRC; asks, 'Is my country a dharamshala?' Raj Thackeray backs CAA Backing the Centre's amended Citizenship Act, he said that people were opposing the act claiming constitutionality. He stated that the minorities in the three countries who were being persecuted were Hindus. Quashing the need to accept Muslims being persecuted in Pakistan, he questioned why, stating 'India is not anyone's Dharamshala'. "These people are opposing citizenship to refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Who are they? Hindus. They say take oppressed Muslims from there also. Why?" he questioned. Earlier MNS posters stating 'Bangladeshis leave the country, otherwise, you will be driven out in MNS style' were seen at Panvel in Raigad district on February 4. The posters also featured MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his son Amit Thackeray, who was recently inducted into the party. Thackeray had earlier said, "There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but why should we shelter someone who has come from outside illegally." MNS recently put posters declaring 'India is not for Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators'. The rally witnessed thousands of MNS supporters waving its saffron flag marching from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan, while posters declared 'infiltrators are not my brothers and sisters'. Thackeray who gained fame for his party's 'Marathi manoos' stance, has now taken a larger national stance against migration. At his Maha Adhiveshan rally on January 23, Raj Thackeray accepted that there could be a debate on CAA but choosing to focus on the 'remove infiltrators' pitch but has not vocally come out in support to a nationwide NRC. READ| BIG: Late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan's brother Prakash joins Raj Thackeray's MNS READ| Uddhav Thackeray slams 'religion-neutral' NRC, opposes premature protests in Maharashtra (With ANI inputs) 1. Yes. The downtown area needs a good draw. Some quality taverns would be a plus. 2. Yes. Too many storefronts are vacant. Bars could help to bring in needed revenue. 3. No. Putting a number of bars downtown is just asking for trouble. Dont change things. 4.No. Several churches have located downtown. Putting bars close by would be a bad fit. 5. Unsure. It would depend on how the law is written and what standards are enacted. Vote View Results The number of people killed by the new coronavirus oubreak increased by 89, bringing the total death toll to 811, which is higher than the 774 who died during the 200203 SARS epidemic. There are also hints that the spread of the virus may be slowing, although experts warned it was too early to say anything for certain yet. There were 2,656 new cases reported on Saturday, bringing the total number to 37,198 in China. The number of new cases declined 20 percent from the previous 24-hour period, marking the first drop since Feb. 1. Advertisement The vast majority of the new cases were reported in Hubei province, where the outbreak started, which is a reflection of strict quarantine measures taking effect nationwide, notes the Washington Post. Although the World Health Organization said there had been some stabilizing in the number of new cases in Hubei over the last few days, it also warned the figures could still shoot up. Experts say that if all the containment efforts are effective there should soon start to be a sharp decline in new infections. But there is also concern there might be an increase in new cases as people return to work after the Lunar New Year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside China, some citizens are expressing uncertainty about returning to work as posts on social media made clear many do not trust official numbers. Some doctors have said they believe China undercounts the number of new deaths and infections. There might be more clarity on the situation once an international team of experts led by the WHO leaves for China on Monday or Tuesday to investigate the outbreak. For now at least, the disease, which is now going by the official name of novel coronavirus pneumonia or NCP, appears to be more contagious than SARS but less deadly. Around the world cases continued increasing, including six among the 3,700 passengers on a quarantined cruise ship anchored off the coast of Japan. The new cases brought the number of confirmed infections onboard the cruise liner Diamond Princess to 70, making it the largest center of infections outside China. Spain, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia were among the countries that reported new cases of the virus. For now, though, there have been only two confirmed deaths from the new coronavirus outside mainland China, one in Hong Kong and another one in the Philippines. SCOTTVILLE One of the big movements spreading across college campuses throughout the country is to get more young people involved in the 2020 elections. In the spirit of that movement, students from West Shore Community College are planning to do exit polls in locations in Manistee and Mason counties for the March 10 Michigan Primary election. The purpose is to collect data from voters at several polling locations that they will study in various courses. WSCC professor of history and political science Mike Nagle is working with members of the Student Senate to organize this exit poll, which they hope will lead to some data about voting trends among the public in this area. "We will have two or three students who will work in shifts at different polling locations," said Nagle. "There will be at least one in Manistee County (Manistee Municipal Marina and possibly St. Joseph Parish Center) and at least one in Mason County. After people have voted on March 10, our students will ask them to (voluntarily) answer some questions and their answers will be kept confidential." Manistee County clerk Jill Nowak and Mason County clerk Cheryl Kelly have both been apprised of the project and are aware it will be taking place that day. Nagle stressed that it is voluntary on the part of the voter if they want to respond. Voters will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire on their own that doesn't include their name and then drop it in a lock box, so no one will be aware of what person made a specific response. "We will then use that data as a teaching tool in a range of classes once we get the data," said Nagle. Nagle said students enrolled in American National Government, Statistics, Math, Sociology and other courses will be analyzing that aggregate data. How they will use it is to compare it to other areas of Michigan and with data from previous elections. They will then look to identify how the data from this area compares or contrasts with those other areas and within the data group they analyze. "Students could even have a project or a paper they can write that determines any correlation or even the differences between Manistee and Mason county's responses," said Nagle. Right now they are working on the specifics of the questions that will be asked, said Nagle. "One of the questions we will ask them is which candidate they did support in the primary?" said Nagle. "Other things will be age, gender, income level and things like that. We will try to determine is there some correlation between voter preference and different aspects of voter characteristics. Their individual data will remain confidential and only the aggregate data will be analyzed." Nagle said each voter will be asked if they are willing to fill out a form with some questions on it about how they voted background information, but not their name. Those forms will be placed in a lock box that the students will have so there will be no way of knowing what person filled out that information. Student Senate member Kassie Maraz, who is in charge of public relations said the students will be easily identifiable at the polling locations. "What we have planned so far is the students to wear a lanyard that says they are from West Shore, that will have their name on it," she said. "We are also thinking of wearing vests that has West Shore on it, so it will be easily identifiable." Nagle added that the students will be trained to let the voters know that they are from West Shore Community College doing this exit poll and be properly taught how to approach them. Maraz said the WSCC Student Senate is excited at the prospect of being part of this project. "The Student Senate jumped right on board when Mike Nagle approached us about doing it," said Maraz. "We had a few more other students who expressed an interest in volunteering and we are just so excited to see how this goes." Nagle said one of the many interesting things about this project is it requires the students to be active in civic engagement. "Many studies show that if students are involved in their communities, not only are they likely to come back, but are likely to contribute again," said Nagle. "So if we can involve the curriculum in some of that,it is really good. It is active learning along with the interdisciplinary learning with different classes being able to use this data. I was really impressed with the members of the Student Senate as they really stepped up to the plate. Several members of that group are a captain in a particular area, so they are providing leadership for the entire student body." Nagle said he considered doing it for the first time in the November general election, but felt it would be better to try it out first on a trial basis with the primary. "I am sure there is going to be some glitches the first time around," said Nagle. "So if we try it small now, maybe we can expand it for the fall general election." NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- KPS Capital Partners, LP ("KPS") announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the IKG business ("IKG" or the "Company") from Harsco Corporation ("Harsco",NYSE: HSC) for total consideration of $85 million, subject to customary closing adjustments. Upon completion of the transaction, IKG will become the second portfolio company of KPS Special Situations Mid-Cap Fund ("KPS Mid-Cap"). IKG is a leading North American manufacturer of high-quality steel and aluminum bar grating. The Company offers a full range of metal bar grating and fencing products, which are used primarily in industrial flooring, safety and security applications across a wide range of industries. IKG is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with six strategically located manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Mexico, and 350 employees globally. Ryan Harrison, a Partner of KPS Mid-Cap, said, "We thank Harsco for their constructive approach on this transaction and look forward to working with Chief Executive Officer Chad McClendon, and IKG's management team and employees to build on this great platform. Given IKG's demonstrated strengths, the addition of KPS' strategic, operational and financial resources will create an ideal foundation for IKG's future success as an independent company. We intend to drive the Company's growth both organically and through strategic acquisitions." Nick Grasberger, Harsco Chairman and CEO, said, "I am confident that under KPS' ownership, IKG will become part of a firm that has extensive experience owning and operating metals-related businesses, and one that is committed to its growth." Chad McClendon, Chief Executive Officer of IKG, said, "We are thrilled to partner with KPS in this exciting new chapter for IKG. The IKG team is deeply committed to providing high-quality products, unmatched technical expertise and innovative solutions to our customers. Given its successful track record in building world-class manufacturing businesses globally over decades, KPS is the ideal partner to accelerate IKG's strong momentum." Completion of the transaction is expected early in 2020 and is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to KPS. About IKG IKG is a leading North American manufacturer of high-quality steel and aluminum bar grating. The Company offers a full range of metal bar grating and fencing products, which are used primarily in industrial flooring, safety and security applications across a wide range of industries. IKG is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with six strategically located manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Mexico, and 350 employees globally. About KPS Capital Partners KPS, through its affiliated management entities, is the manager of the KPS Special Situations Funds, a family of investment funds with over $11.5 billion of assets under management (as of October 15, 2019). For over two decades, the Partners of KPS have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, healthcare and luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment and general manufacturing. KPS creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better, and generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies, rather than primarily relying on financial leverage. The KPS Special Situations Funds' portfolio companies have aggregate annual revenues of approximately $8.4 billion, operate 142 manufacturing facilities in 26 countries, and have approximately 28,000 employees, directly and through joint ventures worldwide. The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at www.kpsfund.com. KPS Mid-Cap focuses on investments in the lower end of the middle market that require up to $100 million of initial equity capital. KPS Mid-Cap targets the same type of investment opportunities and utilizes the same investment strategy that KPS' flagship funds have for over two decades. KPS Mid-Cap leverages and benefits from KPS' global platform, reputation, track record, infrastructure, best practices, knowledge and experience. The KPS Mid-Cap investment team is managed by Partners Pierre de Villemejane and Ryan Harrison, who lead a team of experienced and talented professionals. SOURCE KPS Capital Partners, LP Related Links https://www.kpsfund.com In 1983, Mancia et al quantified the changes in blood pressure in individuals, prior to, during, and immediately following the visit to the doctor. The research findings indicated that the white-coat syndrome was a relevant condition observed in most patients of all age groups and genders, from children to older people. The frequency of incidence is approximately 20% in the population that has hypertension. White-coat syndrome has been commonly observed in women compared with men. White-coat syndrome has been observed in pregnant women and the frequency of incidence ranges from 3% to 60%. It is common for individuals to cringe at the thought of visiting a doctor. Many of us attempt to delay the doctors visit for a number of reasons. To some, the financial expense is a deterrent, while for others, it is an unexplained fear of the doctor. The latter emotion leads to a temporary increase in blood pressure at the doctors office. This effect has been analyzed and categorized as white-coat hypertension or white-coat syndrome, and is observed in individuals with normal blood pressure. Another term for this condition is isolated office hypertension. The name is based on the fact that healthcare professionals in white coats tend to measure the blood pressure of individuals. This condition was first noticed in 1897 by Riva-Rocci. There is a difference in the terms, white-coat syndrome and white-coat effect. White-coat syndrome is the increase in blood pressure at the doctors office. White-coat effect, on the other hand, indicates the changes in blood pressure that occur before the visit to the clinic, during the visit at the clinic, and following the visit to the doctor. It is observed in patients that have been diagnosed with hypertension. The vast range is based on the results obtained from 3 different clinical studies. It is observed that the white-coat hypertension in pregnant women is a mild, benign symptom and does not generate complications such as preeclampsia in women. Women may be prone to have a cesarean section during delivery based on the high blood pressure reading obtained at the time. A review article by Verdecchia et al states that an individual may be diagnosed with white-coat syndrome, if the blood pressure is equal to or above 140/90 mmHg during the clinical visit, while the regular blood pressure remains below 135/85 mmHg at all times. Causes of White-coat Syndrome Nearly 20% of the population that has hypertension is gripped with the white-coat syndrome. The most common cause of white-coat hypertension is the fear that gets lodged in an individual. Most individuals are tormented by the fear of hearing a poor prognosis of their health condition or a bad diagnosis of their symptoms. Today, the internet makes matters worse by providing infinite resources of information on different disease conditions. However, with the lack of appropriate medical knowledge or the guidance of a trained medical professional, individuals tend to get misled by negative advice or comments on the disease in question. Psychologists attribute this fear of doctors to the general association of hospitals with illness, injury, and death. A second cause of white-coat syndrome is the fear of needles. Needle phobia is a recognized condition by the American Psychiatric Association and is listed under the phobia for blood, injection, and injury. Individuals who experience needle phobia start to experience anxiety, fainting, and panic attacks at the sight of a needle. Nearly 10% of the population have needle phobia. In a recent study in Switzerland, the white-coat syndrome was significantly associated with age. Other factors such as family history or physical activity, however, were not significant factors of white-coat syndrome. Symptoms of White-coat Syndrome The one major symptom of the white-coat syndrome is an elevated blood pressure in the vicinity of a clinic, a needle, or a doctor. The individuals with white-coat syndrome are also more susceptible to the following conditions: Reading, PA (19601) Today Mostly sunny and bitterly cold. It will feel like it's in the single digits and low teens.. Tonight Partly cloudy and extremely cold. Wind chills around or below 0 degrees. Advertisement The number of coronavirus cases on a quarantined cruise ship in Japan has risen to 64, including a British honeymooner who has been isolated in a hospital room after being taken off. Alan Steele was on board the cruise liner Diamond Princess when it was quarantined in the port of Yokohama. He was transferred to the medical facility on Friday. Mr Steele's new wife Wendy was forced to remain on board the ship but has been in regular telephone contact with him. She posted on Facebook earlier today to give an update about his condition. She said: 'Alan is well, Japanese doctors are excellent.' 'He is in a little room. Just Dr and nurse visit him. 'It was a hard first night without Alan. But hey, we are constantly in touch. Japanese doctors are excellent and he is in safe hands.' Alan Steele (pictured with his new wife Wendy) was today taken off the Diamond Princess and sent to hospital on the mainland after testing positive for the virus Mr Steele was one of 41 people who learned they had the virus after 171 remaining test results came back on Friday, trebling the ship's total of virus patients from 20 to 61. Since then, two more cases on board the ship - including an American passenger - has brought the total up to 64, USA Today reports. The diagnosed also include 26 Japanese nationals, as well as eight Americans, five Canadians, five Australians and an Argentine. Thirty-five of the infected people were over 60 years old. They will all be taken to medical institutions in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa and Shizuoka. Mrs Marshall Steele said she was beginning to suffer with 'cabin fever' as she continued to be confined to her room on the ship - a status shared with nearly 3,700 other passengers and crew. A total of 78 British passport holders - including crew - were among those who boarded the ship. The ship's operator, Princess Cruises, said the vessel's quarantine was due to end on February 19 providing that there are no 'unforeseen developments'. They also confirmed all affected guests were being taken to hospitals. Alan Steele (pictured right) was separated from his new wife Wendy (pictured left on board the cruise ship) and taken off the Diamond Princess after learning his test results in Yokohama Bay The newlyweds, from Wolverhampton, who had only married last month were initially left 'bereft' and 'in ribbons' when they were separated. Mrs Marshall Steele took to social media at the time to say that she would not be able to care for him despite being a nurse. She wrote: 'They have just taken Alan away. I am in ribbons. He is healthy and not displaying any symptoms. 'I am bereft... if he ends up being ill I can't look after him. NOT only as a wife... but as a nurse. The newly diagnosed also include 21 Japanese nationals, as well as eight Americans, five Canadians, five Australians and an Argentine. Pictured: Medical workers in protective suits carry belongings of passengers off the cruise ship The infected will all be taken to medical institutions in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa and Shizuoka. Pictured: Aerial photograph shows passengers and staffs on the ship Mrs Marshall Steele said she was beginning to suffer with 'cabin fever' as she continued to be confined to her room on the ship - a status shared with nearly 3,700 other passengers and crew 'Apologies if this sounds over emotional but to have your husband taken away from you. Not sure how long it will be until I see him again. 'In my working life my colleagues would say 'balls of steel' but not today. Counting down the days until I can laugh about stupid things with my husband again.' Mr Steele had not been showing symptoms of the virus and hoped he may just be a 'carrier' - but faced a lengthy quarantine in hospital on the mainland. He was the second UK national known to have the virus, after a businessman who had recently flown back from Singapore tested positive in Brighton yesterday. A team of health workers in hazmat suits on the shore in Yokohama today where Japanese authorities said the tally of coronavirus patients on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship had risen Health workers wearing protective suits carry bags to an ambulance near the cruise ship Diamond Princess today, which is anchored and being held in quarantine near Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama Health workers in protective gear were still working in Yokohama Bay as darkness fell on Friday with the Diamond Princess in quarantine A worker in a hazmat suit drives a fork lift truck to load supplies on to the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama today Masked passengers are seen on the deck of the ship today, where passengers in windowless inside cabins have been allowed only onto open decks briefly under strict conditions A woman holds a Japanese flag that reads 'shortage of medicine' on the cruise ship Diamond Princess as another 41 people tested positive for the deadly coronavirus on Friday An official in a protective suit walks near the cruise ship Diamond Princess anchored at Yokohama Port today Japan Self-Defence Forces officers use canvas sheets to cover the walkway from the cruise ship Diamond Princess on Friday as another 41 people tested positive for the deadly flu-like virus after 20 were rushed off to hospitals on the mainland earlier this week The Diamond Princess cruise ship, with over 3,700 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, is seen anchored at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama port Experts say cruise ships are vulnerable to virus spread Cruise ships are vulnerable to the spread of viruses because of the high number of elderly passengers who are confined together and have forked out large amounts of money for their holiday, experts say. Professor William Keevil said some passengers may be unwilling to come forward with their symptoms to avoid putting an expensive holiday at risk. The Southampton professor said keeping guests in their cabins was the 'best option' until the incubation period - thought to be around 14 days - has passed. Crews are 'well aware of the spread of disease on board, considering that you can have hundreds or thousands of passengers in a relatively confined, isolated environment for days or weeks,' he said. 'They rely on the honesty of the passengers declaring if they are unwell or have had a recent illness as they board ship. 'The problem is that some potentially ill passengers, having looked forward to their holiday and spent a lot of money, do not want to miss out and board ship anyway. 'Alternatively, someone may innocently board the ship without any symptoms which subsequently develop onboard. They are required to immediately declare this and isolate themselves.' It is not yet known exactly how the new coronavirus spreads, but similar viruses spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 'Outbreaks of droplet spread diseases such as influenza and norovirus are relatively common' on such ships, said Prof Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia. 'Cruise ships often have large numbers of passengers and crew, these people come from all over the world, and passengers at least are often elderly. 'Given that many passengers spend a large part of their time indoors, one would expect droplet spread diseases such as [the new virus] to spread readily on board. 'As passengers will disperse back around the world then outbreaks on board such ships will have the potential to enhance the global spread of this current epidemic.' Advertisement The jump in the number of virus cases on board the ship has added to concerns among the ship's 2,600 passengers that they are being kept in the dark about the crisis. One American passenger told a journalist she was 'scared... I don't want to leave this ship in a box.' Others have voiced fears about dwindling medical supplies, including a Japanese passenger who held up a sign from her balcony declaring a 'shortage of medicine' in Yokohama Bay today. Japan ordered the ship into quarantine after an 80-year-old former passenger who left the vessel in Hong Kong last month was found to have the virus, which has killed more than 630 people. All 3,711 people on board were screened for the virus, and 273 of them were selected for further tests because they were either showing symptoms, had disembarked in Hong Kong or been in contact with the 80-year-old. On Wednesday and Thursday, Japanese authorities announced that the first batch of 102 test results had produced 20 positive results. Health minister Katsunobu Kato told reporters yesterday that the remaining 171 test results had shown 41 cases of coronavirus, taking the total to 61 out of 273 who were tested. 'Today they will be sent to hospitals in several prefectures, and we are now preparing for that,' the health minister said. The passengers were due to be taken to medical facilities in Tokyo and nearby Saitama Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures as well as Shizuoka prefecture in central Japan. Mr Steele later revealed himself on Facebook as one of the virus patients, saying: 'Just to let you all know I have been diagnosed as having the virus and am being shipped to hospital. 'Would also like to say that at the moment I am not showing any symptoms so just possible a carrier. Will let you know how I am going on when possible.' A neighbour, 72-year-old Veronica Richards, said today that Mrs Steele was a care home worker and mother-of-one who had married Mr Steele after divorcing her previous husband. 'This will give her something to talk about,' she said 'I knew she was on her honeymoon and was expecting her back any time now. She is a lovely woman and she always has a bit of drama in her life. 'I've not met him [Alan] properly and I hope he's got over it when I do. I don't need that Coronavirus, I've got enough on my plate with my hip.' The 20 people who were earlier diagnosed with the virus have already been removed from the vessel by health workers in protective hazmat suits and taken to hospitals on the mainland. One of them is in a serious condition, a health ministry official said, without providing further details. The tests for coronavirus could now be expanded to further passengers who are 'susceptible to illness, including elderly people and those with other ailments,' the health minister said. In addition, passengers who had close contact with the virus patients could also be subject to further testing to contain the spread of the virus. A Japanese foreign ministry official said today that the quarantine would end on February 19, more than two weeks after the vessel arrived in Japan. The official also rejected fears that the virus could be spread through the ship's ventilation system. Tour operator Princess Cruises confirmed the February 19 end date, barring 'unforeseen developments'. Medical staff clad in protective gear prepare to provide care for suspected coronavirus patients on board the cruise ship Passengers stand on their balconies aboard the ship today, some of them wearing face masks and warm coats Medical staff in hazmat suits walk past ambulances on the dock in Yokohama where they are assisting the Diamond Princess Officials in protective suits drive an ambulance near the cruise ship today after another 41 coronavirus cases were confirmed Passengers aboard the quarantined vessel look out from their balconies today, waving to the media at the Yokohama port A passenger waves next to another wearing a face mask from the cruise ship Diamond Princess, where 10 more people were tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, as it is anchored at Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Japan on Friday A Japan Self-Defences Forces officer wearing a face mask is seen next to the cruise ship Diamond Princess as the ship was prepared for resupply Today health workers were working on the shore dressed in white hazmat suits, complete with face masks and helmets. An extendable white-tented passageway was wheeled to a door on the side of the massive cruise ship, apparently to protect the identity of people being evacuated from the boat. As the ship docked, passengers who have been told they will have to stay aboard days even if they test negative for the virus came out on to their balconies, some waving to assembled media or taking pictures. People on board have described confusion and boredom after being confined to their cabins and banned from even walking down the corridors following the decision by Japanese authorities to quarantine the vessel. Passengers in windowless inside cabins have been allowed only onto open decks briefly, under strict conditions, including wearing a mask at all times. 'The quarantine officials require that you avoid congregating in large groups and maintain a separation of at least one metre from each other when talking,' the ship's captain said in an announcement on Friday morning. 'We require that you wear as a minimum, warm clothing, hat and a scarf if possible,' he added. Experts say that cruise ships are particularly vulnerable because of the large number of passengers, many of them older people, in a confined space. The ship has spent much of its time anchored in Yokohama Bay, where fork lift drivers in hazmat suits have helped to load supplies on to the vessel. It has also returned to the open sea to collect seawater, which can be converted for use in showers and drinking water. This morning, Briton David Abel who is with wife Sally, said: 'My major concern now is to let the captain and the crew know, that we want to be informed of what is going on. We don't want second hand news, we don't want rumours, we want to know precisely what is going on' A man wearing protective gear is seen at the port where cruise ship Diamond Princess as preparations were made for further supplies to be delivered this morning Olivia Capodicasa (pictured) was on the final night of her cruise with her grandmother when the ship was locked down British passenger David Abel, who is travelling with his wife Sally, today voiced anger that passengers were finding out news from the media and told the captain: 'We don't want second hand news, we want to know precisely what is going on.' He said today: 'We haven't had our temperatures taken we haven't been asked any more questions ... that has not happened for days so how are the medical people able to monitor the health situation of 3,600 passengers on board. So this is what needs to be answered.' He also raised concerns that, along with the dozens of other Britons on board, he might be quarantined yet again when they arrive. The UK government put 93 people in quarantine in the Wirral after flying them back from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak. 'It would really be good if the Home Office would put something on the news.' Mr Abel added. 'It would certainly put the minds of the Brits on board at ease.' There are 78 people with British passports on board the vessel, including crew members, but there are no plans to fly anyone back to the UK at present. The coronavirus epidemic has so far claimed 630 lives and infected more than 28,000 people in 28 countries and territories around the world - but 99 per cent of infections have been in China For breakfast, quarantined cruisers yesterday were served a measly fruit salad, pastries (both sweet and savoury), a Fru Fru yoghurt and a glass of apple juice Health workers in protective suits put up hoardings on Wednesday as passengers who were diagnosed with the virus are moved Officers in protective gear carry luggage cases after people who were transferred from cruise ship Diamond Princess on Wednesday when the first 10 people were taken off, another 10 were confirmed to have the virus on Thursday, and another 41 on Friday American attorney Matt Smith, 57, and his wife Katherine have a suite with their own balcony but said the quarantine was a 'hard pill to swallow'. 'My thought is, the greater number they diagnose on the ship, the greater chance they're going to find some reason to extend the quarantine,' he said. Also among those stranded on board are 233 Australians, including Olivia Capodicasa, from Melbourne, who was on the final night of her cruise with her grandmother when the ship was locked down. She described the conditions as being like 'hell' and said she had been watching movies to pass the time. 'It has been a hell of a 24 hours stuck in here', she told Sunrise on Thursday morning. 'I think it is really starting to hit me now that this is the reality and I'm not going home anytime soon'. Passengers were finding out about the new infections from the internet before they were announced on the ship, said a 43-year-old Hong Kong resident who is on the ship with his family. A separate cruise ship, the World Dream, is being held in quarantine in Hong Kong after eight former passengers tested positive for the virus. The ship's 3,600 passengers are facing a third night stranded, but conditions are less stringent and there are not yet any confirmed virus cases on board. In addition, more than 2,000 people are marooned on board the MS Westerdam after Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam all refused entry. Japanese leader Shinzo Abe yesterday said his country would not allow foreign passengers to disembark, saying there were suspected virus patients on board. However, cruise operator Holland America said last night that 'the ship is not in quarantine and there are no known cases of coronavirus on board'. An ambulance and Japan Coast Guard members in protective outfit prepare for the arrival of infected passengers that were onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, at Yokohama port on Wednesday when another ten were rushed off to hospitals on the Japanese mainland Despite some of the ship's 3,700 passengers complaining of 'prison' like quarantine conditions they were seen gallivanting on the colossal ship's galleries on Thursday within arms reach of their neighbours Japan has now confirmed 25 cases of the new coronavirus - excluding the cruise ship infections - among them citizens returning from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak. Tokyo has evacuated more than 500 Japanese citizens from Wuhan, and attracted some criticism for its relatively loose quarantine approach. There have been several incidences of apparent person-to-person transmission in Japan, including a tour guide and bus driver who contracted the virus after coming into contact with visitors from Wuhan. Neither had visited China in recent months. The coronavirus epidemic has so far claimed more than 630 lives and infected more than 28,000 people in 28 countries and territories around the world, although but 99 per cent of infections have been in mainland China. The outbreak has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency, several governments to impose travel restrictions, and airlines to suspend flights to and from China. Researchers suspect the virus emerged from a Wuhan market selling exotic animals at the end of last year. WASHINGTON The U.S. government on Thursday began enforcing restrictions on flavored electronic cigarettes aimed at curbing underage vaping. But some teenagers may be one step ahead of the rules. Parents, researchers and students warn that some young people have already moved on to a newer kind of vape that isn't covered by the flavor ban. These disposable e-cigarettes are sold under brands like Puff Bar, Stig and Fogg in flavors such as pink lemonade, blueberry ice and tropical mango. The Food and Drug Administrations crackdown narrowly targets reusable vaping devices like Juul, the blockbuster brand that helped trigger the teen vaping craze in the U.S. Under the new policy, only menthol and tobacco flavors are allowed for those devices. Critics of the FDA policy fear teens will simply switch to the cheaper disposables, which are widely available at convenience stores and gas stations. They are very accessible and seem to be the new buzzy product, said Dr. Karen Wilson, a tobacco researcher and pediatrician at Mount Sinais medical school in New York. The FDA confirmed that the flavor restriction wont apply to self-contained, disposable products," but only to rechargeable ones that use pods or cartridges prefilled with a nicotine solution. The agency's rationale: Reusable vaping devices are far and away the most popular with underage users, preferred by more than 60% of high schoolers who vape, according to survey data collected last year. The FDA's top tobacco regulator said it can still go after any vaping product that appeals to teenagers. If we see a product that is targeted to kids, we will take action, Mitch Zeller, who heads the agency's tobacco center, said in a statement. Thursday was the deadline for makers of reusable e-cigarettes to stop selling fruity and candy flavors. Juul was already in compliance. It dropped its best selling mint and most other flavors before the ban was announced in early January and only sells tobacco and menthol. At a congressional hearing Wednesday, the head of Fontem U.S., which makes blu vapes, was pressed to drop its vivid vanilla and cherry crush disposable e-cigarettes. Fontem chief Antoine Blonde countered that its customers are adults, not children. Less than 3% of high school students who vape reported blu as their preferred brand, according to 2019 government data. We're not aware of any issue caused by our disposable flavors, Blonde said. Sales of disposable e-cigarettes and all other tobacco and vaping products are prohibited to teenagers under the government's new age limit, which went from 18 to 21 late last year. High school student Philip Fuhrman says most of his New York classmates who vape have ditched Juul for disposables like Stig, a tiny e-cigarette sold in flavors like mighty mint and mango bomb. Theyre easier to hide because theyre smaller and when youre done you can just throw it away, said the 16-year-old Fuhrman, who says he no longer vapes. Hes now an anti-vaping activist and his mother is one of the founders of a parents group opposed to youth vaping. At $20 for a three-pack, Stig may not seem cheap. But Fuhrman and other teens say its a smaller investment than the $40 or $50 needed to buy a Juul device and a four-pack of pods. Furhman says teens will instead buy a pack of Stigs for the weekend and then just be done with it. The makers of Stig, Puff Bar and Fogg disposables did not respond to requests for comment. Analysts report that disposables are still just 5% of the nearly $15 billion global vaping market, according to the firm ECigIntelligence. Researchers who study e-cigarette trash around high schools say they have noticed a shift in what teens are vaping. Jeremiah Mock, of the University of California, San Francisco, has been finding discarded Puff Bars in local school parking lots over the last three months. Vape shop owners also say the market is changing. Since the FDA announcement, distributors and manufacturers have ramped up their disposable offerings, according to Vapewerks owner Jeremy Gardner in Cumberland, Maryland. How do disposables get a free pass when theyre essentially the same thing as a Juul or anything else that comes with a prefilled pod? he asked. Gardner doesn't stock his most requested brand, Puff Bar, but sells a rival disposable. Most of his business comes from larger, tank-based vapes, which are more popular with adults and allow users to customize flavors and nicotine concentrations. Those products are exempt from government flavor restrictions. E-cigarettes, which heat a nicotine solution into a vapor, are often promoted as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes but the FDA has not approved any vaping product to help smokers quit. The makers of all vaping products face a May deadline to submit applications for government health and safety review. Mike Chang, owner of Master Piece Smoke Shop in New York City, says most of his customers who buy disposables switched from Juul after the company pulled its mint, mango and dessert flavors last fall. The company took that voluntary step under pressure from multiple federal investigations and lawsuits from state and local authorities. The San Francisco companys retail sales have fallen 35% since their peak last July, driven by the loss of flavors, according to Wall Street research firm Piper Sandler. Juul does not sell disposable e-cigarettes. In a government survey last year, more than 1 in 4 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the prior month. The next federal study begins this spring. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 On Thursday, Feb. 6, President Donald Trump signed a temporary reauthorization of the Fentanyl Analogues Act into law, extending its validity through May 6, 2021. On Thursday, February 6, 2020, the President signed into law: S. 3201, the Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act,' The White House announced in a statement on the Bill, which extends for 15 months, through May 6, 2021, the temporary scheduling order classifying certain fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug subject to the strictest controls. The extension, which came just in time before the deadline of Feb. 6 would expire, is an essential tool in the hands of Justice Department prosecutors to build a case against traffickers as it relieves them of the obligation to prove that any new mutant version of fentanyl, a so-called fentanyl-analogue, is in fact already blacklisted and thus prosecutable. The Justice Department also announced the signing of the Bill on its Twitter account. Today, President Trump signed into law the Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act, classifying certain fentanyl-substances as a Schedule I drug subject to the strictest controls. pic.twitter.com/Y4I8xUYG4c Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) February 7, 2020 Without the extension, it would no longer be possible for the Justice Department to prosecute fentanyl-related cases as a Schedule I drug, and prosecutors would have to resort to proving in each case that the latest slightly altered opioid is registered as forbidden. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill on January 30, thus temporarily extending the Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) class-wide ban on all variants of the powerful synthetic drug fentanyl, which has helped fuel the opioid crisis in the United States. The Bill was identical to a version approved in the Republican-led U.S. Senate on January 16 and fell short of what the Justice Department had hoped to win from Congress. The department had lobbied to make permanent the class-wide ban first initiated by the DEA in February 2018, meaning all fentanyl analogues would always be listed in the same legal category as heroin and cocaine. But opposition by criminal justice reform groups and researchers led the Senate to put off a permanent solution by passing legislation that would temporarily extend the DEAs class-wide ban on fentanyl analogues for another 15 months to buy the Government Accountability Office time to study how the policy will affect scientific research. The idea was to get ahead of chemists, many of whom the U.S. government has said are based in China, who have sought to evade federal regulations by tweaking the chemical structure of each drug. The measure passed in the Democratic-controlled House by a vote of 320-88. Reuters contributed to this report A former information technology director for Fallbrook schools received a court award of almost $1.2 million this month, concluding a wrongful termination case filed five years ago. The employee, Elaine Allyn, sued the district after she was fired in May 2012, claiming officials had retaliated against her for initially refusing to delete e-mails archived on a school server. Allyn, a 19-year veteran IT director with Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, said officials ordered her to delete the e-mails, which she believed contained information about possible misappropriation of funds, said Susan Curran, of Curran & Curran Law, the Encinitas legal firm which represented her in the case. In her lawsuit, Allyn said she was ordered to dismantle the districts email archive system permanently destroying any deleted emails that were more than three months old even after she raised concerns that doing so would be counter to district policy and state and federal laws. Advertisement It was a whistleblower case, Curran said. When she was asked to take down the archive server storing district e-mails, she declined to do so. There was a subsequent investigation against her, and the district fired her. After a 15-day trial in 2015, the panel unanimously awarded Allyn $1,046,000 for lost income and $148,000 in damages for emotional distress, for a total award of $1,194,000, Curran said. The district appealed the decision, but the 4th appellate district upheld the trial courts decision, she said. The district also petitioned the California Supreme Court to consider the case, but the court declined. On Oct. 6, the district paid the award, along with interest. Fallbrook Superintendent Candace Singh and Associate Superintendent for business services, Ray Proctor, could not be reached for comment Monday. Curran said the decision affirms labor and whistleblower protections. The message this case sends out to school districts and other governmental employers is that employers are not allowed to discriminate, retaliate against or terminate employees, particularly when those employees follow the law, try to do the right thing and who refuse to assist with illegal misconduct, Curran said. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Medics carry a stretcher towards a Thai shopping mall on Sunday where a gunman was shot dead by police after killing 27 people on Saturday afternoon (Sakchai Lalit/AP) Thai police on Sunday shot dead a soldier who killed 27 people and wounded 57 in the worst mass shooting in the countrys history. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha confirmed the numbers of victims after the overnight siege was ended by police on Sunday morning, 16 hours after it began, at a shopping mall in the north-western city of Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat. Officials said the man identified by military officials as Sergeant Major Jakrapanth Thomma was angry over a financial dispute. He first killed two people, a fellow soldier and a woman, then went on a far bloodier spree, shooting as he drove to the mall where shoppers fled in terror. The man also posted updates to his Facebook page during the rampage. No one can escape death, read one post. Another asked, Should I give up? In a later post, he wrote, I have stopped already. A photo circulated on social media that appeared to be taken from the Facebook page shows a man wearing a green camouflaged military helmet while a fireball and black smoke rage behind him. Jakrapanths profile picture shows him in a mask and dressed in military-style fatigues and armed with a pistol. The background image is of a handgun and bullets. The Facebook page was made inaccessible after the shooting began. A group of armed commando soldiers outside Terminal 21 Korat mall, in Nakhon Ratchasima (Sakchai Lalitkanjanakul/AP) Jakrapanth appeared to be armed with an assault rifle, based on security camera video aired on Thai Rath television. The shooting spree began at about 3:30pm local time on Saturday. Video taken outside the mall showed people diving for cover as shots rang out. Many were killed outside the mall, some in cars, others while walking. City and neighbourhood police officers said Jakrapanth took a gun from his base and drove to the Terminal 21 Korat mall, shooting along the way. Several Thai media reported he travelled in a military vehicle. A wanted poster released by Crime Suppression Division of The Royal Thai Police (Crime Suppression Division of The Royal Thai Police via AP) Nattaya Nganiem and her family had just finished eating and were driving away when she heard gunfire. First I saw a woman run out from the mall hysterically, said Nattaya, who shot video of the scene on her phone. Then a motorcycle rider in front of her just ran and left his motorcycle there. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the mall in small batches by police while they searched for the gunman. Gun violence is not unheard of in Thailand. Firearms can be obtained legally, and many Thais own guns. Mass shootings are rare, though there are occasional gun battles in the far south of the country, where authorities have for years battled a long-running separatist insurgency. The incident in Korat comes just a month after another high-profile mall shooting, in the central Thai city of Lopburi. In that case, a masked gunman carrying a handgun with a silencer killed three people, including a two-year-old boy, and wounded four others as he robbed a jewellery store. FILE PHOTO: A salesperson arranges 24K gold bracelets for Chinese weddings at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery store in Hong Kong By Arpan Varghese BENGALURU/MUMBAI (Reuters) - The coronavirus epidemic continued to stifle activity in the physical gold markets in top bullion consumer China and Hong Kong this week, while demand was mixed in other Asian hubs. The death toll in mainland China reached 637 on Friday, with a total 31,211 cases, the World Health Organization chief said, while a Reuters tally showed 320 cases in 27 countries. "Nobody wants to go out, especially in China. Gold is a luxury item, nobody wants to spend money on that, they want to buy masks and alcohol," said Ronald Leung, chief dealer, Lee Cheong Gold Dealers in Hong Kong. Gold was sold at a premium of $2.5-$4.5 an ounce over the benchmark in China, little changed from the week to Jan. 24 before the Lunar New Year holidays, with most businesses still closed. In Hong Kong, premiums of $0.30-$0.80 an ounce were charged versus flat to $0.40 premiums last week. "Despite some industries having resumed operations, it looks like activities will not return to normal levels even by mid-February. Chinese jewellery consumption may fall 40%-70% year-on-year in the first two months of 2020," said Samson Li, Hong Kong-based precious metals analyst at Refinitiv GFMS. International benchmark spot gold prices traded between $1,546.90 and $1,591.46 per ounce this week There was limited buying in Singapore, with $0.50-$0.60 an ounce premiums being charged. "We've not seen a demand slowdown with the virus situation ... The negative impact on an already slow global economy is also making gold an attractive safe haven," Silver Bullion sales manager Vincent Tie said. In Japan, gold was sold at a $0.50 an ounce premium to a $0.30 discount. India saw demand pick up slightly as prices eased, with gold futures slipping to 40,000 rupees per 10 grams on Friday, moving further from the record high of 41,293 rupees hit last month, but many buyers held off on hopes of a steeper correction. Story continues Volatility in prices and the rupee has been confusing jewellers, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a bullion importing bank. Dealers offered discounts of up to $6 an ounce over official domestic prices, down from $13 last week, a near three-month peak. The domestic price includes a 12.5% import tax and 3% sales tax. India's gold imports in January plunged 48% year-on-year to a four-month low on a rally in local prices. Imports could fall in February as jewellers are getting a lot of scrap, said the bank dealer. (Reporting by Ashas Sistla and Sumita Layek in Bengaluru, Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai; Editing by David Evans) Katarzyna Dorosz, founder and president of the Institute of Longevity, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts in Fresno at the William Saroyan Theatre, Feb. 7, 2020. (NTD Television) FRESNO, Calif.Traditional Chinese culture is one of the worlds oldest living cultures. So its fitting that Katarzyna Dorosz, the founder and president of the Institute of Longevity in California, would turn to that civilization for tips on how to live a long and healthy life. Dorosz did just that even before attending Shen Yun Performing Arts, a New York-based company that is spearheading the revival of that authentic, millennia-old culture through classical Chinese dance, bel canto singing techniques, original orchestral compositions, and couture costumes. Its a show that Dorosz urged everyone in the world to see and that she says she will always have in her heart. In addition, she saw many longevity principles and healthy living practices on stage at Shen Yuns performance at the William Saroyan Theatre on Feb. 7, 2020. I am very impress[ed], said Dorosz, who is originally from Poland. I am so happy for this beautiful performance. I wait[ed for] this performance for many, many months and I miss this so much. I see the beautiful advertising in TV, and today, I am in my dream and this is so amazing. Dorosz, who served as the former president of Fresnos Chamber of Commerce, has worked in television and media and is an author. She shared that she feels close to the traditional Chinese culture, having read much of Chinese history, and when she was writing her book on longevity, she turned to this culture for inspiration. Shen Yun depicts the essence of Chinas true culture on stage, which is deeply spiritual. Spiritual practices that have encouraged health and longevity such as Buddhism, Daoism, and Falun Dafa feature in the performances roughly 20 short storytelling dances. Falun Dafa is an ancient meditation practice that also encompasses the moral principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Everything which I read, which I learn, I thinking what I know about this culture, its here in this time when I sit and I watch [Shen Yun]. Its amazing, she said. And we have everything in the performance and this is so much, so much beautiful for me. Its, its wonderful. Classical Chinese dance is renowned for being a profoundly lyrical and expressive art form that developed in the courts of the ancient dynasties, and that has roots in martial arts. Shen Yuns dancers are recognized around the world as paragons in this art form. They attribute their skills and artistry in large part to Falun Dafa, which they practice in their everyday lives. The choreography, the flexibility, the bodyand I know how many hours these people need to spend and exercise every day [to] give us the beautiful show. Ive been many times in [other] show[s] but Ive never seen nothing what is the beautiful like this, Dorosz said. She reiterated how impressed she was that she saw so much of Chinas rich and storied culture in this one performance. I read before I come into this performance about history, Chinese. Everything, every detail, from a past time, its one to one and we dont need to read. We just sit in the chair and we see and we understand, she said, describing how enjoyable it was for her to absorb so much she would otherwise have to read in books or through lectures. I am very sensitive today, but now I think I am in the sky thanks to this performance, thanks to the beautiful dancing. Thank you so much, she said to the shows organizers and Shen Yuns artists. I am originally from Poland. I want invite to everybody in the world, especially Polish people, American people, to the beautiful [Shen Yun] performance. Please, where you have chance, come here buy the ticket and enjoy the time. Especially when this history, China, we see what is extremely beautiful, she said. When you come to this today and you see this performance, you never be died [youll never really die] because you see something whats always have in your heart. Katarzyna Dorosz To describe Shen Yun in a single sentence, Dorosz quoted the Latin phrase non omnis moriar or I shall not wholly die. When you come to this today and you see this performance, you never be died [youll never really die] because you see something whats always have in your heart. With reporting by NTD Television and Brett Featherstone. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. Indonesian President Joko Widodo will address Parliament on Monday in a historic moment marking a new era of trade relations between south-east Asia and Australia after a turbulent decade. Mr Joko will be the second Indonesian leader to make the speech and has said he will use his time in Australia to negotiate better visa deals for Indonesian travellers, with both governments attempting to improve the relationship between their countries. Governor-General David Hurley, right, greets Indonesian President Joko Widodo as he receives a ceremonial welcome. Credit:Getty Images The last Indonesian president to address Parliament was Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2010 and Mr Morrison said in a statement that a closer relationship with Indonesia helped strengthen the economy, create more jobs and ensure the safety of Australians. "President Widodo and I are both committed to setting a lively pace in implementing our new free-trade agreement, which benefits Australian farmers and businesses," Mr Morrison said. A Pakistani anti-terrorism court today deferred its verdict against Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed in two terror financing cases on his "request" and adjourned the hearing till Tuesday. Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta last week reserved the verdict against the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief in the two terror financing cases for Saturday. "The ATC judge on Saturday took up the application of Hafiz Saeed requesting the court to club all terror financing cases against him and announce the verdict after the trial is completed," a court official said after the hearing today. The official said the deputy prosecutor opposed Saeed's plea, arguing that the trial in the two cases against him has already been completed and the court may announce the verdict under the law. The ATC, however, adjourned the hearing till February 11, issuing notices to both prosecution and defence lawyers for arguments on Saeed's plea. He was produced before the ATC in high security. The prosecution had produced some 20 witnesses in the ATC to testify against Saeed and his close aides for their involvement in terror financing. The ATC indicted Saeed and others on December 11 in terror financing cases in day to day hearing. He has already recorded his statement before the court in two terror financing cases against him in which he pleaded "not guilty". The cases of terror financing have been filed against him in Lahore and Gujranwala on the application of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab Police. The Saeed-led JuD is a front organisation for the terror group Lashkar-ekTaiba, responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans. The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. The US, since 2012, has offered a $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice. The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force in October decided to keep Pakistan on its "grey" list for failure to curb funnelling of funds to terror groups LeT, Jash-e-Mohammed and others. CHEYENNE On two visits, I have remained stunned by the grandeur of the renovated historic Capitol building. Particularly captivating are the historic Supreme Court chambers in the middle of the building. For decades, those chambers were cloaked under false ceilings, drywall and fluorescent lights over two stories of offices. As a decadeslong resident of the third floor of the Capitol building, I was pretty inured to ugly modern utilitarian offices. You dont miss what you dont have. Fortunately the people in charge of the major Capitol building renovation had vision and knew what they wanted a restoration of the building to its original design, down to the color on the walls. Ultimately, this meant stripping the innards of the building to its bones. Although there were many people involved this massive $300 million plus project, two former Senate presidents, Tony Ross of Cheyenne and Phil Nicholas of Laramie, were the main drivers. They provided the persistent push for quality and were in leadership positions which gave them the power to get the product they envisioned. The history of the project is long and complicated. It was not an easy fix. It began in 2003 when the Legislature established the Capitol Building Restoration Account with an allocation of $7.9 million. Nicholas later added budget language to continue to appropriate to the account any surplus funds returned to the general fund. This is the Legislatures project, Ross and Nicholas told me at the time. And it was and is. The money piled up until about $100 million was available from that account when they got to the design phase. In the meantime, the problems within the Capitol Building multiplied with water leaks, serious electrical problems, asbestos and no adequate fire protection system. Finally, one report said the building was a serous fire hazard for its inhabitants and a major liability to the state. The first idea was to build an executive office building. As I understood it, the idea was to house the Capitol Building employees there during the repair work. The new space then could be used to move in state workers in private leased space all over Cheyenne. No one, Nicholas said in an interview last week, was really happy with the office building idea. The last Capitol renovation in 1980-81 was a patch job, Nicholas said, and those in charge did not want to repeat that. Thats when they began to look around at other states and their capitol renovations. Dave Gruver, then director of the Legislative Service Office, visited five states. When he returned, he recommended a total restoration of the Wyoming Capitol, not another remodel. Thats when Moca came into the picture. The Salt Lake City-based architectural consulting firm specializes in large, complex, politically challenging projects, according to its website, and that included historical projects. Their consultants recommended getting rid of the executive building entirely and cutting the Herschler Office Building in two, to get rid of the atrium and all that empty space. It was a radical step and one of four major changes that took place during the time he was most deeply involved, Nicholas said. The biggest change was the decision to start over; to admit they made a mistake. They had to cut the cord, or the contract, with the initial architect, who wanted to take air space in the rooms for HVAC equipment among other ideas that clashed with the leaders vision of the restoration of high ceilings. I attended the cutting-the-cord meeting and it was very tense. Nicholas voiced the general disappointment that the legislators were not getting the remodel they were promised. When Nicholas retired from the Legislature, Ross became chairman of the Capitol Renovation Oversight Committee that rode hard on the project, a position he held until recently. In the end, the Capitol restoration itself cost $120 million, or about a third of the total. The rest went to the expansion of the bisected Herschler Building and to the underground parts you cant see that keep everything running. At Ross behest, the Legislature in 2014 authorized the project with funding and created the Oversight Group on Capitol Restoration and Rehabilitation. In 2015, the Legislature revised the original appropriation from $259 million to $290 million. Other adjustments followed. Joan Barron is a former longtime capitol bureau reporter. Contact her at 307-632-2534 or jmbarron@bresnan.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 13:47:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WUHAN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Public facilities that have been converted into makeshift hospitals are in full gear as more medical teams arrive in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in central China's Hubei Province. New medical equipment and supplies have arrived in Wuhan with the new medical teams, including the national medical team of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Wuhan authorities have transformed public venues such as exhibition centers and gymnasiums into temporary hospitals since Feb. 3. The hospitals have a large capacity of treating patients with mild symptoms and play an important role in isolating the source of infection and cutting off the routes of infection during epidemic prevention, according to Wang Chen, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Wuhan designated infected patients with mild symptoms in the hospitals, where they are receiving antiviral treatment. Many patients said the conditions have greatly improved from when they initially arrived, and they hope to have a speedy recovery. In the Wuchang Hongshan Stadium, for example, authorities provide free packed meals with desserts, fruits and eggs. "The conditions here are fine," said one of the patients. District officials offer more than 700 breakfast meals for patients and medical staff in the district of Wuchang, under the city of Wuhan. Outside the hospitals, medical staff have put up tents to store equipment and medicine. They go back and forth between the tents and hospitals to provide professional medical services for the patients. Authorities also supervise the staff to make sure they are properly protected from infection. New Delhi: After two weeks of aggressive campaigning, Delhi on Saturday saw 61.5 per cent of the total 1.47 crore voters turning up to exercise their franchise for the Assembly elections. The city had witnessed the highest-ever voter turnout of 67 per cent in the 2015 Assembly polls in which Aam Aadmi Party had scripted history by winning 67 of the 70 seats. After the polling, the exit polls predicted a major victory for chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP. The India Today-Axis poll predicted 59-68 seats for the AAP and 2-11 for the BJP, while the ABP-CVoter put the Delhis ruling partys tally at anywhere between 49 and 63, and that of its main rival between five to 19. Almost all exit polls predicted little change in the fortunes of the Congress, which ruled the city between 1998 and 2013 but drew a blank in the 2015 polls. The Times Now-Ipsos exit poll predicted that Mr Kejriwal will retain power with the AAP winning 47 seats against 23 for the BJP. The Republic-Jan ki Baat survey gave the AAP 48-61 seats and the BJP 9-21 seats. The TV9 Bharatvarsh-Cicero predicted 52-64 seats for the AAP and 6-16 for the BJP. An exit poll put out by Neta-NewsX said the AAP may win 53-57 seats and the BJP 11-17. According to the India Today-Axis poll, the AAP is likely to get 56 per cent vote share in the Delhi Assembly polls, while the BJP, it said, is set to receive 35 per cent vote share and the Congress is likely to lag behind at 5 per cent. Contrary to what most exit polls were predicting, BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh had a completely different prediction, claiming 50 seats for the BJP and 16 seats for the AAP. Parvesh, the son of former chief minister Sahib Singh Varma, had called Mr Kejriwal a terrorist during campaigning. Later in the evening, both the AAP and the BJP called internal meetings. While the AAP discussed the security of the Electronic Voting Machines, the BJP leadership deliberated upon the possible outcome of the polls. Mr Kejriwal held the meeting at his residence in which deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Prashant Kishor, Sanjay Singh and Gopal Rai were present. AAP leader Atishi, reacting to the sweep predicted for AAP, said that voters recognised that its the state governments responsibility to provide the electorate with education, healthcare, and infrastructure facilities. After the polling, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia took to Twitter to congratulate party workers for their hard work, saying the election is proof of our strong and selfless relationship. This election is proof of how selfless and strong our relationship is. We are winning by a huge margin, he tweeted. To ensure polling goes off peacefully across the city, Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel conducted flag marches in sensitive areas of Brij Puri, Kalyanpuri, Trilokpuri, Seemapuri, Khajuri Khass, Jaffrabad, Mustafabad, Krishna Nagar and Mayur Vihar in northeast Delhi, Shahdara and other east Delhi areas. Only 14.75 per cent voters turned up in the first three hours of voting which began at 8 am. The voter turnout, however, improved after 2 pm when people queued up in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Most of the Muslim dominated constituencies reportedly recorded the highest voter turnout. While Mustafabad in northeast Delhi recorded about 67 per cent voter turnout, Matia Mahal in the Walled City that saw anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests, recorded a turnout of about 66 per cent. In 2015, Mustafabad was one of the three seats won by BJP, with Jagdish Pradhan defeating two-time Congress MLA Hasan Ahmed. Okhla, which houses Shaheen Bagh, the epicentre of anti-CAA protests that was made into an aggressive poll issue by the BJP, saw 50.05 per cent turnout. Women protesters at Shaheen Bagh, who are on a dharna for the past 55 days against the CAA, voted in batches so that the agitation remained unaffected. While some of the women voted in the morning, others got their fingers inked in the afternoon and the remaining in the evening. Mr Kejriwal, who along with his wife Sunita and son Pulkit, voted at a polling booth in Civil Lines area, said he was hopeful that the AAP would form the government in Delhi for the third time. He said that the people of Delhi will vote on the basis of the work done by the AAP government. Asked whether his father could again become the chief minister, Pulkit, who voted for the first time, said, Whoever people choose will become the chief minister of Delhi. As the city participated in the festival of democracy, some citizens had to return with a heavy heart as they found their names missing from the voters list. At Shaheen Bagh, the epicentre of the anti-CAA protest, some voters complained about deletion of their names from the voters list. A few voters could not cast their votes in Shaheen Bagh under the Okhla constituency as their names were either found deleted or incorrect in the voters list, said a poll staff on duty. Two decades ago, Telkom was untouchable. It had a legally protected fixed-line monopoly, it owned half of the countrys largest mobile operator, and it was printing money. Fast forward twenty years and things have changed. Dramatically. It is rapidly losing fixed broadband market share and it is struggling to compete in a saturated mobile market. The company is finding itself in such a challenging financial position that it is retrenching thousands of workers to cut costs. Investors are also losing confidence in Telkoms ability to grow in the new converged telecoms market the companys share price plummeted from nearly R100 to under R30 in 6 months. To understand how Telkom went from a completely dominant position to asking for regulatory intervention to help it to compete, one has to go back to the nineties. The golden years At the turn of the century, Telkom was sitting pretty. It was enjoying a legally protected monopoly, and with the government as its biggest shareholder, it was not going to change anytime soon. If you wanted a telephone line, an Internet connection, or a data service there was only one choice Telkom. This dominant position gave it a perfect opportunity to maximize shareholder value by listing on the JSE in 2003. As a monopoly, Telkom quickly became a darling among investors. The share price climbed from the listing price of R28.00 to R169.00 per share in less than three years. With a 50% shareholding in Vodacom and the freedom to keep telecoms prices sky-high thanks to its monopoly, it was a situation which all companies dream about. These were Telkoms golden years. Competition is introduced Telkoms world started to change in 2005 when the Second National Operator (which became Neotel) was finally licensed by the government. Neotel launched its business services on 15 November 2007, but an even bigger blow to Telkoms monopoly was around the corner. In August 2008 the High Court ruled that existing value-added network services (Vans) licences can be converted to individual electronic communications network service (I-ECNS) licences. This means that all ISPs and other VANS license holders were now allowed to build and operate their own networks. This was the death knell of Telkoms fixed-line monopoly. Losing out on Vodacom Vodacom was incorporated in South Africa in 1993 as a joint venture between Telkom (50%), Vodafone (35%) and VenFin (15%). Vodacom became the dominant mobile operator in South Africa with 12.8 million subscribers and a net profit of R3.9 billion in 2005. It was a cash cow for Telkom. When Venfin wanted to sell its 15% stake in Vodacom presented Telkom with the perfect opportunity to become the majority shareholder in the mobile operator. Telkom foolishly let this opportunity slip through its fingers, and Vodafone purchased Venfins stake for R16 billion to give it a 50% share of Vodacom. Three years later, Telkom completely exited its Vodacom shareholding by selling a 15% stake to Vodafone for R22.5-billion and distribute the remaining 35% to its shareholders through Vodacoms JSE listing. This was a tremendous blunder. Vodacom is now the most powerful telecoms company in South Africa while Telkom is struggling to make inroads into the mobile market. Competition makes it difficult for Telkom After the 2008 High Court ruling, Telkom started to face increasing competition from big and small players alike. Mobile operators, for example, started to roll out fibre to their own base stations which removed a big revenue stream for Telkom. Smaller companies also erected their own wireless networks to limit their reliance on Telkom and save money on Internet access and voice calls. Another big blow came in July 2009, when Seacom launched services in South Africa, offering an affordable alternative to Telkoms SAT-3/SAFE undersea cable monopoly. Bit by bit, Telkoms monopoly was eroding, and the company struggled to adapt to a fast-evolving and increasingly competitive market. Telkom losing out in the fibre market Telkom still had one big competitive advantage in the South African telecommunications market its extensive fibre and fixed-line network. Telkom had millions of lines going into South African homes and business, with around 1 million ADSL subscribers. Through its existing infrastructure, Telkom had the opportunity to roll out fibre fast and affordably to homes and businesses across South Africa. Unlike other fibre network operators, it did not have to trench, build new points-of-presence, and struggle to get into peoples houses. Its infrastructure was already there. However, through inactivity and trying to protect its legacy revenue streams, it lost out to other fibre network operators in the most spectacular fashion. Vumatel pioneered fibre-to-the-home in South Africa and launched its first services in Parkhurst in October 2014, two months ahead of Telkom. Since then many other players joined the fibre revolution. These include Frogfoot, Octotel, Cybersmart, Vodacom, MTN, and SADV. Initially Telkom, through Openserve, had a strong position in the fibre-to-the-home and fibre-to-the-business market. This started to change, and Vumatel recently overtook Telkom in the number of homes passed and number of subscribers. Other fibre network operators, like Frogfoot and Vumatel, are also rapidly growing their networks through large investments. Telkom, in comparison, has all but given up on the fibre market. Telkom has cut its capital expenditure for its fibre network by 36.3% over the last year. Telkom has also cut the share which FTTH gets and is now pushing most of its money into fibre-to-the-base-station (FTTbs) to support its mobile ambitions. Struggling mobile player Instead of defending its dominant position in the fixed-broadband market by investing heavily in fibre, Telkom focused its resources into becoming a mobile operator. Telkom is therefore giving up its bread-and-butter business, where it has a huge competitive advantage, to chase success in a saturated mobile market dominated by Vodacom and MTN. Telkom is finding it tough. It still has the monopolistic mindset from its golden years where the regulator and the government protected it from competition and smoothed its path. It is therefore not surprising that Telkom is once again turning to the regulator to give it a competitive advantage. Telkom is bemoaning the fact that Vodacom and MTN have a competitive advantage and is blaming them for its own struggles. The company is quick to forget that it helped to create the regulations which benefitted Vodacom and MTN, and that it made tens of billions from Vodacoms dominance. Telkom is also quick to forget that it enjoyed the biggest regulatory benefit in the history of South African telecoms. What Telkom is now facing in the mobile market is what a myriad of companies have faced trying to compete against it in the fixed-line market. And it is not easy. While it is never good to see a once-powerful company struggling, retrenching staff, and begging for help, they were warned about this for years. Their customers and partners have told them to change and become more customer-centric for years. This has, however, not happened. It has never really changed its monopolistic ways and is now paying the price. Many people, me included, are rooting for Telkom in the hope that it will continue to invest in its fibre network. Telkom is well-known for having an excellent network and offering high-quality broadband products to the market. It still sets the benchmark in many respects and it has the potential to have a massive impact on improving broadband access in South Africa. This is an opinion piece. You showrunner Sera Gamble has revealed that the team of the popular Netflix series has started shooting for the third season. Gamble made the announcement on Twitter. We've started work on season 3. Just thought you'd want to know. #YouNetflix,she captioned the picture that showed her standing on a doormat which read: "Hello, YOU" The official You Twitter account confirmed the series will be returning for a third outing last month and that stars, Penn Badgley and Victoria Pedretti will both be reprising their roles. You season three will premiere in 2021. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) POTTSTOWN Before Henry Louis Gates Jr. made Finding Your Roots a household program on PBS, Johnny Corson was making surprising discoveries about his family on his own. They were discoveries that traced back generations to the fight against slavery, an unexpected Quaker past, and a thirst for equality and justice that seems to run in the family. His unexpected connection to the Corson family also gave a deeper dimension to efforts by the NAACP to protect the family farm, and historic Abolition Hall in Plymouth Meeting, from encroachment by developers. It taught him that family history certainly can be black history; but in the end, its all American history. Corson is perhaps best known these days as the president of the Pottstown Chapter of the NAACP. But when he was born 56 years ago, a child of a black man and a white woman was not someone many wanted to know much about in 1960s-era Pennsylvania. His biological mother, Betsy Corson, gave him her name, but also gave him up to the foster care system. (He has since met his biological father, who prefers to remain unnamed.) In the foster care system, I was abused physically and emotionally, Corson says matter-of-factly. He said he was saved when he came to Pottstown at age 7 and was taken into the loving home of Janie Brant, pastor of the Church of the Living God. Pottstown was my original family, said Corson, who has never left the town that gave him his first real home. Corson spent his formative years in her household and under the watchful eye of the adults who ran the Ricketts Community Center on Beech Street. He was mentored by men with names that people of a certain generation in Pottstown will recognize Clapper White, Sam Green and Newstell Marable, who Corson succeeded as head of Pottstowns NAACP chapter. Those mentors, he said, taught him how to stand up for himself, and for whats right. They were lessons that would resonate as he took his journey of self-discovery and discovered he comes by those tendencies naturally. As a teenager, Corson asked Brant if she would adopt him and she advised him to first learn all he could about his roots. Although the foster agency would not reveal the location of his parents, one caseworker contacted the family and asked if any would be willing to meet Corson. His aunt Binnie, who died last year in Florida, agreed to meet him and the two forged a close relationship. Corson only met his mother twice. But his aunt Binnie taught him about the Corson family. And it was a revelation. He was amazed to discover that his ancestors included, Simon Cameron Corson, a railroad engineer who spent a brief stint in Pottstown and who, as the borough engineer for Norristown designed Elmwood Park. If Binnie had not agreed to meet me I might have never met my mother or found my family, Corson said. Going several generations further back, Corson discovered another notable ancestor, George Corson. This Corson was an ardent abolitionist who built Abolition Hall, a meetinghouse in Plymouth Meeting visited by such notable abolitionists as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe. In addition to a safe place for anti-slavery rhetoric, the Corson farm, at the corner of Butler and Germantown pikes in Whitemarsh Township, was also a safe place for runaway slaves to hide, and was a crucial regional stop on the Underground Railroad. So when local residents began to protest plans by K. Hovnanian Homes for a 67-unit townhouse development butted up against the historic properties on the site, Corson got involved. The homebuilder bought the 10.5-acre Corson site from family heirs in 2016, according to a 2018 article in The Norristown Times Herald. Hovnanians plans do not call for the removal of Abolition Hall or its neighboring buildings, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rather, the townhomes would be built around the structures. However, the issue is not purely about preserving the structures, which are already protected, as they stand in the Plymouth Meeting Historic District. People protesting the development an advocacy group called Friends of Abolition Hall are also interested in preserving some of the land around the structures. And in September 2018, the national NAACP took up that cause after being contacted by Corson. The NAACP, Friends of Abolition Hall and other advocates are calling for a new plan that would protect the site and create a Welcome Park where individuals could learn about the former site where countless enslaved Africans on the escape from chattel slavery found refuge as they trekked north, according to a Sept. 12, 2018 press release from the national office. Among the NAACPs requests is that: Whitemarsh Township should commit to acquiring a conservation easement, or outright title, to approximately two acres of land immediately adjacent (to the north/northeast) to the historic structures in order to protect and forever preserve this land, and thereafter create a public Welcome Park with interpretive signage that teaches the unique history of the homestead, according to the release. One day after that position statement was issued, he attended the meeting of the Whitemarsh Board of Supervisors. There he to spoke about the need to protect his familys legacy and its importance to black history. Corson and his two sons, Jonathan and Matthew, are the only male members of the family to carry the Corson name forward. And that family legacy is inextricably intertwined with black American history. During the mid-1800s, Abolition Hall was a roughly 200-capacity venue for meetings of the Montgomery County Anti-Slavery Society, a group George Corson helped found in 1837. After arsonists burned down a nearby abolitionist meetinghouse, (George) Corson, whose family were descended from Quakers, built a second story on his carriage house, so he could host speakers in stealth. According to National Register of Historic Places documents, Corsons barn, which still stands on the estate, sheltered many slaves during that period. They would lie low there during the day and then, under cover of darkness, continue their journey to freedom in Canada. Corson sheltered escaped slaves at great risk to himself and his family. Under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, aiding runaway slaves was considered an offense punishable by six months in prison and up to $1,000 dollars in fines, according to the Times Herald article. Even so, there were perhaps few more devoted men than George Corson to the interests of the oppressed everywhere. The slave, fleeing from his master, ever found a home with him, and felt while there that no slave-hunter would get him away until every means of protection should fail, wrote abolitionist William Still in an 1872 history of The Underground Railroad. This history is Americas history, Johnny Corson said of the site. And its a history worth preserving for generations to come. In October, 2018, township supervisors granted conditional use approval for the plan, but imposed 21 conditions. However, the plan has yet to receive a recommendation for preliminary site plan approval from the Whitemarsh Planning Commission. Township Manager Richard L. Mellor Jr. said Feb. 7 that the planning commission rejected recommending the preliminary site plan approval in a unanimous vote in Dec. 10. There are still numerous issues in regard to the plan, he said. The township has until May to vote on the preliminary plans, according to activist Sydelle Zove If, or when, a recommendation for final site plan approval is issued, it must still be approved by the board of supervisors. Because the development project is in an historic district, the design for the townhouses must be approved by the townships historic architecture review board, and that recommendation also must be approved by the township supervisors board, Mellor said. Corson remains concerned about the project because, he noted, so much of black history is not recorded and sites like this, documented as Underground Railroad stations, should be preserved and enhanced. America was built on the backs of black Americans, said Corson. Referring to Crispus Attucks, the first person killed when British soldiers fired on a Boston mob in what became known as Boston Massacre, Corson said, remember that the first man to die in the cause of independence was black. The blood on the ground that was spilled for freedom, was the blood of a black man. Dutch Godshalk contributed to this article. A general strike called by Kashmiri separatists to mark the seventh death anniversary of Mohammad Afzal Guru, convicted for his role in the 2001 attack on Parliament and hanged this day in 2013, hit normal life in the Valley on Sunday. Shops, markets and other businesses mostly remained closed in the capital Srinagar on Sunday and public transport stayed off the roads. Mobile internet services were suspended early on Sunday amid concerns over possible violence during the shutdown sponsored by separatist groups, and were restored in the evening, officials said. 2G internet services were restored in the region on January 25, more than five months after the authorities snapped all communication facilities in the Valley following the nullification of Article 370 of the Constitution, which offered special status to Kashmir, on August 5 and passage of provisions to bifurcate the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories -- J&K and Ladakh On Sunday, the authorities also imposed mild restrictions in some parts of Srinagar to prevent protests. According to officials at the police control room, the partial restrictions were imposed in north zone (Old City) and in parts of Kralkhudl Maisuma, a stronghold of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF); Shaheed Ganj; Karanagar and the city outskirts of Soura. We were doing mild screening of people and pedestrians and then allowing them to go. There was deployment of security forces also. It was only to prevent protests, mischief and subversive activities, said senior superintendent of police, Srinagar, Haseeb Mughal. Mughal added that the situation remained peaceful. There was a shutdown of shops, some due to Sunday and some otherwise and public traffic was also less. However, private vehicles were plying normally, he said. Residents said security forces erected barricades and blocked roads with concertina wire in the Old City and eased the restrictions in the afternoon. When I attempted to go into Old City in the morning, there were concertina wires blocking the road at Khanyar. By the afternoon I saw the obstructions were removed as the situation remained peaceful, said auto driver Firdous Ahmad. The shutdown also affected normal life in north Kashmirs Sopore, the home town of Afzal Guru. Though the shops were closed, the overall situation was calm in Sopore, a police official in the district said. Guru was hanged and buried in Delhis Tihar Jail on February 9, 2013 after being convicted of being part of a conspiracy to attack Parliament in 2001. The founder of JKLF, Maqbool Bhat, was hanged and buried inside Tihar Jail on February 11, 1984, after being convicted in a murder case. On Friday, JKLF, a banned outfit , and the Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella group of separatist organisations, called for a general shutdown on February 9 and 11 to mark the death anniversaries of Guru and Bhat. Separatist organisations have been calling for shutdowns on the two days every year. A case was registered against JKLF late on Friday for alleged attempts to incite violence and disturb the law and order in the Kashmir Valley. Police has taken cognizance of the activities of banned organisation JKLF for their attempts to incite violence and disturb law and order situation in the Valley, news agency PTI quoted a police spokesperson as saying. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Im originally from Mayo. I grew up in Swinford and I attended both primary and secondary school there. The primary school was mixed up until first class and then it was an all-girls situation for the rest of the way, when the boys were exported across the road to the boys school. Secondary school was mixed. It was a convent, but had nuns, lay people, and priests teaching thats rural Ireland in a nutshell. I am the eldest of five and I was by nature very well-behaved during my school days. I remember my first day at school so distinctly because I was watching one child one boy who was crying and crying and crying for his mum. I remember having a lump in my throat but I would not allow myself to cry. I think this is down to being the eldest child and not wanting to cause trouble. I wanted to be dependable, sensible, looked out for my siblings, that kind of thing. I have three daughters and I recently had the whole conversation about a mobile phone with my eldest. Her dad works in tech as a software engineer and he told her teasingly, that she wouldnt get a phone until she was 16. She came to me in tears saying how unfair it was being the oldest child and that her younger sisters will get phones at a far younger age than she eventually gets one. I thought it was a great example of what its like to be the eldest child. The expectations that a parent has on the oldest child are definitely different, because you have no clue with your first. My dad was a secondary school teacher and I think that his job and the expectations that come with it definitely played a part in how I conducted myself while at school. My favourite teacher ever was my junior infants teacher. She was a nun and her name was Sister Evelyn and she was one of the loveliest people I have ever met. She was so kind and smiley and gentle and soft. I remember, for my birthday, she gave me a birthday card with Kermit the Frog on it, who I loved. For some reason, she came to my birthday party at my house. I remember her crawling through a ditch with me I wanted to show her some flowers that were over this ditch and she actually crawled through it with me so that she could see these blooms with me. This was not the experience I had with the rest of the nuns, so maybe thats why I hold her in such high esteem but she was a very gentle woman. I was a decent student. I loved languages, I loved English, I loved Irish. I got it into my head that I didnt like maths, and I was no good at it and that has actually stayed with me all my life. In these formative years, when you are blocked by a subject like this it can be paralysing for the rest of your life. There are certain questions that still get me, like if Mary leaves Athlone and her train is doing 120km an hour, how long will it take these kind of questions send me into a sweat. Once, I didnt do my homework for a couple of nights running, which would have been very unlike me. I hadnt done my tables or my maths and I remember getting one out of ten in the test. We had to put our heads down on the table, and then you had to put your hand up in the air if you got ten out of 10, and then nine out of ten, and so on. I didnt put my hand up at all, because I was so ashamed by how I had done. One of the girls then put up her hand and said Loretta Kennedy didnt put her hand up to say what she got. I felt so ashamed and I remember deciding that I would always do my homework, because this feeling was the result of not doing it. When I think of the child that I was, I definitely see the roots of entrepreneurship in her. I think that stems from an adaptability. Ive been an intuitive learner my entire life; that means, if I know that something is not for me and is not working, then Ill put it down. I realise that there are certain subjects that are not a good fit for me and I think this is something that has always been in me. I think the most important lesson that I will take from my school days is that no education is lost. I did a couple of years studying one law at UL and I absolutely hated it. I ended up converting the credits that I earned at Limerick towards a degree in English and Psychology. I believe that having the ability to identify the resources that are open to you in the present moment and use to the best of your ability is one of the greatest things that a child can learn. Grow with Aldi, Aldis supplier development programme is back once again for 2020 and is now open for up-and-coming artisan Irish food and drink companies. Grow with Aldi offers small to medium suppliers the chance to become a core range listing in all 140 Aldi stores throughout Ireland. If you would like to apply, contact grow@aldi.ie. Further details are available at aldi.ie/grow LAS VEGAS - The week of chaos that followed the Iowa caucuses has prompted growing concern about problems in the next state to use that presidential nominating process, Nevada. Voters and campaigns have become increasingly mistrustful of the caucus format since the Iowa vote and are worried that further trouble could throw the Democrats' 2020 primary process into complete disarray. In Nevada, those fears have only deepened since the state's Democratic Party was forced to make abrupt changes to its caucus process because it had planned to use an iPad app developed by the same company that developed the mobile application used in Iowa. Unlike primaries, which are run by state governments, caucuses are run by state political parties, raising questions about transparency. Additionally, voters must set aside several hours at a specific time to participate, which can limit access. This has some top party leaders calling for an end to the format altogether. At the National Governors Association meeting Saturday, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, said caucuses are fundamentally flawed. "Kansas anticipated all of this, and we have abandoned the caucus process," Kelly said. "Part of the reason that we did that is because we understood the caucus process is really exclusionary, and really limits access to the process, for people with disabilities, for people who work evenings, for people who don't have transportation." Top Nevada Democratic Party officials have tried to assure nervous Democratic voters that their fears are overblown. "Our main objective is running the most expansive, transparent and accessible caucus that ensures Nevadans' voices are heard," said Molly Forgey, a spokeswoman for the Nevada State Democratic Party. But despite that show of confidence, multiple Democrats said that the influential former Senate majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada has been working to soothe candidate concerns about potential caucus drama. Many of his former aides are working for different campaigns nationally and here in Nevada. "In Nevada, we have built the best state party operation in the country," Reid said in a Twitter message posted Tuesday. "I am 100% confident that what happened in Iowa will not happen in Nevada." The reassuring words have done little to convince local officials that the party will be able to carry out its voting plan without problems. Conducting caucuses is a particular challenge in Nevada, where there are more than 2,000 caucus sites across the state, including in some rural areas. Adding to the challenge this year is an ambitious early-voting plan designed to increase flexibility and participation. Nevada Democrats expect about 90,000 people to caucus; they expect more than half of this year's caucus-goers to vote early. During early voting, Democrats are allowed to vote at any site in the state between Feb. 15 and 18, no matter their registered precinct. Under the original plan, upon arrival, voters would have ranked their top three presidential choices on an iPad-based app. The plan was for that data to be transmitted to voters' home precincts for the Feb. 22 in-person caucuses. The local caucus leaders, using a second reporting app, were to have incorporated the early voters' choices into the first alignment and reallocate them if their first choices were not viable. The second app, used by the caucus leader, would have then transmitted the final results to the state party. Both apps were designed by Shadow, the political technology firm responsible for the vote-recording app implicated in reporting problems in Iowa. On Thursday night, Nevada Democrats announced that they would no longer use any apps. They did not explain what would replace them. Forgey said the party was still considering "all other options." Late Saturday, the Nevada Independent reported that party officials were developing "a tool," not an app, that would be preloaded on iPads to capture data. Forgey did not respond to a request for comment, but the state party already had a backup plan in case of technology failure - a phone number caucus leaders can call to receive data from the early vote. They would do the caucus math manually before phoning in the final precinct results to the state party. Multiple campaign officials have since complained about a lack of transparency by the party. Though there had been multiple conference calls beginning Tuesday between the state party and the campaigns, several Democrats said party officials had been "tight-lipped" and slow to offer specific information about how the early voting would work. "This is about Nevada and what happens one or two weeks from now," said one Democrat close to the process, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid inflaming relations with state party officials. "But it's also about the Democratic Party as a whole. More chaos is bad for the party and bad for voting. We cannot afford to mess this up." A state party official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, disputed the claims, insisting that the party has been inclusive of the campaigns as it has sought to figure out the process ahead. "The frustration is not that we are not talking to them," the official said. "They are just not happy with what we are saying." Even primary states haven't been spared increased pressure to report the vote early and to get it right. In New Hampshire, Democrats sought to reassure the public that their primary on Tuesday will run more smoothly than Iowa's vote, even if some voters will be casting their ballots on voting machines so old they are no longer manufactured. The primary is run by the state government rather than by a political party. And because it is a primary, the total ballots cast will be the only figure used to determine a winner, unlike the multiple numbers reported in Iowa that have led to two candidates - former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. - declaring victory. "We are very confident that the election is going to go well on Tuesday and that we will report accurate results at the end of the night," said David Scanlan, New Hampshire's deputy secretary of state. - - - The Washington Post's Isaac Stanley-Becker and Tim Craig in Washington contributed to this report. As health organizations around the world try to shut down the spread of the virulent coronavirus that has killed more than 800 people in China, a group of computer science majors who were high school friends has developed a website to track reported cases worldwide. Trackcorona.live is the creation of University of Virginia undergraduates James Yun and Soukarya Ghosh; Bilguunzaya Battogtokh, of Stanford University; and Austin Stout, of Virginia Tech. The four are friends from Arlingtons Yorktown High School. The website features tables and charts updated with real-time data, including recovery and mortality rates and interactive maps detailing the virus travels by country and city. Our intention was to inform people about the growing spread of the virus, Yun explained. This way, people can track the infection rates in real time, as well as hone into specific geographic hotspots using our interactive map. With the amount of attention the virus has gotten, we think its important to equip people with the right tool to monitor the situation. Around his square stone home on Palomar Mountain, pioneer Nate Harrison left a curious collection of bullets and bottles, sardine tins and fine china. To San Diego State University archaeologist Seth Mallios, these are the artifacts of freedom. Harrison, a former slave from Kentucky, was San Diegos first African-American homesteader and a legendary local figure. After working the Gold Rush, he traveled to Southern California, where he ranched, hunted and reinvented himself as an iconic personage in 19th and 20th Century San Diego. This was the spot where he first got to express his freedom, Mallios said. This was someone who had endured slavery, endured conditions in the mines, and endured the Wild West. This was where he established himself as a free person. Advertisement Harrisons tale also illustrates how people from around the world staked their place in the Golden State. Its a story about the birth of the United States in California, Mallios said. The site sits on the mountain in an oak grove overlooking Pauma Valley, scented with gusts of wood smoke and pine. Mallios and 25 of his students are excavating the 11-by-11 foot stone hut and an adjacent patio, during a spring break dig. Students found ordinary implements such as spoons, wire and rifle cartridges, as well as some oddities. A cracked bottle of Pluto Water, featuring an embossed image of the devil, included natural mineral laxatives, and represented the suite of snake oil remedies common in the era. The excavation of Harrisons homestead is part of Mallios long-standing project to unearth the facts behind the historic figure, and to let his students get their hands dirty through archaeological field work. Some people cant believe you get paid for it, he said, as students chiseled out chips of glass and sheep bones, or sifted tubs of soil. Others are miserable, because youre filthy and theres bugs. For Vijes Davis, an undergraduate anthropology major, its a chance to reconstruct untold parts of Harrisons story. History is always lost when nobody writes about you, she said. It just puts parts of his life together. In Harrisons case, Mallios said, oral history added some parts that dont square with the facts. Legend has it he rafted down the Mississippi to escape slavery, fought historic battles and lived to 107, Mallios said. Documents show that Harrison was brought to California by his owner to work the gold mines, gained freedom when his owner died, and lived not quite a century but well into his 90s, Mallios said. A lot of it is trying to match the oral history and the archaeology, and seeing whats actually true said anthropology student Aldo Torales. For Torales and other members of the crew, the physical relics of Harrisons life tell a story just as intriguing as the legends. Arriving in San Diego, Harrison herded sheep, planted fruit trees and hunted deer. Sheep bones, bullet fragments and unspent cartridges are some of the more common items found on site. Harrison gained title to the land on Palomar Mountain as a homesteader, but also received the property as a gift from the local Luiseno tribe, with whom me maintained close relations, Mallios said. The sites isolation and fortress-like perch must have represented safety to the former slave during that rough-and-tumble era of early California. Over time, Harrison made inroads with numerous communities, crossing cultural boundaries that were even more sharply drawn in his day. He befriended nearby Native Americans, inviting them to gather acorns, and interacted with Latino neighbors. He was baptized a Catholic late in life, Mallios said. And he became an iconic fixture among homesteaders and eventually city dwellers, who would visit his home to taste a little slice of the Antebellum South, Mallios said. From his simple stone home Harrison could see visitors approaching on the steep, windy mountain road. Traveling up the mountain took a full day, Mallios said, so Harrison sometimes brought down water for the horses or overheated radiators. In the dig site, Mallios students found pieces of pitchers that they think he used to deliver water. In a play on racial stereotypes and the history of Native American tribes in the region, Harrison always introduced himself as the first white man on the mountain, Mallios said. The charismatic mountain man acquired a reputation as a storyteller, and his homestead became a center of heritage tourism. He would tell tales about grizzly bears and mountain lions, Mallios said. Hes crafting a new identity and its on his own terms. The items he left behind show a peculiar mixture of the rustic and refined. Tins of canned meat, sardines and tobacco were littered around the site, along with shards of whiskey bottles. He loved to drink whiskey, so that matches the myth, said Laura Roderickz, a former student of Mallios who took time off work to join the dig. Along with them were bits of fine china, milk glass and ornate garter and suspender clips. Although records indicate that Harrison never married, rumors held that he wed two Native American women at different times. Mallios team found tins of rouge and other cosmetics. I cant say it wasnt his, Mallios said. But I dont think it was. Weve found kids toys: marbles and a cardboard jigsaw piece. That mixture of the iconic and the ordinary drew former student Kathleen Stanford to the excavation site to work with her former professor. What I love about Nate Harrison is that hes an everyday man, but he also has that legend, she said. In some cases, the myth and legend match. One tale holds that Harrison left a shovel propped against a tree and the branches grew around it. Mallios searched the oaks with metal detectors with no luck. Later, a fire burned a tree limb, revealing rusted remains of the shovel blade, its durable presence a reminder of the man who was born a slave, but died a pioneer. Students will present some of the artifacts at Montezuma Hall on the SDSU campus, from 4 to 6 p.m. on April 18. For more information, call (619) 587-4139 or visit the Nate Harrison Exhibit event page on Facebook. Click here to read the full article. Hours after Senate Republicans voted to block any witnesses from being called in the impeachment proceedings against President Trump, a morose Bill Maher welcomed Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg to his HBO talk show but also wondered aloud several times if things like the upcoming election really have relevance now. I dont know if voting matters, the comedian said at one point during Friday nights edition of Real Time with Bill Maher. More from Deadline Maher also described the Senates cynical move as a finish line moment for American experiment that began in 1776: I feel like anything we talk about tonight is almost moot. Were going to talk about politics in Iowa and whos going to win and I feel like were talking about a world that doesnt exist anymore.Were in a post-democracy world. Maher had already opened the show with a downbeat welcome: Good news: the impeachment trial is almost over. The bad: so is rule of law in America. It was a drumbeat for the night. Among Mahers other appraisals of Trumps America in the shadow of the now feckless impeachment: On his own mood: Okay, Im going to try not to cry during the show because we lost Democracy this week. I feel like Im standing over a casket and thinking: Hmm I should have been nicer when it was alive. On the GOP: Its a done deal. This is going to happen. Trump will be acquitted on Wednesday. Republicans have nothing left to do but dot the is, cross the ts, and f*ck the us. On ethics: We always knew Trump was corrupt but now we found out the Senate is too. Story continues On cronyism: In the future when Donald Trump shoots somebody on 5th Avenue Mitch McConnell will be there to lick the blood off his shoes. On national identity: We are officially living in a dictatorship and not even one with good rail service. On Trumps credibility: A guy who lies like raccoons eat trash. On a lighter note: In happier news, the coronavirus is spreading Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was featured as Mahers top-of-the-show guest but beamed in from Iowa. Maher asked the candidate what he would do if the incumbent decides to invalidate an unfavorable election result a scenario that Maher has described as a near certainty, Well, its going to be a little awkward when Chasten and I are moving into the White House, Buttigieg said to gales of approving laughter from Mahers Los Angeles audience. The reference was to Chasten Buttigieg, the gay candidates husband. Buttigieg closed out his appearance by asking Mahers viewers to consider a $5 or $10 donation to his campaign. Then the candidate deadpanned: Actually, this is HBO, so feel free to do $100 The mid-show guest was Michael Eric Dyson, author of Jay-Z: Made in America and The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America. Late in the show Maher moderated a round table discussion with Louisianas former Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu; New Jersey Congresswoman and former U.S. Navy aviator Mikie Sherrill; and GOP strategist and Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson. Democrats were chided for championing fringe causes in a time of existential crisis ( Dont run for boutique issues in a Wal-Mart country) and Elizabeth Warren was jeered in particular (Is she running for president of Berkeley? Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A Haridwar-based spiritual guru has threatened to kill himself if river Ganga is not cleaned in 10 days. Spiritual guru Gopidas announced on Friday that he will shoot himself dead after 10 days if the Centre and the state governments do not take steps to clean the river Ganga and protect the environment and ecology of the country. He told The New Indian Express,The governments at the Centre as well in Uttarakhand have forgotten the Holy Ganges and are busy with enjoying power. I will shoot myself dead after 10-days if they fail to take necessary steps for cleaning Ganga and preserving environment and ecology. He also said that if the governments are not serious about taking measures to protect the environment, the institutions and research centres for the purpose must be shut down. There is no use of big institutions across the country like IITs, Forest Research Institute and Wildlife Institute of India to work and conduct studies for conserving flora and fauna if the government fails to take necessary steps. The government should shut these institutions down, Gopaldas told TNIE. Representational Image He said that he will follow the footsteps of GD Agarwal who died in year 2018 after fasting unto death demanding measures to clean the Ganga river. I tried to meet the Chief Minister but I was not allowed inside the CM residence. The government is conspiring and has planned a smear campaign against me, the guru added. Another saint, Sadhvi Padmavati is also fasting to draw governments attention towards cleaning Ganga. Padmavati from Bihar has been on a fast since December 15, 2019, protesting governments apathy. Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday (February 9) accused Congress and BJP leaders of never honouring saint-poet Ravidas during their tenure and indulging in theatrics now by visiting temples to realise their vested interests. She also claimed that BSP is the only party which gave full respect and honour to Saint Ravidas when it was in power. The BSP supremo also hit out at its ally in the last Lok Sabha election Samajwadi Party by calling it a party with 'casteist mindset'. She announced that once BSP forms the government in Uttar Pradesh again, the Bhadohi district would be renamed Sant Ravidas Nagar, which was changed during the SP regime. The Sant Ravidas Nagar district was created in 1994 after it was separated from the Varanasi district. In 2014, the Akhilesh Yadav government renamed it as Bhadohi. "Congress, BJP and other parties did not give any respect or honour to Sant Guru Ravidas during their tenure. But, after being out of power, they are indulging in various theatrics to realise their vested interests by visiting temples and other places," Mayawati said in a tweet in Hindi. In another tweet, she said, "The BSP, on the other hand, has been the only party, which during its government, gave respect to him at various levels, which the opposition parties are trying to put an end to. This is highly condemnable." The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's remarks come on a day when Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi is in Varanasi to offer prayers to Guru Ravidas on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Ravidas Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, is being celebrated across the country on Sunday. A 14th-century saint, Ravidas is revered in Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism. He was born in Varanasi and was a leading figure of the Bhakti Movement. Sant Ravidas left behind a great legacy and a 21st-century cult called Ravidassia follows his teachings. Lakhs of people converge at Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir in Varanasi to celebrate his anniversary. - The meeting will be held on Friday, February 14, but will not be chaired by the party leader Uhuru Kenyatta as expected - Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju said the convention will not technically be a Parliamentary group (PG) meeting - The conference will take place at the Kenya School Government with members expected to discuss the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report and other escalating issues The Jubilee Party has convened an urgent consultative meeting of its members to iron out what is viewed as widening cracks. The meeting will be held on Friday, February 14, but will not be chaired by the party leader Uhuru Kenyatta as expected. READ ALSO: 2 Akorino pastors want Mois funeral stopped Jubilee Party has convened a meeting for its members on Friday, February 14. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Papa Dennis: Kenyan gospel artiste is dead In a statement on Friday, February 7, Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju said the convention will not technically be a Parliamentary group (PG). The consultative meeting will not be technically a Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting, because it will not be chaired by the party leader, but it will be an occasion to have a discourse with members and to give an update on various issues of interest and concern in the party, he said. Tuju noted the get-together which has the blessings of the president and will be the first one in nearly two years. The conference will take place at the Kenya School Government with members expected to discuss the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report and other issues of interest in the party. Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju speaking at a past meeting. Photo: TUKO.co.ke. Source: Original READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Health rules contradicts Uhuru, rules out full evacuation of Kenyans from China It is expected to be chaired by DP Ruto. Several agitated members of the party allied to Deputy President William Ruto have been calling on the Head of State to iron out escalating tensions within the party even as his relationship with Ruto continues to deteriorate. The relationship between Uhuru and his deputy Ruto is on the rocks ahead of the 2022 General Election. Source: UGC On Monday, January 26, Tanga Tanga MPs reportedly tired of waiting for Uhuru to convene a meeting held their own meeting in Naivasha. The meeting was however, dismissed by Tuju as not a PG. "The party has no problem with such initiatives, needless to say that freedom of association is enshrined in our constitution. "However, for the avoidance of doubt, this is to clarify that such can not and will never qualify to be referred to as a parliamentary group meeting of the party," read the statement. Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly. I did not steal from Betty Kyalo- former househelp tells her side of the story | Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke The Senate, by a nearly straight party-line vote, has now acquitted President Donald Trump of the charges in the articles of impeachment brought by the House. The president had insisted that his dealings with Ukraine over military aid and a possible investigation of Hunter Biden, the son of former vice president Joe Biden, were "perfect." However, even as Republican senators acquitted him, several disagreed, saying his actions were wrong but did not break any law. In response, the House impeachment managers argued that the constitutional grounds "high Crimes and Misdemeanors" for impeachment did not require violation of a specific federal criminal statute. Whether one views the president's actions as justifying removal from office or not, we believe that the prospect of foreign interference in U.S. elections is today so grave - whether initiated by a foreign power or invited by a candidate - that Congress must make such activity illegal. Doing so would be consistent with history. For example, after the Vietnam War and President Richard Nixon's resignation over Watergate, Congress enacted a series of laws to rein in executive power. These included the establishment of intelligence oversight committees in Congress, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the War Powers Resolution, and the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (which the Government Accountability Office concluded Trump had violated). Former special counsel Robert Mueller III looked exhaustively at whether the Trump campaign had colluded with the Russian government to win the 2016 election. Mueller found that the Russians had interfered in the election in a "sweeping and systematic fashion," and he indicted 26 Russian nationals, including 12 intelligence officers, for conspiracy and hacking into U.S. computers. Although he found that the Trump campaign had welcomed Russian interference, Mueller could not establish that the campaign had conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in a manner that violated the law. Current law prohibits candidates from accepting money from foreign sources, but it is not clear on nonfinancial assistance. The Mueller investigation showed that it is now time to close that gap. Congress should promptly adopt a criminal statute prohibiting any candidate for federal office, including the president, from soliciting or knowingly accepting material assistance from a foreign power that could influence an election. Drafting such a statute will not be easy. There are many constitutional and policy interests that must be balanced. For example, foreign policy is often a key issue in presidential campaigns, and candidates can be tempted to put a finger on the scale by inviting foreign influence. Narrowing the prohibition to soliciting or knowingly accepting "material assistance" helps, as courts have had experience interpreting laws prohibiting material assistance to terrorist groups. Still, where is the line between appropriate and illegal? Rumors of dark activity in presidential campaigns have swirled for years. For example, in 1968 the Nixon campaign secretly told President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam that if he withdrew from peace talks then underway with the Viet Cong, he would get stronger support in the war if Nixon won the presidency. Historians have argued over the consequences of this effort and whether Nixon knew about it. But Thieu did withdraw from the negotiations, and Nixon was elected. On the other hand, in October 1992, James Baker III, who had stepped down as secretary of state to serve as chief of staff to President George H.W. Bush, rejected a request to the president by several members of Congress to seek the help of Russia and Britain to dig up dirt on Democratic candidate Bill Clinton. Baker told the congressmen "we absolutely could not do that" and wrote a memorandum for the record. Baker didn't need a statute to know what was right and what was wrong. The country can't rely on all government officials to possess that sort of integrity, so Congress must act now. Congressional Republicans have been willing to impose sanctions on Russia for interfering in the 2016 election, and, more recently, some have voted to limit the president's authority to start a conflict with Iran. We hope that Republicans - even if they voted against impeachment or conviction of the president - will similarly understand why a carefully crafted statute prohibiting solicitation or knowing acceptance of foreign interference in U.S. elections is necessary, and that the president will sign it into law. - - - Smith, a senior counsel at Arnold & Porter, served as general counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency (1995-1996). Bellinger, a partner with Arnold & Porter and adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, served as legal adviser for the National Security Council (2001-2005) and for the State Department (2005-2009). Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 15:28:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Fang Ji watches her sons through the monitoring camera of home by her cellphone, in the Second People's Hospital of Hefei in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 3, 2020. Fang Ji, 34, is a nurse who works in the ICU (intensive care unit) of the Second People's Hospital of Hefei. After the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov), Fang and her colleagues stay 24 hours a day in the hospital taking care of patients in shifts. The balcony of Fang's house lies in front of the hospital. In order to comfort two little sons who miss her badly at home, Fang told them that they could stand on the balcony where she could see them through a special "magnifying glass". The "magnifying glass" is unreal, but love is not. Fang will stick to her post in fighting the novel coronavirus epidemic with deep care of her family. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan) Students of Delhi Universitys all-women Gargi College will protest on Monday at their campus against the alleged sexual harassment during the colleges annual fest. Several students have alleged that they were manhandled, molested and sexually assaulted by a group of outsiders on Thursday, the last day of their college fest Reverie. In a poster issued on Sunday, a group of women invited fellow students to come forward and show solidarity with those who had unsafe experiences because of the administration at the campus last week. A member of the colleges students union, requesting anonymity, said, We will gather in large numbers in the college on Monday to have a dialogue with the college principal. We want answers from the administration on how they failed to provide safety and security to us on our own campus. While the students have alleged that a group of outsiders broke open the college gate on Thursday and illegally entered their campus, the administration claimed that no such incident was reported. College principal Promila Kumar had on Saturday said, No incident of this kind was reported to the administration. There were sufficient security arrangements and police, in uniform as well as plainclothes, were on duty. Commandos and bouncers, along with enough faculty and staff, were on duty. A second-year undergraduate student, who wished to not be named said, It was a horrible scene in our college on Thursday. A large group of outsiders broke open the college gate and started pouring in. We were stuck among a flood of men, who were groping women and passing lewd comments. We will have a dialogue with the administration on Monday and ask them why their security failed. Meanwhile, the police said that they have not received any complaint about the incident. No complaint has been received from the colleges principal or the students. No calls to the police control room were made either, deputy commissioner of police (south) Atul Kumar Thakur said. Bengaluru: The coronavirus outbreak in distant China has affected work on the Bengaluru Metro.. Tunneling work on a 5.5-km stretch of the metro route from Vellara Junction to Pottery Town has had to be put off as the Chinese personnel required for the task cannot enter India as New Delhi has imposed temporary visa restrictions on foreigners coming from China. The Chinese personnel are needed for the assembly, deployment and operation of four tunnel boring machines (TBMs), which are made by China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited. Sources in the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) said two TBMs have arrived at the Chennai port and are expected to reach Bengaluru by mid-February. Two others are in transit and are likely to arrive here in March. A senior BMRCL official told Deccan Chronicle, The team from the Chinese corporation will assemble and run the machines, which will take 15-20 days. But their arrival has been delayed as India has imposed restrictions on the entry of people from China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. So we have no option other than to wait." L&T, the contractor for the Vellara Junction-Pottery Town stretch of the Metro, had ordered these TBMs. They have to be assembled and lowered into shafts at the Shivajinagar and Cantonment stations. Before beginning the drilling work, trial runs will be conducted to ensure the machines are working properly. The TBMs will enable BMRCL to tunnel 2.5-5 m per day, depending on the local conditions. These tunnels are part of the longest underground Metro section, a 14 km stretch between Dairy Circle and Nagawara on the Pink Line. BMRCL has set 2024 as the deadline for commissioning the underground section. It said nine TBMs will be deployed along the 14-km underground section. The Congress and two constituents of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) the Lok Janshakti Party and the Janata Dal (United) expressed their disagreement on Sunday with the Supreme Courts decision on the issue of reservation in appointments and promotions. While the Congress alleged that rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are not secure under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule, the LJP and JD(U) sought immediate measures from the Union government in order to ensure that reservation benefits for SCs, STs and backward classes remain unchanged. The Supreme Court has said in a judgment that the government is not bound to provide reservation for appointments and promotions to public posts, and courts cannot give directions compelling states to reserve jobs or positions for SCs and STs. It also said that an individual does not have a fundamental right to claim reservation, and it is for the government to decide whether reservations are required in appointments and promotions. The ruling by a bench of justices L Nageswara Rao and Hemant Gupta came while dealing with pleas on the Uttarakhand governments September 2012 decision to fill up all posts in public services in the state without providing reservations to SCs and STs. Addressing mediapersons in Bengaluru on Sunday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Supreme Courts February 7 judgment has left the marginalised communities worried. The ruling has worried marginalised communities. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have been trying to get reservations scrapped for a long time, he said, urging the Centre to wake up and file a review petition. Kharge accused the Uttarakhand government of not having the intention to help the weaker sections as it did not argue in favour of reservation. Addressing a news conference at the party headquarters in Delhi, Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik said the party will raise the issue in Parliament. We respectfully say that we do not agree with this decision. The rights of SCs and STs are not secure under the BJP government, Wasnik said. We believe that the appointment of SCs/STs to government posts should not be at the discretion of governments. It is the fundamental right conferred by the Constitution, he said. Congress spokesperson Udit Raj said that the matter shows the BJP is basically against Dalits and reservation. LJP president Chirag Paswan took to Twitter to express his partys disagreement. The LJP does not agree with this decision of the Supreme Court...The party demands that the Union government take immediate measures to ensure that the reservation provision continues in jobs and promotion in the same they have been so far, he posted. JD(U) national general secretary and spokesperson KC Tyagi said his party would urge the government to bring an Ordinance in the ongoing session of Parliament to ensure that the system of reservations in promotions in government jobs to SCs and STs continues. We will urge the central government to pass a resolution in Parliament on this issue in the current budget session, he said. LJP founder and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan called a meeting of SC/ST parliamentarians on Monday. I have invited the SC/ST members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha at my residence on February 10, he said. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson Manoj Jha echoed Tyagis views. The central government must file a review petition against the verdict as otherwise it shall undermine the idea of social justice and shall give a regressive direction to the same, Jha said. Bihar BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand said that his party is committed to the welfare of all sections of the society. We are committed to the welfare of all sections of the society, including SC/ST. It is not proper to react on opinion expressed by the judiciary without studying it properly. But our party is not averse to any idea of subaltern emancipation within the framework of constitutional provisions. The motto of BJP is Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas, Anand said. CONCORD, N.H. - Pete Buttigieg fought back against attacks from three of his rivals while former vice president Joe Biden tried to salvage his campaign with a retooled underdog message Saturday as Democratic presidential contenders careened toward a primary in New Hampshire that could narrow the path forward for several candidates. Biden, reprising an argument he made in Friday night's brawling presidential debate, said the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor would put the Democratic Party "at risk" were he to become the nominee. His campaign put out a new digital ad that derided Buttigieg as a lightweight who dealt with "decorative" issues in contrast to Biden's role in marshaling landmark Obama administration measures such as the Affordable Care Act and the nearly $1 trillion effort to salvage the economy after the 2008 crash. "The reports of our death are premature," Biden shouted into a microphone to a group of campaign volunteers at a campaign headquarters. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who effectively tied Buttigieg in Monday's Iowa caucuses, hit Buttigieg for taking money from wealthy donors. "If you are serious about political change in America, that change is not going to be coming from somebody who gets a lot of money from the CEOs of the pharmaceutical industry," Sanders said. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota accused the former mayor of being overly flippant about the seriousness of impeaching President Donald Trump, repeating an attack that she made on the debate stage but also calling out Sanders as a candidate who Americans are likely to reject. "When we were asked, 'Do I think a socialist should be the one who leads the Democratic ticket,' I was the [first] one who raised my hand," Klobuchar said. "People know that I'm straightforward with them and I tell them the truth." She, like Biden, was trying to build momentum from Friday's debate, when she forcefully made her case to be considered by the moderate voters who previously might have been deliberating between Biden and Buttigieg. Her campaign touted one sign that she had gained some notice: quickly raising $2 million by midday Saturday, according to her campaign. The increasingly frantic tenor of the campaign reflected candidates' frustration that the race has remained stubbornly fluid, with uncertainty more popular than many of the candidates. A new poll showed that roughly half of New Hampshire voters have not definitely made up their minds with just days to go. The CNN poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, showed 28 percent supporting Sanders, 21 percent for Buttigieg and 11 percent for Biden. All other candidates were in single digits, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who was at 9 percent. The poll findings demonstrated the split among the candidates in the past week. Buttigieg and Sanders were seeking to duplicate in New Hampshire their top-of-the-field showing in the Iowa caucuses. Biden and Warren, who each at one point led in pre-Iowa polling but who trailed the two leaders Monday night, were seeking to avoid a second-straight failure that would call into question their path forward. No presidential candidate has finished lower than second place in New Hampshire and gone on to become the party's nominee. For all of the candidates, there was another looming problem: the entrance, as of the March 3 Super Tuesday primaries, of former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, who has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars in pursuit of the nomination, although he has yet to appear on a ballot or step on a debate stage. Several of the candidates took on Bloomberg in Friday night's debate, and Sanders returned to his criticism Saturday. "We have a former mayor of New York - I won't mention his name," he said at an event in Dover, New Hampshire, prompting laughter in the crowd. Sanders said he has no objection to Bloomberg running for president. "But what in my view he is not entitled to is to buy an election," Sanders said. "And that is precisely what the corruption of the American political system is about." It was Buttigieg's sudden rise that made him the target of his rivals; he had gained 14 points since Monday in a Boston Globe-WBZ-TV-Suffolk University tracking poll released Friday night, reaching a dead heat with longtime New Hampshire leader Sanders. Biden's new ad contrasted his role in the Obama administration with Buttigieg's former job. "When President Obama called on him, Joe Biden helped lead the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which gave health care to 20 million people," says a narrator in the ad. "And when parkgoers called on Pete Buttigieg, he installed decorative lights under bridges, giving citizens of South Bend colorfully illuminated rivers." The ad also credited Biden with leading the administration's successful effort to bail out the auto industry and restore the economy, which it compared to Buttigieg's action that "revitalized the sidewalks of downtown South Bend by laying out decorative brick." As he did in Friday's debate, Buttigieg pushed back by casting himself as representing both a new generation and a break from the long-standing animosities of Washington. "I know some folks are out there saying, 'What business does a mayor of South Bend have running for the president?' " Buttigieg said at a stop in Hanover. " 'You don't have an office in Washington, your community is a little out of the way.' What I'm saying is that's exactly the point." Later in the day, seeming to respond to Biden's ad, he added: "There are so many communities, rural areas, small towns, industrial cities and pockets of big cities" who feel "left behind by Washington." "We're tired of being reduced to a punchline by Washington politicians," he said. Buttigieg had help trying to persuade the undecided voters of New Hampshire. As he emphasized that he was a candidate the country could rally behind, a supportive super PAC, VoteVets, poured roughly $400,000 more into a TV ad campaign running in the state, including spots that feature veterans praising Buttigieg. The group had previously sent $1.3 million to support Buttigieg. Biden's refreshed and far more aggressive approach was the result of his departure from the campaign trail for two days, during which he huddled with his advisers at his home in Delaware. He invoked the 1972 car accident in which his first wife and daughter were killed, and the cancer that claimed his oldest son, Beau, in 2015. "I've lost a lot in my lifetime, like many of you have," Biden said Saturday morning at a Manchester theater crammed with supporters. "But I'll be damned if I lose my country, too." He also spoke with more swagger than he has in recent months, reminding voters of the highlights in his career. "You guys call these debates? I've been in debates. I debated Paul Ryan. I debated that woman from Alaska who said she could see Russia," he said, referring to his vice presidential debate clashes with former Republican vice presidential nominees Ryan and Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor. At another point, he said: "If you notice, I'm still winning nationally. You guys keep forgetting that." Biden spared no sympathy for Sanders or Buttigieg. "Ask yourself, will it be easier or harder to win with a socialist - a democratic socialist, self-stated - at the top of the ticket?" Biden asked, lacing into Sanders. Buttigieg, he suggested, would also be a gamble. "I do not believe we're a party at risk if I'm the nominee," Biden said during a speech to voters in Manchester. "I do believe we're at risk if we nominate someone who has never held office bigger than mayor of South Bend, Indiana." When it was noted by reporters that Biden's attacks on Buttigieg echoed the complaint that Hillary Clinton leveled 12 years ago against Barack Obama, Biden interjected. "Oh, come on, man!" Biden said. "This guy's not a Barack Obama." Asked why he had not addressed Warren, he said: "She hasn't said anything, if you noticed, in the last month." "I respond when people misrepresent my record," he said. "Elizabeth hasn't attacked me." Sanders, for his part, drew crowds during the day that exceeded 1,000 people. He gleefully told supporters Saturday that "the establishment is beginning to get nervous" about his rise. "'How do we stop Bernie Sanders and his movement? Oh my god, the people are standing up, fighting for justice, how do we stop?'" he said mockingly of his critics. "Well, they ain't gonna stop it," he said, drawing cheers. "We're on the march." Warren, the only top-tier candidate who adopted a strategy of staying clear of the fight, maintained that position Saturday. She noted it was the third anniversary of the day she was criticized on the senate floor by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., during a lengthy speech she gave on the Senate floor. McConnell's response - "Nevertheless, she persisted" - became a rallying cry for her supporters. "Mitch McConnell said those words that a lot of women have put on T-shirts, a lot have embroidered on pillows, a lot have had tattooed on their bodies: Nevertheless, she persisted," she said, as the crowd repeated the phrase along with her and applauded. "The only way we're gonna make this better is if we use this Democratic primary to build a grass-roots movement," she said. "Are you ready for some big, structural change?" She attended a get-out-the-vote event with supporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, and then went door-knocking her husband, Bruce, and her dog, Bailey. When asked by reporters about her debate performance, Warren said she wished she had spoken more. "I thought it went well," Warren said. "It was a good debate. A lot of back and forth. But I still got to cover issues I care about. Obviously, there's more I would've liked to have talked about. . . . I had my hand up a lot. But you know, I know all candidates want more airtime." - - - The Washington Post's Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Cleve R. Wootson Jr. and Sean Sullivan contributed to this report. New Milford High School and Litchfield Hills Transition Center will hold a transition resource fair March 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. A snow date of March 19 is planned for the event scheduled to be held at Sarah Noble Intermediate School on Sunny Valley Road in New Milford. Several presentations for families will be given by the Department of Developmental Services, the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services, Social Security Disability Income, Friends of New Milford, Marrakech and the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center and about guardianship/conservatorship, special needs trusts and Ability Beyonds ATLAS Program. The event is for families with young adults ages 14 to 21 who have disabilities. Refreshments will be served. In a world of celebrities and politicians leading the news headlines, its not often that newspaper writers get some media attention of their own. Bari Weiss, Op-Ed writer for The New York Times does just that. Once a writer for The Wall Street Journal as well as Tablet, an online magazine for Jewish politics and culture, Weiss ruffles more than a few feathers with her controversial writing, and the opinions she expresses in interviews. Joe Rogan | Michael Schwartz/WireImage What does Bari Weiss write about? Looking through Weiss long list of headlines, a pattern emerges. She takes on topics that range from Jewish culture and Israel, to the #MeToo movement, to politics around the world. Despite being left-leaning, her writing seems to attract ire from the left and the right as she often makes statements that seem overly critical of the left, and over-forgiving of the right. Its often hard to tell if she is expressing firmly-held beliefs or just vying for attention over controversial statements. This has led her to being compared to right-wing pundit Ann Coulter. In her pieces, she has defended free speech, questioned the #MeToo movement, and overall takes an extremely hard-line stance when it comes to her opinions on Israel. Her support of free speech is so extreme, in fact, that she seems to share more in common with the far right because of her hatred of political correctness and any attempts to keep spaces free of hate speech. She also has a firm stance on cultural appropriation that is mostly unheard of on the left. In one of her most controversial pieces, Three Cheers for Cultural Appropriation, she goes so far as to say cultural partitioning is beloved by Neo-Nazis. In addition to her articles, she also recently released her first book, How to Fight Anti-Semitism. Yehudah Mirsky, reviewer for The Guardian described it positively: This passionate, vividly written, regularly insightful book is her pained, fighting elegy. What do other writers think about Bari Weiss? When it comes to Weiss, opinions are mixed, at best. Vanity Fair writer Evgenia Peretz wrote a piece on her entitled Mad About Bari Weiss: The New York Times Provocateur the Left Loves to Hate. In it, she made mention of the controversy surrounding Weiss, and how she has been called everything from fascist to the Jewish, female version of Kanye West but largely comes out on Weiss side, a fan even. Nathan J. Robinson wrote a piece for Current Affairs called Why We All Hate Bari Weiss So Much in response to Peretzs conclusions, that is decidedly against Weiss. He goes over in detail just how problematic he believes her views of Israel and Palestine are, among her other problematic views. As part of the piece, he states: Weiss is irritating because she portrays herself, and those like her, as martyrs who are purged for their opinions, when instead they all receive book deals and profiles in liberal newspapers and magazine. What did Joe Rogan fans think of Bari Weiss recent interview? Joe Rogans podcast is known for having guests from all over the political spectrum, but even so, fans were not pleased with Weiss interview. One fan commented: This is about to be the most disliked Joe Rogan episode since The last time she was on. Another fan wrote: What a Disingenuous Hack, shes the worst journalism has to offer. Another joked: Shes not Bari Weiss, a play on very wise. Joking aside, many had astute observations on her hypocrisy when it comes to her nationalistic view on Israel, but how she is anti-nationalism when it comes to everywhere else in the world. Other topics of discussion ranged from her views on circumcision to the current Democratic candidates. Weiss is a fan of Yang, while Rogan is in support of Sanders. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for international efforts to combat locust outbreaks. He said that the international community should come forward to deal with this threat. From West Africa to India, about 20 countries are affected by this problem. Locusts have destroyed crores of hectares of the affected countries. Corona virus: Bangladesh released 171 of its citizens in China At an event in the Ethiopian capital on Saturday, Guterres said, "I appeal to the international community to take immediate action on this issue. We still have a chance to deal with this problem." The problem of locusts in Ethiopia and East Africa is associated with climate change and is getting worse day by day. Warming of seawater directly means an increase in the number of cyclones. This condition plays a positive role in the breeding of locusts. The desert locust is considered the most dangerous of about a dozen species. Locusts continue to wreak havoc, creature arrived to attack the crop of this country The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently said that the Horn of Africa region is one of the 3 most-affected desert areas in the world by locusts. The easternmost part of the African continent is called the Horn of Africa because on the world map this area looks like a horn. Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia are located in this region. According to the FAO, locusts are now moving from Ethiopia and Somalia to Kenya. Experts say that if they are not stopped soon, they will soon reach Uganda and Sudan. Scientists from all over the world gathered to beat the coronavirus, know when vaccine will be made Update for 5:45 p.m. ET: NASA has scrubbed the launch of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus NG-13 mission to the International Space Station. A new launch window has not yet been announced. WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. Northrop Grumman is counting down to a sunset rocket launch tonight (Feb. 9) and it just might be visible to observers along a wide swath of the U.S. East Coast, weather permitting. A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket will launch the Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship toward the International Space Station from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport here at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility at 5:39 p.m. EST (2239 GMT). The mission will lift off just six minutes after sunset, according to TimeandDate.com , and could be a spectacular sight. "If you're on the East Coast, you also may be able to see the launch," NASA spokesperson Stephanie Schierholz said in a briefing Saturday (Feb. 8). "It has been reported to be seen from Washington, D.C. and other locations on the East Coast." The Cygnus spacecraft is carrying more than 7,500 lbs. (3,401 kilograms) of supplies, science experiments and other gear for the three-person crew of the International Space Station. Related: Bacteria, bone & more: Here's the science launching on Cygnus NG-13 This NASA map shows the potential range of visibility for Northrop Grumman's launch of an Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus NG-13 cargo ship for NASA from the Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia on Feb. 9, 2020. (Image credit: NASA Wallops Flight Facility) According to a NASA visibility map , the launch could be visible across the mid-Atlantic region, with sightings possible as far north as Connecticut; as far east as northeastern West Virginia; and as far south as eastern North Carolina. Clear skies and an unobscured view in the direction of the launch is vital. Depending on your location, the rocket could look like a fast-moving, red light and may not be visible right at launch time. Sightings at the furthest edges of the visibility range in Connecticut, West Virginia and North Carolina would not begin until 180 seconds after liftoff, according to NASA's map. If you have cloudy skies or an obstructed view, you can watch the Cygnus launch live here and on Space.com's homepage, courtesy of NASA TV. NASA's webcast will begin at 5 p.m. EST (2200 GMT). If you are near Virginia's Eastern Shore region, you can watch the Cygnus launch in person from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center. Directions and guidelines for launch viewing are here .The Visitor Center will open at 1:30 p.m. EST (1830 GMT). Wallops will also stream live video and audio on its Ustream channel here beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT). Local spectators can also catch the launch at Robert Reed Park on Chincoteague Island and on Beach Road between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, according to NASA's guide. Wallops officials will post mission updates at the Wallops Mission Status Center here, as well as on Facebook and Twitter . Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Instagram. New Delhi, Feb 9 : All political parties including the BJP are worried over the low voter turnout in the Delhi Assembly elections, which further went down from the last Assembly polls. Worried over the low voter turnout, the BJP Delhi unit held a meeting which continued till late Saturday night. BJP national president J.P. Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, Delhi election in-charge Prakash Javadekar, in-charge Nityanad Rai and several other leaders were present at the meeting where voting on every assembly seat was reviewed. The BJP leaders are worried not only over the low turnout but also the exit polls which claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will repeat the performance of 2015. Several party leaders feel that the decline in the voter turnout is due to the apathy of the middle class which is directly impacting the party. In the last Assembly elections, the BJP got 33 per cent vote share. The party leaders believe that it was difficult to motivate people and bring them out to the polling booth. The booth workers were instructed to ensure high voter turnout and the MPs were asked to keep an eye on their work. Despite all the efforts, the voter turnout was recorded 5 per cent less as compared to the previous Assembly elections. The party strategists are trying to figure out if the people have voted for regularisation of the unauthorised colonies or for free water and free power scheme of Arvind Kejriwal. Party leaders also believe that the scheme of 'Jahan jhuggi, wahin makaan' (Homes in place of slums) did not reach the public properly. Rumours were spread about the implementation of this scheme. The BJP is looking at it as a direct loss. A senior Delhi BJP leader said the AAP cadres spread rumours about the scheme in the public as he told the people that they will lose the ownership of their original houses. The BJP has not spoken out openly on the low voter turnout but has certainly dismissed the exit polls results, which indicate AAP's victory. Delhi election in-charge Prakash Javadekar said, "Exit polls are not exact polls. The results on February 11 will show BJP coming to power." The party is also analysing the records of 13,000 booths. (Newser) Transgender treatments for youth: safe and appropriate, or far too risky? The issue is heating up in eight state legislatures as advocates, doctors, and studies add to an increasingly complex debate, USA Today reports. South Dakota passed a bill last week banning doctors from using the three main treatmentspuberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy, and gender confirmation surgeryto anyone under 16 years of age. Similar bills are poised in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia. The ACLU says transgender rights advocates are prepared to fight such measures at the same time studies raise questions about what's right for young trans people. For more: story continues below Doctors : "All relevant major medical organizations" disagree with the South Dakota bill, writes child and adolescent psychiatrist Jack Turban at the New York Times. But they do provide guidelines: The Endocrine Society, for example, suggests starting transgender children on puberty blockers around 10 or 11, gender-affirming hormones around 16, and genital surgery no earlier than 18. CNN notes that over 200 medical professionals oppose the state bills in a letter that says "gender-affirming care saves lives." : "All relevant major medical organizations" disagree with the South Dakota bill, writes child and adolescent psychiatrist Jack Turban at the New York Times. But they do provide guidelines: The Endocrine Society, for example, suggests starting transgender children on puberty blockers around 10 or 11, gender-affirming hormones around 16, and genital surgery no earlier than 18. CNN notes that over 200 medical professionals oppose the state bills in a letter that says "gender-affirming care saves lives." Studies : But roughly a dozen studies show that around 85% of gender-dysphoric children who don't take puberty blockers are later satisfied with their sex after completing puberty, if they have counseling, reports the Economist. Most end up being gay. Research links puberty blockers in adolescence to lower odds of suicide, but the Economist says "studies purporting to show the higher suicide risk among trans children are unconvincing," and urges long-term study. : But roughly a dozen studies show that around 85% of gender-dysphoric children who don't take puberty blockers are later satisfied with their sex after completing puberty, if they have counseling, reports the Economist. Most end up being gay. Research links puberty blockers in adolescence to lower odds of suicide, but the Economist says "studies purporting to show the higher suicide risk among trans children are unconvincing," and urges long-term study. Politics: Highly polarized. Trans advocates smell prejudice, and compare the right's position on youth treatments to its take on bathroom bills. But conservative politicians see children making decisions (like hormone therapy) that are difficult to reverse. In one battle, BuzzFeed reported last year that a study claiming some teens switched genders due to peer pressure was quickly denounced by critics. (A trans tweet by JK Rowling caused an uproar .) Hamilton County Schools will be closed on Tuesday due to rising water levels and continued rain forecast for the area. The National Weather Service forecast calls for rain continuing through the night and water levels in streams, creeks and rivers to continue to rise through the afternoon on Tuesday. Officials said, "A delay for tomorrow was going to be necessary due to concerns for children at bus stops before daylight in the morning. Also, forecasts are for water levels to crest in the afternoon which may have required an early dismissal. Out of an abundance of caution, it was decided that the best and safest course of action would be to close schools for the day." School-aged childcare locations will be open on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Barger Academy, Battle Elementary, Daisy Elementary, East Brainerd Elementary, East Ridge Elementary, McConnell Elementary, Harrison Elementary, and Red Bank Elementary. Officials said, "Its important for our students to stay engaged in learning every day, even on inclement weather days. The school district has created a range of activities for students to complete while out of school. We hope these learning activities will help parents and engage children in learning activities while out of school. The academic assignments are available on the district website at www.hcde.org/homestudy." Cleveland City Schools and Bradley County Schools will also close on Tuesday. Other schools closing include Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Also, some schools around the city were opening on a delay on Tuesday morning. Those included Boyd Buchanan, Chattanooga Christian and Notre Dame at 10 a.m. All campuses of Georgia Northwestern Technical College will delay opening until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, due to potential dangerous road conditions. Varanasi, Feb 9 : Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Sunday, arrived in Varanasi and offered prayers at the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple. Rajapaksa arrived in Varanasi at the Lal Bahadur Shastri airport and was given a warm welcome by senior officials. He then drove straight to the Kashi Vishwanath temple where he participated in the 'puja' in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The 'puja' was conducted by a team of 'pundits' who offered 'prasad' to the visiting dignitary after the 'aarti'. The Sri Lanka Prime Minister then visited the Kaal Bhairav temple to offer prayers. After a brief halt at the hotel, he will visit Sarnath, 10 kilometers from Varanasi, and will pay tributes at the Dhamek Stupa where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon to five disciples after attaining enlightenment. Rajapaksa is on a four day-visit to India. TDT/Manama The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications is all set to finalise the tender for construction of a light railway network spanning approximately 105 kilometres by next month. The tender was launched on 13th February last year. In February 2018, Spanish consulting company IDOM delivered the design for Phase I of the Bahrain Light Metro project. This project is the part of Bahrain's Urban Transit Network Project (BUTN) network that consists of a total of four metro lines covering a total network of 109 km. After the evaluation of bids submitted by eight global consultancy firms, KPMG was emerged as the lowest bidder and selected for providing consultancy services for Phase I of the Bahrain Metro Project in November 2019. The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) had announced the appointment of KPMG as the lowest bidder. Out of the eight bids received three companies - Zayani Engineering, KPMG and PriceWaterCoopers - have remained in the race. Bids from Deloitte and Ernst and Young have been discarded, along with three other bidders. The consultant is currently providing financial, technical and legal consultancy services to the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) for the preparation of documents, tender, evaluation and appointment of the preferred bidder for construction. The Bahrain Metro is a fully automated, driverless system that will operate through the main residential, business, administration and leisure spots in the Kingdom. The Red and Blue lines to be built in Phase I of Bahrain Metro, which will run for a total of 28.6 km. The Red Line will connect Bahrain International Airport with the suburban Seef District through the Bahrain Financial Harbour, serving nine stations. Whereas the Blue Line will start from the Juffair suburb and go through the Diplomatic Area before ending at Isa Town, serving 11 stations. The two lines will interconnect at the Bab Al Bahrain and Al Farooq Junction stations. Man Carrying Knife Arrested Outside White House After Making Assassination Threat A man was arrested outside the White House after he told a U.S. Secret Service agent that he had a knife and was there to assassinate President Donald Trump. Roger Hedgpeth, 25, was arrested Feb. 8 for making threats, the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Feb. 9 to The Associated Press. I am here to assassinate President Donald Trump, he told a Secret Service officer, the police report said, according to the Washington Post. I have a knife to do it with. Officials said they discovered a 3.5-inch knife in a sheath on his hip. They also found a pistol holster with no gun, AP reported. Hedgpeth was taken into police custody before he was brought to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. His car was also impounded, authorities said. According to the Post, citing police records, Hedgpeth hails from Brandon, Florida. Police said he is a critically missing/endangered person as well as a mental health consumer. The incident took place near 15th St. NW and Pennsylvania Ave. NW, police said. Thats about a block from the White House. White House security has been increased in recent years after several people jumped over the iron fence surrounding the building and lawn. One man made it to the presidential residence in 2014, during former President Barack Obamas second term. In 2017, after Trump took office, a California man carrying pepper spray climbed over the fence and roamed around for about 17 minutes before he was caught. In 2019, officials began construction of a higher, 13-foot fence that almost doubles the previous height, according to an AP report at the time. The Secret Service said it cost about $64 million to complete. Those involved in illegalities should face harsh punishment The presidential office systematically intervened in the 2018 Ulsan mayoral election to help President Moon Jae-in's longtime friend, Song Cheol-ho, win the vote, according to the prosecution. If the allegations of election meddling prove to be true, anyone involved in the case should be subject to stern punishment. Any type of meddling in an election is a serious crime. It is a direct threat to representative democracy. It not only distorts the will of the people, but also destroys the democratic political system by stymieing fair and free competition among candidates. For these reasons, the Moon administration should not try to block the prosecution from getting to the bottom of the case. Instead, they must fully cooperate in laying bare the truth behind the election interference scandal. Any cover-up attempt could have a negative effect on the upcoming April 15 general election. Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae has come under strong criticism for turning down a request by the National Assembly that her ministry hand over the prosecution's indictment documents to the Assembly. It is wrong for her not to comply with the request because the ministry has delivered indictment documents to parliament for the last 15 years in accordance with relevant laws. Her refusal certainly constitutes a legal violation. Choo cited privacy violation and a ban on suspects' criminal charges being made public as the reason for not handing over the content of the indictments of 13 former and incumbent presidential officials, and others implicated in the election meddling. She is also criticized for disregarding the people's right to know about high-profile cases involving ranking officials and political heavyweights. Choo also faces suspicion that she has been engrossed in protecting the inner circle of political power since taking the helm of the Ministry of Justice last month. Choo seems to have gone too far in controlling the prosecution and damaging its political independence and neutrality in order to stop prosecutors from digging deeper into the election interference case. She reshuffled senior prosecutors and scaled down the prosecution's anticorruption department, clashing head-on with Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl who has spearheaded a campaign against corruption. Against this backdrop, a local daily, the DongA Ilbo, obtained the indictment document and released it. The document showed that seven presidential offices were involved in the systematic election meddling scheme. Cheong Wa Dae allegedly ordered Ulsan police to investigate the then-Ulsan mayor over corruption allegations, intervened in the ruling party's nomination of Song as a candidate, and offered his rivals public positions in return for dropping out of the race. Such election meddling reminds us of ousted President Park Geun-hye's massive corruption and influence-peddling case. To fully restore democracy and constitutional order, the Moon administration should leave no stone unturned to shed light on its own wrongdoing. A British woman visiting the Maldives was arrested for indecent exposure at a public beach. The incident has led local authorities to issue an apology. The unnamed tourist was somewhat violently detained by three police officers while visiting Maafushi. an inhabited island in the Kaafu Atoll, on Thursday, Feb. 6. The woman repeatedly screamed at the officers, "Youre sexually assaulting me!". Maldives Police Service Commissioner Mohamed Hameed issued a public apology. stating that the incident was badly handled and that it was under investigation. The Maldives Police Service says that a member of the public first reported the woman for being inappropriately clad. and allegedly inebriated while walking along the islands main road. The Maldives is an Islamic nation, and travelers to any of the countrys islands are urged to become familiarized with local decorum before visiting. A code outlined on a Maafushi tourism website asks visitors to dress modest outside of tourist resorts as a sign of respect to the community" The second meeting of authorized representatives of the Caspian states finished in Ashgabat. The meeting discussed a draft intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of scientific research in the Caspian Sea. The meeting of representatives of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and the Institute of the Caspian Sea of Turkmenistan. The Ashgabat-initiated draft agreement aims to establish a legal framework for cooperation of the regional countries in the field of scientific research. At the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to the incorporation of key provisions of international treaties into the agreement under discussion. Experts from the Caspian states presented their proposals for development of the legal framework on partnership in the field of scientific work in the Caspian Sea, including monitoring and analysis of natural and man-made factors. TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2022 The pandemic is unlikely to abate till temperatures rise with onset of summer. A month into 2020, many significant events are underway that would affect India, the region and beyond. One, the coronavirus pandemic, still coursing mostly through China and with lower intensity in its Asean neighbourhood. Second, US President Donald Trump escaping impeachment and removal due to the Senate Republican majority uniting to acquit him. With his popularity ratings up, he is preparing to make his first visit to India this month. Third, the likely domestic impact of the BJPs performance in the Delhi election, which the exit polls predict will be a rout. The new pandemic made China belatedly order a complete lockdown at its epicentre at Wuhan and neighbouring cities, at the crossroads of Chinas global supply chains that may soon be impacted. When the SARS pandemic occurred in 2002-03, Chinas share of global trade was under five per cent. Its thrice that now and thus can be more disruptive. The barring of Chinese air connectivity and its citizens by many nations has begun to hit Chinese tourism-dependent countries like Thailand, Singapore, etc. Even Myanmar, which Chinese President Xi Jinping visited in mid-January to sign high-profile infrastructure projects, including a Belt and Road Initiative project named China Myanmar Economic Corridor, is reacting to the scare. The United Wa State army, a rebel group and de facto buffer between Myanmar and China, shut down the border with China. Anti-Chinese racism has mushroomed across the region. The pandemic is unlikely to abate till temperatures rise with onset of summer. Till then it threatens Chinese connectivity-based outreach to the world and its export prowess, as trading partners start seeking alternative supply chains, if the disruption persists. Unless quickly controlled, questions will arise over President Xi Jinpings governance model and centralised power. As The Economist has reported: While Chinese infrastructure has developed, healthcare has lagged. It has 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people, of whom many are underqualified. That may be exacerbating the health crisis in Hubei province. India cant remain smug as the virus is easily transmitted, though maybe not as lethal as SARS, as even a two per cent fatality rate can be lethal as the deaths in China near 1,000. This is despite Chinas deeper pockets and ability to build a 1,000-bed hospital in two weeks. India could face a nightmare scenario with the deficiencies of the medical coverage of its vast population. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a $100 million grant for creating a vaccine. Many nations are rushing to do likewise, but the results may take months as vaccines are created and tested for safety before release. Pakistan and Nepal have vast land links with China and possibly lax medical scrutiny at their borders. The virus is suspected to be communicable by carriers not yet showing full-blown symptoms. This makes border checks anyway tricky. With the current state of India-Pakistan relations any outbreak there can probably be quickly countered by sealing the border. With Nepal, that would be impossible to replicate as the Nepal-India border is porous and the movement of tourists, workers and pilgrims is huge. How prepared is India to deal with this is unclear. President Trump, before his proposed India visit, has authorised a number of destabilising decisions for West Asia and the Gulf. On January 3, the US killed Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, in a drone attack that also eliminated the deputy chairman of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Force. Iraq now has a new Prime Minister, a more assertive Moqtada al Sadr, and more Iranian forces visible in Syria in the Syrian Armys attack on Idlib. If this wasnt destabilising enough, President Trump unfurled with much fanfare his new Mideast peace plan in Washington, in the presence of beleaguered Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, on January 28. It is a one-sided proposal conceding most Israeli demands while negating the UN Security Council resolutions dating back to 1976 as indeed the Oslo Accords, on which has traditionally rested the US approach to a two-nation solution. Palestinians and Arab nations, that still have independent voices, rejected the proposal publicly. Certainly, most would have condemned it in private. With this developing legacy, Mr Trump will visit an India that is divided over the sectarian and divisive agenda of the BJP government. While Mr Trump is unlikely to be troubled over that, he would have his wishlist of a trade deal, to extract a mix of cosmetic and real concessions, defence deals that he can brandish in an election year, etc. He would also want to wean India away from Russian arms deals, Chinese wireless 5G technology (India having allowed Huawei to join 5G trials) and Iran. He would expect an Indian counterpart of the Houston Howdy Modi tamasha, hoping to capitalise on Mr Modis connect with segments of the Indian diaspora. India in turn wants Mr Trump focussed on joint battle against terror and Pakistani perfidy while seeking clarity on the US endgame in Afghanistan. India would defend its balancing outreach to Russia and Iran. All told, it would be a deft diplomatic dance with subtle trade-offs while each side protects its core interests. But lingering in the backdrop will be the domestic politics of both nations. In America, it is a presidential election year and any excessive wooing of Mr Trump would be noted by the Democrats, who want to rejig the Trumpian foreign policy excesses. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren want fair, not better trade deals that Mr Trump seeks, introducing elements like labour standards, equity, etc. Joe Biden even supports organising in his presidencys first year a Global Summit for Democracy to renew global democratic ethos. However, Mr Sanders and Ms Warren are both neo-isolationists who would want to lower the US military profile abroad. The Trump hoopla will be a good distraction from the domestic travails of the BJP, but popular resentment over the CAA is unlikely to abate unless the BJP offers a compromise. The Trump itinerary may be conditioned by this worry. Space for pure diplomatic theatre, which Prime Minister Modi covets, is unavailable any longer. Pandemics, Islamic ire, the Shia-Sunni contestation to Indias west, falling popularity at home as economic distress combines with youth and minority ire and continuing absence of normality in Kashmir are a dangerous setting for the BJPs shortsighted sectarian agenda at home. Mr Trumps visit wont change that. Only Mr Modi can do so by reversing gears and getting India back on the track he had marketed in 2014: an inclusive and growing India. Former Big Brother Nigeria housemate, Khloe was advised by a fan to shoot her shot at 2019 ex-housemate, Ike Onyeama. The web user asked her to try because he seems single and has refused to reply other shot shooters. Read Also: Days After Warning People To Stay Off Begging In 2020, Khloe Begs Toke Makinwa For Cloths Reacting to their advice, Khloe exclaimed before going on to term the advice very rude. See screenshot below: The user wrote: Sis Ike from bbn is single better shoot you shot since he doesnt reply the rest of us. Reacting, Kloe wrote: WTF, how rude. Hours after polling ended on Saturday, political parties wasted no time in organising assessment meetings and planning strategies to guard electronic voting machines EVMs for the next two days. The meetings followed after all exit polls predicted a big victory for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi assembly elections, with some even indicating it can repeat its 2015 landslide when it bagged 67 seats in the 70-member House. AAP brainstorming AAP chief Kejriwal held a meeting with political campaign strategist Prashant Kishore and party leaders Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia in the evening to analyse the partys constituency-wise performance and its preparedness for counting day. The party has deployed about 150 volunteers to ensure the safety of the EVMs, which are kept in 30 strong rooms across city. Counting of votes will take place on February 11. In Babarpur constituency, we found an officer had wrongly kept an EVM with him. We are going to complain to the election commission. To ensure there is no malpractice, we are deputing all our candidates and sitting MLAs to man each and every strong room in Delhi, said Sanjay Singh, AAP senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP. Sisodia congratulated all AAP workers for their hard work, saying the election is a proof of our strong and selfless relationship. Voting ended! Hearty congratulations to all the activists. All worked from early morning to late night and some worked for 24 hours in the last days This election is a proof of how selfless and strong our relationship is. We are winning by a huge margin, Sisodia tweeted in Hindi, saluting the hard work of all his colleagues. The BJP, in its part, rejected all poll predictions and said the final results would surprise the people. All exit polls gave the BJP a few seats. BJP huddle Late Saturday evening, BJP chief JP Nadda had called a meeting of all seven Delhi MPs and senior party leaders to assess the partys performance. The meeting was attended by Delhi election in-charges and Union ministers Prakash Javadekar, Hardeep Singh Puri, Nityanand Rai, BJP organisational general secretary BL Santhosh, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and all the Delhi Members of Parliament. Shyam Jaju, Delhi BJP in-charge, said, Exit polls have proved to be wrong in the past. This time, too, the result will surprise everyone. We dont believe in exit polls, we believe in exact polls. Exit polls have often proved wrong in the past, said Javadekar after he emerged out of the meeting. The picture on the ground is different from what has been projected by exit polls, he said. On Thursday, Union home minister Amit Shah, who had micromanaged the elections, had tweeted, Got a chance to interact with the people of Delhi during the elections. Delhi is tired of false promises, appeasement and anarchy. It now wants a development. Seeing the support for the BJP in Delhi makes it clear that on February 11, the BJP will form the government by winning 45 seats. Dismissing the exit poll results, senior BJP leaders were optimistic that the final result will be in BJPs favour. Jaju said, There is a neck and neck fight between AAP and the BJP. The nationalism issue has resonated among the middle classes and upper middle-class voters. This time we will get good support from the rural constituencies. There is an undercurrent for the BJP. BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi expressed optimism that the mandate would be in BJPs favour. The sample size is limited and also many polls have not factored in the trends in the evening, she told reporters. Late in the evening, BJP President JP Nadda and home minister Amit Shah were engaged in detailed discussions on Delhis political scenario, As the exit polls gave the Congress zero to one seats, the grand old party went into a huddle to discuss its strategy and plan the partys future course. These elections were crucial for the Congress as they have stayed out of the assembly these five years. Congress confident Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra said, All exit polls are going to fail. BJP will not get even 20 seats and Kejriwal is not going to form a govt in Delhi. Im hoping Congress is going to do much better than what exit polls are showing. Let us wait till the results are out. Senior All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders said the party was hopeful of winning a few seats, including Seelampur, Gandhi Nagar, Kondli and Vikaspuri. We had pitched senior leaders who have a great hold in their respective constituencies. We are hopeful that we will be able to pull these seats off, a senior AICC leader said on Saturday. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-10 04:26:30|Editor: yan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Supreme Court on Sunday said an Arab lawmaker could run in the upcoming elections, after overturning a parliamentary committee's decision to disqualify her over her alleged support to "terrorists." A nine-justice panel ruled that Heba Yazbak, a lawmaker with Balad, a national Palestinian party that calls for full rights for Israel's Arab citizens, could stand in Israel's national elections on March 2. The ruling said there was "little evidence" that Yazbak supports terrorism. The judges referred to two posts on Yazbak's Facebook account, one of which was about Samir Kuntar, a Lebanese convicted of perpetrating an attack in northern Israel in 1979 which killed five Israelis, was "a shahid," or "a martyr" in Arabic. The justices also noted that Yazbak "express regret" over the posts. The Joint List party, a coalition of Arab-Jewish parties that includes Yazbak's Balad party, wrote on Twitter that the ruling demonstrates that the attempt to bar Yazbak is part of the right-wing's campaign to "delegitimize Arab lawmakers." In January, the parliament's Central Elections Committee decided to disqualify Yazbak following requests by several right-wing parties. The Central Elections Committee authorizes parties and candidates ahead of votes. The committee is made up of lawmakers from several political parties and chaired by a Supreme Court justice. The committee attempted several times in the past to bar Arab parties and lawmakers from running over alleged "disloyalty" to Israel, but its decisions were overruled by the Supreme Court on appeal. Pope Francis launches a renewed appeal for the international community to protect the many people suffering in northwestern Syria, where a government offensive has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. By Devin Watkins Painful reports are still emerging from northwestern Syria, particularly regarding the plight of so many women and children, as well as of people forced to flee because of a military escalation. Pope Francis expressed his concern for Syrians in Idlib province at the Angelus prayer on Sunday. He also appealed to the international community and to all parties involved to make use of diplomatic channels, dialogue, and negotiation to end the conflict and to safeguard the lives and welfare of civilians. The Pope then invited everyone to pray for "beloved and martyred Syria". Thousands forced to flee Syrian government forces, backed by Russia, are pressing an offensive to retake Idlib province, the last rebel stronghold in the country. More than half a million people have been displaced from the area since early December 2019. Some 90,000 civilians have fled their homes in Idlib province in the last 4 days alone, most of whom are making their way toward the Turkish border. Letter to Syrias president The Popes latest appeal follows a slew of other initiatives he has launched since Syrias civil war broke out in March 2011. Most recently, he wrote a letter to President Bashar Hafez al-Assad, which was hand-delivered by Cardinal Peter Turkson in late June 2019. In it, the Pope called for the protection of civilian life, an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Idlib province, concrete initiatives for a safe return of displaced persons, the release of detainees and access for families to information regarding their loved ones, and humane conditions for political prisoners. He also asked the Syrian president to restart peace talks and to dialogue with rebel leaders. Imploring peace for Syria The 2019 letter was preceded by a similar one sent in 2016, in which the Pope called for a peaceful solution to the hostilities. Pope Francis had sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013, lamenting one-sided interests that hinder a solution to the senseless massacre. He has brought up the Syrian civil war constantly in various Angelus addresses and messages. A mere 18 days after his election to the papacy, Pope Francis implored peace for Syria in his first Easter Urbi et Orbi message. How much blood has been shed! And how much suffering must there still be before a political solution to the crisis will be found? he asked. Assisting Syrian refugees During a visit to the Greek island of Lesbos in 2016 with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, Pope Francis reminded Syrian refugees there that you are not alone. At the end of the visit, he brought three Syrian families back to Rome with him aboard the papal plane. They were later resettled in Italy. In a world that has been reshaped by Twitter, 24-hour news networks and an endless war between media outlets for your attention and the ad dollars that come with it, its not surprising that news in the modern era errs toward sensationalism. This sensationalism can have a tangible effect on how we as societies react and, as any oil trader knows, sentiment is frequently more powerful than fundamentals when it comes to moving markets. With that in mind, market observers should be particularly wary of the outsized impact that the Coronavirus has had on markets this year. While there has been tangible demand destruction from Chinas countermeasures, the mass global hysteria that has been created by the spreading of multiple myths by different media outlets has, more likely than not, created unjustified bearish sentiment in markets. Now, at this point, it is important to note that the aim of this article is not to downplay the seriousness of the epidemic or the deaths associated to it, but rather to put into perspective just how big a threat it is based on current information and to judge whether oil markets are overreacting as WTI prices fall back towards the $50 mark. While it may be a crude comparison, its worthwhile remembering that there have been 10,000 deaths in the U.S. from the flu this winter compared to only 638 confirmed deaths from the Coronavirus globally. The potential threat of the Coronavirus is undeniably worrying, but its current mortality rate is closer to influenza than SARS and it is yet to be declared a pandemic. Chinas severe reaction and the demand destruction it has caused is entirely justifiable and likely the key reason that the epidemic has been kept within its borders. Experts such as Peter Piot warn against complacency and believe intensified international collaboration and more resources will be needed to stop this outbreak. But there is a vital difference between the duty and actions of governments and medical institutions (which should always tend towards worst case scenarios) and the public sentiment driven by sensationalist articles and anecdotal evidence. From quarantining cities to canceling flights, Chinas reaction to this epidemic has been unprecedented and, if we ignore the ethical dilemmas associated to it, has given the country the best possible chance to contain the disease. The resultant impact on oil demand due to the shutdown of factories and the drastic reduction of flights can certainly justify a significant drop in oil prices. But how low and for how long should oil prices fall? The big question for energy market observers is whether the hysteria surrounding the Coronavirus has seeped over into oil demand forecasts and market sentiment. If Chinas reaction has been effective and the epidemic dies out sooner than forecast, then it would not be unreasonable to expect Chinese oil demand to have fully recovered by the end of the year. That would make demand forecasts of a reduction of 0.5 percent in global oil demand throughout 2020 very bearish. Related: Last Chance To Buy Apple Before 2020 Run Two major factors to be considered at the moment that most forecasts seem not to take into account is that 1) warmer weather will likely play its part in helping to kill off this virus and 2) the Coronavirus is not yet a pandemic and so the possibility remains that the worst of this epidemic will be contained within China. The most important point here, however, is that forecasts and media reports are still based on data sets that are far from complete. Extrapolating data from early on in epidemics can lead to conclusions that are both problematic and inaccurate, and when combined with our current tendency towards sensationalism, can lead to mass hysteria. This extrapolation issue can be seen in the changing mortality figures that have been coming out of China since the disease was first reported. The first mortality rate to come out of Wuhan was 11 percent, a rate that has since dropped to 4.9 percent and one that, within China but outside of Hubei province is now 0.16 percent. The overall crude mortality rate of the disease according to WHO is currently 2 percent, a rate that could be lower due to unreported cases (or higher due to unreported deaths). At current rates, this disease appears to be much closer to Influenza than SARS, and with the Chinese governments reaction having been far quicker and more effective this time around, there is reason to believe it has had an oversized impact on markets. The worst-case scenario is still very much a possibility, but if the Coronavirus is indeed contained and begins to regress, the change in tone from governments and medical institutions will likely cause a significant swing in sentiment. By Josh Owens of Oilprice.com Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Shop for your sweetheart If you need that perfect Valentines Day present for your better half, visit Canad Inns Club Regent today for the Cupids and Cameos specialty artisan and craft show. There will be 45-plus tables of handmade gifts and treats to browse over and buy from. Admission is free; the show runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Love trivia? If youre a rabid rom-com watcher, Underdogs (2609 Portage Ave.) Wednesday trivia night is the place for you to flex your knowledge of true-love tales. Gather your crew of two to four and register by emailing team@underdogswinnipeg.com. Sign-in begins at 7:30 p.m. and the first round begins half an hour later. Pile up the perogies Find your stretchy pants you can eat perogies to your hearts desire at Immaculate Conception Parish (181 Austin St. N.) Thursday evening at their Valentines Day themed fundraiser in support of the North Point Douglas Womens Centre. There will also be a cake auction, (if youve somehow got room for dessert) a 50/50 draw, and art raffle/craft sale. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under, available at the Womens Centre (221 Austin St. N.) Hurry hard to MTC In this stage play opening at Royal MTC on Wednesday, a well-meaning woman seeks to diversify her small towns curling club by enlisting four new Canadians to learn the ubiquitous prairie pastime. However, after she breaks her hip, her politically incorrect husband has to step in as the teams teacher. Find out if the New Canadian Curling Club can ice a winner by getting tickets at royalmtc.ca. Festival season! The fabulous Festival du Voyageur is back for another season of frigid fun beginning Friday. Enjoy traditional French-Canadian food, plenty of live music, snow-shoeing, snow sculptures, historical displays inside Fort Gibraltar, and much more until Feb. 23 (just be sure to layer up! Get more info on all the festivities slated and snag tickets at heho.ca. Unleash your emotions If youre feeling more angsty than amorous on Valentines Day, find a band T-shirt and skinny jeans and head to Cowboys Roadhouse (1034 Elizabeth Rd.) for an evening of emotionally-charged emo music by Brooklyn Park, This Time Around, and Silver Lining. Tickets are $10 through Eventbrite and doors open at 8 p.m. Beer, my dear Love local quaff? Visit The Stone Angel Brewing Companys taproom (1875 Pembina Hwy.) Friday night for the release of their small-batch cider called "My Bloody Valentine" and two additional small-batch beer offerings. Loaf and Honey will be on hand with a pop-up menu for purchase, and theres trivia and music planned too. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 12:41:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CHANGSHA, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Many foreign students have jointly written a letter to express their support for China in its fight against the coronavirus. The letter comes from foreign students at the Hunan University of Technology in central China's Hunan Province. The students said that they believe China "will give a powerful rebuff to all difficulties and adversities that have appeared in the fight against this disease." The Chinese people in difficult times show that China is a united nation, the letter continued. "Wuhan, we are with you! China, we are with you!" The letter was written in Chinese, Russian and English and posted on social media. At the university, many foreign students said they have confidence in China's ability to win the battle against the epidemic. "The university has informed us about specific protection measures," said Darisuren Suvd-Erdene, from Mongolia. "They take our temperatures every day and provide food, masks and daily necessities." "We are with China, and we believe in the Chinese government's efforts to fight the epidemic," said El Hatimi Laila, from Morocco. Nezamov Rasul, from Uzbekistan, wrote on his social media, "I am with China, and we will get through this together." BJP secretary H Raja on Sunday demanded action against the executive officer of the Brahadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur for allowing members from different religions, who were seeking the consecration to take place in Tamil and not Sanskrit, to protest. Addressing a press meet in Madurai, Raja asked, "An action against should be taken against the executive officer of the Brahadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur for allowing members from different religions, who are seeking the consecration to take place in Tamil and not Sanskrit, to protest." "Why people like David Maniarasan, Ahmed Kabir and Jainulabeen were allowed into the temple when it is specified that only 'Hindus' be allowed, particularly into the sanctum sanctorum. The trio demanded the consecration in Tamil in Hindu temple and not not in other places of worship like Mosque." The BJP leader further accused DMK president M K Stalin of "hypocrisy" stating that the latter claimed to have abolished Brahmin patriarchy. He said DMK chief will never raise voice against not using Tamil in Mosques. "He named a North-Indian Brahmin Prashant Kishor (political strategist) for the preparation of 2021 Assembly elections in the state. "Stalin has decided so as he himself is incapable of handling the DMK," he said. Speaking about the Citizenship Amendment Act, he cornered Congress and said: "Opposing CAA is like a crime. With anti-CAA protest, they thought they can oppose the Central government. Gandhi's Congress has become Italy's Congress today." Raja claimed that citizens in Chennai are being forcefully asked to sign anti-CAA drive led by DMK. "A church in Chennai's Pallikaranai making citizens sign the anti-CAA signature drive by the DMK. Citizens are being black-mailed by Stalin," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andrea Leadsom is facing the axe in this week's reshuffle after 'lecturing' Boris Johnson on the dangers of a male-dominated Cabinet. The Business Secretary, whose position was already under threat, sparked irritation in Downing Street at the weekend by insisting in a newspaper article that gender equality should be 'the absolute norm'. Mrs Leadsom, pictured, wrote about the dangers of a 'male-dominated environment' and said diversity should be the 'watchword...not for its own sake, but because of the excellence that a diverse range of views bring to decision-making.' Andrea Leadsom is facing the axe this week after 'lecturing' Boris Johnson on the dangers of a 'male-dominated' working environment. She sparked outrage after writing that gender equality should be 'the absolute norm' in a Daily Telegraph article, this week Although the Daily Telegraph article was ostensibly about the need for more women in company boardrooms, it was seen in No10 as a thinly-veiled warning to the Prime Minister not to embark on a clear-out of senior women. One source said: 'Leadsom's article was ill-advised. Whatever the motive, it came across as lobbying in public to keep her job, which has not endeared her to anyone.' Another insider said: 'Lecturing the Prime Minister about sexism is not the way to keep your job.' Friends of Miss Leadsom today insisted her article had been focused 'solely' on the issue of women on boards, and said it was 'frustrating' that it had been presented at the weekend as a coded warning about gender balance in the reshuffle. 'It wasn't in any way a commentary on No 10 or the reshuffle this week,' said one ally. Aides to Mr Johnson have urged him to sack a string of senior women this week, including Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers, Trade Secretary Liz Truss, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey, housing minister Esther McVey and Mrs Leadsom. She said the Cabinet's diversity (pictured, Cabinet meeting in Sunderland on January 31) should be the 'watchword' for 'the excellence that a diverse range of views bring to decision-making'. But her call for gender equality has been dubbed 'ill-advised' and a way to keep her job which has 'not endeared her to anyone', say insiders With Culture Secretary Baroness Morgan already stepping down, Mr Johnson faces a challenge to maintain the number of senior women at his top table. No10 is acutely sensitive to allegations of sexism. Allies of Mr Johnson acknowledge that the number of female cabinet ministers could fall this week. But they say it is hard to replace women at the top level because of the failure of Theresa May to promote more females to mid-ranking jobs and the departure of senior figures over Brexit. Leadsom is pictured arriving at the Cabinet meeting with Kwasi Kwarteng in Sunderland. Sources have insisted the overall number of women in Government will rise, with more promoted to the junior and middle ranks Sources insist that the overall number of women in Government will rise, with more promoted to the junior and middle ranks with an eye to future reshuffles. Last week there were signs Miss Truss may now survive, with Mr Johnson referring to her approvingly in a major speech. Last night sources indicated Miss Coffey in post only five months could also be given a reprieve. One insider said: 'She deserves a chance to show what she can do.' Liz Truss (pictured on February 6) may survive the Cabinet reshuffle after Mr Johnson referred to her approvingly, last week Aides to Mr Johnson have urged him to sack a string of senior women this week, including Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers (pictured), Ms Truss, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey, Esther McVey and Mrs Leadsom Therese Coffey, in post only five months, could also be given a reprieve in the Cabinet reshuffle Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin has warned that any party refusing to talk to his and others to form a government will be "punished" by voters if they force a second election on the country. Speaking exclusively to the Irish Examiner, the Dublin Mid West TD said Sinn Fein were willing to "roll up the sleeves" and go into talks with others. The senior party TD said that nobody predicted the shift in public opinion. His comments come as tallies from around the country continue to show Sinn Fein topping polls and also winning new seats, after the surge in support for the party. It is expected that they will at least get 35 seats or more at this stage. Elsewhere, Fine Gael are relieved with the exit poll-which showed them neck and neck with Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein-but admit there will be losses for their party. Environment Minister Richard Bruton, speaking to the Irish Examiner, again ruled out working with Sinn Fein. That has been a rock solid element of our campaign, we couldn't change that. Fianna Fail have also admitted their misfortunes, with the party's general secretary Sean Dorgan saying the sluggish vote for the party in Dublin in particular was "disappointing". But the big story of the day is what has been described as a revolution in Irish politics. Read More: The party also looks on course to take two seats in Donegal and Dublin Mid-West. Mr O Broin said that party leader Mary Lou McDonald's performance in the TV debates had helped Sinn Fein. But Fianna Fail and Fine Gael had "to react to the fact that so many voters wanted change", he added. The electorate want things to be done differently on housing and health and transport. He said his party would roll its sleeves up and go into talks with any other party. However, he had a stern warning for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael who have ruled out talking to Sinn Fein. If they refused, this would get other parties into trouble in the future and the electorate would punish any party that forced a second general election on the electorate, he added. This is an opinion column. The 50th annual Bassmaster Classic, to be fished at Lake Guntersville from March 6-8, could be one for the books if temperatures and weather cooperate. While bass fishing currently is slow on the 69,000-acre impoundment of the Tennessee River due to water temperatures in the high 40s, the long-range forecast shows daily temperatures approaching the 60s for the next several weeks. If that follows through until Classic time, or if we get a week of 70-degree weather as March arrives, big catches are almost assured. Many of the biggest catches on any bass lake come in whats called the pre-spawn period, when mature female bass school and feed heavily just off the edge of flats, flooded creeks and shoal bays prior to moving into the shallows to spawn. This happens when the water temperature hits the low 60s in most of Alabama, usually in mid-to-late March. The Classic is scheduled to come as close to the peak of this pre-spawn schooling as possible. When the Classic was held at Lake Guntersville in 2014, Randy Howell found a school of these big fish at the Spring Creek bridge. He won the event sitting in that one spot on the final day and landing a five-bass limit that weighed 29 pounds, 2 ounces, throwing an orange Livingston Lures crankbait that became known as the Howeller," Even that was not the big string of the event because angler Paul Mueller brought in a bag that went 32-3 on the first day. Also fortuitous is the fact Guntersville appears to be well into a big fish cycle. Biologists report that most lakes go through periodic peaks and valleys in production of large bass, based primarily on spawning conditions. Five to seven years after a particularly good spawning year, when temperature, water levels and weather are just right for fry survival, many lakes see several golden years of producing whopper bass. As these fish gradually age out of the population bass live 7 to 10 years in most cases the fishery goes back to a reduced production of big fish for anglers. Several local guides on Guntersville report the lake appears to be approaching the peak of one of these cycles, so there should be lots of big fish waiting to be caught. Who will win the 2020 event? Its a bigger question than usual, with many new names in the field and old ones missing. Scott Canterbury, an Alabama resident and reigning Angler of the Year, has to be one of the favorites because hes on a roll and because he lives only an hour from the lake. Seth Fedler, Chris Zaldain, John Cox and Paul Mueller, who did so well in the 2014 event, are all likely to be in the hunt. Tournament take-off and returns are slated for Civitan Park, just off Alabama 69 on the west side of Guntersville, while the daily weigh-ins are 75 miles away the the BJCCs Legacy Arena in Birmingham. The anglers trailer their boats with the fish in the aerated livewells down to the weigh-in, and ride into the arena in their boats before stepping on stage with their bag of fish before what is likely to be a capacity crowd of some 17,000 screaming fans. The anglers reveal their lures and strategy on the final day, always a big draw. The Bassmaster Classic Expo is also part of the event at BJCC, with hundreds of manufacturers of boats, motors, rods, reels, lures and every imaginable sort of fishing accessory displaying their new-for-2020 gear. Admission to all events is free, but parking is expensive around the center. Editors note: As a note of correction, we mentioned recently that free shuttle buses will bring guests to the center from remote lots for the Classic weigh-ins and Expo, but B.A.S.S. says that service will not be available this time around so plan accordingly. By Express News Service MADURAI: As the eight-day annual Theppam festival came to an end on Saturday, thousands of devotees from in and around the district thronged the Vandiyur Mariamman Theppakulam to witness the spectacle. After 40 years water was pumped into the tank through the Panaiyur channel reaching its full level. More than a 400 year-old-festival was introduced by King Thirumalai Nayak in 17th century. Corresponding with the birth star (Poosam) of the king, who was an ardent worshiper of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, the Nayak king had flagged off the festival to commemorate his birth anniversary. The preceding deities of Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, the bronze statues of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar went on a procession from the temple and reached Teppakulam through the four Chithirai streets, East Masi street, Yanaikkal, Nelpettai and Kamarajar Salai during the wee hours of morning. The deities were later placed at the pedestal of a decorated float that was illuminated with colourful lights, flags and festoons. Following the signal, the float took a ride through the tank with colourful fire crackers lighting the sky. Around 1,000 police personnel and 80 fire and rescue personnel were deployed for security purpose along with the medical teams and ambulance services to handle untoward incidents. Following the directions of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, water was pumped into Theppakulam from Vaigai river through the 400-year-old Panaiyur channel after 40 long years reaching its full level of 18 feet. Speaking to TNIE, a resident of the locality L Kaleeswari (38) said, "I have been in Vandiyur for the past seven years. I have seen only the Nilai Theppam (Stagnant Float) in past three years as the water level has been down. It is enthralling to see the lights beaming on the tank with full water level. Around 70 foreign tourists from Belgium, Germany, England, France and Israel witnessed the Theppam festival. The State Tourism Department along with Madurai Travel Club made special arrangements at Thiagarajar College for the guests to witness the spectacle. District Tourism Officer Sri Balamurugan said, "For the first time we arranged a cultural programme for the guests. As the roads would be blocked before the onset of festival we had to reach early. However, the guests were made to sit idle for long hours. A cultural programme with traditional art forms like parai attam, silambattam, karagam and barathanatiyam were arranged at the college auditorium to keep the guests engaged." A guest from Belgium, Monika said that she along with her three friends came exclusively to witness the Theppam festival as her guide stressed on the historical background of the festivals in the south. "We have such festivals in our country but we do not have much historical reference and importance to them," she said. This essay is part of a series this month, coinciding with the concept of Flagship February, wherein we intend to revisit the flagship beers of regional craft breweries, reflect on their influence within the beer scene, and assess how those beers fit into the modern beer world. Click here to see all the other entries in the series. Given that this is a series of essays on regional brewery flagships, and given also that my interest in craft beer first dawned as I turned 21 in the mid-2000s, the beers featured in the series have a tendency to predate my own beer drinking days. I wasnt there, obviously, when Californians were first discovering the wonders of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in the early 1980s, and I certainly wasnt participating when the likes of Samuel Adams Boston Lager spearheaded the first microbrewery boom (and then bust) in the 1990s. Most of these beers Im writing about already had reputations as bastions of the industry by the first time I idly sampled them as a curious college junior in 2007. That is, with a few exceptions. Because Ive largely been building this list around breweries who are part of the Brewers Associations 50 largest craft brewers in terms of production, a few more modern operations have snuck into the mix. And the largest of all of them to be founded in the 2010s, with only one exception, is a brewery I know quite well, because Ive been visiting since day oneChicagos Revolution Brewing Co. Theres little doubt that Revolution was the brewery of the decade for Chicago in the 2010s, at least in terms of widespread cultural impact. There may be several others in that conversation, especially the likes of Half Acre or Off Color, but Revolution was the outfit to truly inherit the mantle of Chicagos craft brewery after Goose Islands shocking sale in 2011 to Anheuser-Busch InBev, which would of course kick off the cycle of acquisition that consumed most of the last decade. It was Revolution that stood poised to inherit that sense of goodwill and torch-bearing status as the citys largest and most visible craft brewery, even as they embarked upon and then ultimately refined a barrel-aged beer program that would eventually dethrone Goose Islands venerable Bourbon County Stout as the citys most sought-after jewel. All that, and they sold bacon-fat popcorn at the brewpub as well. But despite the headlines Revolution generates these days for its (phenomenal) barrel-aged bruisers, the flagship from the beginning was an excellent little IPA by the name of Anti-Hero. Fitting in snugly in a Revolution lineup with beers named for William Jennings Bryan quotes and famous Socialist candidates for the Presidency, Anti-Hero became by far the beer most intensely associated with brewery, and along with Half Acres Daisy Cutter, the gold standard for widely accessible hoppy ales in the city. I can distinctly recall the first time I sampled it in 2010. Suffice to say, it was a beer that blew me away at the time, possessing a dimension of hop flavor I had rarely encountered in IPAs of the day. I liked it so much, in fact, that I even wrote to Revolution founder Josh Deth in late 2010 (I just found the email), specifically asking for hints as to its hop varietals, in order to brew a homebrew clone of some kind. I eventually brewed that very beer in honor of my younger brothers 21st birthday, pushing him down the same path of hops exposure. My love for Anti-Hero was sent out into the world for all to see. That was a decade ago, and you likely dont need me to tell you how different the beer-scape is today from how it was then. In fact, its beers like Anti-Hero that have most clearly illustrated the changing of consumer tastes, not because theyve changed themselves but because theyve provided a consistent reference point as the rest of the genre has morphed around them. Even as IPA became fruitier, thicker, juicier, greener and sweeter, Anti-Hero held its ground and increased its distribution, becoming one of the most popular and dependable IPAs in the Midwest. It didnt reformulate itself to cater to the emerging trendRevolution wisely decided to let the other entries in the Hero series of IPAs do that instead. Rather, Anti-Hero solidified itself as the kind of strong regional flagship that so few breweries founded in the 2010s have managed to legitimately create. So with all that said, lets re-taste some Anti-Hero IPA. Tasting: Revolution Brewing Anti-Hero IPA Beer geeks, as much as any other segment, have a tendency to severely discount how much THEIR OWN perception and tastes have changed over the years. When we sample a beer that we previously appreciated for one reason or another and find it to be different than we remembered, our first thought is that the beer has changed. Thats certainly a possibility, but its frankly more likely that a combination of our own unreliable memory and constantly changing taste buds are the real cause. Few beers illustrate this more accurately for me on a personal level than Anti-Hero, precisely because Ive been drinking it fairly regularly since 2010. When I first tasted this beer, way back then, it struck me as fiercely, defiantly hoppy, with a genuinely citrusy and fruit-forward character I had rarely experienced in an IPA before. Today, I perceive it differently, but I know its one of those cases where its me that has changed over the years, rather than the beer. Granted, its possible that there have been some small alterations to Anti-Hero since its beginning, but no brewery in its right mind was saying lets make our IPA less hoppy throughout this past decade. Rather, its the world that changed around Anti-Hero, while it steadfastly held its ground, resulting in a beer that comes off as much more balanced today than it did to me a decade ago. On the nose, I get plenty of floral notes, along with moderate charges of grapefruit and orange zest, but theres also a little bit of toasted malt peeking out from behind the hop impressions. It smells like a philosophical midpoint between the bone-dry, less fruity IPAs that preceded it and the more distinctly juicy wave to come. On the palate, my first thought is orange marmalade, as the hop impressions offer a slight orange juiciness that is tempered by a more bitter, pithy quality. Again theres a slight malt presence for balance, which manifests in the form of notes like subtle black tea and toasty maltiness, but its more given toward hops overall, with notes of orange, grapefruit juice and a surprisingly floral component that I didnt really remember. Bitterness is quite sturdy, as each sip reinforces thisits funny how the palate can become less accustomed/resistant to bitterness when modern hazy IPA is so defined by its lack of appreciable bitterness. Overall, this is a robustly hoppy IPA, but one still balanced by a modicum of malt, even if it tilts solidly in the direction of hops. It comes close to what would have been a platonic ideal of the time when it was created, at the beginning of the 2010s, and its easy to see why it struck me as such a revelation at the time. On the other hand, its also easy to see why someone who was brought into the IPA world by hazy juice bombs would likely shrug and move on after sampling ita beer like Anti-Hero services an entirely different need. And there you have ita beer that started the decade as something that registered as outrageous, finishing that decade as something that comes off as balanced. If you need an illustration of just how nutty the beer world is, look no further. I can safely say I have no idea where tastes will swing next, but I have a feeling Anti-Hero IPA will still be there. Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and resident craft beer geek. You can follow him on Twitter for much more drinks writing. Tim's take That whispering sigh of relief from the south? It just might be the late, great, Tim Fischer, not rolling over in his grave. About a fortnight before he died last year, our former Deputy Prime Minister told me firmly: I will resign from the National Party if Barnaby Joyce ever becomes its leader again. It was not personal, as he quite liked the garrulous member for New England. It was the fear that Joyce would take the National Party backwards. Tims widow Judy, who on Saturday gave me her blessing to put this in the public domain, is firm.Tim wanted the National Party only to move forward, not back. He saw a great future for regional Australia and agriculture if we embraced the opportunities and worked together She also notes, Coincidentally today is the annual Tumbatrek walk Tim started, being lead by Michael McCormack, which is more relevant today than ever with the bushfire damage through the Kosciusko area." Tim Fischer wanted his party to go forward. Credit:SMH Joke of the Week A Dubliner is drinking Guinness in a bar. A man of Asian ethnicity sits next to him and has a couple of drinks. After a while the Dubliner turns to him and says, Do you know them martial arts, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Judo and such? Offended, the man replies, Are you asking me this because I look Chinese? No. says the Irishman, Because yer drinkin me fookin Guinness! Quotes of the Week "Im not relying on evidence, Hamish.- Clearly. LNP Senator Jim Molan on Q&A, ignoring the science and evidence of climate change. It drew heckles from the crowd. The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the president committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a high crime and misdemeanor. Yes, he did. - Senator Mitt Romney, covering himself in glory as the only Republican in the Senate with the courage to speak the obvious truth on the proposed impeachment of President Trump. Matt Canavan resigned his position as resources minister, and I wish him all the best. - Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, after seeing off the attempted Barnaby Joyce putsch, backed by Canavan. Remember, I've been in politics longer than Scott Morrison, and I've been in leadership longer than Scott Morrison. I know how to deal at the highest level. I've been at the table, and for our team, for the Nationals team, if I'm given the opportunity, the great honour to do that again, I will. - Barnaby Joyce talking big before the leadership challenge. People in Andhra to get quality liquor at Rs 50 if BJP comes to power: Somu Veerraju Night curfew in Andhra Pradesh: Know timings, guidelines, rules; What is allowed, what is not allowed Andhra Pradesh govt places DGP-rank IPS officer A B Venkateswara Rao under suspension India oi-Madhuri Adnal Amaravati, Feb 08: The Andhra Pradesh government late on Saturday night placed Director General of Police-rank IPS officer A B Venkateswara Rao under suspension for allegedly "endangering" national security through his "acts of treason" when he was state Intelligence chief during the previous regime. Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney issued an order placing Rao under suspension based on a report submitted by Director General of Police (Head of Police Force) Gautam Sawang, alleging "serious misconduct" in the process of procurement of security equipment. Three capitals for Andhra Pradesh: State govt issues order to relocate offices from Amravati Rao, who belongs to the 1989 batch, was removed as the Intelligence chief after the Y S Jaganmohan Reddy government assumed office on May 30 last year. Ever since, he has not been given a posting. A confidential report on Rao, considered the 'Man Friday' of former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, said, "Rao wilfully disclosed intelligence protocols and procedures of police to a foreign defence manufacturing firm. This is a direct threat to national security as intelligence protocols are standard throughout the Indian Police Force." "Based on facts uncovered via investigation, prima facie evidence is established on the grave misconduct and irregularities, which were willfully committed by the accused officer resulting out of conscious and premeditated act of treason towards the state and the nation," the confidential report said. The report also said Rao colluded with one RT Inflatables Private Limited, an Israeli defence equipment manufacturer, to illegally award critical intelligence and surveillance contract to his son Chetan Sai Krishna, who was CEO of Akasam Advanced Systems Pvt. Ltd. (primary bidder on behalf of RT Inflatables Pvt. Ltd.). "This proves a direct co-relation between the accused officer and a foreign defence manufacturing firm, thus establishing a direct breach of ethical code of conduct and Rule (3) (a) of All India Service (Conduct) Rules, 1968," the report added. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 9:54 [IST] Photo: Peter L./Yelp Head up to the second floor of Union Square boutique hotel Palihotel San Francisco (417 Stockton St.) and you'll find cocktail bar Fisher Loft. The "loft-style all-day restaurant," as the new spot bills itself, offers elevated salads and sandwiches alongside a concise menu of cocktails. Check out the house Old Fashioned, made with milk-washed bourbon; the Fisher Gimlet, with house-made lime cordial; and the champagne cocktail, with cognac, bitters and a brandied cherry. If you're hungry, try the Caesar salad, the house fish sandwich, the Paliclub sandwich or the Loft burger topped with coleslaw and a fried egg (there's a veggie-friendly Beyond burger, too). Additionally, as a hotel spot, Fisher Loft offers a daily breakfast bar from 79 a.m. ($15 per person and open to non-guests), and the space also hosts live music, open-mic nights and other events. The new arrival has proven popular thus far, with a five-star rating out of four reviews on Yelp. Peter L., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Dec. 27, wrote, "The bartenders, Julian and Eric, are good with drinks and more importantly customer-centric repertoire." Yelper Tyler J. added, "Hidden gem of a bar up from Union Square in the newly renovated and rebranded Palihotel. Recommended if you're looking for a break from the hustle of Union Square and/or the overload of hipster bars." Interested? Fisher Loft serves up drinks from 11 a.m.10 p.m. daily. Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in San Francisco? Here's what else opened recently near you. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Ilkin Seyfaddini - Trend: The parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are very well organized, Birgit Wetzel, a representative of the election observation mission from Germany, told Trend. I came here as part of an election observation mission at the invitation of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Berlin, Wetzel said. We visited polling stations and made sure that the voting process was well organized. I have been to Azerbaijan many times and I am happy to be here again. The representative noted that holding parliamentary elections at such a level will be crucial for Azerbaijans future generations. This is our third day in Azerbaijan, added Wetzel. Based on what we saw and heard from people over these three days, the elections should be successful. We saw a great number of young and independent candidates who put forward their candidacy for the elections. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed solidarity with the Chinese President and the people of China over the outbreak of coronavirus in China, sources said. The virus has claimed over 800 lives in that country so far. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, PM Modi offered Indias assistance to face the challenge. Modi offered condolences at the unfortunate loss of lives due to the outbreak. PM also conveyed appreciation for the facilitation provided by the Government of China for evacuation of Indian citizens from Hubei province earlier this month, sources said. Over two days on February 1 and 2, the government evacuated over 600 Indians from Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in China. The evacuees are now at two quarantine facilities in Delhi and Manesar in Haryana. India has put in place massive screening facilities at several airports, seaports and border check points with Nepal to detect coronavirus. Three Indians all of them in Kerala - had tested positive for the virus so far prompting the Kerala government to declare a health emergency. That step was later scaled down. Many families have been quarantined in the state and their health is being monitored daily. 09.02.2020 LISTEN The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the EU Spotlight Initiative has provided support to survivors of Sexual Gender-Based Violence through the distribution of care packages to various One Stop Centers and Safe Homes around the country. The donation is aimed at addressing the basic needs of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence survivors at these centers. The food and non-food items donated include Cream of wheat, Corn flakes, Biscuits, Milk, Ovaltine, Sugar, Juice, Mayonnaise, Butter, Tissue, Toothpaste, Powder soap, Laundry soap, Clorox, Dettol, Sanitary pads, Children Clothes, Nightgown, and toys for kids. As enshrined in the Ministry's 2020 New Year Message to the public, it remains dedicated to caring for the vulnerable, the extremely poor, the elderly as well as leading stronger efforts in curbing rape, domestic violence, child abuse, teenage pregnancy and a host of social vices that affect society. The beneficiaries are: JDJ One Stop Center, Star of the Sea One Stop Center, Duport Road clinic One Stop Center, Martha Tubman One Stop Center, Phoebe One Stop Center, C B Dunbar One Stop Center, CH Rennie One Stop Center, others are: Hope for Women International, Redemption hospital, Margibi Safe Home, Nimba Safe Home and Grand Gedeh Safe Home. Gender extends appreciation to the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the EU Spotlight Initiative for their unflinching support to the fight against Sexual Gender-Based Violence. The Ministry will continue to strengthen her engagements with partners and other stakeholders for intentional increment in advocacy. T he UK and Ireland have been hit by power cuts and widespread flooding after Storm Ciara battered the country with torrential rain and winds of almost 100mph. Thousands of people were left without power, homes were evacuated and buildings were hit by devastating damage as heavy rain and strong gusts swept across the country on Sunday. The Met Office issued a danger to life amber alert for most of England and Wales, with a yellow weather warning in place for the whole of Britain between 8am and 9pm. Gusts of 97 miles per hour were recorded on the Isle of White, with 93 miles per hour winds hitting the Welsh village of Aberdaron, as forecasters warned of the danger of flying debris. Storm Ciara batters UK and Ireland - In pictures 1 /46 Storm Ciara batters UK and Ireland - In pictures Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse on the south coast of England AFP via Getty Images A Toyota car in a sinkhole which appeared overnight in Hatch Road, Brentwood, in the aftermath of Storm Ciara, which hit the country Sunday PA A woman tries to protect herself from the high winds and rain in Sheffield AFP via Getty Images Body boarders ride the stormy waves at Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales, Britain as Storm Ciara approaches the Welsh coastline Reuters A downed crushing a car in Wigan. PA The ball hits the back of the net as Sunday League football continues on Clapham Common in south London as Storm Ciara hits large parts of Britain Reuters Cars drive through floodwater as hurricane-force winds and rain affected the country's transport network leading to disruptions and prompting warnings of power cuts and a risk to life in Manchester Reuters PA A flooded car is pictured in Mytholmroyd AFP via Getty Images PA Flooded houses in Mytholmroyd, northern England AFP via Getty Images A man enters a house on a flooded street in Mytholmroyd, northern England AFP via Getty Images Floods ripped through the town of Mytholmroyd, northern England AFP via Getty Images PA PA Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland PA Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland PA People sit in their cars to watch as they waves crash over the wall at Newhaven Harbour AFP via Getty Images Sheep cut off by a flooding River Tweed Getty Images A house cut off by flood waters near the river Tweed Getty Images Staff struggle to hold onto a centre circle cover ahead of the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round match at Broadwood Stadium, Glasgow PA The RNLI Nehaven lifeboat is seen beyond waves as they crash into the sea wall at Newhaven Harbour AFP via Getty Images Fans arrive in the heavy rain for the Premier League match at Bramall Lane between Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth PA A fan arrives in the heavy rain for the Premier League match at Bramall Lane between Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth PA Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland PA Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland PA High water levels in Hawes, North Yorkshire. PA A trampoline has blown onto the railway line between Sevenoaks and Orpington PA High water levels in Hawes, North Yorkshire. PA South Shore Fire Station handout photo of firefighters rescuing a person from a car in a flooded street in Blackpool. PA Huge waves are battering the south coast Getty Images People walk along the promenade as waves in break in a stormy sea alongside the lighthouse in New Brighton AFP via Getty Images Flooding in Hawes, North Yorkshire. PA Sandbags are place the entrance to Coco Cafe Salthill. PA Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill Co. Galway is battered by waves as Ireland and the UK brace for Storm Ciara. PA Inland, Manchester Airport recorded gusts of 86 miles per hour, while 177mm of rain fell in Honister Pass, in Cumbria, in the 24 hours to 4pm on Sunday around one-and-a-half times the average February rainfall of 112mm. Some 539,000 people experienced a power cut on Sunday with 118,000 left without power by 4pm across the whole of the UK, according to Energy Networks. More than 200 flood warnings were issued across England, including one rated severe at Pateley Bridge, in North Yorkshire, meaning there is a danger to life, which was later stood down. Flooding in seen in Hawes, North Yorkshire / PA Chris Wilding, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: Some significant river flooding is possible across parts of the north of England today due to heavy, persistent rain and severe gale force winds associated with Storm Ciara. We urge people in at-risk areas to remain vigilant. Minor coastal flooding impacts are also possible for parts of the south, west and north-east England coast, where high tides, large waves and coastal gales combine. We advise people to check their flood risk, stay safe and avoid activities such as storm selfies. A flooded street pictured in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire / THE AFGHAN RUG SHOP via REUTERS Meanwhile a British Airways flight hit a speed of 800mph, likely breaking the fast-ever New York to London crossing time as winds propelled it forward. BBC One also went off-air for more than seven minutes due to a glitch caused by damage from the storm. Flights to and from major UK airports were cancelled and disrupted, including Qantas flight QF10, which returned to Heathrow after experiencing a suspected tailstrike during take-off. Waves crash over Newhaven Lighthouse on the south coast of England on February 9, 2020 / AFP via Getty Images And there was severe disruption across the rail network as providers in England, Scotland and Wales operated with reduced timetables and speed restrictions in place throughout Sunday. Train firms including Caledonian Sleeper, Gatwick Express, Grand Central, Great Northern, Hull Trains, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, Southern, Thameslink and TransPennine Express, issued do not travel warnings. There was also widespread damage to buildings, overhead electrical wires and tracks from debris or falling trees. Passengers had to be rescued from a Southeastern train to Victoria after a tree caused serious damage to the track / PA Part of a cafe and guest house in the Scottish Borderlands collapsed into a river as Scotland was pummelled with high winds and heavy rain. Footage posted on social media showed a wall of the Bridge House Guest House and Sonias Bistro collapsing into the fast-flowing River Teviot leaving the rooms inside exposed. Emergency services said the building in Hawick had been evacuated and there were no reports of any injuries. Dramatic footage showed part of the building crumbling into the river / PA The town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, in Cumbria, was hit by severe flooding as the River Eden burst its banks, with residents battling to protect their homes. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service urged people not to drive through floodwater after they rescued a number of motorists, while police forces across the country advised people to stay off the roads. The River Irwell burst its banks at Radcliffe and Bury Council set up a rest centre in a leisure centre for residents affected by the flooding. A major incident was declared in Lancashire, where firefighters received 311 calls, including 192 related to flooding, before it was stood down. Flooded streets in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria / PA Areas including Whalley, Longton and Rossendale were affected, with some properties in the Blackpool area evacuated. Firefighters in the town had to rescue a motorist whose car got stuck in deep floodwater and a man escaped with minor injuries after being trapped for over an hour when a tree fell on a car in Flitwick, Bedfordshire. A surfer was rescued from rough seas after losing his board following a search by rescue teams from HM Coastguard and the RNLI off the coast of Hastings, East Sussex. Three people were injured after part of a pub roof collapsed in Perth on Saturday evening and a stand at Wisbech Town FCs Fenland Stadium, in Cambridgeshire, collapsed on Sunday due to powerful winds. Disruption could continue into tomorrow morning as repair work may be hampered by the conditions. Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: Even through the early hours of Monday and throughout the day, its going to be windy. We have further warnings, there will be further showers and snow. While Storm Ciara is clearing away, that doesnt mean were entering a quieter period of weather. Its going to stay very unsettled. Strong gusts are expected to continue to hit Northern Ireland and most of Scotland after the storm has moved away on Monday with heavy snow also predicted and yellow warnings are in place for the regions until midday on Wednesday. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Sunday announced that Dadhichi Deh Dan Samiti (DDS), which works to spread awareness on organ donation, will give Rs one lakh to family members of those who will donate their body/organs. Modi is the chief patron of the DDS, a non-governmental organisation, whose aim is to motivate people on the importance of organ donation. "The Odisha government has recently taken a decision to give Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who will donate their body or organs...We will also discuss the issue at the government level. "Till such a decision is taken by the state government, the DDS has decided to give Rs one lakh each to those families, whose member has donated either his body or his organs," Sushil Kumar Modi said. He said this while addressing a meeting of the the DDS members here. The DDS chief patron made it clear that organs of an individual can be donated if the person is declared brain dead by a doctor trained and authorised for the job. The state government will also honour institutions and people who are working to motivate people and their family members to donate their body and organs, he said. The Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) here is the only institute where doctors have been trained to declare a peron as "brain dead", the deputy chief minister said. Dctors of all the medical colleges of the state will be imparted training to make them eligible for declaring a person as brain dead, he said. Modi urged people to come forward to make a pledge to become an organ donour to give a "gift of life" to others even after their deaths. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, Feb 9 : The overall voter turnout Delhi assembly elections on Saturday was 62.59 percent, an Election Commission official said on Sunday. "62.59 percent was the overall turnout on Saturday. The same will be announced at a press conference by Election Commission later in the evening," the official, who did not want to be identified, said. Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday questioned why the Election Commission has not released the final voting percentage even after over 22 hours since the polling ended on Saturday. The voting ended at 6 p.m. on Saturday, however, due to long queues at some booths, more time was given so that those in line can exercise their rights. The turnout in 2015 Assembly elections was 67.12 per cent. Jugaad! Indians without helmets get off bikes to avoid challan after new traffic rules Odisha: Man allows minor to ride bike without helmet, Rs 42,500 fine slapped India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bhubaneswar, Feb 08: The transport authority in Odisha's Bhadrak district has slapped a penalty of Rs 42,500 on a man for allowing a minor to ride his motorcycle, violating traffic rules under new motor vehicles law, officials said on Saturday. The minor was found riding the bike without helmet with two of his friends on pillion, they said. The challan has been issued in name of the two-wheeler owner under the provisions of the amended Motor Vehicles Act, Traffic Inspector Dhaneswar Nayak said. "The boy was found riding the two-wheeler on wrong side of the road on Thursday. We have slapped a composite fine of Rs 42,500 for violating traffic rules," he said. The challan was issued under different heads such as Rs 500 for general offence, Rs 5,000 for allowing a person to drive a vehicle with no valid papers, Rs 5,000 for riding a motorbike without driving licence, Rs 5,000 for driving against flow of traffic, Rs 1,000 for riding a two-wheeler with more than two persons and Rs 1,000 for riding a motorcycle without helmets. In addition, Rs 25,000 was imposed under offences by juveniles under Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, Nayak said. Earlier, on two different occasions, the state transport authority had imposed a penalty of Rs 26,000 altogether on two persons for allowing juveniles to ride their two-wheelers in Angul and Cuttack districts. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 12:00 [IST] Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 18:09:36|Editor: yhy Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- San Francisco held an annual grand parade Saturday to ring in the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rat, with tens of thousands of residents and visitors showing up for the U.S. city's century-old tradition of the Chinese community. The 2020 Lunar New Year parade, hosted by the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce, greatly entertained the spectators who packed both sides of the streets downtown to watch glistening floats adorned with auspicious signs, flowers, twinkling stars, legendary gods in traditional Chinese culture, as well as lovely cartoons such as the zodiac Rat for this year. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Wang Donghua attended the event, the biggest parade to celebrate the Lunar New Year outside of Asia, which started in the 1860s. Participants from hundreds of organizations from the Bay Area, including art troupes, Chinese Kung Fu groups, school bands, government agencies and businesses sang and danced along a 3.2-km route starting from the city's financial area of Market Street to the destination in Chinatown, where Breed and Wang ignited two 200,000-firecracker rolls that brought the procession to a climactic end amid thundering explosions of firecrackers. Alfred Drees, a San Francisco native, told Xinhua that he had been out for the Chinese parade 17 times, and his last celebration of the Year of the Rat was in 1996, which left him with a vivid and unforgettable impression. Ken Spiegelman, who recently moved from New York to California, said it was the first time for him to watch the parade in San Francisco. "I've never seen the parade in San Francisco, and this one is much bigger than the one in Manhattan. It was always a lot of fun," he said. On January 31, 2020, the sun shone on British independence from the European Union. That sunlight is essential to solve the complex and convoluted problems confronting the U.K. The struggle, as Abraham Lincoln said, is not altogether for today; it is for a vast future also. The country faces economic, political, and military factors, some of which are pertinent to the United States. It is dealing with an E.U. that is divided over significant issues, especially defense matters, and over the prominence of French president Emmanuel Macron. After a 47-year relationship, Britain is leaving the European Union, although it is not clear to what extent it is leaving Europe, or even whether it can prosper economically outside the E.U. Can the country maintain the lifestyle to which it has been used for so long? The U.K. has made its controversial choice of independence, though not resembling the policy of Winston Churchill in 1944, when he told Charles de Gaulle that Britain would always choose the Atlantic over the Channel the "special relationship," in effect. This choice was not without its problems. The U.S. was the stronger power, as U.S. presidents showed: President Harry Truman severing the U.K. lifeline in 1945, President Dwight Eisenhower pressuring Sterling to end the Suez Canal crisis in 1956, President Ronald Reagan ordering U.S. forces into Grenada before telling Prime Minister Thatcher. Former secretary of state Dean Acheson in a speech at West Point in December 1962 cuttingly remarked that the special relationship was about played out and that Great Britain had lost an empire and not yet found a role. Britain is now seeking that role. Among the different formulations is the one by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that Britain will be an independent actor and take no part in disputes among the various sides in the European Union. His starting position seems clear: to reach an agreement with the E.U. before the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020. During this transition period, Britain will remain in both the E.U. customs union and single market, and E.U.-U.K. trade will continue without extra charge. The total amount of U.K. trade was 1.3 trillion pounds almost half, 641 million, was with the E.U. It is meaningful that the E.U., which is the U.K.'s most important trading partner, is less dependent on trade than is the U.K. The U.K. must stop new tariffs or other trade barriers coming into force. If the negotiations fail, the U.K. will have to trade with the E.U. under the basic rule of the WTO: that tariffs will be applied to most goods that U.K. business sends to the E.U., making them more expensive, and needing full border checks for goods, which means traffic bottlenecks at ports. The optimal solution is cutting all tariffs to zero, thus increasing trade and economic growth, and keeping the non-tariff barrier low. Transition also means that Britain will no longer have members in the European Parliament, nor can it attend E.U. summits. An initial problem, hotly disputed, is whether the U.K. can exit without a negotiated deal. This possibility was rejected by Westminster in March 2019, but uncertainty remains. Another issue is the U.K. proposal not to accept E.U. rules on a host of issues: work rules, environment, jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. As formulated at present, the E.U. position is that the U.K. can have a zero-tariff free trade agreement if the U.K. retains the E.U. standards on issues such as workers' rights, environmental concerns, and state aid. Boris Johnson had stated that the U.K. can negotiate its own trade deals with other countries and that the relationship must ensure open and fair competition, encompassing a robust commitment to ensure a level playing field. He seeks a new free trade agreement to allow goods to move around the E.U. without checks or extra charges. If there is no deal, tariffs will be imposed on U.K. goods going to the E.U. However, a lack of clarity exists in the mutual agreement of October 2019 between the two sides, which said the free trade agreement need not involve the U.K. accepting E.U. rules on competition, subsidies, and the environment, any more than the E.U. should be obliged to accept U.K. rules. The reality is that the two sides differ on a host of topics: the arrangements for services, especially on postal and environmental issues; the role of the City of London and financial services firms; access to British waters and fishing grounds; the role of the European Court of Justice; Gibraltar, a British territory since 1713, now claimed by Spain; the site of financial exchange to remain in London or not. Some agreement may be possible on the U.K.'s participation in E.U. programs such as research and the Erasmus student exchange. However, nuclear defense issues, especially the views of French president Emmanuel Macron, are a formidable problem. On the 80th anniversary of the appeal on June 18, 1940 by General de Gaulle in London to call for a free France, Macron is coming to London in June to award the city the Legion d'Honneur in "tribute to the immense courage of a whole country and people." The French, he said, know what they owe the British, who allowed the French Republic to live. The departure of the U.K. from the E.U. has meant mixed feelings for Macron and a shock and puzzle for Europeans. Brexit is the first time a country has left the European community. While U.K. relations with the E.U. have sometimes been turbulent, Britain has been a central player in the European project. The U.K. had influenced policy on liberalization, market efficiencies, single market, and enlargement. Moreover, the U.K. has no interest in a weak E.U. It is not hostile to Macron's call for a sovereign and democratic Europe whose strength will make Europe strong. The problem not only for the U.K., but also for the U.S. is Macron's argument for a more committed and coordinate European defense strategy in which France, the only E.U. country with nuclear facilities, will occupy a central role. He does not plan to reduce the size of France's nuclear arsenal, and he will increase France's military spending. He calls for a wider role for the French nuclear arsenal in a more coordinated European defense policy. The problems are evident. Let me count some of the ways. Is the E.U. a competitive economic rival or partner? Will Macron's plan lead to lessening of the importance of NATO? Will the E.U. negotiate separately with Iran, Libya, Syria? What to do about Ireland, the Republic and Northern Ireland? Solutions have to be found in the E.U. over identity cards; the migration crisis; the common strategic culture and shared defense budget; and the consequences of a low birth rate and aging population, which will increase health costs and pensions. Britain has to deal with internal problems of the regions that are not prosperous London. Boris Johnson's actions suggest he is trying to remake the U.K. He deliberately held the first meeting of his Cabinet not in Downing Street, but in the northern city of Sutherland, home to a large Nissan car plant. One issue is that the division on Brexit is more meaningful than that between political parties, though it is likely that citizens who favor Remain will be mainly Labor and Leavers mainly Conservative, who favor hard borders, protectionism, and nationalist values. It appears that younger voters favor open borders, liberal values, and multilateralism. To what extent will the U.K. abide by E.U. rules regarding labor rights, environmental standards, intellectual property, mobility of people, aviation, road transport, energy, cyber-security, and fishing the last symbolically important for the U.K., with the belief that British fishing grounds are first and foremost for British boats? The U.K. is in the process of remaking itself. The crucial question is whether the process will make the country weaker or stronger, politically and economically. The expectation is that the process will resemble a Foggy Day in London Town that ends with brightness and radiance. Image: Boris Johnson via Flickr. NICK GARBETT QUINTET Old 505 Theatre, February 6 Finding it on a map demands heavy use of the zoom function. The remote Italian island of Lampedusa lurks about half way between Malta and Tunisia so nowhere near Sicily, let alone the main boot. But that's where trumpeter/composer Nick Garbett recently lived for 16 months, and the music for his new quintet and Lontano album marinated in that experience. Nick Garbett's electronically treated trumpet was key to the ensemble's "turquoise-coloured" sound. Credit:Frank Crews This was most vivid on the title track. Fluffy-edged, electronically treated solo trumpet preceded an ensemble of such gentle translucence that it would not be too much of a stretch to describe the music, made by Garbett, alto saxophonist Peter Farrar, pianist Daniel Pliner, bassist Jonathan Zwartz and drummer James Waples, as turquoise-coloured. Garbett's improvisation against the ensemble both focused and abstracted, while Farrar's jettisoned all sense of a note having any attack, so the sound seemed to materialise, hovering, buzzing and fluttering with vibrato. In the context of Farrar's lines and harmonies, this wide, sweetly old-fashioned vibrato was as improbable as a kitsch element in a Jackson Pollack painting, and yet it worked, and made you wish more reed players still used vibrato the way the jazz pioneers did, because it made their lines ache with pathos. A brown bear sitting on a rock Are you afraid there is going to be a recession in 2020? If so, youre not alone. In a recent survey for Bloomberg News, 55% of Canadians said they believe the chance of a recession in 2020 is at least a somewhat likely. The Globe and Mail reported that Canadas most famous economist, David Rosenberg, believes there is an 80% chance of a recession in part due to the huge level of household debt, which will continue to weigh on consumer spending. What kind of stocks should you buy if you want to protect yourself from a market plunge? You should look for companies selling goods that consumers will want to purchase regardless of the economy. So buying stocks in the consumer staples sector should help stabilize your portfolio if markets plunge. Stocks in the food industry are particularly appealing since consumers will always eat no matter what. Lassonde Industries (TSX:LAS.A) and Metro (TSX:MRU) appear like good choices in this sector. Lassonde Industries Lassonde has successfully passed the decades because, above all, the company has managed to keep up with consumer trends. Its its greatest challenge since the markets are constantly changing. If a company doesnt adapt, it will die. To succeed, the company has a diversification strategy, offering not only juices but also sauces and broths. Lassonde also launches new products every year to meet the changing demands of its customers. It offers juices containing less sugar and calories as well as protein and probiotic drinks. Lassonde acquired Sun-Rype in October. In addition to getting its hands on another trademark, Lassonde is also entering the fruity snacks market that has made the western Canadian company famous. Lassonde has tackled the wine consumption market by launching its subsidiary, Vins Arista, in 2006, using its Prisma and Tetra Pak cardboard packaging to make its place in convenience and grocery stores of Quebec. For the fiscal year 2020, Lassonde is expected to report revenue close to $1.9 billion, an increase of 11.2% from a year ago. Profit should jump by 16.6% to $10.37 per share. Story continues The stock beta is only 0.05, so the stock has almost no correlation to the markets movements. This is good when the market plunges, as Lassondes shares shouldnt fall as much as the market. They could even jump as investors are looking for defensive stocks when markets become more volatile. Metro We all need to go to the grocery store regularly to buy food. While there are a few options for consumers, Metro is a leader in the sector in Quebec and in Ontario. It operates or supplies a network of some 950 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C, and Food Basics, as well as some 650 pharmacies mainly under the banners Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy, and Drug Basics. The grocer, which has over 70 years of experience, sells products of superior quality and has gained customers loyalty. Metro is modernizing its distribution network, which should result in greater efficiency and cost savings. The new distribution centers will offer a wider range of products and will be partially or fully automated. The transformation should be completed by 2023. Metro also plans to double the number of stores with self-checkouts in 2020 to reduce labour costs. For the fiscal year 2020, Metro is expected to report revenue of about $17.1 billion, an increase of 2.1% from a year ago. Profit should jump by 9.5% to $3.11 per share. The stock beta is only 0.15, so shares shouldnt fall as much as the market during a downside. More reading Fool contributor Stephanie Bedard-Chateauneuf has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2020 When time ran out and a decision had to be made, many undecided Iowa Democrats decided to caucus for Pete Buttigieg. That shows in the final results Buttigieg, the former mayor, appears to have edged U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders for the most state delegate equivalents by the smallest margin in Iowa Democratic caucus history. It also shows in the testimonials of Iowa Democrats that Lee and Gazette reporters have been following over the final weeks leading up to Monday nights caucuses. Crystal Meier, for example, just a week out from the caucuses said she was still considering four candidates: Buttigieg, former vice president Joe Biden, and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar. Previously she also had been considering New York entrepreneur Andrew Yang, but she eliminated him from consideration over his lack of foreign policy experience. Meier, a Mason City resident and longtime caucus participant, said she went to the caucuses trying to decide whether to caucus with her heart, which was with Biden, or her head, which was with Buttigieg. She said she was still considering Warren, too. Meier chose her head. She caucused for Buttigieg. Its always been important for me to align with someone who closest as possible represents my approach to policy, Meier said. I dont agree with him on every single thing, but maybe thats OK. Meier said she attended a Buttigieg campaign event in Des Moines the day before the caucuses and described the event as uplifting. If it is possible to frame problems with positivity, he does, she said. He looks at problems as opportunities to provide solutions. Meier said Buttigieg received the most votes and the most delegates at her precinct. Aaron Christopher also broke late for Buttigieg. Christopher, a business owner from Bettendorf, a week before the caucuses was still trying to decide between who he viewed as the three moderates in the race: Buttigieg, Biden and Klobuchar. He said he caucused for Buttigieg. Christopher said part of his calculus was his concern that President Donald Trump and the Republican would try to convince general election voters that Bidens son was engaged in questionable business practices in Ukraine. Non-partisan fact-checkers, citing experts, have found no evidence of wrong-doing by Hunter Biden. I became increasingly concerned with the baggage Biden will bring to the general election, Christopher said. Trump will have so much to throw at him with Ukraine and Hunter. Hes got a very long record in Washington that can be attacked. Hes old. Itd be a negative, nasty campaign hed face in the general. Buttigieg, by contrast, is what Christopher called the anti-Trump. Like many others, Christopher was pleasantly surprised Buttigieg performed so well statewide. Hes wicked smart, a good, Midwestern, clean-cut guy, Christopher said of the 38-year-old former South Bend, Indiana, mayor. Hes got that (former President John F.) Kennedy quality to him: young, energetic, fresh. The only thing Trumps been able to attack about him is that hes young. Luke Becker, an Iowa City native and University of Iowa sophomore, also caucused for Buttigieg after previously considering him and Biden. Although Beckers support for Buttigieg took a brief detour on caucus night: He said he originally aligned with Yang just to support a friend who was a Yang supporter. But when Yang was not viable at his caucus, Becker moved to Buttigieg. I just saw a lot of things about Biden I didnt like, Becker said. He wants to do things too old-fashioned. Pete has a clear, more progressive vision for the future, even though he is moderate. Late-breaking supporters may have been a key element in Buttigiegs caucus performance, but media outlets have stopped short of declaring him the winner. The final results show Buttigieg with a tiny lead, but there remain questions about the accuracy of results reported at dozens of precincts across the state. Jeremy Dusenberry, a fast-food worker from Muscatine, stuck with the decision he made late in the process. Just a week before the caucuses, he decided to support Sanders, and he followed through by caucusing for Sanders, who won Muscatine County. Dusenberry said he listened to what others at his caucus site had to say for their candidates, but in the end he was most moved by Sanders commitment to a $15 minimum wage. Dusenberry had also been considering Biden and Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. I wish I had that ($15 per hour wage) right now, Dusenberry said. Im not upset with whoever ends up winning. Ill vote for them in the general. Unfortunately, I live with a Trump supporter. Doug Kennedy, a John Deere worker from Cedar Falls, also stuck with his late decision to caucus for Biden. Before choosing Biden, Kennedy also had considered Buttigieg, Sanders and Warren. Kennedy said five candidates were viable at his precinct: Biden, Sanders, Klobuchar, Warren and Buttigieg. I was surprised that Pete and Amy had the most, and Bernie finished third, Kennedy said. Biden, he said, finished fifth garnering three delegates. Sanders and Warren also got three delegates, while Buttigieg and Klobuchar got five delegates each, he said. These formerly undecided Iowa Democrats agonized of their decision for months, and they were not alone. Polling published in the final week leading up to Mondays caucuses showed roughly half of Iowa Democrats remained undecided or willing to have their minds changed about which candidate to support. With their decision finally made, most of these caucus participants said they are comfortable with their decision. Meier said she was satisfied with her decision to caucus for Buttigieg, and she will continue to support him through the remainder of the national nomination process, which has now left Iowa for other early-voting states New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. But if Buttigieg does not win the partys nomination, Meier said she will support whichever Democratic candidate does. I dont know how other states will receive the candidates, but if he were to drop out, Im not going to be one of those people where its my candidate or no candidate, Meier said. I will find a new home. Reporters Ashley Stewart, Amie Rivers, Graham Ambrose and Brian Morelli contributed. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In a bid to promote 'Made in India' products, the Federation of Small Scale Industries (FSSI) will organise a mega industrial exhibition here in Gujarat from February 15, organisers said on Sunday. Over 10,000 industrial products will be showcased in more than 300 stalls at the sixth 'Engiexpo 2020' here, FSSI president Dhankesh Patel told reporters. "The three-day mega exhibition, to be held at Laprosy ground on the city's outskirts, will promote 'Made in India' products," he said, adding that the event is likely to draw over 50,000 visitors from across the country. The exhibition will showcase various products, including weighing, welding and cutting tools, products related to construction work, electronic and solar items, and packaging material. It will provide business opportunities for industries in the information technology, finance, hardware, agriculture and automobile sectors, he said. Several companies from Uzbekistan have also shown their interest in participating in the exhibition following Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's visit to that country last year, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Support Free Thought) - River Falls, WI While most parents of school children in the United States will take comfort in knowing a police officer is at their childs school, all too often, school cops are caught committing the vilest of offenses. Videos surface almost monthly of cops beating and abusing students for no reason, which is bad enough. But when they arent beating students, school cops are often times caught sexually abusing them. Case in point: a school resource officer in Wisconsin was arrested this week on multiple charges for sexually assaulting at least 7 students. Cottage Grove police officer Adam Pelton, 40, was charged Monday with three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and four counts of fourth-degree sexual conduct, all felonies. Perkins is accused of groping seven female children and attempting to solicit nude photos from one of them on multiple occasions. According to authorities, the assaults took place from Sept. 1, 2018, until Oct. 4, 2019. No more occurred after October because Pelton was put on paid leave in the wake of the investigation into his string of sexual assaults. According to the criminal complaint, as reported by the Star Tribune: Reports by several students of inappropriate sexual contact initiated by Pelton prompted authorities to ask the Apple Valley Police Department to investigate. Students alleged that Pelton repeatedly initiated hugs from them during which he would touch their buttocks over their clothing. Most of these interactions occurred in Peltons private school office, which lacked video surveillance. However, video was located that showed Pelton initiating hugs with female students in the halls. Several students also reported that Pelton would often call or refer to them as beautiful and sweetheart. One of them disclosed that he told her that if he were her age, he would date her. She also said Pelton sent her Snapchat messages over summer break. In one of the messages, he made lunch plans with her. Peltons victims ranged in age from 13-17. Because he was in a position of authority, the girls were scared to report Pelton, with some of them thinking they couldnt report him. We arent going to say anything, I mean, hes a police officer, read the complaint. To be clear, this touching wasnt sporadic. It was frequent and sexual in nature. These girls reported Peltons sexual assaults would happen four to five days a week over several months. Another student reported that Pelton repeatedly asked her to send nude photos of herself, but she never sent them. Pelton reportedly admitted to requesting the nude photos from one of the children at school but claimed the repeated requests were a joke. Pelton has been in law enforcement since 2009. However, he was only at Park High School from 2018 to 2019, during which sex assaults were reported the entire time. Before this post, Pelton was at Cottage Grove Middle School starting in January 2017meaning there could be victims there as well. As TFTP has previously reported, schools across the country are increasingly hiring police officers to do the job that teachers and guidance counselors once did. This is resulting in the criminalization of childhood as well as increased police violence against children. While the data shows that students have declining access to a kind and caring role model to guide them through their high school careers, the number of students who have access to a police officer is growing. A whopping 1.6 million (k 12th grade) students attended a school that employs a law enforcement officer but has no counselor. According to the CRDC report, which counted cops in schools for the very first time in 2014, 24 percent of elementary schools and 42 percent of high schools have armed police officers. In schools with higher concentrations of minorities that number skyrockets. It seems that schools in America are starting to more closely resemble prisons than learning facilities. Think about it children are locked in behind steel doors all day long as armed agents of the state patrol the grounds. A few minutes out of the day, the students are given a little yard time and again, they are kept under the watch of armed state agents. Video after video shows the horrific nature of such a practice as children are seen being maced, beaten, and tasered for normal childhood behaviors. And as Peltons case illustrates, they are being sexually assaulted too. So. Baptists bring on pastor to mobilize some 4,000 black churches for missionary work Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board announced the hiring of Jason Thomas, a pastor with a decades worth of experience in campus ministry, to mobilize the denominations nearly 4,000 black congregations for missionary work. The IMB is excited to have Jason join our team as we work to deepen our relationships with African American churches across the convention, Chris Derry, director of IMBs partner relations team, said in a recent release from the organization. His experience with church planting and growing historically black college and university ministries will aid him in guiding us to better listen to, equip and inspire more Southern Baptists from our African American churches to partner with our 3,660 field missionaries to take the gospel to the nations. Thomas hiring comes just months after Doug Logan, president of Grimke Seminary, Acts 29s director of Diversity for Church in Hard Places, and a pastor at Remnant Church in Richmond, Virginia, highlighted in an op-ed published by the IMB why the organization needs to send out more missionaries of color and highlighted a number of reasons how they could do this. Like it or not, the legacy of European colonialism is a major stumbling block for many of the millions who suffer in places ravaged by centuries of light-skinned oppression. In contexts like these, black and brown missionaries simply bring credibility thats hard to obtain otherwise. On top of this, diverse missionary teams avoid sending the wrong message about our faith. Simply by virtue of being different, they help the world see that the gospel is for all types of people, Logan wrote. He noted at the time that even though the IMB had fully funded missionary vacancies, very few of his friends who pastored majority black congregations were aware of the opportunities. He further suggested that the organization worked to build awareness among black churches through organizations such as the National African American Fellowship, which represents more than 4,000 predominantly black congregations in the SBC. According to the organizations website, the NAAF has a membership in excess of 400,000 ranging in size from house churches to some of the largest churches in America. And Marshal Ausberry, president of NAAF, said he was excited about Thomas hiring. Truly, we believe that the addition of Jason as a church mobilizer focusing on the African American church will help foster stronger relationships within the IMB in reaching the world for Christ," Ausberry said. Along with his 10 years of experience as a campus minister, Thomas has a Master of Divinity degree in church planting from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Southeastern Louisiana University. He and his wife, Gaynel, live in Henrico, Virginia. At least 20 civilians were killed on Sunday as Syrian regime forces were poised to retake a key motorway connecting Damascus to second city Aleppo, after weeks of battles in the rebel-held Idlib region, a monitor said. The regime and its Russian ally have been engaged in a fierce weeks-long offensive to take back the vital M5 artery which connects Aleppo, once Syria's economic hub, to Damascus and the Jordanian border. A section of the highway southwest of Aleppo city still lies under control of rebels and jihadists who dominate a shrinking, densely populated territory centred on neighbouring Idlib province. Pro-regime forces have been chipping away at the area in an assault that has sent half a million people fleeing north towards the Turkish border. Deadly raids on Sunday by regime ally Russia left 14 people dead, including nine in the village of Kar Nuran in southwestern Aleppo province, near the last stretch of the M5 still in rebel hands, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Syrian air raids with crude barrel bombs also killed four civilians in the Atareb district east of Aleppo, while another died in artillery fire near the city of Jisr Al-Shughur, it said. The last civilian was killed in regime air strikes on Ketian village in southern Idlib. Recapturing the M5 would allow traffic to resume between war-torn Syria's main business hubs, helping the regime revive a moribund economy after nearly nine years of war. After weeks of steady regime advances in Syria's northwest, only a two-kilometre section of the M5 remains outside government control, according to the Observatory. Pro-government forces were closing in Sunday on the last segment southwest of Aleppo, neighbouring Idlib, the Britain-based war monitor said. "Regime forces have gained new ground and now control several villages near the motorway," Observatory head Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP. Fighting was ongoing in the area early Sunday evening with bombing intensifying, he said. - Half a million displaced - Since December, Russian-backed government forces have pressed a blistering assault against Idlib, Syria's last major opposition bastion, retaking town after town. The violence has killed more than 300 civilians and sent some 586,000 fleeing towards relative safety nearer the Turkish border. Some three million people are now trapped in the Idlib region, around half of whom have already fled other parts of the country. The Syrian army said in a statement Sunday it had recaptured 600 square kilometres (232 square miles) in recent days, comprising "dozens of villages and locations" in south Idlib and west Aleppo provinces. The Syrian government on Sunday approved a plan aimed at "progressively re-establishing services in liberated areas", official news agency SANA reported. That came a day after the army captured the Idlib town of Saraqeb, located on a junction of the M5, state media said. Troops then pressed north along the motorway past Idlib's provincial borders and linked up with a unit of Syrian soldiers in Aleppo province, according to the Observatory and state agency SANA. It was the first time in weeks the two units joined up after waging separate offensives against rebels and jihadists in Idlib and Aleppo. A little more than half of Idlib province remains in rebel hands, along with slivers of neighbouring Aleppo and Latakia provinces. Some 50,000 fighters are in the shrinking pocket, many of them jihadists but the majority allied rebels, according to the Observatory. The United Nations and aid groups have appealed for an end to hostilities in the Idlib region, warning that the exodus risks creating one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of the nearly nine-year war. Syria's M5 highway connects the once economic hub of Aleppo in the north to the capital Damascus then continues south to the Jordanian border Syrians load their belongings onto a truck as they prepare to flee the village of Kafr Nuran in the northern province of Aleppo A Syrian rebel fires a rocket towards regime forces positions in the southern countryside of Aleppo The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the abduction of an owner of a supermarket, simply identified as Oga John, in Igumale, Ado Local Government Area of the state. The commands Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, told journalists on Sunday in Makurdi that police officers were on the trail of the kidnappers. Ms Anene said the businessman, an Igbo man, was kidnapped on Saturday morning at his business premises located at Camp Junction in Igumale, Ado local government area. A resident of Igumale told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that John owned the only big supermarket in the area, and that he was at the mall transacting business when the kidnappers stormed the premises and open fire immediately. The eye witness said the gunmen started shooting sporadically during which they whisked away the trader to an unknown destination. (NAN) A laboratory technician working on samples from people to be tested for the new coronavirus at "Fire Eye" laboratory in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 6, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Over 80 Chinese Cities Under Quarantine Due to Coronavirus Five Wuhan university dorms were converted into quarantine centers for coronavirus patients as the city struggles to contain the disease. Over the weekend, major cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Tianjin have joined a list of over 80 Chinese cities that have enacted isolation measures to prevent the virus from spreading. University Dorms On Feb. 7, Hu Yabo, vice mayor of Wuhan City, where the virus first broke out, said at a daily press conference that the city and provincial governments would convert student dorms at four universities and the new campus of the Hubei Province Communist Party training school, all located in Wuhan. In total, these colleges would supply 5,400 patient beds to quarantine coronavirus patients with mild symptoms. Hu also said the city needs medical supplies desperately, including 41,400 protective suits, 56,800 N95 masks, and 19,200 goggles. Netizens who said they were students at those universities began sharing photos on social media, where workers can be seen pulling plastic tarp over students beds and throwing students belongings onto the floor. Students from Hanjiang University complained on social media that they were not notified by the school that their dorms were going to be converted into a quarantine center. At 8:41 a.m. Feb. 8, the school announced the news on its official social media account. Many students commented under the post, complaining about the decision. Why use our dorm? Why dont you use the stadium instead?, said one user. Who can protect my belongings?, another questioned. How will you disinfect our dorm before the new semester starts?, another worried. A worker produces protective face masks at a factory in Qingdao, China on Feb. 6, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Isolation Netizens have also shared videos of conflicts between residents and security personnel, as many Chinese in cities held under lockdown begin to feel frustrated that they cannot move around freely. More than 80 Chinese city governments have launched some form of quarantine measures. The most strict one is in Huanggang City, also located in Hubei Province. It shut down all public transportation and private vehicles travel on roads. It also mandated that only one person from each family household can go outdoors to shop for basic necessities. In addition, that designated person can only go out once every two days. The most common rule issued by governments is to close down residential areas and villages, but leave an emergency passageway for residents to enter and leave the premises. The passageway is guarded by security personnel; anyone who leaves or enters the area must fill out a form and have their body temperatures scanned. On Feb. 5 and 6, the northeastern province of Liaoning and Jiangxi Province in the east announced that both locales will be quarantinedmeaning residents will not be allowed to attend social gatherings. In addition, only one person per household can go outdoors, once every two days. Quickly Spreading Tianjin, one of the four directly-governed municipalities in China, issued isolation measures on Feb. 6, after a 66 year-old woman who shopped at a local department store died from the coronavirus. Mao Jinsong, director of the Baodi district government in Tianjin, said at a Feb. 7 press conference that 23 residents in the district have been diagnosed or suspected to be coronavirus patients. They all visited the same department store. Mao added that roughly 9,200 people visited the store between Jan. 19 and Jan. 25, when the woman had visited. All 194 store staff are now being isolated at a quarantine center, while the 9,200 store patrons will be required to self-isolate at home. In Jinjiang City of Fujian Province, more than 4,000 people are under quarantine after they came into contact with an infected person. According to Chinese state-run media, a man returned home to Fujian on Jan. 20 after visiting Wuhan, but lied and said he had come back from the Philippines. He attended several parties afterwards. On Jan. 23, the man started to feel sick. He was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Jan. 27. Seven people who had contact with him were also diagnosed. The son of a former top Chinese official told the Chinese-language Epoch Times on Feb. 5 that some family members of senior Party officials have been infected with the coronavirus and are receiving treatment at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing. The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) first broke out in Wuhan in early December 2019. Tens of thousands have been infected within China, while dozens of countries are also reporting cases. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has cited the ability of former chief minister and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah to garner votes even during the peak of militancy and poll boycotts in support of his detention under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) on Thursday, according to people familiar with its contents. The dossier said Abdullah harboured radical thoughts. And the charges against another former chief minister, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti, in the dossier prepared on her include inciting violence, promoting separatism, making anti-national statements and extending support to organisations such as the Jamaat-e-Islamia, which was banned by the Centre last year. Omar Abdullah , 49, and Mehbooba Mufti, 60, were on Thursday booked under the PSA, which allows their detention without trial for a minimum period of three months and maximum of two years, on the basis of the dossiers after spending six months in preventive custody since August 5, when the Centre nullified Jammu and Kashmirs special status and decided to bifurcate the state into two Union territories J&K and Ladakh. Hindustan Times hasnt been able to access the dossiers, but spoke to people familiar with their content who shared the information on condition of anonymity. Press Trust of India (PTI) reported the contents of the dossiers. Attempts to contact government spokesperson Rohit Kansal and the deputy commissioner of Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary, for their reactions were unsuccessful. The file on Abdullah, chief minister from 2009 to 2014, said that his activities suggest that the ideology of the subject is favouring radical thoughts which he has also turned into actions, the people said. The subject is a popular figure among masses and has tremendous potential for diverting energy of common people for any cause, it said. It has also cited his capacity to influence people. The capacity of the subject to influence people for any cause can be gauged from the fact that he was able to convince his electorate to come out and vote in huge numbers even during peak of militancy and poll boycotts, it said. It cited Abdullahs opposition to the Centres move on Article 370 and alleged instigation of people on Twitter to undermine the unity and integrity of India. Interestingly in the last few tweets of Abdullah on August 4, he asked the people of Kashmir to maintain calm. Despite the fact that subject has been a mainstream politician, he has been planning his activities against the Union of India under the guise of politics. And while enjoying the support of gullible masses, he has been successful in execution of such activities, people familiar with the contents of the dossier quoted it as saying. Abdullah, besides having been chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, is also a former minister of state for external affairs. The charge against Abdullah also is that after the Centre nullified Article 370 and Article 35A, in order to secure support of common people, he removed all covers/ curtains and while resorting to his dirty politics has adopted a radical methodology by way of instigating general masses against the policies of central government. National Conference spokesman Imran Nabi Dar termed the charges shocking. It is shocking what they are saying and ironic as well that he has been charged for asking people to come out for vote, he said. What is more shocking is that they have no idea that in the last four tweets of Omar Abdullah before August 5, he had appealed for calm. In every tweet he asked people to maintain peace. In his every public speech he has never said [anything] about violence. And today we have come to this point that the person who was always measured in his talk, never spoke about violence, has been accused of such things, he said. Mehbooba Mufti has been charged with making remarks challenging the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India in case Article 370 was abrogated. Her comments on security forces were also made a part of the dossier. Her alleged support to the Jamaat-e-Islamia was one of the charges. Muftis daughter, Iltija Mufti, said that the dossier cited her political journey, especially of the last 10 years, and allegedly provocative statements that led to incitement of violence. Mufti was head of the coalition government of the PDP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that collapsed in June 2018 when the latter parted ways. [The dossier] accuses her of promoting separatism corroborated by several confidential reports filed by agencies. This highlights the BJPs disregard for rule of law and intentionally defaming political rivals. Why not place such evidence in the public domain? Are we a Khap Panchayat now?, Iltija Mufti said. [It] Accuses her of invoking religion to divide the people in Kashmir which could trigger violence in other parts in India. Ironic since BJP amplifies divisive politics, she said. Fresh weather warnings have been issued and we have been urged to brace ourselves for gusts of up to 130km/h, Arctic conditions with snow, sleet and temperatures of -1C Met Eireann warned that temperatures will plummet from Monday with lows of -1C and a risk of snow across parts of both the west and north. A Status Orange wind warning has been issued this evening for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry and will be in place from 6am until 8pm on Monday. A Status Yellow wind warning is also currently in place nationwide and is valid until 8pm tomorrow. Wrap up warm as a Snow and Ice Status Yellow warning has also been issued for the entire country from just after midnight 23.59pm on Tuesday. The windy conditions that the country has experienced over the last few days will continue and according to Matthew Martin, this will make the coming days bitterly cold, with significant wind chill. "There will be some snow accumulating, primarily in high ground, but other areas could see some snow too," he told the Irish Independent. "While snow showers may develop anywhere they will occur chiefly in parts of the west and north, with some accumulations possible. Some areas can expect probably around 3cm of snow, but we haven't put a number on that yet." "The most prominent thing is the wind chill factor that will make it feel very cold. It will actually be around 3C to 6C but the wind chill will make it feel more like freezing." Motorists were advised by Gardai and the Road Safety Authority to exercise caution as driving conditions, particularly during the morning commute, will be quite challenging in some areas. "Monday will be bitterly cold and very windy with a significant wind chill factor," a spokesperson said The highest temperatures across Monday will be 6C, some six degrees lower than last week - with further showers of sleet and snow likely on Monday night into Tuesday. The icy snap follows hard on the heels to Storm Ciara where winds of 130kmh caused chaos in coastal areas and parts of the south and west. In Dublin, a pedestrian had a lucky escape when he was struck by a falling tree in Crumlin at the height of Storm Ciara. Luckily, the injuries sustained were not life threatening. It was one of multiple calls attended by Dublin Fire Brigade members during a hectic 24 hours. Dublin fire brigade also attended a number of properties in the north inner city where basements flooded from the sheer volume of rainwater dumped by Storm Ciara. Fire fighters used special cellar pumps to deal with the flooded properties involved. Almost 15,000 homes were without power with the worst hit areas being Clare, Kerry, Galway and Waterford as the storm knocked trees and brought down power lines. Storm Ciara also resulted in more than 2,000 homes losing power in Northern Ireland. The ESB stressed that repair crews were on standby but were only be able to commence work when it is safe to do so. It is hoped to have everyone reconnected from this morning. Storm Ciara also played havoc with sporting and cultural events - with Galway's Capital of Culture opening celebration cancelled along with dozens of sporting events nationwide. All camogie matches were cancelled - while a number of Lidl national football league matches including the Laois-Cavan game were called off. The League of Ireland's Presidents Cup between Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers was also called off. Punchestown races also called off and rescheduled for Tuesday. A Status Orange wind warning from Met Eireann remained in place until lunchtime - with driving conditions in some areas described as extremely hazardous. In some exposed coastal areas, Gardai urged motorists to exercise extreme caution and only to undertake essential journeys. A number of high span bridges have been closed amid safety fears including the recently opened Rose Kennedy Fitzgerald bridge which is part of the New Ross bypass. It is Ireland's highest and longest bridge. The Blackwater bridge on the Dublin-Cork motorway outside Fermoy also witnessed dangerous cross-winds. Worst hit by the power cuts were coastal parts of Kerry, Ennis in Clare, Tramore in Waterford and Gort in Galway. A number of lightning strikes were also reported in Cork though the county escaped the worst of the power disruption. However, greatest concern was focused on the threat posed by flooding. Heavy overnight rainfall has resulted in spot flooding on roads in Roscommon, Waterford, Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Kildare and Sligo. A number of roads were temporarily closed as a result. Road were also closed due to fallen trees with council staff nationwide on high alert and prepared for removal works. The combination of high tides and wind direction also posed a serious threat of flooding along some coastal areas, particularly in the west and south. Motorists were urged to avoid exposed coastal areas - and people have been warned not to attempt to walk or take photographs by such coastal areas given the danger posed by wind gusts of up to 130kmh. Irish Water Safety urged people to follow safety guidelines while Met Eireann stressed that the winds along some coastal areas will be powerful enough "to pose a threat to both life and property." The powerful winds and stormy seas also resulted in the cancellation of ferry sailings from both Rosslare and Dublin and the temporary disruption of some flight services from Dublin and Shannon. In an interview, Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the RNC, said they have the resources to appeal to multiple groups of voters. That gives us an advantage to focus on the rural vote that we need to turn out, but then also go after places where weve lost voters to bring them back in, she said. And Tim Murtaugh, a campaign spokesman, said they had always planned to woo various demographics, regardless of what Democrats in Congress were trying to do to him. Why the It's hard to have sympathy with a man who has a 470m fortune, a 6m Georgian manor and a townhouse in London. Dr Mike Lynch, who is the 54-year-old founder of former FTSE 100 tech company Autonomy, wouldn't want any. What he does want and deserve, though, is a fair deal from our extradition arrangements with the US and, as things stand, that is in serious doubt. A fair deal?: Mike Lynch is now fighting the prospect of extradition to the US to stand trial there Dr Lynch is one of this country's few superstar tech entrepreneurs. Before his downfall he was often referred to as Britain's answer to Bill Gates. The company he set up, Autonomy, was a raging success, growing to become our largest and most successful software business. It all went horribly wrong when he sold the firm for 7 billion in 2011 to American giant Hewlett Packard (HP). That transaction unravelled in acrimony and Dr Lynch was accused of having cooked the books. He is now fighting the prospect of extradition to the US to stand trial there. If the UK really wants to be a sovereign nation in control of our own destiny after Brexit, this cannot be countenanced. Regardless of Dr Lynch's guilt or innocence, what is at stake here is a point of principle. In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist atrocities, the two nations signed a new treaty. David Davis, the Conservative MP, is now campaigning for it to be ripped up. As he points out, it was negotiated in secret, debated in haste, and enacted in the face of objections from all sides of the House. Although ostensibly intended to enable the US to extradite terror suspects, the treaty has in reality been used primarily against British, white-collar suspects. It is a totally unbalanced and one-sided arrangement. The Americans, if they want to extradite a British subject, need only state that they have a reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing. If, on the other hand, we wish to extradite an American, we must demonstrate 'probable cause', a higher burden of proof, and then the US secretary of state may turn down the request anyway. Just how willing they are to hand over their citizens to us can be seen from the case of Anne Sacoolas, who fled Britain after allegedly killing 19-year-old Harry Dunn in a car crash. What are the chances, if the boot were on the other foot, of the UK being able to force an American CEO to face the courts here? Close to zero. I recall in 2011 the refusal of Irene Rosenfeld, then the chief executive of Kraft, to appear in front of MPs and take their questions, after she had taken over the much-loved British chocolate firm Cadbury. Her contempt shows the low regard with which this country's institutions are held in corporate America. Since 2007, the US has extradited 135 Brits of whom 99 were accused of non-violent crimes, but the Americans have only handed over 11 to the UK. This is patently unfair. And Dr Lynch, if his fight against extradition fails, would find a system stacked against him. Thousands of miles from family and friends, he could face a long period on bail or in a US prison pre-trial. Most cases there around 97 per cent are settled by plea bargains, with prosecutors dangling the threat of a long prison sentence over the heads of the accused. We are perfectly capable of dealing with Dr Lynch here. He has been investigated by the Serious Fraud Office already which found there was no case for prosecuting him. A civil case against him brought by HP in the courts here has just ended and he awaits judgment. Some argue we are far too weak in pursuing and punishing corporate crime in this country and that we should leave the likes of Dr Lynch to their fate. But the solution to that is to beef up our own system, not to make ourselves subservient to the US and sell our fellow citizens down the river. A much-hyped rally by Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) demanding the expulsion of Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators began Sunday afternoon from the Hindu Gymkhana in South Mumbai, three hours behind schedule. It is the first rally by Thackeray after he steered the MNS towards a hardline Hindutva and changed the party flag. Thousands of party workers have come to city from outside Mumabi for the rally. Before joining the march, Thackeray first visited Siddhivinayak temple at Prabhadevi after stepping out from his Dadar residence. He joined the party workers waiting at the Gymkhana since noon, the scheduled time of the commencement of the rally. Thousands of the MNS workers started gathering from 11 am to take part in the rally. The workers have come from areas like Kalyan, Thane and some from Pune and Nashik, about 180 km from Mumbai. WATCH | Mumbai: Amid CAA debate, Raj Thackerays MNS marches against illegal migrants The march will culminate in a rally at Azad Maidan, about 1.8-kms from the Gymkhana. The rally is a show of strength by the MNS which has sought the eviction of Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators from India. Thackeray recently has turned to Hindutva and has adopted a saffron flag. According to MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande, the response to this march has been overwhelming. People are fed up of these Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators and want them out at any cost. We are getting good response, said Deshpande. The MNS has launched its high profile campaign in recent days highlighting the aim of the agitation. It called the infiltrators as enemies who needed to be thrown out of the country. But political analysts say the agitation will hardly benefit Thackeray politically. The BJP will no doubt lend its help for the morcha but then Thackerays rallies have always been successful till date, said political analyst Hemant Desai. However, he said the topic raised by Thackeray is not very attractive. Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators are not the burning issues concerning the state and hence there is not much enthusiasm among the people about this topic, said Desai. After the recent drubbing in the assembly elections and the ascendency of his cousin and bitter rival Uddhav Thackeray to power as Chief Minister, Raj Thackeray has virtually made a u-turn. Thackeray who was critical of BJP and especially of Prime Minister Modi was seen getting close to the later. He recently even praised Modi. Mumbai Police have strengthened security for the rally from Hindu Gymkhana to Vardhaman Chowk till Azad Maidan as hundreds of policemen kept an eye on the march. Officials have said they will use drones and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to keep an eye on the rally. They will also press into action service officers and police constables from the region, while combat teams such as Quick Response Team, Riot Control team, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) will be kept on stand-by. Parking arrangements have been made at the BEST bus depot and Parsi Gymkhana, said Mumbai Police spokesperson Pranay Ashok. SUPERFICIALLY, THE news on trade and the U.S. economy is encouraging: The trade deficit in goods and services hit $616.8 billion in 2019, down $10.9 billion from 2018, according to new Commerce Department data released Wednesday. This was the smallest trade deficit in six years and, for some, an indicator of economic strength, a sign of the American comeback of which President Trump boasted in his State of the Union address on Tuesday. Mr. Trump himself is the nations leading trade-deficit obsessive, and his tariffs on China, which reduced both imports from that country and exports to it, no doubt contributed to the shrinkage in the gap. With a short-term tariff truce with China in place, along with a U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade deal (USMCA), prospects are for a relatively less volatile trade year in 2020 though Mr. Trump has taken aim at the European Union in recent statements. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be visiting Kolkata to meet industry representatives, trade bodies and tax professionals on Sunday. FM Sitharaman will be discussing various themes and provisions in the Union Budget 2020-21, presented in Parliament on February 1, 2020 at 10:30 am today. The FM will also hold an interactive session with eminent industrialist, economists and various other opinion makers regarding the salient features of the Budget. The Finance Minister will be joined by Secretary (Finance), Secretary (Expenditure), Secretary (Revenue), Secretary (Economic Affairs), Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Also read: Union Budget 2020: Here's how India Inc reacted to Nirmala Sitharaman's speech Also read: Budget 2020: FM Sitharaman pushes for building warehousing on PPP model Property giant GPT Group is ramping up its exposure to the logistics section by forking out $192.7 million to purchase three development sites and a nearly completed facility. GPT's acquisitions in Melbourne and Sydney of prime industrial development sites comes as the company prepares to report its 2019 full-year results on Monday where the company has forecast its funds from operations per security will grow by 2.5 per cent. Chief executive Bob Johnston has outlined a focus on industrial property. Credit:Cole Bennetts GPT chief executive Bob Johnston said the company was making good progress in growing its logistics portfolio. "The addition of three new development sites in our core markets of Sydney and Melbourne, combined with projects currently underway, provides the group with the opportunity to deliver more than 550,000 square metres of new prime logistics facilities with an estimated end value on completion in excess of $1 billion." Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday that the Justice Department is vetting information that President Donald Trump's personal attorney has delivered regarding Hunter Biden's work on the board of a Ukrainian energy company. Graham, citing an early-morning conversation with Attorney General William Barr, said that Rudy Giuliani is giving his information to national security experts and that he would back off his own plans to use the Senate Judiciary Committee as a vehicle to investigate the Biden family. "The Department of Justice is receiving information coming out of the Ukraine from Rudy to see - he told me that they have created a process that Rudy could give information and they would see if it's verified," Graham, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said on CBS' "Face the Nation." He warned that Giuliani might be getting bad information from his trips to Ukraine as part of a disinformation campaign by Russian security experts, citing their effort to disrupt the 2016 presidential campaign. "If Rudy Giuliani has any information coming out of the Ukraine, he needs to turn it over to the Department of Justice, because it could be Russian propaganda," Graham said. Graham said he called Barr and Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sunday morning after hearing about Giuliani's interview Saturday night on Fox News' "Watters' World." During the interview, the former New York mayor made various claims about the information he has cobbled together from Ukrainian sources and said Graham should use his committee to investigate the Bidens. "Lindsey, get started. Yes, I have - I have what I used to call when I was U.S. attorney, a smoking gun," Giuliani said. Then, just as "Face the Nation" started Sunday morning, Trump sent out a tweet urging Graham to launch some undefined investigations. "He must start up Judiciary and not stop until the job is done. Clean up D.C. now, last chance," Trump said in the tweet, which CBS' Margaret Brennan read to the senator on air. Graham appeared to back away from his assertions in recent weeks that he would lead a probe into former vice president Joe Biden's time overseeing Ukraine policy while his son served on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. "I'm not going to be the Republican Christopher Steele," Graham said, mentioning the former British spy whose investigations for Republican and Democratic rivals of Trump's in 2016 were eventually sent to the Justice Department. He said that after talking to Barr and Burr, he worried Giuliani's information might not be trustworthy. "Take very cautiously anything coming out of the Ukraine, against anybody," Graham said. The South Carolina Republican has been a central player in Trump's orbit for months, as the president's close allies have sought to pressure him to use his committee as an investigative cudgel against rivals. His position Sunday returned Graham to where he was in the early fall, saying that he would focus his committee work on the FBI's handling of the 2016 investigation and how surveillance warrants were obtained. By late November, however, Graham had sent a letter to the State Department requesting documents related to Biden's 2016 calls to the then-president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, who lost his re-election bid last year to Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump's legal team mounted a defense in the Senate impeachment trial that suggested the president was warranted in asking Zelensky to investigate Burisma for corruption - an apparent effort to refute testimony from administration officials that his motive was to hurt the former vice president's 2020 presidential campaign. Biden's work to pressure Ukraine to fire a top prosecutor had bipartisan support in Congress, where many maintained that a shake-up in that office would lead to more aggressive anti-corruption investigations. Sanjoy Sen is a chemical engineer in North Sea oil. He contested Aberdeen North at the 2015 general election and Alyn & Deeside in the 2019 general election. Rolls-Royce recently unveiled Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as their vision for delivering large quantities of affordable, low-carbon power. Instead of committing to bespoke, mega-projects (e.g. another Hinkley Point C), the government might instead order (say) eight identical 440 MW SMRs. Rolls-Royce would construct these on their factory production line, deliver them by truck, install them and maybe even operate them over their lifetime. And by taking an early technology lead, there could be multi-billion pound global opportunities (or Brexports as Rolls calls them) supporting thousands of British R&D and manufacturing jobs. In theory, you could install an SMR in every town to supply local needs. (Perhaps MPs would welcome one per constituency.) But, as the proliferation of nuclear sites carries major security and safety implications, the obvious solution is to install multiple units at an existing nuclear location. SMR proposals for Trawsfynydd, the former Magnox site in Snowdonia, have already attracted cross-party support. So, if they reduce costs, cut CO2 emissions, address key security concerns and generate global opportunities, whats not to like? Are SMRs a better bet than large-scale nuclear? First things first: this would be a somewhat different discussion if we didnt know how to build large-scale nuclear reactors. We clearly do but its the size (and uncertainty) of their costs and schedule that are currently proving a deterrent. What doesnt help are new, un-proven designs: Hinkley Point C didnt look cheap or quick in the first place and its subsequent over-runs have dented confidence (both in industry and in government) in committing to further projects. Now, I do recognise that my personal solution might not be permissible: borrow the plans for Sizewell B, photocopy them, then roll-out half a dozen identikits across the UK. But there is a (hopefully sensible) basic principle here i.e. take a proven design and keep deploying it consistently. Almost a Large Modular Reactor concept, if you like. So, whilst a more practical large-scale approach might not go amiss, that in itself neednt dismiss SMRs. Even competitive large-scale designs can be challenging for governments to finance or too large for some countries needs. SMRs allow for bite-sized investment with units progressively added in response to rising demand such as when electric car usage ramps up. It neednt be an either-or discussion when it comes to large-scale nuclear versus SMR. Why not just back renewables instead? Again, it neednt be an either-or. Citing the Energy Technologies Institute projections for the UK to achieve net-zero by 2050, Rolls-Royce contend that neither big nuclear (stalled post-Hinkley) nor renewables (growing rapidly but still not fast enough) can fully cover it: if that is correct, that suggests a gap in the UK market for SMRs. And, of course, there are many other countries seeking zero-carbon energy solutions. There are important lessons from the renewables sector, however. The UK is world number one in installed offshore wind capacity with turbine sizes increasing and unit costs falling. But, whilst the UK has made itself an attractive location for renewables investment, most key equipment suppliers and power generation companies are not British. So, if the SMR concept is indeed a go-er, it will be important to support home-grown development. And whilst windfarms are notorious for their fluctuating output, nuclear has the opposite challenge. Reactors like to operate under rock-steady conditions making output difficult to adjust in response to grid demand. As I discussed previously, using electricity (be that renewable or nuclear) to produce storeable hydrogen is a potential solution for our power, heating and transportation requirements. Again, this is an early stage technology opportunity for the UK. The global market: opportunities and security Once upon a time, the UK was a global leader in nuclear, both at home and abroad. Things have changed somewhat: today, we dont have a home-grown large-scale nuclear design to call our own. But we are in a strong position to take a global lead in SMRs. Rolls-Royce estimate the global market to be worth up to 400 billion: key export markets might include India, Brazil and Australia. Compact reactors that are (relatively) cheap, simple to build and easy to deliver sound great from a government perspective. But, as the public has been quick to observe, what could possibly go wrong with exporting a nuclear device you can put on a truck? Safety and security concerns are highly relevant but arent necessarily reasons not to continue. Even if we walk away, SMRs dont disappear as a concept: France, Russia and China are active in this field and will be keen to leverage the economic (and political) benefits of nuclear exports. Instead, it calls for responsibility in whom we sell these to, where they get installed, how they are operated and even decommissioned. These are lifetime commitments not one-off sales. So, should we back SMRs? The first of a kind (FOAK) of anything is expensive. But the nth of a kind (NOAK) can be much cheaper once design and manufacturing issues are ironed out. (Note the can, not a definite will, by the way). Rolls-Royce aspire to driving down levelised generating costs from 75/MWh (FOAK) to 60/MWh (NOAK) which would be competitive versus gas-fired power stations and windfarms. But, we clearly have to build several to get to n. So, if we are going to back SMRs, we need to commit for a duration. No getting cold feet if the first one over-runs. The key thing I remember from my school geography class was that there is never a single, perfect solution to the worlds energy problems. SMRs are still at a relatively early stage (technically or commercially) but the Rolls-Royce concept has the potential to plug a gap in the UKs low-carbon power requirements and to take a global lead in valuable export opportunities. If we believe in SMRs, lets think how we can support British businesses in realising them. Ajmal Omar, a local official, said the man who opened fire was a soldier originally from Nangahar. A second Afghan official also said the attacker was a member of the military, but it was unclear whether he was a soldier or part of an elite special forces unit. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release details of the incident to the news media. It has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Kashmir's special status Article 370 was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality. Islamabad: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said the Kashmir issue would continue to remain the "cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy". Chairing a meeting in Islamabad with the leaders from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as a follow-up to Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to the PoK's Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad on 5 February, Qureshi said that a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute was essential for durable peace and stability in South Asia region. "Kashmir would continue to remain the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy," Qureshi was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Pakistan's Foreign Ministry (FO). During the meeting, which was also attended by PoK leader Raja Farooq Haider Khan, the participants called for the complete removal of lockdown on communication and media in the Valley. India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on 5 August, 2019 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. It has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality. COLUMBIA, S.C. - Joe Biden is facing increasingly formidable competition in South Carolina, a state his campaign has long assumed was safely in his column and one hes repeatedly described as a firewall in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and billionaire activist Tom Steyer are challenging the former vice-presidents standing in South Carolina. The Feb. 29 primary is the first contest in the South on the 2020 election calendar and serves as an important gauge of black support. Sanders has generated enthusiasm from younger black voters in South Carolina. That could help him avoid a repeat of his dismal showing in the 2016 primary, when African Americans overwhelmingly backed Hillary Clinton. Steyer, meanwhile, is flooding the South Carolina airwaves with millions of dollars in ads, building a robust staff and making numerous visits, including on Sunday and Monday, while Biden and others are in New Hampshire. The approach appears to have paid off: His support grew significantly in a Fox News poll last month, consistent with a steady momentum of endorsements that began in the final weeks of 2019. Steyer is also seizing on Bidens fourth-place finish in last weeks Iowa caucuses to undermine Bidens argument that he is best positioned to defeat President Donald Trump. Thats important because many black voters in South Carolina have said they would back Biden because they view him as the most electable candidate in a crowded field. The presumptive front-runner who was leading in the national polls by 20 or something at one point, basically had a really bad night, Steyer told The Associated Press. That means that his firewall in South Carolina doesnt exist. That means that really this race is going to come down to who can build a national, diverse coalition. Biden was on top in a January Fox News survey of South Carolina voters and polling suggests his standing among black voters remains steady. He has compiled the most endorsements from black lawmakers and other officials, and hes tied with Sanders for the most supporters among the states Legislative Black Caucus. But with his Iowa disappointment and the middling results expected in Tuesdays New Hampshire primary, Biden probably will need a commanding victory by the time the Democratic contest reaches South Carolina. Any shifts in voter sentiment could narrow a hoped-for win or, in a nightmare scenario, relegate him to second place, threatening the viability of his campaign. With three weeks to go, there are warning signs. The campaign was caught off guard in January when Dalhi Myers, a Columbia lawyer who is vice chair of the Richland County Council, switched her support from Biden to Sanders. Whats best for all of us is electrifying enough people ... who will go to the polls, said Myers, who is black. I dont think honestly that Joe Biden can electrify the 400,000 African Americans in the state of South Carolina. Travis Lincoln, a 44-year-old from Charleston, attended Bidens first rally in Columbia last May and said he was all in for the former vice-president. But as the primary approaches, Lincoln said he has shifted his backing to tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Although I have enormous respect for Biden, I have been disappointed in his lack of empathy on issues such as assistance for veterans or a criminal justice overhaul, Lincoln said. Ive grown weary of politicians. The same old formula will not defeat Trump. Before a Steyer town hall in Hartsville last month, 19-year-old Coker College student Alexis Schaub said she liked the activists focus on climate change and felt his campaign was an honest effort to appeal to South Carolinians. He feels genuine, Schaub said. I dont want someone that I dont really think I can trust. State Rep. Ivory Thigpen, a member of the Legislative Black Caucus who has endorsed Sanders, said Sanders is the only candidate who has made genuine strides to foster substantive connections within South Carolinas black voters instead of relying on past support. The African American vote cannot be taken for granted, said Thigpen. Just the idea that we are a firewall, that our vote is already cemented. ... I wont go so far as to say its offensive, but I think it might be misconceived. Bidens aides remain confident in his chances in South Carolina. Paige Hill, Bidens South Carolina spokeswoman, said, Weve always known that the results of the first early voting states were not going to determine what happens here. And at the end of the day, no one in this race can or should win the nomination without proving they have sweeping support from African American voters, she said. Vice-President Biden is the only candidate who has already done so. Still, the emerging skepticism is frustrating for a candidate who views his ties to the black community built over decades in the Senate, and solidified by serving as the No. 2 to the first black president, Barack Obama as a central pillar of his candidacy. Bidens standing in South Carolina has long gone unquestioned, so much so that two prominent black candidates Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey dropped out of the race in part because Bidens strength in the state created insurmountable barriers. The campaign is beginning to make some moves, announcing a shake-up of its senior ranks last week. Biden emphasized the importance of diversity in the Democratic Party during weekend campaign events. In an interview with ABCs This Week that aired Sunday, he took particular aim at Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, for failing to attract black voters. He hasnt been able to unify the black community, Biden said of Buttigieg, who essentially tied for first place in Iowa with Sanders. Still, Biden is being outspent and sometimes outmanoeuvred by rivals with deeper pockets. While Biden was in overwhelmingly white New Hampshire on Saturday, billionaire Michael Bloomberg was courting black voters in Alabama, which is among the states that vote on Super Tuesday in early March. Bloomberg toured the late Martin Luther King Jr.s church, spoke at a Democratic party luncheon and held a rally at Alabama State University, a historically black college and university. Sanders has made a $5.5 million ad buy in states that include South Carolina. Steyer has hired the chair of South Carolinas Legislative Black Caucus to serve as an adviser, a $10,000-per-month gig that drew criticism among those who found it curious that a campaign would be paying a state lawmaker while receiving his endorsement. A challenge for Biden is that he and his campaign has spent months raising expectations for South Carolina, in part to offset losses they anticipated in states that vote earlier and are less diverse. Biden has argued that his campaign would essentially begin in South Carolina, where a win would propel him into the clutch of states that vote in March where black and Latino voters will be key. People talk about South Carolina being a firewall, Biden told the AP in October. I kind of view South Carolina being a diving board. Its going to catapult me into the Super Tuesday areas that are a lot of the South, from Georgia to Texas to Florida, across the board. His supporters say this strategy is still workable. State Sen. Marlon Kimpson, a member of the Legislative Black Caucus who has endorsed Biden, said he was a little disappointed in Bidens Iowa finish but was confident in a strong result in the state Biden needs the most. People are still fired up for Joe Biden, said Kimpson, who on Friday said he attended an NAACP meeting where energy for Biden was high. When I walked through through the office, folks were high-fiving me, for having given my endorsement. Ive seen no one who is despondent. ___ Associated Press writer Sara Burnett in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed to this report. __ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. Wisconsin is a Mid-Western US state, bordered by Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Lakes Michigan and Superior. The state registers a population of about 5.83 million. The economy of the state is greatly dependent on its industries. The gross state product was $348 billion as of December 2019, accounting for 1.6% of the nations GDP. The per capita income is $31,998. The employment rate of the state is at 67%, whose coverage is mostly from the industries. Here are some of the biggest industries in Wisconsin; Manufacturing Wisconsin is home to more than 7,737 manufacturing firms among them, the Evinrude Outboard Motors, Kohler Company, Oshkosh Corporation, Milwaukee Electric Tool Company, Mercury Marine and Rockwell Automation. The manufacturing industry of Wisconsin contributes 18.79% to the total output of the state. Besides, the industry employs about 475,000 workers which are about 16% of the total workforce. In 2018, the total output from the state's manufacturing industry was $63.31 billion. Top products manufactured by Wisconsin include food, beverage and tobacco products, machinery and fabricated metal products. These account for 44% of the state's manufacturing employment. Other manufactured products in Wisconsin are paper, chemicals, electrical equipment and appliances, computer and electronic products, printing and related support activities, aerospace and other transportation equipment, and nonmetallic mineral products. In 2018, Wisconsin exported $21.24 billion of manufactured goods. 87% of Wisconsin exporters are small businesses. Markets for Wisconsins manufactured goods include countries such as Mexico, China, Canada, and Germany. Reports show that 4% of the nations manufacturing jobs are in Wisconsin. The productivity gain of the state is approximately 30% across neighboring states. These gains are attributable to technological advances in the industry. Agriculture Wisconsin is the leading producer for cheese in the US, producing about 26% of the nations cheese. With more than one million cows and 8,000 licensed dairy farms, Wisconsin produces up to 3.37 pounds of cheese. Farm and home management workers top the list of industries employing the most number of people in the States. The local popularity index lies at 27.8. Wisconsin is labeled as Americas Dairyland. Thanks to its top production of dairy products, whose income is estimated at $5.4 billion. The state is ranked second in milk production after California. Wisconsin is also a leading producer of potatoes. Other commodities that the state highly produces are corn, soybeans, cranberries, chicken eggs and hay. Reports show that there are a total of 68,700 farms dedicated to the growth of these and many other crops. Wisconsin has more than 122 million cattle, hogs, and broilers. Of these, hogs comprise the majority. The Agricultural industry contributes more than $104.8 billion to the state economy. This is a combination of on-farm production, dairy farming, food processing, and exports. 11% of employment opportunities are from this sector and other fields involved in agriculture such as Science, Business, Engineering, and Business. Healthcare Healthcare in Wisconsin offers a total of 92,930 jobs. The estimate has been varying over the years, but still placing it among the most reliable industries in the state. Health plays a major role in the state's economy by being a dominant employer in 56% of all districts. It is regarded as one of the most prominent industries in the state. This is because of its expansive growth even as the population continues to age. While aiming at the improvement of healthcare, the state has had a similar impact in creating jobs in the healthcare sector. 87% of residents have health insurance. The demand for health covers has been on the rise, which has seen 183,680 people enrolling. Programs such as Medicaid are in place to provide health coverage for low-income families including children and non-elderly adults. The state has online portals which makes it easier to apply for these services like Medicaid. The government shares cost with Medicaid to provide medical covers. However, it is the largest source of federal funds flowing into the state's economy. Biohealth discoveries have been born in Wisconsins academic institutions such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Such discoveries continue to promote health and improve quality of life not only in Wisconsin but throughout the world. Tourism Tourism is one of the biggest industries in Wisconsin. The state is home to many popular tourist attractions destinations. Among them are the House on the Rock, Milwaukee art museum, Henry Vilas zoo, Wilmot Mountain and Cave of the Mounds. The great Milwaukee area is the largest museum market in the state. The total number of jobs from tourism in Milwaukee County is more than 32,000. Thanks to tourism, there has been a reduction of taxes for the residents of all the 72 counties. Tourism supports an estimate of 200,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly. Tourism ties up with areas offering recreational activities such as canopy tours, rock climbing, park visits, and water park visits in Wisconsin Dells. Visitors expenditure amounts to $74 million. This is a huge boost to the economy because the state hosts up to 112 million tourists in a year. Tourism greatly contributes to the state economy by adding to the state, local and federal revenues. Among other inputs to the economy, all these have an impact of up to $21.5 billion annually. Education And Training The state of Wisconsin is an education hub. The state is home to public research universities, STEM programs, as well as superior high school and elementary education. Wisconsin has a deep investment in education. Throughout the nation, it has been ranked fourth in the best schools. Education and training institutions in Wisconsin offer quality education programs. Wisconsin has been ranked ninth and twenty sixths in school safety. In support of research and development, the schools induct workforce talent. The libraries are many and receive multiple donations from the county government. Schools and colleges boost the economy due to interaction with other industries such as the manufacturing industry. The sector contributes greatly to the economy via sales taxes and revenues such as those from the libraries. 08.02.2020 LISTEN A Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party, (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen, has condemned party executives for what he says is deliberately preventing members from picking nomination forms for the upcoming parliamentary primaries. The primaries are scheduled for April, but some aspirants seeking to pick nomination forms have complained that they have allegedly been prevented from doing so. In an interview with Citi News, Nana Obiri Boahen said such reports serious and unacceptable. I dont see how people should deny other aspirants the opportunity of getting the forms. I am being honestly blunt about this matter. I don't see how people should intentionally deny others from getting the forms. Mr. Obri Boahen noted that he had been overseeing the filing process in the Eastern Region and the Greater Accra Region, where he had been made aware of such complaints. As far as the Eastern Region is concerned, I don't think I have received any complaints. But, I have received complaints from some parts of the Greater Accra. I am not comfortable with the state of affairs at all, he said. Mr. Obri Boahen further reiterated words of caution from Former President John Kufuor on the matter. Former President Kufuor said that this conduct is alien to our tradition. I don't think we have a s ingle individual who is above the NPP. ---citinewsroom Tributes have poured in to RTE broadcaster Keelin Shanley who has died peacefully nine years after first being diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2011, the award-winning RTE journalist revealed she had been diagnosed with the disease and had undergone a mastectomy. Ms Shanley, who was 51, is survived by her husband Conor and two children, Ben and Lucy. Her death yesterday comes two years after Ms Shanley was announced as the new presenter of RTE's Six One News, alongside former Washington correspondent Caitriona Perry. President Michael D Higgins led the tributes, saying: "People all over Ireland will have been greatly saddened by the news of the death of Keelin." He described Ms Shanley as "driven by a strong commitment to social justice" and he added that she "brought great professionalism and dedication to her work". Also paying his respects, Jon Williams, managing director of RTE News & Current Affairs, reflected on her positivity and willingness to embrace life despite her diagnosis. He said: "The fact that [Keelin] presented our flagship Six One News while dealing with cancer is inspirational in itself and so typical of her determination to live life to the full." He described how Ms Shanley had "worked through chemo and treatment" when first diagnosed in 2011 on polling day, saying: "When it returned, she did so again - defying pain to present Six One, determined to live life to the full, until no longer possible to do so." He added that the presenter had a smile which "could light up a room" and said she had battled the disease "with the same equanimity and good humour [she] brought to everything else". The presenter had previously worked on Prime Time for over a decade, News at One on RTE Radio 1, and Crimecall on RTE One. She grew up in Monkstown and studied biochemistry in Trinity College Dublin, going on to become a valued part of RTE's current affairs news team. Following her degree, she worked as a researcher in the Department of Pharmacology in the University of Bologna, before switching to journalism in the late 1990s to present a number of science and technology television and radio shows. Working as a reporter and presenter with RTE's flagship current affairs television programme Prime Time over 10 years, she made a number of award-winning documentaries. Her work covered issues in health inequality, cocaine abuse, homelessness, people trafficking, deportations and teenage criminality and resulted in Ms Shanley winning three IFTA awards, a National Media Award, a Radharc award and a Justice Media award. Ms Shanley also reported from a number of developing countries for the Far Away Up Close strand, including documentaries on the plight of child soldiers in the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda and the rebuilding of Liberia. In more recent times, she presented Morning Edition, The Consumer Show and The Irish Book Awards on RTE One. She also worked as a radio presenter across several programmes on RTE Radio 1: Morning Ireland; News at One; Today with Sean O'Rourke; and Late Debate. And she had experience corresponding for Radio France International and for CNN World Report. Speaking this weekend, RTE director-general Dee Forbes said: "Everybody at RTE is deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend." Ms Forbes described Ms Shanley as "a passionate and dedicated" journalist and said she had "an expertise that challenged and probed as well as an ease that endeared her to all". Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the Election Commissions delay was absolutely shocking and wondered why the poll panel was not releasing the final voter turnout figure several hours after polling got over. Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling? Kejriwal questioned in a tweet. The last voting percentage given by the Commission on Saturday night was 61.46 per cent. The voting in the national capital to elect a new government ended at 6 pm on Saturday, after a low voter turnout in the morning. Gradually as the day progressed, more and more people in Delhi visited polling booths to cast their vote. ALSO WATCH | Delhi exit polls decoded: AAP win predicted, BJP makes gains, Congress lags Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said that this is perhaps the first time in the countrys history that the Election Commission is not ready to release the voter turnout data, after the completion of the polls. The percentage of voting in Delhi elections is what the people of Delhi and the country want to know. Why is the Election Commission taking so long to tell the voting percentage? Within 1 hour in the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission reveals the voting percentage, why so much delay in a small state like Delhi? Singh asked. The Delhi Assembly election 2020 was held in a single phase on February 8. Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fielded 24 new faces for the polls. Exit polls for the Delhi assembly election have forecast a comfortable win for the ruling dispensationthe Aam Aadmi Party. The AAP had scored an overwhelming victory in the last assembly polls in 2015, winning 67 seats in the 70 member Assembly and reducing the Bharatiya Janata Party to just three seats. In the last assembly elections in Delhi, the Congress had drawn a blank. The election results will be declared after the counting of votes on February 11. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 7) Authorities arrested five alleged members of left-leaning groups in two separate operations in Tacloban City, Leyte, on Friday. The police and the Army conducted a raid at 2 a.m. in Calanipawan Road and arrested Frenchie Cumpio or Pen, who is allegedly the secretary of the Regional White Area Committee (RWAC-EVRPC) and Marielle Domequil or Maye," also an alleged member of RWAC-EVRPC and finance officer of Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Eastern Visayas. Cumpio was also an anchor of radio program Lingganay han Kamatuuran. At the same time, police caught Mira Legion of Bayan-Eastern Visayas, Marissa Cabaljo of People Surge Network and Alexander Abinguna of Katungod Sinirangan Bisayas in a separate raid in Barangay 77. The Army's 8th Infantry Division said in a statement the members were arrested for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the "Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The raiding teams said they recovered and confiscated pistols, live ammunition, two grenades and a red flag with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army symbol. The Army added that the raids were in response to a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Eligio Petilla of Regional Trial Court Branch 44. The individuals are currently in the custody of the regional police. A few organizations condemned the arrest of two of the individuals. The University of the Philippines College of Development Communication Student Council called the arrest of Legion and Domequil "illegal" and a "cowardly act." Legion and Domequil were graduates of the University of the Philippines Visayas. Gabriela Youth also denounced the arrest of the two and called for their release. The group said Legion and Domequil were former members of the organization's team in Metro Tacloban. The College Editors Guild of the Philippines also called for the release of all arrested individuals, who it is now calling the "Leyte 5" The Army maintained that the arrests were lawful. "Incidental to the lawful search, the government security forces arrested the [Communist Terrorist Group] personalities who were found to have an actual and/or constructive control and possession of illegal firearms, ammunitions and other contraband items inside the searched houses," it said. Tacloban-based journalist Wil Mark Amazona contributed to this report. The feed from these cameras was analysed by AI to estimate the crowd size at given points. Hyderabad: For the first time, the police used artificial intelligence (AI) at the Medaram jatara to spot the build-up of people at individual spots in advance, which helped the personnel prevent overcrowding. Fourteen high definition cameras were installed at different points which were connected to a control room. The feed from these cameras was analysed by AI to estimate the crowd size at given points. Based on the estimates, the police personnel on the ground received instructions for crowd and traffic management. The high definition cameras were installed at hotspots like Jampana lake and RTC bus stand which are prone to crowding. Approximately 1.5 crore devotees visited the Medram jatara to seek the blessing of Sammakka and Saralamma this year. Around 12,000 policemen were deployed and 350 CCTV cameras and 20 special cameras were installed in the surrounding premises. Taking a clue from the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, the largest congregation of people, at Triveni Sangam, the Telangana state police has used AI. The information technology department studied the use of AI for more than six months before introducing it at the Medaram jatara. Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has always been a controversial political operator in Iraq the most popular among Shia leaders, the most temperamental, and the most unpredictable. His solid popular base has given him a very strong bloc in almost every Iraqi parliament since 2003 and has allowed him to manoeuvre through Iraqi politics like no one else. His political life has been characterised by constant u-turns and controversial moves. He was one of the few Shia leaders to remain in Iraq under Saddam Husseins regime and again one of the few who openly opposed the US presence in the country after the 2003 invasion. During the sectarian civil war (2004-2008), he led the Mahdi Army militia which was notorious for its violence against the Sunni community and which paved the way for the proliferation of Shia militias. Yet after the 2010 elections which brought a second term for the increasingly sectarian Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, al-Sadr switched to a moderate political line and reached out to the Sunni community. In January 2013, he even went as far as joining a Sunni prayer at Shaykh Abdul Qadir Gilani Mosque in Baghdad. He has also kept one foot in the government camp and another in the opposition. He would take part in the political process by having his Sadrist Movement run in the elections; he would secure enough votes to get seats in parliament and ministerial posts in the government. And yet, he would also lead protests against that very same government and call for reform. He worked hard to develop strong ties to the opposition which was mostly secular and dominated by civil society activists. His cooperation with consecutive protest movements since 2011 allowed him to engage in a unique dialogue with this camp that was traditionally seen as an opponent to everything the likes of al-Sadr stood and worked for. This dialogue with the secularists resulted in an uneasy and unpopular but necessary alliance between them and the Sadrist Movement, at least from the perspective of the protest movement. Many saw this fragile alliance as an important pillar for rebuilding a diverse country like Iraq. But the majority in both camps were uneasy about it. While playing with both the ruling elite and the opposition, al-Sadr maintained his militia, occasionally reinventing it under different iterations. Both the government and the opposition were able to live with that. This position enabled al-Sadr to lead a double political life. On one hand, he was a member of the ruling class and had a say in almost every key decision that it made. On the other hand, he was close to the opposition which was pushing for political change. During the past nine years, al-Sadr provided pivotal support for the protest movements in Iraq, mobilising people to come out and demonstrate. His main slogan was always reform ie, he wanted the existing political architecture to remain the same, with occasional reorganisation and change of guard in government posts. This reform-focused agenda was what kept all the protests harmless for the government and the ruling political class. Every time the protests reached a new peak, al-Sadr would give a new ultimatum to the government, get promises of reform and send the protesters home. This strategy made him more and more powerful within the government, giving him leverage over his political opponents. But his political games did not go unnoticed and created tensions within the protesters camp, which split into two fronts. The older politicians who believed in the historic alliance with al-Sadr clashed with those who criticised him for riding the protest wave to get more political gains. Last fall, however, al-Sadrs political game seemingly began to unravel. On October 1, protests broke out which took a very different shape than those in the past. The protesters were younger, more spontaneous and less political. Many of them were his supporters, but they took to the street on their own, without being ordered to do so, and they stressed that they do not want anyone to ride the wave this time. When the government and security realised that al-Sadr was not behind the protests, they used extreme violence against them. In the first week of the demonstrations more than 150 people were killed and some 3,000 injured. This angered the protesters and pushed many more to come out in the streets. On October 25, the protests came back with renewed, powerful momentum. It was then that al-Sadr decided to join, but as a protector of the protesters not as a leader, sending his blue hats, members of his Saraya al-Salam militia, to the squares. His side-door entry into the protests was meant to allow him to gradually assume leadership, but the protesters knew better. They kept their distance, making sure their tents were separate from the Sadrists, and made clear their rejection of all political leaders. The people want the downfall of the regime! became their slogan; they clearly were not going to leave the squares after another promise of reforms. As the violence against them escalated, so did their chants against Iran, which many blamed for the repeated brutal crackdowns. General Qassim Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, travelled multiple times to Baghdad to direct the security response. As the protesters pressed for the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, the Iranians doubled-down on him. Since September, al-Sadr, who had been in Irans holy city of Qom, where he is studying to obtain the rank of a jurisprudent (or ayatollah), was reportedly pressed to take leadership of the protest movement. On October 29, he appeared personally in Najaf, but the crowds rejected his presence and he returned to Iran. It was clear he had failed. A month later Abdul Mahdi submitted his resignation. The January 3 assassination of Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMFs, also known as PMUs), however, was a major shock to the system and threatened to undermine the protesters gains, as pro-Iranian elements in Iraq tried to rally sectarian outrage. These events were a game changer for al-Sadr, who felt that he could not stay in the middle any more. He has reportedly come to believe that the protests were no longer about reforms but change which could threaten his comfortable position on the Iraqi political scene. People close to him say that the Iranians have convinced him that he would face a serious threat to his life if he were to go back to Iraq and that they can only protect him if he remains in Iran. In December, an associate of his reported that a drone dropped a bomb on his home in Najaf, hitting its outer wall, although he did not indicate who was suspected of carrying out the attack. Al-Sadr decided to join the pro-Iran forces. In mid-January, he called for a million-man march to expel the US troops from Iraq, but the turnout was poor. The protesters, in turn, rejected both Iranian and US interference in Iraq and criticised the Sadrists attempt to derail their movement. Shortly after, al-Sadr sent his blue hats to weed out the saboteurs and the intruders from the protest. Seven people were killed and 150 injured in the ensuing clashes. All of this was accompanied by a stream of contradictory tweets by al-Sadr. Over four weeks, he moved from being suspicious of the protests to supporting them, then withdrawing his supporters from the streets just after his anti-US march, only to send them back to attack them. But contrary to what he was expecting, people continued to stream into squares to show solidarity with the protest movement. In the face of yet another failure of his strategy, he may yet again change his mind. The initial signs of a possible shift in his position appeared in his latest tweet titled: the charter of the reform revolution. As of the time of writing this article, none of his closest aides has spoken to him in person. He is reportedly talking to them only through Facebook messenger and WhatsApp. But just like the public, they too are kept in the dark about his intentions. Like the rest of us, most of his followers and aides get his direction from his Twitter feed. This may be the first time that al-Sadr has had a head-on collision with his support base. His most ardent followers will stick by him, but it is clear he is losing his clout in the streets. As a result, his position may be weaker in the next election. How far his image will be eroded by this collision remains to be seen. As long as he retains his militia, al-Sadr will surely remain a powerful player in Iraqi politics. However, it is increasingly clear that this protest wave has upset his political game. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has made it easier for those working at banks, non-banks and insurers to report misconduct with a new whistleblower policy, which has been designed to streamline the process. Individuals employed by companies which are regulated by the Reserve Bank can now report misconduct directly through a designated phone number and email address. They are encouraged to refer to their companys internal whistleblowing policy before making a report. RBNZs Head of Supervision Andy Wood stated that exposing wrongdoing is a vital step towards restoring trust in New Zealands financial services sector. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Todays archive page is from May 20, 1943. Those received into membership in the New Dorp Moravian Church during the year are honored at a reception in the parish house. In total -- 42 people are honored, and approximately 125 people attend the event. The choir performs and the Rev. Vernon W. Couillard, pastor, welcomes the new members. Refreshments are served after the program. If you wish to view additional historic pages, click the links below. Advance historic page from May 4, 1943: S.I. war loan drive tops quota Advance historic page from July 13, 1983: A presidential request If you have trouble viewing the below page from May 20, 1943, click here to enlarge it. Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday said Congress president Sonia Gandhi should send her son Rahul Gandhi to a "political playschool" so that he can learn "decency and language etiquettes". Naqvi was replying to a question by reporters here in Madhya Pradesh about Congress Lok Sabha member Rahul Gandhi's recent remark that in the next six months, the youth would hit Prime Minister Narendra Modi with sticks if he doesn't address the issue of unemployment in the country. "The Congress leaders walk around with an axe in their hands and hit their own foot with it every time they get a chance. I want to give an advice to Congress leaders, specially Sonia Gandhi, to send her 'pappuji' to a political playschool so that he can learn the ABCD of politics, dignity, decency and language etiquettes," he said. Criticising Rahul Gandhi, the minister said, "No one with the right mental balance would talk about hitting a prime minister, who is elected by the public, with sticks." Asked about the exit polls predicting a comfortable victory for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi Assembly polls, Naqvi said "What should we comment on exit poll trends? Let the results come out". Elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly were held on Saturday and the results will be declared on February 11. To a query, Naqvi said protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi did not impact the electoral landscape of the nation's capital. He said that CAA, ban on triple talaq and abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir were issues related to the national interest. "These issues should not be seen in the context of party and results of Delhi Assembly polls," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Norwegian and Royal Caribbean International cruise lines announced Friday they would bar passengers holding passports from China, Hong Kong or Macau. The temporary measure is a drastic precaution in the face of the deadly coronavirus, which has spread across the globe and forced multiple cruise ships into quarantine. Royal Caribbean listed new health screening protocols on its website Friday, noting "these steps are intentionally conservative, and we apologize that they will inconvenience some of our guests." This protocols included, "all holders of China, Hong Kong and Macau passports, regardless of residency." Norwegian Cruise Lines updated its coronavirus procedure on its website Friday, also stating, "any guest that holds a Chinese, Hong Kong, or Macau passport, will be unable to board any of our ships, regardless of residency." This ban extended to crew members as well. "The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our number one priority," the website announcement states. The entire cruise industry is stepping up measures to fight the outbreak, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said Friday. The Diamond Princess cruise ship approaches Daikoku Pier where it will be resupplied and newly diagnosed coronavirus cases taken to hospital. All members of the trade group, which make up about 90% of the ocean-going cruise ships in the world, have adopted a policy to fight coronavirus, according to a statement provided by Bari Golin-Blaugrund, senior director of strategic communications for CLIA. CLIA is now enhancing a Jan. 31 policy to deny boarding to anyone who had traveled through mainland China two weeks prior to embarkation by restricting boarding access to anyone who may have come in contact with coronavirus. According to the Friday release, member ships are to deny boarding to anyone who has been in close contact with or helped to care for someone suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus. Those who are being monitored for potential exposure to the virus are also to be turned away. Ships are also to deny boarding to all who have traveled from, visited or been through airports in China within a two-week period prior to embarkation. That includes Hong Kong and Macao in addition to mainland China. Story continues Norwegian cruise line also will not allow passengers who have been to the region, or been in contact with people from the countries, within the last 30 days. CLIA cruise member ships are to conduct screening before boarding. Enhanced screening and medical support are to be provided by ships as needed to anyone with coronavirus-like symptoms. Common signs of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. The coronavirus, which was first identified in Wuhan, China, has now spread across the globe with more than 31,523 confirmed cases and 638 deaths from the virus as of Friday morning. The majority of the cases are in mainland China. Each screening will be conducted on a case-by-case basis and some will include non-touch temperature readings when deemed appropriate. Non-touch temperature screenings are often taken with thermal scanners, non-contact infrared thermometers or tympanic thermometers for minimal contact with the patient, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Crew members and passengers alike are subject to these precautionary measures. CLIA, which is the largest trade organization in the cruise industry, has 270 member ships, which will be expected to comply with the new policy, according to Brian Salerno, senior vice president of maritime policy at CLIA, who estimated there are more than 300 cruise ships operating around the globe. As the situation develops, CLIA will continue to modify its policies. Cruise ships already dealing with coronavirus Several cruise ships have been dealing with the coronavirus outbreak firsthand. As of Friday, 61 people had been diagnosed with coronavirus onboard Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess off the coast of Yokohoma, Japan. Eight of those passengers are Americans. The ship is under quarantine until Feb. 19. Dream Cruises' World Dream is also under quarantine near Hong Kong and is still conducting tests on those currently aboard after three people from a previous cruise tested positive. On Thursday evening, the Hong Kong government released a statement on the quarantine and testing of passengers and crew aboard World Dream, which is owned by holding company Genting Hong Kong Limited. One passenger aboard the ship developed a fever and was sent to the hospital for treatment and relevant testing. Eight others had mild respiratory symptoms and are being tested for the virus. Meanwhile, Holland America's MS Westerdam cruise ship, which made a stop in Hong Kong last week, has been denied entry to ports in Guam, the Philippines and Japan. According to the cruise line, there are no known cases of coronavirus onboard despite reports to the contrary, and the MS Westerdam is not in quarantine. "We have no reason to believe there are cases of coronavirus on board," Erik Elvejord, Holland America's public relations director, said in an email Friday morning. And another ship, Costa Smeralda, had a coronavirus scare at the end of January that turned out to be a case of the flu. Room service, TV and spotty WiFi: Inside quarantined coronavirus cruise with 61 cases onboard Four people on cruise ship: Screened for coronavirus, sent for hospital evaluation in New Jersey This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: Cruise lines ban passport holders from China, Hong Kong Palmdale, CA (93550) Today Clear skies. Low around 30F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Stronger winds in and below canyons and passes.. Tonight Clear skies. Low around 30F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Stronger winds in and below canyons and passes. Victoria Beckham may have built her own fashion empire, but Susannah Constantine suspects she has a secret personal stylist. Susannah, who made her name on TV fashion show What Not To Wear, let slip her conspiracy theory while describing David Beckhams wife as a try-hard. I admire Victorias ability to walk in high heels. But I feel her style is not innate its too manufactured and I feel she has a stylist, she said. Victoria Beckham may have built her own fashion empire, but Susannah Constantine suspects she has a secret personal stylist Susannah, who made her name on TV fashion show What Not To Wear, let slip her conspiracy theory while describing David Beckhams wife as a try-hard Someone like Tilda Swinton is a true style icon because shes done it all herself'. Speaking to Tan France on the My Wardrobe Malfunction podcast she added: 'Victoria Beckham is just a cliche to me. Its so try-hard. With her estimated fortune of 240 million, I dont imagine Posh Spice will lose too much sleep over this. I admire Victorias ability to walk in high heels. But I feel her style is not innate its too manufactured and I feel she has a stylist, Susannah said Dominic Cummings hates inane questions about Brexit, as we learned from his frosty exchange with an ITV News reporter last week. But I know a subject that does get the PMs scruffy aide talking Otto von Bismarck. Dominic Cummings hates inane questions about Brexit, as we learned from his frosty exchange with an ITV News reporter last week My Downing Street spy was enjoying a discussion about the 19th Century German statesman when Dom jumped in to ask, Did someone say Bismarck?, before explaining that he was fascinated by him. I wonder what attracts Dom to the power-crazed arch-manipulator? Despite reports that life behind the scenes at This Morning is toxic, presenter Phillip Schofield finds a way to cheer up staff. Im told he hands bottles of Moet to researchers who discover interesting nuggets of information about guests. My source says: If the interviewee responds with something like, Wow, hardly anyone knew that, it makes Phil very happy indeed. 'He will then find the researcher who put that anecdote on his notes and give them a bottle of champagne. Celebs spouting nonsense It was only a matter of time before a member of the woke brigade chimed in with a quack approach to the coronavirus crisis. Step forward socialite Sabrina Percy, who thinks the epidemic can be warded off with lashings of green tea! Socialite Sabrina Percy thinks the coronavirus epidemic can be warded off with lashings of green tea! Sabrina, 29, who is engaged to restaurateur Phineas Page, has been gulping down a combination of garlic, oregano oil and dandelion with the tea in the hope that it will protect her. I am taking measures to prepare my immune system as best I can just in case, says the model. Good luck with that, Sabrina! Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' It's only natural to consider a company's balance sheet when you examine how risky it is, since debt is often involved when a business collapses. As with many other companies Genting Singapore Limited (SGX:G13) makes use of debt. But the real question is whether this debt is making the company risky. What Risk Does Debt Bring? Debt assists a business until the business has trouble paying it off, either with new capital or with free cash flow. Part and parcel of capitalism is the process of 'creative destruction' where failed businesses are mercilessly liquidated by their bankers. However, a more frequent (but still costly) occurrence is where a company must issue shares at bargain-basement prices, permanently diluting shareholders, just to shore up its balance sheet. By replacing dilution, though, debt can be an extremely good tool for businesses that need capital to invest in growth at high rates of return. When we think about a company's use of debt, we first look at cash and debt together. See our latest analysis for Genting Singapore What Is Genting Singapore's Debt? You can click the graphic below for the historical numbers, but it shows that Genting Singapore had S$255.3m of debt in September 2019, down from S$1.03b, one year before. However, its balance sheet shows it holds S$3.68b in cash, so it actually has S$3.42b net cash. SGX:G13 Historical Debt, February 9th 2020 How Strong Is Genting Singapore's Balance Sheet? The latest balance sheet data shows that Genting Singapore had liabilities of S$605.4m due within a year, and liabilities of S$535.0m falling due after that. Offsetting this, it had S$3.68b in cash and S$139.3m in receivables that were due within 12 months. So it actually has S$2.68b more liquid assets than total liabilities. It's good to see that Genting Singapore has plenty of liquidity on its balance sheet, suggesting conservative management of liabilities. Because it has plenty of assets, it is unlikely to have trouble with its lenders. Succinctly put, Genting Singapore boasts net cash, so it's fair to say it does not have a heavy debt load! Story continues On the other hand, Genting Singapore's EBIT dived 11%, over the last year. If that rate of decline in earnings continues, the company could find itself in a tight spot. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine Genting Singapore's ability to maintain a healthy balance sheet going forward. So if you're focused on the future you can check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts. Finally, while the tax-man may adore accounting profits, lenders only accept cold hard cash. While Genting Singapore has net cash on its balance sheet, it's still worth taking a look at its ability to convert earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, to help us understand how quickly it is building (or eroding) that cash balance. Over the last three years, Genting Singapore actually produced more free cash flow than EBIT. There's nothing better than incoming cash when it comes to staying in your lenders' good graces. Summing up While it is always sensible to investigate a company's debt, in this case Genting Singapore has S$3.42b in net cash and a decent-looking balance sheet. The cherry on top was that in converted 116% of that EBIT to free cash flow, bringing in S$891m. So we don't think Genting Singapore's use of debt is risky. When analysing debt levels, the balance sheet is the obvious place to start. However, not all investment risk resides within the balance sheet - far from it. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Genting Singapore that you should be aware of. If, after all that, you're more interested in a fast growing company with a rock-solid balance sheet, then check out our list of net cash growth stocks without delay. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. In many ways, Ray and JoAnn Helstrom lived the quintessential Huntsville love story. Army employee meets government contractor, they fall in love, go on fairytale adventures, then spend their golden years in the home of Redstone Arsenal. Thats pretty much how it happened for the Helstroms. Ray met JoAnn in 1983 at the U.S. Army Test Range on Kwajalein Island. She was stationed there working for the U.S. Army Missile Command at Redstone, and he was a contractor from California. It was love from the get-go, and Ray ended up retiring from business and marrying JoAnn. It was the second marriage for both, and they ended up staying on Kwajelein together for 11 years. Often a place where government workers from Huntsville are separated from loved ones while they do the Armys work, Ray and JoAnn got to live out their romance in a Pacific paradise. They used their far-flung home as a base to travel the world, then when JoAnn retired, they came back to Huntsville and settled into a loving, active life. Who has a life like that? Nobody, said Ray, now 91, said. As happy as they were, Ray was equally devastated when JoAnn was diagnosed in ovarian cancer. When JoAnn lost her bravely fought battle in 2009 at age 84, grief threatened to overtake Ray. Rather than wallow in the sadness, he decided to rejoice in the memories. For six years, he spent time daily writing down his recollections of the life and love he and JoAnn had built together. Over the years, the anecdotes became quite a collection. A cousin suggested he share them with others, and so he published a book. From the Collection: JoAnn is Helstroms memoir of sorts, a love story about his life with his wife, a testament to a coveted treasured time. More than that, its a lesson for those who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. The books lengthy subtitle helps explain: A Tribute Dedication to All Who Hope and Dream, Have Lived and Felt the Loss and Fully Appreciate, and, the Many Who May Want to Believe in Love. Ray Helstrom published a book of his memories of his wife, JoAnn. For Ray, writing the book was therapy. But he believes it can also help those who are in hospice care, as JoAnn was at the end. The exact same thing thats happened with JoAnn, theyre going through, he said. Even when death was imminent, she maintained a positive outlook, often cheering up those who came to visit her sickbed, Ray said. His purpose in writing the book was to comfort himself. He hopes that it can now comfort and inspire others. The book doesnt end happily, but I like to think of it about a great, great happy book about JoAnn, Ray said. Want to read it? The The Collection: JoAnn will be available at Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million, or by visiting http://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/from-the-collection-joann/. Nonprofits and schools receive a 20% discount. Shelly Haskins writes about points of pride statewide. Email your suggestions to shaskins@al.com, or tweet them to @Shelly_Haskins using #AlabamaProud. People wearing protective face masks walk inside a mall in Shanghai on February 8, 2020. Noel Celis | AFP | Getty Images The coverage on this live blog has ended but for up-to-the-minute coverage on the coronavirus, visit the live blog from CNBC's US team. All times below are in Beijing time. 7:28 pm: China pledges more than $10 billion to fight virus All levels of China's government have allocated a total of 71.85 billion yuan ($10.26 billion) to fight the fast-spreading coronavirus, which has now killed more than 800 people and infected more than 37,000, the country's finance ministry said Sunday. The funds will reportedly go toward helping citizens afford treatment, a statement on the finance's ministry's website said. Chinese health officials have warned of medical equipment shortages as hospitals in the country come under heavy strain and face resources constraints amid the mounting volume of cases. 6:57 pm: UK confirms fourth coronavirus case U.K. health authorities announced the country's fourth confirmed case of coronavirus Sunday, said to have been contracted from another British citizen sickened with the disease in France. "The patient has been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at The Royal Free Hospital, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus," England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty said in a statement. 6:53 pm: China's Hubei will help pay for electricity and offer subsidies to SMEs, local authorities say China's Hubei province will help small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hit hard by the coronavirus epidemic sweeping the country, local authorities announced Sunday, pledging to pay 30% of electricity costs for businesses working in medical supplies. The province, which is the epicenter of the disease's outbreak, will also cut water and gas costs for smaller enterprises and look to lower rent and regulatory fees for those especially impacted by the virus, authorities said. 5:20 pm: Spain confirms British man as its second case of coronavirus Spain's National Microbiology Center has confirmed its second case of coronavirus, a British male who reportedly came into contact with someone in France who was carrying the deadly virus. The patient, along with his two children and wife, have been under observation in Mallorca. The wife and children tested negative for the disease, Reuters reported on Sunday. 5:00 pm: China announces closure of Hebei schools until March 1 China's northern Hebei province, which surrounds the capital Beijing, will keep its schools shut until at least March 1 in an effort to contain the country's coronavirus epidemic, China's state-run People's Daily newspaper said Sunday. Other municipalities extending the school closures include Shanghai, Jiangsu and Shandong. 3:45 pm: 3,600 passengers and crew quarantined on cruise ship in Hong Kong allowed to leave All 1,800 crew aboard the World Dream cruise liner, which has been under quarantine in Hong Kong for the past four days, have tested negative for the coronavirus, which medical authorities say means that the passengers are safe to leave. The crew were being monitored for symptoms after possibly being in contact on a previous trip with up to eight people infected with the virus. "As all quarantine measures carried out by the Department of Health have been completed, all passengers and crew members can leave the cruise," Dr Leung Yiu-hong, chief port health officer at the Centre for Health Protection, said at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on Sunday. 2:32 pm: Princess Cruises confirms six additional coronavirus cases Princess Cruises confirmed six new cases of coronavirus, the company confirmed Sunday after testing by Japan's health ministry, bringing the total infected passengers on the Diamond Princess to 69. The ship is quarantined off the coast of Japan. "Our guests and crew onboard Diamond Princess are the focus of our entire global organization right now and all of our hearts are with each of them," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president, who said that Japanese health authorities are supporting the ocean liner and providing medical assistance. "In partnership with the Japan Ministry of Health the ship has received additional medications which are being sorted and distributed based on medical and urgent priority," Swartz said. 2:27 pm: China urges 'reasonable use' of protective gear amid a supply crunch China's National Health Commission urged medical professionals to make "reasonable use" of protection gear and warned against their "excessive and disorderly use," according to a Reuters translation. The World Health Organization has warned against the hoarding of such gear, which includes masks, gowns and gloves, and said there could be a chronic shortage. In late January, UNICEF sent a six-tonne shipment of respiratory masks and protective suits to health workers in China to help protect them. The city of Xiaogan the second-worst hit city in Hubei, according to state-run media Xinhua faces a shortfall of 24,000 protective gear, 60,000 masks, as well as 15,000 goggles and face shields, Xinhua reported last week. It was citing the Xiaogan headquarters for prevention and control of the epidemic. 12:15 pm: Gaming giant Tencent asks staff to stay home for another week Chinese tech giant Tencent has asked its employees to working from home for another week, extending the return date to from Feb. 14 to Feb. 21. The move is aimed at protecting employees from the spread of the virus, the gaming company said on the official account of its popular messaging app, WeChat. 11:44 am: China starts receiving patients at the second new hospital in Wuhan China has been transferring patients to the second newly completed specialized hospital in Wuhan, the Leishenshan Hospital, according to China Global Television Network, controlled by the Communist Party. The hospital is able to take 1,500 beds and accommodate more than 2,000 medical staff, CGTN said. The first group of patients with the virus was transferred to the hospital on Saturday, the network said. Another makeshift hospital, the 1,000-bed Huoshenshan facility which was built in less than two weeks received its first patients last Monday. Medical workers help the first batch of patients infected with the new coronavirus move into their isolation wards at Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain) Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province on Feb. 4, 2020. Xiao Yijiu | Xinhua News Agency | Getty 10:48 am: Over 70 exhibitors pull out of Singapore Airshow More than 70 exhibitors have withdrawn from the Singapore Airshow, Reuters reported. The event, due to be held in Singapore from Feb. 11-16, is touted as Asia's largest aerospace event. Those that have pulled out of the event include Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The airshow takes place once every two years, and was initially expected to attract 54,151 trade attendees from 147 countries. Experia Events Managing Director Leck Chet Lam said the number of firms that have withdrawn represented less than 8% of those that had signed up, according to Reuters. As of Friday, Singapore reported 40 confirmed cases of the new virus. 10:29 am: Singapore's central bank calls on financial firms prepare for increased demand of services Singapore's central bank has called on financial institutions to "be prepared to manage any increase in demand for certain financial services," as a result of the virus outbreak. Such services include cash withdrawal or online financial services, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said in a statement on Sunday. Singapore has reported 40 confirmed cases so far, and raised its risk assessment to the second highest level on Friday. The city-state of 5.6 million people has one of the most number of confirmed cases outside China. MAS also reminded financial firms to be careful of cyber security threats. "There have been cases of cyber threat actors taking advantage of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) situation to conduct email scams, phishing and ransomware attacks," MAS said in a statement on Sunday, referring to the interim name of the new virus. Chart shows coronovirus hitting major Asian markets 9:21 am: Four on cruise ship docked near New York City test negative Four passengers onboard the Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas cruise ship have tested negative, according to New Jersey's Governor Phil Murphy. The ship is docked in Port Bayonne in New Jersey, some 15 miles from New York City. Staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention boarded the ship on Friday to test 27 passengers who had recently traveled from mainland China. The CDC cleared 23 of those passengers but the remaining four had to be further evaluated. "All four passengers from the cruise ship docked in Bayonne tested negative for novel coronavirus," Murphy tweeted. "New Jersey currently has no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and the risk to residents remains low." Murphy tweet 8:44 am: China reports 89 additional deaths, bringing total to 811 in the mainland China reported that the total number of deaths in the country has reached 811 that's 89 more deaths than a day earlier. The National Health Commission said on its website that 2,656 new cases were confirmed. This brings the total number to 37,198 in mainland China. 7:30 am: Death toll in Hubei province rises to 780 Hubei province reported an additional 81 deaths and another 2,147 new cases as of Saturday. It brings the cumulative number of deaths in the province to 780, and total confirmed cases to 27,100. The number of deaths from the mysterious virus is now higher than the global death toll for SARS. China has reported 811 deaths in the mainland so far. That brings the global death toll to 813 including one in the Philippines and another in Hong Kong. The SARS outbreak in 2003 killed 774 people globally, according to the World Health Organization. (Update: This post has been updated to reflect China's total deaths after the numbers were released.) A citizen wearing a mask cycling across a deserted road in Wuhan, China on February 7, 2020. The 2019 new coronavirus was discovered in Wuhan in late 2019, and has spread to more than two dozen countries since. Stringer | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images All times below are in Eastern time. 4:09 pm Canada confirms seventh case of coronavirus The Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed the country's seventh case of the coronavirus on Saturday, Canadian officials told CNBC. The agency indicated on its website tracking the outbreak that Canadian province British Columbia has a total of four confirmed cases, and the province of Ontario has three. 1:44 pm Volkswagen postpones restarting production at some China plants Volkswagen said Saturday that it has pushed back resuming production at some of its China plants, Reuters reported. The company will not restart production until Feb. 17 at most plants in its joint venture with SAIC motor and the Tianjin plant in its joint venture with the FAW Group due to the coronavirus outbreak. One car-manufacturing plant Volkswagen operates with SAIC in Shanghai and most of the plants in the FAW joint venture will restart on Feb. 10, the German automaker said in an emailed statement on Saturday. Volkswagen said it was facing supply chain challenges as China goes back to work after the extended Lunar New Year holiday, as well as limited travel options for its employees. Rows and rows of empty shelves at a local supermarket in Singapore as panic buying swept through the city after the government raised the alert level for a deadly coronavirus on February 8, 2020 Anxious Singapore shoppers formed long lines at grocery stores and cleared the shelves of essential items, after the city-state raised its alert level. Roslan Rahman | AFP | Getty Images 10:19 am Singapore confirms seven more cases Residents in low-lying areas in Sydney are being ordered to evacuate as authorities warn major flooding is inevitable amid the heaviest downpour in more than two decades. The State Emergency Service has issued a warning for the Narrabeen Lagoon area that residents need to evacuate by 10.30pm on Sunday. Residents in Moorebank, Chipping Norton, and Milperra were ordered they need to evacuate by 7pm Sunday. The SES is also warning it could issue an evacuation order within the next two hours for North Richmond. The warnings follow the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting flooding for the Hawkesbury River around north Richmond Lowlands in Sydney's north-west. Residents in low-lying areas on the outskirts are Sydney are being ordered to evacuate as drenching rains cause flooding The warnings follow the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting flooding for the Hawkesbury River around north Richmond Lowlands in Sydney's north-west The SES has said those who receive an evacuation order should stay with family or friends or book other accommodation away from the warning area. In the Narrabeen area intense rains on Saturday and Sunday have caused the Narrabeen Lagoon to be at risk of flooding. Those in Narrabeen are being informed they should evacuate via Pittwater Rd or Ocean St. The order affects close to 1,000 houses around the Narrabeen Lagoon. SES and Surf Lifesaving NSW crews are door knocking homes making sure people are aware of the order. Two evacuation centres have been setup at Mona Vale Community Centre, 1 Park Street, and Cromer Community Centre, 150 Fisher Road North. The Narrabeen Lagoon catchment area measures more than 50 square kms. The entire area has been deluged with rain, according to Northern Beaches Police Area Command, which means vasts amounts of water are headed downhill towards the lagoon. Combined with the high tide on Sunday night, authorities are warning severe flooding is inevitable. Drenching rains and strong winds have been causing havoc across Sydney on Sunday. Roads have been cut because of flooding and more than 100,000 people are without power. In the Narrabeen area intense rains on Saturday and Sunday have caused the Narrabeen Lagoon to be at risk of flooding Four people in the Sydney CBD were rushed to hospital at about 1.30pm after a tree branch fell on their car. Paramedics treated five people at Bridge Street for neck injuries, transporting two men and two women in their 50s to hospital as a precaution against spinal injuries. They are believed to be in a stable condition. 'This wet and windy weather is really wreaking havoc on our roads today, with paramedics responding to five car accidents every hour since Friday night,' NSW Ambulance Duty Operations Manager said. 'We've responded to multiple trees that had fallen onto cars, trees into houses and units, and people trapped in cars in floodwaters. 'This was a lucky escape for the passengers who were in the car when a tree fell on them in the city today.' Streets in Narrabeen are flooding after drenching rains on Sunday The SES is also warning it could issue an evacuation order within the next two hours for North Richmond after rising waters on the Hawkesbury River Residents around the Narrabeen Lagoon are being ordered to evacuate because of flooding UPDATED 11:01AM: A new tropical cyclone has formed north west of New Zealand and east of Queensland over the Coral Sea and has already reached Category 2 status - with another cyclone likely to form north east of New Zealand and Fiji later this week. Cyclone Uesi was named by the Fiji Met Service overnight and as of 11am Monday NZDT it had grown to a Category 2 tropical storm near Vanuatu to the west. It's far enough away from VANUATU to minimise serious impact at this stage. Instead, it's expected to strengthen in the days ahead and may even reach Severe Category 3 status as it moves southwards near or directly over New Caledonia around Tuesday and Wednesday, says WeatherWatch.co.nz "The French island may be directly impacted by Uesi with damaging winds, flooding rains and dangerous seas. "On Friday, Cyclone Uesi - or the remnants of the storm - will be near Eastern Australia and will help feed even more heavy rain into the east from Brisbane and Sydney. "It will also produce dangerous seas and waves. It will then grow into an extra-tropical storm which could see it intensify - hence why eastern Australia and the South Island of New Zealand should be monitoring." High pressure looks to remain in place over New Zealand this week with an easterly flow at the top of the country helping to guide this cyclone westwards towards Australia and then southwards down the Tasman Sea by the weekend. One week from now the remnants of Uesi will likely drop away into the Southern Ocean between Tasmania and Fiordland - but there is a chance it could pull closer to NZ and bring heavy rain to the West Coast in a week from now. Modelling, unfortunately, seems to agree the North Island won't likely be exposed to rain from this event. ANOTHER BIGGER CYCLONE AFTER: As the remnants of Uesi drift closer to NZ early next week a much larger tropical cyclone will likely be to our north. "As early as this Friday the next storm will be forming north to north east of Fiji, " says WeatherWatch.co.nz "The islands of Tonga look most exposed next Monday, February 17, to a possible direct hit. This second tropical cyclone may also feed very heavy rain into Samoa. "By next Wednesday (February 19) this second cyclone should be well east of New Zealand, nor bringing much needed rain to the North Island due to high pressure being stuck in place over NZ still." EARLIER: A new tropical cyclone has formed north west of New Zealand and east of Queensland over the Coral Sea with another cyclone likely north east of NZ next week. Cyclone Uesi was named by the Fiji Met Service and as of 8:45am Monday NZDT was a Category 1 tropical storm near Vanuatu to the west. It is expected to strengthen in the days ahead and reach Category 2, maybe even Severe Category 3 as it moves south towards New Caledonia, then into the Tasman Sea area, says WeatherWatch.co.nz "It's like Uesi will brush the western side of New Caledonia on Wednesday - or go directly over the French island. "On Friday this week Cyclone Uesi - or the remnants of the storm - will be near eastern Australia and will help feed even more heavy rain into the east from Brisbane to Sydney. "High pressure looks to remain in place over New Zealand with an easterly flow at the top of the country helping to guide this cyclone westwards towards Australia and then southwards down the Tasman Sea." One week from now the remnants of Uesi will likely drop away into the Southern Ocean between Tasmania and Fiordland - but there is a chance it could pull closer to NZ and bring heavy rain to the West Coast in a week from now. Modelling, unfortunately, seems to agree the North Island won't likely be exposed to rain from this event. ANOTHER BIGGER CYCLONE AFTER: "As the remnants of Uesi drift closer to NZ early next week a much larger tropical cyclone will likely be to our north. As early as this Friday the next storm will be forming north to north east of FIJI. "The islands of TONGA look most exposed next Monday, Feb 17, to a possible direct hit. This second tropical cyclone may also feed very heavy rain into SAMOA." By next Wednesday (Feb 19) this second cyclone should be well east of New Zealand, nor bringing much needed rain to the North Island due to high pressure being stuck in place over New Zealand still. Jacy Lewis/Reporter-Telegram What has been the area of local law enforcement most impacted by recent growth and what plans do you have to contend with that? I believe the Midland County Commissioners Court did not select Rory McKinney or David Criner for sheriff after Gary Painter died because they are trying to protect all residents from the swamp of corruption the Sheriff's Office has become. US president Donald Trump and his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, have announced their intention to work toward a free trade agreement between the two countries, in what would be a first for US trade relations in sub-Saharan Africa. "There is enormous potential for us to deepen our economic and commercial ties," said Robert Lighthizer, US trade representative, who added that both countries sought a "comprehensive, high-standard agreement". Trump was more circumspect, telling reporters at the White House that a deal would "probably" happen. Kenya and the United States currently manage around $1bn (913m) in trade annually. Washington sees Kenya as a key ally in a joint military campaign against Al-Shabab fighters in neighbouring Somalia. Kenya is also east Africa's economic engine, and home to a growing number of industries, as well as billions of dollars of strategic Chinese investments that Washington is trying to counter. A free trade deal between the United States and Kenya would more or less replace an ageing agreement called the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which allows many African countries to export goods to the United States without quotas or tariffs but expires in 2025. The only bilateral agreement the United States has on the continent was signed with Morocco in 2004. In a speech at the US Chamber of Commerce, Kenyatta said shared values made the United States and Kenya natural trading partners. Washington Post Kathmandu, February 9 The Indian government has relaxed its ban on the import of palm oil as it has allowed a trader to import the oil from Nepal, claims Nepals State Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Moti Lal Dugad. The minister hopes that other companies will also gradually obtain approval, adding the ban has turned ineffective at least for the case of Nepal. India had introduced the ban in the first week of January and it had affected Nepali traders also. Nepali officials had urged their Indian counterparts to withdraw the ban. Though Nepal does not produce palm oil, it has been one of the largest exports of the country. As Indian traders can buy the palm oil that Nepali traders sell after importing it from the countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia at a cheaper rate than purchasing it from Malaysian traders directly, the Nepali firms are enthusiastically trading it. The imbalance exists as India imposes a high tax rate on the import of items from countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. There are more than one dozen palm oil processing companies in Biratnagar and Birgunj of Nepal, according to the traders. They have invested around Rs 25 billion in the business, which employs around 11,000 people regularly. The Conservative rearguard action against Huawei, the Chinese tech company, is being fought vigorously. Senior Tory MPs, led by Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative chair of the defence select committee, warn that we in the UK are turning out to be the mugs in this game, as we report today. It is interesting that these MPs Damian Green, David Davis, Owen Paterson and Bob Seely are the other names on a letter to all Conservative members of parliament do not regard the decision of the National Security Council (NSC) at the end of last month as final. These senior parliamentarians believe that a large majority in the House of Commons can still be overturned by determined lobbying if they can make a strong enough case. So let us revisit the arguments that we assumed were closed when the NSC endorsed the prime ministers decision to allow Huawei to bid for up to 35 per cent of contracts for non-core parts of the 5G network. Phoebe Tonkin upped the fashion stakes on Saturday. The 30-year-old turned heads in a quirky ensemble at the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscars Awards Dinner, held at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. The Australian actress chose a black lace Chanel dress with a floating white overlay on the upper portion. Beautiful in black! Phoebe Tonkin (pictured) attended the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscar Awards Dinner, held at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on Saturday The ankle-length gown featured a crochet style pattern throughout, and was fitted to the body with a slight flare in the skirting. Over the top, Phoebe wore an off-white cover-up which concealed her bare shoulders, and featured sheer panels for a hint of skin. The Tomorrow, When the War Began actress added a pair of bedazzled black heels, the straps embellished with bright rhinestones. Pretty: The 30-year-old Australian actress chose a black lace Chanel dress with a floating white overlay on the upper portion Lovely: The ankle-length gown featured a crochet style pattern throughout. Over the top, Phoebe wore an off-white cover-up which featured sheer panels for a hint of skin A number of delicate details added to the look, including glittering earrings and ear cuffs, rings and a bracelet in a bronze tone. To complete the ensemble, the Vampire Diaries star carried a shiny black purse in a shell formation. For makeup she wore a soft matte pink lipstick and glittering eye-shadow, as well as wearing her brunette hair pulled off her face but for loose tendrils. Details: The Vampire Diaries star carried a shiny black purse in a shell formation and wore a pair of bedazzled black heels, the straps embellished with bright rhinestones Sydney-born Phoebe is most known for her roles on series The Vampire Diaries and spin-off The Originals. More recently, she took on the role of Gwendolyn Reed in Bloom, airing on Australian streaming service Stan. Back in 2017, she went through a highly publicised break-up with fellow Vampire Diaries co-star Paul Wesley after four years together. A reworked Palestinian resolution has dropped its initial condemnation of President Donald Trump's Mideast peace plan, opting for less confrontational language ahead of a UN Security Council vote, a copy obtained by AFP shows. The latest draft also no longer mentions the United States by name as the plan's author, and couches its criticism in milder language than in the original. The changes come as diplomatic pressure mounts ahead of Tuesday's Security Council vote, which Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is expected to be on hand for. In one sign of the pressure, Tunisia earlier in the week abruptly fired its ambassador to the United Nations, Moncef Baati, citing his failure to consult with his foreign ministry on matters said to include the peace plan. Diplomatic sources said Tunisia's President Kais Saied was worried that Baati's expressions of support for the Palestinians would damage Tunis' relations with the United States. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and adviser, briefed the Security Council on the US plan on Thursday. The plan would put the Palestinian capital in a suburb of Jerusalem rather than East Jerusalem, and allow Israel to annex more than 130 Jewish settlements in the occupied territories as well as the Jordan Valley. It has been roundly rejected by the Palestinians, the Arab League and the Islamic Cooperation Organization. On Sunday, the African Union followed suit, with its chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat telling a summit of African leaders in Addis Ababa that it "trampled on the rights of the Palestinian people." The initial draft of the Palestinian resolution, which was presented by Tunisia and Indonesia last Tuesday, charged that the US plan "breaches international law and the internationally-endorsed terms of reference for the achievement of a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict." The latest version says the US initiative "departs from the internationally-endorsed terms of reference and parameters for the achievement of a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to this conflict, as enshrined in the relevant United Nations resolutions." The draft no longer calls for an international conference on the Middle East "at the earliest possible date," instead replacing that language with a reminder that such a call was made in a 2008 UN resolution. It also adds a line "condemning all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation, incitement and destruction." Despite the softer tone, however, it was unclear if the latest version would be enough to avoid a US veto when it comes to a vote on Tuesday. It still condemns Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, and reaffirms the need to preserve the boundary lines from 1967. Abbas is scheduled to hold a news conference in New York with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Ohlmert after the vote, according a statement from the Palestinian mission to the UN. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, pictured here delivering a speech in the West Bank city of Ramallah, is expected to be on hand for a UN Security Council vote on the US Mideast peace plan The Bucharest Social Democrat Party (PSD Bucharest) organization will support at the congress Marcel Ciolacu for the position of chairman and proposed the extraordinary congress that would elect a new leadership take place on February 29. The chairman of PSD Bucharest, Gabriela Firea, proposed on Sunday, during the Extraordinary conference of the organization, that Marcel Ciolacu be supported for chairman at the congress. She also proposed the day of February 29 to organize the congress. "The sine die postponement of a congress harms us. I propose that through your vote we propose the central organization set a certain date that a congress will take place. Let's send to the central leadership the date of February 29 as the date of the congress. (...) I propose to you to support Marcel Ciolacu for the position of chairman," said Firea, at the extraordinary conference of PSD Bucharest to designate candidates in the congress. The Social Democrats that participate in the extraordinary conference adopted the two proposals by applause. AGERPRES Shikara is not just a movie, it's a movement -- that's what Vidhu Vinod Chopra had said about Shikara, a film that took 11 years in the making; a film which he says is most challenging of his career. The movie made a lot of waves even before the release. Some people called for boycott. And when it released, it made all the noise once again. YouTube A video of a Kashmiri Pandit woman named Divya Razdan who was seen slamming the ace filmmaker at the theatre where she watched the screening of Shikara, went viral. "The genocide was not shown. My entire community burnt (inaudible)," she was heard saying in the video. Shame on @VVCFilms for #Shikara No matter if Kashmiri Hindu Women Breaks down into tears Vidhu Vinod Chopra chose money making over facts @neelakantha how he said this "Bahut acha boli , talli bajao, inke liye shikara 2 banayenge" pic.twitter.com/Fun2M1kQgo Social Crusader (@Xs2partner) February 7, 2020 Later, talking to Times Now, Razdan said, "I couldn't find a single scene related to genocide of Kashmiri Hindus. Moreover, there were scenes which indicated that Hindus were wrong and Muslims were completely right." I couldn't find a single scene related to genocide of Kashmiri Hindus. Moreover, there were scenes which indicated that Hindus were wrong & Muslims were completely right: Divya Razdan (@ResearchBharat) the woman who broke down during the screening of Shikara. | #ShikaraPeCharcha pic.twitter.com/C0vnuyEUxn TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 7, 2020 Vidhu Vinod Chopra has finally responded to the "commercialisation" allegations made by the woman. "We respect everyone's view. Let me also place on record that we have done several screenings and in every screening we have received a warm response and standing ovations. Several Kashmiri Hindus have told us that it accurately portrays their story. Our film is not a documentary but an epic tale of a Kashmiri pandit couple and their trials and tribulations in the backdrop of Kashmiri pandit exodus," Chopra told IANS. AFP "It is primarily based on Rahul Pandita's book Our Moon has Blood Cloths, several years of research and my own life as a Kashmiri Hindu. It has taken me 11 years to make this film, I would urge people to watch the film and then decide for themselves," he added. Shikara is a film based on exodus of Kashmiris from the Kashmir Valley. It draws inspiration from various sources that include the story of his father and mother, who could not return to her home in Kashmir. New Delhi: Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has supported India in the case of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and described it as an internal issue of India. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was on a five-day visit to India, had a long discussion with the media on bilateral and regional issues. During this time when the question of exclusion of Tamils was asked by the new Citizenship Amendment Act of India, he said that it is an internal matter of India and people living in Sri Lanka can return whenever they want. While giving a statement on CAA, Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa said, "This is an internal issue of India, the people of Sri Lanka can return to India whenever they want. Their houses are there, they can come back whenever they want, we have no problem Is. Recently 4 thousand people have returned, it all depends on what they want. " It is noteworthy that with the return of Rajapaksa to power in Sri Lanka, there is an atmosphere of fear among Tamil and Muslim minorities. Mahinda's brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected President of Sri Lanka last year. He was supported and voted by a large number of Buddhist Singhals. At the same time, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has expressed the hope that Sri Lanka will fully implement the 13th Amendment of the Constitution and will hand over power to local bodies and governments. Also Read: Delhi: Half of the population cast their vote Once again Kejriwal will become CM: Akhilesh Yadav WHO claims, 'Garlic can cure coronavirus' Delhi Assembly Election 2020: People smoke hookah, women reach to cast their vote Off at odds of 24-1, So Much More soared from off the pace to pull the upset in the $32,000 headlining pace at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Feb. 8). Away sixth from her second-tier post, So Much More sat nine lengths off pacesetter Nirvana Seelster, who cleared command from post 9 heading to a :26.3 first quarter. East End, away third, soon angled off the pegs and rushed by Nirvana Seelster passing a :54.4 half. So Much More meanwhile raced seventh from third over in a stalled flow pacing past three-quarters in 1:23. Driver James MacDonald angled So Much More towards the centre of the track entering the stretch and gradually reeled in East End, sliding by to a one-and-a-quarter length victory in 1:50.4. American Virgin, from second over, rallied for second while Nirvana Seelster popped pocket but gave chase in third. A four-year-old mare by Big Jim, So Much More won her 21st race from 39 starts, earning $291,050. Trainer Don Beatson co-owns the $51.60 winner with Kenneth Beatson and Cole England. To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. Demi Lovato reveals new spider tattoo on the side of their head Demi Lovato has taken to Instagram to show off their latest tattoo. A family of black swans live in Wuhan Zoo. GONG BO/FOR CHINA DAILY Animals lacking food in Wuhan Zoo in Wuhan, Hubei provincecenter of the novel coronavirus outbreakhave had their troubles solved thanks to joint efforts from solicitous people nationwide. The zoo said the supply of food, mainly for those animals living on aquatic products, has stabilized since it released an emergency call for help. According to a notice released on the zoo's Weibo account on Feb 1, aquatic products for some birds, such as penguins, cranes and pelicans, were in severe shortage. Due to controls on logistics to prevent the coronavirus from spreading in Wuhan, the zoo encountered problems purchasing food. Currently, the province only granted highway certificates to freight cars with food, medical supplies and other materials that guarantee the city's water and power supply, according to Shi Jun, general secretary of Wuhan Logistics Association. Without special permission, he said, livestock, poultry and other live animals are not allowed to be transported across cities in the province. Several aquatic animals were in severe need of feed. Mudfish was needed for cranes, crucian for capelins and small yellow croakers for penguins. "Frozen fish is acceptable for penguins," Hua Shi, a local science writer in Wuhan, told Sanlian Life Weekly in a recent interview. "Apart from mudfish, cranes also like other fresh water fish and they can even have some cereal. However, capelins only eat small live crucian." He said bird keepers in the zoo had tried to feed capelins with blackfish, but they refused to eat it. "Fresh fish, especially the small crucian, usually come from fishermen in nearby cities or towns. The temporary traffic controls posed great challenges to the transportation between cities in the province," he said. Only a few hours after it released the notice, the zoo's management hotline received lots of calls from people nationwide who wanted to help. On Saturday afternoon, the zoo announced that some local citizens had already sent food to the zoo. Freshhema, a popular supermarket, also gave a helping hand. As of Sunday afternoon, 100 kilograms of mudfish from Freshhema had arrived at Wuhan Zoo and another 250 kg of crucian, mainly for pelicans, will be sent to the zoo within a few days. During the course of the past three weeks, my wife and I have ventured to a remote grassy field in Gallatin County several times in late afternoon. Through the birding network, we learned that a group of short-eared owls had taken up winter residence in an expanse of grassland that, until recently, had been a coal mine. The short-eared owl is an interesting creature. Smallish, by owl standards, the critter generally calls the upper Great Plains home. They frequently inhabit Southern Illinois for a couple months each winter, in search of warmer weather, mice and voles. Once you learn where the owls have settled, they are predictable, on the verge of being obsessive-compulsive. The owls spend their days hunkered down in mounds of grass. Each afternoon, as the sun slides under the western horizon, the birds emerge from their cover, seemingly as if Mother Nature sounds a steam whistle, signaling its time for the night shift. The owls, almost as one, emerge from their grassy cover. They rise straight out of the ground to a height of about 15 feet, then swoop back down and soar low enough to the ground that the tallest strands of grass tickle their bellies. Perhaps the most hypnotic feature of this spectacle is the silence. The owls remain silent on the ground and employ their natural stealth technology so as not to alert their prey. Crisscrossing like a robotic vacuum cleaner, the owls occasionally dip to the ground to snatch an unfortunate small mammal for dinner. If the first few passes yield nothing but disappointment, the birds sail off to the next field, hunting deep into the night. It is a fascinating sight to behold. By happenstance, we arrived early one afternoon. As we approached the hunting grounds, an owl, apparently a juvenile, popped up right in front of our car. The bird had apparently been sitting in the roadside ditch and had gone undetected by our feeble human sight. We watched the small bird descend into the grass not 30 feet from our car. The mottled brown owls are considerably darker than the golden straw-like grass they hunker down in each night. Yet, through the miracle of natures camouflage, the owls blend seamlessly into their habitat. Although we had watched the bird land, he was virtually impossible to detect once he hit the ground. Several minutes passed before my wife detected the slightest motion. And, even once we spotted the bird, it was nearly indistinguishable from the grass when it sat still. Only when it craned its neck from side-to-side were we certain it was the owl we were looking at. Somewhere between 15-20 owls are currently using the field. Two or three members of the community took to the air to begin their evening hunt as we kept our watch. Finally, after about 30 minutes, our owl flicked his wings effortlessly to join the hunting party. As we drove off it was dinner time for us as well several more owls left their grassy sanctuary to search for dinner. It is an incredible sight to see, a dozen or more owls soaring over the field, occasionally getting into spats with northern harriers hunting the same field. You feel primal emotions well up inside watching the birds hunt silently to sustain themselves. LES WINKELER is the outdoors writer for The Southern Illinoisan. Contact him at Les@winkelerswingsandwildlife.com / On Twitter @LesWinkeler. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Ramallah, Feb 9 : A senior Palestinian official has said that US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan, also known as the "Deal of the Century", includes 300 violations of international law. Ahmad Majdalani, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee told reporters on Saturday that President Mahmoud Abbas will present the violations next week before the US Security Council, reports Xinhua news agency. "President Abbas will present a document that includes 300 violations of the international law by the 'Deal of the Century' while addressing the UN Security Council in New York next Tuesday," said Majdalani. Abbas is scheduled to head to the US on Monday and address the Security Council on the peace plan on Tuesday. A draft resolution will be presented for voting before the council's members. Majdalani said that the document that includes the violations of the international law and resolutions was prepared by the PLO. "The US plan is based on denying the Palestinian presence and denying the right of the Palestinian people for self-determination," he said, adding: "The plan is presenting itself as an alternative to the international resolutions." Meanwhile, Mahmoud Aloul, deputy chairman of Abbas' Fatah party, said that when President Abbas addresses the UN Security Council, rallies will be organized on Tuesday in his support. On January 28, Trump revealed the controversial plan which calls for a two-state solution while recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided capital". During a meeting of Foreign Minister at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on February 3, the pan-Islamic body rejected the plan and urged its 57 members not to help implement it or "cooperate with the US administration's efforts to enforce it any way or form". Requested by the Palestinian leadership, the OIC meeting came two days after the Arab League rejected the plan, saying that it "does not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of Palestinian people". Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 21:31:57|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli authorities on Sunday officially informed the Palestinian government that Palestinian agricultural exports have been banned, said the Palestinian Ministry of Economy. Azmi Abdelrahman, the ministry spokesman, told Xinhua that the decision by Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett to ban all Palestinian agricultural exports through Jordan already came into effect on Feb. 6. "The Israeli decision was already implemented against our farmers on the Allenby border crossing to Jordan, but we were only officially informed of the ban today," said the spokesman. The Israeli ban on exports involves Palestinian dates, olive oil and herbs with an annual value of around 100 million U.S. dollars, according to Abdelrahman. This is the second round of tit-for-tat measures between Palestinians and Israelis as the Palestinian government declared last week a ban on importing Israeli products including vegetables, fruits, mineral water and soft drinks. The first retaliatory round started with the Palestinian government deciding to ban the import of Israeli calves last September, which was followed by an Israeli ban on Palestinian fresh vegetables and fruits. "Israel violated almost every article of the Paris Protocol," said Abdelrahman. "Israel should not be allowed to intervene in the exports between Palestine and Jordan," he added. Under the Paris Protocol, an economic treaty signed in 1994 to govern the economic relations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, Palestinians are allowed to use the Israel-controlled ports and border crossings freely and the two sides are bound to regular meetings. However, the joint economic committee between the two sides stopped meeting in 2000 and Israel has since been taking unilateral steps, said Abdelrahman. "We have asked for meetings several times, but Israel never accepted," the Palestinian spokesman noted. Palestinians in the West Bank can only use the Allenby Bridge to travel to Jordan and the rest of the world. Biya votes in February 9, 2020 PRC Cameroons Head of State, President Paul Biya has cast his votes in today's twin Municipal and Legislative Elections. He was accompanied to the Ecole Publique Bastos polling station in Yaounde by his wife, Chantal Biya. Before leaving the polling station for Unity Palace, the President of the Republic expressed his joy to reporters and thanked Cameroonians for accompanying him to take the countrys democracy to a whole new level. He laughed at some opposition parties that called for a boycott of the elections, only falling short of citing names like the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, MRC, of Professor Maurice Kamto and other groupings like the Stand Up For Cameroon movement led by Edith Kah Walla. Hear Biya: My sentiments are that of joy and satisfaction. I have accomplished my civic duty and I am happy about it. I seize this opportunity to call on all my compatriots to do same, contrary to calls for boycott by some small political parties. In any case, democracy in Cameroon is moving forward. He went on to announce the imminent holding of Regional Elections after todays twin polls. His words: Like I say, democracy is taking root in Cameroon. We have had the Major National Dialogue, the Law on Decentralisation which contains the Special Status for the North West and South West regions, and the Law on Bilingualism. Very soon, after the municipal and legislative elections, we will elect Regional Councillors. This is the path towards a more developed democracy. I am very satisfied. I thank Cameroonians for putting in their dynamism in building this great democracy. Parliamentary and municipal elections took place in Cameroon this February 9, 2020 amid threats by separatists in the North West and South West Regions. The armed separatists, who seek to make the aforementioned regions an independent country called Ambazonia, imposed a six-day lockdown in a bid to stop the elections from taking place. The Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM pulled out of the race to todays elections hours to the deadline for the submission of candidacy files. They cited the situation in the North West and South West Regions as well as deficiencies in the Electoral Code as reasons for their withdrawal. They went on to call for a nationwide boycott of the said polls. Elections are however said to have taken place in all the 360 subdivisions of the country. Srinagar: The 2G mobile internet services which were restored in Kashmir last month, were suspended again on Sunday (February 9) on the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Afzal Guru was convicted for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack and was hanged on February 9, 2013. There are mild restrictions on parts of Srinagar, officials said. The All Party Hurriyat Conference has called for a bandh in Kashmir on Afzal Guru's death anniversary. A bandh has also been called by the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on the death anniversary of Afzal Guru and also on February 11, which is the death anniversary of Maqbool Bhat -- founder of the organisation National Liberation Front (NLF). A complete shutdown is being observed across Kashmir as part of the bandh called by these outfits. Normal life has been thrown out of gear as shops and business establishments remained closed in Srinagar. Public transport is also off the roads. In the meantime, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed an FIR against the JKLF leaders who have called for a strike on Afzal Guru's death anniversary. The infection rate has doubled in the past week, surging past the 30,000 mark. Australian medical authorities fear it could be as high as 300,000 because of under-reporting and the challenges of diagnosing such a large population. The number of deaths is now set to surpass the SARS crisis in 2003, after reaching 717 on Saturday. "Its difficult for us to even watch the news now," says Zeng. Describing her group, the first to arrive on Christmas Island, as "guinea pigs", she now believes the families are "like soldiers in a battle" after almost a week in the quarantine centre. Following a tense first couple of days, she believes most of the evacuees have "accepted the reality and are ready to settle down" and the "smiles and assistance" of Australian medical workers on the island had helped with the adjustment. Illustration: Credit:Matt Golding "Everyone who comes here should adjust their mentality," she says. "Don't think it is a tropical island holiday." Zeng's group was joined by 35 more Australians that came from Wuhan via Auckland on an Air New Zealand flight on Thursday. They will be the last group of Australians fleeing China sent to Christmas Island, which the chief medical officer has declared full. From Saturday, when a third flight was scheduled to leave Wuhan, evacuees are to be sent to an Inpex mining camp 30 kilometres outside of Darwin for their two-week quarantine. Sydneysider Bon Lee, who had secured a seat on the flight to Darwin, says he was ready to go to Christmas Island. "I was happy to go anywhere the government has deemed safe for quarantine but Darwin is definitely a better option," he says. "Anyone would prefer that." Zeng dismisses concerns from some other evacuees that the Christmas Island facilities are dirty. "Yes, there are cockroaches! They are all over the Australian continent. My Sydney home has not only cockroaches but also big spiders!" she says. And she is surprised by the newfound attention she and her compatriots are receiving from reporters and long lenses behind wire fences. Australian evacuees leave by bus after arriving at the airport on Christmas Island. Credit:AAP "As soon as we went out, we saw [it was] full of reporters outside the barbed wire. Then sudden intensive flashes reached out to the dark inside the vehicle," she says. "Only when [David] Beckham came there would be such sensation." Beyond the sudden sense of celebrity, life on the island follows a familiar pattern. Food, walks, crabs, video games. Families huddle around an internet router in one of the offices attempting to get a better Wi-Fi connection. They scroll between glimpses of normal-life in Australia and the anything-but-normal pictures of deserted streets of Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan. Everyday things, like trading goods, become more difficult as families are separated in their units to stop the risk of infection spreading among the group and restarting the 14-day quarantine clock for everyone if the sickness takes hold. The Christmas Island detention centre. Credit:Department of Home Affairs Zeng now has an unwanted packet of cigarettes after they were accidentally delivered to her room. She is unable to give them to her neighbour, who ordered them. For the island's full-time residents, the episode is the latest in a series that makes them feel as though their home is a dumping ground for Australia's problems. The red crabs on Christmas Island Credit: "People are feeling that their island is being trashed to a large extent, but most also know that it will blow over," says Philip Tubb, the island's destination development manager. Tubb says the island needs to shake the impression that the coronavirus quarantine is terminal for tourism. "We should be saying that while this is a setback, it is still one of the most sensational places to come to," he says. Gordon Thomson, the shire president and a member of the Labor Party, described the quarantine on Christmas island as "hysterical and ruinous" this week. St Kilda is a place where anything goes. On any day in Fitzroy Street, its normal to see a flock of drag performers, or six blokes with neck tatts and mullets, or a woman walking a duck. But one of the St Kilda Festival's longest-serving participants is also one of its least flamboyant. Elwood Angling Club member Ted Wilkinson with Latin dancer Katherine Maniatakis from DanceCity Productions. Credit:Scott McNaughton It's the Elwood Angling Club, which has missed just one festival in the event's 40-year history. Far from the music and movement of the more obvious festival "acts", anglers at St Kilda Pier were lending kids rods and teaching them how to catch fish on Sunday. Alex Wong/Getty SEOULCaught in political limbo as rejected asylum-seekers, about 1,000 Chinese exist furtively in South Korea dreading torture and imprisonment if they are forced to return to China. Theyre all members of the Church of Almighty God, a uniquely Chinese off-shoot of Christianity denounced as an illegal cult by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which sees its success winning adherents as a dangerous challenge to a regime that represses all forms of worship, whether Christian, Muslim or Buddhist. Chinas Crackdown on Christian Churches Many people accept the Word of Almighty God, so the CCP panics, says a young member who goes by the name of Cecily. The CCP believes religion is competing with communism. Such is the Partys pervasive intelligence network that no one dares phone a relative back in China, much less engage in online chitchat. They have internet police, says Cecily. If you say Almighty God, they will arrest you. They criminalize code words. Members gather here in a Church of Almighty God center that looks like a modern office building featuring a museum. On display are pictures and text about the rise of the church from its origins in the 1980s. At first it was one of the many house churches, where Christianity is still practiced in China, often secretly. But in 1991, according to the official history, the denomination whose Chinese name translates as Eastern Lightning was founded in the belief that Christ is born again and back on Earth in the guise of a mysterious leader of the faitha woman who may now be living in the New York metropolitan area. Ever since those early days, the church suffers really severe persecution, says Angelia Zheng (a name she has adopted in Korea), talking about what happened to her and her brothers and sisters that compelled them to flee. Besides those who have gone to South Korea, about 4,000 are scattered in safe havens in the U.S., Japan, Hong Kong and elsewhere, including Taiwan, the Chinese island province that endures as a separate capitalist state off Chinas east coast. Story continues A LIGHTNING ROD FOR RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION Counting at least 146 believers having been persecuted to death" and claiming "another 400,000 arrested, Angelia believes the church suffers really severe persecution, and is the single most persecuted religious group in China. Theres no way to verify the numbers, but theres little doubt the Church of Almighty God, with anywhere from several hundred thousand to several million worshippers, ranks very high on the CCP enemies list of religious groups composed mainly of ethnic Chinese. Another would be the Buddhist group Falun Gong. These crackdowns have intensified under Xi Jinpings rule along with the ruthless suppression of the Uighurs, an ethnic minority whose 11 million people, mostly Muslim, live in the Xinjiang region in northern China. The church figures prominently in the most recent U.S. State Department "Report on International Religious Freedom," based on data compiled in 2018, much of which seems to have come from the church itself: "The Church of Almighty God reported that in April CCP police secretly arrested and tortured one of its members for 25 days," according to the State Department. "The individual was sent to the hospital with severe injuries to the skull and she died several months later. The Church of Almighty God also reported that on June 27, two church members were arrested, and on July 2, one of them was 'persecuted to death' in Chaoyang Municipal Detention Center." In the church's own newly issued annual report on the Communist Chinese governments persecution" it says the numbers of those being persecuted are going up rapidly 1,355 of its followers sentenced in 2019, more than double the number for 2018. According to the churchs report the CCP carried out investigations door-to-door, person-by-person aided by big data technology and information technology tools for the purpose of arresting more Christians through special operations. Things are as bad as they were at the end of the Cultural Revolution, says J. Gordon Melton, professor of religious history at Baylor University. From 1966 to 1976 as many as 80 million people were killed as Red Guards rampaged across the land in a revolutionary reform movement ordered by Mao Zedong. The Church of Almighty God is suffering most, says Melton. Any of those who return are arrested as soon as they get off the plane. HOUSE CHURCHES Melton, who has visited both China and South Korea many times in recent years, sees the Church of Almighty God as the principal target of a massive campaign in which Xi has ordered portraits of himself and Mao to hang side by side in state-sanctioned Catholic and Protestant churches. Xi wants them to remove crosses, he says. Xi doesnt want them to look like churches. He doesnt want you to know its a church as youre walking by. About half of Chinas 80 to 100 million Christians attend churches that have survived legally if uneasily under arrangements in which the government appoints or approves their leaders. In 2018, Pope Francis reached a provisional agreement with China, the details of which remain secret. It reportedly allows Beijing to name bishops, but supposedly leaves it to the pope to sign off on them. Meanwhile, millions of Chinese worship in house churches, conducting services for small congregations in unmarked facilities, with or without the knowledge or tacit approval of authorities. Then there are about 20 totally banned congregations, the most prominent of which is the Church of Almighty God. They are labeled as criminal cults. They challenge the government and the new Sinicization program that President Xi has put out, says Melton. The campaign against the Church of Almighty God, he says, is similar to that against the Falun Gong, a Buddhist organization with a global following thats been virtually annihilated inside China but thrives among Chinese communities worldwide. LIFE ON THE RUN It was to escape brutal interrogation and torture that members of the Church of Almighty God began coming to Korea, taking advantage of a policy under which droves of Chinese vacationers inundate the scenic island of Jeju off Koreas southern coast on one-month tourist visas available on arrival. Church people, not interested in the beauties of Jeju, then fly to the Korean mainland where they request asylum as victims of oppression. In every case they are turned down but then promptly granted extensions that keep them reapplying every three months, unable to work legally but still not deported to China and certain imprisonment. Even that avenue may be closing, however, since South Korea placed stringent controls on travel from Jeju to the mainland. About 30 Church of Almighty God members are still stuck in Jeju. At the same time, the Chinese are getting tougher on issuing passports, absolutely denying them to anyone suspected of connections to the Church of Almighty God or other criminal sects. Members of the church meeting in Seoul tell harrowing tales of suffering, loneliness and separation from families with whom they now have no contact. One of them, called Jason, describes having been imprisoned for three years, making shoes and weaving for 10 hours a day, eating moldy bread, drinking soup from a tureen in which dirt and sand were visible at the bottom. They ordered prisoners to sing anthems, he says. If you break regulations, they will beat you. A middle-aged woman who goes by the name of Xiang Yi, meaning belief in God, describes a life on the run for 12 years inside China before getting here four years ago. They went to my home to arrest me, but I had already left the house for my sisters house. I risked my life to get my passport. She had no time to say good-bye to her son, with whom she has not been in touch since coming to Korea, and shes never seen her granddaughter born nearly two years ago. Another adherent, who calls himself Jamie Chao, made it here at about the same time after having been arrested, held for a week, severely beaten on the head and legs, and then let go. After I was released, my wife was arrested, he says. The police went to the house, confiscated material. Now, he says, his wife is in hiding, afraid to go anywhere for fear the police will send her back to prison. Suppression is getting worse and worse, says Jamie, while the CCP under Xi exerts near-total control. The Communist Chinese Party is becoming more and more tyrannical, he says. The party has grassroots committees everywhere. Not surprisingly, the Church of Almighty God is bitterly anti-communist, although members insist theyre not against Xi Jinpings regime per se, just its treatment of them and other religious groupings. THE EVIL RED DRAGON Early statements of the church refer to the regime as the evil red dragon of the Bible, and a brochure published in English says flatly, The CCP is an atheist dictatorship that hates the truth and is hostile to the work of God. The party, it says, is terrified that Christians will widely testify to and spread Gods work so that people will all accept the true way and reject the CCP, threatening its dictatorship. Thats why, says the brochure, The CCP government has branded Christianity and Catholicism as cults and labeled the Bible a book of cults. As a result of this unremitting campaign, it goes on, many house churches have been forcibly shut down, assemblies have been outlawed and countless Christians have been arrestedsome tortured to death while prominent pastors and church leaders have also been killed by the CCP. The official version from the Chinese authorities, of course, is quite different. After the murder of a woman in a McDonalds in eastern China in May 2014, authorities said the killers were self-styled church missionaries who called her a demon after she refused to give her cellphone number, and then beat her to death. (The Daily Beast covered the incident and its context extensively at the time.) Is This The Scariest Doomsday Sect in China? The police have also said church fanatics brainwash recruits, according to Xinhua, the state New China News Agency. An officer was quoted as saying at first new recruits were not forced to donate or attend gatherings, but after becoming a convert they were manipulated into leaving their family and devoting everything to the cult. Today, scholars tend to support the response of church members that another group was to blame for the McDonalds murder. The CCP, says the church, has been waging a propaganda campaign accusing the church of numerous offenses in its campaign to destroy it as it did the Falun Gong. FAKE NEWS Most of what you find on the Internet about The Church of Almighty God is false, says Massimo Introvigne, director of the Center for Studies on New Religions in Turin, Italy. Chinese propaganda shows pictures of people beaten and mutilated by the CAG but has failed to produce any more specific evidence, detail, or court record, related to the prosecution of CAG members for these alleged crimes. As for the McDonalds killing, Scholars have unequivocally concluded that the assassins were not related to the CAG, says Introvigne, author of Inside The Church of Almighty God: The Most Persecuted Religious Movement in China, coming out in March. The Chinese regime attributed the crime to the CAG to justify its persecution at home and abroad. Eager to denounce Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party, however, The Church of God remains quite secretive about who is providing the funding, who is really supporting those who have escaped the clutches of Chinese authorities, and who is directing operations in China and abroad. The group says its real founder is God Almighty, but acknowledges an earthly priest, Zhao Weishan, in charge of administrative affairs. Massimo Introvigne in his book says the church's God incarnate is a woman named Yang Xiangbin, born in 1973 in northwestern China, but the church confirms neither her name nor her background out of reverence for God. Zhao and the mystery woman are believed to be in the New York City area, looking for donations and supporting activities at another church center in Flushing, of all places, but no one admits having seen them. THE WORD IN THE FLESH Here in Seoul, polite, neatly attired church members do not talk about any of this stuff, indicating they themselves do not know the answers, but remain committed by faith to the vision of Jesus on earth. Its all set forth in the holy book, a 2446-page tome thats been translated and published in 27 languages. A Record of the Period of Almighty Gods Utterances, is how its described. The title: The Word Appears in the Flesh. Holly Folk, a professor at Western Washington University, is sympathetic. Once you examine the track record, she says, you realize none of the accusations are true. Analyzing the campaign against the CAG, You see the exact same move by the Chinese government against the Falun Gong. As for the image of God incarnate, says Folk, they are extraordinarily Calvinist, their theology is similar to the theology of the Puritans. A theme, she says, is predestination the sense that God has preordained the fate of all living things. Sure, she concedes, there are certain things they do, they use false names and are doing this covert stuff, but thats because they are worried about immigrationpermanent residence abroadto save them from forced repatriation to China. As for those elusive leaders in New York, they are concerned about assassination. No way are these fervent adherents here in Seoul going to speculate on any of that. They lapse into silence when asked who are the real leaders, where they are, whos giving them directions or whos paying the bills. It all comes down to one thing, they say,God on Earth. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. SANTA ROSA (BCN) Santa Rosa police said a 62-year-old man was arrested Saturday afternoon after having discharged a firearm near a parking lot at Sebastopol Road and Roberts Avenue, officers said. Karl Walburg of Santa Rosa was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of being a felon possessing a firearm, negligent discharge of a firearm, brandishing a firearm and vandalism after police had to search neighborhoods along Sebastopol Road near the SMART train-Northwestern Pacific railroad crossing, police said. Police were called at 2:21 p.m. Saturday to the 100 block of Sebastopol Road on a report of a man had taken a firearm out of his car walking onto the parking lot of a business at Sebastopol and Robert Avenue. Several workers at nearby businesses were evacuated, drones were used by both police and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, and the Santa Rosa PD SWAT team, plus a Sheriff's helicopter crew, all helped with the search. Traffic was rerouted off of Sebastopol Road during the search, and SMART trains were stopped briefly as the search went on, police said. Walburg was eventually located and surrendered peacefully, police said. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Rajasthan unit BJP president Satish Punia on Sunday thanked Assembly Speaker CP Joshi for saying that the Government of India has passed the Citizenship Amendment Act and the state government has to implement it as under the Constitution, citizenship is a subject of the Centre, and not of the state. Punia said: "I welcome and congratulate CP Joshiji that he has supported the CAA. Before him, many Congress leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Jairam Ramesh, Salman Khurshid, and Kapil Sibal have also said that the Citizenship Amendment Act will have to be implemented." "The CAA is revolutionary as it opens the doors of getting nationality status for the people who want to live with dignity and respect. Everyone has supported it including intellectuals, nationalists and world leaders. There is no further scope of debate on it," he said. "Under the Constitution, citizenship is a subject of the Centre and not of the State," said Joshi while speaking at the annual award distribution ceremony of Mira Girls College in Udaipur on February 7. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dave King, a native of Killeen, Riverstown on the Offaly-Tipperary border, was recently honoured by the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps for his 50 years of service. At the same event in the Hibernian Inn & Restaurant in Nenagh, Michael Moloney, who was involved in the Order of Malta's Unit in Birr in past years, was also honoured for 60 years of service. Dave, who holds the rank of Lieutenant in the Ambulance Corps, was an active member of the Birr Unit until 1973, when he transferred to Nenagh. He worked in Nenagh Creamery until 1992 when he began to do temporary work with the National Ambulance Service. He became permanent with the Service as a paramedic three years later and only retired recently. At the presentation of awards in the Hibernian on January 24 last, colleagues paid tribute to both Dave and Michael's service with Regional Director, Asst. Cmdr Tony O Mara, Assistant Regional Director Capt Carmel Peacock and current Officer-in-Charge of the Nenagh Unit, Lt Nora O`Loughlin also in attendance. Also a former Officer-in-Charge of the Unit in Nenagh, Dave is very much involved in the Unit today, passing on the benefit of his years of experience to younger members and applying that experience in rendering medical aid whenever necessary at numerous community events across the region. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said on Sunday his party never expected to do well in the Delhi assembly elections held on Saturday as he weighed in on the issues his party and its rivals took up during the campaign. The Congress floor leader in the Lok Sabha also threw in a word of praise for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal. Exit polls have predicted the Congress party will perform poorly in the Delhi assembly elections and said the AAP is all set to retain power for the second time in the national capital. Also Watch | Exit polls predict AAPs comeback, BJP asks to wait till result day While they projected the AAPs win by a two-thirds majority with the party getting anything between 47 seats to 68 seats in the assembly of 70 members, their estimate about the Congress was that it would come a distant third. Most of the five exit polls have said that the BJP will be able to improve its tally by baggings more seats than that from the last assembly elections in 2015, when it won just three. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury evaluated his partys performance in the Delhi assembly polls. We never claimed that we will do exceedingly well in the Delhi assembly elections. But we fought this election with all our strength and hope the result will make all of us happy, Chowdhury said. His comments came after polling in Delhi ended on Saturday after a bitter election campaign which saw leaders of the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AAP slug it over several issues. Arvind Kejriwal sought voters support on the basis of the local governance record. It has claimed to have improved government schools, public health facilities, electricity and water supply at subsidised rates, among other issues. The BJPs leaders, led by Union home minister Amit Shah, focused on Shaheen Bagh, attempting to discredit the protesters again the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and called them anti-national in character. Some even called Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal a terrorist, and accused protesters of being rapists. Congress leaders attacked both the AAP and BJP for not doing enough for the people of Delhi in terms of unemployment and development of the Capital. In this election, the BJP put forth all the communal agendas and Arvind Kejriwalji raised developmental agendas. If Kejriwal wins, then it will be the victory of the developmental agendas, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said. The senior leaders comments came after his party colleague PC Chacko exuded confidence that the Congress will do better than what the exit polls have predicted. PC Chacko, Congress in-charge of the national capital, also spoke about the possibility of an alliance with the AAP. It depends on the results. Once results are out then only we can discuss it, PC Chacko said, according to ANI. The results will be declared after the counting of votes on February 11. In this case, it is possible for a liver failure patient to receive a liver from his/her blood relative . The rate of success is better if the liver is obtained from a first degree relative (father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter). Currently, the liver for transplantation is obtained from two different groups of donors. Liver transplantation is a surgical option for the treatment of liver failure where the surgeon replaces the diseased liver with a healthy one. The transplant ensures a better quality of life for the recipient. Ideally it is important to match the tissue of the recipient with the donor so that the body will not reject it at a later stage. If a patient does not have any matched first-degree donor, then other relatives can be approached. Only a segment of the liver from the donor would be transplanted to the recipient, as there is only one liver in the human body. The liver in the donor as well as in the recipient would then grow, as it has an excellent regenerative capacity. Under exceptional circumstances, and only when it is medically and ethically acceptable to do so, it might be possible to consider a living unrelated donor for a liver transplantation as the supply of the organ far exceeds the demand. The procedure can be done if better results are anticipated when compared to a cadaveric organ donation and an enduring relationship exists between the donor and the recipient. Such unrelated donation requires the permission of an authorization committee. This ensures prevention of any illicit trading of human organs. Cadaveric donors: This kind of donation is usually seen following a road traffic accident or an irreversible injury or tumor of the brain. In these individuals, a part of the brain known as the brain stem fails to function. If this happens, the patient is said to be brain dead. These patients are usually in the intensive care on ventilators and provided with artificial support and cannot be revived by any known means. It has now been accepted that brain death equates in medical and ethical terms to the death of an individual. Following brain death, the brain stops functioning, however some solid and critical organs like the heart,lungs, liver, kidneys, and lungs may still continue to function. It is therefore possible to obtain organs for donation from such individuals as neither consciousness nor spontaneous respiration is possible in the absence of a functional brain stem. Brain death is different from coma, as a comatose patient has chances of revival and recovery, whereas a person who is brain dead cannot be revived by any known means. The patient's relatives are explained about the condition of the patient and requested for organ donation. Following their consent, it might be possible to retrieve the organs to be transplanted into a needy patient. The diagnosis of brain death can only be made when certain medical criteria have been met. There is an increasing need to spread awareness about this concept of organ donation as most of the organs from potential brain dead donors often get wasted. More than 17,000 people are on the waiting list to get a liver transplant in the United States. While 6000 odd patients have their liver transplanted every year in the United States, around 1700 patients die waiting for it. Among the transplanted livers, 80% of them are still functioning after 1 year and about 65% of them are functioning after 5 years. Around 200 patients receive liver from living donors every year while around 6000 patients receive them from deceased donors. The living donor has a 38% chance of a complication due to the transplant and the risk of dying from it is 1 in 500. When the functioning of the liver is inadequate to meet the requirements of the body, a condition called liver failure sets in. It can either happen suddenly (acute liver failure for example following consumption of heavy poisonous substances or due to drug toxicity or it can occur over a prolonged period of time (chronic liver failure; like cirrhosis of the liver). The liver is the largest organ in the human body and is situated below the diaphragm, on the right side of the abdomen. It would not be an exaggeration if the liver were compared to a very large chemical factory. In fact, it participates in more chemical reactions than that happens inside any factory. The liver functions - Plays a vital role in the detoxification process , and helps remove toxins and drugs from the blood. , and helps remove toxins and drugs from the blood. Produces several biologically important compounds such as bile that helps infat digestion, as well as certain specific proteins and vitamin absorption). that helps infat digestion, as well as certain specific and vitamin absorption). Plays a major role in the metabolic process - it breaks down complex food particles into smaller ones in such a way that the human body can use it. - it breaks down complex food particles into smaller ones in such a way that the human body can use it. Serves as a storage organ for sugar (glucose), minerals and other substances. for sugar (glucose), minerals and other substances. Plays a very important role in the clotting of blood (we would otherwise bleed to death even after a small injury) by the production of several compounds required for the same. Due to the role it plays in the human body, it is vital to preserve our liver. The following conditions may give rise to liver failure: Inflammation of the liver over a prolonged time period. Cirrhosis of the liver. Disorder of the immune system, in which the bile duct gets badly affected and destroyed (autoimmune disorder), eventually leading to liver failure. This condition is referred to as primary biliary cirrhosis. Structural abnormality of the bile duct, called biliary atresia. In this condition there is either an absence or a closure of the bile duct opening. This is most commonly seen in children. Chronic alcohol intake, eventually leading to cirrhosis and liver failure. Congenital disorders of copper metabolism, leading to excess deposition of copper throughout the body including the liver (Wilson's disease, Menke's disease). Liver cancer After a diagnosis of liver failure is made, the patient is referred to a transplant unit. The doctor will evaluate the patients condition and assess the need for a liver transplant. Certain tests will be conducted to check if the patient can undergo a liver transplant without any complication. The functioning of other organs such as the heart, kidney, and lungs are also evaluated. The tests include: Blood tests like liver function tests and tests for HIV or hepatitis. Imaging tests like computed tomography (CT scan) and ultrasound. Ultrasound to determine blood flow to the liver. Echocardiogram or ECG to evaluate cardiac function. Pulmonary function studies (PFT) to determine the functioning of the lungs. If the patient opts for a deceased donor transplant then the name is entered in an organ transplant waiting list registry and is assigned a priority score depending on the medical condition. Two scoring systems determine the priority of the patient during this waiting time. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) is used for people aged 12 years and older and the Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease (PELD) is used for children under the age of 12 years. Specific blood tests are used to compute these scores. The childs age as well as its degree of growth failure are also considered while computing PELD. Scores for MELD range from 6 to 40 while scores for PELD range from negative numbers to 99. A higher score indicates a more urgent need for transplant. The score indicates whether a person is likely to die within the next 90 days without a transplant. People who are critically ill with acute liver failure and are likely to die within a week are given the highest priority for liver transplant. The complete details of the patient such as the blood type and tissue type are registered. In case of donor availability, the most eligible patient will be contacted for the liver transplantation. An ideal liver is one that is obtained from a living or a dead person who has no risk or very little risk of transmitting an infectious disease or cancer. A donor liver is also considered a non-ideal if there is a higher risk of the liver not working well following the transplant. A non-ideal liver is also one that carries a higher risk of transmitting an infection or cancer. Patients are sometimes offered such non ideal livers if the risk of dying from waiting is more than the risk from a non-ideal liver. Examples of Non-ideal liver are - If the donor has been infected with hepatitis B or C . . If the donor has had cancer. If the donor has used IV drugs or had sex with a high-risk partner in the past one year. or had sex with a high-risk partner in the past one year. If the liver obtained is a split one, is from an older patient If the liver donation happened after circulatory or cardiac death. Not all individuals with liver failure can undergo a liver transplantation. Certain conditions can make a patient unfit for the surgery and these include: Presence of a large cancer in the liver Presence of a malignancy (cancer) in any other part of the body in any other part of the body Presence of an active infection Presence of severe heart, lung or kidney disease Presence of advanced HIV disease (AIDS) Continued usage of alcohol or inability to comply to the recommendations made by the doctor would also exclude a patient from having a transplant. Normally a patient should be of alcohol for at least 3 to 6 months before they will b taken up for transplant surgery. Before the Transplant - During the waiting period, constant and regular follow ups are essential. To improve the chances for successful surgery, it is best to lead a healthy lifestyle ( example - stop alcohol & smoking) and maintain a positive attitude to life during this period. If a suitable donor is identified,the hospital staff would contact the patient regarding the possibility of a liver transplantation, and a hospital admission will be made. Following admission, a number of blood tests and other specialized tests are done to assess the clinical condition of the patient. The tissue of the donor and the recipient are tested for compatibility. The patient is also assessed by the anesthetist, who notes a complete medical and surgical history of the patient. Suitable instructions are given to the patient to be followed the day before the liver transplant is scheduled. During the Transplant - Two different medical and surgical teams work together to ensure the success of the liver transplantation. One team of surgeons and anesthetists prepare the potential recipient for the surgery, while the other team works on the removal of a liver segment from the donor. The surgery on the recipient is performed under general anesthesia and can take anywhere between 4 to 14 hours. After a cut in the upper abdomen, the diseased liver is disconnected from its blood vessels and the common bile duct, and removed. The recipients blood vessels and bile duct are then attached to the donors liver, which is placed in the same location where the diseased one was located. As liver transplantation is a major surgery, it would not be possible to move around during the next 24 or 48 hours. Several tubes are placed around the recipient's body to enable post-operative recovery. This ensures that the functioning of the body can go on without any compromise. A tube is placed through the mouth into the windpipe to enable breathing. This is most commonly attached to a machine called the respirator that will help in breathing by contraction and relaxation of the lungs.The function of the bowel cannot resume immediately following the surgery. To aid in bowel function, a tube called the nasogastric tube would be placed through the nose, into the stomach. Intravenous fluid will also be administered to provide hydration and nutrition. In addition, a urinary catheter to drain the urine from the bladder would also be placed. This can be removed a few days after the surgery. Furthermore, synthetic tubes would be placed around the abdomen to drain the blood and other fluids from in and around the liver. This can be removed after 1 week. Post Transplant - After the first few days in the intensive care unit (ICU), the patient is usually shifted into a single private room. A liver transplant patient will be expected to stay in the hospital for around 1 to 2 weeks. The presence of infection, postoperative complications and the recovery of the patient are factors that play a critical role in planning the discharge. During discharge, the patient is instructed about medications. Written instructions are usually given by most transplants units (called a discharge summary). It is very important to follow the instructions given by the doctor and take the appropriate medicines in time to ensure a better quality of life. The drugs to prevent the rejection (immunosuppressive drugs) of the liver are required to be taken for rest of the life and SHOULD NOT BE STOPPED or the dose changed unless the doctor has been consulted. Once a major surgery like liver transplant takes place, a lifelong follow up is required. The first visit to the hospital is usually recommended after one or two weeks. However, if there is any fever or discharge from the wound or if the patient feels unwell for any other reason they would be advised to report back to the hospital immediately. A contact telephone number of the unit should be kept handy in event of the necessity to contact either the doctors or the unit nurse. During the first visit, the doctor examines the wound and removes the surgical sutures (stitches) if the wound has healed properly. Any problems faced by the recipient after surgery can be discussed with the doctor at this time. Subsequent visits are scheduled at the end of one month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, one year, 18 months and so on for life. During these visits, blood tests to check the liver and the general state of health, ultrasound scans and x-rays may be undertaken. The immunosuppressant dosage may also be altered. In the long run, the dosage is gradually brought down. Rejection of the transplanted liver: In case of transplants, drugs called immunosuppressants have to be given to suppress the natural tendency of the body to fight the foreign tissue, called immunity. Some of these have to be taken throughout the lifetime of the patient to prevent rejection. Sometimes despite the drugs, the immune system identifies the liver as non-self and starts reacting against it aggressively and destroys it. This is called rejection. Rejection can happen immediately after the surgery or a few days, months or even several years after the surgery. The rejection is diagnosed by blood tests and by a biopsy and can usually be controlled by additional medications or by increasing the dosage of medicines. The immunosuppressants drugs have to be taken throughout the lifetime of the patient to prevent rejection. Increased chances of infection: The immune system of a patient who is receiving immunosuppressants is compromised, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections. The incidence of these infections can be prevented if appropriate care is taken such as wearing masks, avoiding exposure to contaminated places and so on. The medications may also cause other side effects like bone thinning and increased chances of diabetes. Other complications include: Leakage of bile Bleeding Chest infections Blockage of blood vessels by formation of blood clots Recurrence of the liver disease in the transplanted liver The outlook of patients who have undergone a liver transplant is good. Among the transplanted livers, 80% of them are still functioning after 1 year and about 65% of them are functioning after 5 years. Several patients are able to return to routine activities after recovering a few months following the surgery. However, the outlook is dependent on - New Delhi: Women officers have proven their mettle and courage under fire for nearly three decades, and there has never been an occasion of soldiers/men having refused or accepted the command of women, said the women officers in their written submission citing the Centre for delay in bringing the policy for grant of permanent commission to women officers. The written submissions, on behalf of the petitioners, filed by senior advocate Ashwarya Bhati, said, "The demonstrated fact is that the Women Officers have been serving in the 10 Combat Support Arms, for the last 27-28 years and have proven their mettle and courage under fire... To deny them command appointments would be an extremely retrograde step and will inflict irreparable injury to the dignity of these brave women." A bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Ajay Rastogi conducted the hearing petitions seeking permanent commission for women in the Army. The apex court has reserved its order on the matter. Moreover, they have been found suitable by the organization itself and have led platoons and companies of soldiers and men, both in peace locations as also hostile locations/operations, in the 10 Combat Support Arms. "There has never been any occasion of soldiers/men having refused or not accepted the command of women on account of their perceived `rural background, with prevailing societal norms`", said the written submission filed in the Supreme Court. The Centre had informed the apex court that "motherhood, childcare, psychological limitations" are vital factors, which have a bearing on the employment of women officers in the Army. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had argued that lower physical standards of women, the composition of units that are entirely male mostly from rural background impact commander appointments. A bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud replied that a combat role comprises only a fraction of the role in the military where women have not been inducted if it were to be assumed they were not fit for this role. Mehta argued that different physical standards were a reality in a combat situation, and also there is a danger if women were taken as prisoners of war. The petitioners countered stating this stand of the Centre with regard to national security and operational effectiveness, battlefield scenario, capture by the enemy, command appointments and infrastructure are misconceived and based on a misleading and erroneous basis. The submissions said, "Women Officers have been working shoulder to shoulder, with their colleagues in the Indian Army. Even as Short Service Commissioned Women Officers (SSCWOs), they have been working as a company commander and leading the soldiers from the front as per the ethos of the Indian Army." The women officers contended as young officers in the rank of Captain and Major, they have been in hostile and combat zone and have displayed exemplary courage and bravery, acting exactly in the manner commensurate with the respect that Indian Army commands, world over. For ten long years, the Centre has delayed bringing the policy for grant of permanent commission to Women Officers, despite the Delhi High Court order in March 2010, as a consequence the policy for grant of permanent commission in Army is yet to be made functional and operative. The Centre had appealed March 12, 2010, Delhi High Court order holding that SSCWOs of the Army are entitled to Permanent Commission at par with Gentlemen SSCOs with all consequential benefits. The High Court also directed that the benefit would be conferred to the serving women officers, as on the date of the order, and also women officers, who retired during the pendency of their writ petition, with all consequential benefits, including promotion, at par with Gentlemen SSCOs. The `criteria appointments` are important appointments in the Army organizational setup and to confine Women Officers to `staff appointments only`, would effectively render the Women Officers as second grade officers in the Indian Army. "It is submitted that no such confinement of Women Officers to staff appointments only, has ever been contemplated or notified in any of the advertisements or policy decisions since 1992, when women were first inducted in the Indian Army. As SSCWOs, women have been entitled to `staff appointments` as also `criteria appointments` all along", said the submission. Kurnool: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi slammed BJP for dividing the country on religious lines. He said this is the first time in the history of Parliament that a law was made on the basis of religion, he said. This country is not just of Hindus. It is not just of Muslims. It is not just of Christians. It is a union of all the faiths and beliefs, the MP asserted. AIMIM party held its first anti-CAA, NCR and NPR protests at Kurnool, their first in AP, on Sunday. Owaisi said MIM plans to reach out to larger audience and would hold meetings at other places in Andhra Pradesh. He said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was urged to hire a good lawyer to secure four percent reservation to Muslims in Supreme Court. Earlier, he was accorded a roaring welcome, on his arrival. The ground was swarmed with people with the organisers stating that around 20,000 people had turned up for the meeting. Talking about the protests across the country, he said that the fight is to protect the country, which must be protected from fascist forces. Owaisi then explained the process of National Population Register, National Register of Citizens and CAA. Criticizing the BJP, he claimed that the government is lying to the people. NPR and NRC are two sides of the same coin, he added. Reacting to the comments made by Prime Minister about how he touched the feet of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Owaisi sarcastically questioned if there was a picture of the event. Bahrain has reiterated its unwavering support to the Palestinians in their struggle to regain their inalienable rights and establish an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital on the basis of the international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative (2002). Addressing the 30th Arab Parliament (AP) Emergency Conference in Amman, Jordan, Council of Representatives Speaker Fawzia Zainal stressed the commitment of the Kingdom of Bahrain, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to the principled stance. She said that the conference convenes at a critical phase in the history of the Arab and Islamic nations, urging unity and responsibility in supporting the Palestinian issue which remains central to Arabs and Muslims despite all regional challenges . She underlined the responsibility and challenges facing all Arab parliaments and legislative councils to reach stances and resolutions that reflect the aspirations of Arab and Islamic peoples. She called for a strong stance in line with the final communique of the Arab Foreign Ministers Council meeting, which rejected any plan which does not take into account the aspirations of the Palestinian people and contradicts the international law and UN resolutions. She stressed the importance of renewing commitment to peace as strategic option to settle the Palestinian issue. She underlined Bahrains appreciation of the efforts exerted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his keenness on unifying Arab stances. She also called on the international community to assume its responsibility regarding of the protection of the Palestinian people. The speaker stressed the necessity for the final communique to reject all unilateral plans and proposals, which fail to take into account the Palestinians interests and inalienable rights. Arab foreign ministers who recently met in Cairo to discuss US President Donald Trump's plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which was formally announced last week, have rejected the proposal. In a communique, the Arab League said it would not co-operate with the US to execute the plan because it "does not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of Palestinian people." The pan-Arab bloc also said Israel should not implement the initiative by force. The meeting at the Arab League headquarters came at the request of the Palestinians. "The plan leads to a status that amounts to a one-state situation that comprises two classes of citizens, that is apartheid, in which the Palestinians will be second-class citizens, deprived of the basic rights of citizenship," Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said. Trump's long-awaited proposal for Israeli-Palestinian peace would allow Israel to annex all its West Bank settlements, something that the Palestinians and most of the international community view as illegal. It also allows for the annexation of the Jordan Valley, which accounts for roughly a quarter of the West Bank. Palestinians would be granted statehood in Gaza, scattered chunks of the West Bank and some neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The US has proposed to link these Palestinian sections through new network of roads, bridges and tunnels, while letting Israel control the state's borders and airspace, as well as maintain overall security authority. If there is one lesson we learned this week, it is that digital media continues to shape politics in ways we still do not understand. Since its inception, strategists and pundits have treated digital media as a tool: a way of better understanding constituents and expanding reach to them. The reality is very different. Over the past decade, social media platforms and the internet more broadly have fundamentally changed not just the channels we use but the very nature of politics itself. Consider Donald Trump. Its not just that social media is the cornerstone of his political strategy, it has defined him as an entity. Without Twitter and Facebook, President Trump simply would not exist. Firstly, Trumps base of supporters are creatures of social media, which has enveloped them in an echo chamber, validating their feeling that the rest of America has lost its mind, not them. When Trump told them the same thing, that validation was made concrete. But Trump is not just a master of social media, he is a product of it. From the moment he descended his golden escalator and announced his candidacy, his every impulse has been characterized by a desire to stir controversy and generate clickbait. His obsession with crowd sizes and viewer ratings reflects a metric of success familiar to any social media user: impressions and views. Trumps State of the Union address this week was tailor-made for the digital age. Realizing that very few Americans would watch the entire address, Trump opted instead to create made-for-Twitter vignettes to be shared around the world. Trump was not content with merely calling out the travails of Lenny Skutniks, as the invited guests of each president since Reagan are known. Instead, the leader of the free world channelled Oprah and, in real time, handed out a school-voucher scholarship, reunited a military family and awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom to guests in the crowd. Each dramatic moment fit perfectly into a 90-second clip for digital consumption. And just as the digital age has shaped our politicians, it has shaped the process of politics, too. Chaos descended on the Iowa Democratic primary this week as malfunctions with a newly implemented reporting app wrought havoc on the process. The historic success of the Buttigieg and Sanders campaigns was thus overshadowed by concerns about the accuracy and consistency of the results. Trump surrogates were quick to point to Iowa as evidence that Democrats are not ready to run a country. But the Iowa debacle also spoke volumes about a reality of the 2020 campaign: Republicans vast dominance over Democrats in digital capacity. Even compared to President Obamas formidable digital operation, the Trump team is miles ahead. For context, between his 2008 and 2012 campaigns, Obama grew his digital database by roughly 55 per cent. Trumps team has already grown theirs by 150 per cent and are aiming for list growth closer to 300 per cent. They have invested four times more in social media than television. The reason is simple: in todays world, digital strategy is the fundamental building block of campaign strategy. Canadian political parties have been slower in taking this lesson to heart. In 2016, the Trudeau Liberals significantly outspent other parties social media advertising. That said, conservative platforms like Canada Proud and Rebel Media have changed the digital playing field, reaching millions of Canadians with highly engaging content. In the current CPC leadership race, Erin OTooles campaign has already signalled its belief in the importance of social media. In late January, the campaign rolled out a sizable Facebook ad buy. But just as digital media can provide momentum, it can also kneecap an otherwise solid campaign. Peter MacKays campaign was criticized this week for an aggressive Twitter ad that mocked the prime ministers penchant for yoga classes and spa visits. The reality is that most Canadians have no appetite for the kind of social media attacks that have become the norm in America. And therein lies the rub. Just as I wrote last week about the lack of consensus when it comes to online grieving, we are now experiencing the same lack of consensus in online campaigning. Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist. He is a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist. He is a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @jaimewatt Read more about: Daniel Marshall and Carlos Fuente, entrepreneurs and friends, introduced the DM 38th Anniversary Cigar at the Daniel Marshall Cigar Lounge and Terrace in Kitzbuhel, Austria. The jewel of a cigar honors and symbolizes their 38 years of friendship. In speaking on their collaboration, Fuente told Marshall, I want to do something for you very, very special. I am making a cigar for you, which I do for no one, to commemorate our long time friendship and my highest respect and admiration for you and your story. Its an honor to be able to participate with you on this special anniversary. I poured my heart in to every detail, hoping to make you proud. I will give you my best. Fuente and Marshall - two creative minds from the world of quality, luxury and cigars worked three years on this extremely limited edition cigar. On January 23, 2020, following dinner and alive auction, guests made their way to the Daniel Marshall Cigar Lounge and Terrace to enjoy the DM XXXVIII Cigar for the very first time. With stunning 360-degree panoramic views, the massive, heated and tented Terrace at the Kitzbuhel Country Club, created the perfect setting for the Modern Day Campfire. The Daniel Marshall by Carlos Fuente XXXVIII Anniversary Cigar, Limited Edition 2020 will be made available to collectors at select world-wide Daniel Marshall Campfire events, and allocated to 38 of the worlds top tobacconists and iconic hotels, representing one location for every year Marshall has been a part of the cigar world. The rare DM-Fuente Cigar can be collected from Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, London, France, Belgium, Germany, Dubai, Qatar and for a limited time in the United States. Marshall will be hosting his signature Modern Day Campfire events at each of the 38 international destinations. This unprecedented alliance between Marshall and Fuente is an homage to friendship. Daniel and Carlos have spent their entire adult lives in the cigar world. Carlos and I grew up together from boys to men sharing similar values, commitment to quality and an unrelenting quest for the best.What joins us together, the golden thread that runs through our veins and drives us to live our dreams, is a commitment to create in all we do a richness of character and generosity of spirit Marshall expressed. Marshall and Fuentes friendship has flourished since their meeting in 1982. They both toured the United States with Marvin Shankens Cigar Aficionado Magazine, exhibiting at the Big Smoke Events that led to worldwide cigar education, thereby igniting the cigar boom. Both Fuente and Marshall have received Lifetime Achievement Awards. Longevity is a common theme between Marshall and Fuente as 2020 marks important milestones for both men. It is the 38th year since Daniel Marshall founded his first workshop in California where he began creating luxury humidors for Alfred Dunhill of London. 2020 commemorates the 25th anniversary of the first DM Cigar and the iconic Fuente Fuente OpusX Cigar, as well as the 108th anniversary of Arturo Fuente. Designed by Marshall and Fuente, each humidor is individually numbered. The distinctive rounded black edging and Marshalls trademark 1000 coat finish accentuate the beauty of the rare woods. Marshall chose macassar ebony as this was the wood he used to create his very first humidor for Dunhill. The DM humidor will hold 8 of the DM XXXVIII Anniversary Cigars and includes a removable Spanish cedar tray that can increase the capacity to 16 cigars. The collectible humidors are embellished with a golden DM motif on the top as well as on the front in gold - Daniel Marshall by Carlos Fuente - XXXVIII Limited Edition January 2020. Each cigar is crafted by one artisan in the Chateau de la Fuente and is blended with tobaccos up to 12 years old and then aged a minimum of one year after rolling in special cedar vaults. Marshall emphasized, The DM XXXVIII by Carlos Fuente cigars are precious, they represent everything I look for in a cigar, effortless draw, rich and smooth taste, a cigar that comes alive. I told Carlos, With this cigar, I am torn. Half of me wants to light it, half of me wants to eat it." Fuente responded, Brother, it is good enough to eat. The super premium XXXVIII is made in one vitola, Torpedo - a classic favorite of Marshall and Fuente.The pyramid shape is treasured because the tapered head allows the complex flavors of the cigar to marry in the mouth. In this coveted jewel, you can taste time. View a Austrian TV report on the DM XXXVIII : Austrian OE.24 TV About Arturo Fuente Since 1912, the Arturo Fuente Cigar Company is proud to say, We are truly a family-run business. Four generations and counting, the Fuente family is still loyal and devoted to the heritage and traditions that have been passed down through the years. We will continue to pride ourselves on superb quality and consistence, in order to continue making the best premium cigars in the world. That is our code, that is our passion, that is our DNA. Fuente is the most critically acclaimed makers of hand-rolled premium cigars outside of Cuba. The Fuente Fuente OpusX is consistently ranked as the single most sought after cigar in the world by Cigar Aficionado Magazine and know by many to be the greatest cigar in history, prized by collectors. The OpusX is wrapped in rosado leaves which are grown on the Chateau de la Fuente plantation in the Dominican Republic. Arturo Fuente OpusX Cigars are one of the rarest cigars on the market today. Known for being the cigar that all others aspire to, the Arturo Fuente OpusX Cigars use the finest premium Dominican tobacco. Each OpusX is handmade and features a one-of-a-kind Dominican wrapper that has a trademark spice to it. The vintage tobacco used throughout this rare cigar is second-to-none. Visit the Arturo Fuente website: ArturoFuente.com About Daniel Marshall: Daniel Marshall, a 38-year veteran of the cigar industry is one of the leading names in the cigar world. He is Cigar Aficionados No.1 rated Humidor designer and creator of the coveted 24kt Golden Cigar. DM Humidors & cigars are enjoyed in the homes and offices of countless Hollywood celebrities, US presidents, dignitaries, titans of industry, fashion designers and the most discriminating cigar lovers worldwide. Marshall is also a cigar and humidor supplier of Englands Royal Family. Since 1982, Daniel Marshall has created and designed for the prestigious luxury gift houses Dunhill, Tiffany & Co., S.T. Dupont, Cartier, Hermes, Fred Joaillier, Harrods, Bally of Switzerland and Garrards of London. Daniel Marshalls humidors are historic, with a collection on display at the Smithsonian Museum. September 2017, a 1 of 1 humidor DM made for Prince Albert II of Monaco with Daniel Marshall Cigars was put on the block and raised 75,000 Euros to benefit our global oceans. December 2019 Daniel Marshall won in London Boisdale's Lifetime Achievement Award. Previous winners include: Academy Award Winner Jeremy Irons, Legendary Hollywood actor and director, Burt Reynolds, British Conservative member of the House of Lords and once a code-breaker at Bletchley Park during the Second World War, Baroness Trumpington, Edward Sahakian of Davidoff of London and celebrated British broadcaster and journalist, Andrew Neil. Since the opening of the Daniel Marshall Cigar Lounge in the Kitzbuhel Country Club, Austria in 2013, Daniel Marshall has been hosting elite and exclusive "Modern Day Campfire Experiences with discriminating connoisseurs across the globe. For upcoming DM Campfires and to join the DMCC The Daniel Marshall Campfire Club email: TheCampfire@DanielMarshall.com Visit Daniel Marshalls site at http://www.danielmarshall.com. You can also find Daniel Marshall on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/danielmarshallhumidorsandcigars or follow Daniel Marshall on Twitter @DMCigarWorld or Instagram @DMCigars For Daniel Marshall: 714-973-8660 info@danielmarshall.com Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and wife Mary after they voted in the Irish General Election at St Anthonys Boys National School in Ballinlough, Cork (Yui Mok/PA) Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is a former teacher from Co Cork who has served as leader of the Opposition in Ireland since March 2011. He is married with three children, and has been leader of the party since February of the same year. The 59-year-old, from Turners Cross, has been TD for Cork South-Central since 1989, and has held a number of ministerial portfolios since he was first elected. He has served as minister for foreign affairs, for enterprise, trade and employment, health and children, and education and science. Mr Martins rise to leader of the party began in September 2010 after a now infamous early-morning radio interview on Morning Ireland with then-leader Brian Cowen. Micheal Martin with Brian Cowen (Niall Carson/PA) When Mr Cowens judgment was called into question, Mr Martin made clear he harboured ambitions to become leader. Mr Martin went on to vote against Mr Cowen in a confidence motion in his leadership. Mr Cowen won the vote and Mr Martin resigned as foreign affairs minister. But days later Mr Cowen announced he was stepping down as leader, and in January 2011 Mr Martin was elected. One of his most notable moments in recent years was his journey to eventually backing a Yes vote in the Repeal the Eighth referendum on abortion. He received considerable backlash within his own party, which retained a free vote on the issue, and there was some shock among the public because of his reputation of being socially conservative. As a citizen I have made my decision, I will be voting Yes, and I will continue to talk about the need for the change which can only be secured by voting Yes, he said at the time. In the nine years since becoming leader, pundits have often noted that Mr Martin faced the prospect of being the first Fianna Fail leader to never become Taoiseach. In 2011, the party suffered the worst defeat for a sitting government since the formation of the Irish state, winning only 20 seats. However, Mr Martin has remained at the helm and steered the party back to a leading place in the polls in 2020, and he is primed to become Taoiseach if his party can gain enough votes to form a government. President of the United States Donald Trump explained his positon over dismissal of Ukraine expert Lt Col Alexander Vindman. Trump said that Fake News CNN & MSDNC keep talking about Lt Col Vindman as though I should think only how wonderful he was. Actually, I dont know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I dont believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly, and was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information. In other words, 'Out' Trump sacked Vindman after he testified against the president at his impeachment trial. His twin brother, Yevgeny Vindman, a senior lawyer for the National Security Council, and US envoy Gordon Sondland were also fired. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Nigar Orujova - Trend: A high level of organization and preparation was felt at the polling stations during the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Advisor to the Director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, international observer of the CIS Mission from Kazakhstan Madina Margalieva told Trend. "My colleagues and I have visited about two dozen polling stations in the Nizami district of Baku today. I want to note the high level of organization and preparation of polling stations. Everything is literally thought out to the smallest detail, modern information technologies are used, as well as personal marking of voters in order to avoid re-voting. The members of the election commission are very polite and work flawlessly. The high number of active voters is also striking. Azerbaijani citizens are very active, progressive and strive to support democracy in the country," the observer said. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. With the anti-CAA-NRC protest by women at Lucknows Clock Tower entering its 25th day, the Lucknow Chalo call by the protesters has given the protest an additional momentum. As activists from different outfits joined the protest on Sunday, the Clock Tower protesters witnessed poetry, songs, skits and fiery speeches. On Sunday, several women, mostly Muslim, reached Clock Tower and were addressed by several activists, including some from outfits of New Delhi. In the wake of the Lucknow Chalo call, police were on alert. On Saturday, some Lucknow-based activists were issued notices and told not to violate section 144 of Cr PC by joining the protest. The number of cops were also increased at the protest site due to the call, said a cop on duty. Meanwhile, several activists, including students of JNU and DU, addressed the gathering and extended their support to the protest. Comparing the Lucknow Clock Tower protest with Delhis Shaheen Bagh protest, a law student Mayank Yadav said, Women have taken the lead against CAA and NRC. Our job is to mobilise support. Natasha Narwal from Pinjra Todh outfit, while addressing the gathering, said, The protest should not be confined to Clock Tower. The message to oppose this act and the process for National Population register and National Register of Citizenship should be percolated to the grassroots level. Some protesters from Ujariaon in Lucknow also addressed the Clock Tower protesters. Amara, a protester, said, A small group of women started the sit in protest in Ujariaon and today the number has multiplied. This is our power and we should mobilize more and more people in this stir. Another protestor, Tarannum, said, The central government is trying to suppress the minority. This movement is not only against the CAA or NRC but against the suppressive policies of the RSS and BJP. The protesters also flayed the state government for lodging cases against activists in last one month. We have not disturbed anyone. We have not obstructed traffic. We are just sitting on a peaceful protest but the government is so afraid of us that daily some of us are booked under one or other charges, said Asma Hussain. All Assam Minority Students Union leader Hasina Ahmad said, Assam is an example as to how lakhs of people were stripped of their citizenship. Majority of them were non-Muslims. So this is not about Hindu-Muslim but governments policies are against the poor and deprived. On Sunday, activists not only delivered fiery speeches but also recited poems and revolutionary songs. Some groups were seen performing skits, giving out message to oppose the CAA and to save the Constitution. One of the artistes, Abida, said, Everyone is contributing towards the cause. This is our contribution. I feel we should also go to the localities to spread awareness against the act. From the dais, activists of Stree Mukti League sang a revolutionary song, written by Sahir Ludhyanavi, Ye Kiska Lahu hai Kaun Mara, chorused by protesters. Poet Masiha Jaunpuri also recited some poems, hailing the protestors. A group of students from Lucknow University also sang a song, presenting the anguish of the tribals and the deprived. A CHRISTIAN friend recently wrote to ask me, Is Jesus Christ Almighty God? To answer this question, there are two important truths we must consider. First, we must understand that Jesus Christ is a mystery which requires the supernatural, free and unbiased mind to discover and know. Second, we must remind ourselves that we do not find the name Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, but only in the New Testament. However, a diligent study of the Scriptures points to the existence of the person of Jesus Christ in both the Old and New Testaments, but with a different name or identity under the Old Testament. Actually the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Yeshua which the angel Gabriel announced to Mary (Matthew 1: 21). The book of Jude helps us to discover who Jesus Christ was in the Old Testament, and the work He did. Jude wrote, Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe (Jude 1: 5- 6). The apostles knew that Christ Jesus was the God who rescued the congregation of Israel out of Egypt through Moses. Christ was the Angel of the LORD who appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I amAnd he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3: 2- 8). Now, this Angel of the LORD is not a created angel like the other angels including Michael and Gabriel. He appeared to men and women under the Old Covenant as a unique Angel. Throughout scripture, He is not described as an angel of God, but the Angel of the LORD, and He is God who appeared to humans. The Greek word for the appearances of God is called theophany or christophany. There are several other passages of Scripture where the Angel of the LORD appeared to men and women. In Genesis 21: 17, He appeared to Haggar. He appeared to Abraham a couple of times. Specifically, in Genesis 22: 10- 12, it is written, Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. He said, Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. Moreover, in Judges Chapter Six the Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, and in Judges Chapter 13, He also appeared to Manoa and his wife, the parents of Samson. An interesting thing is that the Angel often appeared as a man to the people, announced or appointed deliverers and gave specific and very important messages. And when Manoa asked what His name was, He said, Why do you ask my name, seeing it is Wonderful. This name confirms the prophetic words of the prophet Isaiah concerning Jesus Christ. Isaiah spoke prophetically, For to us a child is born, to us a son is givenhis name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9: 6). In all those appearances of this Angel, the people confirmed seeing God and that they would die. It seems those believers had foreknowledge and education about the striking uniqueness of the Angel of the LORD from the other angels. However, in other passages of Scripture, a difference seems to exist between the Angel of the LORD and the LORD of hosts. In Zachariah 1: 12, we read about the Angel of the LORD pleading with the LORD of hosts. It is written, Then the angel of the LORD said, 'O LORD of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years? ' In the Scripture above, you can clearly see the Angel of the LORD as Christ Jesus performing mediatorial duty between His people and the LORD of hosts whom He often called the Father in the New Testament. Similarly, in Psalm 110: 1, David inspired by the Holy Spirit received insight into the deity of Christ Jesus, and called him Lord, i.e. Adonai as it is written, The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. To be Continued in the next edition. [email protected] By James Quansah Two Lebanese soldiers were killed and three others were wounded Sunday in the northeast region of Hermel while pursuing a stolen vehicle, the army said. The army patrol giving chase "was ambushed and came under fire," a statement said. It said one gunman was killed and the driver of the vehicle was arrested, without providing additional details. Lebanon's prime minister Hassan Diab condemned the ambush, saying an attack on the army is an attack on all Lebanese. "What is required at this moment is to speed up the arrest of the attackers," he said, without identifying those responsible, in a statement carried by state-run National agency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Covid-19: Schools in Pune to remain shut for Classes 1 to 8 till Jan 30 Coronavirus: Pune man quarantined India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 09: A 26-year-old man from Pune in Maharashtra, who recently returned from Philippines via Hong Kong and Singapore, was on Saturday evening admitted in the quarantine facility here for suspected novel Coronavirus infection. The man developed symptoms like bodyache and weakness on February 7, an official of the civic-run Naidu Hospital informed. "New admission after 7:00 pm. 26/m Pune residentwho had stayed in Philippinesfor 28 days and transit at Honkong and Singapore before his arrival in India on 2/2/2020," reads a message sent to PTI by the official. Coronavirus death toll in China touches 803, cases exceed 37,000 Since January 18, a total of 35 patients were admitted to isolation wards at hospitals in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar and a few other cities. Samples of 30 of these patients tested negative for the virus, while reports of five others were yet to be received from Pune-based National Institute of Virology, an official statement had said. Of the total 18,084 passengers screened at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai since January 18, a total of 140 passengers had returned from the coronavirus-hit areas. No confirmed case of coronavirus infection has been found in Maharashtra. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 9:46 [IST] The Horn of Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin area are in war; a real war where soldiers and civilians are dying by the dozens, said the head of the African Union on Sundays opening of the 33rd Summit when underscoring the urgency to follow through on this years theme of Silencing the Guns across Africa. Moussa Faki Mahamat began his opening speech to a packed room without mincing his words. The year that just went by was not a year of much peace nor of harmony in the world. This year is not looking any better, added Mahamat in a direct and heavy tone. We need to be in constant mobilization of all our energies to undo these tough challenges. Crisis across the continent The rise of terrorist groups in numerous regions across Africa and the world is a cancer that is far from being eradicated, he added. Terrorism that has already made its mark across the Sahel, in Mozambique, Tanzania, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where the main victims are women and children. For example, in the Sahel, the number of terrorist-attack casualties has leapt five-fold since 2016, according to a report in January by the UN Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). Mahamat added that energy spent on fighting has held-back the potential of the African continent internationally. That point was echoed by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Abdoul Gheit, a guest invited by outgoing Chair of the AU, Egypts President Abdelfattah al-Sisi. We share the same aspirations, we face similar challenges, and we know that the process of comprehensive sustainable development cannot be launched in the absence of laying the foundations of security and stability, added Gheit. But despite the international scope of conflicts across the continent, Sisi noted in his final speech as head of the Chair that the answer must be an African solution to African problems. Extraordinary Summit Story continues In his first speech as this years head of the AU, South Africas Cyril Ramaphosa announced an extraordinary summit to be held in May on Silencing the Guns. Normally the AU holds two summits per year: January and July. This extraordinary one will be hosted by South Africa in Pretoria. Women part of the answer Ramaphosa also noted that achieving such a goal of peace is not attainable without the help of women. They deserve at the very least 50 percent representation in all structures, he announced to much applause. We have to find more practical and sustainable ways to empowering the women of our continent so that we move beyond the cliches and the general statements that we pronounce on podiums every time, stressed Ramaphosa. He added that such a fight against instabilty cannot be done without the help of women, who must be liberated from the shackles of patriarchy, noting that he hopes to see the years of 2020 to 2030 be declared the Decade of African Womens Financial and Economic Inclusion. Government formation after the general election looks set to be thrown into chaos as an exit poll tonight predicted that the three big parties are tied. The shock IPSOS MRBI poll makes it extraordinarily difficult to predict which of the three parties-Fine Gael, Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein, could be in a position to lead the next government. The exit poll figures released tonight predict that 22.4% of voters backed Fine Gael, while Sinn Fein looks set to get 22.3% and Fianna Fail could get 22.2% support. The dead heat between the three big parties does reveal that Sinn Fein has managed to get voters out, after the later stages of the campaign showed a surge in support for the party. In previous elections, polls were high for Sinn Fen ahead of voting, but the numbers never materialised at the ballot box. The results of the poll-carried out by the Irish Times, RTE, TG4 and UCD, were announced at 10pm tonight, just as polling stations closed across the country. Other figures released for the poll show that the Green Party looks set to receive 7.9% while Labour would get 4.6%. and the Social Democrats 3.4%. Solidarity-People Before Profit look on course to get 2.8% support while Independents, according to the exit poll could get 11.2% and Aontu could get 1.8% from voters. FF, FG, SF tied at 22% support each in Election 2020 exit poll with margin of error of +/- 1.3% #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/MSpybHsUKN RTE News (@rtenews) February 8, 2020 More detail is also emerging about the age profile of voters who backed the different parties. For those aged 18 to 24 years of age, Fianna Fail got 15.5% of their votes while 31.8% went for Sinn Fein and 13.6% of that same age group backed Fianna Fail. Some 14.4% of that age cohort backed the Greens. The initial results of the exit poll will mean that much more focus will be given over to the actual election counts and how seats are won or lost, when ballot boxes are opened in the morning The results of the poll were announced at 10pm tonight, just as polling stations closed across the country. Exit polls in the 2016 general election predicted results with a high degree of accuracy. The poll, even before the ballot boxes are opened and counting starts, will trigger conversation and debate tonight about the campaign and why party strategies failed or succeeded. In the 2016 election Fine Gael won 25.5% of votes, winning 50 Dail seats, while 24.3% of voters backed Fianna Fail, giving them 44 seats. The same election saw Sinn Fein win just 23 seats with 13.8% of the vote while Independents clinched a huge vote with 20%, resulting in 23 seats. This general election campaign saw debates, polls and campaign launches all feed into shifting support for the larger parties. Initial stages showed growing support for Fianna Fail with Fine Gael in second place, but the latter part of the campaign saw a surge in support for Sinn Fein, who moved into first place in the opinion polls, while Fianna Fail were in second followed by Fine Gael. Turnout tonight was expected to exceed previous levels in some places, compared to 2016. In Dublin, overall turnout in 2016 was 60% but areas of the city and county had already surpassed that by 9pm tonight. In Ulster and Connacht, levels were mixed and reached between 50% and 70% generally in areas. However, voting trends late tonight looked set to be lower compared to 2016 for Leinster generally as well as for Munster. Some 516 candidates ran in election 2020, for 159 open seats for the 33rd Dail. There will be 160 members but the outgoing Ceann Comhairle Sean O'Fearghail is automatically elected. Continuing efforts to further improve ease of doing business, the government will introduce an integrated electronic form for incorporating new companies from February 15, wherein and registration numbers will also be allotted at the same time. The corporate affairs ministry would introduce the form -- SPICe+ -- to offer 10 services. Currently, the ministry has the electronic form SPICe (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically) and that would be replaced with SPICe+. The 10 services offered through the new form would help in "saving as many procedures, time and cost for starting a business in India," the ministry said in a public notice. The labour ministry, Department of Revenue in the finance ministry and the Maharashtra government would also be offering certain services through the form. Registration for (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) and (Employees' State Insurance Corporation) would be mandatory for all new companies incorporated from February 15. and registration numbers would not be separately issued by the respective agencies, the notice said. Further, registration for profession tax would be compulsory for companies incorporated in Maharashtra from February 15. Besides name reservation and incorporation of a company, EPFO and ESIC registration numbers would be issued. Mandatory issuance of PAN (Permanent Account Number), TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number), Profession Tax Registration (Maharashtra) and opening of bank account for the company concerned would be done through the form. Director Identification Number (DIN) and GSTIN, if applied, would also be allotted. GSTIN is the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number. The corporate affairs ministry is implementing the Companies Act and all required filings under the law as well as incorporation of companies are made through its portal MCA21. The new form would be available on this portal. "All new companies incorporated through SPICe+... would also be mandatory required to apply for opening the company's bank account through the AGILE-PRO linked web form," the notice said. There are more than 11.5 lakh active registered companies in the country and thousands of companies are getting incorporated every month. Generally, active companies are those which comply with all regulatory requirements, including timely submission of filings. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, February 9, 2020 19:05 701 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20636ff47 1 World Veronica-Koman,Amnesty-International,Australia,Papua,West-Papua,Indonesia-Australia,human-rights,Papua-protest,self-determination,Jokowi Free Amnesty International Australia and Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman have urged the Australian government to bring up the human rights situation in Papua and West Papua during President Joko Jokowi Widodos ongoing visit to Canberra. Veronica highlighted the plight of 56 indigenous Papuans and Jakarta-based activist Surya Anta, who are currently facing trial for treason following widespread protests in favor of Papuan self-determination between August and September last year. Read also: After rallying to support Papua, protestors jailed, forced to listen to patriotic songs These people were arrested when expressing their opinion during mass protests against racism and for an independence referendum in August and September 2019 and during a commemoration of West Papuas national day on Dec. 1, 2019, Veronica said in a statement on Sunday. We demand their immediate and unconditional release. She also mentioned the ongoing military operation against armed rebels in Nduga regency, which has displaced thousands of people in the region. According to Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid, 263 displaced Nduga residents had died from hunger and illnesses as of the end of last month. Read also: Jokowi urged to withdraw troops from Papuas Nduga We are also concerned about the increased troop deployments and activities in Intan Jaya regency since December last year, Veronica said. Indonesia must end these operations and immediately withdraw troops from Nduga and Intan Jaya regencies, so the indigenous West Papuans can return to their homes and be free from living in constant fear. Jokowi arrived in Canberra on Saturday and is set to address the Australian Parliament on Monday. Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said the President would discuss the planned capital relocation, the newly ratified Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and future Indonesia-Australia cooperation. (kmt) SUMTER Orangeburg County officials discussed how they are trying to address a statewide issue. Staff shortages for the Orangeburg County EMS Department are resulting in current employees regularly working 48-hour weeks. Shortages in EMS workers are not only present in Orangeburg but in many counties statewide. During a county retreat held in Sumter, county EMS Director Stephanie Givens detailed the departments staff shortages, and how those shortages are being addressed. One of the things weve been trying to address as far as the vacancies is we are going to the different regional paramedic schools. We have four in the state of South Carolina, so its a lot of traveling and putting the word out for our people to put the word out to these agencies to let them know that we are hiring, Givens said. Accompanying the staff shortage is a high number of calls in the county. County officials noted the EMS Department fielded 8,000 calls in 2019. Weve got major interstates ... and weve got old routes, back-road routes, and major routes that other counties dont have, so the amount of times we have wrecks on I-26 and I-95, they have to go out, Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young said. Orangeburg County Councilman Harry Wimberly asked if there was a possibility that signing bonuses for one or two-year contracts would address the issue. Givens said it would be a temporary fix but also noted that it would also result in internal issues regarding salary differences. Givens said surrounding counties often match or exceed the countys efforts, leading to employees seeking opportunities outside of the county. Deputy County Administrator Marion Lloyd detailed one of the many causes of EMS staff shortages. Lloyd cited private EMS companies. "What the state has done is theyve placed a cap on the employees who retired that they can only make $10,000 a year if they invest for a public entity, someone whos invested in the state retirement system, Lloyd said. These private companies, theyre not a part of that, so you can go there and work, get your salary there, draw you state retirement, plus $20,000 bonus, Lloyd said. Thats where weve got a problem, Lloyd said. Young said the county will continue to explore ways to address the issue. Were looking at doing things that we can implement that pretty much include bonuses right now. So, at the end of the day, were just trying to focus on bringing a better atmosphere that will make people want to come work at the County of Orangeburg, Young said. Contact the writer: bharris@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-596-6530 Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Marco Roberts, secretary of the Texas Log Cabin Republicans, was anxious. For at least two decades, the group of LGBT conservatives had fought to be recognized by the state GOP. As we sat down to talk before the vote in Austin recently, it looked like this could finally be their year. In 2018, a dozen members of the partys executive committee had voted to let them have a booth at the state convention. That may not be very impressive when you consider it takes a majority of the 62-member committee, but it was a big jump from the three votes theyd gotten in 2016. Since then, Roberts, who heads Log Cabin in Houston, had been working to dispel the myths about his organization and about gay conservatives in general, a term that too many people on the left and the right appear convinced is an oxymoron. They think that theres no difference between Log Cabin and the Human Rights Campaign, Roberts said, referencing the liberal LGBTQ advocacy group. That were pretending to be Republicans, that we dont believe any of those things, that were not really conservative at all. Let me tell you, Roberts is not pretending. We disagree politically on a host of issues but his earnestness and true belief in what he sees as core conservative values fiscal conservatism, liberty, self-reliance is infectious, and even when discussing divisive ideas, he is always civil and sincere. As demographics and Democrats threaten Republican control of the Legislature, the party needs people like Roberts on its side. Committee members know that. They know that younger conservatives, including rising star U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, who sent a letter of support for Log Cabin, want the party to be more inclusive. Maybe thats why, as the vote neared, I couldnt help but believe that even though I was in the back of the room, I would have a front-row seat to history. The nearly 200 people at the meeting grew quiet as motions were filed to allow Log Cabin a booth at the state convention, to allow Roberts to speak to the committee and to decide those things with a roll call vote. Opponents moved to table any discussion indefinitely. Log Cabin motions failed one after the other; they netted just four votes out of 62. A later vote to recognize the group as a coalition died even faster. I checked my watch. Yep, it was 2020. We were supposed to have flying cars by now. Instead, gay Republicans cant even get a booth at their own convention. Of course, the battle isnt really about winning banner space between booths for a jewelry store and a car dealership, its about fundamental issues of inclusion within the party. Once it was clear Log Cabin had lost, a middle-age couple at the meeting clapped loudly. Their smugness made clear that their opposition wasnt couched in interpretations of party bylaws, but in a rejection of gay people themselves. I do not want to go against biblical principles, party vice-chair Alma Jackson told me after the meeting. She doesnt hate gay people, she said, but the Bible is clear on homosexuality and the party should not promote that. After the vote, Log Cabin members were devastated years of work, of progress they believed had been made gone in an instant. They wont get another chance to be recognized until 2022. While for some the loss was humiliating, Roberts refused to express anything other than determination. Whatever hurt feelings we may have are beside the point, he said, his voice breaking. We have to focus on the goal and how to best advance. Of course, there are people in the party whose language is hostile and their views bigoted, but Roberts doesnt talk about them because theres no point; they let intolerance speak for itself. The people they are trying to reach are those who may not approve of their sexual orientation or take issue with same-sex marriage, but who can understand that Log Cabin Republicans are as staunchly conservative as they are and deserve a seat at the GOP table. Roberts may be undaunted, but now that Ive been in the room, its harder to be optimistic. One committee member I spoke with before the vote said the group should be given a chance and compared what was going on now with the struggle for civil rights. In 30 years, well wonder why this was ever an issue, Dawn Elliott told me. She said it right before she voted against the group when it became clear theyd lose anyway. The party is jeopardizing its future with these wrongheaded decisions and short-sighted choices. Most Log Cabin members are die-hard activists who can be patient, but most voters arent. Eventually, voters must accept what theyre being told, and right now if youre Latino, or gay or Muslim the message coming out of the GOP is clear. America is changing. If the party hopes to survive it needs to change with it. Carrasco is an editorial writer and member of Houston Chronicles editorial board. Email him at luis.carrasco@chron.com Support for Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army, surged in Irelands national elections on Saturday, according to exit polls. Prime Minister Leo Varadkars party, in power since 2011, was weakened but the result left open the possibility that he could still hold onto his office. If the exit polls prove accurate, the vote boiled down to a three-way tie in a three-way race between Sinn Fein, Mr. Varadkars Fine Gael party and the leading opposition party, Fianna Fail. This would give Sinn Fein a shot at joining the next coalition government. A joint exit poll commissioned by The Irish Times and state broadcaster RTE showed Fine Gael at 22.4 percent, Sinn Fein at 22.3 percent and Fianna Fail at 22.2 percent. Analysts said the center-left Sinn Fein was boosted by younger and urban voters angered by austerity policies implemented by successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments following the 2008 financial crash. It capitalized on frustrations over housing and health care crises largely blamed on Mr. Varadkars party. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Torrential rain lashing Australias east coast on Sunday has extinguished a major wildfire and caused widespread flash flooding. Rain put out the Currowan Fire south of Sydney late Saturday after it destroyed 312 homes and razed 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) over 74 days, the New South Wales state Rural Fire Service said. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said he hoped the heavy rain would move inland from the coast and drench more major fires that have burned for months. Fitzsimmons bid farewell at a Sydney Airport hotel on Sunday to 21 American and 21 Canadian firefighters who were heading home after their deployment battling Australian blazes. A severe weather warning was in place on Sunday along most of the New South Wales coast and parts of Queensland to the north, with heavy rain, damaging winds, abnormally high tides and damaging surf forecast. The State Emergency Service reported six flood rescues overnight near Grafton, north of Sydney. They were mostly people who became stranded while attempting to drive through floodwater. A firefighter controls a spot fire near Bredbo, south of the Australian capital, Canberra, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. The threat is posed by a blaze on Canberra's southern fringe that has razed more than 21,500 hectares (53,000 acres) since it was sparked by heat from a military helicopter landing light on Monday, the Emergency Services Agency said. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) Some east coast towns have received in recent days their heaviest rainfall in five decades. On Australias northwest coast, Tropical Cyclone Damien made landfall late Saturday as a category 3 storm and weakened as it moved inland. Several buildings had lost roofs, but authorities had yet to asses the full extent of the damage on Sunday. Australian wildfires that have killed at least 33 and destroyed more than 3,000 homes in an unprecedented fire season that began late in a record-dry 2019. The New Milford Youth Agency is offering two programs for middle and high school students. Students in grades six through eight are invited to attend Mindful Mondays, with the next meetings to be held March 2, April 6, May 4 and June 1 from 2:45 to 4 p.m. at the Youth Agency located at the John Pettibone Community Center at 2 Pickett District Road. Officials in Jacksonville, Florida, have arrested a 27-year-old man who allegedly drove his vehicle into a crowd of Trump campaigners outside a shopping mall as they registered people for a vote on Jan. 8. Jacksonville Sheriffs Office named the suspect on Facebook as Gregory William Loel Timm and confirmed he has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older, one count of criminal mischief, and driving while drivers license suspended. Police said six volunteers were registering voters at the time the incident took place at Kernan Village shopping center in Jacksonville, Florida. An earlier tweet from from the Republican Party of Duval County said the incident took place at 2:45 p.m, and that the vehicle was driven by a white male. Today in Jacksonville, Florida, six Trump campaign volunteers were intentionally targeted while registering voters, They wrote alongside images from the alleged attack which showed a voting tent turned on its side and police cars parked next to the scene of the incident. The party said that a multi-colored brown and gold van driven by what is described as a white male in his 20s or 30s, accelerated into a crowd of volunteers at the Kernan Village shopping center located at 11900 Atlantic Boulevard. Republican volunteers managed to escape being hit by the vehicle and the driver, who is yet to be identified, sped away after making an obscene gesture toward the crowd, the party said. CNN reports that before making the obscene gesture, and leaving the scene, the man also exited the vehicle at and began filming the crowd. The Republican Party of Duval County added that it plans to redouble its efforts to register voters and will continue its fight with renewed intensity to re-elect President Donald Trump. We are outraged by this senseless act of violence toward our great volunteers, Duval GOP Chairman Dean Black said. The Republican Party of Duval County will not be intimidated by these cowards and we will not be silenced. I call on every Republican in our great city to stand up, get involved, and show these radicals that we will not be intimidated from exercising our Constitutional rights. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry called the incident outrageous and confirmed that there were no injuries and officials were now investigating the incident. I just spoke to the local GOP chair. This is outrageous. The hate is toxic and dangerous, he wrote on Twitter. Thankfully no one was injured but certainly they are shaken after being targeted because they were registering voters. Ive spoken to the Sheriff and of course his team is on top of this. Volunteer Nina Williams told local media outlet, News4Jax that she had seen the truck from the corner of her eye before it accelerated towards the crowd of volunteers. It happened so quickly. I was moving from one point to approach the truck, and he (the driver) just sped, it just happened so quickly that I barely got out of the way, the visibly shaken volunteer said. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter about the incident saying, Law Enforcement has been notified. Be careful tough guys who you play with! NOW that the Republic's general election is over, the ranks of the Quinn Support Group will surely be flooded with new members campaigning for justice for Paul. Sinn Fein and its supporters have predicted that all those voices raising the case will fade away post-election. Given this evident interest in the welfare of his parents Breege and Stephen, I'd expect they will want to rally around. See what they can do to help. Maybe they could organise public meetings in South Armagh. Put up posters encouraging those with information to go to gardai without fear. 'The Quinns are being used by the media' was the mantra of Shinners on social media last week. This journalist was accused countless times on Twitter of being uninterested in the case until the Dail election. It was farcical because I'd written dozens of articles on Paul since his murder. Year after year, when there wasn't an election in sight. But the Shinners did have a point. There was a lot of Johnny-come-latelies around. And was that a bad thing? Not at all. Expand Close PaulQuinn / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp PaulQuinn Sinn Fein will remember the days when it was isolated by the media. It faced the broadcasting ban up north, and Section 31 down south. When those were lifted, did the party say 'go away, you're just using us' to the BBC and RTE? Damned sure it didn't. It embraced the opportunity to make its case. There are no victims in Northern Ireland who face a tougher time than those whose loved ones were killed by 'their own'. Had the 21-year-old Cullyhanna man been murdered by loyalists or the British, his parents' hearts would still have been broken, but the pressures they have lived with since 2007 wouldn't exist. The entire community would have rallied round. There'd likely be a plaque erected. The Paul Quinn memorial lecture perhaps. Let nobody patronise the Quinns with media manipulation claims. They had their chance to tell their son's story to people across this island last week. They'd have been fools to turn it down. And yes, some journalists' interest will decline. But a fleeting interest in injustice is better than no interest at all. For a week at least, those who battered young Paul Quinn and those who sanctioned it and covered it up will have been discomforted. The people who Breege and Stephen have to meet every day of their lives. They are a quiet, unassuming couple who aren't natural campaigners. But don't under-estimate them. It takes unspeakable courage to stand up to IRA in South Armagh when you live in South Armagh and intend to keep doing so. As the IRA everywhere else finally admitted disappearing people, South Armagh alone refused. The names of Crossmaglen men Gerard Evans and Charlie Armstrong weren't on the list. In 2010, an individual member of the IRA's South Armagh Brigade came to me with information and a map showing the field in Carrickrobin, Co Louth, where Gerard's body lay. He said he was "sick of the lies". He was one of the unit who had killed Evans 31 years earlier. "If it got out I was speaking to you, I'd be dead," he said. I ran the story, and who popped up to deny it? Conor Murphy. "My understanding is, and always has been, that the IRA were not involved in that," he told the media, adding that Sinn Fein had "always supported the family". I passed on the map and other details to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains. The body was found. The Finance Minister's take on what goes on in South Armagh can clearly be weak. We can but only wonder why. By Dr. David Nyekorach -Matsanga in London Stories Continues after ad 1.,The AU Heads of State Summit starts in Addis Ababa but I have little hope as an African that the dreams of Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta , Obote , Nyerere , Mugabe, Lumumba ., Haile Silesia ., Gaddafi and millions of those who mounded OAU have been met. I weep when I see conflicts killing the economies of Africa . Therefore, I will not attend the Summit that I have attend for the last 34 years in PROTEST against Moussa Faki . I pray that the conflicts in Nigeria Biafra where Buhari regime has slaughtered his own people will be discussed . I pray that conflict in Ambazonia where Paul Biya has killed his own people will be discussed . 2. I further believe that the South Sudan conflict will be brought to an end . Lastly I believe we shall pacify Somalia and bring sanity to that nation . I believe that the matter of bad elections in Africa that has brought conflicts will be discussed . I believe as Gaddafi lies in the grave and the one of our own in East Africa Late President Moi lies in state in Nairobi , those attending should ask why we were sold to highest bidder ? 3. The level of Foreign capture by non-African states has worried me and millions of Africans . I am therefore very determined that before God calls me back to him , I will work hard and tirelessly to restructure Africa union Commission so as to remove the current Chairperson Moussa Faki who has sold us out to the highest bidder . 4. The sacking of this Pan African lady from Zimbabwe has added to the hatred I had for the French paid mercenary in the AU chairpersons office. Despite apparently going as quickly as it came up, the recent disagreement between the African Union (AU) and one of its employees created a few interesting insights into the current state of official Pan-Africanism, and also allowed an opportunity for reflection. 5. In summary, one Dr. Aneka Chihombori-Quao took to the fringes of radical African American media to begin denouncing the state of economic relations between France and the various West African countries descended from Frances colonial empire. 6. Her point was that an essentially colonial (by which she meant paternalistic and exploitative) relationship between France and Africa continues to exist. This, she contends, is a matter that the African Union, Africans and Africas well-wishers should all be concerned about, and be fighting against. 7. The medical doctor-turned-diplomat, and long-term resident of the United States previously, was to make a series of strongly-worded attacks on France. All this coincided with the announcement that the AU was to terminate her services as ambassador. 8. Fourteen African countries are obliged by France through a colonial pact, said Dr. Chihombori, to put 85 per cent of their foreign reserve into Frances central bank under the French minister of finances control. 9. She continued: if you look deeper, of the roughly 68 coups that have happened in Africa, 61 per cent have taken place in so-called Francophone countries. 10. In other words, any African leader wanting to take his country out from under the economic control of France was subject to be overthrown by a French-engineered coupA case in point: Togos first democratic leader was assassinated by Etienne Gnassingbe, an ex-French Foreign Legionnaire army sergeant who allegedly received a bounty of $612 million. 11. Similar things can be said of coups or political instability in Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin and the Central African Republic. (Some of her statements have tested the bounds of credibility, especially in the financial figures she gave.) 12. These attacks then formed the basis of her criticism of the AU as an institution for failing, in her view, to end this robbery. Her insinuation was that the real reason for her sacking was because of criticising a powerful European country to which the AU was somehow beholden. 13. On its part, the AU defended itself not by answering the charges, but rather by challenging the credibility of the one making the accusation. Describing Dr. Chihombori as running a misleading campaign in an October 15th statement, Ebba Kalondo, the AU Commission chairs spokesperson, explained that Dr. Chihomboris tour of duty had simply ended, and that a string of irregularities were uncovered in the normal review undertaken at the end of such a cycle. 14. She stated that the ambassador had initiated a whole series of projects and activities without the knowledge or authority of her employer. These attacks then formed the basis of her criticism of the AU as an institution for failing, in her view, to end this robbery. 15. Her insinuation was that the real reason for her sacking was because of criticising a powerful European country to which the AU was somehow beholden. In so doing, the accusation goes, Dr. Chihombori utilised the African Union logo and official address so as to present these activities as official ones, and went on to appoint people to these tasks, as well as to solicit for funds from the private sector to support them. 16. Fraud, basically. The implication, it appears, is that these broadsides against France served as a diversion. But this is not really the problem: everything that the AU has said about their former employee can be true, without everything that the employee said about France-Africa relations being untrue. It is indeed a fact that the French government maintains an undue beneficial influence on fiscal matters among its former West African colonies. 17. This is an arrangement that began in all cases well before independence, and has continued long after it. It is also a fact that Official Africa, including the collectivity of the African Union, benefits from European Union and French aid largesse. Furthermore, there is ample historical evidence of Frances penchant for ripping off whole nations of black people. 18. From slavery to colonialism to post-colonialism After the enslaved Africans in the French Caribbean island colony of Haiti rebelled in 1791 by killing most of the slave plantation managers and defeating the resident French forces, the revolutionary government of France sent reinforcements at the request of the absentee slave plantation owners. 19. These forces Napoleonic, no less were also defeated, and the formerly enslaved of Haiti declared themselves an independent republic in 1804. In 1825, a decade after the end of Napoleon, twelve French warships armed, it is said, with 528 cannons, sailed to Haiti and delivered a demand: France was willing to finally recognise the new independent republic on condition that Haiti committed to paying France 150 million French francs in gold for the loss of property incurred during the rebellion. 20. Whats more, this was to be borrowed from French banks. Haiti, faced with the prospect of a naval blockade, accepted. This debt was kept in force until the final payment was made in 1947. That is a period of 122 years. 21. To complete it, Haiti had to take an additional loan from the United States. As a result, Haiti remains one of the poorest countries in the world. France continues to offer what I shall term intervention services aimed at resolving security problems in the various countries with which it has historical linkages to the tune of $665 million a year. 22. However, the line between friendly assistance, and imperial overlordship is quite blurred. Following a helicopter collision that caused the death of thirteen French soldiers in a November 26 combat operation against jihadis in northern Mali, Frances President Emmanuel Macron announced that he was summoning the heads of Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad to a December 16 Paris meeting to explain themselves. (France has a heavy military presence in the Sahel, ostensibly to combat terrorism.) 23. I cant, nor do I want French soldiers on the ground while there is anti-French sentiment that is sometimes held by the leaders of some of the African countries, declared Macron at a press conference during a NATO summit in London early this month. 24. The leaders of five West African nationsshould come to France on December 16 to provide clarifications, he added, more than a little imperiously. Normally, revelations, such as the ones made by Dr. Chihombori, could promote a wider discussion of what effect a wholesale African rejection of Franco-African economic arrangements would have on the domestic French economy, and the wider European Union economy in which it is embedded. 25.,France is, after all, the EUs third, and the worlds seventh largest economy. With the revolts taking place against power globally, it is worth reflecting on how France, already dealing with twelve months of Yellow Vest rioters protesting the general fall in the standard of living, would then cope if it were dropped any lower. 26. Indeed, there are already rumblings afoot regarding what should be the future of that financial relationship. The challenge of the imperfect messenger But the problem may be the challenge of the imperfect messenger. The challenge, rooted perhaps in the Christian foundations of Western-built discourse, is the expectation that those who offer us redemption must first be above all blemish themselves. 27. The New African magazine and has been beating the drum on French trickery in Africa for at least two decades. One hears a lot of things. For example, that Francophone countries are only allowed to access 10 to 15 percent of their own money held in the France Reserve Bank at any given time, and that any requests for more are charged at punitive rates, with the Bank having the discretion to deny the request. 28. Furthermore, that this power extends to French government officials sitting on the boards of more than a few West African central banks as representatives of France, and having veto powers. Normally, revelations, such as the ones made by Dr. Chihombori, could promote a wider discussion of what effect a wholesale African rejection of Franco-African economic arrangements would have on the domestic French economy, and the wider European Union economy in which it is embedded. 29. What Dr. Chihombori has done is perhaps what the writer Parselelo Kantai has described to me as the privatisation of Pan-Africanism. She would not be the first African person we have seen in our long history to take it upon herself to appear to speak for the whole race, and to establish organisations supposedly to advance this project. 30. The historical record of this is murky and riven with division and polarising interpretations. The principal and most famous of these, of course, is the story of the grandfather of Pan-Africanism himself, Mzee Marcus Garvey. Looking at the bare facts, there is much to cast doubt on Garveys credentials as a leader. 31. He had already been labelled as a charlatan by some other black activists in the period before he rode to global prominence between the two great European wars. By the time his political career was over, he had been successfully sued for criminal libel by a fellow activist, and had been sued by numerous journalists for non-payment for their contributions to his newspaper. 32. He had been married twice, after what can only be described as a chaotic short-lived first marriage, and somewhat messy divorce. He had overseen the failure of a number of business ventures seeded by money from his followers, and served a prison term for financial fraud before being immediately deported from the United States after the sentence was commuted. 33. The key point is this: If Official Africa will not step into the breach and actually do something effective about these long-running problems, then nobody should be surprised to see the rise of self-appointed lions. And therefore, nobody should be surprised that among those lions there may well be a good portion of chancers who have sensed an opportunity. 34. Neither Dr, Chihombori nor Marcus Garvey are necessarily either. What we need to note is the fact that that most well-known Africanist movements aimed at liberating black people, and whose legacy lives on today in a variety of ways, were not founded by a native African institution, nor an Africa-based political party, nor an African country; they were started by a person of African descent who did not speak a word of any African language, and who would reach the end of his life having never set foot on African soil. 35. This is in no way an attempted defence of Dr Chihombori and her actions. Nor is it an attempt to understand her initiatives. I am certainly not attempting to place her alongside Marcus Garvey. I am, however, making the point that when it comes to the politics of other wider Pan-African struggles, all will be condemned, be they prophets or phonies. 36. As things stand, the AU approach could be accused of being an attempt to reduce the whole incident to a matter of mere human resources management. And even within that context, no explanation was offered as to why any such irregularities were not picked up earlier by Dr. Chihomboris superiors, nor how a person of such alleged dubious character came to be in the AUs employ at such an important deployment in the first place. Instead the statement ended on an ominous note: 37. The African Union Commission reserves the right to take any legal action, if necessary, against any use and/or misuse of its name, logo and resources by any unauthorised individuals or entities. Whether that is a cover-up or a blind spot is a matter that only further discussions can bring out. 38. The fact remains that not just Africa as a continent but the people of African descent everywhere remain the most precarious on the planet in terms of the conditions faced by the continents people wherever they are interfacing with the modern world. Unlike Asia, where amidst the poverty, there are large economic classes of more or less indigenous wealthy people, and unlike South America, where, despite the weight of exploitative American capital and a large domestic class often descended from long-term European settlers, the ordinary people have sustained generations of resistance and are even now are in the midst of several uprisings. 39. In contrast, Africans on the continent remain dispossessed, and even the rich are not rich. As for the diaspora, they remain the targets of an institutionalised racism, whose underlying workings are only being fully exposed by a new generation of activists and researchers. Other questions arise. 40. The AU does have policies committed to a vision for relationships with and between the various African communities long domiciled in countries outside Africa, and, in particular, relationships with the First Diaspora comprising the descendants of those Africans taken from this continent during the various stages of Western and Eastern enslavements. Had there ever been any discussion on the implementation of those policies between Dr. Chihombori and the AU before she subsequently allegedly embarked upon her unauthorised initiatives? 41. Does the AU see any merit in and of itself in initiatives of the type begun by Dr. Chihombori Quao in the USA? Does the AU have its own plans, or even existing practical programmes, for such initiatives? If not, why not? The fact remains that not just Africa as a continent but the people of African descent everywhere remain the most precarious on the planet in terms of the conditions faced by the continents people wherever they are interfacing with the modern world. 42. Does the AU have a view on the justness, or otherwise, of the existing financial relations between France and some of her former colonies? Perhaps these are not matters discussed in the course of a sacking. However, they should be of interest with us. I did put these questions, and more to the AU communications office, using the provided official address. 43. I had not received a response by the time of submitting this article. Even before Macrons Napoleonic reaction to the French soldiers deaths (one the worst losses of life in Frances military in decades) Bloomberg news agency had reported an announcement of intent by the West African Monetary Union, which is the mechanism created to maintain the currency unit binding former French colonies to France (while France, ironically, has no independent currency of her own anymore), to make a significant adjustment to the arrangement. 44. Benins President Patrice Talon announced that the Africans had unanimously agreed to repatriate some their cash reserves from the French treasury. This is no longer a private matter between them. In January this year, one Luigi Di Maio, a member of Italys populist Five Star movement, had already dragged the issue into an internal European Union quarrel over EU fiscal policy that he was having with Emmanuel Macrons France. 45. Therefore because of the points raised above I will not attend the AU Summits in any capacity until there the Chadian AU Chairperson leaves office and new Chairperson comes in . I will all those who have forgotten Gaddafi so soon and who meet to drink wine and champagne while Libya is bleeding because of FRANCE a good success in Addis Ababa Ethiopia Thanks Dr. David Matsanga of Pan African Forum (UK)Ltd 8.02.2020 London United Kingdom Every person in the United States should have access to affordable, high-quality, cutting-edge health care, regardless of where they live. Sadly, this is not currently the case for many Americans and New Mexicans. We are short on doctors, long on waitlists to see one. We cant pay salaries competitive with major metro areas, dont have the patient volume to attract certain specialties, and burnout is reaching a level where some physicians do not want to continue practicing. It is expected by 2030 New Mexico will have the eighth-highest doctor shortage in the country. We are underserved in every specialty and every part of our vast state, yet aspiring physicians willing to take on this challenge often find the cost of even public medical schools prohibitive and seek an alternate career path. That is a tragedy for them and for the communities they would serve. To deal with this challenge, I have proposed an idea never tried in a public institution of higher education free medical school at the University of New Mexico in exchange for a commitment to practice in our state for four years post-residency. Im familiar with the usual objections in light of the salaries doctors make: Others are more deserving and taxpayers shouldnt foot the bill. This overlooks that the average student will graduate with close to $120,000 of debt at one of the most affordable institutions in the country where I have cut tuition 1% annually the past six years. I have a longstanding commitment to make medical education accessible to students from all backgrounds, particularly in one of the poorest states in the nation. This is especially important at a time when more than 75% of medical students come from the top two quintiles of family income. I am charged with improving the health of all New Mexicans, and with educating a health care workforce that reflects our states geographic, socioeconomic and ethnic diversity. This is why I am requesting $6 million from the Legislature for the New Mexico Health Equity Scholarship. As its name suggests, it will be transformational to health equity, for both patients and future doctors, and I expect it will improve the lives of New Mexicans statewide. By requiring medical students to sign on for post-residency practice in return for free medical tuition, we will infuse our states physician workforce with the new blood we so desperately need. Right now, just 25% of students who graduate from our program and attend residency somewhere else come back to New Mexico to practice. We would turn this statistic on its head. In fact, an analysis shows that with an annual investment of just $6 million, New Mexico would within 15 years gain up to 230 additional M.D.s, 5,700 additional jobs in other sectors, $351 million in increased wages and salaries, and $4.3 million in General Fund revenue. These doctors would work in clinics and hospitals in rural and urban areas, at trauma centers including UNM Hospital, the states only Level I trauma center and in specialty centers statewide. At the moment, only three private U.S. institutions are offering free medical school tuition, thanks to the generosity of donors. My proposal is the only one linking it back to serving a local region, our N.M. community. Offering free tuition for medical school with this service commitment opens doors that might otherwise remain closed for some lower-income students because they simply could not afford to pay for the education. These are the students, from communities across the state, who we want in our medical school and as our future physicians. We aspire to educate doctors who look like and share the same experiences as the patients they serve because we know that this leads to improved health outcomes. Through this initiative, we expect to increase our diversity and be able to place more providers in rural areas, where some patients currently have to travel 100 miles or more to see a physician. I hope to be able to expand this endeavor to other health provider programs. This is not just a physician issue; provider shortages in every field touch all 33 counties of our state. I have seen a great deal in my 40-plus years in medicine. I believe passing this $6 million funding request for the Health Equity Scholarships with the help of sponsor Rep. Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, might have the greatest impact on the health and well-being of our communities I have ever witnessed. Advertisement A career criminal accused of carrying out back-to-back assassination attempts on Bronx police officers in the span of 12 hours is seen handcuffed to his hospital bed in photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com. Robert Williams was taken into custody on Sunday after he allegedly opened fire on a police station in the Bronx shortly before 8am. He struck Lt Jose Gautreaux in the arm and narrowly missed other police personnel before the running out of bullets, lying down and tossing his pistol as he was swarmed by officers. That attack came just hours after Williams approached a patrol van in the same part of the Bronx late Saturday and fired at two officers inside, wounding one before escaping on foot, police said. In the hospital photos, Williams appears to be sedated with his right wrist handcuffed to his bed. His face is severely swollen and covered in dried blood from a wound on his cheek. The suspect was reportedly out on parole after a 2002 attempted murder conviction and was previously arrested on murder charges in 1992. Authorities said they brought a woman in for questioning who is believed to be Williams' girlfriend Liza T Valdez, a communications technician for the NYPD. Scroll down for video Robert Williams, the career criminal accused of carrying out back-to-back assassination attempts on Bronx police officers in the span of 12 hours, is seen handcuffed to his hospital bed in photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com Williams appears to be sedated with his right wrist handcuffed to his bed. His face is severely swollen and covered in dried blood from a wound on his cheek Williams (left) was reportedly out on parole after a 2002 attempted murder conviction. Authorities were also questioning a woman believed to be Williams' girlfriend Liza T Valdez (right), a communications technician for the NYPD Surveillance footage shows Williams before the Saturday night shooting (left) and inside the 41st precinct station before the Sunday morning shooting (right) New York City leaders held a press conference on the case on Sunday afternoon, where NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea and Mayor Bill de Blasio blamed the attacks on an anti-police atmosphere fueled by recent protests. Shea hit out at criminal justice reform activists who've held demonstrations against use of excessive force, referencing a protest on January 31 in which dozens of members of a radical police-hating group stormed Grand Central Terminal chanting anti-NYPD slogans including 'F**k cops!' 'These things are not unrelated. We had people marching through the streets of New York City recently,' Shea said. 'Words matter. And words affect people's behavior.' Shea didn't offer any evidence that Williams knew of those protests or was influenced by them. De Blasio, who was elected partly on a promise to reform overly aggressive policing of minority communities, also suggested that anti-police sentiment had gotten out of hand. 'Anyone who spews hatred at our officers is aiding and abetting this kind of atmosphere; it is not acceptable,' de Blasio said. 'You could protest for whatever you believe in, but you cannot vilely attack those who are here to protect us. It creates this kind of dynamic.' NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea (left) and Mayor Bill de Blasio (right) spoke at a press conference on Sunday and blamed the attacks on an anti-police atmosphere fueled by recent protests Thousands of protesters flocked to Grand Central Terminal and flowed out into Midtown's streets on January 31 to protest police use of excessive force The first attack unfolded just before 8.30pm Saturday when a man approached a locked police van with its emergency lights activated and asked the officers inside, Paul Stroffolino, 31, and Brian Hanlon, 33, for directions. The suspect then pulled out a gun 'without provocation' and fired multiple shots into the van, striking Stroffolino on the chin and neck, narrowly missing his carotid artery. Neither Stroffolino nor Hanlon, who have been friends since middle school and partners for eight years, fired a single shot. Hanlon then drove Stroffolino to a nearby hospital, where he was held overnight for observation. The shooting happened near the junction of East 163 and Barretto streets, where the officers were stationed because of recent drug activity and violence, officials said. Police released a photograph of the suspected shooter and were combing the city for him when Williams walked into the police station coordinating the manhunt, strolled to the desk and brandished a gun just before 8am. Two security cameras captured video of the chaotic scene at the 41st precinct station. Williams struck Gautreaux, who was sitting at the front desk, and the lieutenant returned fire but did not hit the suspect. He then rushed into a side room and fired at two people, including a civilian employee, before retreating into the lobby and diving on the floor when he ran out of ammunition. Video from a different angle shows an officer in the precinct lobby reacting to the first gunshot. One uniformed cop is seen punching the suspect as other officers converge, pointing their guns, and the gunman's pistol is seen sliding away from him across the floor. The two shootings took place only blocks away from each other less than 12 hours apart The suspect is seen raising his gun and firing at cops in security camera footage from Saturday's incident The suspect (pictured) was filmed walking away from the scene of Saturday's shooting, which police say was unprovoked Emergency vehicles rushed to the 41st precinct after a lieutenant was gunned down at the front desk on Sunday morning EMS are seen taking the victim out of the 41st precinct on a stretcher on Sunday morning Police released this photo of a firearm Williams allegedly used in both attacks At Sunday's press conference, Commissioner Shea said that the suspect was paroled in 2017 for an attempted murder conviction in 2002 in the Bronx. He said the suspect had carjacked a woman, crashed the car and then engaged in a gunfight with NYPD officers. Williams was recently released from police custody after being jailed on charges of heavy weapon possession and was due in court in the coming days. Shea referred to the suspect as a 'coward' and said authorities were confident that he was involved in both the precinct shooting on Sunday and the patrol shooting the night before. 'This is not a crime gone bad. This is not a liquor store robbery interrupted that a tragedy erupts from. This is a premeditated assassination attempt,' Shea said. 'It is only by the grace of God and the heroic actions of those inside the building that took him into custody that we are not talking about police officers murdered inside a New York City police precinct.' Mary Williams, the suspect's grandmother, told News 4 she was 'really shocked' by the allegations levied against him The suspect's grandmother, 80-year-old Mary Williams, spoke to NBC 4 New York after the attack on Sunday and said she was 'really shocked' by the allegations levied against him. She said she spoke to her grandson, whom she raised in the Soundview section of the Bronx, a few hours before the first attack. She said Williams had been looking for a job recently, adding that he 'didn't have no problem with no police lately'. The grandmother also noted that Williams' own son was shot and killed in the Bronx two years ago but declined to elaborate on his death. Authorities said they were interviewing a woman who was 'present in the general area' and may have driven Williams to the precinct. Police did not name the woman as she is not considered a suspect but sources identified her to DailyMail.com as Valdez, Williams' girlfriend. Valdez's mother told News 4 that she and Williams were childhood friends 'from the age of 10'. The mother declined to give her name and insisted that her daughter 'has nothing to do with this'. 'She's a good girl,' the woman said, stressing that her daughter has never been in trouble with the law before. Paul Stroffolino, the officer injured in the Saturday shooting, was released from Lincoln Hospital on Sunday morning Stroffolino had a bandage over his neck as he left the hospital, where fellow officers gathered to shower him with applause Stroffolino smiled at his wife as he departed from Lincoln Hospital (left). The couple are seen right in a Facebook photo Stroffolino gave a thumbs up to the supportive crowd after he got in a car to head home Sunday's official press conference was held at Lincoln Hospital, where the officer injured in the shooting the night before was treated. Stroffolino was released on Sunday morning and is expected to make a full recovery. The 15-year veteran of the NYPD was showered with applause from fellow officers as he was carted out of the hospital and gave a thumbs-up to the crowd. Shea said the Saturday night shooting 'harkens back to some bad times', referencing previous assassinations of police officers. In 2017, a gunman killed Officer Miosotis Familia as she sat in her patrol vehicle in the Bronx. In 2014, two officers, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, were shot dead in their patrol car in Brooklyn by a man upset about recent police killings of unarmed black men. The commissioner said Ramos and Liu's deaths were 'not something that engenders anything but the worst memories'. He said that 'everyone should be speaking against this', adding: 'I condemned it then and I condemn it right here today.' In the wake of the killings of Ramos and Liu, some officers blamed de Blasio for expressing solidarity with the demonstrations, and turned their backs on the Democrat at the funerals. De Blasio spoke after Shea at Sunday's press conference and echoed his characterization of the shooting, calling it 'an attempt to assassinate police officers'. 'There's just too much hatred out there right now,' De Blasio said. Robert Gangi, executive director of the Police Reform Organizing Project advocacy group, said it was 'irresponsible' for Shea and de Blasio to say the violence this weekend was linked to the recent demonstrations, which he said involved activists 'protesting in a legitimate fashion.' Of the gunman, though, Gangi said there is 'no defense for a lunatic who opens fire on police.' At Sunday's press conference, Commissioner Shea referred to the suspect as a 'coward' and said authorities were confident that he was involved in both the precinct shooting on Sunday and the patrol shooting the night before De Blasio echoed Shea's characterization of the shooting, calling it 'an attempt to assassinate police officers' A heavy police presence is seen outside the 41st precinct after the shooting on Sunday morning Officers with the NYPD's Technical Assistance Response Unit are seen near a vehicle believed to belong to the gunman New York City police direct foot traffic on the corner of 163rd and Fox Street at the scene of Saturday's shooting President Donald Trump hit out against de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew hours earlier, blaming them for this weekend's attacks. Trump tweeted: 'I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYCs Finest are. Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor, stand away (water thrown at them) regulations, and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault. Stop this now!' President Donald Trump spoke out against the latest violence against police, blaming New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio for the attacks Cuomo had tweeted to condemn the 'heinous' attacks on those who serve the city. 'Horrified by the multiple attacks on officers in the Bronx,' New York Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted. 'NY's law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These attacks are heinous. Those responsible will be brought to justice & held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.' He shared in an official statement that state police would be on hand to help and said the perpetrator will be punished harshly. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he was 'horrified' after the recent attacks NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson also tweeted about the shooting 'I am horrified by the two attacks on NYPD officers that occurred last night and this morning in the Bronx,' Cuomo stated. 'Members of New York's law enforcement community put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and they deserve our respect and appreciation. I have asked the New York State Police to reach out to the NYPD to offer any assistance necessary. 'We have zero tolerance for attacks of any kind against law enforcement, and the person or people responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.' NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson tweeted: 'We have another shooting of a police officer in the Bronx. Prayers for the officer in the latest shooting, who is at Lincoln Hospital w/non-life threatening injuries, the officer who was shot last night, and all those who serve our City. This horrific violence must end.' The president of the Police Benevolent Association said the streets needed to be fixed. 'It is a double miracle that we are not preparing for two funerals right now,' Patrick Lynch, PBA president, said in a statement. 'These targeted attacks are exactly what we have warned against again and again. The hatred and violence directed at cops continues to grow. Good luck and kind words are not enough to keep police officers or the public safe. 'Our elected officials need to start listening to us and working with us not against us to fix the deteriorating environment on our streets.' He added outside the hospital on Sunday: 'Start backing our police officers. Our elected officials who stand and nod their heads with us, its time you open your mouth and say "This must stop."' The first officer was shot at 906 Simpson St in the Bronx New York on Saturday, February 8 NYPD issued a warning to avoid the area as helicopter is called in to search for the suspect T wo US soldiers and one Afghan troop have been killed, while six more people were injured, in an alleged insider attack. The gunman was dressed in an Afghan army uniform when he opened fire in eastern 's Nangarhar province in east Afghanistan late last night. A spokesman for the countrys defence ministry said the shooter was an Afghan soldier who had argued with the US forces before opening fire. He was not a Taliban infiltrator, the official said. It is understood the shooter was then killed. An Afghan security force member is pictured at the scene of the gun attack / REUTERS The US military said in a statement "an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun. We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time." There have been numerous attacks by Afghan national army soldiers on their allied partners throughout Americas 18-year war in the country. Six members of the US armed forces have been killed in Afghanistan since the start of 2020, including Saturday's casualties, while 22 US service personnel died there in combat last year. The incident came as Washington has sought to find an end to the war in Afghanistan. US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been meeting with Taliban representatives in Qatar in recent weeks. He's seeking an agreement to reduce hostilities to get a peace deal signed that would start negotiations among Afghans on both sides of the conflict. In his State of the Union Address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump referenced the peace talks, saying American soldiers should not have to serve as "law enforcement agencies" for other nations. People attend a vigil to mourn for doctor Li Wenliang on February 7, 2020 in Hong Kong, China. Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images An open letter signed by 10 Wuhan professors argues that the Chinese government needs to enforce its own freedom of speech articles in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China. The letter follows the death of Li Wenliang, a Wuhan doctor who was reprimanded by police for "making false comments" after warning people about the Wuhan coronavirus which he later contracted. The open letter, along with another letter signed by academics around China, demands that the government apologize to and compensate coronavirus whistleblowers and make Li a national martyr. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. At the onset of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, local doctor Li Wenliang warned his medical school alumni group about the discovery of a SARS-like illness via the messaging app WeChat. He was then reprimanded by Wuhan police and required to sign a letter acknowledging he had made "false comments" on the Chinese internet. Li's warning proved to be true, and the Wuhan coronavirus has now killed at least 720 people and infected more than 34,500 around the globe. While treating patients, Li, 34, contracted the virus himself and died on February 6. After his death, academics around China signed open letters addressing the Chinese government. 10 Wuhan professors signed one letter demanding the government enforce its own freedom of speech articles in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, along with apologizing to and compensating 8 coronavirus whistleblowers. Screenshots disseminated on Twitter by French professor Sebastian Veg, who teaches the intellectual history of 20th century China, are purported to be taken from the Chinese internet. They show the signatures of the professors, along with excerpts of the open letter, which cites Articles 35 and 51 in the Chinese Constitution. Story continues Article 35 states that Chinese citzens "enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of profession, and of demonstration," while Article 51 says the exercise of Chinese citizens' rights "may not infringe upon the interests of the state, of society, and of the collective, or upon the lawful freedoms and rights of other citizens." Doctor Li Wenliang was a Chinese ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital and a whistleblower who warned about the novel coronavirus outbreak but was summoned by police and admonished him for making false comments on the Internet. Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images The open letter also asks that the Chinese government recognize Li as a national martyr. Another letter signed by 9 academics around China also asked that February 6 be made "National Freedom of Speech Day" in Li's honor. "For thirty years the Chinese have been made to surrender their freedom in exchange for safety, and now they fall prey to a public health crisis and are less safe than ever," the open letter reads, according to an English translation by the non-profit China Change. "A humanitarian disaster is upon us. The speed with which the rest of the world is repelled by China is faster than the spread of the virus, leaving China in an unprecedented global isolation." Read the original article on Business Insider The son of an IRA murder victim armed himself with a handgun because he feared being shot dead by the same gang that killed his dad. Kevin McGuigan Jnr was under death threat from a group of violent ex-Provos when he was caught with the weapon at the Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey. Sunday Life understands that the threats against the 37-year-old have been renewed in the wake of last month's shooting of Belfast republican Pat Fitzpatrick - despite the fact he was behind bars when the murder bid occurred. Last night it emerged that Kevin's brother Pearse has been warned by police that he too is under threat from republicans in Short Strand who have also wrongly blamed him for the Fitzpatrick shooting. Members of the McGuigan family said "it's laughable to anyone that knows him". "The dogs in the street know who shot him (Fitzpatrick). It was all planned for whatever reason," they added. Police arrested Kevin McGuigan Jnr, whose dad Kevin was gunned down by the IRA in August 2015, at a reception following the funeral of his sister Lyndsay McGuigan. The tragic mum died last June after a lengthy illness. He is now awaiting sentencing having pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to having a handgun, ammunition and possessing cocaine. McGuigan Jnr has claimed to friends that he only had the weapon for "defence purposes" after being told he was under threat from the same IRA elements who killed his dad. Expand Close Kevin McGuigan Senior / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kevin McGuigan Senior They blamed McGuigan Snr (53) for the murder of the IRA's former Belfast commander Jock Davison (inset) in the Markets area of the city in May 2015, and executed him in revenge. The gang then targeted his son after accusing him of making threats against them. The recent attempted murder of Pat 'Fitzy' Fitzpatrick in the Short Strand area has led to McGuigan Jnr being warned that his life is again at risk. The 58-year-old, a close confidant of Davison and friend of Sinn Fein Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, only survived being blasted in the back because he was wearing a bulletproof vest. A violent drug dealer from south Belfast who is now living in Lisburn is being blamed by republicans for shooting Fitzpatrick. "Even though Kevin McGuigan Jnr had nothing to do with the attempted murder of Pat Fitzpatrick because he was in Maghaberry jail, he has been threatened again," said a source. "The gang of ex-Provos who murdered his father are waiting until his sentencing to find out the make of the gun he was caught with in the hotel." Jock Davison was shot repeatedly in the face with a Russian-made Makarov pistol, a weapon that until recently was uncommon in Northern Ireland. "If it comes out that McGuigan Jnr had a Makarov, then republicans will assume it came from the same batch as the gun used to murder Davison, and that will lead to further threats against him," added our source. "He will very likely be under threat from republicans for the rest of his life." Pat Fitzpatrick, who has a 2016 conviction for possessing a Glock pistol, has told friends he does not want any retaliation for the attempt on his life. But senior ex-Provos are determined to lay down a marker to criminal gangs, insisting that attacks on republicans cannot go unpunished. Several drug dealers from the Short Strand have approached these IRA individuals through go-betweens to deny involvement in the Fitzpatrick shooting. Some have even produced water-tight alibis including CCTV footage of them drinking in a pub at the time of the January 25 murder bid. Man Arrested After Allegedly Driving Through GOP Voter Registration Tent: Officials A Florida man was arrested after allegedly driving his vehicle into a Republican voter registration tent in Jacksonville on Feb. 8, according to local officials and the county GOP office, which said the suspect intentionally targeted the tent, in what may be an act of politically motivated violence. Gregory William Loel Timm, 27, was identified as the suspect in the case, according to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. Timm is accused of driving a van through a tent where workers were trying to register voters. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a person over the age of 65, criminal mischief, and driving with a suspended license, said the sheriffs office. The office wrote that a dispute was reported around a Walmart store on Atlantic Boulevard, and when police responded, victims said he drove a van through the tent. The Republican Party of Duval County said in a statement that six Trump campaign volunteers were intentionally targeted while registering voters. Thankfully, Republican volunteers narrowly avoided being struck by the accelerating van. The driver sped away after making an obscene gesture toward the crowd, the statement read. The Republican organization said it will redouble its efforts in the area to aid President Donald Trumps reelection campaign. We are outraged by this senseless act of violence toward our great volunteers, Duval GOP Chairman Dean Black said in a statement. The Republican Party of Duval County will not be intimidated by these cowards and we will not be silenced. I call on every Republican in our great city to stand up, get involved, and show these radicals that we will not be intimidated from exercising our Constitutional rights. Photos posted on the partys Facebook page and Twitter accounts showed a destroyed tent, toppled tables, and scattered Trump signs in a parking lot. It happened so quickly, Nina Williams, a volunteer, told local news channel News4Jax. I just barely got out of the way. This appears to be a politically-motivated attack on hard-working volunteers in Duval County. Thankful that no one was hurt. @DuvalGOP will not be silenced or intimidated. They will redouble their efforts to support strong Republicans in NE Florida and around the state! https://t.co/F4Qi7hk7CR Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) February 8, 2020 Trump on Feb. 8 highlighted the incident, reposting a tweet by GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. Law Enforcement has been notified. Be careful tough guys who you play with! Trump wrote in his post. And McDaniel, describing the incident as unprovoked and senseless, said the GOP wont be silenced by these cowards. Other Republican lawmakers and allies of Trump responded to the incident, saying they were thankful no one was injured. Jacksonville police spokesman Larry Gayle told News4Jax that an investigation is underway. We dont know if this is politically motivated, Gayle said. Weve got detectives coming out. Were following up on information and trying to determine if we can identify this person right now. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said he believes the alleged assault was politically motivated. This appears to be a politically-motivated attack on hard-working volunteers in Duval County. Thankful that no one was hurt. [The Duval GOP] will not be silenced or intimidated, he wrote. Sharing the voting data, Singh said Saturdays turnout was five per cent less than the earlier Assembly elections in 2015. New Delhi: Exactly 25 hours after the polling deadline ended, the Election Commission announced on Sunday that 62.59 per cent of the 1.47 crore total voters of Delhi had exercised their franchise for the 70-member Assembly. Though the deadline was 6 pm, the polling went on till 11 pm on Saturday in about 100-odd booths where voters had already gained entry before the stipulated time. Questioning the inordinate delay in releasing the poll data, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was absolutely shocking that the EC had not come out with the figure several hours after the voting got over. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party also raised serious questions on the security of the electronic voting machines, alleging that attempts were being made to tamper with these machines to influence the poll outcome. A senior EC official, however, made it clear all EVMs used for the polls had been sealed in front of party agents and brought to the strongrooms directly from the polling stations. He said a multi-layer security system with 24x7 CCTV surveillance was put in place at the counting centers for the safety of the voting machines. Many BJP leaders are optimistic that a majority of the voters who voted after 5 pm were their party supporters and could easily tilt the poll outcome in their favour. A BJP candidate contesting from a East Delhi constituency said the party was able to win 32 seats with its ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal, by securing 34.1 per cent votes in the 2013 Assembly polls. But the saffron party was down to just three seats after its voteshare fell by just 0.9 per cent in the 2015 Assembly elections. Delhis chief electoral officer Ranbir Singh Singh said that there was no unusual delay in announcing the final voter turnout figure as the returning officers were busy with the scrutiny of data throughout the night to ensure its accuracy. Sharing the voting data, Mr Singh said Saturdays turnout was five per cent less than the earlier Assembly elections in 2015. He said the highest voting of 71.6 per cent was reported from Ballimaran constituency, while the lowest was in Delhi Cantonment, that reported 45.4 per cent polling. Before the poll body announced the voter turnout, Mr Kejriwal tweeted: Absolutely shocking. What is EC doing? Why are they not releasing poll turnout figures, several hours after polling? Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia asked the poll panel if it was yet to receive the final voter turnout figure from the BJP office. In a tweet, he said: BJP leaders are giving the voter turnout figures and on the other hand the Election Commission has not been able to give the final voting percentage 24 hours after polling got over... Are you waiting for the BJP office to give you the final figure? AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh went a step further, alleging that something is cooking and a game is being played secretly. He said: This is perhaps the first time in the 70-year-history of country that the Election Commission is not ready to release the final figure of voter turnout. Mr Singh also tweeted a couple of videos, saying voting machines were being taken away illegally. Does the reserve (forces) not go with the EVM? This official was caught with an EVM by people at Saraswati Vidya Niketan School in Babarpur Assembly constituency, read the tweet with one of the videos.The other, which showed voting machines being carried across a street, read: The EC should also probe where these EVMs are being taken. There are no centres nearby. The exit polls on Saturday had predicted an easy win for the AAP, which sought to retain power on a development plank, against the BJP that ran an aggressive campaign on the issues of anti-CAA protests and nationalism. BJP leaders, however, said the exit poll results will fail as they did not take into account the votes polled in the evening. A BJP leader said voting had continued beyond the stipulated time of 6 pm while exit poll results started coming just after that. How can it be representative? he asked. Also, the BJP leader said, the voting was sluggish in the initial hours and picked up only in the late afternoon when BJP workers actively urged voters to reach polling stations. About 15 per cent of voters had turned up in the first three hours of voting. By 3 pm, the voter turnout had touched only the 30 per cent mark. They also discussed the wider situation in the Middle East, including Syria and Libya. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have discussed the situation in Donbas, Ukraine's east. "The High Representative and the Secretary of State also discussed the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the need for full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, and Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol," the European Union External Action said in a statement on February 9. "They expressed their full support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence." Read alsoDuring Kyiv visit, Pompeo never said Crimea "lost to Ukraine" participant in meeting They also discussed the wider situation in the Middle East, including Syria and Libya. Borrell underlined his determination to contribute to de-escalation and restoration of stability in the region. The High Representative/Vice-President reiterated the European Union's full commitment to preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and expectation that Iran returns to full compliance with its nuclear commitments. Furthermore, they also discussed the opportunities for continued EU - US partnership in the Western Balkans in support of the region's progress on its European and transatlantic path, as well as the stabilization efforts on the African continent. Borrell returned on Saturday from the first official visit in his current capacity to the Unites States. 3.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said that a process had been set up where Rudy Giuliani gives his Biden conspiracy dirt directly to Attorney General Barr. Transcript via Face The Nation: MARGARET BRENNAN: this morning. Has the Department of Justice been ordered to investigate the Bidens? SEN. GRAHAM: No. The Department of Justice is receiving information coming out of the Ukraine from Rudy MARGARET BRENNAN: Already? SEN. GRAHAM: to see. He told me that theyve created a process that Rudy could give information and they would see if its verified. Rudy Giuliani is a well known man. Hes a crime fighter. Hes loyal to the president. Hes a good lawyer. But what Im trying to say- to the president and anybody else, that the Russians are still up to it. Deterrence is not working. So lets look at Hunter Bidens conflict. Lets look at Joe Biden. Vice President Biden, what did you do when they told you your son was on Burismas board? It undercuts your ability to fight corruption. Did you take it seriously? Obviously he didnt. But when it comes to documents coming out of the Ukraine, to Republicans and Democrats, be very cautious turning MARGARET BRENNAN: But the SEN. GRAHAM: anything over you got over to the intel community. Video: NEWS: @LindseyGrahamSC tells @margbrennan what hes advising Rudy Giuliani: You think youve got the goods, dont give it to me suggesting he'd turn over any documents to the DOJ to vet. pic.twitter.com/9eMTrp34tc Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 9, 2020 After Mitch McConnell rigged Trumps impeachment trial, the corruption is out in the open. Trump is using the DOJ to investigate a political rival based on a debunked conspiracy theory that is being pushed by Giuliani. The data shows that Biden could still be in a position to win the nomination even with a middling finish in New Hampshire. Trump doesnt need to investigate Bernie Sanders because if Sen. Sanders is the nominee, he is going to scream communist every day from July through election day. Trump has enlisted the federal Department of Justice to attack his enemies. There is no hiding it anymore. Trump is using the DOJ to cheat to win the election. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook (Newser) Two US service membersboth Special Forcesare dead and six service members are wounded after an attack in Afghanistan on Saturday, CNN reports. An Afghan soldier was also killed and three wounded in the surprise gunfight. It began after someone in an Afghan uniform opened fire at the Sherzad district center in eastern Afghanistan, where US and Afghan troops had been building relationships with Afghan officials. "Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined US and Afghan force with a machine gun," says Colonel Sonny Leggett, per Reuters. "We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time." story continues below A provincial governor says the assailant might have been an infiltrator or even someone who opened fire by mistake. "It was not a clash between forces," he tells Al Jazeera. "We are investigating." The Taliban has said nothing, but a record number of attacks were conducted in Afghanistan last year by the Taliban and other insurgent groups, including an infiltrator attack that killed nine Afghan soldiers at an Afghan base in December. In all, nearly 2,400 US troops have died in combat in Afghanistan. Names of the two US service members killed Saturday are being withheld until after next of kin are notified. It comes as Washington continues negotiating with the Taliban in an effort to pull out troops and end the longest military conflict in US history. (Read more Afghanistan stories.) A powerful windstorm pummeled Northern California on Sunday, breaking a window on a San Francisco skyscraper, toppling trees and power lines throughout the Bay Area and leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity. No injuries were reported, but the wind caused plenty of mayhem. Gusts as fast as 75 mph were recorded atop the East Bay hills. One high-elevation spot in the South Bay saw a 78 mph gust and the North Bay recorded a peak gust of 90 mph, according to the National Weather Service. In San Francisco, wind speeds topped 50 mph. At the storms early afternoon peak, 80,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customers around the Bay Area were without power after branches and entire trees crashed down on power lines. The blackouts were concentrated in the East and South bays, where 55,747 and 16,120 customers were affected, according to company spokeswoman Karly Hernandez. By 9 p.m., power had been restored to all but 30,000 customers. A 41st-story window in the famously sinking and leaning Millennium Tower shattered. San Francisco fire officials, citing building inspectors, said the window was partially open when it broke in strong winds. Shards of glass fell to the ground below, prompting street closures in the area around Mission and Fremont streets. Ten to 15 police officers blocked the perimeter around the tower while crews worked to clean up the glass. The San Francisco Fire Department said the issue was resolved and the area was safe by 2:45 p.m. Security guards and police officers on duty at the Transbay transit center next door noticed the broken window and alerted authorities about 11:30 a.m. Downed wires snarled traffic on Interstate 880 north of Interstate 238 in San Leandro at midday Sunday, blocking traffic in both directions. All lanes were reopened by 1:30 p.m. Alcatraz Cruises canceled ferry services because of the winds, which also caused officials to close Muir Woods National Monument. Golden Gate Transit suspended ferry service as well, but had resumed it between San Francisco and Marin County by about 4 p.m. The San Francisco Fire Department, Golden Gate National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard rescued two kite surfers after a distress call near the Golden Gate Bridge and Marshalls Beach on Sunday afternoon, officials said. Paramedics evaluated the pair on shore. Winds were even more fierce in the Sierra Nevada. The weather services Sacramento branch said that a potentially record-breaking gust of 209 mph was recorded on Kirkwood Mountain, though forecasters later said the station there appeared to have multiple errors that called into question the eye-popping figure. The Kirkwood ski resort said all lift chairs were closed for the day. Though the Kirkwood figure appeared to be a false reading, Ward Peak at Alpine Meadows recorded a gust of 125 mph, according to the weather service. Its a pretty strong system, said Brendon Rubin-Oster, a forecaster with the weather service in Sacramento. Oakland fire officials said they responded to more than 100 calls for downed power lines. They asked that people avoid Skyline Boulevard between Redwood Road and Keller Avenue, where there were several reports of downed power lines and branches in the roadway. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Alameda County firefighters, answering a call about downed wires near Heyer Avenue and Redwood Road, found approximately 15 large eucalyptus trees had collapsed onto the road, a parked SUV and a house. PG&E urged customers to look out for fallen trees while driving and to assume that any fallen power line is energized and dangerous. The utility said in a previous statement that it would not need to shut down its power lines for fire safety because fuel and soil moisture values remain high due to winter season precipitation. PG&E electric and vegetation crews were on alert and in position to respond to blackouts, the company said. The National Weather Service issued a high wind advisory for the hills in the East Bay and North Bay that was to remain in effect until 11 a.m. Monday. The gusts were expected to peak Sunday evening and begin to taper off after midnight, said Steve Anderson, a forecaster for the National Weather Service. Four flights that were supposed to land at San Francisco International Airport were rerouted to San Jose, while about 20 inbound flights and 20 outbound flights were canceled at Oakland International Airport through 4 p.m., airport officials said. J.D. Morris and Tatiana Sanchez are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris @TatianaYSanchez, LONDON Karl Marx may be resting in peace, but he now does so under 24/7 video surveillance. After his grave at Highgate Cemetery in North London was vandalized twice last year, the Marx Grave Trust, which owns the monument, decided to monitor it with video cameras installed in December on nearby trees, hoping to deter vandals from attacking a famous monument that has been desecrated several times over its decades-long existence. While some tombs of illustrious individuals are monitored a webcam feed of Andy Warhols grave in Pennsylvania is available online cameras remain rare in cemeteries, especially around specific graves. Marxs is the first one to be monitored at Highgate, Londons most-visited burial ground, in a city where video surveillance is almost everywhere. But it seems as if Marx who in the 19th century complained about being followed by Prussian spies when he lived in London, or by British informers who closely watched his door with more than a doubtful look cannot escape monitoring. On a recent rainy afternoon, the few visitors who noticed the discrete closed-circuit cameras watching the grave viewed Marxs fate with a mix of bitterness and sour humor. Paul Baynton, a 39-year-old Londoner who paid a visit to the site as part of his Sunday walk, said it was a shame that because of ignorance and stupid acts, the tomb had to be monitored constantly. Among the 170,000 people buried at Highgate in 53,000 graves, Marx is probably the most famous, and his tomb is a major attraction. By Trend All the necessary conditions have been created for the free voting of people in the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC) Mazahir Panahov said at a press-conference in Baku, Trend reports on Feb. 9. The task of the members of the precinct election commissions is to ensure compliance of all electoral activity to the Electoral Code, the chairman said. Creating all conditions for voters is our duty and we made everything possible to carry out all the work in accordance with the Electoral Code, Panahov said. The CEC chairman added that members of the precinct election commissions must not impede the activity of those accredited by the CEC and district election commissions to monitor the electoral process, while the accredited individuals must not impede the activity of polling stations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Since marrying Prince William in April 2011, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge has embraced life in the spotlight. The mother-of-three has found her passions within her royal patronages, and the British public and press have welcomed her with open arms. One of the things that Middleton most loves is being able to work with children. As a mother to little ones, she understands their curiosity and delight, and only wants to nurture and foster that in our face-paced world. During many of her royal appearances, the Duchess of Cambridge interacts with children. In fact, she just had to apologize to a tiny royal fan for one hilarious reason. Kate Middleton has a very traditional approach to royal life Middleton has been able to find her footing within the traditional confines of the British royal family. It can certainly be a challenging role. However, because the duchess and Prince William dated for nearly ten years before they wed Middleton was well prepared. Royal commentator Rupert Bell explained, In a way, Kate is a traditional, English rose as it were. More than that, She knows the importance of the institution and her role to play, an insider told People. She knows that being a member of the royal family is a bit like having a contract, you sign on the dotted line and you deliver Kate is in her element right now, shes really stuck at it and persevered with what she believes in. Middleton has also learned how to work well alongside her husband, Prince William. They have different roles, but they come together as a team, the royal source explained to People. They are a great double act. People make much of William giving the big speeches, but Kate is there too, asking questions of presidents and their wives. These things are easier when they are side-by-side. This is Kate telling Hannah what she likes about being a princess. Video courtesy of Bronagh Dobbin. pic.twitter.com/QsVW6BesG0 Valentine Low (@valentinelow) February 28, 2019 The Duchess of Cambridge explained why working with children is her passion With a focus on early childhood education and development the duchess has a lot of patience for little ones. In fact, during a visit to Northern Ireland last year, Middleton told a little girl why she loved being a princess. I love meeting special kiddies like you. I meet lots of different people, its really its really great, she said. I love working with young people. Everyones so brave and strong in some of the places we go meet. Its very nice to meet you. This is the hilarious reason Kate Middleton just apologized to a little girl During a recent visit to South Wales, the duchess wore a long navy coat by Hobbs, a red and white scarf by Beulah and a Zara maxi dress. She looked very much in the spirit of Valentines Day. However, one tiny royal fan was not amused. Rhian Costello spoke to People about her little girl Annabel being disappointed that the duchess was not wearing a princess dress. I said to her (Kate) that Annabel was really excited to meet a real princess, Costello explained. And [Kate] said, Im sorry Im not wearing a pretty dress today. Annabel then said that she thought shed look like Cinderella. Thankfully, Annabel was still delighted by the duchess despite her attire. The North Iowa Area Community College is asking residents of its 11-county region to approve a $15 million in bond request for various projects throughout the college, focusing on infrastructure, job training and facility upgrades. After 100 years of no taxpayer-funded loans, NIACC is asking for voter approval on the March 3 ballot. These areas of focus and estimates come from an internal 10-year master planning document that we update annually, NIACC President Steve Schulz said. The funds from the bond referendum will support revenue the college already receives through its annual levies and other institutional resources, including privately raised funds, according to Schulz. NIACC Governing Board member Dean Cataldo said they need to prepare for the future to expand what they are doing of the students and for the people of North Iowa. We have the students best interest in mind, and we definitely need to develop new courses, improve our facilities so that all people of North Iowa, their children can be better educated to meet the problems of the world, of Iowa, Cataldo said. By upgrading, renovating and developing technological programs, Cataldo said the board can best meet the needs of its educational institution and the economic development of NIACCs area. We want to keep up to date, he said. Fall behind, get left behind. Thats going to happen. The following are cost estimates of projects the college will be using the $15 million bonds for; costs could go up or down, since bids have not yet gone out. About $710,000 will go toward updating the auditorium. These updates include a new roof, carpeting, seating, upgraded orchestra pit controls and improvements to lighting and sound equipment. Between $5 million and $6.5 million will go toward job training and workforce programs. In this cost are new regional career centers, career and technical education classroom upgrades and new equipment. Roughly $4.7 million will go toward interior infrastructure, including renovating classrooms and equipment, remodeling the 1972 dormitory food service building and replacing its roof and updating the activity center and kitchen. $3 million will go to exterior infrastructure, replacing the lighting, wayfinding, sidewalks and parking lots on campus. About $2.15 million will go into energy saving upgrades to make the campus more sustainable, including upgrades to lighting and safety equipment with LED lights and occupied sensors and upgrades or replacements to heating, ventilation and air conditioning. $1 million will go into improving campus safety and security. NIACCs current total tax rate is 77.7 cents per $1,000 of taxable assessed valuation, so this will raise that by 20.25 cents per $1,000 to 97.95 cents per $1,000. According to Schulz, NIACCs current tax rate of 77.7 cents per $1,000 is the second lowest in the state; the highest is $1.30 per $1,000 Currently, according to Schulz, NIACC is one of four community colleges in the state that do not have a general obligation bond. Grace Zaplatynsky can be reached at 641-421-0534. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Thousands of people have marched in Moroccos capital to protest against US President Donald Trumps peace plan for the Middle East. Demonstrators also oppose what they see as the Moroccan Governments lenient position toward it. Political leaders from Islamists to left-wing figures took part in the march through Rabat alongside union members, activists and members of civil society groups. Women chant slogans during the demonstration in Rabat (Mosaab Elshamy/AP) Palestinian flags and chants animated the scene as protesters criticised the Trump-led peace initiative. The marchers also expressed frustration with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who declared his countrys appreciation for Mr Trumps plan and urged its citizens not to be more Palestinian than the Palestinians themselves. The US Presidents plan for a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict would foresee the eventual creation of a Palestinian state but it falls far short of Palestinian demands and would leave sizeable chunks of the occupied West Bank in Israeli hands. A man holds up a banner reading down with the deal of the century (Mosaab Elshamy/AP) Many Arab countries and the EU have rejected the plan as unfair. At Sundays protest in Rabat, Mohammed Doukali of the Unified Socialist Party said Morocco should do the same. The masses are here to say that their rejection of normalisation with Israel should be translated into an official position, Mr Doukali said. President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday joined President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed and other African leaders to inaugurate the headquarters of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services (CISSA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a pledge to intensify security cooperation. The side event of the inauguration of the head office building, donated by the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, took place on the margins of the 33rd AU Summit. In his remarks, the Chairperson of CISSA and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) of Nigeria, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, described the building as a product of vision, generosity, partnership and African solidarity. He thanked President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea for his generosity and the Prime Minister and Government of Ethiopia for providing the piece of land on which the project is situated. Our greatest debt of gratitude, we owe to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for his generosity and unrelenting support for the project. Since the laying of the Foundation Stone on 31st January 2017, H.E. President Mbasogo has maintained an active role towards ensuring that the building project is completed on schedule. CISSA fully appreciates this Pan-African gesture. We are grateful to Your Excellency as well. Few member countries, including Sudan, Angola, Djibouti, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania provided seed money for the project. We thank you. In the sixteen years of its existence, CISSA has evolved into a truly continental organisation with 52 members, making significant contributions to the implementation of its mandate. All this was possible because of the support, assistance and contributions of member countries, ranging from timely and consistent payment of dues, secondment of staff, technical assistance and special grants. Here, Nigeria, Algeria, Sudan and South Africa stand out. We thank all our Heads of State and Government for your support, trust and guidance. We assure you of our dedication and commitment to service, he said. The CISSA Chairperson also expressed gratitude to the AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki, for his interest in the Committees work and encouragement. Today, the dream of a befitting Headquarters for CISSA has become a reality. With this, we re-commit ourselves to the collective task of making Africa safe and stable, while also continuing to work for global peace and security, he said. The decision to establish CISSA was made on 26 August 2004 in Abuja, Nigeria by Heads of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa. The Mandate of CISSA is to provide the African Union Commission (AUC) and its (MEMBERS members) services with timely and insightful intelligence, which would assist them in making informed decisions. It is also a platform where member services exchange intelligence, expertise and experiences while dealing with common threats that affect the continent. Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President Kenya begins work on Africas first hybrid power plant: Kenya has started work on Africas first hybrid power plant which costs $145 million. Information available shows that the project is the result of the combined efforts of the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) theA Meru County Government and global renewable energy developers, Windlab. Described as the Meru County Energy Park, the project is expected to be a large scale facility that combines wind, solar PV and battery storage. Instagrams 2019 revenue higher than that of Youtube which has been revealed for the first time: Facebook owned-photo and video-sharing social networking service, Instagram, generated advert revenue of $20 billion in the year 2019. Instagrams annual revenue is higher than that of Google's video platform YouTube, which gave the company $15 billion in 2019. A report by theguardian.com, Google announced YouTubes revenue for the first time in its history on Monday, February 3, 2020. Nissan sets record in UK; performs the longest and most complex driverless car trip: A Nissan car has been recorded as having completed the longest and most complex trip in the United Kingdom (UK). The vehicle finished a 230-mile journey in the wake of attempts by car makers to develop driverless technologies which are changing the face of travel. The cars journey began from the Japanese carmakers European technical center in Cranfield, southern England, to its Sunderland factory in the north east, alongside conventional road users. Jack Dorsey drops fresh plans as Twitters quarterly revenue surges past $1bn for the first time: YEN.com.gh has learned that quarterly revenue for social media company, Twitter, has shot up past $1 billion for the first time in the companys history. The increase of about 11 percent was recorded in the final three months of the year 2019, as the apps users increased by more than a fifth. The results proved better than estimates provided by Wall Street and consequently led to an increase in shares. South Sudan to hold first ever oil and gas bidding as Sudan dissolves central bank board: South Sudan will host its first ever oil and gas bidding round in March 2020, YEN.com.gh has learned. This comes after Sudan dissolves the central bank board as well as 11 other state-owned banks, in a bid to dismantle toppled president, Omar al-Bashirs regime. Sudan, the most oil-dependent nation in the world has oil accounting for almost all of its exports and about 60% of its gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Bank. OVER THE WEEKEND: Facebooks Twitter account compromised, hacker group claims credit: Facebooks Twitter main page and Messenger were temporarily hacked by unknown people claiming to be from the OurMine hacker collective. The action, and the group, should sound slightly familiar as it hacked some sports-related Twitter accounts in January 2020. Coronavirus death toll tops Sars as public backlash grows: Beijing faces growing calls for it to stop suppressing free speech following the death of a Chinese doctor who was punished for his early warnings of the coronavirus epidemic, as the death toll surpassed that of the 2002-2003 Sars outbreak. Chinas National Health Commission said on Sunday that 89 people had died as a result of the coronavirus epidemic over the previous 24 hours, setting a new record for fatalities in such a time period. Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Playstore now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news! President Akufo-Addo is a "wicked old man" - Angry protester fumes | #Yencomgh Want to be featured on YEN.com.gh? Send us a message on our Facebook page or on Instagram with your stories, photos or videos Source: YEN.com.gh Srinagar: A 55-year-old man was killed by unidentified gunmen at his home in Tral area of south Kashmirs Awantipora on Sunday evening, according to officials. The police said that suspected militants barged into the house of Ghulam Nabi and opened fire on him. Around 7:50 pm, he was leaving his home when militants opened fire on his face with a pistol. By the time he reached hospital, he was dead, said Awantipora superintendent of police Tahir Saleem. The official said that the man was a contractor by profession, and was not associated with any organisation. No militant outfit has so far claimed the responsibility for the killing. Life was affected in Kashmir on Sunday in wake of the shutdown call by separatists to observe the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was hanged on February 9 in 2013. The incident came a week after nine people including two troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were wounded in a grenade attack in Srinagar. An internal security note says after the nullification of Article 370 on August 5, the situation was managed well despite efforts by militants to bring civilian life to a standstill. Though militants tried to stop the opening of shops, private and commercial transport, apple trade, and Class 10 and 12 exams, the challenges were met head-on, the notes says, adding that anti-terrorist operations were continuing in 2020 too. Cookie Monster, right, focuses his attention by thinking about a story he recently read, singing a song, and taking a deep belly breath before eating freshly baked cookies. MUST CREDIT: Photo for The Washington Post by Mark Mann Read more One of the most profound insights in all of psychology and the foundation for much of modern psychotherapy is this: What we pay attention to becomes our subjective reality. If, when trying to get to sleep, I ruminate on all the tasks on my to-do list, I experience a different reality than, say, if I contemplate a scene in the novel Im reading. Thinking about the grant proposal I need to revise or the emails I have to return increases my heart rate and gets my brain geared up as if dawn were breaking. Pondering the romance of young Susan and Oliver in Angle of Repose, on the other hand, has the opposite effect. Situations are objective, but human attention is selective. This means that in addition to changing your physical surroundings, you improve the odds of achieving your goals when you strategically orient your attention. As Nobel laureate Danny Kahneman puts it, Nothing in life is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it. Here are more examples of how directing attention strategically supports self-control: Bob Mankoff, the cartoon editor of Air Mail (and former longtime cartoon editor of the New Yorker), told me that he faces his drafting table, and turns his back to his computer, to avoid checking email rather than tackle difficult editorial tasks. Sesame Streets Cookie Monster successfully waits to eat freshly baked cookies by thinking about a story he recently read, singing a song, and taking a deep belly breath. And in all my conversations with Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer, he has never once looked away from me to glance at his phone or laptop. In a recent interview, Grazer said: Every one of my movies [was] birthed out of human interaction, human connection which came into play because of eye contact. Try taking charge of your attention. Avert your gaze from whatever tempts you. Focus instead on whatever makes achieving your goals easier. Your future self will thank you for it. Angela Duckworth is cofounder and CEO of Character Lab and a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania. You can sign up to receive her Tip of the Week actionable advice about the science of character at characterlab.org. Are we doomed? That was the opening of a recent radio program discussing whether parents should feel guilty about bringing children into the world today. The way some people tell it, you might think the world is falling apart. They point to economic disruption, institutional decline, social injustice, failing schools, lack of health care, food insecurity, rising crime and environmental destruction -- all threatening to destroy the world as we know it. Except the story is almost entirely false. That is not to say there are no significant threats. There certainly are, yet we have been incredibly successful in dealing with large-scale social, political and environmental problems, and we have the potential to continue on the same path. Consider the problem of food insecurity. The United Nations estimates that 815 million people suffered from chronic undernourishment in 2016. That is a lot of people, but much less than it used to be. From 1990 to 2014, we reduced the number of malnourished people in the world by 42%. Few die of starvation anymore. Obesity is a much greater problem. Poverty is also declining, in large part because food is more abundant and affordable. In 1950, 72% of the world lived in absolute poverty. According to the World Bank, by 2016 less than 10% of the worlds population lived in that condition. What about crime? News organizations report that murder rates are on the rise in the United States, but lets put it in perspective. Five hundred years ago, European countries had murder rates in the range of 20 to 70%; it is only since 1900 that murder rates throughout Europe fell below 5%. When we talk about rising crime today, we are talking about relatively slight changes in statistics. For example, Louisiana, the state with the most homicides per capita in the U.S., saw an increase from 0.011% in 2010 to 0.014% in 2017. By historical standards, we are living in an extraordinary period of widespread nonviolence. Are our schools failing? Well, high school graduation rates continue to rise. In 1960, only 41% of Americans had graduated high school. Today that figure is 90% -- a remarkable achievement for a failing system. Literacy rates in the U.S. have been at 99% for a long time, but what is remarkable are educational gains throughout the world in the last 90 years. In 1930, 68% of the worlds population was illiterate. Today that figure is 14%. We live longer than ever before. In 1960, Americans had a life expectancy of 70 years; today we can expect to live nine years longer on average. By just about every measure, we are not only doing better, we are doing much better than at any time in human history. So why do things feel worse? And why do we keep acting as if things actually are much worse? Why are suicide rates increasing (up 33% since 1999)? Why are deaths by drug overdose, depression and stress all going up? Why are people in wealthier nations more likely to have high levels of anxiety than those in poorer nations? I cannot help but think it may be our very success at improving things, or perhaps the way we have gone about improving things, which is responsible for the profound and puzzling despair that afflicts much of the developed world. Since the Enlightenment, the human ability to shape and improve the world in which we live has consistently grown as we learned how to act collectively, within increasingly complex economic, political and technological systems. At the same time, however, our individual ability to influence the world around us has decreased. With every passing decade we gain more power to manipulate the world to our ends and at the same time feel less connected to it and to one another. The farmer in Kansas who harvests 800 acres of wheat buys food at the grocery store. The engineer who designs transmissions takes his car to the dealership for repairs. For too many people, the fruit of their labor is an abstraction. They are making genuine contributions to the common good, but only as part of a collective effort. Human beings are storytelling creatures. But when we can no longer see clearly the ways in which our lives are connected with others, we cannot tell our own story. And that makes it hard to see the meaning in our lives. Does this mean we are doomed? Not by a long shot. But making things better is hard work. It requires people willing to put their egos aside and dedicate themselves to the common good. It requires leaders who know how to encourage and inspire by telling stories of persistence, goodness and love. The fate of the world does not reside solely in the threat of external circumstances. Our fate largely resides within us, in our willingness to extend trust, to work within teams of people who listen to and respect one another, in our ability to find meaning in the daily rituals of mutual dependence. If we choose hope over despair, and kindness over division, we can pass a better world on to our children. Our story is up to us. Richard Kyte is director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. He also is a community member of the La Crosse Tribune editorial board. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A 34-year-old Middlesex County man is accused of robbing a gas station convenience store with force and threatening to use a weapon. Charles Degoulet-Deoliveira, 34, of Old Bridge Township, is being charged with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, theft, heroin possession and DWI in the Feb. 4 incident. New Jersey State Police said Degoulet-Deoliveira entered the convenience store at 12:51 p.m. at the U.S. Gas Station in Hope Township, Warren County. He then allegedly used force when attempting to steal cash from an attendant. Police said the employee initially resisted and refused. Degoulet-Deoliveira grabbed the victim and indicated he would use a weapon if he did not hand over the money, police said. The attendant handed over cash, and Degoulet-Deoliveira fled in a silver Toyota Tacoma, according to police. Police did not state in a news release how much cash was allegedly stolen. A short while later, troopers stopped a pickup truck matching the description of Degoulet-Deoliveiras vehicle in Allamuchy Township. Troopers determined the driver, later identified as Degoulet-Deoliveira, was under the influence and arrested him for DWI. Degoulet-Deoliveira had the stolen cash and a knife in his possession at the time of the stop, according to police. Charles Degoulet-Deoliveira currently is being held at the Warren County jail pending a bail detention hearing. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Set the controls for the heart of the sun. In the summer of 2018, the Parker Solar Probe will lift off from Earth. It will spend the next seven years spiraling inward to the center of the solar system. The Parker probe will be the first spacecraft to touch our star. Or any star. It will brush through the halo of hot gases that form the suns outer atmosphere: the corona. The surface of the sun looks placid to our eyes, but it is pierced and roiled by strong magnetic fields. The fields trap gas blowing off the Sun and lift it into glowing arcs and streamers. Scientists dont understand how the corona works, or why its hundreds of times hotter than the surface of the sun. The Parker probe will pass closer to the Sun than any mission before it. To get that close, the spacecraft will make seven flybys of Venus over seven years, gradually tightening its elliptical orbit and shifting it closer and closer to the sun. A high-tech heat shield will protect the probe from the punishing radiation and heat of the corona. Within the shields shadow, the spacecraft instruments will operate at a comfortable room temperature. As the probe passes close to the sun, it will briefly become the fastest machine ever built by humans, zipping along at a brisk 430,000 miles per hour. The Parker probe is the first NASA spacecraft to be named after a living person. Eugene Parker is an astrophysicist at the University of Chicago. In 1958, he suggested that the sun radiates a constant and intense stream of charged particles. He called it the solar wind. This wind pushes out comet tails and makes the long streamers seen in solar eclipses. With the Parker Solar Probe, scientists hope to learn more about the suns turbulent corona. How it accelerates particles, and how it flings huge clouds of fiery gas outward across space. Huge waves of magnetized gas are called coronal mass ejections. If Earth gets in the way of one of these storms, it could be bad news. Our planet is protected by its own magnetic field, but a direct hit from one of these galloping clouds of particles and radiation could disrupt satellites and force astronauts in the space station to take shelter. In 1859, a powerful storm called the Carrington Event produced auroras as far south as Cuba. A solar storm of that size today could cripple satellites and power grids around the world. If successful, the Parker probes mission to touch the sun may explain how solar storms form. Scientists hope it might teach us how to predict coronal outbursts more accurately and learn how to endure them. Weve always depended on the kindness of a star, here on a planet riding the gentle fringe of barely calculable forces. Living with a star is not easy. But were learning. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Ilkin Seyfaddini Trend: Azerbaijan has created all conditions for the free choice of worthy MP candidates, Chairperson of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Kyrgyzstan Nurzhan Shildabekova told Trend. Shildabekova is monitoring the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. "Of course, the electoral systems of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan are different, Shildabekova added. However, it is obvious that there are no good or bad electoral systems. Each country chooses a system that suits its current trends in political development and corresponds to the political system in the country established by its Constitution. At the same time, there is a common criterion and election standards, otherwise there would be no international monitoring, the chairperson said. This is the building of citizens' confidence in the election results. There are no problems with this issue in Azerbaijan. Citizens trust the electoral system through which members are elected to the parliament and local self-government bodies in the country." Shildabekova stressed that the electoral standards have been already observed in the voting procedure. "The candidates involved in the election campaign must be able to equally present their election programs and compete for the votes, the chairperson added. By the example of elections in Azerbaijan, we see comprehensive information about the candidates at the polling stations, and an increase in the number of candidates, which testifies to the political pluralism in the country. We liked that not only representatives of parties, but also self-nominated candidates are involved in the parliamentary elections, the chairperson said. The fact that 2/3 of all candidates are self-nominated candidates testifies to the fact that citizens actively exercise their rights. Thus, freedom of choice is being expanded and this is a very good trend in the electoral system of any country, the chairperson said. We are glad for our Azerbaijani colleagues, the organizers of the elections and the Azerbaijani citizens. We think that all conditions have been created for citizens to be able to freely choose worthy candidates. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. The CEC Secretariat Information Center will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Retaliating to Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry's glee at BJP's defeat in Delhi, BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra, on Sunday, held up a mirror to terror-financing Pakistan. He claimed Pakistan bashing BJP was like 'terrorists calling names'. BJP is projected to better its 2015 tally in the 2020 Delhi Elections by winning 9-21 seats. BJP hits back at Pak Look whos talking.. Terrorists calling names!! https://t.co/BTFbPvsccG Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) February 9, 2020 Pakistan Min rejoices at BJP's projected Delhi defeat, claims 'defeat of extremist regime' Pak rejoices at projected BJP defeat In yet another meddling comment on India's internal affairs, Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry, on Saturday, rejoiced at the Delhi Exit poll results which projected AAP victory. He expressed happiness at the projected BJP defeat in the polls. The results of the Delhi elections will be declared on February 11. Very happy on extremists regime defeat in Delhi elections, hope #Modi will learn from this defeat and review policies of hatred Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 8, 2020 Congress admits 'AAP will win', claims 'sacrificed campaigning to prevent vote-split' Delhi Exit polls: Seat share AAP is projected to win 48-61 seats defeating the BJP which is projected to win only 9-21 seats. Meanwhile, Congress is projected to win 0-1 seat. Others are projected to win no seats. Delhi Election: Cong rules out AAP or BJP win, concedes own defeat amid projected drubbing BJP, Congress reject exit polls Amid all Election exit polls projecting AAP retaining the 70-seat Delhi Assembly, BJP Delhi Chief Manoj Tiwari stated that all polls will fail on February 11 - result day. Claiming that certain polls predict BJP winning 26 seats, he said that BJP will form government in Delhi with over 48 seats. Meanwhile, Congress Delhi chief Subhash Chopra predicted that neither BJP nor AAP will be able to form the government, but did not predict a Congress government either. Manoj Tiwari says 'all polls will fail on Feb 11' as exit polls project AAP win in Delhi JERSEY CITY Michael Hemingway Jr. was shot and killed in 2007. Since then, his mother, Viola Hemingway, said shes seen too much violence in the streets and is aiming to help end it once and for all. Hemingway, a pastor at Real Love Deliverance House of Prayer Ministries, hosted Saturdays anti-crime and anti-violence rally at Congregation Bnai Jacob, a synagogue in the Greenville section of the city. I couldnt save my son, but maybe I can save someone elses son, Hemingway said. The pastor was one of a handful of speakers, including the mayor, who spoke about possible solutions to the senseless violence that plagues urban centers like Jersey City. Hemingway, a mother of five children, said after she lost her 27-year-old son he was gunned down in a confrontation in the area of Fairmount Avenue and Boland Street she realized that a lot of young people who had been in and out of her home were lost to street violence as well. In 2019, Jersey City had 13 homicides, the least since 2012, when there were also 13. You never know when itll come in your own backyard, she said. Hemingway cited the acts of unity between co-existing communities in Jersey City in the aftermath of the Dec. 10, 2019 mass shooting as an example of how the city can effect change, Hemingway said. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, who attended the anti-violence rally Saturday, said Dec. 10 shined a light on an underlying issue. This (anti-violence rally) is not a one-time event. Fulop was one of the many officials and leaders who spoke to community members who attended the event. Other speakers included state Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, City Councilman James Solomon, New Jersey Together Lead Organizer Frank McMillan, Anti-Violence Coalition Movement Executive Director Pamela Johnson and Frank Educational Gilmore. Jersey City is a tale of two cities, Johnson said. But she encouraged community members to break bread with one another and educate the youth because theyre all of our children, even if you dont have children. McKnight agreed that the youth must be taught to take the greater path and should take pride in where theyre from. Im from the Booker T. (Washington) projects, McKnight said. I live on Arlington (Avenue and I take pride in where I live. Gilmore, who appeared on The Ellen Show in December, said its more than education and pride its also giving kids a recreational space for escape, as well as guidance. Three years ago, the city recreational department worker opened a community center on Monticello Avenue where kids can do homework or just play video games. This is personal, he said. Ive had brothers who were lost to violence, mentees who were incarcerated. ... Its hard man... Im frustrated at the resources. We can all see theres a problem right in front of us. Rabbi Bronwen Mullin of Congregation Bnai Jacob said the solution is investing in the community, specifically the neglected communities. Mullin grew up in West Philadelphia. She said that she tried to get out of West Philly her whole life, but that wasnt the answer. Anyone in a thinking mind is against violence, Mullin said. ... But we must try to build a Jersey City people want to be in. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday said it is investigating the outbreak of an unknown disease in Benue state. Speaking with the NAN, Chikwe Ihekweazu, director general of NCDC, revealed that the agency is taking steps to effectively manage the disease which is said to have killed 15 persons. Speaking on the floor of the senate, Abba Moro, a senator from Benue, said that the casualty figure, adding that more than 100 persons have been infected by the disease. Read Also: EFCC Detains Benue Assembly Clerk, Wife, Two Daughters Over N220m Fraud The NCDC boss further noted that water samples from affected areas have been been sent to the federal ministry of water resources for further analysis. Ihekweazu said samples tested at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory came out to be negative for major viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), which refer to a group of diseases caused by viruses such as Ebola and Marburg, Lassa fever, and yellow fever. The NCDC DG also asks health workers to be on the alert over the disease while investigation continues. The strange disease was said to have been reported first on January 29, 2020, in Oye, Obi local government area of Benue. Government school heads across Punjab have been directed to update the mid-day meal (MDM) report through an SMS via the MDM app to the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) everyday. If they fail to do so, strict action will be taken against the defaulting schools by the authorities of Mid Day Meal Society of Punjab. As per sources, authorities at 98% of Punjab schools have been sending MDM report daily. The rest are either sending the details late or feeding wrong details. The letter (carrying the orders) states that many schools have been updating the report the next day. If any school head fails to update the MDM report till midnight on the same day or fills wrong details, then stern action will be taken against the school authorities, reads the letter. In view of several school authorities in the district complaining about being unable to update details due to internet connectivity issues, they have been asked to update the same by midnight. 1,618 SCHOOLS SENDING REPORT A total 1,618 schools in Ludhiana have been serving meals in their schools and sending the report through an SMS on the app. In the report, schools have to furnish details to the MHRD about number of students who have consumed the meal on a given day and the amount of money and foodgrains available in each school. In this way, the MHRD will be updated about student attendance, availability of MDM funds and stock of grains in all schools to ensure proper implementation of the MDM scheme. Punjab mid-day meal cell general manager Prabhcharan Singh said, We have directed the districts to inform the school authorities to send the report everyday or strict action will be taken against them. Now, school authorities will not be allowed to submit details the next day. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The US-European Solar Orbiter probe launched Sunday night from Florida on a voyage to deepen our understanding of the Sun and how it shapes the space weather that impacts technology back on Earth. The mission, a collaboration between ESA (the European Space Agency) and NASA, successfully blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral at 11:03pm (0403 GMT Monday) and could last up to nine years or more. At 12:24am Monday (0524 GMT) the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, received a signal from the spacecraft indicating that its solar panels had successfully deployed. Space Orbiter is expected to provide unprecedented insights into the Sun's atmosphere, its winds and its magnetic fields, including how it shapes the heliosphere, the vast swath of space that encompasses our system. By journeying out of the ecliptic plane -- the belt of space roughly aligned with the Sun's equator, through which the planets orbit -- it will acquire the first-ever images of our star's uncharted polar regions. Drawing on gravity assists from Earth and Venus, Solar Orbiter will slingshot itself into a bird's eye view of the Sun's poles, reaching its primary science orbit in two years' time. "I think it was picture perfect, suddenly you really feel like you're connected to the entire solar system," said Daniel Muller, ESA project scientist, shortly after the launch. "You're here on Earth and you're launching something that will go close to the Sun." "We have one common goal and that is to get the good science out of this mission. I think we're going to succeed," added Holly Gilbert, director of NASA's heliophysics science division. - Space weather - Ten state-of-the-art instruments on board will record myriad observations to help scientists unlock clues about what drives solar winds and flares. These emit billions of highly charged particles that impact the Earth, producing the spectacular Northern Lights. But they can also disrupt radar systems, radio networks and even, though rarely, render satellites useless. The largest solar storm on record hit North America in September 1859, knocking out much of the continent's telegraph network and bathing the skies in an aurora viewable as far away as the Caribbean. "Imagine if just half of our satellites were destroyed," said Matthieu Berthomier, a researcher at the Paris-based Plasma Physics Laboratory. "It would be a disaster for mankind." - Titanium heat shield - At its closest approach, Solar Orbiter will be nearer to the Sun than Mercury, a mere 42 million kilometers (26 million miles) away. With a custom-designed titanium heat shield, it is built to withstand temperatures as high as 500 Celsius (930 Fahrenheit). Its heat-resistant structure is coated in a thin, black layer of calcium phosphate, a charcoal-like powder that is similar to pigments used in prehistoric cave paintings. The shield will protect the instruments from extreme particle radiation emitted from solar explosions. All but one of the spacecraft's telescopes will peep out through holes in the heat shield that open and close in a carefully orchestrated dance, while other instruments will work behind the shadow of the shield. Just like Earth, the Sun's poles are extreme regions quite different from the rest of the body. It is covered in coronal holes, cooler stretches where fast-gushing solar wind originates. Scientists believe this region could be key to understanding what drives its magnetic activity. Every 11 years, the Sun's poles flip: north becoming south and vice versa. Just before this event, solar activity increases, sending powerful bursts of solar material into space. Solar Orbiter will observe the surface as it explodes and record measurements as the material goes by the spacecraft. The only spacecraft to previously fly over the Sun's poles was another joint ESA/NASA venture, the Ulysses, launched in 1990. But it got no closer to the Sun than the Earth is. "You can't really get much closer than Solar Orbiter is going and still look at the Sun," ESA's Muller said. Solar Orbiter will use three gravity assists to draw its orbit closer to the Sun: two past Venus in December 2020 and August 2021, and one past Earth in November 2021, leading up to its first close pass by the Sun in 2022. It will work in concert with NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which launched in 2018 and will fly much closer to the Sun, passing through the star's inner atmosphere to see how energy flows through its corona. This handout illustration image provided by NASA shows the Solar Orbiter, which, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, launched Sunday on a mission to study the Sun's polar regions and magnetic environment The Solar Orbiter mission to explore the Sun This is the main control room of the European Space Operations Center in Darmstadt, Germany, which will control the mission of the Solar Orbiter, an ESA/NASA collaboration James is invisible to Zidane at Real Madrid Real Madrid Opinion of Carlos Gonzalez James Rodriguez has become invisible at Real Madrid. Since Zinedine Zidane subbed him off at half-time of the Copa del Rey defeat against Real Sociedad, nobody is quite sure what has happened to him. When the Frenchman replaced Toni Kroos and Isco at the end of the first half in the Madrid derby, Zidane provided detailed explanations for their substitutions. Zidane even took responsibility for their below-par performances and expressed regret for having to haul them off. Yet against La Real, there was no such explanation for bringing on Luka Modric for James. It is assumed that it was for tactical reasons, but there are also those who say that the Colombian took a strong blow to the hip. It may be true that James was seen suffering in the opening minutes, but nobody has yet to clarify anything about a potential injury. James didn't train in any of the two sessions after that game, neither Friday nor Saturday, but there was no medical announcement from the club despite mentioning other players who are on leave due to injury. Moreover, the club only referred only to Mariano Diaz and Marco Asensio as those who stayed in the gym. On James, there is still nothing. Worse still was on Saturday, when Zidane gave a press conference at Valdebebas. Journalists asked about Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Casemiro and Vinicius but nobody enquired about James. It is as if he has become invisible at Real Madrid, which is a bad sign. It would've been preferable if at least some form of information was released about James' situation. However, this has reflected James' season at Real Madrid, a horrible campaign which has seen him move even closer to the exit door. This time, there is no other way out. Ever since the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019, 73-year-old Narayan Gaikwad, a resident of Jambhali village in the Shirol taluka of Maharashtras Kolhapur district, has been on the move. He travels through villages in the region, spending up to four hours a day talking to farmers and agricultural labourers about the CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC). This story is part of a series on the everyday heroes of rural Maharashtra. *** Ever since the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019, 73-year-old Narayan Gaikwad, a resident of Jambhali village in the Shirol taluka of Maharashtras Kolhapur district, has been on the move. He travels through villages in the region, spending up to four hours a day talking to farmers and agricultural labourers about the CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC). Im a part-time farmer and full-time social worker, Gaikwad says. The modest statement doesnt tell the full story of Gaikwads days, which begin at 4 am, comprise seven hours of labour in the fields, and then a motorcycle ride to the neighbouring villages, for spreading awareness about government policies and the rights of the marginalised. In his signature white kurta-pyjama and Gandhi cap, Gaikwads is a familiar figure in the area. Someone has to do the job of making people aware, he shrugs. Gaikwad has already canvassed the streets and farms of more than 15 villages over the past month as part of his CAA, NRC awareness drive, and aims to cover all 54 villages of Shirol taluka. He asks people to examine why are Muslims not included in the law? and where the lakhs and lakhs of people who dont have documents (to prove their citizenship) will go. The response from his listeners isnt usually encouraging. Many do not know about the provisions of the CAA, NRC. When he shares the information with them, his listeners wonder why they should care. We are finding it difficult to survive, why should we listen to you? When it will come to us, well see what to do is what he is often told. But Gaikwad who considers Savitribai and Mahatma Phule his inspirations isnt easily disheartened. People threw cow dung at Savitribai, and yet she worked hard and never gave up, he points out. In Shirol taluka, the apathy is due in no small part to the farmers circumstances. The region is still reeling from the devastation of the August 2019 floods, with compensation still awaited, and cases of farmers suicides. People are tired now, says Gaikwad, quietly. There is a limit to everything. The local media doesnt contribute to raising awareness levels, so Gaikwad has conversations with as many people as he can farm workers, street hawkers, sweepers, in villages like Takavade, Shirdhon, Rajapurwadi, Rajapur, Dattawad, Khidrapur, Danwad, Nandani, Jambhali, Alas, Bubnal. In villages, you will find people sitting and talking under a tree. I directly go there and inform them about the CAA and how its taking our nation towards dictatorship, he says. At times, I go directly to the field where several farmers and labourers work. I talk to them and make them aware of the CAA. His method is simple: multiple rounds of discussion. Even after that if people dont understand then we will get experts and activists like Kumar Shiralkar and Uday Narkar to talk to them, he says. While several people want to join him in spreading awareness, the biggest impediment lies in making ends meet. Every labourer in Shirol is working at least 12 hours a day to make ends meet, he shrugs. How will they join protests if they have nothing to eat? The lack of funds impedes his plans as well. If I have to hold a sabha or a rally, renting a mic costs at least Rs 800, he says. Often, in spreading awareness about CAA and NRC, what Narayan Gaikwad must counter, is long-held prejudice. For instance, when speaking with villagers at the Kopeshwar temple yatra in Khidrapur village, a villager shouted that Muslims were infiltrators who should be removed from India. Even as Gaikwad spoke of Partition and constitutional safeguards, the villager stormed out of the meeting. Such hate speech can only be challenged by teaching people that we are all Indians and everyone is our brother and sister. Everyone has to read the Preamble to the Constitution, says Gaikwad. Once, Gaikwad received a threat to his life, but seemed unfazed. If you fear [danger], you shouldnt get into this work. Someone has to bell the cat, otherwise, the cat will eat all the mice, he says, and laughs. The time for intellectuals to speak up, he says, is now. Go to weekly markets, and start talking to common people, he exhorts. His own oratorical skills are powerful, and Gaikwad is convinced that even if his words do not have an immediate impact on his listeners, they will mull over his message later and experience a shift in mind-set. Tyana doka aahe (they have a brain), he says. At night or after work, they think about what I said and why I was saying it. Watching Gaikwad as he carries out door-to-door campaign is enough to show why his words are difficult to ignore. The government doesnt want to waive the loans of farmers and they have crores of rupees to spend on NRC? he asks a rapt audience during a discussion in Nandani village. On a visit to a Dalit basti in Jambhali, Gaikwad and the residents discussed the Constitution, and how the governments policies were destroying the ideals enshrined in it. After one door-to-door campaign, a farmer from Jambhali village Raosaheb Koli called Gaikwad and told him they needed to start protesting the CAA, NRC. Koli suggested that farmers be brought together for an open meeting, where the issue could be discussed. These open meetings should be held at the village level, and each village must pass a resolution scrapping the amended CAA and NRC. All the villages should then send this to the state government and that is how the law will be repealed, Gaikwad says. A major hurdle Gaikwad contends with is the rampant spread of misinformation through social media, WhatsApp, and some of the local news outlets as well. Tey tel, chutney, mit, lavun detat (they exaggerate their reports). I read articles properly and only pick up whats factually right, says Gaikwad, who ended his schooling in Class 11 because of financial constraints and began working in the fields. He goes through a stack of newspapers and magazines in his attempt to glean and share the truth. Shika, Sanghatit vha, Sangarsh Kara (Educate, Organise, Agitate), Gaikwad advises. This is the only way to defeat fascist forces. The government has said that CAA will be implemented, but what will they do if all the states refuse to implement it? U S President Donald Trump has claimed an unflattering photo of him was photoshopped to "demean him". The picture, which was taken as he landed at the White House on Friday after returning from a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, quickly went viral prompting memes and jokes across Twitter. The photo showed Mr Trump with his hair blown back by the wind to reveal a bizaar tan line around his face. Sharing a now deleted tweet, the president defended his appearance writing: "More Fake News. "This was photoshopped, obviously, but the wind was strong and the hair looks good? "Anything to demean!" The post was flooded with comments as many of his supporters flocked to defend him while others further ridiculed his attempts to dismiss the photograph. Some commenters backed Mr Trump saying: "Keep loooking good Mr. President. We all know it's a fake," and "Sad that they will stoop to any level to try to take you, your family, and any who support you down. Meanwhile one user joked: "The wind is NOT your friend," and other said: "Here's another angle... the hair looks real good if you don't look at it." TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- A Northern Michigan man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of Wanda Mae Lyons, whose body was found in a wooded ravine after a passerby noticed what looked like drag marks across an open field. An autopsy showed Lyons had neck fractures and had been beaten, strangled and stabbed, according to the Associated Press. Frank Supal, 50, pleaded guilty to the crime last Friday in 13th Circuit Court. He said he and Lyons, 62, had been drinking together on Dec. 10 when he killed her in a Traverse City motel. We kept having the same conversation over and over, Supal said in court, according to the AP. I began to strangle her. Once I realized I was beyond a point of no return, I grabbed a knife. Lyons body was found the next day near Maple City in neighboring Leelanau County. Supal had been living at the motel, and Lyons and her husband had taken a room there. They had recently left the Chicago area and moved to Traverse City. Supals sentencing is set for March 12. READ MORE: Bed sheets in dumpster, cell phone records are evidence in Northern Michigan murder case Body found in Northern Michigan after motorist sees drag marks across field UPDATE: The Alameda County District Attorney's Office dismissed all charges against John Pfund in this case on April 28, 2006, citing the interests of justice. The owner of a Dublin martial arts school was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a youth during a "Ninja Night" sleepover at the school, authorities said Monday. - Some Nigerians living in Canada have said it is important for President Muhammadu Buhari's administration to sustain its operation against insurgents - The Forum also commended the militarys prosecution of the war against terrorism albeit believes more can still be done - According to the forum, some corrupt politicians have launched a viral propaganda campaign against President Buhari, aided by religious leaders The Nigeria US-Canada Diaspora Forum has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sustain the momentum in the fight against terrorism. These Nigerians while speaking on Saturday, February 8, after its annual general assembly to appraise the recent developmental issues, proffering solutions to challenges the forum said President Buhari has displayed an unalloyed commitment towards keeping Nigeria united despite the array of security challenges posed by the Boko Haram/ISWAP and its likes. In a communique signed by Cosmas Collins and Josephine Okoye, the president and organising secretary respectively, the forum commended the militarys prosecution of the war against terrorism albeit believes more can still be done. The forum also analysed the recent US visa ban on Nigerians, the Boko Haram/ISWAP threat, politically motivated violence as well as electoral reforms. The forum said the Senate and the House of Representatives are ill-informed and targeted at destabilizing Nigeria. Source: Facebook The communique said some corrupt politicians have launched a viral propaganda campaign against President Buhari, aided by religious leaders. While passing a vote of confidence on President Buhari, the Nigeria US-Canada Diaspora Forum said the proactive response by the Nigerian government towards the Visa ban placed on Nigeria is indeed commendable and a demonstration of the sterling leadership qualities of President Buhari. The communique read in parts: "That the Nigerian Military's prosecution of the war against terrorism has been commendable; however, more needs to be done to ensure that Nigeria is cleared of terrorists' activities." It also said the Senate and the House of Representatives are ill-informed and targeted at destabilizing Nigeria. It said: "The Senate and the House of Representatives should open discussion with Nigeria's allies to block the Boko Haram terrorists from accessing weapons in the international market." "The government should begin a sensitization process through the Federal Ministry of Information on sensitizing the populace on the efforts of government towards addressing the security challenges in the country," the communique added. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar II, has said that the Nigerian populace is suffering. The sultan also urged the Nigerian government to put in more efforts towards ensuring a better life for the Nigerian citizens. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) - Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. Buhari should put an end to banditry, unrest in Zamfara - Nigerians cry | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng Camp Pendleton Chris Carlson/AP Photo Two-dozen Marines received less-than-honorable discharges from the US Marines following their reported involvement in human trafficking and drug-related crimes, Military.com reported. One person will face 18 months in the brig, though most others avoided military court prosecution after chargers were dropped over issues with their arrest. The case first came to light when two Marines were arrested with three non-US citizens in their vehicle about seven miles away from the US/Mexico border, according to the report. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Two-dozen US Marines have been discharged and at least one has been sentenced to time in prison following an investigation into their involvement in human smuggling and drug-related issues, a spokesperson for the Marines told Military.com. The Marines, all from California's first 1st Marine Division, faced varying levels of punishment from administrative to judicial action, the spokesperson told Military.com One Marine has been sentenced to 18 months in a military prison, and one other currently awaits a general court-martial trial, the most serious type of military trial, Military.com reported. Nine Marines who faced a courts-martial trial pleaded guilty to the charges and were discharged. None of the 24 members dismissed were honorably discharged, and at least two of them were discharged with bad-conduct discharges, a spokesperson for the Marines told Military.com The investigation into the battalion members began last year when border patrol agents arrested Lance Cpls. Byron Darnell Law II and David Javier Salazar-Quintero about seven miles from the US/Mexico border, according to the report. The officers determined that the Marines were transporting three undocumented immigrants. The initial arrests reportedly led officers to learn of the other various drug-related and human trafficking crimes the 24 Marines would eventually be accused of, according to the report. Story continues Police also arrested Francisco Saul Rojas-Hernandez after several of the Marines told authorities the man, who was arrested in San Diego, California, had orchestrated the human smuggling and paid the Marines to traffick the humans into the US. Related: New Underwater Memorial Honors US Military Veterans According to a report from the San Diego Union-Tribune on February 5, federal prosecutors filed conspiracy charges against Rojas-Hernandez, claiming he conspired to recruit members of the Marines and other US citizens to transport people who had just unlawfully crossed the US/Medico border around San Diego. Per the Union-Tribune, seven other US citizens who were arrested for transporting people who had illegally entered the country had named "Rojas" as the person who had organized the operation. As Military.com had previously reported, prosecutors had dropped most of the drug and human trafficking charges against the two-dozen Marines who have since been discharged days after a military court ruled that their arrest outside of their Camp Pendleton, which the San Diego Union-Tribune said occured in front of their 800-person battalion, was unlawful. The majority of those accused and discharged faced administrative action outside the Military court system. Read more: Why Trump's aggressive foreign policy hasn't backfired yet A Thai soldier reportedly killed 17 people, including his commander, in a shooting spree livestreamed on Facebook 72 photos show all of the key moments from Trump's impeachment Trump doesn't really respect members of the military. He uses them as props. Business Insider Whats the key to beating President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania in 2020? The Democratic presidential candidates mostly arent campaigning here yet. But they are trying to convince voters in early states who are obsessed with electability that they can win critical battlegrounds like Pennsylvania. Trump won the state by less than 1% in 2016, which along with razor-thin victories in Michigan and Wisconsin helped elevate him to the White House. Pennsylvania is expected to play a similarly decisive role this year. Theres no special formula for Democrats to win back a state they lost for the first time since 1988. But House Democrats who flipped Republican districts in the midterm elections say their 2018 victories offer some clues. In interviews, they favored unity and a positive message over pugilism. They supported pragmatic proposals on issues like health care and immigration. And they said the Democratic nominee should try to win over swing voters who may have backed Trump last time. I think people are not just wanting, but craving, somebody who will be a unifier, said Rep. Susan Wild, who represents a Lehigh Valley district Trump narrowly lost but had long been held by the GOP. Who will respect different types of people, different opinions, different points of view. And wont talk down to anybody, wont make fun of anybody. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who became the first Democrat to represent Chester County in Congress since the 1850s, emphasized the importance of not getting distracted by Trump. What were for not who were against is really an important message, Houlahan said. That is not only a winning message but its the right message. People want to know you are not running against things but rather that you represent positive change. Wild added: I wouldnt spend one second talking about Trump. Id spend time talking about why I can bring things back from the brink. Democrats have been consumed by what approaches to take against Trump in the general election. And if the disarray from Mondays Iowa caucuses is any indication, the Democratic primary is shaping up as a long, messy fight between the liberal and more centrist wings of the party. Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-identified democratic socialist, and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., have been locked in a virtual tie in Iowa for days. It remains to be seen whether the results of Tuesdays New Hampshire primary will offer any clarity. For his part, Trump emerged from his Senate impeachment trial with an acquittal and the highest approval ratings of his presidency, according to Gallup. During his State of the Union address Tuesday, Trump previewed his reelection message by heralding a great American comeback and casting his presidency as a bulwark against socialism and illegal immigration. Stop having these debates that are about symbolism In March 2018, Conor Lamb won a special election in a Western Pennsylvania district that Trump carried by almost 20 points, giving Democrats their first big victory of the year. (Because of a change in congressional maps imposed by the state Supreme Court, Lamb now represents a district that Trump would have won by fewer than 3 points. The same redrawing also made Houlahans and Wilds districts less Republican.) I would be looking for any presidential nominee to come in and just be very straight with working people about how youre going to defend their jobs, how youre going to get their paychecks up, their drug prices down, he said. Lamb said he opposes proposals championed by some on the left including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to create a single-payer health-care system. I dont see it as a very realistic answer to the problems people are having in my district, he said. Sanders, Warren, and other candidates have also called for decriminalizing illegal border crossings. I dont agree with it, and again I think its unrealistic," Lamb said. We need to stop having these debates that are about symbolism, that are about tweets or about emotion or I dont know what theyre about. We need to talk about proposals that can actually command a majority support in Congress and among the American people, he added. Our No. 1 task has to be to start trying to bring people back together and get some kind of concerted action in D.C. and get things done. Lamb and Houlahan have both endorsed Biden and campaigned for him in Iowa. Wild said she would not endorse a candidate in the primary. They all said their party must make clear to voters that Trump and Republicans in Congress tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act and the administration is now trying to gut it in court. I think we have to be unified as a party that every American has a right to quality affordable health care," Wild said. That has to be the No. 1 message. That really is the overriding difference I think between Democrats and Republicans in Washington. The Trump economy Perhaps the presidents strongest argument for reelection is the economy. A Gallup poll released this week found that 63% of Americans approve of Trumps handling of the economy, up 6 points from November, and the highest marks for any president in almost 20 years. Democrats said they still saw an opening for their partys nominee on the issue. There are a lot of people who are comfortable, whose holdings are going nicely, Wild said. The vast majority of working Americans are still struggling to get by. READ MORE: Mike Bloomberg is spending an unprecedented amount of money on Pennsylvania TV ads As Lamb put it: Its fine for us to say were happy there are some great economic indicators out there. But most Americans dont own stock. ...We want to see peoples paychecks go up. We believe health-care premiums and drug costs are shrinking and hurting the middle class. Raising the minimum wage and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, Lamb said, would put more money in peoples pockets. Then the money actually is spent in real towns in Western Pennsylvania, as opposed to on Wall Street or wherever else money gets spent by the wealthy, he said. Win back Obama-Trump voters, or mobilize new ones? Trump won Pennsylvania in part by flipping working-class counties that had voted for Barack Obama. Democratic activists and party leaders have debated whether they should focus on winning back those Obama-Trump voters or on mobilizing scores of new voters. Lamb pointed to his special election in a district that overwhelmingly favored Trump over Hillary Clinton as evidence that Democrats can win back swing voters. But it matters how you talk, it matters what issues you emphasize, he said. You gotta know the industries, the jobs, the economic life of Western Pennsylvania. That has to be your focus. Wild said that the party should try to turn out new and sporadic voters but that they cant be the only or even the primary focus. Youve got to be able to excite the true, consistent super voters, she said. And by excite, I dont mean you have to be revolutionary or you have to do something kind of crazy that nobody else is doing. Theyve got to feel really good about you, Wild said. READ MORE: Pennsylvania Democrats dont just want to beat Trump in 2020: They want the state House back Wild had another piece of advice or maybe a plea. One thing Im telling the campaigns: You really need to come to my district, she said. I have the big swing district in the big swing state. You need to know how my voters feel. I know theyve got a lot of places they need to be, Wild continued. Theyve all made it to Philadelphia for fund-raisers. And theyve all made it to New York for fund-raisers. Were right smack in between them. Come visit us. Every single look from this self-made billionaire and social media goddess is cause for major comment, and Saturday's was no exception. Kylie Jenner was snapped in an amazing all-white look that day, getting into her giant black vehicle on the way to Malika Haqq's over-the-top baby shower, thrown by Kylie's older half-sister Khloe Kardashian. Kylie, 22, looked to be defying gravity in her ribbed long-sleeved sweater dress, which hugged each and every one her substantial curves. Just another day in the life: Kylie Jenner was snapped in an amazing all-white look on Saturday, getting into her giant black vehicle on the way to Malika Haqq's over-the-top baby shower The neckline of the dress was a sexy criss-cross decollete, with one side hanging flirtatiously off of Jenner's shoulder. The Kylie Skin mogul sported a flawless complexion, and a nude lip. She carried a cream-colored designer handbag, and wore tan heeled slip-ons that were open-toed and showed off her white pedicure. Kylie was heading to the baby shower held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Flirty: Kylie, 22, looked to be defying gravity in her ribbed long-sleeved sweater dress, which hugged each and every one her substantial curves Grooming herself: The neckline of her dress was a sexy criss-cross decollete, with one side hanging flirtatiously off of Jenner's shoulder As she documented on her Instagram account, the shower was teddy bear-themed and involved walk-through balloon tunnels, honey beverages on silver trays, champagne galore and giant, topiary teddy bears. Kylie posted a fabulous selfie with Malika, 36, in which the pair are seen air-kissing in front of the party display, with Haqq's baby bump on full display. Among many other fabulous guests, Kylie's mother Kris Jenner was in attendance. Bottom's up: As she documented on her Instagram account, the baby shower was teddy bear-themed and involved walk-through balloon tunnels Friends: Kylie posted a fabulous selfie with Malika, 36, in which the pair are seen air-kissing in front of the party display, with Haqq's baby bump on full display Later on, the selfie-happy Kylie continued to update her 161m followers, with some Story updates containing a video in the mirror showing off her incredibly taut and toned tummy. Kylie is seen in the snippet in a flesh-colored bra, sweatpants containing her impossibly curvy hips, and nothing else. In the video Jenner is seen preening, bringing her hand from her hip to her head as she smooths her dark, long and sleek locks. Vanity: Later on, the selfie-happy Kylie continued to update her 161m followers, with some Story updates containing a video in the mirror showing off her incredibly taut tummy Contributed photo I do not make comparisons between Nazi oppression and Zionist oppression; though I have been accused of doing that. Instead, I speak of the lessons learned from the Holocaust. ... What is the lesson to be learned from the Holocaust? I know what it is to be oppressed. Nobody can do everything, but I feel that it is incumbent upon me to do as much as I can, to do the right thing, to, in this case, stand with the Palestinians in the struggle against Israeli oppression, under which they exist and suffer every day and night. Hedy Epstein Even though Holocaust survivor and social activist Hedy Epstein died in May 2016 at the age of 91, her words are even more relevant today. This is particularly so in the wake of what is touted as The Deal of the Century by impeached (and acquitted) U.S. President Donald Trump and indicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. City crime branch officers arrested a 36-year-old man, who landed from Dubai on Sunday, at the international airport for allegedly possessing 1,193 fake Indian currency notes worth 23.86 lakh all in denominations of 2,000. After interrogation, the accused, identified as Javed Shaikh, revealed that the fake notes were brought from Dubai, where it had reached from Pakistan. The man collected the currency from Dubai and was asked by his handler to deliver it in Mumbai. The notes are of high quality and all the security features of the genuine currency have been successfully copied into the notes. We will probe if the money trail is associated with any terror link, said joint commissioner of police (crime branch) Santosh Rastogi. According to the police, based on a tip-off from a central agency, officers from unit 8 of the crime branch laid a trap and nabbed Shaikh from a bus stop in the airport premises. While conducting a search, the police found the notes wrapped in layers of cloths in four travel bags. He was brought to the unit office, and during inquiry confessed that he been to Dubai for a holiday, where he was handed over the fake currency to deliver in Mumbai, the police said. Prima facie, it appears that Shaikh is a part of a gang which smuggles counterfeit currency into India via Dubai. We have been inquiring about how long he has been involved in the racket and who was he going to deliver the notes to in Mumbai and who gave him the notes in Dubai, said deputy commissioner of police Akbar Pathan. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up to our Next Africa newsletter and follow Bloomberg Africa on Twitter South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government disagrees with a decision by administrators of the countrys state-owned airline to cut almost all domestic routes as part of a turnaround plan. South African Airways is an economic enabler, it enables people to move around the country, he told broadcaster eNCA on Friday. We want to find out what the rationale is and we want to have a discussion with them. The government placed loss-making SAA into a local form of bankruptcy protection in December to try and end a cycle of regular state bailouts and battles with creditors. Administrators led by Johannesburg-based Matuson & Associates said this week the airline would stop flying to nine international cities, including Hong Kong and Sao Paulo, and cease all local services except those between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Under South Africas bankruptcy laws, the business rescue team has almost unfettered powers to manage SAA, and any attempt by the government to interfere could place the entire process at risk. It would also cast doubt over its commitment to take unpopular decisions to turn around other struggling state companies. SAAs domestic low-cost carrier Mango flies the routes being discontinued and is unaffected by the plan. Privately owned airlines operating in the country include Comair Ltd.-owned Kulula, FlySafair and Airlink. We would like SAA to remain a robust and successful airline, Ramaphosa said before traveling to Ethiopia for a meeting with fellow African leaders. That is why we took the decision not to close SAA, but to ensure SAA is revamped, is resuscitated and is operating profitably. Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said the announcement on the flight cuts may jeopardize SAAs long-term future, and the government will propose the decision be reviewed. The business rescue team needs to balance trimming unprofitable routes with ensuring the future sustainability of the airline and the domestic aviation industry, he said in an emailed statement. Story continues (Updates with ministers comments starting in penultimate paragraph) --With assistance from Mike Cohen. To contact the reporters on this story: Rene Vollgraaff in Johannesburg at rvollgraaff@bloomberg.net;Renee Bonorchis in Johannesburg at rbonorchis@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Gordon Bell at gbell16@bloomberg.net, John Bowker, Hilton Shone For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Kyle Joekel, found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the 2012 ambush shooting deaths of two St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office deputies, was given a death sentence by a jury late Sunday morning. Joekel, 35, had little reaction to the decision at the heavily guarded St. John Parish Courthouse in Edgard, ending what had been an impassioned trial that came more than seven years after deputies Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche were killed in an early morning shootout at a LaPlace trailer park. It took the jury less than 30 minutes to convict Joekel on the murder charges Friday, with a similarly short period of deliberation needed Sunday to give Judge J. Sterling Snowdy its death penalty recommendation. There was total chaos and hell caused by the actions of the defendant, prosecutor William Dieters told the jury during the states closing statement. The defendant coldly executed the deputies and now begs for mercy. Thats not fair. +2 Recalling chaotic ambush, St. John Parish deputies weep during murder trial A pair of St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriffs Office deputies wept in open court Monday as they recalled a violent ambush and a chaotic shoo During the weeklong trial, prosecutors argued to the sequestered jury of Rapides Parish residents chosen there because of how well-known and emotional the case is in St. John that Joekel was a willing member of an anti-government cabal that operated out of the Scenic Riverview trailer park in LaPlace. Through much of the trial, prosecutors specifically pointed to witness testimony that Joekel stood over Nielsen, who was injured from an earlier round of shooting, and fatally shot him at point-blank range with an AK-47. I cannot imagine the cruelty to do something like that to somebody, Dieters said. Nielsen and Triche were among five deputies who were at the trailer park before 5 a.m. Aug. 16, 2012. Even earlier that morning, off-duty Deputy Michael Scott Boyington, who was working a security detail at a refinery, was the victim of a drive-by shooting that left him wounded. Boyington had been shot by someone in a truck, which deputies believed may have fled to the trailer park. They would later find the truck in a wooded area near the trailers. Surviving deputies testified that Joekel and Terry Smith the so-called leader of the trailer park's band of sovereign citizens, whom the FBI labels as domestic terrorists were uncooperative and tried to run from deputies, leading to both of them being taken down and handcuffed. Thats when both prosecutors and defense attorneys said Brian Smith, Terry Smiths son, took an AK-47 and started firing at deputies striking Jeremy Triche, Nielsen and Jason Triche, who is not related to Jeremy. Brian Smith is also accused of firing on Boyington earlier in the morning and is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the Nielsen and Jeremy Triche killings, but hes so far been ruled incompetent to stand trial and remains in a state mental hospital. Jason Triche testified that although he was injured, he was able to return fire on Brian Smith, hitting him and causing him to flee. Jason Triche then drove himself to a hospital in Deputy Charles Chip Wales vehicle, which arrived after Brian Smith finished shooting. But Wale testified it was as Jason Triche was driving out of the trailer park that shooting started again, as Joekel had escaped deputies during the first melee and picked up the AK-47. Wale said shots came toward him and Jeremy Triche, who was lying injured in his vicinity. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Before he was able to return fire, Wale said, he saw Joekel stand over Nielsen, who was closer to Joekel, and fire from point-blank range killing the deputy. Wale then returned fire and struck Joekel, ending the morning shootout. Chanel Skains, who was married to Terry Smith at the time, also said she saw Joekel kill Nielsen. Jeremy Triche was still alive after the second round of shooting, Skains said, but died before help could arrive. Prior to the guilty verdict, Joekels attorneys had argued that Brian Smith had been the only shooter that morning with Joekel even testifying Thursday that he never fired a shot. Ive been charged with a crime I didnt commit, Joekel said. But his attorneys were no longer making that case when it came to their closing argument against the death penalty Sunday, instead saying Joekel was only mimicking the Smiths behavior as he looked for acceptance after an isolated upbringing in rural Nebraska. What you dont do is you dont inflict more trauma. You dont say Brandon Nielsen, Jeremy Triche Im going to kill in your name, defense attorney Dwight Doskey said. You simply dont need to kill Kyle Joekel. The law doesnt require it, and common sense doesnt require it. Joekel would have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole if the jury had not opted for the death penalty. But outside the courthouse Sunday, Nielsen's and Jeremy Triches families said the death penalty was the only appropriate justice in this case. He killed my son. An eye for an eye, he needs to die, said Edie Triche, Jeremy Triches mother. Gabrielle Nielsen Deputy Nielsens oldest daughter also applauded the jurys decision, saying that even though the trial overall was bittersweet, following the verdict, I feel nothing but joy right now. Though the jury decided on the death penalty, Snowdy will be the one to officially hand down the sentence. A sentencing date has not been set. With the jury's vote for capital punishment, Joekel is the first person to be sentenced to execution in St. John Parish since 2000 and will become the 69th person on Louisianas death row, according to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The last time a death sentence was carried out in Louisiana was more than a decade ago. Treasury stock can have an impact on a company's balance sheet. Companies of all sizes repurchase outstanding shares of their stock for a variety of reasons. It can help boost share prices or save some shares as incentives for a companys employees. Repurchased shares are known as a treasury stock. Heres how they affect investment and a companys balance sheet. Treasury Stock Explained Companies offer or issue stock to the public to raise capital. However, sometimes they want to limit the amount of outstanding stock that circulates the market. Treasury stock is a portion of a companys outstanding shares of stock which the company buys back to decrease the total amount of outstanding stock on the open market. These shares of stocks can also be known as reacquired shares. When a company buys back some of its shares they become treasury stock. Typically, treasury stock doesnt have much value. The company can either decide to sell the shares in the future or can completely retire the shares and forever take them out of market circulation. They may do this to help raise the share price or limit outside ownership. How Companies Buy Back Outstanding Shares As stated above, there are different ways companies can go about buying back their shares. One of the first ways they may go about it is by using a tender offer. With a tender offer, the company will offer to repurchase shares to shareholders at a specific price. The price companies offer tends to be higher than the actual value of a stock, which may entice shareholders to sell. Also, the company will disclose the length of time the offer is valid, and the shareholders can sell their shares at this price until the offer expires. Another option is to complete a direct repurchase on the open market. When a company announces they are reacquiring their shares, the share price may increase. The company will then buy shares as they would on the open market. Lastly, the company can engage in a Dutch auction, which is when a company specifies the number of shares they wish to reacquire. Then shareholders can offer their shares at the desired price they wish to receive. The company will purchase the number of shares they want at the lowest price possible. They can do this by purchasing from shareholders who have offered their shares at the lowest price available. Story continues Reasons Companies Buy Back Outstanding Shares Treasury stock values may be a factor in a company's financial plan moving forward. There are several reasons why a company may want to buy its outstanding shares. The most common explanation for buying shares is to raise shareholder value. With fewer shares in circulation, the higher the value the shares in circulation will have. Because a buyback can increase the share price, its often used as an alternative to reward investors instead of rewarding them with dividend payments. In the past, this also offered a tax benefit to investors since dividends were taxed at a higher ordinary income level in the U.S. However, now dividends and capital gains are taxed at the same rate, which eliminates this tax advantage for investors. Another reason companies may buy back their outstanding shares is to consolidate ownership. For instance, if the company is in search of skilled executives, they may want to offer stock options to attract better candidates. By reacquiring their shares, they may be able to make better contracts in the future. Additionally, buying back shares can be a defensive strategy if the company is a target for a takeover. It becomes more challenging to hold a majority ownership position with fewer shareholders. If this is the companys objective, they may decide to hold the shares or sell them later in hopes of turning a profit. Treasury Stock Downsides Buying treasury stock can backfire if the companys timing isnt right. One example is if a company engages in a buyback when stock prices are at an all-time high. Therefore, it would require a lot of capital to purchase the outstanding shares. Investors should also be wary of buybacks depending on the motivation behind them. For instance, if a company is buying back stock intending to increase prices to attract more investors, this might be a sign that the company is anxious to raise capital. Also, if the company is implementing a buyback to improve the earnings-per-share ratio (EPS), it doesnt necessarily mean investors will receive any long-term benefits. This announcement may also mean that the companys profits are dwindling. Or, this could mean operational costs are too high. This could harm the financial security of the company. So, should you worry if a company you own stock in announces they are buying shares and converting them to treasury stock? Not necessarily. Its helpful to understand the companys motives and evaluate the bigger picture regarding the financial strength of the company. Treasury Stocks and Balance Sheets Treasury stock is one of the types of equity accounts that companies record on its balance sheet. Transactions involving treasury stocks can impact two accounts on a shareholders equity section on the balance sheet. The first account is the one that represents the money the company received when the shares were sold to the public. The other account represents the money the company spent to buy back its shares, which is the treasury section. Therefore, a $10 balance on the treasury account would offset $10 of common stock. This would then reduce stockholder equity by $10. Some companies may also split their common stock account into two accounts: common stock and additional paid-in capital. The common stock account represents the par value or face value of the stock. While the paid-in capital represents the funds received for the stock above par value. For example, if a company sold stock with a 10 cent par value for $15, then the common stock would increase by 5 cents. The additional paid-in capital would increase to $14.95. If the company resells its treasury stocks for more than what was originally paid, the excess would go into paid-in capital. However, if it sells for less, the difference comes from the additional paid-in capital. The Bottom Line treasury stock Treasury stock is shares of stocks that a publicly traded company decides to buy back from shareholders. There are several reasons a company may do this. Some reasons can include reducing cash outflows and countering a potential undervaluing of shares are potential reasons. When a company buys back its stock, it can mean many different things for investors. Make sure to examine the situation carefully. You may want to consider consulting with your financial advisor if a company you own stock in does buy its share back. Investment Tips Working with a financial advisor can help you navigate events that can impact your portfolio, such as a stock buyback. Finding the right financial advisor that fits your needs doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. If youre ready to be matched with local advisors that will help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Weve fully vetted our advisors, and they are free of disclosures. Youll have a chance to talk with each of your advisor matches before making a final choice. If youre planning to sell shares of stock after a buyback, take time to estimate your capital gains tax. A capital gains tax calculator can give you an idea of how much you may owe in taxes on your investment earnings. Photo credit: iStock.com/utah778, iStock.com/SARINYAPINNGAM, iStock.com/pixelfit The post What Is Treasury Stock? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. Kaushani Banerjee By Express News Service Being stressed and anxious is a constant state of being for most of us today. But a new kind of therapy promises to get rid of our lives unending tensions and pressures just by accessing water. Blue Mind Therapy is a treatment that involves aquatic environments and could cure blues almost for free, says Delhi-based therapist Dr Sreeja De. The concept of waters therapeutic use in daily lives was first highlighted by marine biologist and author of the 2014 book Blue Mind, Wallace Nichols. In the book, Nichols says, People can experience the benefits of the water whether theyre near the ocean, a lake, river, swimming pool or even listening to the soothing sound of a fountain. Most communities are built near bodies of water not just for practical reasons, but because as humans, were naturally drawn to blue space. Even if you arent in an area where there is easy access to water, you can still experience emotional benefits. Now, experts are quantifying the positive effects of water. According to a study conducted by University of Exeter, UK, in September 2019, living close to coastal areas has been directly linked to lower rates of depression. It turns out that living by coasts leads to an improved sense of physical health and well-being. And contact with water induces a meditative state that makes us happier, healthier, calmer, more creative, and more capable of awe, explains De. Besides the plentiful benefits of drinking water, exercising in water has been associated with numerous advantages as well. Water is said to ward off the depression and anxiety created by the increasing technological changes. Almost all of the senses are engaged when we are near watersight, smell, hearing, and touch, and this physical immersion, in reality, makes us feel better, even though we sometimes imagine we cant part with our phones and computers, adds De. Weighing in on the advantages of water, Dr Vishal Kashyap, principal psychiatric consultant at Max Hospital, Vaishali, Ghaziabad, says, Water covers more than 70 per cent of the earths surface, makes up nearly 70 per cent of our bodies. It has a biological connection and that triggers an immediate response in our brains when were near water. In fact, just the sight and sound of water can induce a flood of neurochemicals that promote wellness, increase blood flow to the brain and heart and induce relaxation. Interestingly, some countries are putting this knowledge to use and looking to promote water into a tool to promote peoples health. The European Union in 2016 initiated Blue Health 2020, which examines the effects of aquatic environments on body and mind, with the goal of exploring the best ways to use water to improve the well-being of people in busy cities. The majority of Europes population live in urban areas characterised by inland waterways and coastal margins, the programme website explains. But what about the population that lives in landlocked areas without access to water bodies? Even something as simple as a hot shower can have a calming effect on the mind. Those who do not live near lakes or rivers, should consider visiting such areas for downtime. Introducing a small fountain in the living room or even having an aquarium at home can have calming effects, points out Kashyap. He also advises looking at images of water. There are many alternatives. The shower is a proxy for the ocean because the video and audio sounds can make a difference. Auditorily, its the same thingits a steady stream of blue noise. Mumbai-based therapist Ruchita Mishra recommends listening to the sound of water to clear the mind. Listening to the sound of waves or water rustling is a meditative act. The Blue Mind Therapy is often recommended for those with chronic cases of depression or suffering from anxiety. As opposed to medication, water is an excellent alternative to calm the mind, she says. BLOW OFF THE STEAM Take a Bath: Hot shower boosts creativity and unties the knots in the body at the end of a long day. Hot and cold contrast baths used by athletes ease strained muscles. Go Fishing: Angling is considered relaxing, since one has to interact with the water. Studies have found that fishing helps heal the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder. Drink Some Water: The human body and the brain is about 80 per cent water by volume. Consuming enough water is a requirement of healthy brain function. Go Swimming: Muscles constantly stretching and relaxing, accompanied by rhythmic breathing, all of which help put swimmers in an almost meditative state. Get a Fountain: One doesnt need to close their eyes to meditate to realise the healing effects of water. Even recorded sights and sounds of water have a quieting effect. Visit an Aquarium: A study by the National Marine Aquarium, England, reported that those who spent a minimum of 10 minutes observing aquarium tanks were more relaxed. Hyderabad: The suspense over the appointment of a new president for the BJP Telangana unit keeps mounting even as party leaders, cadre and workers continue to weigh the pros and cons of likely contenders. Some believe that the incumbent Dr. K Laxman will get one more term while several opine that the high command will give chance to a new leader. Dr Laxman, who has been president for the past three years, completed his tenure six weeks back. Though the election for the new president was expected in January, it has been delayed due to the ongoing row over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Delhi Assembly elections. Party leaders from the State are expecting that the president elections will be held in the next couple of weeks. A senior party leader, on the condition of anonymity, said that the party high command is keen on strengthening the party in Telangana, towards which it intends to bring a new face to head the State unit. He pointed out that for the past 30 years the BJP state president was chosen from leaders, who were active in Hyderabad and none was considered from outside of the city. Though this aspect was repeatedly raised before the national leadership it has not been considered even once. He said that choosing pitch-forking someone from the districts would boost the morale of the cadre working in the interiors and towns. Some national-level leaders in private conversations with this correspondent said that the high command is considering former minister D.K. Aruna, former MLA Y. Lakshminarayana or former MP AP Jitender Reddy as Dr Laxmans successor. The leader said that MPs Arvind Dharmapuri and B Sanjay Kumar will also be in the running. However, a strong sentiment is that Dr Laxman would get an extension. England survived a late collapse to square the series when they beat South Africa by two wickets in the third and final one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday. England were cruising to victory at 232 for four after leg-spinner Adil Rashid and his fellow slow bowlers restricted South Africa to 256 for seven after they were sent in to bat. But fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who had endured a horror start to the innings, struck three times in quick succession as England lost four wickets for 20 runs before Moeen Ali got the winning runs. "We bowled really well today," said England captain Eoin Morgan. "We probably had the best of the conditions. It was our best performance in the field and with the ball." Morgan said he would have liked to finish with a "commanding" win. "It was disappointing to limp over the line like that," he said. South African captain Quinton de Kock praised the energy his inexperienced team had shown in the two completed matches, which were shared 1-1. "We had a bit of a sniff but it was still a loss," he said of Sunday's game. "But it was pretty cool to make it tough for the English side." Man of the match Rashid, playing in his 100th one-day international but in his only appearance in the series, took three for 51, including the key wickets of Temba Bavuma and De Kock, who made 69. After being under covers throughout Saturday because of heavy rain, the pitch helped the bowlers in South Africa's innings. -- A nice wicket -- =================== There was movement through the air and off the surface for the new-ball bowlers, while offering turn for the spinners. "It was a nice wicket with a bit of turn and bounce," said Rashid. Twenty-seven overs were bowled by England's spinners including 17 in tandem by Rashid and off-spinner Ali. David Miller lifted South Africa's hopes at the end of the innings with some powerful hitting in making 69 not out off 53 balls, dominating an unbeaten eighth wicket stand of 52 off 32 balls with Lutho Sipamla. Jonny Bairstow slammed 43 off 23 balls as he and Jason Roy (21) got England off to a blazing start. Ngidi sent down three wides in his first over and was taken out of the attack after conceding 29 runs in two overs. He went for another 23 runs in a second spell of three overs before coming back strongly to take three for 11 in his final three overs. Joe Denly shared partnerships of 76 with Joe Root (49) and 70 with Tom Banton (32) for the fourth and fifth wickets but the capacity crowd were lifted when Denly was caught in the deep off Ngidi for 66 and Banton fell in the next over to Beuran Hendricks. Ngidi dismissed Tom Curran and Rashid before Ali completed England's win. England will finish their tour with three Twenty20 internationals against South Africa, starting in East London on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slamming India's neighbour Pakistan, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, on Sunday, said that Pakistan had become a hub for terrorists, addressing MNS 'anti-infiltrators' rally at Azad Maidan. Listing the various terror strikes and bomb blasts, he said Pakistan had harboured terrorists like Osama bin Laden and Dawood Ibrahim. He also questioned on the stark pro-BJP and anti-BJP classification of parties. Mumbai police files FIR against 300 anti-CAA protestors to avoid mishap at MNS rally Raj Thackeray slams terror-hub Pak "Pakistan had separated from India in 1947 and was unstable back then. But today, look at its state. India believes that either you are on left or right - if you oppose Centre, you are anti-BJP and if you praise some Centre scheme, you are pro-BJP - is there a middle ground or not? When there was a bad decision by the Centre, I opposed. When it was a good move like revocation of Article 370, Ram mandir verdict - then I congratulated," he said. He added, "I have debated for a long while on CAA-NRC. Today Pakistan has become a hub of terrorists. The mastermind behind 9/11 - Osama bin Laden was found in Pakistan. Who is behind the many bomb blasts which have occurred in our country? The mastermind behind 1993 Bombay blasts - Dawood Ibrahim is sheltered by Pakistan." MNS 'Mahamorcha' commences in Mumbai to drive out 'illegal Infiltrators' Raj Thackeray backs CAA Backing the Centre's amended Citizenship Act, he said that people were opposing the act claiming constitutionality. He stated that the minorities in the three countries who were being persecuted were Hindus. Quashing the need to accept Muslims being persecuted in Pakistan, he questioned why, stating 'India is not anyone's Dharamshala'. "These people are opposing citizenship to refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Who are they? Hindus. They say take oppressed Muslims from there also. Why?" he questioned. Raj Thackeray's MNS tweaks Indian pledge in poster: 'Infiltrators not my brother-sister' MNS pro-NRC rally MNS recently put posters declaring 'India is not for Pakistani and Bangladeshi infiltrators'. The rally witnessed thousands of MNS supporters waving its saffron flag marching from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan, while posters declared 'infiltrators are not my brothers and sisters'. Thackeray who gained fame for his party's 'Marathi manoos' stance, has now taken a larger national stance against migration. At his Maha Adhiveshan rally on January 23, Raj Thackeray accepted that there could be a debate on CAA but choosing to focus on the 'remove infiltrators' pitch but has not vocally come out in support to a nationwide NRC. MNS accords 'Hero of Hindus' title to Raj Thackeray, prints T-shirts before Feb 9 rally Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder involving an extra copy of chromosome 21. Symptoms include intellectual disabilities and distinctive facial features. Down syndrome was first described as early as 1866 by Langdon Down, a London-based physician. It is also known as 'Up syndrome' because of the cheerful persona of the children. Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and is also credited to be one of the most common chromosomal abnormality among newborns. Lejune and co-workers (1959) were the first to report the presence of an extra chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) in the cells of individuals with Down syndrome - a landmark in the field of congenital disorders in general and in the area of cytogenetics in particular. The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated to be 1 in 1000 - 1100 live births worldwide. Yearly, 3000 to 5000 children are born with this syndrome worldwide. Hearing deficits occur in 60 - 80% of children with Down syndrome. Congenital heart diseases appear in around 40% of Down syndrome individuals contributing to the increased number of their deaths in infancy. With the help of advances in medicine and the rise in community support groups, 80% of Down syndrome patients reach their 50 th birthday and beyond. birthday and beyond. It has been widely reported that Down syndrome children are more commonly born to older mothers - but in a country like India too, where women get married and produce children at an early age, this condition is equally prevalent as anywhere else in the world. Couples who already have a Down syndrome child have increased chances of recurrence compared to the general population. Down syndrome has a genetic basis, where the cells of the affected person have an extra chromosome 21. This may occur due to: The improper separation of chromosome 21 ( non-disjunction ). The cells of the human body have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 chromosomes), while the reproductive cells, that is the egg and the sperm each have only one set of chromosomes i.e. 23 chromosomes. During the process of formation of these cells, if the separation of the pair of chromosome 21 does not happen properly, the reproductive cell could have an extra chromosome 21. When fertilization between the male and female reproductive cells takes place, the baby cells thus have 3 copies of chromosome 21 with a total number of 47 chromosomes. This is called trisomy 21 and accounts for 95% of Down syndrome cases. Several studies have associated non-disjunction with increased maternal age. ( ). The cells of the human body have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 chromosomes), while the reproductive cells, that is the egg and the sperm each have only one set of chromosomes i.e. 23 chromosomes. During the process of formation of these cells, if the separation of the pair of chromosome 21 does not happen properly, the reproductive cell could have an extra chromosome 21. When fertilization between the male and female reproductive cells takes place, Several studies have associated non-disjunction with increased maternal age. Mosaicism or mosaic Down syndrome is diagnosed when there are two types of cells present in the body. Some cells have the normal number of chromosome 21, i.e. two, while some have 3 copies of chromosome 21. Therefore, the total number of chromosomes in the cell can be 47 or 46. Mosaicism is the least common type and occurs only in 1% of the population. The symptoms of Down syndrome are less severe than these cases. or is diagnosed when there are two types of cells present in the body. Some cells have the normal number of chromosome 21, i.e. two, while some have 3 copies of chromosome 21. Therefore, the total number of chromosomes in the cell can be 47 or 46. Mosaicism is the least common type and occurs only in 1% of the population. The symptoms of Down syndrome are less severe than these cases. Translocation is another type of chromosomal abnormality in Down syndrome patients in which the number of chromosomes in each cell remains 46 but there is a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21 that attaches itself onto chromosome 14. This can be inherited from the parents or it can arise de novo during embryo formation. It is not necessary for the entire chromosome 21 to be involved in a trisomy. Just a region of the chromosome,, present in three copies is enough for the development of DS phenotype. Over 95% of the Down syndrome cases result from classical trisomy 21 while the remaining 5% may exhibit mosaicism or translocations. Down syndrome is a complex pathological condition with a range of physical, mental and biochemical changes. Physical features and disease conditions affecting the individual include: Flat facial profile Small head at birth Up slanting eyes with skin fold over the inner corner White spots on the colored part of the eye Snub nose Protruding tongue Gum disease and dental problems Short ears Small chin Visual / auditory defects Congenital heart defects Deep ridge on the palm of the hand Gap between the first and second toes Decreased muscle tone (hypotonia) Short neck with loose skin on the posterior part of the neck Problem with the upper part of the spine called atlanto-axial instability Short /thick hands and feet Gastrointestinal malformations like poor development of the first part of the small bowel and blockage of the large intestine and with an inability to pass stool Gastroesophageal reflux disease Blood abnormalities with increased chances of developing lekuemia Reduced immunity with infections like pneumonia Reduced fertility in males Looseness of the hip joint Epilepsy Obstructive sleep apnea Cognitive, Emotional and Behavioral Problems: Delayed developmental milestones Intellectual disability with Intelligence Quotient (IQ) lower than normal Short attention span Impulsive behavior Slow learning including delayed language and speech Anxiety Depression Attention deficit hyperactive disorder Repetitive movements Autism Aggression Psychosis Social withdrawal Dementia or Alzheimers / premature aging Disruptive sleep patterns Biochemical Features: Thyroid dysfunction resulting in low thyroid hormone levels or hypothyroidism Over expression of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase Ammonia/uric acid accumulation Poor lipid metabolism All the above features may not be present in one single individual but many of them, in various combinations will be present. Tests to diagnose Down syndrome include the following: 1. Prenatal Screening Tests: Prenatal screening tests are tests done before the baby is born, which show an increased likelihood of the baby suffering from the disease. These include: Combined Test: This includes two tests which are done in the first trimester - a blood test to measure levels of protein and an ultrasound called the nuchal translucency test that checks for abnormal levels of fluid behind the babys neck in the first trimester. Triple Screen or Quad Screen: These blood tests are done in the second trimester to check the levels of 3 or 4 proteins, respectively. Cell-free Fetal DNA: This is a blood test done on the mother to analyze DNA of the baby which is released in the maternal circulation. 2. Prenatal Diagnostic Tests: If there is a previous history of an affected baby, if a woman is over 35 years or if the screening test shows an increased likelihood of the syndrome, prenatal diagnostic tests are done. Diagnosis tests check for the presence of the extra chromosome. These tests could pose some risk to the mother and the baby which may include miscarriage. Amniocentesis can be done during 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. A small amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is drawn to carry out this prenatal study and the fetal cells are studied under a microscope. Chorionic villi sampling carried out during 9-14 weeks of pregnancy is done by taking a sample of cells from the placenta. carried out during 9-14 weeks of pregnancy is done by taking a sample of cells from the placenta. Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) done later in pregnancy during the 18 th to 22 nd week takes a sample of fetal blood from the umbilical cord through the uterus. done later in pregnancy during the 18 to 22 week takes a sample of fetal blood from the umbilical cord through the uterus. Cell-free fetal DNA can also be used as a prenatal diagnostic test. 3. Pre implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is another genetic technology that has revolutionized the choices available to prospective parents. Couples undergoing IVF treatment, whose baby is at risk for genetic abnormalities, can have their embryos analyzed with the help of specific probes. This detects chromosome imbalances or other genetic disorders in a fertilized egg before implanting the same in the uterus. This way the aberrant embryos are eliminated and only the viable ones are transferred back to the uterus. 4. At Birth: Down syndrome diagnosis can be confirmed by taking a blood sample of a baby at birth and by subjecting the same to a genetic test called karyotyping. This test helps to detect the extra chromosome 21 and also the translocations that lead to Down syndrome. The management of Down syndrome depends on the extent of the condition. Though a complete cure is not possible, an early intervention starting from birth can improve the quality and duration of life of the affected child. Some children might have a heart defect that has to be taken care of right after birth while some may have digestive issues that might need lifelong care. Speech therapy and physical therapy can enhance the communicative ability and motor skills of the patients, respectively. Assisted device is a type of material, equipment, tool or technology that will make the life of a person with Down syndrome easier. Amplification devices for hearing, special pencils to write, and touchscreen computers are some assisted devices that have helped these individuals. Occupational therapy will help to identify jobs that suit the patients when they are older. Emotional and behavioral therapy will help the children cope with emotions, interpersonal skills, compulsive behavior, and puberty issues. Inclusive education helps in giving a fair education to these children in par with the general population. Dementia and Alzheimers are common in Down syndrome individuals. Drugs to curb memory loss have not shown any benefit. Some patients take amino acid supplements that might aid in improving brain function. The immediate family may well benefit from psychological and genetic counseling as the situation demands. It is impossible to predict the life span of a Down child. If the Down individual has good access to medical and psychological help as well as financial assistance, there are chances of living longer compared to a Down syndrome individual with poor access. Several children with Down syndrome learn to read and write, and some have even graduated, have regular jobs and even live semi-independently. Heart problems or infections put these individuals at a higher risk of early death. Currently however, thanks to improved health care, scientific technology and medications, the life expectancy of individuals with Down syndrome has increased to 50 to 60 years. However, compared to the general population, they do endure premature aging at around 45 years of age. JP Nadda on Sunday paid floral tribute to Sant Ravidas at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters here in New Delhi. Speaking to the media on the occasion, the BJP President said that the Central government will soon construct a temple in Kashi in the honour of the Bhakti Movement saint. "Sant Ravidas Ji's words encourage unity and brotherhood in the country. We are trying to follow in his footsteps. We will soon initiate the construction of a temple for him," he said. Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the mystic poet and tweeted, "Humble tribute to the great Saint Guru Ravidas Ji on his birth anniversary. He emphasised on bringing positive change in the society and also emphasised on the spirit of amity and brotherhood, which is equally relevant today. His education was based on justice, equality and his service will continue to inspire people of every era." Sant Ravidas belonged to the Bhakti movement during the 15th and 16th centuries and his hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. He is considered as the founder of the 21st-century Ravidassia religion. Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima, which is the full moon day of the Magh month as per the Hindu calendar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Israel may learn from Azerbaijans experience in conducting elections, Editor of topical programs of the Israeli TV Channel 9 Boris Belodubrovsky told Trend on Feb. 9. Belodubrovsky arrived in Azerbaijan together with a delegation of journalists from Israel to cover the Azerbaijani parliamentary elections. People come to the polling stations to fulfill their civic duty, the editor said. Israel will hold elections in three weeks, Belodubrovsky said. In this regard, the country learns from the experience of other countries in organizing the electoral process. "I have noticed here interesting features which we do not have in Israel, the editor added. First of all, among these interesting features is an employee who marks voters fingers with a special liquid at the entrance. We dont have this." "I spoke with one person who voted here, Belodubrovsky said. This voter said that he is fulfilling his civic duty as well as his voting rights." The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. The CEC Secretariat Information Center will inform about the voting process, as well as preliminary data as of 12:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00 (GMT+4). Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are observing the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls will be conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. Sinquefields organizations never donated directly to Stengers campaign fund. In addition to the fire district committee, money from Great St. Louis flowed through a campaign fund for the St. Louis-Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council and into a fund that backed the countys April 2017 sales tax increase for police repaying a debt held on the books for almost a year by Stengers political consultants. Those donations came in 2018, first as Stenger fought for political survival in a close August primary election, and later as Sinquefields operatives lined up support for the ambitious Better Together city-county merger effort. Stenger had been lukewarm to the idea when first elected county executive in 2014, and his support was crucial as the Sinquefield-funded effort prepared to reveal its plans in January 2019. In the aborted Better Together effort, Stenger would have become the first mayor of the combined government had voters approved the proposed state constitutional amendment, drafted by attorneys at the law firm of major Stenger donor Bob Blitz. Marc Ellinger, the attorney for Great St. Louis, also used to work at that firm. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Andrew Marszal (Agence France-Presse) Hollywood, United States Sun, February 9, 2020 14:07 702 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206367184 2 Entertainment Oscars,Oscars-2020,Academy-awards,film-awards,film,united-states,1917,Joker Free Hollywood's award season reaches its extravagant finale at the Oscars on Sunday, with war epic 1917 tipped to dispatch a brigade of winners to the stage at the movie industry's biggest night. Impeccably dressed A-listers and upstart documentary filmmakers will brush shoulders on the red carpet at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, as months of campaigning for 24 gold statuettes boil down to a single night. The event comes as Hollywood mourns the death of Kirk Douglas, one of cinema's greats, who died Wednesday aged 103. Sam Mendes's 1917 launched a late assault on this year's Academy Awards -- it was first shown to voters barely two months ago -- but experts predict it could outflank all rivals. The World War I odyssey about two soldiers crossing no-man's-land -- filmed to appear like one continuous shot -- has conquered nearly all in its path in the award shows building up to Sunday. It is the favorite for multiple Oscars from best director to cinematography, and the frontrunner for best picture, the night's top prize. "It falls into traditional Hollywood -- it's what the Oscars like," Variety awards editor Tim Gray told AFP. "It's big, it's epic, but it's hardly a formula film. It really is a knockout... it's just filmmaking at its best." The unique ballot system for best picture -- which involves voters ranking films -- makes it somewhat tough to predict, and could create an opening for an unlikely candidate. Despite the best efforts of star filmmakers Martin Scorsese (The Irishman) and Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood), Mendes' main rival appears to be Bong Joon-ho. The charismatic South Korean director has become Hollywood's darling in recent weeks, drawing unrivalled crowds at campaign events for his black comedy Parasite. The film about a poor family infiltrating a wealthy household looks to be a shoo-in for best international feature -- but could also triumph in some of the top categories. 'No scenario' The Oscars in the acting categories -- usually a subject of agonizing deliberation for industry pundits -- appear settled, with the same four stars sweeping up rave reviews and awards all season. Joaquin Phoenix and Renee Zellweger are believed to be far ahead of the competition for best actor and best actress. Phoenix underwent a striking transformation to portray the title comic book supervillain in Joker -- as did Zellweger to play legendary Hollywood diva Judy Garland in Judy. Tinseltown favorites Brad Pitt and Laura Dern have their fingertips on the supporting acting prizes, for their work as a laid-back stuntman (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood) and a cutthroat divorce lawyer (Marriage Story). "I see no scenario where any one of them loses," Deadline awards columnist Pete Hammond told AFP. "People will say 'there's always an Oscars surprise'... but I think those four are going to win it," agreed Gray. More fiercely contested will be the awards for best screenplay, editing and visual effects, with movies from Nazi satire Jojo Rabbit to period drama Little Women and even superhero epic Avengers: Endgame all in the mix. #OscarsAsUsual The ceremony will go on without a host for a second consecutive time, after last year's batch of bright guest presenters caused a trend-bucking uplift in TV ratings. This year's presenter lineup is equally star-studded: Tom Hanks, Jane Fonda and Diane Keaton will appear alongside previous winners Brie Larson, Olivia Colman and Rami Malek. Elton John, tipped to win the best original song Oscar for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman, will perform, as will big Grammys winner and upcoming James Bond songstress Billie Eilish. In a possible tip to the ongoing controversy over the lack of female nominees, Irish maestro Eimear Noone will become the first woman to conduct a segment of music during an Oscars telecast. Still, diversity among guest hosts and performers is unlikely to assuage anger over this year's nominations. Cynthia Erivo was the only non-white acting nominee, for anti-slavery biopic Harriet, and no women made the best director list. "I wouldn't call it #OscarsSoWhite but I'd say it's #OscarsAsUsual," said Hammond. "A British picture comes in at the end and wins a traditional kind of win, four white actors again... It looks like the Oscars could have been 30 years ago." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 13:46:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Politicians and specialists worldwide have voiced their confidence that China will win battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak and appreciated China's measures in curbing the epidemic. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns of the Philippines Brigido J. Dulay said his country believes that China will emerge from these trying times with reinforced vigor and strength. The Philippines has donated surgical face masks, protection suits, medical gloves, sanitation products and goggles to China's central province of Hubei, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Dulay said the "assistance is our affirmation of the abiding friendship and legacy of mutual aid that has been the hallmark of Philippine-Chinese ties over the years." "To the people of China, we say 'Jiayou' (Be strong)!" Dulay added. Namibia's ruling party, the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), said it gives China untiring support in the fight against the epidemic. In a letter written by SWAPO Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa, SWAPO expressed its confidence that the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people will overcome the epidemic. "SWAPO party solidly stands with the CPC and the people of China," said Shaningwa, adding that China will "definitely" contain the spread of the virus. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) and a major Chinese language newspaper, the Sing Tao Daily (West USA), in the United States announced a donation of more than 15,000 U.S. dollars to help China fight the epidemic. Ding Bong Lee, presiding president of San Francisco-based CCBA, said he was deeply touched by the donation collected in less than 10 days, adding that "we all should get united, whether in the United States or back in China, to make concerted efforts to fight the virus." Lee said he hoped more resources would be pooled to help the anti-virus battle and believed China is strong enough to overcome the challenge. Michalis Voniatis, a Cypriot specialist in infectious diseases,told Xinhua that Chinese authorities are doing their best and most to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The former World Health Organization expert said China did not hesitate to take measures to contain the epidemic, noting that Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, built in a short time two makeshift hospitals to receive coronavirus-infected patients. Ian Jones, professor of virology at the British University of Reading, said China's response to the novel coronavirus has been rapid, practical and efficient. The latest molecular techniques were used and the data released quickly, allowing diagnostic tests to be developed, Jones added. Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, is set to host screenings of British star Daniel Craig's films as the actor bids adieu to the iconic character of James Bond. The program will start on March 3, a month before the release of Craig's final appearance as the fictional British spy in "No Time to Die". The film series, which will trace Craig's evolution from European arthouse regular to A-list superstar, will conclude on March 22. "I couldn't ever imagine being put in a museum, but what an honour and a thrill to be shown at MoMA," Craig said in a statement. The 51-year-old star's initial films like John Maybury's Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998), Roger Mitchell's The Mother (2003) and Enduring Love (2004), and Matthew Vaughn's Layer Cake", will be screened during the program. Craig will be in attendance for the series' opening night-screening of "Casino Royale". Other films to be screened are Sam Mendes's Skyfall and Road to Perdition, Steven Spielberg's Munich, David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Rian Johnson's Knives Out. Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. The police have, at various speed, in Roosendaal, the netherlands, in the period from 27 January to 4 February, a total of 770, the fines handed out. The police have decided to speed to keep up, since the residents of Northampton had been complaining about the hardrijders. From last year, bewonersenquete came to a similar view. The checks were held at seven locations in the Gastelseweg, Ne, the Mayor Freijterslaan At Vermeerlaan, President Kennedylaan, and at the point-to-point Zundertseweg. The majority of fines have been issued to the Gastelseweg. It was also the highest speed. Someone driving 110 miles per hour, and up to 50-mile-per-hour, it is allowed. Updated Date: 08 February 2020, 23:00 Web move: Boss Bernard Looney's post on Instagram Oil giant BP's plans to go green will be undermined by its Russian partner Rosneft's poor record on the environment and human rights, major shareholder groups have warned. Since his appointment last week, new boss Bernard Looney has posted pictures on Instagram of the company's electric car charging points and spoken of how seriously he takes the 'climate crisis'. On Wednesday, he is expected to set out plans for a substantial shift to green energy at a presentation to the City. BP is keen to keep its $15.7 billion stake in Russian state-controlled Rosneft in the seismic transition to a low-carbon business not least because it says the shareholding underpins 10 per cent of BP's own dividend payouts. But research by The Mail on Sunday has uncovered a series of damaging human rights and environmental failings at Rosneft which experts said last night will increase the pressure on BP to offload its stake. On human rights, using the respected Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB) ratings system which tracks the activities of 200 major global companies including blue-chip British firms such as Unilever and Marks & Spencer BP scored 53.9 out of 100 overall. Rival firm Shell scored 57.1 and Glencore, a miner which is under investigation for bribery, came in at 46.1. However, Rosneft managed an overall score of just 32.7. Worse still it was one of 95 global companies that scored zero for human rights 'due diligence' which includes managing the risks and keeping track of potential incidents. BP scored 70. The CHRB report said Rosneft reported 18 fatalities in 2018. In 2014, two of its engineers were jailed in connection with an explosion at the Achinsk oil refinery in Eastern Siberia which killed eight people. Poor pipeline operation safety was blamed. Rosneft's poor performance has prompted a coalition of US investors called the Investor Alliance for Human Rights to write to Rosneft's board, which includes former BP boss Bob Dudley, to urge them to 'do better'. BP is also under fire from Greenpeace, which protested outside the company's St James's HQ in Central London on Looney's first day as boss last week. It said Rosneft was responsible for 4,253 oil spills from their pipelines in 2018 more than half of all oil pipeline spills in Russia for that year. In charge: BP's new broom Bernard Looney A Greenpeace spokesman said: 'BP's work in Russia in connection with Rosneft undermines their work on climate change. It shows their focus remains on increasing oil production around the world.' Joe Brooks, of investor pressure group ShareAction, added: 'Bernard Looney will have to reconcile continued exploration and production of oil and gas with a commitment to prove that BP's strategy is aligned with the Paris climate goals. 'The future of BP's stake in Rosneft should come into question.' The Mail on Sunday revealed last weekend that pressure was mounting on BP to ditch its 19.75 per cent Rosneft stake to keep paying its bumper dividend, which is the third highest in the FTSE 100. Analysts warned that shifting to a more climate-friendly business model could hurt profits. They suggested that cashing in on Rosneft would help to smooth the transition without hammering shareholders. Dutch shareholder action group Follow This, which represents more than 5,300 shareholders in oil firms, filed a resolution to BP last November calling on it to include so-called Scope 3 emissions those coming from the fuel it sells to customers in its carbon reduction targets. Green vision: BP became a shareholder in Rosneft through a deal led by Bob Dudley BP has previously resisted this move despite major shareholder M&G Investments voting for the resolution at last year's AGM. But rival oil majors Equinor, Shell, Total and Repsol have adopted Scope 3 emissions targets, and Looney is expected to follow suit when he sets out his low-carbon strategy this week. BP became a shareholder in Rosneft through a 2013 deal led by former chief executive Bob Dudley. At the time BP was still reeling from the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the move stabilised the firm. But a former adviser to Rosneft, who asked to remain anonymous, said BP has 'no leverage' over Rosneft or its chief executive, Igor Sechin. The only way BP can generate better returns from Rosneft, the source claimed, is by investing 'additional billions' in joint ventures. When Dudley ran the firm's previous Russian venture TNK-BP, relations with his Russian partners broke down and he was forced to flee Moscow after suffering 'sustained harassment'. The source added: 'If Russia's relations with Britain were better, BP could get much better deals. Meanwhile, better deals will go to China and India.' Last week, Dudley defended BP's interest in Rosneft as he bowed out as chief executive after a decade. Rosneft, which is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, last week put out a statement saying its human rights rating recognised the firm as 'the best among other Russian producers'. For most of the 20th century, a Grand Canyon of a divide loomed between representationalism and abstraction. Artists were expected to choose one side or the other; some professors at prestigious art schools even discouraged their students from creating figurative work. Many artists abandoned anything resembling realism for a formalist exploration of color, line and shape devoid of stories or feelings. From the late 1960s to the early 1980s, a group of California artists several of them with New Mexico connections rebelled, refusing to take sides. The trend paralleled the anti-establishment Beatnik lifestyle developing in San Francisco. Open at the Albuquerque Museum, Cartoon Formalism examines Funk Art, a combination of both styles transformed into intensely personal imagery. Curated from the permanent collection, the exhibition of prints contrasts the light-heartedness of a cartoon with sometimes serious subjects. The show boasts some big names: Andy Warhol, Fritz Scholder, Richard Diebenkorn and more. Artists borrowed the term funk from New Orleans jazz of the 1920s. Its soulful blues combined joy and sorrow within the same song. The funk aesthetic found its roots in northern California amid Bay Area figurative painters like Joan Brown and Diebenkorn, and in Los Angeles with John Altoon and Warhol. Their work is both ironic and playful, contrasted with the abstract expressionism then triumphing in New York through artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. The subject matter ranges from pets to cowboys to social satire. Scholders 1978 lithograph Happy Skies to You stands in ironic contrast to his more famous paintings of Native Americans. He started in California and then he came here to participate in the program at IAIA, (Santa Fes Institute of American Indian Arts, where he taught), curator Josie Lopez said. Its not titled Roy Rogers, but thats what it feels like to me. The flatness of the image is almost cartoon-like. When you think of the conversations around what is Native American art, this is very different, Lopez continued. Hes not just stuck in one thing hes known for. I think hes making fun of that kind of imagery that celebrates the mythology of the West. Roy DeForests untitled 1980 lithograph shows an angry dog against a backdrop of confusion you can spot rabbits, faces and birds amid the chaos. The dog has an expression; he has a personality, Lopez said. Hes confronting the viewer. Its up to the viewer to decide what the confusion is about. Altoons anthropomorphic shapes defy interpretation, with forms that might resemble an arm, a leg and a tail. They make you think they are creatures, but theyre completely abstract forms, Lopez said. Its kind of an iconic piece for what the exhibits about. Warhol added what appears to be a knotted rope to a bucolic image of a lily in a vase. He infuses that kind of a still life with color and line in the same way an abstract painter would, Lopez said. Carol Summers Burning Mountain may or may not refer to an Australian mountain, she added. Summers was a world-wide traveler. His technique of soaking wood block in ink produced bold shapes with saturated color. Diebenkorns Untitled (Nude, Legs Crossed) offers a wink of humor with its representational portrait of a reclining woman. The abstract expressionist nearly lost his University of New Mexico masters in fine arts degree for refusing to produce anything realistic, until the modernist painter and UNM professor Raymond Jonson intervened. To include him in a way that shows an actual figure is really fun, Lopez said.Some of them were able to say not everything has to be abstract. Political parties including the CPM,LJP and Congress on Sunday expressed disagreement with the 7 February Supreme Court verdict which held that reservations in government jobs and promotions were not a fundamental right. The Congress, CPM, and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) on Sunday said they disagreed with the Supreme Court verdict that held that reservations in government jobs and promotions were not a fundamental right. Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the Union government either file a review petition in the Supreme Court or amend the Constitution to make reservations a fundamental right. "At least now the Government of India should wake up. They can either take up this matter and amend the Constitution related to Article 16(4)(b) or (c) after consulting the law department or file a review petition, asking that a constitutional bench should hear the case," Kharge said at a press conference at the Congress office in New Delhi. The Supreme Court held on 7 February that states are not bound to provide reservations in appointments and there is no fundamental right to claim quota in promotions. The apex court said this while dealing with pleas on the Uttarakhand government's 5 September, 2012, decision to fill up all posts in public services in the state without providing reservations to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Congress leader claimed that a constitutional matter should not have been heard by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, but the full constitutional bench. "It is a constitutional matter and only two people have given a judgment, which will have an impact from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and Calcutta to Ahmedabad," the former union minister said. Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to 'finish' the Constitution, Kharge said that saffron party was going "step by step". "I know their (BJP's) agenda. They want to finish the Constitution, finish reservations in promotions, so they are going step by step. But they cannot do it immediately because people are awakened now," he said. Congress general secretary Mukul Wasnik said the party believes reservations are a fundamental right and does not agree with the apex court's decision. "We respectfully say that we do not agree with this decision... the rights of Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes are not secured under the BJP government," Wasnik said. "The Congress party believes that the appointment of SC/ST people to government posts should not be at the discretion of governments, but it is the fundamental right conferred by the Constitution," he said. Congress spokesperson Udit Raj, who was also present at the press conference, said the matter shows the contradiction between the BJP-led government at the Centre and in the state, as the Centre in a similar case had pushed for reservations in promotions. Taking on the saffron party, the Dalit leader said, "The BJP is basically against Dalits and reservations." In a statement released on the party's website, the CPM said that reservations are mandatory constitutional provisions, universally applicable across the country. Calling the interpretation of the Constitution as "anti-dalit, anti-tribal and anti-OBCs", the party urged the Central government to rectify the lacunae. The Centre must do this through legislative resolutions in both houses of parliament and set right this lacuna in the Constitution forthwith. All possible legal measures to seek a review of such an interpretation must be explored. #NoDilutionOfReservations https://t.co/WepIOoigCr Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 9, 2020 BJP ally LJP asked the Union government to take measures to ensure that reservations for the SC/ST community continued as usual. LJP president Chirag Paswan tweeted to express his party's disagreement with the Supreme Court decision. Lok Janshakti Party does not agree with such findings of court. LJP demands Govt. Of India to restore reservation as provided under the constitution of India. Chirag Paswan (@ichiragpaswan) February 9, 2020 LJP founder and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan indicated he may raise the issue in a meeting with MPs from the SC/ST community Monday. "I have invited the SC/ST members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha for a get together at my residence on 10 February," he said. With inputs from PTI Meghan McCain grills Pete Buttigieg on his abortion views Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg has again garnered attention for his views on abortion, this time with an exchange between himself and The View co-host Meghan McCain. On Thursday's episode of The View, McCain asked Buttigieg about earlier comments he made claiming that the Bible says life does not begin before the first breath, and so it can be interpreted that abortion is acceptable. In my circles it was passed around everywhere because I think the interpretation from pro-life people like me was that you meant a baby actually being born, said McCain. You know there's a lot of controversy with Governor Northam and what it means and what time a woman should be able to have an abortion. I just wanted you to clarify because I found that statement to be pretty radical. Buttigieg responded by saying that he was just explaining that there are different interpretations of Scripture and morality on the abortion issue. We live in a country where it is extremely important that no one person have to be subject to some other persons interpretation of their own religion, he said. McCain then brought up partial birth abortion and what limits he supported on abortion, to which the Democratic candidate said that he did not believe the government should be involved in setting any limits on abortion. My point is that it shouldnt be up to a government official to draw the line, it should be up to the woman, said Buttigieg, who received loud applause from the studio audience. Buttigieg also defended the practice of late-term abortion, arguing that it presents a situation in which a woman was expecting to carry the pregnancy to term only to find out that she must make a terrible choice due to unexpected complications. And I dont know what to tell them, morally, about what they should do. I just know that I trust her and her decision, he argued, getting more applause from the audience after concluding his remarks. Lila Rose, founder and president of the pro-life group Live Action, took to social media to denounce Buttigiegs comments on The View. He said as long as a mother wants to abort a baby, at any age, she should be able to. Even if that means partially delivering a full-grown, 7 pound infant, who can recognize her mothers voice, & then stabbing her neck & suctioning out her brain, she tweeted on Thursday, getting as of Friday morning around 1,100 retweets and 2,500 likes. At a town hall in Iowa last month in advance of the state caucus, Buttigieg was asked by Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats For Life of America, about how his campaign would be welcoming of pro-life Democrats. Well, I respect where you're coming from, and I hope to earn your vote. But I'm not going to try to earn your vote by tricking you. I am pro-choice. And I believe that a woman ought to be able to make that decision, responded Buttigieg in part. The best I can offer is that if we can't agree on where to draw the line, the next best thing we can do is agree on who should draw the line. And in my view, it's the woman who's faced with that decision in her own life. Day was critical of the response she received from the candidate, later writing in a column for USA Today that she believed he refused to properly answer her queries. instead [Buttigieg] focused on his unyielding support for abortion and did not really seem to want the vote from me or people who share my views," wrote Day. Buttigieg likes to talk about future former Republicans. With his extreme stance on abortion, though, he is doing precisely the opposite: building an army of future former Democrats, disturbed by Trump but forced into a corner. As coronavirus stalks region, number of exhibitors has fallen while organisers advise attendees to avoid shaking hands. Organisers scrambled to shore up the Singapore Airshow, which is going ahead under a cloud of health and economic concerns after dozens of exhibitors pulled out of Asias largest aerospace gathering due to coronavirus fears. Few deals are expected at the biennial event, where health warnings have triggered new safety measures and cast a shadow over airline profits and demand for aeroplanes. After years in which the airline industry has become used to weathering external shocks from epidemics to security threats, one of the industrys leading showcases has itself been thrust into the spotlight as the number of deaths in mainland China, where the virus first erupted, rose above 800. More than 70 exhibitors have pulled out of the February 11-16 show, usually a magnet for planemakers, suppliers and arms buyers due to strong demand for civil jetliners coupled with weapons demand fed by regional power rivalries. Based on our assessment of the situation today we have decided to proceed with the trade and public days, said Tan Kong Hwee, assistant managing director of Singapores Economic Development Board. Organisers advised trade visitors to avoid shaking hands and to choose alternative forms of greeting such as bowing or waving. The number of public tickets available will be halved. Singapore on Friday raised its coronavirus alert level and reported more cases not linked to previous infections or travel to China. It advised that non-essential large-scale events should be deferred or cancelled but said the airshow would go ahead. Organisers said they were expecting more than 930 companies from 45 countries and 45,000 trade attendees down from the previous show. In 2018, there were 54,000 trade attendees and 1,062 firms at the event, which contributed 343 million Singapore dollars ($247 million) to the local economy through hotels and other spending, according to organisers. The show also attracts high-level foreign delegations. Five delegates had privately expressed surprise the show was going ahead but organisers insisted they had a responsibility to those who wished to attend. It has grown to such stature and importance it is a very important part of the entire ecosystem of the global aviation industry, said Leck Chet Lam, managing director of Experia Events, partly owned by ST Engineering and government agencies and which manages the show and exhibition site. Superpower flight display This years depleted gathering comes against the backdrop of slowing passenger growth in Asia, down to 4.2 percent in 2019 from 7 percent in 2018 as economies cool their recent expansion, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. Already, there were signs of weakness in the cycle and then coronavirus comes along, said Rob Morris, head consultant at UK-based Ascend by Cirium. Given how much bigger China is today as a part of the global economy and the global airline traffic, the potential for impact is clearly much greater than it was for [severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)] back in the 2000s, Morris said, referring to a 2002-2003 viral outbreak. The crisis further complicates a challenging picture caused by the 11-month-old grounding of Boeings 737 MAX aircraft, he added. Both Boeing and Airbus have reduced attendance at the show. Air freight, which feeds a significant proportion of Asian airline revenues, has had its weakest performance since the financial crisis in 2009 amid US-China trade tensions. This weeks show will still feature a rare head-to-head, superpower fighter display from the US and China. The US will fly the F-35B a month after it gave approval for Singapore to purchase up to 12 of the jets. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp has, however, pulled out of the show and the Pentagon has reduced its participation. The announcement of the first appearance of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Air Force aerobatics team, Ba Yi, with J-10 fighters was a last-minute surprise, given Singapores travel restrictions due to the virus that led 10 Chinese exhibitors to pull out from the show. Learners of foreign languages can hear the errors in pronunciation that fellow learners tend to make, but may continue to make the same mistakes themselves despite years of practice, according to a study which may lead to better ways of providing external feedback in language courses. The researchers, including those from Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich in Germany, said one of the hurdles in learning a foreign language is knowing the right was to pronounce words, in which learners are typically prone to specific sets of errors. In their study, published in the journal PLOS One, they revealed that people laugh at these mistakes in pronunciation made by their peers, even though they make the same mistakes themselves. This reaction, the researchers said, points to a paradox in which learners register errors when made by others, but find it virtually impossible to eliminate the same typical errors in their own pronunciation even after years of practice. "Learners have a tendency to overestimate the quality of their own pronunciation," said Eva Reinisch, study co-author from LMU. "As a rule, they believe that their English is better than that spoken by their fellow students at language schools, although they make the same set of errors," Reinisch said. According to the study, this exaggerated assessment of one's own ability is a significant factor explaining why it is difficult to learn the sounds of a foreign language. In the study, the scientists asked 24 female German learners of English to read out 60 short sentences like "The family bought a house", "The jug is on the shelf", and "They heard a funny noise". Weeks later, the same learners were invited to the lab again, and asked to listen to recordings of four learners -- three from others, and one of their own -- and were asked to grade the pronunciation of each sentence. The recordings were manipulated in such a way that the female speakers sounded like male speakers to ensure that participants would not recognise their own productions, the study noted. "This element of the experimental design is crucial. It was essential that none of listeners would be aware that their own productions were included in the test sample, otherwise their assessments couldn't be taken as unbiased," said Holger Mitterer, another co-author of the study from the University of Malta in Malta. In all cases, the listeners rated their own pronunciation as better than others did, even when they were unable to recognise that it was their own recording, the researchers noted. "We were surprised that the experiment so clearly pointed to the significance of overestimation of one's own abilities in this context," Reinisch added. The researchers said the results could be due to familiar accents being easier to understand than accents that are less commonly spoken. "One is best acquainted with the sound of one's own voice, and has no difficulty understanding it," Reinisch said "Perhaps this familiarity leads us to regard our pronunciation as being better than it actually is," she said. Another possible factor contributing to the finding, the scientists said, is known as the 'mere exposure' effect in which people rate things which they are more familiar with -- such as the sound of our own voice -- as more congenial. According to the researchers, the findings emphasise the importance of external feedback in language courses, since it increases the learners' awareness of deficits in language production and comprehension. A lack of feedback, according to the study, increases the risk of learners feeling that they have already mastered the unfamiliar articulation patterns in the new language, while that may not be the case. "As long as we believe that we are already pretty good, we are not going to put in more effort to improve," Reinisch said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Participants -- both the 170,000 visitors and the 4,000 exhibitors -- at the interpack packaging exhibition (May 7 to 13, 2020) will soon be able to contribute to the end of packaging as an environmental problem worldwide by expressing their support for the PUMA Manifesto. In doing so, they endorse the PUMA vision on the activity of packaging and promise to share their relevant information and insights in the field of packaging in all fairness and reasonableness. The PUMA Manifesto is open to read directly at the North Entrance of the interpack at booth ENB/03 and there everybody can also express his/her support via the PUMA Register of Support. The PUMA project is an initiative of the NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre (NVC). NVC (founded in 1953) is the association of more than five hundred internationally oriented companies that recognise the importance of the packaging activity. The NVC membership, the innovation projects (including packaging innovation contest De Gouden Noot), information services and education (workshops, courses) stimulate the continuous improvement of packaging. Every second, the world packs 300,000 products per second, resulting in 300,000 emptied packs per second. As a result, packaging as an activity, for example, is eight times larger than Google, which processes around 40,000 searches per second worldwide. The increases in prosperity and growing world population are leading to further growth of packaging worldwide. For a sustainable future of packaging on this scale, it is an absolute requirement that an end is made to packaging as an environmental issue. Building on decades of experience (including the drafting of the ISO world standards in the field of packaging and the environment), NVC launched the PUMA project on March 27, 2017. On the basis of a series of inspiring PUMA meetings with a total of several hundred participants, in Rotterdam (NL), Eindhoven (NL), Nuremberg (DE), Reading (UK), Boston (USA) and Tokyo (JP), the time has now come, as far as NVC is concerned, for the global packaging community to actually put an end to packaging as an environmental issue worldwide. To this end, the PUMA Manifesto offers a holistic, coherent vision of the activity of packaging and the materials used for that purpose in the front-end, back-end and collect and control phases. In addition, the PUMA Manifesto is a shared source of inspiration and cooperation, supported by NVC as a leading, transparent and reliable association of internationally oriented companies that are willing to take their social responsibility when it comes to packaging. -- Tradearabia News Service Anuja Susan Varghese By Express News Service KOCHI: According to researchers and doctors from different systems of medicines gathered at the International Conference on Integrated Oncology (ICIO) 2020, allopathic and complementary medicines can work magic in cancer patients. Homoeopathy and ayurvedic medicines have a greater role to play in treating and curing cancer patients. A multi-disciplinary approach is required for the cure and management of cancer cases because no system is perfect in the world. By integrating complementary medicines the ultimate beneficiary of the result will be patients, said Dr K M Madhu, ayurvedic physician at Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala Hospital, Kochi. In India, existing medicine systems like ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha, and homoeopathy can do magic on cancer patients. In ayurveda, we have the three doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which are believed to create diseases. We treat to pacify these doshas which are the framework of ayurveda. When you come to a practical integration, all these frameworks may not match together as there may be so many differences between them. The general thing for the integration to happen is that all should accept that their system is not the perfect one. They also lack many things. Self-criticism is required to improve the way you get integrated with other medical systems, said Madhu. Ayurveda can contribute to palliative care. We have Rasayanas which will help in cancer cure. Study on Misraka Sneham, Sathadhouta Ghritham and Viswamritham in managing anorexia in cancer patients have proved good relief in 70 percent of patients we tested, said Madhu. According to Dr Nilanjana Basu, homoeopathy doctor and researcher at Amity Institute of Molecular Research and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, homoeopathic medicines can enhance the activity of the normal cells in ones body. Present-day studies are looking into how to kill cancer cells. But what I found different is why do we only focus on the cancer cells. We can protect the normal cells. Conventional medicinal treatments are hard on cancer cells. It should be that way as well. As the patients suffer more, there has to be something that softens and homoeopathy is that part that softens our body and preserve and maintain natural and normal cells, said Nilanjana.Arnica Montana, a homoeopathic medicine, was used for my research in protecting the normal cells when we try to kill the cancer cells. It was proved that the medicine can actually enhance normal cell activity, said Nilanjana. (Natural News) Metallic hydrogen is a state of hydrogen wherein the element is able to conduct electricity. Scientists have spent close to a century attempting to create this material. A team of French researchers now claim that theyve done it. Normally, hydrogen isnt a great conductor. However, physicists since the 1930s have suspected that if hydrogen were to be subjected to enough pressure, it can act like an alkali metal, a group of metals that are great at conducting heat and electricity. This hypothesis has never been proven until now. Paul Loubeyre, research lead and member of the French Atomic Energy Commission, believes he and his team have done the impossible. They say that a sample of hydrogen that they crushed between the points of two diamonds exhibited metallic properties. To put it into perspective, they claim that the hydrogen was put under pressure so substantial that it created around 425 gigapascals of pressure, or around 4.2 million times the atmospheric pressure of the Earth at sea level. Metal hydrogen is the ultimate hydride, said the researchers in their paper, which they published in the journal arXiv. It may exhibit a room temperature superconductivity, a melting transition at very low temperature into an unusual superconducting- superfluid state, a high protonic diffusion and a high energy density storage. This means that the material can store energy very easily and it can conduct electricity perhaps indefinitely at room temperature. The hunt for metallic hydrogen Researchers have spent decades attempting to create metallic hydrogen. Previous studies came close, having created materials that, at lower pressures, exhibited some of metallic hydrogens properties. Scientists all over the world want metallic hydrogen because of its potential applications in future technologies, such as for transporting and storing energy. (Related: Researchers design cost-efficient, clean fuel cells that might soon replace traditional gas engines in cars.) Until now, they havent been successful because of the high amount of pressure required for metallic hydrogen to form. Even many high tech research laboratories dont have the equipment to create the conditions it requires. In laboratory settings, high pressures are generated using devices known as diamond anvil cells, which involve crushing a tiny sample of a material between the points of two extremely durable diamonds. So far, many experiments failed because even the hardest diamond anvil cells tend to shatter if they try to recreate any pressure above 400 gigapascals. A previous study, conducted in 2016, claimed to have created metallic hydrogen. However, the researchers were only able to publish a limited amount of data. Furthermore, they refused to release the metallic hydrogen sample from the grasp of their diamond anvil cell device for fear of damaging it. Many scientists, including Loubeyre himself, were very critical of their claim and refused to believe it. Their criticisms were heightened when the scientists later claimed that their metallic hydrogen sample was lost when their diamond anvil cell device broke. Fortunately, Loubeyre has more data to back up his teams claims. For starters, Loubeyres diamond anvil cells were of a new design developed in 2018, which raised their high-pressure limits. Furthermore, the team claims to have repeated their experiment. They tuned the pressure up and down, causing the material to transition from metallic to non-metallic states. However, even this study is under scrutiny because it hasnt been subjected to peer review and Loubeyres experiments havent been inspected by the wider community of physicists. But it does have its fair share of allies, with some even going so far as to call this a Nobel-prize worthy discovery. With Loubeyres claims yet to be validated, it remains to be seen if metallic hydrogen and its possible applications for future technologies is finally within humanitys grasp. Sources include: LiveScience.com 1 arXiv.org ScienceAlert.com LiveScience.com 2 PopularMechanics.com UniverseToday.com Medical worker in protective suit walks by patients diagnosed with the coronaviruses in a temporary hospital transformed from an exhibition center in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province on Feb. 5, 2020. (Chinatopix via AP) 9 Family Members Get Coronavirus After Hotpot, Say Hong Kong Officials Nine members of a Hong Kong family have been infected with the novel coronavirus after sharing a hotpot meal at a restaurant last month, officials confirmed. Hong Kong health officials said Sunday that they ate the meal in late January. A 24-year-old man and his 91-year-old grandmother were confirmed to have the virus first, followed by the mans parents, cousins, and aunts, according to The New York Times and the South China Morning Post. The family was part of a gathering of 19 people who had the hot pota Chinese cooking method in which people add meat, vegetables, and other ingredients to a simmering pot of brothsaid Chuang Shuk-Kwan, a Hong Kong health official, in a press conference. They had gathered at the Lento Party Room in Kwun Tong on Jan. 19. Most of the people who ate the meal showed no symptoms, even minor ones, Chuang said. Were facing major difficulties in isolating the suspected cases and tracing those who had close contact with the confirmed patients, Chuang said in the Posts report. Two relatives from mainland China attended the dinner before leaving Hong Kong last month, with two seeking medical attention in China. I suggest the public cuts down on these gatherings. If they are necessary, try to reduce the time spent together, said Chuang. He also called on citizens not to share chopsticks with others. Laboratory technicians at Fire Eye laboratory in Wuhan in central Chinas Hubei Province on Feb. 6, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Hong Kong on Saturday started enforcing a 14-day quarantine period for people coming from mainland China in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, which is believed to have first originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province. According to the AFP news agency, which also reported on the infected family, the citys health minister on Sunday said that about 470 people were ordered to stay home, in hotel rooms, or in government quarantine camps. Chinese Communist Party officials, meanwhile, have implemented quarantines and lockdowns in Wuhan and a number of other Chinese cities, affecting tens of millions of people. Tens of thousands of people have been infected by the coronavirus across China, although there are concerns that the official numbers provided by the Chinese regime are not accurate. Meanwhile, the regime has faced mounting accusations from netizens about censorship and a cover-up after a whistleblower doctor died under suspicious circumstances last week. Disturbing videos have also been uploaded to social media that purport to show regime officials forcibly taking people away for quarantine. To add to the growing concerns, health officials in Shanghai on Saturday confirmed the coronavirus can be spread through the air, or when a person inhales tiny droplets in the air that contain the virus. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the measles, and H5N1 avian influenza can be spread in the same manner. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 06:28:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NEW YORK, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The second New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) Winter Showcase will kick off on Feb. 14 with some of the best foodie-themed Asian films of the past 20 years, the NYAFF announced on Saturday. Dubbed "Love at First Bite," the 2020 showcase will start with Extreme Job, a 2019 South Korean film about a crew of undercover cops whose front as a fried chicken place turns into a surprise success. The movie has become one of the top grossing domestic films in South Korea since its release in January last year. Other major titles on the list include Eat Drink Man Woman, a 1994 film by Ang Lee which tells about a top chef father trying to reconnect with his daughters through Chinese culinary creations; and the 1996 film The God of Cookery by Hong Kong's "King of Comedy" Stephen Chow. The organizers have also collaborated with a slew of restaurants in town serving up dishes inspired by the movies, offering a feast for the eyes and stomachs. "With the second Winter Showcase, we decide to continue to explore repertory programming in the most fun way possible -- with a lineup that connects food and film, and shows that they transcend borders," said Samuel Jamier, executive director of the event. It is an occasion to discover why cooking and eating are so central to so many Asian films and "how they address themes of family, morality, mortality, ambition and finding one's way through the crossed wires of building romantic connections," he said. The NYAFF is an annual flagship event of the New York Asian Film Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to the exhibition and appreciation of Asian film culture. The second NYAFF Winter Showcase will run from Feb. 14 to 16. I mean, you can start releasing medical records, and it never ends, Sanders said on NBCs Meet the Press when asked whether he will release all of his medical records before Super Tuesday. Weve released a substantive part all of our background. We have . . . cardiologists who are confirming that I am in good health. I am in good health. Torrential rain has fallen in Queensland, soaking Coolangatta with 201 millimetres and causing flooding in several places. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of severe thunderstorms in south-east Queensland about 11am on Sunday, with heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding in the next several hours. The heaviest rain fell on Saturday night in south-east Queensland. Credit:Fairfax Media Locations that may be affected include Beenleigh, Logan City, Archerfield, Slacks Creek, Tingalpa Reservoir and Camp Hill. After midday Tingalpa Reservoir, also known as Leslie Harrison Dam, began spilling excess water. Dots and dashes: The House unanimously passed U.S. Sen. James Lankfords Taxpayers Right to Know Act, which he sponsored, along with New Hampshire Democrat Maggie Hassan. Hern spoke out in favor of a failed motion to censure Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying, She takes every opportunity to make petty displays of her hatred of our president. Through Facebook, 2nd District Rep. Markwayne Mullin also let constituents know he supported the resolution, calling Pelosis behavior absolutely disgraceful, and he used the incident in a fundraising appeal. Lankford signed on to Republican legislation to outlaw the use of telemedicine to administer medical abortion drugs. Under questioning from Sen. Jim Inhofe, Assistant Interior Secretary Rob Wallace confirmed that his agency is on track take the American burying beetle off the Endangered Species List by June and possibly to delist the lesser prairie chicken by early next year. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Eltingville resident Beth Cefalu was on her way to the store on Thursday when she noticed her wallet was missing. The last thing I remembered was that I was leaving my house and I had it under my arm, she said. I was walking out of my house to my car, and I had my dog with me so I was a little distracted. She scoured her apartment, and retraced her steps, to no avail. Eltingville resident Beth Cefalu was on her way to the store on Thursday when she noticed her wallet was missing. I was sure I just misplaced it somewhere, admitted Cefalu. Just when she was about to give up hope of ever seeing her wallet again, she got a phone call. My boyfriend called and said a UPS driver delivered my wallet, she said. But it wasnt that easy for the driver to find her. Having just moved from upstate New York, her drivers license doesnt yet reflect her new address. Instead of just mailing it to the address on my license he brought it back to his headquarters and he found my current address. The UPS driver put it in an envelop and dropped it off, she said. Soon after, she saw a UPS truck on her block. She pulled up to the truck and met the driver who returned her wallet. I wanted his name so I couldnt tell UPS what a great thing he did for me. He said his name is Mike Arcaro. ...I think he found my wallet somewhere near my house and he returned it by Friday, she said. I am so thankful. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER By Trend Azerbaijani citizens vote with great enthusiasm, which testifies to the effectiveness of the voting system, which is coordinated by Azerbaijani Central Election Commission (CEC), Veramella Anjaya, representative of the election observation mission from Indonesia, journalist for the Indonesian The Jakarta Post newspaper, told Trend. "I am observing the elections in Azerbaijan for the first time, but I must stress that the organizational component of the elections is impressive, Anjaya added. The election process is very free, fair and has been organized well. A big number of observers, both local and foreign, also attests to the transparency of the elections." The representative of the Indonesian election observation mission stressed that the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan are similar to the elections in Indonesia. "The most important thing is that people are interested in voting process, Anjaya added. We think that the elections in Azerbaijan are being held at the highest level." Chairperson of Indonesia's National Awakening Party Anggia Erma Rini was also among the observers from Indonesia. Everything is being held smoothly. A big number of local and foreign observers attend the voting process, which testifies to the level of organization of the elections," the chairperson said adding that she was happy to see many women among the local observers and members of the election commissions. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations will operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Sinn Fein candidate Donnchadh O Laoghaire became the first TD elected to Irelands 33rd Dail on February 9, as the party was set to make major gains in the election. In this video, O Laoghaire can be seen celebrating as he is lifted on the shoulders of supporters who sang On the One Road, an Irish rebel song. An exit poll conducted by Ipsos/MRBI on behalf of RTE, The Irish Times, TG4 and UCD predicted the vote was split in a three-way tie between Prime Minister Leo Varadkars party, Fine Gael, at 22.4 percent, Fianna Fail at 22.2 percent, and Sinn Fein at 22.3 percent, the highest percentage of support in its history. Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, the two parties that have dominated Irish politics since the formation of the state, have ruled out forming a government with Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). However Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said on Sunday that her party was ready to enter government and excluding it from talks would be undemocratic. Credit: Conor McGreevy via Storyful Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, has urged the central government to "immediately and unconditionally revoke the Citizenship Amendment Act" and stop quashing the "right to dissent". He also appealed to the government not to implement the proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR). Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, a wing of the Goa Church, in a statement on Saturday said, "The Archbishop and the Catholic community of Goa would like to appeal to the government to listen to the voice of millions in India, to stop quashing the right to dissent and, above all, to immediately and unconditionally revoke the CAA and desist from implementing the NRC and the NPR." The CAA, NRC and NPR are "divisive and discriminatory" and will certainly have a "negative and damaging effect" on a multi-cultural democracy like ours, the church said. There is serious concern that NRC and NPR will result in "direct victimisation of the underprivileged classes, particularly Dalits, adivasis, migrant labourers, nomadic communities and the countless undocumented people who, after having been recognised as worthy citizens and voters for more than 70 years, will suddenly run the risk of becoming stateless and candidates for detention camps," it said. There has been widespread discontent and open protests throughout the country and even abroad against the CAA, NRC and NPR, which are "forecasting a systematic erosion of values, principles and rights" that have been guaranteed to all citizens in the Constitution, the release said. Eminent citizens, including top intellectuals and legal luminaries, have taken a studied and unequivocal stand against the CAA, NRC and NPR, it noted. Goa also witnessed several protests, which transcended the confines of religious and caste affiliation and brought people from all walks of life together on one united platform, said the statement. It said Christians in India have always been a peace- loving community and deeply committed to the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, enshrined in the Constitution. "We have always taken great pride that our beloved country is a secular, sovereign, socialist, pluralistic and democratic republic," the church said. The very fact that CAA uses religion goes against the secular fabric of the country, it said. "It goes against the spirit and heritage of our land which, since times immemorial, has been a welcoming home to all, founded on the belief that the whole world is one big family," the church said. "We pray for our beloved country, that good sense, justice and peace prevail in the hearts and minds of all," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the permanent loss of capital. When we think about how risky a company is, we always like to look at its use of debt, since debt overload can lead to ruin. As with many other companies China Railway Signal & Communication Corporation Limited (HKG:3969) makes use of debt. But the real question is whether this debt is making the company risky. Why Does Debt Bring Risk? Debt assists a business until the business has trouble paying it off, either with new capital or with free cash flow. Part and parcel of capitalism is the process of 'creative destruction' where failed businesses are mercilessly liquidated by their bankers. While that is not too common, we often do see indebted companies permanently diluting shareholders because lenders force them to raise capital at a distressed price. Of course, plenty of companies use debt to fund growth, without any negative consequences. The first thing to do when considering how much debt a business uses is to look at its cash and debt together. View our latest analysis for China Railway Signal & Communication How Much Debt Does China Railway Signal & Communication Carry? You can click the graphic below for the historical numbers, but it shows that China Railway Signal & Communication had CN2.04b of debt in September 2019, down from CN3.46b, one year before. But on the other hand it also has CN21.1b in cash, leading to a CN19.0b net cash position. SEHK:3969 Historical Debt, February 8th 2020 How Healthy Is China Railway Signal & Communication's Balance Sheet? According to the last reported balance sheet, China Railway Signal & Communication had liabilities of CN48.7b due within 12 months, and liabilities of CN2.81b due beyond 12 months. On the other hand, it had cash of CN21.1b and CN51.9b worth of receivables due within a year. So it can boast CN21.5b more liquid assets than total liabilities. This luscious liquidity implies that China Railway Signal & Communication's balance sheet is sturdy like a giant sequoia tree. Having regard to this fact, we think its balance sheet is just as strong as misogynists are weak. Simply put, the fact that China Railway Signal & Communication has more cash than debt is arguably a good indication that it can manage its debt safely. Story continues The good news is that China Railway Signal & Communication has increased its EBIT by 7.1% over twelve months, which should ease any concerns about debt repayment. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine China Railway Signal & Communication's ability to maintain a healthy balance sheet going forward. So if you're focused on the future you can check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts. Finally, while the tax-man may adore accounting profits, lenders only accept cold hard cash. While China Railway Signal & Communication has net cash on its balance sheet, it's still worth taking a look at its ability to convert earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, to help us understand how quickly it is building (or eroding) that cash balance. During the last three years, China Railway Signal & Communication burned a lot of cash. While investors are no doubt expecting a reversal of that situation in due course, it clearly does mean its use of debt is more risky. Summing up While it is always sensible to investigate a company's debt, in this case China Railway Signal & Communication has CN19.0b in net cash and a decent-looking balance sheet. On top of that, it increased its EBIT by 7.1% in the last twelve months. So we are not troubled with China Railway Signal & Communication's debt use. When analysing debt levels, the balance sheet is the obvious place to start. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with China Railway Signal & Communication . If you're interested in investing in businesses that can grow profits without the burden of debt, then check out this free list of growing businesses that have net cash on the balance sheet. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. 09.02.2020 LISTEN The Superintendent Minister in charge Dunwell Methodist at Dekyemso in the Kumasi Metropolis, Very Rev Dr. Samuel Adubortey Nkatia has debunked the perception that politics is a dirty game that must be avoided by the righteous in society, arguing that God himself is a politician and therefore all morally upright, right-thinking persons must get involved in politics. According to Very Rev Dr. Nkatiah, politics must be engaged in by all righteous in society contrary to widespread notions that politics is reserved for the ruthless and corrupt. People tend to think that politics is dirty. And therefore if people who appear to be righteous and right in the eyes of society should not be involved. But I there say that politics is not dirty because God himself is a politician. In a sermon to mark this years Bible Society week at Calvary Temple Assemblies of God Church at Bantama on Sunday, February 9, 2020, which was on the theme: Bible and Politics, Very Rev Dr. Nkatiah called on the contenders of the December 7 elections to elucidate their developmental plans for the nation to enable the electorate to make well-informed decisions. "We must always be responsible in our discourse and we must be civil in the way we address each other so it does not matter is uncivil to me or who abuses me or who throws insult at me and I know he calls me the incompetent one but it does not really bother me I think I will continue to respond as courteously as possible, politics need not be dirty.." "Using thugs and secret cults members against opponent. Embarking on foul means to win election. Buying votes and scheming to rig elections and manipulating people and mismanaging the resources of the people is their way of politics. This is not of God. It is not godly. It is of the devil", Very Rev Dr. Nkatiah observed. Any Christian organization or movement devoid of evangelism is incomplete just as any Christian movement or organization without politics (caring for the affairs of men) is definitely incomplete. We are convinced that corruption in politics is a spiritual question, which can only be countered not by regimentation or legislation but by honesty and integrity. Honesty and integrity can only be the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We need to maintain a spiritual perspective on these secular issues of corruption and related vices the Dunwell Methodist priest noted. He said he is confident that Ghanaians would vote based on performance records of the various parties and how realistic their development proposals were for the nation. Very Rev Dr. Nkatiah advised political leaders to put the past behind him and strive to rule the country with love, justice and peace and rely solely on God who has chosen them to rule their subjects. Rely on God always and think of the welfare of the people. Monitor all the people you have appointed and charge them, to be honest, humble and faithful. Depend on God always and place your people first in all your deliberations. As an astute politician, you must know that politics is an honest service to the people. Bury corruption once and for all and where there are disunity and hatred, endeavour to replace it with unity and reconciliation, Very Rev Dr. Nkatiah told urged politicians. The annual African Union summit opened Sunday with leaders vowing that the AU would play a more prominent role in resolving conflicts proliferating across the continent. The theme of the two-day summit is "Silencing the Guns". The focus on conflicts marks a departure from years of debate centred on reforming the AU -- including its funding structure -- and the implementation of a continent-wide free trade area. In his opening remarks to assembled heads of state Sunday, AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat painted a bleak picture of the continent's security situation, citing "terrorism, intercommunal conflict and pre- and post-election crises". He also noted that while some progress has been made recently in Central African Republic and Sudan, long-running conflicts in places such as Libya and South Sudan have been joined by new crises from Cameroon to Mozambique. Faki stressed that it would take more than military action to address the "root causes" of African conflicts, namely poverty and social exclusion. He reiterated the AU's determination to find "African solutions to African problems". Yet his remarks came as multiple African leaders were acknowledging the AU's failure to achieve the goal adopted in 2013 of ending "all wars in Africa by 2020". -Libya and South Sudan- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is taking over from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as AU chair, announced that he planned to host two summits in May -- one focused on conflict resolution and the other on implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. "We will focus our efforts on conflict resolution across the African continent, especially those experiencing protracted conflict," he said. Ramaphosa has identified South Sudan and Libya as two conflicts he wants to prioritise. South Sudan's civil war began in 2013 and has left 380,000 people dead and millions more in dire poverty. President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar face a February 22 deadline to form a power-sharing government, but they have already missed two previous deadlines to settle their differences. On Saturday night, in an effort to jumpstart mediation efforts, Ramaphosa met separately with both of them. The pair then met face-to-face on Sunday, but they made no progress on the question of the number of regional states in South Sudan and their borders, a crucial stumbling block in negotiations, South Sudanese Information Minister Michael Makuei told AFP. On Libya, the AU has consistently complained about being sidelined during peace processes led primarily by the UN. At a summit in Congo-Brazzaville in late January, African leaders vowed to hold a reconciliation forum for Libya's warring parties. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres endorsed this initiative at a news conference at the AU on Saturday, saying he understood the AU's "frustration" at having "been put aside" when it comes to Libya. In a speech Sunday, Guterres said "a new framework of cooperation" between the AU and the UN had been established for Libya. -Financing- The AU will have to overcome internal disputes and insufficient financing for peacekeeping missions if it wants to become a major player in conflict resolution. In a report published Friday, the International Crisis Group think-tank said the AU should prioritise finalisation of an agreement that would see the UN finance 75 percent of peacekeeping missions backed by the UN Security Council. Guterres mentioned the agreement during his speech Sunday, saying African peacekeeping missions must have adequate and predictable financing. Ramaphosa said the AU's goal of "silencing the guns" underpinned his other ambitions for economic development and combating gender-based violence. Also on Sunday, the AU announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo would replace South Africa as AU chair in 2021. The two-daysummit has taken as its theme "Silencing the Guns", yet AU officials are well aware of their failure to achieve the goal adopted in 2013 of ending "all wars in Africa by 2020" James E. "Bookie" Turner was a colorful and controversial law enforcement officer and politician in Hamilton County from 1958-1975. He was one of eight children and was a student at Chattanooga Central High School. He was a Navy Veteran who served on the battleship USS Tennessee during World War II. His nickname Bookie allegedly came from his other siblings who claimed that, although he professed a love of reading, he also used that as an excuse to get out of family chores. Bookie was co-founder of Turner Funeral Home with two of his brothers. Eugene Turner became a colorful and also controversial politician in his own right. In 1940 Bookie was appointed Hamilton County coroner and claimed to the youngest person to hold that position in the United States. He defeated Republican V.W. Red Maddox in 1958 to become Sheriff of Hamilton County and served three two-year terms before being elected to the position of Fire and Police Commissioner for the City of Chattanooga in 1963. In 1971 he was defeated by former FBI agent Gene Roberts and lost his final race for mayor against Pat Rose in 1975. He was re-elected for another term in 1967 while under indictment in Federal Court at Chattanooga for allegedly taking bribes for allowing the entry of moonshine whiskey into Chattanooga. According to the government, he was paid 50 cents per gallon for each quantity being delivered into the municipality without fear of criminal prosecution. Turner was indicted for a conspiracy that included Gordon G. White, Sherill E. Penney, George G. Buddy Hendricks and 37 other unindicted (not charged) co-conspirators who were participants in the lucrative scheme. Bookie hired famed Watergate and successful Jimmy Hoffa prosecutor James F. Neal of Nashville. His co-counsel was the widely respected civil attorney John K. Morgan of Chattanooga. The government was represented by two Department of Justice prosecutors from Washington, D.C. and local United States Attorney J.H. Reddy. Because some of his three co-conspirators had lengthy criminal records and Turner had none his lawyers tried unsuccessfully to get a separate trial from them on the grounds of unfair prejudice. Bookie had refused to make any public statement but, on several occasions, claimed that he would tell his story when he took the stand. The trial took over three weeks and the government presented a barrage of participants in the moonshine industry including manufacturers, drivers, distributors and purchasers of the illegal product that was sold in good time houses and to private citizens and clubs. The government, relying upon Bookies repeated pronouncements that he would tell his story to the jury when he took the stand, made the fatal mistake of putting on just enough to overcome a Motion for Judgment of Acquittal at the end of the government proof to get the case to the jury and was saving all of its strong evidence to cross-examine Turner when he testified. Senior District Judge Robert L. Taylor from Knoxville recessed the court until the next day and instructed the defense to meet and decide what would be their order of proof of witnesses. The defendants and their lawyers met as ordered and what occurred has been substantiated by two independent sources. This history is not intended to be a criticism of Bookie Turners lawyers, James Neal and John Morgan. They had professionally attacked the governments case. An old-time lawyer (Crawford Bean) suggested the strategy that had the effect of the government being unable to further prove the case against Bookie by cross-examining him or by putting on what is known as rebuttal proof to contradict his testimony. Juries acquit defendants for two reasons: 1.) they believe the accused was not guilty; or 2.) the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt pursuant to the instruction given to the jury by the judge. According to sources in the room when the defendants and their lawyers met, Neal and Morgan asked each attorney if they were going to put their defendant on the witness stand. Crawford Bean, attorney for George G. Buddy Hendricks, replied that his client was not going to testify because he had a criminal record. Bean, after stating that his client was not going to testify, shocked the group by saying that Turner would be a fool to testify because the prosecution had produced very little evidence against him. Bean said that if Bookie took the witness stand, he would be devastated and convicted on the evidence they were holding back to use on his cross-examination. This statement produced a turmoil with Neal and Morgan stating that their client had to testify because of his previous claims to exonerate himself from the witness stand. After much discussion and attempted efforts by his lawyers to have him take the stand, Turner shocked the crowd and said, Im going with Crawford (Not to testify). Neal and Morgan, in order to protect themselves in the event Turner got convicted over their urging to testify, had Bookie write out a document that stated that they had advised him to testify and if he was convicted that he had not taken their advice. Said document has been lost in time. Turner was acquitted and his co-conspirators were convicted. The reader can reach his or her own conclusion as to whether Bookie would or would not have been found guilty if he had taken the stand to testify. Neal and Morgan remained great lawyers throughout their illustrious careers. But for one case an old timer like Crawford Bean better understood the thinking of the 12 jurors who decided James E. Bookie Turners fate. * * * By James Oliphant and David Morgan WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - President Donald Trumps impeachment trial faces a climactic vote on Friday, when senators are due to decide whether to call witnesses and prolong the historic proceeding or instead bring them to the swift conclusion that Trump wants. Senate Democrats have been arguing throughout the two-week trial that lawmakers need to hear from witnesses like John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser. But they do not appear to have enough support from Republicans who control the chamber. Republican Senator Lamar Alexander, who had been undecided, declared late on Thursday that further evidence in the case was unnecessary. Barring an unforeseen change of heart by another Republican senator, that would leave Democrats short of the 51 votes they need and allow Trump's allies to defeat the request for additional evidence and move towards a final vote that is all but certain to acquit the president. That final vote could take place late on Friday or on Saturday, congressional sources said. "The truth is staring us in the eyes," said Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, the lead House prosecutor, said on the Senate floor. "We know why they don't want John Bolton to testify. It's not that we don't really know what's happened here. They just don't want the American people to hear it in all of its ugly, graphic detail." The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump in December, formally accusing him of abusing his power for pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. The House also charged Trump with obstruction of Congress. Trump is only the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. A vote of two-thirds of the Senate is required to remove him from office and no Republicans have indicated they will vote to convict. Trump's Republican allies have tried to keep the trial on a fast track and minimize any damage to the president, who is running for re-election. Story continues Trump's acquittal would allow him to claim vindication just as the Democratic Party holds its first nominating contest for the Nov. 3 election in Iowa on Monday. He held a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday night and denounced the trial, calling it an effort by Democrats to overthrow his 2016 election victory. "They want to nullify your ballots, poison our democracy and overthrow the entire system of government, Trump said. SHOWDOWN On Friday, each side is expected to present closing arguments before the Senate votes on whether to call witnesses. Possible testimony from Bolton is of particular interest after a report - which he has not denied - that he planned to say in an upcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to freeze $391 million in U.S. military aid for Ukraine until it investigated Biden and his son, Hunter. If further witnesses and documents are permitted, Republicans have threatened to call either Joe or Hunter Biden and perhaps the whistleblower within the government whose complaint about Ukraine led the House to begin its investigation. If the vote on whether to allow witnesses is 50-50, Chief Justice John Roberts could step in to break the tie. But there is so little precedent for impeachment trials that Senate aides said there was no way to know exactly what would occur. If Roberts declines to break a tie, the deadlock would mean a defeat for Democrats. (Additional reporting by Richard Cowan in Washington and Jeff Mason in Des Moines, Iowa Writing by James Oliphant Editing by Andy Sullivan and Robert Birsel) California: Google Chrome has announced that it will now ensure that secure pages only download secure files by blocking mixed content downloads or non-HTTPS downloads, which start on secure pages. The move is to ensure that only secure content is downloaded through secure pages because Chrome currently does not give any indication to the user if their privacy is at stake. Eventually, Chrome plans to remove support for insecure downloads, the official blog notes. Starting with Chrome 81, Chrome will begin gradually addressing the issue in the form of warnings and blocking of mixed content downloads. By October, when it releases Chrome 86, it will block all mixed content downloads. Mobile platforms will have a delayed rollout by one release. Hitched: Matt Murphy (left) and Michael OSullivan after their civil wedding at the Registrars Office in Dublin. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin When long-time friends Matt Murphy and Michael O'Sullivan got married, they openly admitted they did it to avoid inheritance tax. Two years ago, their marriage resulted in a blaze of publicity as it appeared to many that they were two straight men involved in novel tax planning. Tragically, Matt passed away less than a month ago at the age of 84. Speaking in his first interview since his husband's death, Michael lifts the lid on their unconventional relationship, telling the Sunday Independent: "It was a real mixed marriage: I was straight and he was gay and I was Catholic and he was Protestant." By getting married a few days before Christmas in 2017, the couple sought to ensure that Michael would eventually inherit Matt's house without having to pay a 50,000 tax bill. Matt suffered from ill-health in recent years and Michael was his full-time carer in the months before their marriage. Their marriage came at a time when both were experiencing difficulties. Matt's failing health meant he might need nursing home care but he wanted to remain in his own house in Stoneybatter, Dublin, where he had lived alone since he bought it in 1982. Paying for full-time care in his own house could be very costly. Meanwhile, Michael, who has three adult children from two former relationships, was experiencing accommodation problems after a house where he was staying was put up for sale. He ended up sleeping in his car on the odd night and other times his friend Matt invited him to stay overnight at his home. Matt proposed that Michael become his full-time live-in carer and, in return, he would leave Michael his house in his will when he died. "I told him it was a brilliant idea but I would have to sell it because of inheritance tax," said Michael. One of Matt's old friends later suggested to Matt that marrying Michael would get around the inheritance tax problem. Matt laughed at the idea but later proposed it to Michael and he agreed. Michael became Matt's live-in carer in early 2017. Michael told this newspaper they did not feel that they were being brave in getting married as they intended to keep quiet about it. But when Matt phoned Liveline about the good treatment he received at the Mater Hospital, he told a researcher on the show: "Do you want a laugh? I'm getting married next week." He ended up telling Joe Duffy live on air that he was marrying his carer Michael O'Sullivan to avoid inheritance tax. When Michael later spoke to the show, he stated he was a straight man. Michael said an assumption that Matt was also a straight man seemed to emerge because Matt was not asked directly about his own sexuality in the Irish media. Few were aware that in a follow-up story in The New York Times, Matt disclosed that he was gay. He told the US newspaper that if two people can live together and help each other, it was the most important thing in life. While Michael may have gained thousands of euro in tax savings from their marriage pact, he said his relationship with Matt resulted in him losing some of his own friends. Michael said that while Matt had helped him financially in the past, some former friends had drawn mistaken conclusions that he was taking advantage of Matt financially. Their misgivings resulted in the HSE arranging for Matt to be psychologically examined to ensure he was of sound mind before the wedding and the tests proved he was, said Michael. "We had a really good relationship. We could talk about anything to each other, without filters," he said. Matt was born to a single mother in Ballinure, Co Tipperary in 1935 and he became a trainee butler in a local mansion at the age of 13. He moved to Dublin at the age of 33. Michael was born in 1959 and grew up in the family home in Benburb Street, the son of a Guinness worker. Matt and Michael began working for the Department of Posts and Telegraphs in the 1970s and they met and became friends in 1990 when they were both working in the computer section of the telephone service in Earlsfort Terrace. There was a 24-year age gap and Matt would say Michael was like a younger brother to him. Michael went on to have three children from two different relationships and, over the years, his friendship with Matt was rekindled a number of times. Michael said he would bring Matt along to meet his friends and "everyone fell in love with him" because he was "an utter gentleman". Matt appeared in a number of television commercials over the years. Michael played 1916 leader James Connolly in Pull Down A Horseman with fellow actor Declan Brennan which they performed widely, including a performance at Aras an Uachtarain. Michael is now a professional actor seeking work. Dublin photographer Donal Moloney was engaged in making a documentary movie about the couple since their marriage and he intends to release it later this year. Mr Moloney said: "There is no way Matt would have survived the last two years without Michael. They were perfect together. They never shut up talking." The marriage was "an Irish solution to an Irish problem", he said. Matt's health problems increased over time and his eye sight deteriorated further and there were early signs of dementia. Then, last month, he became very ill and he ended up on a trolley in the Mater Hospital for 48 hours. He was placed in an influenza ward and his condition weakened further. Michael said: "Years ago, the first song I ever heard Matt sing was Moonlight in Mayo. In the hospital, I sang the song quietly in his ear and I knew he heard me because he squeezed my hand." Matt died in the palliative care ward on January 14 at 4.17am. Michael recalled their wedding day when Matt sang Let The Rest Of The World Go By. At Matt's funeral, it was Michael's turn to sing Let The Rest Of The World Go By. The words of the song included the lyrics: 'With someone like you, a pal good and true, I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find a place that's known to God alone, just a spot we could call our own And let the rest of the world go by.' Motunrayo Rafiu, the law school student who was kidnapped along Kabba-Obajana road last Tuesday, has been released by her abductors. This paper reported how Ms Rafiu was kidnapped on her way to resume at the Abuja campus of the Nigerian Law School on Tuesday. However, Tribune newspaper reported that she was released alongside four others on Saturday. It was also gathered that they were released after some undisclosed amount of money was paid as ransom. The victims mother, Rafiu Kudirat, confirmed the release to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday evening. Although she refused to disclose if any ransom was paid, she had earlier made known her readiness to yield to the demand of five million naira by the abductors She told this reporter that she would have to give the abductors the money she raised for the girls tuition in Nigerian Law School. We dont have any option for now. She can go to the school later, she said on Friday. Mrs Rafiu also noted that she reported the kidnap at a police station in Ogun State but she was informed that the incident happened outside their jurisdiction. Police keep mum Mrs Rafiu stated that since Tuesday, no police officer has reached out to her over the case. When our correspondent reached out to the police spokesperson in Kogi State, Williams Aya, on Wednesday, he said he was not aware of the incident. Mr Aya requested for the details of the kidnap, which PREMIUM TIMES forwarded to him immediately. Meanwhile, follow-up calls and text messages sent by this correspondent were not responded to up till Saturday morning. Also, when the emergency room for the Kogi State police command was contacted on Thursday, the respondent expressed rude shock and promised to get across to the parents of the victim upon the receipt of the necessary information, which PREMIUM TIMES re-sent. Nothing was heard from the security operatives still. Festus Ogun, an activist and the Convener of Legal Minds for Good Governance Initiative (LMGGi), condemned the silence of police over the case. For now, all that can be said is that the leadership of the country has failed woefully in its constitutional duty to secure the people of Nigeria. By virtue of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Sadly, security, in particular, only exist in our illusion. It is a myth in Nigeria. The case of Motunrayo has put to bare the sad reality of the nations security and the disconnect between the people and the government. If ours was a serious leadership that jealously guard the interests of its citizens, the security agency should have taken a clear stance on the promising ladys abduction, Mr Ogun said. Ukrainian diplomats believe that the introduction of such procedures only exacerbates the ideological crisis within the organization and will encourage Russia and other violators to act aggressively in the international arena Open source The new complementary procedure of the Council of Europe for responding to violations of statutory obligations will leave Russia unpunished for aggression against Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its comment. "Ukraine is disappointed with the decision of the Council of Europe to introduce the so-called complementary procedure for responding to violations of the statutory obligations by the member countries, which negates the possibility of punishment for severe violations. The delegation of Ukraine voted against this decision," the Ukrainian foreign policy department noted. Ukrainian diplomats believe that the introduction of such procedures only exacerbates the ideological crisis within the Council of Europe and will increase the sense of impunity among Russia and other potential violators, encouraging them to even more aggressive actions on the international stage. Related: Ukraines delegation to continue its work in PACE amid approval of Russias authority Since the unconditional return of Russia to PACE in June 2019, the Russian side has repeatedly proved by its actions that it does not intend to change its illegal behavior, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized. We recall, on January 29, the PACE changed the procedure for imposing sanctions against countries that violate the principles and values of the Council of Europe. In particular, the Assembly supported the creation of an additional general procedure, according to which two statutory bodies of the Council of Europe - the Committee of Ministers and PACE - hold consultations in connection with serious violations of one of the member states of its statutory obligations. The main objective of the additional general procedure is to achieve the implementation of obligations and principles of the Council of Europe through constructive dialogue and cooperation in order to avoid sanctions. Beijing: The death toll in mainland China from coronavirus has risen to 813 in the latest figures as of , passing the 774 deaths recorded globally during the 2002-2003 pandemic of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Meanwhile an American has became the first confirmed non-Chinese victim of the new coronavirus. The 60-year old US citizen died on February 6 in Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus outbreak in the central Chinese province of Hubei, a US embassy spokesman said in Beijing. A Japanese man in his 60s and in hospital with pneumonia in Wuhan also died after suffering symptoms consistent with the virus, Japan's foreign ministry said. New Delhi, Feb 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders on Sunday expressed grief over the the death of RSS ideologue P. Parameswaran, who breathed his last at his friend's residence in Kerala's Palakkad district on Saturday midnight. He was one of the country's tallest Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders, ideologue, author and founder of Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram (BVK). He was 93. Taking to the Twitter PM Modi, wrote "Shri P Parameswaran was a proud and dedicated son of Bharat Mata. His was a life devoted to India's cultural awakening, spiritual regeneration and serving the poorest of the poor. Parameswaran Ji's thoughts were prolific and his writings were outstanding. He was indomitable!" Further sharing a picture he stated "An institution builder, Parameswaran Ji nurtured eminent institutions such as the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram, Vivekananda Kendra and others. I am fortunate to have interacted with him many times. He was a towering intellectual. Anguished by his demise. Om Shanti." Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted "Saddened to learn about the demise of senior Pracharak and Padma Vibhushan P. Parameswaran ji. He was a great social reformer and a true nationalist who devoted his entire life in the service of nation & humanity. His passing away is an irreparable loss to the society." Om Shanti."Minister of Tourism of Karnataka, C T Ravi, said "Deeply pained with the demise of Veteran @RSSorg Pracharak, Padma Vibhushan Sri P Parameswaran. An eminent Thinker, Sri Parameswaran was the founder of Bharatiya Vichara Kendram. My prayers for His Sadgati. I'm Shanti." "Sad demise of @RSSorg senior functionary P Parameswaran ji today. His deep commitment to society, scholarly contribution to explore our rich history,to motivate many through institutions he built, all with one overarching mission to make our country great. Condolences #OmShanti" tweeted Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Prabhu. FILE- in this Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, file photo, newly graduated Afghan National Army march during their graduation ceremony after a three month training program at the Afghan Military Academy in Kabul, Afghanistan, Afghanistan will need vast amounts of foreign funding to keep its government afloat through 2024, a U.S. agency said Thursday, even as foreign donors are increasingly angry over the cost of debilitating corruption and the U.S. seeks a peace deal with Taliban to withdraw its troops. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File) Associated Press Two US troops were killed and six other Americans were injured when an Afghan soldier opened fire on an Army base in Afghanistan on Saturday, according to The Wall Street Journal. The attack occurred in an area where US and Afghan forces are battling ISIS and Taliban fighters. The US has been in unsuccessful negotiation talks with Taliban leaders since last year, and the Trump administration has mulled over removing as many as 4,000 troops from Afghanistan. More than 2,400 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Two members of the US armed forces were killed and six other US military personnel were injured Saturday in Afghanistan when an Afghan soldier opened fire, both US and Afghan officials confirmed to The Wall Street Journal. Col. Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for the US command in Afghanistan seemed to at least partially confirm the reporting to the WSJ on Sunday, saying, "Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan army uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun." The deaths occurred in the Nangarhar province, an area where both US and Afghan forces are currently battling ISIS and Taliban fighters, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. American soldiers were able to shoot and kill the shooter after the Afghan soldier opened fire on the US soldiers at an Army base in Nangarhar's Sherzad district, Ajmal Omar, deputy chief of the Nangarhar provincial council, said per the WSJ. Another Nangarhar provincial council member told the WSJ that the shooting had occurred after a verbal disagreement, though US officials said the cause of the incident was still being investigated. The names of those killed and injured in the shooting have not been identified in accordance with US policy, the WSJ said. There are still about 13,000 troops still stationed in Afghanistan amid the Trump Administration's claims it wants to end the war that has gone on for nearly two decades. Peace talks between the US and Taliban, which began in December 2019, have not yet been fruitful, the Wall Street Journal reported. Story continues Also in December 2019, NBC News reported the Trump administration was planning to announce around 4,000 troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan, though an announcement hasn't been formally made as of February. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani said at a press conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 19 that the country was ready if the US announced a withdrawal of troops. "That's an internal US policy as far as Afghanistan is concerned we have factored this in and we are ready to be able to see the departure of 4,000 troops," Ghani said, according to a previous Business Insider report. More than 2,400 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001, the WSJ said. Read the original article on Business Insider We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. There is concern in Mountmellick, Laois for a repeat flood. The river Owenass has reportedly burst its banks upstream of the town, according to former Town Councillor Marc Connolly. He predicts that Mountmellick will get 'a lot of water' by afternoon today Sunday February 9. The town was flooded in November 2017 with 100 properties affected and the N80 closed. It is due for a multi million flood defence project that is still at planning stage. A Status Orange wind weather warning remains in place across Ireland. Read more here. UPDATE: A Laois Civil Defence is on site in Cloncannon to examine the level of flooding. Damien Dollard is Laois Civil Defence Commander, based today at the Election Count centre and ready to send a crew if needed to Mountmellick. "Cloncannon has burst its banks and it looks like the Bay Road may go. We are waiting to hear back from the crew. The bridge in Irishtown has quite a high level but it hasn't breached yet. It is being monitored," he said. "The Portarlington area was checked but there is no sign as yet, but it would take several hours after the rain hits the Slieve Blooms," Mr Dollard said. A British Airways plane has broken the record for the fastest passenger flight from New York to London because of winds from Storm Ciara. Dozens of domestic and international flights have been cancelled over the weekend after the storm brought with it gusts of up to 80mph. But prior to the Storm Ciaras arrival in the UK on Saturday a British Airways jet flew from New Yorks JFK airport to London Heathrow in a time of four hours and 56 minutes on Saturday evening according to Flight Radar. A British Airways 747 plane takes off at Heathrow Airport. (PA) Fastest across the Atlantic tonight from New York to London so far is #BA112 at 4hr56m. #VS4 in 4:57, and #VS46 in 4:59, the plane tracking website tweeted. If we're not mistaken, BA now retakes the fastest subsonic NY-London crossing from Norwegian. Fastest across the Atlantic tonight from New York to London so far is #BA112 at 4hr56m. #VS4 in 4:57, and #VS46 in 4:59. https://t.co/gfYoHGV3Y6https://t.co/kMhjCqdEtt If we're not mistaken, BA now retakes the fastest subsonic NY-London crossing from Norwegian. pic.twitter.com/Sr1GPeAjuh Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 9, 2020 Though impressive, the flight time was nowhere near rivalling transatlantic crossings made by Concorde when the supersonic aircraft was in service. The fastest Concorde flight from New York to London happened on February 7, 1996, when it crossed the pond in just shy of 2 hours 53 minutes, according to British Airways. It comes as weather warnings have been issued across the country for Sunday amid forecasts of very strong gusts from Storm Ciara and the risk of flooding. Story continues READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Heathrow Airport said it had agreed with its airline partners to consolidate Sundays flight schedule in a bid to minimise the number of cancelled flights. British Airways said in a statement: Like all airlines operating into and out of the UK tomorrow, we are expecting to be impacted by the adverse weather conditions across parts of the UK on Sunday. The airline said it was offering rebooking options for customers on domestic and European flights flying to and from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City on Sunday. Virgin Atlantic has posted a list of cancelled flights on its website. It said it was contacting affected customers and rearranging their travel arrangements. Forecasters have warned flying debris could lead to injuries or endanger lives. Officials also warned of possible damage to buildings and the chance of power cuts. The Met Office has an amber warning for wind in place for much of England and Wales from 8am until 9pm, while an amber warning for rain applies to parts of Scotland. Yellow weather warnings cover the whole UK with the heaviest rain expected over high ground, where 50-70mm is expected widely with as much as 100mm in a few locations. The Environment Agency has issued 22 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected and immediate action is required, and 149 alerts, indicating flooding is possible. Half of Bangladeshs population will leave that country if Indian citizenship was promised to them, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday. Speaking at Santh Ravidas jayanthi celebrations here, Reddy dared Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to prove in what way the Citizenship Amendment Act was against the 130 crore population of India. Half of Bangladesh will be empty (vacant) if India offers citizenship to them (Bangladeshis). Half of Bangladeshis will come over to India if citizenship is promised (to them). Who will take responsibility? KCR? or Rahul Gandhi?, he asked. They seek citizenship for infiltrators. The Government of India is ready to review the CAA if it has one word against anyone of the 130 crore citizens, but not for Pakistani or Bangladeshi Muslims, Reddy said. Noting that CAA was brought in on humanitarian grounds for certain persecuted communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, he said some political parties were demanding that citizenship be given to Muslims of those countries also. Taking a dig at TRS and its friendly party AIMIM, Reddy alleged that the former was indulging in vote bank politics. I am requesting the TRS party. I am requesting the Chief Minister (KCR). I am challenging the Chief Minister to prove if any one person out of 130 crore citizens of this country were affected by the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Union Minister of State for Home said. Asserting that refugees and infiltrators should not be treated alike, he claimed that parties such as Congress were seeking citizenship for infiltrators, who came from Bangladesh and Pakistan. According to him, some refugees have been staying in India for the past 40 years without any facilities and documents such as voter id, Aadhar or ration card. WFH for Private offices in Delhi, restaurants & bars to be shut as Omicron-led to sudden rise in Covid cases Coronavirus death toll in China touches 803, cases exceed 37,000 International oi-Vicky Nanjappa Beijing, Feb 09: The death toll in China's novel coronavirus outbreak has sharply risen to 803 with 86 new mortalities in a single day, mostly in the worst-affected Hubei province, while the total number of confirmed cases jumped to 37,000, Chinese health officials said. Eighty-six deaths were reported in mainland China with 3,399 fresh cases from 31 provincial-level regions, the country's National Health Commission said. Among the deaths, 81 are in Hubei province and its provincial capital Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, two in Heilongjiang, as well as one in Beijing, Henan and Gansu, the commission said. 'How coronavirus stays on hospital surfaces like door handles, call buttons etc decoded' By the end of Friday, 26 confirmed cases, including one death, have been reported in Hong Kong. Macao reported 10 cases, while Taiwan reported 16 cases, it said. A total of 4,214 new suspected cases were reported and 1,280 patients became seriously ill, and 510 people were discharged from hospital after recovery, according to the commission. It added that 6,101 patients remained in severe condition, and 27,657 people were suspected of being infected with the virus. As many as 2,050 people have been discharged from hospital after recovery. The commission said 3.45 lakh 'close contacts' have been traced, adding that among them, 26,702 were discharged from medical observation on Friday. Over 1.89 lakh others are still under medical observation. The death toll of the coronavirus cases overseas went up 220 with Japan reporting 86 followed by 33 in Singapore. Kerala has reported three cases while 647 evacuated Indians from Wuhan are going through quarantine in Manesar. Chinese scientists believe pangolins may have spread coronavirus Meanwhile, Wuhan began combing communities to ensure every confirmed or suspected patient is located and attended to as a senior official vowed to nail any official deserter "to history's pillar of shame." A conference on epidemic control on Thursday ordered the megacity with a population of over 11 million to make all-out efforts to locate patients confirmed or suspected to be infected with the virus, close contacts of confirmed cases, as well as patients with fever. Once identified, these people must be treated or placed in quarantine in a timely manner, the conference said, adding that "no family or individual shall be neglected," state-run Xinhua news agency reported. City officials said checkpoints are being set up outside every community and apartment building to measure residents' body temperatures, while community workers and volunteers are paying house-to-house visits to conduct checks. Fever patients found in the process will be escorted to community clinics, which will decide whether they should be quarantined at home or be sent to other isolation areas. Police will step in if a patient refuses to obey quarantine rules and all persuasion fails, officials said. Chinese health officials have sent more than 11,000 medics, including the country's best ICU staff, to the city of Wuhan. Among them, over 3,000 doctors and nurses are intensive care specialists, Guo Yanhong, an official with the National Health Commission, told media here. "We are fully aware of the urgent need for ICU professionals in Wuhan. The current medics have been working for quite a long time and are exhausted both physically and mentally," Guo said. Chinese doctor who first warned about coronavirus outbreak dies The World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday said the world was running out of masks and other protective equipment against the novel coronavirus. Pangolins could be responsible for the spread of the deadly coronavirus in China, scientists said on Friday after they found the genome sequence separated from the endangered mammals 99 percent identical to that from infected people. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 9, 2020, 8:27 [IST] Tech heaven: Drone academy students help map out Africa's future An instructor teaches students how to assemble a drone at the newly opened African Drone and Data Academy in Lilongwe By Eldson Chagara LILONGWE (Reuters) - For Ethiopian aeronautical engineer Lydia Elias, building and piloting a drone to support humanitarian and development projects on the continent of her birth has been a lifelong dream. Now, as a student at Africa's first drone academy, she is about to make it come true. The institute is in Malawi, and builds on the work of a pilot scheme launched in 2017 with support from U.N. children's fund UNICEF, in which drones have been used to deliver medical supplies, monitor crops and map cholera outbreaks. As drones become smaller, more reliable and more affordable, their role in such projects - on a continent prone to natural disasters and dotted with isolated communities - seems certain to increase. "Aeronautical engineers are very few in my country," said Elias, 23, as she set off to practice piloting a drone. "After learning I will try to teach my people. I have an aerospace club, so I will try to transfer this knowledge to (colleagues) in my country." She and 25 others from across Africa are the first batch of students at the academy, which opened outside the capital Lilongwe this month. They are learning how to make and fly drones, collect and analyze data over a 12-week course. Other students share Elias's excitement. "I have been able to create this drone,...which I made with my own hands," said Tanzanian Emmanuel Nasolwa, 26, beaming with joy as he showed off his work. "I feel like ...I am going to do more things from this course." The academy plans to train 150 students to build and pilot drones by 2021, UNICEF said. Financing from the Fund's partners has provided tuition to the first cohort of 26. It is expected that by 2022, the academy will run a tuition-free two-year master's degree program in drone technology. "This decade that has just started is going to be digital and to help young people ...learn about drones will be an incredible step forward, not only for Malawi but for many other African countries," said Rudolf Schwenk, UNICEF Malawi country representative. (Writing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; editing by John Stonestreet) A cannabis compound has been found to be potentially 30 times more powerful than THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the plant's main psychoactive constituent. A study, published in academic journal Scientific Reports, involved giving a fairly low dose of the newly unearthed compound, known as THCP (tetrahydrocannabiphorol), to lab mice. These mice responded less strongly to painful stimuli and also behaved like they had consumed THC, moving around leisurely. Italian scientists have not tested THCP on humans, so it is yet to be established if the new cannabinoid will get users high. But the researchers said THCP could be the reason why certain especially potent strains of the drug have a more powerful impact than can be explained simpy by the THC content. Where is cannabis legal in the US? Show all 11 1 /11 Where is cannabis legal in the US? Where is cannabis legal in the US? Alaska Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Alaska in 2014 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Washington Washington was among the first states to legalise cannabis in 2012 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Michigan Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Michigan in 2018 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Massachusetts Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Massachusetts in 2016 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Colorado Colorado was among the first states to legalise cannabis in 2012 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Vermont Since January 2018 it has been legal to posses up to one ounce and two cannabis plants in Vermont. Commercial sales are not legal Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? California Recreational cannabis use was made legal in California in 2018 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Illinois Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Illinois in 2019 Getty Images Where is cannabis legal in the US? Oregon It was made legal in Oregon to possess up to one ounce of cannabis in 2014 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Maine Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Maine in 2016 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Nevada Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Nevada in 2016 Getty Dr Cinzia Citti, the reports lead author, of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, said: In cannabis varieties where THC is present in very low concentrations, then we can think that the presence of another, more active cannabinoid can explain those effects. At the end of last year, Italys Supreme Court ruled growing small quantities of cannabis at home for private usage to be legal in a landmark verdict. The farming and selling of cannabis was barred under legislation which dates back to the 1990s, but contradictory court decisions since then have generated uncertainty around the law. Shops that sell low-strength legal weed - with only minute quantities of THC - are widespread in Italy. Cannabis resin typically contains CBD (cannabidiol) as well as THC. CBD may offset some of the damaging effects of THC, such as paranoia and memory impairment. New resin production techniques in Morocco and Europe have boosted levels of THC but not CBD. In Britain alone, THC levels in herbal cannabis remained roughly similar between 2006 and 2016, but police seizures indicate they have increased steeply in cannabis resin. Shanghai on Saturday rolled out 28 measures to cushion companies against the impact of the novel coronavirus epidemic, according to a press conference of the municipality. Supportive measures include strengthening fiscal support to enterprises that have contributed to the fight against the epidemic, reducing or exempting their rent and introducing tax incentives. Their employees will also enjoy lower rates of medical insurance payments. According to Ma Chunlei, head of the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, the new measures will be implemented on Saturday and will be extended for another three months after the end of the epidemic. Foreign companies will also benefit from the related supportive policies and be treated on the same footing as other types of enterprises, said Xu Wei, spokesperson for the Shanghai municipal government. "Shanghai is working to create a fair and just business environment to make sure that foreign investors and foreign-invested companies can share the same national treatment," said Xu. The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization has worked with the Shanghai Branch of the China Development Bank and the Bank of Shanghai to establish an emergency fund for manufacturers of emergency materials. It has raised 5 billion yuan (about 714.3 million U.S. dollars), said to Liu Ping, chief engineer of the commission. "So far, we have received fund applications worth a total of 7.45 billion yuan from 85 companies. Some of them have already received loans," Liu said. Shanghai will also provide subsidies to support technological projects and investments that will boost the production capacity of epidemic preventive materials such as masks and protective suit, said Liu. The city is also working to exempt charges for online office service for six months. A number of Chinese cities, including Beijing, Qingdao and Suzhou, have rolled out supportive measures to help businesses tide over the ongoing epidemic. The city of Beijing, for instance, has promised to enhance financial support for loans to firms that face temporary difficulties amid the coronavirus outbreak, vowing that the loans will not be suspended or withdrawn. It also extended the collection period of social insurance premiums to the end of July to allow companies in tourism, catering and other hard-hit industries to delay their payment. Actor Mahat Raghavendra recently tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend Prachi Mishra. The private ceremony of the Ex-Bigg Boss Tamil 2 contestant was attended by close family members and friends from the Kollywood film industry. The lovely couple shared their wedding pictures on social media whilst thanking all their fans and well-wishers. Mahat wrote, And FINALLY!!! MARRIED to @mishraprachi on 01/02/2020 There was just only LOVE around me through out! I was just in love with my wedding THE NEXT BEAUTIFUL CHAPTER OF MY LIFE! #excited THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WISHES & LOVE! (sic) The lovely couple first announced their engagement on April 17, 2019. This was followed by a beachside wedding which took place on February 1, 2020. For the uninitiated, Mahats wife Prachi Mishra is a former Miss India Earth pageant winner and is also an actress, model, and entrepreneur. Check out the lovely wedding pictures and posts here: Mahat also penned an emotional note dedicated to Prachi a day ahead of the wedding. He shared a collage of pictures and wrote, When someone asks me how it all began, I dont really know what to say. It just happened and it just felt so right. You came into my life and made everything a little better. We have been through it all-learnt from the bad days and celebrated the good ones. And most importantly, only grown to understand each other better with every bit of it. To think that we are just a day away from being married, I feel lucky and blessed to have come a long way. Ive enjoyed every day with you Prachi. And I am excited to see what the future holds for us. Even if we are lost in translation, I know well have a good time! Thank you. I love you. Thank you FOR BEING YOU @mishraprachi ALSO READ: Vishnu Unnikrishnan Ties The Knot With Aishwarya! ALSO READ: Kamya Panjabis Wedding Prep Begins; Actress Seeks Lord Ganesha's Blessings Ahead Of Engagement Two million proud Macedonians will be holding their collective breath overnight on February 9-10 as the makers of a honey-drenched tale of tradition clashing with modernity make Oscars history with their unprecedented dual nomination. The film Honeyland and its creators from North Macedonia have already won 30 international awards -- including three of the honors at last year's prestigious Sundance Film Festival in the United States. But no film had ever been nominated for best film in both the documentary feature and international feature categories until Honeyland emerged on this year's shortlists from the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The winners will be announced in Hollywood's most highly anticipated event, the Oscar ceremonies, broadcast from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on February 9. Filmmakers Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov reportedly were working on a conservation project when they met Hatidze Muratova, the unlikely Turkish-Macedonian traditional beekeeper at the center of the history-making documentary, in a remote region of their Balkan homeland. Twenty-five-year-old Kotevska told RFE/RL's Balkan Service that the environmental project, Honeyland, morphed into a powerful story of survival and nature. Honeyland producer Atanas Georgiev told AFP this week that Muratova was mobbed by adoring selfie hunters when she showed up for a dress fitting in North Macedonia's capital, Skopje, before leaving for Hollywood and the Oscars ceremony. "People love her. She has become a star," Georgiev said, according to AFP. "We have no option but to cope with it somehow." With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service and AFP Several Democratic candidates vying to be nominated for president are adamant about having a Medicare For All health system in the United States. A CEO of a large medical company in Iowa says a Medicare-for-all system could bankrupt his organization. CEO Gil Irey of Cedar Valley Medical Specialists in Waterloo told me he feels Medicare for all would bankrupt his system under Iowas current Medicare compensation levels. Iowa is always ranked third to fourth in quality of health care, but only ranked around 48th in amount of Medicare compensation. Irey said. Socialized medicine would be an absolute disaster both for patient care and Americas economy. For many procedures Medicare only pays around 10% of what the medical providers ask, forcing to raise prices for non-Medicare patients. Regular insurance companies then bear the brunt of making up the amount and pass on the costs in Americans health insurance premiums. A medical professional friend of mine attended a meeting and heard the CEO of MercyOne say theres a drastic difference around the country in what Medicare sets for their medical fees. In Iowa and other Midwest states medical providers may only get one-fourth or less of the medical reimbursement other states get from Medicare for the same procedure. The Medicare fee reimbursement ratios for different areas of the U.S. have not been changed for decades. So if the country would instantly go to a Medicare For All, there is a chance medical providers would face bankruptcy. There is also fear many medical clinics would economically need to use physicians assistants or nurse practitioners to see the bulk of patients rather than doctors in order to keep their doors open. To imagine what impact this might have, MercyOne is a connected system of health care facilities and services with more than 20,000 colleagues in 15 Iowa metropolitan areas. MercyOne is a joint operating agreement between two of the largest Roman Catholic, not-for-profit health organizations in the United States: Catholic Health Initiatives and Trinity Health. Catholic Health Initiatives operates 104 hospitals and hundreds of other health facilities. It works in 17 states from Pennsylvania to the Pacific Coast. Trinity Health serves people in 22 states from coast to coast. It has 93 hospitals and 120 continuing-care locations, including home care, hospice, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and senior living facilities. It provides nearly 2.5 million visits annually. It employs 97,000 full-time colleagues including 5,300 physicians. MercyOne, Catholic Health Initiatives and Trinity Health are united in service to the poor, underserved and the countrys aging population. Another large medical group, UnityPoint Health, is a network of hospitals, clinics and home care services in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. The organization grew to encompass 12 metropolitan areas and changed its name in 2013 to reflect the fact it was no longer exclusive to Iowa. UnityPoint has over 32,000 employees, including home care experts, and more than 1,100 doctors and specialists. So Democratic candidates who are insisting on a Medicare-for-all system may not be viable candidates for president considering the vast medical system we have in America. There are around 1.1 million doctors in the United States, 2.8 million registered nurses, 115,000 physician assistants, over 750,000 licensed practical nurses, plus millions of other medical related employees in the United States. In 2017, U.S. health care costs were $3.5 trillion. That makes health care one of the countrys largest industries. It equals 17.9% of the gross domestic product. Although most people agree health care costs are too high in America, there are also millions of American voters who profit from or work in the medical profession who could sway the election. At this point it is incredibly risky to run any candidate who wants to turn Americas medical system upside-down. Democrats should be careful if they want to defeat Donald Trump. Picking a Medicare-for-all candidate might certainly doom the election for Democrats! Steve Wikert is a Cedar Falls resident, Vietnam veteran and retired teacher. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Shinden Refuse Incineration Center that Japanese Company JFE engineering designs and operates at Niigata city, northeastern Japan, converts the energy generated by burning garbage into electricity. Normally, in the central control room, workers monitor the condition of combustion at all times. When the alarm sounds like advanced combustion, they stop supplying garbage and adjust the condition of combustion. "On this screen, a dust collector is a device that puts garbage into an incinerator. The grid is a device that sends garbage, and the two devices adjust the amount of garbage for incinerated," said Shirou Tabe of JFE Engineering. This plant is monitored by Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology without human power. The technology helps controls the amount of combustion for being efficient and stable 24 hours. "Auto-driving is a system that automates this work which employees currently operates and renders the central control room unmanned. It automates combustion stabilisation. At the waste disposal facility, various kinds of garbage are gathering, so the combustion condition is unstable. In order to achieve this, it is necessary for the driver to operate in order to stabilize. The system automatically operates, which reduces the number of employees," Tabe said. "This will allow the central control room to be operated unattended. The other one is the system, so there are no mistakes and operating under certain conditions without a break, so the combustion condition is more stable. In addition, the system is currently in operation in waste plants. We want to adapt it to the sewage treatment plant and biomass power plant, and we want to contribute this advanced technology to solve the environmental problems in Asia and countries of the world," Tabe added. Efficient and stable re-use of disparate waste in a way that reduces the workforce, is enabled by JFE's plant knowledge and AI technology. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) B BC One went off-air for more than seven minutes on Sunday morning due to a glitch caused by Storm Ciara. The channel began to lose signal just after 11am, dropping off completely within a minute, while it was broadcasting Nicky Campbell's The Big Questions. As the channel went down, it replaced moving images with smooth jazz music alongside a message which read: "We are sorry for the break in this programme and are trying to correct the fault." BBC One went off-air for more than seven minutes on Sunday morning due to interference by Storm Ciara. (BBC One ) / BBC One An announcer came on and said: "I'm sorry but due to technical problems we've lost contact with The Big Questions studio in Salford." She later added: "It seems that the stormy conditions up in Salford are causing us some problems. "We are working as hard as we can against the weather to get back to Big Questions and Nicky in Salford as quickly as we can." At 11.08am, the announcer said the channel had solved the issue and thanked viewers for "bearing with us", resulting in a failed attempt to return the broadcast to TV screens. "Unfortunately we're not able to go back to Big Questions in Salford, but please do bear with us one second, while we figure out what we're gonna do this morning," she said. Finally, at 11.10am footage returned to normal. Meanwhile, having supported a legal assault on the Affordable Care Act, the administration urged the Supreme Court to decline to review an appeals court decision invalidating the laws individual mandate a delay that would leave the laws fate conveniently uncertain until after the election, and the administration conveniently spared from facing the wrath of voters who, it turns out, like their Obamacare after all. Having raced to the high court numerous times with claims that emergency intervention was warranted, the administration now argues that immediate view would short-circuit the ordinary judicial process. Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the group of Orthopox viruses. The Orthopox viruses also include the Vaccinia , cowpox, and Variola or small pox viruses. The monkeypox virus was discovered at the State Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1958 in a colony of monkeys that had pox-type of infection. The first confirmed human monkeypox infection was reported in 1970 in Democratic Republic of Congo in a child of 9 months. The infection is common in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Central and West Africa and Sudan are places where this infection has been reported. The infection has once occurred in the United States, as well in 2003, when an outbreak of monkeypox was reported in humans. The infection was caused by pet prairie dogs which were kept together with a shipment of an infected rodent from Ghana. The characteristics of a monkeypox infection are similar to those of a varicella or smallpox infection. Monkeypox is known to spread via contact with infected animals or their bodily secretions, fluids, or lesions. The mortality rate is low and if death occurs, it is in the second week of infection. Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the group of Orthopox viruses. There are two strains of the virus, the West African and the Central African strains. The West African strain appears to cause less severe illness as compared to the Central African strain. There are diverse natural mammalian carriers of monkeypox. However, it has only been isolated once from a squirrel (Funisciurus) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Monkeypox spreads from infected animals or humans to other humans through respiratory excretions, saliva, contact with lesions, or crusts on the lesions. Transmission of infection could also possibly occur through the placenta from mother to the child or even through inoculation. The signs and symptoms of a monkeypox infection are very similar to those of smallpox. The incubation period of a monkeypox infection, that is, the time from the initial infection to the first appearance of symptoms, ranges from 7 to 28 days. The symptomatic stage consists of 2 phases: Invasion period: This is the phase of 1 to 4 days before the appearance of the rash. The patient suffers from symptoms like fever that ranges from 38.5C to 40.5C, back pain, headache, muscle pain, swelling of lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), headache, sore throat, and lack of energy. The one characteristic that distinguishes monkeypox from chickenpox or smallpox is the presence of lymphadenopathy. The skin eruption period: In the skin eruption stage, rashes occur predominantly on the face, on the soles, palms, and the rest of the body including the mucus membranes. The rash occurs in hundreds to thousands. It begins as small lesions that become blisters and eventually get filled with pus. Finally, crusts appear on these blisters. It takes 3 weeks for the entire rash to disappear. The patient is infectious in the first week of developing a rash. The rash can also cause some complications. Lesions in the eye can cause permanent vision loss and corneal scarring. Rash in the oral membrane can cause a lot of difficulties in drinking and swallowing. The skin becomes swollen, painful, and stiff. Encephalitis is also a rare complication associated with monkeypox. Patients vaccinated with smallpox showed a lower tendency of contracting monkeypox. To identify the monkeypox virus, a swab from the crust or the secretion of a lesion can be obtained without any effort. The samples can be stored in a cool, dark place in the absence of cold storage in resource-deprived areas. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy are technical ways to confirm the diagnosis. Quantitative PCR techniques have proved to be reliable in detecting the virus. However, these techniques are unavailable in rural areas in Africa, where the disease is present, and therefore are not of much use in diagnosing monkeypox. A new technique called the Tetracore Orthopox Biothreat Alert, offers a possibility of potentially cultivating and identifying the virus in culture plates. This will be useful in resource-deprived areas of infection since it does not require a great deal of expertise. Stringent temperature conditions are not required to perform the test. There is no drug to treat monkeypox virus infections in humans. Currently, there are 3 antiviral compounds that are being assessed to treat monkeypox: ST-246 prevents the release of the virus from the cell and is shown to be effective in controlling the infection of several Orthopox viruses. It has not been licensed to treat monkeypox infections but is partially used to treat other Orthopox virus infections. Cidofovir disrupts viral multiplication by inhibiting an enzyme involved in virus multiplication. However, the drug is toxic to the kidneys. It is provisionally allowed to treat other Orthopox virus infections. CMX-001 is a modified cidofovir compound that is not toxic to the kidneys. It has been shown to be effective in controlling the replication of different Orthopox viruses. It is still under development. Vaccinia virus vaccines, which were used for small pox, are also used as vaccination tools. However, the live virus is a cause for concern since complications may arise in some individuals with a compromised immune system. Inactivated vaccinia viruses are also used but are not as effective as some of the compounds mentioned above. It is recommended by the Center for Diseases and Control (CDC) in the United States to vaccinate a person in advance if it is known that they will be operating in a monkeypox-infection sensitive area. Following contact with an infected individual, it is recommended the vaccination be given within 4 to 14 days of exposure. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), public health messages, proper hygiene, appropriate caution should be exercised based on the situation. Public health messages should convey the information that one must wear protective gloves and other equipment when they come in contact with an infected animal or human. Individuals should always wash their hands thoroughly after touching infected animals or individuals. People should make sure that the meat is cooked thoroughly to avoid any contamination or infection. In 2003, there was an outbreak of monkeypox virus in United States of America due to a shipment of an infected rodent from Africa. Hence, it is necessary to prevent the shipment of small rodents and other mammals from affected regions that may be carriers of the disease. Infected animals need to be quarantined. Any animal that comes in contact with the infected animal should also be quarantined for 30 days. In healthcare environments, individuals should use proper protective gear before handling infected samples from the patient. It is suggested that a smallpox vaccination may shield the individual from monkeypox infection or he/she may have a very mild infection. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said on Sunday that opposing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not amount to opposing Hindus. Joshi, who was addressing the two-day conclave on Vishwaguru Bharat, an RSS perspective at Dona Paula in Goa, also referred to Hindutva as representing the soul of India, which, if removed, would only leave the country as a lifeless body. We should not consider opposition to BJP as opposition to Hindus. It is a political fight that will continue. That should not be linked with Hindus, he said responding to a question on why Hindus are becoming the enemy of their own community?. Asked if the RSS was communal, Joshi said it would depend on how one defines the term. Let them define the word communal. A community is about a group which worships only one God, has only one holy book. A Hindu can never be communal. If a situation arises, where we have to build one temple, we will cease to be Hindus, he said. Instead, he added, we should gather the habit of worshipping Mother India, irrespective of religious identities. If Hindutva is removed, only a piece of land will remain. Its Hindutva that makes this (country) a Hindu rashtra. People are saying that one day, it (India) will be a Hindu rashtra, I say we are already a Hindu rashtra, The Sangh is there to strengthen it everyday, he said, adding that Hindutva was a way of life. While speaking on the current political climate and ongoing nationwide protests against the amended citizenship law, proposed National Register of Citizens and National Population Register, Joshi said it wasnt enough if one stressed on the rights guaranteed in the constitution, but the responsibilities enlisted in the constitution were equally important. These days there is some sort of awakening towards reading of the constitution with citizens across the country being taught the book. This wont achieve the full result. Citizens also have responsibility the country will go ahead only if these two are followed together. A governments rights are made complete by the responsibilities shown by their citizens. On a question about the Sanghs views on equal opportunities for women, Joshi said the Sangh does not talk of equality of women but rather believes that each and every section of the society has a significant role to play. We do not talk of equality of women here. We believe everyone has a role, children have a role, youth have a role, Pratibhashali (the talented) have a role, and women have a role. The responsibility of being a mother is very huge and a father cannot fulfil that role. Bringing a generation is a huge task and only a woman centred family can build a good ideal, he replied. The Trump administration established the Space Force as a separate military branch in December 2019. Since then, America's Space Force has gotten its own official "Star Trek"-esque seal , with a logo being developed. Recently unveiled was a traditional camouflage uniform adorned with a blue "U.S. Space Force" nameplate on the chest and a full-color flag on the left arm. Furthermore, the first official "space guy" has been formally sworn in. Gen. John "Jay" Raymond is the Space Force's first chief of space operations and has said that the new branch will be a "technology-focused service." Related: What is the Space Force? Sparking all of this activity are the increasing space ambitions and capabilities of multiple countries, especially China and Russia, U.S. officials have said. The Space Force is designed to help protect the interests of the United States in space, deter aggression in the final frontier and conduct prompt and sustained space operations. As U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper noted last month, nations have been in space for many, many years. "It's just been recently that both China and Russia pushed us to the point where it now became a warfighting domain," Esper said during a Jan. 27 news conference. As a result, Esper said, the United States has established the Space Command and just recently, Space Force, "to make sure that we can preserve space as a global commons," he stressed. "It's important not just to our security, but to our commerce, our way of life, our understanding of the planet, weather, you name it. So it's very important that we we now treat it that way and make sure that we're prepared to defend ourselves and preserve space." What next for the Space Force? After being sworn in as the first Chief of Space Operations by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Gen. John Raymond addresses the audience in the Executive Eisenhower Office Building, Washington, D.C., on Jan. 14, 2020. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force Photo by Andy Morataya) Space.com asked a variety of experts in space policy about the practicalities, pathways and potential pitfalls ahead for the U.S. Space Force. "Congress took a seemingly flippant remark and created a rational implementation plan, a Space Force to support Space Command," said Joan Johnson-Freese, a professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, referring to a comment President Donald Trump made during a speech in March 2018. (Her views do not necessarily represent those of the Naval War College, the Department of Defense or the U.S. government.) Gen. John Raymond, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, signs the United States Space Command sign inside the Perimeter Acquisition Radar building on Jan. 10, 2020, at Cavalier Air Force Station, North Dakota. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody Howley) "Whether it will evolve into an organization that solves any of the problems that prompted it remains to be seen," Johnson-Freese told Space.com. "On the negative side, it certainly increases the perception that the U.S. is leading the way on the weaponization of space." Related: Military space: Spacecraft, weapons and tech Uniforms and patches Theresa Hitchens is the space and air reporter at the online magazine Breaking Defense and a former senior research associate at the University of Maryland's Center for International and Security Studies. Before that, she spent six years in Geneva as director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. Hitchens said there are two big questions at hand regarding the Space Force. The first is whether and how the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Air Force are going to implement the spirit and not just the letter of the congressional mandate in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act on space acquisition, which created a new position and moved the Space Development Agency to Space Force. Traditional camouflage uniform adorned with a blue "U.S. Space Force" nameplate. (Image credit: United States Space Force) Established in March of last year, the Space Development Agency is tasked, in part, with accelerating the fielding of new military space capabilities necessary to ensure U.S. technological and military advantages in space. "Right now, it looks like DoD wants to slow-roll those changes, perhaps in hopes of convincing Congress to cut them some slack," Hitchens said. The other question raised by Hitchens concerns whether Congress will allow or force other services to contribute personnel to the Space Force. "Or are we talking simply about a renaming of Air Force Space Command where nothing changes except the uniforms and patches, wasting taxpayer dollars?" Hitchens said. Bureaucratic reshuffling "At best, a space force is a distraction from what is necessary to ensure security in the face of rapid technological and geopolitical changes. At worst, it would prompt a space arms race that would threaten satellites, not protect them. Diplomacy, not bureaucratic reorganization, is urgently needed," said Laura Grego, a senior scientist in the Global Security Program of the Union of Concerned Scientists in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Grego told Space.com that she thinks it may be easy to dismiss the Space Force as a vanity project because of the name. "It still is mostly a bureaucratic reshuffling, without a big budget or increase in personnel. But it also organizes military space around deterring and responding to aggression," Grego said. "Using that framework, there is a bureaucratic incentive to hype the threat and then build weapons to counter that threat," she added. "There is no commensurate effort from the State Department to shape the space environment to be more stable and peaceful, which would certainly benefit both military and civil space users." Related: The most dangerous space weapons ever Adults in the room "The existence of a Space Force implies the potential use of force in space or from space. Creating one implies commitment to having the ability to use force in or from space. That is, to having space weapons," said Mark Gubrud, a physicist and adjunct professor in Peace, War and Defense at the University of North Carolina. Gubrud said that the rollout of the Space Force has been accompanied by all sorts of talk about the armed defense of future asteroid-mining operations, moon bases and sundry fantasies. "Some of this comes from officials, including the U.S. vice president," he said. "Even if the adults in the room understand this is mainly about satellites, everybody assumes that a Space Force is going to be an armed force. To suggest otherwise would get you laughed out of the room." Arms control President Donald Trump signs S.1790, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, on Dec. 20, 2019, at Joint Base Andrews. The act directed the establishment of the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of the armed forces. (Image credit: Airman 1st Class Spencer Slocum, 11th Wing Public Affairs) The United States has not sought space arms control since the administration of President Jimmy Carter, Gubrud said. In the meantime, the U.S., China and Russia have been drifting toward a space arms race , because even unarmed satellites participate in military surveillance, targeting, communications and other war-fighting functions. "The question is, will we continue this course toward destabilization and nuclear war ," Gubrud said, "or will we renew our pursuit of arms control, disarmament, and the vision of a world free from this terrible danger? "I call for renewed advocacy of space arms control: No war in space. No weapons in space. No weapons aimed at space. We need a global convention that says that," Gubrud concluded. Underlying factors The Secure World Foundation (SWF), a prominent group dedicated to the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space, has not taken any positions that are either for or against the Space Force. Instead, the SWF draws attention to the underlying factors in the Space Force debate as they pertain to the stability of the space environment and the safety and sustainability of space activities, on which the world is becoming increasingly reliant. According to Peter Martinez, executive director of the Colorado-based SWF, many of the discussions around the Space Force reinforce an image of space as a military domain and a potential arena of military conflict . "However, space is already a domain dominated by civilian and commercial actors," Martinez said, "so the new space race is really not so much a race among military rivals as it is a race among civilian commercial rivals to access an increasingly congested and contested domain, and we need to think about what this means for safety, security and stability in space, for all actors, both military and civilian." Counterspace developments (Image credit: United States Space Force Graphic) Martinez said that the Space Force developments have also been taking place against a backdrop of increasing proliferation of "counterspace" activities. These counterspace developments are sometimes described using rhetoric that exaggerates their importance, Martinez said, and leads to a narrative of the "inevitability" of armed conflict in outer space that could become a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy fueled by misperceptions, misunderstandings and mistrust. Furthermore, counterspace development also involves debris-producing anti-satellite tests and is "a cause for great concern to all users of space systems, and should be strongly discouraged," Martinez said. "There has been a lot of mixed messaging around the Space Force, partly because things are not internally decided within the U.S., and also because the proponents of various viewpoints have been quite forceful in expressing their views, leading to confusion among observers outside the U.S. as to what is actually happening," Martinez said. Rules of engagement The Space Force debate was initially about whether to establish the new branch at all, Martinez said. "Now that the decision has been taken to do so, the debate is more about what such a Space Force would look like," Martinez told Space.com. "To date, what we have seen is mostly a reorganization of already existing activities, with nothing fundamentally new or additional. It remains to be seen how this Space Force will develop in future and what its rules of engagement will be." "Of course, we would much prefer to see space preserved as a domain for peaceful use and exploration, for the benefit of all nations. Indeed, space is one of the few areas of human endeavor that brings us all together, and we should strive to preserve that characteristic," Martinez said. One possible positive outcome of discussions about the Space Force, Martinez continued, is that they could ultimately help to provide more clarity on U.S. intentions in space and lead to more consistent international messaging about America's position and views on military uses of outer space. "But this will only happen if these developments are complemented by diplomatic efforts to communicate these messages to the international community to avoid mistrust based on misperceptions and misunderstandings of U.S. intentions in outer space," Martinez concluded. You can learn more about the U.S. Space Force at the organization's official website . Leonard David is the author of the recently released book, " Moon Rush: The New Space Race ," published by National Geographic in May 2019. A longtime writer for Space.com, David has been reporting on the space industry for more than five decades. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook . [music] michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: President Trump has undertaken a campaign of retribution against those who crossed him during the impeachment inquiry and favors for those who have tried to protect him. Peter Baker on the post-acquittal presidency. Its Friday, February 14. archived recording [HORNS] Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States. michael barbaro Peter, I want to begin with retribution. How does that start? archived recording (donald trump) Well, thank you very much, everybody. Wow. peter baker The day after his acquittal in the Senate, the president gathers people in the East Room of the White House for an event. Its not quite a press conference. Its not quite a speech. Its really kind of a mix, a mix of a celebration of his acquittal but a venting session of his grievances. archived recording (donald trump) I want to start by thanking some of and I call them friends, because you develop friendships and relationships when youre in battle and war. peter baker And he wants to thank the people who stood behind him, names them in the audience. archived recording (donald trump) Mitch McConnell, I want to tell you, you did a fantastic job. [APPLAUSE] peter baker Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader who did more than anybody to secure his acquittal in the trial. And he mentions Jim Jordan archived recording (donald trump) When I first got to know Jim, I said, huh, he never wears a jacket. What the hells going on? Hes obviously very proud of his body. [LAUGHTER] peter baker and other members of the House, the Freedom Caucus, the conservative Republicans who always stood by him in the most aggressive and assertive and staunch way. And then, of course, he turns to his enemies. The people he blames for his ordeal, the people he thinks have treated him so unfairly, have plotted against him, been disloyal or what have you. And he names ones that you would expect, of course. archived recording (donald trump) Nancy Pelosi is a horrible person. peter baker Nancy Pelosi, he says shes a horrible person. archived recording (donald trump) A corrupt politician named Adam Schiff made up my statement to the Ukrainian president. He brought it out of thin air just made it up. They say hes a screenwriter, a failed screenwriter. peter baker He names, of course, Adam Schiff, the lead House prosecutor. archived recording (donald trump) And then you have some that used religion as a crutch. They never used it before. peter baker He names Mitt Romney, the Republican, the only Republican senator to vote for conviction. archived recording (donald trump) But, you know, its a failed presidential candidate, so things can happen when you fail so badly running for president. peter baker These two now, of course, are really at odds. And you see the visceral anger in the president in this moment. And he mentions Colonel Alexander Vindman, a member of his own staff, a detailee from the Pentagon working on Ukraine issues, and his twin brother Yevgeny Vindman, who also works at the N.S.C. staff. He says it almost in passing. archived recording (donald trump) Lieutenant Colonel Vindman and his twin brother, right? peter baker And he says it with such dripping disdain in his voice. Youd get the sense immediately, of course, that this is somebody whos really angry at the president, and hes got his attention. michael barbaro And remind us what puts Vindman in this list of enemies. peter baker Colonel Vindman was one of the members of the White House staff, the National Security Council staff who were subpoenaed by the House to testify in the impeachment inquiry. He didnt come forward voluntarily. He was required to by law to give his testimony to the committee. And during his testimony, he told about being on the famous July 25 call between the president and President Zelensky of Ukraine when the president asked him to investigate Joe Biden and the Democrats. And Colonel Vindman told the committee that he thought that was inappropriate, and he reported it to his superiors at the N.S.C. And for that, he has been on the target list of President Trump and his allies ever since. Painted as disloyal, painted as even treasonous to the country. His patriotism questioned even though hes a decorated veteran of the Iraq War, injured in battle, and really, a kind of a symbol to both sides of sort of where this fight has evolved. archived recording (donald trump) Our country is just respected again, and its an honor to be with the people in this room. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. peter baker And so he comes to the end of this sort of rambling, meandering talk that goes on for an hour and two minutes. And you get the sense that this is not the end and that theres more to come. archived recording Well, President Trump has begun his revenge in the wake of his impeachment trial. peter baker Colonel Vindman, the same witness he had just talked about so dismissively at the East Room event finds himself escorted out of the White House by security guards and told his services are no longer needed michael barbaro Wow. peter baker exiled back to the Pentagon from which he came. Not just him archived recording Escorted out of his job and off the White House grounds, as was his twin brother, who was also assigned to the N.S.C. peter baker His brother Yevgeny Vindman who didnt do anything, had nothing to do with the impeachment hearings at all, except to show up and sit behind his brother just as a matter of family support also dismissed from his post at the National Security Council, marched out at the same time by security and sent back to the Pentagon. archived recording Today, Vindmans lawyer issued a statement saying, quote, The truth has cost him his job, his career and his privacy. peter baker You can understand why a president might not want somebody on his staff who had testified an impeachment hearing against him. But it was handled in a way that was meant to maximize the public message, right? Ill tell you what I mean by that. The N.S.C. is currently undergoing a downsizing. And in fact, the plan was to move Colonel Vindman out as part of that, or at least to use that as the cover to to say, its not about reprisal. Its not about his role in impeachment. Its just part of this overall restructuring. And thats frankly how other presidents might have handled a situation like that. michael barbaro Come up with a rationale. peter baker Come up with a rationale, come up with a public face-saving kind of storyline, a narrative, at least, that even though people would see through it, would at least have the veneer of looking professional rather than vindictive. That was not what the president wanted. He made sure they did this separate from that reorganization. They did not explain it as part of that reorganization. And they did not deny when we called them that day that this was what it looked like, which was, of course, an act of retribution. michael barbaro OK, so what happens next? peter baker Well, we thought that was the story for the day, these two brothers being marched out of there. michael barbaro Right. peter baker And then we discover as the evening arrives that its not over. archived recording Now were getting word that the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, he is out as well. peter baker Gordon Sondland, you may remember him. He was the ambassador to the European Union, who had been deeply involved in the Ukraine pressure campaign, on the phone with the president and required to testify, became a key witness in the House hearings. He said that they were operating on the order of the president himself. He said that it was clearly a quid pro quo, and he said that everyone was in the loop. Suddenly, it turns out hes out as well. Now, as with Vindman, there was a way to do this that would have minimized the public kerfuffle. Gordon Sondland actually was ready to leave. He had told his superiors at the State Department that he was ready to step down on his own. And he got word that Friday you have to resign today, they told him. But he says, no. I dont want to resign on the same day that youre pushing out these Vindmans as if Im part of some sort of purge. michael barbaro Wow. peter baker If you want me today, youre going to have to fire me. And they called back and said, OK, youre fired. michael barbaro So at this point, its clear that this is a vindictive purge of anyone who did anything that put the president in a negative light during the impeachment process. And what is the reaction to that, that very clear and deliberate message from the president inside Washington? peter baker Certainly among Democrats, even among a few Republicans who say whats the message youre sending? If you respond to a subpoena, as ordered by the law, and you give your testimony, you shouldnt be punished for doing that. The presidents view is, why should I have people I cant trust working for me? Its my right as the president to have a staff that serves my interests that I believe is loyal. And hes made clear that loyalty is a number one when it comes to this president. Theres no other quality that matters more to him. michael barbaro And, Peter, as somebody whos covered many White Houses, is he right about that? Is it ultimately a presidential prerogative to decide if someone testified against you, that, you know, you no longer want them around, you dont want them in those jobs anymore, especially presidential appointments? peter baker Its a good question, right? Because it does feel like it would be untenable to have testified and provided damaging testimony against the president, and then come to work every day afterwards. You would think, in fact, you might not want to necessarily do that. But the question isnt whats the right place then for that person to work. The question is what the message the president is trying to send by what hes doing, right? michael barbaro Right. peter baker This president has made a point of making sure everybody knows these people are out, and theyre out because of him and because he will not tolerate disloyalty. michael barbaro OK, so that is the campaign of retribution so far, post acquittal, which brings us to the campaign of protection for the presidents allies. peter baker Right. Its not enough just to go after his perceived enemies. Now its time to do something to protect his friends. And for him, this is going to start with a colorful character and longtime friend and adviser named Roger Stone, whos about to go to prison. michael barbaro Well be right back. So, Peter, before we get to how the president is trying to protect Roger Stone, remind us who Roger Stone is. peter baker Roger Stone has been in American politics going back decades. He is somebody who calls himself a dirty trickster. archived recording (roger stone) Im certainly guilty of bluffing and posturing and punking the Democrats. Unless they pass some law against [BLEEP] and I missed it, Im engaging in tradecraft. Its politics. peter baker Hes a self-proclaimed fan of Richard Nixon. Even to this day, he has a Richard Nixon tattoo. michael barbaro Right. peter baker Hes somebody whos involved early on in some of the Reagan and Dole campaigns, but over the years kind of drifted off into the side, really kind of more of a fringe character, a conspiracy theorist, a provocateur. archived recording 1 In 1980, Stone began a lobbying firm with Paul Manafort that unapologetically catered to human rights abusers. archived recording 2 He has these maxims on how he conducts his political strategy. One of his rules is never turn down an opportunity to have sex or be on television. archived recording 3 Weve seen a lot of colorful characters in the world of political consulting, none more colorful than Roger Stone. And that is the most charitable adjective you can apply to the single weirdest man possibly in the history of political consulting. peter baker Hed been friends for years with Donald Trump. And like Roger Stone, Trump comes from the outside, right? He was not part of the Republican establishment. But suddenly, hes powering forward toward a presidential bid. And he brings with him people like Roger Stone, who had not been in the center of American politics now for years. michael barbaro Right. And my recollection is that its during that campaign that Roger Stone gets into very significant trouble. peter baker Right. He becomes wrapped up in the whole story about the Russian hacking of the Democratic emails. archived recording Hillary Clintons campaign dealing with more email problems. The email account of campaign chairman John Podesta was hacked and many of the emails released. peter baker Things he said gave the impression that he might have known about it in advance. michael barbaro Right. archived recording So were you surprised when John Podestas emails came out, as you seemed to predict ahead of time? archived recording (roger stone) I was interested, like the rest of the country. archived recording Were you surprised? archived recording (roger stone) No, I wouldnt say that I was surprised. peter baker And that puts him right in the heart of this. Is he a link between the Trump campaign and Russia through perhaps WikiLeaks, which is the cutout that the Russians used to get these emails out. And so, once the president wins and comes into office, his friend Roger Stone finds himself under investigation for what he knew and when he knew it. And then Congress jumps in. They call Stone to testify at the House Intelligence Committee. And this is where he really gets into trouble. archived recording (roger stone) We had a very frank exchange. I answered all of the questions. I made the case that the accusation that I knew about John Podestas email hack in advance was false, that I knew about the content and source of the WikiLeaks disclosures regarding Hillary Clinton was false. peter baker He starts telling things that are demonstrably not true. And he ultimately ends up getting charged with lying to Congress. He also tries to get an associate of his to not tell the truth, threatens him even, threatens to kill his dog. michael barbaro Whoa. peter baker And he was put on trial. And last fall Roger Stone was convicted of seven crimes, seven felonies, including lying to Congress and witness intimidation. michael barbaro And these are conditions on very serious charges of obstructing a congressional investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Thats right. I remember thinking when that happened, like, whoa. This is the big leagues for Roger Stone. peter baker Exactly. And the question is, why is he lying? Why is he obstructing? Is he trying to protect the president? This is how this all fits together, right? This goes back to the whole Russian interference. This goes back to the Mueller probe. This goes back to the things that have dominated this presidency for three years and frustrated this president for three years. So he sees Roger Stones conviction as an illegitimate shot at him, at himself, the president. A way of trying to take him down because they couldnt take him down any other way. michael barbaro OK. So Peter, how does the president try to protect Stone after this conviction? peter baker So even as hes in the middle of this campaign of retribution against the Vindman brothers and Gordon Sondland, he is increasingly aware that the sentencing for Roger Stone is coming up. And then, when Monday comes around and the prosecutors present their recommendation for a sentence to the court, the prosecutors ask for seven to nine years behind bars. Thats the normal sentence that would be required under the sentencing guidelines passed by Congress for crimes of the type that Roger Stone was convicted of. So they didnt go outside of those guidelines. They simply said we want to sentence him to what the guidelines say. That doesnt mean the judge would go along with it, but that was their recommendation. Well, that set the president off. archived recording The president expressed his outrage on Twitter, calling it a very unfair situation, adding, Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice! peter baker In the middle of the night, he starts sending out tweets, angry tweets. How can this happen? Nine years, this is outrageous. And theyre going after him. How come they dont go after my enemies but they go after him? And that just sort of sets the town ablaze. archived recording Controversy in the nations capital now over a sentencing recommendation for President Trumps longtime friend Roger Stone. peter baker Heres a president weighing in directly on a court case involving a friend of his. This is something that we have not seen really since Watergate. Presidents dont, especially publicly, weigh in on prosecutions of people that they are personally connected to, at least except in the venue of issuing pardons at some point, which they sometimes do. So this has shocked a lot of people. But what really shocked a lot of people in Washington was when they woke up a few hours later on Tuesday and they saw not only these tweets, but they saw that the attorney general of the United States, Bill Barr, had essentially overruled the career prosecutors. archived recording Breaking news involving President Trump. A stunning reversal in the sentencing recommendation for Trump confidant Roger Stone. peter baker And said, no, were not going to ask for a sentence this heavy. Were going to ask for something lighter. michael barbaro So not seven to nine years, something less. peter baker Not seven to nine years, something less. It doesnt specify what, but something below what the guidelines would normally call for. And so this is causing a huge furor in the U.S. attorneys office in Washington. archived recording What is going on? President Trump knows how to get away with stuff when were not watching. peter baker The four career prosecutors who worked on the Stone case, all four of them, quit. archived recording Were following some truly stunning, breaking news, still developing by the minute this hour. Federal prosecutors in the Roger Stone criminal case have resigned this afternoon. peter baker One after the other. One, two, three, four, just like that. archived recording This does not happen. Prosecutors dont resign just days before they go to sentencing after a case that theyve worked so hard on. peter baker One of them actually quits his job altogether, leaves the Justice Department as a whole. archived recording In protest. peter baker Well, they dont say it, but thats the obvious conclusion. Yes, theyre protesting the overruling of their recommendation. And I think that they felt like they had an ethical obligation. If they had told the court this is the sentence we think is appropriate, and then suddenly a day later the same department is coming and saying, no, we dont how is that tenable for them to continue on that case? michael barbaro And, Peter, given what has just happened the firing of Vindman, Sondland, Vindmans brother what is the reaction to this intervention? Not just the retribution, but this protection? peter baker Well, in effect, the Democrats are saying we told you so, right? archived recording (chuck schumer) No serious person believes President Trump has learned any lesson. He doesnt learn any lessons. He does just what he wants, what suits his ego at the moment. peter baker Senator Schumer, the Democratic leader in the upper chamber goes to the floor and gives a pretty passionate speech in which he says that the natural consequence of acquitting the president on the Ukraine matter means that he feels completely unleashed and empowered to do whatever he thinks is right for his own political interests. archived recording (chuck schumer) We are witnessing a crisis in the rule of law in America, unlike one we have ever seen before. Its a crisis of President Trumps making, but it was enabled and emboldened by every Senate Republican. peter baker Even amongst some Republicans, youre seeing you know some discomfort, particularly among moderate Republicans who tried to give the president the benefit of the doubt by standing with him in the impeachment trial. A couple of them had said even, well, maybe hell have learned a lesson from all of this and hell be more measured, hell be more restrained in the future and that that would be a good thing. Well, what youre hearing a lot of people saying is that doesnt seem to be the case. And I think that the question going forward is going to be, is it just a burst of energy and lashing out in the days after the acquittal, or is this the beginning of a months long recalibration of his administration? What is he going to do going forward? michael barbaro Right. Is this the post-aquittal presidency, one in which enemies are punished and allies are at all costs protected? peter baker Right, exactly. And that the instruments of government are to serve the presidents interests, not just the publics interests. michael barbaro Peter, what you have described here is what an old school political terms might be called a strategy of carrots and sticks, but on steroids, right? You protect those who have done right by you, and you punish those who have somehow wronged you. And in the case of the president, that steroided up strategy clearly worked when it came to impeachment. And we talked to you. We talked to many of our colleagues about the fact that there was genuine fear of crossing this president, and that that influenced how the Senate voted in the impeachment trial. So if this strategy is working and by all accounts, it is working why shouldnt the president keep it up? peter baker Well, its a great question. I think one of the things weve learned about the last three years is that the norms, the standards, the lines that we used to think of that constrained a president were more aspirational and conceptual than they were legal. You go look. You go back far enough, youre going to find plenty of presidents who punished their enemies and protected their friends. But in the post-Watergate period in particular, when we put in new guardrails, we put a new laws, we put in new systems, we thought that that had been minimized at the very least, right? That, yeah, youre going to probably give an appointment to somebody whos been good to you. And youre going to maybe take away a grant from the state of somebody who crossed you on a vote. These things happen. They happen under any presidency. This is that, as you put it, on steroids. And its overt. Its right out there in the open. He wants everybody to know what hes doing. He wants everybody to understand. You are loyal to this president or you should get out. And thats true of people in government. Thats true of people even in Congress. Hes made very clear that the Republican Party has no room for anybody who is not on his side. Youre either in his camp or youre not. michael barbaro And, of course, theres a larger context here, which is were in the middle of a presidential election. And I wonder how this behavior by the president fits into his re-election strategy. peter baker You say that all this fits into a broader approach by this presidential politics. Its not about unifying. Its about dividing. Its about us versus them. And this is what the appeal is to his constituents. It is: I am fighting for you. And they are trying to stop me. Its the deep state, its the Democrats, its the fake news media. Theyre all trying to stop me, and by extension, you. And thats why you should stick with me in this election this fall. So this idea that Washington is all alarmed by retributions and protections of friends because it violates norms doesnt hurt his appeal to many of his voters out there, because its part of this larger argument that hes making. And the larger argument is I am a force of disruption. I am a force that is shaking things up. And the reason why youre seeing things in the news that are bad about me is because theyre fighting back. And you should stay with me because its not just me. Its about you too. michael barbaro Peter, thank you. peter baker OK, thank you. michael barbaro On Thursday, in an interview with ABC News, Attorney General Bill Barr said that the presidents interference in cases like Roger Stones was making it all but impossible for him to run the Department of Justice. archived recording (william barr) To have public statements and tweets made about the department, about people in the department, our men and women here, about cases pending in the department and about judges before whom we have cases, make it impossible for me to do my job and to assure the courts and the prosecutors and the department that were doing our work with integrity. michael barbaro But Barr did not directly criticize the president, and confirmed in the interview that he had overruled prosecutors to recommend a more lenient sentence for Stone. Well be right back. Heres what else you need to know today. archived recording Are there any senators in the chamber wishing to change their vote? If not, the yeas are 55, the nays are 45. The joint resolution as amended is passed. michael barbaro SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A student has been suspended at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry after racist graffiti was found on two whiteboards at one of the colleges dormitories, according to a statement by the college. The student was also removed from the campus while the incident is investigated, SUNY-ESF interim president Dave Amberg said in a statement. The graffiti was posted to social media, Amberg said. The graffiti found at SUNY-ESF, which is located next to Syracuse University, was the first bias-related incident the school has reported since racist graffiti was found at SU in November. SU has reported 25 bias-related incidents since Nov. 7, according to The Daily Orange, the schools student newspaper. New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised SUNY-ESFs administration Saturday night for its quick response to the graffiti. These hateful messages are disgusting," Cuomo tweeted about the graffiti. As New Yorkers and as Americans, we must all condemn the sickening rise in hate happening in our country. We are better than this. The praise stands in contrast to his rebuke of Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syveruds handling of graffiti at SU. The university only reported the graffiti after a story published by The Daily Orange revealed the extent of the graffiti in an SU dorm room. At the time, Cuomo called for the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force and the state Division of Human Rights to investigate the graffiti. No arrests have been made in connection with racist graffiti at SU. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Good Morning America The Biden administration's plan to send 500 million at-home tests to Americans for free is an historic undertaking, but one that will take weeks or months to fully execute, recently released contracts and interviews with seven test manufacturers suggest. Contracts for the first two batches of tests were announced on Friday, one for 13.3 million kits from a health technology company and another for an undisclosed amount from a distribution company in Virginia that had extras on hand -- all to be distributed in an effort to reduce the massive testing shortage in the U.S. Tests won't be available to be ordered through a government website until later this month, the official said, meaning it's unlikely the average American will get free tests delivered in time for the January peak of omicron cases predicted by most models. Main opposition Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks to reporters in front of a vacant store in a shopping district in Seoul's Jongno District officially kicking off his election campaign, Sunday, two days after he declared his bid to run in the district in the April 15 general election. Yonhap By Jung Da-min Former Prime Ministers Lee Nak-yon and Hwang Kyo-ahn, rival candidates from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), respectively, are gearing up for their "big match" in Seoul's Jongno District, a key constituency in the April 15 general election. LKP leader Hwang kicked off his election campaign with a visit to the district, Sunday, two days after he declared his bid to run in Jongno to compete against Lee, the first prime minister of the Moon Jae-in government. He visited a shopping district where many buildings remain vacant due to high rents and a decreasing number of customers, as well as other places including his alma mater Sungkyunkwan University. "The Jongno I used to know was the center of the economy and politics, a vibrant and crowded district. But now all the old vitality has gone and stores are shut," Hwang said, blaming the Moon government's "poor" economic policies. Hwang, a former prosecutor and prime minister under the Park Geun-hye administration, also said the previous day on Facebook that his bid in Jongno was not to compete with other candidates but to fight against Moon, accusing the President of "destroying the country's economy and the people's livelihood." "I promised all of you that I would run in the most competitive constituency. It had to be where I could fight against the Moon government at the nearest distance at the fiercest level," Hwang wrote. During his campaign stops, Hwang welcomed the minor New Conservative Party's key member Yoo Seong-min's decision not to run in the upcoming election and for his party to join the LKP to form a conservative "big tent." "Conservative parties should unite to judge the Moon Jae-in government," Hwang told reporters in front of a vacant shop. The DPK's Lee also continued his election campaign stumping with a visit to the Sajik-dong Community Center and nearby areas. Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea holds a meeting with members of a community center in Seouls' Jongno District, Seoul, Saturday, to discuss regional issues of the constituency he is running for in the April 15 general election, in this photo provided by Lee's office. Yonhap Ambassador Sullivan examines ways of constructive interaction between the United States and the Russian government Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump wished relations between Moscow and Washington would become better. U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan has already received instructions from the President to work towards this goal, RBC reports. "President Donald Trump instructed Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan to do everything possible to improve relations between Moscow and Washington," the statement said. According to Sullivan, he repeatedly discussed ways of constructive interaction between the United States and the Russian government with his predecessor John Huntsman. The new American ambassador intends to continue his course. Sullivan noted that relations between the United States and Russia are at their lowest point in the last 30 years. The Senate approved John Sullivan as a U.S. ambassador to Russia in December 2019. On February 5, he presented his credentials to President Vladimir Putin. Related: Putin, Trump discuss counter-terrorism efforts in telephone conversation Earlier President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin once again invited U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Moscow in 2020, according to a Kremlin readout of Putin's New Year 2020 greetings to foreign leaders posted Monday. It was reported by CNN. "In a Christmas and New Year greeting message to President of the United States of America Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin noted that Russia and the US were historically responsible for ensuring global security and stability and that Moscow speaks in favor of normalizing bilateral relations and establishing an equal dialogue based on the mutual respect of interests," the statement said. Two American soldiers were killed, six were injured in the shooting in Afghanistan, Reuters reported. The incident occurred in Nanganhar province when Afghan and US troops were returning from the event, said US Air Force spokesman for Afghanistan, Colonel Sonny Leggett. "Current reports indicate an individual in an Afghan uniform opened fire on the combined U.S. and Afghan force with a machine gun," he said. "We are still collecting information and the cause or motive behind the attack is unknown at this time." * Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wants Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin to notify Washington about the intention of Manila to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Friday (February 7). * The Republic of Korea (RoK) President Moon Jae-in said Friday that as a close neighboring country of China, RoK stands ready to continue to actively support China in its effort to fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic. Moon made such remarks as he accepted the credentials from newly appointed Chinese ambassador to the RoK Xing Haiming at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae. * India will move 100 million tons of coastal cargo in the next five years through the coastal shipping route from the present 2 million tons, an official from the country's shipping ministry said on Friday. * A Russian delegation will visit Ankara on Saturday(February 8) to discuss the escalating tension in Syria's Idlib Province, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday. * Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a four-day state visit to India, officials said. Rajapaksa will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and will also call on President Ram Nath Kovind. This is the first visit of Rajapaksa abroad after he took office as prime minister of Sri Lanka in November last year. * Cyprus has struck a defense deal with France to the tune of EUR240 million, its Defence Ministry said on Friday. In a statement, the Defence Ministry said "contracts were signed related to upgrading specific weapons systems at an estimated cost of EUR240 million", adding that it is "part of upgrading the National Guard's military capabilities." * Greece is in a position to take the lead among European Union (EU) members in sustainable policies and investments, European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni said in Athens on Friday. * French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said European Union (EU) member states "cannot remain spectators" in face of growing global threats, calling on them to reinforce the bloc's strategic autonomy and defense budget. * As many as 25 people have died as a result of a gas tanker truck explosion in Peru's capital Lima two weeks ago, the Health Ministry said Thursday. The tragedy occurred on January 23 in the city's Villa el Salvador district, after a tanker truck hit a bump in the road, causing gas to leak, and sparking a fire and explosion that damaged or destroyed some 20 nearby homes. * Lebanese President Michel Aoun assured on Friday that he will not allow the security situation to get out of control, said a presidency statement. * Turkey has brought in new military gear to Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on Friday, a war monitor reported. A military convoy of 100 vehicles, including tanks and armored vehicles, as well as military radars, entered Idlib, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The opposition monitor group said it's the first time Turkey brings in radars to Idlib. * Iranian Ambassador to Ukraine Manouchehr Moradi said that Tehran might hand over the black boxes of a downed Ukrainian Boeing passenger plane to Ukraine or another country if the Islamic republic could not decipher them, Ukrinform reported on Friday. The diplomat made the remarks during a forum which was held at the Iranian Embassy in Kiev on February 7. For the four top-tier candidates running for Santa Clara Countys 15th state Senate District, every joint campaign event is Old Home Week. Democrats Nora Campos, Dave Cortese and Ann Ravel, along with independent Johnny Khamis, have decades of experience working with each other in local government. Now each one is trying to tell voters why theyre the best choice to replace termed-out Democrat Jim Beall. Thats not easy. As current or former members of the state Assembly, the county Board of Supervisors or the San Jose City Council, three of them have long worked together on local problems. And Ravel, the only one who has never held public office, was Santa Clara County counsel for 11 years, handling the legal side of many of those issues. There are plenty of ties, said Cortese, a county supervisor who spent eight years on the San Jose council. Ann Ravel was county counsel my first two years on the board, and we also had a lot of interaction when I was on the council, he said. Nora Campos and I served together on the council, and I worked with her when she was in the Assembly. Ive worked with Khamis on a lot of city and county issues, and we all run into each other at social and ceremonial events. Todd Trumbull Since only the top two finishers in the March 3 primary advance to the November election, the key now is showing voters where they disagree. Ravel is slamming Campos for the more than $750,000 in support shes receiving from an independent expenditure committee funded by the oil industry. Cortese is chiding Ravel for supposedly overstating her role as the attorney in high-profile lawsuits that were ordered by county supervisors. Khamis is the lone candidate to oppose both the state high-speed rail line that would run through the South Bay and a regional transportation tax. Its tough to focus on those disagreements when the candidates agree on most of the districts important issues. There are four of us who appear to be qualified, said Campos. But we need to be allowed to show our differences. Cortese is by far the leading fundraiser in the race, with $811,107 in the bank as of Jan. 18, the date of the most recent state campaign finance report. Thats more than three times as much as any of the others. There are three other candidates in the contest, Republicans Robert Howell and Kenneth Del Valle-Ruiz and independent Tim Gildersleeve. None of them apparently have raised the $25,000 that would require them to file a state financial report. The strongly Democratic district covers more than half of Santa Clara County and three-quarters of San Jose. It includes the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga. A brief look at the candidates: Nora Campos: Campos served in the Assembly from 2010 to 2016, experience that she says will enable her to hit the ground running in the state Senate. As a Latina, she believes she will bring the Silicon Valley diversity it has been missing in Sacramento. Ive been an effective member of the Legislature, she said. Ive been bold in how I make policy, and Im not afraid to talk on issues that are difficult. She says her 10 years on the San Jose City Council also gave her a feeling for whats important to South Bay residents. I listen to people, Campos said. We need to focus on housing, affordable housing, jobs and health care. If the workforce is spending two to four hours commuting to the Silicon Valley, what does that do to the quality of life? Campos supports a high-speed rail project, which she says will be a vital link between Silicon Valley and the central part of the state. She was also the author of a 2016 bill that allowed San Jose to experiment with tiny homes as a bridge to get homeless people into permanent shelter. Dave Cortese: Cortese, who has served as a county supervisor since 2008, is a familiar name on South Bay ballots. The son of a former state legislator, he spent eight years as a trustee of the East Side Union High School District and eight more years on the San Jose City Council. Its that depth and variety of experience that gives him an advantage in the race, Cortese said. This is an opportunity to continue to help people on a larger scale, he said. I want to go to Sacramento and work on issues like climate and homelessness. Make that continue to work on those issues. As a supervisor in Californias sixth-most-populous county and former vice mayor of the countrys 10th-largest city, Cortese has already had to deal with the same problems facing the entire state. I know about homelessness, he said. I know what it takes to get low-income housing built. Johnny Khamis: Khamis is no stranger to the struggles faced by immigrants in the Bay Area. Born in Beirut, he was 8 when his family fled the war in the Middle East in 1974 and moved to San Jose after being granted political asylum. A financial adviser who had his own consulting firm, Khamis was a Republican when he was first elected to the nonpartisan San Jose City Council in 2012. In 2018, he re-registered as no party preference. I changed because the conversation about immigrants was getting really ugly, he said. The independent tag is also better suited for a district thats likely out of reach for a Republican. Im a numbers guy, and the numbers speak for themselves, Khamis said. Khamis is running on the same platform of fiscal responsibility that he has used in his council races. I want to see where the money is going and how its spent, he said. I want to see results. Ann Ravel: Ravel is making her first run for public office, but shes spent her career working in government. After graduating from UC Berkeley law school in 1974, she went to work for the Santa Clara County counsels office, then headed it from 1998 to 2009, when she left to work on consumer litigation for the U.S. Justice Department. In 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown appointed her chair of the state Fair Political Practices Commission. In 2013, President Barack Obama named her to the Federal Election Commission, where she stayed until 2017. People have been encouraging me to run for office for a long time, but I never had the desire, Ravel said. But after seeing how hard it was to get anything done in Washington, I changed my mind. Its different in California, Ravel added. I came back to California and saw that you can actually accomplish something, she said. As a county counsel, Ravel worked mainly on civil matters. She filed the original lawsuit against companies that promoted the sale of dangerous lead paint, which can cause brain damage in children; joined a landmark lawsuit against tobacco companies; and took part in the successful legal effort to overturn 2008s Proposition 8, a short-lived ban on same-sex marriage in California. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth A 27-year-old speech and hearing- impaired man is likely to become the sarpanch of Dansari village panchayat in Madhya Pradesh. If this happens, he would be the first deaf and mute person to get elected to the post in the country, a social activist claimed on Sunday. Dansari village, having a population of nearly 1,000 and located about 40 km from Indore city, was recently given the status of gram panchayat, sub-divisional magistrate Pratul Sinha told PTI. The post of sarpanch in the newly-constituted Dansari panchayat has been reserved for candidates from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, after taking out draw of lots on the rotational method basis, he said. This reservation process has suddenly changed the fate of Lalu, the speech and hearing-impaired Scheduled Tribe resident of the village. While the gram panchayat polls schedule in the state has not yet been announced, residents of Dansari say it is almost certain that Lalu will get elected unopposed as sarpanch in the elections as he is the only voter from ST category in the village. Lalu, whose parents died when he was a child, has also made up his mind to take the poll plunge in his village. The 27-year-old man, a bachelor, has been living with a family in the village since last 20 years and doing farming. Social activist Gyanendra Purohit, who interacted with Lalu in sign language, said, "He is confident of himself and says he will file nomination papers for the post of sarpanch in the panchayat elections." Excited over the thought of becoming sarpanch, Lalu wants to work particularly for the welfare of farmers and also contribute to development by getting new roads constructed in his village, said Purohit, who has been working for the rights of deaf and mute people. "If Lalu becomes sarpanch after the panchayat polls, he will be the first speech and hearing-impaired candidate in the country to be elected to the post. His victory will make the voice of people from the deaf and mute community stronger in democracy," the activist said. The villagers are also running a campaign to make Lalu the sarpanch of their panchayat. Rahul Songara, a local youth associated with the campaign, said, "We want Lalu to be the sarpanch. He may not be very well-educated, but looking at his behaviour, we are confident that as sarpanch, he will work for the development of the village. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Trend Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission (CEC) has not received any official complaints regarding the parliamentary elections, Deputy Chairman of CEC Rovzat Gasimov said, Trend reports. Rovzat Gasimov said that about 50 calls were received on the CEC hotline. Basically, these were appeals of a technical nature, as well as related to the clarification of certain issues. The deputy chairman noted that at the moment, the election process is going normally. Gasimov added that despite adverse weather conditions, high voter turnout is observed and these elections will go down in the history of Azerbaijan as being held in a tense competition. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation are being held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent account for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operate in 125 constituencies of the country. There are 5,329,460 registered voters in the country, and 340,689 internally displaced people can vote in 573 polling stations. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers are monitoring the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 are representatives of political parties. International observers represent 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls are conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. To appreciate how badly Gov. Phil Murphy is failing the women who worked on his 2017 campaign and its aftermath, look at the contrast with last weeks trouble in Milwaukee, where Democrats will gather in July for their national convention. On Saturday, a group of senior women working on that project sent a letter to its board of directors saying that Adam Alonso, a transplant from New Jersey who was part of Murphys campaign team, was a tyrant who was making their lives miserable. Alonso has consistently bullied and intimidated staff members, but of note is that this is primarily directed at the women on staff, the letter said. To date, one of us has decided to leave the organization and several junior women have approached us, distraught and fearful, not knowing where else to turn. Maybe Alonso learned it in Murphy world, because thats exactly the kind of toxic workplace that women describe during the 2017 campaign, and afterwards. Whats different is the reaction. In Milwaukee, Alonso was fired three days after the letter arrived, along with Liz Gilbert, another Murphy veteran who was accused of enabling Alonsos bullying. An outside law firm was hired to conduct an independent investigation, and its results will be made public. In New Jersey, the boys rallied, and Murphy sided with them. Those who were accused kept their jobs, and even got promotions to senior positions in the administration. The campaign says it investigated complaints, but even today, they wont say how many, or reveal the conclusions. Several of the women who complained say they faced retaliation. So far, four women have gone public with their complaints, during the campaign and after. Katie Brennan says she was raped by a senior campaign staffer, then lied to by Murphys senior team when she was told the accused would be promptly fired. Julia Fahl, now the mayor of Lambertville, filed three complaints during the campaign, one charging that Joe Kelley, now a deputy chief of staff, threw a chair at a wall near her during an obscenity-laced temper tantrum. Allison Kopicki says when she complained about mistreatment of women, she was frozen out of meetings and eventually quit. And most recently, Julie Roginsky charged that Brendan Gill, the campaign manager, screamed the C-word at her, and that she told Murphy all about it, in writing and in person. Gill, who says Roginsky is lying, remains a senior advisor to Murphy. Roginsky was fired within a week of making her complaint. There are more women, though, still hiding in the shadows, fearing retaliation if they step forward. Over the last week, I spoke to three sources who say they witnessed or experienced mistreatment of women. One woman said a male campaign staffer ran his hand along her thigh during a meeting, and cracked, Oh, you shaved today. She describes a frat-boy culture, a lot of dick jokes, talking about going to strip clubs during meetings. She didnt complain, she said, because I knew I would suffer for it. She also says she spoke to Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy about it personally. I told Phil about the environment for women, about the lack of professionalism, about my concerns about the people he hired, she says. The governors press office didnt return repeated calls to discuss it. A second source witnessed a male campaign staffer threaten a woman staffer physically. He said, If you dont wipe that (fing) smirk off your face, Ill wipe it off for you. When the woman confronted the man, saying he was unhinged and disrespectful he responded, in the meeting, by saying Shut the (f) up. The accused man, whose name is withheld here since the accuser is anonymous, denies it. In the third case, a woman says she witnessed harassment of a younger woman, complained about it, and remains frustrated that nothing was done. She wont step up for fear of retaliation. I really want to help these women, but please, she says. For Murphy, all this presents an agonizing political dilemma, one that he is horribly mishandling. He wont sit for an interview on the topic, and his press office failed to respond to basic questions presented a full week ago. Its pathetic, but I can hardly blame them. What can they say? Murphy knows my first question would be this: Have you been lying to us, governor? To me, it seems that he clearly lied once, and probably lied twice. He claimed he never heard a complaint about sexual harassment or toxic workplace during the campaign. But he was copied on an email from Roginsky in July of 2017 complaining of rank misogyny and offering to provide names of several women with complaints. Murphy concedes he read that, and Roginsky claims she spoke to him personally about it a few days after sending it. So how is this one not a flat-out lie? Ive asked for an alternative theory. They neglected to provide one. The second is not quite as clear, but close. Murphy spent months saying that all women who worked on his campaign were free to discuss workplace issues, despite the gag orders he required many of them to sign. But thats not true either. Even as the governor was making this claim, his own campaign attorney, Paul Josephson, was warning Roginsky that the gag order was absolute and included any knowledge or information of any type whatsoever. Are we supposed to believe that Josephson hid this from Murphy? And that Murphy did not ask his own attorney about the reach of the gag orders before making his bogus claim, over and over? I suppose its possible. So is winning the lottery. As for Milwaukee, Alonsos lawyer, Lee Vartin, says the Host Committee acted rashly and hinted that he might file a lawsuit. The Host Committee fired Adam without ever interviewing him or giving him the chance to address the accusations against him," he says. "This media-driven rush to judgment was a denial of basic fairness. We are exploring all our options against the Host Committee and others. He reduced the allegations to a charge that Alonso used off-color language at work. It does seem wildly unfair to fire a person without first hearing his or her side of the story. Board members of the Host Committee didnt return phone calls, nor did the law firm conducting the investigation. As for Gill, he denies that the campaign work environment was toxic, and says that every complaint was investigated fairly. He notes that Roginsky never charged in writing that he used the C-word, and that a report on the incident from the campaigns attorney found he used a variant of the F-word, for which he apologized. And he notes that some of the complaints concern behavior in the transition and early stages of the administration, not on the campaign, for which he had authority. Everyone deserves to feel safe and welcomed at their place of work, he said in a written statement. We have always encouraged anyone with a complaint against the campaign to file a report and know that it will be fully investigated. I wonder if Murphy has a strategy to stop the bleeding on this issue. During the Katie Brennan hearings, political players on all sides were struck by how badly he handled it. For weeks, legislators tried to solve the mystery of who hired Al Alvarez, the man Brennan accused, as Murphys top aides all denied it was them. A sensible governor would have brought his staff together, banged the table until someone confessed, and then moved on. This is shaping up to be another slow bleed. Last week, Murphy said he was cutting ties with Alonso, who earned more than $100,000 last year from the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. Roginsky said later that doesnt go far enough, that Murphy needs to apologize to women like her, and cut ties with Gill and other men who she says created and enabled the toxic environment. She said Murphy is allowing this problem to infect the national party, as evidenced by the incident in Milwaukee. Murphy is also chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, where he has some control over staffing. By placing these men in national organizations, Gov. Murphy has ensured the scandal will go national, she says. Its unfair to the national Democratic party at a time when we should be focused on being the party of the #MeToo movement. I dont see Murphy following her advice. He refused to discuss it, and his press office didnt return phone calls for a full week, a sign they are still struggling with a response. I am afraid were in for another slow bleed. I hope Im wrong. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. After a high-decibel and bitter poll campaign, 61.7% of Delhis electors turned out to vote by 9 pm on Saturday in the assembly elections that will decide who will govern the city-state for the next five years. The polling percentage was 5.42 percentage points lower than in the 2015 assembly polls, when 67.12% of voters trooped out to vote. Three Muslim-dominated seats -- Seelampur, Mustafabad and Matia Mahal -- recorded the highest voter turnout in the elections in which the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is seeking to retain power in what is seen as a bipolar contest against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The highest turnout, until 9 pm, was recorded in Seelampur at 71.4% followed by Mustafabad at 70.56%; both seats are in northeast Delhi. Matia Mahal in old Delhi recorded a turnout of 70.33%. All three constituencies have lately witnessed protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, which proposes to fast-track the grant of Indian citizenship to so-called persecuted minorities from the Muslim-majority nations of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan such as Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis. According to officials, the turnout in the first hour of polling was just 4.33%, which grew to 16.36% at 11 am, 26.36% at 1 pm, 45.54% at 3 pm and 57.87% at 5 pm. Till 5 pm, the Northeast district had recorded he highest voter turnout at 63.4% while New Delhi district was the lowest at 44.29%. Poll officials said that the tentative lowest turnout till 9 pm was recorded at Delhi Cantonment, at 45.28%, followed by Chhatarpur at 46.51% and Ballimaran at 49.39%. Okhla witnessed a 58.83% voter turnout, which is lower than the 60.73% in the 2015 polls. On constituencies recording top turnout and one of the lowest -- Ballimaran -- being Muslim-dominated constituencies, Praveen Rai, political analyst with the Centre for Study of Developing Societies, said: Ballimaran and Okhla are constituencies in which the anti-CAA protests in Jama Masjid and Shaheen Bagh fall under. It is likely that many voters have boycotted the polls. In other Muslim constituencies, people voted in large numbers for betterment in civic conditions as well as in reaction to their anxieties concerning the citizenship law. In the 2015 assembly election, Gokalpur in northeast Delhi had recorded the highest turnout of 73.46% while Delhi Cantonment had polled the lowest votes at 58.49%. All assembly constituencies except Delhi Cantonment had polled above 60% votes in 2015 assembly elections. In 2015, the ruling AAP received a landslide verdict, winning 67 out of the 70 seats. The BJP won the remaining three and the Congress ended up with none. The AAP won 54% of the vote share in the polls which decreased in the civic body polls of 2017 and the Lok Sabha elections of 2019. The BJP polled 32% votes in the 2015 assembly polls which increased to 36% in the 2017 civic body elections. The saffron party won 56% votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2019, it had a lead in 65 of the 70 assembly constituencies. The Congress got just 10% of votes in 2015, 21% in 2017 and 23% in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Delhis chief electoral officer (CEO) Ranbir Singh said that Saturdays polling was smooth and peaceful, as the enforcement was better compared to the 2015 assembly polls. He said that there were nearly 14.79 million registered voters in Delhi across 70 assembly segments. Out of the total number of eligible voters, there were 8.1 million male voters and 6.6 million female voters. Besides this, there are 869 third-gender voters. Singh said that the number of electronic voting machines (EVMs) malfunctioning this time was just 0.29% as compared to 0.31% in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Voting began at 8 am in the city amid tight security on Saturday and continued past the scheduled close of 6 pm in some booths to accommodate voters who were still waiting in queues. Till 9 pm, polling was still on at least 146 booths. There were long queues till late evening; the overall turnout could be updated only once the voting concludes. All those who had entered the polling stations by 6 pm were allowed to cast their vote, said Singh. Election officials said that there were as many as 13,571 polling stations at 2,688 locations. Out of these, 3,141 were designated critical polling stations and 144 vulnerable polling stations. The highest number of voters was in the Matiala constituency with around 400,000 voters. Chandni Chowk is the constituency with the lowest number of voters at 100,000. There were around 200,000 voters above the age of 80, while 137 registered voters were above the age of 100, of whom 60 turned up to vote. Of the 2,429 people above the age of 80 years, who opted for postal ballots, 2,257 cast their votes. Besides, of the 488 persons with disabilities who opted for the facility, 429 exercised their franchise. The postal ballot, a facility hitherto restricted to the armed forces, was extended for the first time in Delhi elections to those above 80 years of age and the specially abled. Also, in the 11 constituencies with a total electorate of 1.8 million where QR code-enabled voter slips were issued for the first time in Delhi, more than 1.1 million exercised their franchise. The voter slips are scanned by mobile phones. This is the first time that a booth app was used by the polling parties in these constituencies. It helps in faster scanning of names in the voter list and hence expedites the voting process, said Kushal Pathak, director of information, Election Commission of India. To ensure peaceful and fair polling in all 70 constituencies, as many as 190 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed. Besides, 19,000 Home Guards and 42,000 Delhi Police personnel were also on duty. By Express News Service KOCHI: Time for integration has come and it is not because allopathic medicines fail in treatment but rather it is the demand of the people and patients worldwide, said Dr Michael Dixon, Chair-College of Medicine and Integrated Health, UK, and Visiting Professor, University of Westminster and University College London, while inaugurating the two-day International Conference on Integrative Oncology 2020 (ICIO 2020) at Le Meridien, here on Saturday. The conference is being organised by the Global Homeopathy Foundation (GHF). Dr Dixon called upon integration of various medical streams while combating diseases. He pointed out that anti-microbial resistance, over-prescription of opiates (drugs derived from opium) and over-prescription of conventional medicines have compounded the situation. Enormous issues persist back in United Kingdom (UK), National Health Services (NHS) England banned herbal and homoeopathic medicines while Royal College of General Practitioners asked general practitioners not to offer Homoeopathy and National Institute for Clinical Excellence changed guidelines on palliative care and back pain, said Dr Dixon. However, he said the good news is that at last AYUSH has arrived in UK with College of Medicine and Integrated Health taking the lead and it is also forming an Integrated Medical Alliance apart from organising a yoga conference. Integration of medical systems is of paramount importance in oncology for prevention, treatment, treating side-effects of conventional medicine and preventing recurrence, he said. Those who addressed the inaugural function included Dr Jayesh Sanghavi, vice- chairman GHF, Dr T K Harindranath, president, Indian Homoeopathic Medical Association, Dr Piyush Joshi, secretary general, Homoeopathic Medical Association of India, Dr Eswaradas, chairman, GHF, Dr Issac Mathai, Soukya Holistic Clinic, Dr Velavan, Radiation Oncologist, Erode Cancer Centre, Dr Sandeep Roy, chairman, organising committee ICIO 2020, Dr Madhavan Nambiar IAS (retd), Patron GHF and Dr Sreevals G Menon, Managing Trustee, GHF. Over a thousand delegates from 30 countries apart from India are attending the event. Around 25 key scientific papers are being presented at the summit. ICIO 2020 is held in association with Central Health & FW Ministry, AYUSH/TCAM Ministry, all AYUSH/TCAM research councils and the governments of Kerala and Maharashtra, and National AYUSH Mission. PRESENTATIONS Dr Vinu Krishnan, member, sub-committee on cancer, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, presented a paper on Analysis and observations of stage 3 and 4 lung cancers using homoeopathic interventions while Dr K M Madhu, superintendent, Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala Ayurvedic Hospital and Research Centre, Kochi, presented a paper Integrative oncology-an ayurvedic approach. Dr Bindu John Pulparambil, RMO, Government Homoeo Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, presented a paper on palliative care while Dr Ravi Doctor, associate professor with Virar Homoeopathic Medical College, Mumbai, dealt on clinical assessment of homoeopathy and its role in survival in third and fourth stage cancers. Dr Surendran Veeraiah of Cancer Institute (WIA) presented a paper on psychosocial care in oncology. The global market size of Hand Dryers Market is $XX million in 2020 with XX CAGR from 2015 to 2021, and it is expected to BEIJING Mainland China has reported another rise in cases of the new virus after a sharp decline the previous day, while the number of deaths grow by 97 to 908, with at least two more outside the country, passing the number of fatalities in the 2002-03 SARS epidemic. On Monday, Chinas health ministry said an additional 3,062 cases had been reported over the previous 24 hours, raising the Chinese mainlands total to 40,171. Earlier, France closed two schools after five British visitors contracted the virus at a ski resort. Malaysia, South Korea and Vietnam reported one new case each. Meanwhile, the mother of a physician who died last week in the hardest-hit city of Wuhan said she wants an explanation from authorities who reprimanded her son for warning about the virus. Mondays rise was a turnaround from a significant reduction in new cases reported Sunday, 2,656, down by about 20% from the 3,399 new cases reported in the previous 24-hour period. That had prompted optimism that the joint control mechanism of different regions and the strict prevention and control measures have worked, in the words of a spokesman for the National Health Commission, Mi Feng. The fatality toll passed the 774 people believed to have died of SARS, another viral outbreak that originated in China. The total of more than 40,400 confirmed cases of the new virus vastly exceeds the 8,098 sickened by SARS. Also Sunday, new cases were reported in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, the U.K. and Spain. More than 360 cases have been confirmed outside mainland China. Dramatic reductions in the pace of the diseases spread should begin this month if containment works, Dr. Ian Lipkin, director of Columbia Universitys Center for Infection and Immunity, said Sunday. He assisted the World Health Organization and Chinese authorities during the outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. Warmer weather will reduce the viruss ability to spread and bring people out of enclosed spaces where it is transmitted more easily, Lipkin said. However, he said, if new cases spike as people return to work after the Lunar New Year holiday, which was extended to reduce the risk of spreading the virus, then well know were in trouble. Japan reported six more cases among 3,700 passengers and crew aboard the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, bringing the number of infections on the vessel to 69. The new cases are an American passenger in her 70s and five crew members four Filipinos and a Ukrainian. The passengers and crew members of the cruise ship Dream World were released from quarantine after Hong Kong authorities said tests of the crew found no infections. The ship was isolated after eight mainland Chinese passengers were diagnosed with the disease last month. Meanwhile, Hong Kong began enforcing a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from mainland China. The territorys chief executive, Carrie Lam, has refused demands by some hospital workers and others to seal the border completely. The mother of a physician who died last week in Wuhan said in a video released Sunday she wants an explanation from authorities who reprimanded him for warning about the virus in December. The death of Li Wenliang, 34, prompted an outpouring of public anger at Wuhan officials. Some postings left on his microblog account said officials should face consequences for mistreating Li. My child was summoned by the Wuhan Police Bureau at midnight. He was asked to sign an admonishment notice, Lu Shuyun said in the video distributed by Pear Video, an online broadcast platform. We wont give up if they dont give us an explanation. The video shows flowers in her home with a note that says, Hero is immortal. Thank you. A 1,500-bed hospital built in two weeks in Wuhan, the city of 11 million people at the center of the outbreak, accepted its first patients on Saturday, the government announced. Another 1,000-bed hospital built in 10 days opened last week. Chinas leaders are trying to keep food flowing to crowded cities despite anti-disease controls and to quell fears of possible shortages and price spikes following panic buying after most access to Wuhan and nearby cities was cut off. Two more flights from Wuhan carrying American citizens, permanent residents and close relatives landed in the United States, the State Department said. A spokesman said more than 800 Americans have been evacuated from Wuhan. The WHO director-general said it will send experts to China starting Monday or Tuesday. Asked whether that will include members of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus replied, We hope so. Joe McDonald is an Associated Press writer. Three members of a family from Uttar Pradesh were killed and four others suffered injuries after their car overturned and fell into a gorge when a tyre burst in Rajasthan's Dholpur district, police said on Sunday. The car occupants were on the way to Kailadevi Mata temple in Rajasthan's Karauli district from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh when the incident took place near Kansoti Kheda bridge on NH-11(B) on Saturday. Three people were killed and four others were injured, Dholpur SP Mridul Kachawa said. The car fell into a gorge after overturning, he said. Dhawal Kumar (45), his mother Pushpa (60), and their relative Pari (12) were killed, police said. The bodies have been kept at a mortuary and the family members were informed about the incident, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Roy Freiman, Andrew Zwicker and Annette Quijano We would never expect a bank to release our financial information any more than we would want the government to distribute our social security number, or a doctor to share our medical records. So why are we so compromising when it comes to the privacy of our most sensitive personal information: our genetic data. Containing information as basic as your ethnicity to information comparably as intimate and unique as your fingerprint, genetic data can reveal a lot about who you are both on the surface and beneath it. With the rise of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, millions of Americans began opting-in to services offered by private companies like 23andMe and Ancestry.com with hopes of discovering more about their heritage, connecting with lost relatives or identifying increased risk for disease like Alzheimers and breast cancer. However, as they swabbed their mouth or spit in a tube and mailed in their DNA for analysis, few paused to consider the implications for their data privacy. As details of how your data could be used and where it could end up remained deep in the fine print of company policies, many remained unaware of what and how much they had consented to give away. A Deloitte survey from 2017 puts the number of Americans willing to consent to legal terms and service agreements without reading them at 91%. That fact, paired with limited industry transparency, has put a huge burden on consumers and made informed consent relatively elusive. Today, it is quite likely if you submitted your DNA sample for testing, your genetic data sit anonymized in a database owned by a pharmaceutical company, academic research group or some other third-party entity. In 2018, 23andMe struck a $300 million deal to share its genetic database with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, and the company maintains partnerships with Procter & Gamble Beauty, Pfizer and others. Ancestry.com similarly shared data, collaborating with Googles Calico to study aging. And, while in the aggregate this data presents enormous opportunity for new drug development and biomedical advancement you can never really be sure that your data wont be leveraged by bad actors for all the wrong reasons. As a number of studies have pointed out, anonymized data are not fool proof. With enough effort, a significantly large chunk of data can be traced to the originating individual and their relatives. Running crime scene evidence against DNA profiles publicly uploaded to GEDmatch, police solved the four decades old Golden State Killer cold case. Therefore demonstrating that, despite efforts by companies to detach identifying information, the promise of anonymity and privacy is difficult to guarantee. We are lacking a regulatory framework to address the privacy of genetic information. As strong federal policy in this specific area has yet to emerge, what has resulted is an industry that remains largely under-regulated and a public that is alarmingly uninformed. New Jersey cant wait. We need better safeguards for genetic privacy now. Thats why weve charted our own course, sponsoring legislation (A-1170) that not only requires consent to use DNA samples and any resulting genetic information, but also makes DNA samples the exclusive property of the individual. Stipulating ownership of genetic data is about securing New Jersey consumers right to choose. Empowered and informed decision-making can only arise when we are the ones in control of who can and cannot access or use our data. Under the measure, we assure the power always remains in the hands of the consumer. With this legislation, New Jersey would join 24 other states that require informed consent to disclose genetic information. The state also would become sixth after Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana in explicitly defining genetic information as personal property, and second only to Alaska in extending personal property rights to DNA samples. Protecting people and ensuring all industry competitors play by the same rules are fundamental strategies to securing greater genetic privacy for New Jersey residents. Laws requiring fair and responsible industry behavior are how we keep genetic data in the right hands - the individual to whom it belongs. Assemblyman Roy Freiman and Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker represent the 16th Legislative District, and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano represents the 20th Legislative District. Together they are sponsors of genetic data privacy legislation (A1170) introduced on January 14, 2020. The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox.Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. At a campaign event in Hampton, New Hampshire, on Sunday, presidential candidate Joe Biden jokingly referred to a young woman who asked him a question as a lying, dog-faced pony soldier, according to the Washington Post. Theres video of the incident, which began when 21-year-old student Madison Moore asked Biden to explain his poor showing in the Iowa caucuses: Biden tackles a mean question about electability after Iowa. pic.twitter.com/mhDaSHbXqU Cleve R. Wootson Jr. (@CleveWootson) February 9, 2020 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, Bidens spokespeople said the line was taken from a scene in a John Wayne movie in which a Native American chief refers to Wayne as a lying, dog-faced pony soldier. Biden has used the phrase, and attributed it to a John Wayne movie, in the past; at a 2018 campaign event for Heidi Heitkamp, Biden said the following about Heitkamps opponent Kevin Cramer: As my brother who loves to use lines from movies, from John Wayne movies, theres a line in a movie, a John Wayne movie where an Indian chief turns to John Wayne and says, This is a lying, dog-faced pony soldier. Theres video of that, too: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By far the most common question raised by Bidens use of the phrase in New Hampshire has been What the hell is Joe Biden thinking calling a young woman dog-faced? But running a close second is Is there really a movie in which someone calls John Wayne a lying, dog-faced pony soldier? The answer is a resounding maybe. Wayne appeared in 180 movies over 50 years, and who knows what they called him in all of them? But it seems at least as likely that Biden is thinking of a different film: Pony Soldier, a 1952 Western from director Joseph M. Newman starring Tyrone Power as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Pony Soldier, in the context of the film, is a Native American nickname for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and although no one calls Power a lying, dog-faced pony soldier, a chief does say, The pony soldier speaks with a tongue of the snake that rattles, which isnt far off: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is that the scenefiltered through Joe Bidens memory of his brothers memory of an old Westernthat inspired Joe Biden to call a young woman at one of his events a lying, dog-faced pony soldier nearly 70 years later? We may never know, but one thing is certain: For Democrats who want to nominate a presidential candidate with a vast library of half-remembered old Westerns floating around in their brains, theres only one choice. Advertisement Advertisement Update, Feb. 10, 2020, 3 a.m.: Twitter users and Slate commenter Lee Bertram point to a source for the dog-faced part of Bidens lying, dog-faced pony soldier line, this time in an actual John Wayne movie, 1949s She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. There are no Native American chiefs calling John Wayne a liar or a pony soldier, but over the final shot of cavalry, the narrator uses the phrase dog-faced soldiers: So here they are: the dog-faced soldiers, the regulars, the 50-cents-a-day professionals, riding the outposts of the nation. From Fort Reno to Fort Apache, from Sheridan to Stark, they were all the same: men in dirty-shirt blue, and only a cold page in the history books to mark their passing. But wherever they rode, and whatever they fought for, that place became the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Heres that final shot: So now we have one movie in which a Native American chief calls Tyrone Power a pony soldier while accusing him of lying, and another movie in which John Wayne is part of a group of dog-faced soldiers. Add to that the ubiquity of John Wayne imitations and we have a plausible explanation for the way the phrase lying, dog-faced pony soldier might have become part of Joe Biden and his brothers private lexicon. Whether it was a great idea to use the phrase at a campaign event, of course, is another question entirely. Some Brisbane residents have been urged to be ready to use sandbags and avoid parking on the street as continued heavy rain on Monday combines with higher-than-normal tides. Forecasters expect the wet weather to continue throughout the week, with the heaviest falls on Sunday night into Monday, heightening the risk of flooding in already sodden parts of south-east Queensland. The Bureau of Meteorology warned the high chance of storms and showers, combined with "wetted up" catchments following a weekend of torrential rainfall, would likely cause localised flooding and disrupt transport routes. About 10pm on Sunday, some of those storms were dumping heavy rain near Palmwoods, Mapleton and Maleny on the Sunshine Coast hinterland and expected to head south-east affecting the area around Landsborough and Beerwah. For weeks after the first reports of a mysterious new virus in Wuhan, millions of people poured out of the central Chinese city, cramming onto buses, trains and planes as the first wave of China's great Lunar New Year migration broke across the nation. Some carried with them the new virus that has since claimed over 8 00 lives and sickened more than 37,000 people. Officials finally began to seal the borders on January 23. But it was too late. Speaking to reporters a few days after the the city was put under quarantine, the mayor estimated that 5 million people had already left. Where did they go? An Associated Press analysis of domestic travel patterns using map location data from Chinese tech giant Baidu shows that in the two weeks before Wuhan's lockdown, nearly 70 per cent of trips out of the central Chinese city were within Hubei province. Baidu has a map app that is similar to Google Maps, which is blocked in China. Another 14 per cent of the trips went to the neighboring provinces of Henan, Hunan, Anhui and Jiangxi. Nearly 2 per cent slipped down to Guangdong province, the coastal manufacturing powerhouse across from Hong Kong, and the rest fanned out across China. The cities outside Hubei province that were top destinations for trips from Wuhan between January 10 and January 24 were Chongqing, a municipality next to Hubei province, Beijing and Shanghai. The travel patterns broadly track with the early spread of the virus. The majority of confirmed cases and deaths have occurred in China, within Hubei province, followed by high numbers of cases in central China, with pockets of infections in Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing as well. "It's definitely too late," said Jin Dong-Yan, a molecular virologist at Hong Kong University's School of Biomedical Sciences. Five million out. That's a big challenge. Many of them may not come back to Wuhan but hang around somewhere else. To control this outbreak, we have to deal with this. On one hand, we need to identify them. On the other hand, we need to address the issue of stigma and discrimination." He added that the initial spread of travellers to provinces in central China with large pools of migrant workers and relatively weaker health care systems "puts a big burden on the hospitals ... of these resource-limited provinces."Baidu gathers travel data based on more than 120 billion daily location requests from its map app and other apps that use Baidu's location services. Only data from users who agree to share their location is recorded and the company says data is masked to protect privacy. Baidu's publicly available data shows proportional travel, not absolute numbers of recorded trips, and does not include trips by people who don't use mobile phones or apps that rely on Baidu's popular location services. Public health officials and academics have been using this kind of mapping data for years to track the potential spread of disease. A group of researchers from Southampton University's WorldPop research group, which studies population dynamics, used 2013-2015 data from Baidu's location services and international flight itineraries to make a predictive global risk map for the likely spread of the virus from Wuhan. It's important to understand the population movements out of Wuhan before the city's lock down, said Lai Shengjie, a WorldPop researcher who used to work at China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "Maybe they hadn't developed symptoms but could transmit the virus. We need to look at destinations across China and the world and focus on the main destinations and try to prepare for disease control and prevention, he said. The last trains left Wuhan the morning of Jan. 23, cutting off a surge of outbound travel that had begun three days earlier, Baidu data shows. Nearby cities rushed to impose travel restrictions of their own. From January 23 to January 26, the 15 cities that Baidu data shows received the most travelers from Wuhan a combined 70 per cent all imposed some level of travel restrictions. Other nations soon followed suit, including the United States, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and the Philippines, all of which have sharply restricted entry for people coming from China. Others, like Italy and Indonesia, have barred flights. WorldPop researchers found that travel out of Wuhan has historically ramped up in the weeks before Lunar New Year's Day. Based on historical travel patterns, they identified 18 high-risk cities within China that received the most travellers from Wuhan during this period. They then used 2018 flight itineraries from the International Air Transport Association to map the global connectivity of those cities. They note that travel patterns after restrictions started rolling out on January 23 will not match historical norms and that the cities they identified are initial ports of landing; travelers could have subsequently moved elsewhere. The top 10 global destinations for travelers from high-risk Chinese cities around Lunar New Year, according to their analysis, were Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Australia. In Africa, Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya topped the list. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on CBS' "Face the Nation" that he spoke to Attorney General Bill Barr on Sunday and that the Department of Justice has "created a process" to receive and verify information that Rudy Giuliani gathered about the Bidens in Ukraine. Why it matters: The House impeached President Trump for allegedly abusing his power to coerce Ukraine to investigate his political rivals. Graham's suggestion that the Justice Department may now be receiving information on the Bidens from the president's lawyer whose activities in Ukraine helped set off the impeachment inquiry would be a significant development. Graham also said on "Face the Nation" that while he intends to look into potential conflicts of interest involving Joe and Hunter Biden's activities in Ukraine, he's "not going to be the Republican Christopher Steele" referring to the British operative whose dossier about the Trump campaign played a leading role in the 2016 Russia investigation. Graham said that any information coming from Ukraine could be Russian disinformation, which is why Giuliani should turn it over to the Justice Department for vetting. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The exchange: GRAHAM: "We're going to make sure Hunter Biden's conflict of interest is explored because this is legitimate. How could Joe Biden really fight corruption when his son's sitting on the Burisma board? MARGARET BRENNAN: "Can you clarify, you said you talked to Attorney General Barr this morning. Has the Department of Justice been ordered to investigate the Bidens?" GRAHAM: "No, the Department of Justice is receiving information coming out of the Ukraine from Rudy. He told me that they've created a process that Rudy could give information, and they would see if it's verified. Rudy Giuliani is a well-known man. He's a crime fighter. He's loyal to the president. He's a good lawyer." The big picture: Almost immediately after Trump's acquittal in his Senate impeachment trial last week, Republicans turned to investigating the unsubstantiated corruption allegations against the Bidens. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) last week announced a review of "potential conflicts of interest posed by the business activities of Hunter Biden and his associates during the Obama administration." Go deeper ... Fact check: What Joe and Hunter Biden actually did in Ukraine Meghan McCain is back to her antics on The View. The conservative co-host engaged in a fiery exchange with Whoopi Goldberg the day after the impeachment vote in the Senate. This is the first heated debate the hosts have since Abby Huntsman announced her exit at the beginning of January. Meghan McCain and Whoopi Goldberg | Paula Lobo/ABC via Getty Images The Hot Topics table was extra hot when the ladies discussed the vote in the Senate that acquitted Donald Trump and kept him in office for the remainder of his term. McCain was against Romney casting the only Republican vote against Trump in the impeachment trial. She feels that hes a flip-flopper and cannot be trusted. The political analyst doesnt think Romney suddenly woke up and found is conscious to go against his own party. Thats when Goldberg interjected to help explain why they were giving the Utah Senator props for his vote. I am just glad somebody stood up and said, no! Goldberg said while McCain tried to talk over her reminding her and Behar of the times they havent liked Romney. Senator John McCain is invoked The exchange escalated when Goldberg invoked John McCain, which made McCain jump and fire back at the shows moderator. Im going to give faith in him like I gave to your dad, Goldberg said reminding everyone how the late senator went against his party. With all due to respect Mitt Romney is nothing like my dad, McCain fired back as she sipped her drink. I am giving as much faith because I dont agree with Mitt Romney but he stood up in a way that nobody else has except for your dad, Goldberg explained. McCain warned Goldberg that Romney was going to break her heart if she put all her bets on him. Listen, I am 63 years old, Goldberg reminded McCain. I have been going through this with these people for years. Im 35 years old, McCain interjected. Yes, and youre half my age, Goldberg added. Thats very dismissive, McCain continued. I dont understand what my age has to do with my political perspective right now. Goldberg tried to explain to McCain the idea she was trying to convey but the latter continued interrupting her saying, I just dont think its very nice. What McCain didnt seem to understand was that Goldberg brought up her age to remind McCain shes been around the block for a while. If Romney disappointed her in the future, he wouldnt be the first politician to do so because shes been living for 63 years. Whoopi Goldberg persisted Nonetheless, the shows moderator kept her cool the whole time and once again tried to explain her point. Im not trying to be crappy. Im just saying to you, Goldberg tried to explain again before being cut off. Joy Behar tried to jump in and say something but Goldberg shut her down to explain her idea. This has nothing to do, personally, with you. This has to do with the fact that when you say to me, dont put all your eggs in a basket, thats dismissive to me. I know thats not how you meant it, Goldberg continued. McCain was trying to dig herself out of the hole and threw out that Behar hated Romney, which Goldberg contested she has never said that. I know we look alike, Goldberg jokingly said while pointing at Behar. McCain never seemed to understand what Goldberg said and it all ended because they had to cut to break. You can watch the entire exchange in the video below. The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET and 10 a.m. PT/CT on ABC. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said the state budget would be the biggest issue facing the Louisiana Legislature that begins in one month on March 9. A sharply divided Louisiana House and state Senate likely would focus on how state government funds education from expanding services for early childhood to more money for colleges, he said. Republican legislative leaders drew a line with Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards by refusing to go along with predictions that more money is available for spending next year. But in the end, who is against increasing accessibility to day care with an educational component? No, the sharp partisan lines will be drawn over tort reform and that donnybrook will happen early in the session. Louisiana Republicans want to enact new limits on lawsuits After an election season in which conservative Republicans made Louisiana's high car insurance rates a campaign issue, GOP lawmakers expect ef Even Senate Finance Committee Chairman Bodi White, R-Central, conceded that GOP members were far more interested in talking about tort reform at a Republican retreat last week. I look for a number of members to shoot that out of the cannon right off, White said. A cannon is an apt metaphor. Tort reform, that is, passing laws that restrict an individuals ability to sue businesses and insurance companies, has always been a vicious fight. This year fisticuffs will be more intense as Republican majorities in the House and Senate flex their muscles against a Democratic governor who has been backed by lawyers who represent victims. The strategy, several Republicans and lobbyists say confidentially, is to put a bill on Edwards desk early enough in the session that lawmakers dont have to reconvene to override a veto, should that be the governors choice. The Senate would need 26 votes to override and has 27 Republicans. The House would need 70 votes and has 68 Republicans. Overrides are rare. In 1991, the Legislature overrode then-Gov. Buddy Roemers veto of the nations most restrictive anti-abortion bill. And in 1993, the Legislature overrode a veto by then-Gov. Edwin W. Edwards that restored $3 million to the Attorney Generals budget. But thats it as far as legislative overrides go all the way back to 1921. (Before then, the records are incomplete.) Insurance companies have signed up 48 lobbyists for the upcoming session, according to the Board of Ethics disclosures. The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, the powerful Baton Rouge group that poured money in the campaigns of many of the winning legislators in last falls campaigns, as well as the Pelican Institute conservative think tank in New Orleans and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce advocate for tort reform. Plus, conservative bloggers and radio talk shows have been flogging the idea that the high prices for auto insurance is a result of greedy people and greedier lawyers. On the other side, a new group formed, called Real Reform Louisiana, and led by Eric Holl, the communications director for Edwards campaign, said last week: Tort reform wont lower car insurance rates, but it will make it easier for insurance companies and big corporations to avoid compensating legitimate victims of negligence. Of the 48 bills already filed for consideration, House Bill 9 is pretty much identical to an unsuccessful measure last year. House Bill 46 would expedite civil jury trials, which addresses one of the complaints by judges who say that lowering the jury threshold would slow resolution because criminal jury trials take precedence. Among the 27 pre-filed Senate bills is Senate Bill 12, which would allow juries to hear if the victim was wearing a seat belt. Four others seek to prohibit insurance companies from considering nondriving factors such as age and credit worthiness when setting rates. The main effort will be the legislation soon-to-be filed by state Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge. He argues that Louisianas first step toward lower auto insurance rates is to align the way trials seeking monetary damages are handled with what the rest of the country does. As a state representative last year, Talbots Omnibus Premium Reduction Act of 2019 cleared the House but was rejected in Senate Judiciary A committee on arguments that the changes wouldnt result in lower prices for auto insurance. The primary components of Talbots bill are: Decreasing the jury threshold from $50,000 to $5,000, which would send more trials to juries, rather than judges; extending the time to file a lawsuit from one year to two, which would give the parties more time to settle a dispute; eliminating the "collateral source" rule, which would limit what plaintiffs could collect from insurance companies for injuries; and requiring the defendant driver be sued by name instead of his insurer, who ultimately will pay. Now a state senator, Talbot said he is tweaking last years version. It will create a more competitive climate and strengthen the argument that the bill will lower rates, Talbot said last week. Hes hopeful that a veto override is unnecessary, pointing out how much support tort reform has. Clearly people want something done, Talbot said. When news broke out recently that 29 Nigerian words were added to the updated version of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), there was ... When news broke out recently that 29 Nigerian words were added to the updated version of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), there was palpable excitement across the country. However, little if any made effort to find out how the feat was achieved. The OED had taken to its Twitter page on Tuesday to appreciate Kingsley Ugwuanyi, a researcher in socio-linguistics at Northumbria University; and Kolatu Tubosun, a writer, and cultural activist both Nigerians for their valuable contributions to the recent addition of local words to the prominent dictionary. Short Im extremely pleased to be part of the project which saw the inclusion of 29 Nigerian English words in Oxford Dictionaries. Im all the more pleased with the reception, especially in Nigeria Nigerian English Words in Oxford Dictionaries: My Role as the ConsultantShort #thread Im extremely pleased to be part of the project which saw the inclusion of 29 Nigerian English words in Oxford Dictionaries. Im all the more pleased with the reception, especially in Nigeria January 26, 2020 We would like to thank our Nigerian consultants who have made valuable contributions to our recent addition of Nigerian English words to the OED: @KingsUgwuanyi and @kolatubosun January 28, 2020 But in a chat with TheCable Lifestyle, Ugwuanyi who teaches English at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu state talked about how the project came about and its significance to the country. How did the recent addition of 29 Nigerian English words to Oxford Dictionary come about? Thats a very broad question. The OED recognises that English is now a global language, so it compiles English words from around the world. On the Nigerian English project, I was officially contacted to join the project team as their Nigerian consultant in April 2018. Actually, as I said earlier, my first project with the OED was on their English-Igbo Dictionary, where I served as one of the translators for the Igbo language. While on this project, I met one of the Oxford editors who took interest in my research and linked me up with the World English(es) team at Oxford. OED uses an in-house corpus (a digital database of written and spoken samples of language) to record/track new words emerging from the English-speaking world. So they had already prepared a long list of potential words for inclusion for Nigerian English, generated from the corpus. I was sent this list for my input. Based on frequency of use, widespread use and other criteria, this set of 29 words were selected for initial inclusion. These words have been included in the OED because we have found sufficient evidence of their use in English for a reasonable amount of time. We worked on these words (their definitions, history, examples, pronunciations, and nuances) till late last year. What role did you play in achieving that? As I said, I provided the Nigerian context drawing from my training and research experience as a linguist. However, the Oxford editors provide(d) most of the lexicographical expertise. Although I just obtained a certification in lexicography, Im not really a lexicographer in the strict sense of it. Being a Nigerian-trained linguist researching Nigerian English was useful in providing context to how some of the words are used in Nigeria. I give you an instance. There was a lot of going back and forth between the editors and me about defining egusi. The first definition had something like a West African stew made with ground melon seeds. I told them no, egusi is not stew, its soup. I fully understand why the editors thought it was stew: the English soup is rather watery. So because egusi is usually thick, they thought it to be stew. The discussion dragged on until one of the editors had to order egusi soup from an African restaurant to see/taste it. That was the kind of role I provided. Short Im extremely pleased to be part of the project which saw the inclusion of 29 Nigerian English words in Oxford Dictionaries. Im all the more pleased with the reception, especially in Nigeria Nigerian English Words in Oxford Dictionaries: My Role as the ConsultantShort #thread Im extremely pleased to be part of the project which saw the inclusion of 29 Nigerian English words in Oxford Dictionaries. Im all the more pleased with the reception, especially in Nigeria January 26, 2020 What do you think is the significance of such to Nigerian languages and the country generally? I think this is really significant for Nigeria as a country and for indigenous Nigerian languages. First, I believe this has put Nigeria in the map of English-speaking world. It has further given credibility to Nigerian English. As a researcher and advocate of Nigerian English, Ive had to explain my heart out to people whenever I mention to them that Im studying Nigerian English. Granted, this is not going to be an automatic end to people asking doubting questions. But I think it will help. Also being that most of these words come from Nigerian languages (e.g., tokunbo, egusi, buka), it is also, in a sense, promoting the languages from where they come. Where do you see Nigerian English in the coming years on the global scene? The government has refused to reveal how many people have been deprived of their British citizenship in the past two years after dramatically increasing its use of controversial powers to prevent the return of Isis members. The number of people subjected to the measure rose by more than 600 per cent in 2017, despite an official review warning that it might be an ineffective and counter-productive weapon against terrorism. An official transparency report containing statistics on citizenship deprivations was due for release last summer but has not yet been published, and the Home Office refused to give The Independent updated figures. Officials would not give a reason for the delay, meaning that no new information has been released for 18 months. The situation is no clearer in Syrian prisons holding Isis members, where British inmates interviewed recently by The Independent said they had not been told whether they were still UK citizens. Timeline of the Isis caliphate Show all 19 1 /19 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Timeline of the Isis caliphate ISIS began as a group by the merging of extremist organisations ISI and al-Nusra in 2013. Following clashes, Syrian rebels captured the ISIS headquarters in Aleppo in January 2014 (pictured) AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi declared the creation of a caliphate in Mosul on 27 June 2014 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis conquered the Kurdish towns of Sinjar and Zumar in August 2014, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Pictured are a group of Yazidi Kurds who have fled Rex Timeline of the Isis caliphate On September 2 2014 Isis released a video depicting the beheading of US journalist Steven Sotloff. On September 13 they released another video showing the execution of British aid worker David Haines Timeline of the Isis caliphate The US launched its first airstrikes against Isis in Syria on 23 September 2014. Here Lt Gen William C Mayville Jnr speaks about the bombing campaign in the wake of the first strikes Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis militants sit atop a hill planted with their flag in the Syrian town of Kobani on 6 October 2014. They had been advancing on Kobani since mid-September and by now was in control of the citys entrance and exit points AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Residents of the border village of Alizar keep guard day and night as they wait in fear of mortar fire from Isis who have occupied the nearby city of Kobani Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Smoke rises following a US airstrike on Kobani, 28 October 2014 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate YPG fighters raise a flag as they reclaim Kobani on 26 January 2015 VOA Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis seized the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra on 20 May 2015. This image show the city from above days after its capture by Isis Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces are stationed on a hill above the town of Sinjar as smoke rises following US airstrikes on 12 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces enter Sinjar after seizing it from Isis control on 13 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi government forces make the victory sign as they retake the city of Fallujah from ISIS on 26 June 2016 Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi forces battle with Isis for the city of Mosul on 30 June 2017 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of the Iraqi federal police raise flags in Mosul on 8 July 2017. On the following day, Iraqi prime minister Haider Al Abadi declares victory over Isis in Mosul Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Female fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim Square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria in January 2019 They were among the last civilians to be living in the ISIS caliphate, by this time reduced to just two small villages in Syrias Deir ez-Zor Richard Hall/The Independent Timeline of the Isis caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate, on Saturday 26 January 2019 Richard Hall/The Independent Some asked journalists to request information from the government on their behalf, while others found out through media reports that they had been stripped of British nationality. Campaigners said the governments silence suggested that it has something to hide, amid legal challenges and allegations that it has broken international law by making people stateless. After teenage Isis supporter Shamima Begum who this week lost the first stage of a legal challenge against the decision to revoke her British citizenship was found in Syria last year, the then home secretary, Sajid Javid, said she was one of about 150 people to be deprived of their citizenship since 2010. However, that figure only includes the total until the end of 2017, which was published in July 2018 as part of the governments most recent Transparency Report on Disruptive and Investigatory Powers. The document showed that citizenship deprivations were used only a handful of times a year, until rocketing from 14 in 2016 to 104 in 2017. It said the home secretary can apply the measure if satisfied that such action is conducive to the public good or if the individual obtained their British citizenship by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of material fact. Deprivation is particularly important in helping prevent the return to the UK of certain dual-national British citizens involved in terrorism-related activity in Syria or Iraq. Critics have compared the power to exile and questioned both its legal basis and effectiveness. The Liberty campaign group said there was no evidence that increasing the use of citizenship deprivation makes the British public safer. The governments silence on this subject suggests it has something to hide, its advocacy director, Clare Collier, told The Independent. Shamima Begum's child could retain British citizenship, admits Sajid Javid Stripping people of their British citizenship is exile in all but name, and is one of many powers the government has expanded in the name of counterterrorism in recent years. This is despite the fact there is no evidence it keeps us safe. In fact, using mediaeval powers like exile in lieu of proper investigation and prosecution erodes the rule of law and makes us less safe. Ministers must reveal how many people have been stripped of British citizenship in the last two years. There is disquiet in governmental circles over the delay to the transparency report, which has not been explained to civil servants. It is one of several reports relating to security matters that have been written and submitted to the government but withheld from publication. The lengthy document contains information on the use of powers including Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (Tpims), deportations, asset freezing, covert surveillance and the interception of electronic communications. Jonathan Hall QC, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, said the report was also the only official source of data about Temporary Exclusion Orders. The media and the public should not have to wait until the publication of my own report, which is still outstanding, before seeing how frequently this important counter-terrorism power is used, he added. The total number of British jihadis remaining in Syria or Iraq is unknown. According to government figures, more than 900 people have travelled from the UK to join Isis and other jihadi groups in the countries since 2014. At least 20 per cent of them have been killed in the region and around 40 per cent have already returned. Pleas by the Syrian Defence Forces (SDF) for the UK to repatriate jihadi fighters have fallen on deaf ears, and the group has warned it will not be able to hold them indefinitely. A government-commissioned review warned in 2016 that removing extremists citizenship left them free to continue terrorist activity abroad, prevented monitoring and encouraged the dangerous delusion that terrorism can be made into a foreign problem. The power has been characterised as an ineffective and counter-productive weapon against terrorism, said a report by Lord Anderson, then Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation. It quoted research saying that the measure amounted to a policy of catch and release, setting up todays convicts as tomorrows foreign fighters and exporting them to places where they could not be monitored. Last year, the former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told The Independent that the British government might be creating the conditions for an Isis resurgence by leaving fighters in Syrian prisons. Well see Daesh 2.0, he warned, using another name for Isis. They will regroup to fight another day were already seeing it. The government has vowed to use any power available to prevent jihadis returning to the UK, and claimed that citizenship deprivation was used in order to protect Britain. A Home Office spokesperson said: Depriving a dual national of citizenship is just one way we can counter the terrorist threat posed by some of the most dangerous individuals and keep our country safe. Decisions are based on substantial advice from officials, lawyers and the intelligence agencies, and all available information. Varanasi, Feb 9 : Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa reached Varanasi on Sunday, where he will visit Kashi Vishwanath temple and Kalbhairav. He will also visit Sarnath where the remains of Lord Buddha are kept and pay tributes. "Rajapaksa will reach Sarnath, pay his obeisance at the Dhamekh Stupa, the sermon site of Tathagata. After that he will worship Lord Buddha at the Buddhist temple at Moolgandh Kuti Vihar and take blessings from the Buddhist monks. He will also visit the Sarnath Archaeological Museum," said K. Medhankar Thero, joint secretary of Mahabodhi Society of India. Posters symbolising strong ties between India and Sri Lanka have been put up on the major routes from where the convoy of Rajapaksa will pass. The posters read the welcome message for the Sri Lankan Prime Minister in Tamil and Sinhalese language. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple administration has been alerted regarding the visit of Rajapaksa. The entry of common devotees from the Chhatdwar was stopped after 10 a.m. Due to Maghi Purnima, huge number of devotees were there to pay obeisance. Tight security arrangements have been made. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister arrived on a visit to India on Friday. Police said they are still searching for the gunman, however, who was described as a male between the ages of 20 and 30 with a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans. (NYPD) 2 NYC Police Officers Shot in Separate Assassination Attempts, Officials Say Suspect arrested, NYPD confirms A New York Police Department officer was shot early on Feb. 9 in the 41st Precinct in the Bronx, just hours after another NYPD officer was shot in the face while sitting in his patrol vehicle in the same New York City borough. NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea confirmed that the second officer was shot before 8 a.m. at 41st Precinct headquarters. The officer is in stable condition at Lincoln Hospital, Shea said. The suspect in the second shooting is in custody, and Shea said they are confident that hes the same person who opened fire on two officers on Feb. 8. Our investigation is in its very early stages, he said at a Feb. 9 press conference. Moments later, Lieutenants Benevolent Association President Lou Turko said the suspect is a career criminal. Mayor Bill de Blasio described the shootings as assassination attempts and an attack on a democratic society. In the first, which occurred less than 12 hours earlier, a suspect fired at two officers who were sitting in a parked police vehicle. This was an attempt to assassinate police officers, de Blasio said in a Feb. 8 press conference. The suspect walked up to a police vehicle with the intention of killing police officers. The claim of an assassination attempt was echoed by Policemens Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch, who said it was an attempted assassination because they were in a marked van and wearing NYPD uniforms. Lynch called on de Blasio and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to recognize how dangerous the streets are in New York City and that they have to start working with us. WATCH LIVE as @NYPDShea and @nycmayor provide an update about tonights incident where an NYPD police officer was shot in the Bronx. https://t.co/bvQgIAr4bl NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 9, 2020 The injured officer is expected to make a full recovery, said Shea. Shea said two uniformed officers were sitting in an NYPD van in the Morrisania section of the Bronx after 10 p.m. local time on Feb. 8, when a man came up to them and began a conversation about directions. He then grabbed a firearm without provocation and started firing, hitting the driver in the face. The officers partner was able to help transport him to a nearby hospital. Multiple shots were fired by the perpetrator at close proximity into the van, he said. At least one, possibly two, shots struck the driver in the chin and the neck, narrowly missing a vital artery. The two were stationed in the area because there was violence, gunfire, and drug activity in recent days, according to Shea. They were there to protect the residents of that block, he said. The @nypd is asking for the publics assistance identifying the male depicted in these photos for questioning in regard to the shooting of a NYPD Police Officer in the area of Simpson Street and Barreto Street in the Bronx. pic.twitter.com/HeI5fOovfO Chief Rodney Harrison (@NYPDDetectives) February 9, 2020 Cuomo, in a statement, said that he was horrified by the multiple attacks on [NYPD] officers in the Bronx. N.Y.s law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. These attacks are heinous, he said. Those responsible will be brought to justice & held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Any residents who violate the order will not be allowed to return to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia on Thursday barred its citizens and residents of the kingdom from travelling to China amid the new virus outbreak. The Kingdom's General Directorate of Passports said the measure was in response to the new virus believed to have stemmed from central China. It warned that any residents of the Kingdom who violate this order will not be allowed to return to Saudi Arabia. It also said that regulatory provisions on travel documents would be applied to citizens who violate the travel ban, without further elaboration, according to a statement by the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA). On Sunday, Saudi Arabia's flagship national carrier, Saudia, joined other major airlines in suspending flights to China. Also on Sunday, 10 Saudi students were evacuated from the Chinese city Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and quarantined upon arrival to Riyadh for two weeks. Other nations, like the United States, have also taken drastic steps. The US is temporarily barring entry to foreign nationals, other than immediate family of US citizens and permanent residents, who have traveled in China within the last 14 days. The viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 28,200 people globally. China has had over 560 deaths and a death has also occurred in the Philippines. More than 50 million people are under virtual quarantine in Wuhan, where the outbreak began in December and where the vast majority of the deaths have been recorded. Throughout China, cities, towns and villages have enacted varying levels of restrictions and foreign countries have severely restricted travel to and from the country. The virus, believed to have originated in wild animals sold at a food market in Wuhan, is part of a family of coronaviruses, including MERS and SARS, and causes fever, cough and shortness of breath. It is particularly deadly among people over 60 and those with preexisting illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. It is usually estimated that in the Gulf of Guinea, 40% to 60% of the fish caught is caught illegally. The shortfall for countries in the region is colossal. IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing is a serious threat to fish stocks and the marine environment. It undermines fisheries management and deprives the populations of coastal states of sources of food and income. On the other hand, the abundant fishery resources in the area attract contenders from all over the world, ready to cross the oceans to fish off the coast of West Africa. Finally, increasingly close links are emerging between IUU fishing and maritime piracy. The former "feeds" the latter, and vice versa. At the African Union summit on maritime safety and security and development in Lome, Togo, in late 2016, thirty-one states adopted a charter to combat piracy and IUU fishing. Following a first level training course held in February 2019, ISMI continues to train fisheries inspectors during this level 2 course which will take place from 10 to 14 February 2020. Some twenty auditors - fisheries inspectors, naval officers, agents of fisheries administrations - from 12 countries of the Gulf of Guinea are expected to attend. This training is supported by the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire and the French Directorate for Security and Defence Cooperation (DCSD). The course will take place on the campus of the Regional Academy of Marine Science and Technology (ARSTM) in Yopougon, Abidjan. Washington: US President Donald Trump came to power with the promise that he would end endless wars, but his administration is now adopting weapons that have been banned by more than 160 countries of the world. Deadly weapons like cluster bombs and anti-personal land mines are being prepared for future use. These weapons are becoming an important part of the US Defense Department Pentagon's future war plans. However, no concrete justification has been given as to why it is to be used. Coronavirus: China bans wild life trade completely According to the information received, US Defense Minister Mark Asper supports such new policies related to weapons. This change can be noted from the time when Jim Mattis was the Defense Minister in the year 2017. It is being said that in a military strategy draft that came at that time, Russia and China were described as the main rival of America. They both have notable land forces and used landmines to stop enemy forces on the battlefield. Corona virus: An American died in Wuhan city, virus gets new name Policy changes as a result of extensive discussion: Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters on Monday that the policy was being changed as a result of extensive discussions with various defense branches. He refused to say on whose direction the policy was being changed. Former Defense Department officials said that during the analysis of the incident of Russia's attack and the separation of Crimea from Ukraine, the administration had debated land mines and other weapons that had been denied. In November 2017, Mattis canceled a 2008 memo. In this memo, the order to ban the use of almost all cluster weapons and destroy their stockpiles was ordered. These weapons were being prepared for the Third World War with the Soviet Union. Coronavirus: More than 34,800 people infected, US President said this about China Christians United for Israel to release documentary exposing rise of anti-Semitism Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Anti-Semitism is on the rise throughout the world and to combat increasing prejudice and persecution Christian United for Israel, the largest pro-Israel organization in the U.S., will be releasing an upcoming documentary, titled Never Again? Violent anti-Semitism is rising across the country, and people of conscience cannot sit idly by, CUFI founder and Chairman, pastor John Hagee, said in a statement shared with The Christian Post. Anti-Semites have used the fertile ground of ignorance to grow their malicious ideology. If we are to stem the tide, we must inoculate the next generation against the worlds oldest hatred by empowering them with knowledge and reaching them with a message of unity, he added. If we are to fulfill the promise of Never Again, we cannot allow the memory of the Holocaust to fade. CUFI released a trailer for the feature-length film just days after Holocaust Remembrance Day when 200 survivors gathered at the Auschwitz Nazi extermination camp to honor and remember their loved ones who perished there from illness and starvation or execution. That same week, the Pew Research Center released a survey that found 45 percent of Americans surveyed were unaware that 6 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. Anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish problem, its everyones problem," Hagee told The Christian Post. "And as Christians, we are mandated by God to stand beside our Jewish brothers and sisters and confront this abomination. Anti-Semitism is evil, and as Christians, we are commanded to fight for good. Anti-Semitism is the personification of darkness and as Christians, we must shine the light. This film brings to Christians a never before seen understanding of anti-Semitism and explains what we as believers can and must do to rid our society of the worlds oldest hatred. Never Again? will feature commentary from a Holocaust survivor and a former radical Islamist. Producer Rick Eldridge, CEO of ReelWorks Studios, said viewers will learn about the history of anti-Semitism and come to understand why all of us, regardless of faith or political persuasion, have a responsibility to keep the promise of 'Never Again.' This is not your parents documentary, CUFI co-executive director Shari Dollinger added in the statement. It meets the audience where they are, engaging them in a modern and cutting-edge manner. If were not to see history repeat itself, we must ensure the next generation learns the lessons of the past. Never Again? will be showing at 800 theaters nationwide for two nights this fall. A handful of Republican apparatchiks from the Upstate had a great idea this week about South Carolinas Feb. 29 Democratic presidential primary. No, not urging Trump supporters to sabotage the primary by voting for the candidate they consider the most beatable; even the party has distanced itself from that idea, which is a despicable attempt by people with no integrity to sucker other people into relinquishing their own integrity. Upstate GOP leaders plotting to impact SC Democratic primary by boosting Bernie Sanders The Republican plan to meddle in the Democratic race, emerging just weeks before the "First in the South" primary, has two goals: Boost the candidate who Republicans believe presents the weakest threat to President Donald Trump and pressure Democrats to support closing the primaries in the future. The great idea was that, since the state Republican Party canceled its own primary, Trump supporters should vote in the Democratic primary. They absolutely should. Every one of them. Along with all those Republicans who wish we had a different Republican president. And all those people who vote Republican in November but never vote in any primary. And all those people who vote Democratic in November but never vote in any primary. Every one of you ought to join me as I participate in my first-ever Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 29. But not to vote for the Democrat we think President Trump will have the easiest time defeating. Regardless of how we feel about the president, we should vote for the Democrat wed be most comfortable or least uncomfortable having as president. (Or, if youre sure you want to replace Mr. Trump, the one you think is most likely to defeat him.) Im not appealing to your decency although the only way we can walk out of the voting booth as decent human beings is to show a little integrity while were in it. Im appealing to your self-interest. If you vote for the Democrat you find most appalling, that person might very well end up in the Oval Office and youll be partially responsible. Thats why its not only dishonest but foot-shooting stupid to vote for the worst candidate. Ever. So if not sabotage, why vote in the Democratic primary at all if youre not a Democrat? For the same reason you ought to vote in a presidential primary, and a state primary, every chance you get: Thats the only chance South Carolinians get to help decide whos elected president, and its often our only chance to have a say in state and local races. Yes, we have the general election, but lets think that through: South Carolina is so Republican that the Republican is always going to win the presidential race. (If Im wrong, if a Democrat wins South Carolina in November, we still wont make a difference because Mr. Trump will have lost every state in the nation.) And making it a close race makes no difference, because even a candidate who wins by a single vote still gets all of our Electoral College votes. Well talk more about why its important to vote in state and local primaries as we get closer to June 9, but for now, suffice it to say that nearly all of our county, legislative and statewide races are decided in either the Republican or Democratic primary. And when people who dont consider themselves partisans stay home on primary day, those primaries are usually won by the most extreme candidates. As we saw in 2016, when the overwhelming majority of people who regularly vote Republican in November sat out the presidential primary. If they had showed up, wed almost certainly have a different Republican president today. Which brings us back to the Upstate disrupters and their sleazy little plan to sabotage the Democratic primary. They say giving Mr. Trump an easier general election is just gravy: Their primary goal is to enlist Democratic support for their plan to require South Carolinians to register by party and allow only registered partisans to vote in the primaries. +2 Editorial: Thank God for Iowa? SC has some lessons to learn Contrary to the impression you've gotten if your life revolves around social media and cable "news," the world did not come to an end because the results from the Iowa Democratic caucuses were delayed several hours. Even though those primaries are our only opportunity to have a say in most elections. And are run by the state. And paid for by the state. And operate under rules written into state law. They want to steal our primaries because they say our open primaries invite wait for it sabotage. Some of them might actually believe that, because we tend to project our own worst impulses onto everyone else. In fact, though, weve had open primaries in South Carolina for decades, with no such shenanigans. Im sure some particularly despicable partisans do attempt to sabotage the other party, but its never enough to change the outcome. Because most people are honest, and they consider their vote sacred. The real concern of the Upstate saboteurs is that when independents participate in primaries, mainstream Republicans win the nomination. Which they consider an abomination. Hicks: Upstate Republicans have foolishly declared it open primary season Upstate Republicans want to play a dirty trick on South Carolina Democrats during their presidential primary. And that's a bad idea. If youre not an extremist, consider it your civic duty to vote in primaries. Thats the only way the sensible center will ever take back our government. Its especially important this month. If the saboteurs cause enough disruption to get South Carolinas primaries closed, everybody who isnt a blood-oath partisan might as well just tear up our voting cards, because our votes wont matter any longer. DARIEN, Conn. - A Connecticut man charged with killing a hotel worker he says attacked his family on the Caribbean island of Anguilla is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed against him. Scott Hapgood, of Darien, says a hotel worker, Kenny Mitchel, 27, of Dominica, showed up at his familys room unannounced during their April vacation, demanded money and attacked them. Mitchel died, and Hapgood, who said he acted in self-defence, was charged with manslaughter. Mitchels estate filed a wrongful death suit against Hapgood in December. According to the lawsuit, Mitchell died as a result of Hapgood pinning Mitchel, then applying force and pressure to his neck. Hapgoods attorney Michael Conroy denied nearly all allegations laid out in the Mitchel estate lawsuit, according to court documents filed on Thursday. Conroy requested the civil action be dismissed and a variety of damages and his attorneys fees to be paid by Mitchels estate. Hapgood filed a lawsuit in January against Auberge Resorts where the attack occurred. In the lawsuit, Hapgood alleges that the company continued to employ Mitchel at the upscale Malliouhana resort despite his arrest three weeks before his death on a rape charge, and that the arrest should have made him ineligible to continue to work on Anguilla, a British territory. An autopsy report showed Mitchel died of positional asphyxia and received blunt force injuries to his torso and other areas. A Hapgood family spokesman previously said a toxicology report found that Mitchel had cocaine in his system. Turkey will change tack in northwestern Syria if agreements over Idlib, a rebel bastion, continue to be violated, the country's defence minister warned in remarks published Sunday. Turkey and Russia have brokered a ceasefire for Idlib where Syrian regime forces backed by Russian air strikes have pressed ahead with an offensive to retake the province from rebel groups. "If the agreement kept being violated, we have Plan B and Plan C," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said, in an interview with the Hurriyet daily. "We on every occasion say 'do not force us, otherwise our Plan B and Plan C are ready'." He did not give details, but referred to Ankara's military campaigns in Syria since 2016. As part of a 2018 deal with Russia, Turkey set up 12 observation posts in Idlib and Turkish security sources said this week three of them have now been encircled by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has given Damascus until the end of the month to pull back from the outposts and urged Russia to convince the regime to halt its offensive. Eight Turks were killed on Monday by regime shelling prompting a response by the Turkish army. Since Friday, Turkey has shipped large convoys of vehicles carrying commanos, tanks and howitzers to shore up its military posts in Idlib. "Our observation posts there will remain in place within the agreement," Akar said. Turkey keeps on shipping supplies to its outposts in coordination with Russian authorities, he added. "Despite this, if there is any obstacle, we put it clearly that we will do what's necessary." Idlib has long been a destination for civilians and rebel fighters who were either displaced or fled the regime's offensive elsewhere in Syria. Ankara backs rebels seeking Assad's ouster. A Russian delegation on Saturday met with Turkish officials for two rounds of talks in Ankara to discuss steps towards peace and push ahead with a political process in Idlib, according to a Turkish diplomatic source. Ankara and Moscow have worked closely in recent years to resolve the situation in Idlib despite being on opposing sides of the conflict. "Our primary goal is to prevent migration and humanitarian tragedy. We are working to establish a ceasefire as soon as possible and stop the bloodshed," Akar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SYRACUSE, N.Y. The Rev. Bob Langston wrote his speech for Ann Barnes when she was still alive, using the present tense in hopes hed see her sitting in the front row during a packed celebration of her life Sunday. Unfortunately, Barnes, 71, died Friday night. Her last wish, upon receiving a diagnosis of mere weeks to live, was to have a party. Langston kept his speech intact, and the party went on as planned. On a theological level she will always be present with us, Langston told more than 200 partygoers at the Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church on Sunday. Please imagine these words as if Ann was sitting front and center but silent. The notion of Barnes sitting silent drew a laugh from the many well-wishers who crowded into the church, standing along walls and packed into hallways. Langstons speech was met with many laughs and as many tears as he recounted the way the 71-year-old lived her life, often late or leaving early because she had so many passions, so many friends to meet. More than 200 people packed into the celebration for Ann Barnes' on Sunday at the Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church. This is clear evidence of why Ann is late or has to leave early... Langston told the crowd. She has to get to or is coming from one of your groups, or from one of you to another. Barnes celebration drew attendees from her work as a volunteer firefighter, a bass in the choir, a musician, a stalwart churchgoer and dog-lover, among many other interests. Three weeks ago, Barnes learned she was dying of cancer. Doctors gave her three to five weeks to live. As a result, she and friends organized the party, featuring a firetruck hanging American flags off its ladder, a choir some members in tears singing songs she loved, and her favorite Subway sandwiches. The hope was she would be able to attend. This marquis celebrated Ann Barnes, who died Friday night, as attendees arrived for her party. Langston, in his speech, got to the part where he laughed with attendees about Barnes typical tardiness. He joked that, if she were attending in more than spirit, she would not be able to sit silently at that part. After all, she did arrive early at a party in Heaven, he said. She might rebuke her friends with this quip: 'To that part, all of you critics Im actually early, maybe for the first time in my life,'" Langston said, channeling his Barnes impression, drawing even more laughter. Sucks to be you.' And then, Langston said, Barnes would laugh in her typical way: pushing puffs of air quickly through pursed lips. He ended the speech with a call for celebration and joy in Barnes spirit. Let us celebrate life the way Ann does, he said. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Humans have been harnessing power from the sun as long as we have existed. By eating our photosynthesis-fueled friends in the animal kingdom and other organisms that eat plants, we are, ultimately gaining all of our energy from the sun. It stands to reason that we tried to extract energy from the sun for industrial purposes as well at the outset of industry. During the Industrial Revolution, way back in 1839, French scientist Alexandre Edmond Becquerellar made history when he discovered that a man-made solar cell could be used to convert sunlight into electricity thanks to the photovoltaic effect in 1839. Whats more, sunlight is abundant, free, and clean. Every five days, the sun provides the Earth with as much energy as all proven supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, reported Singularity Hub last year. If humanity could capture just one 6,000th of Earths available solar energy, wed be able to meet 100 percent of our energy needs. So if solar energy is more than capable of meeting all of our energy needs while producing zero greenhouse gas emissions, and the United Nations is all but pleading with the private sector to fund more renewable energy research before its too late to avoid the onset of catastrophic climate change, why isnt the world simply blanketed with solar panels? There have been some attempts to do just that: massive-scale solar plants that cover huge swaths of land. These projects have not, however, solved our clean energy needs. Far from it. The $1 billion Crescent Dunes solar plant developed by SolarReserve in Nevada was going to be the biggest solar plant in the world in its investment phase back in 2011, but by the time the project complete, it was already obsolete. SolarReserve may have done its part, but today the company doesnt rank among the winners. Instead, its mired in litigation and accusations of mismanagement at Crescent Dunes, where taxpayers remain on the hook for $737 million in loan guarantees, Bloomberg reported last month. Late last year, Crescent Dunes lost its only customer, NV Energy Inc., which cited the plants lack of reliability. Related: Could This Be The Decade Of Green Hydrogen? Ironically, the Crescent Dunes project was not a victim of the failure of the solar industry, but of its sweeping, whirlwind success. Solar tech has improved rapidly in past years, and a mammoth project like Crescent Dunes just couldnt keep up. The steam generators at Crescent Dunes require custom parts and a staff of dozens to keep things humming and to conduct regular maintenance, the Bloomberg article goes on to say. By the time the plant opened in 2015, the increased efficiency of cheap solar panels had already surpassed its technology, and today its obsoletethe latest panels can pump out power at a fraction of the cost for decades with just an occasional hosing-down. Despite this cautionary tale, the United States military currently has about $38 billion invested in projects very similar in style to crescent dunes. (This is not an anomaly--the U.S. Department of Defense has invested heavily in all kinds of alternatives to fossil fuels as climate change becomes an ever more pressing issue and peak oil looms around the corner.) As Popular Mechanics reports, the Department of Defense has more of the governments high-profile moon shot-type investments with DARPA, the Spruce Goose, and other famous weirdiesbut in the short term, the government invests in cutting-edge science, too. But these investments may very well be just as ill-fated as Crescent Dunes. As in any form of investment, there's risk involved. the Popular mechanics article continues. And public money has another layer of trouble. Because of the way public contracts are bid for, won, and fulfilled, the companies chosen to complete projects are often the best at the application process, and not necessarily the best at the work the project really involves. While it may still hold true that solar holds the greatest promise for the future of clean energy, bloated, government-contract projects mired in litigation, bureaucracy, and limited reflexivity to changing technology and trends are most certainly not the answer. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Melbourne mum Dimitra Kouiroukidis doesn't worry about losing her job whenever she has a seizure, but she knows she's one of the lucky ones. Thanks to the support of a close circle of friends, family and a flexible work-place, Ms Kouiroukidis has only to deal with epilepsy's debilitating physical and emotional toll. But according to a report, the total financial and wellbeing costs of epilepsy to Australia's economy will be $12.3 billion this 2019/20 financial year, about the same as lung cancer and Parkinson's disease. And for the estimated 14,603 new cases of epilepsy reported in 2019, the lifetime costs per year will blow out to $22.2 billion. Prepared by Deloitte Access Economics, the Economic Burden of Epilepsy report analysed data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It conservatively estimated about 142,740 men, women and children nationwide will suffer from epilepsy by July. Diagnosed at nine years old, Ms Kouiroukidis suffers from tonic-clonic seizures - previously known as grand mal seizures - one of more than 40 different types of epilepsy and among the most severe. 'It's not a sexy disease,' she said. 'It doesn't get a lot of funding and so people don't always know much about it.' The total financial and wellbeing costs of epilepsy to Australia's economy will be $12.3 billion this 2019/20 financial year, about the same as lung cancer and Parkinson's disease (stock) Tonic-clonic seizures involve phases of intense muscle stiffening and often violent spasms accompanied by a loss of consciousness. 'Coming out of it, you feel like a train has hit you,' Ms Kouiroukidis told AAP. 'The first 48 hours after are less than great. I'm mostly bedridden with a migraine - no lights or sunshine - I feel like a bit of a zombie,' she said. The report found loss of productivity from epilepsy had the biggest financial impact, costing Australia about $2.3 billion from reduced participation, days off work and lower total lifetime earnings. Fortunately, where Ms Kouiroukidis works the ethos is 'empowering staff and work-life balance'. 'During a bad time in 2017 my husband was able to call my employer and tell him what happened,' she said. She took a few days off then eased back into full-time work without any loss of productivity. That flexibility 'makes a huge difference and because it doesn't impact my performance, doesn't feel like special treatment,' she said. Epilepsy Australia's president Wendy Groot says more education is needed to help reduce the disease burden where it counts. 'After people first present at hospital with epilepsy is when people are most vulnerable and need the most community support,' Ms Groot said. But funding for the illness is low, despite it being Australia's second most burdensome neurological disease, after dementia. In the 2019 federal budget, the Morrison government set aside $20 million over four years to fund the Epilepsy Smart Australia Program. To be delivered by Epilepsy Australia, it is a series of online education and management tools to support people of all ages with epilepsy, with a focus on reducing stigma. The organisation already runs Epilepsy Smart Schools, an class program rolled out for children and young people. An estimated 142,740 people nationwide will suffer from epilepsy by July 2020 and with 14,603 new cases of epilepsy reported in 2019, the lifetime costs per year will blow out to $22.2 billion Ms Groot called on state governments to also contribute. 'Only some states offer funding and and none of it is recurrent, they have to be lobbied every time to continue. We'd rather be spending those resources helping families and carers,' she said. She dismissed the NDIS, saying it will never meet the needs of people with epilepsy. Epilepsy was not even considered for the NDIS in the scheme's early stages, she said. 'Unfortunately (epilepsy) really slips under the radar,' Ms Groot said. Meanwhile, Ms Kouiroukidis' nine-year-old twins are incredibly proud of their mum for stepping forward to talk about her illness. She hopes the pair will grow up to educate people and break down the stigma that still plagues epilepsy sufferers. 'They understand that what is your reality is not the reality of someone else, and that is to be celebrated,' she said. Facing a rapidly aging radio system, and the culmination of more than six months of conversation, Campbell County supervisors heard options for the future of the public safety radio system in a packed meeting room of law enforcement, firefighters, emergency service crews and representatives from most branches of Campbell County public safety this week. On Tuesday night, the Campbell County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation from Cheryl Giggetts, principal consultant with CTA Consultants, a public safety consulting firm investing in public safety training and STEM Education. With every folding chair filled, and more dragged in from the hall, the meeting stretched past 10 p.m. as supervisors discussed the fate of the Campbell County radio system. Public Safety Director Tracy Fairchild said they need to take action as soon as possible. She referenced two recent failures of the radio system instances that would be avoided by joining a regional radio system. While pursuing a suspect down U.S. 460, a Campbell County deputy working alongside Lynchburg law enforcement and Virginia State Police was not informed when the state police threw down spike strips. The county lost four tires when the deputy drove over the spikes, Fairchild said. Even more extreme, she said, during a pursuit in woods off of Candlers Mountain Road, Campbell County deputies and EMS were not informed that the suspect had started shooting and ran in to help. Had we been able to talk to every agency that was there, everyone would have known what was going on prior to this, and [taken] a safer approach, Fairchild said. Every single day that I walk in that office, my goal is for everyone to go home. And at this point, for 26 years, I can tell you my biggest stress is our radio system. Currently, the county faces a multimillion-dollar decision: to remain a standalone public safety radio system, or to join The Central Virginia Radio Communications Board a regional radio board consisting of the counties of Amherst and Bedford, the town of Bedford and the city of Lynchburg, formed in 1996 to ensure public safety communication throughout jurisdictions. Campbell County issued a request for proposals for standalone options several months ago, and Giggetts ran the board through the three proposals the county received. As it stands, the countys radio system bounces off of five towers using VHF very high frequency radio waves and was installed more than 15 years ago. It serves about 389 users, including career fire departments and emergency services crews, eight volunteer fire departments, three volunteer rescue squads and animal control. Fairchild said the bulk of the system is from 1996, with minor updates done in 2003 and the addition of the Altavista tower site completed in 2015. The system has coverage issues in the most populated areas of the county, like Timberlake, and struggles with in-building coverage. They also face radio interference, lack of reliable interoperability with surrounding counties and no reliable contracted maintenance assistance. When something goes down, the county does not have a maintenance team able to immediately respond to more complex technological failures. Though the current system is working, the looming issues mean steps need to be taken as time further strains the system. For all options, it will take 18 to 24 months to implement a new system. The standalone proposals were submitted by Bearcom, a Texas- based telecommunications equipment supplier, and L3Harris, an American technology company, defense contractor and information technology services provider, with L3Harris submitting two different proposals a base system design and an enhanced coverage design. The overall price tag on the projects to create a new standalone system for the county ranged from $6 million to $9 million. Most offered mobile service area coverage of up to 95%, with portable service area coverage of 90%. Though the bulk of the presentation focused on the three standalone projects as county staff stressed the importance of considering all options the majority of public safety attendees rallied behind the regional option, one they said would guarantee better coverage, easy communication with neighboring localities and a support staff already assigned to those using regional equipment. The regional system is what comes to bear when you are looking to operate outside the geographic footprint of your radio system, Giggetts said. Fairchild emphasized the importance of widening their radio footprint. She said they have issues talking to medic units in the hospital, and are forced to rely heavily on cellphones especially when responding to calls outside of the county lines. L3Harris also had submitted an alternate proposal that outlines the cost of joining the regional system. The price tag for the regional option was about $4.5 million, which included costs for warranty and maintenance for the first six years of the system. County Administrator Frank Rogers said that price tag does not include the initial buy-in fee for the county, which is estimated to be around $1.6 million. Rogers said, per the boards direction, county staff will be engaging with the regional radio board to clarify what, if any, other costs are associated with membership. A memorandum presented by the county in May estimated about $175,000 for the annual operations fee. This annual fee is set based upon the annual budget of the Radio Board and Campbells percentage of radios operating on the system. Costs associated with the buy-in to the regional board also are subject to negotiation. By joining the regional system, Campbell County would get a seat at the table alongside other members such as the city of Lynchburg, Bedford and Amherst counties, the town of Bedford, Liberty University, Central Virginia Community College, the Lynchburg Regional Airport and the University of Lynchburg along with improvements in interoperability and utilization of regional maintenance contracts and extended coverage. Campbell County Sheriff Whit Clark spoke in support of joining the regional system at Tuesdays meeting. Clark said he had experience with the system during his 32 years serving with the Lynchburg Police Department and said it was a really good system. Keith Johnson, who served as a fire chief at Lyn-Dan Heights Volunteer Fire Department and retired as a battalion chief in the city of Lynchburg, said he has been a part of public safety in the area for more than 39 years. In Lynchburg public safety, he has been able to step across the line between counties and call for help. Standing in nearly the same spot the next day in his capacity as fire chief in Campbell County, he couldnt radio for help for people trapped in a car. I know what its like to be at a house fire with firefighters inside and I cant get any help because the radios arent working, Johnson said. Weve been part of an inferior radio system for a long time now. He pleaded with Campbell supervisors to consider the regional system with an open mind. That regional system has been working for 20 years. Ive used both, Johnson said. While standalone systems may work, he said he doesnt know if they will ever work as good as the existing regional system. There are about 13 sites that will pour signals right down on our public safety folks, making these emergencies go away. Concord District Supervisor Matt Cline said he was ready to head toward the regional approach. Having spent time interviewing firefighters and first responders in his district, Cline said they were all very much behind the regional system. Rustburg District Supervisor Jon Hardie said he would like to take more time to determine that the regional system will be fair and equal. I dont want to be in a situation where other people are going to dictate our future, Hardie said. We need the best, there is no question of that, but we always need to dictate what is best for Campbell County. Supervisors chose not to take action Tuesday night, instead directing staff to move forward and gather more information on the regional system to be discussed at a future meeting. Sarah Honosky covers Appomattox and Campbell counties at The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5556. Sarah Honosky covers Appomattox and Campbell counties at The News & Advance. Reach her at (434) 385-5556. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-09 02:37:24|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BERLIN, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Germany's ruling coalition on Saturday called for new elections in the eastern state of Thuringia as the state prime minister announced resignation after a political outcry. The out-going state Prime Minister Thomas Kemmerich of the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) was elected to the position three days ago with the support of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a state assembly vote. The unexpected result shocked Germany's political circle as working with the AfD has been as a red line for German major parties. Kemmerich announced his resignation officially on Saturday as pressure mounting. "The election of Thuringia's state premier, only secured the majority with the votes of AfD, is unforgivable," said a joint statement by the ruling parties Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union(CDU/CSU) and Social Democratic Party(SPD). "We rule out forming a (state) government or political majorities with the votes from the AfD," the statement said. The governing coalition called for a new state prime minister to be elected immediately and, if necessary, a new state parliamentary election to be held. Thuringia held its local parliamentary election last October and formed a complex political landscape, providing no obvious coalition. The Left Party won the election, garnering 31 percent of the vote and AfD got 23.4 percent. CDU and SPD took a severe setback securing only 21.8 percent and 8.2 percent respectively. The Green Party and FDP merely surpassed the threshold to enter the parliament with 5.2 percent and 5 percent. The Left Party, the SPD and the Greens had intended to run a three-way minority coalition with Bodo Ramelow of the Left Party as state prime minister. But the plan was foiled after AfD dramatically switched their votes from its own candidate to Kemmerich, who was supported by CDU and FDP. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier this week that the majority made possible with AfD votes was an "unforgivable occurrence" and hinted that the result needed to be reversed. Mumbai: A fire broke out in a scrap godown near Sassoon Dock in south Mumbai in the wee hours of Sunday, a fire brigade official said. No casualty was reported in the mishap, he said. The fire brigade got a call at 1.45 am about the blaze in the ground-plus-one floor godown following which four fire engines and as many water tankers were rushed to the spot, the official said. The blazed was doused by 4 am, he said. "There is no casualty. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained," he added. US and Afghan forces came under direct fire during a joint operation in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on Saturday. "Combined US-Afghan forces conducting an operation in Nangarhar province was engaged by direct fire on February 8th. We are assessing the situation and will provide further updates as they become available," Colonel Sonny Leggett, spokesperson for the US forces in Afghanistan, as quoted by CNN. Further details regarding the operation are still awaited. Tension has been rising in the war-torn country since the Afghan peace deal was called off in December last year. US President Donald Trump had called off the talks with the group after a US service member was killed in an attack in Afghanistan. However, Trump announced the resumption of the negotiations in late November during his visit to Afghanistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mohun Bagan continued their dominance atop the standings, defeating Punjab FC 1-0 in a top-of-the-table I-League clash here on Sunday. Senegalese forward Baba Diawara struck the winning header in the 42nd minute to seal their eighth win from nine matches. The Kolkata outfit is now nine points clear of Punjab FC with 26 points from 11 matches. Playing their final I-League season, Mohun Bagan, who will compete in the Indian Super League from 2020-21 as a merged team with ATK, are now unbeaten from nine matches. It was Dhanachandra Singh who initiated the winning goal from a long throw-in which was headed in to the top left corner by Diawara. Seven minutes later, the visitors got a golden chance to draw level but Dipanda Dicka's strike ballooned over the bar from inside the box. Bagan scored again at the hour mark when Fran Morante found the net from close range off a freekick from Joseba Beitia. But much to the displeasure of the home fans, the goal was disallowed by the referee calling it an offside, even as the linesman did not bring up the flag initially. But Beitia could have scored one for himself if the Real Sociedad youth product did not fluff two chances from point-blank range. Mohun Bagan had another chance with 15 minutes left on the clock when VP Suhair missed the target narrowly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army Rescue battles flames at Kumba Main Market Facebook Some shops at the Kumba Main Market went up in flames Saturday, February 8, 2020, few hours to this Sundays twin municipal and legislative elections. Initially thought to be the handiwork of separatists who have imposed a lockdown to frustrate the elections and National Youth Day, it has now been said the fire was the result of an electric fault. Some locals said at the time of the fire, they heard sounds that appeared to be coming from gunshots. Cameroon-info.net however understands that the sounds were that of whiskey bottles exploding in the shops caught by fire. I was there when the fire started. The Army Rescue came in and with the help of the population, the fire was put out. It is sad to see those who were not in Kumba writing and misleading the population, a local said, adding that, There were no Amba Boys (armed separatists) at the Kumba Main Market/Park and there were no gunshots. The fire incident was as a result of an electric fault. The sounds people got were emanating from bottles of whiskey and electronic items consumed by the wild fire." Some traders are quoted as saying that the electrical connections at the facility were faulty and have been giving them trouble. Those who could afford are said to have resorted to using generators. The fire incident scared locals who had snubbed a separatist imposed lockdown to go about their routine activities. Cameroonians nationwide are expected to vote in municipal and legislative elections this Sunday amid boycott calls from some opposition groupings like the Cameroon Renaissance Movement of Prof. Maurice Kamto as well as threats from separatists who want to stop the elections from taking place. Cameroon has deployed troops to the regions to ensure security before, during and after the elections. Administrative and security officials have taken turns to squash any fears that might have been in the minds of the population, assuring them of maximum security. New Delhi, Feb 9 : Mahatma Gandhi fought for the unity of India for every moment of his public life and never accepted that the country could be divided on religious lines, former President Pranab Mukherjee said here on Sunday. "Gandhiji's whole life was dedicated to Hindu-Muslim unity... Gandhiji is not just the father of our nation, he was also the maker of our nation... he was the moral vector to guide our action by the measure by which we are judged," Mukherjee said at the launch of veteran journalist M.J. Akbar's new book "Gandhi's Hinduism - The Struggle Against Jinnah's Islam" that chronicles the endgame that led to the partition of the subcontinent in 1947 and the creation of Pakistan. Noting that "communal unity and harmony is the bedrock of India's strength and the key to its glorious future", Mukherjee said Gandhi believed in the "intrinsic power of Hinduism" of assimilation, evaluation and adaptation, "as it was inclusive and offered space for the presence of people from every faith". "Gandhiji had declared that no faith could be in danger in India because India had always been the homeland for every faith," Mukherjee said. To this end, the book "strongly emphases" the fact that "Gandhiji fought for the unity of India for every moment of his public life", rejecting "the conventional explanation that partition would be a solution to the communal problem (created by the British)", noting at a prayer meeting a month before Partition that this would lead to a conflict between India and Pakistan, Mukherjee said. "He believed Pakistan would hurt Muslims more than they appreciated. He thought (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah was suffering from an illusion when he imagined that an unnatural division of India could bring either happiness or prosperity" to Pakistan, Mukherjee maintained. This was a view shared by Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, a stalwart of the freedom movement, who issued a statement that he had "come to the conclusion that Pakistan is harmful not only for India as a whole but for Muslims in particular", Mukherjee said, quoting from the book. Stating that the book is an "important" reference point for analysing the history of partition, Mukherjee said: "It very clearly demonstrates the inherent spiritual secularism that Mahatmaji stood for and the divisive colour that Jinnah gave to religion only to secure political ends." "It chronicles how Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress stood as a firm rock against the partition of the country till the very end," Mukherjee said, adding, it establishes, "very adroitly", how Gandhi wanted India's unity at any price and Jinnah wanted partition at any cost. "It will go to the credit of Mahatma Gandhi that he not only saw through the designs of the British in first creating and then fostering the communal divide in India when they saw that the continuation of their rule was not viable and then did everything for their future strategic and geopolitical interests "with the Muslim League under Mr Jinnah", Mukherjee said. Pakistan's military launched a helicopter evacuation of a Canadian and a Finnish mountain climber who were stranded on a peak in the country's north, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan. The two climbers Donald Allen Bowie of Canada and Lotta Henriikka Nakyva of Finland were evacuated due to severe altitude sickness, according to the Alpine Club's secretary, Karrar Haidri. Altitude sickness is characterized by headache, nausea, dizziness and exhaustion. An initial statement from Pakistan's military listed Bowie as American, but the Alpine Club confirmed he's originally from Alberta, Canada. The two climbers were part of a winter expedition to the 26,000-foot (8,000-meter) Broad Peak, the world's 12th highest mountain. It's located in the Karakoram range on the border of Pakistan, India and China. The Karakoram range is among a complex of ranges including the Himalayas. Broad Peak is located around 6 miles (10 kilometers) from K2 mountain, the second highest peak in the world. In March, an Italian and a British climber died on Pakistan's Nanga Parbat, known as Killer Mountain because of its dangerous conditions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadian authorities in western Alberta allege that adults are organizing fight club-style meet-ups between students in the parking lot of a local area school district. Parents of children enrolled in Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools received a letter on Friday from the local school board warning them of the fights. Police asked the school board to notify parents after two fights were organized by two adults in the parking lot of a local school. Two adults appear to be organizing the fights, according to the letter from the school board obtained by the Edmonton Sun. The fight is pre-arranged, the location and time is selected and certain students are invited to the fight. Parents of children enrolled in Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools received a letter on Friday from the local school board warning them of the fights Cars form a circle and turn on their lights. The fight then occurs and is videotaped. The two fights were intense and injuries were severe. One student was recently hospitalized. Parents and students are urged to notify police immediately if they see or hear of a scheduled fight in advance. School board officials are warning that any adults involved in organizing the fights face arrest while students could be suspended or expelled from school. If we as administration determine the individual poses a risk to others at school, even though the actions occurred after school, the Education Act does grant us the authority to suspend or expel, the school district said. If you have questions, please feel free to call the RCMP or your school. Most importantly, talk to your family. DailyMail.com has reached out to the RCMP for comment. Hey, thank you so much, man, thats really cool. Thank you, thanks, I love you guys, thank you. Thank you, man, II know, you guys, Ill try to go quick, my speech is too long so Ill try to breeze through it. And, I love youjust in case they cut me offI love you to my wife and my kids and my family and I love you. Okay, I wrote a speech, here we go, real quick: Hello, my name is Adam Sandler. Thank you. I stand before you trembling with thankful glee as I receive this this so-called best actor trophy, independently speaking, of course. First off, its great to see our host Aubrey Plaza again. Aubrey and I did a movie entitled Funny People eleven years ago. That was actually the last time critics pretended not to hate me for five fucking minutes. Catch you in another eleven years, Aubrey! Id like to also give a shout out to my fellow nominees, who will now and forever be known as the guys who lost to fucking Adam Sandler. How did that happen? Independent movie? Adam Sandler? To get my movie I had to live in my car outside of fucking Ralphs, begging for nickels on fucking kickstarter, and all Sandler had to do was get Ted Sarandos stoned. A fewyou know, a few weeks back, when I was quote-unquote snubbed by the Academy, it reminded of when I briefly attended high school and was overlooked for the coveted yearbook superlative category Best Looking. That accolade was given to a jean-jacket-wearing featherhead douchebag by the name of Skipper Jenkins. But my classmates did honor me with the allegedly less-prestigious designation of Best Personality. And tonight, as I look around this room, I realize, the Independent Spirit Awards are the Best Personality awards of Hollywood. So let all those featherhead douchebag motherfuckers get their Oscars tomorrow night! Their handsome good looks will fade in time, while our independent personalities will shine on forever! Ive got more, Im sorry, Ive gotta cruise through this. But in all seriousness, independent films have been a big part of the Adam Sandler ecosystem. From my first film, a fearless look into the American education system through the eyes of a privileged sociopath by the name of Billy fucking Madison to my searing exploration of American college foosball and its manipulation of socially-challenged athletes like Mister Bobby Bouchet, I have tried to sell my truths with a truly independent spirit, while also cashing some truly disturbingly large paychecks. But tonightIm sorry, Ill go quicktonight is about Uncut Gems. I want to thank some people. First off, of course, the person who shares my life, my home, my laughter, my tears: Scott Rudin. Two years ago, Scott said the words that would forever change my life: No, those arent homeless rabbis, those are the Safdie brothers. No, honestly, I do want to say thank you to the Safdie brothers for believing in me and thinking of me for this part, and I really had the best time getting to know you guys, I love you guys and Im glad were tight now. I also want to say thank you to anybody who ever worked on any of the comedies I did over the years. You guys, I love you, and Im glad we did all that work together that the Safdies and Noah and everybody liked our stuff enough to put me in their stuff. And I truly want to thank my kids for reading Uncut Gems and saying, Dad, youve gotta fucking do this movie. Fantastic stuff. And my wife, I love youthanks for running lines with me and thanks for hanging out with me, and we really had some fun on this one, so I love you. And thanks everybody forits a great night, I appreciate it. Three men died after they were hit by a car near Hindon canal here, police said on Sunday. The accident took place on Saturday night when the car which was on its way to Vaishali hit a scooter coming from the opposite direction, injuring two people -- Sonu and Ashok, Deputy Superintendent of Police Anshu Jain said. As the driver lost control over the vehicle, the car also hit a passerby, killing him on the spot, he said. The passerby's body was found lying in a pool of blood near the road divider, the DSP said, adding that the man was identified as Rohit. Sonu (26) and Ashok (25) were rushed to a nearby hospital, where the two were declared brought dead by doctors. Police found the car's number plate from the spot and traced its owner. A woman was arrested and a case was registered against her under Section 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC, the DSP added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hollywood's four most powerful guilds - the producers, screen actors, directors and writers guilds - all have their own awards nights, with prizes voted for by memberships which roughly mirror the Oscar-voting body, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. But keen observers of the so-called "awards season" have likely known the winners for weeks, using a handful of powerful predictors of Oscar glory hiding in plain sight. The winners of the 92nd annual Academy Awards are one of the most closely guarded secrets in Hollywood, locked in sealed briefcases and guarded by an accounting company until they are read on stage. So while there is much media focus on awards season broadly, and the Golden Globes in particular, neither offers much insight until you drill down to the winners of the four key industry guild awards, all of which come conveniently in the weeks before the Oscars. The science is not infallible but one of the strongest indicator's - the PGA's Darryl F. Zanuck award, which mirrors the Oscars best picture category - has accurately predicted Oscar winners with an 80 per cent success rate for the last decade. "The PGAs are a good place to start because they're the only major industry group that picks their winners using the same kind of preferential ballot that the Oscars use," said Daniel Montgomery, a senior editor at Gold Derby, an awards-season focused US trade publication. Sam Mendes, the director of 1917 . Credit:Matt Licari "With the best picture, Oscar is all about consensus," Montgomery added. "You don't just have to get those first place votes, you [also] have to rely on other people's second and third place votes. [The PGAs] have a high accuracy rate in terms of how often they agree with the Oscars." The 2019 OBrien Awards are in the books! Congratulations to all of the finalists for giving us so many great reasons and racing memories to celebrate Canadian harness racing. Awards are not without controversy and the OBrien Awards are not immune to this. Following last years Oscars, there was a lot of chatter on Social Media about I cant believe Green Book won for Best Picture! If you watched the awards ceremony on TV, that win landed like a dead weight on Oscar night, and the disappointment was evident in the lack of spirited acknowledgement by the 80% of the silent majority who were not in agreement. Best Male Actor more controversy. How could Bohemian Rhapsody male lead Rami Malek possibly have won over Christian Bale for his role in Vice or Bradley Cooper for his role in A Star Is Born? And why did All My Childrens lead actress Susan Lucci have to wait until her 19th nomination before she took home the hardware for her first Emmy Award? The how is easy whenever people are asked to vote on something, subjectivity comes into play. Every one of us has our own tastes, opinions and perspectives and the OBrien Awards are no different. I cant recall a year at the OBriens where everyone was satisfied with the outcome in every category. Even in Louis-Philippe Roy's acceptance interview he stated that the Driver of the Year Award this year could have easily gone to Bob McClure or Sylvain Filion, and he wouldn't have been surprised and couldn't have argued the choice if it had. The mandate of the OBrien voters is to vote for the person or horse they feel made the greatest contribution to Canadian harness racing. The interpretation of that will differ from voter to voter. Some may say that a Canadian bred horse who wins a major race in the U.S. brings a tremendous amount of recognition to Canadian harness racing, and that is an outstanding contribution to Canadian harness racing. Others will decide that they only look at the races on Canadian soil when voting, or Canadian content such as Canadian-bred, foaled and owned. In 2005, The Grey Gladiator, Admirals Express, was voted Canadas Horse of the Year, and that was not without controversy. There were many other high quality horses such as Peaceful Way and Rocknroll Hanover that were absolute standouts that year. But it was the Grey Gladiators magnetism and the sheer toughness he raced with that probably garnered him the popular vote, plus the unprecedented amount of publicity he generated for the industry. The aura that surrounded this horse transcended anything he ever did on the racetrack. Every year SC reviews the voting process, the voters, etc. Over the years, eligibility policies have been introduced to maintain the integrity of the awards, new awards have been introduced, more information has been made available to voters where Canadian content is highlighted. This past year the Board decided that the three start requirement (in Canada) would be in addition to Breeders Crown races when hosted in Canada. The review process is annual and it should be. The industry changes and the awards should reflect that too. If you are a Standardbred Canada member and have any feedback on or suggestions to improve the voting process, other awards to consider, etc. we welcome the feedback. This is your association and anything that is put in writing in an email or letter format will be reviewed. Again, congratulations to all of the OBrien Award winners and finalists for making Canadian harness racing great in 2019! Kathy Wade Vlaar The views presented in Trot Blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada. Beijing, as well as Shanghai, are just some of the major cities in the world's most populous nation that have become ghost towns amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak. The Government has declared an extended holiday and has asked residents not to leave their homes for non-essential reasons. Fear of virus keeping people at home The viral epidemic that has spread across China has surpassed SARs in its number of casualties. The virus has killed over 800 people and infected more than 32,000 people. Most of the cases have come from China's Hubei province, the epicentre of the virus. Even though the virus originated 1,000 km from Beijing, China's capital, its effects can be felt there. Businesses like shops, bars, and restaurants have seen a significant drop in customers due to the epidemic. The government has banned mass gatherings and gone to the extent of banning group meals in an effort to contain the virus. Only a handful of the more than 100 restaurants along Beijing's famous food street, Guijie, were open, and the remaining outlets were wondering how long they can hold out. Read: Sachin Tendulkar Bats After Five-and-a-half Years As Ellyse Perry Bowls To Him Amid the growing crisis, a World Health Organisation-led international team is all set to leave for China to investigate the coronavirus outbreak, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to media reports, the investigating team will leave for China on Monday or on Tuesday. When asked whether the team would include experts from the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC), Pedros said, "We hope so." Read: 15 Kerala Students Stranded In China's Hubei Reach Kochi; No NCoV Symptoms, Advised To Stay At Home Dr Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, while talking to the press said that there has been a stabilisation in the number of cases reported in the Hubei province of China in the past four days. However, Ryan further added that the decline should not be taken as containment of the disease as the situation can accelerate quickly. Read: Coronavirus Temporarily Named NCP By China's National Health Commission Read: UN Health Body Led Team To Leave For China To Investigate Coronavirus Outbreak (With Agency Inputs) Funeral home enlists puppy to join 'grief support team' and comfort families originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com A North Carolina funeral home is adding an adorable new member to its grief support team -- Mochi, an 8-week-old Bernese mountain dog. In a post shared on Facebook, Macon Funeral Home introduced Mochi as a dog "who loves people and loves to sleep." Mochi is currently training at Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, North Carolina, to offer unique emotional support to grieving people, said Mochis owner, Tori McKay. PHOTO: Owner, Tori McKay, holds Mochi in front of Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, North Carolina. (Credit: Courtesy of Callie Lynch Photography) MORE: Disney is 'great training experience' for this adorable service dog "The Bernese Mountain Dog is a very loyal, affectionate and gentle animal, and has always been my choice for a potential grief therapy dog," McKay, who also works at Macon Funeral Home as the office administrator, wrote in a blog on the funeral home's website. "They have a history of being excellent therapy and support dogs, which comes from their kind disposition and laid-back personalities." McKay said she has dreamed of having a grief therapy dog at the funeral home for a decade to bring any element of comfort to funeral visitations. After celebrating her 30th birthday, she decided to follow through with it. PHOTO: Bernese Mountain Dog, Mochi, was introduced as a dog 'who loves people and loves to sleep' at Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, North Carolina. (Credit: Courtesy of Callie Lynch Photography) "I wanted to make this decade of my life more about others than about myself. I really enjoy helping people," she said. "I want to start focusing on my community." So far, the response has been positive with customers requesting time with Mochi, according to McKay. But, since everyone isn't a "dog person," Mochi will only be present upon request and won't be pushed on clients, she told "Good Morning America." But everyone that comes in has requested that she sit with them," McKay said. "She brings peace into the room and you can see how she makes people relax so that they can open up and feel more at home." PHOTO: Bernese Mountain Dog, Mochi, sits in the doorway of Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, North Carolina. (Credit: Courtesy of Callie Lynch Photography) McKay said she plans to begin official obedience training with Mochi in Asheville, North Carolina. After the pup's first birthday, Mochi will undergo professional therapy dog training to become certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Story continues [Mochi] will have to pass three tests in order to become a licensed therapy dog," McKay told GMA. PHOTO: Bernese Mountain Dog, Mochi, will train to be a certified therapy dog at Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, North Carolina. (Credit: Courtesy of Callie Lynch Photography) MORE: This blind dog has his very own guide dog Even though Mochi will serve an important role within the Macon Funeral Home community, McKay emphasized that Mochi will still live a normal life filled with love, play and rest. PHOTO: Owner, tori McKay, pictured with Bernese Mountain Dog, Mochi, at Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, North Carolina. (Credit: Courtesy of Callie Lynch Photography) I think if Mochi only helps one person in her life, then I will still be so proud of her, said McKay. Desperate women are being charged up to four times the NHS price for HRT by online pharmacies, the Daily Mail can reveal. Doctors last night accused some chemists of cashing in on the nationwide shortage of the menopause treatment. Increasing numbers of patients are buying products privately online without seeing a GP. Women only have to answer a few questions about their medical history before being sent the items. But many doctors say the medication should only be prescribed under close supervision with regular check-ups because it can raise the risk of heart disease, blood clots and some cancers. Desperate women are being charged up to four times the NHS price for HRT by online pharmacies, the Daily Mail can reveal. Stock picture The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said it was very concerned that women were buying products from websites and warned that unregulated sites were potentially unsafe. The Royal College of GPs said unscrupulous online chemists were profiting from patients desperate for HRT. One Bristol-based firm, the Independent Pharmacy, is selling three months supply of FemSeven HRT patches for 68.97. Women would normally be able to obtain the same product via an NHS prescription for 18. The private chemist also admitted to recently hiking up the price of another popular patch, Evorel Conti, to 90 for a three-month supply as the national shortages intensified. The Oxford Online Pharmacy is selling a three-month supply of Livial HRT tablets for 65.99, which would cost 18 with an NHS prescription. The company was also selling a three-month pack of Evorel Conti patches for 79.99 until it ran out of stock. Doctors last night accused some chemists of cashing in on the nationwide shortage of the menopause treatment. Stock picture The Treated.com website in Bolton is selling a months supply of Estradot patches for 48, which would normally cost 9. Shortages of HRT began in late 2018. Last August, the Mail revealed how hundreds of thousands of women could not get hold of their medication. The situation came to a head last week when the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the British Menopause Society and the Faculty of Sexual Healthcare urged the Government to set up a working group to investigate the crisis. Lara Slater, 49, from south-east London, paid 82 for a three-month supply of Evorel Conti from the Independent Pharmacy before the price went up to 90, and then went out of stock. She said: I was just so desperate to get it and thought it would only be for a short while. Ive got six months left I managed to get three months worth a couple of weeks ago but thats it, theyre sold out. Another woman told the Mail she was planning to fly to Spain to buy HRT. Q&A Why are there HRT shortages? Doctors have blamed supply problems in China with some of the components for HRT patches, which deliver hormones through the skin. This has had a knock-on effect on other types of HRT such as pills and gels, as GPs have prescribed these treatments instead. There has been a huge increase in demand for HRT in the past few years after NHS guidelines in 2014 recommended it be much more widely used. If this became a problem in 2018, why has nothing been done? Ministers will say the shortages are the responsibility of the pharmaceutical firms. In October, the Department of Health started banning the export of some HRT from the UK to ensure there was more to go round. But doctors leaders believe the Government isnt doing enough and claim officials havent been fully transparent over the cause of the problem. Last week they wrote to Health Secretary Matt Hancock urging him to set up a working group to assess the crisis. When will this be fixed? Doctors hope the supply problems will be resolved this month, leading to products gradually coming back on to the market. But some items are likely to remain in short supply for much of the year. What should women do? The British Menopause Society, which represents specialist doctors, says there are still some forms of HRT available even if they arent patients preferred treatment. But many women who cant get hold of patches dislike using pills and gels because they arent as effective. Why is there concern about women buying HRT online? HRT is a powerful medication that can increase the risk of blood clots, heart disease and breast and ovarian cancer in some women. Doctors say it should only be prescribed under close supervision of a doctor, with regular face-to-face reviews. Doctors are also worried that some online pharmacies may dispense fake or out-of-date medication. Advertisement Up to a million patients use some form of hormone replacement therapy to treat hot flushes, night sweats and other symptoms which usually occur around the age of 50. Before the shortages began, most women would obtain their HRT from a high street chemist for the price of a standard NHS prescription charge of 9 or 18. Treatments containing one medication, oestrogen, cost 9 while those with two oestrogen and progesterone are 18. Private prescriptions are not subsidised by the NHS and so are typically more expensive, but critics said the cost of HRT was creating a two-tier system. Dr Edward Morris, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: We are very concerned to hear reports of women paying privately to access HRT treatment which is not available on the NHS. We are in danger of creating a two-tier system whereby only women who can afford to buy their HRT are able to access it. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said it was very concerned that women were buying products from websites and warned that unregulated sites were potentially unsafe. Stock picture We are also very concerned that women who are struggling to get their HRT prescriptions are resorting to buying medications from online pharmacies. HRT should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional, who can advise whether it is suitable for the individual. He added that women needed to beware of unregistered pharmacies which were potentially unsafe as the medication might be out-of-date, diluted or fake. There is no suggestion that established online pharmacies registered by the Care Quality Commission are handing out unsafe medicine, but campaigners said it was unacceptable for them to profit from the crisis. Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: Drug shortages are a terrible situation for all involved patients, pharmacists and GPs and if companies are profiting from the shortages then it is unscrupulous and unfair. Doctors believe the shortages were triggered by supply problems in China with some of the components of the popular HRT patches. This had a knock-on effect across other types of treatment, including pills and gels, as doctors switched patients to them. Health campaigners have emphasised the importance of prescribing HRT under close supervision, as it can increase the risk of breast cancer. A spokesman for the Independent Pharmacy said it had increased the price of Evorel Conti patches from 69 to 90 over a three-month period after wholesalers increased the price. All other online pharmacies declined to comment. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: We understand how distressing the HRT shortage is for women... and we want to reassure them we are doing everything we can to help them access treatments. The new Economic Advisory Council (EAC) will henceforth brief President Muhammadu Buhari at least once in six weeks, rather than quarterly, the presidency has announced. Presidential spokesperson, Shehu Garba, announced this on Thursday at the end of a meeting President Buhari had with the eight-member council chaired by Doyin Salami, a professor of Economics. Mr Buhari pledged to be guided by the advice of the Council on matters related to the economy, considering the strategic importance of the issues. The economy is the most delicate and sensitive of all aspects of our national life. A little change in the matrix can lead to major disruptions in the national economy, he noted. He cited the examples of changes in crude oil prices at the international market, bad harvests, conflicts in strategic global locations, a major epidemic or pandemic like the current breakout of Coronavirus in China, tariff changes in major world economies, as capable of significantly affecting the plans of the administration. During the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mr Buhari directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, to immediately address the lapses in coordination between ministries and all agencies of government raised in the councils report. After listening to the presentation of the report on macroeconomic importance and their views and recommendations, President Buhari warned that the lack of synergy between ministries, departments and agencies would no longer be accepted. We are working for the country, not for personal interests. We have the same objective of service to the people and we will resolve this, he assured the council. Reviewing the work of the council, which replaced the former Economic Management Team (EMT), Mr Buhari praised the quality of the content of the report. I am highly pleased based on what I have read in your Executive Summary with the painstaking thoroughness of your preliminary report. I have noted the salient points of your report and these will be incorporated in government economic policies, he said. On the challenges facing the economy and the tasks before members of the council, the president directed that the council should now be briefing him more frequently, at least once every six weeks, instead of once every quarter. Earlier, after submitting the council report, Mr Salami also provided answers to questions by the president and his team, supported by contributions by other council members. He outlined a number of challenges facing the economy, and proffered solutions to most of them. Apart from the issue of synergy, the president also expressed concern that the growth rate of the economy is slower than the growth rate of the population. He stressed the need to strengthen national statistical agencies, reform procurement processes, improve education and job planning in training offered by academic institutions. The council also brought to the government its views on borrowing, macroeconomic stability and the need to create a friendly climate for foreign investment. We need an environment that will attract investment. People will come only when they feel confident and when they come, their exit will not be challenging, said Mr Salami. At the end of the meeting, the council resolved to focus on the delivery of legacy projects by the administration before 2023. The Council has Mohammed Sagagi as Vice-Chairman, with the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chukwuma Soludo; and CEO, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, as members. Other members are Ode Ojowu, Shehu Yahaya, Iyabo Masha, Mohammed Adaya Salisu as well as two ministers in the Federal Ministry of Finance co-opted into the Council. What does it say about the country, that cutting any family connection and excluding yourself from family for the rest of your life looked like a better way to live your life, Kerrison said. When Harriet left, she said goodbye to her mother and her two younger brothers and she may never have seen them again in order to keep in her new life. Lisa Page recalled that her mother, a white woman, moved to Mexico after retiring in 1992 and would not tell expatriate friends in her new community that she had been married to a black man and had children of mixed race. My mother felt she had had a sullied life, that she was tainted by my father and [her children]. We would visit, but we couldnt visit her at her new home, Page told the audience. According to sociological studies, the primary reason for a person passing, or assuming a new persona as a member of group category different from themselves, whether race, ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, gender, religion, age or disability status, is to gain privileges, rewards or even self-protection. New Delhi, Feb 9 : China's largest SUV manufacturer Great Wall Motors is gung-ho on its India prospects, where it will invest an estimated $1 billion in a phased manner for manufacturing of not just cars but also lithium-ion batteries in the future. Accordingly, the company plans to take over General Motor's Talegaon plant and refurbish it as per requirements to manufacture large vehicles such as SUVs. The company plans to manufacture EVs too at this plant. It also plans to invest in battery manufacturing in India, along with further investments in Research and Development. Currently, the company has 14 global manufacturing facilities. "We plan to launch our SUVs at the earliest in 2021. We will get the Talegaon plant in the second half of 2020. The plant would require some changes as only small cars are being produced there presently," Kaushik Ganguly, Director, Strategy and Planning at the Indian Subsidiary of Great Wall Motors told IANS. "We are already manufacturing most of the critical and high precision components in China, including EV batteries and e-Drivetrains. This can be produced in India too, depending on the market situation." Last month, the company and General Motors signed an agreement to acquire the latter's Talegaon factory. The development assumes significance since Great Wall Motors will only be the second Chinese major to enter India after SAIC-promoted MG Motor. In India, the company plans to launch its Haval range of SUVs and Great Wall EV brands. The company made the India debut of its Haval and GWM EV brands at the Auto Expo 2020. It showcased Haval: H9, F7, F7x, F5 and the GWM EV: iQ and R1 at the expo. "Our plan is to invest around a $1 billion in a phased manner to have local manufacturing capabilities," Ganguly said. As per plans, the company will invest an estimated $1 billion in India in a phased manner. It also plans to provide an estimated 3,000 direct employment. Furthermore, Ganguly said that this is an opportune time for the company to enter India, since SUVs are the fastest growing segment in passenger cars. Also, the Indian consumers are now more ready to accept Premium SUV offerings. Lately, the sector has been battered by declining sales mainly on account of liquidity constraints among NBFCs and banks. Consequently, companies had to reduce production, while dealers implemented inventory correction measures. At present, GWM has more than 70 holding subsidiaries worldwide and employs nearly 70,000 people. Currently, it has 10 global R&D centers in 7 countries, including China, India, the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Austria. (Rohit VAID can be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in) [February 09, 2020] MMC's drones used in the battle against the new coronavirus outbreak BEIJING, Feb. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The beginning of 2020 is special to most Chinese - with a sudden coronavirus outbreak firstly occurred in Wuhan, China, all cities joined to fight with efforts. Shenzhen MicroMultiCopter (MMC) quickly launched the UAV prevention solutions and invested a service team of over 200 people rushing to the front line with over 100 drones deployed in many cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, and other areas to participate in the battles, by which the risk of spreading among front-line staffs has been greatly reduced. I. Aerial broadcasting Instead of artificially patrolling, drones are capable of 360patrols to observe the ground condition through 40x zoom cameras. Crowds and those who doesn't wear masks in public places are found and dispersed by the commanders through onboard megaphones. Daily broadcasting by drones is carrying out in different communities. II. Disinfectant spraying From stations, supermarkets to small courtyards where there is a need, MMC drones are used to spray disinfectant in public places. Compared to traditional way, using drones can avoid direct contact especiallyin those places required regular disinfection. III. Aerial thermal sensing The drone with thermal camera will automatically sense each person through high accuracy infrared which has been widely used in crowded areas to assist in onsite management and evacuation. IV. Traffic control Since 1st Feb, MMC teams have been working with traffic police to monitor the traffic flow. With larger coverage than fixed cameras, MMC drones greatly helped commanders figure out solutions quickly. "Unlike previous years where we must drive to patrol and gather information, we can now discover everything using drones", a local traffic police praised with his thumb-up. "At first, our drones are used only in aerial broadcasting, and it goes deeper in front-line use since the situation is getting more serious, further functions are required so we quickly formed an online R&D team and carried out the solutions", said Lu Zhihui, chairman of MMC. As a company with complete supply chain of industrial UAV, MMC provides not only complete solutions but also UAV key parts and OEM/ODM cooperation. MMC is committed to boosting automation level so people can work in greater safety, with lower cost and by higher efficiency. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200209/2715232-1-a Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200209/2715232-1-b Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200209/2715232-1-c Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200209/2715232-1-d SOURCE MicroMultiCopter Aero Technology Co., Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Editors note: Capitol Dispatch appears every Sunday during the legislative session. Three local state legislators this week said they oppose a proposed plastic bag ban that passed out of the Senate last month and was referred to the House Environment and Energy Committee. State Sen. Dean Takko, however, said he voted for the legislation as a way to reduce plastic waste. Aberdeen Democrat Rep. Brian Blake said he doesnt support the bill in its current configuration because it also requires retailers to charge 8 cents for other bags made of recycled content. Why would we put in statute what a business can sell a product for? Its nonsensical to me. A business can sell a product for whatever price they want to sell it for, Blake said Tuesday. Rep. Ed Orcutt, a Kalama Republican, added that the 8 cents would then be taxable. During any given trip to a grocery store, you may have a few bags and pay a few cents in sales tax (on those bags), but youre carrying groceries that are nontaxable items. So now the means with which you carry home nontaxable items will be taxable, Orcutt said. As a timber guy, Orcutt, a forestry consultant, said he supports moving away from plastic bags, but the way theyre going about doing this is wrong. Rep. Jim Walsh, an Aberdeen Republican, said hed rather let the market decide what bags should be used instead of imposing virtue-signaling legislation that he doesnt think will impact the overall global plastic output. I dont believe the role of government is to put a thumb on the scale to tilt it one way or another, Walsh said Friday. The measure passed out of the Senate on a 30-19 vote on Jan. 15. Centralia Republican Sen. John Braun voted against the proposed ban, but state Sen. Takko, a Longview Democrat, supported it. Its just something thats gotten out of hand. You see plastic bags blowing up and down the freeway, Takko said Friday. I just think moving ourselves away from so many plastic bags is a good idea. Takko said he likes that the legislation allows plastic bags for meats and vegetables. He also was concerned about the imposed fee on recycled content bags, but he said he can live with 8 cents. Vaping ban Also this week, the Senate dramatically changed legislation initially intended to make permanent the temporary ban on flavored vape products. Senators changed the legislation to allow sale of flavored vapor products to people 21 and older. The legislation was still in the Senate Ways and Means Committee Friday afternoon, with the cutoff deadline looming for policy legislation to be passed out of one House. Walsh said the legislation is unlikely to pass this session. Its a muddled policy point. They probably need to go back to square one and figure out what they want to do. Theyre trying to do everything and effectively doing nothing, Walsh said. From a window on the state Capital Campus, Takko said he was watching two people vaping and a third person smoking while he was talking to The Daily News by phone. Boy, that thing is really up in the air, he said of the legislation. I dont know where this thing is going because its starting to get pulled in different directions. As soon as you get people mucking things up with a lot of different issues, I dont think it will go anywhere. The temporary ban expires on March 19, which is why lawmakers feel the need to find a quick solution, Takko said. He said he supports banning flavors because young adults may be more tempted to try vaping if they know it tastes good. Rep. Orcutt, however, had a different perspective. Hes heard from former smokers that flavored vapor products help them stop smoking cigarettes, which have tar and nicotine and other chemicals. Whether you think vaping is good or not and I dont do it. I dont want to suck that stuff into my lungs Ive got to think its at least not as bad as traditional cigarettes. Flavors help get people off traditional cigarettes and help prevent them from going back, he said. B&O Tax Thursday night, the House passed legislation amending a business and occupation tax on services approved last year. The new legislation clarifies how the Department of Revenue should collect the tax and creates a more level playing field for smaller businesses, Takko said last week. He voted for the new bill. Under the new measure, fewer professional service businesses will pay the surcharge because it would only apply to companies that have yearly gross income of more than $1 million, according to the Associated Press. But business above that threshold would pay a 1.8% surcharge, rather than the 1.5% in the current law. The legislation is estimated to raise about $500 million through mid-2021. The House voted 52 to 45 in favor of the tax, which will fund higher education. Blake voted in favor but Orcutt, Walsh and Chehalis Republican Rep. Richard DeBolt voted against it. The bill passed out of the Senate on Jan. 30. It was delivered to Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday to be signed into law. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 3 Anti-pipeline protesters were served Sunday with a court injunction ordering them to stop blocking access to four ports in the Vancouver area, marking the latest development in what has become a national movement to halt construction on the natural gas project. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/2/2020 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Protesters block the road access to one of Vancouver's port entrances in Vancouver Sunday, February 9, 2020. The protesters who are standing in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en members opposed to the LNG pipeline in northern British Columbia are on day 4 of blocking the main ports in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward Anti-pipeline protesters were served Sunday with a court injunction ordering them to stop blocking access to four ports in the Vancouver area, marking the latest development in what has become a national movement to halt construction on the natural gas project. The injunction, sought by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and signed by Justice Michael Tammen, orders protesters to leave the authority's lands and stop blockading access points to ports in Vancouver and Delta, B.C. "The police are ordered to arrest and remove any person who has knowledge of this order and who the police have reasonable and probable grounds to believe is contravening or has contravened any provision of this order," the court document reads. A spokeswoman for the authority said there was no option but to force the protesters out so port operations can resume, but the protesters say they intend to stay. They're acting in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, who are trying to halt construction of a massive pipeline project that crosses their traditional territory in northwestern British Columbia. The hereditary chiefs oppose the pipeline crossing their territory and efforts by the B.C. government to negotiate an agreement to end the protests have failed. Their fight has sparked a protest movement that spans from the steps of the B.C. legislature in Victoria to the ports in Vancouver to rail lines in Ontario and Quebec. Meantime, several people arrested at various remote locations in northwest British Columbia near construction zones for the 670-kilometre Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline were due in court Monday. They are charged with breach of trust, a Wet'suwet'en spokeswoman said. "All of the 14 people have refused to sign their undertakings because they are following Wet'suwet'en law," Jen Wickham said in a telephone interview from Houston, B.C. "They've all been charged with breach of the injunction." The RCMP said Saturday that officers enforcing a court injunction arrested 11 people who allegedly barricaded themselves in a warming centre in a forested area near a pipeline work site. The other arrests occurred Friday at another Indigenous camp near the pipeline route. Premier John Horgan said the pipeline, which is part of the massive $40 billion LNG Canada liquefied natural gas export terminal project, is of vital economic and social importance to the province's north and already has the approval of 20 elected First Nations councils along the route from Dawson Creek to Kitimat. He said the courts have decided the pipeline can proceed and the rule of law must prevail. Supporters blocked access to Victoria's downtown Johnson Street bridge Saturday and dozens of Indigenous youth have set up a camp on the front steps of the B.C. legislature. Rail traffic near Toronto has also been disrupted by Wet'suwet'en supporters. Before the court injunction was served, Vancouver Wet'suwet'en protest organizer Natalie Knight said dozens of people were picketing in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en chiefs and to send a message to the government and business community. "We recognize the importance of disrupting capital, disrupting money and goods that come out of the city of Vancouver, that are coming from up north or going up north or that are being sent around the world," said Knight. "This sends a very clear message to business and the government that we are not going to allow business to continue as usual." At the B.C. legislature, Wet'suwet'en supporter Kolin Sutherland-Wilson said people intend to camp on the steps while the RCMP remains in Wet'suwet'en territory. "We're here as long as the (RCMP) raid is happening," he said. The supporters at the legislature have lit a ceremonial fire in a steel pit on the front steps and are sleeping at the entrance reserved for dignitaries, including the lieutenant governor. B.C.'s legislature is set to resume sitting Tuesday. Sutherland-Wilson said the fire is for sacred purposes and is being monitored for safety. "If all this granite catches on fire, I'll be awfully surprised," he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-10 05:01:32|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Astronomers have found an unusual monster galaxy in the very early universe, which churned out stars at a high rate before it suddenly died, according to a study published this week. The study, published in the latest edition of Astrophysical Journal, dubbed the galaxy as XMM-2599, which existed about 12 billion years ago. "Even before the universe was 2 billion years old, XMM-2599 had already formed a mass of more than 300 billion suns, making it an ultramassive galaxy," said the study's lead author Benjamin Forrest, with University of California Riverside (UC Riverside). The researchers also found that the galaxy formed most of its stars in a huge frenzy when the universe was less than 1 billion years old. It formed more than 1,000 solar masses a year in stars at its peak of activity, which was an extremely high rate of star formation. Then the galaxy became inactive by the time the universe was only 1.8 billion years old, perhaps because it stopped getting fuel or its black hole began to turn on, according to the study. "Our results call for changes in how models turn off star formation in early galaxies," said Gillian Wilson, a professor of physics and astronomy at UC Riverside in whose lab Forrest works. The evolutionary pathway of XMM-2599 is unclear. Michael Cooper, a professor of astronomy at UC Irvine and the study's co-author, said, "Perhaps during the following 11.7 billion years of cosmic history, XMM-2599 will become the central member of one of the brightest and most massive clusters of galaxies in the local universe." "Alternatively, it could continue to exist in isolation. Or we could have a scenario that lies between these two outcomes," Cooper said. The team used the powerful Multi-Object Spectrograph for Infrared Exploration at the W. M. Keck Observatory to make measurements of galaxy. In a carefully choreographed U.S. Senate forum in Huntsville on Saturday, the sit-up-and-listen-closer question came from off the script. The first question from the audience for four candidates at the forum was simply this: Should Jeff Sessions have recused himself from the Russia investigation and, if you had been in his position as U.S. attorney general, would you have done the same thing? Even President Trump might have stuck his head out a White House window to listen to the answers if he had known the question had been asked. The candidates businessman Stanley Adair, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, state Rep. Arnold Mooney and former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore all agreed: No, he should not have. It perhaps was the most fascinating exchange of the forum, providing a new perspective on a dominant issue in American politics. At the same time, it lent itself to a home run swing of a response from Sessions' opponents shining a spotlight on one of race's favorites to win by re-litigating the decision that Sessions made that enraged Trump and eventually led to Sessions' dismissal as attorney general. Sessions, meanwhile, was not at the forum but touched on his decision to step away from the Russia probe earlier in the day at a meeting in Madison. Jeff Sessions works the room before speaking to the Tennessee Valley Republicans Club in Madison on Feb. 8, 2020. The investigation by the U.S. Justice Department into Russian tampering in the 2016 presidential election began with the top department official stepping away from it less than two months after Trump took office. As an active member of Trumps campaign and a frequent surrogate, Sessions has said repeatedly he believed the most appropriate action he could take would be to withdraw from the case since the investigation would focus on Trumps campaign. And, of course, he was a prominent part of it. The recusal led to the appointment of Robert Mueller as the special counselor, which led to the lengthy investigation that became one of Trumps most frequent topics of consternation. "I would not have (recused myself)," Byrne said in answering the question first. "I've read the Mueller report, I've read the IG report. I did not think there was any reason for Attorney General Sessions to recuse himself. But if he thought he needed to recuse himself, he should have resigned immediately so that President Trump had an attorney general to do his job completely. "Jeff Sessions has been a good friend of mine for a long time. I think he made a mistake to recuse himself." Then came Adair, taking the opportunity to criticize Sessions beyond his recusal. "I think he did real good by recusing himself and I think he should recuse himself from this race," he said. "He thinks he's entitled to this seat. And I dont want to repeat the errors of the past, folks. I want to see new faces in Washington. I want to see new people with new ideas to move this country forward. I dont want to get stuck in a situation to where we've got animosity between the president and someone who was in his cabinet." For almost two years, Sessions was Trumps figurative punching bag a regular target of the presidents messages on Twitter where he attacked his attorney general both personally and professionally. The New York Times reported that privately, Trump called Sessions an idiot. Sessions endured the barbs, publicly maintaining support for the president until he was forced from office the day after the 2018 midterm elections. "No, he should not have recused himself," said Mooney, taking the microphone next. "I would not have recused myself. I'm not an attorney but I have read a number of the documents and feel very strongly that you serve at the pleasure of the president as an appointee in that type of position. The situation is clearly evident in our country that we need a unified fight against the radical left. The attacks that were made and the duplicity and dishonesty of the FBI were totally evident. It's a sad characterization of an agency that is supposed to be protecting American people." The overreach by the FBI in the issuing of some federal wire taps, cited in the Mueller report, was not addressed by Sessions because of the recusal. "I would not have recused myself," Moore said. "That was his choice. That was his decision. I won't criticize his decision. I'll just say I would not have recused myself. I think it's time to start investigating people that have done things wrong, like Hillary Clinton. I think we need to look at some things like that but he shouldn't have recused himself." For his part, Sessions albeit briefly raised the issue of his recusal in speaking Saturday morning in Madison to the Tennessee Valley Republican Club. I know he was frustrated with me over the recusal, which I felt I had to do, Sessions said of Trump. He then paraphrased a New York Times article from Aug. 3, 2017, written six months after he had withdrawn from the Mueller investigation. Mr. Sessions is carrying out the presidents conservative agenda with head-turning speed, roiling critics on the left and leaving some career staff members within the department disoriented by the sea change, the passage said. By Gwynne Dyer Companies like LG and NVIDIA aren't the only ones having second thoughts about Mobile World Congress in light of the current coronavirus outbreak. CNET sources say Samsung is scaling back its plans to attend the wireless extravaganza, with many executives cancelling their trips. The company is still "considering" its options and might change its approach again, the sources said, but it might not have nearly as much beyond its usual booth. The company didn't comment on the report. In addition to high-profile companies leaving the show, the GSMA (which organizes MWC) has also implemented some screening efforts in a bid to reduce the chances of coronavirus infections. It's banning all guests from China's Hubei province, where the outbreak started, and will require that visitors who have been to China prove that they haven't been there for the last 14 days. They'll also have to go through temperature checks and attest that they haven't been in contact with infected people. Samsung doesn't need MWC as much as some of its competitors do. The company is set to make its biggest announcements at its Unpacked event on February 11th, and anything new at MWC would likely be secondary to that. Even so, a partial exit could represent a significant blow by preventing the business deals that frequently take place at the show. It would also show the extent to which coronavirus fears are affecting the tech world. You know health concerns are serious if a heavyweight like Samsung shrinks its presence at a trade event where it frequently dictates the conversation. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) arrives at the Capitol for President Donald Trumps State of the Union address, in Washington on Feb. 4, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Sen. Collins Says Shes Received Credible Death Threats After Trump Acquittal Vote Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced she has been receiving death threats after she voted to acquit President Donald Trump during the Senates impeachment trial. Three of those death threats, she said, were deemed credible and are being investigated, she told a conference on Friday, reported The Associated Press. I have such respect for all of you and for our state troopers and our local police. I have always loved our law enforcement and have been so grateful for all that you have done, Collins told the Maine Chiefs of Police Association winter conference in South Portland, Maine. She had also received death threats after she voted to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. At the time, she had received a threatening letter at her home in Bangor, Maine, that contained the deadly toxin, ricin. Her husband and their dog, Pepper, were placed under quarantine. Collins was one of two GOP senators to vote in favor of calling witnesses during the impeachment trial, joining every Democrat in the upper chamber. However, she ultimately voted to acquit President Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, later telling reporters that she believes the president learned from this case. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) was the other Republican to favor witnesses, but he broke ranks with his party and cast a vote to convict the president. Im voting to acquit. Because I do not believe that the behavior alleged reaches the high bar in the Constitution for overturning an election and removing a duly elected president, Collins told CBS News at the time, adding that she believes Trumps actions didnt amount to high crimes or misdemeanors. But when key impeachment witnesses Alexander Vindman, the National Security Councils (NSC) top Ukraine expert, was fired on Friday, Collins characterized herself as someone who is obviously against the move. European Union Ambassador Gordon Sondland announced that same day he is being recalled to Washington. Both men had testified in the impeachment inquiry against Trump. I think its important to understand that when youre in an impeachment trial, you consider the evidence that is before you, Collins said in defense of her vote, according to the Portland Press Herald. You dont try to make predictions. You consider the evidence thats before you. In this case, the evidence did not meet the high bar thats established by the Constitution for immediate removal of the president from office. Trump, in confirming Vindmans dismissal, wrote that his colleagues had questioned Vindmans judgment. Actually, I dont know him, never spoke to him, or met him (I dont believe!) but, he was very insubordinate, reported contents of my perfect calls incorrectly, & was given a horrendous report by his superior, the man he reported to, who publicly stated that Vindman had problems with judgement, adhering to the chain of command and leaking information, Trump wrote in a statement on Twitter on Saturday. In other words, OUT, he added. Vindman had testified that I couldnt believe what I was hearing when he listened on Trumps phone call with Ukraines leader. But later, his NSC boss, Tim Morrison, suggested that other officials had considered Vindman unreliable while others expressed concerns that he may have leaked information. Morrison also told lawmakers during the probe that he heard nothing improper on the Trump call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both Zelensky and Trump have denied allegations of a quid pro quo that were at the center of the House Democrat-run impeachment inquiry. David Pressman, an attorney for Vindman, confirmed he was fired and escorted out of the White House on Friday. Later, he decried Trumps Twitter statement as false and said that Vindman continues his service to our country as a decorated, active duty member of our military. Actress and movie producer, Yvonne Nelson has admonished Christians to rely on God, instead of on their pastors. Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in According to the outspoken actress, everyone must build a personal relationship with God and stop relying on pastors for miracles. READ ALSO: Elikem Kumordzi apologizes to Kofi Adjorlolo one last time She said Christians must learn to go on their knees and pray to God for all the miracles they are expecting and the Lord will hear them. Yvonne also advised people to read the Bible for themselves and stop taking everything their pastors tell them as the truth. She noted that some of the men of God are fake and false prophets. READ ALSO: I will not apologize to women; I didnt disrespect anybody - Bulldog clears air Without a doubt, one of the common reasons people go to church is because they believe prayers from their pastors are more efficient than theirs. But the celebrated actress is advising Christains not to rely on their pastors. YEN.com.gh earlier reported that reports emanating from Ghanas premier university, University of Ghana indicates that the President of the Students Representative Council (SRC), Isaac Agyemang has allegedly embezzled GH 66,138 of students dues. According to report by Universenewsroom.com, the General Assembly of UG approved a sum of GHC 365,452 from the SRC dues as expenses for the first semester of the 2019/2020 academic year. But it has been revealed through the University of Ghanas Income Statement presented to the General Assembly that Mr Isaac Agyemang withdrew an amount of GHC 431,590 from the dues indicating an excess of GHC 66,138 spent. Faces of Ghana: Ghanas 1st Female Police Bemoans High Rate of Police Indiscipline | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: Stephen Appiah dazzles in custom-made suits (Photos) Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh Earlier Cabinet of Ministers approved the Annual program Ukraine-NATO in a new quality. The rights, freedoms and legitimate interests lie in its core as Ukraines Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk reported on Telegram. The development of the document took place on the international method of Results-Based Management. This method is used during the preparation of strategic documents in countries-members of NATO, the World Bank, and the UN. The program provides the reforms of the security and defense sector as well as democratic changes in the country. It is approximated to the Action Plan on the membership in NATO. As we reported, NATO positively assesses the implementation of reforms in Ukraine but insists on the need to pay special attention to the reform of the Security Service and the defense industry. Besides, the reform of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was discussed during the session of the Commission Ukraine-NATO in Brussels. On January 15, 2020, Ukraine and NATO have finally agreed to conduct a joint exercise to protect critical infrastructure in the Black Sea region, Indestructible Sustainability 2020 in Odesa. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 9 By Tamilla Mammadova Trend: Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were held in calm atmosphere, Founder and Director of the Georgian Mtavari Media Center Eka Gulua told Trend. I have visited 7-8 polling stations since 8:00 (GMT+4), the director said. The atmosphere at the voting was calm, everyone was content and happy. In turn, Chairman of the National Congress of Georgian Azerbaijanis Ali Babayev noted that Azerbaijans human resources policy has recently changed significantly, young people are taking a more active part in management, and it was necessary to make changes in the composition of the parliament as well. So far, there havent been any violations either during the pre-election campaign or during the elections, said the chairman. We have visited about 10 polling stations. Since the morning, due to cold weather, there were fewer voters, but in the afternoon their number increased, Babayev added. There are about 15 journalists from Georgia, Georgian MPs, representatives of the Georgian Central Election Commission, said the chairman. For Azerbaijan, holding such democratic, transparent elections is a great victory, and this will contribute to the countrys greater prosperity. The parliamentary elections of the sixth convocation were held in Azerbaijan on Feb. 9. Some 1,314 candidates were registered within the early parliamentary elections. The candidacies of 246 people were nominated by 19 political parties, 1,057 were self-nominated, 11 - by initiative groups. Twenty-one percent accounted for female candidates while 79 percent male candidates. Throughout the day, 5,573 permanent polling stations operated in 125 constituencies of the country. There were 5,329,460 registered voters. Some 883 international observers and 77,790 local observers monitored the voting process. Among the local observers, 35,152 were representatives of political parties. International observers represented 58 countries and 59 organizations. Exit polls were conducted by AJF & Associates Inc. (US) jointly with Citizens' Labor Rights Protection League, the Rey Monitoring Center, and the French OpinionWay Research Institute together with the Human Rights in the XXI Century Azerbaijan Foundation. London: Princess Beatrice, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, is about to marry Italian businessman Edward Mapelli Mozzi. Buckingham Palace has announced this. While giving information, Buckingham Palace said that Princess Beatrice will be married on 29 May. The wedding ceremony will be held at the Chapel Royal of St. James's Palace. Beatrice and Mapelli have chosen this place together. DGCA's big order due to coronavirus, says 'Indians went to China before January 15' However, there will be a reception later at Buckingham Palace which will be hosted by Queen herself. Princess Beatrice, a 31-year-old daughter of the Duke of York and Duchess of York, engaged with her property tycoon boyfriend in Italy in September. Buckingham Palace has stated that Beatrice's sister's marriage was shown on ITV in 2018, but there is no purpose to broadcast the ceremony. Big disclosure on terror funding case, Hafiz Saeed's move to avoid judgment No money of the public will be spent on this marriage ceremony. This will be the fourth royal wedding in the last two years. Talking about the last three marriages, Princess Eugenie, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Lady Gabriella Windsor were married. The wedding ceremony of all of them was held at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Beatrice's wedding ceremony may receive 150 guests, while her sister's wedding was attended by around 800 people. Pakistan may soon issue new order for passport-free entry, facility given to Indians for Kartarpur corridor